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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/359-0.txt b/359-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f6d966e --- /dev/null +++ b/359-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11976 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Good Stories For Great Holidays, by +Frances Jenkins Olcott + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Good Stories For Great Holidays + Arranged for Story-Telling and Reading Aloud and for the + Children's Own Reading + +Author: Frances Jenkins Olcott + +Posting Date: July 11, 2008 [EBook #359] +Release Date: November, 1995 +Last Updated: March 16, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GOOD STORIES FOR GREAT HOLIDAYS *** + + + + +Produced by Mike Lough + + + + + +GOOD STORIES FOR GREAT HOLIDAYS + + +ARRANGED FOR STORY-TELLING AND READING ALOUD + +AND FOR THE CHILDREN'S OWN READING + +By Frances Jenkins Olcott + + +Index according to reading level is appended. + + + +TO THE STORY-TELLER + +This volume, though intended also for the children's own reading and for +reading aloud, is especially planned for story-telling. The latter is a +delightful way of arousing a gladsome holiday spirit, and of showing the +inner meanings of different holidays. As stories used for this purpose +are scattered through many volumes, and as they are not always in the +concrete form required for story-telling, I have endeavored to bring +together myths, legends, tales, and historical stories suitable to +holiday occasions. + +There are here collected one hundred and twenty stories for seventeen +holidays--stories grave, gay, humorous, or fanciful; also some that +are spiritual in feeling, and others that give the delicious thrill +of horror so craved by boys and girls at Halloween time. The range +of selection is wide, and touches all sides of wholesome boy and girl +nature, and the tales have the power to arouse an appropriate holiday +spirit. + +As far as possible the stories are presented in their original form. +When, however, they are too long for inclusion, or too loose in +structure for story-telling purposes, they are adapted. + +Adapted stories are of two sorts. Condensed: in which case a piece of +literature is shortened, scarcely any changes being made in the original +language. Rewritten: here the plot, imagery, language, and style of the +original are retained as far as possible, while the whole is moulded +into form suitable for story-telling. Some few stories are built up on a +slight framework of original matter. + +Thus it may be seen that the tales in this volume have not been reduced +to the necessarily limited vocabulary and uniform style of one editor, +but that they are varied in treatment and language, and are the products +of many minds. + +A glance at the table of contents will show that not only have +selections been made from modern authors and from the folklore of +different races, but that some quaint old literary sources have been +drawn on. Among the men and books contributing to these pages are the +Gesta Romanorum, Il Libro d'Oro, Xenophon, Ovid, Lucian, the Venerable +Bede, William of Malmesbury. John of Hildesheim, William Caxton, and the +more modern Washington Irving, Hugh Miller, Charles Dickens, and Henry +Cabot Lodge; also those immortals, Hans Andersen, the Brothers Grimm, +Horace E. Scudder, and others. + +The stories are arranged to meet the needs of story-telling in the +graded schools. Reading-lists, showing where to find additional material +for story-telling and collateral reading, are added. Grades in which the +recommended stories are useful are indicated. + +The number of selections in the volume, as well as the references +to other books, is limited by the amount and character of available +material. For instance, there is little to be found for Saint +Valentine's Day, while there is an overwhelming abundance of fine +stories for the Christmas season. Stories like Dickens's “Christmas +Carol,” Ouida's “Dog of Flanders,” and Hawthorne's tales, which are too +long for inclusion and would lose their literary beauty if condensed, +are referred to in the lists. Volumes containing these stories may be +procured at the public library. + +A subject index is appended. This indicates the ethical, historical, and +other subject-matter of interest to the teacher, thus making the volume +serviceable for other occasions besides holidays. + +In learning her tale the story-teller is advised not to commit it to +memory. Such a method is apt to produce a wooden or glib manner of +presentation. It is better for her to read the story over and over again +until its plot, imagery, style, and vocabulary become her own, and then +to retell it, as Miss Bryant says, “simply, vitally, joyously.” + + + + + + +CONTENTS + +NEW YEAR'S DAY (January 1) + +THE FAIRY'S NEW YEAR GIFT: Emilie Poulsson, In the Child's World + +THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL: Hans Christian Andersen, Stories and Tales + +THE TWELVE MONTHS: Alexander Chodsvko, Slav Fairy Tales + +THE MAIL-COACH PASSENGERS: Hans Christian Andersen, Fairy Tales + +LINCOLN'S BIRTHDAY (February 10) + +HE RESCUES THE BIRDS: Noah Brooks, Abraham Lincoln + +LINCOLN AND THE LITTLE GIRL: Charles W. Moores, Life of Abraham Lincoln +for Boys and Girls + +TRAINING FOR THE PRESIDENCY: Orison Swett Matden, Winning Out + +WHY LINCOLN WAS CALLED “HONEST ABE”: Noah Brooks, Abraham Lincoln + +A STRANGER AT FIVE-POINTS: Adapted + +A SOLOMON COME TO JUDGMENT: Charles W. Moores, Life of Abraham Lincoln +for Boys and Girls + +GEORGE PICKETT'S FRIEND: Charles W. Moores, Life of Abraham Lincoln for +Boys and Girls + +LINCOLN THE LAWYER: Z. A. Mudge, The Forest Boy + +THE COURAGE OF HIS CONVICTIONS: Adapted + +MR. LINCOLN AND THE BIBLE: Z. A. Mudge, The Forest Boy + +HIS SPRINGFIELD FAREWELL ADDRESS [Lincoln] + +SAINT VALENTINE'S DAY (February 14) + +SAINT VALENTINE + +SAINT VALENTINE: Millicent Olmsted + +A GIRL'S VALENTINE CHARM: The Connoisseur, 1775 + +MR. PEPYS HIS VALENTINE: Samuel Pepys, Diary + +CUPID AND PSYCHE: Josephine Preston Peabody, Old Greek Folk Stories + +WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY (February 22) + +THREE OLD TALES: M. L. Weems, Life of George Washington, with Curious +Anecdotes + +YOUNG GEORGE AND THE COLT: Horace E. Scudder, George Washington + +WASHINGTON THE ATHLETE: Albert F. Blaisdell and Francis R. Ball, Hero +Stories from American History + +WASHINGTON'S MODESTY: Henry Cabot Lodge, George Washington + +WASHINGTON AT YORKTOWN: Henry Cabot lodge, George Washington + +RESURRECTION DAY (Easter Sunday) (March or April) + +A LESSON OF FAITH: Mrs. Alfred Gatty, Parables from Nature + +A CHILD'S DREAM OF A STAR: Charles Dickens + +THE LOVELIEST ROSE IN THE WORLD: Hans Christian Andersen, Stories and +Tales + +MAY DAY (May 1) THE SNOWDROP: Hans Christian Andersen; Adapted by Bailey +and Lewis + +THE THREE LITTLE BUTTERFLY BROTHERS: From the German + + +THE WATER DROP: Friedrich Wilhelm Carove, Story without an End, +translated by Sarah Austin + +THE SPRING BEAUTY: Henry R. Schoolcraft, The Myth of Hiawatha + +THE FAIRY TULIPS: English Folk-Tale + +THE STREAM THAT RAN AWAY: Mary Austin, The Basket Woman + +THE ELVES: Harriet Mazwell Converse, Myths and legends of the New York +State Iroquois + +THE CANYON FLOWERS: Ralph Connor, The Sky Pilot + +CLYTIE, THE HELIOTROPE: Ovid, Metamorphoses + +HYACINTHUS: Ovid, Metamorphoses + +ECHO AND NARCISSUS: Ovid, Metamorphoses + +MOTHERS' DAY (Second Sunday in May) + +THE LARK AND ITS YOUNG ONES: P. V. Ramuswami Raju, Indian Fables + +CORNELIA S JEWELS: James Baldwin, Fifty Famous Stories Retold + +QUEEN MARGARET AND THE ROBBERS: Albert F. Blaisdell, Stories from +Enylish History + +THE REVENGE OF CORIOLANUS: Charles Morris, Historical Tales + +THE WIDOW AND HER THREE SONS + +MEMORIAL DAY (May 30)[1] AND FLAG DAY (June 14) Confederate Memorial Day +is celebrated in some States on April 26 and in others on May 10. + +BETSY ROSS AND THE FLAG: Harry Pringle Ford + +THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER: Eva March Tappan, Hero Stories from American +History + +THE LITTLE DRUMMER-BOY: Aloert Bushnell Hart, The Romance of the Civil +War + +A FLAG INCIDENT: M. M. Thomas, Captain Phil + +TWO HERO-STORIES OF THE CIVIL WAR: Ben La Bree, Camp Fires of the +Confederacy + +THE YOUNG SENTINEL: Z. A. Mudge, The Forest Boy + +THE COLONEL OF THE ZOUAVES: Noah Brooks, Abraham Lincoln + +GENERAL SCOTT AND THE STARS AND STRIPES: E. D. Townsend, Anecdotes of +the Civil War + +INDEPENDENCE DAY (July 4) + +THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE: Washington Irving, Life of Washington + +THE SIGNING OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE: H. A. Guerber, The Story +of the Thirteen Colonies + +A BRAVE GIRL: James Johonnot, Stories of Heroic Deeds + +THE BOSTON TEA-PARTY: John Andrews, Letter to a friend written in 1773 + +A GUNPOWDER STORY: John Esten Cooke, Stories of the Old Dominion + +THE CAPTURE OF FORT TICONDEROGA: Washington Irving, Life of Washington + +WASHINGTON AND THE COWARDS: Washington Irving, Life of Washington + +LABOR DAY (First Monday in September) + +THE SMITHY: P. V. Ramaswami Raju, Indian Fables + +THE NAIL: The Brothers Grimm, German Household Tales + +THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER: Horace E. Scudder, Book of Fables and Folk +Stories + +THE HILLMAN AND THE HOUSEWIFE: Juliana Horatia Ewing, Old Fashioned +Fairy Tales + +HOFUS THE STONE CUTTER, A JAPANESE LEGEND: The Riserside Third Reader + +ARACHNE: Josephine Preston Peabody, Old Greek Folk Stories + + +THE METAL KING: A German Folk-Tale + +THE CHOICE OF HERCULES: Xenophon, Memorabilia of Socrates + +THE SPEAKING STATUE: Gesta Romanorum + +THE CHAMPION STONE CUTTER: Hugh Miller + +BILL BROWN'S TEST: Cleveland Moffett, Careers of Danger and Daring + +COLUMBUS DAY (October 12) + +COLUMBUS AND THE EGG: James Baldwin, Thirty More Famous Stories Retold + +COLUMBUS AT LA RABIDA: Washington Irving, Life of Christopher Columbus + +THE MUTINY: A. de Lamartine, Life of Columbus + +THE FIRST LANDING OF COLUMBUS IN THE NEW WORLD: Washington Irving, Life +of Christopher Columbus + +HALLOWEEN (October 31) + +THE OLD WITCH: The Brothers Grimm, German Household Tales + +SHIPPEITARO: Mary F. Nixon-Roulet, Japanese Folk Stories and Fairy Tales + +HANSEL AND GRETHEL: The Brothers Grimm, German Household Tales + +BURG HILL'S ON FIRE: Elizabeth W. Grierson, Children's Book of Celtic +Stories + +THE KING OF THE CATS: Ernest Rhys, Fairy-Gold + +THE STRANGE VISITOR: Joseph Jacobs, English Fairy Tales + +THE BENEVOLENT GOBLIN: Gesta Romanorum + +THE PHANTOM KNIGHT OF THE VANDAL CAMP: Gesta Romanorum + +THANKSGIVING DAY (Last Thursday in November) + +THE FIRST HARVEST-HOME IN PLYMOUTH: W. De Loss Lore, Jr., The Fast and +Thanksgiving Days of New England + +THE MASTER OF THE HARVEST: Mrs. Alfred Gatty, Parables from Nature + +SAINT CUTHBERT'S EAGLE: The Venerable Bede, Life and Miracles of Saint +Cuthbert + +THE EARS OF WHEAT: The Brothers Grimm, German Household Tales + +HOW INDIAN CORN CAME INTO THE WORLD: Henry R. Schoolcraft, The Myth of +Hiawatha + +THE NUTCRACKER DWARF: Count Franz Pocci, Fur Frohliche Kinder + +THE PUMPKIN PIRATES, A TALE FROM LUCIAN: Alfred J. Church, The Greek +Gulliver + +THE SPIRIT OF THE CORN: Harriet Mazwell Converse, +Myths and Legends of the New York State Iroquois + +THE HORN OF PLENTY: Ovid, Metamorphoses + +CHRISTMAS DAY (December 25) + +LITTLE PICCOLA: Celia Thazter, Stories and Poems for Children + +THE STRANGER CHILD, A LEGEND: Count Franz Pocci, Fur Frohliche Kinder + +SAINT CHRISTOPHER: William Caxton, Golden Legend + +THE CHRISTMAS ROSE, AN OLD LEGEND: Lizzie Deas, Flower Favourites + +THE WOODEN SHOES OF LITTLE WOLFF: Francois Coppee + +THE PINE TREE: Hans Christian Andersen, Wonder Stories + +THE CHRISTMAS CUCKOO: Frances Browne, Granny's Wonderful Chair + +THE CHRISTMAS FAIRY OF STRASBURG, A GERMAN FOLK-TALE: J. Stirling Coyne, +Illustrated London News + +THE THREE PURSES, A LEGEND: William S. Walsh, Story of Santa Klaus + +THE THUNDER OAK, A SCANDINAVIAN LEGEND: William S. Walsh and Others + +THE CHRISTMAS THORN OF GLASTONBURY, A LEGEND OF ANCIENT BRITAIN: William +of Malmesbury and Others + +THE THREE KINGS OF COLOGNE, A LEGEND OF THE MIDDLE AGES: John of +Hildesheim, Modernized by H. S. Morris + +ARBOR DAY + +THE LITTLE TREE THAT LONGED FOR OTHER LEAVES: Friedrieh Ruckert + +WHY THE EVERGREEN TREES NEVER LOSE THEIR LEAVES: Florence Holbrook, Book +of Nature Myths + +WHY THE ASPEN QUIVERS: Old legend + +THE WONDER TREE: Friedrich Adolph Krummacher, Parables + +THE PROUD OAK TREE: Old Fable + +BAUCIS AND PHILEMON: H. P. Maskell, Francis Storr, +Half-a-Hundred Hero Tales + +THE UNFRUITFUL TREE: Friedrich Adolph Krummacher, Parables + +THE DRYAD OF THE OLD OAK: James Russell Lowell, Rhoecus (a poem) + +DAPHNE: OVID, Metamorphoses BIRD DAY + +THE OLD WOMAN WHO BECAME A WOODPECKER: Phoebe Cary, A Legend of the +Northland (poem) + +THE BOY WHO BECAME A ROBIN: Henry R. Schoolcraft, The Myth of Hiawatha + +THE TONGUE-CUT SPARROW: A. B. Mitford, Tales of Old Japan + +THE QUAILS, A LEGEND OF THE JATAKA: Riverside Fourth Reader + +THE MAGPIE'S NEST: Joseph Jacobs, English Fairy Tales + +THE GREEDY GEESE: Il Libro d'Oro + +THE KING OF THE BIRDS: The Brothers Grimm, German Household Tales + +THE DOVE WHO SPOKE TRUTH: Abbie Farwell Brown, The Curious Book of Birds + +THE BUSY BLUE JAY: Olive Thorne Miller, True Bird Stories + +BABES IN THE WOODS: John Burroughs, Bird Stories from Burroughs + +THE PRIDE OF THE REGIMENT: Harry M. Rieffer, The Recollections of a +Drummer Boy + +THE MOTHER MURRE: Dallas Lore Sharp, Summer + +REFERENCE LISTS FOR STORY-TELLING AND COLLATERAL READING + + + + + +GOOD STORIES FOR GREAT HOLIDAYS + + + + +THE FAIRY'S NEW YEAR GIFT + +BY EMILIE POULSSON (ADAPTED) + +Two little boys were at play one day when a Fairy suddenly appeared +before them and said: “I have been sent to give you New Year presents.” + +She handed to each child a package, and in an instant was gone. + +Carl and Philip opened the packages and found in them two beautiful +books, with pages as pure and white as the snow when it first falls. + +Many months passed and the Fairy came again to the boys. “I have brought +you each another book?” said she, “and will take the first ones back to +Father Time who sent them to you.” + +“May I not keep mine a little longer?” asked Philip. “I have hardly +thought about it lately. I'd like to paint something on the last leaf +that lies open.” + +“No,” said the Fairy; “I must take it just as it is.” + +“I wish that I could look through mine just once,” said Carl; “I have +only seen one page at a time, for when the leaf turns over it sticks +fast, and I can never open the book at more than one place each day.” + +“You shall look at your book,” said the Fairy, “and Philip, at his.” And +she lit for them two little silver lamps, by the light of which they saw +the pages as she turned them. + +The boys looked in wonder. Could it be that these were the same fair +books she had given them a year ago? Where were the clean, white pages, +as pure and beautiful as the snow when it first falls? Here was a page +with ugly, black spots and scratches upon it; while the very next page +showed a lovely little picture. Some pages were decorated with gold and +silver and gorgeous colors, others with beautiful flowers, and still +others with a rainbow of softest, most delicate brightness. Yet even on +the most beautiful of the pages there were ugly blots and scratches. + +Carl and Philip looked up at the Fairy at last. + +“Who did this?” they asked. “Every page was white and fair as we opened +to it; yet now there is not a single blank place in the whole book!” + +“Shall I explain some of the pictures to you?” said the Fairy, smiling +at the two little boys. + +“See, Philip, the spray of roses blossomed on this page when you let +the baby have your playthings; and this pretty bird, that looks as if it +were singing with all its might, would never have been on this page +if you had not tried to be kind and pleasant the other day, instead of +quarreling.” + +“But what makes this blot?” asked Philip. + +“That,” said the Fairy sadly; “that came when you told an untruth one +day, and this when you did not mind mamma. All these blots and scratches +that look so ugly, both in your book and in Carl's, were made when you +were naughty. Each pretty thing in your books came on its page when you +were good.” + +“Oh, if we could only have the books again!” said Carl and Philip. + +“That cannot be,” said the Fairy. “See! they are dated for this year, +and they must now go back into Father Time's bookcase, but I have +brought you each a new one. Perhaps you can make these more beautiful +than the others.” + +So saying, she vanished, and the boys were left alone, but each held in +his hand a new book open at the first page. + +And on the back of this book was written in letters of gold, “For the +New Year.” + + + + +THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL + +BY HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN (TRANSLATED) + +It was very, very cold; it snowed and it grew dark; it was the last +evening of the year, New Year's Eve. In the cold and dark a poor little +girl, with bare head and bare feet, was walking through the streets. +When she left her own house she certainly had had slippers on; but what +could they do? They were very big slippers, and her mother had used them +till then, so big were they. The little maid lost them as she slipped +across the road, where two carriages were rattling by terribly fast. One +slipper was not to be found again, and a boy ran away with the other. He +said he could use it for a cradle when he had children of his own. + +So now the little girl went with her little naked feet, which were quite +red and blue with the cold. In an old apron she carried a number of +matches, and a bundle of them in her hand. No one had bought anything +of her all day; no one had given her a copper. Hungry and cold she went, +and drew herself together, poor little thing! The snowflakes fell on her +long yellow hair, which curled prettily over her neck; but she did not +think of that now. In all the windows lights were shining, and there was +a glorious smell of roast goose out there in the street; it was no doubt +New Year's Eve. Yes, she thought of that! + +In a corner formed by two houses, one of which was a little farther from +the street than the other, she sat down and crept close. She had drawn +up her little feet, but she was still colder, and she did not dare to +go home, for she had sold no matches, and she had not a single cent; her +father would beat her; and besides, it was cold at home, for they had +nothing over the them but a roof through which the wind whistled, though +straw and rags stopped the largest holes. + +Her small hands were quite numb with the cold. Ah! a little match might +do her good if she only dared draw one from the bundle, and strike +it against the wall, and warm her fingers at it. She drew one out. +R-r-atch! how it spluttered and burned! It was a warm bright flame, like +a little candle, when she held her hands over it; it was a wonderful +little light! It really seemed to the little girl as if she sat before a +great polished stove, with bright brass feet and a brass cover. The +fire burned so nicely; it warmed her so well,--the little girl was just +putting out her feet to warm these, too,--when out went the flame; the +stove was gone;--she sat with only the end of the burned match in her +hand. + +She struck another; it burned; it gave a light; and where it shone on +the wall, the wall became thin like a veil, and she could see through it +into the room where a table stood, spread with a white cloth, and with +china on it; and the roast goose smoked gloriously, stuffed with apples +and dried plums. And what was still more splendid to behold, the goose +hopped down from the dish, and waddled along the floor, with a knife and +fork in its breast; straight to the little girl he came. Then the match +went out, and only the thick, damp, cold wall was before her. + +She lighted another. Then she was sitting under a beautiful Christmas +tree; it was greater and finer than the one she had seen through the +glass door at the rich merchant's. Thousands of candles burned upon +the green branches, and colored pictures like those in the shop windows +looked down upon them. The little girl stretched forth both hands toward +them; then the match went out. The Christmas lights went higher and +higher. She saw that now they were stars in the sky: one of them fell +and made a long line of fire. + +“Now some one is dying,” said the little girl, for her old grandmother, +the only person who had been good to her, but who was now dead, had +said: “When a star falls a soul mounts up to God.” + +She rubbed another match against the wall; it became bright again, and +in the light there stood the old grandmother clear and shining, mild and +lovely. + +“Grandmother!” cried the child. “Oh, take me with you! I know you will +go when the match is burned out. You will go away like the warm stove, +the nice roast goose, and the great glorious Christmas tree!” + +And she hastily rubbed the whole bundle of matches, for she wished to +hold her grandmother fast. And the matches burned with such a glow that +it became brighter than in the middle of the day; grandmother had never +been so large or so beautiful. She took the little girl up in her arms, +and both flew in the light and the joy so high, so high! and up there +was no cold, nor hunger, nor care--they were with God. + +But in the corner by the house sat the little girl, with red cheeks and +smiling mouth, frozen to death on the last evening of the Old Year. +The New Year's sun rose upon the little body, that sat there with the +matches, of which one bundle was burned. She wanted to warm herself, +the people said. No one knew what fine things she had seen, and in what +glory she had gone in with her grandmother to the New Year's Day. + + + + +THE TWELVE MONTHS + +A SLAV LEGEND + +BY ALEXANDER CHODZKO (ADAPTED) + +There was once a widow who had two daughters, Helen, her own child by +her dead husband, and Marouckla, his daughter by his first wife. She +loved Helen, but hated the poor orphan because she was far prettier than +her own daughter. + +Marouckla did not think about her good looks, and could not understand +why her stepmother should be angry at the sight of her. The hardest work +fell to her share. She cleaned out the rooms, cooked, washed, sewed, +spun, wove, brought in the hay, milked the cow, and all this without any +help. + +Helen, meanwhile, did nothing but dress herself in her best clothes and +go to one amusement after another. + +But Marouckla never complained. She bore the scoldings and bad temper of +mother and sister with a smile on her lips, and the patience of a lamb. +But this angelic behavior did not soften them. They became even more +tyrannical and grumpy, for Marouckla grew daily more beautiful, while +Helen's ugliness increased. So the stepmother determined to get rid of +Marouckla, for she knew that while she remained, her own daughter would +have no suitors. Hunger, every kind of privation, abuse, every means was +used to make the girl's life miserable. But in spite of it all Marouckla +grew ever sweeter and more charming. + +One day in the middle of winter Helen wanted some wood-violets. + +“Listen,” cried she to Marouckla, “you must go up the mountain and +find me violets. I want some to put in my gown. They must be fresh and +sweet-scented-do you hear?” + +“But, my dear sister, whoever heard of violets blooming in the snow?” + said the poor orphan. + +“You wretched creature! Do you dare to disobey me?” said Helen. “Not +another word. Off with you! If you do not bring me some violets from the +mountain forest I will kill you.” + +The stepmother also added her threats to those of Helen, and with +vigorous blows they pushed Marouckla outside and shut the door upon her. +The weeping girl made her way to the mountain. The snow lay deep, and +there was no trace of any human being. Long she wandered hither and +thither, and lost herself in the wood. She was hungry, and shivered with +cold, and prayed to die. + +Suddenly she saw a light in the distance, and climbed toward it till she +reached the top of the mountain. Upon the highest peak burned a large +fire, surrounded by twelve blocks of stone on which sat twelve strange +beings. Of these the first three had white hair, three were not quite so +old, three were young and handsome, and the rest still younger. + +There they all sat silently looking at the fire. They were the Twelve +Months of the Year. The great January was placed higher than the others. +His hair and mustache were white as snow, and in his hand he held a +wand. At first Marouckla was afraid, but after a while her courage +returned, and drawing near, she said:-- + +“Men of God, may I warm myself at your fire? I am chilled by the winter +cold.” + +The great January raised his head and answered: “What brings thee here, +my daughter? What dost thou seek?” + +“I am looking for violets,” replied the maiden. + +“This is not the season for violets. Dost thou not see the snow +everywhere?” said January. + +“I know well, but my sister Helen and my stepmother have ordered me to +bring them violets from your mountain. If I return without them they +will kill me. I pray you, good shepherds, tell me where they may be +found.” + +Here the great January arose and went over to the youngest of the +Months, and, placing his wand in his hand, said:-- + +“Brother March, do thou take the highest place.” + +March obeyed, at the same time waving his wand over the fire. +Immediately the flames rose toward the sky, the snow began to melt and +the trees and shrubs to bud. The grass became green, and from between +its blades peeped the pale primrose. It was spring, and the meadows were +blue with violets. + +“Gather them quickly, Marouckla,” said March. + +Joyfully she hastened to pick the flowers, and having soon a large bunch +she thanked them and ran home. Helen and the stepmother were amazed at +the sight of the flowers, the scent of which filled the house. + +“Where did you find them?” asked Helen. + +“Under the trees on the mountain-side,” said Marouckla. + +Helen kept the flowers for herself and her mother. She did not even +thank her stepsister for the trouble she had taken. The next day she +desired Marouckla to fetch her strawberries. + +“Run,” said she, “and fetch me strawberries from the mountain. They must +be very sweet and ripe.” + +“But whoever heard of strawberries ripening in the snow?” exclaimed +Marouckla. + +“Hold your tongue, worm; don't answer me. If I don't have my +strawberries I will kill you,” said Helen. + +Then the stepmother pushed Marouckla into the yard and bolted the door. +The unhappy girl made her way toward the mountain and to the large +fire round which sat the Twelve Months. The great January occupied the +highest place. + +“Men of God, may I warm myself at your fire? The winter cold chills me,” + said she, drawing near. + +The great January raised his head and asked: “Why comest thou here? What +dost thou seek?” + +“I am looking for strawberries,” said she. + +“We are in the midst of winter,” replied January, “strawberries do not +grow in the snow.” + +“I know,” said the girl sadly, “but my sister and stepmother have +ordered me to bring them strawberries. If I do not they will kill me. +Pray, good shepherds, tell me where to find them.” + +The great January arose, crossed over to the Month opposite him, and +putting the wand in his hand, said: “Brother June, do thou take the +highest place.” + +June obeyed, and as he waved his wand over the fire the flames leaped +toward the sky. Instantly the snow melted, the earth was covered with +verdure, trees were clothed with leaves, birds began to sing, and +various flowers blossomed in the forest. It was summer. Under the bushes +masses of star-shaped flowers changed into ripening strawberries, and +instantly they covered the glade, making it look like a sea of blood. + +“Gather them quickly, Marouckla,” said June. + +Joyfully she thanked the Months, and having filled her apron ran happily +home. + +Helen and her mother wondered at seeing the strawberries, which filled +the house with their delicious fragrance. + +“Wherever did you find them?” asked Helen crossly. + +“Right up among the mountains. Those from under the beech trees are not +bad,” answered Marouckla. + +Helen gave a few to her mother and ate the rest herself. Not one did she +offer to her stepsister. Being tired of strawberries, on the third day +she took a fancy for some fresh, red apples. + +“Run, Marouckla,” said she, “and fetch me fresh, red apples from the +mountain.” + +“Apples in winter, sister? Why, the trees have neither leaves nor +fruit!” + +“Idle thing, go this minute,” said Helen; “unless you bring back apples +we will kill you.” + +As before, the stepmother seized her roughly and turned her out of the +house. The poor girl went weeping up the mountain, across the deep snow, +and on toward the fire round which were the Twelve Months. Motionless +they sat there, and on the highest stone was the great January. + +“Men of God, may I warm myself at your fire? The winter cold chills me,” + said she, drawing near. + +The great January raised his head. “Why comest thou here? What does thou +seek?” asked he. + +“I am come to look for red apples,” replied Marouckla. + +“But this is winter, and not the season for red apples,” observed the +great January. + +“I know,” answered the girl, “but my sister and stepmother sent me to +fetch red apples from the mountain. If I return without them they will +kill me.” + +Thereupon the great January arose and went over to one of the elderly +Months, to whom he handed the wand saying:-- + +“Brother September, do thou take the highest place.” + +September moved to the highest stone, and waved his wand over the fire. +There was a flare of red flames, the snow disappeared, but the fading +leaves which trembled on the trees were sent by a cold northeast wind in +yellow masses to the glade. Only a few flowers of autumn were visible. +At first Marouckla looked in vain for red apples. Then she espied a tree +which grew at a great height, and from the branches of this hung the +bright, red fruit. September ordered her to gather some quickly. The +girl was delighted and shook the tree. First one apple fell, then +another. + +“That is enough,” said September; “hurry home.” + +Thanking the Months she returned joyfully. Helen and the stepmother +wondered at seeing the fruit. + +“Where did you gather them?” asked the stepsister. + +“There are more on the mountain-top,” answered Marouckla. + +“Then, why did you not bring more?” said Helen angrily. “You must have +eaten them on your way back, you wicked girl.” + +“No, dear sister, I have not even tasted them,” said Marouckla. “I shook +the tree twice. One apple fell each time. Some shepherds would not allow +me to shake it again, but told me to return home.” + +“Listen, mother,” said Helen. “Give me my cloak. I will fetch some more +apples myself. I shall be able to find the mountain and the tree. The +shepherds may cry 'Stop!' but I will not leave go till I have shaken +down all the apples.” + +In spite of her mother's advice she wrapped herself in her pelisse, +put on a warm hood, and took the road to the mountain. Snow covered +everything. Helen lost herself and wandered hither and thither. After +a while she saw a light above her, and, following in its direction, +reached the mountain-top. + +There was the flaming fire, the twelve blocks of stone, and the Twelve +Months. At first she was frightened and hesitated; then she came nearer +and warmed her hands. She did not ask permission, nor did she speak one +polite word. + +“What hath brought thee here? What dost thou seek?” said the great +January severely. + +“I am not obliged to tell you, old graybeard. What business is it of +yours?” she replied disdainfully, turning her back on the fire and going +toward the forest. + +The great January frowned, and waved his wand over his head. Instantly +the sky became covered with clouds, the fire went down, snow fell in +large flakes, an icy wind howled round the mountain. Amid the fury of +the storm Helen stumbled about. The pelisse failed to warm her benumbed +limbs. + +The mother kept on waiting for her. She looked from the window, she +watched from the doorstep, but her daughter came not. The hours passed +slowly, but Helen did not return. + +“Can it be that the apples have charmed her from her home?” thought the +mother. Then she clad herself in hood and pelisse, and went in search of +her daughter. Snow fell in huge masses. It covered all things. For long +she wandered hither and thither, the icy northeast wind whistled in the +mountain, but no voice answered her cries. + +Day after day Marouckla worked, and prayed, and waited, but neither +stepmother nor sister returned. They had been frozen to death on the +mountain. + +The inheritance of a small house, a field, and a cow fell to Marouckla. +In course of time an honest farmer came to share them with her, and +their lives were happy and peaceful. + + + + +THE MAIL-COACH PASSENGERS + +BY HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN (ADAPTED) + +It was bitterly cold. The sky glittered with stars, and not a breeze +stirred. “Bump,”--an old pot was thrown at a neighbor's door; and, +“Bang! Bang!” went the guns, for they were greeting the New Year. + +It was New Year's Eve, and the church clock was striking twelve. +“Tan-ta-ra-ra, tan-ta-ra-ra!” sounded the horn, and the mail-coach came +lumbering up. The clumsy vehicle stopped at the gate of the town; all +the places had been taken, for there were twelve passengers in the +coach. + +“Hurrah! Hurrah!” cried the people in the town; for in every house the +New Year was being welcomed; and, as the clock struck, they stood up, +the full glasses in their hands, to drink success to the newcomer. “A +happy New Year,” was the cry; “a pretty wife, plenty of money, and no +sorrow or care!” + +The wish passed round, and the glasses clashed together till they rang +again; while before the town-gate the mail-coach stopped with the twelve +strange passengers. And who were these strangers? Each of them had his +passport and his luggage with him; they even brought presents for me, +and for you, and for all the people in the town. Who were they? What did +they want? And what did they bring with them? + +“Good-morning!” they cried to the sentry at the town-gate. + +“Good-morning,” replied the sentry, for the clock had struck twelve. + +“Your name and profession?” asked the sentry of the one who alighted +first from the carriage. + +“See for yourself in the passport,” he replied. + +“I am myself!”--and a famous fellow he looked, arrayed in bearskin +and fur boots. “Come to me to-morrow, and I will give you a New Year's +present. I throw shillings and pence among the people. I give balls +every night, no less than thirty-one; indeed, that is the highest number +I can spare for balls. My ships are often frozen in, but in my offices +it is warm and comfortable. MY NAME IS JANUARY. I am a merchant, and I +generally bring my accounts with me.” + +Then the second alighted. He seemed a merry fellow. He was a director of +a theater, a manager of masked balls, and a leader of all the amusements +we can imagine. His luggage consisted of a great cask. + +“We'll dance the bung out of the cask at carnival-time,” said he. “I'll +prepare a merry tune for you and for myself, too. Unfortunately I have +not long to live,--the shortest time, in fact, of my whole family,--only +twenty-eight days. Sometimes they pop me in a day extra; but I trouble +myself very little about that. Hurrah!” + +“You must not shout so,” said the sentry. + +“Certainly I may shout,” retorted the man. + +“I'm Prince Carnival, traveling under THE NAME OF FEBRUARY.” + +The third now got out. He looked the personification of fasting; but +he carried his nose very high, for he was a weather prophet. In his +buttonhole he wore a little bunch of violets, but they were very small. + +“MARCH, MARCH!” the fourth passenger called after him, slapping him +on the shoulder, “don't you smell something good? Make haste into the +guard-room, they are feasting in there. I can smell it already! FORWARD, +MASTER MARCH!” + +But it was not true. The speaker only wanted to make an APRIL FOOL of +him, for with that fun the fourth stranger generally began his career. +He looked very jovial, and did little work. + +“If the world were only more settled!” said he; “but sometimes I'm +obliged to be in a good humor, and sometimes a bad one. I can laugh or +cry according to circumstances. I have my summer wardrobe in this box +here, but it would be very foolish to put it on now!” + +After him a lady stepped out of the coach. SHE CALLED HERSELF MISS MAY. +She wore a summer dress and overshoes. Her dress was light green, and +there were anemones in her hair. She was so scented with wild thyme that +it made the sentry sneeze. + +“Your health, and God bless you!” was her greeting. + +How pretty she was! and such a singer! Not a theater singer nor a +ballad-singer; no, but a singer of the woods. For she wandered through +the gay, green forest, and had a concert there for her own amusement. + +“Now comes the young lady,” said those in the coach; and out stepped a +young dame, delicate, proud, and pretty. IT WAS MISTRESS JUNE. In her +service people become lazy and fond of sleeping for hours. She gives +a feast on the longest day of the year, that there may be time for her +guests to partake of the numerous dishes at her table. Indeed, she keeps +her own carriage, but still she travels by the mail-coach with the rest +because she wishes to show that she is not proud. + +But she was not without a protector; her younger brother, JULY, was with +her. He was a plump, young fellow, clad in summer garments, and wearing +a straw hat. He had very little luggage because it was so cumbersome in +the great heat. He had, however, swimming-trousers with him, which are +nothing to carry. + +Then came the mother herself, MADAME AUGUST, a wholesale dealer +in fruit, proprietress of a large number of fish-ponds, and a +land-cultivator. She was fat and warm, yet she could use her hands well, +and would herself carry out food to the laborers in the field. After +work, came the recreations, dancing and playing in the greenwood, and +the “harvest home.” She was a thorough housewife. + +After her a man stepped out of the coach. He is a painter, a master of +colors, and is NAMED SEPTEMBER. The forest on his arrival has to change +its colors, and how beautiful are those he chooses! The woods glow with +red, and gold, and brown. This great master painter can whistle like a +blackbird. There he stood with his color-pot in his hand, and that was +the whole of his luggage. + +A landowner followed, who in the month for sowing seed attends to his +ploughing and is fond of field sports. SQUIRE OCTOBER brought his dog +and his gun with him, and had nuts in his game-bag. + +“Crack! Crack!” He had a great deal of luggage, even a plough. He spoke +of farming, but what he said could scarcely be heard for the coughing +and sneezing of his neighbor. + +It WAS NOVEMBER, who coughed violently as he got out. He had a cold, but +he said he thought it would leave him when he went out woodcutting, for +he had to supply wood to the whole parish. He spent his evenings making +skates, for he knew, he said, that in a few weeks they would be needed. + +At length the last passenger made her appearance,--OLD MOTHER DECEMBER! +The dame was very aged, but her eyes glistened like two stars. She +carried on her arm a flower-pot, in which a little fir tree was growing. +“This tree I shall guard and cherish,” she said, “that it may grow large +by Christmas Eve, and reach from the floor to the ceiling, to be adorned +with lighted candles, golden apples, and toys. I shall sit by the +fireplace, and bring a story-book out of my pocket, and read aloud to +all the little children. Then the toys on the tree will become alive, +and the little waxen Angel at the top will spread out his wings of gold +leaf, and fly down from his green perch. He will kiss every child in +the room, yes, and all the little children who stand out in the street +singing a carol about the 'Star of Bethlehem.'” + +“Well, now the coach may drive away,” said the sentry; “we will keep all +the twelve months here with us.” + +“First let the twelve come to me,” said the Captain on duty, “one after +another. The passports I will keep here, each of them for one month. +When that has passed, I shall write the behavior of each stranger on his +passport. MR. JANUARY, have the goodness to come here.” + +And MR. JANUARY stepped forward. + +When a year has passed, I think I shall be able to tell you what the +twelve passengers have brought to you, to me, and to all of us. Just +now I do not know, and probably even they do not know themselves, for we +live in strange times. + + + + +LINCOLN'S BIRTHDAY + +(FEBRUARY 12) + + + + +HE RESCUES THE BIRDS + +BY NOAH BROOKS (ADAPTED) + +Once, while riding through the country with some other lawyers, Lincoln +was missed from the party, and was seen loitering near a thicket of wild +plum trees where the men had stopped a short time before to water their +horses. + +“Where is Lincoln?” asked one of the lawyers. + +“When I saw him last,” answered another, “he had caught two young birds +that the wind had blown out of their nest, and was hunting for the nest +to put them back again.” + +As Lincoln joined them, the lawyers rallied him on his +tender-heartedness, and he said:-- + +“I could not have slept unless I had restored those little birds to +their mother.” + + + + +LINCOLN AND THE LITTLE GIRL + +BY CHARLES W. MOORES + +In the old days, when Lincoln was one of the leading lawyers of the +State, he noticed a little girl of ten who stood beside a trunk in front +of her home crying bitterly. He stopped to learn what was wrong, and was +told that she was about to miss a long-promised visit to Decatur because +the wagon had not come for her. + +“You needn't let that trouble you,” was his cheering reply. “Just come +along with me and we shall make it all right.” + +Lifting the trunk upon his shoulder, and taking the little girl by the +hand, he went through the streets of Springfield, a half-mile to the +railway station, put her and her trunk on the train, and sent her away +with a happiness in her heart that is still there. + + + + +TRAINING FOR THE PRESIDENCY + +BY ORISON SWETT MARDEN + +“I meant to take good care of your book, Mr. Crawford,” said the boy, +“but I've damaged it a good deal without intending to, and now I want to +make it right with you. What shall I do to make it good?” + +“Why, what happened to it, Abe?” asked the rich farmer, as he took the +copy of Weems's “Life of Washington” which he had lent young Lincoln, +and looked at the stained leaves and warped binding. “It looks as if it +had been out through all last night's storm. How came you to forget, and +leave it out to soak?” + +“It was this way, Mr. Crawford,” replied Abe. “I sat up late to read +it, and when I went to bed, I put it away carefully in my bookcase, as +I call it, a little opening between two logs in the wall of our cabin. I +dreamed about General Washington all night. When I woke up I took it out +to read a page or two before I did the chores, and you can't imagine how +I felt when I found it in this shape. It seems that the mud-daubing +had got out of the weather side of that crack, and the rain must have +dripped on it three or four hours before I took it out. I'm sorry, Mr. +Crawford, and want to fix it up with you, if you can tell me how, for I +have not got money to pay for it.” + +“Well,” said Mr. Crawford, “come and shuck corn three days, and the book +'s yours.” + +Had Mr. Crawford told young Abraham Lincoln that he had fallen heir to +a fortune the boy could hardly have felt more elated. Shuck corn only +three days, and earn the book that told all about his greatest hero! + +“I don't intend to shuck corn, split rails, and the like always,” he +told Mrs. Crawford, after he had read the volume. “I'm going to fit +myself for a profession.” + +“Why, what do you want to be, now?” asked Mrs. Crawford in surprise. + +“Oh, I'll be President!” said Abe with a smile. + +“You'd make a pretty President with all your tricks and jokes, now, +wouldn't you?” said the farmer's wife. + +“Oh, I'll study and get ready,” replied the boy, “and then maybe the +chance will come.” + + + + +WHY LINCOLN WAS CALLED “HONEST ABE” + +BY NOAH BROOKS + +In managing the country store, as in everything that he undertook for +others, Lincoln did his very best. He was honest, civil, ready to do +anything that should encourage customers to come to the place, full of +pleasantries, patient, and alert. + +On one occasion, finding late at night, when he counted over his cash, +that he had taken a few cents from a customer more than was due, +he closed the store, and walked a long distance to make good the +deficiency. + +At another time, discovering on the scales in the morning a weight with +which he had weighed out a package of tea for a woman the night before, +he saw that he had given her too little for her money. He weighed out +what was due, and carried it to her, much to the surprise of the woman, +who had not known that she was short in the amount of her purchase. + +Innumerable incidents of this sort are related of Lincoln, and we should +not have space to tell of the alertness with which he sprang to protect +defenseless women from insult, or feeble children from tyranny; for in +the rude community in which he lived, the rights of the defenseless were +not always respected as they should have been. There were bullies then, +as now. + + + + +A STRANGER AT FIVE-POINTS + +(ADAPTED) + +One afternoon in February, 1860, when the Sunday School of the +Five-Point House of Industry in New York was assembled, the teacher +saw a most remarkable man enter the room and take his place among the +others. This stranger was tall, his frame was gaunt and sinewy, his head +powerful, with determined features overcast by a gentle melancholy. + +He listened with fixed attention to the exercises. His face expressed +such genuine interest that the teacher, approaching him, suggested that +he might have something to say to the children. + +The stranger accepted the invitation with evident pleasure. Coming +forward, he began to speak and at once fascinated every child in the +room. His language was beautiful yet simple, his tones were musical, and +he spoke with deep feeling. + +The faces of the boys and girls drooped sadly as he uttered warnings, +and then brightened with joy as he spoke cheerful words of promise. Once +or twice he tried to close his remarks, but the children shouted: “Go +on! Oh! do go on!” and he was forced to continue. + +At last he finished his talk and was leaving the room quietly when the +teacher begged to know his name. + +“Abra'm Lincoln, of Illinois,” was the modest response. + + + + +A SOLOMON COME TO JUDGMENT + +BY CHARLES W. MOORES + +Lincoln's practical sense and his understanding of human nature enabled +him to save the life of the son of his old Clary's Grove friend, Jack +Armstrong, who was on trial for murder. Lincoln, learning of it, went +to the old mother who had been kind to him in the days of his boyhood +poverty, and promised her that he would get her boy free. + +The witnesses were sure that Armstrong was guilty, and one of them +declared that he had seen the fatal blow struck. It was late at night, +he said, and the light of the full moon had made it possible for him to +see the crime committed. Lincoln, on cross-examination, asked him only +questions enough to make the jury see that it was the full moon that +made it possible for the witness to see what occurred; got him to say +two or three times that he was sure of it, and seemed to give up any +further effort to save the boy. + +But when the evidence was finished, and Lincoln's time came to make his +argument, he called for an almanac, which the clerk of the court had +ready for him, and handed it to the jury. They saw at once that on the +night of the murder there was no moon at all. They were satisfied that +the witness had told what was not true. Lincoln's case was won. + + + + +GEORGE PICKETT'S FRIEND + +BY CHARLES W. MOORES + +George Pickett, who had known Lincoln in Illinois, years before, joined +the Southern army, and by his conspicuous bravery and ability had become +one of the great generals of the Confederacy. Toward the close of the +war, when a large part of Virginia had fallen into the possession of the +Union army, the President called at General Pickett's Virginia home. + +The general's wife, with her baby on her arm, met him at the door. She +herself has told the story for us. + +“'Is this George Pickett's home?' he asked. + +“With all the courage and dignity I could muster, I replied: 'Yes, and I +am his wife, and this is his baby.' + +“'I am Abraham Lincoln.' + +“'The President!' I gasped. I had never seen him, but I knew the intense +love and reverence with which my soldier always spoke of him. + +“The stranger shook his head and replied: 'No; Abraham Lincoln, George's +old friend.' + +“The baby pushed away from me and reached out his hands to Mr. Lincoln, +who took him in his arms. As he did so an expression of rapt, almost +divine tenderness and love lighted up the sad face. It was a look that +I have never seen on any other face. The baby opened his mouth wide and +insisted upon giving his father's friend a dewy kiss. + +“As Mr. Lincoln gave the little one back to me he said: 'Tell your +father, the rascal, that I forgive him for the sake of your bright +eyes.'” + + + + +LINCOLN THE LAWYER + +BY Z. A. MUDGE (ADAPTED) + +He delighted to advocate the cases of those whom he knew to be wronged, +but he would not defend the cause of the guilty. If he discovered in the +course of a trial that he was on the wrong side, he lost all interest, +and ceased to make any exertion. + +Once, while engaged in a prosecution, he discovered that his client's +cause was not a good one, and he refused to make the plea. His +associate, who was less scrupulous, made the plea and obtained a +decision in their favor. The fee was nine hundred dollars, half of which +was tendered to Mr. Lincoln, but he refused to accept a single cent of +it. + +His honesty was strongly illustrated by the way he kept his accounts +with his law-partner. When he had taken a fee in the latter's absence, +he put one half of it into his own pocket, and laid the other half +carefully away, labeling it “Billy,” the name by which he familiarly +addressed his partner. When asked why he did not make a record of the +amount and, for the time being, use the whole, Mr. Lincoln answered: +“Because I promised my mother never to use money belonging to another +person.” + + + + +THE COURAGE OF HIS CONVICTIONS + +(ADAPTED) + +Mr. Lincoln made the great speech of his famous senatorial campaign at +Springfield, Illinois. The convention before which he spoke consisted +of a thousand delegates together with the crowd that had gathered with +them. + +His speech was carefully prepared. Every sentence was guarded and +emphatic. It has since become famous as “The Divided House” speech. +Before entering the hall where it was to be delivered, he stepped into +the office of his law-partner, Mr. Herndon, and, locking the door, so +that their interview might be private, took his manuscript from +his pocket, and read one of the opening sentences: “I believe this +government cannot endure permanently, half slave and half free.” + +Mr. Herndon remarked that the sentiment was true, but suggested that it +might not be GOOD POLICY to utter it at that time. + +Mr. Lincoln replied with great firmness: “No matter about the POLICY. It +is TRUE, and the nation is entitled to it. The proposition has been true +for six thousand years, and I will deliver it as it is written.” + + + + +MR. LINCOLN AND THE BIBLE + +BY Z. A. MUDGE (ADAPTED) + +A visitor in Washington once had an appointment to see Mr. Lincoln +at five o'clock in the morning. The gentleman made a hasty toilet +and presented himself at a quarter of five in the waiting-room of the +President. He asked the usher if he could see Mr. Lincoln. + +“No,” he replied. + +“But I have an engagement to meet him this morning,” answered the +visitor. + +“At what hour?” asked the usher. + +“At five o'clock.” + +“Well, sir, he will see you at five.” + +The visitor waited patiently, walking to and fro for a few minutes, when +he heard a voice as if in grave conversation. + +“Who is talking in the next room?” he asked. + +“It is the President, sir,” said the usher, who then explained that +it was Mr. Lincoln's custom to spend every morning from four to five +reading the Scriptures, and praying. + + + + +HIS SPRINGFIELD FAREWELL ADDRESS + +It was on the morning of February 11, 1861, that the President-elect, +together with his family and a small party of friends, bade adieu to the +city of Springfield, which, alas! he was never to see again. + +A large throng of Springfield citizens assembled at the railway station +to see the departure, and before the train left Mr. Lincoln addressed +them in the following words:-- + +“MY FRIENDS: No one, not in my position, can appreciate the sadness I +feel at this parting. To this people I owe all that I am. Here I have +lived more than a quarter of a century; here my children were born, and +here one of them lies buried. I know not how soon I shall see you again. +A duty devolves upon me which is, perhaps, greater than that which has +devolved upon any other man since the days of Washington. He never would +have succeeded except by the aid of Divine Providence, upon which he at +all times relied. I feel that I cannot succeed without the same Divine +aid which sustained him, and on the same Almighty Being I place my +reliance for support; and I hope you, my friends, will all pray that I +may receive that Divine assistance, without which I cannot succeed, +but with which success is certain. Again I bid you an affectionate +farewell.” + + + + +SAINT VALENTINE'S DAY + +(FEBRUARY 14) + +SAINT VALENTINE + +The good Saint Valentine was a priest at Rome in the days of Claudius +II. He and Saint Marius aided the Christian martyrs, and for this kind +deed Saint Valentine was apprehended and dragged before the Prefect of +Rome, who condemned him to be beaten to death with clubs and to have his +head cut off. He suffered martyrdom on the 14th day of February, about +the year 270. + +At that time it was the custom in Rome, a very ancient custom, indeed, +to celebrate in the month of February the Lupercalia, feasts in honor of +a heathen god. + +On these occasions, amidst a variety of pagan ceremonies, the names of +young women were placed in a box, from which they were drawn by the men +as chance directed. + +The pastors of the early Christian Church in Rome endeavored to do away +with the pagan element in these feasts by substituting the names of +saints for those of maidens. And as the Lupercalia began about the +middle of February, the pastors appear to have chosen Saint Valentine's +Day for the celebration of this new feast. + +So it seems that the custom of young men choosing maidens for +valentines, or saints as patrons for the coming year, arose in this +wise. + + + + +A PRISONER'S VALENTINE + +BY MILLICENT OLMSTED (ADAPTED) + +Charles, Duke of Orleans, who was taken prisoner at the battle of +Agincourt in 1415, and detained in England twenty-five years, was the +author of the earliest known written valentines. He left about sixty of +them. They were written during his confinement in the Tower of London, +and are still to be seen among the royal papers in the British Museum. + +One of his valentines reads as follows:-- + + “Wilt thou be mine? dear Love, reply-- + Sweetly consent or else deny. + Whisper softly, none shall know, + Wilt thou be mine, Love?--aye or no? + + “Spite of Fortune, we may be + Happy by one word from thee. + Life flies swiftly--ere it go + Wilt thou be mine, Love?--aye or no?” + + + + +A GIRL'S VALENTINE CHARM + +AS TOLD BY HERSELF + +(FROM THE CONNOISSEUR, 1775) + +Last Friday was Valentine's Day, and I'll tell you what I did the night +before. I got five bay leaves, and pinned four of them to the four +corners of my pillow, and the fifth to the middle; and then if I dreamt +of my sweetheart, Betty said we would be married before the year was +out. + +But to make it more sure, I boiled an egg hard, and took out the yolk, +and filled it with salt, and when I went to bed ate it, shell and all, +without speaking or drinking after it. + +We also wrote our lovers' names upon bits of paper, and rolled them up +in clay and put them into water; and the first that rose up was to be +our valentine. Would you think it? Mr. Blossom was my man, and I lay +abed and shut my eyes all the morning, till he came to our house, for I +would not have seen another man before him for all the world. + + + + +MR. PEPYS HIS VALENTINE + +AS RELATED BY HIMSELF IN 1666 + +(ADAPTED) + +This morning, came up to my wife's bedside, I being up dressing myself, +little Will Mercer, to be her valentine; and brought her name writ upon +blue paper in gold letters, done by himself, very pretty; and we were +both well pleased with it. + +But I am also this year my wife's valentine; and it will cost me five +pounds; but that I must have laid out if we had not been valentines. + +I find also that Mrs. Pierce's little girl is my valentine, she having +drawn me; which I am not sorry for, it easing me of something more that +I must have given to others. + +But here I do first observe the fashion of drawing of mottoes as well as +names; so that Pierce, who drew my wife, did draw also a motto, and this +girl drew another for me. What mine was I have forgot, but my wife's +was: “Most virtuous and most fair,” which, as it may be used, or an +anagram made upon each name, might be; very pretty. + + + + +CUPID AND PSYCHE + +BY JOSEPHINE PRESTON PEABODY + +THE ENCHANTED PALACE + +Once upon a time, through that Destiny that overrules the gods, Love +himself gave up his immortal heart to a mortal maiden. And thus it came +to pass:-- + +There was a certain king who had three beautiful daughters. The two +elder married princes of great renown; but Psyche, the youngest, was so +radiantly fair that no suitor seemed worthy of her. People thronged +to see her pass through the city, and sang hymns in her praise, while +strangers took her for the very goddess of beauty herself. + +This angered Venus, and she resolved to cast down her earthly rival. One +day, therefore, she called hither her son, Love (Cupid, some name him), +and bade him sharpen his weapons. He is an archer more to be dreaded +than Apollo, for Apollo's arrows take life, but Love's bring joy or +sorrow for a whole life long. + +“Come, Love,” said Venus. “There is a mortal maid who robs me of my +honors in yonder city. Avenge your mother. Wound this precious Psyche, +and let her fall in love with some churlish creature mean in the eyes of +all men.” + +Cupid made ready his weapons, and flew down to earth invisibly. At that +moment Psyche was asleep in her chamber; but he touched her heart with +his golden arrow of love, and she opened her eyes so suddenly that he +started (forgetting that he was invisible), and wounded himself with +his own shaft. Heedless of the hurt, moved only by the loveliness of the +maiden, he hastened to pour over her locks the healing joy that he ever +kept by him, undoing all his work. Back to her dream the princess went, +unshadowed by any thought of love. But Cupid, not so light of heart, +returned to the heavens, saying not a word of what had passed. + +Venus waited long; then, seeing that Psyche's heart had somehow escaped +love, she sent a spell upon the maiden. From that time, lovely as she +was, not a suitor came to woo; and her parents, who desired to see her a +queen at least, made a journey to the Oracle, and asked counsel. + +Said the voice: “The Princess Psyche shall never wed a mortal. She shall +be given to one who waits for her on yonder mountain; he overcomes gods +and men.” + +At this terrible sentence the poor parents were half-distraught, and +the people gave themselves up to grief at the fate in store for their +beloved princess. Psyche alone bowed to her destiny. “We have angered +Venus unwittingly,” she said, “and all for sake of me, heedless maiden +that I am! Give me up, therefore, dear father and mother. If I atone, it +may be that the city will prosper once more.” + +So she besought them, until, after many unavailing denials, the parents +consented; and with a great company of people they led Psyche up +the mountain,--as an offering to the monster of whom the Oracle had +spoken,--and left her there alone. + +Full of courage, yet in a secret agony of grief, she watched her kindred +and her people wind down the mountain-path, too sad to look back, until +they were lost to sight. Then, indeed, she wept, but a sudden breeze +drew near, dried her tears, and caressed her hair, seeming to murmur +comfort. In truth, it was Zephyr, the kindly West Wind, come to befriend +her; and as she took heart, feeling some benignant presence, he lifted +her in his arms, and carried her on wings as even as a sea-gull's, over +the crest of the fateful mountain and into a valley below. There he left +her, resting on a bank of hospitable grass, and there the princess fell +asleep. + +When she awoke, it was near sunset. She looked about her for some sign +of the monster's approach; she wondered, then, if her grievous trial had +been but a dream. Near by she saw a sheltering forest, whose young +trees seemed to beckon as one maid beckons to another; and eager for the +protection of the dryads, she went thither. + +The call of running waters drew her farther and farther, till she +came out upon an open place, where there was a wide pool. A fountain +fluttered gladly in the midst of it, and beyond there stretched a white +palace wonderful to see. Coaxed by the bright promise of the place, she +drew near, and, seeing no one, entered softly. It was all kinglier than +her father's home, and as she stood in wonder and awe, soft airs stirred +about her. Little by little the silence grew murmurous like the woods, +and one voice, sweeter than the rest, took words. “All that you see is +yours, gentle high princess,” it said. “Fear nothing; only command us, +for we are here to serve you.” + +Full of amazement and delight, Psyche followed the voice from hall to +hall, and through the lordly rooms, beautiful with everything that could +delight a young princess. No pleasant thing was lacking. There was even +a pool, brightly tiled and fed with running waters, where she bathed her +weary limbs; and after she had put on the new and beautiful raiment that +lay ready for her, she sat down to break her fast, waited upon and sung +to by the unseen spirits. + +Surely he whom the Oracle had called her husband was no monster, but +some beneficent power, invisible like all the rest. When daylight waned +he came, and his voice, the beautiful voice of a god, inspired her to +trust her strange destiny and to look and long for his return. Often +she begged him to stay with her through the day, that she might see his +face; but this he would not grant. + +“Never doubt me, dearest Psyche,” said he. “Perhaps you would fear if +you saw me, and love is all I ask. There is a necessity that keeps me +hidden now. Only believe.” + +So for many days Psyche was content; but when she grew used to +happiness, she thought once more of her parents mourning her as lost, +and of her sisters who shared the lot of mortals while she lived as a +goddess. One night she told her husband of these regrets, and begged +that her sisters at least might come to see her. He sighed, but did not +refuse. + +“Zephyr shall bring them hither,” said he. And on the following morning, +swift as a bird, the West Wind came over the crest of the high mountain +and down into the enchanted valley, bearing her two sisters. + +They greeted Psyche with joy and amazement, hardly knowing how they had +come hither. But when this fairest of the sisters led them through her +palace and showed them all the treasures that were hers, envy grew in +their hearts and choked their old love. Even while they sat at feast +with her, they grew more and more bitter; and hoping to find some little +flaw in her good fortune, they asked a thousand questions. + +“Where is your husband?” said they. “And why is he not here with you?” + +“Ah,” stammered Psyche. “All the day long--he is gone, hunting upon the +mountains.” + +“But what does he look like?” they asked; and Psyche could find no +answer. + +When they learned that she had never seen him, they laughed her faith to +scorn. + +“Poor Psyche,” they said. “You are walking in a dream. Wake, before it +is too late. Have you forgotten what the Oracle decreed,--that you were +destined for a dreadful creature, the fear of gods and men? And are +you deceived by this show of kindliness? We have come to warn you. The +people told us, as we came over the mountain, that your husband is +a dragon, who feeds you well for the present, that he may feast the +better, some day soon. What is it that you trust? Good words! But only +take a dagger some night, and when the monster is asleep go, light a +lamp, and look at him. You can put him to death easily, and all his +riches will be yours--and ours.” + +Psyche heard this wicked plan with horror. Nevertheless, after her +sisters were gone, she brooded over what they had said, not seeing their +evil intent; and she came to find some wisdom in their words. Little +by little, suspicion ate, like a moth, into her lovely mind; and +at nightfall, in shame and fear, she hid a lamp and a dagger in her +chamber. Towards midnight, when her husband was fast asleep, up she +rose, hardly daring to breathe; and coming softly to his side, she +uncovered the lamp to see some horror. + +But there the youngest of the gods lay sleeping,--most beautiful, most +irresistible of all immortals. His hair shone golden as the sun, his +face was radiant as dear Springtime, and from his shoulders sprang two +rainbow wings. + +Poor Psyche was overcome with self-reproach. As she leaned towards him, +filled with worship, her trembling hands held the lamp ill, and some +burning oil fell upon Love's shoulder and awakened him. + +He opened his eyes, to see at once his bride and the dark suspicion in +her heart. + +“O doubting Psyche!” he exclaimed with sudden grief,--and then he flew +away, out of the window. + +Wild with sorrow, Psyche tried to follow, but she fell to the ground +instead. When she recovered her senses, she stared about her. She was +alone, and the place was beautiful no longer. Garden and palace had +vanished with Love. + + + + +THE TRIAL OF PSYCHE: + + +Over mountains and valleys Psyche journeyed alone until she came to the +city where her two envious sisters lived with the princes whom they had +married. She stayed with them only long enough to tell the story of her +unbelief and its penalty. Then she set out again to search for Love. + +As she wandered one day, travel-worn but not hopeless, she saw a lofty +palace on a hill near by, and she turned her steps thither. The place +seemed deserted. Within the hall she saw no human being,--only heaps +of grain, loose ears of corn half torn from the husk, wheat and barley, +alike scattered in confusion on the floor. Without delay, she set to +work binding the sheaves together and gathering the scattered ears of +corn in seemly wise, as a princess would wish to see them. While she +was in the midst of her task, a voice startled her, and she looked up +to behold Demeter herself, the goddess of the harvest, smiling upon her +with good will. + +“Dear Psyche,” said Demeter, “you are worthy of happiness, and you may +find it yet. But since you have displeased Venus, go to her and ask her +favor. Perhaps your patience will win her pardon.” + +These motherly words gave Psyche heart, and she reverently took leave of +the goddess and set out for the temple of Venus. Most humbly she offered +up her prayer, but Venus could not look at her earthly beauty without +anger. + +“Vain girl,” said she, “perhaps you have come to make amends for the +wound you dealt your husband; you shall do so. Such clever people can +always find work!” + +Then she led Psyche into a great chamber heaped high with mingled grain, +beans, and lentils (the food of her doves), and bade her separate them +all and have them ready in seemly fashion by night. Heracles would have +been helpless before such a vexatious task; and poor Psyche, left alone +in this desert of grain, had not courage to begin. But even as she sat +there, a moving thread of black crawled across the floor from a crevice +in the wall; and bending nearer, she saw that a great army of ants in +columns had come to her aid. The zealous little creatures worked in +swarms, with such industry over the work they like best, that, when +Venus came at night, she found the task completed. + +“Deceitful girl,” she cried, shaking the roses out of her hair with +impatience, “this is my son's work, not yours. But he will soon forget +you. Eat this black bread if you are hungry, and refresh your dull mind +with sleep. To-morrow you will need more wit.” + +Psyche wondered what new misfortune could be in store for her. But when +morning came, Venus led her to the brink of a river, and, pointing to +the wood across the water, said: “Go now to yonder grove where the sheep +with the golden fleece are wont to browse. Bring me a golden lock from +every one of them, or you must go your ways and never come back again.” + +This seemed not difficult, and Psyche obediently bade the goddess +farewell, and stepped into the water, ready to wade across. But as Venus +disappeared, the reeds sang louder and the nymphs of the river, looking +up sweetly, blew bubbles to the surface and murmured: “Nay, nay, have a +care, Psyche. This flock has not the gentle ways of sheep. While the +sun burns aloft, they are themselves as fierce as flame; but when the +shadows are long, they go to rest and sleep, under the trees; and you +may cross the river without fear and pick the golden fleece off the +briers in the pasture.” + +Thanking the water-creatures, Psyche sat down to rest near them, and +when the time came, she crossed in safety and followed their counsel. By +twilight she returned to Venus with her arms full of shining fleece. + +“No mortal wit did this,” said Venus angrily. “But if you care to prove +your readiness, go now, with this little box, down to Proserpina and ask +her to enclose in it some of her beauty, for I have grown pale in caring +for my wounded son.” + +It needed not the last taunt to sadden Psyche. She knew that it was not +for mortals to go into Hades and return alive; and feeling that Love had +forsaken her, she was minded to accept her doom as soon as might be. + +But even as she hastened towards the descent, another friendly voice +detained her. “Stay, Psyche, I know your grief. Only give ear and you +shall learn a safe way through all these trials.” And the voice went on +to tell her how one might avoid all the dangers of Hades and come out +unscathed. (But such a secret could not pass from mouth to mouth, with +the rest of the story.) + +“And be sure,” added the voice, “when Proserpina has returned the box, +not to open it, ever much you may long to do so.” + +Psyche gave heed, and by this device, whatever it was, she found her way +into Hades safely, and made her errand known to Proserpina, and was soon +in the upper world again, wearied but hopeful. + +“Surely Love has not forgotten me,” she said. “But humbled as I am and +worn with toil, how shall I ever please him? Venus can never need all +the beauty in this casket; and since I use it for Love's sake, it must +be right to take some.” So saying, she opened the box, heedless as +Pandora! The spells and potions of Hades are not for mortal maids, and +no sooner had she inhaled the strange aroma than she fell down like one +dead, quite overcome. + +But it happened that Love himself was recovered from his wound, and he +had secretly fled from his chamber to seek out and rescue Psyche. +He found her lying by the wayside; he gathered into the casket what +remained of the philter, and awoke his beloved. + +“Take comfort,” he said, smiling. “Return to our mother and do her +bidding till I come again.” + +Away he flew; and while Psyche went cheerily homeward, he hastened up to +Olympus, where all the gods sat feasting, and begged them to intercede +for him with his angry mother. + +They heard his story and their hearts were touched. Zeus himself coaxed +Venus with kind words till at last she relented, and remembered that +anger hurt her beauty, and smiled once more. All the younger gods were +for welcoming Psyche at once, and Hermes was sent to bring her hither. +The maiden came, a shy newcomer among those bright creatures. She took +the cup that Hebe held out to her, drank the divine ambrosia, and became +immortal. + +Light came to her face like moonrise, two radiant wings sprang from her +shoulders; and even as a butterfly bursts from its dull cocoon, so the +human Psyche blossomed into immortality. + +Love took her by the hand, and they were never parted any more. + + + + +WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY + +(FEBRUARY 22) + + +THREE OLD TALES + +BY M. L. WEEMS (ADAPTED) + + + + +I. THE CHERRY TREE + +When George was about six years old, he was made the wealthy master of a +hatchet of which, like most little boys, he was extremely fond. He went +about chopping everything that came his way. + +One day, as he wandered about the garden amusing himself by hacking his +mother's pea-sticks, he found a beautiful, young English cherry tree, of +which his father was most proud. He tried the edge of his hatchet on the +trunk of the tree and barked it so that it died. + +Some time after this, his father discovered what had happened to his +favorite tree. He came into the house in great anger, and demanded to +know who the mischievous person was who had cut away the bark. Nobody +could tell him anything about it. + +Just then George, with his little hatchet, came into the room. + +“George,” said his father, “do you know who has killed my beautiful +little cherry tree yonder in the garden? I would not have taken five +guineas for it!” + +This was a hard question to answer, and for a moment George was +staggered by it, but quickly recovering himself he cried:-- + +“I cannot tell a lie, father, you know I cannot tell a lie! I did cut it +with my little hatchet.” + +The anger died out of his father's face, and taking the boy tenderly in +his arms, he said:-- + +“My son, that you should not be afraid to tell the truth is more to me +than a thousand trees! yes, though they were blossomed with silver and +had leaves of the purest gold!” + + + + +II. THE APPLE ORCHARD + + +One fine morning in the autumn Mr. Washington, taking little George by +the hand, walked with him to the apple orchard, promising that he would +show him a fine sight. + +On arriving at the orchard they saw a fine sight, indeed! The green +grass under the trees was strewn with red-cheeked apples, and yet the +trees were bending under the weight of fruit that hung thick among the +leaves. + +“Now, George,” said his father, “look, my son, see all this rich harvest +of fruit! Do you remember when your good cousin brought you a fine, +large apple last spring, how you refused to divide it with your +brothers? And yet I told you then that, if you would be generous, God +would give you plenty of apples this autumn.” + +Poor George could not answer, but hanging down his head looked quite +confused, while with his little, naked, bare feet he scratched in the +soft ground. + +“Now, look up, my son,” continued his father, “and see how the blessed +God has richly provided us with these trees loaded with the finest +fruit. See how abundant is the harvest. Some of the trees are bending +beneath their burdens, while the ground is covered with mellow apples, +more than you could eat, my son, in all your lifetime.” + +George looked in silence on the orchard, he marked the busy, humming +bees, and heard the gay notes of the birds fluttering from tree to tree. +His eyes filled with tears and he answered softly:-- + +“Truly, father, I never will be selfish any more.” + + + + +III. THE GARDEN-BED + + +One day Mr. Washington went into the garden and dug a little bed of +earth and prepared it for seed. He then took a stick and traced on the +bed George's name in full. After this he strewed the tracing thickly +with seeds, and smoothed all over nicely with his roller. + +This garden-bed he purposely prepared close to a gooseberry-walk. The +bushes were hung with the ripe fruit, and he knew that George would +visit them every morning. + +Not many days had passed away when one morning George came running +into the house, breathless with excitement, and his eyes shining with +happiness. + +“Come here! father, come here!” he cried. + +“What's the matter, my son?” asked his father. + +“O come, father,” answered George, “and I'll show you such a sight as +you have never seen in all your lifetime.” + +Mr. Washington gave the boy his hand, which he seized with great +eagerness. He led his father straight to the garden-bed, whereon in +large letters, in lines of soft green, was written:-- + +GEORGE WASHINGTON + + + + +YOUNG GEORGE AND THE COLT + +BY HORACE E. SCUDDER + +There is a story told of George Washington's boyhood,--unfortunately +there are not many stories,--which is to the point. His father had taken +a great deal of pride in his blooded horses, and his mother afterward +took pains to keep the stock pure. She had several young horses that +had not yet been broken, and one of them in particular, a sorrel, was +extremely spirited. No one had been able to do anything with it, and it +was pronounced thoroughly vicious as people are apt to pronounce horses +which they have not learned to master. + +George was determined to ride this colt, and told his companions that if +they would help him catch it, he would ride and tame it. + +Early in the morning they set out for the pasture, where the boys +managed to surround the sorrel, and then to put a bit into its mouth. +Washington sprang upon its back, the boys dropped the bridle, and away +flew the angry animal. + +Its rider at once began to command. The horse resisted, backing about +the field, rearing and plunging. The boys became thoroughly alarmed, +but Washington kept his seat, never once losing his self-control or his +mastery of the colt. + +The struggle was a sharp one; when suddenly, as if determined to rid +itself of its rider, the creature leaped into the air with a tremendous +bound. It was its last. The violence burst a blood-vessel, and the noble +horse fell dead. + +Before the boys could sufficiently recover to consider how they should +extricate themselves from the scrape, they were called to breakfast; +and the mistress of the house, knowing that they had been in the fields, +began to ask after her stock. + +“Pray, young gentlemen,” said she, “have you seen my blooded colts in +your rambles? I hope they are well taken care of. My favorite, I am +told, is as large as his sire.” + +The boys looked at one another, and no one liked to speak. Of course the +mother repeated her question. + +“The sorrel is dead, madam,” said her son, “I killed him.” + +And then he told the whole story. They say that his mother flushed with +anger, as her son often used to, and then, like him, controlled herself, +and presently said, quietly:-- + +“It is well; but while I regret the loss of my favorite, I rejoice in my +son who always speaks the truth.” + + + + +WASHINGTON THE ATHLETE + +BY ALBERT F. BLAISDELL AND FRANCIS E. BALL + +Many stories are told of the mighty power of Washington's right arm. It +is said that he once threw a stone from the bed of the stream to the top +of the Natural Bridge, in Virginia. + +Again, we are told that once upon a time he rounded a piece of slate +to the size of a silver dollar, and threw it across the Rappahannock +at Fredericksburg, the slate falling at least thirty feet on the other +side. Many strong men have since tried the same feat, but have never +cleared the water. + +Peale, who was called the soldier-artist, was once visiting Washington +at Mount Vernon. One day, he tells us, some athletic young men were +pitching the iron bar in the presence of their host. Suddenly, without +taking off his coat, Washington grasped the bar and hurled it, with +little effort, much farther than any of them had done. + +“We were, indeed, amazed,” said one of the young men, “as we stood +round, all stripped to the buff, and having thought ourselves very +clever fellows, while the Colonel, on retiring, pleasantly said:-- + +“'When you beat my pitch, young gentlemen, I'll try again.'” + +At another time, Washington witnessed a wrestling-match. The champion of +the day challenged him, in sport, to wrestle. Washington did not stop to +take off his coat, but grasped the “strong man of Virginia.” It was +all over in a moment, for, said the wrestler, “In Washington's lionlike +grasp I became powerless, and was hurled to the ground with a force that +seemed to jar the very marrow in my bones.” + +In the days of the Revolution, some of the riflemen and the backwoodsmen +were men of gigantic strength, but it was generally believed by good +judges that their commander-in-chief was the strongest man in the army. + + + + +WASHINGTON'S MODESTY + +BY HENRY CABOT LODGE (ADAPTED) + +Washington as soon as Fort Duquesne had fallen hurried home, resigned +his commission, and was married. The sunshine and glitter of the +wedding day must have appeared to Washington deeply appropriate, for +he certainly seemed to have all that heart of man could desire. Just +twenty-seven, in the first flush of young manhood, keen of sense and yet +wise in experience, life must have looked very fair and smiling. He had +left the army with a well-earned fame, and had come home to take the +wife of his choice, and enjoy the good will and respect of all men. + +While away on his last campaign he had been elected a member of +the House of Burgesses, and when he took his seat, on removing to +Williamsburg, three months after his marriage, Mr. Robinson, the +Speaker, thanked him publicly in eloquent words for his services to the +country. + +Washington rose to reply, but he was so utterly unable to talk about +himself that he stood before the House stammering and blushing until the +Speaker said:-- + +“Sit down, Mr. Washington, your modesty equals your valor, and that +surpasses the power of any language I possess.” + + + + +WASHINGTON AT YORKTOWN + +BY HENRY CABOT LODGE + +During the assault Washington stood in an embrasure of the grand +battery, watching the advance of the men. He was always given to +exposing himself recklessly when there was fighting to be done, but not +when he was only an observer. + +This night, however, he was much exposed to the enemy's fire. One of his +aides, anxious and disturbed for his safety, told him that the place was +perilous. + +“If you think so,” was the quiet answer, “you are at liberty to step +back.” + +The moment was too exciting, too fraught with meaning, to think of +peril. The old fighting spirit of Braddock's field was unchained for the +last time. He would have liked to head the American assault, sword in +hand, and as he could not do that, he stood as near his troops as he +could, utterly regardless of the bullets whistling in the air about him. +Who can wonder at his intense excitement at that moment? + +Others saw a brilliant storming of two out-works, but to Washington the +whole Revolution and all the labor and thought and conflict of six years +were culminating in the smoke and din on those redoubts, while out of +the dust and heat of the sharp, quick fight success was coming. + +He had waited long, and worked hard, and his whole soul went out as he +watched the troops cross the abatis and scale the works. He could have +no thought of danger then, and when all was over, he turned to Knox and +said:-- + +“The work is done, and well done. Bring me my horse.” + + + + +RESURRECTION DAY (EASTER) + +(MARCH OR APRIL) + + + + +A LESSON OF FAITH + +BY MRS. ALFRED GATTY (ADAPTED) + +“Let me hire you as a nurse for my poor children,” said a butterfly to +a quiet caterpillar, who was strolling along a cabbage-leaf in her odd, +lumbering fashion. + +“See these little eggs,” continued the butterfly; “I do not know how +long it will be before they come to life, and I feel very sick. If I +should die, who will take care of my baby butterflies when I am gone? +Will you, kind, mild, green caterpillar? They cannot, of course, live +on your rough food. You must give them early dew, and honey from the +flowers, and you must let them fly about only a little way at first. +Dear me! it is a sad pity that you cannot fly yourself. Dear, dear! I +cannot think what made me come and lay my eggs on a cabbage-leaf! What +a place for young butterflies to be bore upon! Here, take this gold-dust +from my wings as a reward. Oh, how dizzy I am! Caterpillar! you will +remember about the food--” + +And with these words the butterfly drooped her wings and died. The green +caterpillar, who had not had the opportunity of even saying “yes” + or “no” to the request, was left standing alone by the side of the +butterfly's eggs. + +“A pretty nurse she has chosen, indeed, poor lady!” exclaimed she, “and +a pretty business I have in hand. Why did she ever ask a poor crawling +creature like me to bring up her dainty little ones! Much they'll mind +me, truly, when they feel the gay wings on their backs, and can fly +away.” + +However, the poor butterfly was dead, and there lay the eggs on the +cabbage-leaf, and the green caterpillar had a kind heart, so she +resolved to do her best. + +“But two heads are better than one,” said she; “I will consult some wise +animal on the matter.” + +Then she thought and thought till at last she thought of the lark, and +she fancied that because he went up so high, and nobody knew where he +went to, he must be very clever and know a great deal. + +Now in the neighboring cornfield there lived a lark, and the caterpillar +sent a message to him, begging him to come and talk to her. When he came +she told him all her difficulties, and asked him how she was to feed and +rear the little butterfly creatures. + +“Perhaps you will be able to inquire and learn something about it the +next time you go up high,” said the caterpillar timidly. + +“Perhaps I can,” answered the lark; and then he went singing upwards +into the bright, blue sky, till the green caterpillar could not hear a +sound, nor could she see him any more. So she began to walk round the +butterfly's eggs, nibbling a bit of the cabbage-leaf now and then as she +moved along. + +“What a time the lark has been gone!” she cried at last. “I wonder where +he is just now. He must have flown higher than usual this time. How I +should like to know where he goes, and what he hears in that curious +blue sky! He always sings going up and coming down, but he never lets +any secret out.” + +And the green caterpillar took another turn round the butterfly's eggs. + +At last the lark's voice began to be heard again. The caterpillar almost +jumped for joy, and it was not long before she saw her friend descend +with hushed note to the cabbage bed. + +“News, news, glorious news, friend caterpillar!” sang the lark, “but the +worst of it is, you won't believe me!” + +“I believe anything I am told,” said the caterpillar hastily. + +“Well, then, first of all, I will tell you what those little creatures +are to eat”--and the lark nodded his head toward the eggs. “What do you +think it is to be? Guess!” + +“Dew and honey out of the flowers, I am afraid!” sighed the caterpillar. + +“No such thing, my good friend,” cried the lark exultantly; “you are to +feed them with cabbage-leaves!” + +“Never!” said the caterpillar indignantly. + +“It was their mother's last request that I should feed them on dew and +honey.” + +“Their mother knew nothing about the matter,” answered the lark; “but +why do you ask me, and then disbelieve what I say? You have neither +faith nor trust.” + +“Oh, I believe everything I am told,” said the caterpillar. + +“Nay, but you do not,” replied the lark. + +“Why, caterpillar, what do you think those little eggs will turn out to +be?” + +“Butterflies, to be sure,” said the caterpillar. + +“CATERPILLARS!” sang the lark; “and you'll find it out in time.” And the +lark flew away. + +“I thought the lark was wise and kind,” said the mild, green caterpillar +to herself, once more beginning to walk round the eggs, “but I find that +he is foolish and saucy instead. Perhaps he went up TOO high this time. +How I wonder what he sees, and what he does up yonder!” + +“I would tell you if you would believe me,” sang the lark, descending +once more. + +“I believe everything I am told,” answered the caterpillar. + +“Then I'll tell you something else,” cried the lark. “YOU WILL ONE DAY +BE A BUTTERFLY YOURSELF!” + +“Wretched bird,” exclaimed the caterpillar, “you are making fun of me. +You are now cruel as well as foolish! Go away! I will ask your advice no +more.” + +“I told you you would not believe me,” cried the lark. + +“I believe everything I am told,” persisted the +caterpillar,--“everything that it is REASONABLE to believe. But to tell +me that butterflies' eggs are caterpillars, and that caterpillars leave +off crawling and get wings and become butterflies!--Lark! you do not +believe such nonsense yourself! You know it is impossible!” + +“I know no such thing,” said the lark. “When I hover over the +cornfields, or go up into the depths of the sky, I see so many wonderful +things that I know there must be more. O caterpillar! it is because you +CRAWL, and never get beyond your cabbage-leaf, that you call anything +IMPOSSIBLE.” + +“Nonsense,” shouted the caterpillar, “I know what's possible and what's +impossible. Look at my long, green body, and many legs, and then talk to +me about having wings! Fool!” + +“More foolish you!” cried the indignant lark, “to attempt to reason +about what you cannot understand. Do you not hear how my song swells +with rejoicing as I soar upwards to the mysterious wonder-world above? +Oh, caterpillar, what comes from thence, receive as I do,--on trust.” + +“What do you mean by that?” asked the caterpillar. + +“ON FAITH,” answered the lark. + +“How am I to learn faith?” asked the caterpillar. + +At that moment she felt something at her side. She looked round,--eight +or ten little green caterpillars were moving about, and had already made +a hole in the cabbage-leaf. They had broken from the butterfly's eggs! + +Shame and amazement filled the green caterpillar's heart, but joy soon +followed. For as the first wonder was possible, the second might be so +too. + +“Teach me your lesson, lark,” she cried. + +And the lark sang to her of the wonders of the earth below and of the +heaven above. And the caterpillar talked all the rest of her life of the +time when she should become a butterfly. + +But no one believed her. She nevertheless had learned the lark's lesson +of faith, and when she was going into her chrysalis, she said:-- + +“I shall be a butterfly some day!” + +But her relations thought her head was wandering, and they said, “Poor +thing!” + +And when she was a butterfly, and was going to die she said:-- + +“I have known many wonders,--I HAVE FAITH,--I can trust even now for the +wonder that shall come next.” + + + + +A CHILD'S DREAM OF A STAR + +BY CHARLES DICKENS + +There was once a child, and he strolled about a good deal, and thought +of a number of things. He had a sister, who was a child, too, and his +constant companion. These two used to wonder all day long. They wondered +at the beauty of the flowers; they wondered at the height and blueness +of the sky; they wondered at the depth of the bright water; they +wondered at the goodness and the power of God who made the lovely world. + +They used to say to one another, sometimes: “Supposing all the children +upon earth were to die, would the flowers, and the water, and the sky +be sorry?” They believed they would be sorry. “For,” said they, “the buds +are the children of the flowers, and the little playful streams that +gambol down the hillsides are the children of the water; and the +smallest, bright specks playing at hide and seek in the sky all night, +must surely be the children of the stars; and they would all be grieved +to see their playmates, the children of men, no more.” + +There was one clear, shining star that used to come out in the sky +before the rest, near the church spire, above the graves. It was larger +and more beautiful, they thought, than all the others, and every night +they watched for it, standing hand in hand at a window. Whoever saw +it first cried out: “I see the star!” And often they cried out both +together, knowing so well when it would rise, and where. So they grew +to be such friends with it, that, before lying down in their beds, they +always looked out once again, to bid it good-night; and when they were +turning round to sleep, they used to say: “God bless the star!” + +But while she was still very young, oh, very, very young, the sister +drooped, and came to be so weak that she could no longer stand in the +window at night; and then the child looked sadly out by himself, and +when he saw the star turned round and said to the patient, pale face on +the bed: “I see the star!” and then a smile would come upon the face, +and a little weak voice used to say: “God bless my brother and the +star!” + +And so the time came all too soon, when the child looked out alone, and +when there was no face on the bed; and when there was a little grave +among the graves, not there before; and when the star made long rays +down towards him, as he saw it through his tears. + +Now, these rays were so bright, and they seemed to make such a shining +way from earth to heaven, that when the child went to his solitary bed +he dreamed about the star; and dreamed that, lying where he was, he saw +a train of people taken up that sparkling road by angels. And the star, +opening, showed him a great world of light, where many more such angels +waited to receive them. + +All these angels, who were waiting, turned their beaming eyes upon the +people who were carried up into the star; and some came out from the +long rows in which they stood, and fell upon the people's necks, and +kissed them tenderly, and went away with them down avenues of light, and +were so happy in their company, that lying in his bed he wept for joy. + +But there were many angels who did not go with them, and among them +one he knew. The patient face, that once had lain upon the bed, was +glorified and radiant, but his heart found out his sister among all the +host. + +His sister's angel lingered near the entrance of the star, and said to +the leader among those who had brought the people thither:-- + +“Is my brother come?” + +And he said: “No.” + +She was turning hopefully away, when the child stretched out his arms, +and cried: “O sister, I am here! Take me!” And then she turned her +beaming eyes upon him, and it was night; and the star was shining into +the room, making long rays down towards him, as he saw it through his +tears. + +From that hour forth, the child looked out upon the star as on the home +he was to go to when his time should come; and he thought that he did +not belong to the earth alone, but to the star, too, because of his +sister's angel gone before. + +There was a baby born to be a brother to the child; and while he was so +little that he never yet had spoken word, he stretched his tiny form out +on his bed, and died. + +Again the child dreamed of the open star, and of the company of angels, +and the train of people, and the rows of angels with their beaming eyes +all turned upon those people's faces. + +Said his sister's angel to the leader:-- + +“Is my brother come?” + +And he said: “Not that one, but another.” + +As the child beheld his brother's angel in her arms, he cried: “O +sister, I am here! Take me!” And she turned and smiled upon him, and the +star was shining. + +He grew to be a young man, and was busy at his books, when an old +servant came to him and said:-- + +“Thy mother is no more. I bring her blessing on her darling son.” + +Again at night he saw the star, and all that former company. Said his +sister's angel to the leader:-- + +“Is my brother come?” + +And he said: “Thy mother!” + +A mighty cry of joy went forth through all the star, because the mother +was reunited to her two children. And he stretched out his arms and +cried: “O mother, sister, and brother, I am here! Take me!” And they +answered him: “Not yet.” And the star was shining. + +He grew to be a man, whose hair was turning gray, and he was sitting in +his chair by the fireside, heavy with grief, and with his face bedewed +with tears, when the star opened once again. + +Said his sister's angel to the leader:-- + +“Is my brother come?” + +And he said: “Nay, but his maiden daughter.” + +And the man, who had been the child, saw his daughter, newly lost to +him, a celestial creature among those three, and he said: “My daughter's +head is on my sister's bosom, and her arm is around my mother's neck, +and at her feet there is the baby of old time, and I can bear the +parting from her, God be praised!” + +And the star was shining. + +Thus the child came to be an old man, and his once smooth face was +wrinkled, and his steps were slow and feeble, and his back was bent. And +one night as he lay upon his bed, his children standing round, he cried, +as he had cried so long ago:-- + +“I see the star!” + +They whispered one to another: “He is dying.” + +And he said: “I am. My age is falling from me like a garment, and I move +towards the star as a child. And, O my Father, now I thank Thee that it +has so often opened to receive those dear ones who await me!” + +And the star was shining; and it shines upon his grave. + + + + +THE LOVELIEST ROSE IN THE WORLD + +BY HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN (ADAPTED) + +Once there reigned a queen, in whose garden were found the most glorious +flowers at all seasons and from all the lands of the world. But more +than all others she loved the roses, and she had many kinds of this +flower, from the wild dog-rose with its apple-scented green leaves to +the most splendid, large, crimson roses. They grew against the garden +walls, wound themselves around the pillars and wind-frames, and crept +through the windows into the rooms, and all along the ceilings in the +halls. And the roses were of many colors, and of every fragrance and +form. + +But care and sorrow dwelt in those halls. The queen lay upon a sick-bed, +and the doctors said she must die. + +“There is still one thing that can save her,” said the wise man. “Bring +her the loveliest rose in the world, the rose that is the symbol of the +purest, the brightest love. If that is held before her eyes ere they +close, she will not die.” + +Then old and young came from every side with roses, the loveliest that +bloomed in each garden, but they were not of the right sort. The flower +was to be plucked from the Garden of Love. But what rose in all that +garden expressed the highest and purest love? + +And the poets sang of the loveliest rose in the world,--of the love of +maid and youth, and of the love of dying heroes. + +“But they have not named the right flower,” said the wise man. “They +have not pointed out the place where it blooms in its splendor. It is +not the rose that springs from the hearts of youthful lovers, though +this rose will ever be fragrant in song. It is not the bloom that +sprouts from the blood flowing from the breast of the hero who dies +for his country, though few deaths are sweeter than his, and no rose is +redder than the blood that flows then. Nor is it the wondrous flower +to which man devotes many a sleepless night and much of his fresh +life,--the magic flower of science.” + +“But I know where it blooms,” said a happy mother, who came with her +pretty child to the bedside of the dying queen. “I know where the +loveliest rose of love may be found. It springs in the blooming cheeks +of my sweet child, when, waking from sleep, it opens its eyes and smiles +tenderly at me.” + +“Lovely is this rose, but there is a lovelier still,” said the wise man. + +“I have seen the loveliest, purest rose that blooms,” said a woman. “I +saw it on the cheeks of the queen. She had taken off her golden crown. +And in the long, dreary night she carried her sick child in her arms. +She wept, kissed it, and prayed for her child.” + +“Holy and wonderful is the white rose of a mother's grief,” answered the +wise man, “but it is not the one we seek.” + +“The loveliest rose in the world I saw at the altar of the Lord,” said +the good Bishop, “the young maidens went to the Lord's Table. Roses +were blushing and pale roses shining on their fresh cheeks. A young girl +stood there. She looked with all the love and purity of her spirit up to +heaven. That was the expression of the highest and purest love.” + +“May she be blessed,” said the wise man, “but not one of you has yet +named the loveliest rose in the world.” + +Then there came into the room a child, the queen's little son. + +“Mother,” cried the boy, “only hear what I have read.” + +And the child sat by the bedside and read from the Book of Him who +suffered death upon the cross to save men, and even those who were not +yet born. “Greater love there is not.” + +And a rosy glow spread over the cheeks of the queen, and her eyes +gleamed, for she saw that from the leaves of the Book there bloomed the +loveliest rose, that sprang from the blood of Christ shed on the cross. + +“I see it!” she said, “he who beholds this, the loveliest rose on earth, +shall never die.” + + + + +MAY DAY + +(MAY 1) + + + + +THE SNOWDROP [1] + +BY HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN (ADAPTED) + +[Footnote 1: From For the Children's Hour, by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey and +Clara M. Lewis. Copyright by the Milton Bradley Company.] + + +The snow lay deep, for it was winter-time. The winter winds blew cold, +but there was one house where all was snug and warm. And in the house +lay a little flower; in its bulb it lay, under the earth and the snow. + +One day the rain fell and it trickled through the ice and snow down into +the ground. And presently a sunbeam, pointed and slender, pierced down +through the earth, and tapped on the bulb. + +“Come in,” said the flower. + +“I can't do that,” said the sunbeam; “I'm not strong enough to lift the +latch. I shall be stronger when springtime comes.” + +“When will it be spring?” asked the flower of every little sunbeam that +rapped on its door. But for a long time it was winter. The ground was +still covered with snow, and every night there was ice in the water. The +flower grew quite tired of waiting. + +“How long it is!” it said. “I feel quite cramped. I must stretch myself +and rise up a little. I must lift the latch, and look out, and say +'good-morning' to the spring.” + +So the flower pushed and pushed. The walls were softened by the rain +and warmed by the little sunbeams, so the flower shot up from under the +snow, with a pale green bud on its stalk and some long narrow leaves on +either side. It was biting cold. + +“You are a little too early,” said the wind and the weather; but every +sunbeam sang: “Welcome,” and the flower raised its head from the snow +and unfolded itself--pure and white, and decked with green stripes. + +It was weather to freeze it to pieces,--such a delicate little +flower,--but it was stronger than any one knew. It stood in its white +dress in the white snow, bowing its head when the snow-flakes fell, +and raising it again to smile at the sunbeams, and every day it grew +sweeter. + +“Oh!” shouted the children, as they ran into the garden, “see the +snowdrop! There it stands so pretty, so beautiful,--the first, the only +one!” + + + + +THE THREE LITTLE BUTTERFLY BROTHERS + +(FROM THE GERMAN)[2] + +[Footnote 2: From Deutsches Drittes Lesebuch, by W. H. Weick and C. +Grebner. Copyright, 1886, by Van Antwerp, Bragg & Co. American Book +Company, publishers.] + + +There were once three little butterfly brothers, one white, one red, and +one yellow. They played in the sunshine, and danced among the flowers in +the garden, and they never grew tired because they were so happy. + +One day there came a heavy rain, and it wet their wings. They flew away +home, but when they got there they found the door locked and the key +gone. So they had to stay out of doors in the rain, and they grew wetter +and wetter. + +By and by they flew to the red and yellow striped tulip, and said: +“Friend Tulip, will you open your flower-cup and let us in till the +storm is over?” + +The tulip answered: “The red and yellow butterflies may enter, because +they are like me, but the white one may not come in.” + +But the red and yellow butterflies said: “If our white brother may not +find shelter in your flowercup, why, then, we'll stay outside in the +rain with him.” + +It rained harder and harder, and the poor little butterflies grew wetter +and wetter, so they flew to the white lily and said: “Good Lily, will +you open your bud a little so we may creep in out of the rain?” + +The lily answered: “The white butterfly may come in, because he is like +me, but the red and yellow ones must stay outside in the storm.” + +Then the little white butterfly said: “If you won't receive my red and +yellow brothers, why, then, I'll stay out in the rain with them. We +would rather be wet than be parted.” + +So the three little butterflies flew away. + +But the sun, who was behind a cloud, heard it all, and he knew what good +little brothers the butterflies were, and how they had held together in +spite of the wet. So he pushed his face through the clouds, and chased +away the rain, and shone brightly on the garden. + +He dried the wings of the three little butterflies, and warmed their +bodies. They ceased to sorrow, and danced among the flowers till +evening, then they flew away home, and found the door wide open. + + + + +THE WATER-DROP + +BY FRIEDRICH WILHELM CAROVE' + +(ADAPTED FROM THE TRANSLATION BY SARAH AUSTIN) + +There was once a child who lived in a little hut, and in the hut there +was nothing but a little bed and a looking-glass; but as soon as the +first sunbeam glided softly through the casement and kissed his sweet +eyelids, and the finch and the linnet waked him merrily with their +morning songs, he arose and went out into the green meadow. + +And he begged flour of the primrose, and sugar of the violet, and butter +of the buttercup. He shook dewdrops from the cowslip into the cup of the +harebell, spread out a large lime-leaf, set his breakfast upon it, and +feasted daintily. And he invited a humming-bee and a gay butterfly to +partake of his feast, but his favorite guest was a blue dragon-fly. + +The bee murmured a good deal about his riches, and the butterfly told +his adventures. Such talk delighted the child, and his breakfast was the +sweeter to him, and the sunshine on leaf and flower seemed more bright +and cheering. + +But when the bee had flown off to beg from flower to flower, and the +butterfly had fluttered away to his play-fellows, the dragon-fly still +remained, poised on a blade of grass. Her slender and burnished body, +more brightly and deeply blue than the deep blue sky, glistened in the +sunbeam. Her net-like wings laughed at the flowers because they could +not fly, but must stand still and abide the wind and rain. + +The dragon-fly sipped a little of the child's clear dewdrops and blue +violet honey, and then whispered her winged words. Such stories as the +dragon-fly did tell! And as the child sat motionless with his blue +eyes shut, and his head rested on his hands, she thought he had fallen +asleep; so she poised her double wings and flew into the rustling wood. + +But the child had only sunk into a dream of delight and was wishing he +were a sunbeam or a moonbeam; and he would have been glad to hear more +and more, and forever. + +But at last as all was still, he opened his eyes and looked around for +his dear guest, but she was flown far away. He could not bear to sit +there any longer alone, and he rose and went to the gurgling brook. It +gushed and rolled so merrily, and tumbled so wildly along as it hurried +to throw itself head-over-heels into the river, just as if the great +massy rock out of which it sprang were close behind it, and could only +be escaped by a breakneck leap. + +Then the child began to talk to the little waves and asked them whence +they came. They would not stay to give him an answer, but danced away +one over another; till at last, that the sweet child might not be +grieved, a water-drop stopped behind a piece of rock. + +“A long time ago,” said the water-drop, “I lived with my countless +sisters in the great Ocean, in peace and unity. We had all sorts of +pastimes. Sometimes we mounted up high into the air, and peeped at the +stars. Then we sank plump down deep below, and looked how the coral +builders work till they are tired, that they may reach the light of day +at last. + +“But I was conceited, and thought myself much better than my sisters. +And so, one day, when the sun rose out of the sea, I clung fast to one +of his hot beams and thought how I should reach the stars and become one +of them. + +“But I had not ascended far when the sunbeam shook me off, and, in spite +of all I could say or do, let me fall into a dark cloud. And soon a +flash of fire darted through the cloud, and now I thought I must surely +die; but the cloud laid itself down softly upon the top of a mountain, +and so I escaped. + +“Now I thought I should remain hidden, when, all on a sudden, I slipped +over a round pebble, fell from one stone to another, down into the +depths of the mountain. At last it was pitch dark and I could neither +see nor hear anything. + +“Then I found, indeed, that 'pride goeth before a fall,' for, though I +had already laid aside all my unhappy pride in the cloud, my punishment +was to remain for some time in the heart of the mountain. After +undergoing many purifications from the hidden virtues of metals and +minerals, I was at length permitted to come up once more into the free +and cheerful air, and to gush from this rock and journey with this happy +stream. Now will I run back to my sisters in the Ocean, and there wait +patiently till I am called to something better.” + +So said the water-drop to the child, but scarcely had she finished her +story, when the root of a For-Get-Me-Not caught the drop and sucked her +in, that she might become a floweret, and twinkle brightly as a blue +star on the green firmament of earth. + + + + +THE SPRING BEAUTY + +AN OJIBBEWAY LEGEND + +BY HENRY R. SCHOOLCRAFT (ADAPTED) + +An old man was sitting in his lodge, by the side of a frozen stream. It +was the end of winter, the air was not so cold, and his fire was +nearly out. He was old and alone. His locks were white with age, and he +trembled in every joint. Day after day passed, and he heard nothing but +the sound of the storm sweeping before it the new-fallen snow. + +One day while his fire was dying, a handsome young man approached and +entered the lodge. His cheeks were red, his eyes sparkled. He walked +with a quick, light step. His forehead was bound with a wreath of +sweet-grass, and he carried a bunch of fragrant flowers in his hand. + +“Ah, my son,” said the old man, “I am happy to see you. Come in! Tell me +your adventures, and what strange lands you have seen. I will tell you +of my wonderful deeds, and what I can perform. You shall do the same, +and we will amuse each other.” + +The old man then drew from a bag a curiously wrought pipe. He filled it +with mild tobacco, and handed it to his guest. They each smoked from the +pipe and then began their stories. + +“I am Peboan, the Spirit of Winter,” said the old man. “I blow my +breath, and the streams stand still. The water becomes stiff and hard as +clear stone.” + +“I am Seegwun, the Spirit of Spring,” answered the youth. “I breathe, +and flowers spring up in the meadows and woods.” + +“I shake my locks,” said the old man, “and snow covers the land. The +leaves fall from the trees, and my breath blows them away. The birds fly +to a distant land, and the animals hide themselves from the cold.” + +“I shake my ringlets,” said the young man, “and warm showers of soft +rain fall upon the earth. The flowers lift their heads from the ground, +the grass grows thick and green. My voice recalls the birds, and they +come flying joyfully from the Southland. The warmth of my breath unbinds +the streams, and they sing the songs of summer. Music fills the groves +where-ever I walk, and all nature rejoices.” + +And while they were talking thus a wonderful change took place. The sun +began to rise. A gentle warmth stole over the place. Peboan, the Spirit +of Winter, became silent. His head drooped, and the snow outside the +lodge melted away. Seegwun, the Spirit of Spring, grew more radiant, and +rose joyfully to his feet. The robin and the bluebird began to sing on +the top of the lodge. The stream began to murmur at the door, and the +fragrance of opening flowers came softly on the breeze. + +The lodge faded away, and Peboan sank down and dissolved into tiny +streams of water, that vanished under the brown leaves of the forest. +Thus the Spirit of Winter departed, and where he had melted away, there +the Indian children gathered the first blossoms, fragrant and delicately +pink,--the modest Spring Beauty. + + + + +THE FAIRY TULIPS + +ENGLISH FOLK-TALE + +Once upon a time there was a good old woman who lived in a little house. +She had in her garden a bed of beautiful striped tulips. + +One night she was wakened by the sounds of sweet singing and of babies +laughing. She looked out at the window. The sounds seemed to come from +the tulip bed, but she could see nothing. + +The next morning she walked among her flowers, but there were no signs +of any one having been there the night before. + +On the following night she was again wakened by sweet singing and babies +laughing. She rose and stole softly through her garden. The moon was +shining brightly on the tulip bed, and the flowers were swaying to and +fro. The old woman looked closely and she saw, standing by each tulip, +a little Fairy mother who was crooning and rocking the flower like a +cradle, while in each tulip-cup lay a little Fairy baby laughing and +playing. + +The good old woman stole quietly back to her house, and from that time +on she never picked a tulip, nor did she allow her neighbors to touch +the flowers. + +The tulips grew daily brighter in color and larger in size, and they +gave out a delicious perfume like that of roses. They began, too, to +bloom all the year round. And every night the little Fairy mothers +caressed their babies and rocked them to sleep in the flower-cups. + +The day came when the good old woman died, and the tulip-bed was torn +up by folks who did not know about the Fairies, and parsley was planted +there instead of the flowers. But the parsley withered, and so did all +the other plants in the garden, and from that time nothing would grow +there. + +But the good old woman's grave grew beautiful, for the Fairies sang +above it, and kept it green; while on the grave and all around it there +sprang up tulips, daffodils, and violets, and other lovely flowers of +spring. + + + + +THE STREAM THAT RAN AWAY + +BY MARY AUSTIN (ADAPTED) + +In a short and shallow canyon running eastward toward the sun, one may +find a clear, brown stream called the Creek of Pinon Pines; that is not +because it is unusual to find pinon trees in that country, but because +there are so few of them in the canyon of the stream. There are all +sorts higher up on the slopes,--long-leaved yellow pines, thimble cones, +tamarack, silver fir, and Douglas spruce; but in the canyon there +is only a group of the low-headed, gray nut pines which the earliest +inhabitants of that country called pinons. + +The Canyon of Pinon Pines has a pleasant outlook and lies open to the +sun. At the upper end there is no more room by the stream border than +will serve for a cattle trail; willows grow in it, choking the path +of the water; there are brown birches here and ropes of white clematis +tangled over thickets of brier rose. + +Low down, the ravine broadens out to inclose a meadow the width of a +lark's flight, blossomy and wet and good. Here the stream ran once in a +maze of soddy banks and watered all the ground, and afterward ran out at +the canyon's mouth across the mesa in a wash of bone-white boulders as +far as it could. That was not very far, for it was a slender stream. It +had its source on the high crests and hollows of the near-by mountain, +in the snow banks that melted and seeped downward through the rocks. But +the stream did not know any more of that than you know of what happened +to you before you were born, and could give no account of itself except +that it crept out from under a great heap of rubble far up in the Canyon +of the Pinon Pines. + +And because it had no pools in it deep enough for trout, and no trees on +its borders but gray nut pines; because, try as it might, it could never +get across the mesa to the town, the stream had fully made up its mind +to run away. + +“Pray, what good will that do you?” said the pines. “If you get to +the town, they will turn you into an irrigating ditch, and set you to +watering crops.” + +“As to that,” said the stream, “if I once get started I will not stop at +the town.” + +Then it would fret between its banks until the spangled frills of the +mimulus were all tattered with its spray. Often at the end of the summer +it was worn quite thin and small with running, and not able to do more +than reach the meadow. + +“But some day,” it whispered to the stones, “I shall run quite away.” + +If the stream had been inclined for it, there was no lack of good +company on its own borders. Birds nested in the willows, rabbits came to +drink; one summer a bobcat made its lair up the bank opposite the brown +birches, and often the deer fed in the meadow. + +In the spring of one year two old men came up into the Canyon of Pinon +Pines. They had been miners and partners together for many years. They +had grown rich and grown poor, and had seen many hard places and strange +times. It was a day when the creek ran clear and the south wind smelled +of the earth. Wild bees began to whine among the willows, and the meadow +bloomed over with poppy-breasted larks. + +Then said one of the old men: “Here is good meadow and water enough; let +us build a house and grow trees. We are too old to dig in the mines.” + +“Let us set about it,” said the other; for that is the way with two who +have been a long time together,--what one thinks of, the other is for +doing. + +So they brought their possessions, and they built a house by the water +border and planted trees. One of the men was all for an orchard but the +other preferred vegetables. So they did each what he liked, and were +never so happy as when walking in the garden in the cool of the day, +touching the growing things as they walked, and praising each other's +work. + +They were very happy for three years. By this time the stream had become +so interested it had almost forgotten about running away. But every year +it noted that a larger bit of the meadow was turned under and planted, +and more and more the men made dams and ditches by which to turn the +water into their gardens. + +“In fact,” said the stream, “I am being made into an irrigating ditch +before I have had my fling in the world. I really must make a start.” + +That very winter, by the help of a great storm, the stream went roaring +down the meadow, over the mesa, and so clean away, with only a track of +muddy sand to show the way it had gone. + +All that winter the two men brought water for drinking from a spring, +and looked for the stream to come back. In the spring they hoped still, +for that was the season they looked for the orchard to bear. But no +fruit grew on the trees, and the seeds they planted shriveled in the +earth. So by the end of summer, when they understood that the water +would not come back at all, they went sadly away. + +Now the Creek of Pinon Pines did not have a happy time. It went out in +the world on the wings of the storm, and was very much tossed about and +mixed up with other waters, lost and bewildered. + +Everywhere it saw water at work, turning mills, watering fields, +carrying trade, falling as hail, rain, and snow; and at the last, after +many journeys it found itself creeping out from under the rocks of the +same old mountain, in the Canyon of Pinon Pines. + +“After all, home is best,” said the little stream to itself, and ran +about in its choked channels looking for old friends. + +The willows were there, but grown shabby and dying at the top; the +birches were quite dead, and there was only rubbish where the white +clematis had been. Even the rabbits had gone away. + +The little stream ran whimpering in the meadow, fumbling at the ruined +ditches to comfort the fruit trees which were not quite dead. It was +very dull in those days living in the Canyon of Pinon Pines. + +“But it is really my own fault,” said the stream. So it went on +repairing the borders as best it could. + +About the time the white clematis had come back to hide the ruin of the +brown birches, a young man came and camped with his wife and child in +the meadow. They were looking for a place to make a home. + +“What a charming place!” said the young wife; “just the right distance +from town, and a stream all to ourselves. And look, there are fruit +trees already planted. Do let us decide to stay!” + +Then she took off the child's shoes and stockings to let it play in +the stream. The water curled all about the bare feet and gurgled +delightedly. + +“Ah, do stay,” begged the happy water. “I can be such a help to you, for +I know how a garden should be irrigated in the best manner.” + +The child laughed, and stamped the water up to his bare knees. The young +wife watched anxiously while her husband walked up and down the stream +border and examined the fruit trees. + +“It is a delightful place,” he said, “and the soil is rich, but I am +afraid the water cannot be depended upon. There are signs of a great +drought within the last two or three years. Look, there is a clump of +birches in the very path of the stream, but all dead; and the largest +limbs of the fruit trees have died. In this country one must be able +to make sure of the water-supply. I suppose the people who planted them +must have abandoned the place when the stream went dry. We must go on +farther.” + +So they took their goods and the child and went on farther. + +“Ah, well,” said the stream, “that is what is to be expected when has a +reputation for neglecting one's duty. But I wish they had stayed. That +baby and I understood each other.” + +It had made up its mind not to run away again, though it could not be +expected to be quite cheerful after all that had happened. If you go to +the Canyon of Pinon Pines you will notice that the stream, where it goes +brokenly about the meadow, has a mournful sound. + + + + +THE ELVES + +AN IROQUOIS LEGEND + +BY HARRIET MAXWELL CONVERSE (ADAPTED) + +The little Elves of Darkness, so says the old Iroquois grandmother, were +wise and mysterious. They dwelt under the earth, where were deep forests +and broad plains. There they kept captive all the evil things that +wished to injure human beings,--the venomous reptiles, the wicked +spiders, and the fearful monsters. Sometimes one of these evil creatures +escaped and rushed upward to the bright, pure air, and spread its +poisonous breath over the living things of the upper-world. But such +happenings were rare, for the Elves of Darkness were faithful and +strong, and did not willingly allow the wicked beasts and reptiles to +harm human beings and the growing things. + +When the night was lighted by the moon's soft rays, and the woods of +the upper-world were sweet with the odor of the spring-flowers, then the +Elves of Darkness left the under-world, and creeping from their holes, +held a festival in the woods. And under many a tree, where the blades of +grass had refused to grow, the Little People danced until rings of green +sprang up beneath their feet. And to the festival came the Elves of +Light,--among whom were Tree-Elves, Flower-Elves, and Fruit-Elves. They +too danced and made merry. + +But when the moonlight faded away, and day began to break, then the +Elves of Darkness scampered back to their holes, and returned once more +to the under-world; while the Elves of Light began their daily tasks. + +For in the springtime these Little People of the Light hid in sheltered +places. They listened to the complaints of the seeds that lay covered in +the ground, and they whispered to the earth until the seeds burst their +pods and sent their shoots upward to the light. Then the little Elves +wandered over the fields and through the woods, bidding all growing +things to look upon the sun. + +The Tree-Elves tended the trees, unfolding their leaves, and feeding +their roots with sap from the earth. The Flower-Elves unwrapped the baby +buds, and tinted the petals of the opening flowers, and played with the +bees and the butterflies. + +But the busiest of all were the Fruit-Elves. Their greatest care in +the spring was the strawberry plant. When the ground softened from the +frost, the Fruit-Elves loosened the earth around each strawberry root, +that its shoots might push through to the light. They shaped the plant's +leaves, and turned its blossoms toward the warm rays of the sun. They +trained its runners, and assisted the timid fruit to form. They painted +the luscious berry, and bade it ripen. And when the first strawberries +blushed on the vines, these guardian Elves protected them from the evil +insects that had escaped from the world of darkness underground. + +And the old Iroquois grandmother tells, how once, when the fruit first +came to earth, the Evil Spirit, Hahgwehdaetgah, stole the strawberry +plant, and carried it to his gloomy cave, where he hid it away. And +there it lay until a tiny sunbeam pierced the damp mould, and finding +the little vine carried it back to its sunny fields. And ever since then +the strawberry plant has lived and thrived in the fields and woods. But +the Fruit-Elves, fearing lest the Evil One should one day steal the +vine again, watch day and night over their favorite. And when the +strawberries ripen they give the juicy, fragrant fruit to the Iroquois +children as they gather the spring flowers in the woods. + + + + +THE CANYON FLOWERS + +BY RALPH CONNOR (ADAPTED) + +At first there were no canyons, but only the broad, open prairie. One +day the Master of the Prairie, walking out over his great lawns, where +were only grasses, asked the Prairie: “Where are your flowers?” + +And the Prairie said: “Master, I have no seeds.” + +Then he spoke to the birds, and they carried seeds of every kind of +flower and strewed them far and wide, and soon the Prairie bloomed with +crocuses and roses and buffalo beans and the yellow crowfoot and the +wild sunflowers and the red lilies, all the summer long. + +Then the Master came and was well pleased; but he missed the flowers he +loved best of all, and he said to the Prairie: “Where are the clematis +and the columbine, the sweet violets and wind-flowers, and all the ferns +and flowering shrubs?” + +And again the Prairie answered: “Master, I have no seeds.” + +And again he spoke to the birds and again they carried all the seeds and +strewed them far and wide. + +But when next the Master came, he could not find the flowers he loved +best of all, and he said: “Where are those, my sweetest flowers?” + +And the Prairie cried sorrowfully: “O Master, I cannot keep the flowers, +for the winds sweep fiercely, and the sun beats upon my breast, and they +wither up and fly away.” + +Then the Master spoke to the Lightning, and with one swift blow the +Lightning cleft the Prairie to the heart. And the Prairie rocked and +groaned in agony, and for many a day moaned bitterly over its black, +jagged, gaping wound. + +But a little river poured its waters through the cleft, and carried down +deep, black mould, and once more the birds carried seeds and strewed +them in the canyon. And after a long time the rough rocks were decked +out with soft mosses and trailing vines, and all the nooks were hung +with clematis and columbine, and great elms lifted their huge tops high +up into the sunlight, and down about their feet clustered the low cedars +and balsams, and everywhere the violets and wind-flowers and maiden-hair +grew and bloomed till the canyon became the Master's place for rest and +peace and joy. + + + + +CLYTIE, THE HELIOTROPE + +BY OVID (ADAPTED) + +There was once a Nymph named Clytie, who gazed ever at Apollo as he +drove his sun-chariot through the heavens. She watched him as he rose in +the east attended by the rosy-fingered Dawn and the dancing Hours. She +gazed as he ascended the heavens, urging his steeds still higher in +the fierce heat of the noonday. She looked with wonder as at evening +he guided his steeds downward to their many-colored pastures under the +western sky, where they fed all night on ambrosia. + +Apollo saw not Clytie. He had no thought for her, but he shed his +brightest beams upon her sister the white Nymph Leucothoe. And when +Clytie perceived this she was filled with envy and grief. + +Night and day she sat on the bare ground weeping. For nine days and nine +nights she never raised herself from the earth, nor did she take food +or drink; but ever she turned her weeping eyes toward the sun-god as he +moved through the sky. + +And her limbs became rooted to the ground. Green leaves enfolded her +body. Her beautiful face was concealed by tiny flowers, violet-colored +and sweet with perfume. Thus was she changed into a flower and her roots +held her fast to the ground; but ever she turned her blossom-covered +face toward the sun, following with eager gaze his daily flight. In vain +were her sorrow and tears, for Apollo regarded her not. + +And so through the ages has the Nymph turned her dew-washed face toward +the heavens, and men no longer call her Clytie, but the sun-flower, +heliotrope. + + + + +HYACINTHUS + +BY OVID (ADAPTED) + +Once when the golden-beamed Apollo roamed the earth, he made a companion +of Hyacinthus, the son of King Amyclas of Lacedaemon; and him he loved +with an exceeding great love, for the lad was beautiful beyond compare. + +The sun-god threw aside his lyre, and became the daily comrade of +Hyacinthus. Often they played games, or climbed the rugged mountain +ridges. Together they followed the chase or fished in the quiet and +shadowy pools; and the sun-god, unmindful of his dignity, carried the +lad's nets and held his dogs. + +It happened on a day that the two friends stripped off their garments, +rubbed the juice of the olive upon their bodies, and engaged in throwing +the quoit. First Apollo poised it and tossed it far. It cleaved the air +with its weight and fell heavily to earth. At that moment Hyacinthus ran +forwards and hastened to take up the disc, but the hard earth sent +it rebounding straight into his face, so that he fell wounded to the +ground. + +Ah! then, pale and fearful, the sun-god hastened to the side of his +fallen friend. He bore up the lad's sinking limbs and strove to stanch +his wound with healing herbs. All in vain! Alas! the wound would not +close. And as violets and lilies, when their stems are crushed, +hang their languid blossoms on their stalks and wither away, so did +Hyacinthus droop his beautiful head and die. + +Then the sun-god, full of grief, cried aloud in his anguish: “O Beloved! +thou fallest in thy early youth, and I alone am the cause of thy +destruction! Oh, that I could give my life for thee or with thee! but +since Fate will not permit this, thou shalt ever be with me, and thy +praise shall dwell on my lips. My lyre struck with my hand, my songs, +too, shall celebrate thee! And thou, dear lad, shalt become a new +flower, and on thy leaves will I write my lamentations.” + +And even as the sun-god spoke, behold! the blood that had flowed from +Hyacinthus's wound stained the grass, and a flower, like a lily in +shape, sprang up, more bright than Tyrian purple. On its leaves did +Apollo inscribe the mournful characters: “ai, ai,” which mean “alas! +alas!” + +And as oft as the spring drives away the winter, so oft does Hyacinthus +blossom in the fresh, green grass. + + + + +ECHO AND NARCISSUS + +BY OVID (ADAPTED) + +Long ago, in the ancient world, there was born to the blue-eyed Nymph +Liriope, a beautiful boy, whom she called Narcissus. An oracle foretold +at his birth that he should be happy and live to a good old age if he +“never saw himself.” As this prophecy seemed ridiculous his mother soon +forgot all about it. + +Narcissus grew to be a stately, handsome youth. His limbs were firm and +straight. Curls clustered about his white brow, and his eyes shone +like two stars. He loved to wander among the meadow flowers and in the +pathless woodland. But he disdained his playmates, and would not listen +to their entreaties to join in their games. His heart was cold, and in +it was neither hate nor love. He lived indifferent to youth or maid, to +friend or foe. + +Now, in the forest near by dwelt a Nymph named Echo. She had been a +handmaiden of the goddess Juno. But though the Nymph was beautiful +of face, she was not loved. She had a noisy tongue. She told lies and +whispered slanders, and encouraged the other Nymphs in many misdoings. +So when Juno perceived all this, she ordered the troublesome Nymph away +from her court, and banished her to the wildwood, bidding her never +speak again except in imitation of other peoples' words. So Echo dwelt +in the woods, and forever mocked the words of youths and maidens. + +One day as Narcissus was wandering alone in the pathless forest, Echo, +peeping from behind a tree, saw his beauty, and as she gazed her heart +was filled with love. Stealthily she followed his footsteps, and often +she tried to call to him with endearing words, but she could not speak, +for she no longer had a voice of her own. + +At last Narcissus heard the sound of breaking branches, and he cried +out: “Is there any one here?” + +And Echo answered softly: “Here!” + +Narcissus, amazed, looking about on all sides and seeing no one, cried: +“Come!” + +And Echo answered: “Come!” + +Narcissus cried again: “Who art thou? Whom seekest thou?” + +And Echo answered: “Thou!” + +Then rushing from among the trees she tried to throw her arms about his +neck, but Narcissus fled through the forest, crying: “Away! away! I will +die before I love thee!” + +And Echo answered mournfully: “I love thee!” + +And thus rejected, she hid among the trees, and buried her blushing face +in the green leaves. And she pined, and pined, until her body wasted +quite away, and nothing but her voice was left. And some say that even +to this day her voice lives in lonely caves and answers men's words from +afar. + +Now, when Narcissus fled from Echo, he came to a clear spring, like +silver. Its waters were unsullied, for neither goats feeding upon the +mountains nor any other cattle had drunk from it, nor had wild beasts or +birds disturbed it, nor had branch or leaf fallen into its calm waters. +The trees bent above and shaded it from the hot sun, and the soft, green +grass grew on its margin. + +Here Narcissus, fatigued and thirsty after his flight, laid himself down +beside the spring to drink. He gazed into the mirror-like water, and saw +himself reflected in its tide. He knew not that it was his own image, +but thought that he saw a youth living in the spring. + +He gazed on two eyes like stars, on graceful slender fingers, on +clustering curls worthy of Apollo, on a mouth arched like Cupid's bow, +on blushing cheeks and ivory neck. And as he gazed his cold heart grew +warm, and love for this beautiful reflection rose up and filled his +soul. + +He rained kisses on the deceitful stream. He thrust his arms into the +water, and strove to grasp the image by the neck, but it fled away. +Again he kissed the stream, but the image mocked his love. And all day +and all night, lying there without food or drink, he continued to gaze +into the water. Then raising himself, he stretched out his arms to the +trees about him, and cried:-- + +“Did ever, O ye woods, one love as much as I! Have ye ever seen a lover +thus pine for the sake of unrequited affection?” + +Then turning once more, Narcissus addressed his reflection in the limpid +stream:-- + +“Why, dear youth, dost thou flee away from me? Neither a vast sea, nor +a long way, nor a great mountain separates us! only a little water keeps +us apart! Why, dear lad, dost thou deceive me, and whither dost thou go +when I try to grasp thee? Thou encouragest me with friendly looks. When +I extend my arms, thou extendest thine; when I smile, thou smilest in +return; when I weep, thou weepest; but when I try to clasp thee beneath +the stream, thou shunnest me and fleest away! Grief is taking my +strength, and my life will soon be over! In my early days am I cut off, +nor is Death grievous to me, now that he is about to remove my sorrows!” + +Thus mourned Narcissus, lying beside the woodland spring. He disturbed +the water with his tears, and made the woods to resound with his sighs. +And as the yellow wax is melted by the fire, or the hoar frost is +consumed by the heat of the sun, so did Narcissus pine away, his body +wasting by degrees. + +And often as he sighed: “Alas!” the grieving Echo from the wood +answered: “Alas!” + +With his last breath he looked into the water and sighed: “Ah, youth +beloved, farewell!” and Echo sighed: “Farewell!” + +And Narcissus, laying his weary head upon the grass, closed his eyes +forever. The Water-Nymphs wept for him, and the Wood-Dryads lamented +him, and Echo resounded their mourning. But when they sought his body +it had vanished away, and in its stead had grown up by the brink of the +stream a little flower, with silver leaves and golden heart,--and thus +was born to earth the woodland flower, Narcissus. + + + + + +MOTHERS' DAY + +(SECOND SUNDAY IN MAY) + +THE LARK AND ITS YOUNG ONES + +A HINDU FABLE + +BY P. V. RAMASWAMI RAJU (ADAPTED) + +A child went up to a lark and said: “Good lark, have you any young +ones?” + +“Yes, child, I have,” said the mother lark, “and they are very pretty +ones, indeed.” Then she pointed to the little birds and said: “This is +Fair Wing, that is Tiny Bill, and that other is Bright Eyes.” + +“At home, we are three,” said the child, “myself and two sisters. Mother +says that we are pretty children, and she loves us.” + +To this the little larks replied: “Oh, yes, OUR mother is fond of us, +too.” + +“Good mother lark,” said the child, “will you let Tiny Bill go home with +me and play?” + +Before the mother lark could reply, Bright Eyes said: “Yes, if you will +send your little sister to play with us in our nest.” + +“Oh, she will be so sorry to leave home,” said the child; “she could not +come away from our mother.” + +“Tiny Bill will be so sorry to leave our nest,” answered Bright Eyes, +“and he will not go away from OUR mother.” + +Then the child ran away to her mother, saying: “Ah, every one is fond of +home!” + + + + +CORNELIA'S JEWELS + +BY JAMES BALDWIN [3] + +[Footnote 3: From Fifty Famous Stories Retold. Copyright, 1896, by +American Book Company.] + + + + +It was a bright morning in the old city of Rome many hundred years ago. +In a vine-covered summer-house in a beautiful garden, two boys were +standing. They were looking at their mother and her friend, who were +walking among the flowers and trees. + +“Did you ever see so handsome a lady as our mother's friend?” asked the +younger boy, holding his tall brother's hand. “She looks like a queen.” + +“Yet she is not so beautiful as our mother,” said the elder boy. “She +has a fine dress, it is true; but her face is not noble and kind. It is +our mother who is like a queen.” + +“That is true,” said the other. “There is no woman in Rome so much like +a queen as our own dear mother.” + +Soon Cornelia, their mother, came down the walk to speak with them. She +was simply dressed in a plain, white robe. Her arms and feet were bare, +as was the custom in those days; and no rings or chains glittered about +her hands and neck. For her only crown, long braids of soft brown hair +were coiled about her head; and a tender smile lit up her noble face as +she looked into her sons' proud eyes. + +“Boys,” she said, “I have something to tell you.” + +They bowed before her, as Roman lads were taught to do, and said: “What +is it, mother?” + +“You are to dine with us to-day, here in the garden; and then our friend +is going to show us that wonderful casket of jewels of which you have +heard so much.” + +The brothers looked shyly at their mother's friend. Was it possible that +she had still other rings besides those on her fingers? Could she have +other gems besides those which sparkled in the chains about her neck? + +When the simple outdoor meal was over, a servant brought the casket from +the house. The lady opened it. Ah, how those jewels dazzled the eyes +of the wondering boys! There were ropes of pearls, white as milk, and +smooth as satin; heaps of shining rubies, red as the glowing coals; +sapphires as blue as the sky that summer day; and diamonds that flashed +and sparkled like the sunlight. + +The brothers looked long at the gems. “Ah!” whispered the younger; “if +our mother could only have such beautiful things!” + +At last, however, the casket was closed and carried carefully away. + +“Is it true, Cornelia, that you have no jewels?” asked her friend. “Is +it true, as I have heard it whispered, that you are poor?” + +“No, I am not poor,” answered Cornelia, and as she spoke she drew her +two boys to her side; “for here are my jewels. They are worth more than +all your gems.” + +The boys never forgot their mother's pride and love and care; and in +after years, when they had become great men in Rome, they often thought +of this scene in the garden. And the world still likes to hear the story +of Cornelia's jewels. + + + + +QUEEN MARGARET AND THE ROBBERS + +BY ALBERT F. BLAISDELL (ADAPTED) + +One day when roses were in bloom, two noblemen came to angry words in +the Temple Gardens, by the side of the river Thames. In the midst of +their quarrel one of them plucked a white rose from a bush, and, turning +to those who were near him, said:-- + +“He who will stand by me in this quarrel, let him pluck a white rose +with me, and wear it in his hat.” + +Then the other gentleman tore a red rose from another bush, and said:-- + +“Let him who will stand by me pluck a red rose, and wear it as his +badge.” + +Now this quarrel led to a great civil war, which was called “The War of +the Roses,” for every soldier wore a white or red rose in his helmet to +show to which side he belonged. + +The leaders of the “Red Rose” sided with King Henry the Sixth and his +wife, Queen Margaret, who were fighting for the English throne. Many +great battles were fought, and wicked deeds were done in those dreadful +times. + +In a battle at a place called Hexham, the king's party was beaten, and +Queen Margaret and her little son, the Prince of Wales, had to flee for +their lives. They had not gone far before they met a band of robbers, +who stopped the queen and stole all her rich jewels, and, holding a +drawn sword over her head, threatened to take her life and that of her +child. + +The poor queen, overcome by terror, fell upon her knees and begged them +to spare her only son, the little prince. But the robbers, turning from +her, began to fight among themselves as to how they should divide the +plunder, and, drawing their weapons, they attacked one another. When +the queen saw what was happening she sprang to her feet, and, taking the +prince by the hand, made haste to escape. + +There was a thick wood close by, and the queen plunged into it, but she +was sorely afraid and trembled in every limb, for she knew that this +wood was the hiding-place of robbers and outlaws. Every tree seemed to +her excited fancy to be an armed man waiting to kill her and her little +son. + +On and on she went through the dark wood, this way and that, seeking +some place of shelter, but not knowing where she was going. At last she +saw by the light of the moon a tall, fierce-looking man step out from +behind a tree. He came directly toward her, and she knew by his dress +that he was an outlaw. But thinking that he might have children of his +own, she determined to throw herself and her son upon his mercy. + +When he came near she addressed him in a calm voice and with a stately +manner. + +“Friend,” said she, “I am the queen. Kill me if thou wilt, but spare my +son, thy prince. Take him, I will trust him to thee. Keep him safe from +those that seek his life, and God will have pity on thee for all thy +sins.” + +The words of the queen moved the heart of the outlaw. He told her that +he had once fought on her side, and was now hiding from the soldiers +of the “White Rose.” He then lifted the little prince in his arms, and, +bidding the queen follow, led the way to a cave in the rocks. There he +gave them food and shelter, and kept them safe for two days, when the +queen's friends and attendants, discovering their hiding-place, came and +took them far away. + +If you ever go to Hexham Forest, you may see this robber's cave. It is +on the bank of a little stream that flows at the foot of a hill, and to +this day the people call it “Queen Margaret's Cave.” + + + + +THE REVENGE OF CORIOLANUS + +BY CHARLES MORRIS (ADAPTED) + +Caius Marcius was a noble Roman youth, who fought valiantly, when but +seventeen years of age, in the battle of Lake Regillus, and was there +crowned with an oaken wreath, the Roman reward for saving the life of a +fellow soldier. This he showed with joy to his mother, Volumnia, whom he +loved exceedingly, it being his greatest pleasure to receive praise from +her lips. + +He afterward won many more crowns in battle, and became one of the +most famous of Roman soldiers. One of his memorable exploits took place +during a war with the Volscians, in which the Romans attacked the city +of Corioli. Through Caius's bravery the place was taken, and the Roman +general said: “Henceforth, let him be called after the name of this +city.” So ever after he was known as Caius Marcius Coriolanus. + +Courage was not the only marked quality of Coriolanus. His pride was +equally great. He was a noble of the nobles, so haughty in demeanor and +so disdainful of the commons that they grew to hate him bitterly. + +At length came a time of great scarcity of food. The people were on +the verge of famine, to relieve which shiploads of corn were sent from +Sicily to Rome. The Senate resolved to distribute this corn among the +suffering people, but Coriolanus opposed this, saying: “If they want +corn, let them promise to obey the Patricians, as their fathers did. Let +them give up their tribunes. If they do this we will let them have corn, +and take care of them.” + +When the people heard of what the proud noble had said, they broke +into a fury, and a mob gathered around the doors of the Senate house, +prepared to seize and tear him in pieces when he came out. But the +tribunes prevented this, and Coriolanus fled from Rome, exiled from his +native land by his pride and disdain of the people. + +The exile made his way to the land of the Volscians and became the +friend of Rome's great enemy, whom he had formerly helped to conquer. +He aroused the Volscians' ire against Rome, to a greater degree than +before, and placing himself at the head of a Volscian army greater +than the Roman forces, marched against his native city. The army swept +victoriously onward, taking city after city, and finally encamping +within five miles of Rome. + +The approach of this powerful host threw the Romans into dismay. They +had been assailed so suddenly that they had made no preparations for +defense, and the city seemed to lie at the mercy of its foes. The +women ran to the temples to pray for the favor of the gods. The people +demanded that the Senate should send deputies to the invading army to +treat for peace. + +The Senate, no less frightened than the people, obeyed, sending five +leading Patricians to the Volscian camp. These deputies were haughtily +received by Coriolanus, who offered them such severe terms that they +were unable to accept them. They returned and reported the matter, and +the Senate was thrown into confusion. The deputies were sent again, +instructed to ask for gentler terms, but now Coriolanus refused even +to let them enter his camp. This harsh repulse plunged Rome into mortal +terror. + +All else having failed, the noble women of Rome, with Volumnia, the +mother of Coriolanus, at their head, went in procession from the city to +the Volscian camp to pray for mercy. + +It was a sad and solemn spectacle, as this train of noble ladies, clad +in their habiliments of woe, and with bent heads and sorrowful faces, +wound through the hostile camp, from which they were not excluded as the +deputies had been. Even the Volscian soldiers watched them with pitying +eyes, and spoke no scornful word as they moved slowly past. + +On reaching the midst of the camp, they saw Coriolanus on the general's +seat, with the Volscian chiefs gathered around him. At first he wondered +who these women could be; but when they came near, and he saw his mother +at the head of the train, his deep love for her welled up so strongly in +his heart that he could not restrain himself, but sprang up and ran to +meet and kiss her. + +The Roman matron stopped him with a dignified gesture. “Ere you kiss +me,” she said, “let me know whether I speak to an enemy or to my son; +whether I stand here as your prisoner or your mother.” + +He stood before her in silence, with bent head, and unable to answer. + +“Must it, then, be that if I had never borne a son, Rome would have +never seen the camp of an enemy?” said Volumnia, in sorrowful tones. + +“But I am too old to endure much longer your shame and my misery. Think +not of me, but of your wife and children, whom you would doom to death +or to life in bondage.” + +Then Virgilia, his wife, and his children, came forward and kissed him, +and all the noble ladies in the train burst into tears and bemoaned the +peril of their country. + +Coriolanus still stood silent, his face working with contending +thoughts. At length he cried out in heart-rending accents: “O mother! +What have you done to me?” + +Then clasping her hand he wrung it vehemently, saying: “Mother, the +victory is yours! A happy victory for you and Rome! but shame and ruin +for your son.” + +Thereupon he embraced her with yearning heart, and afterward clasped his +wife and children to his breast, bidding them return with their tale +of conquest to Rome. As for himself, he said, only exile and shame +remained. + +Before the women reached home, the army of the Volscians was on its +homeward march. Coriolanus never led it against Rome again. He lived and +died in exile, far from his wife and children. + +The Romans, to honor Volumnia, and those who had gone with her to the +Volscian camp, built a temple to “Woman's Fortune,” on the spot where +Coriolanus had yielded to his mother's entreaties. + + + + +THE WIDOW AND HER THREE SONS + +(ADAPTED) + +One day a poor woman approached Mr. Lincoln for an interview. She was +somewhat advanced in years and plainly clad, wearing a faded shawl and +worn hood. + +“Well, my good woman,” said Mr. Lincoln, “what can I do for you this +morning?” + +“Mr. President,” answered she, “my husband and three sons all went into +the army. My husband was killed in the battle of----. I get along very +badly since then living all alone, and I thought that I would come and +ask you to release to me my eldest son.” + +Mr. Lincoln looked in her face for a moment, and then replied kindly:-- + +“Certainly! Certainly! If you have given us ALL, and your prop has been +taken away, you are justly entitled to one of your boys.” + +He then made out an order discharging the young man, which the woman +took away, thanking him gratefully. + +She went to the front herself with the President's order, and found that +her son had been mortally wounded in a recent battle, and taken to the +hospital. + +She hastened to the hospital. But she was too late, the boy died, and +she saw him laid in a soldier's grave. + +She then returned to the President with his order, on the back of which +the attendant surgeon had stated the sad facts concerning the young man +it was intended to discharge. + +Mr. Lincoln was much moved by her story, and said: “I know what you wish +me to do now, and I shall do it without your asking. I shall release to +you your second son.” + +Taking up his pen he began to write the order, while the grief-stricken +woman stood at his side and passed her hand softly over his head, and +stroked his rough hair as she would have stroked her boy's. + +When he had finished he handed her the paper, saying tenderly, his eyes +full of tears:-- + +“Now you have one of the two left, and I have one, that is no more than +right.” + +She took the order and reverently placing her hand upon his head, +said:-- + +“The Lord bless you, Mr. President. May you live a thousand years, and +may you always be the head of this great nation.” + + + + + +MEMORIAL DAY + +(APRIL OR MAY) + +FLAG DAY + +(JUNE 14) + + + + +BETSY ROSS AND THE FLAG + +BY HARRY PRINGLE FORD (ADAPTED) + +On the 14th day of June, 1777, the Continental Congress passed the +following resolution: “RESOLVED, That the flag of the thirteen United +States be thirteen stripes alternate red and white; that the Union +be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new +constellation.” + +We are told that previous to this, in 1776, a committee was appointed to +look after the matter, and together with General Washington they called +at the house of Betsy Ross, 239 Arch Street, Philadelphia. + +Betsy Ross was a young widow of twenty-four heroically supporting +herself by continuing the upholstery business of her late husband, young +John Ross, a patriot who had died in the service of his country. +Betsy was noted for her exquisite needlework, and was engaged in the +flag-making business. + +The committee asked her if she thought she could make a flag from a +design, a rough drawing of which General Washington showed her. She +replied, with diffidence, that she did not know whether she could or +not, but would try. She noticed, however, that the star as drawn had six +points, and informed the committee that the correct star had but five. +They answered that as a great number of stars would be required, the +more regular form with six points could be more easily made than one +with five. + +She responded in a practical way by deftly folding a scrap of +paper; then with a single clip of her scissors she displayed a true, +symmetrical, five-pointed star. + +This decided the committee in her favor. A rough design was left for her +use, but she was permitted to make a sample flag according to her own +ideas of the arrangement of the stars and the proportions of the stripes +and the general form of the whole. + +Sometime after its completion it was presented to Congress, and the +committee had the pleasure of informing Betsy Ross that her flag was +accepted as the Nation's standard. + + + + +THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER + +BY EVA MARCH TAPPAN (ADAPTED) + +In 1814, while the War of 1812 was still going on, the people of +Maryland were in great trouble, for a British fleet began to attack +Baltimore. The enemy bombarded the forts, including Fort McHenry. For +twenty-four hours the terrific bombardment went on. + +“If Fort McHenry only stands, the city is safe,” said Francis Scott Key +to a friend, and they gazed anxiously through the smoke to see if the +flag was still flying. + +These two men were in the strangest place that could be imagined. They +were in a little American vessel fast moored to the side of the British +admiral's flagship. A Maryland doctor had been seized as a prisoner by +the British, and the President had given permission for them to go out +under a flag of truce, to ask for his release. The British commander +finally decided that the prisoner might be set free; but he had no +idea of allowing the two men to go back to the city and carry any +information. “Until the attack on Baltimore is ended, you and your boat +must remain here,” he said. + +The firing went on. As long as daylight lasted they could catch glimpses +of the Stars and Stripes whenever the wind swayed the clouds of smoke. +When night came they could still see the banner now and then by the +blaze of the cannon. A little after midnight the firing stopped. The two +men paced up and down the deck, straining their eyes to see if the flag +was still flying. “Can the fort have surrendered?” they questioned. “Oh, +if morning would only come!” + +At last the faint gray of dawn appeared. They could see that some flag +was flying, but it was too dark to tell which. More and more eagerly +they gazed. It grew lighter, a sudden breath of wind caught the flag, +and it floated out on the breeze. It was no English flag, it was their +own Stars and Stripes. The fort had stood, the city was safe. Then it +was that Key took from his pocket an old letter and on the back of it he +wrote the poem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.” + +The British departed, and the little American boat went back to the +city. Mr. Key gave a copy of the poem to his uncle, who had been helping +to defend the fort. The uncle sent it to the printer, and had it struck +off on some handbills. Before the ink was dry the printer caught up one +and hurried away to a restaurant, where many patriots were assembled. +Waving the paper, he cried, “Listen to this!” and he read:-- + + “O say, can you see, by the dawn's early light, + What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming, + Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous + fight, + O'er the ramparts we watch'd were so gallantly streaming? + And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, + Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. + O say, does the star-spangled banner yet wave + O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?” + + +“Sing it! sing it!” cried the whole company. Charles Durang mounted a +chair and then for the first time “The Star-Spangled Banner” was sung. +The tune was “To Anacreon in Heaven,” an air which had long been a +favorite. Halls, theaters, and private houses rang with its strains. + +The fleet was out of sight even before the poem was printed. In the +middle of the night the admiral had sent to the British soldiers this +message, “I can do nothing more,” and they hurried on board the vessels. +It was not long before they left Chesapeake Bay altogether,--perhaps +with the new song ringing in their ears as they went. + + + + +THE LITTLE DRUMMER-BOY + +BY ALBERT BUSHNELL HART (ADAPTED) + +A few days before a certain regiment received orders to join General +Lyon, on his march to Wilson's Creek, the drummer-boy of the regiment +was taken sick, and carried to the hospital. + +Shortly after this there appeared before the captain's quarters, during +the beating of the reveille, a good-looking, middle-aged woman, dressed +in deep mourning, leading by the hand a sharp, sprightly looking boy, +apparently about twelve or thirteen years of age. + +Her story was soon told. She was from East Tennessee, where her husband +had been killed by the Confederates, and all her property destroyed. +Being destitute, she thought that if she could procure a situation for +her boy as drummer, she could find employment for herself. + +While she told her story, the little fellow kept his eyes intently fixed +upon the countenance of the captain. And just as the latter was about to +say that he could not take so small a boy, the lad spoke out:-- + +“Don't be afraid, Captain,” said he, “I can drum.” + +This was spoken with so much confidence that the captain smiled and said +to the sergeant:-- + +“Well, well, bring the drum, and order our fifer to come here.” + +In a few moments a drum was produced and the fifer, a round-shouldered, +good-natured fellow, who stood six feet tall, made his appearance. Upon +being introduced to the lad, he stooped down, resting his hands on his +knees, and, after peering into the little fellow's face for a moment, +said:-- + +“My little man, can you drum?” + +“Yes, sir,” answered the boy promptly. “I drummed for Captain Hill in +Tennessee.” + +The fifer immediately straightened himself, and, placing his fife to +his lips, played the “Flowers of Edinburgh,” one of the most difficult +things to follow with the drum. And nobly did the little fellow follow +him, showing himself to be master of the drum. + +When the music ceased the captain turned to the mother and observed:-- + +“Madam, I will take the boy. What is his name?” + +“Edward Lee,” she replied. Then placing her hand upon the captain's arm, +she continued in a choking voice, “If he is not killed!--Captain,--you +will bring him back to me?” + +“Yes, yes,” he replied, “we shall be certain to bring him back to you. +We shall be discharged in six weeks.” + +An hour after, the company led the regiment out of camp, the drum and +fife playing “The Girl I left behind me.” + +Eddie, as the soldiers called him, soon became a great favorite with +all the men of the company. When any of the boys returned from foraging, +Eddie's share of the peaches, melons, and other good things was meted +out first. During the heavy and fatiguing marches, the long-legged fifer +often waded through the mud with the little drummer mounted on his back, +and in the same fashion he carried Eddie when fording streams. + +During the fight at Wilson's Creek, a part of the company was stationed +on the right of Totten's battery, while the balance of the company was +ordered down into a deep ravine, at the left, in which it was known a +party of Confederates was concealed. + +An engagement took place. The contest in the ravine continued some time. +Totten suddenly wheeled his battery upon the enemy in that quarter, and +they soon retreated to high ground behind their lines. + +In less than twenty minutes after Totten had driven the Confederates +from the ravine, the word passed from man to man throughout the army, +“Lyon is killed!” And soon after, hostilities having ceased upon both +sides, the order came for the main part of the Federal force to fall +back upon Springfield, while the lesser part was to camp upon the +ground, and cover the retreat. + +That night a corporal was detailed for guard duty. His post was upon +a high eminence that overlooked the deep ravine in which the men had +engaged the enemy. It was a dreary, lonesome beat. The hours passed +slowly away, and at length the morning light began to streak along the +western sky, making surrounding objects visible. + +Presently the corporal heard a drum beating up the morning call. At +first he thought it came from the camp of the Confederates across the +creek, but as he listened he found that it came from the deep ravine. +For a few moments the sound stopped, then began again. The corporal +listened closely. The notes of the drum were familiar to him,--and then +he knew that it was the drummer-boy from Tennessee playing the morning +call. + +Just then the corporal was relieved from guard duty, and, asking +permission, went at once to Eddie's assistance. He started down the +hill, through the thick underbrush, and upon reaching the bottom of the +ravine, he followed the sound of the drum, and soon found the lad seated +upon the ground, his back leaning against a fallen tree, while his drum +hung upon a bush in front of him. + +As soon as the boy saw his rescuer he dropped his drumsticks, and +exclaimed:-- + +“O Corporal! I am so glad to see you! Give me a drink.” + +The soldier took his empty canteen, and immediately turned to bring some +water from the brook that he could hear rippling through the bushes near +by, when, Eddie, thinking that he was about to leave him, cried out:-- + +“Don't leave me, Corporal, I can't walk.” + +The corporal was soon back with the water, when he discovered that both +the lad's feet had been shot away by a cannon-ball. + +After satisfying his thirst, Eddie looked up into the corporal's face +and said:-- + +“You don't think I shall die, do you? This man said I should not,--he +said the surgeon could cure my feet.” + +The corporal now looked about him and discovered a man lying in the +grass near by. By his dress he knew him to belong to the Confederate +army. It appeared that he had been shot and had fallen near Eddie. +Knowing that he could not live, and seeing the condition of the +drummer-boy, he had crawled to him, taken off his buckskin suspenders, +and had corded the little fellow's legs below the knees, and then he had +laid himself down and died. + +While Eddie was telling the corporal these particulars, they heard the +tramp of cavalry coming down the ravine, and in a moment a scout of the +enemy was upon them, and took them both prisoners. + +The corporal requested the officer in charge to take Eddie up in front +of him, and he did so, carrying the lad with great tenderness and care. +When they reached the Confederate camp the little fellow was dead. + + + + +A FLAG INCIDENT + +BY M. M. THOMAS (ADAPTED) + +When marching to Chattanooga the corps had reached a little wooded +valley between the mountains. The colonel, with others, rode ahead, +and, striking into a bypath, suddenly came upon a secluded little cabin +surrounded by a patch of cultivated ground. + +At the door an old woman, eighty years of age, was supporting herself +on a crutch. As they rode up she asked if they were “Yankees,” and upon +their replying that they were, she said: “Have you got the Stars and +Stripes with you? My father fought the Tories in the Revolution, and my +old eyes ache for a sight of the true flag before I die.” + +To gratify her the colonel sent to have the colors brought that way. +When they were unfurled and planted before her door, she passed her +trembling hands over them and held them close to her eyes that she might +view the stars once more. When the band gave her “Yankee Doodle,” + and the “'Star-Spangled Banner,” she sobbed like a child, as did her +daughter, a woman of fifty, while her three little grandchildren gazed +in wonder. + +They were Eastern people, who had gone to New Orleans to try to improve +their condition. Not being successful, they had moved from place to +place to better themselves, until finally they had settled on this spot, +the husband having taken several acres of land here for a debt. + +Then the war burst upon them. The man fled to the mountains to avoid the +conscription, and they knew not whether he was alive or dead. They had +managed to support life, but were so retired that they saw very few +people. + +Leaving them food and supplies, the colonel and the corps passed on. + + + + +TWO HERO-STORIES OF THE CIVIL WAR + +BY BEN LA BREE (ADAPTED) + +I. BRAVERY HONORED BY A FOE + +In a rifle-pit, on the brow of a hill near Fredericksburg, were a number +of Confederate soldiers who had exhausted their ammunition in the vain +attempt to check the advancing column of Hooker's finely equipped and +disciplined army which was crossing the river. To the relief of these +few came the brigade in double-quick time. But no sooner were the +soldiers intrenched than the firing on the opposite side of the river +became terrific. + +A heavy mist obscured the scene. The Federal soldiers poured a merciless +fire into the trenches. Soon many Confederates fell, and the agonized +cries of the wounded who lay there calling for water, smote the hearts +of their helpless comrades. + +“Water! Water!” But there was none to give, the canteens were-empty. + +“Boys,” exclaimed Nathan Cunningham, a lad of eighteen, the color-bearer +for his regiment, “I can't stand this any more. They want water, and +water they must have. So let me have a few canteens and I'll go for +some.” + +Carefully laying the colors, which he had borne on many a field, in a +trench, he seized some canteens, and, leaping into the mist, was soon +out of sight. + +Shortly after this the firing ceased for a while, and an order came for +the men to fall back to the main line. + +As the Confederates were retreating they met Nathan Cunningham, his +canteens full of water, hurrying to relieve the thirst of the wounded +men in the trenches. He glanced over the passing column and saw that +the faded flag, which he had carried so long, was not there. The men in +their haste to obey orders HAD FORGOTTEN OR OVERLOOKED THE COLORS. + +Quickly the lad sped to the trenches, intent now not only on giving +water to his comrades, but on rescuing the flag and so to save the honor +of his regiment. + +His mission of mercy was soon accomplished. The wounded men drank +freely. The lad then found and seized his colors, and turned to rejoin +his regiment. Scarcely had he gone three paces when a company of Federal +soldiers appeared ascending the hill. + +“Halt and surrender,” came the stern command, and a hundred rifles were +leveled at the boy's breast. + +“NEVER! while I hold the colors,” was his firm reply. + +The morning sun, piercing with a lurid glare the dense mist, showed the +lad proudly standing with his head thrown back and his flag grasped in +his hand, while his unprotected breast was exposed to the fire of his +foe. + +A moment's pause. Then the Federal officer gave his command:-- + +“Back with your pieces, men, don't shoot that brave boy.” + +And Nathan Cunningham, with colors flying over his head, passed on and +joined his regiment. + +His comrades in arms still tell with pride of his brave deed and of the +generous act of a foe. + + + + +II. THE BRAVERY OF RICHARD KIRTLAND + + +Richard Kirtland was a sergeant in the Second Regiment of South Carolina +Volunteers. The day after the great battle of Fredericksburg, Kershaw's +brigade occupied the road at the foot of Marye's Hill. + +One hundred and fifty yards in front of the road, on the other side of +a stone wall, lay Sykes's division of the United States Army. Between +these troops and Kershaw's command a skirmish fight was continued +through the entire day. The ground between the lines was literally +covered with dead and dying Federal soldiers. + +All day long the wounded were calling, “Water! water! water!” + +In the afternoon, Sergeant Kirtland, a Confederate soldier, went to the +headquarters of General Kershaw, and said with deep emotion: “General, +all through last night and to-day; I have been hearing those poor +wounded Federal soldiers out there cry for water. Let me go and give +them some.” + +“Don't you know,” replied the general, “that you would get a bullet +through you the moment you stepped over the wall?” + +“Yes, sir,” said the sergeant; “but if you will let me go I am willing +to try it.” + +The general reflected a minute, then answered: “Kirtland, I ought not to +allow you to take this risk, but the spirit that moves you is so noble I +cannot refuse. Go, and may God protect you!” + +In the face of almost certain death the sergeant climbed the wall, +watched with anxiety by the soldiers of his army. Under the curious gaze +of his foes, and exposed to their fire, he dropped to the ground and +hastened on his errand of mercy. Unharmed, untouched, he reached the +nearest sufferer. He knelt beside him, tenderly raised his drooping +head, rested it gently on his breast, and poured the cooling life-giving +water down the parched throat. This done he laid him carefully down, +placed the soldier's knapsack under his head, straightened his broken +limbs, spread his coat over him, replaced the empty canteen with a full +one, then turned to another sufferer. + +By this time his conduct was understood by friend and foe alike and the +firing ceased on both sides. + +For an hour and a half did he pursue his noble mission, until he had +relieved the wounded on all parts of the battlefield. Then he returned +to his post uninjured. + +Surely such a noble deed is worthy of the admiration of men and angels. + + + + +THE YOUNG SENTINEL + +BY Z. A. MUDGE (ADAPTED) + +In the summer of 1862, a young man belonging to a Vermont regiment was +found sleeping at his post. He was tried and sentenced to be shot. The +day was fixed for the execution, and the young soldier calmly prepared +to meet his fate. + +Friends who knew of the case brought the matter to Mr. Lincoln's +attention. It seemed that the boy had been on duty one night, and on +the following night he had taken the place of a comrade too ill to stand +guard. The third night he had been again called out, and, being utterly +exhausted, had fallen asleep at his post. + +As soon as Mr. Lincoln understood the case, he signed a pardon, and +sent it to the camp. The morning before the execution arrived, and the +President had not heard whether the pardon had reached the officers in +charge of the matter. He began to feel uneasy. He ordered a telegram to +be sent to the camp, but received no answer. State papers could not +fix his mind, nor could he banish the condemned soldier boy from his +thoughts. + +At last, feeling that he MUST KNOW that the lad was safe, he ordered +the carriage and rode rapidly ten miles over a dusty road and beneath +a scorching sun. When he reached the camp he found that the pardon had +been received and the execution stayed. + +The sentinel was released, and his heart was filled with lasting +gratitude. When the campaign opened in the spring, the young man was +with his regiment near Yorktown, Virginia. They were ordered to attack a +fort, and he fell at the first volley of the enemy. + +His comrades caught him up and carried him bleeding and dying from the +field. “Bear witness,” he said, “that I have proved myself not a coward, +and I am not afraid to die.” Then, making a last effort, with his dying +breath he prayed for Abraham Lincoln. + + + + +THE COLONEL OF THE ZOUAVES + +BY NOAH BROOKS (ADAPTED) + +Among those who accompanied Mr. Lincoln, the President-elect, on his +journey from Illinois to the national capital, was Elmer E. Ellsworth, +a young man who had been employed in the law office of Lincoln and +Herndon, Springfield. + +He was a brave, handsome, and impetuous youth, and was among the first +to offer his services to the President in defense of the Union, as soon +as the mutterings of war were heard. + +Before the war he had organized a company of Zouaves from the Chicago +firemen, and had delighted and astonished many people by the exhibitions +of their skill in the evolutions through which they were put while +visiting some chief cities of the Republic. + +Now, being commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Army, +he went to New York and organized from the firemen of that city a +similar regiment, known as the Eleventh New York. + +Colonel Ellsworth's Zouaves, on the evening of May 23, were sent with +a considerable force to occupy the heights overlooking Washington and +Alexandria, on the banks of the Potomac, opposite the national capital. + +Next day, seeing a Confederate flag flying from the Marshall House, +a tavern in Alexandria kept by a secessionist, he went up through the +building to the roof and pulled it down. While on his way down the +stairs, with the flag in his arms, he was met by the tavern-keeper, who +shot and killed him instantly. Ellsworth fell, dyeing the Confederate +flag with the blood that gushed from his heart. The tavern-keeper was +instantly killed by a shot from Private Brownell, of the Ellsworth +Zouaves, who was at hand when his commander fell. + +The death of Ellsworth, needless though it may have been, caused a +profound sensation throughout the country, where he was well known. He +was among the very first martyrs of the war, as he had been one of the +first volunteers. + +Lincoln was overwhelmed with sorrow. He had the body of the lamented +young officer taken to the White House, where it lay in state until the +burial took place, and, even in the midst of his increasing cares, he +found time to sit alone and in grief-stricken meditation by the bier of +the dead young soldier of whose career he had cherished so great hopes. + +The life-blood from Ellsworth's heart had stained not only the +Confederate flag, but a gold medal found under his uniform, bearing the +legend: “Non solum nobis, sed pro patria”; “Not for ourselves alone, but +for the country.” + + + + +GENERAL SCOTT AND THE STARS AND STRIPES + +BY E. D. TOWNSEND (ADAPTED) + +One day, as the general was sitting at his table in the office, the +messenger announced that a person desired to see him a moment in order +to present a gift. + +A German was introduced, who said that he was commissioned by a house in +New York to present General Scott with a small silk banner. It was very +handsome, of the size of a regimental flag, and was made of a single +piece of silk stamped with the Stars and Stripes of the proper colors. + +The German said that the manufacturers who had sent the banner, wished +to express thus the great respect they felt for General Scott, and their +sense of his importance to the country in that perilous time. + +The general was highly pleased, and, in accepting the gift, assured +the donors that the flag should hang in his room wherever he went, and +enshroud him when he died. + +As soon as the man was gone, the general desired that the stars might be +counted to see if ALL the States were represented. They were ALL there. + +The flag was then draped between the windows over the couch where the +general frequently reclined for rest during the day. It went with him in +his berth when he sailed for Europe, after his retirement, and enveloped +his coffin when he was interred at West Point. + + + + + +INDEPENDENCE DAY + +(JULY 4) + + + + +THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE + +BY WASHINGTON IRVING + +While danger was gathering round New York, and its inhabitants were +in mute suspense and fearful anticipations, the General Congress +at Philadelphia was discussing, with closed doors, what John Adams +pronounced: “The greatest question ever debated in America, and as great +as ever was or will be debated among men.” The result was, a resolution +passed unanimously on the 2d of July; “that these United Colonies are, +and of right ought to be, free and independent States.” + +“The 2d of July,” adds the same patriot statesman, “will be the most +memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it +will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary +festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by +solemn acts of devotion to Almighty God. It ought to be solemnized with +pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and +illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this +time forth forevermore.” + +The glorious event has, indeed, given rise to an annual jubilee; but +not on the day designated by Adams. The FOURTH of July is the day of +national rejoicing, for on that day the “Declaration of Independence,” + that solemn and sublime document, was adopted. + +Tradition gives a dramatic effect to its announcement. It was known +to be under discussion, but the closed doors of Congress excluded the +populace. They awaited, in throngs, an appointed signal. In the steeple +of the State House was a bell, imported twenty-three years previously +from London by the Provincial Assembly of Pennsylvania. It bore the +portentous text from Scripture: “Proclaim Liberty throughout all the +land, unto all the inhabitants thereof.” A joyous peal from that bell +gave notice that the bill had been passed. It was the knell of British +domination. + + + + +THE SIGNING OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE + +BY H. A. GUERBER [4] + +[Footnote 4: From The Story of the Thirteen Colonies. Copyright, 1898, +by H. A. Guerber. American Book Company, publishers.] + + +John Hancock, President of Congress, was the first to sign the +Declaration of Independence, writing his name in large, plain letters, +and saying:-- + +“There! John Bull can read my name without spectacles. Now let him +double the price on my head, for this is my defiance.” + +Then he turned to the other members, and solemnly declared:-- + +“We must be unanimous. There must be no pulling different ways. We must +all hang together.” + +“Yes,” said Franklin, quaintly: “we must all hang together, or most +assuredly we shall all hang separately.” + +We are told that Charles Carroll, thinking that his writing looked +shaky, added the words, “of Carrollton,” so that the king should not be +able to make any mistake as to whose name stood there. + + +A BRAVE GIRL + +BY JAMES JOHONNOT (ADAPTED) [41] + + +[Footnote 41: From Stories of Heroic Deeds. Copyright, 1887, by D. +Appleton and Company. American Book Company, publishers.] + + +In the year 1781 the war was chiefly carried on in the South, but the +North was constantly troubled by bands of Tories and Indians, who would +swoop down on small settlements and make off with whatever they could +lay their hands on. + +During this time General Schuyler was staying at his house, which stood +just outside the stockade or walls of Albany. The British commander sent +out a party of Tories and Indians to capture the general. + +When they reached the outskirts of the city they learned from a Dutch +laborer that the general's house was guarded by six soldiers, three +watching by night and three by day. They let the Dutchman go, and as +soon as the band was out of sight he hastened to Albany and warned the +general of their approach. + +Schuyler gathered his family in one of the upper rooms of his house, +and giving orders that the doors and windows should be barred, fired a +pistol from a top-story window, to alarm the neighborhood. + +The soldiers on guard, who had been lounging in the shade of a tree, +started to their feet at the sound of the pistol; but, alas! too late, +for they found themselves surrounded by a crowd of dusky forms, who +bound them hand and foot, before they had time to resist. + +In the room upstairs was the sturdy general, standing resolutely at the +door, with gun in hand, while his black slaves were gathered about him, +each with a weapon. At the other end of the room the women were huddled +together, some weeping and some praying. + +Suddenly a deafening crash was heard. The Indian band had broken +into the house. With loud shouts they began to pillage and to destroy +everything in sight. While they were yet busy downstairs, Mrs. Schuyler +sprang to her feet and rushed to the door; for she had suddenly +remembered that the baby, who was only a few months old, was asleep in +its cradle in a room on the first floor. + +The general caught his wife in his arms, and implored her not to go to +certain death, saying that if any one was to go he would. While this +generous struggle between husband and wife was going on, their young +daughter, who had been standing near the door, glided by them, and +descended the stairs. + +All was dark in the hall, excepting where the light shone from the +dining-room in which the Indians were pillaging the shelves and fighting +over their booty. How to get past the dining-room door was the question, +but the brave girl did not hesitate. Reaching the lower hall, she walked +very deliberately forward, softly but quickly passing the door, and +unobserved reached the room in which was the cradle. + +She caught up the baby, crept back past the open door, and was just +mounting the stairs, when one of the savages happened to see her. + +“WHIZ”--and his sharp tomahawk struck the stair rail within a few inches +of the baby's head. But the frightened girl hurried on, and in a few +seconds was safe in her father's arms. + +As for the Indians, fearing an attack from the near-by garrison, they +hastened away with the booty they had collected, and left General +Schuyler and his family unharmed. + + + + +THE BOSTON TEA-PARTY + +BY JOHN ANDREWS (ADAPTED) [5] + + +[Footnote 5: From a letter written to a friend in 1773.] + + +On November 29, 1773, there arrived in Boston Harbor a ship carrying an +hundred and odd chests of the detested tea. The people in the country +roundabout, as well as the town's folk, were unanimous against allowing +the landing of it; but the agents in charge of the consignment persisted +in their refusal to take the tea back to London. The town bells were +rung, for a general muster of the citizens. Handbills were stuck up +calling on “Friends! Citizens! Countrymen!” + +Mr. Rotch, the owner of the ship, found himself exposed not only to the +loss of his ship, but to the loss of the money-value of the tea itself, +if he should attempt to send her back without clearance papers from the +custom-house; for the admiral kept a vessel in readiness to seize +any ship which might leave without those papers. Therefore, Mr. Rotch +declared that his ship should not carry back the tea without either +the proper clearance or the promise of full indemnity for any losses he +might incur. + +Matters continued thus for some days, when a general muster was called +of the people of Boston and of all the neighboring towns. They met, to +the number of five or six thousand, at ten o'clock in the morning, in +the Old South Meeting-House; where they passed a unanimous vote THAT THE +TEA SHOULD GO OUT OF THE HARBOR THAT AFTERNOON! + +A committee, with Mr. Rotch, was sent to the custom-house to demand a +clearance. This the collector said he could not give without the duties +first being paid. Mr. Rotch was then sent to ask for a pass from +the governor, who returned answer that “consistent with the rules of +government and his duty to the king he could not grant one without they +produced a previous clearance from the office.” + +By the time Mr. Rotch returned to the Old South Meeting-House with +this message, the candles were lighted and the house still crowded with +people. When the governor's message was read a prodigious shout was +raised, and soon afterward the moderator declared the meeting dissolved. +This caused another general shout, outdoors and in, and what with +the noise of breaking up the meeting, one might have thought that the +inhabitants of the infernal regions had been let loose. + +That night there mustered upon Fort Hill about two hundred strange +figures, SAID TO BE INDIANS FROM NARRAGANSETT. They were clothed in +blankets, with heads muffled, and had copper-colored countenances. Each +was armed with a hatchet or axe, and a pair of pistols. They spoke a +strange, unintelligible jargon. + +They proceeded two by two to Griffin's Wharf, where three tea-ships lay, +each with one hundred and fourteen chests of the ill-fated article on +board. And before nine o'clock in the evening every chest was knocked +into pieces and flung over the sides. + +Not the least insult was offered to any one, save one Captain Conner, +who had ripped up the linings of his coat and waistcoat, and, watching +his opportunity, had filled them with tea. But, being detected, he was +handled pretty roughly. They not only stripped him of his clothes, but +gave him a coat of mud, with a severe bruising into the bargain. Nothing +but their desire not to make a disturbance prevented his being tarred +and feathered. + +The tea being thrown overboard, all the Indians disappeared in a most +marvelous fashion. + +The next day, if a stranger had walked through the streets of Boston, +and had observed the calm composure of the people, he would hardly have +thought that ten thousand pounds sterling of East India Company's tea +had been destroyed the night before. + + + + +A GUNPOWDER STORY + +BY JOHN ESTEN COOKE (ADAPTED) + +[Footnote 6: From Stories of the Old Dominion. Used by permission of the +American Book Company, publishers.] + + +In the autumn of 1777 the English decided to attack Fort Henry, at +Wheeling, in northwestern Virginia. This was an important border fort +named in honor of Patrick Henry, and around which had grown up a small +village of about twenty-five log houses. + +A band of Indians, under the leadership of one Simon Girty, was supplied +by the English with muskets and ammunition, and sent against the fort. +This Girty was a white man, who, when a boy, had been captured by +Indians, and brought up by them. He had joined their tribes, and was a +ferocious and bloodthirsty leader of savage bands. + +When the settlers at Wheeling heard that Simon Girty and his Indians +were advancing on the town, they left their homes and hastened into the +fort. Scarcely had they done so when the savages made their appearance. + +The defenders of the fort knew that a desperate fight must now take +place, and there seemed little probability that they would be able to +hold out against their assailants. They had only forty two fighting men, +including old men and boys, while the Indian force numbered about five +hundred. + +What was worse they had but a small amount of gunpowder. A keg +containing the main supply had been left by accident in one of the +village houses. This misfortune, as you will soon see, brought about the +brave action of a young girl. + +After several encounters with the savages, which took place in the +village, the defenders withdrew to the fort. Then a number of Indians +advanced with loud yells, firing as they came. The fire was returned +by the defenders, each of whom had picked out his man, and taken deadly +aim. Most of the attacking party were killed, and the whole body of +Indians fell back into the near-by woods, and there awaited a more +favorable opportunity to renew hostilities. + +The men in the fort now discovered, to their great dismay, that their +gunpowder was nearly gone. What was to be done? Unless they could get +another supply, they would not be able to hold the fort, and they and +their women and children would either be massacred or carried into +captivity. + +Colonel Shepherd, who was in command, explained to the settlers exactly +how matters stood. He also told them of the forgotten keg of powder +which was in a house standing about sixty yards from the gate of the +fort. + +It was plain to all that if any man should attempt to procure the keg, +he would almost surely be shot by the lurking Indians. In spite of this +three or four young men volunteered to go on the dangerous mission. + +Colonel Shepherd replied that he could not spare three or four strong +men, as there were already too few for the defense. Only one man should +make the attempt and they might decide who was to go. This caused a +dispute. + +Just then a young girl stepped forward and said that SHE was ready +to go. Her name was Elizabeth Zane, and she had just returned from a +boarding-school in Philadelphia. This made her brave offer all the more +remarkable, since she had not been bred up to the fearless life of the +border. + +At first the men would not hear of her running such a risk. She was told +that it meant certain death. But she urged that they could not spare +a man from the defense, and that the loss of one girl would not be an +important matter. So after some discussion the settlers agreed that she +should go for the powder. + +The house, as has already been stated, stood about sixty yards from the +fort, and Elizabeth hoped to run thither and bring back the powder in a +few minutes. The gate was opened, and she passed through, running like a +deer. + +A few straggling Indians were dodging about the log houses of the town; +they saw the fleeing girl, but for some reason they did not fire upon +her. They may have supposed that she was returning to her home to rescue +her clothes. Possibly they thought it a waste of good ammunition to fire +at a woman, when they were so sure of taking the fort before long. So +they looked on quietly while, with flying skirts, Elizabeth ran across +the open, and entered the house. + +She found the keg of powder, which was not large. She lifted it with +both arms, and, holding the precious burden close to her breast, she +darted out of the house and ran in the direction of the fort. + +When the Indians saw what she was carrying they uttered fierce yells +and fired. The bullets fell like hail about her, but not one so much as +touched her garments. With the keg hugged to her bosom, she ran on, and +reached the fort in safety. The gate closed upon her just as the bullets +of the Indians buried themselves in its thick panels. + +The rescued gunpowder enabled the little garrison to hold out until help +arrived from the other settlements near Wheeling. And Girty, seeing that +there were no further hopes of taking Fort Henry, withdrew his band. + +Thus a weak but brave girl was the means of saving strong men with their +wives and children. It was a heroic act, and Americans should never +forget to honor the name of Elizabeth Zane. + + + + +THE CAPTURE OF FORT TICONDEROGA + +BY WASHINGTON IRVING (ADAPTED) + +Some bold spirits in Connecticut conceived the project of surprising the +old forts of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, already famous in the French +War. Their situation on Lake Champlain gave them the command of the main +route into Canada so that the possession of them would be all-important +in case of hostilities. They were feebly garrisoned and negligently +guarded, and abundantly furnished with artillery and military stores so +needed by the patriot army. + +At this juncture Ethan Allen stepped forward, a patriot, and volunteered +with his “Green Mountain Boys.” He was well fitted for the enterprise. +During the border warfare over the New Hampshire Grants, he and his +lieutenants had been outlawed by the Legislature of New York and +rewards offered for their apprehension. He and his associates had armed +themselves, set New York at defiance, and had sworn they would be the +death of any one who should try to arrest them. + +Thus Ethan Allen had become a kind of Robin Hood among the mountains. +His experience as a frontier champion, his robustness of mind and +body, and his fearless spirit made him a most desirable leader in the +expedition against Fort Ticonderoga. Therefore he was appointed at the +head of the attacking force. + +Accompanied by Benjamin Arnold and two other officers, Allen and his +party of soldiers who had been enlisted from several States, set out +and arrived at Shoreham, opposite Fort Ticonderoga on the shore of Lake +Champlain. They reached the place at night-time. There were only a few +boats on hand, but the transfer of men began immediately. It was slow +work. The night wore away; day was about to break, and but eighty-three +men, with Allen and Arnold, had crossed. Should they wait for the rest +to cross over, day would dawn, the garrison wake, and their enterprise +might fail. + +Allen drew up his men, addressed them in his own emphatic style, and +announced his intention of making a dash at the fort without waiting for +more force. + +“It is a desperate attempt,” said he, “and I ask no man to go against +his will. I will take the lead, and be the first to advance. You that +are willing to follow, poise your firelocks!” + +Not a firelock but was poised! + +They mounted the hill briskly but in silence, guided by a boy from the +neighborhood. + +The day dawned as Allen arrived at a sally-port. A sentry pulled trigger +on him, but his piece missed fire. He retreated through a covered way. +Allen and his men followed. Another sentry thrust at an officer with his +bayonet, but was struck down by Allen, and begged for quarter. It was +granted on condition of his leading the way instantly to the quarters of +the commandant, Captain Delaplace, who was yet in bed. + +Being arrived there, Allen thundered at the door, and demanded a +surrender of the fort. By this time his followers had formed into two +lines on the parade-ground, and given three hearty cheers. + +The commandant appeared at the door half-dressed, the frightened face +of his pretty wife peering over his shoulder. He gazed at Allen in +bewildered astonishment. + +“By whose authority do you act?” exclaimed he. + +“In the name of the Continental Congress!” replied Allen, with a +flourish of his sword, and an oath which we do not care to subjoin. + +There was no disputing the point. The garrison, like the commandant, +had been startled from sleep, and made prisoners as they rushed forth +in their confusion. A surrender accordingly took place. The captain +and forty-eight men who composed his garrison were sent prisoners to +Hartford, in Connecticut. + +And thus without the loss of a single man, one of the important forts, +commanding the main route into Canada, fell into the hands of the +patriots. + + + + +WASHINGTON AND THE COWARDS + +BY WASHINGTON IRVING (ADAPTED) + +During the evacuation of New York by Washington, two divisions of the +enemy, encamped on Long Island, one British under Sir Henry Clinton, the +other Hessian under Colonel Donop, emerged in boats from the deep wooded +recesses of Newtown Inlet, and under cover of the fire from the ships +began to land at two points between Turtle and Kip's Bays. + +The breastworks were manned by patriot militia who had recently served +in Brooklyn. Disheartened by their late defeat, they fled at the first +advance of the enemy. Two brigades of Putnam's Connecticut troops, +which had been sent that morning to support them, caught the panic, and, +regardless of the commands and entreaties of their officers, joined in +the general scamper. + +At this moment Washington, who had mounted his horse at the first sound +of the cannonade, came galloping to the scene of confusion. Riding in +among the fugitives he endeavored to rally and restore them to order. +All in vain. At the first appearance of sixty or seventy redcoats, they +broke again without firing a shot, and fled in headlong terror. + +Losing all self-command at the sight of such dastardly conduct, +Washington dashed his hat upon the ground in a transport of rage. + +“Are these the men,” exclaimed he, “with whom I am to defend America!” + +In a paroxysm of passion and despair he snapped his pistols at some of +them, threatened others with his sword, and was so heedless of his own +danger that he might have fallen into the hands of the enemy, who were +not eighty yards distant, had not an aide-de-camp seized the bridle of +his horse, and absolutely hurried him away. + +It was one of the rare moments of his life when the vehement element of +his nature was stirred up from its deep recesses. He soon recovered his +self-possession, and took measures against the general peril. + + + + + +LABOR DAY + +(FIRST MONDAY IN SEPTEMBER) + + + + +THE SMITHY + +A HINDU FABLE + +BY P. V. RAMASWAMI RAJU (ADAPTED) + +Once words ran high in a smithy. + +The furnace said: “If I cease to burn, the smithy must close.” + +The bellows said: “If I cease to blow, no fire, no smithy.” + +The hammer and anvil, also, each claimed the sole credit for keeping up +the smithy. + +The ploughshare that had been shaped by the furnace, the bellows, the +hammer and the anvil, cried: “It is not each of you alone, that keeps up +the smithy, but ALL TOGETHER.” + + + + +THE NAIL + +BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM (TRANSLATED)[7] + + +[Footnote 7: From the Riverside Fourth Reader.] + + +A merchant had done good business at the fair; he had sold his wares, +and filled his bag with gold and silver. Then he set out at once on his +journey home, for he wished to be in his own house before night. + +At noon he rested in a town. When he wanted to go on, the stable-boy +brought his horse, saying: + +“A nail is wanting, sir, in the shoe of his left hind foot.” + +“Let it be wanting,” answered the merchant; “the shoe will stay on for +the six miles I have still to go. I am in a hurry.” + +In the afternoon he got down at an inn and had his horse fed. The +stable-boy came into the room to him and said: “Sir, a shoe is wanting +from your horse's left hind foot. Shall I take him to the blacksmith?” + +“Let it still be wanting,” said the man; “the horse can very well hold +out for a couple of miles more. I am in a hurry.” + +So the merchant rode forth, but before long the horse began to limp. He +had not limped long before he began to stumble, and he had not stumbled +long before he fell down and broke his leg. The merchant had to leave +the horse where he fell, and unstrap the bag, take it on his back, and +go home on foot. + +“That unlucky nail,” said he to himself, “has made all this trouble.” + + + + +THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER + +BY HORACE E. SCUDDER + +There was once a shoemaker who worked very hard and was honest. Still, +he could not earn enough to live on. At last, all he had in the world +was gone except just leather enough to make one pair of shoes. He cut +these out at night, and meant to rise early the next morning to make +them up. + +His heart was light in spite of his troubles, for his conscience was +clear. So he went quietly to bed, left all his cares to God, and fell +asleep. In the morning he said his prayers, and sat down to work, when, +to his great wonder, there stood the shoes, already made, upon the +table. + +The good man knew not what to say or think. He looked at the work. There +was not one false stitch in the whole job. All was neat and true. + +That same day a customer came in, and the shoes pleased him so well that +he readily paid a price higher than usual for them. The shoemaker took +the money and bought leather enough to make two pairs more. He cut out +the work in the evening, and went to bed early. He wished to be up with +the sun and get to work. + +He was saved all trouble, for when he got up in the morning, the work +was done. Pretty soon buyers came in, who paid him well for his goods. +So he bought leather enough for four pairs more. + +He cut out the work again overnight, and found it finished in the +morning as before. So it went on for some time. What was got ready at +night was always done by daybreak, and the good man soon was well-to-do. + +One evening, at Christmas-time, he and his wife sat over the fire, +chatting, and he said: “I should like to sit up and watch to-night, that +we may see who it is that comes and does my work for me.” So they left +the light burning, and hid themselves behind a curtain to see what would +happen. + +As soon as it was midnight, there came two little Elves. They sat upon +the shoemaker's bench, took up all the work that was cut out, and began +to ply their little fingers. They stitched and rapped and tapped at such +a rate that the shoemaker was amazed, and could not take his eyes off +them for a moment. + +On they went till the job was done, and the shoes stood, ready for use, +upon the table. This was long before daybreak. Then they ran away as +quick as lightning. + +The next day the wife said to the shoemaker: “These little Elves have +made us rich, and we ought to be thankful to them, and do them some +good in return. I am vexed to see them run about as they do. They have +nothing upon their backs to keep off the cold. I'll tell you what we +must do. I will make each of them a shirt, and a coat and waistcoat, and +a pair of pantaloons into the bargain. Do you make each of them a little +pair of shoes.” + +The good shoemaker liked the thought very well. One evening he and his +wife had the clothes ready, and laid them on the table instead of the +work they used to cut out. Then they went and hid behind the curtain to +watch what the little Elves would do. + +At midnight the Elves came in and were going to sit down at their work +as usual. But when they saw the clothes lying there for them, they +laughed and were in high glee. They dressed themselves in the twinkling +of an eye, and danced and capered and sprang about as merry as could be, +till at last they danced out of the door, and over the green. + +The shoemaker saw them no more, but everything went well with him as +long as he lived. + + + + +THE HILLMAN AND THE HOUSEWIFE + +BY JULIANA HORATIA EWING (ADAPTED) + +It is well known that the Fairy People cannot abide meanness. They like +to be liberally dealt with when they beg or borrow of the human race; +and, on the other hand, to those who come to them in need, they are +invariably generous. + +Now there once lived a certain housewife who had a sharp eye to her own +interests, and gave alms of what she had no use for, hoping to get some +reward in return. One day a Hillman knocked at her door. + +“Can you lend us a saucepan, good mother?” said he. “There's a wedding +in the hill, and all the pots are in use.” + +“Is he to have one?” asked the servant lass who had opened the door. + +“Aye, to be sure,” answered the housewife; “one must be neighborly.” + +But when the maid was taking a saucepan from the shelf, the housewife +pinched her arm and whispered sharply: “Not that, you good-for-nothing! +Get the old one out of the cupboard. It leaks, and the Hillmen are so +neat, and such nimble workers, that they are sure to mend it before they +send it home. So one obliges the Fairy People, and saves sixpence in +tinkering!” + +Thus bidden the maid fetched the saucepan, which had been laid by until +the tinker's next visit, and gave it to the Hillman, who thanked her and +went away. + +In due time the saucepan was returned, and, as the housewife had +foreseen, it was neatly mended and ready for use. + +At supper-time the maid filled the pan with milk, and set it on the fire +for the children's supper. But in a few minutes the milk was so burnt +and smoked that no one could touch it, and even the pigs refused to +drink it. + +“Ah, good-for-nothing hussy!” cried the housewife, as she refilled the +pan herself, “you would ruin the richest with your carelessness! There's +a whole quart of good milk wasted at once!” + +“AND THAT'S TWOPENCE!” cried a voice that seemed to come from the +chimney, in a whining tone, like some discontented old body going over +her grievances. + +The housewife had not left the saucepan for two minutes, when the milk +boiled over, and it was all burnt and smoked as before. + +“The pan must be dirty,” muttered the good woman in vexation, “and there +are two full quarts of milk as good as thrown to the dogs.” + +“AND THAT'S FOURPENCE!” added the voice in the chimney. + +After a thorough cleaning the saucepan was once more filled and set on +the fire, but with no better success. The milk boiled over again, and +was hopelessly spoiled. The housewife shed tears of anger at the waste +and cried: “Never before did such a thing befall me since I kept house! +Three quarts of new milk burnt for one meal.” + +“AND THAT'S SIXPENCE!” cried the voice in the chimney. “You didn't save +the tinkering after all, mother!” + +With that the Hillman himself came tumbling down from the chimney, and +went off laughing through the door. + +But from then on the saucepan was as good as any other. + + + + +HOFUS THE STONE-CUTTER + +A JAPANESE LEGEND + +FROM THE RIVERSIDE THIRD READER (ADAPTED) + +Once upon a time in Japan, there was a poor stone-cutter, named Hofus, +who used to go every day to the mountain-side to cut great blocks of +stone. He lived near the mountain in a little stone hut, and worked hard +and was happy. + +One day he took a load of stone to the house of a rich man. There he saw +so many beautiful things that when he went back to his mountain he could +think of nothing else. Then he began to wish that he too might sleep in +a bed as soft as down, with curtains of silk, and tassels of gold. And +he sighed:-- + + “Ah me! Ah me! + If Hofus only were rich as he!” + + +To his surprise, the voice of the Mountain Spirit answered:-- + + “Have thou thy wish!” + + +When Hofus returned home that evening his little hut was gone, and in +its place stood a great palace. It was filled with beautiful things, and +the best of all was a bed of down, with curtains of silk and tassels of +gold. + +Hofus decided to work no more. But he was not used to being idle, and +time passed slowly,--the days seemed very long. + +One day as he sat by the window he saw a carriage dash past. It was +drawn by snow-white horses. In it sat a prince, while before and behind +were servants in suits of blue and white. One was holding a golden +umbrella over the prince. + +When the stone-cutter saw this, he began to feel unhappy, and he +sighed:-- + + “Ah me! Ah me! + If Hofus only a prince might be!” + + +And again the same voice that he had heard on the mountain answered:-- + + “Be thou a prince!” + + +Straightway Hofus was a prince. He had servants dressed in crimson and +gold, and he rode in a carriage with a golden umbrella over his head. + +For a short time he was happy, but one day, as he walked in the garden, +he saw that the flowers were drooping, the grass was dry and brown. And +when he rode out he felt the hot sun burn him in spite of his umbrella. + +“The sun is mightier than I,” thought he, and then he sighed:-- + + “Ah me! Ah me! + If Hofus only the sun might be!” + + +And the voice answered:-- + + “Be thou the sun!” + +Straightway the great sun he became. He burned the grass and rice +fields. He dried up the streams. Rich and poor alike suffered from the +terrible heat. + +One day a cloud came and rested in front of him, and hid the earth from +his sight. He was angry and cried:-- + + “Ah me! Ah me! + If Hofus only a cloud might be!” + + +And the voice answered:-- + + “Be thou a cloud!” + + +Straightway a cloud he became. He floated before the face of the sun, +and hid the earth from it. + +Then day after day the cloud dropped rain. The rivers overflowed, and +the rice-fields were covered with water. Towns were swept away. Only the +great rocks on the mountain-side stood unmoved midst the flood. + +The cloud looked at them in wonder, then he sighed:-- + + “Ah me! Ah me! + If Hofus only a rock might be!” + + +And the voice answered:-- + + “Be thou a rock!” + + +Straightway a rock he became. Proudly he stood. The sun could not burn +him and the rain could not move him. + +“Now, at last,” he said, “no one is mightier than I.” + +But one day he was waked from his dreams by a noise,--tap! tap! +tap!--down at his feet. He looked and there was a stone-cutter driving +his tool into the rock. Another blow and the great rock shivered; a +block of stone broke away. + +“That man is mightier than I!” cried Hofus, and he sighed:-- + + “Ah me! Ah me! + If Hofus only the man might be!” + + +And the voice answered:-- + + “Be thou thyself!” + + +And straightway Hofus was himself again,--a poor stone-cutter, working +all day upon the mountain-side, and going home at night to his little +hut. But he was content and happy, and never again did he wish to be +other than Hofus the stone-cutter. + + + + +ARACHNE + +BY JOSEPHINE PRESTON PEABODY + +There was a certain maiden of Lydia, Arachne by name, renowned +throughout the country for her skill as a weaver. She was as nimble with +her fingers as Calypso, that Nymph who kept Odysseus for seven years in +her enchanted island. She was as untiring as Penelope, the hero's wife, +who wove day after day while she watched for his return. Day in and +day out, Arachne wove too. The very Nymphs would gather about her loom, +Naiads from the water and Dryads from the trees. + +“Maiden,” they would say, shaking the leaves or the foam from their +hair, in wonder, “Pallas Athena must have taught you!” + +But this did not please Arachne. She would not acknowledge herself a +debtor, even to that goddess who protected all household arts, and by +whose grace alone one had any skill in them. + +“I learned not of Athena,” said she. “If she can weave better, let her +come and try.” + +The Nymphs shivered at this, and an aged woman, who was looking on, +turned to Arachne. + +“Be more heedful of your words, my daughter,” said she. “The goddess may +pardon you if you ask forgiveness, but do not strive for honors with the +immortals.” + +Arachne broke her thread, and the shuttle stopped humming. + +“Keep your counsel,” she said. “I fear not Athena; no, nor any one +else.” + +As she frowned at the old woman, she was amazed to see her change +suddenly into one tall, majestic, beautiful,--a maiden of gray eyes and +golden hair, crowned with a golden helmet. It was Athena herself. + +The bystanders shrank in fear and reverence; only Arachne was unawed and +held to her foolish boast. + +In silence the two began to weave, and the Nymphs stole nearer, coaxed +by the sound of the shuttles, that seemed to be humming with delight +over the two webs,--back and forth like bees. + +They gazed upon the loom where the goddess stood plying her task, and +they saw shapes and images come to bloom out of the wondrous colors, as +sunset clouds grow to be living creatures when we watch them. And they +saw that the goddess, still merciful, was spinning; as a warning for +Arachne, the pictures of her own triumph over reckless gods and mortals. + +In one corner of the web she made a story of her conquest over the +sea-god Poseidon. For the first king of Athens had promised to dedicate +the city to that god who should bestow upon it the most useful +gift. Poseidon gave the horse. But Athena gave the olive,--means of +livelihood,--symbol of peace and prosperity, and the city was called +after her name. Again she pictured a vain woman of Troy, who had been +turned into a crane for disputing the palm of beauty with a goddess. +Other corners of the web held similar images, and the whole shone like a +rainbow. + +Meanwhile Arachne, whose head was quite turned with vanity, embroidered +her web with stories against the gods, making light of Zeus himself and +of Apollo, and portraying them as birds and beasts. But she wove with +marvelous skill; the creatures seemed to breathe and speak, yet it was +all as fine as the gossamer that you find on the grass before rain. + +Athena herself was amazed. Not even her wrath at the girl's insolence +could wholly overcome her wonder. For an instant she stood entranced; +then she tore the web across, and three times she touched Arachne's +forehead with her spindle. + +“Live on, Arachne,” she said. “And since it is your glory to weave, you +and yours must weave forever.” So saying, she sprinkled upon the maiden +a certain magical potion. + +Away went Arachne's beauty; then her very human form shrank to that of a +spider, and so remained. As a spider she spent all her days weaving and +weaving; and you may see something like her handiwork any day among the +rafters. + + + + +THE METAL KING + +A GERMAN FOLE-TALE + +(ADAPTED) + +Once long ago there was a high mountain whose rocks were veined with +gold and silver and seamed with iron. At times, from a huge rent in the +mountain-side, there shot out roaring, red flames, and clouds of black +smoke. And when the village folk in the valley below saw this, they +would say: “Look! the Metal King is at his forge.” For they knew that in +the gloomy heart of the mountain, the Metal King and his Spirits of the +Mines wrought in gold and iron. + +When the storm raged over the valley, the Metal King left his cavern +and riding on the wings of the wind, with thundering shouts, hurled +his red-hot bolts into the valley, now killing the peasants and their +cattle, now burning houses and barns. + +But when the weather was soft and mild, and the breezes blew gently +about the mouth of his cavern, the Metal King returned to his forge in +the depths of the mountain, and there shaped ploughshares and many other +implements of iron. These he placed outside his cavern door, as gifts to +the poor peasants. + +It happened, on a time, there lived in that valley a lazy lad, who +would neither till his fields nor ply a trade. He was avaricious, but he +longed to win gold without mining, and wealth and fame without labor. So +it came to pass that he set out one day to find the mountain treasure of +the Metal King. + +Taking a lighted lantern in one hand, a hatchet in the other, and a +bundle of twigs under his arm, he entered the dark cavern. The dampness +smote his cheek, bats flapped their wings in his face. Shivering with +fear and cold, he pressed on through a long passage under an arched +and blackened roof. As he passed along he dropped his twigs, one after +another, so that they might guide him aright when he returned. + +He came at last to a place where the passage branched off in two +directions,--to the right and to the left. Choosing the right-hand path, +he walked on and at length came to an iron door. He struck it twice with +his hammer. It flew open, and a strong current of air rushing forth put +out his light. + +“Come in! Come in!” shouted a voice like the rolling of thunder, and the +cavern echoes gave back the sounds. + +Almost overcome by terror and shivering in every limb, the lad entered. +As he stepped forward a dazzling light shone from the vaulted roof +upheld by massive columns, and across the crystal side-walls flittered +curious, shadowy figures. + +The Metal King, huge and fierce-eyed, surrounded by the misshapen +Spirits of the Mines, sat upon a block of pure silver, with a pile of +shining gold lying before him. + +“Come in, my friend!” he shouted again, and again the echoes rolled +through the cavern. + +“Come near, and sit beside me.” + +The lad advanced, pale and trembling, and took his seat upon the silver +block. + +“Bring out more treasure,” cried the Metal King, and at his command the +Mountain Spirits fluttered away like dreams, only to return in a moment +and pile high before the wondering lad bars of red gold, mounds of +silver coin, and stacks of precious jewels. + +And when the lad saw all that wealth he felt his heart burst with +longing to grasp it, but when he tried to put out his hand, he found +that he could not move his arm, nor could he lift his feet, nor turn his +head. + +“Thou seest these riches,” said the Metal King; “they are but a handful +compared with those thou mayest gain if thou wilt work with us in the +mines. Hard is the service but rich the reward! Only say the word, and +for a year and a day thou shalt be a Mountain Spirit.” + +“Nay,” stammered the lad, in great terror, “nay, I came not to work. All +I beg of thee is one bar of gold and a handful of the jewels that lie +here. If they are mine I can dress better than the village lads, and +ride in my own coach!” + +“Lazy, ungrateful wretch!” cried the Metal King, rising from his seat, +while his figure seemed to tower until his head touched the cavern roof, +“wouldst thou seize without pay the treasures gained through the hard +labor of my Mountain Spirits! Hence! Get thee gone to thy place! Seek +not here for unearned riches! Cast away thy discontented disposition and +thou shalt turn stones into gold. Dig well thy garden and thy fields, +sow them and tend them diligently, search the mountain-sides; and thou +shalt gain through thine industry mines of gold and silver!” + +Scarcely had the Metal King spoken when there was heard a screeching +as of ravens, a crying as of night owls, and a mighty storm wind came +rushing against the lad; and catching him up it drove him forth along +the dark passage, and down the mountain-side, so that in a minute he +found himself on the steps of his own house. + +And from that time on a strange change came over the lad. He no longer +idled and dreamed of sudden wealth, but morning, noon, and evening +he labored diligently, sowing his fields, cultivating his garden, +and mining on the mountain-side. Years came and went; all he touched +prospered, and he grew to be the richest man in that country; but never +again did he see the Metal King or the Spirits of the Mines. + + + + +THE CHOICE OF HERCULES + +BY XENOPHON (ADAPTED) + +Long, long ago, when the world was young, there were many deeds waiting +to be wrought by daring heroes. It was then that the mighty Hercules, +who was yet a lad, felt an exceeding great and strong desire to go out +into the wide world to seek his fortune. + +One day, while wandering alone and thoughtful, he came to a place where +two paths met. And sitting down he gravely considered which he should +follow. + +One path led over flowery meadows toward the darkening distance; the +other, passing over rough stones and rugged, brown furrows, lost itself +in the glowing sunset. + +And as Hercules gazed into the distance, he saw two stately maidens +coming toward him. + +The first was tall and graceful, and wrapped round in a snow-white +mantle. Her countenance was calm and beautiful. With gracious mien and +modest glance she drew near the lad. + +The other maiden made haste to outrun the first. She, too, was tall, +but seemed taller than she really was. She, too, was beautiful, but her +glance was bold. As she ran, a rosy garment like a cloud floated about +her form, and she kept looking at her own round arms and shapely hands, +and ever and anon she seemed to gaze admiringly at her shadow as it +moved along the ground. And this fair one did outstrip the first maiden, +and rushing forward held out her white hands to the lad, exclaiming:-- + +“I see thou art hesitating, O Hercules, by what path to seek thy +fortune. Follow me along this flowery way, and I will make it a +delightful and easy road. Thou shalt taste to the full of every kind of +pleasure. No shadow of annoyance shall ever touch thee, nor strain nor +stress of war and state disturb thy peace. Instead thou shalt tread upon +carpets soft as velvet, and sit at golden tables, or recline upon silken +couches. The fairest of maidens shall attend thee, music and perfume +shall lull thy senses, and all that is delightful to eat and drink shall +be placed before thee. Never shalt thou labor, but always live in joy +and ease. Oh, come! I give my followers liberty and delight!” + +And as she spoke the maiden stretched forth her arms, and the tones of +her voice were sweet and caressing. + +“What, O maiden,” asked Hercules, “is thy name?” + +“My friends,” said she, “call me Happiness, but mine enemies name me +Vice.” + +Even as she spoke, the white-robed maiden, who had drawn near, glided +forward, and addressed the lad in gracious tones and with words stately +and winning:-- + +“O beloved youth, who wouldst wander forth in search of Life, I too, +would plead with thee! I, Virtue, have watched and tended thee from a +child. I know the fond care thy parents have bestowed to train thee for +a hero's part. Direct now thy steps along yon rugged path that leads +to my dwelling. Honorable and noble mayest thou become through thy +illustrious deeds. + +“I will not seduce thee by promises of vain delights; instead will +I recount to thee the things that really are. Lasting fame and true +nobility come not to mortals save through pain and labor. If thou, +O Hercules, seekest the gracious gifts of Heaven, thou must remain +constant in prayer; if thou wouldst be beloved of thy friends, thou must +serve thy friends; if thou desirest to be honored of the people thou +must benefit the people; if thou art anxious to reap the fruits of the +earth, thou must till the earth with labor; and if thou wishest to be +strong in body and accomplish heroic deeds, thou must teach thy body to +obey thy mind. Yea, all this and more also must thou do.” + +“Seest thou not, O Hercules,” cried Vice, “over how difficult and +tedious a road this Virtue would drive thee? I, instead, will conduct +thy steps by a short and easy path to perfect Happiness.” + +“Wretched being!” answered Virtue, “wouldst thou deceive this lad! What +lasting Happiness hast thou to offer! Thou pamperest thy followers with +riches, thou deludest them with idleness; thou surfeitest them with +luxury; thou enfeeblest them with softness. In youth they grow slothful +in body and weak in mind. They live without labor and wax fat. They come +to a wretched old age, dissatisfied, and ashamed, and oppressed by +the memory of their ill deeds; and, having run their course, they lay +themselves down in melancholy death and their name is remembered no +more. + +“But those fortunate youths who follow me receive other counsel. I +am the companion of virtuous men. Always I am welcome in the homes of +artisans and in the cottages of tillers of the soil. I am the guardian +of industrious households, and the rewarder of generous masters +and faithful servants. I am the promoter of the labors of peace. No +honorable deed is accomplished without me. + +“My friends have sweet repose and the untroubled enjoyment of the fruits +of their efforts. They remember their deeds with an easy conscience +and contentment, and are beloved of their friends and honored by their +country. And when they have run their course, and death overtakes them, +their names are celebrated in song and praise, and they live in the +hearts of their grateful countrymen. + +“Come, then, O Hercules, thou son of noble parents, come, follow thou +me, and by thy worthy and illustrious deeds secure for thyself exalted +Happiness.” + +She ceased, and Hercules, withdrawing his gaze from the face of Vice, +arose from his place, and followed Virtue along the rugged, brown path +of Labor. + + + + +THE SPEAKING STATUE + +FROM GESTA ROMANORUM (ADAPTED) + +There was once a great emperor who made a law that whosoever worked on +the birthday of his eldest son should be put to death. He caused this +decree to be published throughout his empire, and, sending for his chief +magician, said to him:-- + +“I wish you to devise an instrument which will tell me the name of each +laborer who breaks my new law.” + +“Sire,” answered the magician, “your will shall be accomplished.” And he +straightway constructed a wonderful, speaking statue, and placed it in +the public square of the capital city. By its magic power this statue +could discern all that went on in the empire on the birthday of the +eldest prince, and it could tell the name of each laborer who worked in +secret on that day. Thus things continued for some years, and many men +were put to death. + +Now, there was in the capital city a carpenter named Focus. He was a +diligent workman, laboring at his trade from early morning till late at +night. One year, when the prince's birthday came round, he continued to +work all that day. + +The next morning he arose, dressed himself, and, before any one was +astir in the streets, went to the magic statue and said:-- + +“O statue, statue! because you have denounced so many of our citizens, +causing them to be put to death, I vow, if you accuse me, I will break +your head!” + +Shortly after this the emperor dispatched messengers to the statue to +inquire if the law had been broken the day before. When the statue saw +them, it exclaimed:-- + +“Friends, look up! What see ye written on my forehead?” + +They looked up and beheld three sentences that ran thus:-- + + “Times are altered! + “Men grow worse! + “He who speaks the truth will have his head broken!” + + +“Go,” said the statue, “declare to His Majesty what ye have seen and +read.” + +The messenger accordingly departed and returned in haste to the emperor, +and related to him all that had occurred. + +The emperor ordered his guard to arm and to march instantly to the +public square, where the statue was, and commanded that if any one had +attempted to injure it, he should be seized, bound hand and foot, and +dragged to the judgment hall. + +The guard hastened to do the emperor's bidding. They approached the +statue and said:-- + +“Our emperor commands you to tell who it is that threatened you.” + +The statue answered: “Seize Focus the carpenter. Yesterday he defied the +emperor's edict; this morning he threatened to break my head.” + +The soldiers immediately arrested Focus, and dragged him to the judgment +hall. + +“Friend,” said the emperor, “what do I hear of you? Why do you work on +my son's birthday?” + +“Your Majesty,” answered Focus, “it is impossible for me to keep your +law. I am obliged to earn eight pennies every day, therefore was I +forced to work yesterday.” + +“And why eight pennies?” asked the emperor. + +“Every day through the year,” answered Focus, “I am bound to repay +two pennies I borrowed in my youth; two I lend; two I lose; and two I +spend.” + +“How is this?” said the emperor; “explain yourself further.” + +“Your Majesty,” replied Focus, “listen to me. I am bound each day to +repay two pennies to my old father, for when I was a boy he expended +upon me daily the like sum. Now he is poor and needs my assistance, and +I return what I formerly borrowed. Two other pennies I lend my son, who +is pursuing his studies, in order that, if by chance I should fall into +poverty, he may restore the loan to me, just as I am now doing to his +grandfather. Again, I lose two pennies on my wife, who is a scold +and has an evil temper. On account of her bad disposition I consider +whatever I give her entirely lost. Lastly, two other pennies I spend on +myself for meat and drink. I cannot do all this without working +every day. You now know the truth, and, I pray you, give a righteous +judgment.” + +“Friend,” said the emperor, “you have answered well. Go and work +diligently at your calling.” + +That same day the emperor annulled the law forbidding labor on his +son's birthday. Not long after this he died, and Focus the carpenter, +on account of his singular wisdom, was elected emperor in his stead. He +governed wisely, and after his death there was deposited in the royal +archives a portrait of Focus wearing a crown adorned with eight pennies. + + + + +THE CHAMPION STONE-CUTTER + +BY HUGH MILLER + +David Fraser was a famous Scotch hewer. On hearing that it had been +remarked among a party of Edinburgh masons that, though regarded as the +first of Glasgow stone-cutters, he would find in the eastern capital +at least his equals, he attired himself most uncouthly in a long-tailed +coat of tartan, and, looking to the life the untamed, untaught, +conceited little Celt, he presented himself on Monday morning, armed +with a letter of introduction from a Glasgow builder, before the foreman +of an Edinburgh squad of masons engaged upon one of the finer buildings +at that time in the course of erection. + +The letter specified neither his qualifications nor his name. It had +been written merely to secure for him the necessary employment, and the +necessary employment it did secure. + +The better workmen of the party were engaged, on his arrival, in hewing +columns, each of which was deemed sufficient work for a week; and David +was asked somewhat incredulously, by the foreman, if he could hew. + +“Oh, yes, HE THOUGHT he could hew.” + +“Could he hew columns such as these?” + +“Oh, yes, HE THOUGHT he could hew columns such as these.” + +A mass of stone, in which a possible column lay hid, was accordingly +placed before David, not under cover of the shed, which was already +occupied by workmen, but, agreeably to David's own request, directly +in front of it, where he might be seen by all, and where he straightway +commenced a most extraordinary course of antics. + +Buttoning his long tartan coat fast around him, he would first look +along the stone from the one end, anon from the other, and then examine +it in front and rear; or, quitting it altogether for the time, he would +take up his stand beside the other workmen, and, after looking at them +with great attention, return and give it a few taps with the mallet, in +a style evidently imitative of theirs, but monstrously a caricature. + +The shed all that day resounded with roars of laughter; and the only +thoroughly grave man on the ground was he who occasioned the mirth of +all the others. + +Next morning David again buttoned his coat; but he got on much better +this day than the former. He was less awkward and less idle, though not +less observant than before; and he succeeded ere evening in tracing, +in workmanlike fashion, a few draughts along the future column. He was +evidently greatly improving! + +On the morning of Wednesday he threw off his coat; and it was seen that, +though by no means in a hurry, he was seriously at work. There were no +more jokes or laughter; and it was whispered in the evening that the +strange Highlander had made astonishing progress during the day. + +By the middle of Thursday he had made up for his two days' trifling, and +was abreast of the other workmen. Before night he was far ahead of them; +and ere the evening of Friday, when they had still a full day's work +on each of their columns, David's was completed in a style that defied +criticism; and, his tartan coat again buttoned around him, he sat +resting himself beside it. + +The foreman went out and greeted him. + +“Well,” he said, “you have beaten us all. You certainly CAN hew!” + +“Yes,” said David, “I THOUGHT I could hew columns. Did the other men +take much more than a week to learn?” + +“Come, come, DAVID FRASER,” replied the foreman, “we all guess who you +are. You have had your week's joke out; and now, I suppose, we must give +you your week's wages, and let you go away!” + +“Yes,” said David, “work waits for me in Glasgow; but I just thought it +might be well to know how you hewed on this east side of the country.” + + + + +BILL BROWN'S TEST + +BY CLEVELAND MOFFETT + +All firemen have courage, but it cannot be known until the test how many +have this particular kind,--Bill Brown's kind. + +What happened was this: Engine 29, pumping and pounding her prettiest, +stood at the northwest corner of Greenwich and Warren streets, so close +to the blazing drug-house that Driver Marks thought it wasn't safe there +for the three horses, and led them away. That was fortunate, but it left +Brown alone, right against the cheek of the fire, watching his boiler, +stoking in coal, keeping his steam-gauge at 75. As the fire gained, +chunks of red-hot sandstone began to smash down on the engine. Brown ran +his pressure up to 80, and watched the door anxiously where the boys had +gone in. + +Then the explosion came, and a blue flame, wide as a house, curled its +tongues halfway across the street, enwrapping engine and man, setting +fire to the elevated railway station overhead, or such wreck of it as +the shock had left. + +Bill Brown stood by his engine, with a wall of fire before him and a +sheet of fire above him. He heard quick footsteps on the pavements, and +voices, that grew fainter and fainter, crying, “Run for your lives!” + He heard the hose-wagon horses somewhere back in the smoke go plunging +away, mad with fright and their burns. He was alone with the fire, and +the skin was hanging in shreds on his hands, face, and neck. Only a +fireman knows how one blast of flame can shrivel up a man, and the pain +over the bared surfaces was,--well, there is no pain worse than that of +fire scorching in upon the quick flesh seared by fire. + +Here, I think, was a crisis to make a very brave man quail. Bill Brown +knew perfectly well why every one was running; there was going to be +another explosion in a couple of minutes, maybe sooner, out of this hell +in front of him. And the order had come for every man to save himself, +and every man had done it except the lads inside. And the question was, +Should he run or should he stay and die? It was tolerably certain that +he would die if he stayed. On the other hand, the boys of old 29 were +in there. Devanny and McArthur, and Gillon and Merron, his friends, his +chums. He'd seen them drag the hose in through that door,--there it was +now, a long, throbbing snake of it,--and they hadn't come out. Perhaps +they were dead. Yes, but perhaps they weren't. If they were alive, they +needed water now more than they ever needed anything before. And they +couldn't get water if he quit his engine. + +Bill Brown pondered this a long time, perhaps four seconds; then he fell +to stoking in coal, and he screwed her up another notch, and he eased +her running parts with the oiler. Explosion or not, pain or not, alone +or not, he was going to stay and make that engine hum. He had done the +greatest thing a man can do,--had offered his life for his friends. + +It is pleasant to know that this sacrifice was averted. A quarter of a +minute or so before the second and terrible explosion, Devanny and his +men came staggering from the building. Then it was that Merron fell, and +McArthur checked his fight to save him. Then it was, but not until +then, that Bill Brown left Engine 29 to her fate (she was crushed by the +falling walls), and ran for his life with his comrades. He had waited +for them, he had stood the great test. + + + + + +COLUMBUS DAY + +(OCTOBER 12) + + + + +COLUMBUS AND THE EGG + +BY JAMES BALDWIN (ADAPTED) [8] + +[Footnote 8: From Thirty More Famous Stories Retold. Copyright, 1903, by +American Book Company.] + + +One day Columbus was at a dinner which a Spanish gentleman had given +in his honor, and several persons were present who were jealous of the +great admiral's success. They were proud, conceited fellows, and they +very soon began to try to make Columbus uncomfortable. + +“You have discovered strange lands beyond the seas,” they said, “but +what of that? We do not see why there should be so much said about +it. Anybody can sail across the ocean; and anybody can coast along the +islands on the other side, just as you have done. It is the simplest +thing in the world.” + +Columbus made no answer; but after a while he took an egg from a dish +and said to the company:-- + +“Who among you, gentlemen, can make this egg stand on end?” + +One by one those at the table tried the experiment. When the egg had +gone entirely around and none had succeeded, all said that it could not +be done. + +Then Columbus took the egg and struck its small end gently upon the +table so as to break the shell a little. After that there was no trouble +in making it stand upright. + +“Gentlemen,” said he, “what is easier than to do this which you said +was impossible? It is the simplest thing in the world. Anybody can do +it,--AFTER HE HAS BEEN SHOWN HOW!” + + + + +COLUMBUS AT LA RABIDA + +BY WASHINGTON IRVING (ADAPTED) + +About half a league from the little seaport of Palos de Moguer, in +Andalusia, there stood, and continues to stand at the present day, +an ancient convent of Franciscan friars, dedicated to Santa Maria de +Rabida. + +One day a stranger on foot, in humble guise, but of a distinguished air, +accompanied by a small boy, stopped at the gate of the convent and asked +of the porter a little bread and water for his child. While receiving +this humble refreshment, the prior of the convent, Juan Perez de +Marchena, happened to pass by, and was struck with the appearance of the +stranger. Observing from his air and accent that he was a foreigner, he +entered into conversation with him and soon learned the particulars of +his story. + +That stranger was Columbus. + +Accompanied by his little son Diego, he was on his way to the +neighboring town of Huelva, to seek a brother-in-law, who had married a +sister of his deceased wife. + +The prior was a man of extensive information. His attention had been +turned in some measure to geographical and nautical science. He was +greatly interested by the conversation of Columbus, and struck with the +grandeur of his views. When he found, however, that the voyager was +on the point of abandoning Spain to seek the patronage of the court of +France, the good friar took the alarm. + +He detained Columbus as his guest, and sent for a scientific friend +to converse with him. That friend was Garcia Fernandez, a physician of +Palos. He was equally struck with the appearance and conversation of +the stranger. Several conferences took place at the convent, at which +veteran mariners and pilots of Palos were present. + +Facts were related by some of these navigators in support of the theory +of Columbus. In a word, his project was treated with a deference in the +quiet cloisters of La Rabida and among the seafaring men of Palos which +had been sought in vain among sages and philosophers. + +Among the navigators of Palos was one Martin Alonzo Pinzon, the head +of a family of wealth, members of which were celebrated for their +adventurous expeditions. He was so convinced of the feasibility of +Columbus's plan that he offered to engage in it with purse and person, +and to bear the expenses of Columbus in an application to court. + +Fray Juan Perez, being now fully persuaded of the importance of the +proposed enterprise, advised Columbus to repair to the court, and make +his propositions to the Spanish sovereigns, offering to give him a +letter of recommendation to his friend, the Prior of the Convent +of Prado and confessor to the queen, and a man of great political +influence; through whose means he would, without doubt, immediately +obtain royal audience and favor. Martin Alonzo Pinzon, also, generously +furnished him with money for the journey, and the Friar took charge of +his youthful son, Diego, to maintain and educate him in the convent. + +Thus aided and encouraged and elated with fresh hopes, Columbus took +leave of the little junto at La Rabida, and set out, in the spring of +1486, for the Castilian court, which had just assembled at Cordova, +where the sovereigns were fully occupied with their chivalrous +enterprise for the conquest of Granada. But alas! success was not yet! +for Columbus met with continued disappointments and discouragements, +while his projects were opposed by many eminent prelates and Spanish +scientists, as being against religion and unscientific. Yet in spite +of this opposition, by degrees the theory of Columbus began to obtain +proselytes. He appeared in the presence of the king with modesty, +yet self-possession, inspired by a consciousness of the dignity and +importance of his errand; for he felt himself, as he afterwards +declared in his letters, animated as if by a sacred fire from above, and +considered himself an instrument in the hand of Heaven to accomplish +its great designs. For nearly seven years of apparently fruitless +solicitation, Columbus followed the royal court from place to place, at +times encouraged by the sovereigns, and at others neglected. + +At last he looked round in search of some other source of patronage, and +feeling averse to subjecting himself to further tantalizing delays +and disappointments of the court, determined to repair to Paris. He +departed, therefore, and went to the Convent of La Rabida to seek his +son Diego. When the worthy Friar Juan Perez de Marchena beheld Columbus +arrive once more at the gate of his convent after nearly seven years +of fruitless effort at court, and saw by the humility of his garb the +poverty he had experienced, he was greatly moved; but when he found that +he was about to carry his proposition to another country, his patriotism +took alarm. + +The Friar had once been confessor to the queen, and knew that she was +always accessible to persons of his sacred calling. He therefore wrote a +letter to her, and at the same time entreated Columbus to remain at +the convent until an answer could be received. The latter was easily +persuaded, for he felt as if on leaving Spain he was again abandoning +his home. + +The little council at La Rabida now cast round their eyes for an +ambassador to send on this momentous mission. They chose one Sebastian +Rodriguez, a pilot of Lepe, one of the most shrewd and important +personages in this maritime neighborhood. He so faithfully and +successfully conducted his embassy that he returned shortly with an +answer. + +Isabella had always been favorably disposed to the proposition of +Columbus. She thanked Juan Perez for his timely services and requested +him to repair immediately to the court, leaving Columbus in confident +hope until he should hear further from her. This royal letter, brought +back by the pilot at the end of fourteen days, spread great joy in the +little junto at the convent. + +No sooner did the warm-hearted friar receive it than he saddled +his mule, and departed, privately, before midnight to the court. He +journeyed through the countries of the Moors, and rode into the new city +of Santa Fe where Ferdinand and Isabella were engaged in besieging the +capital of Granada. + +The sacred office of Juan Perez gained him a ready admission into the +presence of the queen. He pleaded the cause of Columbus with enthusiasm. +He told of his honorable motives, of his knowledge and experience, and +his perfect capacity to fulfill the undertaking. He showed the solid +principles upon which the enterprise was founded, and the advantage that +must attend its success, and the glory it must shed upon the Spanish +Crown. + +Isabella, being warm and generous of nature and sanguine of disposition, +was moved by the representations of Juan Perez, and requested that +Columbus might be again sent to her. Bethinking herself of his poverty +and his humble plight, she ordered that money should be forwarded to +him, sufficient to bear his traveling expenses, and to furnish him with +decent raiment. + +The worthy friar lost no time in communicating the result of his +mission. He transmitted the money, and a letter, by the hand of an +inhabitant of Palos, to the physician, Garcia Fernandez, who delivered +them to Columbus The latter immediately changed his threadbare garb for +one more suited to the sphere of a court, and purchasing a mule, set out +again, reanimated by hopes, for the camp before Granada. + +This time, after some delay, his mission was attended with success. +The generous spirit of Isabella was enkindled, and it seemed as if +the subject, for the first time, broke upon her mind in all its real +grandeur. She declared her resolution to undertake the enterprise, but +paused for a moment, remembering that King Ferdinand looked coldly on +the affair, and that the royal treasury was absolutely drained by the +war. + +Her suspense was but momentary. With an enthusiasm worthy of herself +and of the cause, she exclaimed: “I undertake the enterprise for my +own crown of Castile, and will pledge my jewels to raise the necessary +funds.” This was the proudest moment in the life of Isabella. It stamped +her renown forever as the patroness of the discovery of the New World. + + + + +THE MUTINY + +BY A. DE LAMARTINE (ADAPTED) + +When Columbus left the Canaries to pass with his three small ships into +the unknown seas, the eruptions of Teneriffe illuminated the heavens +and were reflected in the sea. This cast terror into the minds of his +seamen. They thought that it was the flaming sword of the angel who +expelled the first man from Eden, and who now was trying to drive +back in anger those presumptuous ones who were seeking entrance to the +forbidden and unknown seas and lands. But the admiral passed from ship +to ship explaining to his men, in a simple way, the action of volcanoes, +so that the sailors were no longer afraid. + +But as the peak of Teneriffe sank below the horizon, a great sadness +fell upon the men. It was their last beacon, the farthest sea-mark of +the Old World. They were seized with a nameless terror and loneliness. + +Then the admiral called them around him in his own ship, and told them +many stories of the things they might hope to find in the wonderful new +world to which they were going,--of the lands, the islands, the seas, +the kingdoms, the riches, the vegetation, the sunshine, the mines of +gold, the sands covered with pearls, the mountains shining with precious +stones, the plains loaded with spices. These stories, tinged with +the brilliant colors of their leader's rich imagination, filled the +discouraged sailors with hope and good spirits. + +But as they passed over the trackless ocean, and saw day by day the +great billows rolling between them and the mysterious horizon, the +sailors were again filled with dread. They lacked the courage to sail +onward into the unknown distance. The compass began to vacillate, and +no longer pointed toward the north; this confused both Columbus and his +pilots. The men fell into a panic, but the resolute and patient admiral +encouraged them once more. So buoyed up by his faith and hope, they +continued to sail onwards over the pathless waters. + +The next day a heron and a tropical bird flew about the masts of the +ships, and these seemed to the wondering sailors as two witnesses come +to confirm the reasoning of Columbus. + +The weather was mild and serene, the sky clear, the waves transparent, +the dolphins played across the bows, the airs were warm, and the +perfumes, which the waves brought from afar, seemed to exhale from +their foam. The brilliancy of the stars and the deep beauty of the night +breathed a feeling of calm security that comforted and sustained the +sailors. + +The sea also began to bring its messages. Unknown vegetations floated +upon its surface. Some were rock-plants, that had been swept off the +cliffs by the waves; some were fresh-water plants; and others, recently +torn from their roots, were still full of sap. One of them carried a +live crab,--a little sailor afloat on a tuft of grass. These plants +and living things could not have passed many days in the water without +fading and dying. And all encouraged the sailors to believe that they +were nearing land. + +At eve and morning the distant waning clouds, like those that gather +round the mountain-tops, took the form of cliffs and hills skirting the +horizon. The cry of “land” was on the tip of every tongue. But Columbus +by his reckoning knew that they must still be far from any land, but +fearing to discourage his men he kept his thoughts to himself, for he +found no trustworthy friend among his companions whose heart was firm +enough to bear his secret. + +During the long passage Columbus conversed with his own thoughts, and +with the stars, and with God whom he felt was his protector. He occupied +his days in making notes of what he observed. The nights he passed +on deck with his pilots, studying the stars and watching the seas. +He withdrew into himself, and his thoughtful gravity impressed his +companions sometimes with respect and sometimes with mistrust and awe. + +Each morning the bows of the vessels plunged through the fantastic +horizon which the evening mist had made the sailors mistake for a +shore. They kept rolling on through the boundless and bottomless abyss. +Gradually terror and discontent once more took possession of the crews. +They began to imagine that the steadfast east wind that drove them +westward prevailed eternally in this region, and that when the time came +to sail homeward, the same wind would prevent their return. For surely +their provisions and water could not hold out long enough for them to +beat their way eastward over those wide waters! + +Then the sailors began to murmur against the admiral and his seeming +fruitless obstinacy, and they blamed themselves for obeying him, when it +might mean the sacrifice of the lives of one hundred and twenty sailors. + +But each time the murmurs threatened to break out into mutiny, +Providence seemed to send more encouraging signs of land. And these for +the time being changed the complaints to hopes. At evening little birds +of the most delicate species, that build their nests in the shrubs of +the garden and orchard, hovered warbling about the masts. Their delicate +wings and joyous notes bore no signs of weariness or fright, as of birds +swept far away to sea by a storm. These signs again aroused hope. + +The green weeds on the surface of the ocean looked like waving corn +before the ears are ripe. The vegetation beneath the water delighted +the eyes of the sailors tired of the endless expanse of blue. But the +seaweed soon became so thick that they were afraid of entangling their +rudders and keels, and of remaining prisoners forever in the forests of +the ocean, as ships of the northern seas are shut in by ice. Thus each +joy soon turned to fear,--so terrible to man is the unknown. + +The wind ceased, the calms of the tropics alarmed the sailors. An +immense whale was seen sleeping on the waters. They fancied there were +monsters in the deep which would devour their ships. The roll of the +waves drove them upon currents which they could not stem for want of +wind. They imagined they were approaching the cataracts of the ocean, +and that they were being hurried toward the abysses into which the +deluge had poured its world of waters. + +Fierce and angry faces crowded round the mast. The murmurs rose louder +and louder. They talked of compelling the pilots to put about and of +throwing the admiral into the sea. Columbus, to whom their looks +and threats revealed these plans, defied them by his bold bearing or +disconcerted them by his coolness. + +Again nature came to his assistance, by giving him fresh breezes from +the east, and a calm sea under his bows. Before the close of the day +came the first cry of “Land ho!” from the lofty poop. All the crews, +repeating this cry of safety, life, and triumph, fell on their knees on +the decks, and struck up the hymn, “Glory be to God in heaven and upon +earth.” When it was over, all climbed as high as they could up the +masts, yards, and rigging to see with their own eyes the new land that +had been sighted. + +But the sunrise destroyed this new hope all too quickly. The imaginary +land disappeared with the morning mist, and once more the ships seemed +to be sailing over a never-ending wilderness of waters. + +Despair took possession of the crews. Again the cry of “Land ho!” was +heard. But the sailors found as before that their hopes were but a +passing cloud. Nothing wearies the heart so much as false hopes and +bitter disappointments. + +Loud reproaches against the admiral were heard from every quarter. +Bread and water were beginning to fail. Despair changed to fury. The men +decided to turn the heads of the vessels toward Europe, and to beat back +against the winds that had favored the admiral, whom they intended to +chain to the mast of his own vessel and to give up to the vengeance of +Spain should they ever reach the port of their own country. + +These complaints now became clamorous. The admiral restrained them by +the calmness of his countenance. He called upon Heaven to decide between +himself and the sailors. He flinched not. He offered his life as a +pledge, if they would but trust and wait for three days more. He swore +that, if, in the course of the third day, land was not visible on the +horizon, he would yield to their wishes and steer for Europe. + +The mutinous men reluctantly consented and allowed him three days of +grace. . . . . . . . . . . + +At sunrise on the second day rushes recently torn up were seen floating +near the vessels. A plank hewn by an axe, a carved stick, a bough of +hawthorn in blossom, and lastly a bird's nest built on a branch which +the wind had broken, and full of eggs on which the parent-bird was +sitting, were seen swimming past on the waters. The sailors brought on +board these living witnesses of their approach to land. They were like a +message from the shore, confirming the promises of Columbus. + +The overjoyed and repentant mutineers fell on their knees before the +admiral whom they had insulted but the day before, and craved pardon for +their mistrust. + +As the day and night advanced many other sights and sounds showed that +land was very near. Toward day delicious and unknown perfumes borne on +a soft land breeze reached the vessels, and there was heard the roar of +the waves upon the reefs. + +The dawn, as it spread over the sky, gradually raised the shores of an +island from the waves. Its distant extremities were lost in the morning +mist. As the sun rose it shone on the land ascending from a low yellow +beach to the summit of hills whose dark-green covering contrasted +strongly with the clear blue of the heavens. The foam of the waves broke +on the yellow sand, and forests of tall and unknown trees stretched +away, one above another, over successive terraces of the island. Green +valleys, and bright clefts in the hollows afforded a half glimpse into +these mysterious wilds. And thus the land of golden promises, the land +of future greatness, first appeared to Christopher Columbus, the Admiral +of the Ocean, and thus he gave a New World to the nations to come. + + + + +THE FIRST LANDING OF COLUMBUS IN THE NEW WORLD + +BY WASHINGTON IRVING (ADAPTED) + +It was on Friday morning, the 12th of October, that Columbus first +beheld the New World. As the day dawned he saw before him an island, +several leagues in extent, and covered with trees like a continual +orchard. Though apparently uncultivated it was populous, for the +inhabitants were seen issuing from all parts of the woods and running to +the shore. They were perfectly naked, and, as they stood gazing at +the ships, appeared by their attitudes and gestures to be lost in +astonishment. + +Columbus made signals for the ships to cast anchor and the boats to be +manned and armed. He entered his own boat, richly attired in scarlet, +and holding the royal standard; while Martin Alonzo Pinzon and his +brother put off in company in their boats, each with a banner of the +enterprise emblazoned with a green cross, having on either side the +letters “F.” and “Y.,” the initials of the Castilian monarchs Fernando +and Ysabel, surmounted by crowns. + +As he approached the shore, Columbus was delighted with the purity and +suavity of the atmosphere, the crystal transparency of the sea, and +the extraordinary beauty of the vegetation. He beheld also fruits of an +unknown kind upon the trees which overhung the shores. + +On landing he threw himself on his knees, kissed the earth, and returned +thanks to God with tears of joy. His example was followed by the +rest. [9] “Almighty and Eternal God,” prayed Columbus, “who by the energy +of Thy creative word hast made the firmament, the earth and the sea; +blessed and glorified be thy name in all places! May thy majesty and +dominion be exalted for ever and ever, as Thou hast permitted thy holy +name to be made known and spread by the most humble of thy servants, in +this hitherto unknown portion of Thine empire.” + + +[Footnote: 9: This prayer is taken from Lamartine.] + + +Columbus, then rising, drew his sword, displayed the royal standard, and +assembling around him the two captains and the rest who had landed, he +took solemn possession in the name of the Castilian sovereigns, giving +the island the name of San Salvador. + + + + +HALLOWEEN + +(OCTOBER 31) + +THE OLD WITCH + +BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM (TRANSLATED) + +There was once a little girl who was very willful and who never obeyed +when her elders spoke to her; so how could she be happy? + +One day she said to her parents: “I have heard so much of the old witch +that I will go and see her. People say she is a wonderful old woman, +and has many marvelous things in her house, and I am very curious to see +them.” + +But her parents forbade her going, saying: “The witch is a wicked old +woman, who performs many godless deeds; and if you go near her, you are +no longer a child of ours.” + +The girl, however, would not turn back at her parents' command, but went +to the witch's house. When she arrived there the old woman asked her:-- + +“Why are you so pale?” + +“Ah,” she replied, trembling all over, “I have frightened myself so with +what I have just seen.” + +“And what did you see?” inquired the old witch. + +“I saw a black man on your steps.” + +“That was a collier,” replied she. + +“Then I saw a gray man.” + +“That was a sportsman,” said the old woman. + +“After him I saw a blood-red man.” + +“That was a butcher,” replied the old woman. + +“But, oh, I was most terrified,” continued the girl, “when I peeped +through your window, and saw not you, but a creature with a fiery head.” + +“Then you have seen the witch in her proper dress,” said the old woman. +“For you I have long waited, and now you shall give me light.” + +So saying the witch changed the little girl into a block of wood, and +then threw it on the fire; and when it was fully alight, she sat down on +the hearth and warmed herself, saying:-- + +“How good I feel! The fire has not burned like this for a long time!” + + + + +SHIPPEITARO + +A JAPANESE FOLK-TALE: + +BY MARY F. NIXON-ROULET (ADAPTED) [10] + + +[Footnote 10: From Japanese Folk-Stories and Fairy Tales. Copyright, +1908, by American Book Company.] + + +Once upon a time there was a brave soldier lad who was seeking his +fortune in the wide, wide world. One day he lost his way in a pathless +forest, and wandered about until he came at length to a small clearing +in the midst of which stood a ruined temple. The huge trees waved above +its walls, and the leaves in the thicket whispered around them. No sun +ever shone there, and no human being lived there. + +A storm was coming up, and the soldier lad took refuge among the ruins. + +“Here is all I want,” said he. “Here I shall have shelter from the +storm-god's wrath, and a comfortable place to sleep in.” + +So he wrapped himself in his cloak, and, lying down, was soon fast +asleep. But his slumbers did not last long. At midnight he was wakened +by fearful shrieks, and springing to his feet, he looked out at the +temple door. + +The storm was over. Moonlight shone on the clearing. And there he saw +what seemed to be a troop of monstrous cats, who like huge phantoms +marched across the open space in front of the temple. They broke into +a wild dance, uttering shrieks, howls, and wicked laughs. Then they all +sang together:-- + + “Whisper not to Shippeitaro + That the Phantom Cats are near; + Whisper not to Shippeitaro, + Lest he soon appear!” + + +The soldier lad crouched low behind the door, for brave as he was he did +not wish these fearful creatures to see him. But soon, with a chorus of +wild yells, the Phantom Cats disappeared as quickly as they had come, +and all was quiet as before. + +Then the soldier lad lay down and went to sleep again, nor did he waken +till the sun peered into the temple and told him that it was morning. He +quickly found his way out of the forest and walked on until he came to +the cottage of a peasant. + +As he approached he heard sounds of bitter weeping. A beautiful young +maiden met him at the door, and her eyes were red with crying. She +greeted him kindly. + +“May I have some food?” said he. + +“Enter and welcome,” she replied. “My parents are just having breakfast. +You may join them, for no one passes our door hungry.” + +Thanking her the lad entered, and her parents greeted him courteously +but sadly, and shared their breakfast with him. He ate heartily, and, +when he was finished, rose to go. + +“Thank you many times for this good meal, kind friends,” said he, “and +may happiness be yours.” + +“Happiness can never again be ours!” answered the old man, weeping. + +“You are in trouble, then,” said the lad. “Tell me about it; perhaps I +can help you in some way.” + +“Alas!” replied the old man, “There is within yonder forest a ruined +temple. It is the abode of horrors too terrible for words. Each year a +demon, whom no one has ever seen, demands that the people of this land +give him a beautiful maiden to devour. She is placed in a cage and +carried to the temple just at sunset. This year it is my daughter's +turn to be offered to the fiend!” And the old man buried his face in his +hands and groaned. + +The soldier lad paused to think for a moment, then he said:-- + +“It is terrible, indeed! But do not despair. I think I know a way to +help you. Who is Shippeitaro?” + +“Shippeitaro is a beautiful dog, owned by our lord, the prince,” + answered the old man. + +“That is just the thing!” cried the lad. “Only keep your daughter +closely at home. Do not let her out of your sight. Trust me and she +shall be saved.” + +Then the soldier lad hurried away, and found the castle of the prince. +He begged that he might borrow Shippeitaro just for one night. + +“You may take him upon the condition that you bring him back safely,” + said the prince. + +“To-morrow he shall return in safety,” answered the lad. + +Taking Shippeitaro with him, he hurried to the peasant's cottage, and, +when evening was come, he placed the dog in the cage which was to have +carried the maiden. The bearers then took the cage to the ruined temple, +and, placing it on the ground, ran away as fast as their legs would +carry them. + +The lad, laughing softly to himself, hid inside the temple as before, +and so quiet was the spot that he fell asleep. At midnight he was +aroused by the same wild shrieks he had heard the night before. He rose +and looked out at the temple door. + +Through the darkness, into the moonlight, came the troop of Phantom +Cats. This time they were led by a fierce, black Tomcat. As they came +nearer they chanted with unearthly screeches:-- + + “Whisper not to Shippeitaro + That the Phantom Cats are near; + Whisper not to Shippeitaro, + Lest he soon appear!” + + +With that the great Tomcat caught sight of the cage and, uttering a +fearful yowl, sprang upon it, With one blow of his claws he tore open +the lid, when, instead of the dainty morsel he expected, out jumped +Shippeitaro! + +The dog sprang upon the Tomcat, and caught him by the throat; while the +Phantom Cats stood still in amazement. Drawing his sword the lad hurried +to Shippeitaro's side, and what with Shippeitaro's teeth and the lad's +hard blows, in an instant the great Tomcat was torn and cut into pieces. +When the Phantom Cats saw this, they uttered one wild shriek and fled +away, never to return again. + +Then the soldier lad, leading Shippeitaro, returned in triumph to the +peasant's cottage. There in terror the maiden awaited his arrival, but +great was the joy of herself and her parents when they knew that the +Tomcat was no more. + +“Oh, sir,” cried the maiden, “I can never thank you! I am the only child +of my parents, and no one would have been left to care for them if I had +been the monster's victim.” + +“Do not thank me,” answered the lad. “Thank the brave Shippeitaro. It +was he who sprang upon the great Tomcat and chased away the Phantom +Creatures.” + + + + +HANSEL AND GRETHEL + +BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM (ADAPTED) + +Hard-by a great forest dwelt a poor wood-cutter with his two children +and his wife who was their stepmother. The boy was called Hansel and the +girl Grethel. The wood-cutter had little to bite and to break, and once +when a great famine fell on the land he could no longer get daily bread. +Now when he thought over this by night in his bed, and tossed about in +his trouble, he groaned, and said to his wife:-- + +“What is to become of us? How are we to feed our poor children, when we +no longer have anything even for ourselves?” + +“I'll tell you what, husband,” answered the woman; “early to-morrow +morning we will take the children out into the woods where it is the +thickest; there we will light a fire for them, and give each of them +one piece of bread more, and then we will go to our work and leave them +alone. They will not find the way home again, and we shall be rid of +them.” + +“No, wife,” said the man, “I will not do that; how can I bear to leave +my children alone in the woods?--the wild beasts would soon come and +tear them to pieces.” + +“Oh, you fool!” said she. “Then we must all four die of hunger; you may +as well plane the planks for our coffins.” And she left him no peace +until he said he would do as she wished. + +“But I feel very sorry for the poor children, all the same,” said the +man. + +The two children had also not been able to sleep for hunger, and had +heard what their father's wife had said to their father. + +Grethel wept bitter tears, and said to Hansel, “Now all is over with +us.” + +“Be quiet, Grethel,” said Hansel, “do not be troubled; I will soon find +a way to help us.” + +And when the old folks had fallen asleep, he got up, put on his little +coat, opened the door below, and crept outside. The moon shone brightly, +and the white pebbles which lay in front of the house shone like real +silver pennies. Hansel stooped and put as many of them in the little +pocket of his coat as he could make room for. Then he went back, and +said to Grethel, “Be at ease, dear little sister, and sleep in peace; +God will not forsake us.” And he lay down again in his bed. + +When the day dawned, but before the sun had risen, the woman came and +awoke the two children, saying:-- + +“Get up, you lazy things! we are going into the forest to fetch wood.” + She gave each a little piece of bread, and said, “There is something for +your dinner, but do not eat it up before then, for you will get nothing +else.” + +Grethel took the bread under her apron, as Hansel had the stones in his +pocket. Then they all set out together on the way to the forest, and +Hansel threw one after another of the white pebble-stones out of his +pocket on the road. + +When they had reached the middle of the forest, the father said, “Now, +children, pile up some wood and I will light a fire that you may not be +cold.” + +Hansel and Grethel drew brushwood together till it was as high as a +little hill. + +The brushwood was lighted, and when the flames were burning very high +the woman said:-- + +“Now, children, lie down by the fire and rest; we will go into the +forest and cut some wood. When we have done, we will come back and fetch +you away.” + +Hansel and Grethel sat by the fire, and when noon came, each ate a +little piece of bread, and as they heard the strokes of the wood-axe +they were sure their father was near. But it was not the axe, it was +a branch which he had tied to a dry tree, and the wind was blowing it +backward and forward. As they had been sitting such a long time they +were tired, their eyes shut, and they fell fast asleep. When at last +they awoke, it was dark night. + +Grethel began to cry, and said, “How are we to get out of the forest +now?” + +But Hansel comforted her, saying, “Just wait a little, until the moon +has risen, and then we will soon find the way.” + +And when the full moon had risen, Hansel took his little sister by the +hand, and followed the pebbles, which shone like bright silver pieces, +and showed them the way. + +They walked the whole night long, and by break of day came once more to +their father's house. + +They knocked at the door, and when the woman opened it, and saw that it +was Hansel and Grethel, she said, “You naughty children, why have you +slept so long in the forest? we thought you were never coming back at +all!” + +The father, however, was glad, for it had cut him to the heart to leave +them behind alone. + +Not long after, there was once more a great lack of food in all parts, +and the children heard the woman saying at night to their father:-- + +“Everything is eaten again; we have one half-loaf left, and after that +there is an end. The children must go; we will take them farther into +the wood, so that they will not find their way out again; there is no +other means of saving ourselves!” + +The man's heart was heavy, and he thought, “It would be better to share +our last mouthful with the children.” + +The woman, however, would listen to nothing he had to say, but scolded +him. He who says A must say B, too, and as he had given way the first +time, he had to do so a second time also. + +The children were still awake and had heard the talk. When the old folks +were asleep, Hansel again got up, and wanted to go and pick up pebbles, +but the woman had locked the door, and he could not get out. + +So he comforted his little sister, and said:-- + +“Do not cry, Grethel; go to sleep quietly, the good God will help us.” + +Early in the morning came the woman, and took the children out of their +beds. Their bit of bread was given to them, but it was still smaller +than the time before. On the way into the forest Hansel crumbled his +in his pocket, and often threw a morsel on the ground until little by +little, he had thrown all the crumbs on the path. + +The woman led the children still deeper into the forest, where they had +never in their lives been before. Then a great fire was again made, and +she said:-- + +“Just sit there, you children, and when you are tired you may sleep a +little; we are going into the forest to cut wood, and in the evening +when we are done, we will come and fetch you away.” + +When it was noon, Grethel shared her piece of bread with Hansel, who had +scattered his by the way. Then they fell asleep, and evening came and +went, but no one came to the poor children. + +They did not awake until it was dark night, and Hansel comforted his +little sister, and said:-- + +“Just wait, Grethel, until the moon rises, and then we shall see the +crumbs of bread which I have scattered about; they will show us our way +home again.” + +When the moon came they set out, but they found no crumbs, for the many +thousands of birds which fly about in the woods and fields had picked +them all up. + +Hansel said to Grethel, “We shall soon find the way.” + +But they did not find it. They walked the whole night and all the next +day, too, from morning till evening, but they did not get out of the +forest; they were very hungry, for they had nothing to eat but two or +three berries which grew on the ground. And as they were so tired that +their legs would carry them no longer, they lay down under a tree and +fell asleep. + +It was now three mornings since they had left their father's house. They +began to walk again, but they always got deeper into the forest, and if +help did not come soon, they must die of hunger and weariness. When it +was midday, they saw a beautiful snow-white bird sitting on a bough. It +sang so sweetly that they stood still and listened to it. And when +it had done, it spread its wings and flew away before them, and they +followed it until they reached a little house, on the roof of which it +perched; and when they came quite up to the little house, they saw it +was built of bread and covered with cakes, but that the windows were of +clear sugar. + +“We will set to work on that,” said Hansel, “and have a good meal. +I will eat a bit of the roof, and you, Grethel, can eat some of the +window, it will taste sweet.” + +Hansel reached up, and broke off a little of the roof to try how it +tasted, and Grethel leaned against the window and nibbled at the panes. + +Then a soft voice cried from the room,-- + + “Nibble, nibble, gnaw, + Who is nibbling at my little house?” + + +The children answered:-- + + “The wind, the wind, + The wind from heaven”; + +and went on eating. Hansel, who thought the roof tasted very nice, tore +down a great piece of it; and Grethel pushed out the whole of one round +window-pane, sat down, and went to eating it. + +All at once the door opened, and a very, very old woman, who leaned on +crutches, came creeping out. Hansel and Grethel were so scared that they +let fall what they had in their hands. + +The old woman, however, nodded her head, and said, “Oh, you dear +children, who has brought you here? Do come in, and stay with me. No +harm shall happen to you.” + +She took them both by the hand, and led them into her little house. Then +good food was set before them, milk and pancakes, with sugar, apples, +and nuts. Afterwards two pretty little beds were covered with clean +white linen, and Hansel and Grethel lay down in them, and thought they +were in heaven. + +The old woman had only pretended to be so kind; she was in reality a +wicked witch, who lay in wait for children, and had built the little +bread house in order to coax them there. + +Early in the morning, before the children were awake, she was already +up, and when she saw both of them sleeping and looking so pretty, with +their plump red cheeks, she muttered to herself, “That will be a dainty +mouthful!” + +Then she seized Hansel, carried him into a little stable, and shut him +in behind a grated door. He might scream as he liked,--it was of no use. +Then she went to Grethel, shook her till she awoke and cried: “Get up, +lazy thing; fetch some water, and cook something good for your brother; +he is in the stable outside, and is to be made fat. When he is fat, I +will eat him.” + +Grethel began to weep, but it was all in vain; she was forced to do what +the wicked witch told her. + +And now the best food was cooked for poor Hansel, but Grethel got +nothing but crab-shells. + +Every morning the woman crept to the little stable, and cried, “Hansel, +stretch out your finger that I may feel if you will soon be fat.” + +Hansel, however, stretched out a little bone to her, and the old woman, +who had dim eyes, could not see it; she thought it was Hansel's finger, +and wondered why he grew no fatter. When four weeks had gone by, and +Hansel still was thin, she could wait no longer. + +“Come, Grethel,” she cried to the girl, “fly round and bring some water. +Let Hansel be fat or lean, to-morrow I will kill him, and cook him.” + +Ah, how sad was the poor little sister when she had to fetch the water, +and how her tears did flow down over her cheeks! + +“Dear God, do help us,” she cried. “If the wild beasts in the forest had +but eaten us, we should at any rate have died together.” + +“Just keep your noise to yourself,” said the old woman; “all that won't +help you at all.” + +Early in the morning, Grethel had to go out and hang up the kettle with +the water, and light the fire. + +“We will bake first,” said the old woman. “I have already heated the +oven, and got the dough ready.” + +She pushed poor Grethel out to the oven, from which the flames of fire +were already darting. + +“Creep in,” said the witch, “and see if it is heated, so that we can +shut the bread in.” And when once Grethel was inside, she meant to shut +the oven and let her bake in it, and then she would eat her, too. + +But Grethel saw what she had in her mind, and said, “I do not know how I +am to do it; how do you get in?” + +“Silly goose,” said the old woman. “The door is big enough; just look, I +can get in myself!” and she crept up and thrust her head into the oven. +Then Grethel gave her a push that drove her far into it, and shut the +iron door, tight. + +Grethel ran as quick as lightning to Hansel, opened his little stable, +and cried, “Hansel, we are saved! The old witch is dead!” + +Then Hansel sprang out like a bird from its cage when the door is opened +for it. How they did dance about and kiss each other. And as they had +no longer any need to fear her, they went into the witch's house, and in +every corner there stood chests full of pearls and jewels. + +“These are far better than pebbles!” said Hansel, and filled his +pockets, and Grethel said, “I, too, will take something home with me,” + and filled her pinafore. + +“But now we will go away,” said Hansel, “that we may get out of the +witch's forest.” When they had walked for two hours, they came to a +great piece of water. “We cannot get over,” said Hansel; “I see no +foot-plank and no bridge.” + +“And no boat crosses, either,” answered Grethel, “but a white duck is +swimming there; if I ask her, she will help us over.” Then she cried,-- + + “Little duck, little duck, dost thou see, + Hansel and Grethel are waiting for thee? + There's never a plank or bridge in sight, + Take us across on thy back so white.” + + +The duck came to them, and Hansel sat on its back, and told his sister +to sit by him. + +“No,” replied Grethel, “that will be too heavy for the little duck; she +shall take us across, one after the other.” + +The good little duck did so, and when they were once safely across and +had walked for a short time, they knew where they were, and at last they +saw from afar their father's house. + +Then they began to run, rushed in, and threw themselves into their +father's arms. The man had not known one happy hour since he had left +the children in the forest; the woman, however, was dead. Grethel +emptied her pinafore until pearls and precious stones rolled about the +floor, and Hansel threw one handful after another out of his pocket +to add to them. Then all care was at an end, and they lived happily +together ever after. + +My tale is done; there runs a mouse; whosoever catches it may make +himself a big fur cap out of it. + + + + +BURG HILL'S ON FIRE + +A CELTIC FAIRY TALE + +BY ELIZABETH W. GRIERSON (ADAPTED) + + +Once upon a time there was a rich farmer who had a thrifty wife. She +used to go out and gather all the little bits of wool which she could +find on the hillsides, and bring them home. Then, after her family had +gone to bed, she would sit up and card the wool and spin it into yarn, +then she would weave the yarn into cloth to make garments for her +children. + +But all this work made her feel very tired, so that one night, sitting +at her loom, she laid down her shuttle and cried:-- + +“Oh, that some one would come from far or near, from land or sea, to +help me!” + +No sooner had the words left her lips than she heard some one knocking +at the door. + +“Who is there?” cried she. + +“Tell Quary, good housewife,” answered a wee, wee voice. “Open the door +to me. As long as I have you'll get.” + +She opened the door and there on the threshold stood a queer, little +woman, dressed in a green gown and wearing a white cap on her head. + +The good housewife was so astonished that she stood and stared at her +strange visitor; but without a word the little woman ran past her, and +seated herself at the spinning-wheel. + +The good housewife shut the door, but just then she heard another knock. + +“Who is there?” said she. + +“Tell Quary, good housewife. Open the door to me,” said another wee, wee +voice. “As long as I have you'll get.” + +And when she opened the door there was another queer, little woman, in a +lilac frock and a green cap, standing on the threshold. + +She, too, ran into the house without waiting to say, “By your leave,” + and picking up the distaff, began to put some wool on it. + +Then before the housewife could get the door shut, a funny little +manikin, with green trousers and a red cap, came running in, and +followed the tiny women into the kitchen, seized hold of a handful of +wool, and began to card it. Another wee, wee woman followed him, and +then another tiny manikin, and another, and another, until it seemed +to the good housewife that all the fairies and pixies in Scotland were +coming into her house. + +The kitchen was alive with them. Some of them hung the great pot over +the fire to boil water to wash the wool that was dirty. Some teased the +clean wool, and some carded it. Some spun it into yarn, and some wove +the yarn into great webs of cloth. + +And the noise they made was like to make her head run round. “Splash! +splash! Whirr! whirr! Clack! clack!” The water in the pot bubbled over. +The spinning-wheel whirred. The shuttle in the loom flew backwards and +forwards. + +And the worst of it was that all the Fairies cried out for something +to eat, and although the good housewife put on her griddle and baked +bannocks as fast as she could, the bannocks were eaten up the moment +they were taken off the fire, and yet the Fairies shouted for more. + +At last the poor woman was so troubled that she went into the next room +to wake her husband. But although she shook him with all her might, she +could not wake him. It was very plain to see that he was bewitched. + +Frightened almost out of her senses, and leaving the Fairies eating her +last batch of bannocks, she stole out of the house and ran as fast as +she could to the cottage of the Wise Man who lived a mile away. + +She knocked at his door till he got up and put his head out of the +window, to see who was there; then she told him the whole story. + +“Thou foolish woman,” said he, “let this be a lesson to thee never to +pray for things thou dost not need! Before thy husband can be loosed +from the spell the Fairies must be got out of the house and the +fulling-water, which they have boiled, must be thrown over him. Hurry +to the little hill that lies behind thy cottage, climb to the top of +it, and set the bushes on fire; then thou must shout three times: 'BURG +HILL'S ON FIRE!' Then will all the little Fairies run out to see if +this be true, for they live under the hill. When they are all out of the +cottage, do thou slip in as quickly as thou canst, and turn the kitchen +upside down. Upset everything the Fairies have worked with, else the +things their fingers have touched will open the door to them, and let +them in, in spite of thee.” + +So the good housewife hurried away. She climbed to the top of the little +hill back of her cottage, set the bushes on fire, and cried out three +times as loud as she was able: “BURG HILL'S ON FIRE!” + +And sure enough, the door of the cottage was flung wide open, and all +the little Fairies came running out, knocking each other over in their +eagerness to be first at the hill. + +In the confusion the good housewife slipped away, and ran as fast as she +could to her cottage; and when she was once inside, it did not take her +long to bar the door, and turn everything upside down. + +She took the band off the spinning-wheel, and twisted the head of the +distaff the wrong way. She lifted the pot of fulling-water off the fire, +and turned the room topsy-turvy, and threw down the carding-combs. + +Scarcely had she done so, when the Fairies returned, and knocked at the +door. + +“Good housewife! let us in,” they cried. + +“The door is shut and bolted, and I will not open it,” answered she. + +“Good spinning-wheel, get up and open the door,” they cried. + +“How can I,” answered the spinning-wheel, “seeing that my band is +undone?” + +“Kind distaff, open the door for us,” said they. + +“That would I gladly do,” said the distaff, “but I cannot walk, for my +head is turned the wrong way.” + +“Weaving-loom, have pity, and open the door.” + +“I am all topsy-turvy, and cannot move,” sighed the loom. + +“Fulling-water, open the door,” they implored. + +“I am off the fire,” growled the fulling-water, “and all my strength is +gone.” + +“Oh! Is there nothing that will come to our aid, and open the door?” + they cried. + +“I will,” said a little barley-bannock, that had lain hidden, toasting +on the hearth; and it rose and trundled like a wheel quickly across the +floor. + +But luckily the housewife saw it, and she nipped it between her finger +and thumb, and, because it was only half-baked, it fell with a “splatch” + on the cold floor. + +Then the Fairies gave up trying to get into the kitchen, and instead +they climbed up by the windows into the room where the good housewife's +husband was sleeping, and they swarmed upon his bed and tickled him +until he tossed about and muttered as if he had a fever. + +Then all of a sudden the good housewife remembered what the Wise Man had +said about the fulling-water. She ran to the kitchen and lifted a cupful +out of the pot, and carried it in, and threw it over the bed where her +husband was. + +In an instant he woke up in his right senses. Then he jumped out of bed, +ran across the room and opened the door, and the Fairies vanished. And +they have never been seen from that day to this. + + + + +THE KING OF THE CATS + +AN ENGLISH FOLK-TALE + +BY ERNEST RHYS + +Once upon a time there were two brothers who lived in a lonely house in +a very lonely part of Scotland. An old woman used to do the cooking, +and there was no one else, unless we count her cat and their own dogs, +within miles of them. + +One autumn afternoon the elder of the two, whom we will call Elshender, +said he would not go out; so the younger one, Fergus, went alone to +follow the path where they had been shooting the day before, far across +the mountains. + +He meant to return home before the early sunset; however, he did not do +so, and Elshender became very uneasy as he watched and waited in vain +till long after their usual supper-time. At last Fergus returned, wet +and exhausted, nor did he explain why he was so late. + +But after supper when the two brothers were seated before the fire, on +which the peat crackled cheerfully, the dogs lying at their feet, and +the old woman's black cat sitting gravely with half-shut eyes on the +hearth between them, Fergus recovered himself and began to tell his +adventures. + +“You must be wondering,” said he, “what made me so late. I have had a +very, very strange adventure to-day. I hardly know what to say about it. +I went, as I told you I should, along our yesterday's track. A mountain +fog came on just as I was about to turn homewards, and I completely lost +my way. I wandered about for a long time not knowing where I was, till +at last I saw a light, and made for it, hoping to get help. + +“As I came near it, it disappeared, and I found myself close to an old +oak tree. I climbed into the branches the better to look for the light, +and, behold! there it was right beneath me, inside the hollow trunk of +the tree. I seemed to be looking down into a church, where a funeral was +taking place. I heard singing, and saw a coffin surrounded by torches, +all carried by--But I know you won't believe me, Elshender, if I tell +you!” + +His brother eagerly begged him to go on, and threw a dry peat on the +fire to encourage him. The dogs were sleeping quietly, but the cat was +sitting up, and seemed to be listening just as carefully and cannily as +Elshender himself. Both brothers, indeed, turned their eyes on the cat +as Fergus took up his story. + +“Yes,” he continued, “it is as true as I sit here. The coffin and the +torches were both carried by CATS, and upon the coffin were marked a +crown and a scepter!” + +He got no farther, for the black cat started up, shrieking:-- + +“My stars! old Peter's dead, and I'm the King o' the Cats!”--Then rushed +up the chimney, and was seen no more. + + + + +THE STRANGE VISITOR + +AN ENGLISH FOLK-TALE + +BY JOSEPH JACOBS + +A woman was sitting at her reel one night; and still she sat, and still +she reeled, and still she wished for company. + +In came a pair of broad, broad soles, and sat down +at the fireside! + +And still she sat, and still she reeled, and still she +wished for company. + +In came a pair of small, small legs, and sat down +on the broad, broad soles! + +And still she sat, and still she reeled, and still she +wished for company. + +In came a pair of thick, thick knees, and sat down +on the small, small legs! + +And still she sat, and still she reeled, and still she +wished for company. + +In came a pair of thin, thin thighs, and sat down +on the thick, thick knees! + +And still she sat, and still she reeled, and still she +wished for company. + +In came a pair of huge, huge hips, and sat down +on the thin, thin thighs! + +And still she sat, and still she reeled, and still she +wished for company. + +In came a wee, wee waist, and sat down on the +huge, huge hips! + +And still she sat, and still she reeled, and still she +wished for company. + +In came a pair of broad, broad shoulders, and sat +down on the wee, wee waist! + +And still she sat, and still she reeled, and still she +wished for company. + +In came a pair of small, small arms, and sat down +on the broad, broad shoulders! + +And still she sat, and still she reeled, and still she +wished for company. + +In came a pair of huge, huge hands, and sat down +on the small, small arms! + +And still she sat, and still she reeled, and still she +wished for company. + +In came a small, small neck, and sat down on the +broad, broad shoulders! + +And still she sat, and still she reeled, and still she +wished for company. + +In came a huge, huge head, and sat down on the +small, small neck! + +. . . . . . . . . + +“How did you get such broad, broad feet?” quoth the Woman. +“Much tramping, much tramping!” (GRUFFLY.) + +“How did you get such small, small legs?” “AIH-H-H!--late--and +WEE-E-E-moul!” (WHININGLY.) + +“How did you get such thick, thick knees?” “Much praying, much praying!” + (PIOUSLY.) + +“How did you get such thin, thin thighs?” “Aih-h-h!--late--and +wee-e-e-moul!” (WHININGLY.) + +“How did you get such big, big hips?” “Much sitting, much sitting!” + (GRUFFLY.) + +“How did you get such a wee, wee waist?” “Aih-h-h!--late--and +wee-e-e-moul!” (WHININGLY.) + +“How did you get such broad, broad shoulders?” “With carrying broom, +with carrying broom!” (GRUFFLY.) + +“How did you get such small arms?” “Aih-h-h!--late--and wee-e-e-moul!” + (WHININGLY.) + +“How did you get such huge, huge hands?” “Threshing with an iron flail! +Threshing with an iron flail!” (GRUFFLY.) + +“How did you get such a small, small neck?” “Aih-h-h!--late--and +wee-e-e-moul!” (PITIFULLY.) + +“How did you get such a huge, huge head?” “Much knowledge, much +knowledge!” (KEENLY.) + +“What do you come for?” “FOR YOU!!!” (AT THE TOP OF THE VOICE, WITH A +WAVE OF THE ARMS AND A STAMP OF THE FEET.) + + + + +THE BENEVOLENT GOBLIN + +FROM GESTA ROMANORUM (ADAPTED) + +In the kingdom of England there is a hillock in the midst of a dense +wood. Thither in old days knights and their followers were wont to +repair when tired and thirsty after the chase. When one of their number +called out, “I thirst!” there immediately started up a Goblin with +a cheerful countenance, clad in a crimson robe, and bearing in his +outstretched hand a large drinking-horn richly ornamented with gold and +precious jewels, and full of the most delicious, unknown beverage. + +The Goblin presented the horn to the thirsty knight, who drank and +instantly felt refreshed and cool. After the drinker had emptied the +horn, the Goblin offered a silken napkin to wipe the mouth. Then, +without waiting to be thanked, the strange creature vanished as suddenly +as he had come. + +Now once there was a knight of churlish nature, who was hunting alone +in those parts. Feeling thirsty and fatigued, he visited the hillock and +cried out:-- + +“I thirst!” + +Instantly the Goblin appeared and presented the horn. + +When the knight had drained it of its delicious beverage, instead of +returning the horn, he thrust it into his bosom, and rode hastily away. + +He boasted far and wide of his deed, and his feudal lord hearing thereof +caused him to be bound and cast into prison; then fearing lest he, too, +might become partaker in the theft and ingratitude of the knight, the +lord presented the jeweled horn to the King of England, who carefully +preserved it among the royal treasures. But never again did the +benevolent Goblin return to the hillock in the wood. + + + + +THE PHANTOM KNIGHT OF THE VANDAL CAMP + +FROM GESTA ROMANORUM (ADAPTED) + +There was once in Great Britain, a knight named Albert, strong in arms +and adorned with every virtue. One day as he was seeking for adventure, +he chanced to wander into a castle where he was hospitably entertained. + +At night, after supper, as was usual in great families during the +winter, the household gathered about the hearth and occupied the time in +relating divers tales. + +At last they told how in the near-by plain of Wandlesbury there was a +haunted mound. There in old days the Vandals, who laid waste the land +and slaughtered Christians, had pitched their camp and built about it a +great rampart. And it was further related that in the hush of the night, +if any one crossed the plain, ascended the mound, and called out in a +loud voice, “Let my adversary appear!” there immediately started up +from the ruined ramparts a huge, ghostly figure, armed and mounted for +battle. This phantom then attacked the knight who had cried out and +speedily overcame him. + +Now, when Albert heard this marvelous tale, he greatly doubted its +truth, and was determined to put the matter to a test. As the moon +was shining brightly, and the night was quiet, he armed, mounted, and +immediately hastened to the plain of Wandlesbury, accompanied by a +squire of noble blood. + +He ascended the mound, dismissed his attendant, and shouted:-- + +“Let my adversary appear!” + +Instantly there sprang from the ruins a huge, ghostly knight completely +armed and mounted on an enormous steed. + +This phantom rushed upon Albert, who spurred his horse, extended his +shield, and drove at his antagonist with his lance. Both knights were +shaken by the encounter. Albert, however, so resolutely and with so +strong an arm pressed his adversary that the latter was thrown violently +to the ground. Seeing this Albert hastily seized the steed of the fallen +knight, and started to leave the mound. + +But the phantom, rising to his feet, and seeing his horse led away, +flung his lance and cruelly wounded Albert in the thigh. This done he +vanished as suddenly as he had appeared. + +Our knight, overjoyed at his victory, returned in triumph to the castle, +where the household crowded around him and praised his bravery. But when +he put off his armor he found the cuish from his right thigh filled with +clots of blood from an angry wound in his side. The family, alarmed, +hastened to apply healing herbs and bandages. + +The captured horse was then brought forward. He was prodigiously large, +and black as jet. His eyes were fierce and flashing, his neck proudly +arched, and he wore a glittering war-saddle upon his back. + +As the first streaks of dawn began to appear, the animal reared wildly, +snorted as if with pain and anger, and struck the ground so furiously +with his hoofs that the sparks flew. The black cock of the castle crew +and the horse, uttering a terrible cry, instantly disappeared. + +And every year, on the selfsame night, at the selfsame hour, the wounds +of the knight Albert broke out afresh, and tormented him with agony. +Thus till his dying day he bore in his body a yearly reminder of his +encounter with the Phantom Knight of the Vandal Camp. + + + + +THANKSGIVING DAY + +(LAST THURSDAY IN NOVEMBER) + + + + +THE FIRST HARVEST-HOME IN PLYMOUTH + +BY W. DE LOSS LOVE, JR (ADAPTED) + +After prayer and fasting and a farewell feast, the Pilgrim Fathers left +the City of Leyden, and sought the new and unknown land. “So they lefte +ye goodly & pleasante citie,” writes their historian Bradford, “which +had been ther resting place near 12 years, but they knew they were +pilgrimes & looked not much on those things, but lift up their eyes to +ye Heavens their dearest cuntrie, and quieted their spirits.” + +When, after many vexing days upon the deep, the pilgrims first sighted +the New World, they were filled with praise and thanksgiving. Going +ashore they fell upon their knees and blessed the God of Heaven. And +after that, whenever they were delivered from accidents or despair, they +gave God “solemne thanks and praise.” Such were the Pilgrims and such +their habit day by day. + +The first winter in the New World was marked by great suffering and +want. Hunger and illness thinned the little colony, and caused many +graves to be made on the near-by hillside. + +The spring of 1621 opened. The seed was sown in the fields. The +colonists cared for it without ceasing, and watched its growth with +anxiety; for well they knew that their lives depended upon a full +harvest. + +The days of spring and summer flew by, and the autumn came. Never in +Holland or England had the Pilgrims seen the like of the treasures +bounteous Nature now spread before them. The woodlands were arrayed in +gorgeous colors, brown, crimson, and gold, and swarmed with game of all +kinds, that had been concealed during the summer. The little farm-plots +had been blessed by the sunshine and showers, and now plentiful crops +stood ready for the gathering. The Pilgrims, rejoicing, reaped the fruit +of their labors, and housed it carefully for the winter. Then, filled +with the spirit of thanksgiving, they held the first harvest-home in New +England. + +For one whole week they rested from work, feasted, exercised their +arms, and enjoyed various recreations. Many Indians visited the colony, +amongst these their greatest king, Massasoit, with ninety of his braves. +The Pilgrims entertained them for three days. And the Indians went out +into the woods and killed fine deer, which they brought to the colony +and presented to the governor and the captain and others. So all made +merry together. + +And bountiful was the feast. Oysters, fish and wild turkey, Indian +maize and barley bread, geese and ducks, venison and other savory meats, +decked the board. Kettles, skillets, and spits were overworked, while +knives and spoons, kindly assisted by fingers, made merry music on +pewter plates. Wild grapes, “very sweete and strong,” added zest to +the feast. As to the vegetables, why, the good governor describes them +thus:-- + + “All sorts of grain which our own land doth yield, + Was hither brought, and sown in every field; + As wheat and rye, barley, oats, beans, and pease + Here all thrive and they profit from them raise; + All sorts of roots and herbs in gardens grow,-- + Parsnips, carrots, turnips, or what you'll sow, + Onions, melons, cucumbers, radishes, + Skirets, beets, coleworts and fair cabbages.” + + +Thus a royal feast it was the Pilgrims spread that first golden autumn +at Plymouth, a feast worthy of their Indian guests. + +All slumbering discontents they smothered with common rejoicings. When +the holiday was over, they were surely better, braver men because they +had turned aside to rest awhile and be thankful together. So the exiles +of Leyden claimed the harvests of New England. + +This festival was the bursting into life of a new conception of man's +dependence on God's gifts in Nature. It was the promise of autumnal +Thanksgivings to come. + + + + +THE MASTER OF THE HARVEST + +BY MRS. ALFRED GATTY (ADAPTED) + +The Master of the Harvest walked by the side of his cornfields in the +springtime. A frown was on his face, for there had been no rain for +several weeks, and the earth was hard from the parching of the east +winds. The young wheat had not been able to spring up. + +So as he looked over the long ridges that stretched in rows before him, +he was vexed and began to grumble and say:-- + +“The harvest will be backward, and all things will go wrong.” + +Then he frowned more and more, and uttered complaints against Heaven +because there was no rain; against the earth because it was so dry; +against the corn because it had not sprung up. + +And the Master's discontent was whispered all over the field, and +along the ridges where the corn-seed lay. And the poor little seeds +murmured:-- + +“How cruel to complain! Are we not doing our best? Have we let one drop +of moisture pass by unused? Are we not striving every day to be ready +for the hour of breaking forth? Are we idle? How cruel to complain!” + +But of all this the Master of the Harvest heard nothing, so the gloom +did not pass from his face. Going to his comfortable home he repeated +to his wife the dark words, that the drought would ruin the harvest, for +the corn was not yet sprung up. + +Then his wife spoke cheering words, and taking her Bible she wrote some +texts upon the flyleaf, and after them the date of the day. + +And the words she wrote were these: “The eyes of all wait upon Thee; and +Thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest Thine hand +and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. How excellent is Thy +loving-kindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust +under the shadow of Thy wings. Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more +than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.” + +And so a few days passed as before, and the house was gloomy with the +discontent of the Master. But at last one evening there was rain all +over the land, and when the Master of the Harvest went out the next +morning for his early walk by the cornfields, the corn had sprung up at +last. + +The young shoots burst out at once, and very soon all along the ridges +were to be seen rows of tender blades, tinting the whole field with a +delicate green. And day by day the Master of the Harvest saw them, and +was satisfied, but he spoke of other things and forgot to rejoice. + +Then a murmur rose among the corn-blades. + +“The Master was angry because we did not come up; now that we have come +forth why is he not glad? Are we not doing our best? From morning and +evening dews, from the glow of the sun, from the juices of the earth, +from the freshening breezes, even from clouds and rain, are we not +taking food and strength, warmth and life? Why does he not rejoice?” + +And when the Master's wife asked him if the wheat was doing well he +answered, “Fairly well,” and nothing more. + +But the wife opened her Book, and wrote again on the flyleaf: “Who hath +divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the +lightning of thunder, to cause it to rain on the earth where no man is, +on the wilderness wherein there is no man, to satisfy the desolate and +waste ground, and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth? +For He maketh small the drops of water; they pour down rain according +to the vapor thereof, which the clouds do drop and distil upon man +abundantly. Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the +noise of his tabernacle?” + +Very peaceful were the next few weeks. All nature seemed to rejoice in +the fine weather. The corn-blades shot up strong and tall. They burst +into flowers and gradually ripened into ears of grain. But alas! the +Master of the Harvest had still some fault to find. He looked at the +ears and saw that they were small. He grumbled and said:-- + +“The yield will be less than it ought to be. The harvest will be bad.” + +And the voice of his discontent was breathed over the cornfield where +the plants were growing and growing. They shuddered and murmured: “How +thankless to complain! Are we not growing as fast as we can? If we were +idle would we bear wheat-ears at all? How thankless to complain!” + +Meanwhile a few weeks went by and a drought settled on the land. Rain +was needed, so that the corn-ears might fill. And behold, while the +wish for rain was yet on the Master's lips, the sky became full of +heavy clouds, darkness spread over the land, a wild wind arose, and the +roaring of thunder announced a storm. And such a storm! Along the ridges +of corn-plants drove the rain-laden wind, and the plants bent down +before it and rose again like the waves of the sea. They bowed down and +they rose up. Only where the whirlwind was the strongest they fell to +the ground and could not rise again. + +And when the storm was over, the Master of the Harvest saw here +and there patches of over-weighted corn, yet dripping from the +thunder-shower, and he grew angry with them, and forgot to think of the +long ridges where the corn-plants were still standing tall and strong, +and where the corn-ears were swelling and rejoicing. + +His face grew darker than ever. He railed against the rain. He railed +against the sun because it did not shine. He blamed the wheat because it +might perish before the harvest. + +“But why does he always complain?” moaned the corn-plants. “Have we not +done our best from the first? Has not God's blessing been with us? Are +we not growing daily more beautiful in strength and hope? Why does not +the Master trust, as we do, in the future richness of the harvest?” + +Of all this the Master of the Harvest heard nothing. But his wife wrote +on the flyleaf of her Book: “He watereth the hills from his chambers, +the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works. He causeth the grass +to grow for the cattle and herb for the service of man, that he may +bring forth food out of the earth, and wine that maketh glad the heart +of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth +man's heart.” + +And day by day the hours of sunshine were more in number. And by degrees +the green corn-ears ripened into yellow, and the yellow turned into +gold, and the abundant harvest was ready, and the laborers were not +wanting. + +Then the bursting corn broke out into songs of rejoicing. “At least we +have not labored and watched in vain! Surely the earth hath yielded her +increase! Blessed be the Lord who daily loadeth us with benefits! Where +now is the Master of the Harvest? Come, let him rejoice with us!” + +And the Master's wife brought out her Book and her husband read the +texts she had written even from the day when the corn-seeds were held +back by the first drought, and as he read a new heart seemed to grow +within him, a heart that was thankful to the Lord of the Great Harvest. +And he read aloud from the Book:-- + +“Thou visitest the earth and waterest it; thou greatly enrichest it with +the river of God which is full of water; thou preparest them corn, +when thou hast so provided for it. Thou waterest the ridges thereof +abundantly; thou settlest the furrows thereof; thou makest it soft with +showers; thou blessest the springing thereof. Thou crownest the year +with thy goodness, and thy paths drop fatness. They drop upon the +pastures of the wilderness, and the little hills rejoice on every side. +The pastures are clothed with flocks. The valleys also are covered over +with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing.--O that men would praise +the Lord for His goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children +of men!” + + + + +SAINT CUTHBERT'S EAGLE + +BY THE VENERABLE BEDE (ADAPED) + +Once upon a time, the good Saint Cuthbert of Lindesfarne, went forth +from his monastery to preach to the poor. He took with him a young lad +as his only attendant. Together they walked along the dusty way. The +heat of the noonday sun beat upon their heads, and fatigue overcame +them. + +“Son,” said Saint Cuthbert, “do you know any one on the road, whom we +may ask for food and a place in which to rest?” + +“I was just thinking the same thing,” answered the lad, “but I know +nobody on the road who will entertain us. Alas! why did we not bring +along provisions? How can we proceed on our long journey without them?” + +“My son,” answered the saint, “learn to have trust in God, who never +will suffer those to perish of hunger who believe in Him.” + +Then looking up and seeing an eagle flying in the air, he added, “Do you +see the eagle yonder? It is possible for God to feed us by means of this +bird.” + +While they were talking thus, they came to a river, and, lo! the eagle +stood on the bank. + +“Son,” said Saint Cuthbert, “run and see what provision God has made for +us by his handmaid the bird.” + +The lad ran, and found a good-sized fish that the eagle had just caught. +This he brought to the saint. + +“What have you done?” exclaimed the good man, “why have you not given a +part to God's handmaid? Cut the fish in two pieces, and give her one, as +her service well deserves.” + +The lad did as he was bidden, and the eagle, taking the half fish in her +beak, flew away. + +Then entering a neighboring village, Saint Cuthbert gave the other half +to a peasant to cook, and while the lad and the villagers feasted, the +good saint preached to them the Word of God. + + + + +THE EARS OF WHEAT + +BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM (TRANSLATED) + +Ages upon ages ago, says the German grandmother, when angels used to +wander on earth, the ground was more fruitful than it is now. Then +the stalks of wheat bore not fifty or sixty fold, but four times five +hundred fold. Then the wheat-ears grew from the bottom to the top of the +stalk. But the men of the earth forgot that this blessing came from God, +and they became idle and selfish. + +One day a woman went through a wheat-field, and her little child, who +accompanied her, fell into a puddle and soiled her frock. The mother +tore off a handful of the wheat-ears and cleaned the child's dress with +them. + +Just then an angel passed by and saw her. Wrathfully he spoke:-- + +“Wasteful woman, no longer shall the wheat-stalks produce ears. You +mortals are not worthy of the gifts of Heaven!” + +Some peasants who were gathering wheat in the fields heard this, and +falling on their knees, prayed and entreated the angel to leave the +wheat alone, not only on their account, but for the sake of the little +birds who otherwise must perish of hunger. + +The angel pitied their distress, and granted a part of the prayer. And +from that day to this the ears of wheat have grown as they do now. + + + + +HOW INDIAN CORN CAME INTO THE WORLD + +AN OJIBBEWAY LEGEND + +BY HENRY R. SCHOOLCRAFT (ADAPTED) + +Long, long ago, in a beautiful part of this country, there lived an +Indian with his wife and children. He was poor and found it hard to +provide food enough for his family. But though needy he was kind and +contented, and always gave thanks to the Great Spirit for everything +that he received. His eldest son, Wunzh, was likewise kind and gentle +and thankful of heart, and he longed greatly to do something for his +people. + +The time came that Wunzh reached the age when every Indian boy fasts so +that he may see in a vision the Spirit that is to be his guide through +life. Wunph's father built him a little lodge apart, so that the boy +might rest there undisturbed during his days of fasting. Then Wunzh +withdrew to begin the solemn rite. + +On the first day he walked alone in the woods looking at the flowers and +plants, and filling his mind with the beautiful images of growing things +so that he might see them in his night-dreams. He saw how the flowers +and herbs and berries grew, and he knew that some were good for food, +and that others healed wounds and cured sickness. And his heart was +filled with even a greater longing to do something for his family and +his tribe. + +“Truly,” thought he, “the Great Spirit made all things. To Him we owe +our lives. But could He not make it easier for us to get our food than +by hunting and catching fish? I must try to find this out in my vision.” + +So Wunzh returned to his lodge and fasted and slept. On the third day he +became weak and faint. Soon he saw in a vision a young brave coming down +from the sky and approaching the lodge. He was clad in rich garments of +green and yellow colors. On his head was a tuft of nodding green plumes, +and all his motions were graceful and swaying. + +“I am sent to you, O Wunzh,” said the sky-stranger, “by that Great +Spirit who made all things in sky and earth. He has seen your fasting, +and knows how you wish to do good to your people, and that you do not +seek for strength in war nor for the praise of warriors. I am sent to +tell you how you may do good to your kindred. Arise and wrestle with me, +for only by overcoming me may you learn the secret.” + +Wunzh, though he was weak from fasting, felt courage grow in his heart, +and he arose and wrestled with the stranger. But soon he became weaker +and exhausted, and the stranger, seeing this, smiled gently on him and +said: “My friend, this is enough for once, I will come again to-morrow.” + And he vanished as suddenly as he had appeared. + +The next day the stranger came, and Wunzh felt himself weaker than +before; nevertheless he rose and wrestled bravely. Then the stranger +spoke a second time. “My friend,” he said, “have courage! To-morrow will +be your last trial.” And he disappeared from Wunzh's sight. + +On the third day the stranger came as before, and the struggle was +renewed. And Wunzh, though fainter in body, grew strong in mind and +will, and he determined to win or perish in the attempt. He exerted all +his powers, and, lo! in a while, he prevailed and overcame the stranger. + +“O Wunzh, my friend,” said the conquered one, “you have wrestled +manfully. You have met your trial well. To-morrow I shall come again +and you must wrestle with me for the last time. You will prevail. Do you +then strip off my garments, throw me down, clean the earth of roots and +weeds, and bury me in that spot. When you have done so, leave my body in +the ground. Come often to the place and see whether I have come to life, +but be careful not to let weeds or grass grow on my grave. If you do all +this well, you will soon discover how to benefit your fellow creatures.” + Having said this the stranger disappeared. + +In the morning Wunzh's father came to him with food. “My son,” he said, +“you have fasted long. It is seven days since you have tasted food, and +you must not sacrifice your life. The Master of Life does not require +that.” + +“My father,” replied the boy, “wait until the sun goes down to-morrow. +For a certain reason I wish to fast until that hour.” + +“Very well,” said the old man, “I shall wait until the time arrives when +you feel inclined to eat.” And he went away. + +The next day, at the usual hour, the sky stranger came again. And, +though Wunzh had fasted seven days, he felt a new power arise within +him. He grasped the stranger with superhuman strength, and threw him +down. He took from him his beautiful garments, and, finding him dead, +buried him in the softened earth, and did all else as he had been +directed. + +He then returned to his father's lodge, and partook sparingly of food. +There he abode for some time. But he never forgot the grave of his +friend. Daily he visited it, and pulled up the weeds and grass, and kept +the earth soft and moist. Very soon, to his great wonder, he saw the +tops of green plumes coming through the ground. + +Weeks passed by, the summer was drawing to a close. One day Wunzh asked +his father to follow him. He led him to a distant meadow. There, in +the place where the stranger had been buried, stood a tall and graceful +plant, with bright-colored, silken hair, and crowned by nodding green +plumes. Its stalk was covered with waving leaves, and there grew from +its sides clusters of milk-filled ears of corn, golden and sweet, each +ear closely wrapped in its green husks. + +“It is my friend!” shouted the boy joyously; “it is Mondawmin, the +Indian Corn! We need no longer depend on hunting, so long as this gift +is planted and cared for. The Great Spirit has heard my voice and has +sent us this food.” + +Then the whole family feasted on the ears of corn and thanked the Great +Spirit who gave it. So Indian Corn came into the world. + + + + +THE NUTCRACKER DWARF + +BY COUNT FRANZ POCCI (TRANSLATED) + +Two boys gathered some hazelnuts in the woods. They sat down under a +tree and tried to eat them, but they did not have their knives, and +could not bite open the nuts with their teeth. + +“Oh,” they complained, “if only some one would come and open the nuts +for us!” + +Hardly had they said this when a little man came through the woods. And +such a strange little man! He had a great, great head, and from the back +of it a slender pigtail hung down to his heels. He wore a golden cap, a +red coat and yellow stockings. + + +As he came near he sang:-- + + “Hight! hight! Bite! bite! + Hans hight I! Nuts bite I! + I chase the squirrels through the trees, + I gather nuts just as I please, + I place them 'twixt my jaws so strong, + And crack and eat them all day long!” + + +The boys almost died of laughter when they saw this funny little man, +who they knew was a Wood Dwarf. + +They called out to him: “If you know how to crack nuts, why, come here +and open ours.” + +But the little man grumbled through his long white beard:-- + + “If I crack the nuts for you + Promise that you'll give me two.” + + +“Yes, yes,” cried the boys, “you shall have all the nuts you wish, only +crack some for us, and be quick about it!” + +The little man stood before them, for he could not sit down because of +his long, stiff pigtail that hung down behind, and he sang:-- + + “Lift my pigtail, long and thin, + Place your nuts my jaws within, + Pull the pigtail down, and then + I'll crack your nuts, my little men.” + + +The boys did as they were told, laughing hard all the time. Whenever +they pulled down the pigtail, there was a sharp CRACK, and a broken nut +sprang out of the Nutcracker's mouth. + +Soon all the hazelnuts were opened, and the little man grumbled again:-- + + “Hight! hight! Bite! bite! + Your nuts are cracked, and now my pay + I'll take and then I'll go away.” + + +Now one of the boys wished to give the little man his promised reward, +but the other, who was a bad boy, stopped him, saying:-- + +“Why do you give that old fellow our nuts? There are only enough for us. +As for you, Nutcracker, go away from here and find some for yourself.” + +Then the little man grew angry, and he grumbled horribly:-- + + “If you do not pay my fee, + Why, then, you've told a lie to me! + I am hungry, you're well fed, + Quick, or I'll bite off your head!” + + +But the bad boy only laughed and said: “You 'll bite off my head, will +you! Go away from here just as fast as you can, or you shall feel these +nut-shells,” and he shook his fist at the little man. + +The Nutcracker grew red with rage. He pulled up his pigtail, snapping +his jaws together,--CRACK,--and the bad boy's head was off. + + + + +THE PUMPKIN PIRATES + +A TALE FROM LUCIAN + +BY ALFRED J. CHURCH (ADAPTED) + +Once upon a time, one Lucian the Greek was filled with a desire to see +strange countries, and especially to discover whether there was any +opposite shore to the ocean by which he lived. + +So having purchased a vessel, he strengthened it for a voyage, that he +knew would without doubt be long and stormy. Then he chose fifty stout +young fellows having the same love of adventure as himself, and next he +hired the best captain that could be got for money, and put a store of +provisions and water on board. + +All this being done, he set sail. For many days he and his companions +voyaged on deep waters and in strange seas. At times the wind was +fair and gentle, and at others it blew so hard that the sea rose in a +terrible manner. + +One day there came a violent whirlwind which twisted the ship about, +and, lifting it into the air, carried it upward into the sky, until it +reached the Moon. There Lucian and his comrades disembarked and visited +the inhabitants of Moonland. They took part in a fierce battle between +the Moon-Folk, the Sun-Folk, and an army of Vulture-Horsemen; and, +after many other wonderful adventures, they departed from Moonland, +and sailing through the sky, visited the Morning Star. Then the wind +dropping, the ship settled once more upon the sea, and they sailed on +the water. + +One morning the wind began to blow vehemently, and they were driven by +storm for days. On the third day they fell in with the Pumpkin Pirates. +These were savages who were wont to sally forth from the islands that +lay in the seas thereabouts, and plunder them that sailed by. + +For ships they had large pumpkins, each being not less than ninety feet +in length. These pumpkins they dried, and afterward dug out all the +inner part of them till they were quite hollow. For masts they had +reeds, and for sails, in the place of canvas, pumpkin leaves. + +These savages attacked Lucian's vessel with two ships' or rather two +pumpkins' crews, and wounded many of his company. For stones they used +the pumpkin-seeds, which were about the bigness of a large apple. + +Lucian's company fought for some time, without gaining the advantage, +when about noon they saw coming toward them, in the rear of the Pumpkin +Pirates, the Nut-Shell Sailors. These two tribes were at war with each +other. + +As soon as the Pumpkin Pirates saw the others approaching, they left +off fighting Lucian's crew, and prepared to give battle to the Nut-Shell +Sailors. When Lucian saw this he ordered the captain to set all sails; +and they departed with speed. But looking back he could see that the +Nut-Shell Sailors had the best of the battle, being superior in numbers, +having five crews against two of the Pumpkin Pirates, and also because +their ships were stronger. As for their ships, they were the shells of +nuts which had been split in half, each measuring fifteen fathoms, or +thereabouts. + +As soon as the Pumpkin Pirates and the Nut-Shell Sailors were out +of sight, Lucian set himself to dressing the wounds of his injured +companions. And from that time on both Lucian and his crew wore their +armor continually, not knowing when another strange enemy might come +upon them. + + + + +THE SPIRIT OF THE CORN + +AN IROQUOIS LEGEND + +BY HARRIET MAXWELL CONVERSE (ADAPTED) + +There was a time, says the Iroquois grandmother, when it was not needful +to plant the corn-seed nor to hoe the fields, for the corn sprang up of +itself, and filled the broad meadows. Its stalks grew strong and tall, +and were covered with leaves like waving banners, and filled with ears +of pearly grain wrapped in silken green husks. + +In those days Onatah, the Spirit of the Corn, walked upon the earth. The +sun lovingly touched her dusky face with the blush of the morning, +and her eyes grew soft as the gleam of the stars on dark streams. Her +night-black hair was spread before the breeze like a wind-driven cloud. + +As she walked through the fields, the corn, the Indian maize, sprang up +of itself from the earth and filled the air with its fringed tassels and +whispering leaves. With Onatah walked her two sisters, the Spirits of +the Squash and the Bean. As they passed by, squash-vines and bean-plants +grew from the corn-hills. + +One day Onatah wandered away alone in search of early dew. Then the Evil +One of the earth, Hahgwehdaetgah, followed swiftly after. He grasped her +by the hair and dragged her beneath the ground down to his gloomy cave. +Then, sending out his fire-breathing monsters, he blighted Onatah's +grain. And when her sisters, the Spirits of the Squash and the Bean, +saw the flame-monsters raging through the fields, they flew far away in +terror. + +As for poor Onatah, she lay a trembling captive in the dark prison-cave +of the Evil One. She mourned the blight of her cornfields, and sorrowed +over her runaway sisters. + +“O warm, bright sun!” she cried, “if I may walk once more upon the +earth, never again will I leave my corn!” + +And the little birds of the air heard her cry, and winging their way +upward they carried her vow and gave it to the sun as he wandered +through the blue heavens. + +The sun, who loved Onatah, sent out many searching beams of light. They +pierced through the damp earth, and entering the prison-cave, guided her +back again to her fields. + +And ever after that she watched her fields alone, for no more did her +sisters, the Spirits of the Squash and Bean, watch with her. If +her fields thirsted, no longer could she seek the early dew. If the +flame-monsters burned her corn, she could not search the skies for +cooling winds. And when the great rains fell and injured her harvest, +her voice grew so faint that the friendly sun could not hear it. + +But ever Onatah tenderly watched her fields and the little birds of the +air flocked to her service. They followed her through the rows of corn, +and made war on the tiny enemies that gnawed at the roots of the grain. + +And at harvest-time the grateful Onatah scattered the first gathered +corn over her broad lands, and the little birds, fluttering and singing, +joyfully partook of the feast spread for them on the meadow-ground. + + + + +THE HORN OF PLENTY + +BY OVID (ADAPTED) + +Aeneus, King of Aetolia, had a daughter whose name was Deianira. So +beautiful was the maiden that her fame spread throughout the world, and +many princes came to woo her. Among these were two strangers, who drove +all the other suitors from the hall of King Aeneus. + +One was Hercules, huge of limb and broad of shoulder. He was clad in +the skins of beasts, and carried in his hand a knotted club. His tangled +hair hung down upon his brawny neck, and his fierce eyes gleamed from +behind his shaggy brows. + +The other stranger was Achelous, god of the Calydonian River. Slender +and graceful was he, and clad in flowing green raiment. In his hand +he carried a staff of plaited reeds, and on his head was a crown of +water-lilies. His voice was soft and caressing, like the gentle murmur +of summer brooks. + +“O King Aeneus,” said Achelous, standing before the throne, “behold I +am the King of Waters. If thou wilt receive me as thy son-in-law I will +make the beautiful Deianira queen of my river kingdom.” + +“King Aeneus,” said the mighty Hercules, stepping forward, “Deianira is +mine, and I will not yield her to this river-god.” + +“Impertinent stranger!” cried Achelous, turning toward the hero, while +his voice rose till it sounded like the thunder of distant cataracts, +and his green garment changed to the blackness of night,--“impertinent +stranger! how darest thou claim this maiden,--thou who hast mortal blood +in thy veins! Behold me, the god Achelous, the powerful King of the +Waters! I wind with majesty through the rich lands of my wide realms. I +make all fields through which I flow beautiful with grass and flowers. +By my right divine I claim this maiden.” + +But with scowling eye and rising wrath Hercules made answer. “Thou +wouldst fight with words, like a woman, while I would win by my +strength! My right hand is better than my tongue. If thou wouldst have +the maiden, then must thou first overcome me in combat.” + +Thereupon Achelous threw off his raiment and began to prepare himself +for the struggle. Hercules took off his garment of beasts' skins, and +cast aside his club. The two then anointed their bodies with oil, and +threw yellow sand upon themselves. + +They took their places, they attacked, they retired, they rushed again +to the conflict. They stood firm, and they yielded not. Long they +bravely wrestled and fought; till at length Hercules by his might +overcame Achelous and bore him to the ground. He pressed him down, and, +while the fallen river-god lay panting for breath, the hero seized him +by the neck. + +Then did Achelous have recourse to his magic arts. Transforming himself +into a serpent he escaped from the hero. He twisted his body into +winding folds, and darted out his forked tongue with frightful hissings. + +But Hercules laughed mockingly, and cried out: “Ah, Achelous! While yet +in my cradle I strangled two serpents! And what art thou compared to the +Hydra whose hundred heads I cut off? Every time I cut of I one head two +others grew in its place. Yet did I conquer that horror, in spite of its +branching serpents that darted from every wound! Thinkest thou, then, +that I fear thee, thou mimic snake?” And even as he spake he gripped, as +with a pair of pincers, the back of the river-god's head. + +And Achelous struggled in vain to escape. Then, again having recourse to +his magic, he became a raging bull, and renewed the fight. But Hercules, +that mighty hero, threw his huge arms over the brawny neck of the bull, +and dragged him about. Then seizing hold of his horns, he bent his head +to one side, and bearing down fastened them into the ground. And that +was not enough, but with relentless hand he broke one of the horns, and +tore it from Achelous's forehead. + +The river-god returned to his own shape. He roared aloud with rage and +pain, and hiding his mutilated head in his mantle, rushed from the hall +and plunged into the swirling waters of his stream. + +Then the goddess of Plenty, and all the Wood-Nymphs and Water-Nymphs +came forward to greet the conqueror with song and dance. They took +the huge horn of Achelous and heaped it high with the rich and glowing +fruits and flowers of autumn. They wreathed it with vines and with +clustering grapes, and bearing it aloft presented it to Hercules and his +beautiful bride Deianira. + +And ever since that day has the Horn of Plenty gladdened men's hearts at +Harvest-Time. + + + + + +CHRISTMAS DAY + +(DECEMBER 25) + +LITTLE PICCOLA + +AFTER CELIA THAXTER + +In the sunny land of France there lived many years ago a sweet little +maid named Piccola. + +Her father had died when she was a baby, and her mother was very poor +and had to work hard all day in the fields for a few sous. + +Little Piccola had no dolls and toys, and she was often hungry and cold, +but she was never sad nor lonely. + +What if there were no children for her to play with! What if she did not +have fine clothes and beautiful toys! In summer there were always the +birds in the forest, and the flowers in the fields and meadows,--the +birds sang so sweetly, and the flowers were so bright and pretty! + +In the winter when the ground was covered with snow, Piccola helped her +mother, and knit long stockings of blue wool. + +The snow-birds had to be fed with crumbs, if she could find any, and +then, there was Christmas Day. + +But one year her mother was ill and could not earn any money. Piccola +worked hard all the day long, and sold the stockings which she knit, +even when her own little bare feet were blue with the cold. + +As Christmas Day drew near she said to her mother, “I wonder what the +good Saint Nicholas will bring me this year. I cannot hang my stocking +in the fireplace, but I shall put my wooden shoe on the hearth for him. +He will not forget me, I am sure.” + +“Do not think of it this year, my dear child,” replied her mother. “We +must be glad if we have bread enough to eat.” + +But Piccola could not believe that the good saint would forget her. On +Christmas Eve she put her little wooden patten on the hearth before the +fire, and went to sleep to dream of Saint Nicholas. + +As the poor mother looked at the little shoe, she thought how unhappy +her dear child would be to find it empty in the morning, and wished that +she had something, even if it were only a tiny cake, for a Christmas +gift. There was nothing in the house but a few sous, and these must be +saved to buy bread. + +When the morning dawned Piccola awoke and ran to her shoe. + +Saint Nicholas had come in the night. He had not forgotten the little +child who had thought of him with such faith. + +See what he had brought her. It lay in the wooden patten, looking up at +her with its two bright eyes, and chirping contentedly as she stroked +its soft feathers. + +A little swallow, cold and hungry, had flown into the chimney and down +to the room, and had crept into the shoe for warmth. + +Piccola danced for joy, and clasped the shivering swallow to her breast. + +She ran to her mother's bedside. “Look, look!” she cried. “A Christmas +gift, a gift from the good Saint Nicholas!” And she danced again in her +little bare feet. + +Then she fed and warmed the bird, and cared for it tenderly all winter +long; teaching it to take crumbs from her hand and her lips, and to sit +on her shoulder while she was working. + +In the spring she opened the window for it to fly away, but it lived +in the woods near by all summer, and came often in the early morning to +sing its sweetest songs at her door. + + + + +THE STRANGER CHILD + +A LEGEND + +BY COUNT FRANZ POCCI (TRANSLATED) + +There once lived a laborer who earned his daily bread by cutting wood. +His wife and two children, a boy and girl, helped him with his work. The +boy's name was Valentine, and the girl's, Marie. They were obedient and +pious and the joy and comfort of their poor parents. + +One winter evening, this good family gathered about the table to eat +their small loaf of bread, while the father read aloud from the Bible. +Just as they sat down there came a knock on the window, and a sweet +voice called:-- + +“O let me in! I am a little child, and I have nothing to eat, and no +place to sleep in. I am so cold and hungry! Please, good people, let me +in!” + +Valentine and Marie sprang from the table and ran to open the door, +saying:-- + +“Come in, poor child, we have but very little ourselves, not much more +than thou hast, but what we have we will share with thee.” + +The stranger Child entered, and going to the fire began to warm his cold +hands. + +The children gave him a portion of their bread, and said:-- + +“Thou must be very tired; come, lie down in our bed, and we will sleep +on the bench here before the fire.” + +Then answered the stranger Child: “May God in Heaven reward you for your +kindness.” + +They led the little guest to their small room, laid him in their bed, +and covered him closely, thinking to themselves:-- + +“Oh! how much we have to be thankful for! We have our nice warm room and +comfortable bed, while this Child has nothing but the sky for a roof, +and the earth for a couch.” + +When the parents went to their bed, Valentine and Marie lay down on the +bench before the fire, and said one to the other:-- + +“The stranger Child is happy now, because he is so warm! Good-night!” + +Then they fell asleep. + +They had not slept many hours, when little Marie awoke, and touching her +brother lightly, whispered:-- + +“Valentine, Valentine, wake up! wake up! Listen to the beautiful music +at the window.” + +Valentine rubbed his eyes and listened. He heard the most wonderful +singing and the sweet notes of many harps. + + “Blessed Child, + Thee we greet, + With sound of harp + And singing sweet. + + “Sleep in peace, + Child so bright, + We have watched thee + All the night. + + “Blest the home + That holdeth Thee, + Peace, and love, + Its guardians be.” + + +The children listened to the beautiful singing, and it seemed to fill +them with unspeakable happiness. Then creeping to the window they looked +out. + +They saw a rosy light in the east, and, before the house in the snow, +stood a number of little children holding golden harps and lutes in +their hands, and dressed in sparkling, silver robes. + +Full of wonder at this sight, Valentine and Marie continued to gaze out +at the window, when they heard a sound behind them, and turning saw the +stranger Child standing near. He was clad in a golden garment, and wore +a glistening, golden crown upon his soft hair. Sweetly he spoke to the +children:-- + +“I am the Christ Child, who wanders about the world seeking to bring +joy and good things to loving children. Because you have lodged me this +night I will leave with you my blessing.” + +As the Christ Child spoke He stepped from the door, and breaking off +a bough from a fir tree that grew near, planted it in the ground, +saying:-- + +“This bough shall grow into a tree, and every year it shall bear +Christmas fruit for you.” + +Having said this He vanished from their sight, together with the +silver-clad, singing children--the angels. + +And, as Valentine and Marie looked on in wonder, the fir bough grew, and +grew, and grew, into a stately Christmas Tree laden with golden apples, +silver nuts, and lovely toys. And after that, every year at Christmas +time, the Tree bore the same wonderful fruit. + +And you, dear boys and girls, when you gather around your richly +decorated trees, think of the two poor children who shared their bread +with a stranger child, and be thankful. + + + + +SAINT CHRISTOPHER + +A GOLDEN LEGEND + +ENGLISHED BY WILLIAM CAXTON (ADAPTED) + +Christopher was a Canaanite, and he was of a right great stature, twelve +cubits in height, and had a terrible countenance. And it is said that as +he served and dwelled with the King of Canaan, it came in his mind that +he would seek the greatest prince that was in the world, and him would +he serve and obey. + +So he went forth and came to a right great king, whom fame said was the +greatest of the world. And when the king saw him he received him into +his service, and made him to dwell in his court. + +Upon a time a minstrel sang before him a song in which he named oft the +devil. And the king, who was a Christian, when he heard him name the +devil, made anon the sign of the cross. + +And when Christopher saw that he marveled, and asked what the sign might +mean. And because the king would not say, he said: “If thou tell me not, +I shall no longer dwell with thee.” + +And then the King told him, saying: “Alway when I hear the devil named +make I this sign lest he grieve or annoy me.” + +Then said Christopher to him: “Fearest thou the devil? Then is the devil +more mighty and greater than thou art. I am then deceived, for I had +supposed that I had found the most mighty and the most greatest lord in +all the world! Fare thee well, for I will now go seek the devil to be my +lord and I his servant.” + +So Christopher departed from this king and hastened to seek the devil. +And as he went by a great desert he saw a company of knights, and one of +them, a knight cruel and horrible, came to him and demanded whither he +went. + +And Christopher answered: “I go to seek the devil for to be my master.” + +Then said the knight: “I am he that thou seekest.” + +And then Christopher was glad and bound himself to be the devil's +servant, and took him for his master and lord. + +Now, as they went along the way they found there a cross, erect and +standing. And anon as the devil saw the cross he was afeared and fled. +And when Christopher saw that he marveled and demanded why he was +afeared, and why he fled away. And the devil would not tell him in no +wise. + +Then Christopher said to him: “If thou wilt not tell me, I shall anon +depart from thee and shall serve thee no more.” + +Wherefore the devil was forced to tell him and said: “There was a man +called Christ, which was hanged on the cross, and when I see his sign I +am sore afraid and flee from it.” + +To whom Christopher said: “Then he is greater and more mightier than +thou, since thou art afraid of his sign, and I see well that I have +labored in vain, and have not founden the greatest lord of the world. I +will serve thee no longer, but I will go seek Christ.” + +And when Christopher had long sought where he should find Christ, at +last he came into a great desert, to a hermit that dwelt there. And he +inquired of him where Christ was to be found. + +Then answered the hermit: “The king whom thou desirest to serve, +requireth that thou must often fast.” + +Christopher said: “Require of me some other thing and I shall do it, but +fast I may not.” + +And the hermit said: “Thou must then wake and make many prayers.” + +And Christopher said: “I do not know how to pray, so this I may not do.” + +And the hermit said: “Seest thou yonder deep and wide river, in which +many people have perished? Because thou art noble, and of high stature +and strong of limb, so shalt thou live by the river and thou shalt bear +over all people who pass that way. And this thing will be pleasing to +our Lord Jesu Christ, whom thou desirest to serve, and I hope he shall +show himself to thee.” + +Then said Christopher: “Certes, this service may I well do, and I +promise Him to do it.” + +Then went Christopher to this river, and built himself there a hut. He +carried a great pole in his hand, to support himself in the water, and +bore over on his shoulders all manner of people to the other side. And +there he abode, thus doing many days. + +And on a time, as he slept in his hut, he heard the voice of a child +which called him:-- + +“Christopher, Christopher, come out and bear me over.” + +Then he awoke and went out, but he found no man. And when he was again +in his house he heard the same voice, crying:-- + +“Christopher, Christopher, come out and bear me over.” + +And he ran out and found nobody. + +And the third time he was called and ran thither, and he found a Child +by the brink of the river, which prayed him goodly to bear him over the +water. + +And then Christopher lifted up the Child on his shoulders, and took his +staff, and entered into the river for to pass over. And the water of the +river arose and swelled more and more; and the Child was heavy as lead, +and always as Christopher went farther the water increased and grew +more, and the Child more and more waxed heavy, insomuch that Christopher +suffered great anguish and was afeared to be drowned. + +And when he was escaped with great pain, and passed over the water, and +set the Child aground, he said:-- + +“Child, thou hast put me in great peril. Thou weighest almost as I had +all the world upon me. I might bear no greater burden.” + +And the Child answered: “Christopher, marvel thee nothing, for thou hast +not only borne all the world upon thee, but thou hast borne Him that +created and made all the world, upon thy shoulders. I am Jesu Christ the +King whom thou servest. And that thou mayest know that I say the truth, +set thy staff in the earth by thy house, and thou shalt see to-morn that +it shall bear flowers and fruit.” + +And anon the Child vanished from his eyes. + +And then Christopher set his staff in the earth, and when he arose on +the morn, he found his staff bearing flowers, leaves, and dates. + + + + +THE CHRISTMAS ROSE + +AN OLD LEGEND + +BY LIZZIE DEAS (ADAPTED) + +When the Magi laid their rich offerings of myrrh, frankincense, and +gold, by the bed of the sleeping Christ Child, legend says that a +shepherd maiden stood outside the door quietly weeping. + +She, too, had sought the Christ Child. She, too, desired to bring him +gifts. But she had nothing to offer, for she was very poor indeed. In +vain she had searched the countryside over for one little flower to +bring Him, but she could find neither bloom nor leaf, for the winter had +been cold. + +And as she stood there weeping, an angel passing saw her sorrow, and +stooping he brushed aside the snow at her feet. And there sprang up on +the spot a cluster of beautiful winter roses,--waxen white with pink +tipped petals. + +“Nor myrrh, nor frankincense, nor gold,” said the angel, “is offering +more meet for the Christ Child than these pure Christmas Roses.” + +Joyfully the shepherd maiden gathered the flowers and made her offering +to the Holy Child. + + + + +THE WOODEN SHOES OF LITTLE WOLFF + +BY FRANCOIS COPPEE (ADAPTED) + +Once upon a time,--so long ago that the world has forgotten the +date,--in a city of the North of Europe,--the name of which is so hard +to pronounce that no one remembers it,--there was a little boy, just +seven years old, whose name was Wolff. He was an orphan and lived with +his aunt, a hard-hearted, avaricious old woman, who never kissed him but +once a year, on New Year's Day; and who sighed with regret every time +she gave him a bowlful of soup. + +The poor little boy was so sweet-tempered that he loved the old woman in +spite of her bad treatment, but he could not look without trembling at +the wart, decorated with four gray hairs, which grew on the end of her +nose. + +As Wolff's aunt was known to have a house of her own and a woolen +stocking full of gold, she did not dare to send her nephew to the school +for the poor. But she wrangled so that the schoolmaster of the rich +boys' school was forced to lower his price and admit little Wolff among +his pupils. The bad schoolmaster was vexed to have a boy so meanly clad +and who paid so little, and he punished little Wolff severely without +cause, ridiculed him, and even incited against him his comrades, who +were the sons of rich citizens. They made the orphan their drudge and +mocked at him so much that the little boy was as miserable as the +stones in the street, and hid himself away in corners to cry--when the +Christmas season came. + +On the Eve of the great Day the schoolmaster was to take all his pupils +to the midnight mass, and then to conduct them home again to their +parents' houses. + +Now as the winter was very severe, and a quantity of snow had fallen +within the past few days, the boys came to the place of meeting warmly +wrapped up, with fur-lined caps drawn down over their ears, padded +jackets, gloves and knitted mittens, and good strong shoes with thick +soles. Only little Wolff presented himself shivering in his thin +everyday clothes, and wearing on his feet socks and wooden shoes. + +His naughty comrades tried to annoy him in every possible way, but +the orphan was so busy warming his hands by blowing on them, and was +suffering so much from chilblains, that he paid no heed to the taunts of +the others. Then the band of boys, marching two by two, started for the +parish church. + +It was comfortable inside the church, which was brilliant with lighted +tapers. And the pupils, made lively by the gentle warmth, the sound of +the organ, and the singing of the choir, began to chatter in low tones. +They boasted of the midnight treats awaiting them at home. The son of +the Mayor had seen, before leaving the house, a monstrous goose larded +with truffles so that it looked like a black-spotted leopard. Another +boy told of the fir tree waiting for him, on the branches of which hung +oranges, sugar-plums, and punchinellos. Then they talked about what the +Christ Child would bring them, or what he would leave in their shoes +which they would certainly be careful to place before the fire when they +went to bed. And the eyes of the little rogues, lively as a crowd of +mice, sparkled with delight as they thought of the many gifts they +would find on waking,--the pink bags of burnt almonds, the bonbons, lead +soldiers standing in rows, menageries, and magnificent jumping-jacks, +dressed in purple and gold. + +Little Wolff, alas! knew well that his miserly old aunt would send him +to bed without any supper; but as he had been good and industrious all +the year, he trusted that the Christ Child would not forget him, so he +meant that night to set his wooden shoes on the hearth. + +The midnight mass was ended. The worshipers hurried away, anxious to +enjoy the treats awaiting them in their homes. The band of pupils, two +by two, following the schoolmaster, passed out of the church. + +Now, under the porch, seated on a stone bench, in the shadow of an +arched niche, was a child asleep,--a little child dressed in a white +garment and with bare feet exposed to the cold. He was not a beggar, for +his dress was clean and new, and--beside him upon the ground, tied in a +cloth, were the tools of a carpenter's apprentice. + +Under the light of the stars, his face, with its closed eyes, shone +with an expression of divine sweetness, and his soft, curling blond hair +seemed to form an aureole of light about his forehead. But his tender +feet, blue with the cold on this cruel night of December, were pitiful +to see! + +The pupils so warmly clad and shod, passed with indifference before +the unknown child. Some, the sons of the greatest men in the city, cast +looks of scorn on the barefooted one. But little Wolff, coming last +out of the church, stopped deeply moved before the beautiful, sleeping +child. + +“Alas!” said the orphan to himself, “how dreadful! This poor little one +goes without stockings in weather so cold! And, what is worse, he has no +shoe to leave beside him while he sleeps, so that the Christ Child may +place something in it to comfort him in all his misery.” + +And carried away by his tender heart, little Wolff drew off the wooden +shoe from his right foot, placed it before the sleeping child; and as +best as he was able, now hopping, now limping, and wetting his sock in +the snow, he returned to his aunt. + +“You good-for-nothing!” cried the old woman, full of rage as she saw +that one of his shoes was gone. “What have you done with your shoe, +little beggar?” + +Little Wolff did not know how to lie, and, though shivering with terror +as he saw the gray hairs on the end of her nose stand upright, he tried, +stammering, to tell his adventure. + +But the old miser burst into frightful laughter. “Ah! the sweet young +master takes off his shoe for a beggar! Ah! master spoils a pair of +shoes for a barefoot! This is something new, indeed! Ah! well, since +things are so, I will place the shoe that is left in the fireplace, and +to-night the Christ Child will put in a rod to whip you when you wake. +And to-morrow you shall have nothing to eat but water and dry bread, and +we shall see if the next time you will give away your shoe to the first +vagabond that comes along.” + +And saying this the wicked woman gave him a box on each ear, and made +him climb to his wretched room in the loft. There the heartbroken little +one lay down in the darkness, and, drenching his pillow with tears, fell +asleep. + +But in the morning, when the old woman, awakened by the cold and shaken +by her cough, descended to the kitchen, oh! wonder of wonders! she +saw the great fireplace filled with bright toys, magnificent boxes of +sugar-plums, riches of all sorts, and in front of all this treasure, the +wooden shoe which her nephew had given to the vagabond, standing beside +the other shoe which she herself had placed there the night before, +intending to put in it a handful of switches. + +And as little Wolff, who had come running at the cries of his aunt, +stood in speechless delight before all the splendid Christmas gifts, +there came great shouts of laughter from the street. + +The old woman and the little boy went out to learn what it was all +about, and saw the gossips gathered around the public fountain. What +could have happened? Oh, a most amusing and extraordinary thing! The +children of all the rich men of the city, whose parents wished to +surprise them with the most beautiful gifts, had found nothing but +switches in their shoes! + +Then the old woman and little Wolff remembered with alarm all the riches +that were in their own fireplace, but just then they saw the pastor of +the parish church arriving with his face full of perplexity. + +Above the bench near the church door, in the very spot where the night +before a child, dressed in white, with bare feet exposed to the great +cold, had rested his sleeping head, the pastor had seen a golden +circle wrought into the old stones. Then all the people knew that the +beautiful, sleeping child, beside whom had lain the carpenter's tools, +was the Christ Child himself, and that he had rewarded the faith and +charity of little Wolff. + + + + +THE PINE TREE + +BY HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN (TRANSLATED) + + +I. WHEN IT WAS LITTLE + +Out in the woods stood such a nice little Pine Tree: he had a good +place; the sun could get at him; there was fresh air enough; and round +him grew many big comrades, both pines and firs. But the little Pine +wanted so very much to be a grown-up tree. + +He did not think of the warm sun and of the fresh air, he did not care +for the little cottage-children who ran about and prattled when they +were looking for wild strawberries and raspberries. Often they came with +a whole jug full, or had their strawberries strung on a straw, and sat +down near the little Tree and said, “Oh, what a nice little fellow!” + This was what the Tree could not bear to hear. + +The year after he had shot up a good deal, and the next year after he +was still bigger; for with pine trees one can always tell by the shoots +how many years old they are. + +“Oh, were I but such a big tree as the others are,” sighed the little +Tree. “Then I could spread my branches so far, and with the tops look +out into the wide world! Birds would build nests among my branches; and +when there was a breeze, I could nod as grandly as the others there.” + +He had no delight at all in the sunshine, or in the birds, or the red +clouds which morning and evening sailed above him. + +When now it was winter and the snow all around lay glittering white, +a hare would often come leaping along, and jump right over the little +Tree. Oh, that made him so angry! But two winters went by, and with +the third the Tree was so big that the hare had to go round it. “Oh, to +grow, to grow, to become big and old, and be tall,” thought the Tree: +“that, after all, is the most delightful thing in the world!” + +In autumn the wood-cutters always came and felled some of the largest +trees. This happened every year, and the young Pine Tree, that was now +quite well grown, trembled at the sight; for the great stately trees +fell to the earth with noise and cracking, the branches were lopped off, +and the trees looked quite bare, they were so long and thin; you would +hardly know them for trees, and then they were laid on carts, and horses +dragged them out of the wood. + +Where did they go to? What became of them? + +In spring, when the Swallow and the Stork came, the Tree asked them, +“Don't you know where they have been taken? Have you not met them +anywhere?” + +The Swallow did not know anything about it; but the Stork looked +doubtful, nodded his head, and said, “Yes; I have it; I met many new +ships as I was flying from Egypt; on the ships were splendid masts, and +I dare say it was they that smelt so of pine. I wish you joy, for they +lifted themselves on high in fine style!” + +“Oh, were I but old enough to fly across the sea! How does the sea +really look? and what is it like?” + +“Aye, that takes a long time to tell,” said the Stork, and away he went. + +“Rejoice in thy youth!” said the Sunbeams, “rejoice in thy hearty +growth, and in the young life that is in thee!” + +And the Wind kissed the Tree, and the Dew wept tears over him, but the +Pine Tree understood it not. + + + +II. CHRISTMAS IN THE WOODS + + +When Christmas came, quite young trees were cut down; trees which were +not even so large or of the same age as this Pine Tree, who had no rest +or peace, but always wanted to be off. These young trees, and they were +always the finest looking, always kept their branches; they were laid on +carts, and the horses drew them out of the wood. + +“Where are they going to?” asked the Pine Tree. “They are not taller +than I; there was one, indeed, that was much shorter;--and why do they +keep all their branches? Where are they carrying them to?” + +“We know! we know!” chirped the Sparrows. “We have peeped in at the +windows down there in the town. We know where they are carrying them +to. Oh, they are going to where it is as bright and splendid as you can +think! We peeped through the windows, and saw them planted in the middle +of the warm room, and dressed with the most splendid things,--with +gilded apples, with gingerbread, with toys and many hundred lights!” + +“And then?” asked the Pine Tree, and he trembled in every bough. “And +then? What happens then?” + +“We did not see anything more: it beat everything!” + +“I wonder if I am to sparkle like that!” cried the Tree, rejoicing. +“That is still better than to go over the sea! How I do suffer for very +longing! Were Christmas but come! I am now tall, and stretch out like +the others that were carried off last year! Oh, if I were already on +the cart! I wish I were in the warm room with all the splendor and +brightness. And then? Yes; then will come something better, something +still grander, or why should they dress me out so? There must come +something better, something still grander,--but what? Oh, how I long, +how I suffer! I do not know myself what is the matter with me!” + +“Rejoice in us!” said the Air and the Sunlight; “rejoice in thy fresh +youth out here in the open air!” + +But the Tree did not rejoice at all; he grew and grew; and he stood +there in all his greenery; rich green was he winter and summer. People +that saw him said, “That's a fine tree!” and toward Christmas he was +the first that was cut down. The axe struck deep into the very pith; the +Tree fell to the earth with a sigh: he felt a pang--it was like a swoon; +he could not think of happiness, for he was sad at being parted from his +home, from the place where he had sprung up. He well knew that he should +never see his dear old comrades, the little bushes and flowers around +him, any more; perhaps not even the birds! The setting off was not at +all pleasant. + +The Tree only came to himself when he was unloaded in a courtyard with +other trees, and heard a man say, “That one is splendid! we don't want +the others.” Then two servants came in rich livery and carried the +Pine Tree into a large and splendid room. Portraits were hanging on the +walls, and near the white porcelain stove stood two large Chinese vases +with lions on the covers. There, too, were large easy-chairs, silken +sofas, large tables full of picture-books, and full of toys worth a +hundred times a hundred dollars--at least so the children said. And the +Pine Tree was stuck upright in a cask filled with sand: but no one could +see that it was a cask, for green cloth was hung all around it, and it +stood on a gayly colored carpet. Oh, how the Tree quivered! What was to +happen? The servants, as well as the young ladies, dressed it. On one +branch there hung little nets cut out of colored paper; each net was +filled with sugar-plums; gilded apples and walnuts hung as though they +grew tightly there, and more than a hundred little red, blue, and white +tapers were stuck fast into the branches. Dolls that looked for all the +world like men--the Tree had never seen such things before--fluttered +among the leaves, and at the very top a large star of gold tinsel was +fixed. It was really splendid--splendid beyond telling. + +“This evening!” said they all; “how it will shine this evening!” + +“Oh,” thought the Tree, “if it were only evening! If the tapers were but +lighted! And then I wonder what will happen! I wonder if the other trees +from the forest will come to look at me! I wonder if the sparrows will +beat against the window-panes! I wonder if I shall take root here, and +stand dressed so winter and summer!” + +Aye, aye, much he knew about the matter! but he had a real back-ache +for sheer longing, and a back-ache with trees is the same thing as a +head-ache with us. + + +III. CHRISTMAS IN THE HOUSE + + +The candles were now lighted. What brightness! What splendor! The Tree +trembled so in every bough that one of the tapers set fire to a green +branch. It blazed up splendidly. + +Now the Tree did not even dare to tremble. That was a fright! He was so +afraid of losing something of all his finery, that he was quite confused +amidst the glare and brightness; and now both folding-doors opened, and +a troop of children rushed in as if they would tip the whole Tree over. +The older folks came quietly behind; the little ones stood quite still, +but only for a moment, then they shouted so that the whole place echoed +their shouts, they danced round the Tree, and one present after another +was pulled off. + +“What are they about?” thought the Tree. “What is to happen now?” And +the lights burned down to the very branches, and as they burned down +they were put out one after the other, and then the children had leave +to plunder the Tree. Oh, they rushed upon it so that it cracked in all +its limbs; if its tip-top with the gold star on it had not been fastened +to the ceiling, it would have tumbled over. + +The children danced about with their pretty toys; no one looked at the +Tree except the old nurse, who peeped in among the branches; but it was +only to see if there was a fig or an apple that had been forgotten. + +“A story! a story!” cried the children, and they dragged a little fat +man toward the Tree. He sat down under it, and said, “Now we are in the +shade, and the Tree can hear very well too. But I shall tell only +one story. Now which will you have: that about Ivedy-Avedy, or about +Klumpy-Dumpy who tumbled downstairs, and came to the throne after all, +and married the princess?” + +“Ivedy-Avedy,” cried some; “Klumpy-Dumpy,” cried the others. There was +such a bawling and screaming!--the Pine Tree alone was silent, and he +thought to himself, “Am I not to bawl with the rest?--am I to do nothing +whatever?”--for he was one of them, and he had done what he had to do. + +And the man told about Klumpy-Dumpy who tumbled downstairs, and came to +the throne after all, and married the princess. And the children clapped +their hands, and cried out, “Go on, go on!” They wanted to hear about +Ivedy-Avedy too, but the little man only told them about Klumpy-Dumpy. +The Pine Tree stood quite still and thoughtful: the birds in the wood +had never told anything like this. “Klumpy-Dumpy fell downstairs, and +yet he married the princess! Yes, yes, that's the way of the world!” + thought the Pine Tree, and he believed it all, because it was such a +nice man who told the story. + +“Well, well! who knows, perhaps I may fall downstairs, too, and so get a +princess!” And he looked forward with joy to the next day when he should +be decked out with lights and toys, fruits and tinsel. + +“To-morrow I won't tremble!” thought the Pine Tree. “I will enjoy to +the full all my splendor! To-morrow I shall hear again the story of +Klumpy-Dumpy, and perhaps that of Ivedy-Avedy too.” And the whole night +the Tree stood still in deep thought. + +In the morning the servant and the maid came in. + + +IV. IN THE ATTIC + + +“Now all the finery will begin again,” thought the Pine. But they +dragged him out of the room, and up the stairs into the attic; and here +in a dark corner, where no daylight could enter, they left him. “What's +the meaning of this?” thought the Tree. “What am I to do here? What +shall I see and hear now, I wonder?” And he leaned against the wall and +stood and thought and thought. And plenty of time he had, for days and +nights passed, and nobody came up; and when at last somebody did come, +it was only to put some great trunks in the corner. There stood the Tree +quite hidden; it seemed as if he had been entirely forgotten. + +“'T is now winter out-of-doors!” thought the Tree. “The earth is hard +and covered with snow; men cannot plant me now; therefore I have been +put up here under cover till spring! How thoughtful that is! How good +men are, after all! If it were not so dark here, and so terribly lonely! +Not even a hare. Out there it was so pleasant in the woods, when the +snow was on the ground, and the hare leaped by; yes--even when he jumped +over me; but I did not like it then. It is terribly lonely here!” + +“Squeak! squeak!” said a little Mouse at the same moment, peeping out of +his hole. And then another little one came. They snuffed about the Pine +Tree, and rustled among the branches. + +“It is dreadfully cold,” said the little Mouse. “But for that, it would +be delightful here, old Pine, wouldn't it!” + +“I am by no means old,” said the Pine Tree. “There are many a good deal +older than I am.” + +“Where do you come from?” asked the Mice; “and what can you do?” They +were so very curious. “Tell us about the most beautiful spot on earth. +Have you been there? Were you ever in the larder, where cheeses lie on +the shelves, and hams hang from above; where one dances about on tallow +candles; where one goes in lean and comes out fat?” + +“I don't know that place,” said the Tree. “But I know the wood where the +sun shines, and where the little birds sing.” + +And then he told his story from his youth up; and the little Mice had +never heard the like before; and they listened and said, “Well, to be +sure! How much you have seen! How happy you must have been!” + +“I!” said the Pine Tree, and he thought over what he had himself told. +“Yes, really those were happy times.” And then he told about Christmas +Eve, when he was decked out with cakes and candles. + +“Oh,” said the little Mice, “how lucky you have been, old Pine Tree!” + +“I am not at all old,” said he. “I came from the wood this winter; I am +in my prime, and am only rather short of my age.” + +“What delightful stories you know!” said the Mice: and the next night +they came with four other little Mice, who were to hear what the Tree +had to tell; and the more he told, the more plainly he remembered all +himself; and he thought: “That was a merry time! But it can come! it can +come! Klumpy-Dumpy fell down stairs, and yet he got a princess! Maybe I +can get a princess too!” And all of a sudden he thought of a nice little +Birch Tree growing out in the woods: to the Pine, that would be a really +charming princess. + +“Who is Klumpy-Dumpy?” asked the little Mice. + +So then the Pine Tree told the whole fairy tale, for he could remember +every single word of it; and the little Mice jumped for joy up to the +very top of the Tree. Next night two more Mice came, and on Sunday two +Rats, even; but they said the stories were not amusing, which vexed +the little Mice, because they, too, now began to think them not so very +amusing either. + +“Do you know only that one story?” asked the Rats. + +“Only that one!” answered the Tree. “I heard it on my happiest evening; +but I did not then know how happy I was.” + +“It is a very stupid story! Don't you know one about bacon and tallow +candles? Can't you tell any larder-stories?” + +“No,” said the Tree. + +“Thank you, then,” said the Rats; and they went home. + +At last the little Mice stayed away also; and the Tree sighed: “After +all, it was very pleasant when the sleek little Mice sat round me and +heard what I told them. Now that too is over. But I will take good care +to enjoy myself when I am brought out again.” + +But when was that to be? Why, it was one morning when there came a +number of people and set to work in the loft. The trunks were moved, the +tree was pulled out and thrown down; they knocked him upon the floor, +but a man drew him at once toward the stairs, where the daylight shone. + + +V. OUT OF DOORS AGAIN + + +“Now life begins again,” thought the Tree. He felt the fresh air, the +first sunbeam,--and now he was out in the courtyard. All passed so +quickly that the Tree quite forgot to look to himself, there was so much +going on around him. The court adjoined a garden, and all was in flower; +the roses hung over the fence, so fresh and smelling so sweetly; +the lindens were in blossom, the Swallows flew by, and said, +“Quirre-virre-vit! my husband is come!” But it was not the Pine Tree +that they meant. + +“Now, I shall really live,” said he with joy, and spread out his +branches; dear! dear! they were all dry and yellow. It was in a corner +among weeds and nettles that he lay. The golden star of tinsel was still +on top of the Tree, and shone in the bright sunshine. + +In the courtyard a few of the merry children were playing who had danced +at Christmas round the Tree, and were so glad at the sight of him. One +of the littlest ran and tore off the golden star. + +“See what is still on the ugly old Christmas Tree!” said he, and he +trampled on the branches, so that they cracked under his feet. + +And the Tree saw all the beauty of the flowers, and the freshness in the +garden; he saw himself, and he wished he had stayed in his dark corner +in the attic: he thought of his fresh youth in the wood, of the merry +Christmas Eve, and of the little Mice who had heard so gladly the story +of Klumpy-Dumpy. + +“Gone! gone!” said the poor Tree. “Had I but been happy when I could be. +Gone! gone!” + +And the gardener's boy came and chopped the Tree into small pieces; +there was a whole heap lying there. The wood flamed up finely under +the large brewing kettle, and it sighed so deeply! Each sigh was like a +little shot. So the children ran to where it lay and sat down before the +fire, and peeped in at the blaze, and shouted “Piff! paff!” But at every +snap there was a deep sigh. The Tree was thinking of summer days in +the wood, and of winter nights when the stars shone; it was thinking +of Christmas Eve and Klumpy-Dumpy, the only fairy tale it had heard and +knew how to tell,--and so the Tree burned out. + +The boys played about in the court, and the youngest wore the gold star +on his breast which the Tree had worn on the happiest evening of his +life. Now, that was gone, the Tree was gone, and gone too was the story. +All, all was gone, and that's the way with all stories. + + + + +THE CHRISTMAS CUCKOO + +BY FRANCES BROWNE (ADAPTED) + +Once upon a time there stood in the midst of a bleak moor, in the North +Country, a certain village. All its inhabitants were poor, for their +fields were barren, and they had little trade; but the poorest of them +all were two brothers called Scrub and Spare, who followed the cobbler's +craft. Their hut was built of clay and wattles. The door was low and +always open, for there was no window. The roof did not entirely keep out +the rain and the only thing comfortable was a wide fireplace, for which +the brothers could never find wood enough to make sufficient fire. +There they worked in most brotherly friendship, though with little +encouragement. + +On one unlucky day a new cobbler arrived in the village. He had lived in +the capital city of the kingdom and, by his own account, cobbled for the +queen and the princesses. His awls were sharp, his lasts were new; he +set up his stall in a neat cottage with two windows. The villagers soon +found out that one patch of his would outwear two of the brothers'. +In short, all the mending left Scrub and Spare, and went to the new +cobbler. + +The season had been wet and cold, their barley did not ripen well, and +the cabbages never half-closed in the garden. So the brothers were poor +that winter, and when Christmas came they had nothing to feast on but +a barley loaf and a piece of rusty bacon. Worse than that, the snow was +very deep and they could get no firewood. + +Their hut stood at the end of the village; beyond it spread the bleak +moor, now all white and silent. But that moor had once been a forest; +great roots of old trees were still to be found in it, loosened from +the soil and laid bare by the winds and rains. One of these, a rough, +gnarled log, lay hard by their door, the half of it above the snow, and +Spare said to his brother:-- + +“Shall we sit here cold on Christmas while the great root lies yonder? +Let us chop it up for firewood, the work will make us warm.” + +“No,” said Scrub, “it's not right to chop wood on Christmas; besides, +that root is too hard to be broken with any hatchet.” + +“Hard or not, we must have a fire,” replied Spare. “Come, brother, help +me in with it. Poor as we are there is nobody in the village will have +such a yule log as ours.” + +Scrub liked a little grandeur, and, in hopes of having a fine yule log, +both brothers strained and strove with all their might till, between +pulling and pushing, the great old root was safe on the hearth, and +beginning to crackle and blaze with the red embers. + +In high glee the cobblers sat down to their bread and bacon. The door +was shut, for there was nothing but cold moonlight and snow outside; +but the hut, strewn with fir boughs and ornamented with holly, looked +cheerful as the ruddy blaze flared up and rejoiced their hearts. + +Then suddenly from out the blazing root they heard: “Cuckoo! cuckoo!” + as plain as ever the spring-bird's voice came over the moor on a May +morning. + +“What is that?” said Scrub, terribly frightened; “it is something bad!” + +“Maybe not,” said Spare. + +And out of the deep hole at the side of the root, which the fire had not +reached, flew a large, gray cuckoo, and lit on the table before them. +Much as the cobblers had been surprised, they were still more so when it +said:-- + +“Good gentlemen, what season is this?” + +“It's Christmas,” said Spare. + +“Then a merry Christmas to you!” said the cuckoo. “I went to sleep in +the hollow of that old root one evening last summer, and never woke till +the heat of your fire made me think it was summer again. But now since +you have burned my lodging, let me stay in your hut till the spring +comes round,--I only want a hole to sleep in, and when I go on my +travels next summer be assured I will bring you some present for your +trouble.” + +“Stay and welcome,” said Spare, while Scrub sat wondering if it were +something bad or not. + +“I'll make you a good warm hole in the thatch,” said Spare. “But you +must be hungry after that long sleep,--here is a slice of barley bread. +Come help us to keep Christmas!” + +The cuckoo ate up the slice, drank water from a brown jug, and flew into +a snug hole which Spare scooped for it in the thatch of the hut. + +Scrub said he was afraid it wouldn't be lucky; but as it slept on and +the days passed he forgot his fears. + +So the snow melted, the heavy rains came, the cold grew less, the days +lengthened, and one sunny morning the brothers were awakened by the +cuckoo shouting its own cry to let them know the spring had come. + +“Now I'm going on my travels,” said the bird, “over the world to tell +men of the spring. There is no country where trees bud, or flowers +bloom, that I will not cry in before the year goes round. Give me +another slice of barley bread to help me on my journey, and tell me what +present I shall bring you at the twelvemonth's end.” + +Scrub would have been angry with his brother for cutting so large a +slice, their store of barley being low, but his mind was occupied with +what present it would be most prudent to ask for. + +“There are two trees hard by the well that lies at the world's end,” + said the cuckoo; “one of them is called the golden tree, for its leaves +are all of beaten gold. Every winter they fall into the well with a +sound like scattered coin, and I know not what becomes of them. As for +the other, it is always green like a laurel. Some call it the wise, and +some the merry, tree. Its leaves never fall, but they that get one +of them keep a blithe heart in spite of all misfortunes, and can make +themselves as merry in a hut as in a palace.” + +“Good master cuckoo, bring me a leaf off that tree!” cried Spare. + +“Now, brother, don't be a fool!” said Scrub; “think of the leaves of +beaten gold! Dear master cuckoo, bring me one of them!” + +Before another word could be spoken the cuckoo had flown out of the open +door, and was shouting its spring cry over moor and meadow. + +The brothers were poorer than ever that year. Nobody would send them a +single shoe to mend, and Scrub and Spare would have left the village +but for their barley-field and their cabbage-garden. They sowed their +barley, planted their cabbage, and, now that their trade was gone, +worked in the rich villagers' fields to make out a scanty living. + +So the seasons came and passed; spring, summer, harvest, and winter +followed each other as they have done from the beginning. At the end of +the latter Scrub and Spare had grown so poor and ragged that their old +neighbors forgot to invite them to wedding feasts or merrymakings, +and the brothers thought the cuckoo had forgotten them, too, when at +daybreak on the first of April they heard a hard beak knocking at their +door, and a voice crying:-- + +“Cuckoo! cuckoo! Let me in with my presents!” + +Spare ran to open the door, and in came the cuckoo, carrying on one +side of its bill a golden leaf larger than that of any tree in the North +Country; and in the other side of its bill, one like that of the common +laurel, only it had a fresher green. + +“Here,” it said, giving the gold to Scrub and the green to Spare, “it is +a long carriage from the world's end. Give me a slice of barley bread, +for I must tell the North Country that the spring has come.” + +Scrub did not grudge the thickness of that slice, though it was cut +from their last loaf. So much gold had never been in the cobbler's hands +before, and he could not help exulting over his brother. + +“See the wisdom of my choice,” he said, holding up the large leaf of +gold. “As for yours, as good might be plucked from any hedge, I wonder a +sensible bird would carry the like so far.” + +“Good master cobbler,” cried the cuckoo, finishing its slice, +“your conclusions are more hasty than courteous. If your brother is +disappointed this time, I go on the same journey every year, and for +your hospitable entertainment will think it no trouble to bring each of +you whichever leaf you desire.” + +“Darling cuckoo,” cried Scrub, “bring me a golden one.” + +And Spare, looking up from the green leaf on which he gazed as though it +were a crown-jewel, said:-- + +“Be sure to bring me one from the merry tree.” + +And away flew the cuckoo. + +“This is the feast of All Fools, and it ought to be your birthday,” said +Scrub. “Did ever man fling away such an opportunity of getting rich? +Much good your merry leaves will do in the midst of rags and poverty!” + +But Spare laughed at him, and answered with quaint old proverbs +concerning the cares that come with gold, till Scrub, at length getting +angry, vowed his brother was not fit to live with a respectable man; and +taking his lasts, his awls, and his golden leaf, he left the wattle hut, +and went to tell the villagers. + +They were astonished at the folly of Spare, and charmed with Scrub's +good sense, particularly when he showed them the golden leaf, and told +that the cuckoo would bring him one every spring. + +The new cobbler immediately took him into partnership; the greatest +people sent him their shoes to mend. Fairfeather, a beautiful village +maiden, smiled graciously upon him; and in the course of that summer +they were married, with a grand wedding feast, at which the whole +village danced except Spare, who was not invited, because the bride +could not bear his low-mindedness, and his brother thought him a +disgrace to the family. + +As for Scrub he established himself with Fairfeather in a cottage close +by that of the new cobbler, and quite as fine. There he mended shoes to +everybody's satisfaction, had a scarlet coat and a fat goose for +dinner on holidays. Fairfeather, too, had a crimson gown, and fine blue +ribbons; but neither she nor Scrub was content, for to buy this grandeur +the golden leaf had to be broken and parted With piece by piece, so the +last morsel was gone before the cuckoo came with another. + +Spare lived on in the old hut, and worked in the cabbage-garden. (Scrub +had got the barley-field because he was the elder.) Every day his coat +grew more ragged, and the hut more weather-beaten; but people remarked +that he never looked sad or sour. And the wonder was that, from the time +any one began to keep his company, he or she grew kinder, happier, and +content. + +Every first of April the cuckoo came tapping at their doors with the +golden leaf for Scrub, and the green for Spare. Fairfeather would have +entertained it nobly with wheaten bread and honey, for she had some +notion of persuading it to bring two golden leaves instead of one; but +the cuckoo flew away to eat barley bread with Spare, saying it was not +fit company for fine people, and liked the old hut where it slept so +snugly from Christmas till spring. + +Scrub spent the golden leaves, and remained always discontented; and +Spare kept the merry ones. + +I do not know how many years passed in this manner, when a certain great +lord, who owned that village, came to the neighborhood. His castle stood +on the moor. It was ancient and strong, with high towers and a deep +moat. All the country as far as one could see from the highest turret +belonged to its lord; but he had not been there for twenty years, and +would not have come then only he was melancholy. And there he lived in +a very bad temper. The servants said nothing would please him, and the +villagers put on their worst clothes lest he should raise their rents. + +But one day in the harvest-time His Lordship chanced to meet Spare +gathering water-cresses at a meadow stream, and fell into talk with the +cobbler. How it was nobody could tell, but from that hour the great lord +cast away his melancholy. He forgot all his woes, and went about with a +noble train, hunting, fishing, and making merry in his hall, where all +travelers were entertained, and all the poor were welcome. + +This strange story spread through the North Country, and great company +came to the cobbler's hut,--rich men who had lost their money, poor men +who had lost their friends, beauties who had grown old, wits who had +gone out of fashion,--all came to talk with Spare, and, whatever their +troubles had been, all went home merry. + +The rich gave him presents, the poor gave him thanks. Spare's coat +ceased to be ragged, he had bacon with his cabbage, and the villagers +began to think there was some sense in him. + + +By this time his fame had reached the capital city, and even the court. +There were a great many discontented people there; and the king had +lately fallen into ill humor because a neighboring princess, with seven +islands for her dowry, would not marry his eldest son. + +So a royal messenger was sent to Spare, with a velvet mantle, a diamond +ring, and a command that he should repair to court immediately. + +“To-morrow is the first of April,” said Spare, “and I will go with you +two hours after sunrise.” + +The messenger lodged all night at the castle, and the cuckoo came at +sunrise with the merry leaf. + +“Court is a fine place,” it said, when the cobbler told it he was going, +“but I cannot come there; they would lay snares and catch me; so be +careful of the leaves I have brought you, and give me a farewell slice +of barley bread.” + +Spare was sorry to part with the cuckoo, little as he had of its +company, but he gave it a slice which would have broken Scrub's heart in +former times, it was so thick and large. And having sewed up the leaves +in the lining of his leather doublet, he set out with the messenger on +his way to court. + +His coming caused great surprise there. Everybody wondered what the king +could see in such a common-looking man; but scarcely had His Majesty +conversed with him half an hour, when the princess and her seven islands +were forgotten and orders given that a feast for all comers should be +spread in the banquet hall. + +The princes of the blood, the great lords and ladies, the ministers of +state, after that discoursed with Spare, and the more they talked the +lighter grew their hearts, so that such changes had never been seen at +court. + +The lords forgot their spites and the ladies their envies, the princes +and ministers made friends among themselves, and the judges showed no +favor. + +As for Spare, he had a chamber assigned him in the palace, and a seat +at the king's table. One sent him rich robes, and another costly jewels; +but in the midst of all his grandeur he still wore the leathern doublet, +and continued to live at the king's court, happy and honored, and making +all others merry and content. + + + + +THE CHRISTMAS FAIRY OF STRASBURG + +A GERMAN FOLK-TALE + +BY J. STIRLING COYNE (ADAPTED) + +Once, long ago, there lived near the ancient city of Strasburg, on the +river Rhine, a young and handsome count, whose name was Otto. As the +years flew by he remained unwed, and never so much as cast a glance at +the fair maidens of the country round; for this reason people began to +call him “Stone-Heart.” + +It chanced that Count Otto, on one Christmas Eve, ordered that a great +hunt should take place in the forest surrounding his castle. He and his +guests and his many retainers rode forth, and the chase became more +and more exciting. It led through thickets, and over pathless tracts +of forest, until at length Count Otto found himself separated from his +companions. + +He rode on by himself until he came to a spring of clear, bubbling +water, known to the people around as the “Fairy Well.” Here Count Otto +dismounted. He bent over the spring and began to lave his hands in the +sparkling tide, but to his wonder he found that though the weather was +cold and frosty, the water was warm and delightfully caressing. He +felt a glow of joy pass through his veins, and, as he plunged his hands +deeper, he fancied that his right hand was grasped by another, soft +and small, which gently slipped from his finger the gold ring he always +wore. And, lo! when he drew out his hand, the gold ring was gone. + +Full of wonder at this mysterious event, the count mounted his horse and +returned to his castle, resolving in his mind that the very next day he +would have the Fairy Well emptied by his servants. + +He retired to his room, and, throwing himself just as he was upon his +couch, tried to sleep; but the strangeness of the adventure kept him +restless and wakeful. + +Suddenly he heard the hoarse baying of the watch-hounds in the +courtyard, and then the creaking of the drawbridge, as though it were +being lowered. Then came to his ear the patter of many small feet on +the stone staircase, and next he heard indistinctly the sound of light +footsteps in the chamber adjoining his own. + +Count Otto sprang from his couch, and as he did so there sounded a +strain of delicious music, and the door of his chamber was flung open. +Hurrying into the next room, he found himself in the midst of numberless +Fairy beings, clad in gay and sparkling robes. They paid no heed to +him, but began to dance, and laugh, and sing, to the sound of mysterious +music. + +In the center of the apartment stood a splendid Christmas Tree, the +first ever seen in that country. Instead of toys and candles there hung +on its lighted boughs diamond stars, pearl necklaces, bracelets of +gold ornamented with colored jewels, aigrettes of rubies and sapphires, +silken belts embroidered with Oriental pearls, and daggers mounted in +gold and studded with the rarest gems. The whole tree swayed, sparkled, +and glittered in the radiance of its many lights. + +Count Otto stood speechless, gazing at all this wonder, when suddenly +the Fairies stopped dancing and fell back, to make room for a lady of +dazzling beauty who came slowly toward him. + +She wore on her raven-black tresses a golden diadem set with jewels. +Her hair flowed down upon a robe of rosy satin and creamy velvet. She +stretched out two small, white hands to the count and addressed him in +sweet, alluring tones:-- + +“Dear Count Otto,” said she, “I come to return your Christmas visit. I +am Ernestine, the Queen of the Fairies. I bring you something you lost +in the Fairy Well.” + +And as she spoke she drew from her bosom a golden casket, set with +diamonds, and placed it in his hands. He opened it eagerly and found +within his lost gold ring. + +Carried away by the wonder of it all, and overcome by an irresistible +impulse, the count pressed the Fairy Ernestine to his heart, while she, +holding him by the hand, drew him into the magic mazes of the dance. The +mysterious music floated through the room, and the rest of that Fairy +company circled and whirled around the Fairy Queen and Count Otto, and +then gradually dissolved into a mist of many colors, leaving the count +and his beautiful guest alone. + +Then the young man, forgetting all his former coldness toward the +maidens of the country round about, fell on his knees before the Fairy +and besought her to become his bride. At last she consented on the +condition that he should never speak the word “death” in her presence. + +The next day the wedding of Count Otto and Ernestine, Queen of the +Fairies, was celebrated with great pomp and magnificence, and the two +continued to live happily for many years. + +Now it happened on a time, that the count and his Fairy wife were +to hunt in the forest around the castle. The horses were saddled and +bridled, and standing at the door, the company waited, and the count +paced the hall in great impatience; but still the Fairy Ernestine +tarried long in her chamber. At length she appeared at the door of the +hall, and the count addressed her in anger. + +“You have kept us waiting so long,” he cried, “that you would make a +good messenger to send for Death!” + +Scarcely had he spoken the forbidden and fatal word, when the Fairy, +uttering a wild cry, vanished from his sight. In vain Count Otto, +overwhelmed with grief and remorse, searched the castle and the Fairy +Well, no trace could he find of his beautiful, lost wife but the imprint +of her delicate hand set in the stone arch above the castle gate. + +Years passed by, and the Fairy Ernestine did not return. The count +continued to grieve. Every Christmas Eve he set up a lighted tree in +the room where he had first met the Fairy, hoping in vain that she would +return to him. + +Time passed and the count died. The castle fell into ruins. But to this +day may be seen above the massive gate, deeply sunken in the stone arch, +the impress of a small and delicate hand. + +And such, say the good folk of Strasburg, was the origin of the +Christmas Tree. + + + + +THE THREE PURSES + +A LEGEND + +BY WILLIAM S. WALSH (ADAPTED) + +When Saint Nicholas was Bishop of Myra, there were among his people +three beautiful maidens, daughters of a nobleman. Their father was so +poor that he could not afford to give them dowries, and as in that land +no maid might marry without a dowry, so these three maidens could not +wed the youths who loved them. + +At last the father became so very poor that he no longer had money with +which to buy food or clothes for his daughters, and he was overcome by +shame and sorrow. As for the daughters they wept continually, for they +were both cold and hungry. + +One day Saint Nicholas heard of the sad state of this noble family. So +at night, when the maidens were asleep, and the father was watching, +sorrowful and lonely, the good saint took a handful of gold, and, tying +it in a purse, set off for the nobleman's house. Creeping to the open +window he threw the purse into the chamber, so that it fell on the bed +of the sleeping maidens. + +The father picked up the purse, and when he opened it and saw the gold, +he rejoiced greatly, and awakened his daughters. He gave most of the +gold to his eldest child for a dowry, and thus she was enabled to wed +the young man whom she loved. + +A few days later Saint Nicholas filled another purse with gold, and, +as before, went by night to the nobleman's house, and tossed the purse +through the open window. Thus the second daughter was enabled to marry +the young man whom she loved. + +Now, the nobleman felt very grateful to the unknown one who threw purses +of gold into his room and he longed to know who his benefactor was and +to thank him. So the next night he watched beneath the open window. +And when all was dark, lo! good Saint Nicholas came for the third time, +carrying a silken purse filled with gold, and as he was about to throw +it on the youngest maiden's bed, the nobleman caught him by his robe, +crying:-- + +“Ohs good Saint Nicholas! why do you hide yourself thus?” + +And he kissed the saint's hands and feet, but Saint Nicholas, overcome +with confusion at having his good deed discovered, begged the nobleman +to tell no man what had happened. + +Thus the nobleman's third daughter was enabled to marry the young man +whom she loved; and she and her father and her two sisters lived happily +for the remainder of their lives. + + + + +THE THUNDER OAK + +A SCANDINAVIAN LEGEND + +WILLIAM S. WALSH AND OTHER SOURCES + +When the heathen raged through the forests of the ancient Northland +there grew a giant tree branching with huge limbs toward the clouds. It +was the Thunder Oak of the war-god Thor. + +Thither, under cover of night, heathen priests were wont to bring +their victims--both men and beasts--and slay them upon the altar of the +thunder-god. There in the darkness was wrought many an evil deed, while +human blood was poured forth and watered the roots of that gloomy tree, +from whose branches depended the mistletoe, the fateful plant that +sprang from the blood-fed veins of the oak. So gloomy and terror-ridden +was the spot on which grew the tree that no beasts of field or forest +would lodge beneath its dark branches, nor would birds nest or perch +among its gnarled limbs. + +Long, long ago, on a white Christmas Eve, Thor's priests held their +winter rites beneath the Thunder Oak. Through the deep snow of the +dense forest hastened throngs of heathen folk, all intent on keeping +the mystic feast of the mighty Thor. In the hush of the night the folk +gathered in the glade where stood the tree. Closely they pressed around +the great altar-stone under the overhanging boughs where stood the +white-robed priests. Clearly shone the moonlight on all. + +Then from the altar flashed upward the sacrificial flames, casting their +lurid glow on the straining faces of the human victims awaiting the blow +of the priest's knife. + +But the knife never fell, for from the silent avenues of the dark forest +came the good Saint Winfred and his people. Swiftly the saint drew from +his girdle a shining axe. Fiercely he smote the Thunder Oak, hewing a +deep gash in its trunk. And while the heathen folk gazed in horror and +wonder, the bright blade of the axe circled faster and faster around +Saint Winfred's head, and the flakes of wood flew far and wide from the +deepening cut in the body of the tree. + +Suddenly there was heard overhead the sound of a mighty, rushing wind. A +whirling blast struck the tree. It gripped the oak from its foundations. +Backward it fell like a tower, groaning as it split into four pieces. + +But just behind it, unharmed by the ruin, stood a young fir tree, +pointing its green spire to heaven. + +Saint Winfred dropped his axe, and turned to speak to the people. +Joyously his voice rang out through the crisp, winter air:-- + +“This little tree, a young child of the forest, shall be your holy tree +to-night. It is the tree of peace, for your houses are built of fir. It +is the sign of endless life, for its leaves are forever green. See how +it points upward to heaven! Let this be called the tree of the Christ +Child. Gather about it, not in the wildwood, but in your own homes. +There it will shelter no deeds of blood, but loving gifts and rites of +kindness. So shall the peace of the White Christ reign in your hearts!” + +And with songs of joy the multitude of heathen folk took up the little +fir tree and bore it to the house of their chief, and there with good +will and peace they kept the holy Christmastide. + + + + +THE CHRISTMAS THORN OF GLASTONBURY + +A LEGEND OF ANCIENT BRITAIN + +ADAPTED FROM WILLIAM OF MALMESBURY AND OTHER SOURCES + +There is a golden Christmas legend and it relates how Joseph of +Arimathea--that good man and just, who laid our Lord in his own +sepulcher, was persecuted by Pontius Pilate, and how he fled from +Jerusalem carrying with him the Holy Grail hidden beneath a cloth of +samite, mystical and white. + +For many moons he wandered, leaning on his staff cut from a white-thorn +bush. He passed over raging seas and dreary wastes, he wandered through +trackless forests, climbed rugged mountains, and forded many floods. +At last he came to Gaul where the Apostle Philip was preaching the glad +tidings to the heathen. And there Joseph abode for a little space. + +Now, upon a night while Joseph lay asleep in his hut, he was wakened +by a radiant light. And as he gazed with wondering eyes he saw an angel +standing by his couch, wrapped in a cloud of incense. + +“Joseph of Arimathea,” said the angel, “cross thou over into Britain and +preach the glad tidings to King Arvigarus. And there, where a Christmas +miracle shall come to pass, do thou build the first Christian church in +that land.” + +And while Joseph lay perplexed and wondering in his heart what answer he +should make, the angel vanished from his sight. + +Then Joseph left his hut and calling the Apostle Philip, gave him the +angel's message. And, when morning dawned, Philip sent him on his way, +accompanied by eleven chosen followers. To the water's side they went, +and embarking in a little ship, they came unto the coasts of Britain. + +And they were met there by the heathen who carried them before Arvigarus +their king. To him and to his people did Joseph of Arimathea preach the +glad tidings; but the king's heart, though moved, was not convinced. +Nevertheless he gave to Joseph and his followers Avalon, the happy isle, +the isle of the blessed, and he bade them depart straightway and build +there an altar to their God. + +And a wonderful gift was this same Avalon, sometimes called the Island +of Apples, and also known to the people of the land as Ynis-witren, the +Isle of Glassy Waters. Beautiful and peaceful was it. Deep it lay in +the midst of a green valley, and the balmy breezes fanned its apple +orchards, and scattered afar the sweet fragrance of rosy blossoms or +ripened fruit. Soft grew the green grass beneath the feet. The smooth +waves gently lapped the shore, and water-lilies floated on the surface +of the tide; while in the blue sky above sailed the fleecy clouds. + +And it was on the holy Christmas Eve that Joseph and his companions +reached the Isle of Avalon. With them they carried the Holy Grail hidden +beneath its cloth of snow-white samite. Heavily they toiled up the +steep ascent of the hill called Weary-All. And when they reached the top +Joseph thrust his thorn-staff into the ground. + +And, lo! a miracle! the thorn-staff put forth roots, sprouted and +budded, and burst into a mass of white and fragrant flowers! And on the +spot where the thorn had bloomed, there Joseph built the first Christian +church in Britain. And he made it “wattled all round” of osiers gathered +from the water's edge. And in the chapel they placed the Holy Grail. + +And so, it is said, ever since at Glastonbury Abbey--the name by which +that Avalon is known to-day--on Christmas Eve the white thorn buds and +blooms. + + + + +THE THREE KINGS OF COLOGNE + +A LEGEND OF THE MIDDLE AGES + +BY JOHN OF HILDESHEIM-MODERNIZED BY H. S. MORRIS (ADAPTED) + +THE STAR + +Now, when the Children of Israel were gone out of Egypt, and had won and +made subject to them Jerusalem and all the land lying about, there was +in the Kingdom of Ind a tall hill called the Hill of Vaws, or the Hill +of Victory. On this hill were stationed sentinels of Ind, who watched +day and night against the Children of Israel, and afterward against the +Romans. + +And if an enemy approached, the keepers of the Hill of Vaws made a great +fire to warn the inhabitants of the land so that the men might make +ready to defend themselves. + +Now in the time when Balaam prophesied of the Star that should betoken +the birth of Christ, all the great lords and the people of Ind and in +the East desired greatly to see this Star of which he spake; and they +gave gifts to the keepers of the Hill of Vaws, and bade them, if they +saw by night or by day any star in the air, that had not been seen +aforetime, that they, the keepers, should send anon word to the people +of Ind. + +And thus was it that for so long a time the fame of this Star was borne +throughout the lands of the East. And the more the Star was sought for, +and the more its fame increased, so much the more all the people of the +Land of Ind desired to see it. So they ordained twelve of the wisest +and greatest of the clerks of astronomy, that were in all that country +about, and gave them great hire to keep watch upon the Hill of Vaws for +the Star that was prophesied of Balaam. + +Now, when Christ was born in Bethlehem of Judea, His Star began to rise +in the manner of a sun, bright shining. It ascended above the Hill +of Vaws, and all that day in the highest air it abode without moving, +insomuch that when the sun was hot and most high there was no difference +in shining betwixt them. + +But when the day of the nativity was passed the Star ascended up into +the firmament, and it had right many long streaks and beams, more +burning and brighter than a brand of fire; and, as an eagle flying and +beating the air with his wings, right so the streaks and beams of the +Star stirred about. + +Then all the people, both man and woman, of all that country about when +they saw this marvelous Star, were full of wonder thereat; yet they knew +well that it was the Star that was prophesied of Balaam, and long time +was desired of all the people in that country. + +Now, when the three worshipful kings, who at that time reigned in Ind, +Chaldea, and Persia, were informed by the astronomers of this Star, they +were right glad that they had grace to see the Star in their days. + +Wherefore these three worshipful kings, Melchior, Balthazar, and Jasper +(in the same hour the Star appeared to all three), though each of them +was far from the other, and none knew of the others' purpose, decided +to go and seek and worship the Lord and King of the Jews, that was new +born, as the appearance of the Star announced. + +So each king prepared great and rich gifts, and trains of mules, camels, +and horses charged with treasure, and together with a great multitude of +people they set forth on their journeys. + + + + +THE CHILD + + +Now, when these three worshipful kings were passed forth out of their +kingdoms, the Star went before each king and his people. When they +stood still and rested, the Star stood still; and when they went forward +again, the Star always went before them in virtue and strength and gave +light all the way. + +And, as it is written, in the time that Christ was born, there was peace +in all the world, wherefore in all the cities and towns through which +they went there was no gate shut neither by night nor by day; and all +the people of those same cities and towns marveled wonderfully as they +saw kings and vast multitudes go by in great haste; but they knew not +what they were, nor whence they came, nor whither they should go. + +Furthermore these three kings rode forth over hills, waters, valleys, +plains, and other divers and perilous places without hindrance, for all +the way seemed to them plain and even. And they never took shelter by +night nor by day, nor ever rested, nor did their horses and other beasts +ever eat or drink till they had come to Bethlehem. And all this time it +did seem to them as one day. + +But when the three blessed kings had come near to Jerusalem, then a +great cloud of darkness hid the Star from their sight. And when Melchior +and his people were come fast by the city, they abode in fog and +darkness. Then came Balthazar, and he abode under the same cloud near +unto Melchior. Thereupon appeared Jasper with all his host. + +So these three glorious kings, each with his host and burdens and +beasts, met together in the highway without the city of Jerusalem. And, +notwithstanding that none of them ever before had seen the other, nor +knew him, nor had heard of his coming, yet at their meeting each one +with great reverence and joy kissed the other. So afterward, when they +had spoken together and each had told his purpose and the cause of his +journey, they were much more glad and fervent. So they rode forth, and +at the uprising of the sun, they came into Jerusalem. And yet the Star +appeared not. + +So then these three worshipful kings, when they were come into the city, +asked of the people concerning the Child that was born; and when Herod +heard this he was troubled and all Jerusalem with him, and he privately +summoned to him these three kings and learned of them the time when +the Star appeared. He then sent them forth, bidding them find the young +Child and return to him. + +Now when these three kings were passed out of Jerusalem the Star +appeared to them again as it did erst, and went before them till they +were come to Bethlehem. + +Now, the nearer the kings came to the place where Christ was born, the +brighter shined the Star, and they entered Bethlehem the sixth hour +of the day. And they rode through the streets till they came before a +little house. There the Star stood still, and then descended and shone +with so great a light that the little house was full of radiance; till +anon the Star went upward again into the air, and stood still always +above the same place. + +And the three kings went into the little house and found the Child with +his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him, and offered him gifts. + +And you shall understand that these three kings had brought great gifts +from their own lands, rich ornaments and divers golden vessels, and many +jewels and precious stones, and both gold and silver,--these they had +brought to offer to the King of the Jews. But when they found the Lord +in a little-house, in poor clothes, and when they saw that the Star gave +so great and holy a light in all the place that it seemed as though they +stood in a furnace of fire, then were they so sore afraid, that of all +the rich jewels and ornaments they had brought with them, they chose +from their treasures what came first to their hands. For Melchior took +a round apple of gold in his hand, and thirty gilt pennies, and these he +offered unto our Lord; and Balthazar took out of his treasury incense; +and Jasper took out myrrh, and that he offered with weeping and tears. + +And now after these three kings had worshiped the Lord, they abode in +Bethlehem for a little space, and as they abode, there came a command +to them, in their sleep, that they should not return to Herod; and so by +another way they went home to their kingdoms. But the Star that had gone +before appeared no more. + +So these three kings, who had suddenly met together in the highway +before Jerusalem, went home together with great joy and honor. And when, +after many days' journey over perilous places, they had come to the Hill +of Vaws, they made there a fair chapel in worship of the Child they had +sought. Also they agreed to meet together at the same place once in the +year, and they ordained that the Hill of Vaws should be the place of +their burial. + +So when the three worshipful kings had done what they would, they took +leave of each other, and each one with his people rode to his own land +rejoicing. + + + + +HOW THEY CAME TO COLOGNE + + +Now, after many years, a little before the feast of Christmas, there +appeared a wonderful Star above the cities where these three kings +dwelt, and they knew thereby that their time was come when they should +pass from earth. Then with one consent they built, at the Hill of +Vaws, a fair and large tomb, and there the three Holy Kings, Melchior, +Balthazar, and Jasper died, and were buried in the same tomb by their +sorrowing people. + +Now after much time had passed away, Queen Helen, the mother of the +Emperor Constantine, began to think greatly of the bodies of these three +kings, and she arrayed herself, and, accompanied by many attendants, +went into the Land of Ind. + +And you shall understand that after she had found the bodies of +Melchior, Balthazar, and Jasper, Queen Helen put them into one chest +and ornamented it with great riches, and she brought them into +Constantinople, with joy and reverence, and laid them in a church that +is called Saint Sophia; and this church the Emperor Constantine did +make,--he alone, with a little child, set up all the marble pillars +thereof. + +Now, after the death of the Emperor Constantine a persecution against +the Christian faith arose, and in this persecution the bodies of +the three worshipful kings were set at naught. Then came the Emperor +Mauricius of Rome, and, through his counsel, the bodies of these three +kings were carried to Italy, and there they were laid in a fair church +in the city of Milan. + +Then afterward, in the process of time, the city of Milan rebelled +against the Emperor Frederick the First, and he, being sore beset, sent +to Rainald, Archbishop of Cologne, asking for help. + +This Archbishop with his army did take the city of Milan, and delivered +it to the Emperor. And for this service did the Emperor grant, at the +Archbishop's great entreaty, that he should carry forth to Cologne the +bodies of the three blessed kings. + +Then the Archbishop, with great solemnity and in procession, did carry +forth from the city of Milan the bodies of the three kings, and brought +them unto Cologne and there placed them in the fair church of Saint +Peter. And all the people of the country roundabout, with all the +reverence they might, received these relics, and there in the city of +Cologne they are kept and beholden of all manner of nations unto this +day. + + +Thus endeth the legend of these three blessed kings,--Melchior, +Balthazar, and Jasper. + + + + + +ARBOR DAY + + + + +THE LITTLE TREE THAT LONGED FOR OTHER LEAVES + +BY FRIEDRICH RUCHERT (TRANSLATED) + +There was a little tree that stood in the woods through both good and +stormy weather, and it was covered from top to bottom with needles +instead of leaves. The needles were sharp and prickly, so the little +tree said to itself:-- + +“All my tree comrades have beautiful green leaves, and I have only sharp +needles. No one will touch me. If I could have a wish I would ask for +leaves of pure gold.” + +When night came the little tree fell asleep, and, lo! in the morning it +woke early and found itself covered with glistening, golden leaves. + +“Ah, ah!” said the little tree, “how grand I am! No other tree in the +woods is dressed in gold.” + +But at evening time there came a peddler with a great sack and a long +beard. He saw the glitter of the golden leaves. He picked them all and +hurried away leaving the little tree cold and bare. + +“Alas! alas!” cried the little tree in sorrow; “all my golden leaves +are gone! I am ashamed to stand among the other trees that have such +beautiful foliage. If I only had another wish I would ask for leaves of +glass.” + +Then the little tree fell asleep, and when it woke early, it found +itself covered with bright and shining leaves of glass. + +“Now,” said the little tree, “I am happy. No tree in the woods glistens +like me.” + +But there came a fierce storm-wind driving through the woods. It struck +the glass, and in a moment all the shining leaves lay shattered on the +ground. + +“My leaves, my glass leaves!” moaned the little tree; “they lie broken +in the dust, while all the other trees are still dressed in their +beautiful foliage. Oh! if I had another wish I would ask for green +leaves.” + +Then the little tree slept again, and in the morning it was covered with +fresh, green foliage. And it laughed merrily, and said: “Now, I need not +be ashamed any more. I am like my comrades of the woods.” + +But along came a mother-goat, looking for grass and herbs for herself +and her young ones. She saw the crisp, new leaves; and she nibbled, and +nibbled, and nibbled them all away, and she ate up both stems and tender +shoots, till the little tree stood bare. + +“Alas!” cried the little tree in anguish, “I want no more leaves, +neither gold ones nor glass ones, nor green and red and yellow ones! If +I could only have my needles once more, I would never complain again.” + +And sorrowfully the little tree fell asleep, but when it saw itself in +the morning sunshine, it laughed and laughed and laughed. And all the +other trees laughed, too, but the little tree did not care. Why did they +laugh? Because in the night all its needles had come again! You may see +this for yourself. Just go into the woods and look, but do not touch the +little tree. Why not? BECAUSE IT PRICKS. + + + + +WHY THE EVERGREEN TREES NEVER LOSE THEIR LEAVES + +BY FLORENCE HOLBROOK + +Winter was coming, and the birds had flown far to the south, where the +air was warm and they could find berries to eat. One little bird had +broken its wing and could not fly with the others. It was alone in the +cold world of frost and snow. The forest looked warm, and it made its +way to the trees as well as it could, to ask for help. + +First it came to a birch tree. “Beautiful birch tree,” it said, “my +wing is broken, and my friends have flown away. May I live among your +branches till they come back to me?” + +“No, indeed,” answered the birch tree, drawing her fair green leaves +away. “We of the great forest have our own birds to help. I can do +nothing for you.” + +“The birch is not very strong,” said the little bird to itself, “and it +might be that she could not hold me easily. I will ask the oak.” So the +bird said: “Great oak tree, you are so strong, will you not let me live +on your boughs till my friends come back in the springtime?” + +“In the springtime!” cried the oak. “That is a long way off. How do I +know what you might do in all that time? Birds are always looking for +something to eat, and you might even eat up some of my acorns.” + +“It may be that the willow will be kind to me,” thought the bird, and +it said: “Gentle willow, my wing is broken, and I could not fly to +the south with the other birds. May I live on your branches till the +springtime?” + +The willow did not look gentle then, for she drew herself up proudly and +said: “Indeed, I do not know you, and we willows never talk to people +whom we do not know. Very likely there are trees somewhere that will +take in strange birds. Leave me at once.” + +The poor little bird did not know what to do. Its wing was not yet +strong, but it began to fly away as well as it could. Before it had gone +far a voice was heard. “Little bird,” it said, “where are you going?” + +“Indeed, I do not know,” answered the bird sadly. “I am very cold.” + +“Come right here, then,” said the friendly spruce tree, for it was her +voice that had called. + +“You shall live on my warmest branch all winter if you choose.” + +“Will you really let me?” asked the little bird eagerly. + +“Indeed, I will,” answered the kind-hearted spruce tree. “If your +friends have flown away, it is time for the trees to help you. Here is +the branch where my leaves are thickest and softest.” + +“My branches are not very thick,” said the friendly pine tree, “but I am +big and strong, and I can keep the North Wind from you and the spruce.” + +“I can help, too,” said a little juniper tree. “I can give you berries +all winter long, and every bird knows that juniper berries are good.” + +So the spruce gave the lonely little bird a home; the pine kept the cold +North Wind away from it; and the juniper gave it berries to eat. The +other trees looked on and talked together wisely. + +“I would not have strange birds on my boughs,” said the birch. + +“I shall not give my acorns away for any one,” said the oak. + +“I never have anything to do with strangers,” said the willow, and the +three trees drew their leaves closely about them. + +In the morning all those shining, green leaves lay on the ground, for +a cold North Wind had come in the night, and every leaf that it touched +fell from the tree. + +“May I touch every leaf in the forest?” asked the wind in its frolic. + +“No,” said the Frost King. “The trees that have been kind to the little +bird with the broken wing may keep their leaves.” + +This is why the leaves of the spruce, the pine, and the juniper are +always green. + + + + +WHY THE ASPEN QUIVERS + +OLD LEGEND + +Long, long ago, so the legend says, when Joseph and Mary and the Holy +Babe fled out of Bethlehem into Egypt, they passed through the +green wildwood. And flowers and trees and plants bent their heads in +reverence. + +But the proud aspen held its head high and refused even to look at the +Holy Babe. In vain the birds sang in the aspen's branches, entreating it +to gaze for one moment at the wonderful One; the proud tree still held +its head erect in scorn. + +Then outspake Mary, his mother. “O aspen tree,” she said, “why do you +not gaze on the Holy Child? Why do you not bow your head? A star arose +at his birth, angels sang his first lullaby, kings and shepherds came to +the brightness of his rising; why, then, O aspen, do you refuse to honor +your Lord and mine?” + +But the aspen could not answer. A strange shivering passed through its +stem and along its boughs, which set its leaves a-quivering. It trembled +before the Holy Babe. + +And so from age to age, even unto this day, the proud aspen shakes and +shivers. + + + + +THE WONDER TREE + +BY FRIEDRICH ADOLPH KRUMMACHER (ADAPTED) + +One day in the springtime, Prince Solomon was sitting under the palm +trees in the royal gardens, when he saw the Prophet Nathan walking near. + +“Nathan,” said the Prince, “I would see a wonder.” + +The Prophet smiled. “I had the same desire in the days of my youth,” he +replied. + +“And was it fulfilled?” asked Solomon. + +“A Man of God came to me,” said Nathan, “having a pomegranate seed in +his hand. 'Behold,' he said, 'what will become of this.' Then he made a +hole in the ground, and planted the seed, and covered it over. When he +withdrew his hand the clods of earth opened, and I saw two small leaves +coming forth. But scarcely had I beheld them, when they joined together +and became a small stem wrapped in bark; and the stem grew before my +eyes,--and it grew thicker and higher and became covered with branches. + +“I marveled, but the Man of God motioned me to be silent. 'Behold,' said +he, 'new creations begin.' + +“Then he took water in the palm of his hand, and sprinkled the branches +three times, and, lo! the branches were covered with green leaves, so +that a cool shade spread above us, and the air was fined with perfume. + +“'From whence come this perfume and this shade?' cried I. + +“'Dost thou not see,' he answered, 'these crimson flowers bursting from +among the leaves, and hanging in clusters?' + +“I was about to speak, but a gentle breeze moved the leaves, scattering +the petals of the flowers around us. Scarcely had the falling flowers +reached the ground when I saw ruddy pomegranates hanging beneath the +leaves of the tree, like almonds on Aaron's rod. Then the Man of God +left me, and I was lost in amazement.” + +“Where is he, this Man of God?” asked Prince Solomon eagerly. “What is +his name? Is he still alive?” + + +“Son of David,” answered Nathan, “I have spoken to thee of a vision.” + +When the Prince heard this he was grieved to the heart. “How couldst +thou deceive me thus?” he asked. + +But the Prophet replied: “Behold in thy father's gardens thou mayest +daily see the unfolding of wonder trees. Doth not this same miracle +happen to the fig, the date, and the pomegranate? They spring from the +earth, they put out branches and leaves, they flower, they fruit,--not +in a moment, perhaps, but in months and years,--but canst thou tell the +difference betwixt a minute, a month, or a year in the eyes of Him with +whom one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day?” + + + + +THE PROUD OAK TREE + +OLD FABLE [11] + + +[Footnote 11: From Deutsches Drittes Lesebuch, by W. H. Weick and C. +Grebner. Copyright, 1886, by Van Antwerp, Bragg & Co. American Book +Company, publishers.] + + +(TRANSLATED) + +The oak said to the reed that grew by the river: “It is no wonder that +you make such a sorrowful moaning, for you are so weak that the little +wren is a burden for you, and the lightest breeze must seem like a +storm-wind. Now look at me! No storm has ever been able to bow my +head. You will be much safer if you grow close to my side so that I may +shelter you from the wind that is now playing with my leaves.” + +“Do not worry about me,” said the reed; “I have less reason to fear the +wind than you have. I bow myself, but I never break. He who laughs last, +laughs best!” + +That night there came a fearful hurricane. The oak stood erect. The +reed bowed itself before the blast. The wind grew more furious, and, +uprooting the proud oak, flung it on the ground. + +When the morning came there stood the slender reed, glittering with +dewdrops, and softly swaying in the breeze. + + + + +BAUCIS AND PHILEMON + +ADAPTED FROM H. P. MASKEL'S RENDERING OF THE GREEK MYTH + +On the slopes of the Phrygian hills, there once dwelt a pious old couple +named Baucis and Philemon. They had lived all their lives in a tiny +cottage of wattles, thatched with straw, cheerful and content in spite +of their poverty. + +As this worthy couple sat dozing by the fireside one evening in the late +autumn, two strangers came and begged a shelter for the night. They had +to stoop to enter the humble doorway, where the old man welcomed them +heartily and bade them rest their weary limbs on the settle before the +fire. + +Meanwhile Baucis stirred the embers, blowing them into a flame with dry +leaves, and heaped on the fagots to boil the stew-pot. Hanging from the +blackened beams was a rusty side of bacon. Philemon cut off a rasher +to roast, and, while his guests refreshed themselves with a wash at the +rustic trough, he gathered pot-herbs from his patch of garden. Then the +old woman, her hands trembling with age, laid the cloth and spread the +table. + +It was a frugal meal, but one that hungry wayfarers could well relish. +The first course was an omelette of curdled milk and eggs, garnished +with radishes and served on rude oaken platters. The cups of turned +beechwood were filled with homemade wine from an earthen jug. The second +course consisted of dried figs and dates, plums, sweet-smelling apples, +and grapes, with a piece of clear, white honeycomb. What made the +meal more grateful to the guests was the hearty spirit in which it was +offered. Their hosts gave all they had without stint or grudging. + +But all at once something happened which startled and amazed Baucis and +Philemon. They poured out wine for their guests, and, lo! each time the +pitcher filled itself again to the brim. + +The old couple then knew that their guests were not mere mortals; +indeed, they were no other than Jupiter and Mercury come down to +earth in the disguise of poor travelers. Being ashamed of their humble +entertainment, Philemon hurried out and gave chase to his only goose, +intending to kill and roast it. But his guests forbade him, saying:-- + +“In mortal shape we have come down, and at a hundred houses asked +for lodging and rest. For answer a hundred doors were shut and locked +against us. You alone, the poorest of all, have received us gladly and +given us of your best. Now it is for us to punish these impious people +who treat strangers so churlishly, but you two shall be spared. Only +leave your cottage and follow us to yonder mountain-top.” + +So saying, Jupiter and Mercury led the way, and the two old folks +hobbled after them. Presently they reached the top of the mountain, and +Baucis and Philemon saw all the country round, with villages and people, +sinking into a marsh; while their own cottage alone was left standing. + +And while they gazed, their cottage was changed into a white temple. The +doorway became a porch with marble columns. The thatch grew into a roof +of golden tiles. The little garden about their home became a park. + +Then Jupiter, regarding Baucis and Philemon with kindly eyes, said: +“Tell me, O good old man and you good wife, what may we do in return for +your hospitality?” + +Philemon whispered for a moment with Baucis, and she nodded her +approval. “We desire,” he replied, “to be your servants, and to have the +care of this temple. One other favor we would ask. From boyhood I have +loved only Baucis, and she has lived only for me. Let the selfsame hour +take us both away together. Let me never see the tomb of my wife, nor +let her suffer the misery of mourning my death.” + +Jupiter and Mercury, pleased with these requests, willingly granted +both, and endowed Baucis and Philemon with youth and strength as well. +The gods then vanished from their sight, but as long as their lives +lasted Baucis and Philemon were the guardians of the white temple that +once had been their home. + +And when again old age overtook them, they were standing one day +in front of the sacred porch, and Baucis, turning her gaze upon her +husband, saw him slowly changing into a gnarled oak tree. And Philemon, +as he felt himself rooted to the ground, saw Baucis at the same time +turning into a leafy linden. + +And as their faces disappeared behind the green foliage, each cried +unto the other, “Farewell, dearest love!” and again, “Dearest love, +farewell!” And their human forms were changed to trees and branches. + +And still, if you visit the spot, you may see an oak and a linden tree +with branches intertwined. + + + + +THE UNFRUITFUL TREE + +BY FRIEDRICH ADOLPH KRUMMACHER + +A farmer had a brother in town who was a gardener, and who possessed a +magnificent orchard full of the finest fruit trees, so that his skill +and his beautiful trees were famous everywhere. + +One day the farmer went into town to visit his brother, and was +astonished at the rows of trees that grew slender and smooth as wax +tapers. + +“Look, my brother,” said the gardener; “I will give you an apple tree, +the best from my garden, and you, and your children, and your children's +children shall enjoy it.” + +Then the gardener called his workmen and ordered them to take up the +tree and carry it to his brother's farm. They did so, and the next +morning the farmer began to wonder where he should plant it. + +“If I plant it on the hill,” said he to himself, “the wind might catch +it and shake down the delicious fruit before it is ripe; if I plant it +close to the road, passers-by will see it and rob me of its luscious +apples; but if I plant it too near the door of my house, my servants or +the children may pick the fruit.” + +So, after he had thought the matter over, he planted the tree behind his +barn, saying to himself: “Prying thieves will not think to look for it +here.” + +But behold, the tree bore neither fruit nor blossoms the first year +nor the second; then the farmer sent for his brother the gardener, and +reproached him angrily, saying:-- + +“You have deceived me, and given me a barren tree instead of a fruitful +one. For, behold, this is the third year and still it brings forth +nothing but leaves!” + +The gardener, when he saw where the tree was planted, laughed and +said:-- + +“You have planted the tree where it is exposed to cold winds, and has +neither sun nor warmth. How, then, could you expect flowers and fruit? +You have planted the tree with a greedy and suspicious heart; how, then, +could you expect to reap a rich and generous harvest?” + + + + +THE DRYAD OF THE OLD OAK + +BY JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL (ADAPTED) + +In olden times there was a youth named Rhoecus. One day as he wandered +through the wood he saw an ancient oak tree, trembling and about to +fall. Full of pity for so fair a tree, Rhoecus carefully propped up its +trunk, and as he did so he heard a soft voice murmur:-- + +“Rhoecus!” + +It sounded like the gentle sighing of the wind through the leaves; and +while Rhoecus paused bewildered to listen, again he heard the murmur +like a soft breeze:-- + +“Rhoecus!” + +And there stood before him, in the green glooms of the shadowy oak, a +wonderful maiden. + +“Rhoecus,” said she, in low-toned words, serene and full, and as clear +as drops of dew, “I am the Dryad of this tree, and with it I am doomed +to live and die. Thou hadst compassion on my oak, and in saving it thou +hast saved my life. Now, ask me what thou wilt that I can give, and it +shall be thine.” + +“Beauteous nymph,” answered Rhoecus, with a flutter at the heart, +“surely nothing will satisfy the craving of my soul save to be with thee +forever. Give to me thy love!” + +“I give it, Rhoecus,” answered she with sadness in her voice, “though it +be a perilous gift. An hour before sunset meet me here.” + +And straightway she vanished, and Rhoecus could see nothing but the +green glooms beneath the shadowy oak. Not a sound came to his straining +ears but the low, trickling rustle of the leaves, and, from far away on +the emerald slope, the sweet sound of an idle shepherd's pipe. + +Filled with wonder and joy Rhoecus turned his steps homeward. The earth +seemed to spring beneath him as he walked. The clear, broad sky looked +bluer than its wont, and so full of joy was he that he could scarce +believe that he had not wings. + +Impatient for the trysting-time, he sought some companions, and to while +away the tedious hours, he played at dice, and soon forgot all else. + +The dice were rattling their merriest, and Rhoecus had just laughed in +triumph at a happy throw, when through the open window of the room +there hummed a yellow bee. It buzzed about his ears, and seemed ready +to alight upon his head. At this Rhoecus laughed, and with a rough, +impatient hand he brushed it off and cried:-- + +“The silly insect! does it take me for a rose?” + +But still the bee came back. Three times it buzzed about his head, and +three times he rudely beat it back. Then straight through the window +flew the wounded bee, while Rhoecus watched its fight with angry eyes. + +And as he looked--O sorrow!--the red disk of the setting sun descended +behind the sharp mountain peak of Thessaly. + +Then instantly the blood sank from his heart, as if its very walls had +caved in, for he remembered the trysting-hour-now gone by! Without a +word he turned and rushed forth madly through the city and the gate, +over the fields into the wood. + +Spent of breath he reached the tree, and, listening fearfully, he heard +once more the low voice murmur:-- + +“Rhoecus!” + +But as he looked he could see nothing but the deepening glooms beneath +the oak. + +Then the voice sighed: “O Rhoecus, nevermore shalt thou behold me by day +or night! Why didst thou fail to come ere sunset? Why didst thou scorn +my humble messenger, and send it back to me with bruised wings? We +spirits only show ourselves to gentle eyes! And he who scorns the +smallest thing alive is forever shut away from all that is beautiful in +woods and fields. Farewell! for thou canst see me no more!” + +Then Rhoecus beat his breast and groaned aloud. “Be pitiful,” he cried. +“Forgive me yet this once!” + +“Alas,” the voice replied, “I am not unmerciful! I can forgive! But I +have no skill to heal thy spirit's eyes, nor can I change the temper of +thy heart.” And then again she murmured, “Nevermore!” + +And after that Rhoecus heard no other sound, save the rustling of the +oak's crisp leaves, like surf upon a distant shore. + + + + +DAPHNE + +BY OVID (ADAPTED) + +In ancient times, when Apollo, the god of the shining sun, roamed the +earth, he met Cupid, who with bended bow and drawn string was seeking +human beings to wound with the arrows of love. + +“Silly boy,” said Apollo, “what dost thou with the warlike bow? Such +burden best befits my shoulders, for did I not slay the fierce serpent, +the Python, whose baleful breath destroyed all that came nigh him? +Warlike arms are for the mighty, not for boys like thee! Do thou carry a +torch with which to kindle love in human hearts, but no longer lay claim +to my weapon, the bow!” + +But Cupid replied in anger: “Let thy bow shoot what it will, Apollo, but +my bow shall shoot THEE!” And the god of love rose up, and beating the +air with his wings, he drew two magic arrows from his quiver. One was +of shining gold and with its barbed point could Cupid inflict wounds of +love; the other arrow was of dull silver and its wound had the power to +engender hate. + +The silver arrow Cupid fixed in the breast of Daphne, the daughter of +the river-god Peneus; and forthwith she fled away from the homes of men, +and hunted beasts in the forest. + +With the golden arrow Cupid grievously wounded Apollo, who fleeing to +the woods saw there the Nymph Daphne pursuing the deer; and straightway +the sun-god fell in love with her beauty. Her golden locks hung down +upon her neck, her eyes were like stars, her form was slender and +graceful and clothed in clinging white. Swifter than the light wind she +flew, and Apollo followed after. + +“O Nymph! daughter of Peneus,” he cried, “stay, I entreat thee! Why dost +thou fly as a lamb from the wolf, as a deer from the lion, or as a dove +with trembling wings Bees from the eagle! I am no common man! I am no +shepherd! Thou knowest not, rash maid, from whom thou art flying! The +priests of Delphi and Tenedos pay their service to me. Jupiter is my +sire. Mine own arrow is unerring, but Cupid's aim is truer, for he has +made this wound in my heart! Alas! wretched me! though I am that great +one who discovered the art of healing, yet this love may not be healed +by my herbs nor my skill!” + +But Daphne stopped not at these words, she flew from him with timid +step. The winds fluttered her garments, the light breezes spread her +flowing locks behind her. Swiftly Apollo drew near even as the keen +greyhound draws near to the frightened hare he is pursuing. With +trembling limbs Daphne sought the river, the home of her father, Peneus. +Close behind her was Apollo, the sun-god. She felt his breath on her +hair and his hand on her shoulder. Her strength was spent, she grew +pale, and in faint accents she implored the river:-- + +“O save me, my father, save me from Apollo, the sun-god!” + +Scarcely had she thus spoken before a heaviness seized her limbs. Her +breast was covered with bark, her hair grew into green leaves, and her +arms into branches. Her feet, a moment before so swift, became rooted to +the ground. And Daphne was no longer a Nymph, but a green laurel tree. + +When Apollo beheld this change he cried out and embraced the tree, and +kissed its leaves. + +“Beautiful Daphne,” he said, “since thou cannot be my bride, yet shalt +thou be my tree. Henceforth my hair, my lyre, and my quiver shall be +adorned with laurel. Thy wreaths shall be given to conquering chiefs, +to winners of fame and joy; and as my head has never been shorn of its +locks, so shalt thou wear thy green leaves, winter and summer--forever!” + +Apollo ceased speaking and the laurel bent its new-made boughs in +assent, and its stem seemed to shake and its leaves gently to murmur. + + + + + +BIRD DAY + + + + +THE OLD WOMAN WHO BECAME A WOODPECKER + +BY PHOEBE CARY (ADAPTED) + +Afar in the Northland, where the winter days are so short and the nights +so long, and where they harness the reindeer to sledges, and where the +children look like bear's cubs in their funny, furry clothes, there, +long ago, wandered a good Saint on the snowy roads. + +He came one day to the door of a cottage, and looking in saw a little +old woman making cakes, and baking them on the hearth. + +Now, the good Saint was faint with fasting, and he asked if she would +give him one small cake wherewith to stay his hunger. + +So the little old woman made a VERY SMALL cake and placed it on the +hearth; but as it lay baking she looked at it and thought: “That is a +big cake, indeed, quite too big for me to give away.” + +Then she kneaded another cake, much smaller, and laid that on the hearth +to cook, but when she turned it over it looked larger than the first. + +So she took a tiny scrap of dough, and rolled it out, and rolled it out, +and baked it as thin as a wafer; but when it was done it looked so large +that she could not bear to part with it; and she said: “My cakes are +much too big to give away,”--and she put them on the shelf. + +Then the good Saint grew angry, for he was hungry and faint. “You are +too selfish to have a human form,” said he. “You are too greedy to +deserve food, shelter, and a warm fire. Instead, henceforth, you shall +build as the birds do, and get your scanty living by picking up nuts and +berries and by boring, boring all the day long, in the bark of trees.” + +Hardly had the good Saint said this when the little old woman went +straight up the chimney, and came out at the top changed into a +red-headed woodpecker with coal-black feathers. + +And now every country boy may see her in the woods, where she lives in +trees boring, boring, boring for her food. + + + + +THE BOY WHO BECAME A ROBIN + +AN OJIBBEWAY LEGEND + +BY HENRY R. SCHOOLCRAFT (ADAPTED) + +Once upon a time there was an old Indian who had an only son, whose name +was Opeechee. The boy had come to the age when every Indian lad makes a +long fast, in order to secure a Spirit to be his guardian for life. + +Now, the old man was very proud, and he wished his son to fast longer +than other boys, and to become a greater warrior than all others. So he +directed him to prepare with solemn ceremonies for the fast. + +After the boy had been in the sweating lodge and bath several times, +his father commanded him to lie down upon a clean mat, in a little lodge +apart from the rest. + +“My son,” said he, “endure your hunger like a man, and at the end of +TWELVE DAYS, you shall receive food and a blessing from my hands.” + +The boy carefully did all that his father commanded, and lay quietly +with his face covered, awaiting the arrival of his guardian Spirit who +was to bring him good or bad dreams. + +His father visited him every day, encouraging him to endure with +patience the pangs of hunger and thirst. He told him of the honor and +renown that would be his if he continued his fast to the end of the +twelve days. + +To all this the boy replied not, but lay on his mat without a murmur of +discontent, until the ninth day; when he said:-- + +“My father, the dreams tell me of evil. May I break my fast now, and at +a better time make a new one?” + +“My son,” replied the old man, “you know not what you ask. If you get +up now, all your glory will depart. Wait patiently a little longer. You +have but three days more to fast, then glory and honor will be yours.” + +The boy said nothing more, but, covering himself closer, he lay until +the eleventh day, when he spoke again:-- + +“My father,” said he, “the dreams forebode evil. May I break my fast +now, and at a better time make a new one?” + +“My son,” replied the old man again, “you know not what you ask. Wait +patiently a little longer. You have but one more day to fast. To-morrow +I will myself prepare a meal and bring it to you.” + +The boy remained silent, beneath his covering, and motionless except for +the gentle heaving of his breast. + +Early the next morning his father, overjoyed at having gained his end, +prepared some food. He took it and hastened to the lodge intending to +set it before his son. + +On coming to the door of the lodge what was his surprise to hear the boy +talking to some one. He lifted the curtain hanging before the doorway, +and looking in saw his son painting his breast with vermilion. And as +the lad laid on the bright color as far back on his shoulders as he +could reach, he was saying to himself:-- + +“My father has destroyed my fortune as a man. He would not listen to my +requests. I shall be happy forever, because I was obedient to my parent; +but he shall suffer. My guardian Spirit has given me a new form, and now +I must go!” + +At this his father rushed into the lodge, crying: + +“My son! my son! I pray you leave me not!” + +But the boy, with the quickness of a bird, flew to the top of the lodge, +and perching upon the highest pole, was instantly changed into a most +beautiful robin redbreast. + +He looked down on his father with pity in his eyes, and said:-- + +“Do not sorrow, O my father, I am no longer your boy, but Opeechee the +robin. I shall always be a friend to men, and live near their dwellings. +I shall ever be happy and content. Every day will I sing you songs of +joy. The mountains and fields yield me food. My pathway is in the bright +air.” + +Then Opeechee the robin stretched himself as if delighting in his new +wings, and caroling his sweetest song, he flew away to the near-by +trees. + + + + +THE TONGUE-CUT SPARROW + +BY A. B. MITFORD (ADAPTED) + +Once upon a time there lived a little old man and a little old woman. +The little old man had a kind heart, and he kept a young sparrow, which +he cared for tenderly. Every morning it used to sing at the door of his +house. + +Now, the little old woman was a cross old thing, and one day when she +was going to starch her linen, the sparrow pecked at her paste. Then she +flew into a great rage and cut the sparrow's tongue and let the bird fly +away. + +When the little old man came home from the hills, where he had been +chopping wood, he found the sparrow gone. + +“Where is my little sparrow?” asked he. + +“It pecked at my starching-paste,” answered the little old woman, “so I +cut its evil tongue and let it fly away.” + +“Alas! Alas!” cried the little old man. “Poor thing! Poor thing! Poor +little tongue-cut sparrow! Where is your home now?” + +And then he wandered far and wide seeking his pet and crying:-- + +“Mr. Sparrow, Mr. Sparrow, where are you living?” + +And he wandered on and on, over mountain and valley, and dale and river, +until one day at the foot of a certain mountain he met the lost bird. +The little old man was filled with joy and the sparrow welcomed him with +its sweetest song. + +It led the little old man to its nest-house, introduced him to its wife +and small sparrows, and set before him all sorts of good things to eat +and drink. + +“Please partake of our humble fare,” sang the sparrow; “poor as it is, +you are welcome.” + +“What a polite sparrow,” answered the little old man, and he stayed for +a long time as the bird's guest. At last one day the little old man said +that he must take his leave and return home. + +“Wait a bit,” said the sparrow. + +And it went into the house and brought out two wicker baskets. One was +very heavy and the other light. + +“Take the one you wish,” said the sparrow, “and good fortune go with +you.” + +“I am very feeble,” answered the little old man, “so I will take the +light one.” + +He thanked the sparrow, and, shouldering the basket, said good-bye. Then +he trudged off leaving the sparrow family sad and lonely. + +When he reached home the little old woman was very angry, and began to +scold him, saying:-- + +“Well, and pray where have you been all these days? A pretty thing, +indeed, for you to be gadding about like this!” + +“Oh,” he replied, “I have been on a visit to the tongue-cut sparrow, and +when I came away it gave me this wicker basket as a parting gift.” + +Then they opened the basket to see what was inside, and lo and behold! +it was full of gold, silver, and other precious things! + +The little old woman was as greedy as she was cross, and when she saw +all the riches spread before her, she could not contain herself for joy. + +“Ho! Ho!” cried she. “Now I'll go and call on the sparrow, and get a +pretty present, too!” + +She asked the old man the way to the sparrow's house and set forth on +her journey. And she wandered on and on over mountain and valley, and +dale and river, until at last she saw the tongue-cut sparrow. + +“Well met, well met, Mr. Sparrow,” cried she. “I have been looking +forward with much pleasure to seeing you.” And then she tried to flatter +it with soft, sweet words. + +So the bird had to invite her to its nest-house, but it did not feast +her nor say anything about a parting gift. At last the little old woman +had to go, and she asked for something to carry with her to remember the +visit by. The sparrow, as before, brought out two wicker baskets. One +was very heavy and the other light. + +The greedy little old woman, choosing the heavy one, carried it off with +her. + +She hurried home as fast as she was able, and closing her doors and +windows so that no one might see, opened the basket. And, lo and behold! +out jumped all sorts of wicked hobgoblins and imps, and they scratched +and pinched her to death. + +As for the little old man he adopted a son, and his family grew rich and +prosperous. + + + + +THE QUAILS--A LEGEND OF THE JATAKA + +FROM THE RIVERSIDE FOURTH READER + +Ages ago a flock of more than a thousand quails lived together in a +forest in India. They would have been happy, but that they were in great +dread of their enemy, the quail-catcher. He used to imitate the call +of the quail; and when they gathered together in answer to it, he would +throw a great net over them, stuff them into his basket, and carry them +away to be sold. + +Now, one of the quails was very wise, and he said:-- + +“Brothers! I've thought of a good plan. In future, as soon as the fowler +throws his net over us, let each one put his head through a mesh in the +net and then all lift it up together and fly away with it. When we have +flown far enough, we can let the net drop on a thorn bush and escape +from under it.” + +All agreed to the plan; and next day when the fowler threw his net, the +birds all lifted it together in the very way that the wise quail had +told them, threw it on a thorn bush and escaped. While the fowler tried +to free his net from the thorns, it grew dark, and he had to go home. + +This happened many days, till at last the fowler's wife grew angry and +asked her husband:-- + +“Why is it that you never catch any more quail?” + +Then the fowler said: “The trouble is that all the birds work together +and help one another. If they would only quarrel, I could catch them +fast enough.” + +A few days later, one of the quails accidentally trod on the head of one +of his brothers, as they alighted on the feeding-ground. + +“Who trod on my head?” angrily inquired the quail who was hurt. + +“Don't be angry, I didn't mean to tread on you,” said the first quail. + +But the brother quail went on quarreling. + +“I lifted all the weight of the net; you didn't help at all,” he cried. + +That made the first quail angry, and before long all were drawn into +the dispute. Then the fowler saw his chance. He imitated the cry of the +quail and cast his net over those who came together. They were still +boasting and quarreling, and they did not help one another lift the net. +So the hunter lifted the net himself and crammed them into his basket. +But the wise quail gathered his friends together and flew far away, for +he knew that quarrels are the root of misfortune. + + + + +THE MAGPIE'S NEST + +BY JOSEPH JACOBS + +All the birds of the air came to the magpie and asked her to teach +them how to build nests. For the magpie is the cleverest bird of all +at building nests. So she put all the birds round her and began to show +them how to do it. First of all she took some mud and made a sort of +round cake with it. + +“Oh, that's how it's done!” said the thrush, and away it flew; and so +that's how thrushes build their nests. + +Then the magpie took some twigs and arranged them round in the mud. + +“Now I know all about it!” said the blackbird, and off it flew; and +that's how the blackbirds make their nests to this very day. + +Then the magpie put another layer of mud over the twigs. + +“Oh, that 's quite obvious!” said the wise owl, and away it flew; and +owls have never made better nests since. + +After this the magpie took some twigs and twined them round the outside. + +“The very thing!” said the sparrow, and off he went; so sparrows make +rather slovenly nests to this day. + +Well, then Madge magpie took some feathers and stuff, and lined the nest +very comfortably with it. + +“That suits me!” cried the starling, and off it flew; and very +comfortable nests have starlings. + +So it went on, every bird taking away some knowledge of how to build +nests, but none of them waiting to the end. + +Meanwhile Madge magpie went on working and working without looking up, +till the only bird that remained was the turtle-dove, and that hadn't +paid any attention all along, but only kept on saying its silly cry: +“Take two, Taffy, take two-o-o-o!” + +At last the magpie heard this just as she was putting a twig across, so +she said: “One's enough.” + +But the turtle-dove kept on saying: “Take two, Taffy, take two-o-o-o!” + +Then the magpie got angry and said: “One's enough, I tell you!” + +Still the turtle-dove cried: “Take two, Taffy, take two-o-o-o!” + +At last, and at last, the magpie looked up and saw nobody near her but +the silly turtle-dove, and then she got rarely angry and flew away and +refused to tell the birds how to build nests again. + +And that is why different birds build their nests differently. + + + + +THE GREEDY GEESE + +FROM IL LIBRO D'ORO (ADAPTED) + +Many years ago there was near the sea a convent famed for the rich crops +of grain that grew on its farm. On a certain year a large flock of wild +geese descended on its fields and devoured first the corn, and then the +green blades. + +The superintendent of the farm hastened to the convent and called the +lady abbess. + +“Holy mother,” said he, “this year the nuns will have to fast +continually, for there will be no food.” + +“Why is that?” asked the abbess. + +“Because,” answered the superintendent, “a flood of wild geese has +rained upon the land, and they have eaten up the corn, nor have they +left a single green blade.” + +“Is it possible,” said the abbess, “that these wicked birds have no +respect for the property of the convent! They shall do penance for their +misdeeds. Return at once to the fields, and order the geese from me to +come without delay to the convent door, so that they may receive just +punishment for their greediness.” + +“But, mother,” said the superintendent, “this is not a time for jesting! +These are not sheep to be guided into the fold, but birds with long, +strong wings, to fly away with.” + +“Do you understand me!” answered the abbess. “Go at once, and bid them +come to me without delay, and render an account of their misdeeds.” + +The superintendent ran back to the farm, and found the flock of +evildoers still there. He raised his voice and clapping his hands, +cried:-- + +“Come, come, ye greedy geese! The lady abbess commands you to hasten to +the convent door!” + +Wonderful sight! Hardly had he uttered these words than the geese raised +their necks as if to listen, then, without spreading their wings, they +placed themselves in single file, and in regular order began to march +toward the convent. As they proceeded they bowed their heads as if +confessing their fault and as though about to receive punishment. + +Arriving at the convent, they entered the courtyard in exact order, one +behind the other, and there awaited the coming of the abbess. All night +they stood thus without making a sound, as if struck dumb by their +guilty consciences. But when morning came, they uttered the most pitiful +cries as though asking pardon and permission to depart. + +Then the lady abbess, taking compassion on the repentant birds, appeared +with some nuns upon a balcony. Long she talked to the geese, asking them +why they had stolen the convent grain. She threatened them with a long +fast, and then, softening, began to offer them pardon if they would +never again attack her lands, nor eat her corn. To which the geese bowed +their heads low in assent. Then the abbess gave them her blessing and +permission to depart. + +Hardly had she done so when the geese, spreading their wings, made a +joyous circle above the convent towers, and flew away. Alighting at some +distance they counted their number and found one missing. For, alas! in +the night, when they had been shut in the courtyard, the convent cook, +seeing how fat they were, had stolen one bird and had killed, roasted, +and eaten it. + +When the birds discovered that one of their number was missing, they +again took wing and, hovering over the convent, they uttered mournful +cries, complaining of the loss of their comrade, and imploring the +abbess to return him to the flock. + +Now, when the lady abbess heard these melancholy pleas, she assembled +her household, and inquired of each member where the bird might be. +The cook, fearing that it might be already known to her, confessed the +theft, and begged for pardon. + +“You have been very audacious,” said the abbess, “but at least collect +the bones and bring them to me.” + +The cook did as directed, and the abbess at a word caused the bones to +come together and to assume flesh, and afterwards feathers, and, lo! the +original bird rose up. + +The geese, having received their lost companion, rejoiced loudly, +and, beating their wings gratefully, made many circles over the sacred +cloister, before they flew away. Neither did they in future ever dare +to place a foot on the lands of the convent, nor to touch one blade of +grass. + + + + +THE KING OF THE BIRDS + +BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM (TRANSLATED) + +One day the birds took it into their heads that they would like a +master, and that one of their number must be chosen king. A meeting of +all the birds was called, and on a beautiful May morning they assembled +from woods and fields and meadows. The eagle, the robin, the bluebird, +the owl, the lark, the sparrow were all there. The cuckoo came, and the +lapwing, and so did all the other birds, too numerous to mention. There +also came a very little bird that had no name at all. + +There was great confusion and noise. There was piping, hissing, +chattering and clacking, and finally it was decided that the bird that +could fly the highest should be king. + +The signal was given and all the birds flew in a great flock into the +air. There was a loud rustling and whirring and beating of wings. The +air was full of dust, and it seemed as if a black cloud were floating +over the field. + +The little birds soon grew tired and fell back quickly to earth. The +larger ones held out longer, and flew higher and higher, but the eagle +flew highest of any. He rose, and rose, until he seemed to be flying +straight into the sun. + +The other birds gave out and one by one they fell back to earth; and +when the eagle saw this he thought, “What is the use of flying any +higher? It is settled: I am king!” + +Then the birds below called in one voice: “Come back, come back! You +must be our king! No one can fly as high as you.” + +“Except me!” cried a shrill, shrill voice, and the little bird without +a name rose from the eagle's back, where he had lain hidden in the +feathers, and he flew into the air. Higher and higher he mounted till +he was lost to sight, then, folding his wings together, he sank to earth +crying shrilly: “I am king! I am king!” + +“You, our king!” the birds cried in anger; “you have done this by +trickery and cunning. We will not have you to reign over us.” + +Then the birds gathered together again and made another condition, that +he should be king who could go the deepest into the earth. + +How the goose wallowed in the sand, and the duck strove to dig a hole! +All the other birds, too, tried to hide themselves in the ground. +The little bird without a name found a mouse's hole, and creeping in +cried:-- + +“I am king! I am king!” + +“You, our king!” all the birds cried again, more angrily than before. +“Do you think that we would reward your cunning in this way? No, no! You +shall stay in the earth till you die of hunger!” + +So they shut up the little bird in the mouse's hole, and bade the owl +watch him carefully night and day. Then all the birds went home to bed, +for they were very tired; but the owl found it lonely and wearisome +sitting alone staring at the mouse's hole. + +“I can close one eye and watch with the other,” he thought. So he closed +one eye and stared steadfastly with the other; but before he knew it he +forgot to keep that one open, and both eyes were fast asleep. + +Then the little bird without a name peeped out, and when he saw Master +Owl's two eyes tight shut, he slipped from the hole and flew away. + +From this time on the owl has not dared to show himself by day lest +the birds should pull him to pieces. He flies about only at night-time, +hating and pursuing the mouse for having made the hole into which the +little bird crept. + +And the little bird also keeps out of sight, for he fears lest the other +birds should punish him for his cunning. He hides in the hedges, and +when he thinks himself quite safe, he sings out: “I am king! I am king!” + +And the other birds in mockery call out: “Yes, yes, the hedge-king! the +hedge-king!” + + + + +THE DOVE WHO SPOKE TRUTH + +BY ABBIE FARWELL BROWN + +The dove and the wrinkled little bat once went on a journey together. +When it came toward night a storm arose, and the two companions sought +everywhere for a shelter. But all the birds were sound asleep in their +nests and the animals in their holes and dens. They could find no +welcome anywhere until they came to the hollow tree where old Master Owl +lived, wide awake in the dark. + +“Let us knock here,” said the shrewd bat; “I know the old fellow is not +asleep. This is his prowling hour, and but that it is a stormy night he +would be abroad hunting.--What ho, Master Owl!” he squeaked, “will you +let in two storm-tossed travelers for a night's lodging?” + +Gruffly the selfish old owl bade them enter, and grudgingly invited them +to share his supper. The poor dove was so tired that she could scarcely +eat, but the greedy bat's spirits rose as soon as he saw the viands +spread before him. He was a sly fellow, and immediately began to flatter +his host into good humor. He praised the owl's wisdom and his courage, +his gallantry and his generosity; though every one knew that however +wise old Master Owl might be, he was neither brave nor gallant. As +for his generosity--both the dove and the bat well remembered his +selfishness toward the poor wren, when the owl alone of all the birds +refused to give the little fire-bringer a feather to help cover his +scorched and shivering body. + +All this flattery pleased the owl. He puffed and ruffled himself, trying +to look as wise, gallant, and brave as possible. He pressed the bat to +help himself more generously to the viands, which invitation the sly +fellow was not slow to accept. + +During this time the dove had not uttered a word. She sat quite still +staring at the bat, and wondering to hear such insincere speeches of +flattery. Suddenly the owl turned to her. + +“As for you, Miss Pink-Eyes,” he said gruffly, “you keep careful +silence. You are a dull table-companion. Pray, have you nothing to say +for yourself?” + +“Yes,” exclaimed the mischievous bat; “have you no words of praise for +our kind host? Methinks he deserves some return for this wonderfully +generous, agreeable, tasteful, well-appointed, luxurious, elegant, and +altogether acceptable banquet. What have you to say, O little dove?” + +But the dove hung her head, ashamed of her companion, and said very +simply: “O Master Owl, I can only thank you with all my heart for the +hospitality and shelter which you have given me this night. I was beaten +by the storm, and you took me in. I was hungry, and you gave me your +best to eat. I cannot flatter nor make pretty speeches like the bat. I +never learned such manners. But I thank you.” + +“What!” cried the bat, pretending to be shocked, “is that all you have +to say to our obliging host? Is he not the wisest, bravest, most gallant +and generous of gentlemen? Have you no praise for his noble character as +well as for his goodness to us? I am ashamed of you! You do not deserve +such hospitality. You do not deserve this shelter.” + +The dove remained silent. Like Cordelia in the play she could not speak +untruths even for her own happiness. + +“Truly, you are an unamiable guest,” snarled the owl, his yellow eyes +growing keen and fierce with anger and mortified pride. “You are an +ungrateful bird, Miss, and the bat is right. You do not deserve this +generous hospitality which I have offered, this goodly shelter which you +asked. Away with you! Leave my dwelling! Pack off into the storm and see +whether or not your silence will soothe the rain and the wind. Be off, I +say!” + +“Yes, away with her!” echoed the bat, flapping his leathery wings. + +And the two heartless creatures fell upon the poor little dove and drove +her out into the dark and stormy night. + +Poor little dove! All night she was tossed and beaten about shelterless +in the storm, because she had been too truthful to flatter the vain old +owl. But when the bright morning dawned, draggled and weary as she was, +she flew to the court of King Eagle and told him all her trouble. Great +was the indignation of that noble bird. + +“For his flattery and his cruelty let the bat never presume to fly +abroad until the sun goes down,” he cried. “As for the owl, I have +already doomed him to this punishment for his treatment of the wren. But +henceforth let no bird have anything to do with either of them, the +bat or the owl. Let them be outcasts and night-prowlers, enemies to be +attacked and punished if they appear among us, to be avoided by all in +their loneliness. Flattery and inhospitality, deceit and cruelty,--what +are more hideous than these? Let them cover themselves in darkness and +shun the happy light of day. + +“As for you, little dove, let this be a lesson to you to shun the +company of flatterers, who are sure to get you into trouble. But you +shall always be loved for your simplicity and truth. And as a token +of our affection your name shall be used by poets as long as the world +shall last to rhyme with LOVE.” + + + + +THE BUSY BLUE JAY + +BY OLIVE THORNE MILLER (ADAPTED) + +One of the most interesting birds who ever lived in my Bird Room was a +blue jay named Jakie. He was full of business from morning till night, +scarcely ever a moment still. + +Poor little fellow! He had been stolen from the nest before he could +fly, and reared in a house, long before he was given to me. Of course he +could not be set free, for he did not know how to take care of himself. + +Jays are very active birds, and being shut up in a room, my blue jay had +to find things to do, to keep himself busy. If he had been allowed to +grow up out of doors, he would have found plenty to do, planting acorns +and nuts, nesting, and bringing up families. + +Sometimes the things he did in the house were what we call mischief +because they annoy us, such as hammering the woodwork to pieces, tearing +bits out of the leaves of books, working holes in chair seats, or +pounding a cardboard box to pieces. But how is a poor little bird to +know what is mischief? + +Many things which Jakie did were very funny. For instance, he made it +his business to clear up the room. When he had more food than he +could eat at the moment, he did not leave it around, but put it away +carefully,--not in the garbage pail, for that was not in the room, but +in some safe nook where it did not offend the eye. Sometimes it was +behind the tray in his cage, or among the books on the shelf. The places +he liked best were about me,--in the fold of a ruffle or the loop of +a bow on my dress, and sometimes in the side of my slipper. The very +choicest place of all was in my loosely bound hair. That, of course, I +could not allow, and I had to keep very close watch of him, for fear I +might have a bit of bread or meat thrust among my locks. + +In his clearing up he always went carefully over the floor, picking +up pins, or any little thing he could find, and I often dropped burnt +matches, buttons, and other small things to give him something to do. +These he would pick up and put nicely away. + +Pins Jakie took lengthwise in his beak, and at first I thought he had +swallowed them, till I saw him hunt up a proper place to hide them. The +place he chose was between the leaves of a book. He would push a pin far +in out of sight, and then go after another. A match he always tried to +put in a crack, under the baseboard, between the breadths of matting, or +under my rockers. He first placed it, and then tried to hammer it in +out of sight. He could seldom get it in far enough to suit him, and this +worried him. Then he would take it out and try another place. + +Once the blue jay found a good match, of the parlor match variety. He +put it between the breadths of matting, and then began to pound on it +as usual. Pretty soon he hit the unburnt end and it went off with a loud +crack, as parlor matches do. Poor Jakie jumped two feet into the air, +nearly frightened out of his wits; and I was frightened, too, for I +feared he might set the house on fire. + +Often when I got up from my chair a shower of the bird's playthings +would fall from his various hiding-places about my dress,--nails, +matches, shoe-buttons, bread-crumbs, and other things. Then he had to +begin his work all over again. + +Jakie liked a small ball or a marble. His game was to give it a hard +peck and see it roll. If it rolled away from him, he ran after it and +pecked again; but sometimes it rolled toward him, and then he bounded +into the air as if he thought it would bite. And what was funny, he was +always offended at this conduct of the ball, and went off sulky for a +while. + + +He was a timid little fellow. Wind or storm outside the windows made him +wild. He would fly around the room, squawking at the top of his voice; +and the horrible tin horns the boys liked to blow at Thanksgiving and +Christmas drove him frantic. + +Once I brought a Christmas tree into the room to please the birds, and +all were delighted with it except my poor little blue jay, who was much +afraid of it. Think of the sadness of a bird being afraid of a tree! + + +II + + +Jakie had decided opinions about people who came into the room to see +me, or to see the birds. At some persons he would squawk every moment. +Others he saluted with a queer cry like “Ob-ble! ob-ble! ob-ble!” Once +when a lady came in with a baby, he fixed his eyes on that infant with a +savage look as if he would like to peck it, and jumped back and forth in +his cage, panting but perfectly silent. + +Jakie was very devoted to me. He always greeted me with a low, sweet +chatter, with wings quivering, and, if he were out of the cage, he would +come on the back of my chair and touch my cheek or lips very gently with +his beak, or offer me a bit of food if he had any; and to me alone when +no one else was near, he sang a low, exquisite song. I afterwards +heard a similar song sung by a wild blue jay to his mate while she was +sitting, and so I knew that my dear little captive had given me his +sweetest--his love-song. + +One of Jakie's amusements was dancing across the back of a tall chair, +taking funny little steps, coming down hard, “jouncing” his body, and +whistling as loud as he could. He would keep up this funny performance +as long as anybody would stand before him and pretend to dance too. + +My jay was fond of a sensation. One of his dearest bits of fun was to +drive the birds into a panic. This he did by flying furiously around the +room, feathers rustling, and squawking as loud as he could. He usually +managed to fly just over the head of each bird, and as he came like a +catapult, every one flew before him, so that in a minute the room was +full of birds flying madly about, trying to get out of his way. This +gave him great pleasure. + +Once a grasshopper got into the Bird Room, probably brought in clinging +to some one's dress in the way grasshoppers do. Jakie was in his cage, +but he noticed the stranger instantly, and I opened the door for him. +He went at once to look at the grasshopper, and when it hopped he was +so startled that he hopped too. Then he picked the insect up, but he +did not know what to do with it, so he dropped it again. Again the +grasshopper jumped directly up, and again the jay did the same. This +they did over and over, till every one was tired laughing at them. It +looked as if they were trying to see who could jump the highest. + +There was another bird in the room, however, who knew what grasshoppers +were good for. He was an orchard oriole, and after looking on awhile, +he came down and carried off the hopper to eat. The jay did not like +to lose his plaything; he ran after the thief, and stood on the floor +giving low cries and looking on while the oriole on a chair was eating +the dead grasshopper. When the oriole happened to drop it, Jakie,--who +had got a new idea what to do with grasshoppers,--snatched it up and +carried it under a chair and finished it. + +I could tell many more stories about my bird, but I have told them +before in one of my “grown-up” books, so I will not repeat them here. + + + + +BABES IN THE WOODS + +BY JOHN BURROUGHS + +One day in early May, Ted and I made an expedition to the Shattega, a +still, dark, deep stream that loiters silently through the woods not far +from my cabin. As we paddled along, we were on the alert for any bit of +wild life of bird or beast that might turn up. + +There were so many abandoned woodpecker chambers in the small dead +trees as we went along that I determined to secure the section of a tree +containing a good one to take home and put up for the bluebirds. “Why +don't the bluebirds occupy them here?” inquired Ted. “Oh,” I replied, +“blue birds do not come so far into the woods as this. They prefer +nesting-places in the open, and near human habitations.” After carefully +scrutinizing several of the trees, we at last saw one that seemed to +fill the bill. It was a small dead tree-trunk seven or eight inches in +diameter, that leaned out over the water, and from which the top had +been broken. The hole, round and firm, was ten or twelve feet above us. +After considerable effort I succeeded in breaking the stub off near the +ground, and brought it down into the boat. + +“Just the thing,” I said; “surely the bluebirds will prefer this to an +artificial box.” But, lo and behold, it already had bluebirds in it! We +had not heard a sound or seen a feather till the trunk was in our hands, +when, on peering into the cavity, we discovered two young bluebirds +about half grown. This was a predicament indeed! + +Well, the only thing we could do was to stand the tree-trunk up again as +well as we could, and as near as we could to where it had stood before. +This was no easy thing. But after a time we had it fairly well replaced, +one end standing in the mud of the shallow water and the other resting +against a tree. This left the hole to the nest about ten feet below and +to one side of its former position. Just then we heard the voice of one +of the parent birds, and we quickly paddled to the other side of the +stream, fifty feet away, to watch her proceedings, saying to each other, +“Too bad! too bad!” The mother bird had a large beetle in her beak. +She alighted upon a limb a few feet above the former site of her nest, +looked down upon us, uttered a note or two, and then dropped down +confidently to the point in the vacant air where the entrance to her +nest had been but a few moments before. Here she hovered on the wing +a second or two, looking for something that was not there, and then +returned to the perch she had just left, apparently not a little +disturbed. She hammered the beetle rather excitedly upon the limb a few +times, as if it were in some way at fault, then dropped down to try for +her nest again. Only vacant air there! She hovers and hovers, her blue +wings flickering in the checkered light; surely that precious hole MUST +be there; but no, again she is baffled, and again she returns to her +perch, and mauls the poor beetle till it must be reduced to a pulp. Then +she makes a third attempt, then a fourth, and a fifth, and a sixth, till +she becomes very much excited. “What could have happened? Am I dreaming? +Has that beetle hoodooed me?” she seems to say, and in her dismay she +lets the bug drop, and looks bewilderedly about her. Then she flies away +through the woods, calling. “Going for her mate,” I said to Ted. “She is +in deep trouble, and she wants sympathy and help.” + +In a few minutes we heard her mate answer, and presently the two birds +came hurrying to the spot, both with loaded beaks. They perched upon the +familiar limb above the site of the nest, and the mate seemed to say, +“My dear, what has happened to you? I can find that nest.” And he dived +down, and brought up in the empty air just as the mother had done. How +he winnowed it with his eager wings! How he seemed to bear on to that +blank space! His mate sat regarding him intently, confident, I think, +that he would find the clue. But he did not. Baffled and excited, he +returned to the perch beside her. Then she tried again, then he rushed +down once more, then they both assaulted the place, but it would not +give up its secret. They talked, they encouraged each other, and they +kept up the search, now one, now the other, now both together. Sometimes +they dropped down to within a few feet of the entrance to the nest, +and we thought they would surely find it. No, their minds and eyes were +intent only upon that square foot of space where the nest had been. Soon +they withdrew to a large limb many feet higher up, and seemed to say to +themselves, + +“Well, it is not there, but it must be here somewhere; let us look +about.” A few minutes elapsed, when we saw the mother bird spring from +her perch and go straight as an arrow to the nest. Her maternal eye had +proved the quicker. She had found her young. Something like reason and +common sense had come to her rescue; she had taken time to look about, +and behold! there was that precious doorway. She thrust her head into +it, then sent back a call to her mate, then went farther in, then +withdrew. “Yes, it is true, they are here, they are here!” Then she went +in again, gave them the food in her beak, and then gave place to her +mate, who, after similar demonstrations of joy, also gave them his +morsel. + +Ted and I breathed freer. A burden had been taken from our minds and +hearts, and we went cheerfully on our way. We had learned something, +too; we had learned that when in the deep woods you think of bluebirds, +bluebirds may be nearer you than you think. + + + + +THE PRIDE OF THE REGIMENT + +BY HARRY M. KIEFFER (ADAPTED) + +“Old Abe” was the war-eagle of the Eighth Wisconsin Volunteers. Whoever +it may have been that first conceived the idea, it was certainly a happy +thought to make a pet of an eagle. For the eagle is our national bird, +and to carry an eagle along with the colors of a regiment on the +march, and in battle, and all through the whole war, was surely very +appropriate, indeed. + +“Old Abe's” perch was on a shield, which was carried by a soldier, to +whom, and to whom alone, he looked as to a master. He would not allow +any one to carry or even to handle him, except this soldier, nor would +he ever receive his food from any other person's hands. He seemed to +have sense enough to know that he was sometimes a burden to his master +on the march, however, and, as if to relieve him, would occasionally +spread his wings and soar aloft to a great height, the men of all +regiments along the line of march cheering him as he went up. + +He regularly received his rations from the commissary, like any enlisted +man. Whenever fresh meat was scarce, and none could be found for him by +foraging parties, he would take things into his own claws, as it were, +and go out on a foraging expedition himself. On some such occasions he +would be gone two or three days at a time, during which nothing whatever +was seen of him; but he would invariably return, and seldom would come +back without a young lamb or a chicken in his talons. His long absences +occasioned his regiment not the slightest concern, for the men knew +that, though he might fly many miles away in quest of food, he would be +quite sure to find them again. + +In what way he distinguished the two hostile armies so accurately that +he was never once known to mistake the gray for the blue, no one can +tell. But so it was, that he was never known to alight save in his own +camp, and amongst his own men. + +At Jackson, Mississippi, during the hottest part of the battle before +that city, “Old Abe” soared up into the air, and remained there from +early morning until the fight closed at night, no doubt greatly enjoying +his bird's-eye view of the battle. He did the same at Mission Ridge. He +was, I believe, struck by Confederate bullets two or three times, but +his feathers were so thick that his body was not much hurt. The shield +on which he was carried, however, showed so many marks of Confederate +balls that it looked on top as if a groove plane had been run over it. + +At the Centennial celebration held in Philadelphia, in 1876, “Old Abe” + occupied a prominent place on his perch on the west side of the nave +in the Agricultural Building. He was evidently growing old, and was the +observed of all observers. Thousands of visitors, from all sections of +the country, paid their respects to the grand old bird, who, apparently +conscious of the honors conferred upon him, overlooked the sale of +his biography and photographs going on beneath his perch with entire +satisfaction. + +As was but just and right, the soldier who had carried him during the +war continued to have charge of him after the war was over, until the +day of his death, which occurred at the capital of Wisconsin, in 1881. + + + + +THE MOTHER MURRE + +BY DALLAS LORE SHARP + +One of the most striking cases of mother-love which has ever come under +my observation, I saw in the summer of 1912 on the bird rookeries of the +Three-Arch Rocks Reservation off the coast of Oregon. + +We were making our slow way toward the top of the outer rock. Through +rookery after rookery of birds, we climbed until we reached the edge of +the summit. Scrambling over this edge, we found ourselves in the midst +of a great colony of nesting murres--hundreds of them--covering this +steep rocky part of the top. + +As our heads appeared above the rim, many of the colony took wing and +whirred over us out to sea, but most of them sat close, each bird upon +its egg or over its chick, loath to leave, and so expose to us the +hidden treasure. + +The top of the rock was somewhat cone-shaped, and in order to reach the +peak and the colonies on the west side we had to make our way through +this rookery of the murres. The first step among them, and the whole +colony was gone, with a rush of wings and feet that sent several of the +top-shaped eggs rolling, and several of the young birds toppling over +the cliff to the pounding waves and ledges far below. + +We stopped, but the colony, almost to a bird, had bolted, leaving scores +of eggs, and scores of downy young squealing and running together for +shelter, like so many beetles under a lifted board. + +But the birds had not every one bolted, for here sat two of the colony +among the broken rocks. These two had not been frightened off. That both +of them were greatly alarmed, any one could see from their open beaks, +their rolling eyes, their tense bodies on tiptoe for flight. Yet here +they sat, their wings out like props, or more like gripping hands, as if +they were trying to hold themselves down to the rocks against their wild +desire to fly. + +And so they were, in truth, for under their extended wings I saw little +black feet moving. Those two mother murres were not going to forsake +their babies! No, not even for these approaching monsters, such as they +had never before seen, clambering over their rocks. + +What was different about these two? They had their young ones to +protect. Yes, but so had every bird in the great colony its young one, +or its egg, to protect, yet all the others had gone. Did these two +have more mother-love than the others? And hence, more courage, more +intelligence? + +We took another step toward them, and one of the two birds sprang into +the air, knocking her baby over and over with the stroke of her wing, +and coming within an inch of hurling it across the rim to be battered +on the ledges below. The other bird raised her wings to follow, then +clapped them back over her baby. Fear is the most contagious thing in +the world; and that flap of fear by the other bird thrilled her, too, +but as she had withstood the stampede of the colony, so she caught +herself again and held on. + +She was now alone on the bare top of the rock, with ten thousand +circling birds screaming to her in the air above, and with two men +creeping up to her with a big black camera that clicked ominously. She +let the multitude scream, and with threatening beak watched the two men +come on. A motherless baby, spying her, ran down the rock squealing +for his life. She spread a wing, put her bill behind him and shoved him +quickly in out of sight with her own baby. The man with the camera saw +the act, for I heard his machine click, and I heard him say something +under his breath that you would hardly expect a mere man and a +game-warden to say. But most men have a good deal of the mother in them; +and the old bird had acted with such decision, such courage, such swift, +compelling instinct, that any man, short of the wildest savage, would +have felt his heart quicken at the sight. + +“Just how compelling might that mother-instinct be?” I wondered. “Just +how much would that mother-love stand?” I had dropped to my knees, and +on all fours had crept up within about three feet of the bird. She still +had chance for flight. Would she allow me to crawl any nearer? Slowly, +very slowly, I stretched forward on my hands, like a measuring-worm, +until my body lay flat on the rocks, and my fingers were within three +INCHES of her. But her wings were twitching, a wild light danced in her +eyes, and her head turned toward the sea. + +For a whole minute I did not stir. I was watching--and the wings again +began to tighten about the babies, the wild light in the eyes died down, +the long, sharp beak turned once more toward me. + +Then slowly, very slowly, I raised my hand, touched her feathers with +the tip of one finger--with two fingers--with my whole hand, while the +loud camera click-clacked, click-clacked hardly four feet away! + +It was a thrilling moment. I was not killing anything. I had no +long-range rifle in my hands, coming up against the wind toward an +unsuspecting creature hundreds of yards away. This was no wounded +leopard charging me; no mother-bear defending with her giant might a +captured cub. It was only a mother-bird, the size of a wild duck, +with swift wings at her command, hiding under those wings her own and +another's young, and her own boundless fear! + +For the second time in my life I had taken captive with my bare hands a +free wild bird. No, I had not taken her captive. She had made herself a +captive; she had taken herself in the strong net of her mother-love. + +And now her terror seemed quite gone. At the first touch of my hand I +think she felt the love restraining it, and without fear or fret she let +me reach under her and pull out the babies. But she reached after them +with her bill to tuck them back out of sight, and when I did not let +them go, she sidled toward me, quacking softly, a language that I +perfectly understood, and was quick to respond to. I gave them back, +fuzzy and black and white. She got them under her, stood up over them, +pushed her wings down hard around them, her stout tail down hard behind +them, and together with them pushed in an abandoned egg that was +close at hand. Her own baby, some one else's baby, and some one else's +forsaken egg! She could cover no more; she had not feathers enough. But +she had heart enough; and into her mother's heart she had already tucked +every motherless egg and nestling of the thousands of frightened birds, +screaming and wheeling in the air high over her head. + + + + +THE END + + + + + +REFERENCE LISTS FOR STORY-TELLING AND COLLATERAL READING + + + + +REFERENCE LISTS FOR STORY-TELLING AND COLLATERAL READING + + +(The grades assigned are merely suggestive, as some of the stories may +be used in higher or lower grades than here indicated.) + + + + +NEW YEAR'S DAY + +For grades 1-4. + +An All-the-Year-Round Story, in Poulsson, In the Child's World; Peter +the Stone-Cutter, in Macdonell, Italian Fairy Book; The Forest Full of +Friends, in Alden, Why the Chimes Rang. + + +For grades 5-8. + +A Chinese New Year's in California, in Our Holidays Retold from St. +Nicholas; A New Year's Talk, in Stevenson, Days and Deeds (prose); Story +of the Year, in Andersen, Stories and Tales; The Animals' New Year's +Eve, in Lagerlof, Further Adventures of Nils. + + + + + +LINCOLN'S BIRTHDAY + +For grades 1-4. + +A Westfield Incident, in Moores, Abraham Lincoln, page 87; Lincoln and +the Little Horse, in Werner's Readings, no. 46; Lincoln and the Pig, +in Gross, Lincoln's Own Stories; Lincoln and the Small Dog, in Moores, +Abraham Lincoln, page 25. + +For grades 5-6. + +A Backwoods Boyhood, in Moores, Abraham Lincoln; Choosing Abe Lincoln +Captain, in Schauffler, Lincoln's Birthday; Following the Surveyor's +Chain, in Baldwin, Abraham Lincoln; His Good Memory of Names, in +Gallaher, Best Lincoln Stories; Lincoln and the Doorkeeper, in Gross, + +Lincoln's Own Stories, page 78, Lincoln and the Unjust Client, in +Moores, Abraham Lincoln, page 46; Lincoln's Kindness to a Disabled +Soldier, in Gallaher, Best Lincoln Stories; The Clary's Grove Boys, in +Noah Brooks, Abraham Lincoln page 51; The Snow Boys, in Noah Brooks, +Abraham Lincoln page 122. + +For grades 7-8. + +Counsel Assigned, Andrews; He Knew lincoln, Tarbell; Lincoln and the +Sleeping Sentinel, Chittenden; Lincoln Remembered Him, in Gallaher, Best +Lincoln Stories; Lincoln's Springfield Farewell, in Moores, Abraham +lincoln, page 82; Perfect Tribute, Andrews. + + + + +SAINT VALENTINE'S DAY + +For grades 1-4. + +A Sunday Valentine, in White, When Molly was Six; Beauty and the Beast, +in Lang, Blue Fairy Book, East of the Sun and West of the Moon, in Lang, +Blue Fairy Book; The Fair One With Golden Locks, in Scudder, Children's +Book; The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood, in Scudder, Children's Book; The +Valentine (poem), in Brown, Fresh Posies. + +For grades 5-6. + +Gracieuse and Percinet, in D'Aulnoy, Fairy Tales; Jorinda and Joringel, +in Grimm, German Household Tales; The Day-Dream, Tennyson (poem), +in Story-Telling Poems; The Singing, Soaring Lark, in Grimm, German +Household Tales William and the Werewolf, in Darton, Wonder Book of Old +Romance. + +For grades 7-8. + +As You Like It, Shakespeare; Brunhild, in Baldwin, Story of Siegfried; +Floris and Blanchefleur, in Darton, Wonder Book of Old Romance; Palamon +and Arcita, in Darton, Tales of the Canterbury Pilgrims; The Fair Maid +of Perth, Scott, chapters 2-6; The Singing Leaves, Lowell (poem); The +Tempest, Shakespeare. + + + + +WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY + +For grades 1-4. + +Little George Washington, and Great George Washington, in Wiggin and +Smith, Story Hour; The Virginia Boy, in Wilson, Nature Study, Second +Reader. + +For grades 54. + +A Christmas Surprise, in Tappan, American Hero Stories Dolly Madison, +in Tappan, American Hero Stories; Going to Sea, in Scudder, George +Washington, page 33; How George Washington was Made Commander-in-Chief, +in Tomlinson, War for Independence; The Home of Washington, and The +Appearance of the Enemy, in Madison, Peggy Owen at Yorktown; Young +Washington in the Woods, in Eggleston, Strange Stories from History. + +For grades 7-8. + +Anecdotes and Stories, in Schauffler, Washington's Birthday; He Resigns +his Commission, in Lodge, George Washington, vol. I, page 338; The +British at Mount Vernon, in Lodge, George Washington, vol. I, page 295; +The Young Surveyor, in Scudder, George Washington; Washington Offered +the Supreme Power, in Lodge, George Washington, vol. I, page 328; +Washington's Farewell to His Officers, in Lodge, George Washington, vol. +I, page 387. + + + + +RESURRECTION DAY (EASTER) + +For grades 1-4. + +Easter Eggs, von Schmid; The Boy Who Discovered the Spring, in Alden, +Why the Chimes Rang; Herr Oster Hase, in Bailey and Lewis, For +the Children's Hour; The Legend of Easter Eggs, O'Brien (poem), in +Story-Telling Poems; The Rabbit's Ransom, Vawter; The White Hare, in +Stevenson, Days and Deeds (prose). + +For grades 5-8. + +Easter, Gilder (poem); The General's Easter Box, in Our Holidays +Retold from St. Nicholas; The Trinity Flower, Ewing; What Easter is, in +Stevenson, Days and Deeds (prose). + + + + + +MAY DAY + +For grades 1-4. + +A Story of the Springtime, in Kupfer, Legends of Greeee and Rome; How +the Water Lily Came, in Judd, Wigwam Stories; The Brook in the King's +Garden, in Alden, Why the Chimes Rang; The Legend of the Dandelion, in +Bailey and Lewis, For the Children's Hour; The Lilac Bush, in Riverside +Fourth Reader; The Maple Leaf and the Violet, in Wiggin and Smith, Story +Flour; The Story of the Anemone in Coe, First Book of Stories for the +Story-Teller; The Story of the First Butterflies, in Holbrook, Book of +Nature Myths; The Story of the First Snowdrops, in Holbrook, Book of +Nature Myths; The Story of the Rainbow, in Coe, First Book of Stories +for the Story-Teller; Two Little Seeds, in MacDonald, David Elginbrod, +chapter, “The Cave in the Straw;” Why the Morning-Glory Climbs, in +Bryant, How to Tell Stories to Children. + +For grades 5-6. + +Ladders to Heaven, Ewing; The Daisy, in Andersen, Wonder Stories; Five +out of One Shell, in Andersen, Stories and Tales; The Pomegranate Seeds, +in Hawthorne, Tanglewood Tales. + +For grades 7-8. + +The May-Pole at Merry Mount, in Hawthorne, Twice-Told Tales; The Opening +of the Eyes of Jasper, in Dyer The Richer Life; The Prisoner and the +Flower, in Stevenson, Days and Deeds (prose). + + + + +MOTHERS' DAY + +For grades 1-4. + +Hans and the Wonderful Flower, in Bailey and Lewis For the Children's +Hour; The Closing Door, in Lindsay Mother Stories; The Laughter of a +Samurai, in Nixon-Roulet, Japanese Folk-Stories; The Fairy Who Came to +our House, in Bailey and Lewis, For the Children's Hour; The Little +Traveler, in Lindsay, Mother Stories; Thorwald and the Star-Children, in +Boyesen, Modern Vikings. + +For grades 5-6. + +Lincoln's Letter to a Mother, in Moores, Abraham Lincoln, page 105; +My Angel Mother, in Baldwin, Abraham Lincoln; Napoleon and the English +Sailor Boy, Campbell (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; The Song of the Old +Mother, Yeats (poem), in Riverside Eighth Reader; Valentine and Ursine +(poem), in Lanier, Boy's Perey. + +For grades 7-8. + +A Patriot Mother, in Tomlinson, War for Independence; Lincoln's Letter, +in Gross, Lincoln's Own Stories; President for One Hour, in St. Nicholas +Christmas Book; The Conqueror's Grave, Bryant (poem); The Gracci, in +Morris, Historical Tales (Roman); The Knight's Toast attributed to Scott +(poem), in Story-Telling Poems; Young Manhood, in Noah Brooks, Abraham +Lincoln. + + + + +MEMORIAL AND FLAG DAYS + +For grades 3-6. + +A Boy Who Won the Cross, in Hart and Stevens, Romance of the Civil War; +A Story of the Flag, in Our Holidays Retold from St. Nicholas; Betsy's +Battle Flag, Irving (poem), in Stevenson, Poems of American History; +Noteworthy Flag Incidents, in Smith, Our Nation's Flag; The Legs of +Duncan Ketcham, in Price, Lads and Lassies of Other Days; The Origin of +Memorial Day, in Stevenson, Days and Deeds (prose); The Planting of the +Colors, in Thomas, Captain Phil, page 227. + +For grades 7-8. + +Kearny at Seven Pines, Stedman (poem); Quivira, Guiterman (poem), in +Story-Telling Poems; Reading the List, in Sehauffler, Memorial Day; +Remember the Alamo, in Lodge and Roosevelt, Hero Tales, Reuben James, +Roche, (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; The Defense of the Alamo, Miller +(poem), in Stevenson, Poems of American History; The Fire Rekindled, in +Schauffler, Memorial Day; The Flag-Bearer, in Lodge and Roosevelt, Hero +Tales; The March of the First Brigade, in Riverside Eighth Reader. + + + + + +INDEPENDENCE DAY + +For grades S-6. + +A Winter at Valley Forge, in Tappan, American Hero Stories; Cornwallis's +Buckles, in Revolutionary Stories Retold from St. Nicholas; Ethan Allen, +in Johonnot, Stories of Heroic Deeds; Fourth of July Among the Indians, +in Indian Stories Retold from St. Nicholas; How “Mad Anthony” Took Stony +Point, in Tappan, American Hero Stories; How the “Swamp Fox” Made the +British Miserable, in Tappan, American Hero Stories; John Paul Jones, +in Tappan, American Hero Stories; Laetitia and the Redcoats, in +Revolutionary Stories Retold from St. Nicholas; Molly Pitcher, in +Revolutionary Stories Retold from St. Nicholas; Paul Revere's Ride +Longfellow (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; Prescott and the Yankee Boy, +in Johonnot, Stories of Heroic Deeds; Rodney's Ride, Brooks (poem), in +Story-Telling Poems; The Boston Massacre, in Hawthorne, Grandfather's +Chair; The Bulb of the Crimson Tulip, in Revolutionary Stories Retold +from St Nicholas; The First Day of the Revolution, in Tappan; American +Hero Stories. + +For grades 7-8. + +A Woman's Heroism, in Tomlinson, War for Independence; Grandmother's +Story of Bunker-Hill Battle, Holmes (poem); How the Major Joined +Marion's Men, in Tomlinson, War for Independence; Molly Pitcher, +Sherwood (poem), in Stevenson, Poems of American History; Patrick Henry, +in Morris Historical Tales, American, Second Series; Song of Marion's +Men, Bryant (poem); That Bunker Hill Powder, in Revolutionary Stories +Retold from St. Nicholas; The Mantle of St. John de Matha, Whittier +(poem); The Tory's Farewell, in Hawthorne, Grandfather's Chair. + + + + + +LABOR DAY + +For grades 1-4. + +Dust Under the Rug, in Lindsay, Mother Stories, Giant Energy and +Fairy Skill, in Lindsay, Mother Stories; How Flax was Given to Men, in +Holbrook, Book of Nature Myths; My Friend the Housekeeper, in Riverside +Fourth Reader, + +Peasant Truth, in Riverside Third Reader; Prometheus, the Giver of Fire +in Coe, First Book of Stories for the Story-Teller; Six Soldiers of +Fortune, in Grimm, German Household Tales; The Country Maid and her +Milk-Pail, in Scudder, Book of Fables and Folk-Stories; The Flax, in +Andersen, Wonder Stories; The Hammer and the Anvil, in Ramaswami Raju, +Indian Fables; The Honest Woodman, in Poulsson, In the Child's World; +The Little Gray Pony, in Lindsay, Mother Stories; The Little House in +the Wood, in Grimm, German Household Tales; The Old Man Who Lived in +a Wood (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; The Pixy Flower, in Rhys, +Fairy-Gold; The Spandies, in Gilchrist, Helen and the Uninvited Guests, +page 15; The Three Trades, in Grimm, German Household Tales; The Toy +of the Giant's Child, von Chamisso (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; +Vegetable Lambs, in Curtis, Story of Cotton; Vulcan the Mighty Smith, in +Poulsson, In the Child's World. + +For grades 5-6. A Handful of Clay, in Riverside Sixth Reader; How they +Built the Ship Argo in Iolcos, in Kingsley, Greek Heroes; Icarus and +DEedalus, in Peabody, Old Greek Folk-Stones; Master of All Masters, in +Jacobs, English Fairy Tales; The Dwarf's Gifts, in Brown, In the Days +of Giants; The Forging of Balmung, in Baldwin, Hero Tales; The +Giant Builder, in Brown, In the Days of Giants; The God of Fire, in +Francillon, Gods and Heroes; The Wicked Hornet, in Baldwin, The Sampo; +The Wish-Ring, in Fairy Stories Retold from St. Nicholas; The Wounds of +Labor, in d'Amicis, Heart (Cuore); Weland's Sword, in Kipling, Puck of +Pook's Hill. + +For grades 74. Careers of Danger and Daring, Moffett; David Maydole, +Hammer-Maker, in Riverside Seventh Reader; Jack Farley's Flying Switch, +in Warman, Short Rails; Histories of Two Boys, in Riverside Seventh +Reader; History of Labor Day, in Stevenson, Days and Deeds (prose); The +Arms of Aeneas, in Church, Stories from Virgil; The Blacksmith Boy and +the Battle, in Marden, Winning Out; The Duke's Armorer, in Stories of +Chivalry Retold from St. Nicholas; The Scullion Boy's Opportunity, in +Marden, Winning Out; The Vision of Anton the Clockmaker, in Dyer, The +Richer Life, Tubal Cain, Mackay (poem), in Story-Telling Poems. + + + + +COLUMBUS DAY + +For grades 4-8. + +Columbus, Miller (poem), in Riverside Seventh Reader; Columbus at the +Convent, Trowbridge (poem), in Stevenson, Poems of American History; +Guanahani, in Maores, Christopher Columbus; How Diego Mendez Got Food +for Columbus in Higginson, American Explorers; How Diego Mendez Saved +Columbus, in Higginson, American Explorers; In Search of the Grand +Khan, in Moores, Christopher Columbus; The Garden of Eden, in Moores, +Christopher Columbus. + + + + +HALLOWEEN + +For grades 1-4. + +The Smith and the Fairies, in Grierson, Children's Book of Celtic +Stories; The Witch, in Lang, Yellow Fairy Book; The Witch That was a +Hare, in Rhys, English Fairy Book; Tom-Tit Tot (Rumpelstiltskin), in +Jacobs, English Fairy Tales. + +For grades 5-6. + +Mr. Fox, in Jacobs, English Fairy Tales; The Godfather, in Grimm, German +Household Tales; The Golden Arm, in Jacobs, Enylish Fairy Tales; The +Robber Bridegroom, in Grimm, German Household Tales; The Story of a Cat, +Bedoliere; The Youth Who Could not Shiver or Shake, in Grimm, German +Household Tales. + +For grades 7-8. + +Alice Brand, in Scott, Lady of the Lake (poem); All-Hallow-Eve Myths, +in Our Holidays Retold from St. Nicholas; Black Andie's Tale of +Tod Lapraik, in Stevenson, David Balfour; History of Hallowe'en, in +Stevenson, Days and Deeds (prose); Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and Rip +Van Winkle Irving; Macbeth, Shakespeare; The Bottle Imp, in Stevenson, +Island Nights' Entertainments; The Devil and Tom Walker, Irving; The +Fire-King, Scott (poem); The Speaking Rat, in Dickens, Uncommercial +Traveller, chapter 15. + + + + +THANKSGIVING DAY + +For grades 1-4 + +A Thanksgiving Dinner, in White, When Molly was Six; The Chestnut Boys, +in Poulsson, In the Child's World; The First Thanksgiving Day, in +Wiggin and Smith, Story Hour; The Marriage of Mondahmin, in Judd, Wigwam +Stories; The Turkey's Nest, in Lindsay, More Mother Stories; The Visit, +in Lindsay, More Mother Stories; Turkeys Turning the Tables, in Howells, +Christmas Every Day. + +For grades 5-6. + +A Dinner That Ran Away, in Miller, Kristy's Surprise Party; A Mystery +in the Kitchen, in Miller, Kristy's Surprise Party; Ann Mary, Her Two +Thanksgivings, in Wilkins, Young Lueretia; An Old-Time Thanksgiving, in +Indian Stories Retold from St. Nicholas; The Coming of Thanksgiving, and +The Season of Pumpkin Pies, in Warner, Being a Boy; The Magic Apples, +in Brown, In the Days of Giants; St. Francis's Sermon to the Birds, +Longfellow (poem), in Story-Telling Poems. + +For grades 7-8. + +An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving, Alcott; The First Thanksgiving Day, +Preston (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; The Night Before Thanksgiving, +in Jewett, The Queen's Twin; The Peace Message (poem), in Stevenson, +Poems of American History; The Turkey Drive, in Sharp, Winter. + + + + + +CHRISTMAS DAY + +For grades 1-4. + +A Christmas Tree Reversed, in Brown, Little Miss Phoebe Gay; Babouseka, +Thomas (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; Christmas Every Day, Howells; +Fulfilled, in Bryant, How to Tell Stories to Children; His Christmas +Turkey, in Vawter, The Rabbi's Ransom; In the Great Walled Country, in +Alden, Why the Chimes Rang; Little Girl's Christmas, in Dickinson and +Skinner, Children's Book of Christmas Stories; Santa Claus and the +Mouse, Poulsson (poem), in St. Nicholas Christmas Book; The Christmas +Cake, in Lindsay, More Mother Stories; The Christmas Tree, in Austin, +Basket Woman; The First New England Christmas, in Stone and Fickett, +Every-Day Life in the Colonies; The Golden Cobwebs, in Bryant, How +to Tell Stories to Children; The Moon of Yule, in Davis, The Moons of +Balbanea; The Rileys' Christmas, in White, When Molly was Six; The Story +of Gretchen in Lindsay, Mother Stories; The Three Kings of Cologne, +Field (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; The Turkey Doll, Gates; The +Voyage of the Wee Red Cap, in Dickinson and Skinner, Children's Book +of Christmas Stories; Toinette and the Elves, in Dickinson and Skinner, +Children's Book of Christmas Stones; 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, +Moore (poem); Why the Chimes Rang, Alden. + +For grades 5-6. + +Christmas Before Last, in Stockton, Bee-Man of Orn; Christmas in the +Alley, in Miller, Kristy's Queer Christmas; Dog of Flanders, Ramee; +Felix, in Stein, Troubadour Tales; Good King Wenceslas (poem), in +Story-Telling Poems; Hope's Christmas Tree, in Miller, Kristy's +Surprise Party, How a Bear Brought Christmas, in Miller, Kristy's Queer +Christmas; How Santa Claus Came to Simpson's Bar, in Harte, Luck of +Roaring Camp; How Uncle Sam Observes Christmas, in Our Holidays Retold +from St. Nicholas; Lottie's Christmas Tree, in Miller, Kristy's Rainy +Day Picnic; St. Nicholas and the Innkeeper, in Walsh, Story of Santa +Klaus; St. Nicholas and the Robbers, in Walsh, Story of Santa Klaus; St. +Nicholas and the Slave Boy, in Walsh, Story of Santa Klaus; Santa Claus +on a Lark, Gladden; Solomon Crow's Christmas Pockets, Stuart; The Birds' +Christmas Carol, Wiggin; The Coming of the Prince, in Field, Christmas +Tales and Christmas Verse; The Festival of St. Nicholas, in Dodge, +Hans Brinker; The Peace Egg, Ewing; The Symbol and the Saint, in Field, +Christmas Tales and Christmas Verse. + +For grades 7-8. + +A Christmas Carol, Dickens; A Still Christmas, Repplier, in Morris, In +the Yule-Log Glow; The First Christmas Tree, Van Dyke; The Lost Word, +Van Dyke; The Mansion, Van Dyke; The Other Wise Man, Van Dyke; Cosette, +in Hugo, Les Miserables, book 3; Where Love is, There God is Also, +Tolstoy. + + + + + +ARBOR DAY + +For grades 1-4. + +Flower of the Almond and Fruit of the Fig, in Foote, Little Fig-Tree +Stories; Earl and the Dryad, in Brown, Star Jewels; The Girl Who Became +a Pine Tree, in Judd, Wigwam Stories; The Kind Old Oak, in Poulsson, +In the Child's World; The Oak Tree, in Vawter, The Rabbit's Ransom; The +Workman and the Trees, in Ramaswami Raju, Indian Fables. + +For grades 5-6. + +Apple-Seed John, Child (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; How the Children +Saved Hamburg, in Marden, Winning Out; How the Indians Learned to Make +Maple Sugar, in University of the State of New York, Legends and Poetry +of the Forests; Old Pipes and the Dryad, in Stockton, Bee-Man of Orn; +Tale of Old Man and the Birch Tree, in University of the State of New +York, Legends and Poetry of the Forests; The Elm and the Vine, Rosas +(poem), in Story-Telling Poems; The Gourd and the Palm (poem), in +Story-Telling Poems; The Planting of the Apple Tree, Bryant (poem), in +Riverside Fifth Reader. + +For grades 7-8. + +Brier-Rose, Boyesen (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; How the Charter was +Saved, in Morris, Historical Tales, American; O-So-Ah, the Tall Pine +Speaks, in University of the State of New York, Legends and Poetry of +the Forests; The Eliot Oak, in Drake, New England Legends; The First of +the Trees, in University of the State of New York, Legends and Poetry of +the Forests; The Liberty Tree, in Hawthorne, Grandfather's Chair, part +3. chapter 2; The Plucky Prince, May Bryant (poem), in Story-Telling +Poems; The Story of a Thousand-Year Pine, Mills; The Washington Elm, in +Drake, New England Legends. + + + + +BIRD DAY + +For grades 1-4. + +Out of the Nest, in Lindsay, More Mother Stories; The Fox and the Crow, +in Jacobs, Aesop's Fables; The Jackdaw and the Doves, in Scudder, Book +of Fables and Folk-Stories; The Jay and the Peacock, in Jacobs, Aesop's +Fables; The King, the Falcon, and the Drinking Cup, in Dutton, The +Tortoise and the Geese; The Lark and her Young Ones, in Scudder, Book +of Fables and Folk-Stories; The Monk and the Bird, in Scudder, Book of +legends; The Owl and his School, in Ramaswami Raju, Indian Fables; +The Owl and the Pussy-Cat, Lear (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; The +Partridge and the Crow, in Dutton, The Tortoise and the Geese; The Pious +Robin, in Brown, Curious Book of Birds; The Rustic and the Nightingale, +in Dutton, The Tortoise and the Geese; The Sparrows, Thaxter (poem), in +Story-Telling Poems; The Sparrows and the Snake, in Dutton, The Tortoise +and the Geese; The Spendthrift and the Swallow, in Scudder, Book +of Fables and Folk-Stories; The Story of the First Mocking-Bird, in +Holbrook, Book of Nature Myths; The Story of the Oriole, in Holbrook, +Book of Nature Myths; The Wren Who Brought Fire, in Brown, Curious Book +of Birds; Why the Peacock's Tail has a Hundred Eyes, in Holbrook, Book +of Nature Myths; Why the Peetweet Cries for Rain, in Holbrook, Book of +Nature Myths. + +For grades 5-6. + +A Madcap Thrush, in Miller, True Bird Stories; Antics in the Bird Room, +in Miller, True Bird Stories; Fate of the Children of Lir, in Grierson, +Children's Book of Celtie Stories; Halcyone, in Brown, Curious Book +of Birds; St. Francis's Sermon to the Birds, Longfellow (poem), in +Story-Telling Poems; Saint Kentigern and the Robin, in Brown, Book +of Saints and Friendly Beasts; The Donkey and the Mocking-Bird, Rosas +(poem), in Story-Telling Poems; The Early Girl, in Brown, Curious Book +of Birds; The Nightingale, in Andersen, Wonder Stories; The Parrot, +Campbell (poem), in Story-Telling Poems, The Phoenix, in Brown, Curious +Book of Birds; The Robin, Whittier (poem); The Sauey Oriole, in Miller, +True Bird Stories; The Wild Swans, in Andersen, Wonder Stories; Walter +son der Vogelweid, Longfellow (poem). + +For grades 7-8. + +Arnaux, the Chronicle of a Homing Pigeon, in Thompson-Seton, Animal +Heroes; King Edwin's Feast, Chadwiek (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; +Our New Neighbors at Ponkapog, in Riverside Seventh Reader; The Abbot +of Inisfalen, Allingham (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; The Birds of +Killingworth, Longfellow (poem); The Downy Woodpecker, in Bird Stories +from Burroughs; The Eagle, Tennyson (poem); The Emperor's Bird's-Nest, +Longfellow (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; The Falcon of Ser Federigo, +Longfellow (poem); The Gulls, in Breck, Wilderness Pets, pages 103, 161; +The House Wren, in Bird Stories from Burroughs; The Keeper of the Nest, +in Roberts, The Feet of the Furtive; The Screech Owl, in Bird Stories +from Burroughs; The Song Sparrow, in Bird Stories from Burroughs. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Good Stories For Great Holidays, by +Frances Jenkins Olcott + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GOOD STORIES FOR GREAT HOLIDAYS *** + +***** This file should be named 359-0.txt or 359-0.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/5/359/ + +Produced by Mike Lough + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/359-h/359-h.htm b/359-h/359-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..15b515e --- /dev/null +++ b/359-h/359-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,15070 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + Good Stories for Great Holidays, by Frances Jenkins Olcott + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Good Stories For Great Holidays, by +Frances Jenkins Olcott + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Good Stories For Great Holidays + Arranged for Story-Telling and Reading Aloud and for the + Children's Own Reading + +Author: Frances Jenkins Olcott + +Release Date: July 11, 2008 [EBook #359] +Last Updated: March 16, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GOOD STORIES FOR GREAT HOLIDAYS *** + + + + +Produced by Mike Lough, and David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + GOOD STORIES FOR GREAT HOLIDAYS + </h1> + <h3> + ARRANGED FOR STORY-TELLING AND READING ALOUD <br /> AND FOR THE CHILDREN'S + OWN READING + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Frances Jenkins Olcott + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h4> + Index according to reading level is appended. + </h4> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + TO THE STORY-TELLER + </h2> + <p> + This volume, though intended also for the children's own reading and for + reading aloud, is especially planned for story-telling. The latter is a + delightful way of arousing a gladsome holiday spirit, and of showing the + inner meanings of different holidays. As stories used for this purpose are + scattered through many volumes, and as they are not always in the concrete + form required for story-telling, I have endeavored to bring together + myths, legends, tales, and historical stories suitable to holiday + occasions. + </p> + <p> + There are here collected one hundred and twenty stories for seventeen + holidays—stories grave, gay, humorous, or fanciful; also some that + are spiritual in feeling, and others that give the delicious thrill of + horror so craved by boys and girls at Halloween time. The range of + selection is wide, and touches all sides of wholesome boy and girl nature, + and the tales have the power to arouse an appropriate holiday spirit. + </p> + <p> + As far as possible the stories are presented in their original form. When, + however, they are too long for inclusion, or too loose in structure for + story-telling purposes, they are adapted. + </p> + <p> + Adapted stories are of two sorts. Condensed: in which case a piece of + literature is shortened, scarcely any changes being made in the original + language. Rewritten: here the plot, imagery, language, and style of the + original are retained as far as possible, while the whole is moulded into + form suitable for story-telling. Some few stories are built up on a slight + framework of original matter. + </p> + <p> + Thus it may be seen that the tales in this volume have not been reduced to + the necessarily limited vocabulary and uniform style of one editor, but + that they are varied in treatment and language, and are the products of + many minds. + </p> + <p> + A glance at the table of contents will show that not only have selections + been made from modern authors and from the folklore of different races, + but that some quaint old literary sources have been drawn on. Among the + men and books contributing to these pages are the Gesta Romanorum, Il + Libro d'Oro, Xenophon, Ovid, Lucian, the Venerable Bede, William of + Malmesbury. John of Hildesheim, William Caxton, and the more modern + Washington Irving, Hugh Miller, Charles Dickens, and Henry Cabot Lodge; + also those immortals, Hans Andersen, the Brothers Grimm, Horace E. + Scudder, and others. + </p> + <p> + The stories are arranged to meet the needs of story-telling in the graded + schools. Reading-lists, showing where to find additional material for + story-telling and collateral reading, are added. Grades in which the + recommended stories are useful are indicated. + </p> + <p> + The number of selections in the volume, as well as the references to other + books, is limited by the amount and character of available material. For + instance, there is little to be found for Saint Valentine's Day, while + there is an overwhelming abundance of fine stories for the Christmas + season. Stories like Dickens's “Christmas Carol,” Ouida's “Dog of + Flanders,” and Hawthorne's tales, which are too long for inclusion and + would lose their literary beauty if condensed, are referred to in the + lists. Volumes containing these stories may be procured at the public + library. + </p> + <p> + A subject index is appended. This indicates the ethical, historical, and + other subject-matter of interest to the teacher, thus making the volume + serviceable for other occasions besides holidays. + </p> + <p> + In learning her tale the story-teller is advised not to commit it to + memory. Such a method is apt to produce a wooden or glib manner of + presentation. It is better for her to read the story over and over again + until its plot, imagery, style, and vocabulary become her own, and then to + retell it, as Miss Bryant says, “simply, vitally, joyously.” + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> GOOD STORIES FOR GREAT HOLIDAYS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> THE FAIRY'S NEW YEAR GIFT </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> THE TWELVE MONTHS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0005"> THE MAIL-COACH PASSENGERS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0006"> LINCOLN'S BIRTHDAY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0007"> HE RESCUES THE BIRDS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0008"> LINCOLN AND THE LITTLE GIRL </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0009"> TRAINING FOR THE PRESIDENCY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0010"> WHY LINCOLN WAS CALLED “HONEST ABE” </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0011"> A STRANGER AT FIVE-POINTS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0012"> A SOLOMON COME TO JUDGMENT </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0013"> GEORGE PICKETT'S FRIEND </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0014"> LINCOLN THE LAWYER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0015"> THE COURAGE OF HIS CONVICTIONS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0016"> MR. LINCOLN AND THE BIBLE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0017"> HIS SPRINGFIELD FAREWELL ADDRESS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0018"> SAINT VALENTINE'S DAY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0019"> A PRISONER'S VALENTINE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0020"> A GIRL'S VALENTINE CHARM </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0021"> MR. PEPYS HIS VALENTINE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0022"> CUPID AND PSYCHE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0023"> THE TRIAL OF PSYCHE: </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0024"> WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0025"> I. THE CHERRY TREE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0026"> II. THE APPLE ORCHARD </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0027"> III. THE GARDEN-BED </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0028"> YOUNG GEORGE AND THE COLT </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0029"> WASHINGTON THE ATHLETE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0030"> WASHINGTON'S MODESTY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0031"> WASHINGTON AT YORKTOWN </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0032"> RESURRECTION DAY (EASTER) </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0033"> A LESSON OF FAITH </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0034"> A CHILD'S DREAM OF A STAR </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0035"> THE LOVELIEST ROSE IN THE WORLD </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0036"> MAY DAY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0037"> THE SNOWDROP [1] </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0038"> THE THREE LITTLE BUTTERFLY BROTHERS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0039"> THE WATER-DROP </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0040"> THE SPRING BEAUTY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0041"> THE FAIRY TULIPS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0042"> THE STREAM THAT RAN AWAY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0043"> THE ELVES </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0044"> THE CANYON FLOWERS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0045"> CLYTIE, THE HELIOTROPE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0046"> HYACINTHUS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0047"> ECHO AND NARCISSUS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0048"> MOTHERS' DAY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0049"> CORNELIA'S JEWELS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0051"> QUEEN MARGARET AND THE ROBBERS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0052"> THE REVENGE OF CORIOLANUS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0053"> THE WIDOW AND HER THREE SONS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0054"> MEMORIAL DAY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0055"> BETSY ROSS AND THE FLAG </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0056"> THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0057"> THE LITTLE DRUMMER-BOY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0058"> A FLAG INCIDENT </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0059"> TWO HERO-STORIES OF THE CIVIL WAR </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0060"> II. THE BRAVERY OF RICHARD KIRTLAND </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0061"> THE YOUNG SENTINEL </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0062"> THE COLONEL OF THE ZOUAVES </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0063"> GENERAL SCOTT AND THE STARS AND STRIPES </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0064"> INDEPENDENCE DAY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0065"> THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0066"> THE SIGNING OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0067"> THE BOSTON TEA-PARTY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0068"> A GUNPOWDER STORY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0069"> THE CAPTURE OF FORT TICONDEROGA </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0070"> WASHINGTON AND THE COWARDS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0071"> LABOR DAY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0072"> THE SMITHY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0073"> THE NAIL </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0074"> THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0075"> THE HILLMAN AND THE HOUSEWIFE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0076"> HOFUS THE STONE-CUTTER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0077"> ARACHNE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0078"> THE METAL KING </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0079"> THE CHOICE OF HERCULES </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0080"> THE SPEAKING STATUE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0081"> THE CHAMPION STONE-CUTTER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0082"> BILL BROWN'S TEST </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0083"> COLUMBUS DAY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0084"> COLUMBUS AND THE EGG </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0085"> COLUMBUS AT LA RABIDA </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0086"> THE MUTINY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0087"> THE FIRST LANDING OF COLUMBUS IN THE NEW WORLD + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0088"> HALLOWEEN </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0089"> SHIPPEITARO </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0090"> HANSEL AND GRETHEL </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0091"> BURG HILL'S ON FIRE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0092"> THE KING OF THE CATS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0093"> THE STRANGE VISITOR </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0094"> THE BENEVOLENT GOBLIN </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0095"> THE PHANTOM KNIGHT OF THE VANDAL CAMP </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0096"> THANKSGIVING DAY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0097"> THE FIRST HARVEST-HOME IN PLYMOUTH </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0098"> THE MASTER OF THE HARVEST </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0099"> SAINT CUTHBERT'S EAGLE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0100"> THE EARS OF WHEAT </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0101"> HOW INDIAN CORN CAME INTO THE WORLD </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0102"> THE NUTCRACKER DWARF </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0103"> THE PUMPKIN PIRATES </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0104"> THE SPIRIT OF THE CORN </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0105"> THE HORN OF PLENTY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0106"> CHRISTMAS DAY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0107"> THE STRANGER CHILD </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0108"> SAINT CHRISTOPHER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0109"> THE CHRISTMAS ROSE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0110"> THE WOODEN SHOES OF LITTLE WOLFF </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0111"> THE PINE TREE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0112"> THE CHRISTMAS CUCKOO </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0113"> THE CHRISTMAS FAIRY OF STRASBURG </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0114"> THE THREE PURSES </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0115"> THE THUNDER OAK </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0116"> THE CHRISTMAS THORN OF GLASTONBURY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0117"> THE THREE KINGS OF COLOGNE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0118"> THE CHILD </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0119"> HOW THEY CAME TO COLOGNE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0120"> ARBOR DAY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0121"> THE LITTLE TREE THAT LONGED FOR OTHER LEAVES + </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0122"> WHY THE EVERGREEN TREES NEVER LOSE THEIR + LEAVES </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0123"> WHY THE ASPEN QUIVERS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0124"> THE WONDER TREE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0125"> THE PROUD OAK TREE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0126"> BAUCIS AND PHILEMON </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0127"> THE UNFRUITFUL TREE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0128"> THE DRYAD OF THE OLD OAK </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0129"> DAPHNE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0130"> BIRD DAY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0131"> THE OLD WOMAN WHO BECAME A WOODPECKER </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0132"> THE BOY WHO BECAME A ROBIN </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0133"> THE TONGUE-CUT SPARROW </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0134"> THE QUAILS—A LEGEND OF THE JATAKA </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0135"> THE MAGPIE'S NEST </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0136"> THE GREEDY GEESE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0137"> THE KING OF THE BIRDS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0138"> THE DOVE WHO SPOKE TRUTH </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0139"> THE BUSY BLUE JAY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0140"> BABES IN THE WOODS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0141"> THE PRIDE OF THE REGIMENT </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0142"> THE MOTHER MURRE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0143"> THE END </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0144"> REFERENCE LISTS FOR STORY-TELLING AND + COLLATERAL READING </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0145"> REFERENCE LISTS FOR STORY-TELLING AND + COLLATERAL READING </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0146"> NEW YEAR'S DAY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0147"> LINCOLN'S BIRTHDAY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0148"> SAINT VALENTINE'S DAY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0149"> WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0150"> RESURRECTION DAY (EASTER) </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0151"> MAY DAY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0152"> MOTHERS' DAY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0153"> MEMORIAL AND FLAG DAYS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0154"> INDEPENDENCE DAY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0155"> LABOR DAY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0156"> COLUMBUS DAY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0157"> HALLOWEEN </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0158"> THANKSGIVING DAY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0159"> CHRISTMAS DAY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0160"> ARBOR DAY </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0161"> BIRD DAY </a> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + GOOD STORIES FOR GREAT HOLIDAYS + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE FAIRY'S NEW YEAR GIFT + </h2> + <h3> + BY EMILIE POULSSON (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + Two little boys were at play one day when a Fairy suddenly appeared before + them and said: “I have been sent to give you New Year presents.” + </p> + <p> + She handed to each child a package, and in an instant was gone. + </p> + <p> + Carl and Philip opened the packages and found in them two beautiful books, + with pages as pure and white as the snow when it first falls. + </p> + <p> + Many months passed and the Fairy came again to the boys. “I have brought + you each another book?” said she, “and will take the first ones back to + Father Time who sent them to you.” + </p> + <p> + “May I not keep mine a little longer?” asked Philip. “I have hardly + thought about it lately. I'd like to paint something on the last leaf that + lies open.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said the Fairy; “I must take it just as it is.” + </p> + <p> + “I wish that I could look through mine just once,” said Carl; “I have only + seen one page at a time, for when the leaf turns over it sticks fast, and + I can never open the book at more than one place each day.” + </p> + <p> + “You shall look at your book,” said the Fairy, “and Philip, at his.” And + she lit for them two little silver lamps, by the light of which they saw + the pages as she turned them. + </p> + <p> + The boys looked in wonder. Could it be that these were the same fair books + she had given them a year ago? Where were the clean, white pages, as pure + and beautiful as the snow when it first falls? Here was a page with ugly, + black spots and scratches upon it; while the very next page showed a + lovely little picture. Some pages were decorated with gold and silver and + gorgeous colors, others with beautiful flowers, and still others with a + rainbow of softest, most delicate brightness. Yet even on the most + beautiful of the pages there were ugly blots and scratches. + </p> + <p> + Carl and Philip looked up at the Fairy at last. + </p> + <p> + “Who did this?” they asked. “Every page was white and fair as we opened to + it; yet now there is not a single blank place in the whole book!” + </p> + <p> + “Shall I explain some of the pictures to you?” said the Fairy, smiling at + the two little boys. + </p> + <p> + “See, Philip, the spray of roses blossomed on this page when you let the + baby have your playthings; and this pretty bird, that looks as if it were + singing with all its might, would never have been on this page if you had + not tried to be kind and pleasant the other day, instead of quarreling.” + </p> + <p> + “But what makes this blot?” asked Philip. + </p> + <p> + “That,” said the Fairy sadly; “that came when you told an untruth one day, + and this when you did not mind mamma. All these blots and scratches that + look so ugly, both in your book and in Carl's, were made when you were + naughty. Each pretty thing in your books came on its page when you were + good.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, if we could only have the books again!” said Carl and Philip. + </p> + <p> + “That cannot be,” said the Fairy. “See! they are dated for this year, and + they must now go back into Father Time's bookcase, but I have brought you + each a new one. Perhaps you can make these more beautiful than the + others.” + </p> + <p> + So saying, she vanished, and the boys were left alone, but each held in + his hand a new book open at the first page. + </p> + <p> + And on the back of this book was written in letters of gold, “For the New + Year.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL + </h2> + <h3> + BY HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN (TRANSLATED) + </h3> + <p> + It was very, very cold; it snowed and it grew dark; it was the last + evening of the year, New Year's Eve. In the cold and dark a poor little + girl, with bare head and bare feet, was walking through the streets. When + she left her own house she certainly had had slippers on; but what could + they do? They were very big slippers, and her mother had used them till + then, so big were they. The little maid lost them as she slipped across + the road, where two carriages were rattling by terribly fast. One slipper + was not to be found again, and a boy ran away with the other. He said he + could use it for a cradle when he had children of his own. + </p> + <p> + So now the little girl went with her little naked feet, which were quite + red and blue with the cold. In an old apron she carried a number of + matches, and a bundle of them in her hand. No one had bought anything of + her all day; no one had given her a copper. Hungry and cold she went, and + drew herself together, poor little thing! The snowflakes fell on her long + yellow hair, which curled prettily over her neck; but she did not think of + that now. In all the windows lights were shining, and there was a glorious + smell of roast goose out there in the street; it was no doubt New Year's + Eve. Yes, she thought of that! + </p> + <p> + In a corner formed by two houses, one of which was a little farther from + the street than the other, she sat down and crept close. She had drawn up + her little feet, but she was still colder, and she did not dare to go + home, for she had sold no matches, and she had not a single cent; her + father would beat her; and besides, it was cold at home, for they had + nothing over the them but a roof through which the wind whistled, though + straw and rags stopped the largest holes. + </p> + <p> + Her small hands were quite numb with the cold. Ah! a little match might do + her good if she only dared draw one from the bundle, and strike it against + the wall, and warm her fingers at it. She drew one out. R-r-atch! how it + spluttered and burned! It was a warm bright flame, like a little candle, + when she held her hands over it; it was a wonderful little light! It + really seemed to the little girl as if she sat before a great polished + stove, with bright brass feet and a brass cover. The fire burned so + nicely; it warmed her so well,—the little girl was just putting out + her feet to warm these, too,—when out went the flame; the stove was + gone;—she sat with only the end of the burned match in her hand. + </p> + <p> + She struck another; it burned; it gave a light; and where it shone on the + wall, the wall became thin like a veil, and she could see through it into + the room where a table stood, spread with a white cloth, and with china on + it; and the roast goose smoked gloriously, stuffed with apples and dried + plums. And what was still more splendid to behold, the goose hopped down + from the dish, and waddled along the floor, with a knife and fork in its + breast; straight to the little girl he came. Then the match went out, and + only the thick, damp, cold wall was before her. + </p> + <p> + She lighted another. Then she was sitting under a beautiful Christmas + tree; it was greater and finer than the one she had seen through the glass + door at the rich merchant's. Thousands of candles burned upon the green + branches, and colored pictures like those in the shop windows looked down + upon them. The little girl stretched forth both hands toward them; then + the match went out. The Christmas lights went higher and higher. She saw + that now they were stars in the sky: one of them fell and made a long line + of fire. + </p> + <p> + “Now some one is dying,” said the little girl, for her old grandmother, + the only person who had been good to her, but who was now dead, had said: + “When a star falls a soul mounts up to God.” + </p> + <p> + She rubbed another match against the wall; it became bright again, and in + the light there stood the old grandmother clear and shining, mild and + lovely. + </p> + <p> + “Grandmother!” cried the child. “Oh, take me with you! I know you will go + when the match is burned out. You will go away like the warm stove, the + nice roast goose, and the great glorious Christmas tree!” + </p> + <p> + And she hastily rubbed the whole bundle of matches, for she wished to hold + her grandmother fast. And the matches burned with such a glow that it + became brighter than in the middle of the day; grandmother had never been + so large or so beautiful. She took the little girl up in her arms, and + both flew in the light and the joy so high, so high! and up there was no + cold, nor hunger, nor care—they were with God. + </p> + <p> + But in the corner by the house sat the little girl, with red cheeks and + smiling mouth, frozen to death on the last evening of the Old Year. The + New Year's sun rose upon the little body, that sat there with the matches, + of which one bundle was burned. She wanted to warm herself, the people + said. No one knew what fine things she had seen, and in what glory she had + gone in with her grandmother to the New Year's Day. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE TWELVE MONTHS + </h2> + <h3> + A SLAV LEGEND + </h3> + <p> + BY ALEXANDER CHODZKO (ADAPTED) + </p> + <p> + There was once a widow who had two daughters, Helen, her own child by her + dead husband, and Marouckla, his daughter by his first wife. She loved + Helen, but hated the poor orphan because she was far prettier than her own + daughter. + </p> + <p> + Marouckla did not think about her good looks, and could not understand why + her stepmother should be angry at the sight of her. The hardest work fell + to her share. She cleaned out the rooms, cooked, washed, sewed, spun, + wove, brought in the hay, milked the cow, and all this without any help. + </p> + <p> + Helen, meanwhile, did nothing but dress herself in her best clothes and go + to one amusement after another. + </p> + <p> + But Marouckla never complained. She bore the scoldings and bad temper of + mother and sister with a smile on her lips, and the patience of a lamb. + But this angelic behavior did not soften them. They became even more + tyrannical and grumpy, for Marouckla grew daily more beautiful, while + Helen's ugliness increased. So the stepmother determined to get rid of + Marouckla, for she knew that while she remained, her own daughter would + have no suitors. Hunger, every kind of privation, abuse, every means was + used to make the girl's life miserable. But in spite of it all Marouckla + grew ever sweeter and more charming. + </p> + <p> + One day in the middle of winter Helen wanted some wood-violets. + </p> + <p> + “Listen,” cried she to Marouckla, “you must go up the mountain and find me + violets. I want some to put in my gown. They must be fresh and + sweet-scented-do you hear?” + </p> + <p> + “But, my dear sister, whoever heard of violets blooming in the snow?” said + the poor orphan. + </p> + <p> + “You wretched creature! Do you dare to disobey me?” said Helen. “Not + another word. Off with you! If you do not bring me some violets from the + mountain forest I will kill you.” + </p> + <p> + The stepmother also added her threats to those of Helen, and with vigorous + blows they pushed Marouckla outside and shut the door upon her. The + weeping girl made her way to the mountain. The snow lay deep, and there + was no trace of any human being. Long she wandered hither and thither, and + lost herself in the wood. She was hungry, and shivered with cold, and + prayed to die. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly she saw a light in the distance, and climbed toward it till she + reached the top of the mountain. Upon the highest peak burned a large + fire, surrounded by twelve blocks of stone on which sat twelve strange + beings. Of these the first three had white hair, three were not quite so + old, three were young and handsome, and the rest still younger. + </p> + <p> + There they all sat silently looking at the fire. They were the Twelve + Months of the Year. The great January was placed higher than the others. + His hair and mustache were white as snow, and in his hand he held a wand. + At first Marouckla was afraid, but after a while her courage returned, and + drawing near, she said:— + </p> + <p> + “Men of God, may I warm myself at your fire? I am chilled by the winter + cold.” + </p> + <p> + The great January raised his head and answered: “What brings thee here, my + daughter? What dost thou seek?” + </p> + <p> + “I am looking for violets,” replied the maiden. + </p> + <p> + “This is not the season for violets. Dost thou not see the snow + everywhere?” said January. + </p> + <p> + “I know well, but my sister Helen and my stepmother have ordered me to + bring them violets from your mountain. If I return without them they will + kill me. I pray you, good shepherds, tell me where they may be found.” + </p> + <p> + Here the great January arose and went over to the youngest of the Months, + and, placing his wand in his hand, said:— + </p> + <p> + “Brother March, do thou take the highest place.” + </p> + <p> + March obeyed, at the same time waving his wand over the fire. Immediately + the flames rose toward the sky, the snow began to melt and the trees and + shrubs to bud. The grass became green, and from between its blades peeped + the pale primrose. It was spring, and the meadows were blue with violets. + </p> + <p> + “Gather them quickly, Marouckla,” said March. + </p> + <p> + Joyfully she hastened to pick the flowers, and having soon a large bunch + she thanked them and ran home. Helen and the stepmother were amazed at the + sight of the flowers, the scent of which filled the house. + </p> + <p> + “Where did you find them?” asked Helen. + </p> + <p> + “Under the trees on the mountain-side,” said Marouckla. + </p> + <p> + Helen kept the flowers for herself and her mother. She did not even thank + her stepsister for the trouble she had taken. The next day she desired + Marouckla to fetch her strawberries. + </p> + <p> + “Run,” said she, “and fetch me strawberries from the mountain. They must + be very sweet and ripe.” + </p> + <p> + “But whoever heard of strawberries ripening in the snow?” exclaimed + Marouckla. + </p> + <p> + “Hold your tongue, worm; don't answer me. If I don't have my strawberries + I will kill you,” said Helen. + </p> + <p> + Then the stepmother pushed Marouckla into the yard and bolted the door. + The unhappy girl made her way toward the mountain and to the large fire + round which sat the Twelve Months. The great January occupied the highest + place. + </p> + <p> + “Men of God, may I warm myself at your fire? The winter cold chills me,” + said she, drawing near. + </p> + <p> + The great January raised his head and asked: “Why comest thou here? What + dost thou seek?” + </p> + <p> + “I am looking for strawberries,” said she. + </p> + <p> + “We are in the midst of winter,” replied January, “strawberries do not + grow in the snow.” + </p> + <p> + “I know,” said the girl sadly, “but my sister and stepmother have ordered + me to bring them strawberries. If I do not they will kill me. Pray, good + shepherds, tell me where to find them.” + </p> + <p> + The great January arose, crossed over to the Month opposite him, and + putting the wand in his hand, said: “Brother June, do thou take the + highest place.” + </p> + <p> + June obeyed, and as he waved his wand over the fire the flames leaped + toward the sky. Instantly the snow melted, the earth was covered with + verdure, trees were clothed with leaves, birds began to sing, and various + flowers blossomed in the forest. It was summer. Under the bushes masses of + star-shaped flowers changed into ripening strawberries, and instantly they + covered the glade, making it look like a sea of blood. + </p> + <p> + “Gather them quickly, Marouckla,” said June. + </p> + <p> + Joyfully she thanked the Months, and having filled her apron ran happily + home. + </p> + <p> + Helen and her mother wondered at seeing the strawberries, which filled the + house with their delicious fragrance. + </p> + <p> + “Wherever did you find them?” asked Helen crossly. + </p> + <p> + “Right up among the mountains. Those from under the beech trees are not + bad,” answered Marouckla. + </p> + <p> + Helen gave a few to her mother and ate the rest herself. Not one did she + offer to her stepsister. Being tired of strawberries, on the third day she + took a fancy for some fresh, red apples. + </p> + <p> + “Run, Marouckla,” said she, “and fetch me fresh, red apples from the + mountain.” + </p> + <p> + “Apples in winter, sister? Why, the trees have neither leaves nor fruit!” + </p> + <p> + “Idle thing, go this minute,” said Helen; “unless you bring back apples we + will kill you.” + </p> + <p> + As before, the stepmother seized her roughly and turned her out of the + house. The poor girl went weeping up the mountain, across the deep snow, + and on toward the fire round which were the Twelve Months. Motionless they + sat there, and on the highest stone was the great January. + </p> + <p> + “Men of God, may I warm myself at your fire? The winter cold chills me,” + said she, drawing near. + </p> + <p> + The great January raised his head. “Why comest thou here? What does thou + seek?” asked he. + </p> + <p> + “I am come to look for red apples,” replied Marouckla. + </p> + <p> + “But this is winter, and not the season for red apples,” observed the + great January. + </p> + <p> + “I know,” answered the girl, “but my sister and stepmother sent me to + fetch red apples from the mountain. If I return without them they will + kill me.” + </p> + <p> + Thereupon the great January arose and went over to one of the elderly + Months, to whom he handed the wand saying:— + </p> + <p> + “Brother September, do thou take the highest place.” + </p> + <p> + September moved to the highest stone, and waved his wand over the fire. + There was a flare of red flames, the snow disappeared, but the fading + leaves which trembled on the trees were sent by a cold northeast wind in + yellow masses to the glade. Only a few flowers of autumn were visible. At + first Marouckla looked in vain for red apples. Then she espied a tree + which grew at a great height, and from the branches of this hung the + bright, red fruit. September ordered her to gather some quickly. The girl + was delighted and shook the tree. First one apple fell, then another. + </p> + <p> + “That is enough,” said September; “hurry home.” + </p> + <p> + Thanking the Months she returned joyfully. Helen and the stepmother + wondered at seeing the fruit. + </p> + <p> + “Where did you gather them?” asked the stepsister. + </p> + <p> + “There are more on the mountain-top,” answered Marouckla. + </p> + <p> + “Then, why did you not bring more?” said Helen angrily. “You must have + eaten them on your way back, you wicked girl.” + </p> + <p> + “No, dear sister, I have not even tasted them,” said Marouckla. “I shook + the tree twice. One apple fell each time. Some shepherds would not allow + me to shake it again, but told me to return home.” + </p> + <p> + “Listen, mother,” said Helen. “Give me my cloak. I will fetch some more + apples myself. I shall be able to find the mountain and the tree. The + shepherds may cry 'Stop!' but I will not leave go till I have shaken down + all the apples.” + </p> + <p> + In spite of her mother's advice she wrapped herself in her pelisse, put on + a warm hood, and took the road to the mountain. Snow covered everything. + Helen lost herself and wandered hither and thither. After a while she saw + a light above her, and, following in its direction, reached the + mountain-top. + </p> + <p> + There was the flaming fire, the twelve blocks of stone, and the Twelve + Months. At first she was frightened and hesitated; then she came nearer + and warmed her hands. She did not ask permission, nor did she speak one + polite word. + </p> + <p> + “What hath brought thee here? What dost thou seek?” said the great January + severely. + </p> + <p> + “I am not obliged to tell you, old graybeard. What business is it of + yours?” she replied disdainfully, turning her back on the fire and going + toward the forest. + </p> + <p> + The great January frowned, and waved his wand over his head. Instantly the + sky became covered with clouds, the fire went down, snow fell in large + flakes, an icy wind howled round the mountain. Amid the fury of the storm + Helen stumbled about. The pelisse failed to warm her benumbed limbs. + </p> + <p> + The mother kept on waiting for her. She looked from the window, she + watched from the doorstep, but her daughter came not. The hours passed + slowly, but Helen did not return. + </p> + <p> + “Can it be that the apples have charmed her from her home?” thought the + mother. Then she clad herself in hood and pelisse, and went in search of + her daughter. Snow fell in huge masses. It covered all things. For long + she wandered hither and thither, the icy northeast wind whistled in the + mountain, but no voice answered her cries. + </p> + <p> + Day after day Marouckla worked, and prayed, and waited, but neither + stepmother nor sister returned. They had been frozen to death on the + mountain. + </p> + <p> + The inheritance of a small house, a field, and a cow fell to Marouckla. In + course of time an honest farmer came to share them with her, and their + lives were happy and peaceful. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE MAIL-COACH PASSENGERS + </h2> + <h3> + BY HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + It was bitterly cold. The sky glittered with stars, and not a breeze + stirred. “Bump,”—an old pot was thrown at a neighbor's door; and, + “Bang! Bang!” went the guns, for they were greeting the New Year. + </p> + <p> + It was New Year's Eve, and the church clock was striking twelve. + “Tan-ta-ra-ra, tan-ta-ra-ra!” sounded the horn, and the mail-coach came + lumbering up. The clumsy vehicle stopped at the gate of the town; all the + places had been taken, for there were twelve passengers in the coach. + </p> + <p> + “Hurrah! Hurrah!” cried the people in the town; for in every house the New + Year was being welcomed; and, as the clock struck, they stood up, the full + glasses in their hands, to drink success to the newcomer. “A happy New + Year,” was the cry; “a pretty wife, plenty of money, and no sorrow or + care!” + </p> + <p> + The wish passed round, and the glasses clashed together till they rang + again; while before the town-gate the mail-coach stopped with the twelve + strange passengers. And who were these strangers? Each of them had his + passport and his luggage with him; they even brought presents for me, and + for you, and for all the people in the town. Who were they? What did they + want? And what did they bring with them? + </p> + <p> + “Good-morning!” they cried to the sentry at the town-gate. + </p> + <p> + “Good-morning,” replied the sentry, for the clock had struck twelve. + </p> + <p> + “Your name and profession?” asked the sentry of the one who alighted first + from the carriage. + </p> + <p> + “See for yourself in the passport,” he replied. + </p> + <p> + “I am myself!”—and a famous fellow he looked, arrayed in bearskin + and fur boots. “Come to me to-morrow, and I will give you a New Year's + present. I throw shillings and pence among the people. I give balls every + night, no less than thirty-one; indeed, that is the highest number I can + spare for balls. My ships are often frozen in, but in my offices it is + warm and comfortable. MY NAME IS JANUARY. I am a merchant, and I generally + bring my accounts with me.” + </p> + <p> + Then the second alighted. He seemed a merry fellow. He was a director of a + theater, a manager of masked balls, and a leader of all the amusements we + can imagine. His luggage consisted of a great cask. + </p> + <p> + “We'll dance the bung out of the cask at carnival-time,” said he. “I'll + prepare a merry tune for you and for myself, too. Unfortunately I have not + long to live,—the shortest time, in fact, of my whole family,—only + twenty-eight days. Sometimes they pop me in a day extra; but I trouble + myself very little about that. Hurrah!” + </p> + <p> + “You must not shout so,” said the sentry. + </p> + <p> + “Certainly I may shout,” retorted the man. + </p> + <p> + “I'm Prince Carnival, traveling under THE NAME OF FEBRUARY.” + </p> + <p> + The third now got out. He looked the personification of fasting; but he + carried his nose very high, for he was a weather prophet. In his + buttonhole he wore a little bunch of violets, but they were very small. + </p> + <p> + “MARCH, MARCH!” the fourth passenger called after him, slapping him on the + shoulder, “don't you smell something good? Make haste into the guard-room, + they are feasting in there. I can smell it already! FORWARD, MASTER + MARCH!” + </p> + <p> + But it was not true. The speaker only wanted to make an APRIL FOOL of him, + for with that fun the fourth stranger generally began his career. He + looked very jovial, and did little work. + </p> + <p> + “If the world were only more settled!” said he; “but sometimes I'm obliged + to be in a good humor, and sometimes a bad one. I can laugh or cry + according to circumstances. I have my summer wardrobe in this box here, + but it would be very foolish to put it on now!” + </p> + <p> + After him a lady stepped out of the coach. SHE CALLED HERSELF MISS MAY. + She wore a summer dress and overshoes. Her dress was light green, and + there were anemones in her hair. She was so scented with wild thyme that + it made the sentry sneeze. + </p> + <p> + “Your health, and God bless you!” was her greeting. + </p> + <p> + How pretty she was! and such a singer! Not a theater singer nor a + ballad-singer; no, but a singer of the woods. For she wandered through the + gay, green forest, and had a concert there for her own amusement. + </p> + <p> + “Now comes the young lady,” said those in the coach; and out stepped a + young dame, delicate, proud, and pretty. IT WAS MISTRESS JUNE. In her + service people become lazy and fond of sleeping for hours. She gives a + feast on the longest day of the year, that there may be time for her + guests to partake of the numerous dishes at her table. Indeed, she keeps + her own carriage, but still she travels by the mail-coach with the rest + because she wishes to show that she is not proud. + </p> + <p> + But she was not without a protector; her younger brother, JULY, was with + her. He was a plump, young fellow, clad in summer garments, and wearing a + straw hat. He had very little luggage because it was so cumbersome in the + great heat. He had, however, swimming-trousers with him, which are nothing + to carry. + </p> + <p> + Then came the mother herself, MADAME AUGUST, a wholesale dealer in fruit, + proprietress of a large number of fish-ponds, and a land-cultivator. She + was fat and warm, yet she could use her hands well, and would herself + carry out food to the laborers in the field. After work, came the + recreations, dancing and playing in the greenwood, and the “harvest home.” + She was a thorough housewife. + </p> + <p> + After her a man stepped out of the coach. He is a painter, a master of + colors, and is NAMED SEPTEMBER. The forest on his arrival has to change + its colors, and how beautiful are those he chooses! The woods glow with + red, and gold, and brown. This great master painter can whistle like a + blackbird. There he stood with his color-pot in his hand, and that was the + whole of his luggage. + </p> + <p> + A landowner followed, who in the month for sowing seed attends to his + ploughing and is fond of field sports. SQUIRE OCTOBER brought his dog and + his gun with him, and had nuts in his game-bag. + </p> + <p> + “Crack! Crack!” He had a great deal of luggage, even a plough. He spoke of + farming, but what he said could scarcely be heard for the coughing and + sneezing of his neighbor. + </p> + <p> + It WAS NOVEMBER, who coughed violently as he got out. He had a cold, but + he said he thought it would leave him when he went out woodcutting, for he + had to supply wood to the whole parish. He spent his evenings making + skates, for he knew, he said, that in a few weeks they would be needed. + </p> + <p> + At length the last passenger made her appearance,—OLD MOTHER + DECEMBER! The dame was very aged, but her eyes glistened like two stars. + She carried on her arm a flower-pot, in which a little fir tree was + growing. “This tree I shall guard and cherish,” she said, “that it may + grow large by Christmas Eve, and reach from the floor to the ceiling, to + be adorned with lighted candles, golden apples, and toys. I shall sit by + the fireplace, and bring a story-book out of my pocket, and read aloud to + all the little children. Then the toys on the tree will become alive, and + the little waxen Angel at the top will spread out his wings of gold leaf, + and fly down from his green perch. He will kiss every child in the room, + yes, and all the little children who stand out in the street singing a + carol about the 'Star of Bethlehem.'” + </p> + <p> + “Well, now the coach may drive away,” said the sentry; “we will keep all + the twelve months here with us.” + </p> + <p> + “First let the twelve come to me,” said the Captain on duty, “one after + another. The passports I will keep here, each of them for one month. When + that has passed, I shall write the behavior of each stranger on his + passport. MR. JANUARY, have the goodness to come here.” + </p> + <p> + And MR. JANUARY stepped forward. + </p> + <p> + When a year has passed, I think I shall be able to tell you what the + twelve passengers have brought to you, to me, and to all of us. Just now I + do not know, and probably even they do not know themselves, for we live in + strange times. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0006" id="link2H_4_0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LINCOLN'S BIRTHDAY + </h2> + <h3> + (FEBRUARY 12) + </h3> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0007" id="link2H_4_0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + HE RESCUES THE BIRDS + </h2> + <h3> + BY NOAH BROOKS (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + Once, while riding through the country with some other lawyers, Lincoln + was missed from the party, and was seen loitering near a thicket of wild + plum trees where the men had stopped a short time before to water their + horses. + </p> + <p> + “Where is Lincoln?” asked one of the lawyers. + </p> + <p> + “When I saw him last,” answered another, “he had caught two young birds + that the wind had blown out of their nest, and was hunting for the nest to + put them back again.” + </p> + <p> + As Lincoln joined them, the lawyers rallied him on his tender-heartedness, + and he said:— + </p> + <p> + “I could not have slept unless I had restored those little birds to their + mother.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0008" id="link2H_4_0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LINCOLN AND THE LITTLE GIRL + </h2> + <h3> + BY CHARLES W. MOORES + </h3> + <p> + In the old days, when Lincoln was one of the leading lawyers of the State, + he noticed a little girl of ten who stood beside a trunk in front of her + home crying bitterly. He stopped to learn what was wrong, and was told + that she was about to miss a long-promised visit to Decatur because the + wagon had not come for her. + </p> + <p> + “You needn't let that trouble you,” was his cheering reply. “Just come + along with me and we shall make it all right.” + </p> + <p> + Lifting the trunk upon his shoulder, and taking the little girl by the + hand, he went through the streets of Springfield, a half-mile to the + railway station, put her and her trunk on the train, and sent her away + with a happiness in her heart that is still there. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0009" id="link2H_4_0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + TRAINING FOR THE PRESIDENCY + </h2> + <h3> + BY ORISON SWETT MARDEN + </h3> + <p> + “I meant to take good care of your book, Mr. Crawford,” said the boy, “but + I've damaged it a good deal without intending to, and now I want to make + it right with you. What shall I do to make it good?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, what happened to it, Abe?” asked the rich farmer, as he took the + copy of Weems's “Life of Washington” which he had lent young Lincoln, and + looked at the stained leaves and warped binding. “It looks as if it had + been out through all last night's storm. How came you to forget, and leave + it out to soak?” + </p> + <p> + “It was this way, Mr. Crawford,” replied Abe. “I sat up late to read it, + and when I went to bed, I put it away carefully in my bookcase, as I call + it, a little opening between two logs in the wall of our cabin. I dreamed + about General Washington all night. When I woke up I took it out to read a + page or two before I did the chores, and you can't imagine how I felt when + I found it in this shape. It seems that the mud-daubing had got out of the + weather side of that crack, and the rain must have dripped on it three or + four hours before I took it out. I'm sorry, Mr. Crawford, and want to fix + it up with you, if you can tell me how, for I have not got money to pay + for it.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Mr. Crawford, “come and shuck corn three days, and the book + 's yours.” + </p> + <p> + Had Mr. Crawford told young Abraham Lincoln that he had fallen heir to a + fortune the boy could hardly have felt more elated. Shuck corn only three + days, and earn the book that told all about his greatest hero! + </p> + <p> + “I don't intend to shuck corn, split rails, and the like always,” he told + Mrs. Crawford, after he had read the volume. “I'm going to fit myself for + a profession.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, what do you want to be, now?” asked Mrs. Crawford in surprise. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I'll be President!” said Abe with a smile. + </p> + <p> + “You'd make a pretty President with all your tricks and jokes, now, + wouldn't you?” said the farmer's wife. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I'll study and get ready,” replied the boy, “and then maybe the + chance will come.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0010" id="link2H_4_0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + WHY LINCOLN WAS CALLED “HONEST ABE” + </h2> + <h3> + BY NOAH BROOKS + </h3> + <p> + In managing the country store, as in everything that he undertook for + others, Lincoln did his very best. He was honest, civil, ready to do + anything that should encourage customers to come to the place, full of + pleasantries, patient, and alert. + </p> + <p> + On one occasion, finding late at night, when he counted over his cash, + that he had taken a few cents from a customer more than was due, he closed + the store, and walked a long distance to make good the deficiency. + </p> + <p> + At another time, discovering on the scales in the morning a weight with + which he had weighed out a package of tea for a woman the night before, he + saw that he had given her too little for her money. He weighed out what + was due, and carried it to her, much to the surprise of the woman, who had + not known that she was short in the amount of her purchase. + </p> + <p> + Innumerable incidents of this sort are related of Lincoln, and we should + not have space to tell of the alertness with which he sprang to protect + defenseless women from insult, or feeble children from tyranny; for in the + rude community in which he lived, the rights of the defenseless were not + always respected as they should have been. There were bullies then, as + now. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0011" id="link2H_4_0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + A STRANGER AT FIVE-POINTS + </h2> + <h3> + (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + One afternoon in February, 1860, when the Sunday School of the Five-Point + House of Industry in New York was assembled, the teacher saw a most + remarkable man enter the room and take his place among the others. This + stranger was tall, his frame was gaunt and sinewy, his head powerful, with + determined features overcast by a gentle melancholy. + </p> + <p> + He listened with fixed attention to the exercises. His face expressed such + genuine interest that the teacher, approaching him, suggested that he + might have something to say to the children. + </p> + <p> + The stranger accepted the invitation with evident pleasure. Coming + forward, he began to speak and at once fascinated every child in the room. + His language was beautiful yet simple, his tones were musical, and he + spoke with deep feeling. + </p> + <p> + The faces of the boys and girls drooped sadly as he uttered warnings, and + then brightened with joy as he spoke cheerful words of promise. Once or + twice he tried to close his remarks, but the children shouted: “Go on! Oh! + do go on!” and he was forced to continue. + </p> + <p> + At last he finished his talk and was leaving the room quietly when the + teacher begged to know his name. + </p> + <p> + “Abra'm Lincoln, of Illinois,” was the modest response. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0012" id="link2H_4_0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + A SOLOMON COME TO JUDGMENT + </h2> + <h3> + BY CHARLES W. MOORES + </h3> + <p> + Lincoln's practical sense and his understanding of human nature enabled + him to save the life of the son of his old Clary's Grove friend, Jack + Armstrong, who was on trial for murder. Lincoln, learning of it, went to + the old mother who had been kind to him in the days of his boyhood + poverty, and promised her that he would get her boy free. + </p> + <p> + The witnesses were sure that Armstrong was guilty, and one of them + declared that he had seen the fatal blow struck. It was late at night, he + said, and the light of the full moon had made it possible for him to see + the crime committed. Lincoln, on cross-examination, asked him only + questions enough to make the jury see that it was the full moon that made + it possible for the witness to see what occurred; got him to say two or + three times that he was sure of it, and seemed to give up any further + effort to save the boy. + </p> + <p> + But when the evidence was finished, and Lincoln's time came to make his + argument, he called for an almanac, which the clerk of the court had ready + for him, and handed it to the jury. They saw at once that on the night of + the murder there was no moon at all. They were satisfied that the witness + had told what was not true. Lincoln's case was won. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0013" id="link2H_4_0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + GEORGE PICKETT'S FRIEND + </h2> + <h3> + BY CHARLES W. MOORES + </h3> + <p> + George Pickett, who had known Lincoln in Illinois, years before, joined + the Southern army, and by his conspicuous bravery and ability had become + one of the great generals of the Confederacy. Toward the close of the war, + when a large part of Virginia had fallen into the possession of the Union + army, the President called at General Pickett's Virginia home. + </p> + <p> + The general's wife, with her baby on her arm, met him at the door. She + herself has told the story for us. + </p> + <p> + “'Is this George Pickett's home?' he asked. + </p> + <p> + “With all the courage and dignity I could muster, I replied: 'Yes, and I + am his wife, and this is his baby.' + </p> + <p> + “'I am Abraham Lincoln.' + </p> + <p> + “'The President!' I gasped. I had never seen him, but I knew the intense + love and reverence with which my soldier always spoke of him. + </p> + <p> + “The stranger shook his head and replied: 'No; Abraham Lincoln, George's + old friend.' + </p> + <p> + “The baby pushed away from me and reached out his hands to Mr. Lincoln, + who took him in his arms. As he did so an expression of rapt, almost + divine tenderness and love lighted up the sad face. It was a look that I + have never seen on any other face. The baby opened his mouth wide and + insisted upon giving his father's friend a dewy kiss. + </p> + <p> + “As Mr. Lincoln gave the little one back to me he said: 'Tell your father, + the rascal, that I forgive him for the sake of your bright eyes.'” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0014" id="link2H_4_0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LINCOLN THE LAWYER + </h2> + <h3> + BY Z. A. MUDGE (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + He delighted to advocate the cases of those whom he knew to be wronged, + but he would not defend the cause of the guilty. If he discovered in the + course of a trial that he was on the wrong side, he lost all interest, and + ceased to make any exertion. + </p> + <p> + Once, while engaged in a prosecution, he discovered that his client's + cause was not a good one, and he refused to make the plea. His associate, + who was less scrupulous, made the plea and obtained a decision in their + favor. The fee was nine hundred dollars, half of which was tendered to Mr. + Lincoln, but he refused to accept a single cent of it. + </p> + <p> + His honesty was strongly illustrated by the way he kept his accounts with + his law-partner. When he had taken a fee in the latter's absence, he put + one half of it into his own pocket, and laid the other half carefully + away, labeling it “Billy,” the name by which he familiarly addressed his + partner. When asked why he did not make a record of the amount and, for + the time being, use the whole, Mr. Lincoln answered: “Because I promised + my mother never to use money belonging to another person.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0015" id="link2H_4_0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE COURAGE OF HIS CONVICTIONS + </h2> + <h3> + (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + Mr. Lincoln made the great speech of his famous senatorial campaign at + Springfield, Illinois. The convention before which he spoke consisted of a + thousand delegates together with the crowd that had gathered with them. + </p> + <p> + His speech was carefully prepared. Every sentence was guarded and + emphatic. It has since become famous as “The Divided House” speech. Before + entering the hall where it was to be delivered, he stepped into the office + of his law-partner, Mr. Herndon, and, locking the door, so that their + interview might be private, took his manuscript from his pocket, and read + one of the opening sentences: “I believe this government cannot endure + permanently, half slave and half free.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Herndon remarked that the sentiment was true, but suggested that it + might not be GOOD POLICY to utter it at that time. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Lincoln replied with great firmness: “No matter about the POLICY. It + is TRUE, and the nation is entitled to it. The proposition has been true + for six thousand years, and I will deliver it as it is written.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0016" id="link2H_4_0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + MR. LINCOLN AND THE BIBLE + </h2> + <h3> + BY Z. A. MUDGE (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + A visitor in Washington once had an appointment to see Mr. Lincoln at five + o'clock in the morning. The gentleman made a hasty toilet and presented + himself at a quarter of five in the waiting-room of the President. He + asked the usher if he could see Mr. Lincoln. + </p> + <p> + “No,” he replied. + </p> + <p> + “But I have an engagement to meet him this morning,” answered the visitor. + </p> + <p> + “At what hour?” asked the usher. + </p> + <p> + “At five o'clock.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, sir, he will see you at five.” + </p> + <p> + The visitor waited patiently, walking to and fro for a few minutes, when + he heard a voice as if in grave conversation. + </p> + <p> + “Who is talking in the next room?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “It is the President, sir,” said the usher, who then explained that it was + Mr. Lincoln's custom to spend every morning from four to five reading the + Scriptures, and praying. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0017" id="link2H_4_0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + HIS SPRINGFIELD FAREWELL ADDRESS + </h2> + <p> + It was on the morning of February 11, 1861, that the President-elect, + together with his family and a small party of friends, bade adieu to the + city of Springfield, which, alas! he was never to see again. + </p> + <p> + A large throng of Springfield citizens assembled at the railway station to + see the departure, and before the train left Mr. Lincoln addressed them in + the following words:— + </p> + <p> + “MY FRIENDS: No one, not in my position, can appreciate the sadness I feel + at this parting. To this people I owe all that I am. Here I have lived + more than a quarter of a century; here my children were born, and here one + of them lies buried. I know not how soon I shall see you again. A duty + devolves upon me which is, perhaps, greater than that which has devolved + upon any other man since the days of Washington. He never would have + succeeded except by the aid of Divine Providence, upon which he at all + times relied. I feel that I cannot succeed without the same Divine aid + which sustained him, and on the same Almighty Being I place my reliance + for support; and I hope you, my friends, will all pray that I may receive + that Divine assistance, without which I cannot succeed, but with which + success is certain. Again I bid you an affectionate farewell.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0018" id="link2H_4_0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + SAINT VALENTINE'S DAY + </h2> + <h3> + (FEBRUARY 14) + </h3> + <p> + SAINT VALENTINE + </p> + <p> + The good Saint Valentine was a priest at Rome in the days of Claudius II. + He and Saint Marius aided the Christian martyrs, and for this kind deed + Saint Valentine was apprehended and dragged before the Prefect of Rome, + who condemned him to be beaten to death with clubs and to have his head + cut off. He suffered martyrdom on the 14th day of February, about the year + 270. + </p> + <p> + At that time it was the custom in Rome, a very ancient custom, indeed, to + celebrate in the month of February the Lupercalia, feasts in honor of a + heathen god. + </p> + <p> + On these occasions, amidst a variety of pagan ceremonies, the names of + young women were placed in a box, from which they were drawn by the men as + chance directed. + </p> + <p> + The pastors of the early Christian Church in Rome endeavored to do away + with the pagan element in these feasts by substituting the names of saints + for those of maidens. And as the Lupercalia began about the middle of + February, the pastors appear to have chosen Saint Valentine's Day for the + celebration of this new feast. + </p> + <p> + So it seems that the custom of young men choosing maidens for valentines, + or saints as patrons for the coming year, arose in this wise. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0019" id="link2H_4_0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + A PRISONER'S VALENTINE + </h2> + <h3> + BY MILLICENT OLMSTED (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + Charles, Duke of Orleans, who was taken prisoner at the battle of + Agincourt in 1415, and detained in England twenty-five years, was the + author of the earliest known written valentines. He left about sixty of + them. They were written during his confinement in the Tower of London, and + are still to be seen among the royal papers in the British Museum. + </p> + <p> + One of his valentines reads as follows:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Wilt thou be mine? dear Love, reply— + Sweetly consent or else deny. + Whisper softly, none shall know, + Wilt thou be mine, Love?—aye or no? + + “Spite of Fortune, we may be + Happy by one word from thee. + Life flies swiftly—ere it go + Wilt thou be mine, Love?—aye or no?” + </pre> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0020" id="link2H_4_0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + A GIRL'S VALENTINE CHARM + </h2> + <h3> + AS TOLD BY HERSELF + </h3> + <p> + (FROM THE CONNOISSEUR, 1775) + </p> + <p> + Last Friday was Valentine's Day, and I'll tell you what I did the night + before. I got five bay leaves, and pinned four of them to the four corners + of my pillow, and the fifth to the middle; and then if I dreamt of my + sweetheart, Betty said we would be married before the year was out. + </p> + <p> + But to make it more sure, I boiled an egg hard, and took out the yolk, and + filled it with salt, and when I went to bed ate it, shell and all, without + speaking or drinking after it. + </p> + <p> + We also wrote our lovers' names upon bits of paper, and rolled them up in + clay and put them into water; and the first that rose up was to be our + valentine. Would you think it? Mr. Blossom was my man, and I lay abed and + shut my eyes all the morning, till he came to our house, for I would not + have seen another man before him for all the world. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0021" id="link2H_4_0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + MR. PEPYS HIS VALENTINE + </h2> + <h3> + AS RELATED BY HIMSELF IN 1666 + </h3> + <p> + (ADAPTED) + </p> + <p> + This morning, came up to my wife's bedside, I being up dressing myself, + little Will Mercer, to be her valentine; and brought her name writ upon + blue paper in gold letters, done by himself, very pretty; and we were both + well pleased with it. + </p> + <p> + But I am also this year my wife's valentine; and it will cost me five + pounds; but that I must have laid out if we had not been valentines. + </p> + <p> + I find also that Mrs. Pierce's little girl is my valentine, she having + drawn me; which I am not sorry for, it easing me of something more that I + must have given to others. + </p> + <p> + But here I do first observe the fashion of drawing of mottoes as well as + names; so that Pierce, who drew my wife, did draw also a motto, and this + girl drew another for me. What mine was I have forgot, but my wife's was: + “Most virtuous and most fair,” which, as it may be used, or an anagram + made upon each name, might be; very pretty. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0022" id="link2H_4_0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CUPID AND PSYCHE + </h2> + <h3> + BY JOSEPHINE PRESTON PEABODY + </h3> + <p> + THE ENCHANTED PALACE + </p> + <p> + Once upon a time, through that Destiny that overrules the gods, Love + himself gave up his immortal heart to a mortal maiden. And thus it came to + pass:— + </p> + <p> + There was a certain king who had three beautiful daughters. The two elder + married princes of great renown; but Psyche, the youngest, was so + radiantly fair that no suitor seemed worthy of her. People thronged to see + her pass through the city, and sang hymns in her praise, while strangers + took her for the very goddess of beauty herself. + </p> + <p> + This angered Venus, and she resolved to cast down her earthly rival. One + day, therefore, she called hither her son, Love (Cupid, some name him), + and bade him sharpen his weapons. He is an archer more to be dreaded than + Apollo, for Apollo's arrows take life, but Love's bring joy or sorrow for + a whole life long. + </p> + <p> + “Come, Love,” said Venus. “There is a mortal maid who robs me of my honors + in yonder city. Avenge your mother. Wound this precious Psyche, and let + her fall in love with some churlish creature mean in the eyes of all men.” + </p> + <p> + Cupid made ready his weapons, and flew down to earth invisibly. At that + moment Psyche was asleep in her chamber; but he touched her heart with his + golden arrow of love, and she opened her eyes so suddenly that he started + (forgetting that he was invisible), and wounded himself with his own + shaft. Heedless of the hurt, moved only by the loveliness of the maiden, + he hastened to pour over her locks the healing joy that he ever kept by + him, undoing all his work. Back to her dream the princess went, unshadowed + by any thought of love. But Cupid, not so light of heart, returned to the + heavens, saying not a word of what had passed. + </p> + <p> + Venus waited long; then, seeing that Psyche's heart had somehow escaped + love, she sent a spell upon the maiden. From that time, lovely as she was, + not a suitor came to woo; and her parents, who desired to see her a queen + at least, made a journey to the Oracle, and asked counsel. + </p> + <p> + Said the voice: “The Princess Psyche shall never wed a mortal. She shall + be given to one who waits for her on yonder mountain; he overcomes gods + and men.” + </p> + <p> + At this terrible sentence the poor parents were half-distraught, and the + people gave themselves up to grief at the fate in store for their beloved + princess. Psyche alone bowed to her destiny. “We have angered Venus + unwittingly,” she said, “and all for sake of me, heedless maiden that I + am! Give me up, therefore, dear father and mother. If I atone, it may be + that the city will prosper once more.” + </p> + <p> + So she besought them, until, after many unavailing denials, the parents + consented; and with a great company of people they led Psyche up the + mountain,—as an offering to the monster of whom the Oracle had + spoken,—and left her there alone. + </p> + <p> + Full of courage, yet in a secret agony of grief, she watched her kindred + and her people wind down the mountain-path, too sad to look back, until + they were lost to sight. Then, indeed, she wept, but a sudden breeze drew + near, dried her tears, and caressed her hair, seeming to murmur comfort. + In truth, it was Zephyr, the kindly West Wind, come to befriend her; and + as she took heart, feeling some benignant presence, he lifted her in his + arms, and carried her on wings as even as a sea-gull's, over the crest of + the fateful mountain and into a valley below. There he left her, resting + on a bank of hospitable grass, and there the princess fell asleep. + </p> + <p> + When she awoke, it was near sunset. She looked about her for some sign of + the monster's approach; she wondered, then, if her grievous trial had been + but a dream. Near by she saw a sheltering forest, whose young trees seemed + to beckon as one maid beckons to another; and eager for the protection of + the dryads, she went thither. + </p> + <p> + The call of running waters drew her farther and farther, till she came out + upon an open place, where there was a wide pool. A fountain fluttered + gladly in the midst of it, and beyond there stretched a white palace + wonderful to see. Coaxed by the bright promise of the place, she drew + near, and, seeing no one, entered softly. It was all kinglier than her + father's home, and as she stood in wonder and awe, soft airs stirred about + her. Little by little the silence grew murmurous like the woods, and one + voice, sweeter than the rest, took words. “All that you see is yours, + gentle high princess,” it said. “Fear nothing; only command us, for we are + here to serve you.” + </p> + <p> + Full of amazement and delight, Psyche followed the voice from hall to + hall, and through the lordly rooms, beautiful with everything that could + delight a young princess. No pleasant thing was lacking. There was even a + pool, brightly tiled and fed with running waters, where she bathed her + weary limbs; and after she had put on the new and beautiful raiment that + lay ready for her, she sat down to break her fast, waited upon and sung to + by the unseen spirits. + </p> + <p> + Surely he whom the Oracle had called her husband was no monster, but some + beneficent power, invisible like all the rest. When daylight waned he + came, and his voice, the beautiful voice of a god, inspired her to trust + her strange destiny and to look and long for his return. Often she begged + him to stay with her through the day, that she might see his face; but + this he would not grant. + </p> + <p> + “Never doubt me, dearest Psyche,” said he. “Perhaps you would fear if you + saw me, and love is all I ask. There is a necessity that keeps me hidden + now. Only believe.” + </p> + <p> + So for many days Psyche was content; but when she grew used to happiness, + she thought once more of her parents mourning her as lost, and of her + sisters who shared the lot of mortals while she lived as a goddess. One + night she told her husband of these regrets, and begged that her sisters + at least might come to see her. He sighed, but did not refuse. + </p> + <p> + “Zephyr shall bring them hither,” said he. And on the following morning, + swift as a bird, the West Wind came over the crest of the high mountain + and down into the enchanted valley, bearing her two sisters. + </p> + <p> + They greeted Psyche with joy and amazement, hardly knowing how they had + come hither. But when this fairest of the sisters led them through her + palace and showed them all the treasures that were hers, envy grew in + their hearts and choked their old love. Even while they sat at feast with + her, they grew more and more bitter; and hoping to find some little flaw + in her good fortune, they asked a thousand questions. + </p> + <p> + “Where is your husband?” said they. “And why is he not here with you?” + </p> + <p> + “Ah,” stammered Psyche. “All the day long—he is gone, hunting upon + the mountains.” + </p> + <p> + “But what does he look like?” they asked; and Psyche could find no answer. + </p> + <p> + When they learned that she had never seen him, they laughed her faith to + scorn. + </p> + <p> + “Poor Psyche,” they said. “You are walking in a dream. Wake, before it is + too late. Have you forgotten what the Oracle decreed,—that you were + destined for a dreadful creature, the fear of gods and men? And are you + deceived by this show of kindliness? We have come to warn you. The people + told us, as we came over the mountain, that your husband is a dragon, who + feeds you well for the present, that he may feast the better, some day + soon. What is it that you trust? Good words! But only take a dagger some + night, and when the monster is asleep go, light a lamp, and look at him. + You can put him to death easily, and all his riches will be yours—and + ours.” + </p> + <p> + Psyche heard this wicked plan with horror. Nevertheless, after her sisters + were gone, she brooded over what they had said, not seeing their evil + intent; and she came to find some wisdom in their words. Little by little, + suspicion ate, like a moth, into her lovely mind; and at nightfall, in + shame and fear, she hid a lamp and a dagger in her chamber. Towards + midnight, when her husband was fast asleep, up she rose, hardly daring to + breathe; and coming softly to his side, she uncovered the lamp to see some + horror. + </p> + <p> + But there the youngest of the gods lay sleeping,—most beautiful, + most irresistible of all immortals. His hair shone golden as the sun, his + face was radiant as dear Springtime, and from his shoulders sprang two + rainbow wings. + </p> + <p> + Poor Psyche was overcome with self-reproach. As she leaned towards him, + filled with worship, her trembling hands held the lamp ill, and some + burning oil fell upon Love's shoulder and awakened him. + </p> + <p> + He opened his eyes, to see at once his bride and the dark suspicion in her + heart. + </p> + <p> + “O doubting Psyche!” he exclaimed with sudden grief,—and then he + flew away, out of the window. + </p> + <p> + Wild with sorrow, Psyche tried to follow, but she fell to the ground + instead. When she recovered her senses, she stared about her. She was + alone, and the place was beautiful no longer. Garden and palace had + vanished with Love. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0023" id="link2H_4_0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE TRIAL OF PSYCHE: + </h2> + <p> + Over mountains and valleys Psyche journeyed alone until she came to the + city where her two envious sisters lived with the princes whom they had + married. She stayed with them only long enough to tell the story of her + unbelief and its penalty. Then she set out again to search for Love. + </p> + <p> + As she wandered one day, travel-worn but not hopeless, she saw a lofty + palace on a hill near by, and she turned her steps thither. The place + seemed deserted. Within the hall she saw no human being,—only heaps + of grain, loose ears of corn half torn from the husk, wheat and barley, + alike scattered in confusion on the floor. Without delay, she set to work + binding the sheaves together and gathering the scattered ears of corn in + seemly wise, as a princess would wish to see them. While she was in the + midst of her task, a voice startled her, and she looked up to behold + Demeter herself, the goddess of the harvest, smiling upon her with good + will. + </p> + <p> + “Dear Psyche,” said Demeter, “you are worthy of happiness, and you may + find it yet. But since you have displeased Venus, go to her and ask her + favor. Perhaps your patience will win her pardon.” + </p> + <p> + These motherly words gave Psyche heart, and she reverently took leave of + the goddess and set out for the temple of Venus. Most humbly she offered + up her prayer, but Venus could not look at her earthly beauty without + anger. + </p> + <p> + “Vain girl,” said she, “perhaps you have come to make amends for the wound + you dealt your husband; you shall do so. Such clever people can always + find work!” + </p> + <p> + Then she led Psyche into a great chamber heaped high with mingled grain, + beans, and lentils (the food of her doves), and bade her separate them all + and have them ready in seemly fashion by night. Heracles would have been + helpless before such a vexatious task; and poor Psyche, left alone in this + desert of grain, had not courage to begin. But even as she sat there, a + moving thread of black crawled across the floor from a crevice in the + wall; and bending nearer, she saw that a great army of ants in columns had + come to her aid. The zealous little creatures worked in swarms, with such + industry over the work they like best, that, when Venus came at night, she + found the task completed. + </p> + <p> + “Deceitful girl,” she cried, shaking the roses out of her hair with + impatience, “this is my son's work, not yours. But he will soon forget + you. Eat this black bread if you are hungry, and refresh your dull mind + with sleep. To-morrow you will need more wit.” + </p> + <p> + Psyche wondered what new misfortune could be in store for her. But when + morning came, Venus led her to the brink of a river, and, pointing to the + wood across the water, said: “Go now to yonder grove where the sheep with + the golden fleece are wont to browse. Bring me a golden lock from every + one of them, or you must go your ways and never come back again.” + </p> + <p> + This seemed not difficult, and Psyche obediently bade the goddess + farewell, and stepped into the water, ready to wade across. But as Venus + disappeared, the reeds sang louder and the nymphs of the river, looking up + sweetly, blew bubbles to the surface and murmured: “Nay, nay, have a care, + Psyche. This flock has not the gentle ways of sheep. While the sun burns + aloft, they are themselves as fierce as flame; but when the shadows are + long, they go to rest and sleep, under the trees; and you may cross the + river without fear and pick the golden fleece off the briers in the + pasture.” + </p> + <p> + Thanking the water-creatures, Psyche sat down to rest near them, and when + the time came, she crossed in safety and followed their counsel. By + twilight she returned to Venus with her arms full of shining fleece. + </p> + <p> + “No mortal wit did this,” said Venus angrily. “But if you care to prove + your readiness, go now, with this little box, down to Proserpina and ask + her to enclose in it some of her beauty, for I have grown pale in caring + for my wounded son.” + </p> + <p> + It needed not the last taunt to sadden Psyche. She knew that it was not + for mortals to go into Hades and return alive; and feeling that Love had + forsaken her, she was minded to accept her doom as soon as might be. + </p> + <p> + But even as she hastened towards the descent, another friendly voice + detained her. “Stay, Psyche, I know your grief. Only give ear and you + shall learn a safe way through all these trials.” And the voice went on to + tell her how one might avoid all the dangers of Hades and come out + unscathed. (But such a secret could not pass from mouth to mouth, with the + rest of the story.) + </p> + <p> + “And be sure,” added the voice, “when Proserpina has returned the box, not + to open it, ever much you may long to do so.” + </p> + <p> + Psyche gave heed, and by this device, whatever it was, she found her way + into Hades safely, and made her errand known to Proserpina, and was soon + in the upper world again, wearied but hopeful. + </p> + <p> + “Surely Love has not forgotten me,” she said. “But humbled as I am and + worn with toil, how shall I ever please him? Venus can never need all the + beauty in this casket; and since I use it for Love's sake, it must be + right to take some.” So saying, she opened the box, heedless as Pandora! + The spells and potions of Hades are not for mortal maids, and no sooner + had she inhaled the strange aroma than she fell down like one dead, quite + overcome. + </p> + <p> + But it happened that Love himself was recovered from his wound, and he had + secretly fled from his chamber to seek out and rescue Psyche. He found her + lying by the wayside; he gathered into the casket what remained of the + philter, and awoke his beloved. + </p> + <p> + “Take comfort,” he said, smiling. “Return to our mother and do her bidding + till I come again.” + </p> + <p> + Away he flew; and while Psyche went cheerily homeward, he hastened up to + Olympus, where all the gods sat feasting, and begged them to intercede for + him with his angry mother. + </p> + <p> + They heard his story and their hearts were touched. Zeus himself coaxed + Venus with kind words till at last she relented, and remembered that anger + hurt her beauty, and smiled once more. All the younger gods were for + welcoming Psyche at once, and Hermes was sent to bring her hither. The + maiden came, a shy newcomer among those bright creatures. She took the cup + that Hebe held out to her, drank the divine ambrosia, and became immortal. + </p> + <p> + Light came to her face like moonrise, two radiant wings sprang from her + shoulders; and even as a butterfly bursts from its dull cocoon, so the + human Psyche blossomed into immortality. + </p> + <p> + Love took her by the hand, and they were never parted any more. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0024" id="link2H_4_0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY + </h2> + <h3> + (FEBRUARY 22) + </h3> + <p> + THREE OLD TALES BY M. L. WEEMS (ADAPTED) <a name="link2H_4_0025" + id="link2H_4_0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + I. THE CHERRY TREE + </h2> + <p> + When George was about six years old, he was made the wealthy master of a + hatchet of which, like most little boys, he was extremely fond. He went + about chopping everything that came his way. + </p> + <p> + One day, as he wandered about the garden amusing himself by hacking his + mother's pea-sticks, he found a beautiful, young English cherry tree, of + which his father was most proud. He tried the edge of his hatchet on the + trunk of the tree and barked it so that it died. + </p> + <p> + Some time after this, his father discovered what had happened to his + favorite tree. He came into the house in great anger, and demanded to know + who the mischievous person was who had cut away the bark. Nobody could + tell him anything about it. + </p> + <p> + Just then George, with his little hatchet, came into the room. + </p> + <p> + “George,” said his father, “do you know who has killed my beautiful little + cherry tree yonder in the garden? I would not have taken five guineas for + it!” + </p> + <p> + This was a hard question to answer, and for a moment George was staggered + by it, but quickly recovering himself he cried:— + </p> + <p> + “I cannot tell a lie, father, you know I cannot tell a lie! I did cut it + with my little hatchet.” + </p> + <p> + The anger died out of his father's face, and taking the boy tenderly in + his arms, he said:— + </p> + <p> + “My son, that you should not be afraid to tell the truth is more to me + than a thousand trees! yes, though they were blossomed with silver and had + leaves of the purest gold!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0026" id="link2H_4_0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + II. THE APPLE ORCHARD + </h2> + <p> + One fine morning in the autumn Mr. Washington, taking little George by the + hand, walked with him to the apple orchard, promising that he would show + him a fine sight. + </p> + <p> + On arriving at the orchard they saw a fine sight, indeed! The green grass + under the trees was strewn with red-cheeked apples, and yet the trees were + bending under the weight of fruit that hung thick among the leaves. + </p> + <p> + “Now, George,” said his father, “look, my son, see all this rich harvest + of fruit! Do you remember when your good cousin brought you a fine, large + apple last spring, how you refused to divide it with your brothers? And + yet I told you then that, if you would be generous, God would give you + plenty of apples this autumn.” + </p> + <p> + Poor George could not answer, but hanging down his head looked quite + confused, while with his little, naked, bare feet he scratched in the soft + ground. + </p> + <p> + “Now, look up, my son,” continued his father, “and see how the blessed God + has richly provided us with these trees loaded with the finest fruit. See + how abundant is the harvest. Some of the trees are bending beneath their + burdens, while the ground is covered with mellow apples, more than you + could eat, my son, in all your lifetime.” + </p> + <p> + George looked in silence on the orchard, he marked the busy, humming bees, + and heard the gay notes of the birds fluttering from tree to tree. His + eyes filled with tears and he answered softly:— + </p> + <p> + “Truly, father, I never will be selfish any more.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0027" id="link2H_4_0027"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + III. THE GARDEN-BED + </h2> + <p> + One day Mr. Washington went into the garden and dug a little bed of earth + and prepared it for seed. He then took a stick and traced on the bed + George's name in full. After this he strewed the tracing thickly with + seeds, and smoothed all over nicely with his roller. + </p> + <p> + This garden-bed he purposely prepared close to a gooseberry-walk. The + bushes were hung with the ripe fruit, and he knew that George would visit + them every morning. + </p> + <p> + Not many days had passed away when one morning George came running into + the house, breathless with excitement, and his eyes shining with + happiness. + </p> + <p> + “Come here! father, come here!” he cried. + </p> + <p> + “What's the matter, my son?” asked his father. + </p> + <p> + “O come, father,” answered George, “and I'll show you such a sight as you + have never seen in all your lifetime.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Washington gave the boy his hand, which he seized with great + eagerness. He led his father straight to the garden-bed, whereon in large + letters, in lines of soft green, was written:— + </p> + <p> + GEORGE WASHINGTON <a name="link2H_4_0028" id="link2H_4_0028"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + YOUNG GEORGE AND THE COLT + </h2> + <h3> + BY HORACE E. SCUDDER + </h3> + <p> + There is a story told of George Washington's boyhood,—unfortunately + there are not many stories,—which is to the point. His father had + taken a great deal of pride in his blooded horses, and his mother + afterward took pains to keep the stock pure. She had several young horses + that had not yet been broken, and one of them in particular, a sorrel, was + extremely spirited. No one had been able to do anything with it, and it + was pronounced thoroughly vicious as people are apt to pronounce horses + which they have not learned to master. + </p> + <p> + George was determined to ride this colt, and told his companions that if + they would help him catch it, he would ride and tame it. + </p> + <p> + Early in the morning they set out for the pasture, where the boys managed + to surround the sorrel, and then to put a bit into its mouth. Washington + sprang upon its back, the boys dropped the bridle, and away flew the angry + animal. + </p> + <p> + Its rider at once began to command. The horse resisted, backing about the + field, rearing and plunging. The boys became thoroughly alarmed, but + Washington kept his seat, never once losing his self-control or his + mastery of the colt. + </p> + <p> + The struggle was a sharp one; when suddenly, as if determined to rid + itself of its rider, the creature leaped into the air with a tremendous + bound. It was its last. The violence burst a blood-vessel, and the noble + horse fell dead. + </p> + <p> + Before the boys could sufficiently recover to consider how they should + extricate themselves from the scrape, they were called to breakfast; and + the mistress of the house, knowing that they had been in the fields, began + to ask after her stock. + </p> + <p> + “Pray, young gentlemen,” said she, “have you seen my blooded colts in your + rambles? I hope they are well taken care of. My favorite, I am told, is as + large as his sire.” + </p> + <p> + The boys looked at one another, and no one liked to speak. Of course the + mother repeated her question. + </p> + <p> + “The sorrel is dead, madam,” said her son, “I killed him.” + </p> + <p> + And then he told the whole story. They say that his mother flushed with + anger, as her son often used to, and then, like him, controlled herself, + and presently said, quietly:— + </p> + <p> + “It is well; but while I regret the loss of my favorite, I rejoice in my + son who always speaks the truth.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0029" id="link2H_4_0029"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + WASHINGTON THE ATHLETE + </h2> + <h3> + BY ALBERT F. BLAISDELL AND FRANCIS E. BALL + </h3> + <p> + Many stories are told of the mighty power of Washington's right arm. It is + said that he once threw a stone from the bed of the stream to the top of + the Natural Bridge, in Virginia. + </p> + <p> + Again, we are told that once upon a time he rounded a piece of slate to + the size of a silver dollar, and threw it across the Rappahannock at + Fredericksburg, the slate falling at least thirty feet on the other side. + Many strong men have since tried the same feat, but have never cleared the + water. + </p> + <p> + Peale, who was called the soldier-artist, was once visiting Washington at + Mount Vernon. One day, he tells us, some athletic young men were pitching + the iron bar in the presence of their host. Suddenly, without taking off + his coat, Washington grasped the bar and hurled it, with little effort, + much farther than any of them had done. + </p> + <p> + “We were, indeed, amazed,” said one of the young men, “as we stood round, + all stripped to the buff, and having thought ourselves very clever + fellows, while the Colonel, on retiring, pleasantly said:— + </p> + <p> + “'When you beat my pitch, young gentlemen, I'll try again.'” + </p> + <p> + At another time, Washington witnessed a wrestling-match. The champion of + the day challenged him, in sport, to wrestle. Washington did not stop to + take off his coat, but grasped the “strong man of Virginia.” It was all + over in a moment, for, said the wrestler, “In Washington's lionlike grasp + I became powerless, and was hurled to the ground with a force that seemed + to jar the very marrow in my bones.” + </p> + <p> + In the days of the Revolution, some of the riflemen and the backwoodsmen + were men of gigantic strength, but it was generally believed by good + judges that their commander-in-chief was the strongest man in the army. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0030" id="link2H_4_0030"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + WASHINGTON'S MODESTY + </h2> + <h3> + BY HENRY CABOT LODGE (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + Washington as soon as Fort Duquesne had fallen hurried home, resigned his + commission, and was married. The sunshine and glitter of the wedding day + must have appeared to Washington deeply appropriate, for he certainly + seemed to have all that heart of man could desire. Just twenty-seven, in + the first flush of young manhood, keen of sense and yet wise in + experience, life must have looked very fair and smiling. He had left the + army with a well-earned fame, and had come home to take the wife of his + choice, and enjoy the good will and respect of all men. + </p> + <p> + While away on his last campaign he had been elected a member of the House + of Burgesses, and when he took his seat, on removing to Williamsburg, + three months after his marriage, Mr. Robinson, the Speaker, thanked him + publicly in eloquent words for his services to the country. + </p> + <p> + Washington rose to reply, but he was so utterly unable to talk about + himself that he stood before the House stammering and blushing until the + Speaker said:— + </p> + <p> + “Sit down, Mr. Washington, your modesty equals your valor, and that + surpasses the power of any language I possess.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0031" id="link2H_4_0031"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + WASHINGTON AT YORKTOWN + </h2> + <h3> + BY HENRY CABOT LODGE + </h3> + <p> + During the assault Washington stood in an embrasure of the grand battery, + watching the advance of the men. He was always given to exposing himself + recklessly when there was fighting to be done, but not when he was only an + observer. + </p> + <p> + This night, however, he was much exposed to the enemy's fire. One of his + aides, anxious and disturbed for his safety, told him that the place was + perilous. + </p> + <p> + “If you think so,” was the quiet answer, “you are at liberty to step + back.” + </p> + <p> + The moment was too exciting, too fraught with meaning, to think of peril. + The old fighting spirit of Braddock's field was unchained for the last + time. He would have liked to head the American assault, sword in hand, and + as he could not do that, he stood as near his troops as he could, utterly + regardless of the bullets whistling in the air about him. Who can wonder + at his intense excitement at that moment? + </p> + <p> + Others saw a brilliant storming of two out-works, but to Washington the + whole Revolution and all the labor and thought and conflict of six years + were culminating in the smoke and din on those redoubts, while out of the + dust and heat of the sharp, quick fight success was coming. + </p> + <p> + He had waited long, and worked hard, and his whole soul went out as he + watched the troops cross the abatis and scale the works. He could have no + thought of danger then, and when all was over, he turned to Knox and said:— + </p> + <p> + “The work is done, and well done. Bring me my horse.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0032" id="link2H_4_0032"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + RESURRECTION DAY (EASTER) + </h2> + <h3> + (MARCH OR APRIL) + </h3> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0033" id="link2H_4_0033"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + A LESSON OF FAITH + </h2> + <h3> + BY MRS. ALFRED GATTY (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + “Let me hire you as a nurse for my poor children,” said a butterfly to a + quiet caterpillar, who was strolling along a cabbage-leaf in her odd, + lumbering fashion. + </p> + <p> + “See these little eggs,” continued the butterfly; “I do not know how long + it will be before they come to life, and I feel very sick. If I should + die, who will take care of my baby butterflies when I am gone? Will you, + kind, mild, green caterpillar? They cannot, of course, live on your rough + food. You must give them early dew, and honey from the flowers, and you + must let them fly about only a little way at first. Dear me! it is a sad + pity that you cannot fly yourself. Dear, dear! I cannot think what made me + come and lay my eggs on a cabbage-leaf! What a place for young butterflies + to be bore upon! Here, take this gold-dust from my wings as a reward. Oh, + how dizzy I am! Caterpillar! you will remember about the food—” + </p> + <p> + And with these words the butterfly drooped her wings and died. The green + caterpillar, who had not had the opportunity of even saying “yes” or “no” + to the request, was left standing alone by the side of the butterfly's + eggs. + </p> + <p> + “A pretty nurse she has chosen, indeed, poor lady!” exclaimed she, “and a + pretty business I have in hand. Why did she ever ask a poor crawling + creature like me to bring up her dainty little ones! Much they'll mind me, + truly, when they feel the gay wings on their backs, and can fly away.” + </p> + <p> + However, the poor butterfly was dead, and there lay the eggs on the + cabbage-leaf, and the green caterpillar had a kind heart, so she resolved + to do her best. + </p> + <p> + “But two heads are better than one,” said she; “I will consult some wise + animal on the matter.” + </p> + <p> + Then she thought and thought till at last she thought of the lark, and she + fancied that because he went up so high, and nobody knew where he went to, + he must be very clever and know a great deal. + </p> + <p> + Now in the neighboring cornfield there lived a lark, and the caterpillar + sent a message to him, begging him to come and talk to her. When he came + she told him all her difficulties, and asked him how she was to feed and + rear the little butterfly creatures. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps you will be able to inquire and learn something about it the next + time you go up high,” said the caterpillar timidly. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps I can,” answered the lark; and then he went singing upwards into + the bright, blue sky, till the green caterpillar could not hear a sound, + nor could she see him any more. So she began to walk round the butterfly's + eggs, nibbling a bit of the cabbage-leaf now and then as she moved along. + </p> + <p> + “What a time the lark has been gone!” she cried at last. “I wonder where + he is just now. He must have flown higher than usual this time. How I + should like to know where he goes, and what he hears in that curious blue + sky! He always sings going up and coming down, but he never lets any + secret out.” + </p> + <p> + And the green caterpillar took another turn round the butterfly's eggs. + </p> + <p> + At last the lark's voice began to be heard again. The caterpillar almost + jumped for joy, and it was not long before she saw her friend descend with + hushed note to the cabbage bed. + </p> + <p> + “News, news, glorious news, friend caterpillar!” sang the lark, “but the + worst of it is, you won't believe me!” + </p> + <p> + “I believe anything I am told,” said the caterpillar hastily. + </p> + <p> + “Well, then, first of all, I will tell you what those little creatures are + to eat”—and the lark nodded his head toward the eggs. “What do you + think it is to be? Guess!” + </p> + <p> + “Dew and honey out of the flowers, I am afraid!” sighed the caterpillar. + </p> + <p> + “No such thing, my good friend,” cried the lark exultantly; “you are to + feed them with cabbage-leaves!” + </p> + <p> + “Never!” said the caterpillar indignantly. + </p> + <p> + “It was their mother's last request that I should feed them on dew and + honey.” + </p> + <p> + “Their mother knew nothing about the matter,” answered the lark; “but why + do you ask me, and then disbelieve what I say? You have neither faith nor + trust.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I believe everything I am told,” said the caterpillar. + </p> + <p> + “Nay, but you do not,” replied the lark. + </p> + <p> + “Why, caterpillar, what do you think those little eggs will turn out to + be?” + </p> + <p> + “Butterflies, to be sure,” said the caterpillar. + </p> + <p> + “CATERPILLARS!” sang the lark; “and you'll find it out in time.” And the + lark flew away. + </p> + <p> + “I thought the lark was wise and kind,” said the mild, green caterpillar + to herself, once more beginning to walk round the eggs, “but I find that + he is foolish and saucy instead. Perhaps he went up TOO high this time. + How I wonder what he sees, and what he does up yonder!” + </p> + <p> + “I would tell you if you would believe me,” sang the lark, descending once + more. + </p> + <p> + “I believe everything I am told,” answered the caterpillar. + </p> + <p> + “Then I'll tell you something else,” cried the lark. “YOU WILL ONE DAY BE + A BUTTERFLY YOURSELF!” + </p> + <p> + “Wretched bird,” exclaimed the caterpillar, “you are making fun of me. You + are now cruel as well as foolish! Go away! I will ask your advice no + more.” + </p> + <p> + “I told you you would not believe me,” cried the lark. + </p> + <p> + “I believe everything I am told,” persisted the caterpillar,—“everything + that it is REASONABLE to believe. But to tell me that butterflies' eggs + are caterpillars, and that caterpillars leave off crawling and get wings + and become butterflies!—Lark! you do not believe such nonsense + yourself! You know it is impossible!” + </p> + <p> + “I know no such thing,” said the lark. “When I hover over the cornfields, + or go up into the depths of the sky, I see so many wonderful things that I + know there must be more. O caterpillar! it is because you CRAWL, and never + get beyond your cabbage-leaf, that you call anything IMPOSSIBLE.” + </p> + <p> + “Nonsense,” shouted the caterpillar, “I know what's possible and what's + impossible. Look at my long, green body, and many legs, and then talk to + me about having wings! Fool!” + </p> + <p> + “More foolish you!” cried the indignant lark, “to attempt to reason about + what you cannot understand. Do you not hear how my song swells with + rejoicing as I soar upwards to the mysterious wonder-world above? Oh, + caterpillar, what comes from thence, receive as I do,—on trust.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean by that?” asked the caterpillar. + </p> + <p> + “ON FAITH,” answered the lark. + </p> + <p> + “How am I to learn faith?” asked the caterpillar. + </p> + <p> + At that moment she felt something at her side. She looked round,—eight + or ten little green caterpillars were moving about, and had already made a + hole in the cabbage-leaf. They had broken from the butterfly's eggs! + </p> + <p> + Shame and amazement filled the green caterpillar's heart, but joy soon + followed. For as the first wonder was possible, the second might be so + too. + </p> + <p> + “Teach me your lesson, lark,” she cried. + </p> + <p> + And the lark sang to her of the wonders of the earth below and of the + heaven above. And the caterpillar talked all the rest of her life of the + time when she should become a butterfly. + </p> + <p> + But no one believed her. She nevertheless had learned the lark's lesson of + faith, and when she was going into her chrysalis, she said:— + </p> + <p> + “I shall be a butterfly some day!” + </p> + <p> + But her relations thought her head was wandering, and they said, “Poor + thing!” + </p> + <p> + And when she was a butterfly, and was going to die she said:— + </p> + <p> + “I have known many wonders,—I HAVE FAITH,—I can trust even now + for the wonder that shall come next.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0034" id="link2H_4_0034"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + A CHILD'S DREAM OF A STAR + </h2> + <h3> + BY CHARLES DICKENS + </h3> + <p> + There was once a child, and he strolled about a good deal, and thought of + a number of things. He had a sister, who was a child, too, and his + constant companion. These two used to wonder all day long. They wondered + at the beauty of the flowers; they wondered at the height and blueness of + the sky; they wondered at the depth of the bright water; they wondered at + the goodness and the power of God who made the lovely world. + </p> + <p> + They used to say to one another, sometimes: “Supposing all the children + upon earth were to die, would the flowers, and the water, and the sky be + sorry?” They believed they would be sorry. “For,” said they, “the buds are + the children of the flowers, and the little playful streams that gambol + down the hillsides are the children of the water; and the smallest, bright + specks playing at hide and seek in the sky all night, must surely be the + children of the stars; and they would all be grieved to see their + playmates, the children of men, no more.” + </p> + <p> + There was one clear, shining star that used to come out in the sky before + the rest, near the church spire, above the graves. It was larger and more + beautiful, they thought, than all the others, and every night they watched + for it, standing hand in hand at a window. Whoever saw it first cried out: + “I see the star!” And often they cried out both together, knowing so well + when it would rise, and where. So they grew to be such friends with it, + that, before lying down in their beds, they always looked out once again, + to bid it good-night; and when they were turning round to sleep, they used + to say: “God bless the star!” + </p> + <p> + But while she was still very young, oh, very, very young, the sister + drooped, and came to be so weak that she could no longer stand in the + window at night; and then the child looked sadly out by himself, and when + he saw the star turned round and said to the patient, pale face on the + bed: “I see the star!” and then a smile would come upon the face, and a + little weak voice used to say: “God bless my brother and the star!” + </p> + <p> + And so the time came all too soon, when the child looked out alone, and + when there was no face on the bed; and when there was a little grave among + the graves, not there before; and when the star made long rays down + towards him, as he saw it through his tears. + </p> + <p> + Now, these rays were so bright, and they seemed to make such a shining way + from earth to heaven, that when the child went to his solitary bed he + dreamed about the star; and dreamed that, lying where he was, he saw a + train of people taken up that sparkling road by angels. And the star, + opening, showed him a great world of light, where many more such angels + waited to receive them. + </p> + <p> + All these angels, who were waiting, turned their beaming eyes upon the + people who were carried up into the star; and some came out from the long + rows in which they stood, and fell upon the people's necks, and kissed + them tenderly, and went away with them down avenues of light, and were so + happy in their company, that lying in his bed he wept for joy. + </p> + <p> + But there were many angels who did not go with them, and among them one he + knew. The patient face, that once had lain upon the bed, was glorified and + radiant, but his heart found out his sister among all the host. + </p> + <p> + His sister's angel lingered near the entrance of the star, and said to the + leader among those who had brought the people thither:— + </p> + <p> + “Is my brother come?” + </p> + <p> + And he said: “No.” + </p> + <p> + She was turning hopefully away, when the child stretched out his arms, and + cried: “O sister, I am here! Take me!” And then she turned her beaming + eyes upon him, and it was night; and the star was shining into the room, + making long rays down towards him, as he saw it through his tears. + </p> + <p> + From that hour forth, the child looked out upon the star as on the home he + was to go to when his time should come; and he thought that he did not + belong to the earth alone, but to the star, too, because of his sister's + angel gone before. + </p> + <p> + There was a baby born to be a brother to the child; and while he was so + little that he never yet had spoken word, he stretched his tiny form out + on his bed, and died. + </p> + <p> + Again the child dreamed of the open star, and of the company of angels, + and the train of people, and the rows of angels with their beaming eyes + all turned upon those people's faces. + </p> + <p> + Said his sister's angel to the leader:— + </p> + <p> + “Is my brother come?” + </p> + <p> + And he said: “Not that one, but another.” + </p> + <p> + As the child beheld his brother's angel in her arms, he cried: “O sister, + I am here! Take me!” And she turned and smiled upon him, and the star was + shining. + </p> + <p> + He grew to be a young man, and was busy at his books, when an old servant + came to him and said:— + </p> + <p> + “Thy mother is no more. I bring her blessing on her darling son.” + </p> + <p> + Again at night he saw the star, and all that former company. Said his + sister's angel to the leader:— + </p> + <p> + “Is my brother come?” + </p> + <p> + And he said: “Thy mother!” + </p> + <p> + A mighty cry of joy went forth through all the star, because the mother + was reunited to her two children. And he stretched out his arms and cried: + “O mother, sister, and brother, I am here! Take me!” And they answered + him: “Not yet.” And the star was shining. + </p> + <p> + He grew to be a man, whose hair was turning gray, and he was sitting in + his chair by the fireside, heavy with grief, and with his face bedewed + with tears, when the star opened once again. + </p> + <p> + Said his sister's angel to the leader:— + </p> + <p> + “Is my brother come?” + </p> + <p> + And he said: “Nay, but his maiden daughter.” + </p> + <p> + And the man, who had been the child, saw his daughter, newly lost to him, + a celestial creature among those three, and he said: “My daughter's head + is on my sister's bosom, and her arm is around my mother's neck, and at + her feet there is the baby of old time, and I can bear the parting from + her, God be praised!” + </p> + <p> + And the star was shining. + </p> + <p> + Thus the child came to be an old man, and his once smooth face was + wrinkled, and his steps were slow and feeble, and his back was bent. And + one night as he lay upon his bed, his children standing round, he cried, + as he had cried so long ago:— + </p> + <p> + “I see the star!” + </p> + <p> + They whispered one to another: “He is dying.” + </p> + <p> + And he said: “I am. My age is falling from me like a garment, and I move + towards the star as a child. And, O my Father, now I thank Thee that it + has so often opened to receive those dear ones who await me!” + </p> + <p> + And the star was shining; and it shines upon his grave. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0035" id="link2H_4_0035"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE LOVELIEST ROSE IN THE WORLD + </h2> + <h3> + BY HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + Once there reigned a queen, in whose garden were found the most glorious + flowers at all seasons and from all the lands of the world. But more than + all others she loved the roses, and she had many kinds of this flower, + from the wild dog-rose with its apple-scented green leaves to the most + splendid, large, crimson roses. They grew against the garden walls, wound + themselves around the pillars and wind-frames, and crept through the + windows into the rooms, and all along the ceilings in the halls. And the + roses were of many colors, and of every fragrance and form. + </p> + <p> + But care and sorrow dwelt in those halls. The queen lay upon a sick-bed, + and the doctors said she must die. + </p> + <p> + “There is still one thing that can save her,” said the wise man. “Bring + her the loveliest rose in the world, the rose that is the symbol of the + purest, the brightest love. If that is held before her eyes ere they + close, she will not die.” + </p> + <p> + Then old and young came from every side with roses, the loveliest that + bloomed in each garden, but they were not of the right sort. The flower + was to be plucked from the Garden of Love. But what rose in all that + garden expressed the highest and purest love? + </p> + <p> + And the poets sang of the loveliest rose in the world,—of the love + of maid and youth, and of the love of dying heroes. + </p> + <p> + “But they have not named the right flower,” said the wise man. “They have + not pointed out the place where it blooms in its splendor. It is not the + rose that springs from the hearts of youthful lovers, though this rose + will ever be fragrant in song. It is not the bloom that sprouts from the + blood flowing from the breast of the hero who dies for his country, though + few deaths are sweeter than his, and no rose is redder than the blood that + flows then. Nor is it the wondrous flower to which man devotes many a + sleepless night and much of his fresh life,—the magic flower of + science.” + </p> + <p> + “But I know where it blooms,” said a happy mother, who came with her + pretty child to the bedside of the dying queen. “I know where the + loveliest rose of love may be found. It springs in the blooming cheeks of + my sweet child, when, waking from sleep, it opens its eyes and smiles + tenderly at me.” + </p> + <p> + “Lovely is this rose, but there is a lovelier still,” said the wise man. + </p> + <p> + “I have seen the loveliest, purest rose that blooms,” said a woman. “I saw + it on the cheeks of the queen. She had taken off her golden crown. And in + the long, dreary night she carried her sick child in her arms. She wept, + kissed it, and prayed for her child.” + </p> + <p> + “Holy and wonderful is the white rose of a mother's grief,” answered the + wise man, “but it is not the one we seek.” + </p> + <p> + “The loveliest rose in the world I saw at the altar of the Lord,” said the + good Bishop, “the young maidens went to the Lord's Table. Roses were + blushing and pale roses shining on their fresh cheeks. A young girl stood + there. She looked with all the love and purity of her spirit up to heaven. + That was the expression of the highest and purest love.” + </p> + <p> + “May she be blessed,” said the wise man, “but not one of you has yet named + the loveliest rose in the world.” + </p> + <p> + Then there came into the room a child, the queen's little son. + </p> + <p> + “Mother,” cried the boy, “only hear what I have read.” + </p> + <p> + And the child sat by the bedside and read from the Book of Him who + suffered death upon the cross to save men, and even those who were not yet + born. “Greater love there is not.” + </p> + <p> + And a rosy glow spread over the cheeks of the queen, and her eyes gleamed, + for she saw that from the leaves of the Book there bloomed the loveliest + rose, that sprang from the blood of Christ shed on the cross. + </p> + <p> + “I see it!” she said, “he who beholds this, the loveliest rose on earth, + shall never die.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0036" id="link2H_4_0036"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + MAY DAY + </h2> + <h3> + (MAY 1) + </h3> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0037" id="link2H_4_0037"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE SNOWDROP <a href="#linknote-1" name="linknoteref-1" id="linknoteref-1"><small>1</small></a> + </h2> + <h3> + BY HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + <a name="linknote-1" id="linknote-1"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 1 (<a href="#linknoteref-1">return</a>)<br /> [ From For the Children's + Hour, by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey and Clara M. Lewis. Copyright by the + Milton Bradley Company.] + </p> + <p> + The snow lay deep, for it was winter-time. The winter winds blew cold, but + there was one house where all was snug and warm. And in the house lay a + little flower; in its bulb it lay, under the earth and the snow. + </p> + <p> + One day the rain fell and it trickled through the ice and snow down into + the ground. And presently a sunbeam, pointed and slender, pierced down + through the earth, and tapped on the bulb. + </p> + <p> + “Come in,” said the flower. + </p> + <p> + “I can't do that,” said the sunbeam; “I'm not strong enough to lift the + latch. I shall be stronger when springtime comes.” + </p> + <p> + “When will it be spring?” asked the flower of every little sunbeam that + rapped on its door. But for a long time it was winter. The ground was + still covered with snow, and every night there was ice in the water. The + flower grew quite tired of waiting. + </p> + <p> + “How long it is!” it said. “I feel quite cramped. I must stretch myself + and rise up a little. I must lift the latch, and look out, and say + 'good-morning' to the spring.” + </p> + <p> + So the flower pushed and pushed. The walls were softened by the rain and + warmed by the little sunbeams, so the flower shot up from under the snow, + with a pale green bud on its stalk and some long narrow leaves on either + side. It was biting cold. + </p> + <p> + “You are a little too early,” said the wind and the weather; but every + sunbeam sang: “Welcome,” and the flower raised its head from the snow and + unfolded itself—pure and white, and decked with green stripes. + </p> + <p> + It was weather to freeze it to pieces,—such a delicate little + flower,—but it was stronger than any one knew. It stood in its white + dress in the white snow, bowing its head when the snow-flakes fell, and + raising it again to smile at the sunbeams, and every day it grew sweeter. + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” shouted the children, as they ran into the garden, “see the + snowdrop! There it stands so pretty, so beautiful,—the first, the + only one!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0038" id="link2H_4_0038"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE THREE LITTLE BUTTERFLY BROTHERS + </h2> + <h3> + (FROM THE GERMAN)<a href="#linknote-2" name="linknoteref-2" + id="linknoteref-2"><small>2</small></a> + </h3> + <p> + <a name="linknote-2" id="linknote-2"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 2 (<a href="#linknoteref-2">return</a>)<br /> [ From Deutsches Drittes + Lesebuch, by W. H. Weick and C. Grebner. Copyright, 1886, by Van Antwerp, + Bragg & Co. American Book Company, publishers.] + </p> + <p> + There were once three little butterfly brothers, one white, one red, and + one yellow. They played in the sunshine, and danced among the flowers in + the garden, and they never grew tired because they were so happy. + </p> + <p> + One day there came a heavy rain, and it wet their wings. They flew away + home, but when they got there they found the door locked and the key gone. + So they had to stay out of doors in the rain, and they grew wetter and + wetter. + </p> + <p> + By and by they flew to the red and yellow striped tulip, and said: “Friend + Tulip, will you open your flower-cup and let us in till the storm is + over?” + </p> + <p> + The tulip answered: “The red and yellow butterflies may enter, because + they are like me, but the white one may not come in.” + </p> + <p> + But the red and yellow butterflies said: “If our white brother may not + find shelter in your flowercup, why, then, we'll stay outside in the rain + with him.” + </p> + <p> + It rained harder and harder, and the poor little butterflies grew wetter + and wetter, so they flew to the white lily and said: “Good Lily, will you + open your bud a little so we may creep in out of the rain?” + </p> + <p> + The lily answered: “The white butterfly may come in, because he is like + me, but the red and yellow ones must stay outside in the storm.” + </p> + <p> + Then the little white butterfly said: “If you won't receive my red and + yellow brothers, why, then, I'll stay out in the rain with them. We would + rather be wet than be parted.” + </p> + <p> + So the three little butterflies flew away. + </p> + <p> + But the sun, who was behind a cloud, heard it all, and he knew what good + little brothers the butterflies were, and how they had held together in + spite of the wet. So he pushed his face through the clouds, and chased + away the rain, and shone brightly on the garden. + </p> + <p> + He dried the wings of the three little butterflies, and warmed their + bodies. They ceased to sorrow, and danced among the flowers till evening, + then they flew away home, and found the door wide open. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0039" id="link2H_4_0039"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE WATER-DROP + </h2> + <h3> + BY FRIEDRICH WILHELM CAROVE' + </h3> + <p> + (ADAPTED FROM THE TRANSLATION BY SARAH AUSTIN) + </p> + <p> + There was once a child who lived in a little hut, and in the hut there was + nothing but a little bed and a looking-glass; but as soon as the first + sunbeam glided softly through the casement and kissed his sweet eyelids, + and the finch and the linnet waked him merrily with their morning songs, + he arose and went out into the green meadow. + </p> + <p> + And he begged flour of the primrose, and sugar of the violet, and butter + of the buttercup. He shook dewdrops from the cowslip into the cup of the + harebell, spread out a large lime-leaf, set his breakfast upon it, and + feasted daintily. And he invited a humming-bee and a gay butterfly to + partake of his feast, but his favorite guest was a blue dragon-fly. + </p> + <p> + The bee murmured a good deal about his riches, and the butterfly told his + adventures. Such talk delighted the child, and his breakfast was the + sweeter to him, and the sunshine on leaf and flower seemed more bright and + cheering. + </p> + <p> + But when the bee had flown off to beg from flower to flower, and the + butterfly had fluttered away to his play-fellows, the dragon-fly still + remained, poised on a blade of grass. Her slender and burnished body, more + brightly and deeply blue than the deep blue sky, glistened in the sunbeam. + Her net-like wings laughed at the flowers because they could not fly, but + must stand still and abide the wind and rain. + </p> + <p> + The dragon-fly sipped a little of the child's clear dewdrops and blue + violet honey, and then whispered her winged words. Such stories as the + dragon-fly did tell! And as the child sat motionless with his blue eyes + shut, and his head rested on his hands, she thought he had fallen asleep; + so she poised her double wings and flew into the rustling wood. + </p> + <p> + But the child had only sunk into a dream of delight and was wishing he + were a sunbeam or a moonbeam; and he would have been glad to hear more and + more, and forever. + </p> + <p> + But at last as all was still, he opened his eyes and looked around for his + dear guest, but she was flown far away. He could not bear to sit there any + longer alone, and he rose and went to the gurgling brook. It gushed and + rolled so merrily, and tumbled so wildly along as it hurried to throw + itself head-over-heels into the river, just as if the great massy rock out + of which it sprang were close behind it, and could only be escaped by a + breakneck leap. + </p> + <p> + Then the child began to talk to the little waves and asked them whence + they came. They would not stay to give him an answer, but danced away one + over another; till at last, that the sweet child might not be grieved, a + water-drop stopped behind a piece of rock. + </p> + <p> + “A long time ago,” said the water-drop, “I lived with my countless sisters + in the great Ocean, in peace and unity. We had all sorts of pastimes. + Sometimes we mounted up high into the air, and peeped at the stars. Then + we sank plump down deep below, and looked how the coral builders work till + they are tired, that they may reach the light of day at last. + </p> + <p> + “But I was conceited, and thought myself much better than my sisters. And + so, one day, when the sun rose out of the sea, I clung fast to one of his + hot beams and thought how I should reach the stars and become one of them. + </p> + <p> + “But I had not ascended far when the sunbeam shook me off, and, in spite + of all I could say or do, let me fall into a dark cloud. And soon a flash + of fire darted through the cloud, and now I thought I must surely die; but + the cloud laid itself down softly upon the top of a mountain, and so I + escaped. + </p> + <p> + “Now I thought I should remain hidden, when, all on a sudden, I slipped + over a round pebble, fell from one stone to another, down into the depths + of the mountain. At last it was pitch dark and I could neither see nor + hear anything. + </p> + <p> + “Then I found, indeed, that 'pride goeth before a fall,' for, though I had + already laid aside all my unhappy pride in the cloud, my punishment was to + remain for some time in the heart of the mountain. After undergoing many + purifications from the hidden virtues of metals and minerals, I was at + length permitted to come up once more into the free and cheerful air, and + to gush from this rock and journey with this happy stream. Now will I run + back to my sisters in the Ocean, and there wait patiently till I am called + to something better.” + </p> + <p> + So said the water-drop to the child, but scarcely had she finished her + story, when the root of a For-Get-Me-Not caught the drop and sucked her + in, that she might become a floweret, and twinkle brightly as a blue star + on the green firmament of earth. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0040" id="link2H_4_0040"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE SPRING BEAUTY + </h2> + <h3> + AN OJIBBEWAY LEGEND + </h3> + <p> + BY HENRY R. SCHOOLCRAFT (ADAPTED) + </p> + <p> + An old man was sitting in his lodge, by the side of a frozen stream. It + was the end of winter, the air was not so cold, and his fire was nearly + out. He was old and alone. His locks were white with age, and he trembled + in every joint. Day after day passed, and he heard nothing but the sound + of the storm sweeping before it the new-fallen snow. + </p> + <p> + One day while his fire was dying, a handsome young man approached and + entered the lodge. His cheeks were red, his eyes sparkled. He walked with + a quick, light step. His forehead was bound with a wreath of sweet-grass, + and he carried a bunch of fragrant flowers in his hand. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, my son,” said the old man, “I am happy to see you. Come in! Tell me + your adventures, and what strange lands you have seen. I will tell you of + my wonderful deeds, and what I can perform. You shall do the same, and we + will amuse each other.” + </p> + <p> + The old man then drew from a bag a curiously wrought pipe. He filled it + with mild tobacco, and handed it to his guest. They each smoked from the + pipe and then began their stories. + </p> + <p> + “I am Peboan, the Spirit of Winter,” said the old man. “I blow my breath, + and the streams stand still. The water becomes stiff and hard as clear + stone.” + </p> + <p> + “I am Seegwun, the Spirit of Spring,” answered the youth. “I breathe, and + flowers spring up in the meadows and woods.” + </p> + <p> + “I shake my locks,” said the old man, “and snow covers the land. The + leaves fall from the trees, and my breath blows them away. The birds fly + to a distant land, and the animals hide themselves from the cold.” + </p> + <p> + “I shake my ringlets,” said the young man, “and warm showers of soft rain + fall upon the earth. The flowers lift their heads from the ground, the + grass grows thick and green. My voice recalls the birds, and they come + flying joyfully from the Southland. The warmth of my breath unbinds the + streams, and they sing the songs of summer. Music fills the groves + where-ever I walk, and all nature rejoices.” + </p> + <p> + And while they were talking thus a wonderful change took place. The sun + began to rise. A gentle warmth stole over the place. Peboan, the Spirit of + Winter, became silent. His head drooped, and the snow outside the lodge + melted away. Seegwun, the Spirit of Spring, grew more radiant, and rose + joyfully to his feet. The robin and the bluebird began to sing on the top + of the lodge. The stream began to murmur at the door, and the fragrance of + opening flowers came softly on the breeze. + </p> + <p> + The lodge faded away, and Peboan sank down and dissolved into tiny streams + of water, that vanished under the brown leaves of the forest. Thus the + Spirit of Winter departed, and where he had melted away, there the Indian + children gathered the first blossoms, fragrant and delicately pink,—the + modest Spring Beauty. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0041" id="link2H_4_0041"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE FAIRY TULIPS + </h2> + <h3> + ENGLISH FOLK-TALE + </h3> + <p> + Once upon a time there was a good old woman who lived in a little house. + She had in her garden a bed of beautiful striped tulips. + </p> + <p> + One night she was wakened by the sounds of sweet singing and of babies + laughing. She looked out at the window. The sounds seemed to come from the + tulip bed, but she could see nothing. + </p> + <p> + The next morning she walked among her flowers, but there were no signs of + any one having been there the night before. + </p> + <p> + On the following night she was again wakened by sweet singing and babies + laughing. She rose and stole softly through her garden. The moon was + shining brightly on the tulip bed, and the flowers were swaying to and + fro. The old woman looked closely and she saw, standing by each tulip, a + little Fairy mother who was crooning and rocking the flower like a cradle, + while in each tulip-cup lay a little Fairy baby laughing and playing. + </p> + <p> + The good old woman stole quietly back to her house, and from that time on + she never picked a tulip, nor did she allow her neighbors to touch the + flowers. + </p> + <p> + The tulips grew daily brighter in color and larger in size, and they gave + out a delicious perfume like that of roses. They began, too, to bloom all + the year round. And every night the little Fairy mothers caressed their + babies and rocked them to sleep in the flower-cups. + </p> + <p> + The day came when the good old woman died, and the tulip-bed was torn up + by folks who did not know about the Fairies, and parsley was planted there + instead of the flowers. But the parsley withered, and so did all the other + plants in the garden, and from that time nothing would grow there. + </p> + <p> + But the good old woman's grave grew beautiful, for the Fairies sang above + it, and kept it green; while on the grave and all around it there sprang + up tulips, daffodils, and violets, and other lovely flowers of spring. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0042" id="link2H_4_0042"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE STREAM THAT RAN AWAY + </h2> + <h3> + BY MARY AUSTIN (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + In a short and shallow canyon running eastward toward the sun, one may + find a clear, brown stream called the Creek of Pinon Pines; that is not + because it is unusual to find pinon trees in that country, but because + there are so few of them in the canyon of the stream. There are all sorts + higher up on the slopes,—long-leaved yellow pines, thimble cones, + tamarack, silver fir, and Douglas spruce; but in the canyon there is only + a group of the low-headed, gray nut pines which the earliest inhabitants + of that country called pinons. + </p> + <p> + The Canyon of Pinon Pines has a pleasant outlook and lies open to the sun. + At the upper end there is no more room by the stream border than will + serve for a cattle trail; willows grow in it, choking the path of the + water; there are brown birches here and ropes of white clematis tangled + over thickets of brier rose. + </p> + <p> + Low down, the ravine broadens out to inclose a meadow the width of a + lark's flight, blossomy and wet and good. Here the stream ran once in a + maze of soddy banks and watered all the ground, and afterward ran out at + the canyon's mouth across the mesa in a wash of bone-white boulders as far + as it could. That was not very far, for it was a slender stream. It had + its source on the high crests and hollows of the near-by mountain, in the + snow banks that melted and seeped downward through the rocks. But the + stream did not know any more of that than you know of what happened to you + before you were born, and could give no account of itself except that it + crept out from under a great heap of rubble far up in the Canyon of the + Pinon Pines. + </p> + <p> + And because it had no pools in it deep enough for trout, and no trees on + its borders but gray nut pines; because, try as it might, it could never + get across the mesa to the town, the stream had fully made up its mind to + run away. + </p> + <p> + “Pray, what good will that do you?” said the pines. “If you get to the + town, they will turn you into an irrigating ditch, and set you to watering + crops.” + </p> + <p> + “As to that,” said the stream, “if I once get started I will not stop at + the town.” + </p> + <p> + Then it would fret between its banks until the spangled frills of the + mimulus were all tattered with its spray. Often at the end of the summer + it was worn quite thin and small with running, and not able to do more + than reach the meadow. + </p> + <p> + “But some day,” it whispered to the stones, “I shall run quite away.” + </p> + <p> + If the stream had been inclined for it, there was no lack of good company + on its own borders. Birds nested in the willows, rabbits came to drink; + one summer a bobcat made its lair up the bank opposite the brown birches, + and often the deer fed in the meadow. + </p> + <p> + In the spring of one year two old men came up into the Canyon of Pinon + Pines. They had been miners and partners together for many years. They had + grown rich and grown poor, and had seen many hard places and strange + times. It was a day when the creek ran clear and the south wind smelled of + the earth. Wild bees began to whine among the willows, and the meadow + bloomed over with poppy-breasted larks. + </p> + <p> + Then said one of the old men: “Here is good meadow and water enough; let + us build a house and grow trees. We are too old to dig in the mines.” + </p> + <p> + “Let us set about it,” said the other; for that is the way with two who + have been a long time together,—what one thinks of, the other is for + doing. + </p> + <p> + So they brought their possessions, and they built a house by the water + border and planted trees. One of the men was all for an orchard but the + other preferred vegetables. So they did each what he liked, and were never + so happy as when walking in the garden in the cool of the day, touching + the growing things as they walked, and praising each other's work. + </p> + <p> + They were very happy for three years. By this time the stream had become + so interested it had almost forgotten about running away. But every year + it noted that a larger bit of the meadow was turned under and planted, and + more and more the men made dams and ditches by which to turn the water + into their gardens. + </p> + <p> + “In fact,” said the stream, “I am being made into an irrigating ditch + before I have had my fling in the world. I really must make a start.” + </p> + <p> + That very winter, by the help of a great storm, the stream went roaring + down the meadow, over the mesa, and so clean away, with only a track of + muddy sand to show the way it had gone. + </p> + <p> + All that winter the two men brought water for drinking from a spring, and + looked for the stream to come back. In the spring they hoped still, for + that was the season they looked for the orchard to bear. But no fruit grew + on the trees, and the seeds they planted shriveled in the earth. So by the + end of summer, when they understood that the water would not come back at + all, they went sadly away. + </p> + <p> + Now the Creek of Pinon Pines did not have a happy time. It went out in the + world on the wings of the storm, and was very much tossed about and mixed + up with other waters, lost and bewildered. + </p> + <p> + Everywhere it saw water at work, turning mills, watering fields, carrying + trade, falling as hail, rain, and snow; and at the last, after many + journeys it found itself creeping out from under the rocks of the same old + mountain, in the Canyon of Pinon Pines. + </p> + <p> + “After all, home is best,” said the little stream to itself, and ran about + in its choked channels looking for old friends. + </p> + <p> + The willows were there, but grown shabby and dying at the top; the birches + were quite dead, and there was only rubbish where the white clematis had + been. Even the rabbits had gone away. + </p> + <p> + The little stream ran whimpering in the meadow, fumbling at the ruined + ditches to comfort the fruit trees which were not quite dead. It was very + dull in those days living in the Canyon of Pinon Pines. + </p> + <p> + “But it is really my own fault,” said the stream. So it went on repairing + the borders as best it could. + </p> + <p> + About the time the white clematis had come back to hide the ruin of the + brown birches, a young man came and camped with his wife and child in the + meadow. They were looking for a place to make a home. + </p> + <p> + “What a charming place!” said the young wife; “just the right distance + from town, and a stream all to ourselves. And look, there are fruit trees + already planted. Do let us decide to stay!” + </p> + <p> + Then she took off the child's shoes and stockings to let it play in the + stream. The water curled all about the bare feet and gurgled delightedly. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, do stay,” begged the happy water. “I can be such a help to you, for I + know how a garden should be irrigated in the best manner.” + </p> + <p> + The child laughed, and stamped the water up to his bare knees. The young + wife watched anxiously while her husband walked up and down the stream + border and examined the fruit trees. + </p> + <p> + “It is a delightful place,” he said, “and the soil is rich, but I am + afraid the water cannot be depended upon. There are signs of a great + drought within the last two or three years. Look, there is a clump of + birches in the very path of the stream, but all dead; and the largest + limbs of the fruit trees have died. In this country one must be able to + make sure of the water-supply. I suppose the people who planted them must + have abandoned the place when the stream went dry. We must go on farther.” + </p> + <p> + So they took their goods and the child and went on farther. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, well,” said the stream, “that is what is to be expected when has a + reputation for neglecting one's duty. But I wish they had stayed. That + baby and I understood each other.” + </p> + <p> + It had made up its mind not to run away again, though it could not be + expected to be quite cheerful after all that had happened. If you go to + the Canyon of Pinon Pines you will notice that the stream, where it goes + brokenly about the meadow, has a mournful sound. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0043" id="link2H_4_0043"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE ELVES + </h2> + <h3> + AN IROQUOIS LEGEND + </h3> + <p> + BY HARRIET MAXWELL CONVERSE (ADAPTED) + </p> + <p> + The little Elves of Darkness, so says the old Iroquois grandmother, were + wise and mysterious. They dwelt under the earth, where were deep forests + and broad plains. There they kept captive all the evil things that wished + to injure human beings,—the venomous reptiles, the wicked spiders, + and the fearful monsters. Sometimes one of these evil creatures escaped + and rushed upward to the bright, pure air, and spread its poisonous breath + over the living things of the upper-world. But such happenings were rare, + for the Elves of Darkness were faithful and strong, and did not willingly + allow the wicked beasts and reptiles to harm human beings and the growing + things. + </p> + <p> + When the night was lighted by the moon's soft rays, and the woods of the + upper-world were sweet with the odor of the spring-flowers, then the Elves + of Darkness left the under-world, and creeping from their holes, held a + festival in the woods. And under many a tree, where the blades of grass + had refused to grow, the Little People danced until rings of green sprang + up beneath their feet. And to the festival came the Elves of Light,—among + whom were Tree-Elves, Flower-Elves, and Fruit-Elves. They too danced and + made merry. + </p> + <p> + But when the moonlight faded away, and day began to break, then the Elves + of Darkness scampered back to their holes, and returned once more to the + under-world; while the Elves of Light began their daily tasks. + </p> + <p> + For in the springtime these Little People of the Light hid in sheltered + places. They listened to the complaints of the seeds that lay covered in + the ground, and they whispered to the earth until the seeds burst their + pods and sent their shoots upward to the light. Then the little Elves + wandered over the fields and through the woods, bidding all growing things + to look upon the sun. + </p> + <p> + The Tree-Elves tended the trees, unfolding their leaves, and feeding their + roots with sap from the earth. The Flower-Elves unwrapped the baby buds, + and tinted the petals of the opening flowers, and played with the bees and + the butterflies. + </p> + <p> + But the busiest of all were the Fruit-Elves. Their greatest care in the + spring was the strawberry plant. When the ground softened from the frost, + the Fruit-Elves loosened the earth around each strawberry root, that its + shoots might push through to the light. They shaped the plant's leaves, + and turned its blossoms toward the warm rays of the sun. They trained its + runners, and assisted the timid fruit to form. They painted the luscious + berry, and bade it ripen. And when the first strawberries blushed on the + vines, these guardian Elves protected them from the evil insects that had + escaped from the world of darkness underground. + </p> + <p> + And the old Iroquois grandmother tells, how once, when the fruit first + came to earth, the Evil Spirit, Hahgwehdaetgah, stole the strawberry + plant, and carried it to his gloomy cave, where he hid it away. And there + it lay until a tiny sunbeam pierced the damp mould, and finding the little + vine carried it back to its sunny fields. And ever since then the + strawberry plant has lived and thrived in the fields and woods. But the + Fruit-Elves, fearing lest the Evil One should one day steal the vine + again, watch day and night over their favorite. And when the strawberries + ripen they give the juicy, fragrant fruit to the Iroquois children as they + gather the spring flowers in the woods. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0044" id="link2H_4_0044"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE CANYON FLOWERS + </h2> + <h3> + BY RALPH CONNOR (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + At first there were no canyons, but only the broad, open prairie. One day + the Master of the Prairie, walking out over his great lawns, where were + only grasses, asked the Prairie: “Where are your flowers?” + </p> + <p> + And the Prairie said: “Master, I have no seeds.” + </p> + <p> + Then he spoke to the birds, and they carried seeds of every kind of flower + and strewed them far and wide, and soon the Prairie bloomed with crocuses + and roses and buffalo beans and the yellow crowfoot and the wild + sunflowers and the red lilies, all the summer long. + </p> + <p> + Then the Master came and was well pleased; but he missed the flowers he + loved best of all, and he said to the Prairie: “Where are the clematis and + the columbine, the sweet violets and wind-flowers, and all the ferns and + flowering shrubs?” + </p> + <p> + And again the Prairie answered: “Master, I have no seeds.” + </p> + <p> + And again he spoke to the birds and again they carried all the seeds and + strewed them far and wide. + </p> + <p> + But when next the Master came, he could not find the flowers he loved best + of all, and he said: “Where are those, my sweetest flowers?” + </p> + <p> + And the Prairie cried sorrowfully: “O Master, I cannot keep the flowers, + for the winds sweep fiercely, and the sun beats upon my breast, and they + wither up and fly away.” + </p> + <p> + Then the Master spoke to the Lightning, and with one swift blow the + Lightning cleft the Prairie to the heart. And the Prairie rocked and + groaned in agony, and for many a day moaned bitterly over its black, + jagged, gaping wound. + </p> + <p> + But a little river poured its waters through the cleft, and carried down + deep, black mould, and once more the birds carried seeds and strewed them + in the canyon. And after a long time the rough rocks were decked out with + soft mosses and trailing vines, and all the nooks were hung with clematis + and columbine, and great elms lifted their huge tops high up into the + sunlight, and down about their feet clustered the low cedars and balsams, + and everywhere the violets and wind-flowers and maiden-hair grew and + bloomed till the canyon became the Master's place for rest and peace and + joy. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0045" id="link2H_4_0045"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CLYTIE, THE HELIOTROPE + </h2> + <h3> + BY OVID (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + There was once a Nymph named Clytie, who gazed ever at Apollo as he drove + his sun-chariot through the heavens. She watched him as he rose in the + east attended by the rosy-fingered Dawn and the dancing Hours. She gazed + as he ascended the heavens, urging his steeds still higher in the fierce + heat of the noonday. She looked with wonder as at evening he guided his + steeds downward to their many-colored pastures under the western sky, + where they fed all night on ambrosia. + </p> + <p> + Apollo saw not Clytie. He had no thought for her, but he shed his + brightest beams upon her sister the white Nymph Leucothoe. And when Clytie + perceived this she was filled with envy and grief. + </p> + <p> + Night and day she sat on the bare ground weeping. For nine days and nine + nights she never raised herself from the earth, nor did she take food or + drink; but ever she turned her weeping eyes toward the sun-god as he moved + through the sky. + </p> + <p> + And her limbs became rooted to the ground. Green leaves enfolded her body. + Her beautiful face was concealed by tiny flowers, violet-colored and sweet + with perfume. Thus was she changed into a flower and her roots held her + fast to the ground; but ever she turned her blossom-covered face toward + the sun, following with eager gaze his daily flight. In vain were her + sorrow and tears, for Apollo regarded her not. + </p> + <p> + And so through the ages has the Nymph turned her dew-washed face toward + the heavens, and men no longer call her Clytie, but the sun-flower, + heliotrope. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0046" id="link2H_4_0046"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + HYACINTHUS + </h2> + <h3> + BY OVID (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + Once when the golden-beamed Apollo roamed the earth, he made a companion + of Hyacinthus, the son of King Amyclas of Lacedaemon; and him he loved + with an exceeding great love, for the lad was beautiful beyond compare. + </p> + <p> + The sun-god threw aside his lyre, and became the daily comrade of + Hyacinthus. Often they played games, or climbed the rugged mountain + ridges. Together they followed the chase or fished in the quiet and + shadowy pools; and the sun-god, unmindful of his dignity, carried the + lad's nets and held his dogs. + </p> + <p> + It happened on a day that the two friends stripped off their garments, + rubbed the juice of the olive upon their bodies, and engaged in throwing + the quoit. First Apollo poised it and tossed it far. It cleaved the air + with its weight and fell heavily to earth. At that moment Hyacinthus ran + forwards and hastened to take up the disc, but the hard earth sent it + rebounding straight into his face, so that he fell wounded to the ground. + </p> + <p> + Ah! then, pale and fearful, the sun-god hastened to the side of his fallen + friend. He bore up the lad's sinking limbs and strove to stanch his wound + with healing herbs. All in vain! Alas! the wound would not close. And as + violets and lilies, when their stems are crushed, hang their languid + blossoms on their stalks and wither away, so did Hyacinthus droop his + beautiful head and die. + </p> + <p> + Then the sun-god, full of grief, cried aloud in his anguish: “O Beloved! + thou fallest in thy early youth, and I alone am the cause of thy + destruction! Oh, that I could give my life for thee or with thee! but + since Fate will not permit this, thou shalt ever be with me, and thy + praise shall dwell on my lips. My lyre struck with my hand, my songs, too, + shall celebrate thee! And thou, dear lad, shalt become a new flower, and + on thy leaves will I write my lamentations.” + </p> + <p> + And even as the sun-god spoke, behold! the blood that had flowed from + Hyacinthus's wound stained the grass, and a flower, like a lily in shape, + sprang up, more bright than Tyrian purple. On its leaves did Apollo + inscribe the mournful characters: “ai, ai,” which mean “alas! alas!” + </p> + <p> + And as oft as the spring drives away the winter, so oft does Hyacinthus + blossom in the fresh, green grass. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0047" id="link2H_4_0047"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + ECHO AND NARCISSUS + </h2> + <h3> + BY OVID (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + Long ago, in the ancient world, there was born to the blue-eyed Nymph + Liriope, a beautiful boy, whom she called Narcissus. An oracle foretold at + his birth that he should be happy and live to a good old age if he “never + saw himself.” As this prophecy seemed ridiculous his mother soon forgot + all about it. + </p> + <p> + Narcissus grew to be a stately, handsome youth. His limbs were firm and + straight. Curls clustered about his white brow, and his eyes shone like + two stars. He loved to wander among the meadow flowers and in the pathless + woodland. But he disdained his playmates, and would not listen to their + entreaties to join in their games. His heart was cold, and in it was + neither hate nor love. He lived indifferent to youth or maid, to friend or + foe. + </p> + <p> + Now, in the forest near by dwelt a Nymph named Echo. She had been a + handmaiden of the goddess Juno. But though the Nymph was beautiful of + face, she was not loved. She had a noisy tongue. She told lies and + whispered slanders, and encouraged the other Nymphs in many misdoings. So + when Juno perceived all this, she ordered the troublesome Nymph away from + her court, and banished her to the wildwood, bidding her never speak again + except in imitation of other peoples' words. So Echo dwelt in the woods, + and forever mocked the words of youths and maidens. + </p> + <p> + One day as Narcissus was wandering alone in the pathless forest, Echo, + peeping from behind a tree, saw his beauty, and as she gazed her heart was + filled with love. Stealthily she followed his footsteps, and often she + tried to call to him with endearing words, but she could not speak, for + she no longer had a voice of her own. + </p> + <p> + At last Narcissus heard the sound of breaking branches, and he cried out: + “Is there any one here?” + </p> + <p> + And Echo answered softly: “Here!” + </p> + <p> + Narcissus, amazed, looking about on all sides and seeing no one, cried: + “Come!” + </p> + <p> + And Echo answered: “Come!” + </p> + <p> + Narcissus cried again: “Who art thou? Whom seekest thou?” + </p> + <p> + And Echo answered: “Thou!” + </p> + <p> + Then rushing from among the trees she tried to throw her arms about his + neck, but Narcissus fled through the forest, crying: “Away! away! I will + die before I love thee!” + </p> + <p> + And Echo answered mournfully: “I love thee!” + </p> + <p> + And thus rejected, she hid among the trees, and buried her blushing face + in the green leaves. And she pined, and pined, until her body wasted quite + away, and nothing but her voice was left. And some say that even to this + day her voice lives in lonely caves and answers men's words from afar. + </p> + <p> + Now, when Narcissus fled from Echo, he came to a clear spring, like + silver. Its waters were unsullied, for neither goats feeding upon the + mountains nor any other cattle had drunk from it, nor had wild beasts or + birds disturbed it, nor had branch or leaf fallen into its calm waters. + The trees bent above and shaded it from the hot sun, and the soft, green + grass grew on its margin. + </p> + <p> + Here Narcissus, fatigued and thirsty after his flight, laid himself down + beside the spring to drink. He gazed into the mirror-like water, and saw + himself reflected in its tide. He knew not that it was his own image, but + thought that he saw a youth living in the spring. + </p> + <p> + He gazed on two eyes like stars, on graceful slender fingers, on + clustering curls worthy of Apollo, on a mouth arched like Cupid's bow, on + blushing cheeks and ivory neck. And as he gazed his cold heart grew warm, + and love for this beautiful reflection rose up and filled his soul. + </p> + <p> + He rained kisses on the deceitful stream. He thrust his arms into the + water, and strove to grasp the image by the neck, but it fled away. Again + he kissed the stream, but the image mocked his love. And all day and all + night, lying there without food or drink, he continued to gaze into the + water. Then raising himself, he stretched out his arms to the trees about + him, and cried:— + </p> + <p> + “Did ever, O ye woods, one love as much as I! Have ye ever seen a lover + thus pine for the sake of unrequited affection?” + </p> + <p> + Then turning once more, Narcissus addressed his reflection in the limpid + stream:— + </p> + <p> + “Why, dear youth, dost thou flee away from me? Neither a vast sea, nor a + long way, nor a great mountain separates us! only a little water keeps us + apart! Why, dear lad, dost thou deceive me, and whither dost thou go when + I try to grasp thee? Thou encouragest me with friendly looks. When I + extend my arms, thou extendest thine; when I smile, thou smilest in + return; when I weep, thou weepest; but when I try to clasp thee beneath + the stream, thou shunnest me and fleest away! Grief is taking my strength, + and my life will soon be over! In my early days am I cut off, nor is Death + grievous to me, now that he is about to remove my sorrows!” + </p> + <p> + Thus mourned Narcissus, lying beside the woodland spring. He disturbed the + water with his tears, and made the woods to resound with his sighs. And as + the yellow wax is melted by the fire, or the hoar frost is consumed by the + heat of the sun, so did Narcissus pine away, his body wasting by degrees. + </p> + <p> + And often as he sighed: “Alas!” the grieving Echo from the wood answered: + “Alas!” + </p> + <p> + With his last breath he looked into the water and sighed: “Ah, youth + beloved, farewell!” and Echo sighed: “Farewell!” + </p> + <p> + And Narcissus, laying his weary head upon the grass, closed his eyes + forever. The Water-Nymphs wept for him, and the Wood-Dryads lamented him, + and Echo resounded their mourning. But when they sought his body it had + vanished away, and in its stead had grown up by the brink of the stream a + little flower, with silver leaves and golden heart,—and thus was + born to earth the woodland flower, Narcissus. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0048" id="link2H_4_0048"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + MOTHERS' DAY + </h2> + <h3> + (SECOND SUNDAY IN MAY) + </h3> + <p> + THE LARK AND ITS YOUNG ONES A HINDU FABLE BY P. V. RAMASWAMI RAJU + (ADAPTED) + </p> + <p> + A child went up to a lark and said: “Good lark, have you any young ones?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, child, I have,” said the mother lark, “and they are very pretty + ones, indeed.” Then she pointed to the little birds and said: “This is + Fair Wing, that is Tiny Bill, and that other is Bright Eyes.” + </p> + <p> + “At home, we are three,” said the child, “myself and two sisters. Mother + says that we are pretty children, and she loves us.” + </p> + <p> + To this the little larks replied: “Oh, yes, OUR mother is fond of us, + too.” + </p> + <p> + “Good mother lark,” said the child, “will you let Tiny Bill go home with + me and play?” + </p> + <p> + Before the mother lark could reply, Bright Eyes said: “Yes, if you will + send your little sister to play with us in our nest.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, she will be so sorry to leave home,” said the child; “she could not + come away from our mother.” + </p> + <p> + “Tiny Bill will be so sorry to leave our nest,” answered Bright Eyes, “and + he will not go away from OUR mother.” + </p> + <p> + Then the child ran away to her mother, saying: “Ah, every one is fond of + home!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0049" id="link2H_4_0049"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CORNELIA'S JEWELS + </h2> + <h3> + BY JAMES BALDWIN <a href="#linknote-3" name="linknoteref-3" + id="linknoteref-3"><small>3</small></a> + </h3> + <p> + <a name="linknote-3" id="linknote-3"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 3 (<a href="#linknoteref-3">return</a>)<br /> [ From Fifty Famous Stories + Retold. Copyright, 1896, by American Book Company.] + </p> + <p> + It was a bright morning in the old city of Rome many hundred years ago. In + a vine-covered summer-house in a beautiful garden, two boys were standing. + They were looking at their mother and her friend, who were walking among + the flowers and trees. + </p> + <p> + “Did you ever see so handsome a lady as our mother's friend?” asked the + younger boy, holding his tall brother's hand. “She looks like a queen.” + </p> + <p> + “Yet she is not so beautiful as our mother,” said the elder boy. “She has + a fine dress, it is true; but her face is not noble and kind. It is our + mother who is like a queen.” + </p> + <p> + “That is true,” said the other. “There is no woman in Rome so much like a + queen as our own dear mother.” + </p> + <p> + Soon Cornelia, their mother, came down the walk to speak with them. She + was simply dressed in a plain, white robe. Her arms and feet were bare, as + was the custom in those days; and no rings or chains glittered about her + hands and neck. For her only crown, long braids of soft brown hair were + coiled about her head; and a tender smile lit up her noble face as she + looked into her sons' proud eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Boys,” she said, “I have something to tell you.” + </p> + <p> + They bowed before her, as Roman lads were taught to do, and said: “What is + it, mother?” + </p> + <p> + “You are to dine with us to-day, here in the garden; and then our friend + is going to show us that wonderful casket of jewels of which you have + heard so much.” + </p> + <p> + The brothers looked shyly at their mother's friend. Was it possible that + she had still other rings besides those on her fingers? Could she have + other gems besides those which sparkled in the chains about her neck? + </p> + <p> + When the simple outdoor meal was over, a servant brought the casket from + the house. The lady opened it. Ah, how those jewels dazzled the eyes of + the wondering boys! There were ropes of pearls, white as milk, and smooth + as satin; heaps of shining rubies, red as the glowing coals; sapphires as + blue as the sky that summer day; and diamonds that flashed and sparkled + like the sunlight. + </p> + <p> + The brothers looked long at the gems. “Ah!” whispered the younger; “if our + mother could only have such beautiful things!” + </p> + <p> + At last, however, the casket was closed and carried carefully away. + </p> + <p> + “Is it true, Cornelia, that you have no jewels?” asked her friend. “Is it + true, as I have heard it whispered, that you are poor?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I am not poor,” answered Cornelia, and as she spoke she drew her two + boys to her side; “for here are my jewels. They are worth more than all + your gems.” + </p> + <p> + The boys never forgot their mother's pride and love and care; and in after + years, when they had become great men in Rome, they often thought of this + scene in the garden. And the world still likes to hear the story of + Cornelia's jewels. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0051" id="link2H_4_0051"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + QUEEN MARGARET AND THE ROBBERS + </h2> + <h3> + BY ALBERT F. BLAISDELL (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + One day when roses were in bloom, two noblemen came to angry words in the + Temple Gardens, by the side of the river Thames. In the midst of their + quarrel one of them plucked a white rose from a bush, and, turning to + those who were near him, said:— + </p> + <p> + “He who will stand by me in this quarrel, let him pluck a white rose with + me, and wear it in his hat.” + </p> + <p> + Then the other gentleman tore a red rose from another bush, and said:— + </p> + <p> + “Let him who will stand by me pluck a red rose, and wear it as his badge.” + </p> + <p> + Now this quarrel led to a great civil war, which was called “The War of + the Roses,” for every soldier wore a white or red rose in his helmet to + show to which side he belonged. + </p> + <p> + The leaders of the “Red Rose” sided with King Henry the Sixth and his + wife, Queen Margaret, who were fighting for the English throne. Many great + battles were fought, and wicked deeds were done in those dreadful times. + </p> + <p> + In a battle at a place called Hexham, the king's party was beaten, and + Queen Margaret and her little son, the Prince of Wales, had to flee for + their lives. They had not gone far before they met a band of robbers, who + stopped the queen and stole all her rich jewels, and, holding a drawn + sword over her head, threatened to take her life and that of her child. + </p> + <p> + The poor queen, overcome by terror, fell upon her knees and begged them to + spare her only son, the little prince. But the robbers, turning from her, + began to fight among themselves as to how they should divide the plunder, + and, drawing their weapons, they attacked one another. When the queen saw + what was happening she sprang to her feet, and, taking the prince by the + hand, made haste to escape. + </p> + <p> + There was a thick wood close by, and the queen plunged into it, but she + was sorely afraid and trembled in every limb, for she knew that this wood + was the hiding-place of robbers and outlaws. Every tree seemed to her + excited fancy to be an armed man waiting to kill her and her little son. + </p> + <p> + On and on she went through the dark wood, this way and that, seeking some + place of shelter, but not knowing where she was going. At last she saw by + the light of the moon a tall, fierce-looking man step out from behind a + tree. He came directly toward her, and she knew by his dress that he was + an outlaw. But thinking that he might have children of his own, she + determined to throw herself and her son upon his mercy. + </p> + <p> + When he came near she addressed him in a calm voice and with a stately + manner. + </p> + <p> + “Friend,” said she, “I am the queen. Kill me if thou wilt, but spare my + son, thy prince. Take him, I will trust him to thee. Keep him safe from + those that seek his life, and God will have pity on thee for all thy + sins.” + </p> + <p> + The words of the queen moved the heart of the outlaw. He told her that he + had once fought on her side, and was now hiding from the soldiers of the + “White Rose.” He then lifted the little prince in his arms, and, bidding + the queen follow, led the way to a cave in the rocks. There he gave them + food and shelter, and kept them safe for two days, when the queen's + friends and attendants, discovering their hiding-place, came and took them + far away. + </p> + <p> + If you ever go to Hexham Forest, you may see this robber's cave. It is on + the bank of a little stream that flows at the foot of a hill, and to this + day the people call it “Queen Margaret's Cave.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0052" id="link2H_4_0052"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE REVENGE OF CORIOLANUS + </h2> + <h3> + BY CHARLES MORRIS (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + Caius Marcius was a noble Roman youth, who fought valiantly, when but + seventeen years of age, in the battle of Lake Regillus, and was there + crowned with an oaken wreath, the Roman reward for saving the life of a + fellow soldier. This he showed with joy to his mother, Volumnia, whom he + loved exceedingly, it being his greatest pleasure to receive praise from + her lips. + </p> + <p> + He afterward won many more crowns in battle, and became one of the most + famous of Roman soldiers. One of his memorable exploits took place during + a war with the Volscians, in which the Romans attacked the city of + Corioli. Through Caius's bravery the place was taken, and the Roman + general said: “Henceforth, let him be called after the name of this city.” + So ever after he was known as Caius Marcius Coriolanus. + </p> + <p> + Courage was not the only marked quality of Coriolanus. His pride was + equally great. He was a noble of the nobles, so haughty in demeanor and so + disdainful of the commons that they grew to hate him bitterly. + </p> + <p> + At length came a time of great scarcity of food. The people were on the + verge of famine, to relieve which shiploads of corn were sent from Sicily + to Rome. The Senate resolved to distribute this corn among the suffering + people, but Coriolanus opposed this, saying: “If they want corn, let them + promise to obey the Patricians, as their fathers did. Let them give up + their tribunes. If they do this we will let them have corn, and take care + of them.” + </p> + <p> + When the people heard of what the proud noble had said, they broke into a + fury, and a mob gathered around the doors of the Senate house, prepared to + seize and tear him in pieces when he came out. But the tribunes prevented + this, and Coriolanus fled from Rome, exiled from his native land by his + pride and disdain of the people. + </p> + <p> + The exile made his way to the land of the Volscians and became the friend + of Rome's great enemy, whom he had formerly helped to conquer. He aroused + the Volscians' ire against Rome, to a greater degree than before, and + placing himself at the head of a Volscian army greater than the Roman + forces, marched against his native city. The army swept victoriously + onward, taking city after city, and finally encamping within five miles of + Rome. + </p> + <p> + The approach of this powerful host threw the Romans into dismay. They had + been assailed so suddenly that they had made no preparations for defense, + and the city seemed to lie at the mercy of its foes. The women ran to the + temples to pray for the favor of the gods. The people demanded that the + Senate should send deputies to the invading army to treat for peace. + </p> + <p> + The Senate, no less frightened than the people, obeyed, sending five + leading Patricians to the Volscian camp. These deputies were haughtily + received by Coriolanus, who offered them such severe terms that they were + unable to accept them. They returned and reported the matter, and the + Senate was thrown into confusion. The deputies were sent again, instructed + to ask for gentler terms, but now Coriolanus refused even to let them + enter his camp. This harsh repulse plunged Rome into mortal terror. + </p> + <p> + All else having failed, the noble women of Rome, with Volumnia, the mother + of Coriolanus, at their head, went in procession from the city to the + Volscian camp to pray for mercy. + </p> + <p> + It was a sad and solemn spectacle, as this train of noble ladies, clad in + their habiliments of woe, and with bent heads and sorrowful faces, wound + through the hostile camp, from which they were not excluded as the + deputies had been. Even the Volscian soldiers watched them with pitying + eyes, and spoke no scornful word as they moved slowly past. + </p> + <p> + On reaching the midst of the camp, they saw Coriolanus on the general's + seat, with the Volscian chiefs gathered around him. At first he wondered + who these women could be; but when they came near, and he saw his mother + at the head of the train, his deep love for her welled up so strongly in + his heart that he could not restrain himself, but sprang up and ran to + meet and kiss her. + </p> + <p> + The Roman matron stopped him with a dignified gesture. “Ere you kiss me,” + she said, “let me know whether I speak to an enemy or to my son; whether I + stand here as your prisoner or your mother.” + </p> + <p> + He stood before her in silence, with bent head, and unable to answer. + </p> + <p> + “Must it, then, be that if I had never borne a son, Rome would have never + seen the camp of an enemy?” said Volumnia, in sorrowful tones. + </p> + <p> + “But I am too old to endure much longer your shame and my misery. Think + not of me, but of your wife and children, whom you would doom to death or + to life in bondage.” + </p> + <p> + Then Virgilia, his wife, and his children, came forward and kissed him, + and all the noble ladies in the train burst into tears and bemoaned the + peril of their country. + </p> + <p> + Coriolanus still stood silent, his face working with contending thoughts. + At length he cried out in heart-rending accents: “O mother! What have you + done to me?” + </p> + <p> + Then clasping her hand he wrung it vehemently, saying: “Mother, the + victory is yours! A happy victory for you and Rome! but shame and ruin for + your son.” + </p> + <p> + Thereupon he embraced her with yearning heart, and afterward clasped his + wife and children to his breast, bidding them return with their tale of + conquest to Rome. As for himself, he said, only exile and shame remained. + </p> + <p> + Before the women reached home, the army of the Volscians was on its + homeward march. Coriolanus never led it against Rome again. He lived and + died in exile, far from his wife and children. + </p> + <p> + The Romans, to honor Volumnia, and those who had gone with her to the + Volscian camp, built a temple to “Woman's Fortune,” on the spot where + Coriolanus had yielded to his mother's entreaties. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0053" id="link2H_4_0053"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE WIDOW AND HER THREE SONS + </h2> + <h3> + (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + One day a poor woman approached Mr. Lincoln for an interview. She was + somewhat advanced in years and plainly clad, wearing a faded shawl and + worn hood. + </p> + <p> + “Well, my good woman,” said Mr. Lincoln, “what can I do for you this + morning?” + </p> + <p> + “Mr. President,” answered she, “my husband and three sons all went into + the army. My husband was killed in the battle of——. I get + along very badly since then living all alone, and I thought that I would + come and ask you to release to me my eldest son.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Lincoln looked in her face for a moment, and then replied kindly:— + </p> + <p> + “Certainly! Certainly! If you have given us ALL, and your prop has been + taken away, you are justly entitled to one of your boys.” + </p> + <p> + He then made out an order discharging the young man, which the woman took + away, thanking him gratefully. + </p> + <p> + She went to the front herself with the President's order, and found that + her son had been mortally wounded in a recent battle, and taken to the + hospital. + </p> + <p> + She hastened to the hospital. But she was too late, the boy died, and she + saw him laid in a soldier's grave. + </p> + <p> + She then returned to the President with his order, on the back of which + the attendant surgeon had stated the sad facts concerning the young man it + was intended to discharge. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Lincoln was much moved by her story, and said: “I know what you wish + me to do now, and I shall do it without your asking. I shall release to + you your second son.” + </p> + <p> + Taking up his pen he began to write the order, while the grief-stricken + woman stood at his side and passed her hand softly over his head, and + stroked his rough hair as she would have stroked her boy's. + </p> + <p> + When he had finished he handed her the paper, saying tenderly, his eyes + full of tears:— + </p> + <p> + “Now you have one of the two left, and I have one, that is no more than + right.” + </p> + <p> + She took the order and reverently placing her hand upon his head, said:— + </p> + <p> + “The Lord bless you, Mr. President. May you live a thousand years, and may + you always be the head of this great nation.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0054" id="link2H_4_0054"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + MEMORIAL DAY + </h2> + <h3> + (APRIL OR MAY) + </h3> + <p> + FLAG DAY (JUNE 14) <a name="link2H_4_0055" id="link2H_4_0055"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BETSY ROSS AND THE FLAG + </h2> + <h3> + BY HARRY PRINGLE FORD (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + On the 14th day of June, 1777, the Continental Congress passed the + following resolution: “RESOLVED, That the flag of the thirteen United + States be thirteen stripes alternate red and white; that the Union be + thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.” + </p> + <p> + We are told that previous to this, in 1776, a committee was appointed to + look after the matter, and together with General Washington they called at + the house of Betsy Ross, 239 Arch Street, Philadelphia. + </p> + <p> + Betsy Ross was a young widow of twenty-four heroically supporting herself + by continuing the upholstery business of her late husband, young John + Ross, a patriot who had died in the service of his country. Betsy was + noted for her exquisite needlework, and was engaged in the flag-making + business. + </p> + <p> + The committee asked her if she thought she could make a flag from a + design, a rough drawing of which General Washington showed her. She + replied, with diffidence, that she did not know whether she could or not, + but would try. She noticed, however, that the star as drawn had six + points, and informed the committee that the correct star had but five. + They answered that as a great number of stars would be required, the more + regular form with six points could be more easily made than one with five. + </p> + <p> + She responded in a practical way by deftly folding a scrap of paper; then + with a single clip of her scissors she displayed a true, symmetrical, + five-pointed star. + </p> + <p> + This decided the committee in her favor. A rough design was left for her + use, but she was permitted to make a sample flag according to her own + ideas of the arrangement of the stars and the proportions of the stripes + and the general form of the whole. + </p> + <p> + Sometime after its completion it was presented to Congress, and the + committee had the pleasure of informing Betsy Ross that her flag was + accepted as the Nation's standard. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0056" id="link2H_4_0056"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER + </h2> + <h3> + BY EVA MARCH TAPPAN (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + In 1814, while the War of 1812 was still going on, the people of Maryland + were in great trouble, for a British fleet began to attack Baltimore. The + enemy bombarded the forts, including Fort McHenry. For twenty-four hours + the terrific bombardment went on. + </p> + <p> + “If Fort McHenry only stands, the city is safe,” said Francis Scott Key to + a friend, and they gazed anxiously through the smoke to see if the flag + was still flying. + </p> + <p> + These two men were in the strangest place that could be imagined. They + were in a little American vessel fast moored to the side of the British + admiral's flagship. A Maryland doctor had been seized as a prisoner by the + British, and the President had given permission for them to go out under a + flag of truce, to ask for his release. The British commander finally + decided that the prisoner might be set free; but he had no idea of + allowing the two men to go back to the city and carry any information. + “Until the attack on Baltimore is ended, you and your boat must remain + here,” he said. + </p> + <p> + The firing went on. As long as daylight lasted they could catch glimpses + of the Stars and Stripes whenever the wind swayed the clouds of smoke. + When night came they could still see the banner now and then by the blaze + of the cannon. A little after midnight the firing stopped. The two men + paced up and down the deck, straining their eyes to see if the flag was + still flying. “Can the fort have surrendered?” they questioned. “Oh, if + morning would only come!” + </p> + <p> + At last the faint gray of dawn appeared. They could see that some flag was + flying, but it was too dark to tell which. More and more eagerly they + gazed. It grew lighter, a sudden breath of wind caught the flag, and it + floated out on the breeze. It was no English flag, it was their own Stars + and Stripes. The fort had stood, the city was safe. Then it was that Key + took from his pocket an old letter and on the back of it he wrote the + poem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.” + </p> + <p> + The British departed, and the little American boat went back to the city. + Mr. Key gave a copy of the poem to his uncle, who had been helping to + defend the fort. The uncle sent it to the printer, and had it struck off + on some handbills. Before the ink was dry the printer caught up one and + hurried away to a restaurant, where many patriots were assembled. Waving + the paper, he cried, “Listen to this!” and he read:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “O say, can you see, by the dawn's early light, + What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming, + Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous + fight, + O'er the ramparts we watch'd were so gallantly streaming? + And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, + Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. + O say, does the star-spangled banner yet wave + O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?” + </pre> + <p> + “Sing it! sing it!” cried the whole company. Charles Durang mounted a + chair and then for the first time “The Star-Spangled Banner” was sung. The + tune was “To Anacreon in Heaven,” an air which had long been a favorite. + Halls, theaters, and private houses rang with its strains. + </p> + <p> + The fleet was out of sight even before the poem was printed. In the middle + of the night the admiral had sent to the British soldiers this message, “I + can do nothing more,” and they hurried on board the vessels. It was not + long before they left Chesapeake Bay altogether,—perhaps with the + new song ringing in their ears as they went. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0057" id="link2H_4_0057"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE LITTLE DRUMMER-BOY + </h2> + <h3> + BY ALBERT BUSHNELL HART (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + A few days before a certain regiment received orders to join General Lyon, + on his march to Wilson's Creek, the drummer-boy of the regiment was taken + sick, and carried to the hospital. + </p> + <p> + Shortly after this there appeared before the captain's quarters, during + the beating of the reveille, a good-looking, middle-aged woman, dressed in + deep mourning, leading by the hand a sharp, sprightly looking boy, + apparently about twelve or thirteen years of age. + </p> + <p> + Her story was soon told. She was from East Tennessee, where her husband + had been killed by the Confederates, and all her property destroyed. Being + destitute, she thought that if she could procure a situation for her boy + as drummer, she could find employment for herself. + </p> + <p> + While she told her story, the little fellow kept his eyes intently fixed + upon the countenance of the captain. And just as the latter was about to + say that he could not take so small a boy, the lad spoke out:— + </p> + <p> + “Don't be afraid, Captain,” said he, “I can drum.” + </p> + <p> + This was spoken with so much confidence that the captain smiled and said + to the sergeant:— + </p> + <p> + “Well, well, bring the drum, and order our fifer to come here.” + </p> + <p> + In a few moments a drum was produced and the fifer, a round-shouldered, + good-natured fellow, who stood six feet tall, made his appearance. Upon + being introduced to the lad, he stooped down, resting his hands on his + knees, and, after peering into the little fellow's face for a moment, + said:— + </p> + <p> + “My little man, can you drum?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir,” answered the boy promptly. “I drummed for Captain Hill in + Tennessee.” + </p> + <p> + The fifer immediately straightened himself, and, placing his fife to his + lips, played the “Flowers of Edinburgh,” one of the most difficult things + to follow with the drum. And nobly did the little fellow follow him, + showing himself to be master of the drum. + </p> + <p> + When the music ceased the captain turned to the mother and observed:— + </p> + <p> + “Madam, I will take the boy. What is his name?” + </p> + <p> + “Edward Lee,” she replied. Then placing her hand upon the captain's arm, + she continued in a choking voice, “If he is not killed!—Captain,—you + will bring him back to me?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes,” he replied, “we shall be certain to bring him back to you. We + shall be discharged in six weeks.” + </p> + <p> + An hour after, the company led the regiment out of camp, the drum and fife + playing “The Girl I left behind me.” + </p> + <p> + Eddie, as the soldiers called him, soon became a great favorite with all + the men of the company. When any of the boys returned from foraging, + Eddie's share of the peaches, melons, and other good things was meted out + first. During the heavy and fatiguing marches, the long-legged fifer often + waded through the mud with the little drummer mounted on his back, and in + the same fashion he carried Eddie when fording streams. + </p> + <p> + During the fight at Wilson's Creek, a part of the company was stationed on + the right of Totten's battery, while the balance of the company was + ordered down into a deep ravine, at the left, in which it was known a + party of Confederates was concealed. + </p> + <p> + An engagement took place. The contest in the ravine continued some time. + Totten suddenly wheeled his battery upon the enemy in that quarter, and + they soon retreated to high ground behind their lines. + </p> + <p> + In less than twenty minutes after Totten had driven the Confederates from + the ravine, the word passed from man to man throughout the army, “Lyon is + killed!” And soon after, hostilities having ceased upon both sides, the + order came for the main part of the Federal force to fall back upon + Springfield, while the lesser part was to camp upon the ground, and cover + the retreat. + </p> + <p> + That night a corporal was detailed for guard duty. His post was upon a + high eminence that overlooked the deep ravine in which the men had engaged + the enemy. It was a dreary, lonesome beat. The hours passed slowly away, + and at length the morning light began to streak along the western sky, + making surrounding objects visible. + </p> + <p> + Presently the corporal heard a drum beating up the morning call. At first + he thought it came from the camp of the Confederates across the creek, but + as he listened he found that it came from the deep ravine. For a few + moments the sound stopped, then began again. The corporal listened + closely. The notes of the drum were familiar to him,—and then he + knew that it was the drummer-boy from Tennessee playing the morning call. + </p> + <p> + Just then the corporal was relieved from guard duty, and, asking + permission, went at once to Eddie's assistance. He started down the hill, + through the thick underbrush, and upon reaching the bottom of the ravine, + he followed the sound of the drum, and soon found the lad seated upon the + ground, his back leaning against a fallen tree, while his drum hung upon a + bush in front of him. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the boy saw his rescuer he dropped his drumsticks, and + exclaimed:— + </p> + <p> + “O Corporal! I am so glad to see you! Give me a drink.” + </p> + <p> + The soldier took his empty canteen, and immediately turned to bring some + water from the brook that he could hear rippling through the bushes near + by, when, Eddie, thinking that he was about to leave him, cried out:— + </p> + <p> + “Don't leave me, Corporal, I can't walk.” + </p> + <p> + The corporal was soon back with the water, when he discovered that both + the lad's feet had been shot away by a cannon-ball. + </p> + <p> + After satisfying his thirst, Eddie looked up into the corporal's face and + said:— + </p> + <p> + “You don't think I shall die, do you? This man said I should not,—he + said the surgeon could cure my feet.” + </p> + <p> + The corporal now looked about him and discovered a man lying in the grass + near by. By his dress he knew him to belong to the Confederate army. It + appeared that he had been shot and had fallen near Eddie. Knowing that he + could not live, and seeing the condition of the drummer-boy, he had + crawled to him, taken off his buckskin suspenders, and had corded the + little fellow's legs below the knees, and then he had laid himself down + and died. + </p> + <p> + While Eddie was telling the corporal these particulars, they heard the + tramp of cavalry coming down the ravine, and in a moment a scout of the + enemy was upon them, and took them both prisoners. + </p> + <p> + The corporal requested the officer in charge to take Eddie up in front of + him, and he did so, carrying the lad with great tenderness and care. When + they reached the Confederate camp the little fellow was dead. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0058" id="link2H_4_0058"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + A FLAG INCIDENT + </h2> + <h3> + BY M. M. THOMAS (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + When marching to Chattanooga the corps had reached a little wooded valley + between the mountains. The colonel, with others, rode ahead, and, striking + into a bypath, suddenly came upon a secluded little cabin surrounded by a + patch of cultivated ground. + </p> + <p> + At the door an old woman, eighty years of age, was supporting herself on a + crutch. As they rode up she asked if they were “Yankees,” and upon their + replying that they were, she said: “Have you got the Stars and Stripes + with you? My father fought the Tories in the Revolution, and my old eyes + ache for a sight of the true flag before I die.” + </p> + <p> + To gratify her the colonel sent to have the colors brought that way. When + they were unfurled and planted before her door, she passed her trembling + hands over them and held them close to her eyes that she might view the + stars once more. When the band gave her “Yankee Doodle,” and the + “'Star-Spangled Banner,” she sobbed like a child, as did her daughter, a + woman of fifty, while her three little grandchildren gazed in wonder. + </p> + <p> + They were Eastern people, who had gone to New Orleans to try to improve + their condition. Not being successful, they had moved from place to place + to better themselves, until finally they had settled on this spot, the + husband having taken several acres of land here for a debt. + </p> + <p> + Then the war burst upon them. The man fled to the mountains to avoid the + conscription, and they knew not whether he was alive or dead. They had + managed to support life, but were so retired that they saw very few + people. + </p> + <p> + Leaving them food and supplies, the colonel and the corps passed on. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0059" id="link2H_4_0059"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + TWO HERO-STORIES OF THE CIVIL WAR + </h2> + <h3> + BY BEN LA BREE (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + I. BRAVERY HONORED BY A FOE + </p> + <p> + In a rifle-pit, on the brow of a hill near Fredericksburg, were a number + of Confederate soldiers who had exhausted their ammunition in the vain + attempt to check the advancing column of Hooker's finely equipped and + disciplined army which was crossing the river. To the relief of these few + came the brigade in double-quick time. But no sooner were the soldiers + intrenched than the firing on the opposite side of the river became + terrific. + </p> + <p> + A heavy mist obscured the scene. The Federal soldiers poured a merciless + fire into the trenches. Soon many Confederates fell, and the agonized + cries of the wounded who lay there calling for water, smote the hearts of + their helpless comrades. + </p> + <p> + “Water! Water!” But there was none to give, the canteens were-empty. + </p> + <p> + “Boys,” exclaimed Nathan Cunningham, a lad of eighteen, the color-bearer + for his regiment, “I can't stand this any more. They want water, and water + they must have. So let me have a few canteens and I'll go for some.” + </p> + <p> + Carefully laying the colors, which he had borne on many a field, in a + trench, he seized some canteens, and, leaping into the mist, was soon out + of sight. + </p> + <p> + Shortly after this the firing ceased for a while, and an order came for + the men to fall back to the main line. + </p> + <p> + As the Confederates were retreating they met Nathan Cunningham, his + canteens full of water, hurrying to relieve the thirst of the wounded men + in the trenches. He glanced over the passing column and saw that the faded + flag, which he had carried so long, was not there. The men in their haste + to obey orders HAD FORGOTTEN OR OVERLOOKED THE COLORS. + </p> + <p> + Quickly the lad sped to the trenches, intent now not only on giving water + to his comrades, but on rescuing the flag and so to save the honor of his + regiment. + </p> + <p> + His mission of mercy was soon accomplished. The wounded men drank freely. + The lad then found and seized his colors, and turned to rejoin his + regiment. Scarcely had he gone three paces when a company of Federal + soldiers appeared ascending the hill. + </p> + <p> + “Halt and surrender,” came the stern command, and a hundred rifles were + leveled at the boy's breast. + </p> + <p> + “NEVER! while I hold the colors,” was his firm reply. + </p> + <p> + The morning sun, piercing with a lurid glare the dense mist, showed the + lad proudly standing with his head thrown back and his flag grasped in his + hand, while his unprotected breast was exposed to the fire of his foe. + </p> + <p> + A moment's pause. Then the Federal officer gave his command:— + </p> + <p> + “Back with your pieces, men, don't shoot that brave boy.” + </p> + <p> + And Nathan Cunningham, with colors flying over his head, passed on and + joined his regiment. + </p> + <p> + His comrades in arms still tell with pride of his brave deed and of the + generous act of a foe. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0060" id="link2H_4_0060"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + II. THE BRAVERY OF RICHARD KIRTLAND + </h2> + <p> + Richard Kirtland was a sergeant in the Second Regiment of South Carolina + Volunteers. The day after the great battle of Fredericksburg, Kershaw's + brigade occupied the road at the foot of Marye's Hill. + </p> + <p> + One hundred and fifty yards in front of the road, on the other side of a + stone wall, lay Sykes's division of the United States Army. Between these + troops and Kershaw's command a skirmish fight was continued through the + entire day. The ground between the lines was literally covered with dead + and dying Federal soldiers. + </p> + <p> + All day long the wounded were calling, “Water! water! water!” + </p> + <p> + In the afternoon, Sergeant Kirtland, a Confederate soldier, went to the + headquarters of General Kershaw, and said with deep emotion: “General, all + through last night and to-day; I have been hearing those poor wounded + Federal soldiers out there cry for water. Let me go and give them some.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't you know,” replied the general, “that you would get a bullet + through you the moment you stepped over the wall?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir,” said the sergeant; “but if you will let me go I am willing to + try it.” + </p> + <p> + The general reflected a minute, then answered: “Kirtland, I ought not to + allow you to take this risk, but the spirit that moves you is so noble I + cannot refuse. Go, and may God protect you!” + </p> + <p> + In the face of almost certain death the sergeant climbed the wall, watched + with anxiety by the soldiers of his army. Under the curious gaze of his + foes, and exposed to their fire, he dropped to the ground and hastened on + his errand of mercy. Unharmed, untouched, he reached the nearest sufferer. + He knelt beside him, tenderly raised his drooping head, rested it gently + on his breast, and poured the cooling life-giving water down the parched + throat. This done he laid him carefully down, placed the soldier's + knapsack under his head, straightened his broken limbs, spread his coat + over him, replaced the empty canteen with a full one, then turned to + another sufferer. + </p> + <p> + By this time his conduct was understood by friend and foe alike and the + firing ceased on both sides. + </p> + <p> + For an hour and a half did he pursue his noble mission, until he had + relieved the wounded on all parts of the battlefield. Then he returned to + his post uninjured. + </p> + <p> + Surely such a noble deed is worthy of the admiration of men and angels. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0061" id="link2H_4_0061"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE YOUNG SENTINEL + </h2> + <h3> + BY Z. A. MUDGE (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + In the summer of 1862, a young man belonging to a Vermont regiment was + found sleeping at his post. He was tried and sentenced to be shot. The day + was fixed for the execution, and the young soldier calmly prepared to meet + his fate. + </p> + <p> + Friends who knew of the case brought the matter to Mr. Lincoln's + attention. It seemed that the boy had been on duty one night, and on the + following night he had taken the place of a comrade too ill to stand + guard. The third night he had been again called out, and, being utterly + exhausted, had fallen asleep at his post. + </p> + <p> + As soon as Mr. Lincoln understood the case, he signed a pardon, and sent + it to the camp. The morning before the execution arrived, and the + President had not heard whether the pardon had reached the officers in + charge of the matter. He began to feel uneasy. He ordered a telegram to be + sent to the camp, but received no answer. State papers could not fix his + mind, nor could he banish the condemned soldier boy from his thoughts. + </p> + <p> + At last, feeling that he MUST KNOW that the lad was safe, he ordered the + carriage and rode rapidly ten miles over a dusty road and beneath a + scorching sun. When he reached the camp he found that the pardon had been + received and the execution stayed. + </p> + <p> + The sentinel was released, and his heart was filled with lasting + gratitude. When the campaign opened in the spring, the young man was with + his regiment near Yorktown, Virginia. They were ordered to attack a fort, + and he fell at the first volley of the enemy. + </p> + <p> + His comrades caught him up and carried him bleeding and dying from the + field. “Bear witness,” he said, “that I have proved myself not a coward, + and I am not afraid to die.” Then, making a last effort, with his dying + breath he prayed for Abraham Lincoln. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0062" id="link2H_4_0062"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE COLONEL OF THE ZOUAVES + </h2> + <h3> + BY NOAH BROOKS (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + Among those who accompanied Mr. Lincoln, the President-elect, on his + journey from Illinois to the national capital, was Elmer E. Ellsworth, a + young man who had been employed in the law office of Lincoln and Herndon, + Springfield. + </p> + <p> + He was a brave, handsome, and impetuous youth, and was among the first to + offer his services to the President in defense of the Union, as soon as + the mutterings of war were heard. + </p> + <p> + Before the war he had organized a company of Zouaves from the Chicago + firemen, and had delighted and astonished many people by the exhibitions + of their skill in the evolutions through which they were put while + visiting some chief cities of the Republic. + </p> + <p> + Now, being commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Army, he + went to New York and organized from the firemen of that city a similar + regiment, known as the Eleventh New York. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Ellsworth's Zouaves, on the evening of May 23, were sent with a + considerable force to occupy the heights overlooking Washington and + Alexandria, on the banks of the Potomac, opposite the national capital. + </p> + <p> + Next day, seeing a Confederate flag flying from the Marshall House, a + tavern in Alexandria kept by a secessionist, he went up through the + building to the roof and pulled it down. While on his way down the stairs, + with the flag in his arms, he was met by the tavern-keeper, who shot and + killed him instantly. Ellsworth fell, dyeing the Confederate flag with the + blood that gushed from his heart. The tavern-keeper was instantly killed + by a shot from Private Brownell, of the Ellsworth Zouaves, who was at hand + when his commander fell. + </p> + <p> + The death of Ellsworth, needless though it may have been, caused a + profound sensation throughout the country, where he was well known. He was + among the very first martyrs of the war, as he had been one of the first + volunteers. + </p> + <p> + Lincoln was overwhelmed with sorrow. He had the body of the lamented young + officer taken to the White House, where it lay in state until the burial + took place, and, even in the midst of his increasing cares, he found time + to sit alone and in grief-stricken meditation by the bier of the dead + young soldier of whose career he had cherished so great hopes. + </p> + <p> + The life-blood from Ellsworth's heart had stained not only the Confederate + flag, but a gold medal found under his uniform, bearing the legend: “Non + solum nobis, sed pro patria”; “Not for ourselves alone, but for the + country.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0063" id="link2H_4_0063"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + GENERAL SCOTT AND THE STARS AND STRIPES + </h2> + <h3> + BY E. D. TOWNSEND (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + One day, as the general was sitting at his table in the office, the + messenger announced that a person desired to see him a moment in order to + present a gift. + </p> + <p> + A German was introduced, who said that he was commissioned by a house in + New York to present General Scott with a small silk banner. It was very + handsome, of the size of a regimental flag, and was made of a single piece + of silk stamped with the Stars and Stripes of the proper colors. + </p> + <p> + The German said that the manufacturers who had sent the banner, wished to + express thus the great respect they felt for General Scott, and their + sense of his importance to the country in that perilous time. + </p> + <p> + The general was highly pleased, and, in accepting the gift, assured the + donors that the flag should hang in his room wherever he went, and + enshroud him when he died. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the man was gone, the general desired that the stars might be + counted to see if ALL the States were represented. They were ALL there. + </p> + <p> + The flag was then draped between the windows over the couch where the + general frequently reclined for rest during the day. It went with him in + his berth when he sailed for Europe, after his retirement, and enveloped + his coffin when he was interred at West Point. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0064" id="link2H_4_0064"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + INDEPENDENCE DAY + </h2> + <h3> + (JULY 4) + </h3> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0065" id="link2H_4_0065"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE + </h2> + <h3> + BY WASHINGTON IRVING + </h3> + <p> + While danger was gathering round New York, and its inhabitants were in + mute suspense and fearful anticipations, the General Congress at + Philadelphia was discussing, with closed doors, what John Adams + pronounced: “The greatest question ever debated in America, and as great + as ever was or will be debated among men.” The result was, a resolution + passed unanimously on the 2d of July; “that these United Colonies are, and + of right ought to be, free and independent States.” + </p> + <p> + “The 2d of July,” adds the same patriot statesman, “will be the most + memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it + will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary + festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn + acts of devotion to Almighty God. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and + parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and + illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time + forth forevermore.” + </p> + <p> + The glorious event has, indeed, given rise to an annual jubilee; but not + on the day designated by Adams. The FOURTH of July is the day of national + rejoicing, for on that day the “Declaration of Independence,” that solemn + and sublime document, was adopted. + </p> + <p> + Tradition gives a dramatic effect to its announcement. It was known to be + under discussion, but the closed doors of Congress excluded the populace. + They awaited, in throngs, an appointed signal. In the steeple of the State + House was a bell, imported twenty-three years previously from London by + the Provincial Assembly of Pennsylvania. It bore the portentous text from + Scripture: “Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land, unto all the + inhabitants thereof.” A joyous peal from that bell gave notice that the + bill had been passed. It was the knell of British domination. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0066" id="link2H_4_0066"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE SIGNING OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE + </h2> + <h3> + BY H. A. GUERBER <a href="#linknote-4" name="linknoteref-4" + id="linknoteref-4"><small>4</small></a> + </h3> + <p> + <a name="linknote-4" id="linknote-4"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 4 (<a href="#linknoteref-4">return</a>)<br /> [ From The Story of the + Thirteen Colonies. Copyright, 1898, by H. A. Guerber. American Book + Company, publishers.] + </p> + <p> + John Hancock, President of Congress, was the first to sign the Declaration + of Independence, writing his name in large, plain letters, and saying:— + </p> + <p> + “There! John Bull can read my name without spectacles. Now let him double + the price on my head, for this is my defiance.” + </p> + <p> + Then he turned to the other members, and solemnly declared:— + </p> + <p> + “We must be unanimous. There must be no pulling different ways. We must + all hang together.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Franklin, quaintly: “we must all hang together, or most + assuredly we shall all hang separately.” + </p> + <p> + We are told that Charles Carroll, thinking that his writing looked shaky, + added the words, “of Carrollton,” so that the king should not be able to + make any mistake as to whose name stood there. + </p> + <p> + A BRAVE GIRL BY JAMES JOHONNOT (ADAPTED) <a href="#linknote-41" + name="linknoteref-41" id="linknoteref-41"><small>41</small></a> <a + name="linknote-41" id="linknote-41"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 41 (<a href="#linknoteref-41">return</a>)<br /> [ From Stories of Heroic + Deeds. Copyright, 1887, by D. Appleton and Company. American Book Company, + publishers.] + </p> + <p> + In the year 1781 the war was chiefly carried on in the South, but the + North was constantly troubled by bands of Tories and Indians, who would + swoop down on small settlements and make off with whatever they could lay + their hands on. + </p> + <p> + During this time General Schuyler was staying at his house, which stood + just outside the stockade or walls of Albany. The British commander sent + out a party of Tories and Indians to capture the general. + </p> + <p> + When they reached the outskirts of the city they learned from a Dutch + laborer that the general's house was guarded by six soldiers, three + watching by night and three by day. They let the Dutchman go, and as soon + as the band was out of sight he hastened to Albany and warned the general + of their approach. + </p> + <p> + Schuyler gathered his family in one of the upper rooms of his house, and + giving orders that the doors and windows should be barred, fired a pistol + from a top-story window, to alarm the neighborhood. + </p> + <p> + The soldiers on guard, who had been lounging in the shade of a tree, + started to their feet at the sound of the pistol; but, alas! too late, for + they found themselves surrounded by a crowd of dusky forms, who bound them + hand and foot, before they had time to resist. + </p> + <p> + In the room upstairs was the sturdy general, standing resolutely at the + door, with gun in hand, while his black slaves were gathered about him, + each with a weapon. At the other end of the room the women were huddled + together, some weeping and some praying. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly a deafening crash was heard. The Indian band had broken into the + house. With loud shouts they began to pillage and to destroy everything in + sight. While they were yet busy downstairs, Mrs. Schuyler sprang to her + feet and rushed to the door; for she had suddenly remembered that the + baby, who was only a few months old, was asleep in its cradle in a room on + the first floor. + </p> + <p> + The general caught his wife in his arms, and implored her not to go to + certain death, saying that if any one was to go he would. While this + generous struggle between husband and wife was going on, their young + daughter, who had been standing near the door, glided by them, and + descended the stairs. + </p> + <p> + All was dark in the hall, excepting where the light shone from the + dining-room in which the Indians were pillaging the shelves and fighting + over their booty. How to get past the dining-room door was the question, + but the brave girl did not hesitate. Reaching the lower hall, she walked + very deliberately forward, softly but quickly passing the door, and + unobserved reached the room in which was the cradle. + </p> + <p> + She caught up the baby, crept back past the open door, and was just + mounting the stairs, when one of the savages happened to see her. + </p> + <p> + “WHIZ”—and his sharp tomahawk struck the stair rail within a few + inches of the baby's head. But the frightened girl hurried on, and in a + few seconds was safe in her father's arms. + </p> + <p> + As for the Indians, fearing an attack from the near-by garrison, they + hastened away with the booty they had collected, and left General Schuyler + and his family unharmed. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0067" id="link2H_4_0067"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE BOSTON TEA-PARTY + </h2> + <h3> + BY JOHN ANDREWS (ADAPTED) <a href="#linknote-5" name="linknoteref-5" + id="linknoteref-5"><small>5</small></a> + </h3> + <p> + <a name="linknote-5" id="linknote-5"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 5 (<a href="#linknoteref-5">return</a>)<br /> [ From a letter written to a + friend in 1773.] + </p> + <p> + On November 29, 1773, there arrived in Boston Harbor a ship carrying an + hundred and odd chests of the detested tea. The people in the country + roundabout, as well as the town's folk, were unanimous against allowing + the landing of it; but the agents in charge of the consignment persisted + in their refusal to take the tea back to London. The town bells were rung, + for a general muster of the citizens. Handbills were stuck up calling on + “Friends! Citizens! Countrymen!” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Rotch, the owner of the ship, found himself exposed not only to the + loss of his ship, but to the loss of the money-value of the tea itself, if + he should attempt to send her back without clearance papers from the + custom-house; for the admiral kept a vessel in readiness to seize any ship + which might leave without those papers. Therefore, Mr. Rotch declared that + his ship should not carry back the tea without either the proper clearance + or the promise of full indemnity for any losses he might incur. + </p> + <p> + Matters continued thus for some days, when a general muster was called of + the people of Boston and of all the neighboring towns. They met, to the + number of five or six thousand, at ten o'clock in the morning, in the Old + South Meeting-House; where they passed a unanimous vote THAT THE TEA + SHOULD GO OUT OF THE HARBOR THAT AFTERNOON! + </p> + <p> + A committee, with Mr. Rotch, was sent to the custom-house to demand a + clearance. This the collector said he could not give without the duties + first being paid. Mr. Rotch was then sent to ask for a pass from the + governor, who returned answer that “consistent with the rules of + government and his duty to the king he could not grant one without they + produced a previous clearance from the office.” + </p> + <p> + By the time Mr. Rotch returned to the Old South Meeting-House with this + message, the candles were lighted and the house still crowded with people. + When the governor's message was read a prodigious shout was raised, and + soon afterward the moderator declared the meeting dissolved. This caused + another general shout, outdoors and in, and what with the noise of + breaking up the meeting, one might have thought that the inhabitants of + the infernal regions had been let loose. + </p> + <p> + That night there mustered upon Fort Hill about two hundred strange + figures, SAID TO BE INDIANS FROM NARRAGANSETT. They were clothed in + blankets, with heads muffled, and had copper-colored countenances. Each + was armed with a hatchet or axe, and a pair of pistols. They spoke a + strange, unintelligible jargon. + </p> + <p> + They proceeded two by two to Griffin's Wharf, where three tea-ships lay, + each with one hundred and fourteen chests of the ill-fated article on + board. And before nine o'clock in the evening every chest was knocked into + pieces and flung over the sides. + </p> + <p> + Not the least insult was offered to any one, save one Captain Conner, who + had ripped up the linings of his coat and waistcoat, and, watching his + opportunity, had filled them with tea. But, being detected, he was handled + pretty roughly. They not only stripped him of his clothes, but gave him a + coat of mud, with a severe bruising into the bargain. Nothing but their + desire not to make a disturbance prevented his being tarred and feathered. + </p> + <p> + The tea being thrown overboard, all the Indians disappeared in a most + marvelous fashion. + </p> + <p> + The next day, if a stranger had walked through the streets of Boston, and + had observed the calm composure of the people, he would hardly have + thought that ten thousand pounds sterling of East India Company's tea had + been destroyed the night before. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0068" id="link2H_4_0068"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + A GUNPOWDER STORY + </h2> + <h3> + BY JOHN ESTEN COOKE (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + [ From Stories of the Old + Dominion. Used by permission of the American Book Company, publishers.] + </p> + <p> + In the autumn of 1777 the English decided to attack Fort Henry, at + Wheeling, in northwestern Virginia. This was an important border fort + named in honor of Patrick Henry, and around which had grown up a small + village of about twenty-five log houses. + </p> + <p> + A band of Indians, under the leadership of one Simon Girty, was supplied + by the English with muskets and ammunition, and sent against the fort. + This Girty was a white man, who, when a boy, had been captured by Indians, + and brought up by them. He had joined their tribes, and was a ferocious + and bloodthirsty leader of savage bands. + </p> + <p> + When the settlers at Wheeling heard that Simon Girty and his Indians were + advancing on the town, they left their homes and hastened into the fort. + Scarcely had they done so when the savages made their appearance. + </p> + <p> + The defenders of the fort knew that a desperate fight must now take place, + and there seemed little probability that they would be able to hold out + against their assailants. They had only forty two fighting men, including + old men and boys, while the Indian force numbered about five hundred. + </p> + <p> + What was worse they had but a small amount of gunpowder. A keg containing + the main supply had been left by accident in one of the village houses. + This misfortune, as you will soon see, brought about the brave action of a + young girl. + </p> + <p> + After several encounters with the savages, which took place in the + village, the defenders withdrew to the fort. Then a number of Indians + advanced with loud yells, firing as they came. The fire was returned by + the defenders, each of whom had picked out his man, and taken deadly aim. + Most of the attacking party were killed, and the whole body of Indians + fell back into the near-by woods, and there awaited a more favorable + opportunity to renew hostilities. + </p> + <p> + The men in the fort now discovered, to their great dismay, that their + gunpowder was nearly gone. What was to be done? Unless they could get + another supply, they would not be able to hold the fort, and they and + their women and children would either be massacred or carried into + captivity. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Shepherd, who was in command, explained to the settlers exactly + how matters stood. He also told them of the forgotten keg of powder which + was in a house standing about sixty yards from the gate of the fort. + </p> + <p> + It was plain to all that if any man should attempt to procure the keg, he + would almost surely be shot by the lurking Indians. In spite of this three + or four young men volunteered to go on the dangerous mission. + </p> + <p> + Colonel Shepherd replied that he could not spare three or four strong men, + as there were already too few for the defense. Only one man should make + the attempt and they might decide who was to go. This caused a dispute. + </p> + <p> + Just then a young girl stepped forward and said that SHE was ready to go. + Her name was Elizabeth Zane, and she had just returned from a + boarding-school in Philadelphia. This made her brave offer all the more + remarkable, since she had not been bred up to the fearless life of the + border. + </p> + <p> + At first the men would not hear of her running such a risk. She was told + that it meant certain death. But she urged that they could not spare a man + from the defense, and that the loss of one girl would not be an important + matter. So after some discussion the settlers agreed that she should go + for the powder. + </p> + <p> + The house, as has already been stated, stood about sixty yards from the + fort, and Elizabeth hoped to run thither and bring back the powder in a + few minutes. The gate was opened, and she passed through, running like a + deer. + </p> + <p> + A few straggling Indians were dodging about the log houses of the town; + they saw the fleeing girl, but for some reason they did not fire upon her. + They may have supposed that she was returning to her home to rescue her + clothes. Possibly they thought it a waste of good ammunition to fire at a + woman, when they were so sure of taking the fort before long. So they + looked on quietly while, with flying skirts, Elizabeth ran across the + open, and entered the house. + </p> + <p> + She found the keg of powder, which was not large. She lifted it with both + arms, and, holding the precious burden close to her breast, she darted out + of the house and ran in the direction of the fort. + </p> + <p> + When the Indians saw what she was carrying they uttered fierce yells and + fired. The bullets fell like hail about her, but not one so much as + touched her garments. With the keg hugged to her bosom, she ran on, and + reached the fort in safety. The gate closed upon her just as the bullets + of the Indians buried themselves in its thick panels. + </p> + <p> + The rescued gunpowder enabled the little garrison to hold out until help + arrived from the other settlements near Wheeling. And Girty, seeing that + there were no further hopes of taking Fort Henry, withdrew his band. + </p> + <p> + Thus a weak but brave girl was the means of saving strong men with their + wives and children. It was a heroic act, and Americans should never forget + to honor the name of Elizabeth Zane. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0069" id="link2H_4_0069"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE CAPTURE OF FORT TICONDEROGA + </h2> + <h3> + BY WASHINGTON IRVING (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + Some bold spirits in Connecticut conceived the project of surprising the + old forts of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, already famous in the French + War. Their situation on Lake Champlain gave them the command of the main + route into Canada so that the possession of them would be all-important in + case of hostilities. They were feebly garrisoned and negligently guarded, + and abundantly furnished with artillery and military stores so needed by + the patriot army. + </p> + <p> + At this juncture Ethan Allen stepped forward, a patriot, and volunteered + with his “Green Mountain Boys.” He was well fitted for the enterprise. + During the border warfare over the New Hampshire Grants, he and his + lieutenants had been outlawed by the Legislature of New York and rewards + offered for their apprehension. He and his associates had armed + themselves, set New York at defiance, and had sworn they would be the + death of any one who should try to arrest them. + </p> + <p> + Thus Ethan Allen had become a kind of Robin Hood among the mountains. His + experience as a frontier champion, his robustness of mind and body, and + his fearless spirit made him a most desirable leader in the expedition + against Fort Ticonderoga. Therefore he was appointed at the head of the + attacking force. + </p> + <p> + Accompanied by Benjamin Arnold and two other officers, Allen and his party + of soldiers who had been enlisted from several States, set out and arrived + at Shoreham, opposite Fort Ticonderoga on the shore of Lake Champlain. + They reached the place at night-time. There were only a few boats on hand, + but the transfer of men began immediately. It was slow work. The night + wore away; day was about to break, and but eighty-three men, with Allen + and Arnold, had crossed. Should they wait for the rest to cross over, day + would dawn, the garrison wake, and their enterprise might fail. + </p> + <p> + Allen drew up his men, addressed them in his own emphatic style, and + announced his intention of making a dash at the fort without waiting for + more force. + </p> + <p> + “It is a desperate attempt,” said he, “and I ask no man to go against his + will. I will take the lead, and be the first to advance. You that are + willing to follow, poise your firelocks!” + </p> + <p> + Not a firelock but was poised! + </p> + <p> + They mounted the hill briskly but in silence, guided by a boy from the + neighborhood. + </p> + <p> + The day dawned as Allen arrived at a sally-port. A sentry pulled trigger + on him, but his piece missed fire. He retreated through a covered way. + Allen and his men followed. Another sentry thrust at an officer with his + bayonet, but was struck down by Allen, and begged for quarter. It was + granted on condition of his leading the way instantly to the quarters of + the commandant, Captain Delaplace, who was yet in bed. + </p> + <p> + Being arrived there, Allen thundered at the door, and demanded a surrender + of the fort. By this time his followers had formed into two lines on the + parade-ground, and given three hearty cheers. + </p> + <p> + The commandant appeared at the door half-dressed, the frightened face of + his pretty wife peering over his shoulder. He gazed at Allen in bewildered + astonishment. + </p> + <p> + “By whose authority do you act?” exclaimed he. + </p> + <p> + “In the name of the Continental Congress!” replied Allen, with a flourish + of his sword, and an oath which we do not care to subjoin. + </p> + <p> + There was no disputing the point. The garrison, like the commandant, had + been startled from sleep, and made prisoners as they rushed forth in their + confusion. A surrender accordingly took place. The captain and forty-eight + men who composed his garrison were sent prisoners to Hartford, in + Connecticut. + </p> + <p> + And thus without the loss of a single man, one of the important forts, + commanding the main route into Canada, fell into the hands of the + patriots. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0070" id="link2H_4_0070"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + WASHINGTON AND THE COWARDS + </h2> + <h3> + BY WASHINGTON IRVING (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + During the evacuation of New York by Washington, two divisions of the + enemy, encamped on Long Island, one British under Sir Henry Clinton, the + other Hessian under Colonel Donop, emerged in boats from the deep wooded + recesses of Newtown Inlet, and under cover of the fire from the ships + began to land at two points between Turtle and Kip's Bays. + </p> + <p> + The breastworks were manned by patriot militia who had recently served in + Brooklyn. Disheartened by their late defeat, they fled at the first + advance of the enemy. Two brigades of Putnam's Connecticut troops, which + had been sent that morning to support them, caught the panic, and, + regardless of the commands and entreaties of their officers, joined in the + general scamper. + </p> + <p> + At this moment Washington, who had mounted his horse at the first sound of + the cannonade, came galloping to the scene of confusion. Riding in among + the fugitives he endeavored to rally and restore them to order. All in + vain. At the first appearance of sixty or seventy redcoats, they broke + again without firing a shot, and fled in headlong terror. + </p> + <p> + Losing all self-command at the sight of such dastardly conduct, Washington + dashed his hat upon the ground in a transport of rage. + </p> + <p> + “Are these the men,” exclaimed he, “with whom I am to defend America!” + </p> + <p> + In a paroxysm of passion and despair he snapped his pistols at some of + them, threatened others with his sword, and was so heedless of his own + danger that he might have fallen into the hands of the enemy, who were not + eighty yards distant, had not an aide-de-camp seized the bridle of his + horse, and absolutely hurried him away. + </p> + <p> + It was one of the rare moments of his life when the vehement element of + his nature was stirred up from its deep recesses. He soon recovered his + self-possession, and took measures against the general peril. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0071" id="link2H_4_0071"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LABOR DAY + </h2> + <h3> + (FIRST MONDAY IN SEPTEMBER) + </h3> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0072" id="link2H_4_0072"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE SMITHY + </h2> + <h3> + A HINDU FABLE + </h3> + <p> + BY P. V. RAMASWAMI RAJU (ADAPTED) + </p> + <p> + Once words ran high in a smithy. + </p> + <p> + The furnace said: “If I cease to burn, the smithy must close.” + </p> + <p> + The bellows said: “If I cease to blow, no fire, no smithy.” + </p> + <p> + The hammer and anvil, also, each claimed the sole credit for keeping up + the smithy. + </p> + <p> + The ploughshare that had been shaped by the furnace, the bellows, the + hammer and the anvil, cried: “It is not each of you alone, that keeps up + the smithy, but ALL TOGETHER.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0073" id="link2H_4_0073"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE NAIL + </h2> + <h3> + BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM (TRANSLATED)<a href="#linknote-7" + name="linknoteref-7" id="linknoteref-7"><small>7</small></a> + </h3> + <p> + <a name="linknote-7" id="linknote-7"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 7 (<a href="#linknoteref-7">return</a>)<br /> [ From the Riverside Fourth + Reader.] + </p> + <p> + A merchant had done good business at the fair; he had sold his wares, and + filled his bag with gold and silver. Then he set out at once on his + journey home, for he wished to be in his own house before night. + </p> + <p> + At noon he rested in a town. When he wanted to go on, the stable-boy + brought his horse, saying: + </p> + <p> + “A nail is wanting, sir, in the shoe of his left hind foot.” + </p> + <p> + “Let it be wanting,” answered the merchant; “the shoe will stay on for the + six miles I have still to go. I am in a hurry.” + </p> + <p> + In the afternoon he got down at an inn and had his horse fed. The + stable-boy came into the room to him and said: “Sir, a shoe is wanting + from your horse's left hind foot. Shall I take him to the blacksmith?” + </p> + <p> + “Let it still be wanting,” said the man; “the horse can very well hold out + for a couple of miles more. I am in a hurry.” + </p> + <p> + So the merchant rode forth, but before long the horse began to limp. He + had not limped long before he began to stumble, and he had not stumbled + long before he fell down and broke his leg. The merchant had to leave the + horse where he fell, and unstrap the bag, take it on his back, and go home + on foot. + </p> + <p> + “That unlucky nail,” said he to himself, “has made all this trouble.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0074" id="link2H_4_0074"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER + </h2> + <h3> + BY HORACE E. SCUDDER + </h3> + <p> + There was once a shoemaker who worked very hard and was honest. Still, he + could not earn enough to live on. At last, all he had in the world was + gone except just leather enough to make one pair of shoes. He cut these + out at night, and meant to rise early the next morning to make them up. + </p> + <p> + His heart was light in spite of his troubles, for his conscience was + clear. So he went quietly to bed, left all his cares to God, and fell + asleep. In the morning he said his prayers, and sat down to work, when, to + his great wonder, there stood the shoes, already made, upon the table. + </p> + <p> + The good man knew not what to say or think. He looked at the work. There + was not one false stitch in the whole job. All was neat and true. + </p> + <p> + That same day a customer came in, and the shoes pleased him so well that + he readily paid a price higher than usual for them. The shoemaker took the + money and bought leather enough to make two pairs more. He cut out the + work in the evening, and went to bed early. He wished to be up with the + sun and get to work. + </p> + <p> + He was saved all trouble, for when he got up in the morning, the work was + done. Pretty soon buyers came in, who paid him well for his goods. So he + bought leather enough for four pairs more. + </p> + <p> + He cut out the work again overnight, and found it finished in the morning + as before. So it went on for some time. What was got ready at night was + always done by daybreak, and the good man soon was well-to-do. + </p> + <p> + One evening, at Christmas-time, he and his wife sat over the fire, + chatting, and he said: “I should like to sit up and watch to-night, that + we may see who it is that comes and does my work for me.” So they left the + light burning, and hid themselves behind a curtain to see what would + happen. + </p> + <p> + As soon as it was midnight, there came two little Elves. They sat upon the + shoemaker's bench, took up all the work that was cut out, and began to ply + their little fingers. They stitched and rapped and tapped at such a rate + that the shoemaker was amazed, and could not take his eyes off them for a + moment. + </p> + <p> + On they went till the job was done, and the shoes stood, ready for use, + upon the table. This was long before daybreak. Then they ran away as quick + as lightning. + </p> + <p> + The next day the wife said to the shoemaker: “These little Elves have made + us rich, and we ought to be thankful to them, and do them some good in + return. I am vexed to see them run about as they do. They have nothing + upon their backs to keep off the cold. I'll tell you what we must do. I + will make each of them a shirt, and a coat and waistcoat, and a pair of + pantaloons into the bargain. Do you make each of them a little pair of + shoes.” + </p> + <p> + The good shoemaker liked the thought very well. One evening he and his + wife had the clothes ready, and laid them on the table instead of the work + they used to cut out. Then they went and hid behind the curtain to watch + what the little Elves would do. + </p> + <p> + At midnight the Elves came in and were going to sit down at their work as + usual. But when they saw the clothes lying there for them, they laughed + and were in high glee. They dressed themselves in the twinkling of an eye, + and danced and capered and sprang about as merry as could be, till at last + they danced out of the door, and over the green. + </p> + <p> + The shoemaker saw them no more, but everything went well with him as long + as he lived. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0075" id="link2H_4_0075"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE HILLMAN AND THE HOUSEWIFE + </h2> + <h3> + BY JULIANA HORATIA EWING (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + It is well known that the Fairy People cannot abide meanness. They like to + be liberally dealt with when they beg or borrow of the human race; and, on + the other hand, to those who come to them in need, they are invariably + generous. + </p> + <p> + Now there once lived a certain housewife who had a sharp eye to her own + interests, and gave alms of what she had no use for, hoping to get some + reward in return. One day a Hillman knocked at her door. + </p> + <p> + “Can you lend us a saucepan, good mother?” said he. “There's a wedding in + the hill, and all the pots are in use.” + </p> + <p> + “Is he to have one?” asked the servant lass who had opened the door. + </p> + <p> + “Aye, to be sure,” answered the housewife; “one must be neighborly.” + </p> + <p> + But when the maid was taking a saucepan from the shelf, the housewife + pinched her arm and whispered sharply: “Not that, you good-for-nothing! + Get the old one out of the cupboard. It leaks, and the Hillmen are so + neat, and such nimble workers, that they are sure to mend it before they + send it home. So one obliges the Fairy People, and saves sixpence in + tinkering!” + </p> + <p> + Thus bidden the maid fetched the saucepan, which had been laid by until + the tinker's next visit, and gave it to the Hillman, who thanked her and + went away. + </p> + <p> + In due time the saucepan was returned, and, as the housewife had foreseen, + it was neatly mended and ready for use. + </p> + <p> + At supper-time the maid filled the pan with milk, and set it on the fire + for the children's supper. But in a few minutes the milk was so burnt and + smoked that no one could touch it, and even the pigs refused to drink it. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, good-for-nothing hussy!” cried the housewife, as she refilled the pan + herself, “you would ruin the richest with your carelessness! There's a + whole quart of good milk wasted at once!” + </p> + <p> + “AND THAT'S TWOPENCE!” cried a voice that seemed to come from the chimney, + in a whining tone, like some discontented old body going over her + grievances. + </p> + <p> + The housewife had not left the saucepan for two minutes, when the milk + boiled over, and it was all burnt and smoked as before. + </p> + <p> + “The pan must be dirty,” muttered the good woman in vexation, “and there + are two full quarts of milk as good as thrown to the dogs.” + </p> + <p> + “AND THAT'S FOURPENCE!” added the voice in the chimney. + </p> + <p> + After a thorough cleaning the saucepan was once more filled and set on the + fire, but with no better success. The milk boiled over again, and was + hopelessly spoiled. The housewife shed tears of anger at the waste and + cried: “Never before did such a thing befall me since I kept house! Three + quarts of new milk burnt for one meal.” + </p> + <p> + “AND THAT'S SIXPENCE!” cried the voice in the chimney. “You didn't save + the tinkering after all, mother!” + </p> + <p> + With that the Hillman himself came tumbling down from the chimney, and + went off laughing through the door. + </p> + <p> + But from then on the saucepan was as good as any other. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0076" id="link2H_4_0076"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + HOFUS THE STONE-CUTTER + </h2> + <h3> + A JAPANESE LEGEND + </h3> + <p> + FROM THE RIVERSIDE THIRD READER (ADAPTED) + </p> + <p> + Once upon a time in Japan, there was a poor stone-cutter, named Hofus, who + used to go every day to the mountain-side to cut great blocks of stone. He + lived near the mountain in a little stone hut, and worked hard and was + happy. + </p> + <p> + One day he took a load of stone to the house of a rich man. There he saw + so many beautiful things that when he went back to his mountain he could + think of nothing else. Then he began to wish that he too might sleep in a + bed as soft as down, with curtains of silk, and tassels of gold. And he + sighed:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Ah me! Ah me! + If Hofus only were rich as he!” + </pre> + <p> + To his surprise, the voice of the Mountain Spirit answered:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Have thou thy wish!” + </pre> + <p> + When Hofus returned home that evening his little hut was gone, and in its + place stood a great palace. It was filled with beautiful things, and the + best of all was a bed of down, with curtains of silk and tassels of gold. + </p> + <p> + Hofus decided to work no more. But he was not used to being idle, and time + passed slowly,—the days seemed very long. + </p> + <p> + One day as he sat by the window he saw a carriage dash past. It was drawn + by snow-white horses. In it sat a prince, while before and behind were + servants in suits of blue and white. One was holding a golden umbrella + over the prince. + </p> + <p> + When the stone-cutter saw this, he began to feel unhappy, and he sighed:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Ah me! Ah me! + If Hofus only a prince might be!” + </pre> + <p> + And again the same voice that he had heard on the mountain answered:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Be thou a prince!” + </pre> + <p> + Straightway Hofus was a prince. He had servants dressed in crimson and + gold, and he rode in a carriage with a golden umbrella over his head. + </p> + <p> + For a short time he was happy, but one day, as he walked in the garden, he + saw that the flowers were drooping, the grass was dry and brown. And when + he rode out he felt the hot sun burn him in spite of his umbrella. + </p> + <p> + “The sun is mightier than I,” thought he, and then he sighed:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Ah me! Ah me! + If Hofus only the sun might be!” + </pre> + <p> + And the voice answered:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Be thou the sun!” + </pre> + <p> + Straightway the great sun he became. He burned the grass and rice fields. + He dried up the streams. Rich and poor alike suffered from the terrible + heat. + </p> + <p> + One day a cloud came and rested in front of him, and hid the earth from + his sight. He was angry and cried:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Ah me! Ah me! + If Hofus only a cloud might be!” + </pre> + <p> + And the voice answered:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Be thou a cloud!” + </pre> + <p> + Straightway a cloud he became. He floated before the face of the sun, and + hid the earth from it. + </p> + <p> + Then day after day the cloud dropped rain. The rivers overflowed, and the + rice-fields were covered with water. Towns were swept away. Only the great + rocks on the mountain-side stood unmoved midst the flood. + </p> + <p> + The cloud looked at them in wonder, then he sighed:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Ah me! Ah me! + If Hofus only a rock might be!” + </pre> + <p> + And the voice answered:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Be thou a rock!” + </pre> + <p> + Straightway a rock he became. Proudly he stood. The sun could not burn him + and the rain could not move him. + </p> + <p> + “Now, at last,” he said, “no one is mightier than I.” + </p> + <p> + But one day he was waked from his dreams by a noise,—tap! tap! tap!—down + at his feet. He looked and there was a stone-cutter driving his tool into + the rock. Another blow and the great rock shivered; a block of stone broke + away. + </p> + <p> + “That man is mightier than I!” cried Hofus, and he sighed:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Ah me! Ah me! + If Hofus only the man might be!” + </pre> + <p> + And the voice answered:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Be thou thyself!” + </pre> + <p> + And straightway Hofus was himself again,—a poor stone-cutter, + working all day upon the mountain-side, and going home at night to his + little hut. But he was content and happy, and never again did he wish to + be other than Hofus the stone-cutter. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0077" id="link2H_4_0077"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + ARACHNE + </h2> + <h3> + BY JOSEPHINE PRESTON PEABODY + </h3> + <p> + There was a certain maiden of Lydia, Arachne by name, renowned throughout + the country for her skill as a weaver. She was as nimble with her fingers + as Calypso, that Nymph who kept Odysseus for seven years in her enchanted + island. She was as untiring as Penelope, the hero's wife, who wove day + after day while she watched for his return. Day in and day out, Arachne + wove too. The very Nymphs would gather about her loom, Naiads from the + water and Dryads from the trees. + </p> + <p> + “Maiden,” they would say, shaking the leaves or the foam from their hair, + in wonder, “Pallas Athena must have taught you!” + </p> + <p> + But this did not please Arachne. She would not acknowledge herself a + debtor, even to that goddess who protected all household arts, and by + whose grace alone one had any skill in them. + </p> + <p> + “I learned not of Athena,” said she. “If she can weave better, let her + come and try.” + </p> + <p> + The Nymphs shivered at this, and an aged woman, who was looking on, turned + to Arachne. + </p> + <p> + “Be more heedful of your words, my daughter,” said she. “The goddess may + pardon you if you ask forgiveness, but do not strive for honors with the + immortals.” + </p> + <p> + Arachne broke her thread, and the shuttle stopped humming. + </p> + <p> + “Keep your counsel,” she said. “I fear not Athena; no, nor any one else.” + </p> + <p> + As she frowned at the old woman, she was amazed to see her change suddenly + into one tall, majestic, beautiful,—a maiden of gray eyes and golden + hair, crowned with a golden helmet. It was Athena herself. + </p> + <p> + The bystanders shrank in fear and reverence; only Arachne was unawed and + held to her foolish boast. + </p> + <p> + In silence the two began to weave, and the Nymphs stole nearer, coaxed by + the sound of the shuttles, that seemed to be humming with delight over the + two webs,—back and forth like bees. + </p> + <p> + They gazed upon the loom where the goddess stood plying her task, and they + saw shapes and images come to bloom out of the wondrous colors, as sunset + clouds grow to be living creatures when we watch them. And they saw that + the goddess, still merciful, was spinning; as a warning for Arachne, the + pictures of her own triumph over reckless gods and mortals. + </p> + <p> + In one corner of the web she made a story of her conquest over the sea-god + Poseidon. For the first king of Athens had promised to dedicate the city + to that god who should bestow upon it the most useful gift. Poseidon gave + the horse. But Athena gave the olive,—means of livelihood,—symbol + of peace and prosperity, and the city was called after her name. Again she + pictured a vain woman of Troy, who had been turned into a crane for + disputing the palm of beauty with a goddess. Other corners of the web held + similar images, and the whole shone like a rainbow. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Arachne, whose head was quite turned with vanity, embroidered + her web with stories against the gods, making light of Zeus himself and of + Apollo, and portraying them as birds and beasts. But she wove with + marvelous skill; the creatures seemed to breathe and speak, yet it was all + as fine as the gossamer that you find on the grass before rain. + </p> + <p> + Athena herself was amazed. Not even her wrath at the girl's insolence + could wholly overcome her wonder. For an instant she stood entranced; then + she tore the web across, and three times she touched Arachne's forehead + with her spindle. + </p> + <p> + “Live on, Arachne,” she said. “And since it is your glory to weave, you + and yours must weave forever.” So saying, she sprinkled upon the maiden a + certain magical potion. + </p> + <p> + Away went Arachne's beauty; then her very human form shrank to that of a + spider, and so remained. As a spider she spent all her days weaving and + weaving; and you may see something like her handiwork any day among the + rafters. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0078" id="link2H_4_0078"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE METAL KING + </h2> + <h3> + A GERMAN FOLE-TALE + </h3> + <p> + (ADAPTED) + </p> + <p> + Once long ago there was a high mountain whose rocks were veined with gold + and silver and seamed with iron. At times, from a huge rent in the + mountain-side, there shot out roaring, red flames, and clouds of black + smoke. And when the village folk in the valley below saw this, they would + say: “Look! the Metal King is at his forge.” For they knew that in the + gloomy heart of the mountain, the Metal King and his Spirits of the Mines + wrought in gold and iron. + </p> + <p> + When the storm raged over the valley, the Metal King left his cavern and + riding on the wings of the wind, with thundering shouts, hurled his + red-hot bolts into the valley, now killing the peasants and their cattle, + now burning houses and barns. + </p> + <p> + But when the weather was soft and mild, and the breezes blew gently about + the mouth of his cavern, the Metal King returned to his forge in the + depths of the mountain, and there shaped ploughshares and many other + implements of iron. These he placed outside his cavern door, as gifts to + the poor peasants. + </p> + <p> + It happened, on a time, there lived in that valley a lazy lad, who would + neither till his fields nor ply a trade. He was avaricious, but he longed + to win gold without mining, and wealth and fame without labor. So it came + to pass that he set out one day to find the mountain treasure of the Metal + King. + </p> + <p> + Taking a lighted lantern in one hand, a hatchet in the other, and a bundle + of twigs under his arm, he entered the dark cavern. The dampness smote his + cheek, bats flapped their wings in his face. Shivering with fear and cold, + he pressed on through a long passage under an arched and blackened roof. + As he passed along he dropped his twigs, one after another, so that they + might guide him aright when he returned. + </p> + <p> + He came at last to a place where the passage branched off in two + directions,—to the right and to the left. Choosing the right-hand + path, he walked on and at length came to an iron door. He struck it twice + with his hammer. It flew open, and a strong current of air rushing forth + put out his light. + </p> + <p> + “Come in! Come in!” shouted a voice like the rolling of thunder, and the + cavern echoes gave back the sounds. + </p> + <p> + Almost overcome by terror and shivering in every limb, the lad entered. As + he stepped forward a dazzling light shone from the vaulted roof upheld by + massive columns, and across the crystal side-walls flittered curious, + shadowy figures. + </p> + <p> + The Metal King, huge and fierce-eyed, surrounded by the misshapen Spirits + of the Mines, sat upon a block of pure silver, with a pile of shining gold + lying before him. + </p> + <p> + “Come in, my friend!” he shouted again, and again the echoes rolled + through the cavern. + </p> + <p> + “Come near, and sit beside me.” + </p> + <p> + The lad advanced, pale and trembling, and took his seat upon the silver + block. + </p> + <p> + “Bring out more treasure,” cried the Metal King, and at his command the + Mountain Spirits fluttered away like dreams, only to return in a moment + and pile high before the wondering lad bars of red gold, mounds of silver + coin, and stacks of precious jewels. + </p> + <p> + And when the lad saw all that wealth he felt his heart burst with longing + to grasp it, but when he tried to put out his hand, he found that he could + not move his arm, nor could he lift his feet, nor turn his head. + </p> + <p> + “Thou seest these riches,” said the Metal King; “they are but a handful + compared with those thou mayest gain if thou wilt work with us in the + mines. Hard is the service but rich the reward! Only say the word, and for + a year and a day thou shalt be a Mountain Spirit.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” stammered the lad, in great terror, “nay, I came not to work. All I + beg of thee is one bar of gold and a handful of the jewels that lie here. + If they are mine I can dress better than the village lads, and ride in my + own coach!” + </p> + <p> + “Lazy, ungrateful wretch!” cried the Metal King, rising from his seat, + while his figure seemed to tower until his head touched the cavern roof, + “wouldst thou seize without pay the treasures gained through the hard + labor of my Mountain Spirits! Hence! Get thee gone to thy place! Seek not + here for unearned riches! Cast away thy discontented disposition and thou + shalt turn stones into gold. Dig well thy garden and thy fields, sow them + and tend them diligently, search the mountain-sides; and thou shalt gain + through thine industry mines of gold and silver!” + </p> + <p> + Scarcely had the Metal King spoken when there was heard a screeching as of + ravens, a crying as of night owls, and a mighty storm wind came rushing + against the lad; and catching him up it drove him forth along the dark + passage, and down the mountain-side, so that in a minute he found himself + on the steps of his own house. + </p> + <p> + And from that time on a strange change came over the lad. He no longer + idled and dreamed of sudden wealth, but morning, noon, and evening he + labored diligently, sowing his fields, cultivating his garden, and mining + on the mountain-side. Years came and went; all he touched prospered, and + he grew to be the richest man in that country; but never again did he see + the Metal King or the Spirits of the Mines. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0079" id="link2H_4_0079"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE CHOICE OF HERCULES + </h2> + <h3> + BY XENOPHON (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + Long, long ago, when the world was young, there were many deeds waiting to + be wrought by daring heroes. It was then that the mighty Hercules, who was + yet a lad, felt an exceeding great and strong desire to go out into the + wide world to seek his fortune. + </p> + <p> + One day, while wandering alone and thoughtful, he came to a place where + two paths met. And sitting down he gravely considered which he should + follow. + </p> + <p> + One path led over flowery meadows toward the darkening distance; the + other, passing over rough stones and rugged, brown furrows, lost itself in + the glowing sunset. + </p> + <p> + And as Hercules gazed into the distance, he saw two stately maidens coming + toward him. + </p> + <p> + The first was tall and graceful, and wrapped round in a snow-white mantle. + Her countenance was calm and beautiful. With gracious mien and modest + glance she drew near the lad. + </p> + <p> + The other maiden made haste to outrun the first. She, too, was tall, but + seemed taller than she really was. She, too, was beautiful, but her glance + was bold. As she ran, a rosy garment like a cloud floated about her form, + and she kept looking at her own round arms and shapely hands, and ever and + anon she seemed to gaze admiringly at her shadow as it moved along the + ground. And this fair one did outstrip the first maiden, and rushing + forward held out her white hands to the lad, exclaiming:— + </p> + <p> + “I see thou art hesitating, O Hercules, by what path to seek thy fortune. + Follow me along this flowery way, and I will make it a delightful and easy + road. Thou shalt taste to the full of every kind of pleasure. No shadow of + annoyance shall ever touch thee, nor strain nor stress of war and state + disturb thy peace. Instead thou shalt tread upon carpets soft as velvet, + and sit at golden tables, or recline upon silken couches. The fairest of + maidens shall attend thee, music and perfume shall lull thy senses, and + all that is delightful to eat and drink shall be placed before thee. Never + shalt thou labor, but always live in joy and ease. Oh, come! I give my + followers liberty and delight!” + </p> + <p> + And as she spoke the maiden stretched forth her arms, and the tones of her + voice were sweet and caressing. + </p> + <p> + “What, O maiden,” asked Hercules, “is thy name?” + </p> + <p> + “My friends,” said she, “call me Happiness, but mine enemies name me + Vice.” + </p> + <p> + Even as she spoke, the white-robed maiden, who had drawn near, glided + forward, and addressed the lad in gracious tones and with words stately + and winning:— + </p> + <p> + “O beloved youth, who wouldst wander forth in search of Life, I too, would + plead with thee! I, Virtue, have watched and tended thee from a child. I + know the fond care thy parents have bestowed to train thee for a hero's + part. Direct now thy steps along yon rugged path that leads to my + dwelling. Honorable and noble mayest thou become through thy illustrious + deeds. + </p> + <p> + “I will not seduce thee by promises of vain delights; instead will I + recount to thee the things that really are. Lasting fame and true nobility + come not to mortals save through pain and labor. If thou, O Hercules, + seekest the gracious gifts of Heaven, thou must remain constant in prayer; + if thou wouldst be beloved of thy friends, thou must serve thy friends; if + thou desirest to be honored of the people thou must benefit the people; if + thou art anxious to reap the fruits of the earth, thou must till the earth + with labor; and if thou wishest to be strong in body and accomplish heroic + deeds, thou must teach thy body to obey thy mind. Yea, all this and more + also must thou do.” + </p> + <p> + “Seest thou not, O Hercules,” cried Vice, “over how difficult and tedious + a road this Virtue would drive thee? I, instead, will conduct thy steps by + a short and easy path to perfect Happiness.” + </p> + <p> + “Wretched being!” answered Virtue, “wouldst thou deceive this lad! What + lasting Happiness hast thou to offer! Thou pamperest thy followers with + riches, thou deludest them with idleness; thou surfeitest them with + luxury; thou enfeeblest them with softness. In youth they grow slothful in + body and weak in mind. They live without labor and wax fat. They come to a + wretched old age, dissatisfied, and ashamed, and oppressed by the memory + of their ill deeds; and, having run their course, they lay themselves down + in melancholy death and their name is remembered no more. + </p> + <p> + “But those fortunate youths who follow me receive other counsel. I am the + companion of virtuous men. Always I am welcome in the homes of artisans + and in the cottages of tillers of the soil. I am the guardian of + industrious households, and the rewarder of generous masters and faithful + servants. I am the promoter of the labors of peace. No honorable deed is + accomplished without me. + </p> + <p> + “My friends have sweet repose and the untroubled enjoyment of the fruits + of their efforts. They remember their deeds with an easy conscience and + contentment, and are beloved of their friends and honored by their + country. And when they have run their course, and death overtakes them, + their names are celebrated in song and praise, and they live in the hearts + of their grateful countrymen. + </p> + <p> + “Come, then, O Hercules, thou son of noble parents, come, follow thou me, + and by thy worthy and illustrious deeds secure for thyself exalted + Happiness.” + </p> + <p> + She ceased, and Hercules, withdrawing his gaze from the face of Vice, + arose from his place, and followed Virtue along the rugged, brown path of + Labor. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0080" id="link2H_4_0080"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE SPEAKING STATUE + </h2> + <h3> + FROM GESTA ROMANORUM (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + There was once a great emperor who made a law that whosoever worked on the + birthday of his eldest son should be put to death. He caused this decree + to be published throughout his empire, and, sending for his chief + magician, said to him:— + </p> + <p> + “I wish you to devise an instrument which will tell me the name of each + laborer who breaks my new law.” + </p> + <p> + “Sire,” answered the magician, “your will shall be accomplished.” And he + straightway constructed a wonderful, speaking statue, and placed it in the + public square of the capital city. By its magic power this statue could + discern all that went on in the empire on the birthday of the eldest + prince, and it could tell the name of each laborer who worked in secret on + that day. Thus things continued for some years, and many men were put to + death. + </p> + <p> + Now, there was in the capital city a carpenter named Focus. He was a + diligent workman, laboring at his trade from early morning till late at + night. One year, when the prince's birthday came round, he continued to + work all that day. + </p> + <p> + The next morning he arose, dressed himself, and, before any one was astir + in the streets, went to the magic statue and said:— + </p> + <p> + “O statue, statue! because you have denounced so many of our citizens, + causing them to be put to death, I vow, if you accuse me, I will break + your head!” + </p> + <p> + Shortly after this the emperor dispatched messengers to the statue to + inquire if the law had been broken the day before. When the statue saw + them, it exclaimed:— + </p> + <p> + “Friends, look up! What see ye written on my forehead?” + </p> + <p> + They looked up and beheld three sentences that ran thus:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Times are altered! + “Men grow worse! + “He who speaks the truth will have his head broken!” + </pre> + <p> + “Go,” said the statue, “declare to His Majesty what ye have seen and + read.” + </p> + <p> + The messenger accordingly departed and returned in haste to the emperor, + and related to him all that had occurred. + </p> + <p> + The emperor ordered his guard to arm and to march instantly to the public + square, where the statue was, and commanded that if any one had attempted + to injure it, he should be seized, bound hand and foot, and dragged to the + judgment hall. + </p> + <p> + The guard hastened to do the emperor's bidding. They approached the statue + and said:— + </p> + <p> + “Our emperor commands you to tell who it is that threatened you.” + </p> + <p> + The statue answered: “Seize Focus the carpenter. Yesterday he defied the + emperor's edict; this morning he threatened to break my head.” + </p> + <p> + The soldiers immediately arrested Focus, and dragged him to the judgment + hall. + </p> + <p> + “Friend,” said the emperor, “what do I hear of you? Why do you work on my + son's birthday?” + </p> + <p> + “Your Majesty,” answered Focus, “it is impossible for me to keep your law. + I am obliged to earn eight pennies every day, therefore was I forced to + work yesterday.” + </p> + <p> + “And why eight pennies?” asked the emperor. + </p> + <p> + “Every day through the year,” answered Focus, “I am bound to repay two + pennies I borrowed in my youth; two I lend; two I lose; and two I spend.” + </p> + <p> + “How is this?” said the emperor; “explain yourself further.” + </p> + <p> + “Your Majesty,” replied Focus, “listen to me. I am bound each day to repay + two pennies to my old father, for when I was a boy he expended upon me + daily the like sum. Now he is poor and needs my assistance, and I return + what I formerly borrowed. Two other pennies I lend my son, who is pursuing + his studies, in order that, if by chance I should fall into poverty, he + may restore the loan to me, just as I am now doing to his grandfather. + Again, I lose two pennies on my wife, who is a scold and has an evil + temper. On account of her bad disposition I consider whatever I give her + entirely lost. Lastly, two other pennies I spend on myself for meat and + drink. I cannot do all this without working every day. You now know the + truth, and, I pray you, give a righteous judgment.” + </p> + <p> + “Friend,” said the emperor, “you have answered well. Go and work + diligently at your calling.” + </p> + <p> + That same day the emperor annulled the law forbidding labor on his son's + birthday. Not long after this he died, and Focus the carpenter, on account + of his singular wisdom, was elected emperor in his stead. He governed + wisely, and after his death there was deposited in the royal archives a + portrait of Focus wearing a crown adorned with eight pennies. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0081" id="link2H_4_0081"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE CHAMPION STONE-CUTTER + </h2> + <h3> + BY HUGH MILLER + </h3> + <p> + David Fraser was a famous Scotch hewer. On hearing that it had been + remarked among a party of Edinburgh masons that, though regarded as the + first of Glasgow stone-cutters, he would find in the eastern capital at + least his equals, he attired himself most uncouthly in a long-tailed coat + of tartan, and, looking to the life the untamed, untaught, conceited + little Celt, he presented himself on Monday morning, armed with a letter + of introduction from a Glasgow builder, before the foreman of an Edinburgh + squad of masons engaged upon one of the finer buildings at that time in + the course of erection. + </p> + <p> + The letter specified neither his qualifications nor his name. It had been + written merely to secure for him the necessary employment, and the + necessary employment it did secure. + </p> + <p> + The better workmen of the party were engaged, on his arrival, in hewing + columns, each of which was deemed sufficient work for a week; and David + was asked somewhat incredulously, by the foreman, if he could hew. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes, HE THOUGHT he could hew.” + </p> + <p> + “Could he hew columns such as these?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes, HE THOUGHT he could hew columns such as these.” + </p> + <p> + A mass of stone, in which a possible column lay hid, was accordingly + placed before David, not under cover of the shed, which was already + occupied by workmen, but, agreeably to David's own request, directly in + front of it, where he might be seen by all, and where he straightway + commenced a most extraordinary course of antics. + </p> + <p> + Buttoning his long tartan coat fast around him, he would first look along + the stone from the one end, anon from the other, and then examine it in + front and rear; or, quitting it altogether for the time, he would take up + his stand beside the other workmen, and, after looking at them with great + attention, return and give it a few taps with the mallet, in a style + evidently imitative of theirs, but monstrously a caricature. + </p> + <p> + The shed all that day resounded with roars of laughter; and the only + thoroughly grave man on the ground was he who occasioned the mirth of all + the others. + </p> + <p> + Next morning David again buttoned his coat; but he got on much better this + day than the former. He was less awkward and less idle, though not less + observant than before; and he succeeded ere evening in tracing, in + workmanlike fashion, a few draughts along the future column. He was + evidently greatly improving! + </p> + <p> + On the morning of Wednesday he threw off his coat; and it was seen that, + though by no means in a hurry, he was seriously at work. There were no + more jokes or laughter; and it was whispered in the evening that the + strange Highlander had made astonishing progress during the day. + </p> + <p> + By the middle of Thursday he had made up for his two days' trifling, and + was abreast of the other workmen. Before night he was far ahead of them; + and ere the evening of Friday, when they had still a full day's work on + each of their columns, David's was completed in a style that defied + criticism; and, his tartan coat again buttoned around him, he sat resting + himself beside it. + </p> + <p> + The foreman went out and greeted him. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” he said, “you have beaten us all. You certainly CAN hew!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said David, “I THOUGHT I could hew columns. Did the other men take + much more than a week to learn?” + </p> + <p> + “Come, come, DAVID FRASER,” replied the foreman, “we all guess who you + are. You have had your week's joke out; and now, I suppose, we must give + you your week's wages, and let you go away!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said David, “work waits for me in Glasgow; but I just thought it + might be well to know how you hewed on this east side of the country.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0082" id="link2H_4_0082"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BILL BROWN'S TEST + </h2> + <h3> + BY CLEVELAND MOFFETT + </h3> + <p> + All firemen have courage, but it cannot be known until the test how many + have this particular kind,—Bill Brown's kind. + </p> + <p> + What happened was this: Engine 29, pumping and pounding her prettiest, + stood at the northwest corner of Greenwich and Warren streets, so close to + the blazing drug-house that Driver Marks thought it wasn't safe there for + the three horses, and led them away. That was fortunate, but it left Brown + alone, right against the cheek of the fire, watching his boiler, stoking + in coal, keeping his steam-gauge at 75. As the fire gained, chunks of + red-hot sandstone began to smash down on the engine. Brown ran his + pressure up to 80, and watched the door anxiously where the boys had gone + in. + </p> + <p> + Then the explosion came, and a blue flame, wide as a house, curled its + tongues halfway across the street, enwrapping engine and man, setting fire + to the elevated railway station overhead, or such wreck of it as the shock + had left. + </p> + <p> + Bill Brown stood by his engine, with a wall of fire before him and a sheet + of fire above him. He heard quick footsteps on the pavements, and voices, + that grew fainter and fainter, crying, “Run for your lives!” He heard the + hose-wagon horses somewhere back in the smoke go plunging away, mad with + fright and their burns. He was alone with the fire, and the skin was + hanging in shreds on his hands, face, and neck. Only a fireman knows how + one blast of flame can shrivel up a man, and the pain over the bared + surfaces was,—well, there is no pain worse than that of fire + scorching in upon the quick flesh seared by fire. + </p> + <p> + Here, I think, was a crisis to make a very brave man quail. Bill Brown + knew perfectly well why every one was running; there was going to be + another explosion in a couple of minutes, maybe sooner, out of this hell + in front of him. And the order had come for every man to save himself, and + every man had done it except the lads inside. And the question was, Should + he run or should he stay and die? It was tolerably certain that he would + die if he stayed. On the other hand, the boys of old 29 were in there. + Devanny and McArthur, and Gillon and Merron, his friends, his chums. He'd + seen them drag the hose in through that door,—there it was now, a + long, throbbing snake of it,—and they hadn't come out. Perhaps they + were dead. Yes, but perhaps they weren't. If they were alive, they needed + water now more than they ever needed anything before. And they couldn't + get water if he quit his engine. + </p> + <p> + Bill Brown pondered this a long time, perhaps four seconds; then he fell + to stoking in coal, and he screwed her up another notch, and he eased her + running parts with the oiler. Explosion or not, pain or not, alone or not, + he was going to stay and make that engine hum. He had done the greatest + thing a man can do,—had offered his life for his friends. + </p> + <p> + It is pleasant to know that this sacrifice was averted. A quarter of a + minute or so before the second and terrible explosion, Devanny and his men + came staggering from the building. Then it was that Merron fell, and + McArthur checked his fight to save him. Then it was, but not until then, + that Bill Brown left Engine 29 to her fate (she was crushed by the falling + walls), and ran for his life with his comrades. He had waited for them, he + had stood the great test. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0083" id="link2H_4_0083"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + COLUMBUS DAY + </h2> + <h3> + (OCTOBER 12) + </h3> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0084" id="link2H_4_0084"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + COLUMBUS AND THE EGG + </h2> + <h3> + BY JAMES BALDWIN (ADAPTED) <a href="#linknote-8" name="linknoteref-8" + id="linknoteref-8"><small>8</small></a> + </h3> + <p> + <a name="linknote-8" id="linknote-8"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 8 (<a href="#linknoteref-8">return</a>)<br /> [ From Thirty More Famous + Stories Retold. Copyright, 1903, by American Book Company.] + </p> + <p> + One day Columbus was at a dinner which a Spanish gentleman had given in + his honor, and several persons were present who were jealous of the great + admiral's success. They were proud, conceited fellows, and they very soon + began to try to make Columbus uncomfortable. + </p> + <p> + “You have discovered strange lands beyond the seas,” they said, “but what + of that? We do not see why there should be so much said about it. Anybody + can sail across the ocean; and anybody can coast along the islands on the + other side, just as you have done. It is the simplest thing in the world.” + </p> + <p> + Columbus made no answer; but after a while he took an egg from a dish and + said to the company:— + </p> + <p> + “Who among you, gentlemen, can make this egg stand on end?” + </p> + <p> + One by one those at the table tried the experiment. When the egg had gone + entirely around and none had succeeded, all said that it could not be + done. + </p> + <p> + Then Columbus took the egg and struck its small end gently upon the table + so as to break the shell a little. After that there was no trouble in + making it stand upright. + </p> + <p> + “Gentlemen,” said he, “what is easier than to do this which you said was + impossible? It is the simplest thing in the world. Anybody can do it,—AFTER + HE HAS BEEN SHOWN HOW!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0085" id="link2H_4_0085"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + COLUMBUS AT LA RABIDA + </h2> + <h3> + BY WASHINGTON IRVING (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + About half a league from the little seaport of Palos de Moguer, in + Andalusia, there stood, and continues to stand at the present day, an + ancient convent of Franciscan friars, dedicated to Santa Maria de Rabida. + </p> + <p> + One day a stranger on foot, in humble guise, but of a distinguished air, + accompanied by a small boy, stopped at the gate of the convent and asked + of the porter a little bread and water for his child. While receiving this + humble refreshment, the prior of the convent, Juan Perez de Marchena, + happened to pass by, and was struck with the appearance of the stranger. + Observing from his air and accent that he was a foreigner, he entered into + conversation with him and soon learned the particulars of his story. + </p> + <p> + That stranger was Columbus. + </p> + <p> + Accompanied by his little son Diego, he was on his way to the neighboring + town of Huelva, to seek a brother-in-law, who had married a sister of his + deceased wife. + </p> + <p> + The prior was a man of extensive information. His attention had been + turned in some measure to geographical and nautical science. He was + greatly interested by the conversation of Columbus, and struck with the + grandeur of his views. When he found, however, that the voyager was on the + point of abandoning Spain to seek the patronage of the court of France, + the good friar took the alarm. + </p> + <p> + He detained Columbus as his guest, and sent for a scientific friend to + converse with him. That friend was Garcia Fernandez, a physician of Palos. + He was equally struck with the appearance and conversation of the + stranger. Several conferences took place at the convent, at which veteran + mariners and pilots of Palos were present. + </p> + <p> + Facts were related by some of these navigators in support of the theory of + Columbus. In a word, his project was treated with a deference in the quiet + cloisters of La Rabida and among the seafaring men of Palos which had been + sought in vain among sages and philosophers. + </p> + <p> + Among the navigators of Palos was one Martin Alonzo Pinzon, the head of a + family of wealth, members of which were celebrated for their adventurous + expeditions. He was so convinced of the feasibility of Columbus's plan + that he offered to engage in it with purse and person, and to bear the + expenses of Columbus in an application to court. + </p> + <p> + Fray Juan Perez, being now fully persuaded of the importance of the + proposed enterprise, advised Columbus to repair to the court, and make his + propositions to the Spanish sovereigns, offering to give him a letter of + recommendation to his friend, the Prior of the Convent of Prado and + confessor to the queen, and a man of great political influence; through + whose means he would, without doubt, immediately obtain royal audience and + favor. Martin Alonzo Pinzon, also, generously furnished him with money for + the journey, and the Friar took charge of his youthful son, Diego, to + maintain and educate him in the convent. + </p> + <p> + Thus aided and encouraged and elated with fresh hopes, Columbus took leave + of the little junto at La Rabida, and set out, in the spring of 1486, for + the Castilian court, which had just assembled at Cordova, where the + sovereigns were fully occupied with their chivalrous enterprise for the + conquest of Granada. But alas! success was not yet! for Columbus met with + continued disappointments and discouragements, while his projects were + opposed by many eminent prelates and Spanish scientists, as being against + religion and unscientific. Yet in spite of this opposition, by degrees the + theory of Columbus began to obtain proselytes. He appeared in the presence + of the king with modesty, yet self-possession, inspired by a consciousness + of the dignity and importance of his errand; for he felt himself, as he + afterwards declared in his letters, animated as if by a sacred fire from + above, and considered himself an instrument in the hand of Heaven to + accomplish its great designs. For nearly seven years of apparently + fruitless solicitation, Columbus followed the royal court from place to + place, at times encouraged by the sovereigns, and at others neglected. + </p> + <p> + At last he looked round in search of some other source of patronage, and + feeling averse to subjecting himself to further tantalizing delays and + disappointments of the court, determined to repair to Paris. He departed, + therefore, and went to the Convent of La Rabida to seek his son Diego. + When the worthy Friar Juan Perez de Marchena beheld Columbus arrive once + more at the gate of his convent after nearly seven years of fruitless + effort at court, and saw by the humility of his garb the poverty he had + experienced, he was greatly moved; but when he found that he was about to + carry his proposition to another country, his patriotism took alarm. + </p> + <p> + The Friar had once been confessor to the queen, and knew that she was + always accessible to persons of his sacred calling. He therefore wrote a + letter to her, and at the same time entreated Columbus to remain at the + convent until an answer could be received. The latter was easily + persuaded, for he felt as if on leaving Spain he was again abandoning his + home. + </p> + <p> + The little council at La Rabida now cast round their eyes for an + ambassador to send on this momentous mission. They chose one Sebastian + Rodriguez, a pilot of Lepe, one of the most shrewd and important + personages in this maritime neighborhood. He so faithfully and + successfully conducted his embassy that he returned shortly with an + answer. + </p> + <p> + Isabella had always been favorably disposed to the proposition of + Columbus. She thanked Juan Perez for his timely services and requested him + to repair immediately to the court, leaving Columbus in confident hope + until he should hear further from her. This royal letter, brought back by + the pilot at the end of fourteen days, spread great joy in the little + junto at the convent. + </p> + <p> + No sooner did the warm-hearted friar receive it than he saddled his mule, + and departed, privately, before midnight to the court. He journeyed + through the countries of the Moors, and rode into the new city of Santa Fe + where Ferdinand and Isabella were engaged in besieging the capital of + Granada. + </p> + <p> + The sacred office of Juan Perez gained him a ready admission into the + presence of the queen. He pleaded the cause of Columbus with enthusiasm. + He told of his honorable motives, of his knowledge and experience, and his + perfect capacity to fulfill the undertaking. He showed the solid + principles upon which the enterprise was founded, and the advantage that + must attend its success, and the glory it must shed upon the Spanish + Crown. + </p> + <p> + Isabella, being warm and generous of nature and sanguine of disposition, + was moved by the representations of Juan Perez, and requested that + Columbus might be again sent to her. Bethinking herself of his poverty and + his humble plight, she ordered that money should be forwarded to him, + sufficient to bear his traveling expenses, and to furnish him with decent + raiment. + </p> + <p> + The worthy friar lost no time in communicating the result of his mission. + He transmitted the money, and a letter, by the hand of an inhabitant of + Palos, to the physician, Garcia Fernandez, who delivered them to Columbus + The latter immediately changed his threadbare garb for one more suited to + the sphere of a court, and purchasing a mule, set out again, reanimated by + hopes, for the camp before Granada. + </p> + <p> + This time, after some delay, his mission was attended with success. The + generous spirit of Isabella was enkindled, and it seemed as if the + subject, for the first time, broke upon her mind in all its real grandeur. + She declared her resolution to undertake the enterprise, but paused for a + moment, remembering that King Ferdinand looked coldly on the affair, and + that the royal treasury was absolutely drained by the war. + </p> + <p> + Her suspense was but momentary. With an enthusiasm worthy of herself and + of the cause, she exclaimed: “I undertake the enterprise for my own crown + of Castile, and will pledge my jewels to raise the necessary funds.” This + was the proudest moment in the life of Isabella. It stamped her renown + forever as the patroness of the discovery of the New World. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0086" id="link2H_4_0086"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE MUTINY + </h2> + <h3> + BY A. DE LAMARTINE (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + When Columbus left the Canaries to pass with his three small ships into + the unknown seas, the eruptions of Teneriffe illuminated the heavens and + were reflected in the sea. This cast terror into the minds of his seamen. + They thought that it was the flaming sword of the angel who expelled the + first man from Eden, and who now was trying to drive back in anger those + presumptuous ones who were seeking entrance to the forbidden and unknown + seas and lands. But the admiral passed from ship to ship explaining to his + men, in a simple way, the action of volcanoes, so that the sailors were no + longer afraid. + </p> + <p> + But as the peak of Teneriffe sank below the horizon, a great sadness fell + upon the men. It was their last beacon, the farthest sea-mark of the Old + World. They were seized with a nameless terror and loneliness. + </p> + <p> + Then the admiral called them around him in his own ship, and told them + many stories of the things they might hope to find in the wonderful new + world to which they were going,—of the lands, the islands, the seas, + the kingdoms, the riches, the vegetation, the sunshine, the mines of gold, + the sands covered with pearls, the mountains shining with precious stones, + the plains loaded with spices. These stories, tinged with the brilliant + colors of their leader's rich imagination, filled the discouraged sailors + with hope and good spirits. + </p> + <p> + But as they passed over the trackless ocean, and saw day by day the great + billows rolling between them and the mysterious horizon, the sailors were + again filled with dread. They lacked the courage to sail onward into the + unknown distance. The compass began to vacillate, and no longer pointed + toward the north; this confused both Columbus and his pilots. The men fell + into a panic, but the resolute and patient admiral encouraged them once + more. So buoyed up by his faith and hope, they continued to sail onwards + over the pathless waters. + </p> + <p> + The next day a heron and a tropical bird flew about the masts of the + ships, and these seemed to the wondering sailors as two witnesses come to + confirm the reasoning of Columbus. + </p> + <p> + The weather was mild and serene, the sky clear, the waves transparent, the + dolphins played across the bows, the airs were warm, and the perfumes, + which the waves brought from afar, seemed to exhale from their foam. The + brilliancy of the stars and the deep beauty of the night breathed a + feeling of calm security that comforted and sustained the sailors. + </p> + <p> + The sea also began to bring its messages. Unknown vegetations floated upon + its surface. Some were rock-plants, that had been swept off the cliffs by + the waves; some were fresh-water plants; and others, recently torn from + their roots, were still full of sap. One of them carried a live crab,—a + little sailor afloat on a tuft of grass. These plants and living things + could not have passed many days in the water without fading and dying. And + all encouraged the sailors to believe that they were nearing land. + </p> + <p> + At eve and morning the distant waning clouds, like those that gather round + the mountain-tops, took the form of cliffs and hills skirting the horizon. + The cry of “land” was on the tip of every tongue. But Columbus by his + reckoning knew that they must still be far from any land, but fearing to + discourage his men he kept his thoughts to himself, for he found no + trustworthy friend among his companions whose heart was firm enough to + bear his secret. + </p> + <p> + During the long passage Columbus conversed with his own thoughts, and with + the stars, and with God whom he felt was his protector. He occupied his + days in making notes of what he observed. The nights he passed on deck + with his pilots, studying the stars and watching the seas. He withdrew + into himself, and his thoughtful gravity impressed his companions + sometimes with respect and sometimes with mistrust and awe. + </p> + <p> + Each morning the bows of the vessels plunged through the fantastic horizon + which the evening mist had made the sailors mistake for a shore. They kept + rolling on through the boundless and bottomless abyss. Gradually terror + and discontent once more took possession of the crews. They began to + imagine that the steadfast east wind that drove them westward prevailed + eternally in this region, and that when the time came to sail homeward, + the same wind would prevent their return. For surely their provisions and + water could not hold out long enough for them to beat their way eastward + over those wide waters! + </p> + <p> + Then the sailors began to murmur against the admiral and his seeming + fruitless obstinacy, and they blamed themselves for obeying him, when it + might mean the sacrifice of the lives of one hundred and twenty sailors. + </p> + <p> + But each time the murmurs threatened to break out into mutiny, Providence + seemed to send more encouraging signs of land. And these for the time + being changed the complaints to hopes. At evening little birds of the most + delicate species, that build their nests in the shrubs of the garden and + orchard, hovered warbling about the masts. Their delicate wings and joyous + notes bore no signs of weariness or fright, as of birds swept far away to + sea by a storm. These signs again aroused hope. + </p> + <p> + The green weeds on the surface of the ocean looked like waving corn before + the ears are ripe. The vegetation beneath the water delighted the eyes of + the sailors tired of the endless expanse of blue. But the seaweed soon + became so thick that they were afraid of entangling their rudders and + keels, and of remaining prisoners forever in the forests of the ocean, as + ships of the northern seas are shut in by ice. Thus each joy soon turned + to fear,—so terrible to man is the unknown. + </p> + <p> + The wind ceased, the calms of the tropics alarmed the sailors. An immense + whale was seen sleeping on the waters. They fancied there were monsters in + the deep which would devour their ships. The roll of the waves drove them + upon currents which they could not stem for want of wind. They imagined + they were approaching the cataracts of the ocean, and that they were being + hurried toward the abysses into which the deluge had poured its world of + waters. + </p> + <p> + Fierce and angry faces crowded round the mast. The murmurs rose louder and + louder. They talked of compelling the pilots to put about and of throwing + the admiral into the sea. Columbus, to whom their looks and threats + revealed these plans, defied them by his bold bearing or disconcerted them + by his coolness. + </p> + <p> + Again nature came to his assistance, by giving him fresh breezes from the + east, and a calm sea under his bows. Before the close of the day came the + first cry of “Land ho!” from the lofty poop. All the crews, repeating this + cry of safety, life, and triumph, fell on their knees on the decks, and + struck up the hymn, “Glory be to God in heaven and upon earth.” When it + was over, all climbed as high as they could up the masts, yards, and + rigging to see with their own eyes the new land that had been sighted. + </p> + <p> + But the sunrise destroyed this new hope all too quickly. The imaginary + land disappeared with the morning mist, and once more the ships seemed to + be sailing over a never-ending wilderness of waters. + </p> + <p> + Despair took possession of the crews. Again the cry of “Land ho!” was + heard. But the sailors found as before that their hopes were but a passing + cloud. Nothing wearies the heart so much as false hopes and bitter + disappointments. + </p> + <p> + Loud reproaches against the admiral were heard from every quarter. Bread + and water were beginning to fail. Despair changed to fury. The men decided + to turn the heads of the vessels toward Europe, and to beat back against + the winds that had favored the admiral, whom they intended to chain to the + mast of his own vessel and to give up to the vengeance of Spain should + they ever reach the port of their own country. + </p> + <p> + These complaints now became clamorous. The admiral restrained them by the + calmness of his countenance. He called upon Heaven to decide between + himself and the sailors. He flinched not. He offered his life as a pledge, + if they would but trust and wait for three days more. He swore that, if, + in the course of the third day, land was not visible on the horizon, he + would yield to their wishes and steer for Europe. + </p> + <p> + The mutinous men reluctantly consented and allowed him three days of + grace. . . . . . . . . . . + </p> + <p> + At sunrise on the second day rushes recently torn up were seen floating + near the vessels. A plank hewn by an axe, a carved stick, a bough of + hawthorn in blossom, and lastly a bird's nest built on a branch which the + wind had broken, and full of eggs on which the parent-bird was sitting, + were seen swimming past on the waters. The sailors brought on board these + living witnesses of their approach to land. They were like a message from + the shore, confirming the promises of Columbus. + </p> + <p> + The overjoyed and repentant mutineers fell on their knees before the + admiral whom they had insulted but the day before, and craved pardon for + their mistrust. + </p> + <p> + As the day and night advanced many other sights and sounds showed that + land was very near. Toward day delicious and unknown perfumes borne on a + soft land breeze reached the vessels, and there was heard the roar of the + waves upon the reefs. + </p> + <p> + The dawn, as it spread over the sky, gradually raised the shores of an + island from the waves. Its distant extremities were lost in the morning + mist. As the sun rose it shone on the land ascending from a low yellow + beach to the summit of hills whose dark-green covering contrasted strongly + with the clear blue of the heavens. The foam of the waves broke on the + yellow sand, and forests of tall and unknown trees stretched away, one + above another, over successive terraces of the island. Green valleys, and + bright clefts in the hollows afforded a half glimpse into these mysterious + wilds. And thus the land of golden promises, the land of future greatness, + first appeared to Christopher Columbus, the Admiral of the Ocean, and thus + he gave a New World to the nations to come. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0087" id="link2H_4_0087"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE FIRST LANDING OF COLUMBUS IN THE NEW WORLD + </h2> + <h3> + BY WASHINGTON IRVING (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + It was on Friday morning, the 12th of October, that Columbus first beheld + the New World. As the day dawned he saw before him an island, several + leagues in extent, and covered with trees like a continual orchard. Though + apparently uncultivated it was populous, for the inhabitants were seen + issuing from all parts of the woods and running to the shore. They were + perfectly naked, and, as they stood gazing at the ships, appeared by their + attitudes and gestures to be lost in astonishment. + </p> + <p> + Columbus made signals for the ships to cast anchor and the boats to be + manned and armed. He entered his own boat, richly attired in scarlet, and + holding the royal standard; while Martin Alonzo Pinzon and his brother put + off in company in their boats, each with a banner of the enterprise + emblazoned with a green cross, having on either side the letters “F.” and + “Y.,” the initials of the Castilian monarchs Fernando and Ysabel, + surmounted by crowns. + </p> + <p> + As he approached the shore, Columbus was delighted with the purity and + suavity of the atmosphere, the crystal transparency of the sea, and the + extraordinary beauty of the vegetation. He beheld also fruits of an + unknown kind upon the trees which overhung the shores. + </p> + <p> + On landing he threw himself on his knees, kissed the earth, and returned + thanks to God with tears of joy. His example was followed by the rest. + “Almighty and Eternal God,” prayed Columbus, “who by the energy of Thy + creative word hast made the firmament, the earth and the sea; blessed and + glorified be thy name in all places! May thy majesty and dominion be + exalted for ever and ever, as Thou hast permitted thy holy name to be made + known and spread by the most humble of thy servants, in this hitherto + unknown portion of Thine empire.” + </p> + <p> + [Footnote: 9: This prayer is taken from Lamartine.] + </p> + <p> + Columbus, then rising, drew his sword, displayed the royal standard, and + assembling around him the two captains and the rest who had landed, he + took solemn possession in the name of the Castilian sovereigns, giving the + island the name of San Salvador. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0088" id="link2H_4_0088"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + HALLOWEEN + </h2> + <h3> + (OCTOBER 31) + </h3> + <p> + THE OLD WITCH BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM (TRANSLATED) + </p> + <p> + There was once a little girl who was very willful and who never obeyed + when her elders spoke to her; so how could she be happy? + </p> + <p> + One day she said to her parents: “I have heard so much of the old witch + that I will go and see her. People say she is a wonderful old woman, and + has many marvelous things in her house, and I am very curious to see + them.” + </p> + <p> + But her parents forbade her going, saying: “The witch is a wicked old + woman, who performs many godless deeds; and if you go near her, you are no + longer a child of ours.” + </p> + <p> + The girl, however, would not turn back at her parents' command, but went + to the witch's house. When she arrived there the old woman asked her:— + </p> + <p> + “Why are you so pale?” + </p> + <p> + “Ah,” she replied, trembling all over, “I have frightened myself so with + what I have just seen.” + </p> + <p> + “And what did you see?” inquired the old witch. + </p> + <p> + “I saw a black man on your steps.” + </p> + <p> + “That was a collier,” replied she. + </p> + <p> + “Then I saw a gray man.” + </p> + <p> + “That was a sportsman,” said the old woman. + </p> + <p> + “After him I saw a blood-red man.” + </p> + <p> + “That was a butcher,” replied the old woman. + </p> + <p> + “But, oh, I was most terrified,” continued the girl, “when I peeped + through your window, and saw not you, but a creature with a fiery head.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you have seen the witch in her proper dress,” said the old woman. + “For you I have long waited, and now you shall give me light.” + </p> + <p> + So saying the witch changed the little girl into a block of wood, and then + threw it on the fire; and when it was fully alight, she sat down on the + hearth and warmed herself, saying:— + </p> + <p> + “How good I feel! The fire has not burned like this for a long time!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0089" id="link2H_4_0089"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + SHIPPEITARO + </h2> + <h3> + A JAPANESE FOLK-TALE: + </h3> + <p> + BY MARY F. NIXON-ROULET (ADAPTED) <a href="#linknote-10" + name="linknoteref-10" id="linknoteref-10"><small>10</small></a> <a + name="linknote-10" id="linknote-10"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 10 (<a href="#linknoteref-10">return</a>)<br /> [ From Japanese + Folk-Stories and Fairy Tales. Copyright, 1908, by American Book Company.] + </p> + <p> + Once upon a time there was a brave soldier lad who was seeking his fortune + in the wide, wide world. One day he lost his way in a pathless forest, and + wandered about until he came at length to a small clearing in the midst of + which stood a ruined temple. The huge trees waved above its walls, and the + leaves in the thicket whispered around them. No sun ever shone there, and + no human being lived there. + </p> + <p> + A storm was coming up, and the soldier lad took refuge among the ruins. + </p> + <p> + “Here is all I want,” said he. “Here I shall have shelter from the + storm-god's wrath, and a comfortable place to sleep in.” + </p> + <p> + So he wrapped himself in his cloak, and, lying down, was soon fast asleep. + But his slumbers did not last long. At midnight he was wakened by fearful + shrieks, and springing to his feet, he looked out at the temple door. + </p> + <p> + The storm was over. Moonlight shone on the clearing. And there he saw what + seemed to be a troop of monstrous cats, who like huge phantoms marched + across the open space in front of the temple. They broke into a wild + dance, uttering shrieks, howls, and wicked laughs. Then they all sang + together:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Whisper not to Shippeitaro + That the Phantom Cats are near; + Whisper not to Shippeitaro, + Lest he soon appear!” + </pre> + <p> + The soldier lad crouched low behind the door, for brave as he was he did + not wish these fearful creatures to see him. But soon, with a chorus of + wild yells, the Phantom Cats disappeared as quickly as they had come, and + all was quiet as before. + </p> + <p> + Then the soldier lad lay down and went to sleep again, nor did he waken + till the sun peered into the temple and told him that it was morning. He + quickly found his way out of the forest and walked on until he came to the + cottage of a peasant. + </p> + <p> + As he approached he heard sounds of bitter weeping. A beautiful young + maiden met him at the door, and her eyes were red with crying. She greeted + him kindly. + </p> + <p> + “May I have some food?” said he. + </p> + <p> + “Enter and welcome,” she replied. “My parents are just having breakfast. + You may join them, for no one passes our door hungry.” + </p> + <p> + Thanking her the lad entered, and her parents greeted him courteously but + sadly, and shared their breakfast with him. He ate heartily, and, when he + was finished, rose to go. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you many times for this good meal, kind friends,” said he, “and may + happiness be yours.” + </p> + <p> + “Happiness can never again be ours!” answered the old man, weeping. + </p> + <p> + “You are in trouble, then,” said the lad. “Tell me about it; perhaps I can + help you in some way.” + </p> + <p> + “Alas!” replied the old man, “There is within yonder forest a ruined + temple. It is the abode of horrors too terrible for words. Each year a + demon, whom no one has ever seen, demands that the people of this land + give him a beautiful maiden to devour. She is placed in a cage and carried + to the temple just at sunset. This year it is my daughter's turn to be + offered to the fiend!” And the old man buried his face in his hands and + groaned. + </p> + <p> + The soldier lad paused to think for a moment, then he said:— + </p> + <p> + “It is terrible, indeed! But do not despair. I think I know a way to help + you. Who is Shippeitaro?” + </p> + <p> + “Shippeitaro is a beautiful dog, owned by our lord, the prince,” answered + the old man. + </p> + <p> + “That is just the thing!” cried the lad. “Only keep your daughter closely + at home. Do not let her out of your sight. Trust me and she shall be + saved.” + </p> + <p> + Then the soldier lad hurried away, and found the castle of the prince. He + begged that he might borrow Shippeitaro just for one night. + </p> + <p> + “You may take him upon the condition that you bring him back safely,” said + the prince. + </p> + <p> + “To-morrow he shall return in safety,” answered the lad. + </p> + <p> + Taking Shippeitaro with him, he hurried to the peasant's cottage, and, + when evening was come, he placed the dog in the cage which was to have + carried the maiden. The bearers then took the cage to the ruined temple, + and, placing it on the ground, ran away as fast as their legs would carry + them. + </p> + <p> + The lad, laughing softly to himself, hid inside the temple as before, and + so quiet was the spot that he fell asleep. At midnight he was aroused by + the same wild shrieks he had heard the night before. He rose and looked + out at the temple door. + </p> + <p> + Through the darkness, into the moonlight, came the troop of Phantom Cats. + This time they were led by a fierce, black Tomcat. As they came nearer + they chanted with unearthly screeches:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Whisper not to Shippeitaro + That the Phantom Cats are near; + Whisper not to Shippeitaro, + Lest he soon appear!” + </pre> + <p> + With that the great Tomcat caught sight of the cage and, uttering a + fearful yowl, sprang upon it, With one blow of his claws he tore open the + lid, when, instead of the dainty morsel he expected, out jumped + Shippeitaro! + </p> + <p> + The dog sprang upon the Tomcat, and caught him by the throat; while the + Phantom Cats stood still in amazement. Drawing his sword the lad hurried + to Shippeitaro's side, and what with Shippeitaro's teeth and the lad's + hard blows, in an instant the great Tomcat was torn and cut into pieces. + When the Phantom Cats saw this, they uttered one wild shriek and fled + away, never to return again. + </p> + <p> + Then the soldier lad, leading Shippeitaro, returned in triumph to the + peasant's cottage. There in terror the maiden awaited his arrival, but + great was the joy of herself and her parents when they knew that the + Tomcat was no more. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, sir,” cried the maiden, “I can never thank you! I am the only child + of my parents, and no one would have been left to care for them if I had + been the monster's victim.” + </p> + <p> + “Do not thank me,” answered the lad. “Thank the brave Shippeitaro. It was + he who sprang upon the great Tomcat and chased away the Phantom + Creatures.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0090" id="link2H_4_0090"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + HANSEL AND GRETHEL + </h2> + <h3> + BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + Hard-by a great forest dwelt a poor wood-cutter with his two children and + his wife who was their stepmother. The boy was called Hansel and the girl + Grethel. The wood-cutter had little to bite and to break, and once when a + great famine fell on the land he could no longer get daily bread. Now when + he thought over this by night in his bed, and tossed about in his trouble, + he groaned, and said to his wife:— + </p> + <p> + “What is to become of us? How are we to feed our poor children, when we no + longer have anything even for ourselves?” + </p> + <p> + “I'll tell you what, husband,” answered the woman; “early to-morrow + morning we will take the children out into the woods where it is the + thickest; there we will light a fire for them, and give each of them one + piece of bread more, and then we will go to our work and leave them alone. + They will not find the way home again, and we shall be rid of them.” + </p> + <p> + “No, wife,” said the man, “I will not do that; how can I bear to leave my + children alone in the woods?—the wild beasts would soon come and + tear them to pieces.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you fool!” said she. “Then we must all four die of hunger; you may as + well plane the planks for our coffins.” And she left him no peace until he + said he would do as she wished. + </p> + <p> + “But I feel very sorry for the poor children, all the same,” said the man. + </p> + <p> + The two children had also not been able to sleep for hunger, and had heard + what their father's wife had said to their father. + </p> + <p> + Grethel wept bitter tears, and said to Hansel, “Now all is over with us.” + </p> + <p> + “Be quiet, Grethel,” said Hansel, “do not be troubled; I will soon find a + way to help us.” + </p> + <p> + And when the old folks had fallen asleep, he got up, put on his little + coat, opened the door below, and crept outside. The moon shone brightly, + and the white pebbles which lay in front of the house shone like real + silver pennies. Hansel stooped and put as many of them in the little + pocket of his coat as he could make room for. Then he went back, and said + to Grethel, “Be at ease, dear little sister, and sleep in peace; God will + not forsake us.” And he lay down again in his bed. + </p> + <p> + When the day dawned, but before the sun had risen, the woman came and + awoke the two children, saying:— + </p> + <p> + “Get up, you lazy things! we are going into the forest to fetch wood.” She + gave each a little piece of bread, and said, “There is something for your + dinner, but do not eat it up before then, for you will get nothing else.” + </p> + <p> + Grethel took the bread under her apron, as Hansel had the stones in his + pocket. Then they all set out together on the way to the forest, and + Hansel threw one after another of the white pebble-stones out of his + pocket on the road. + </p> + <p> + When they had reached the middle of the forest, the father said, “Now, + children, pile up some wood and I will light a fire that you may not be + cold.” + </p> + <p> + Hansel and Grethel drew brushwood together till it was as high as a little + hill. + </p> + <p> + The brushwood was lighted, and when the flames were burning very high the + woman said:— + </p> + <p> + “Now, children, lie down by the fire and rest; we will go into the forest + and cut some wood. When we have done, we will come back and fetch you + away.” + </p> + <p> + Hansel and Grethel sat by the fire, and when noon came, each ate a little + piece of bread, and as they heard the strokes of the wood-axe they were + sure their father was near. But it was not the axe, it was a branch which + he had tied to a dry tree, and the wind was blowing it backward and + forward. As they had been sitting such a long time they were tired, their + eyes shut, and they fell fast asleep. When at last they awoke, it was dark + night. + </p> + <p> + Grethel began to cry, and said, “How are we to get out of the forest now?” + </p> + <p> + But Hansel comforted her, saying, “Just wait a little, until the moon has + risen, and then we will soon find the way.” + </p> + <p> + And when the full moon had risen, Hansel took his little sister by the + hand, and followed the pebbles, which shone like bright silver pieces, and + showed them the way. + </p> + <p> + They walked the whole night long, and by break of day came once more to + their father's house. + </p> + <p> + They knocked at the door, and when the woman opened it, and saw that it + was Hansel and Grethel, she said, “You naughty children, why have you + slept so long in the forest? we thought you were never coming back at + all!” + </p> + <p> + The father, however, was glad, for it had cut him to the heart to leave + them behind alone. + </p> + <p> + Not long after, there was once more a great lack of food in all parts, and + the children heard the woman saying at night to their father:— + </p> + <p> + “Everything is eaten again; we have one half-loaf left, and after that + there is an end. The children must go; we will take them farther into the + wood, so that they will not find their way out again; there is no other + means of saving ourselves!” + </p> + <p> + The man's heart was heavy, and he thought, “It would be better to share + our last mouthful with the children.” + </p> + <p> + The woman, however, would listen to nothing he had to say, but scolded + him. He who says A must say B, too, and as he had given way the first + time, he had to do so a second time also. + </p> + <p> + The children were still awake and had heard the talk. When the old folks + were asleep, Hansel again got up, and wanted to go and pick up pebbles, + but the woman had locked the door, and he could not get out. + </p> + <p> + So he comforted his little sister, and said:— + </p> + <p> + “Do not cry, Grethel; go to sleep quietly, the good God will help us.” + </p> + <p> + Early in the morning came the woman, and took the children out of their + beds. Their bit of bread was given to them, but it was still smaller than + the time before. On the way into the forest Hansel crumbled his in his + pocket, and often threw a morsel on the ground until little by little, he + had thrown all the crumbs on the path. + </p> + <p> + The woman led the children still deeper into the forest, where they had + never in their lives been before. Then a great fire was again made, and + she said:— + </p> + <p> + “Just sit there, you children, and when you are tired you may sleep a + little; we are going into the forest to cut wood, and in the evening when + we are done, we will come and fetch you away.” + </p> + <p> + When it was noon, Grethel shared her piece of bread with Hansel, who had + scattered his by the way. Then they fell asleep, and evening came and + went, but no one came to the poor children. + </p> + <p> + They did not awake until it was dark night, and Hansel comforted his + little sister, and said:— + </p> + <p> + “Just wait, Grethel, until the moon rises, and then we shall see the + crumbs of bread which I have scattered about; they will show us our way + home again.” + </p> + <p> + When the moon came they set out, but they found no crumbs, for the many + thousands of birds which fly about in the woods and fields had picked them + all up. + </p> + <p> + Hansel said to Grethel, “We shall soon find the way.” + </p> + <p> + But they did not find it. They walked the whole night and all the next + day, too, from morning till evening, but they did not get out of the + forest; they were very hungry, for they had nothing to eat but two or + three berries which grew on the ground. And as they were so tired that + their legs would carry them no longer, they lay down under a tree and fell + asleep. + </p> + <p> + It was now three mornings since they had left their father's house. They + began to walk again, but they always got deeper into the forest, and if + help did not come soon, they must die of hunger and weariness. When it was + midday, they saw a beautiful snow-white bird sitting on a bough. It sang + so sweetly that they stood still and listened to it. And when it had done, + it spread its wings and flew away before them, and they followed it until + they reached a little house, on the roof of which it perched; and when + they came quite up to the little house, they saw it was built of bread and + covered with cakes, but that the windows were of clear sugar. + </p> + <p> + “We will set to work on that,” said Hansel, “and have a good meal. I will + eat a bit of the roof, and you, Grethel, can eat some of the window, it + will taste sweet.” + </p> + <p> + Hansel reached up, and broke off a little of the roof to try how it + tasted, and Grethel leaned against the window and nibbled at the panes. + </p> + <p> + Then a soft voice cried from the room,— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Nibble, nibble, gnaw, + Who is nibbling at my little house?” + </pre> + <p> + The children answered:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “The wind, the wind, + The wind from heaven”; +</pre> + <p> + and went on eating. Hansel, who thought the roof tasted very nice, tore + down a great piece of it; and Grethel pushed out the whole of one round + window-pane, sat down, and went to eating it. + </p> + <p> + All at once the door opened, and a very, very old woman, who leaned on + crutches, came creeping out. Hansel and Grethel were so scared that they + let fall what they had in their hands. + </p> + <p> + The old woman, however, nodded her head, and said, “Oh, you dear children, + who has brought you here? Do come in, and stay with me. No harm shall + happen to you.” + </p> + <p> + She took them both by the hand, and led them into her little house. Then + good food was set before them, milk and pancakes, with sugar, apples, and + nuts. Afterwards two pretty little beds were covered with clean white + linen, and Hansel and Grethel lay down in them, and thought they were in + heaven. + </p> + <p> + The old woman had only pretended to be so kind; she was in reality a + wicked witch, who lay in wait for children, and had built the little bread + house in order to coax them there. + </p> + <p> + Early in the morning, before the children were awake, she was already up, + and when she saw both of them sleeping and looking so pretty, with their + plump red cheeks, she muttered to herself, “That will be a dainty + mouthful!” + </p> + <p> + Then she seized Hansel, carried him into a little stable, and shut him in + behind a grated door. He might scream as he liked,—it was of no use. + Then she went to Grethel, shook her till she awoke and cried: “Get up, + lazy thing; fetch some water, and cook something good for your brother; he + is in the stable outside, and is to be made fat. When he is fat, I will + eat him.” + </p> + <p> + Grethel began to weep, but it was all in vain; she was forced to do what + the wicked witch told her. + </p> + <p> + And now the best food was cooked for poor Hansel, but Grethel got nothing + but crab-shells. + </p> + <p> + Every morning the woman crept to the little stable, and cried, “Hansel, + stretch out your finger that I may feel if you will soon be fat.” + </p> + <p> + Hansel, however, stretched out a little bone to her, and the old woman, + who had dim eyes, could not see it; she thought it was Hansel's finger, + and wondered why he grew no fatter. When four weeks had gone by, and + Hansel still was thin, she could wait no longer. + </p> + <p> + “Come, Grethel,” she cried to the girl, “fly round and bring some water. + Let Hansel be fat or lean, to-morrow I will kill him, and cook him.” + </p> + <p> + Ah, how sad was the poor little sister when she had to fetch the water, + and how her tears did flow down over her cheeks! + </p> + <p> + “Dear God, do help us,” she cried. “If the wild beasts in the forest had + but eaten us, we should at any rate have died together.” + </p> + <p> + “Just keep your noise to yourself,” said the old woman; “all that won't + help you at all.” + </p> + <p> + Early in the morning, Grethel had to go out and hang up the kettle with + the water, and light the fire. + </p> + <p> + “We will bake first,” said the old woman. “I have already heated the oven, + and got the dough ready.” + </p> + <p> + She pushed poor Grethel out to the oven, from which the flames of fire + were already darting. + </p> + <p> + “Creep in,” said the witch, “and see if it is heated, so that we can shut + the bread in.” And when once Grethel was inside, she meant to shut the + oven and let her bake in it, and then she would eat her, too. + </p> + <p> + But Grethel saw what she had in her mind, and said, “I do not know how I + am to do it; how do you get in?” + </p> + <p> + “Silly goose,” said the old woman. “The door is big enough; just look, I + can get in myself!” and she crept up and thrust her head into the oven. + Then Grethel gave her a push that drove her far into it, and shut the iron + door, tight. + </p> + <p> + Grethel ran as quick as lightning to Hansel, opened his little stable, and + cried, “Hansel, we are saved! The old witch is dead!” + </p> + <p> + Then Hansel sprang out like a bird from its cage when the door is opened + for it. How they did dance about and kiss each other. And as they had no + longer any need to fear her, they went into the witch's house, and in + every corner there stood chests full of pearls and jewels. + </p> + <p> + “These are far better than pebbles!” said Hansel, and filled his pockets, + and Grethel said, “I, too, will take something home with me,” and filled + her pinafore. + </p> + <p> + “But now we will go away,” said Hansel, “that we may get out of the + witch's forest.” When they had walked for two hours, they came to a great + piece of water. “We cannot get over,” said Hansel; “I see no foot-plank + and no bridge.” + </p> + <p> + “And no boat crosses, either,” answered Grethel, “but a white duck is + swimming there; if I ask her, she will help us over.” Then she cried,— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Little duck, little duck, dost thou see, + Hansel and Grethel are waiting for thee? + There's never a plank or bridge in sight, + Take us across on thy back so white.” + </pre> + <p> + The duck came to them, and Hansel sat on its back, and told his sister to + sit by him. + </p> + <p> + “No,” replied Grethel, “that will be too heavy for the little duck; she + shall take us across, one after the other.” + </p> + <p> + The good little duck did so, and when they were once safely across and had + walked for a short time, they knew where they were, and at last they saw + from afar their father's house. + </p> + <p> + Then they began to run, rushed in, and threw themselves into their + father's arms. The man had not known one happy hour since he had left the + children in the forest; the woman, however, was dead. Grethel emptied her + pinafore until pearls and precious stones rolled about the floor, and + Hansel threw one handful after another out of his pocket to add to them. + Then all care was at an end, and they lived happily together ever after. + </p> + <p> + My tale is done; there runs a mouse; whosoever catches it may make himself + a big fur cap out of it. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0091" id="link2H_4_0091"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BURG HILL'S ON FIRE + </h2> + <h3> + A CELTIC FAIRY TALE + </h3> + <p> + BY ELIZABETH W. GRIERSON (ADAPTED) + </p> + <p> + Once upon a time there was a rich farmer who had a thrifty wife. She used + to go out and gather all the little bits of wool which she could find on + the hillsides, and bring them home. Then, after her family had gone to + bed, she would sit up and card the wool and spin it into yarn, then she + would weave the yarn into cloth to make garments for her children. + </p> + <p> + But all this work made her feel very tired, so that one night, sitting at + her loom, she laid down her shuttle and cried:— + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that some one would come from far or near, from land or sea, to help + me!” + </p> + <p> + No sooner had the words left her lips than she heard some one knocking at + the door. + </p> + <p> + “Who is there?” cried she. + </p> + <p> + “Tell Quary, good housewife,” answered a wee, wee voice. “Open the door to + me. As long as I have you'll get.” + </p> + <p> + She opened the door and there on the threshold stood a queer, little + woman, dressed in a green gown and wearing a white cap on her head. + </p> + <p> + The good housewife was so astonished that she stood and stared at her + strange visitor; but without a word the little woman ran past her, and + seated herself at the spinning-wheel. + </p> + <p> + The good housewife shut the door, but just then she heard another knock. + </p> + <p> + “Who is there?” said she. + </p> + <p> + “Tell Quary, good housewife. Open the door to me,” said another wee, wee + voice. “As long as I have you'll get.” + </p> + <p> + And when she opened the door there was another queer, little woman, in a + lilac frock and a green cap, standing on the threshold. + </p> + <p> + She, too, ran into the house without waiting to say, “By your leave,” and + picking up the distaff, began to put some wool on it. + </p> + <p> + Then before the housewife could get the door shut, a funny little manikin, + with green trousers and a red cap, came running in, and followed the tiny + women into the kitchen, seized hold of a handful of wool, and began to + card it. Another wee, wee woman followed him, and then another tiny + manikin, and another, and another, until it seemed to the good housewife + that all the fairies and pixies in Scotland were coming into her house. + </p> + <p> + The kitchen was alive with them. Some of them hung the great pot over the + fire to boil water to wash the wool that was dirty. Some teased the clean + wool, and some carded it. Some spun it into yarn, and some wove the yarn + into great webs of cloth. + </p> + <p> + And the noise they made was like to make her head run round. “Splash! + splash! Whirr! whirr! Clack! clack!” The water in the pot bubbled over. + The spinning-wheel whirred. The shuttle in the loom flew backwards and + forwards. + </p> + <p> + And the worst of it was that all the Fairies cried out for something to + eat, and although the good housewife put on her griddle and baked bannocks + as fast as she could, the bannocks were eaten up the moment they were + taken off the fire, and yet the Fairies shouted for more. + </p> + <p> + At last the poor woman was so troubled that she went into the next room to + wake her husband. But although she shook him with all her might, she could + not wake him. It was very plain to see that he was bewitched. + </p> + <p> + Frightened almost out of her senses, and leaving the Fairies eating her + last batch of bannocks, she stole out of the house and ran as fast as she + could to the cottage of the Wise Man who lived a mile away. + </p> + <p> + She knocked at his door till he got up and put his head out of the window, + to see who was there; then she told him the whole story. + </p> + <p> + “Thou foolish woman,” said he, “let this be a lesson to thee never to pray + for things thou dost not need! Before thy husband can be loosed from the + spell the Fairies must be got out of the house and the fulling-water, + which they have boiled, must be thrown over him. Hurry to the little hill + that lies behind thy cottage, climb to the top of it, and set the bushes + on fire; then thou must shout three times: 'BURG HILL'S ON FIRE!' Then + will all the little Fairies run out to see if this be true, for they live + under the hill. When they are all out of the cottage, do thou slip in as + quickly as thou canst, and turn the kitchen upside down. Upset everything + the Fairies have worked with, else the things their fingers have touched + will open the door to them, and let them in, in spite of thee.” + </p> + <p> + So the good housewife hurried away. She climbed to the top of the little + hill back of her cottage, set the bushes on fire, and cried out three + times as loud as she was able: “BURG HILL'S ON FIRE!” + </p> + <p> + And sure enough, the door of the cottage was flung wide open, and all the + little Fairies came running out, knocking each other over in their + eagerness to be first at the hill. + </p> + <p> + In the confusion the good housewife slipped away, and ran as fast as she + could to her cottage; and when she was once inside, it did not take her + long to bar the door, and turn everything upside down. + </p> + <p> + She took the band off the spinning-wheel, and twisted the head of the + distaff the wrong way. She lifted the pot of fulling-water off the fire, + and turned the room topsy-turvy, and threw down the carding-combs. + </p> + <p> + Scarcely had she done so, when the Fairies returned, and knocked at the + door. + </p> + <p> + “Good housewife! let us in,” they cried. + </p> + <p> + “The door is shut and bolted, and I will not open it,” answered she. + </p> + <p> + “Good spinning-wheel, get up and open the door,” they cried. + </p> + <p> + “How can I,” answered the spinning-wheel, “seeing that my band is undone?” + </p> + <p> + “Kind distaff, open the door for us,” said they. + </p> + <p> + “That would I gladly do,” said the distaff, “but I cannot walk, for my + head is turned the wrong way.” + </p> + <p> + “Weaving-loom, have pity, and open the door.” + </p> + <p> + “I am all topsy-turvy, and cannot move,” sighed the loom. + </p> + <p> + “Fulling-water, open the door,” they implored. + </p> + <p> + “I am off the fire,” growled the fulling-water, “and all my strength is + gone.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! Is there nothing that will come to our aid, and open the door?” they + cried. + </p> + <p> + “I will,” said a little barley-bannock, that had lain hidden, toasting on + the hearth; and it rose and trundled like a wheel quickly across the + floor. + </p> + <p> + But luckily the housewife saw it, and she nipped it between her finger and + thumb, and, because it was only half-baked, it fell with a “splatch” on + the cold floor. + </p> + <p> + Then the Fairies gave up trying to get into the kitchen, and instead they + climbed up by the windows into the room where the good housewife's husband + was sleeping, and they swarmed upon his bed and tickled him until he + tossed about and muttered as if he had a fever. + </p> + <p> + Then all of a sudden the good housewife remembered what the Wise Man had + said about the fulling-water. She ran to the kitchen and lifted a cupful + out of the pot, and carried it in, and threw it over the bed where her + husband was. + </p> + <p> + In an instant he woke up in his right senses. Then he jumped out of bed, + ran across the room and opened the door, and the Fairies vanished. And + they have never been seen from that day to this. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0092" id="link2H_4_0092"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE KING OF THE CATS + </h2> + <h3> + AN ENGLISH FOLK-TALE + </h3> + <p> + BY ERNEST RHYS + </p> + <p> + Once upon a time there were two brothers who lived in a lonely house in a + very lonely part of Scotland. An old woman used to do the cooking, and + there was no one else, unless we count her cat and their own dogs, within + miles of them. + </p> + <p> + One autumn afternoon the elder of the two, whom we will call Elshender, + said he would not go out; so the younger one, Fergus, went alone to follow + the path where they had been shooting the day before, far across the + mountains. + </p> + <p> + He meant to return home before the early sunset; however, he did not do + so, and Elshender became very uneasy as he watched and waited in vain till + long after their usual supper-time. At last Fergus returned, wet and + exhausted, nor did he explain why he was so late. + </p> + <p> + But after supper when the two brothers were seated before the fire, on + which the peat crackled cheerfully, the dogs lying at their feet, and the + old woman's black cat sitting gravely with half-shut eyes on the hearth + between them, Fergus recovered himself and began to tell his adventures. + </p> + <p> + “You must be wondering,” said he, “what made me so late. I have had a + very, very strange adventure to-day. I hardly know what to say about it. I + went, as I told you I should, along our yesterday's track. A mountain fog + came on just as I was about to turn homewards, and I completely lost my + way. I wandered about for a long time not knowing where I was, till at + last I saw a light, and made for it, hoping to get help. + </p> + <p> + “As I came near it, it disappeared, and I found myself close to an old oak + tree. I climbed into the branches the better to look for the light, and, + behold! there it was right beneath me, inside the hollow trunk of the + tree. I seemed to be looking down into a church, where a funeral was + taking place. I heard singing, and saw a coffin surrounded by torches, all + carried by—But I know you won't believe me, Elshender, if I tell + you!” + </p> + <p> + His brother eagerly begged him to go on, and threw a dry peat on the fire + to encourage him. The dogs were sleeping quietly, but the cat was sitting + up, and seemed to be listening just as carefully and cannily as Elshender + himself. Both brothers, indeed, turned their eyes on the cat as Fergus + took up his story. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” he continued, “it is as true as I sit here. The coffin and the + torches were both carried by CATS, and upon the coffin were marked a crown + and a scepter!” + </p> + <p> + He got no farther, for the black cat started up, shrieking:— + </p> + <p> + “My stars! old Peter's dead, and I'm the King o' the Cats!”—Then + rushed up the chimney, and was seen no more. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0093" id="link2H_4_0093"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE STRANGE VISITOR + </h2> + <h3> + AN ENGLISH FOLK-TALE + </h3> + <p> + BY JOSEPH JACOBS + </p> + <p> + A woman was sitting at her reel one night; and still she sat, and still + she reeled, and still she wished for company. + </p> + <p> + In came a pair of broad, broad soles, and sat down at the fireside! + </p> + <p> + And still she sat, and still she reeled, and still she wished for company. + </p> + <p> + In came a pair of small, small legs, and sat down on the broad, broad + soles! + </p> + <p> + And still she sat, and still she reeled, and still she wished for company. + </p> + <p> + In came a pair of thick, thick knees, and sat down on the small, small + legs! + </p> + <p> + And still she sat, and still she reeled, and still she wished for company. + </p> + <p> + In came a pair of thin, thin thighs, and sat down on the thick, thick + knees! + </p> + <p> + And still she sat, and still she reeled, and still she wished for company. + </p> + <p> + In came a pair of huge, huge hips, and sat down on the thin, thin thighs! + </p> + <p> + And still she sat, and still she reeled, and still she wished for company. + </p> + <p> + In came a wee, wee waist, and sat down on the huge, huge hips! + </p> + <p> + And still she sat, and still she reeled, and still she wished for company. + </p> + <p> + In came a pair of broad, broad shoulders, and sat down on the wee, wee + waist! + </p> + <p> + And still she sat, and still she reeled, and still she wished for company. + </p> + <p> + In came a pair of small, small arms, and sat down on the broad, broad + shoulders! + </p> + <p> + And still she sat, and still she reeled, and still she wished for company. + </p> + <p> + In came a pair of huge, huge hands, and sat down on the small, small arms! + </p> + <p> + And still she sat, and still she reeled, and still she wished for company. + </p> + <p> + In came a small, small neck, and sat down on the broad, broad shoulders! + </p> + <p> + And still she sat, and still she reeled, and still she wished for company. + </p> + <p> + In came a huge, huge head, and sat down on the small, small neck! + </p> + <p> + . . . . . . . . . + </p> + <p> + “How did you get such broad, broad feet?” quoth the Woman. “Much tramping, + much tramping!” (GRUFFLY.) + </p> + <p> + “How did you get such small, small legs?” “AIH-H-H!—late—and + WEE-E-E-moul!” (WHININGLY.) + </p> + <p> + “How did you get such thick, thick knees?” “Much praying, much praying!” + (PIOUSLY.) + </p> + <p> + “How did you get such thin, thin thighs?” “Aih-h-h!—late—and + wee-e-e-moul!” (WHININGLY.) + </p> + <p> + “How did you get such big, big hips?” “Much sitting, much sitting!” + (GRUFFLY.) + </p> + <p> + “How did you get such a wee, wee waist?” “Aih-h-h!—late—and + wee-e-e-moul!” (WHININGLY.) + </p> + <p> + “How did you get such broad, broad shoulders?” “With carrying broom, with + carrying broom!” (GRUFFLY.) + </p> + <p> + “How did you get such small arms?” “Aih-h-h!—late—and + wee-e-e-moul!” (WHININGLY.) + </p> + <p> + “How did you get such huge, huge hands?” “Threshing with an iron flail! + Threshing with an iron flail!” (GRUFFLY.) + </p> + <p> + “How did you get such a small, small neck?” “Aih-h-h!—late—and + wee-e-e-moul!” (PITIFULLY.) + </p> + <p> + “How did you get such a huge, huge head?” “Much knowledge, much + knowledge!” (KEENLY.) + </p> + <p> + “What do you come for?” “FOR YOU!!!” (AT THE TOP OF THE VOICE, WITH A WAVE + OF THE ARMS AND A STAMP OF THE FEET.) + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0094" id="link2H_4_0094"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE BENEVOLENT GOBLIN + </h2> + <h3> + FROM GESTA ROMANORUM (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + In the kingdom of England there is a hillock in the midst of a dense wood. + Thither in old days knights and their followers were wont to repair when + tired and thirsty after the chase. When one of their number called out, “I + thirst!” there immediately started up a Goblin with a cheerful + countenance, clad in a crimson robe, and bearing in his outstretched hand + a large drinking-horn richly ornamented with gold and precious jewels, and + full of the most delicious, unknown beverage. + </p> + <p> + The Goblin presented the horn to the thirsty knight, who drank and + instantly felt refreshed and cool. After the drinker had emptied the horn, + the Goblin offered a silken napkin to wipe the mouth. Then, without + waiting to be thanked, the strange creature vanished as suddenly as he had + come. + </p> + <p> + Now once there was a knight of churlish nature, who was hunting alone in + those parts. Feeling thirsty and fatigued, he visited the hillock and + cried out:— + </p> + <p> + “I thirst!” + </p> + <p> + Instantly the Goblin appeared and presented the horn. + </p> + <p> + When the knight had drained it of its delicious beverage, instead of + returning the horn, he thrust it into his bosom, and rode hastily away. + </p> + <p> + He boasted far and wide of his deed, and his feudal lord hearing thereof + caused him to be bound and cast into prison; then fearing lest he, too, + might become partaker in the theft and ingratitude of the knight, the lord + presented the jeweled horn to the King of England, who carefully preserved + it among the royal treasures. But never again did the benevolent Goblin + return to the hillock in the wood. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0095" id="link2H_4_0095"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE PHANTOM KNIGHT OF THE VANDAL CAMP + </h2> + <h3> + FROM GESTA ROMANORUM (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + There was once in Great Britain, a knight named Albert, strong in arms and + adorned with every virtue. One day as he was seeking for adventure, he + chanced to wander into a castle where he was hospitably entertained. + </p> + <p> + At night, after supper, as was usual in great families during the winter, + the household gathered about the hearth and occupied the time in relating + divers tales. + </p> + <p> + At last they told how in the near-by plain of Wandlesbury there was a + haunted mound. There in old days the Vandals, who laid waste the land and + slaughtered Christians, had pitched their camp and built about it a great + rampart. And it was further related that in the hush of the night, if any + one crossed the plain, ascended the mound, and called out in a loud voice, + “Let my adversary appear!” there immediately started up from the ruined + ramparts a huge, ghostly figure, armed and mounted for battle. This + phantom then attacked the knight who had cried out and speedily overcame + him. + </p> + <p> + Now, when Albert heard this marvelous tale, he greatly doubted its truth, + and was determined to put the matter to a test. As the moon was shining + brightly, and the night was quiet, he armed, mounted, and immediately + hastened to the plain of Wandlesbury, accompanied by a squire of noble + blood. + </p> + <p> + He ascended the mound, dismissed his attendant, and shouted:— + </p> + <p> + “Let my adversary appear!” + </p> + <p> + Instantly there sprang from the ruins a huge, ghostly knight completely + armed and mounted on an enormous steed. + </p> + <p> + This phantom rushed upon Albert, who spurred his horse, extended his + shield, and drove at his antagonist with his lance. Both knights were + shaken by the encounter. Albert, however, so resolutely and with so strong + an arm pressed his adversary that the latter was thrown violently to the + ground. Seeing this Albert hastily seized the steed of the fallen knight, + and started to leave the mound. + </p> + <p> + But the phantom, rising to his feet, and seeing his horse led away, flung + his lance and cruelly wounded Albert in the thigh. This done he vanished + as suddenly as he had appeared. + </p> + <p> + Our knight, overjoyed at his victory, returned in triumph to the castle, + where the household crowded around him and praised his bravery. But when + he put off his armor he found the cuish from his right thigh filled with + clots of blood from an angry wound in his side. The family, alarmed, + hastened to apply healing herbs and bandages. + </p> + <p> + The captured horse was then brought forward. He was prodigiously large, + and black as jet. His eyes were fierce and flashing, his neck proudly + arched, and he wore a glittering war-saddle upon his back. + </p> + <p> + As the first streaks of dawn began to appear, the animal reared wildly, + snorted as if with pain and anger, and struck the ground so furiously with + his hoofs that the sparks flew. The black cock of the castle crew and the + horse, uttering a terrible cry, instantly disappeared. + </p> + <p> + And every year, on the selfsame night, at the selfsame hour, the wounds of + the knight Albert broke out afresh, and tormented him with agony. Thus + till his dying day he bore in his body a yearly reminder of his encounter + with the Phantom Knight of the Vandal Camp. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0096" id="link2H_4_0096"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THANKSGIVING DAY + </h2> + <h3> + (LAST THURSDAY IN NOVEMBER) + </h3> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0097" id="link2H_4_0097"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE FIRST HARVEST-HOME IN PLYMOUTH + </h2> + <h3> + BY W. DE LOSS LOVE, JR (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + After prayer and fasting and a farewell feast, the Pilgrim Fathers left + the City of Leyden, and sought the new and unknown land. “So they lefte ye + goodly & pleasante citie,” writes their historian Bradford, “which had + been ther resting place near 12 years, but they knew they were pilgrimes + & looked not much on those things, but lift up their eyes to ye + Heavens their dearest cuntrie, and quieted their spirits.” + </p> + <p> + When, after many vexing days upon the deep, the pilgrims first sighted the + New World, they were filled with praise and thanksgiving. Going ashore + they fell upon their knees and blessed the God of Heaven. And after that, + whenever they were delivered from accidents or despair, they gave God + “solemne thanks and praise.” Such were the Pilgrims and such their habit + day by day. + </p> + <p> + The first winter in the New World was marked by great suffering and want. + Hunger and illness thinned the little colony, and caused many graves to be + made on the near-by hillside. + </p> + <p> + The spring of 1621 opened. The seed was sown in the fields. The colonists + cared for it without ceasing, and watched its growth with anxiety; for + well they knew that their lives depended upon a full harvest. + </p> + <p> + The days of spring and summer flew by, and the autumn came. Never in + Holland or England had the Pilgrims seen the like of the treasures + bounteous Nature now spread before them. The woodlands were arrayed in + gorgeous colors, brown, crimson, and gold, and swarmed with game of all + kinds, that had been concealed during the summer. The little farm-plots + had been blessed by the sunshine and showers, and now plentiful crops + stood ready for the gathering. The Pilgrims, rejoicing, reaped the fruit + of their labors, and housed it carefully for the winter. Then, filled with + the spirit of thanksgiving, they held the first harvest-home in New + England. + </p> + <p> + For one whole week they rested from work, feasted, exercised their arms, + and enjoyed various recreations. Many Indians visited the colony, amongst + these their greatest king, Massasoit, with ninety of his braves. The + Pilgrims entertained them for three days. And the Indians went out into + the woods and killed fine deer, which they brought to the colony and + presented to the governor and the captain and others. So all made merry + together. + </p> + <p> + And bountiful was the feast. Oysters, fish and wild turkey, Indian maize + and barley bread, geese and ducks, venison and other savory meats, decked + the board. Kettles, skillets, and spits were overworked, while knives and + spoons, kindly assisted by fingers, made merry music on pewter plates. + Wild grapes, “very sweete and strong,” added zest to the feast. As to the + vegetables, why, the good governor describes them thus:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “All sorts of grain which our own land doth yield, + Was hither brought, and sown in every field; + As wheat and rye, barley, oats, beans, and pease + Here all thrive and they profit from them raise; + All sorts of roots and herbs in gardens grow,— + Parsnips, carrots, turnips, or what you'll sow, + Onions, melons, cucumbers, radishes, + Skirets, beets, coleworts and fair cabbages.” + </pre> + <p> + Thus a royal feast it was the Pilgrims spread that first golden autumn at + Plymouth, a feast worthy of their Indian guests. + </p> + <p> + All slumbering discontents they smothered with common rejoicings. When the + holiday was over, they were surely better, braver men because they had + turned aside to rest awhile and be thankful together. So the exiles of + Leyden claimed the harvests of New England. + </p> + <p> + This festival was the bursting into life of a new conception of man's + dependence on God's gifts in Nature. It was the promise of autumnal + Thanksgivings to come. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0098" id="link2H_4_0098"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE MASTER OF THE HARVEST + </h2> + <h3> + BY MRS. ALFRED GATTY (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + The Master of the Harvest walked by the side of his cornfields in the + springtime. A frown was on his face, for there had been no rain for + several weeks, and the earth was hard from the parching of the east winds. + The young wheat had not been able to spring up. + </p> + <p> + So as he looked over the long ridges that stretched in rows before him, he + was vexed and began to grumble and say:— + </p> + <p> + “The harvest will be backward, and all things will go wrong.” + </p> + <p> + Then he frowned more and more, and uttered complaints against Heaven + because there was no rain; against the earth because it was so dry; + against the corn because it had not sprung up. + </p> + <p> + And the Master's discontent was whispered all over the field, and along + the ridges where the corn-seed lay. And the poor little seeds murmured:— + </p> + <p> + “How cruel to complain! Are we not doing our best? Have we let one drop of + moisture pass by unused? Are we not striving every day to be ready for the + hour of breaking forth? Are we idle? How cruel to complain!” + </p> + <p> + But of all this the Master of the Harvest heard nothing, so the gloom did + not pass from his face. Going to his comfortable home he repeated to his + wife the dark words, that the drought would ruin the harvest, for the corn + was not yet sprung up. + </p> + <p> + Then his wife spoke cheering words, and taking her Bible she wrote some + texts upon the flyleaf, and after them the date of the day. + </p> + <p> + And the words she wrote were these: “The eyes of all wait upon Thee; and + Thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest Thine hand and + satisfiest the desire of every living thing. How excellent is Thy + loving-kindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust + under the shadow of Thy wings. Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more + than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.” + </p> + <p> + And so a few days passed as before, and the house was gloomy with the + discontent of the Master. But at last one evening there was rain all over + the land, and when the Master of the Harvest went out the next morning for + his early walk by the cornfields, the corn had sprung up at last. + </p> + <p> + The young shoots burst out at once, and very soon all along the ridges + were to be seen rows of tender blades, tinting the whole field with a + delicate green. And day by day the Master of the Harvest saw them, and was + satisfied, but he spoke of other things and forgot to rejoice. + </p> + <p> + Then a murmur rose among the corn-blades. + </p> + <p> + “The Master was angry because we did not come up; now that we have come + forth why is he not glad? Are we not doing our best? From morning and + evening dews, from the glow of the sun, from the juices of the earth, from + the freshening breezes, even from clouds and rain, are we not taking food + and strength, warmth and life? Why does he not rejoice?” + </p> + <p> + And when the Master's wife asked him if the wheat was doing well he + answered, “Fairly well,” and nothing more. + </p> + <p> + But the wife opened her Book, and wrote again on the flyleaf: “Who hath + divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the + lightning of thunder, to cause it to rain on the earth where no man is, on + the wilderness wherein there is no man, to satisfy the desolate and waste + ground, and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth? For He + maketh small the drops of water; they pour down rain according to the + vapor thereof, which the clouds do drop and distil upon man abundantly. + Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the noise of his + tabernacle?” + </p> + <p> + Very peaceful were the next few weeks. All nature seemed to rejoice in the + fine weather. The corn-blades shot up strong and tall. They burst into + flowers and gradually ripened into ears of grain. But alas! the Master of + the Harvest had still some fault to find. He looked at the ears and saw + that they were small. He grumbled and said:— + </p> + <p> + “The yield will be less than it ought to be. The harvest will be bad.” + </p> + <p> + And the voice of his discontent was breathed over the cornfield where the + plants were growing and growing. They shuddered and murmured: “How + thankless to complain! Are we not growing as fast as we can? If we were + idle would we bear wheat-ears at all? How thankless to complain!” + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile a few weeks went by and a drought settled on the land. Rain was + needed, so that the corn-ears might fill. And behold, while the wish for + rain was yet on the Master's lips, the sky became full of heavy clouds, + darkness spread over the land, a wild wind arose, and the roaring of + thunder announced a storm. And such a storm! Along the ridges of + corn-plants drove the rain-laden wind, and the plants bent down before it + and rose again like the waves of the sea. They bowed down and they rose + up. Only where the whirlwind was the strongest they fell to the ground and + could not rise again. + </p> + <p> + And when the storm was over, the Master of the Harvest saw here and there + patches of over-weighted corn, yet dripping from the thunder-shower, and + he grew angry with them, and forgot to think of the long ridges where the + corn-plants were still standing tall and strong, and where the corn-ears + were swelling and rejoicing. + </p> + <p> + His face grew darker than ever. He railed against the rain. He railed + against the sun because it did not shine. He blamed the wheat because it + might perish before the harvest. + </p> + <p> + “But why does he always complain?” moaned the corn-plants. “Have we not + done our best from the first? Has not God's blessing been with us? Are we + not growing daily more beautiful in strength and hope? Why does not the + Master trust, as we do, in the future richness of the harvest?” + </p> + <p> + Of all this the Master of the Harvest heard nothing. But his wife wrote on + the flyleaf of her Book: “He watereth the hills from his chambers, the + earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works. He causeth the grass to + grow for the cattle and herb for the service of man, that he may bring + forth food out of the earth, and wine that maketh glad the heart of man, + and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's + heart.” + </p> + <p> + And day by day the hours of sunshine were more in number. And by degrees + the green corn-ears ripened into yellow, and the yellow turned into gold, + and the abundant harvest was ready, and the laborers were not wanting. + </p> + <p> + Then the bursting corn broke out into songs of rejoicing. “At least we + have not labored and watched in vain! Surely the earth hath yielded her + increase! Blessed be the Lord who daily loadeth us with benefits! Where + now is the Master of the Harvest? Come, let him rejoice with us!” + </p> + <p> + And the Master's wife brought out her Book and her husband read the texts + she had written even from the day when the corn-seeds were held back by + the first drought, and as he read a new heart seemed to grow within him, a + heart that was thankful to the Lord of the Great Harvest. And he read + aloud from the Book:— + </p> + <p> + “Thou visitest the earth and waterest it; thou greatly enrichest it with + the river of God which is full of water; thou preparest them corn, when + thou hast so provided for it. Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly; + thou settlest the furrows thereof; thou makest it soft with showers; thou + blessest the springing thereof. Thou crownest the year with thy goodness, + and thy paths drop fatness. They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness, + and the little hills rejoice on every side. The pastures are clothed with + flocks. The valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, + they also sing.—O that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, + and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0099" id="link2H_4_0099"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + SAINT CUTHBERT'S EAGLE + </h2> + <h3> + BY THE VENERABLE BEDE (ADAPED) + </h3> + <p> + Once upon a time, the good Saint Cuthbert of Lindesfarne, went forth from + his monastery to preach to the poor. He took with him a young lad as his + only attendant. Together they walked along the dusty way. The heat of the + noonday sun beat upon their heads, and fatigue overcame them. + </p> + <p> + “Son,” said Saint Cuthbert, “do you know any one on the road, whom we may + ask for food and a place in which to rest?” + </p> + <p> + “I was just thinking the same thing,” answered the lad, “but I know nobody + on the road who will entertain us. Alas! why did we not bring along + provisions? How can we proceed on our long journey without them?” + </p> + <p> + “My son,” answered the saint, “learn to have trust in God, who never will + suffer those to perish of hunger who believe in Him.” + </p> + <p> + Then looking up and seeing an eagle flying in the air, he added, “Do you + see the eagle yonder? It is possible for God to feed us by means of this + bird.” + </p> + <p> + While they were talking thus, they came to a river, and, lo! the eagle + stood on the bank. + </p> + <p> + “Son,” said Saint Cuthbert, “run and see what provision God has made for + us by his handmaid the bird.” + </p> + <p> + The lad ran, and found a good-sized fish that the eagle had just caught. + This he brought to the saint. + </p> + <p> + “What have you done?” exclaimed the good man, “why have you not given a + part to God's handmaid? Cut the fish in two pieces, and give her one, as + her service well deserves.” + </p> + <p> + The lad did as he was bidden, and the eagle, taking the half fish in her + beak, flew away. + </p> + <p> + Then entering a neighboring village, Saint Cuthbert gave the other half to + a peasant to cook, and while the lad and the villagers feasted, the good + saint preached to them the Word of God. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0100" id="link2H_4_0100"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE EARS OF WHEAT + </h2> + <h3> + BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM (TRANSLATED) + </h3> + <p> + Ages upon ages ago, says the German grandmother, when angels used to + wander on earth, the ground was more fruitful than it is now. Then the + stalks of wheat bore not fifty or sixty fold, but four times five hundred + fold. Then the wheat-ears grew from the bottom to the top of the stalk. + But the men of the earth forgot that this blessing came from God, and they + became idle and selfish. + </p> + <p> + One day a woman went through a wheat-field, and her little child, who + accompanied her, fell into a puddle and soiled her frock. The mother tore + off a handful of the wheat-ears and cleaned the child's dress with them. + </p> + <p> + Just then an angel passed by and saw her. Wrathfully he spoke:— + </p> + <p> + “Wasteful woman, no longer shall the wheat-stalks produce ears. You + mortals are not worthy of the gifts of Heaven!” + </p> + <p> + Some peasants who were gathering wheat in the fields heard this, and + falling on their knees, prayed and entreated the angel to leave the wheat + alone, not only on their account, but for the sake of the little birds who + otherwise must perish of hunger. + </p> + <p> + The angel pitied their distress, and granted a part of the prayer. And + from that day to this the ears of wheat have grown as they do now. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0101" id="link2H_4_0101"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + HOW INDIAN CORN CAME INTO THE WORLD + </h2> + <h3> + AN OJIBBEWAY LEGEND + </h3> + <p> + BY HENRY R. SCHOOLCRAFT (ADAPTED) + </p> + <p> + Long, long ago, in a beautiful part of this country, there lived an Indian + with his wife and children. He was poor and found it hard to provide food + enough for his family. But though needy he was kind and contented, and + always gave thanks to the Great Spirit for everything that he received. + His eldest son, Wunzh, was likewise kind and gentle and thankful of heart, + and he longed greatly to do something for his people. + </p> + <p> + The time came that Wunzh reached the age when every Indian boy fasts so + that he may see in a vision the Spirit that is to be his guide through + life. Wunph's father built him a little lodge apart, so that the boy might + rest there undisturbed during his days of fasting. Then Wunzh withdrew to + begin the solemn rite. + </p> + <p> + On the first day he walked alone in the woods looking at the flowers and + plants, and filling his mind with the beautiful images of growing things + so that he might see them in his night-dreams. He saw how the flowers and + herbs and berries grew, and he knew that some were good for food, and that + others healed wounds and cured sickness. And his heart was filled with + even a greater longing to do something for his family and his tribe. + </p> + <p> + “Truly,” thought he, “the Great Spirit made all things. To Him we owe our + lives. But could He not make it easier for us to get our food than by + hunting and catching fish? I must try to find this out in my vision.” + </p> + <p> + So Wunzh returned to his lodge and fasted and slept. On the third day he + became weak and faint. Soon he saw in a vision a young brave coming down + from the sky and approaching the lodge. He was clad in rich garments of + green and yellow colors. On his head was a tuft of nodding green plumes, + and all his motions were graceful and swaying. + </p> + <p> + “I am sent to you, O Wunzh,” said the sky-stranger, “by that Great Spirit + who made all things in sky and earth. He has seen your fasting, and knows + how you wish to do good to your people, and that you do not seek for + strength in war nor for the praise of warriors. I am sent to tell you how + you may do good to your kindred. Arise and wrestle with me, for only by + overcoming me may you learn the secret.” + </p> + <p> + Wunzh, though he was weak from fasting, felt courage grow in his heart, + and he arose and wrestled with the stranger. But soon he became weaker and + exhausted, and the stranger, seeing this, smiled gently on him and said: + “My friend, this is enough for once, I will come again to-morrow.” And he + vanished as suddenly as he had appeared. + </p> + <p> + The next day the stranger came, and Wunzh felt himself weaker than before; + nevertheless he rose and wrestled bravely. Then the stranger spoke a + second time. “My friend,” he said, “have courage! To-morrow will be your + last trial.” And he disappeared from Wunzh's sight. + </p> + <p> + On the third day the stranger came as before, and the struggle was + renewed. And Wunzh, though fainter in body, grew strong in mind and will, + and he determined to win or perish in the attempt. He exerted all his + powers, and, lo! in a while, he prevailed and overcame the stranger. + </p> + <p> + “O Wunzh, my friend,” said the conquered one, “you have wrestled manfully. + You have met your trial well. To-morrow I shall come again and you must + wrestle with me for the last time. You will prevail. Do you then strip off + my garments, throw me down, clean the earth of roots and weeds, and bury + me in that spot. When you have done so, leave my body in the ground. Come + often to the place and see whether I have come to life, but be careful not + to let weeds or grass grow on my grave. If you do all this well, you will + soon discover how to benefit your fellow creatures.” Having said this the + stranger disappeared. + </p> + <p> + In the morning Wunzh's father came to him with food. “My son,” he said, + “you have fasted long. It is seven days since you have tasted food, and + you must not sacrifice your life. The Master of Life does not require + that.” + </p> + <p> + “My father,” replied the boy, “wait until the sun goes down to-morrow. For + a certain reason I wish to fast until that hour.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” said the old man, “I shall wait until the time arrives when + you feel inclined to eat.” And he went away. + </p> + <p> + The next day, at the usual hour, the sky stranger came again. And, though + Wunzh had fasted seven days, he felt a new power arise within him. He + grasped the stranger with superhuman strength, and threw him down. He took + from him his beautiful garments, and, finding him dead, buried him in the + softened earth, and did all else as he had been directed. + </p> + <p> + He then returned to his father's lodge, and partook sparingly of food. + There he abode for some time. But he never forgot the grave of his friend. + Daily he visited it, and pulled up the weeds and grass, and kept the earth + soft and moist. Very soon, to his great wonder, he saw the tops of green + plumes coming through the ground. + </p> + <p> + Weeks passed by, the summer was drawing to a close. One day Wunzh asked + his father to follow him. He led him to a distant meadow. There, in the + place where the stranger had been buried, stood a tall and graceful plant, + with bright-colored, silken hair, and crowned by nodding green plumes. Its + stalk was covered with waving leaves, and there grew from its sides + clusters of milk-filled ears of corn, golden and sweet, each ear closely + wrapped in its green husks. + </p> + <p> + “It is my friend!” shouted the boy joyously; “it is Mondawmin, the Indian + Corn! We need no longer depend on hunting, so long as this gift is planted + and cared for. The Great Spirit has heard my voice and has sent us this + food.” + </p> + <p> + Then the whole family feasted on the ears of corn and thanked the Great + Spirit who gave it. So Indian Corn came into the world. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0102" id="link2H_4_0102"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE NUTCRACKER DWARF + </h2> + <h3> + BY COUNT FRANZ POCCI (TRANSLATED) + </h3> + <p> + Two boys gathered some hazelnuts in the woods. They sat down under a tree + and tried to eat them, but they did not have their knives, and could not + bite open the nuts with their teeth. + </p> + <p> + “Oh,” they complained, “if only some one would come and open the nuts for + us!” + </p> + <p> + Hardly had they said this when a little man came through the woods. And + such a strange little man! He had a great, great head, and from the back + of it a slender pigtail hung down to his heels. He wore a golden cap, a + red coat and yellow stockings. + </p> + <p> + As he came near he sang:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Hight! hight! Bite! bite! + Hans hight I! Nuts bite I! + I chase the squirrels through the trees, + I gather nuts just as I please, + I place them 'twixt my jaws so strong, + And crack and eat them all day long!” + </pre> + <p> + The boys almost died of laughter when they saw this funny little man, who + they knew was a Wood Dwarf. + </p> + <p> + They called out to him: “If you know how to crack nuts, why, come here and + open ours.” + </p> + <p> + But the little man grumbled through his long white beard:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “If I crack the nuts for you + Promise that you'll give me two.” + </pre> + <p> + “Yes, yes,” cried the boys, “you shall have all the nuts you wish, only + crack some for us, and be quick about it!” + </p> + <p> + The little man stood before them, for he could not sit down because of his + long, stiff pigtail that hung down behind, and he sang:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Lift my pigtail, long and thin, + Place your nuts my jaws within, + Pull the pigtail down, and then + I'll crack your nuts, my little men.” + </pre> + <p> + The boys did as they were told, laughing hard all the time. Whenever they + pulled down the pigtail, there was a sharp CRACK, and a broken nut sprang + out of the Nutcracker's mouth. + </p> + <p> + Soon all the hazelnuts were opened, and the little man grumbled again:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Hight! hight! Bite! bite! + Your nuts are cracked, and now my pay + I'll take and then I'll go away.” + </pre> + <p> + Now one of the boys wished to give the little man his promised reward, but + the other, who was a bad boy, stopped him, saying:— + </p> + <p> + “Why do you give that old fellow our nuts? There are only enough for us. + As for you, Nutcracker, go away from here and find some for yourself.” + </p> + <p> + Then the little man grew angry, and he grumbled horribly:— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “If you do not pay my fee, + Why, then, you've told a lie to me! + I am hungry, you're well fed, + Quick, or I'll bite off your head!” + </pre> + <p> + But the bad boy only laughed and said: “You 'll bite off my head, will + you! Go away from here just as fast as you can, or you shall feel these + nut-shells,” and he shook his fist at the little man. + </p> + <p> + The Nutcracker grew red with rage. He pulled up his pigtail, snapping his + jaws together,—CRACK,—and the bad boy's head was off. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0103" id="link2H_4_0103"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE PUMPKIN PIRATES + </h2> + <h3> + A TALE FROM LUCIAN + </h3> + <p> + BY ALFRED J. CHURCH (ADAPTED) + </p> + <p> + Once upon a time, one Lucian the Greek was filled with a desire to see + strange countries, and especially to discover whether there was any + opposite shore to the ocean by which he lived. + </p> + <p> + So having purchased a vessel, he strengthened it for a voyage, that he + knew would without doubt be long and stormy. Then he chose fifty stout + young fellows having the same love of adventure as himself, and next he + hired the best captain that could be got for money, and put a store of + provisions and water on board. + </p> + <p> + All this being done, he set sail. For many days he and his companions + voyaged on deep waters and in strange seas. At times the wind was fair and + gentle, and at others it blew so hard that the sea rose in a terrible + manner. + </p> + <p> + One day there came a violent whirlwind which twisted the ship about, and, + lifting it into the air, carried it upward into the sky, until it reached + the Moon. There Lucian and his comrades disembarked and visited the + inhabitants of Moonland. They took part in a fierce battle between the + Moon-Folk, the Sun-Folk, and an army of Vulture-Horsemen; and, after many + other wonderful adventures, they departed from Moonland, and sailing + through the sky, visited the Morning Star. Then the wind dropping, the + ship settled once more upon the sea, and they sailed on the water. + </p> + <p> + One morning the wind began to blow vehemently, and they were driven by + storm for days. On the third day they fell in with the Pumpkin Pirates. + These were savages who were wont to sally forth from the islands that lay + in the seas thereabouts, and plunder them that sailed by. + </p> + <p> + For ships they had large pumpkins, each being not less than ninety feet in + length. These pumpkins they dried, and afterward dug out all the inner + part of them till they were quite hollow. For masts they had reeds, and + for sails, in the place of canvas, pumpkin leaves. + </p> + <p> + These savages attacked Lucian's vessel with two ships' or rather two + pumpkins' crews, and wounded many of his company. For stones they used the + pumpkin-seeds, which were about the bigness of a large apple. + </p> + <p> + Lucian's company fought for some time, without gaining the advantage, when + about noon they saw coming toward them, in the rear of the Pumpkin + Pirates, the Nut-Shell Sailors. These two tribes were at war with each + other. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the Pumpkin Pirates saw the others approaching, they left off + fighting Lucian's crew, and prepared to give battle to the Nut-Shell + Sailors. When Lucian saw this he ordered the captain to set all sails; and + they departed with speed. But looking back he could see that the Nut-Shell + Sailors had the best of the battle, being superior in numbers, having five + crews against two of the Pumpkin Pirates, and also because their ships + were stronger. As for their ships, they were the shells of nuts which had + been split in half, each measuring fifteen fathoms, or thereabouts. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the Pumpkin Pirates and the Nut-Shell Sailors were out of + sight, Lucian set himself to dressing the wounds of his injured + companions. And from that time on both Lucian and his crew wore their + armor continually, not knowing when another strange enemy might come upon + them. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0104" id="link2H_4_0104"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE SPIRIT OF THE CORN + </h2> + <h3> + AN IROQUOIS LEGEND + </h3> + <p> + BY HARRIET MAXWELL CONVERSE (ADAPTED) + </p> + <p> + There was a time, says the Iroquois grandmother, when it was not needful + to plant the corn-seed nor to hoe the fields, for the corn sprang up of + itself, and filled the broad meadows. Its stalks grew strong and tall, and + were covered with leaves like waving banners, and filled with ears of + pearly grain wrapped in silken green husks. + </p> + <p> + In those days Onatah, the Spirit of the Corn, walked upon the earth. The + sun lovingly touched her dusky face with the blush of the morning, and her + eyes grew soft as the gleam of the stars on dark streams. Her night-black + hair was spread before the breeze like a wind-driven cloud. + </p> + <p> + As she walked through the fields, the corn, the Indian maize, sprang up of + itself from the earth and filled the air with its fringed tassels and + whispering leaves. With Onatah walked her two sisters, the Spirits of the + Squash and the Bean. As they passed by, squash-vines and bean-plants grew + from the corn-hills. + </p> + <p> + One day Onatah wandered away alone in search of early dew. Then the Evil + One of the earth, Hahgwehdaetgah, followed swiftly after. He grasped her + by the hair and dragged her beneath the ground down to his gloomy cave. + Then, sending out his fire-breathing monsters, he blighted Onatah's grain. + And when her sisters, the Spirits of the Squash and the Bean, saw the + flame-monsters raging through the fields, they flew far away in terror. + </p> + <p> + As for poor Onatah, she lay a trembling captive in the dark prison-cave of + the Evil One. She mourned the blight of her cornfields, and sorrowed over + her runaway sisters. + </p> + <p> + “O warm, bright sun!” she cried, “if I may walk once more upon the earth, + never again will I leave my corn!” + </p> + <p> + And the little birds of the air heard her cry, and winging their way + upward they carried her vow and gave it to the sun as he wandered through + the blue heavens. + </p> + <p> + The sun, who loved Onatah, sent out many searching beams of light. They + pierced through the damp earth, and entering the prison-cave, guided her + back again to her fields. + </p> + <p> + And ever after that she watched her fields alone, for no more did her + sisters, the Spirits of the Squash and Bean, watch with her. If her fields + thirsted, no longer could she seek the early dew. If the flame-monsters + burned her corn, she could not search the skies for cooling winds. And + when the great rains fell and injured her harvest, her voice grew so faint + that the friendly sun could not hear it. + </p> + <p> + But ever Onatah tenderly watched her fields and the little birds of the + air flocked to her service. They followed her through the rows of corn, + and made war on the tiny enemies that gnawed at the roots of the grain. + </p> + <p> + And at harvest-time the grateful Onatah scattered the first gathered corn + over her broad lands, and the little birds, fluttering and singing, + joyfully partook of the feast spread for them on the meadow-ground. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0105" id="link2H_4_0105"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE HORN OF PLENTY + </h2> + <h3> + BY OVID (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + Aeneus, King of Aetolia, had a daughter whose name was Deianira. So + beautiful was the maiden that her fame spread throughout the world, and + many princes came to woo her. Among these were two strangers, who drove + all the other suitors from the hall of King Aeneus. + </p> + <p> + One was Hercules, huge of limb and broad of shoulder. He was clad in the + skins of beasts, and carried in his hand a knotted club. His tangled hair + hung down upon his brawny neck, and his fierce eyes gleamed from behind + his shaggy brows. + </p> + <p> + The other stranger was Achelous, god of the Calydonian River. Slender and + graceful was he, and clad in flowing green raiment. In his hand he carried + a staff of plaited reeds, and on his head was a crown of water-lilies. His + voice was soft and caressing, like the gentle murmur of summer brooks. + </p> + <p> + “O King Aeneus,” said Achelous, standing before the throne, “behold I am + the King of Waters. If thou wilt receive me as thy son-in-law I will make + the beautiful Deianira queen of my river kingdom.” + </p> + <p> + “King Aeneus,” said the mighty Hercules, stepping forward, “Deianira is + mine, and I will not yield her to this river-god.” + </p> + <p> + “Impertinent stranger!” cried Achelous, turning toward the hero, while his + voice rose till it sounded like the thunder of distant cataracts, and his + green garment changed to the blackness of night,—“impertinent + stranger! how darest thou claim this maiden,—thou who hast mortal + blood in thy veins! Behold me, the god Achelous, the powerful King of the + Waters! I wind with majesty through the rich lands of my wide realms. I + make all fields through which I flow beautiful with grass and flowers. By + my right divine I claim this maiden.” + </p> + <p> + But with scowling eye and rising wrath Hercules made answer. “Thou wouldst + fight with words, like a woman, while I would win by my strength! My right + hand is better than my tongue. If thou wouldst have the maiden, then must + thou first overcome me in combat.” + </p> + <p> + Thereupon Achelous threw off his raiment and began to prepare himself for + the struggle. Hercules took off his garment of beasts' skins, and cast + aside his club. The two then anointed their bodies with oil, and threw + yellow sand upon themselves. + </p> + <p> + They took their places, they attacked, they retired, they rushed again to + the conflict. They stood firm, and they yielded not. Long they bravely + wrestled and fought; till at length Hercules by his might overcame + Achelous and bore him to the ground. He pressed him down, and, while the + fallen river-god lay panting for breath, the hero seized him by the neck. + </p> + <p> + Then did Achelous have recourse to his magic arts. Transforming himself + into a serpent he escaped from the hero. He twisted his body into winding + folds, and darted out his forked tongue with frightful hissings. + </p> + <p> + But Hercules laughed mockingly, and cried out: “Ah, Achelous! While yet in + my cradle I strangled two serpents! And what art thou compared to the + Hydra whose hundred heads I cut off? Every time I cut of I one head two + others grew in its place. Yet did I conquer that horror, in spite of its + branching serpents that darted from every wound! Thinkest thou, then, that + I fear thee, thou mimic snake?” And even as he spake he gripped, as with a + pair of pincers, the back of the river-god's head. + </p> + <p> + And Achelous struggled in vain to escape. Then, again having recourse to + his magic, he became a raging bull, and renewed the fight. But Hercules, + that mighty hero, threw his huge arms over the brawny neck of the bull, + and dragged him about. Then seizing hold of his horns, he bent his head to + one side, and bearing down fastened them into the ground. And that was not + enough, but with relentless hand he broke one of the horns, and tore it + from Achelous's forehead. + </p> + <p> + The river-god returned to his own shape. He roared aloud with rage and + pain, and hiding his mutilated head in his mantle, rushed from the hall + and plunged into the swirling waters of his stream. + </p> + <p> + Then the goddess of Plenty, and all the Wood-Nymphs and Water-Nymphs came + forward to greet the conqueror with song and dance. They took the huge + horn of Achelous and heaped it high with the rich and glowing fruits and + flowers of autumn. They wreathed it with vines and with clustering grapes, + and bearing it aloft presented it to Hercules and his beautiful bride + Deianira. + </p> + <p> + And ever since that day has the Horn of Plenty gladdened men's hearts at + Harvest-Time. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0106" id="link2H_4_0106"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHRISTMAS DAY + </h2> + <h3> + (DECEMBER 25) + </h3> + <p> + LITTLE PICCOLA AFTER CELIA THAXTER + </p> + <p> + In the sunny land of France there lived many years ago a sweet little maid + named Piccola. + </p> + <p> + Her father had died when she was a baby, and her mother was very poor and + had to work hard all day in the fields for a few sous. + </p> + <p> + Little Piccola had no dolls and toys, and she was often hungry and cold, + but she was never sad nor lonely. + </p> + <p> + What if there were no children for her to play with! What if she did not + have fine clothes and beautiful toys! In summer there were always the + birds in the forest, and the flowers in the fields and meadows,—the + birds sang so sweetly, and the flowers were so bright and pretty! + </p> + <p> + In the winter when the ground was covered with snow, Piccola helped her + mother, and knit long stockings of blue wool. + </p> + <p> + The snow-birds had to be fed with crumbs, if she could find any, and then, + there was Christmas Day. + </p> + <p> + But one year her mother was ill and could not earn any money. Piccola + worked hard all the day long, and sold the stockings which she knit, even + when her own little bare feet were blue with the cold. + </p> + <p> + As Christmas Day drew near she said to her mother, “I wonder what the good + Saint Nicholas will bring me this year. I cannot hang my stocking in the + fireplace, but I shall put my wooden shoe on the hearth for him. He will + not forget me, I am sure.” + </p> + <p> + “Do not think of it this year, my dear child,” replied her mother. “We + must be glad if we have bread enough to eat.” + </p> + <p> + But Piccola could not believe that the good saint would forget her. On + Christmas Eve she put her little wooden patten on the hearth before the + fire, and went to sleep to dream of Saint Nicholas. + </p> + <p> + As the poor mother looked at the little shoe, she thought how unhappy her + dear child would be to find it empty in the morning, and wished that she + had something, even if it were only a tiny cake, for a Christmas gift. + There was nothing in the house but a few sous, and these must be saved to + buy bread. + </p> + <p> + When the morning dawned Piccola awoke and ran to her shoe. + </p> + <p> + Saint Nicholas had come in the night. He had not forgotten the little + child who had thought of him with such faith. + </p> + <p> + See what he had brought her. It lay in the wooden patten, looking up at + her with its two bright eyes, and chirping contentedly as she stroked its + soft feathers. + </p> + <p> + A little swallow, cold and hungry, had flown into the chimney and down to + the room, and had crept into the shoe for warmth. + </p> + <p> + Piccola danced for joy, and clasped the shivering swallow to her breast. + </p> + <p> + She ran to her mother's bedside. “Look, look!” she cried. “A Christmas + gift, a gift from the good Saint Nicholas!” And she danced again in her + little bare feet. + </p> + <p> + Then she fed and warmed the bird, and cared for it tenderly all winter + long; teaching it to take crumbs from her hand and her lips, and to sit on + her shoulder while she was working. + </p> + <p> + In the spring she opened the window for it to fly away, but it lived in + the woods near by all summer, and came often in the early morning to sing + its sweetest songs at her door. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0107" id="link2H_4_0107"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE STRANGER CHILD + </h2> + <h3> + A LEGEND + </h3> + <p> + BY COUNT FRANZ POCCI (TRANSLATED) + </p> + <p> + There once lived a laborer who earned his daily bread by cutting wood. His + wife and two children, a boy and girl, helped him with his work. The boy's + name was Valentine, and the girl's, Marie. They were obedient and pious + and the joy and comfort of their poor parents. + </p> + <p> + One winter evening, this good family gathered about the table to eat their + small loaf of bread, while the father read aloud from the Bible. Just as + they sat down there came a knock on the window, and a sweet voice called:— + </p> + <p> + “O let me in! I am a little child, and I have nothing to eat, and no place + to sleep in. I am so cold and hungry! Please, good people, let me in!” + </p> + <p> + Valentine and Marie sprang from the table and ran to open the door, + saying:— + </p> + <p> + “Come in, poor child, we have but very little ourselves, not much more + than thou hast, but what we have we will share with thee.” + </p> + <p> + The stranger Child entered, and going to the fire began to warm his cold + hands. + </p> + <p> + The children gave him a portion of their bread, and said:— + </p> + <p> + “Thou must be very tired; come, lie down in our bed, and we will sleep on + the bench here before the fire.” + </p> + <p> + Then answered the stranger Child: “May God in Heaven reward you for your + kindness.” + </p> + <p> + They led the little guest to their small room, laid him in their bed, and + covered him closely, thinking to themselves:— + </p> + <p> + “Oh! how much we have to be thankful for! We have our nice warm room and + comfortable bed, while this Child has nothing but the sky for a roof, and + the earth for a couch.” + </p> + <p> + When the parents went to their bed, Valentine and Marie lay down on the + bench before the fire, and said one to the other:— + </p> + <p> + “The stranger Child is happy now, because he is so warm! Good-night!” + </p> + <p> + Then they fell asleep. + </p> + <p> + They had not slept many hours, when little Marie awoke, and touching her + brother lightly, whispered:— + </p> + <p> + “Valentine, Valentine, wake up! wake up! Listen to the beautiful music at + the window.” + </p> + <p> + Valentine rubbed his eyes and listened. He heard the most wonderful + singing and the sweet notes of many harps. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Blessed Child, + Thee we greet, + With sound of harp + And singing sweet. + + “Sleep in peace, + Child so bright, + We have watched thee + All the night. + + “Blest the home + That holdeth Thee, + Peace, and love, + Its guardians be.” + </pre> + <p> + The children listened to the beautiful singing, and it seemed to fill them + with unspeakable happiness. Then creeping to the window they looked out. + </p> + <p> + They saw a rosy light in the east, and, before the house in the snow, + stood a number of little children holding golden harps and lutes in their + hands, and dressed in sparkling, silver robes. + </p> + <p> + Full of wonder at this sight, Valentine and Marie continued to gaze out at + the window, when they heard a sound behind them, and turning saw the + stranger Child standing near. He was clad in a golden garment, and wore a + glistening, golden crown upon his soft hair. Sweetly he spoke to the + children:— + </p> + <p> + “I am the Christ Child, who wanders about the world seeking to bring joy + and good things to loving children. Because you have lodged me this night + I will leave with you my blessing.” + </p> + <p> + As the Christ Child spoke He stepped from the door, and breaking off a + bough from a fir tree that grew near, planted it in the ground, saying:— + </p> + <p> + “This bough shall grow into a tree, and every year it shall bear Christmas + fruit for you.” + </p> + <p> + Having said this He vanished from their sight, together with the + silver-clad, singing children—the angels. + </p> + <p> + And, as Valentine and Marie looked on in wonder, the fir bough grew, and + grew, and grew, into a stately Christmas Tree laden with golden apples, + silver nuts, and lovely toys. And after that, every year at Christmas + time, the Tree bore the same wonderful fruit. + </p> + <p> + And you, dear boys and girls, when you gather around your richly decorated + trees, think of the two poor children who shared their bread with a + stranger child, and be thankful. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0108" id="link2H_4_0108"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + SAINT CHRISTOPHER + </h2> + <h3> + A GOLDEN LEGEND + </h3> + <p> + ENGLISHED BY WILLIAM CAXTON (ADAPTED) + </p> + <p> + Christopher was a Canaanite, and he was of a right great stature, twelve + cubits in height, and had a terrible countenance. And it is said that as + he served and dwelled with the King of Canaan, it came in his mind that he + would seek the greatest prince that was in the world, and him would he + serve and obey. + </p> + <p> + So he went forth and came to a right great king, whom fame said was the + greatest of the world. And when the king saw him he received him into his + service, and made him to dwell in his court. + </p> + <p> + Upon a time a minstrel sang before him a song in which he named oft the + devil. And the king, who was a Christian, when he heard him name the + devil, made anon the sign of the cross. + </p> + <p> + And when Christopher saw that he marveled, and asked what the sign might + mean. And because the king would not say, he said: “If thou tell me not, I + shall no longer dwell with thee.” + </p> + <p> + And then the King told him, saying: “Alway when I hear the devil named + make I this sign lest he grieve or annoy me.” + </p> + <p> + Then said Christopher to him: “Fearest thou the devil? Then is the devil + more mighty and greater than thou art. I am then deceived, for I had + supposed that I had found the most mighty and the most greatest lord in + all the world! Fare thee well, for I will now go seek the devil to be my + lord and I his servant.” + </p> + <p> + So Christopher departed from this king and hastened to seek the devil. And + as he went by a great desert he saw a company of knights, and one of them, + a knight cruel and horrible, came to him and demanded whither he went. + </p> + <p> + And Christopher answered: “I go to seek the devil for to be my master.” + </p> + <p> + Then said the knight: “I am he that thou seekest.” + </p> + <p> + And then Christopher was glad and bound himself to be the devil's servant, + and took him for his master and lord. + </p> + <p> + Now, as they went along the way they found there a cross, erect and + standing. And anon as the devil saw the cross he was afeared and fled. And + when Christopher saw that he marveled and demanded why he was afeared, and + why he fled away. And the devil would not tell him in no wise. + </p> + <p> + Then Christopher said to him: “If thou wilt not tell me, I shall anon + depart from thee and shall serve thee no more.” + </p> + <p> + Wherefore the devil was forced to tell him and said: “There was a man + called Christ, which was hanged on the cross, and when I see his sign I am + sore afraid and flee from it.” + </p> + <p> + To whom Christopher said: “Then he is greater and more mightier than thou, + since thou art afraid of his sign, and I see well that I have labored in + vain, and have not founden the greatest lord of the world. I will serve + thee no longer, but I will go seek Christ.” + </p> + <p> + And when Christopher had long sought where he should find Christ, at last + he came into a great desert, to a hermit that dwelt there. And he inquired + of him where Christ was to be found. + </p> + <p> + Then answered the hermit: “The king whom thou desirest to serve, requireth + that thou must often fast.” + </p> + <p> + Christopher said: “Require of me some other thing and I shall do it, but + fast I may not.” + </p> + <p> + And the hermit said: “Thou must then wake and make many prayers.” + </p> + <p> + And Christopher said: “I do not know how to pray, so this I may not do.” + </p> + <p> + And the hermit said: “Seest thou yonder deep and wide river, in which many + people have perished? Because thou art noble, and of high stature and + strong of limb, so shalt thou live by the river and thou shalt bear over + all people who pass that way. And this thing will be pleasing to our Lord + Jesu Christ, whom thou desirest to serve, and I hope he shall show himself + to thee.” + </p> + <p> + Then said Christopher: “Certes, this service may I well do, and I promise + Him to do it.” + </p> + <p> + Then went Christopher to this river, and built himself there a hut. He + carried a great pole in his hand, to support himself in the water, and + bore over on his shoulders all manner of people to the other side. And + there he abode, thus doing many days. + </p> + <p> + And on a time, as he slept in his hut, he heard the voice of a child which + called him:— + </p> + <p> + “Christopher, Christopher, come out and bear me over.” + </p> + <p> + Then he awoke and went out, but he found no man. And when he was again in + his house he heard the same voice, crying:— + </p> + <p> + “Christopher, Christopher, come out and bear me over.” + </p> + <p> + And he ran out and found nobody. + </p> + <p> + And the third time he was called and ran thither, and he found a Child by + the brink of the river, which prayed him goodly to bear him over the + water. + </p> + <p> + And then Christopher lifted up the Child on his shoulders, and took his + staff, and entered into the river for to pass over. And the water of the + river arose and swelled more and more; and the Child was heavy as lead, + and always as Christopher went farther the water increased and grew more, + and the Child more and more waxed heavy, insomuch that Christopher + suffered great anguish and was afeared to be drowned. + </p> + <p> + And when he was escaped with great pain, and passed over the water, and + set the Child aground, he said:— + </p> + <p> + “Child, thou hast put me in great peril. Thou weighest almost as I had all + the world upon me. I might bear no greater burden.” + </p> + <p> + And the Child answered: “Christopher, marvel thee nothing, for thou hast + not only borne all the world upon thee, but thou hast borne Him that + created and made all the world, upon thy shoulders. I am Jesu Christ the + King whom thou servest. And that thou mayest know that I say the truth, + set thy staff in the earth by thy house, and thou shalt see to-morn that + it shall bear flowers and fruit.” + </p> + <p> + And anon the Child vanished from his eyes. + </p> + <p> + And then Christopher set his staff in the earth, and when he arose on the + morn, he found his staff bearing flowers, leaves, and dates. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0109" id="link2H_4_0109"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE CHRISTMAS ROSE + </h2> + <h3> + AN OLD LEGEND + </h3> + <p> + BY LIZZIE DEAS (ADAPTED) + </p> + <p> + When the Magi laid their rich offerings of myrrh, frankincense, and gold, + by the bed of the sleeping Christ Child, legend says that a shepherd + maiden stood outside the door quietly weeping. + </p> + <p> + She, too, had sought the Christ Child. She, too, desired to bring him + gifts. But she had nothing to offer, for she was very poor indeed. In vain + she had searched the countryside over for one little flower to bring Him, + but she could find neither bloom nor leaf, for the winter had been cold. + </p> + <p> + And as she stood there weeping, an angel passing saw her sorrow, and + stooping he brushed aside the snow at her feet. And there sprang up on the + spot a cluster of beautiful winter roses,—waxen white with pink + tipped petals. + </p> + <p> + “Nor myrrh, nor frankincense, nor gold,” said the angel, “is offering more + meet for the Christ Child than these pure Christmas Roses.” + </p> + <p> + Joyfully the shepherd maiden gathered the flowers and made her offering to + the Holy Child. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0110" id="link2H_4_0110"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE WOODEN SHOES OF LITTLE WOLFF + </h2> + <h3> + BY FRANCOIS COPPEE (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + Once upon a time,—so long ago that the world has forgotten the date,—in + a city of the North of Europe,—the name of which is so hard to + pronounce that no one remembers it,—there was a little boy, just + seven years old, whose name was Wolff. He was an orphan and lived with his + aunt, a hard-hearted, avaricious old woman, who never kissed him but once + a year, on New Year's Day; and who sighed with regret every time she gave + him a bowlful of soup. + </p> + <p> + The poor little boy was so sweet-tempered that he loved the old woman in + spite of her bad treatment, but he could not look without trembling at the + wart, decorated with four gray hairs, which grew on the end of her nose. + </p> + <p> + As Wolff's aunt was known to have a house of her own and a woolen stocking + full of gold, she did not dare to send her nephew to the school for the + poor. But she wrangled so that the schoolmaster of the rich boys' school + was forced to lower his price and admit little Wolff among his pupils. The + bad schoolmaster was vexed to have a boy so meanly clad and who paid so + little, and he punished little Wolff severely without cause, ridiculed + him, and even incited against him his comrades, who were the sons of rich + citizens. They made the orphan their drudge and mocked at him so much that + the little boy was as miserable as the stones in the street, and hid + himself away in corners to cry—when the Christmas season came. + </p> + <p> + On the Eve of the great Day the schoolmaster was to take all his pupils to + the midnight mass, and then to conduct them home again to their parents' + houses. + </p> + <p> + Now as the winter was very severe, and a quantity of snow had fallen + within the past few days, the boys came to the place of meeting warmly + wrapped up, with fur-lined caps drawn down over their ears, padded + jackets, gloves and knitted mittens, and good strong shoes with thick + soles. Only little Wolff presented himself shivering in his thin everyday + clothes, and wearing on his feet socks and wooden shoes. + </p> + <p> + His naughty comrades tried to annoy him in every possible way, but the + orphan was so busy warming his hands by blowing on them, and was suffering + so much from chilblains, that he paid no heed to the taunts of the others. + Then the band of boys, marching two by two, started for the parish church. + </p> + <p> + It was comfortable inside the church, which was brilliant with lighted + tapers. And the pupils, made lively by the gentle warmth, the sound of the + organ, and the singing of the choir, began to chatter in low tones. They + boasted of the midnight treats awaiting them at home. The son of the Mayor + had seen, before leaving the house, a monstrous goose larded with truffles + so that it looked like a black-spotted leopard. Another boy told of the + fir tree waiting for him, on the branches of which hung oranges, + sugar-plums, and punchinellos. Then they talked about what the Christ + Child would bring them, or what he would leave in their shoes which they + would certainly be careful to place before the fire when they went to bed. + And the eyes of the little rogues, lively as a crowd of mice, sparkled + with delight as they thought of the many gifts they would find on waking,—the + pink bags of burnt almonds, the bonbons, lead soldiers standing in rows, + menageries, and magnificent jumping-jacks, dressed in purple and gold. + </p> + <p> + Little Wolff, alas! knew well that his miserly old aunt would send him to + bed without any supper; but as he had been good and industrious all the + year, he trusted that the Christ Child would not forget him, so he meant + that night to set his wooden shoes on the hearth. + </p> + <p> + The midnight mass was ended. The worshipers hurried away, anxious to enjoy + the treats awaiting them in their homes. The band of pupils, two by two, + following the schoolmaster, passed out of the church. + </p> + <p> + Now, under the porch, seated on a stone bench, in the shadow of an arched + niche, was a child asleep,—a little child dressed in a white garment + and with bare feet exposed to the cold. He was not a beggar, for his dress + was clean and new, and—beside him upon the ground, tied in a cloth, + were the tools of a carpenter's apprentice. + </p> + <p> + Under the light of the stars, his face, with its closed eyes, shone with + an expression of divine sweetness, and his soft, curling blond hair seemed + to form an aureole of light about his forehead. But his tender feet, blue + with the cold on this cruel night of December, were pitiful to see! + </p> + <p> + The pupils so warmly clad and shod, passed with indifference before the + unknown child. Some, the sons of the greatest men in the city, cast looks + of scorn on the barefooted one. But little Wolff, coming last out of the + church, stopped deeply moved before the beautiful, sleeping child. + </p> + <p> + “Alas!” said the orphan to himself, “how dreadful! This poor little one + goes without stockings in weather so cold! And, what is worse, he has no + shoe to leave beside him while he sleeps, so that the Christ Child may + place something in it to comfort him in all his misery.” + </p> + <p> + And carried away by his tender heart, little Wolff drew off the wooden + shoe from his right foot, placed it before the sleeping child; and as best + as he was able, now hopping, now limping, and wetting his sock in the + snow, he returned to his aunt. + </p> + <p> + “You good-for-nothing!” cried the old woman, full of rage as she saw that + one of his shoes was gone. “What have you done with your shoe, little + beggar?” + </p> + <p> + Little Wolff did not know how to lie, and, though shivering with terror as + he saw the gray hairs on the end of her nose stand upright, he tried, + stammering, to tell his adventure. + </p> + <p> + But the old miser burst into frightful laughter. “Ah! the sweet young + master takes off his shoe for a beggar! Ah! master spoils a pair of shoes + for a barefoot! This is something new, indeed! Ah! well, since things are + so, I will place the shoe that is left in the fireplace, and to-night the + Christ Child will put in a rod to whip you when you wake. And to-morrow + you shall have nothing to eat but water and dry bread, and we shall see if + the next time you will give away your shoe to the first vagabond that + comes along.” + </p> + <p> + And saying this the wicked woman gave him a box on each ear, and made him + climb to his wretched room in the loft. There the heartbroken little one + lay down in the darkness, and, drenching his pillow with tears, fell + asleep. + </p> + <p> + But in the morning, when the old woman, awakened by the cold and shaken by + her cough, descended to the kitchen, oh! wonder of wonders! she saw the + great fireplace filled with bright toys, magnificent boxes of sugar-plums, + riches of all sorts, and in front of all this treasure, the wooden shoe + which her nephew had given to the vagabond, standing beside the other shoe + which she herself had placed there the night before, intending to put in + it a handful of switches. + </p> + <p> + And as little Wolff, who had come running at the cries of his aunt, stood + in speechless delight before all the splendid Christmas gifts, there came + great shouts of laughter from the street. + </p> + <p> + The old woman and the little boy went out to learn what it was all about, + and saw the gossips gathered around the public fountain. What could have + happened? Oh, a most amusing and extraordinary thing! The children of all + the rich men of the city, whose parents wished to surprise them with the + most beautiful gifts, had found nothing but switches in their shoes! + </p> + <p> + Then the old woman and little Wolff remembered with alarm all the riches + that were in their own fireplace, but just then they saw the pastor of the + parish church arriving with his face full of perplexity. + </p> + <p> + Above the bench near the church door, in the very spot where the night + before a child, dressed in white, with bare feet exposed to the great + cold, had rested his sleeping head, the pastor had seen a golden circle + wrought into the old stones. Then all the people knew that the beautiful, + sleeping child, beside whom had lain the carpenter's tools, was the Christ + Child himself, and that he had rewarded the faith and charity of little + Wolff. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0111" id="link2H_4_0111"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE PINE TREE + </h2> + <h3> + BY HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN (TRANSLATED) + </h3> + <p> + I. WHEN IT WAS LITTLE + </p> + <p> + Out in the woods stood such a nice little Pine Tree: he had a good place; + the sun could get at him; there was fresh air enough; and round him grew + many big comrades, both pines and firs. But the little Pine wanted so very + much to be a grown-up tree. + </p> + <p> + He did not think of the warm sun and of the fresh air, he did not care for + the little cottage-children who ran about and prattled when they were + looking for wild strawberries and raspberries. Often they came with a + whole jug full, or had their strawberries strung on a straw, and sat down + near the little Tree and said, “Oh, what a nice little fellow!” This was + what the Tree could not bear to hear. + </p> + <p> + The year after he had shot up a good deal, and the next year after he was + still bigger; for with pine trees one can always tell by the shoots how + many years old they are. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, were I but such a big tree as the others are,” sighed the little + Tree. “Then I could spread my branches so far, and with the tops look out + into the wide world! Birds would build nests among my branches; and when + there was a breeze, I could nod as grandly as the others there.” + </p> + <p> + He had no delight at all in the sunshine, or in the birds, or the red + clouds which morning and evening sailed above him. + </p> + <p> + When now it was winter and the snow all around lay glittering white, a + hare would often come leaping along, and jump right over the little Tree. + Oh, that made him so angry! But two winters went by, and with the third + the Tree was so big that the hare had to go round it. “Oh, to grow, to + grow, to become big and old, and be tall,” thought the Tree: “that, after + all, is the most delightful thing in the world!” + </p> + <p> + In autumn the wood-cutters always came and felled some of the largest + trees. This happened every year, and the young Pine Tree, that was now + quite well grown, trembled at the sight; for the great stately trees fell + to the earth with noise and cracking, the branches were lopped off, and + the trees looked quite bare, they were so long and thin; you would hardly + know them for trees, and then they were laid on carts, and horses dragged + them out of the wood. + </p> + <p> + Where did they go to? What became of them? + </p> + <p> + In spring, when the Swallow and the Stork came, the Tree asked them, + “Don't you know where they have been taken? Have you not met them + anywhere?” + </p> + <p> + The Swallow did not know anything about it; but the Stork looked doubtful, + nodded his head, and said, “Yes; I have it; I met many new ships as I was + flying from Egypt; on the ships were splendid masts, and I dare say it was + they that smelt so of pine. I wish you joy, for they lifted themselves on + high in fine style!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, were I but old enough to fly across the sea! How does the sea really + look? and what is it like?” + </p> + <p> + “Aye, that takes a long time to tell,” said the Stork, and away he went. + </p> + <p> + “Rejoice in thy youth!” said the Sunbeams, “rejoice in thy hearty growth, + and in the young life that is in thee!” + </p> + <p> + And the Wind kissed the Tree, and the Dew wept tears over him, but the + Pine Tree understood it not. + </p> + <p> + II. CHRISTMAS IN THE WOODS + </p> + <p> + When Christmas came, quite young trees were cut down; trees which were not + even so large or of the same age as this Pine Tree, who had no rest or + peace, but always wanted to be off. These young trees, and they were + always the finest looking, always kept their branches; they were laid on + carts, and the horses drew them out of the wood. + </p> + <p> + “Where are they going to?” asked the Pine Tree. “They are not taller than + I; there was one, indeed, that was much shorter;—and why do they + keep all their branches? Where are they carrying them to?” + </p> + <p> + “We know! we know!” chirped the Sparrows. “We have peeped in at the + windows down there in the town. We know where they are carrying them to. + Oh, they are going to where it is as bright and splendid as you can think! + We peeped through the windows, and saw them planted in the middle of the + warm room, and dressed with the most splendid things,—with gilded + apples, with gingerbread, with toys and many hundred lights!” + </p> + <p> + “And then?” asked the Pine Tree, and he trembled in every bough. “And + then? What happens then?” + </p> + <p> + “We did not see anything more: it beat everything!” + </p> + <p> + “I wonder if I am to sparkle like that!” cried the Tree, rejoicing. “That + is still better than to go over the sea! How I do suffer for very longing! + Were Christmas but come! I am now tall, and stretch out like the others + that were carried off last year! Oh, if I were already on the cart! I wish + I were in the warm room with all the splendor and brightness. And then? + Yes; then will come something better, something still grander, or why + should they dress me out so? There must come something better, something + still grander,—but what? Oh, how I long, how I suffer! I do not know + myself what is the matter with me!” + </p> + <p> + “Rejoice in us!” said the Air and the Sunlight; “rejoice in thy fresh + youth out here in the open air!” + </p> + <p> + But the Tree did not rejoice at all; he grew and grew; and he stood there + in all his greenery; rich green was he winter and summer. People that saw + him said, “That's a fine tree!” and toward Christmas he was the first that + was cut down. The axe struck deep into the very pith; the Tree fell to the + earth with a sigh: he felt a pang—it was like a swoon; he could not + think of happiness, for he was sad at being parted from his home, from the + place where he had sprung up. He well knew that he should never see his + dear old comrades, the little bushes and flowers around him, any more; + perhaps not even the birds! The setting off was not at all pleasant. + </p> + <p> + The Tree only came to himself when he was unloaded in a courtyard with + other trees, and heard a man say, “That one is splendid! we don't want the + others.” Then two servants came in rich livery and carried the Pine Tree + into a large and splendid room. Portraits were hanging on the walls, and + near the white porcelain stove stood two large Chinese vases with lions on + the covers. There, too, were large easy-chairs, silken sofas, large tables + full of picture-books, and full of toys worth a hundred times a hundred + dollars—at least so the children said. And the Pine Tree was stuck + upright in a cask filled with sand: but no one could see that it was a + cask, for green cloth was hung all around it, and it stood on a gayly + colored carpet. Oh, how the Tree quivered! What was to happen? The + servants, as well as the young ladies, dressed it. On one branch there + hung little nets cut out of colored paper; each net was filled with + sugar-plums; gilded apples and walnuts hung as though they grew tightly + there, and more than a hundred little red, blue, and white tapers were + stuck fast into the branches. Dolls that looked for all the world like men—the + Tree had never seen such things before—fluttered among the leaves, + and at the very top a large star of gold tinsel was fixed. It was really + splendid—splendid beyond telling. + </p> + <p> + “This evening!” said they all; “how it will shine this evening!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh,” thought the Tree, “if it were only evening! If the tapers were but + lighted! And then I wonder what will happen! I wonder if the other trees + from the forest will come to look at me! I wonder if the sparrows will + beat against the window-panes! I wonder if I shall take root here, and + stand dressed so winter and summer!” + </p> + <p> + Aye, aye, much he knew about the matter! but he had a real back-ache for + sheer longing, and a back-ache with trees is the same thing as a head-ache + with us. + </p> + <p> + III. CHRISTMAS IN THE HOUSE + </p> + <p> + The candles were now lighted. What brightness! What splendor! The Tree + trembled so in every bough that one of the tapers set fire to a green + branch. It blazed up splendidly. + </p> + <p> + Now the Tree did not even dare to tremble. That was a fright! He was so + afraid of losing something of all his finery, that he was quite confused + amidst the glare and brightness; and now both folding-doors opened, and a + troop of children rushed in as if they would tip the whole Tree over. The + older folks came quietly behind; the little ones stood quite still, but + only for a moment, then they shouted so that the whole place echoed their + shouts, they danced round the Tree, and one present after another was + pulled off. + </p> + <p> + “What are they about?” thought the Tree. “What is to happen now?” And the + lights burned down to the very branches, and as they burned down they were + put out one after the other, and then the children had leave to plunder + the Tree. Oh, they rushed upon it so that it cracked in all its limbs; if + its tip-top with the gold star on it had not been fastened to the ceiling, + it would have tumbled over. + </p> + <p> + The children danced about with their pretty toys; no one looked at the + Tree except the old nurse, who peeped in among the branches; but it was + only to see if there was a fig or an apple that had been forgotten. + </p> + <p> + “A story! a story!” cried the children, and they dragged a little fat man + toward the Tree. He sat down under it, and said, “Now we are in the shade, + and the Tree can hear very well too. But I shall tell only one story. Now + which will you have: that about Ivedy-Avedy, or about Klumpy-Dumpy who + tumbled downstairs, and came to the throne after all, and married the + princess?” + </p> + <p> + “Ivedy-Avedy,” cried some; “Klumpy-Dumpy,” cried the others. There was + such a bawling and screaming!—the Pine Tree alone was silent, and he + thought to himself, “Am I not to bawl with the rest?—am I to do + nothing whatever?”—for he was one of them, and he had done what he + had to do. + </p> + <p> + And the man told about Klumpy-Dumpy who tumbled downstairs, and came to + the throne after all, and married the princess. And the children clapped + their hands, and cried out, “Go on, go on!” They wanted to hear about + Ivedy-Avedy too, but the little man only told them about Klumpy-Dumpy. The + Pine Tree stood quite still and thoughtful: the birds in the wood had + never told anything like this. “Klumpy-Dumpy fell downstairs, and yet he + married the princess! Yes, yes, that's the way of the world!” thought the + Pine Tree, and he believed it all, because it was such a nice man who told + the story. + </p> + <p> + “Well, well! who knows, perhaps I may fall downstairs, too, and so get a + princess!” And he looked forward with joy to the next day when he should + be decked out with lights and toys, fruits and tinsel. + </p> + <p> + “To-morrow I won't tremble!” thought the Pine Tree. “I will enjoy to the + full all my splendor! To-morrow I shall hear again the story of + Klumpy-Dumpy, and perhaps that of Ivedy-Avedy too.” And the whole night + the Tree stood still in deep thought. + </p> + <p> + In the morning the servant and the maid came in. + </p> + <p> + IV. IN THE ATTIC + </p> + <p> + “Now all the finery will begin again,” thought the Pine. But they dragged + him out of the room, and up the stairs into the attic; and here in a dark + corner, where no daylight could enter, they left him. “What's the meaning + of this?” thought the Tree. “What am I to do here? What shall I see and + hear now, I wonder?” And he leaned against the wall and stood and thought + and thought. And plenty of time he had, for days and nights passed, and + nobody came up; and when at last somebody did come, it was only to put + some great trunks in the corner. There stood the Tree quite hidden; it + seemed as if he had been entirely forgotten. + </p> + <p> + “'T is now winter out-of-doors!” thought the Tree. “The earth is hard and + covered with snow; men cannot plant me now; therefore I have been put up + here under cover till spring! How thoughtful that is! How good men are, + after all! If it were not so dark here, and so terribly lonely! Not even a + hare. Out there it was so pleasant in the woods, when the snow was on the + ground, and the hare leaped by; yes—even when he jumped over me; but + I did not like it then. It is terribly lonely here!” + </p> + <p> + “Squeak! squeak!” said a little Mouse at the same moment, peeping out of + his hole. And then another little one came. They snuffed about the Pine + Tree, and rustled among the branches. + </p> + <p> + “It is dreadfully cold,” said the little Mouse. “But for that, it would be + delightful here, old Pine, wouldn't it!” + </p> + <p> + “I am by no means old,” said the Pine Tree. “There are many a good deal + older than I am.” + </p> + <p> + “Where do you come from?” asked the Mice; “and what can you do?” They were + so very curious. “Tell us about the most beautiful spot on earth. Have you + been there? Were you ever in the larder, where cheeses lie on the shelves, + and hams hang from above; where one dances about on tallow candles; where + one goes in lean and comes out fat?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know that place,” said the Tree. “But I know the wood where the + sun shines, and where the little birds sing.” + </p> + <p> + And then he told his story from his youth up; and the little Mice had + never heard the like before; and they listened and said, “Well, to be + sure! How much you have seen! How happy you must have been!” + </p> + <p> + “I!” said the Pine Tree, and he thought over what he had himself told. + “Yes, really those were happy times.” And then he told about Christmas + Eve, when he was decked out with cakes and candles. + </p> + <p> + “Oh,” said the little Mice, “how lucky you have been, old Pine Tree!” + </p> + <p> + “I am not at all old,” said he. “I came from the wood this winter; I am in + my prime, and am only rather short of my age.” + </p> + <p> + “What delightful stories you know!” said the Mice: and the next night they + came with four other little Mice, who were to hear what the Tree had to + tell; and the more he told, the more plainly he remembered all himself; + and he thought: “That was a merry time! But it can come! it can come! + Klumpy-Dumpy fell down stairs, and yet he got a princess! Maybe I can get + a princess too!” And all of a sudden he thought of a nice little Birch + Tree growing out in the woods: to the Pine, that would be a really + charming princess. + </p> + <p> + “Who is Klumpy-Dumpy?” asked the little Mice. + </p> + <p> + So then the Pine Tree told the whole fairy tale, for he could remember + every single word of it; and the little Mice jumped for joy up to the very + top of the Tree. Next night two more Mice came, and on Sunday two Rats, + even; but they said the stories were not amusing, which vexed the little + Mice, because they, too, now began to think them not so very amusing + either. + </p> + <p> + “Do you know only that one story?” asked the Rats. + </p> + <p> + “Only that one!” answered the Tree. “I heard it on my happiest evening; + but I did not then know how happy I was.” + </p> + <p> + “It is a very stupid story! Don't you know one about bacon and tallow + candles? Can't you tell any larder-stories?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said the Tree. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, then,” said the Rats; and they went home. + </p> + <p> + At last the little Mice stayed away also; and the Tree sighed: “After all, + it was very pleasant when the sleek little Mice sat round me and heard + what I told them. Now that too is over. But I will take good care to enjoy + myself when I am brought out again.” + </p> + <p> + But when was that to be? Why, it was one morning when there came a number + of people and set to work in the loft. The trunks were moved, the tree was + pulled out and thrown down; they knocked him upon the floor, but a man + drew him at once toward the stairs, where the daylight shone. + </p> + <p> + V. OUT OF DOORS AGAIN + </p> + <p> + “Now life begins again,” thought the Tree. He felt the fresh air, the + first sunbeam,—and now he was out in the courtyard. All passed so + quickly that the Tree quite forgot to look to himself, there was so much + going on around him. The court adjoined a garden, and all was in flower; + the roses hung over the fence, so fresh and smelling so sweetly; the + lindens were in blossom, the Swallows flew by, and said, + “Quirre-virre-vit! my husband is come!” But it was not the Pine Tree that + they meant. + </p> + <p> + “Now, I shall really live,” said he with joy, and spread out his branches; + dear! dear! they were all dry and yellow. It was in a corner among weeds + and nettles that he lay. The golden star of tinsel was still on top of the + Tree, and shone in the bright sunshine. + </p> + <p> + In the courtyard a few of the merry children were playing who had danced + at Christmas round the Tree, and were so glad at the sight of him. One of + the littlest ran and tore off the golden star. + </p> + <p> + “See what is still on the ugly old Christmas Tree!” said he, and he + trampled on the branches, so that they cracked under his feet. + </p> + <p> + And the Tree saw all the beauty of the flowers, and the freshness in the + garden; he saw himself, and he wished he had stayed in his dark corner in + the attic: he thought of his fresh youth in the wood, of the merry + Christmas Eve, and of the little Mice who had heard so gladly the story of + Klumpy-Dumpy. + </p> + <p> + “Gone! gone!” said the poor Tree. “Had I but been happy when I could be. + Gone! gone!” + </p> + <p> + And the gardener's boy came and chopped the Tree into small pieces; there + was a whole heap lying there. The wood flamed up finely under the large + brewing kettle, and it sighed so deeply! Each sigh was like a little shot. + So the children ran to where it lay and sat down before the fire, and + peeped in at the blaze, and shouted “Piff! paff!” But at every snap there + was a deep sigh. The Tree was thinking of summer days in the wood, and of + winter nights when the stars shone; it was thinking of Christmas Eve and + Klumpy-Dumpy, the only fairy tale it had heard and knew how to tell,—and + so the Tree burned out. + </p> + <p> + The boys played about in the court, and the youngest wore the gold star on + his breast which the Tree had worn on the happiest evening of his life. + Now, that was gone, the Tree was gone, and gone too was the story. All, + all was gone, and that's the way with all stories. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0112" id="link2H_4_0112"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE CHRISTMAS CUCKOO + </h2> + <h3> + BY FRANCES BROWNE (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + Once upon a time there stood in the midst of a bleak moor, in the North + Country, a certain village. All its inhabitants were poor, for their + fields were barren, and they had little trade; but the poorest of them all + were two brothers called Scrub and Spare, who followed the cobbler's + craft. Their hut was built of clay and wattles. The door was low and + always open, for there was no window. The roof did not entirely keep out + the rain and the only thing comfortable was a wide fireplace, for which + the brothers could never find wood enough to make sufficient fire. There + they worked in most brotherly friendship, though with little + encouragement. + </p> + <p> + On one unlucky day a new cobbler arrived in the village. He had lived in + the capital city of the kingdom and, by his own account, cobbled for the + queen and the princesses. His awls were sharp, his lasts were new; he set + up his stall in a neat cottage with two windows. The villagers soon found + out that one patch of his would outwear two of the brothers'. In short, + all the mending left Scrub and Spare, and went to the new cobbler. + </p> + <p> + The season had been wet and cold, their barley did not ripen well, and the + cabbages never half-closed in the garden. So the brothers were poor that + winter, and when Christmas came they had nothing to feast on but a barley + loaf and a piece of rusty bacon. Worse than that, the snow was very deep + and they could get no firewood. + </p> + <p> + Their hut stood at the end of the village; beyond it spread the bleak + moor, now all white and silent. But that moor had once been a forest; + great roots of old trees were still to be found in it, loosened from the + soil and laid bare by the winds and rains. One of these, a rough, gnarled + log, lay hard by their door, the half of it above the snow, and Spare said + to his brother:— + </p> + <p> + “Shall we sit here cold on Christmas while the great root lies yonder? Let + us chop it up for firewood, the work will make us warm.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Scrub, “it's not right to chop wood on Christmas; besides, that + root is too hard to be broken with any hatchet.” + </p> + <p> + “Hard or not, we must have a fire,” replied Spare. “Come, brother, help me + in with it. Poor as we are there is nobody in the village will have such a + yule log as ours.” + </p> + <p> + Scrub liked a little grandeur, and, in hopes of having a fine yule log, + both brothers strained and strove with all their might till, between + pulling and pushing, the great old root was safe on the hearth, and + beginning to crackle and blaze with the red embers. + </p> + <p> + In high glee the cobblers sat down to their bread and bacon. The door was + shut, for there was nothing but cold moonlight and snow outside; but the + hut, strewn with fir boughs and ornamented with holly, looked cheerful as + the ruddy blaze flared up and rejoiced their hearts. + </p> + <p> + Then suddenly from out the blazing root they heard: “Cuckoo! cuckoo!” as + plain as ever the spring-bird's voice came over the moor on a May morning. + </p> + <p> + “What is that?” said Scrub, terribly frightened; “it is something bad!” + </p> + <p> + “Maybe not,” said Spare. + </p> + <p> + And out of the deep hole at the side of the root, which the fire had not + reached, flew a large, gray cuckoo, and lit on the table before them. Much + as the cobblers had been surprised, they were still more so when it said:— + </p> + <p> + “Good gentlemen, what season is this?” + </p> + <p> + “It's Christmas,” said Spare. + </p> + <p> + “Then a merry Christmas to you!” said the cuckoo. “I went to sleep in the + hollow of that old root one evening last summer, and never woke till the + heat of your fire made me think it was summer again. But now since you + have burned my lodging, let me stay in your hut till the spring comes + round,—I only want a hole to sleep in, and when I go on my travels + next summer be assured I will bring you some present for your trouble.” + </p> + <p> + “Stay and welcome,” said Spare, while Scrub sat wondering if it were + something bad or not. + </p> + <p> + “I'll make you a good warm hole in the thatch,” said Spare. “But you must + be hungry after that long sleep,—here is a slice of barley bread. + Come help us to keep Christmas!” + </p> + <p> + The cuckoo ate up the slice, drank water from a brown jug, and flew into a + snug hole which Spare scooped for it in the thatch of the hut. + </p> + <p> + Scrub said he was afraid it wouldn't be lucky; but as it slept on and the + days passed he forgot his fears. + </p> + <p> + So the snow melted, the heavy rains came, the cold grew less, the days + lengthened, and one sunny morning the brothers were awakened by the cuckoo + shouting its own cry to let them know the spring had come. + </p> + <p> + “Now I'm going on my travels,” said the bird, “over the world to tell men + of the spring. There is no country where trees bud, or flowers bloom, that + I will not cry in before the year goes round. Give me another slice of + barley bread to help me on my journey, and tell me what present I shall + bring you at the twelvemonth's end.” + </p> + <p> + Scrub would have been angry with his brother for cutting so large a slice, + their store of barley being low, but his mind was occupied with what + present it would be most prudent to ask for. + </p> + <p> + “There are two trees hard by the well that lies at the world's end,” said + the cuckoo; “one of them is called the golden tree, for its leaves are all + of beaten gold. Every winter they fall into the well with a sound like + scattered coin, and I know not what becomes of them. As for the other, it + is always green like a laurel. Some call it the wise, and some the merry, + tree. Its leaves never fall, but they that get one of them keep a blithe + heart in spite of all misfortunes, and can make themselves as merry in a + hut as in a palace.” + </p> + <p> + “Good master cuckoo, bring me a leaf off that tree!” cried Spare. + </p> + <p> + “Now, brother, don't be a fool!” said Scrub; “think of the leaves of + beaten gold! Dear master cuckoo, bring me one of them!” + </p> + <p> + Before another word could be spoken the cuckoo had flown out of the open + door, and was shouting its spring cry over moor and meadow. + </p> + <p> + The brothers were poorer than ever that year. Nobody would send them a + single shoe to mend, and Scrub and Spare would have left the village but + for their barley-field and their cabbage-garden. They sowed their barley, + planted their cabbage, and, now that their trade was gone, worked in the + rich villagers' fields to make out a scanty living. + </p> + <p> + So the seasons came and passed; spring, summer, harvest, and winter + followed each other as they have done from the beginning. At the end of + the latter Scrub and Spare had grown so poor and ragged that their old + neighbors forgot to invite them to wedding feasts or merrymakings, and the + brothers thought the cuckoo had forgotten them, too, when at daybreak on + the first of April they heard a hard beak knocking at their door, and a + voice crying:— + </p> + <p> + “Cuckoo! cuckoo! Let me in with my presents!” + </p> + <p> + Spare ran to open the door, and in came the cuckoo, carrying on one side + of its bill a golden leaf larger than that of any tree in the North + Country; and in the other side of its bill, one like that of the common + laurel, only it had a fresher green. + </p> + <p> + “Here,” it said, giving the gold to Scrub and the green to Spare, “it is a + long carriage from the world's end. Give me a slice of barley bread, for I + must tell the North Country that the spring has come.” + </p> + <p> + Scrub did not grudge the thickness of that slice, though it was cut from + their last loaf. So much gold had never been in the cobbler's hands + before, and he could not help exulting over his brother. + </p> + <p> + “See the wisdom of my choice,” he said, holding up the large leaf of gold. + “As for yours, as good might be plucked from any hedge, I wonder a + sensible bird would carry the like so far.” + </p> + <p> + “Good master cobbler,” cried the cuckoo, finishing its slice, “your + conclusions are more hasty than courteous. If your brother is disappointed + this time, I go on the same journey every year, and for your hospitable + entertainment will think it no trouble to bring each of you whichever leaf + you desire.” + </p> + <p> + “Darling cuckoo,” cried Scrub, “bring me a golden one.” + </p> + <p> + And Spare, looking up from the green leaf on which he gazed as though it + were a crown-jewel, said:— + </p> + <p> + “Be sure to bring me one from the merry tree.” + </p> + <p> + And away flew the cuckoo. + </p> + <p> + “This is the feast of All Fools, and it ought to be your birthday,” said + Scrub. “Did ever man fling away such an opportunity of getting rich? Much + good your merry leaves will do in the midst of rags and poverty!” + </p> + <p> + But Spare laughed at him, and answered with quaint old proverbs concerning + the cares that come with gold, till Scrub, at length getting angry, vowed + his brother was not fit to live with a respectable man; and taking his + lasts, his awls, and his golden leaf, he left the wattle hut, and went to + tell the villagers. + </p> + <p> + They were astonished at the folly of Spare, and charmed with Scrub's good + sense, particularly when he showed them the golden leaf, and told that the + cuckoo would bring him one every spring. + </p> + <p> + The new cobbler immediately took him into partnership; the greatest people + sent him their shoes to mend. Fairfeather, a beautiful village maiden, + smiled graciously upon him; and in the course of that summer they were + married, with a grand wedding feast, at which the whole village danced + except Spare, who was not invited, because the bride could not bear his + low-mindedness, and his brother thought him a disgrace to the family. + </p> + <p> + As for Scrub he established himself with Fairfeather in a cottage close by + that of the new cobbler, and quite as fine. There he mended shoes to + everybody's satisfaction, had a scarlet coat and a fat goose for dinner on + holidays. Fairfeather, too, had a crimson gown, and fine blue ribbons; but + neither she nor Scrub was content, for to buy this grandeur the golden + leaf had to be broken and parted With piece by piece, so the last morsel + was gone before the cuckoo came with another. + </p> + <p> + Spare lived on in the old hut, and worked in the cabbage-garden. (Scrub + had got the barley-field because he was the elder.) Every day his coat + grew more ragged, and the hut more weather-beaten; but people remarked + that he never looked sad or sour. And the wonder was that, from the time + any one began to keep his company, he or she grew kinder, happier, and + content. + </p> + <p> + Every first of April the cuckoo came tapping at their doors with the + golden leaf for Scrub, and the green for Spare. Fairfeather would have + entertained it nobly with wheaten bread and honey, for she had some notion + of persuading it to bring two golden leaves instead of one; but the cuckoo + flew away to eat barley bread with Spare, saying it was not fit company + for fine people, and liked the old hut where it slept so snugly from + Christmas till spring. + </p> + <p> + Scrub spent the golden leaves, and remained always discontented; and Spare + kept the merry ones. + </p> + <p> + I do not know how many years passed in this manner, when a certain great + lord, who owned that village, came to the neighborhood. His castle stood + on the moor. It was ancient and strong, with high towers and a deep moat. + All the country as far as one could see from the highest turret belonged + to its lord; but he had not been there for twenty years, and would not + have come then only he was melancholy. And there he lived in a very bad + temper. The servants said nothing would please him, and the villagers put + on their worst clothes lest he should raise their rents. + </p> + <p> + But one day in the harvest-time His Lordship chanced to meet Spare + gathering water-cresses at a meadow stream, and fell into talk with the + cobbler. How it was nobody could tell, but from that hour the great lord + cast away his melancholy. He forgot all his woes, and went about with a + noble train, hunting, fishing, and making merry in his hall, where all + travelers were entertained, and all the poor were welcome. + </p> + <p> + This strange story spread through the North Country, and great company + came to the cobbler's hut,—rich men who had lost their money, poor + men who had lost their friends, beauties who had grown old, wits who had + gone out of fashion,—all came to talk with Spare, and, whatever + their troubles had been, all went home merry. + </p> + <p> + The rich gave him presents, the poor gave him thanks. Spare's coat ceased + to be ragged, he had bacon with his cabbage, and the villagers began to + think there was some sense in him. + </p> + <p> + By this time his fame had reached the capital city, and even the court. + There were a great many discontented people there; and the king had lately + fallen into ill humor because a neighboring princess, with seven islands + for her dowry, would not marry his eldest son. + </p> + <p> + So a royal messenger was sent to Spare, with a velvet mantle, a diamond + ring, and a command that he should repair to court immediately. + </p> + <p> + “To-morrow is the first of April,” said Spare, “and I will go with you two + hours after sunrise.” + </p> + <p> + The messenger lodged all night at the castle, and the cuckoo came at + sunrise with the merry leaf. + </p> + <p> + “Court is a fine place,” it said, when the cobbler told it he was going, + “but I cannot come there; they would lay snares and catch me; so be + careful of the leaves I have brought you, and give me a farewell slice of + barley bread.” + </p> + <p> + Spare was sorry to part with the cuckoo, little as he had of its company, + but he gave it a slice which would have broken Scrub's heart in former + times, it was so thick and large. And having sewed up the leaves in the + lining of his leather doublet, he set out with the messenger on his way to + court. + </p> + <p> + His coming caused great surprise there. Everybody wondered what the king + could see in such a common-looking man; but scarcely had His Majesty + conversed with him half an hour, when the princess and her seven islands + were forgotten and orders given that a feast for all comers should be + spread in the banquet hall. + </p> + <p> + The princes of the blood, the great lords and ladies, the ministers of + state, after that discoursed with Spare, and the more they talked the + lighter grew their hearts, so that such changes had never been seen at + court. + </p> + <p> + The lords forgot their spites and the ladies their envies, the princes and + ministers made friends among themselves, and the judges showed no favor. + </p> + <p> + As for Spare, he had a chamber assigned him in the palace, and a seat at + the king's table. One sent him rich robes, and another costly jewels; but + in the midst of all his grandeur he still wore the leathern doublet, and + continued to live at the king's court, happy and honored, and making all + others merry and content. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0113" id="link2H_4_0113"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE CHRISTMAS FAIRY OF STRASBURG + </h2> + <h3> + A GERMAN FOLK-TALE + </h3> + <p> + BY J. STIRLING COYNE (ADAPTED) + </p> + <p> + Once, long ago, there lived near the ancient city of Strasburg, on the + river Rhine, a young and handsome count, whose name was Otto. As the years + flew by he remained unwed, and never so much as cast a glance at the fair + maidens of the country round; for this reason people began to call him + “Stone-Heart.” + </p> + <p> + It chanced that Count Otto, on one Christmas Eve, ordered that a great + hunt should take place in the forest surrounding his castle. He and his + guests and his many retainers rode forth, and the chase became more and + more exciting. It led through thickets, and over pathless tracts of + forest, until at length Count Otto found himself separated from his + companions. + </p> + <p> + He rode on by himself until he came to a spring of clear, bubbling water, + known to the people around as the “Fairy Well.” Here Count Otto + dismounted. He bent over the spring and began to lave his hands in the + sparkling tide, but to his wonder he found that though the weather was + cold and frosty, the water was warm and delightfully caressing. He felt a + glow of joy pass through his veins, and, as he plunged his hands deeper, + he fancied that his right hand was grasped by another, soft and small, + which gently slipped from his finger the gold ring he always wore. And, + lo! when he drew out his hand, the gold ring was gone. + </p> + <p> + Full of wonder at this mysterious event, the count mounted his horse and + returned to his castle, resolving in his mind that the very next day he + would have the Fairy Well emptied by his servants. + </p> + <p> + He retired to his room, and, throwing himself just as he was upon his + couch, tried to sleep; but the strangeness of the adventure kept him + restless and wakeful. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly he heard the hoarse baying of the watch-hounds in the courtyard, + and then the creaking of the drawbridge, as though it were being lowered. + Then came to his ear the patter of many small feet on the stone staircase, + and next he heard indistinctly the sound of light footsteps in the chamber + adjoining his own. + </p> + <p> + Count Otto sprang from his couch, and as he did so there sounded a strain + of delicious music, and the door of his chamber was flung open. Hurrying + into the next room, he found himself in the midst of numberless Fairy + beings, clad in gay and sparkling robes. They paid no heed to him, but + began to dance, and laugh, and sing, to the sound of mysterious music. + </p> + <p> + In the center of the apartment stood a splendid Christmas Tree, the first + ever seen in that country. Instead of toys and candles there hung on its + lighted boughs diamond stars, pearl necklaces, bracelets of gold + ornamented with colored jewels, aigrettes of rubies and sapphires, silken + belts embroidered with Oriental pearls, and daggers mounted in gold and + studded with the rarest gems. The whole tree swayed, sparkled, and + glittered in the radiance of its many lights. + </p> + <p> + Count Otto stood speechless, gazing at all this wonder, when suddenly the + Fairies stopped dancing and fell back, to make room for a lady of dazzling + beauty who came slowly toward him. + </p> + <p> + She wore on her raven-black tresses a golden diadem set with jewels. Her + hair flowed down upon a robe of rosy satin and creamy velvet. She + stretched out two small, white hands to the count and addressed him in + sweet, alluring tones:— + </p> + <p> + “Dear Count Otto,” said she, “I come to return your Christmas visit. I am + Ernestine, the Queen of the Fairies. I bring you something you lost in the + Fairy Well.” + </p> + <p> + And as she spoke she drew from her bosom a golden casket, set with + diamonds, and placed it in his hands. He opened it eagerly and found + within his lost gold ring. + </p> + <p> + Carried away by the wonder of it all, and overcome by an irresistible + impulse, the count pressed the Fairy Ernestine to his heart, while she, + holding him by the hand, drew him into the magic mazes of the dance. The + mysterious music floated through the room, and the rest of that Fairy + company circled and whirled around the Fairy Queen and Count Otto, and + then gradually dissolved into a mist of many colors, leaving the count and + his beautiful guest alone. + </p> + <p> + Then the young man, forgetting all his former coldness toward the maidens + of the country round about, fell on his knees before the Fairy and + besought her to become his bride. At last she consented on the condition + that he should never speak the word “death” in her presence. + </p> + <p> + The next day the wedding of Count Otto and Ernestine, Queen of the + Fairies, was celebrated with great pomp and magnificence, and the two + continued to live happily for many years. + </p> + <p> + Now it happened on a time, that the count and his Fairy wife were to hunt + in the forest around the castle. The horses were saddled and bridled, and + standing at the door, the company waited, and the count paced the hall in + great impatience; but still the Fairy Ernestine tarried long in her + chamber. At length she appeared at the door of the hall, and the count + addressed her in anger. + </p> + <p> + “You have kept us waiting so long,” he cried, “that you would make a good + messenger to send for Death!” + </p> + <p> + Scarcely had he spoken the forbidden and fatal word, when the Fairy, + uttering a wild cry, vanished from his sight. In vain Count Otto, + overwhelmed with grief and remorse, searched the castle and the Fairy + Well, no trace could he find of his beautiful, lost wife but the imprint + of her delicate hand set in the stone arch above the castle gate. + </p> + <p> + Years passed by, and the Fairy Ernestine did not return. The count + continued to grieve. Every Christmas Eve he set up a lighted tree in the + room where he had first met the Fairy, hoping in vain that she would + return to him. + </p> + <p> + Time passed and the count died. The castle fell into ruins. But to this + day may be seen above the massive gate, deeply sunken in the stone arch, + the impress of a small and delicate hand. + </p> + <p> + And such, say the good folk of Strasburg, was the origin of the Christmas + Tree. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0114" id="link2H_4_0114"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE THREE PURSES + </h2> + <h3> + A LEGEND + </h3> + <p> + BY WILLIAM S. WALSH (ADAPTED) + </p> + <p> + When Saint Nicholas was Bishop of Myra, there were among his people three + beautiful maidens, daughters of a nobleman. Their father was so poor that + he could not afford to give them dowries, and as in that land no maid + might marry without a dowry, so these three maidens could not wed the + youths who loved them. + </p> + <p> + At last the father became so very poor that he no longer had money with + which to buy food or clothes for his daughters, and he was overcome by + shame and sorrow. As for the daughters they wept continually, for they + were both cold and hungry. + </p> + <p> + One day Saint Nicholas heard of the sad state of this noble family. So at + night, when the maidens were asleep, and the father was watching, + sorrowful and lonely, the good saint took a handful of gold, and, tying it + in a purse, set off for the nobleman's house. Creeping to the open window + he threw the purse into the chamber, so that it fell on the bed of the + sleeping maidens. + </p> + <p> + The father picked up the purse, and when he opened it and saw the gold, he + rejoiced greatly, and awakened his daughters. He gave most of the gold to + his eldest child for a dowry, and thus she was enabled to wed the young + man whom she loved. + </p> + <p> + A few days later Saint Nicholas filled another purse with gold, and, as + before, went by night to the nobleman's house, and tossed the purse + through the open window. Thus the second daughter was enabled to marry the + young man whom she loved. + </p> + <p> + Now, the nobleman felt very grateful to the unknown one who threw purses + of gold into his room and he longed to know who his benefactor was and to + thank him. So the next night he watched beneath the open window. And when + all was dark, lo! good Saint Nicholas came for the third time, carrying a + silken purse filled with gold, and as he was about to throw it on the + youngest maiden's bed, the nobleman caught him by his robe, crying:— + </p> + <p> + “Ohs good Saint Nicholas! why do you hide yourself thus?” + </p> + <p> + And he kissed the saint's hands and feet, but Saint Nicholas, overcome + with confusion at having his good deed discovered, begged the nobleman to + tell no man what had happened. + </p> + <p> + Thus the nobleman's third daughter was enabled to marry the young man whom + she loved; and she and her father and her two sisters lived happily for + the remainder of their lives. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0115" id="link2H_4_0115"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE THUNDER OAK + </h2> + <h3> + A SCANDINAVIAN LEGEND + </h3> + <p> + WILLIAM S. WALSH AND OTHER SOURCES + </p> + <p> + When the heathen raged through the forests of the ancient Northland there + grew a giant tree branching with huge limbs toward the clouds. It was the + Thunder Oak of the war-god Thor. + </p> + <p> + Thither, under cover of night, heathen priests were wont to bring their + victims—both men and beasts—and slay them upon the altar of + the thunder-god. There in the darkness was wrought many an evil deed, + while human blood was poured forth and watered the roots of that gloomy + tree, from whose branches depended the mistletoe, the fateful plant that + sprang from the blood-fed veins of the oak. So gloomy and terror-ridden + was the spot on which grew the tree that no beasts of field or forest + would lodge beneath its dark branches, nor would birds nest or perch among + its gnarled limbs. + </p> + <p> + Long, long ago, on a white Christmas Eve, Thor's priests held their winter + rites beneath the Thunder Oak. Through the deep snow of the dense forest + hastened throngs of heathen folk, all intent on keeping the mystic feast + of the mighty Thor. In the hush of the night the folk gathered in the + glade where stood the tree. Closely they pressed around the great + altar-stone under the overhanging boughs where stood the white-robed + priests. Clearly shone the moonlight on all. + </p> + <p> + Then from the altar flashed upward the sacrificial flames, casting their + lurid glow on the straining faces of the human victims awaiting the blow + of the priest's knife. + </p> + <p> + But the knife never fell, for from the silent avenues of the dark forest + came the good Saint Winfred and his people. Swiftly the saint drew from + his girdle a shining axe. Fiercely he smote the Thunder Oak, hewing a deep + gash in its trunk. And while the heathen folk gazed in horror and wonder, + the bright blade of the axe circled faster and faster around Saint + Winfred's head, and the flakes of wood flew far and wide from the + deepening cut in the body of the tree. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly there was heard overhead the sound of a mighty, rushing wind. A + whirling blast struck the tree. It gripped the oak from its foundations. + Backward it fell like a tower, groaning as it split into four pieces. + </p> + <p> + But just behind it, unharmed by the ruin, stood a young fir tree, pointing + its green spire to heaven. + </p> + <p> + Saint Winfred dropped his axe, and turned to speak to the people. Joyously + his voice rang out through the crisp, winter air:— + </p> + <p> + “This little tree, a young child of the forest, shall be your holy tree + to-night. It is the tree of peace, for your houses are built of fir. It is + the sign of endless life, for its leaves are forever green. See how it + points upward to heaven! Let this be called the tree of the Christ Child. + Gather about it, not in the wildwood, but in your own homes. There it will + shelter no deeds of blood, but loving gifts and rites of kindness. So + shall the peace of the White Christ reign in your hearts!” + </p> + <p> + And with songs of joy the multitude of heathen folk took up the little fir + tree and bore it to the house of their chief, and there with good will and + peace they kept the holy Christmastide. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0116" id="link2H_4_0116"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE CHRISTMAS THORN OF GLASTONBURY + </h2> + <h3> + A LEGEND OF ANCIENT BRITAIN + </h3> + <p> + ADAPTED FROM WILLIAM OF MALMESBURY AND OTHER SOURCES + </p> + <p> + There is a golden Christmas legend and it relates how Joseph of Arimathea—that + good man and just, who laid our Lord in his own sepulcher, was persecuted + by Pontius Pilate, and how he fled from Jerusalem carrying with him the + Holy Grail hidden beneath a cloth of samite, mystical and white. + </p> + <p> + For many moons he wandered, leaning on his staff cut from a white-thorn + bush. He passed over raging seas and dreary wastes, he wandered through + trackless forests, climbed rugged mountains, and forded many floods. At + last he came to Gaul where the Apostle Philip was preaching the glad + tidings to the heathen. And there Joseph abode for a little space. + </p> + <p> + Now, upon a night while Joseph lay asleep in his hut, he was wakened by a + radiant light. And as he gazed with wondering eyes he saw an angel + standing by his couch, wrapped in a cloud of incense. + </p> + <p> + “Joseph of Arimathea,” said the angel, “cross thou over into Britain and + preach the glad tidings to King Arvigarus. And there, where a Christmas + miracle shall come to pass, do thou build the first Christian church in + that land.” + </p> + <p> + And while Joseph lay perplexed and wondering in his heart what answer he + should make, the angel vanished from his sight. + </p> + <p> + Then Joseph left his hut and calling the Apostle Philip, gave him the + angel's message. And, when morning dawned, Philip sent him on his way, + accompanied by eleven chosen followers. To the water's side they went, and + embarking in a little ship, they came unto the coasts of Britain. + </p> + <p> + And they were met there by the heathen who carried them before Arvigarus + their king. To him and to his people did Joseph of Arimathea preach the + glad tidings; but the king's heart, though moved, was not convinced. + Nevertheless he gave to Joseph and his followers Avalon, the happy isle, + the isle of the blessed, and he bade them depart straightway and build + there an altar to their God. + </p> + <p> + And a wonderful gift was this same Avalon, sometimes called the Island of + Apples, and also known to the people of the land as Ynis-witren, the Isle + of Glassy Waters. Beautiful and peaceful was it. Deep it lay in the midst + of a green valley, and the balmy breezes fanned its apple orchards, and + scattered afar the sweet fragrance of rosy blossoms or ripened fruit. Soft + grew the green grass beneath the feet. The smooth waves gently lapped the + shore, and water-lilies floated on the surface of the tide; while in the + blue sky above sailed the fleecy clouds. + </p> + <p> + And it was on the holy Christmas Eve that Joseph and his companions + reached the Isle of Avalon. With them they carried the Holy Grail hidden + beneath its cloth of snow-white samite. Heavily they toiled up the steep + ascent of the hill called Weary-All. And when they reached the top Joseph + thrust his thorn-staff into the ground. + </p> + <p> + And, lo! a miracle! the thorn-staff put forth roots, sprouted and budded, + and burst into a mass of white and fragrant flowers! And on the spot where + the thorn had bloomed, there Joseph built the first Christian church in + Britain. And he made it “wattled all round” of osiers gathered from the + water's edge. And in the chapel they placed the Holy Grail. + </p> + <p> + And so, it is said, ever since at Glastonbury Abbey—the name by + which that Avalon is known to-day—on Christmas Eve the white thorn + buds and blooms. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0117" id="link2H_4_0117"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE THREE KINGS OF COLOGNE + </h2> + <h3> + A LEGEND OF THE MIDDLE AGES + </h3> + <p> + BY JOHN OF HILDESHEIM-MODERNIZED BY H. S. MORRIS (ADAPTED) THE STAR + </p> + <p> + Now, when the Children of Israel were gone out of Egypt, and had won and + made subject to them Jerusalem and all the land lying about, there was in + the Kingdom of Ind a tall hill called the Hill of Vaws, or the Hill of + Victory. On this hill were stationed sentinels of Ind, who watched day and + night against the Children of Israel, and afterward against the Romans. + </p> + <p> + And if an enemy approached, the keepers of the Hill of Vaws made a great + fire to warn the inhabitants of the land so that the men might make ready + to defend themselves. + </p> + <p> + Now in the time when Balaam prophesied of the Star that should betoken the + birth of Christ, all the great lords and the people of Ind and in the East + desired greatly to see this Star of which he spake; and they gave gifts to + the keepers of the Hill of Vaws, and bade them, if they saw by night or by + day any star in the air, that had not been seen aforetime, that they, the + keepers, should send anon word to the people of Ind. + </p> + <p> + And thus was it that for so long a time the fame of this Star was borne + throughout the lands of the East. And the more the Star was sought for, + and the more its fame increased, so much the more all the people of the + Land of Ind desired to see it. So they ordained twelve of the wisest and + greatest of the clerks of astronomy, that were in all that country about, + and gave them great hire to keep watch upon the Hill of Vaws for the Star + that was prophesied of Balaam. + </p> + <p> + Now, when Christ was born in Bethlehem of Judea, His Star began to rise in + the manner of a sun, bright shining. It ascended above the Hill of Vaws, + and all that day in the highest air it abode without moving, insomuch that + when the sun was hot and most high there was no difference in shining + betwixt them. + </p> + <p> + But when the day of the nativity was passed the Star ascended up into the + firmament, and it had right many long streaks and beams, more burning and + brighter than a brand of fire; and, as an eagle flying and beating the air + with his wings, right so the streaks and beams of the Star stirred about. + </p> + <p> + Then all the people, both man and woman, of all that country about when + they saw this marvelous Star, were full of wonder thereat; yet they knew + well that it was the Star that was prophesied of Balaam, and long time was + desired of all the people in that country. + </p> + <p> + Now, when the three worshipful kings, who at that time reigned in Ind, + Chaldea, and Persia, were informed by the astronomers of this Star, they + were right glad that they had grace to see the Star in their days. + </p> + <p> + Wherefore these three worshipful kings, Melchior, Balthazar, and Jasper + (in the same hour the Star appeared to all three), though each of them was + far from the other, and none knew of the others' purpose, decided to go + and seek and worship the Lord and King of the Jews, that was new born, as + the appearance of the Star announced. + </p> + <p> + So each king prepared great and rich gifts, and trains of mules, camels, + and horses charged with treasure, and together with a great multitude of + people they set forth on their journeys. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0118" id="link2H_4_0118"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE CHILD + </h2> + <p> + Now, when these three worshipful kings were passed forth out of their + kingdoms, the Star went before each king and his people. When they stood + still and rested, the Star stood still; and when they went forward again, + the Star always went before them in virtue and strength and gave light all + the way. + </p> + <p> + And, as it is written, in the time that Christ was born, there was peace + in all the world, wherefore in all the cities and towns through which they + went there was no gate shut neither by night nor by day; and all the + people of those same cities and towns marveled wonderfully as they saw + kings and vast multitudes go by in great haste; but they knew not what + they were, nor whence they came, nor whither they should go. + </p> + <p> + Furthermore these three kings rode forth over hills, waters, valleys, + plains, and other divers and perilous places without hindrance, for all + the way seemed to them plain and even. And they never took shelter by + night nor by day, nor ever rested, nor did their horses and other beasts + ever eat or drink till they had come to Bethlehem. And all this time it + did seem to them as one day. + </p> + <p> + But when the three blessed kings had come near to Jerusalem, then a great + cloud of darkness hid the Star from their sight. And when Melchior and his + people were come fast by the city, they abode in fog and darkness. Then + came Balthazar, and he abode under the same cloud near unto Melchior. + Thereupon appeared Jasper with all his host. + </p> + <p> + So these three glorious kings, each with his host and burdens and beasts, + met together in the highway without the city of Jerusalem. And, + notwithstanding that none of them ever before had seen the other, nor knew + him, nor had heard of his coming, yet at their meeting each one with great + reverence and joy kissed the other. So afterward, when they had spoken + together and each had told his purpose and the cause of his journey, they + were much more glad and fervent. So they rode forth, and at the uprising + of the sun, they came into Jerusalem. And yet the Star appeared not. + </p> + <p> + So then these three worshipful kings, when they were come into the city, + asked of the people concerning the Child that was born; and when Herod + heard this he was troubled and all Jerusalem with him, and he privately + summoned to him these three kings and learned of them the time when the + Star appeared. He then sent them forth, bidding them find the young Child + and return to him. + </p> + <p> + Now when these three kings were passed out of Jerusalem the Star appeared + to them again as it did erst, and went before them till they were come to + Bethlehem. + </p> + <p> + Now, the nearer the kings came to the place where Christ was born, the + brighter shined the Star, and they entered Bethlehem the sixth hour of the + day. And they rode through the streets till they came before a little + house. There the Star stood still, and then descended and shone with so + great a light that the little house was full of radiance; till anon the + Star went upward again into the air, and stood still always above the same + place. + </p> + <p> + And the three kings went into the little house and found the Child with + his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him, and offered him gifts. + </p> + <p> + And you shall understand that these three kings had brought great gifts + from their own lands, rich ornaments and divers golden vessels, and many + jewels and precious stones, and both gold and silver,—these they had + brought to offer to the King of the Jews. But when they found the Lord in + a little-house, in poor clothes, and when they saw that the Star gave so + great and holy a light in all the place that it seemed as though they + stood in a furnace of fire, then were they so sore afraid, that of all the + rich jewels and ornaments they had brought with them, they chose from + their treasures what came first to their hands. For Melchior took a round + apple of gold in his hand, and thirty gilt pennies, and these he offered + unto our Lord; and Balthazar took out of his treasury incense; and Jasper + took out myrrh, and that he offered with weeping and tears. + </p> + <p> + And now after these three kings had worshiped the Lord, they abode in + Bethlehem for a little space, and as they abode, there came a command to + them, in their sleep, that they should not return to Herod; and so by + another way they went home to their kingdoms. But the Star that had gone + before appeared no more. + </p> + <p> + So these three kings, who had suddenly met together in the highway before + Jerusalem, went home together with great joy and honor. And when, after + many days' journey over perilous places, they had come to the Hill of + Vaws, they made there a fair chapel in worship of the Child they had + sought. Also they agreed to meet together at the same place once in the + year, and they ordained that the Hill of Vaws should be the place of their + burial. + </p> + <p> + So when the three worshipful kings had done what they would, they took + leave of each other, and each one with his people rode to his own land + rejoicing. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0119" id="link2H_4_0119"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + HOW THEY CAME TO COLOGNE + </h2> + <p> + Now, after many years, a little before the feast of Christmas, there + appeared a wonderful Star above the cities where these three kings dwelt, + and they knew thereby that their time was come when they should pass from + earth. Then with one consent they built, at the Hill of Vaws, a fair and + large tomb, and there the three Holy Kings, Melchior, Balthazar, and + Jasper died, and were buried in the same tomb by their sorrowing people. + </p> + <p> + Now after much time had passed away, Queen Helen, the mother of the + Emperor Constantine, began to think greatly of the bodies of these three + kings, and she arrayed herself, and, accompanied by many attendants, went + into the Land of Ind. + </p> + <p> + And you shall understand that after she had found the bodies of Melchior, + Balthazar, and Jasper, Queen Helen put them into one chest and ornamented + it with great riches, and she brought them into Constantinople, with joy + and reverence, and laid them in a church that is called Saint Sophia; and + this church the Emperor Constantine did make,—he alone, with a + little child, set up all the marble pillars thereof. + </p> + <p> + Now, after the death of the Emperor Constantine a persecution against the + Christian faith arose, and in this persecution the bodies of the three + worshipful kings were set at naught. Then came the Emperor Mauricius of + Rome, and, through his counsel, the bodies of these three kings were + carried to Italy, and there they were laid in a fair church in the city of + Milan. + </p> + <p> + Then afterward, in the process of time, the city of Milan rebelled against + the Emperor Frederick the First, and he, being sore beset, sent to + Rainald, Archbishop of Cologne, asking for help. + </p> + <p> + This Archbishop with his army did take the city of Milan, and delivered it + to the Emperor. And for this service did the Emperor grant, at the + Archbishop's great entreaty, that he should carry forth to Cologne the + bodies of the three blessed kings. + </p> + <p> + Then the Archbishop, with great solemnity and in procession, did carry + forth from the city of Milan the bodies of the three kings, and brought + them unto Cologne and there placed them in the fair church of Saint Peter. + And all the people of the country roundabout, with all the reverence they + might, received these relics, and there in the city of Cologne they are + kept and beholden of all manner of nations unto this day. + </p> + <p> + Thus endeth the legend of these three blessed kings,—Melchior, + Balthazar, and Jasper. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0120" id="link2H_4_0120"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + ARBOR DAY + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0121" id="link2H_4_0121"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE LITTLE TREE THAT LONGED FOR OTHER LEAVES + </h2> + <h3> + BY FRIEDRICH RUCHERT (TRANSLATED) + </h3> + <p> + There was a little tree that stood in the woods through both good and + stormy weather, and it was covered from top to bottom with needles instead + of leaves. The needles were sharp and prickly, so the little tree said to + itself:— + </p> + <p> + “All my tree comrades have beautiful green leaves, and I have only sharp + needles. No one will touch me. If I could have a wish I would ask for + leaves of pure gold.” + </p> + <p> + When night came the little tree fell asleep, and, lo! in the morning it + woke early and found itself covered with glistening, golden leaves. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, ah!” said the little tree, “how grand I am! No other tree in the + woods is dressed in gold.” + </p> + <p> + But at evening time there came a peddler with a great sack and a long + beard. He saw the glitter of the golden leaves. He picked them all and + hurried away leaving the little tree cold and bare. + </p> + <p> + “Alas! alas!” cried the little tree in sorrow; “all my golden leaves are + gone! I am ashamed to stand among the other trees that have such beautiful + foliage. If I only had another wish I would ask for leaves of glass.” + </p> + <p> + Then the little tree fell asleep, and when it woke early, it found itself + covered with bright and shining leaves of glass. + </p> + <p> + “Now,” said the little tree, “I am happy. No tree in the woods glistens + like me.” + </p> + <p> + But there came a fierce storm-wind driving through the woods. It struck + the glass, and in a moment all the shining leaves lay shattered on the + ground. + </p> + <p> + “My leaves, my glass leaves!” moaned the little tree; “they lie broken in + the dust, while all the other trees are still dressed in their beautiful + foliage. Oh! if I had another wish I would ask for green leaves.” + </p> + <p> + Then the little tree slept again, and in the morning it was covered with + fresh, green foliage. And it laughed merrily, and said: “Now, I need not + be ashamed any more. I am like my comrades of the woods.” + </p> + <p> + But along came a mother-goat, looking for grass and herbs for herself and + her young ones. She saw the crisp, new leaves; and she nibbled, and + nibbled, and nibbled them all away, and she ate up both stems and tender + shoots, till the little tree stood bare. + </p> + <p> + “Alas!” cried the little tree in anguish, “I want no more leaves, neither + gold ones nor glass ones, nor green and red and yellow ones! If I could + only have my needles once more, I would never complain again.” + </p> + <p> + And sorrowfully the little tree fell asleep, but when it saw itself in the + morning sunshine, it laughed and laughed and laughed. And all the other + trees laughed, too, but the little tree did not care. Why did they laugh? + Because in the night all its needles had come again! You may see this for + yourself. Just go into the woods and look, but do not touch the little + tree. Why not? BECAUSE IT PRICKS. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0122" id="link2H_4_0122"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + WHY THE EVERGREEN TREES NEVER LOSE THEIR LEAVES + </h2> + <h3> + BY FLORENCE HOLBROOK + </h3> + <p> + Winter was coming, and the birds had flown far to the south, where the air + was warm and they could find berries to eat. One little bird had broken + its wing and could not fly with the others. It was alone in the cold world + of frost and snow. The forest looked warm, and it made its way to the + trees as well as it could, to ask for help. + </p> + <p> + First it came to a birch tree. “Beautiful birch tree,” it said, “my wing + is broken, and my friends have flown away. May I live among your branches + till they come back to me?” + </p> + <p> + “No, indeed,” answered the birch tree, drawing her fair green leaves away. + “We of the great forest have our own birds to help. I can do nothing for + you.” + </p> + <p> + “The birch is not very strong,” said the little bird to itself, “and it + might be that she could not hold me easily. I will ask the oak.” So the + bird said: “Great oak tree, you are so strong, will you not let me live on + your boughs till my friends come back in the springtime?” + </p> + <p> + “In the springtime!” cried the oak. “That is a long way off. How do I know + what you might do in all that time? Birds are always looking for something + to eat, and you might even eat up some of my acorns.” + </p> + <p> + “It may be that the willow will be kind to me,” thought the bird, and it + said: “Gentle willow, my wing is broken, and I could not fly to the south + with the other birds. May I live on your branches till the springtime?” + </p> + <p> + The willow did not look gentle then, for she drew herself up proudly and + said: “Indeed, I do not know you, and we willows never talk to people whom + we do not know. Very likely there are trees somewhere that will take in + strange birds. Leave me at once.” + </p> + <p> + The poor little bird did not know what to do. Its wing was not yet strong, + but it began to fly away as well as it could. Before it had gone far a + voice was heard. “Little bird,” it said, “where are you going?” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed, I do not know,” answered the bird sadly. “I am very cold.” + </p> + <p> + “Come right here, then,” said the friendly spruce tree, for it was her + voice that had called. + </p> + <p> + “You shall live on my warmest branch all winter if you choose.” + </p> + <p> + “Will you really let me?” asked the little bird eagerly. + </p> + <p> + “Indeed, I will,” answered the kind-hearted spruce tree. “If your friends + have flown away, it is time for the trees to help you. Here is the branch + where my leaves are thickest and softest.” + </p> + <p> + “My branches are not very thick,” said the friendly pine tree, “but I am + big and strong, and I can keep the North Wind from you and the spruce.” + </p> + <p> + “I can help, too,” said a little juniper tree. “I can give you berries all + winter long, and every bird knows that juniper berries are good.” + </p> + <p> + So the spruce gave the lonely little bird a home; the pine kept the cold + North Wind away from it; and the juniper gave it berries to eat. The other + trees looked on and talked together wisely. + </p> + <p> + “I would not have strange birds on my boughs,” said the birch. + </p> + <p> + “I shall not give my acorns away for any one,” said the oak. + </p> + <p> + “I never have anything to do with strangers,” said the willow, and the + three trees drew their leaves closely about them. + </p> + <p> + In the morning all those shining, green leaves lay on the ground, for a + cold North Wind had come in the night, and every leaf that it touched fell + from the tree. + </p> + <p> + “May I touch every leaf in the forest?” asked the wind in its frolic. + </p> + <p> + “No,” said the Frost King. “The trees that have been kind to the little + bird with the broken wing may keep their leaves.” + </p> + <p> + This is why the leaves of the spruce, the pine, and the juniper are always + green. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0123" id="link2H_4_0123"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + WHY THE ASPEN QUIVERS + </h2> + <h3> + OLD LEGEND + </h3> + <p> + Long, long ago, so the legend says, when Joseph and Mary and the Holy Babe + fled out of Bethlehem into Egypt, they passed through the green wildwood. + And flowers and trees and plants bent their heads in reverence. + </p> + <p> + But the proud aspen held its head high and refused even to look at the + Holy Babe. In vain the birds sang in the aspen's branches, entreating it + to gaze for one moment at the wonderful One; the proud tree still held its + head erect in scorn. + </p> + <p> + Then outspake Mary, his mother. “O aspen tree,” she said, “why do you not + gaze on the Holy Child? Why do you not bow your head? A star arose at his + birth, angels sang his first lullaby, kings and shepherds came to the + brightness of his rising; why, then, O aspen, do you refuse to honor your + Lord and mine?” + </p> + <p> + But the aspen could not answer. A strange shivering passed through its + stem and along its boughs, which set its leaves a-quivering. It trembled + before the Holy Babe. + </p> + <p> + And so from age to age, even unto this day, the proud aspen shakes and + shivers. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0124" id="link2H_4_0124"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE WONDER TREE + </h2> + <h3> + BY FRIEDRICH ADOLPH KRUMMACHER (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + One day in the springtime, Prince Solomon was sitting under the palm trees + in the royal gardens, when he saw the Prophet Nathan walking near. + </p> + <p> + “Nathan,” said the Prince, “I would see a wonder.” + </p> + <p> + The Prophet smiled. “I had the same desire in the days of my youth,” he + replied. + </p> + <p> + “And was it fulfilled?” asked Solomon. + </p> + <p> + “A Man of God came to me,” said Nathan, “having a pomegranate seed in his + hand. 'Behold,' he said, 'what will become of this.' Then he made a hole + in the ground, and planted the seed, and covered it over. When he withdrew + his hand the clods of earth opened, and I saw two small leaves coming + forth. But scarcely had I beheld them, when they joined together and + became a small stem wrapped in bark; and the stem grew before my eyes,—and + it grew thicker and higher and became covered with branches. + </p> + <p> + “I marveled, but the Man of God motioned me to be silent. 'Behold,' said + he, 'new creations begin.' + </p> + <p> + “Then he took water in the palm of his hand, and sprinkled the branches + three times, and, lo! the branches were covered with green leaves, so that + a cool shade spread above us, and the air was fined with perfume. + </p> + <p> + “'From whence come this perfume and this shade?' cried I. + </p> + <p> + “'Dost thou not see,' he answered, 'these crimson flowers bursting from + among the leaves, and hanging in clusters?' + </p> + <p> + “I was about to speak, but a gentle breeze moved the leaves, scattering + the petals of the flowers around us. Scarcely had the falling flowers + reached the ground when I saw ruddy pomegranates hanging beneath the + leaves of the tree, like almonds on Aaron's rod. Then the Man of God left + me, and I was lost in amazement.” + </p> + <p> + “Where is he, this Man of God?” asked Prince Solomon eagerly. “What is his + name? Is he still alive?” + </p> + <p> + “Son of David,” answered Nathan, “I have spoken to thee of a vision.” + </p> + <p> + When the Prince heard this he was grieved to the heart. “How couldst thou + deceive me thus?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + But the Prophet replied: “Behold in thy father's gardens thou mayest daily + see the unfolding of wonder trees. Doth not this same miracle happen to + the fig, the date, and the pomegranate? They spring from the earth, they + put out branches and leaves, they flower, they fruit,—not in a + moment, perhaps, but in months and years,—but canst thou tell the + difference betwixt a minute, a month, or a year in the eyes of Him with + whom one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day?” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0125" id="link2H_4_0125"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE PROUD OAK TREE + </h2> + <h3> + OLD FABLE <a href="#linknote-11" name="linknoteref-11" id="linknoteref-11"><small>11</small></a> + </h3> + <p> + <a name="linknote-11" id="linknote-11"> + <!-- Note --></a> + </p> + <p class="foot"> + 11 (<a href="#linknoteref-11">return</a>)<br /> [ From Deutsches Drittes + Lesebuch, by W. H. Weick and C. Grebner. Copyright, 1886, by Van Antwerp, + Bragg & Co. American Book Company, publishers.] + </p> + <p> + (TRANSLATED) + </p> + <p> + The oak said to the reed that grew by the river: “It is no wonder that you + make such a sorrowful moaning, for you are so weak that the little wren is + a burden for you, and the lightest breeze must seem like a storm-wind. Now + look at me! No storm has ever been able to bow my head. You will be much + safer if you grow close to my side so that I may shelter you from the wind + that is now playing with my leaves.” + </p> + <p> + “Do not worry about me,” said the reed; “I have less reason to fear the + wind than you have. I bow myself, but I never break. He who laughs last, + laughs best!” + </p> + <p> + That night there came a fearful hurricane. The oak stood erect. The reed + bowed itself before the blast. The wind grew more furious, and, uprooting + the proud oak, flung it on the ground. + </p> + <p> + When the morning came there stood the slender reed, glittering with + dewdrops, and softly swaying in the breeze. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0126" id="link2H_4_0126"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BAUCIS AND PHILEMON + </h2> + <h3> + ADAPTED FROM H. P. MASKEL'S RENDERING OF THE GREEK MYTH + </h3> + <p> + On the slopes of the Phrygian hills, there once dwelt a pious old couple + named Baucis and Philemon. They had lived all their lives in a tiny + cottage of wattles, thatched with straw, cheerful and content in spite of + their poverty. + </p> + <p> + As this worthy couple sat dozing by the fireside one evening in the late + autumn, two strangers came and begged a shelter for the night. They had to + stoop to enter the humble doorway, where the old man welcomed them + heartily and bade them rest their weary limbs on the settle before the + fire. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Baucis stirred the embers, blowing them into a flame with dry + leaves, and heaped on the fagots to boil the stew-pot. Hanging from the + blackened beams was a rusty side of bacon. Philemon cut off a rasher to + roast, and, while his guests refreshed themselves with a wash at the + rustic trough, he gathered pot-herbs from his patch of garden. Then the + old woman, her hands trembling with age, laid the cloth and spread the + table. + </p> + <p> + It was a frugal meal, but one that hungry wayfarers could well relish. The + first course was an omelette of curdled milk and eggs, garnished with + radishes and served on rude oaken platters. The cups of turned beechwood + were filled with homemade wine from an earthen jug. The second course + consisted of dried figs and dates, plums, sweet-smelling apples, and + grapes, with a piece of clear, white honeycomb. What made the meal more + grateful to the guests was the hearty spirit in which it was offered. + Their hosts gave all they had without stint or grudging. + </p> + <p> + But all at once something happened which startled and amazed Baucis and + Philemon. They poured out wine for their guests, and, lo! each time the + pitcher filled itself again to the brim. + </p> + <p> + The old couple then knew that their guests were not mere mortals; indeed, + they were no other than Jupiter and Mercury come down to earth in the + disguise of poor travelers. Being ashamed of their humble entertainment, + Philemon hurried out and gave chase to his only goose, intending to kill + and roast it. But his guests forbade him, saying:— + </p> + <p> + “In mortal shape we have come down, and at a hundred houses asked for + lodging and rest. For answer a hundred doors were shut and locked against + us. You alone, the poorest of all, have received us gladly and given us of + your best. Now it is for us to punish these impious people who treat + strangers so churlishly, but you two shall be spared. Only leave your + cottage and follow us to yonder mountain-top.” + </p> + <p> + So saying, Jupiter and Mercury led the way, and the two old folks hobbled + after them. Presently they reached the top of the mountain, and Baucis and + Philemon saw all the country round, with villages and people, sinking into + a marsh; while their own cottage alone was left standing. + </p> + <p> + And while they gazed, their cottage was changed into a white temple. The + doorway became a porch with marble columns. The thatch grew into a roof of + golden tiles. The little garden about their home became a park. + </p> + <p> + Then Jupiter, regarding Baucis and Philemon with kindly eyes, said: “Tell + me, O good old man and you good wife, what may we do in return for your + hospitality?” + </p> + <p> + Philemon whispered for a moment with Baucis, and she nodded her approval. + “We desire,” he replied, “to be your servants, and to have the care of + this temple. One other favor we would ask. From boyhood I have loved only + Baucis, and she has lived only for me. Let the selfsame hour take us both + away together. Let me never see the tomb of my wife, nor let her suffer + the misery of mourning my death.” + </p> + <p> + Jupiter and Mercury, pleased with these requests, willingly granted both, + and endowed Baucis and Philemon with youth and strength as well. The gods + then vanished from their sight, but as long as their lives lasted Baucis + and Philemon were the guardians of the white temple that once had been + their home. + </p> + <p> + And when again old age overtook them, they were standing one day in front + of the sacred porch, and Baucis, turning her gaze upon her husband, saw + him slowly changing into a gnarled oak tree. And Philemon, as he felt + himself rooted to the ground, saw Baucis at the same time turning into a + leafy linden. + </p> + <p> + And as their faces disappeared behind the green foliage, each cried unto + the other, “Farewell, dearest love!” and again, “Dearest love, farewell!” + And their human forms were changed to trees and branches. + </p> + <p> + And still, if you visit the spot, you may see an oak and a linden tree + with branches intertwined. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0127" id="link2H_4_0127"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE UNFRUITFUL TREE + </h2> + <h3> + BY FRIEDRICH ADOLPH KRUMMACHER + </h3> + <p> + A farmer had a brother in town who was a gardener, and who possessed a + magnificent orchard full of the finest fruit trees, so that his skill and + his beautiful trees were famous everywhere. + </p> + <p> + One day the farmer went into town to visit his brother, and was astonished + at the rows of trees that grew slender and smooth as wax tapers. + </p> + <p> + “Look, my brother,” said the gardener; “I will give you an apple tree, the + best from my garden, and you, and your children, and your children's + children shall enjoy it.” + </p> + <p> + Then the gardener called his workmen and ordered them to take up the tree + and carry it to his brother's farm. They did so, and the next morning the + farmer began to wonder where he should plant it. + </p> + <p> + “If I plant it on the hill,” said he to himself, “the wind might catch it + and shake down the delicious fruit before it is ripe; if I plant it close + to the road, passers-by will see it and rob me of its luscious apples; but + if I plant it too near the door of my house, my servants or the children + may pick the fruit.” + </p> + <p> + So, after he had thought the matter over, he planted the tree behind his + barn, saying to himself: “Prying thieves will not think to look for it + here.” + </p> + <p> + But behold, the tree bore neither fruit nor blossoms the first year nor + the second; then the farmer sent for his brother the gardener, and + reproached him angrily, saying:— + </p> + <p> + “You have deceived me, and given me a barren tree instead of a fruitful + one. For, behold, this is the third year and still it brings forth nothing + but leaves!” + </p> + <p> + The gardener, when he saw where the tree was planted, laughed and said:— + </p> + <p> + “You have planted the tree where it is exposed to cold winds, and has + neither sun nor warmth. How, then, could you expect flowers and fruit? You + have planted the tree with a greedy and suspicious heart; how, then, could + you expect to reap a rich and generous harvest?” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0128" id="link2H_4_0128"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE DRYAD OF THE OLD OAK + </h2> + <h3> + BY JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + In olden times there was a youth named Rhoecus. One day as he wandered + through the wood he saw an ancient oak tree, trembling and about to fall. + Full of pity for so fair a tree, Rhoecus carefully propped up its trunk, + and as he did so he heard a soft voice murmur:— + </p> + <p> + “Rhoecus!” + </p> + <p> + It sounded like the gentle sighing of the wind through the leaves; and + while Rhoecus paused bewildered to listen, again he heard the murmur like + a soft breeze:— + </p> + <p> + “Rhoecus!” + </p> + <p> + And there stood before him, in the green glooms of the shadowy oak, a + wonderful maiden. + </p> + <p> + “Rhoecus,” said she, in low-toned words, serene and full, and as clear as + drops of dew, “I am the Dryad of this tree, and with it I am doomed to + live and die. Thou hadst compassion on my oak, and in saving it thou hast + saved my life. Now, ask me what thou wilt that I can give, and it shall be + thine.” + </p> + <p> + “Beauteous nymph,” answered Rhoecus, with a flutter at the heart, “surely + nothing will satisfy the craving of my soul save to be with thee forever. + Give to me thy love!” + </p> + <p> + “I give it, Rhoecus,” answered she with sadness in her voice, “though it + be a perilous gift. An hour before sunset meet me here.” + </p> + <p> + And straightway she vanished, and Rhoecus could see nothing but the green + glooms beneath the shadowy oak. Not a sound came to his straining ears but + the low, trickling rustle of the leaves, and, from far away on the emerald + slope, the sweet sound of an idle shepherd's pipe. + </p> + <p> + Filled with wonder and joy Rhoecus turned his steps homeward. The earth + seemed to spring beneath him as he walked. The clear, broad sky looked + bluer than its wont, and so full of joy was he that he could scarce + believe that he had not wings. + </p> + <p> + Impatient for the trysting-time, he sought some companions, and to while + away the tedious hours, he played at dice, and soon forgot all else. + </p> + <p> + The dice were rattling their merriest, and Rhoecus had just laughed in + triumph at a happy throw, when through the open window of the room there + hummed a yellow bee. It buzzed about his ears, and seemed ready to alight + upon his head. At this Rhoecus laughed, and with a rough, impatient hand + he brushed it off and cried:— + </p> + <p> + “The silly insect! does it take me for a rose?” + </p> + <p> + But still the bee came back. Three times it buzzed about his head, and + three times he rudely beat it back. Then straight through the window flew + the wounded bee, while Rhoecus watched its fight with angry eyes. + </p> + <p> + And as he looked—O sorrow!—the red disk of the setting sun + descended behind the sharp mountain peak of Thessaly. + </p> + <p> + Then instantly the blood sank from his heart, as if its very walls had + caved in, for he remembered the trysting-hour-now gone by! Without a word + he turned and rushed forth madly through the city and the gate, over the + fields into the wood. + </p> + <p> + Spent of breath he reached the tree, and, listening fearfully, he heard + once more the low voice murmur:— + </p> + <p> + “Rhoecus!” + </p> + <p> + But as he looked he could see nothing but the deepening glooms beneath the + oak. + </p> + <p> + Then the voice sighed: “O Rhoecus, nevermore shalt thou behold me by day + or night! Why didst thou fail to come ere sunset? Why didst thou scorn my + humble messenger, and send it back to me with bruised wings? We spirits + only show ourselves to gentle eyes! And he who scorns the smallest thing + alive is forever shut away from all that is beautiful in woods and fields. + Farewell! for thou canst see me no more!” + </p> + <p> + Then Rhoecus beat his breast and groaned aloud. “Be pitiful,” he cried. + “Forgive me yet this once!” + </p> + <p> + “Alas,” the voice replied, “I am not unmerciful! I can forgive! But I have + no skill to heal thy spirit's eyes, nor can I change the temper of thy + heart.” And then again she murmured, “Nevermore!” + </p> + <p> + And after that Rhoecus heard no other sound, save the rustling of the + oak's crisp leaves, like surf upon a distant shore. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0129" id="link2H_4_0129"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + DAPHNE + </h2> + <h3> + BY OVID (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + In ancient times, when Apollo, the god of the shining sun, roamed the + earth, he met Cupid, who with bended bow and drawn string was seeking + human beings to wound with the arrows of love. + </p> + <p> + “Silly boy,” said Apollo, “what dost thou with the warlike bow? Such + burden best befits my shoulders, for did I not slay the fierce serpent, + the Python, whose baleful breath destroyed all that came nigh him? Warlike + arms are for the mighty, not for boys like thee! Do thou carry a torch + with which to kindle love in human hearts, but no longer lay claim to my + weapon, the bow!” + </p> + <p> + But Cupid replied in anger: “Let thy bow shoot what it will, Apollo, but + my bow shall shoot THEE!” And the god of love rose up, and beating the air + with his wings, he drew two magic arrows from his quiver. One was of + shining gold and with its barbed point could Cupid inflict wounds of love; + the other arrow was of dull silver and its wound had the power to engender + hate. + </p> + <p> + The silver arrow Cupid fixed in the breast of Daphne, the daughter of the + river-god Peneus; and forthwith she fled away from the homes of men, and + hunted beasts in the forest. + </p> + <p> + With the golden arrow Cupid grievously wounded Apollo, who fleeing to the + woods saw there the Nymph Daphne pursuing the deer; and straightway the + sun-god fell in love with her beauty. Her golden locks hung down upon her + neck, her eyes were like stars, her form was slender and graceful and + clothed in clinging white. Swifter than the light wind she flew, and + Apollo followed after. + </p> + <p> + “O Nymph! daughter of Peneus,” he cried, “stay, I entreat thee! Why dost + thou fly as a lamb from the wolf, as a deer from the lion, or as a dove + with trembling wings Bees from the eagle! I am no common man! I am no + shepherd! Thou knowest not, rash maid, from whom thou art flying! The + priests of Delphi and Tenedos pay their service to me. Jupiter is my sire. + Mine own arrow is unerring, but Cupid's aim is truer, for he has made this + wound in my heart! Alas! wretched me! though I am that great one who + discovered the art of healing, yet this love may not be healed by my herbs + nor my skill!” + </p> + <p> + But Daphne stopped not at these words, she flew from him with timid step. + The winds fluttered her garments, the light breezes spread her flowing + locks behind her. Swiftly Apollo drew near even as the keen greyhound + draws near to the frightened hare he is pursuing. With trembling limbs + Daphne sought the river, the home of her father, Peneus. Close behind her + was Apollo, the sun-god. She felt his breath on her hair and his hand on + her shoulder. Her strength was spent, she grew pale, and in faint accents + she implored the river:— + </p> + <p> + “O save me, my father, save me from Apollo, the sun-god!” + </p> + <p> + Scarcely had she thus spoken before a heaviness seized her limbs. Her + breast was covered with bark, her hair grew into green leaves, and her + arms into branches. Her feet, a moment before so swift, became rooted to + the ground. And Daphne was no longer a Nymph, but a green laurel tree. + </p> + <p> + When Apollo beheld this change he cried out and embraced the tree, and + kissed its leaves. + </p> + <p> + “Beautiful Daphne,” he said, “since thou cannot be my bride, yet shalt + thou be my tree. Henceforth my hair, my lyre, and my quiver shall be + adorned with laurel. Thy wreaths shall be given to conquering chiefs, to + winners of fame and joy; and as my head has never been shorn of its locks, + so shalt thou wear thy green leaves, winter and summer—forever!” + </p> + <p> + Apollo ceased speaking and the laurel bent its new-made boughs in assent, + and its stem seemed to shake and its leaves gently to murmur. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0130" id="link2H_4_0130"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BIRD DAY + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0131" id="link2H_4_0131"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE OLD WOMAN WHO BECAME A WOODPECKER + </h2> + <h3> + BY PHOEBE CARY (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + Afar in the Northland, where the winter days are so short and the nights + so long, and where they harness the reindeer to sledges, and where the + children look like bear's cubs in their funny, furry clothes, there, long + ago, wandered a good Saint on the snowy roads. + </p> + <p> + He came one day to the door of a cottage, and looking in saw a little old + woman making cakes, and baking them on the hearth. + </p> + <p> + Now, the good Saint was faint with fasting, and he asked if she would give + him one small cake wherewith to stay his hunger. + </p> + <p> + So the little old woman made a VERY SMALL cake and placed it on the + hearth; but as it lay baking she looked at it and thought: “That is a big + cake, indeed, quite too big for me to give away.” + </p> + <p> + Then she kneaded another cake, much smaller, and laid that on the hearth + to cook, but when she turned it over it looked larger than the first. + </p> + <p> + So she took a tiny scrap of dough, and rolled it out, and rolled it out, + and baked it as thin as a wafer; but when it was done it looked so large + that she could not bear to part with it; and she said: “My cakes are much + too big to give away,”—and she put them on the shelf. + </p> + <p> + Then the good Saint grew angry, for he was hungry and faint. “You are too + selfish to have a human form,” said he. “You are too greedy to deserve + food, shelter, and a warm fire. Instead, henceforth, you shall build as + the birds do, and get your scanty living by picking up nuts and berries + and by boring, boring all the day long, in the bark of trees.” + </p> + <p> + Hardly had the good Saint said this when the little old woman went + straight up the chimney, and came out at the top changed into a red-headed + woodpecker with coal-black feathers. + </p> + <p> + And now every country boy may see her in the woods, where she lives in + trees boring, boring, boring for her food. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0132" id="link2H_4_0132"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE BOY WHO BECAME A ROBIN + </h2> + <h3> + AN OJIBBEWAY LEGEND + </h3> + <p> + BY HENRY R. SCHOOLCRAFT (ADAPTED) + </p> + <p> + Once upon a time there was an old Indian who had an only son, whose name + was Opeechee. The boy had come to the age when every Indian lad makes a + long fast, in order to secure a Spirit to be his guardian for life. + </p> + <p> + Now, the old man was very proud, and he wished his son to fast longer than + other boys, and to become a greater warrior than all others. So he + directed him to prepare with solemn ceremonies for the fast. + </p> + <p> + After the boy had been in the sweating lodge and bath several times, his + father commanded him to lie down upon a clean mat, in a little lodge apart + from the rest. + </p> + <p> + “My son,” said he, “endure your hunger like a man, and at the end of + TWELVE DAYS, you shall receive food and a blessing from my hands.” + </p> + <p> + The boy carefully did all that his father commanded, and lay quietly with + his face covered, awaiting the arrival of his guardian Spirit who was to + bring him good or bad dreams. + </p> + <p> + His father visited him every day, encouraging him to endure with patience + the pangs of hunger and thirst. He told him of the honor and renown that + would be his if he continued his fast to the end of the twelve days. + </p> + <p> + To all this the boy replied not, but lay on his mat without a murmur of + discontent, until the ninth day; when he said:— + </p> + <p> + “My father, the dreams tell me of evil. May I break my fast now, and at a + better time make a new one?” + </p> + <p> + “My son,” replied the old man, “you know not what you ask. If you get up + now, all your glory will depart. Wait patiently a little longer. You have + but three days more to fast, then glory and honor will be yours.” + </p> + <p> + The boy said nothing more, but, covering himself closer, he lay until the + eleventh day, when he spoke again:— + </p> + <p> + “My father,” said he, “the dreams forebode evil. May I break my fast now, + and at a better time make a new one?” + </p> + <p> + “My son,” replied the old man again, “you know not what you ask. Wait + patiently a little longer. You have but one more day to fast. To-morrow I + will myself prepare a meal and bring it to you.” + </p> + <p> + The boy remained silent, beneath his covering, and motionless except for + the gentle heaving of his breast. + </p> + <p> + Early the next morning his father, overjoyed at having gained his end, + prepared some food. He took it and hastened to the lodge intending to set + it before his son. + </p> + <p> + On coming to the door of the lodge what was his surprise to hear the boy + talking to some one. He lifted the curtain hanging before the doorway, and + looking in saw his son painting his breast with vermilion. And as the lad + laid on the bright color as far back on his shoulders as he could reach, + he was saying to himself:— + </p> + <p> + “My father has destroyed my fortune as a man. He would not listen to my + requests. I shall be happy forever, because I was obedient to my parent; + but he shall suffer. My guardian Spirit has given me a new form, and now I + must go!” + </p> + <p> + At this his father rushed into the lodge, crying: + </p> + <p> + “My son! my son! I pray you leave me not!” + </p> + <p> + But the boy, with the quickness of a bird, flew to the top of the lodge, + and perching upon the highest pole, was instantly changed into a most + beautiful robin redbreast. + </p> + <p> + He looked down on his father with pity in his eyes, and said:— + </p> + <p> + “Do not sorrow, O my father, I am no longer your boy, but Opeechee the + robin. I shall always be a friend to men, and live near their dwellings. I + shall ever be happy and content. Every day will I sing you songs of joy. + The mountains and fields yield me food. My pathway is in the bright air.” + </p> + <p> + Then Opeechee the robin stretched himself as if delighting in his new + wings, and caroling his sweetest song, he flew away to the near-by trees. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0133" id="link2H_4_0133"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE TONGUE-CUT SPARROW + </h2> + <h3> + BY A. B. MITFORD (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + Once upon a time there lived a little old man and a little old woman. The + little old man had a kind heart, and he kept a young sparrow, which he + cared for tenderly. Every morning it used to sing at the door of his + house. + </p> + <p> + Now, the little old woman was a cross old thing, and one day when she was + going to starch her linen, the sparrow pecked at her paste. Then she flew + into a great rage and cut the sparrow's tongue and let the bird fly away. + </p> + <p> + When the little old man came home from the hills, where he had been + chopping wood, he found the sparrow gone. + </p> + <p> + “Where is my little sparrow?” asked he. + </p> + <p> + “It pecked at my starching-paste,” answered the little old woman, “so I + cut its evil tongue and let it fly away.” + </p> + <p> + “Alas! Alas!” cried the little old man. “Poor thing! Poor thing! Poor + little tongue-cut sparrow! Where is your home now?” + </p> + <p> + And then he wandered far and wide seeking his pet and crying:— + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Sparrow, Mr. Sparrow, where are you living?” + </p> + <p> + And he wandered on and on, over mountain and valley, and dale and river, + until one day at the foot of a certain mountain he met the lost bird. The + little old man was filled with joy and the sparrow welcomed him with its + sweetest song. + </p> + <p> + It led the little old man to its nest-house, introduced him to its wife + and small sparrows, and set before him all sorts of good things to eat and + drink. + </p> + <p> + “Please partake of our humble fare,” sang the sparrow; “poor as it is, you + are welcome.” + </p> + <p> + “What a polite sparrow,” answered the little old man, and he stayed for a + long time as the bird's guest. At last one day the little old man said + that he must take his leave and return home. + </p> + <p> + “Wait a bit,” said the sparrow. + </p> + <p> + And it went into the house and brought out two wicker baskets. One was + very heavy and the other light. + </p> + <p> + “Take the one you wish,” said the sparrow, “and good fortune go with you.” + </p> + <p> + “I am very feeble,” answered the little old man, “so I will take the light + one.” + </p> + <p> + He thanked the sparrow, and, shouldering the basket, said good-bye. Then + he trudged off leaving the sparrow family sad and lonely. + </p> + <p> + When he reached home the little old woman was very angry, and began to + scold him, saying:— + </p> + <p> + “Well, and pray where have you been all these days? A pretty thing, + indeed, for you to be gadding about like this!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh,” he replied, “I have been on a visit to the tongue-cut sparrow, and + when I came away it gave me this wicker basket as a parting gift.” + </p> + <p> + Then they opened the basket to see what was inside, and lo and behold! it + was full of gold, silver, and other precious things! + </p> + <p> + The little old woman was as greedy as she was cross, and when she saw all + the riches spread before her, she could not contain herself for joy. + </p> + <p> + “Ho! Ho!” cried she. “Now I'll go and call on the sparrow, and get a + pretty present, too!” + </p> + <p> + She asked the old man the way to the sparrow's house and set forth on her + journey. And she wandered on and on over mountain and valley, and dale and + river, until at last she saw the tongue-cut sparrow. + </p> + <p> + “Well met, well met, Mr. Sparrow,” cried she. “I have been looking forward + with much pleasure to seeing you.” And then she tried to flatter it with + soft, sweet words. + </p> + <p> + So the bird had to invite her to its nest-house, but it did not feast her + nor say anything about a parting gift. At last the little old woman had to + go, and she asked for something to carry with her to remember the visit + by. The sparrow, as before, brought out two wicker baskets. One was very + heavy and the other light. + </p> + <p> + The greedy little old woman, choosing the heavy one, carried it off with + her. + </p> + <p> + She hurried home as fast as she was able, and closing her doors and + windows so that no one might see, opened the basket. And, lo and behold! + out jumped all sorts of wicked hobgoblins and imps, and they scratched and + pinched her to death. + </p> + <p> + As for the little old man he adopted a son, and his family grew rich and + prosperous. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0134" id="link2H_4_0134"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE QUAILS—A LEGEND OF THE JATAKA + </h2> + <h3> + FROM THE RIVERSIDE FOURTH READER + </h3> + <p> + Ages ago a flock of more than a thousand quails lived together in a forest + in India. They would have been happy, but that they were in great dread of + their enemy, the quail-catcher. He used to imitate the call of the quail; + and when they gathered together in answer to it, he would throw a great + net over them, stuff them into his basket, and carry them away to be sold. + </p> + <p> + Now, one of the quails was very wise, and he said:— + </p> + <p> + “Brothers! I've thought of a good plan. In future, as soon as the fowler + throws his net over us, let each one put his head through a mesh in the + net and then all lift it up together and fly away with it. When we have + flown far enough, we can let the net drop on a thorn bush and escape from + under it.” + </p> + <p> + All agreed to the plan; and next day when the fowler threw his net, the + birds all lifted it together in the very way that the wise quail had told + them, threw it on a thorn bush and escaped. While the fowler tried to free + his net from the thorns, it grew dark, and he had to go home. + </p> + <p> + This happened many days, till at last the fowler's wife grew angry and + asked her husband:— + </p> + <p> + “Why is it that you never catch any more quail?” + </p> + <p> + Then the fowler said: “The trouble is that all the birds work together and + help one another. If they would only quarrel, I could catch them fast + enough.” + </p> + <p> + A few days later, one of the quails accidentally trod on the head of one + of his brothers, as they alighted on the feeding-ground. + </p> + <p> + “Who trod on my head?” angrily inquired the quail who was hurt. + </p> + <p> + “Don't be angry, I didn't mean to tread on you,” said the first quail. + </p> + <p> + But the brother quail went on quarreling. + </p> + <p> + “I lifted all the weight of the net; you didn't help at all,” he cried. + </p> + <p> + That made the first quail angry, and before long all were drawn into the + dispute. Then the fowler saw his chance. He imitated the cry of the quail + and cast his net over those who came together. They were still boasting + and quarreling, and they did not help one another lift the net. So the + hunter lifted the net himself and crammed them into his basket. But the + wise quail gathered his friends together and flew far away, for he knew + that quarrels are the root of misfortune. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0135" id="link2H_4_0135"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE MAGPIE'S NEST + </h2> + <h3> + BY JOSEPH JACOBS + </h3> + <p> + All the birds of the air came to the magpie and asked her to teach them + how to build nests. For the magpie is the cleverest bird of all at + building nests. So she put all the birds round her and began to show them + how to do it. First of all she took some mud and made a sort of round cake + with it. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that's how it's done!” said the thrush, and away it flew; and so + that's how thrushes build their nests. + </p> + <p> + Then the magpie took some twigs and arranged them round in the mud. + </p> + <p> + “Now I know all about it!” said the blackbird, and off it flew; and that's + how the blackbirds make their nests to this very day. + </p> + <p> + Then the magpie put another layer of mud over the twigs. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that 's quite obvious!” said the wise owl, and away it flew; and owls + have never made better nests since. + </p> + <p> + After this the magpie took some twigs and twined them round the outside. + </p> + <p> + “The very thing!” said the sparrow, and off he went; so sparrows make + rather slovenly nests to this day. + </p> + <p> + Well, then Madge magpie took some feathers and stuff, and lined the nest + very comfortably with it. + </p> + <p> + “That suits me!” cried the starling, and off it flew; and very comfortable + nests have starlings. + </p> + <p> + So it went on, every bird taking away some knowledge of how to build + nests, but none of them waiting to the end. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Madge magpie went on working and working without looking up, + till the only bird that remained was the turtle-dove, and that hadn't paid + any attention all along, but only kept on saying its silly cry: “Take two, + Taffy, take two-o-o-o!” + </p> + <p> + At last the magpie heard this just as she was putting a twig across, so + she said: “One's enough.” + </p> + <p> + But the turtle-dove kept on saying: “Take two, Taffy, take two-o-o-o!” + </p> + <p> + Then the magpie got angry and said: “One's enough, I tell you!” + </p> + <p> + Still the turtle-dove cried: “Take two, Taffy, take two-o-o-o!” + </p> + <p> + At last, and at last, the magpie looked up and saw nobody near her but the + silly turtle-dove, and then she got rarely angry and flew away and refused + to tell the birds how to build nests again. + </p> + <p> + And that is why different birds build their nests differently. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0136" id="link2H_4_0136"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE GREEDY GEESE + </h2> + <h3> + FROM IL LIBRO D'ORO (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + Many years ago there was near the sea a convent famed for the rich crops + of grain that grew on its farm. On a certain year a large flock of wild + geese descended on its fields and devoured first the corn, and then the + green blades. + </p> + <p> + The superintendent of the farm hastened to the convent and called the lady + abbess. + </p> + <p> + “Holy mother,” said he, “this year the nuns will have to fast continually, + for there will be no food.” + </p> + <p> + “Why is that?” asked the abbess. + </p> + <p> + “Because,” answered the superintendent, “a flood of wild geese has rained + upon the land, and they have eaten up the corn, nor have they left a + single green blade.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it possible,” said the abbess, “that these wicked birds have no + respect for the property of the convent! They shall do penance for their + misdeeds. Return at once to the fields, and order the geese from me to + come without delay to the convent door, so that they may receive just + punishment for their greediness.” + </p> + <p> + “But, mother,” said the superintendent, “this is not a time for jesting! + These are not sheep to be guided into the fold, but birds with long, + strong wings, to fly away with.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you understand me!” answered the abbess. “Go at once, and bid them + come to me without delay, and render an account of their misdeeds.” + </p> + <p> + The superintendent ran back to the farm, and found the flock of evildoers + still there. He raised his voice and clapping his hands, cried:— + </p> + <p> + “Come, come, ye greedy geese! The lady abbess commands you to hasten to + the convent door!” + </p> + <p> + Wonderful sight! Hardly had he uttered these words than the geese raised + their necks as if to listen, then, without spreading their wings, they + placed themselves in single file, and in regular order began to march + toward the convent. As they proceeded they bowed their heads as if + confessing their fault and as though about to receive punishment. + </p> + <p> + Arriving at the convent, they entered the courtyard in exact order, one + behind the other, and there awaited the coming of the abbess. All night + they stood thus without making a sound, as if struck dumb by their guilty + consciences. But when morning came, they uttered the most pitiful cries as + though asking pardon and permission to depart. + </p> + <p> + Then the lady abbess, taking compassion on the repentant birds, appeared + with some nuns upon a balcony. Long she talked to the geese, asking them + why they had stolen the convent grain. She threatened them with a long + fast, and then, softening, began to offer them pardon if they would never + again attack her lands, nor eat her corn. To which the geese bowed their + heads low in assent. Then the abbess gave them her blessing and permission + to depart. + </p> + <p> + Hardly had she done so when the geese, spreading their wings, made a + joyous circle above the convent towers, and flew away. Alighting at some + distance they counted their number and found one missing. For, alas! in + the night, when they had been shut in the courtyard, the convent cook, + seeing how fat they were, had stolen one bird and had killed, roasted, and + eaten it. + </p> + <p> + When the birds discovered that one of their number was missing, they again + took wing and, hovering over the convent, they uttered mournful cries, + complaining of the loss of their comrade, and imploring the abbess to + return him to the flock. + </p> + <p> + Now, when the lady abbess heard these melancholy pleas, she assembled her + household, and inquired of each member where the bird might be. The cook, + fearing that it might be already known to her, confessed the theft, and + begged for pardon. + </p> + <p> + “You have been very audacious,” said the abbess, “but at least collect the + bones and bring them to me.” + </p> + <p> + The cook did as directed, and the abbess at a word caused the bones to + come together and to assume flesh, and afterwards feathers, and, lo! the + original bird rose up. + </p> + <p> + The geese, having received their lost companion, rejoiced loudly, and, + beating their wings gratefully, made many circles over the sacred + cloister, before they flew away. Neither did they in future ever dare to + place a foot on the lands of the convent, nor to touch one blade of grass. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0137" id="link2H_4_0137"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE KING OF THE BIRDS + </h2> + <h3> + BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM (TRANSLATED) + </h3> + <p> + One day the birds took it into their heads that they would like a master, + and that one of their number must be chosen king. A meeting of all the + birds was called, and on a beautiful May morning they assembled from woods + and fields and meadows. The eagle, the robin, the bluebird, the owl, the + lark, the sparrow were all there. The cuckoo came, and the lapwing, and so + did all the other birds, too numerous to mention. There also came a very + little bird that had no name at all. + </p> + <p> + There was great confusion and noise. There was piping, hissing, chattering + and clacking, and finally it was decided that the bird that could fly the + highest should be king. + </p> + <p> + The signal was given and all the birds flew in a great flock into the air. + There was a loud rustling and whirring and beating of wings. The air was + full of dust, and it seemed as if a black cloud were floating over the + field. + </p> + <p> + The little birds soon grew tired and fell back quickly to earth. The + larger ones held out longer, and flew higher and higher, but the eagle + flew highest of any. He rose, and rose, until he seemed to be flying + straight into the sun. + </p> + <p> + The other birds gave out and one by one they fell back to earth; and when + the eagle saw this he thought, “What is the use of flying any higher? It + is settled: I am king!” + </p> + <p> + Then the birds below called in one voice: “Come back, come back! You must + be our king! No one can fly as high as you.” + </p> + <p> + “Except me!” cried a shrill, shrill voice, and the little bird without a + name rose from the eagle's back, where he had lain hidden in the feathers, + and he flew into the air. Higher and higher he mounted till he was lost to + sight, then, folding his wings together, he sank to earth crying shrilly: + “I am king! I am king!” + </p> + <p> + “You, our king!” the birds cried in anger; “you have done this by trickery + and cunning. We will not have you to reign over us.” + </p> + <p> + Then the birds gathered together again and made another condition, that he + should be king who could go the deepest into the earth. + </p> + <p> + How the goose wallowed in the sand, and the duck strove to dig a hole! All + the other birds, too, tried to hide themselves in the ground. The little + bird without a name found a mouse's hole, and creeping in cried:— + </p> + <p> + “I am king! I am king!” + </p> + <p> + “You, our king!” all the birds cried again, more angrily than before. “Do + you think that we would reward your cunning in this way? No, no! You shall + stay in the earth till you die of hunger!” + </p> + <p> + So they shut up the little bird in the mouse's hole, and bade the owl + watch him carefully night and day. Then all the birds went home to bed, + for they were very tired; but the owl found it lonely and wearisome + sitting alone staring at the mouse's hole. + </p> + <p> + “I can close one eye and watch with the other,” he thought. So he closed + one eye and stared steadfastly with the other; but before he knew it he + forgot to keep that one open, and both eyes were fast asleep. + </p> + <p> + Then the little bird without a name peeped out, and when he saw Master + Owl's two eyes tight shut, he slipped from the hole and flew away. + </p> + <p> + From this time on the owl has not dared to show himself by day lest the + birds should pull him to pieces. He flies about only at night-time, hating + and pursuing the mouse for having made the hole into which the little bird + crept. + </p> + <p> + And the little bird also keeps out of sight, for he fears lest the other + birds should punish him for his cunning. He hides in the hedges, and when + he thinks himself quite safe, he sings out: “I am king! I am king!” + </p> + <p> + And the other birds in mockery call out: “Yes, yes, the hedge-king! the + hedge-king!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0138" id="link2H_4_0138"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE DOVE WHO SPOKE TRUTH + </h2> + <h3> + BY ABBIE FARWELL BROWN + </h3> + <p> + The dove and the wrinkled little bat once went on a journey together. When + it came toward night a storm arose, and the two companions sought + everywhere for a shelter. But all the birds were sound asleep in their + nests and the animals in their holes and dens. They could find no welcome + anywhere until they came to the hollow tree where old Master Owl lived, + wide awake in the dark. + </p> + <p> + “Let us knock here,” said the shrewd bat; “I know the old fellow is not + asleep. This is his prowling hour, and but that it is a stormy night he + would be abroad hunting.—What ho, Master Owl!” he squeaked, “will + you let in two storm-tossed travelers for a night's lodging?” + </p> + <p> + Gruffly the selfish old owl bade them enter, and grudgingly invited them + to share his supper. The poor dove was so tired that she could scarcely + eat, but the greedy bat's spirits rose as soon as he saw the viands spread + before him. He was a sly fellow, and immediately began to flatter his host + into good humor. He praised the owl's wisdom and his courage, his + gallantry and his generosity; though every one knew that however wise old + Master Owl might be, he was neither brave nor gallant. As for his + generosity—both the dove and the bat well remembered his selfishness + toward the poor wren, when the owl alone of all the birds refused to give + the little fire-bringer a feather to help cover his scorched and shivering + body. + </p> + <p> + All this flattery pleased the owl. He puffed and ruffled himself, trying + to look as wise, gallant, and brave as possible. He pressed the bat to + help himself more generously to the viands, which invitation the sly + fellow was not slow to accept. + </p> + <p> + During this time the dove had not uttered a word. She sat quite still + staring at the bat, and wondering to hear such insincere speeches of + flattery. Suddenly the owl turned to her. + </p> + <p> + “As for you, Miss Pink-Eyes,” he said gruffly, “you keep careful silence. + You are a dull table-companion. Pray, have you nothing to say for + yourself?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” exclaimed the mischievous bat; “have you no words of praise for our + kind host? Methinks he deserves some return for this wonderfully generous, + agreeable, tasteful, well-appointed, luxurious, elegant, and altogether + acceptable banquet. What have you to say, O little dove?” + </p> + <p> + But the dove hung her head, ashamed of her companion, and said very + simply: “O Master Owl, I can only thank you with all my heart for the + hospitality and shelter which you have given me this night. I was beaten + by the storm, and you took me in. I was hungry, and you gave me your best + to eat. I cannot flatter nor make pretty speeches like the bat. I never + learned such manners. But I thank you.” + </p> + <p> + “What!” cried the bat, pretending to be shocked, “is that all you have to + say to our obliging host? Is he not the wisest, bravest, most gallant and + generous of gentlemen? Have you no praise for his noble character as well + as for his goodness to us? I am ashamed of you! You do not deserve such + hospitality. You do not deserve this shelter.” + </p> + <p> + The dove remained silent. Like Cordelia in the play she could not speak + untruths even for her own happiness. + </p> + <p> + “Truly, you are an unamiable guest,” snarled the owl, his yellow eyes + growing keen and fierce with anger and mortified pride. “You are an + ungrateful bird, Miss, and the bat is right. You do not deserve this + generous hospitality which I have offered, this goodly shelter which you + asked. Away with you! Leave my dwelling! Pack off into the storm and see + whether or not your silence will soothe the rain and the wind. Be off, I + say!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, away with her!” echoed the bat, flapping his leathery wings. + </p> + <p> + And the two heartless creatures fell upon the poor little dove and drove + her out into the dark and stormy night. + </p> + <p> + Poor little dove! All night she was tossed and beaten about shelterless in + the storm, because she had been too truthful to flatter the vain old owl. + But when the bright morning dawned, draggled and weary as she was, she + flew to the court of King Eagle and told him all her trouble. Great was + the indignation of that noble bird. + </p> + <p> + “For his flattery and his cruelty let the bat never presume to fly abroad + until the sun goes down,” he cried. “As for the owl, I have already doomed + him to this punishment for his treatment of the wren. But henceforth let + no bird have anything to do with either of them, the bat or the owl. Let + them be outcasts and night-prowlers, enemies to be attacked and punished + if they appear among us, to be avoided by all in their loneliness. + Flattery and inhospitality, deceit and cruelty,—what are more + hideous than these? Let them cover themselves in darkness and shun the + happy light of day. + </p> + <p> + “As for you, little dove, let this be a lesson to you to shun the company + of flatterers, who are sure to get you into trouble. But you shall always + be loved for your simplicity and truth. And as a token of our affection + your name shall be used by poets as long as the world shall last to rhyme + with LOVE.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0139" id="link2H_4_0139"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE BUSY BLUE JAY + </h2> + <h3> + BY OLIVE THORNE MILLER (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + One of the most interesting birds who ever lived in my Bird Room was a + blue jay named Jakie. He was full of business from morning till night, + scarcely ever a moment still. + </p> + <p> + Poor little fellow! He had been stolen from the nest before he could fly, + and reared in a house, long before he was given to me. Of course he could + not be set free, for he did not know how to take care of himself. + </p> + <p> + Jays are very active birds, and being shut up in a room, my blue jay had + to find things to do, to keep himself busy. If he had been allowed to grow + up out of doors, he would have found plenty to do, planting acorns and + nuts, nesting, and bringing up families. + </p> + <p> + Sometimes the things he did in the house were what we call mischief + because they annoy us, such as hammering the woodwork to pieces, tearing + bits out of the leaves of books, working holes in chair seats, or pounding + a cardboard box to pieces. But how is a poor little bird to know what is + mischief? + </p> + <p> + Many things which Jakie did were very funny. For instance, he made it his + business to clear up the room. When he had more food than he could eat at + the moment, he did not leave it around, but put it away carefully,—not + in the garbage pail, for that was not in the room, but in some safe nook + where it did not offend the eye. Sometimes it was behind the tray in his + cage, or among the books on the shelf. The places he liked best were about + me,—in the fold of a ruffle or the loop of a bow on my dress, and + sometimes in the side of my slipper. The very choicest place of all was in + my loosely bound hair. That, of course, I could not allow, and I had to + keep very close watch of him, for fear I might have a bit of bread or meat + thrust among my locks. + </p> + <p> + In his clearing up he always went carefully over the floor, picking up + pins, or any little thing he could find, and I often dropped burnt + matches, buttons, and other small things to give him something to do. + These he would pick up and put nicely away. + </p> + <p> + Pins Jakie took lengthwise in his beak, and at first I thought he had + swallowed them, till I saw him hunt up a proper place to hide them. The + place he chose was between the leaves of a book. He would push a pin far + in out of sight, and then go after another. A match he always tried to put + in a crack, under the baseboard, between the breadths of matting, or under + my rockers. He first placed it, and then tried to hammer it in out of + sight. He could seldom get it in far enough to suit him, and this worried + him. Then he would take it out and try another place. + </p> + <p> + Once the blue jay found a good match, of the parlor match variety. He put + it between the breadths of matting, and then began to pound on it as + usual. Pretty soon he hit the unburnt end and it went off with a loud + crack, as parlor matches do. Poor Jakie jumped two feet into the air, + nearly frightened out of his wits; and I was frightened, too, for I feared + he might set the house on fire. + </p> + <p> + Often when I got up from my chair a shower of the bird's playthings would + fall from his various hiding-places about my dress,—nails, matches, + shoe-buttons, bread-crumbs, and other things. Then he had to begin his + work all over again. + </p> + <p> + Jakie liked a small ball or a marble. His game was to give it a hard peck + and see it roll. If it rolled away from him, he ran after it and pecked + again; but sometimes it rolled toward him, and then he bounded into the + air as if he thought it would bite. And what was funny, he was always + offended at this conduct of the ball, and went off sulky for a while. + </p> + <p> + He was a timid little fellow. Wind or storm outside the windows made him + wild. He would fly around the room, squawking at the top of his voice; and + the horrible tin horns the boys liked to blow at Thanksgiving and + Christmas drove him frantic. + </p> + <p> + Once I brought a Christmas tree into the room to please the birds, and all + were delighted with it except my poor little blue jay, who was much afraid + of it. Think of the sadness of a bird being afraid of a tree! + </p> + <p> + II + </p> + <p> + Jakie had decided opinions about people who came into the room to see me, + or to see the birds. At some persons he would squawk every moment. Others + he saluted with a queer cry like “Ob-ble! ob-ble! ob-ble!” Once when a + lady came in with a baby, he fixed his eyes on that infant with a savage + look as if he would like to peck it, and jumped back and forth in his + cage, panting but perfectly silent. + </p> + <p> + Jakie was very devoted to me. He always greeted me with a low, sweet + chatter, with wings quivering, and, if he were out of the cage, he would + come on the back of my chair and touch my cheek or lips very gently with + his beak, or offer me a bit of food if he had any; and to me alone when no + one else was near, he sang a low, exquisite song. I afterwards heard a + similar song sung by a wild blue jay to his mate while she was sitting, + and so I knew that my dear little captive had given me his sweetest—his + love-song. + </p> + <p> + One of Jakie's amusements was dancing across the back of a tall chair, + taking funny little steps, coming down hard, “jouncing” his body, and + whistling as loud as he could. He would keep up this funny performance as + long as anybody would stand before him and pretend to dance too. + </p> + <p> + My jay was fond of a sensation. One of his dearest bits of fun was to + drive the birds into a panic. This he did by flying furiously around the + room, feathers rustling, and squawking as loud as he could. He usually + managed to fly just over the head of each bird, and as he came like a + catapult, every one flew before him, so that in a minute the room was full + of birds flying madly about, trying to get out of his way. This gave him + great pleasure. + </p> + <p> + Once a grasshopper got into the Bird Room, probably brought in clinging to + some one's dress in the way grasshoppers do. Jakie was in his cage, but he + noticed the stranger instantly, and I opened the door for him. He went at + once to look at the grasshopper, and when it hopped he was so startled + that he hopped too. Then he picked the insect up, but he did not know what + to do with it, so he dropped it again. Again the grasshopper jumped + directly up, and again the jay did the same. This they did over and over, + till every one was tired laughing at them. It looked as if they were + trying to see who could jump the highest. + </p> + <p> + There was another bird in the room, however, who knew what grasshoppers + were good for. He was an orchard oriole, and after looking on awhile, he + came down and carried off the hopper to eat. The jay did not like to lose + his plaything; he ran after the thief, and stood on the floor giving low + cries and looking on while the oriole on a chair was eating the dead + grasshopper. When the oriole happened to drop it, Jakie,—who had got + a new idea what to do with grasshoppers,—snatched it up and carried + it under a chair and finished it. + </p> + <p> + I could tell many more stories about my bird, but I have told them before + in one of my “grown-up” books, so I will not repeat them here. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0140" id="link2H_4_0140"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BABES IN THE WOODS + </h2> + <h3> + BY JOHN BURROUGHS + </h3> + <p> + One day in early May, Ted and I made an expedition to the Shattega, a + still, dark, deep stream that loiters silently through the woods not far + from my cabin. As we paddled along, we were on the alert for any bit of + wild life of bird or beast that might turn up. + </p> + <p> + There were so many abandoned woodpecker chambers in the small dead trees + as we went along that I determined to secure the section of a tree + containing a good one to take home and put up for the bluebirds. “Why + don't the bluebirds occupy them here?” inquired Ted. “Oh,” I replied, + “blue birds do not come so far into the woods as this. They prefer + nesting-places in the open, and near human habitations.” After carefully + scrutinizing several of the trees, we at last saw one that seemed to fill + the bill. It was a small dead tree-trunk seven or eight inches in + diameter, that leaned out over the water, and from which the top had been + broken. The hole, round and firm, was ten or twelve feet above us. After + considerable effort I succeeded in breaking the stub off near the ground, + and brought it down into the boat. + </p> + <p> + “Just the thing,” I said; “surely the bluebirds will prefer this to an + artificial box.” But, lo and behold, it already had bluebirds in it! We + had not heard a sound or seen a feather till the trunk was in our hands, + when, on peering into the cavity, we discovered two young bluebirds about + half grown. This was a predicament indeed! + </p> + <p> + Well, the only thing we could do was to stand the tree-trunk up again as + well as we could, and as near as we could to where it had stood before. + This was no easy thing. But after a time we had it fairly well replaced, + one end standing in the mud of the shallow water and the other resting + against a tree. This left the hole to the nest about ten feet below and to + one side of its former position. Just then we heard the voice of one of + the parent birds, and we quickly paddled to the other side of the stream, + fifty feet away, to watch her proceedings, saying to each other, “Too bad! + too bad!” The mother bird had a large beetle in her beak. She alighted + upon a limb a few feet above the former site of her nest, looked down upon + us, uttered a note or two, and then dropped down confidently to the point + in the vacant air where the entrance to her nest had been but a few + moments before. Here she hovered on the wing a second or two, looking for + something that was not there, and then returned to the perch she had just + left, apparently not a little disturbed. She hammered the beetle rather + excitedly upon the limb a few times, as if it were in some way at fault, + then dropped down to try for her nest again. Only vacant air there! She + hovers and hovers, her blue wings flickering in the checkered light; + surely that precious hole MUST be there; but no, again she is baffled, and + again she returns to her perch, and mauls the poor beetle till it must be + reduced to a pulp. Then she makes a third attempt, then a fourth, and a + fifth, and a sixth, till she becomes very much excited. “What could have + happened? Am I dreaming? Has that beetle hoodooed me?” she seems to say, + and in her dismay she lets the bug drop, and looks bewilderedly about her. + Then she flies away through the woods, calling. “Going for her mate,” I + said to Ted. “She is in deep trouble, and she wants sympathy and help.” + </p> + <p> + In a few minutes we heard her mate answer, and presently the two birds + came hurrying to the spot, both with loaded beaks. They perched upon the + familiar limb above the site of the nest, and the mate seemed to say, “My + dear, what has happened to you? I can find that nest.” And he dived down, + and brought up in the empty air just as the mother had done. How he + winnowed it with his eager wings! How he seemed to bear on to that blank + space! His mate sat regarding him intently, confident, I think, that he + would find the clue. But he did not. Baffled and excited, he returned to + the perch beside her. Then she tried again, then he rushed down once more, + then they both assaulted the place, but it would not give up its secret. + They talked, they encouraged each other, and they kept up the search, now + one, now the other, now both together. Sometimes they dropped down to + within a few feet of the entrance to the nest, and we thought they would + surely find it. No, their minds and eyes were intent only upon that square + foot of space where the nest had been. Soon they withdrew to a large limb + many feet higher up, and seemed to say to themselves, + </p> + <p> + “Well, it is not there, but it must be here somewhere; let us look about.” + A few minutes elapsed, when we saw the mother bird spring from her perch + and go straight as an arrow to the nest. Her maternal eye had proved the + quicker. She had found her young. Something like reason and common sense + had come to her rescue; she had taken time to look about, and behold! + there was that precious doorway. She thrust her head into it, then sent + back a call to her mate, then went farther in, then withdrew. “Yes, it is + true, they are here, they are here!” Then she went in again, gave them the + food in her beak, and then gave place to her mate, who, after similar + demonstrations of joy, also gave them his morsel. + </p> + <p> + Ted and I breathed freer. A burden had been taken from our minds and + hearts, and we went cheerfully on our way. We had learned something, too; + we had learned that when in the deep woods you think of bluebirds, + bluebirds may be nearer you than you think. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0141" id="link2H_4_0141"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE PRIDE OF THE REGIMENT + </h2> + <h3> + BY HARRY M. KIEFFER (ADAPTED) + </h3> + <p> + “Old Abe” was the war-eagle of the Eighth Wisconsin Volunteers. Whoever it + may have been that first conceived the idea, it was certainly a happy + thought to make a pet of an eagle. For the eagle is our national bird, and + to carry an eagle along with the colors of a regiment on the march, and in + battle, and all through the whole war, was surely very appropriate, + indeed. + </p> + <p> + “Old Abe's” perch was on a shield, which was carried by a soldier, to + whom, and to whom alone, he looked as to a master. He would not allow any + one to carry or even to handle him, except this soldier, nor would he ever + receive his food from any other person's hands. He seemed to have sense + enough to know that he was sometimes a burden to his master on the march, + however, and, as if to relieve him, would occasionally spread his wings + and soar aloft to a great height, the men of all regiments along the line + of march cheering him as he went up. + </p> + <p> + He regularly received his rations from the commissary, like any enlisted + man. Whenever fresh meat was scarce, and none could be found for him by + foraging parties, he would take things into his own claws, as it were, and + go out on a foraging expedition himself. On some such occasions he would + be gone two or three days at a time, during which nothing whatever was + seen of him; but he would invariably return, and seldom would come back + without a young lamb or a chicken in his talons. His long absences + occasioned his regiment not the slightest concern, for the men knew that, + though he might fly many miles away in quest of food, he would be quite + sure to find them again. + </p> + <p> + In what way he distinguished the two hostile armies so accurately that he + was never once known to mistake the gray for the blue, no one can tell. + But so it was, that he was never known to alight save in his own camp, and + amongst his own men. + </p> + <p> + At Jackson, Mississippi, during the hottest part of the battle before that + city, “Old Abe” soared up into the air, and remained there from early + morning until the fight closed at night, no doubt greatly enjoying his + bird's-eye view of the battle. He did the same at Mission Ridge. He was, I + believe, struck by Confederate bullets two or three times, but his + feathers were so thick that his body was not much hurt. The shield on + which he was carried, however, showed so many marks of Confederate balls + that it looked on top as if a groove plane had been run over it. + </p> + <p> + At the Centennial celebration held in Philadelphia, in 1876, “Old Abe” + occupied a prominent place on his perch on the west side of the nave in + the Agricultural Building. He was evidently growing old, and was the + observed of all observers. Thousands of visitors, from all sections of the + country, paid their respects to the grand old bird, who, apparently + conscious of the honors conferred upon him, overlooked the sale of his + biography and photographs going on beneath his perch with entire + satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + As was but just and right, the soldier who had carried him during the war + continued to have charge of him after the war was over, until the day of + his death, which occurred at the capital of Wisconsin, in 1881. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0142" id="link2H_4_0142"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE MOTHER MURRE + </h2> + <h3> + BY DALLAS LORE SHARP + </h3> + <p> + One of the most striking cases of mother-love which has ever come under my + observation, I saw in the summer of 1912 on the bird rookeries of the + Three-Arch Rocks Reservation off the coast of Oregon. + </p> + <p> + We were making our slow way toward the top of the outer rock. Through + rookery after rookery of birds, we climbed until we reached the edge of + the summit. Scrambling over this edge, we found ourselves in the midst of + a great colony of nesting murres—hundreds of them—covering + this steep rocky part of the top. + </p> + <p> + As our heads appeared above the rim, many of the colony took wing and + whirred over us out to sea, but most of them sat close, each bird upon its + egg or over its chick, loath to leave, and so expose to us the hidden + treasure. + </p> + <p> + The top of the rock was somewhat cone-shaped, and in order to reach the + peak and the colonies on the west side we had to make our way through this + rookery of the murres. The first step among them, and the whole colony was + gone, with a rush of wings and feet that sent several of the top-shaped + eggs rolling, and several of the young birds toppling over the cliff to + the pounding waves and ledges far below. + </p> + <p> + We stopped, but the colony, almost to a bird, had bolted, leaving scores + of eggs, and scores of downy young squealing and running together for + shelter, like so many beetles under a lifted board. + </p> + <p> + But the birds had not every one bolted, for here sat two of the colony + among the broken rocks. These two had not been frightened off. That both + of them were greatly alarmed, any one could see from their open beaks, + their rolling eyes, their tense bodies on tiptoe for flight. Yet here they + sat, their wings out like props, or more like gripping hands, as if they + were trying to hold themselves down to the rocks against their wild desire + to fly. + </p> + <p> + And so they were, in truth, for under their extended wings I saw little + black feet moving. Those two mother murres were not going to forsake their + babies! No, not even for these approaching monsters, such as they had + never before seen, clambering over their rocks. + </p> + <p> + What was different about these two? They had their young ones to protect. + Yes, but so had every bird in the great colony its young one, or its egg, + to protect, yet all the others had gone. Did these two have more + mother-love than the others? And hence, more courage, more intelligence? + </p> + <p> + We took another step toward them, and one of the two birds sprang into the + air, knocking her baby over and over with the stroke of her wing, and + coming within an inch of hurling it across the rim to be battered on the + ledges below. The other bird raised her wings to follow, then clapped them + back over her baby. Fear is the most contagious thing in the world; and + that flap of fear by the other bird thrilled her, too, but as she had + withstood the stampede of the colony, so she caught herself again and held + on. + </p> + <p> + She was now alone on the bare top of the rock, with ten thousand circling + birds screaming to her in the air above, and with two men creeping up to + her with a big black camera that clicked ominously. She let the multitude + scream, and with threatening beak watched the two men come on. A + motherless baby, spying her, ran down the rock squealing for his life. She + spread a wing, put her bill behind him and shoved him quickly in out of + sight with her own baby. The man with the camera saw the act, for I heard + his machine click, and I heard him say something under his breath that you + would hardly expect a mere man and a game-warden to say. But most men have + a good deal of the mother in them; and the old bird had acted with such + decision, such courage, such swift, compelling instinct, that any man, + short of the wildest savage, would have felt his heart quicken at the + sight. + </p> + <p> + “Just how compelling might that mother-instinct be?” I wondered. “Just how + much would that mother-love stand?” I had dropped to my knees, and on all + fours had crept up within about three feet of the bird. She still had + chance for flight. Would she allow me to crawl any nearer? Slowly, very + slowly, I stretched forward on my hands, like a measuring-worm, until my + body lay flat on the rocks, and my fingers were within three INCHES of + her. But her wings were twitching, a wild light danced in her eyes, and + her head turned toward the sea. + </p> + <p> + For a whole minute I did not stir. I was watching—and the wings + again began to tighten about the babies, the wild light in the eyes died + down, the long, sharp beak turned once more toward me. + </p> + <p> + Then slowly, very slowly, I raised my hand, touched her feathers with the + tip of one finger—with two fingers—with my whole hand, while + the loud camera click-clacked, click-clacked hardly four feet away! + </p> + <p> + It was a thrilling moment. I was not killing anything. I had no long-range + rifle in my hands, coming up against the wind toward an unsuspecting + creature hundreds of yards away. This was no wounded leopard charging me; + no mother-bear defending with her giant might a captured cub. It was only + a mother-bird, the size of a wild duck, with swift wings at her command, + hiding under those wings her own and another's young, and her own + boundless fear! + </p> + <p> + For the second time in my life I had taken captive with my bare hands a + free wild bird. No, I had not taken her captive. She had made herself a + captive; she had taken herself in the strong net of her mother-love. + </p> + <p> + And now her terror seemed quite gone. At the first touch of my hand I + think she felt the love restraining it, and without fear or fret she let + me reach under her and pull out the babies. But she reached after them + with her bill to tuck them back out of sight, and when I did not let them + go, she sidled toward me, quacking softly, a language that I perfectly + understood, and was quick to respond to. I gave them back, fuzzy and black + and white. She got them under her, stood up over them, pushed her wings + down hard around them, her stout tail down hard behind them, and together + with them pushed in an abandoned egg that was close at hand. Her own baby, + some one else's baby, and some one else's forsaken egg! She could cover no + more; she had not feathers enough. But she had heart enough; and into her + mother's heart she had already tucked every motherless egg and nestling of + the thousands of frightened birds, screaming and wheeling in the air high + over her head. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0143" id="link2H_4_0143"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE END + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0144" id="link2H_4_0144"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + REFERENCE LISTS FOR STORY-TELLING AND COLLATERAL READING + </h2> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0145" id="link2H_4_0145"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + REFERENCE LISTS FOR STORY-TELLING AND COLLATERAL READING + </h2> + <p> + (The grades assigned are merely suggestive, as some of the stories may be + used in higher or lower grades than here indicated.) + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0146" id="link2H_4_0146"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + NEW YEAR'S DAY + </h2> + <h3> + For grades 1-4. + </h3> + <p> + An All-the-Year-Round Story, in Poulsson, In the Child's World; Peter the + Stone-Cutter, in Macdonell, Italian Fairy Book; The Forest Full of + Friends, in Alden, Why the Chimes Rang. + </p> + <p> + For grades 5-8. + </p> + <p> + A Chinese New Year's in California, in Our Holidays Retold from St. + Nicholas; A New Year's Talk, in Stevenson, Days and Deeds (prose); Story + of the Year, in Andersen, Stories and Tales; The Animals' New Year's Eve, + in Lagerlof, Further Adventures of Nils. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0147" id="link2H_4_0147"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LINCOLN'S BIRTHDAY + </h2> + <h3> + For grades 1-4. + </h3> + <p> + A Westfield Incident, in Moores, Abraham Lincoln, page 87; Lincoln and the + Little Horse, in Werner's Readings, no. 46; Lincoln and the Pig, in Gross, + Lincoln's Own Stories; Lincoln and the Small Dog, in Moores, Abraham + Lincoln, page 25. + </p> + <p> + For grades 5-6. + </p> + <p> + A Backwoods Boyhood, in Moores, Abraham Lincoln; Choosing Abe Lincoln + Captain, in Schauffler, Lincoln's Birthday; Following the Surveyor's + Chain, in Baldwin, Abraham Lincoln; His Good Memory of Names, in Gallaher, + Best Lincoln Stories; Lincoln and the Doorkeeper, in Gross, + </p> + <p> + Lincoln's Own Stories, page 78, Lincoln and the Unjust Client, in Moores, + Abraham Lincoln, page 46; Lincoln's Kindness to a Disabled Soldier, in + Gallaher, Best Lincoln Stories; The Clary's Grove Boys, in Noah Brooks, + Abraham Lincoln page 51; The Snow Boys, in Noah Brooks, Abraham Lincoln + page 122. + </p> + <p> + For grades 7-8. + </p> + <p> + Counsel Assigned, Andrews; He Knew lincoln, Tarbell; Lincoln and the + Sleeping Sentinel, Chittenden; Lincoln Remembered Him, in Gallaher, Best + Lincoln Stories; Lincoln's Springfield Farewell, in Moores, Abraham + lincoln, page 82; Perfect Tribute, Andrews. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0148" id="link2H_4_0148"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + SAINT VALENTINE'S DAY + </h2> + <h3> + For grades 1-4. + </h3> + <p> + A Sunday Valentine, in White, When Molly was Six; Beauty and the Beast, in + Lang, Blue Fairy Book, East of the Sun and West of the Moon, in Lang, Blue + Fairy Book; The Fair One With Golden Locks, in Scudder, Children's Book; + The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood, in Scudder, Children's Book; The + Valentine (poem), in Brown, Fresh Posies. + </p> + <p> + For grades 5-6. + </p> + <p> + Gracieuse and Percinet, in D'Aulnoy, Fairy Tales; Jorinda and Joringel, in + Grimm, German Household Tales; The Day-Dream, Tennyson (poem), in + Story-Telling Poems; The Singing, Soaring Lark, in Grimm, German Household + Tales William and the Werewolf, in Darton, Wonder Book of Old Romance. + </p> + <p> + For grades 7-8. + </p> + <p> + As You Like It, Shakespeare; Brunhild, in Baldwin, Story of Siegfried; + Floris and Blanchefleur, in Darton, Wonder Book of Old Romance; Palamon + and Arcita, in Darton, Tales of the Canterbury Pilgrims; The Fair Maid of + Perth, Scott, chapters 2-6; The Singing Leaves, Lowell (poem); The + Tempest, Shakespeare. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0149" id="link2H_4_0149"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY + </h2> + <h3> + For grades 1-4. + </h3> + <p> + Little George Washington, and Great George Washington, in Wiggin and + Smith, Story Hour; The Virginia Boy, in Wilson, Nature Study, Second + Reader. + </p> + <p> + For grades 54. + </p> + <p> + A Christmas Surprise, in Tappan, American Hero Stories Dolly Madison, in + Tappan, American Hero Stories; Going to Sea, in Scudder, George + Washington, page 33; How George Washington was Made Commander-in-Chief, in + Tomlinson, War for Independence; The Home of Washington, and The + Appearance of the Enemy, in Madison, Peggy Owen at Yorktown; Young + Washington in the Woods, in Eggleston, Strange Stories from History. + </p> + <p> + For grades 7-8. + </p> + <p> + Anecdotes and Stories, in Schauffler, Washington's Birthday; He Resigns + his Commission, in Lodge, George Washington, vol. I, page 338; The British + at Mount Vernon, in Lodge, George Washington, vol. I, page 295; The Young + Surveyor, in Scudder, George Washington; Washington Offered the Supreme + Power, in Lodge, George Washington, vol. I, page 328; Washington's + Farewell to His Officers, in Lodge, George Washington, vol. I, page 387. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0150" id="link2H_4_0150"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + RESURRECTION DAY (EASTER) + </h2> + <h3> + For grades 1-4. + </h3> + <p> + Easter Eggs, von Schmid; The Boy Who Discovered the Spring, in Alden, Why + the Chimes Rang; Herr Oster Hase, in Bailey and Lewis, For the Children's + Hour; The Legend of Easter Eggs, O'Brien (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; + The Rabbit's Ransom, Vawter; The White Hare, in Stevenson, Days and Deeds + (prose). + </p> + <p> + For grades 5-8. + </p> + <p> + Easter, Gilder (poem); The General's Easter Box, in Our Holidays Retold + from St. Nicholas; The Trinity Flower, Ewing; What Easter is, in + Stevenson, Days and Deeds (prose). + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0151" id="link2H_4_0151"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + MAY DAY + </h2> + <h3> + For grades 1-4. + </h3> + <p> + A Story of the Springtime, in Kupfer, Legends of Greeee and Rome; How the + Water Lily Came, in Judd, Wigwam Stories; The Brook in the King's Garden, + in Alden, Why the Chimes Rang; The Legend of the Dandelion, in Bailey and + Lewis, For the Children's Hour; The Lilac Bush, in Riverside Fourth + Reader; The Maple Leaf and the Violet, in Wiggin and Smith, Story Flour; + The Story of the Anemone in Coe, First Book of Stories for the + Story-Teller; The Story of the First Butterflies, in Holbrook, Book of + Nature Myths; The Story of the First Snowdrops, in Holbrook, Book of + Nature Myths; The Story of the Rainbow, in Coe, First Book of Stories for + the Story-Teller; Two Little Seeds, in MacDonald, David Elginbrod, + chapter, “The Cave in the Straw;” Why the Morning-Glory Climbs, in Bryant, + How to Tell Stories to Children. + </p> + <p> + For grades 5-6. + </p> + <p> + Ladders to Heaven, Ewing; The Daisy, in Andersen, Wonder Stories; Five out + of One Shell, in Andersen, Stories and Tales; The Pomegranate Seeds, in + Hawthorne, Tanglewood Tales. + </p> + <p> + For grades 7-8. + </p> + <p> + The May-Pole at Merry Mount, in Hawthorne, Twice-Told Tales; The Opening + of the Eyes of Jasper, in Dyer The Richer Life; The Prisoner and the + Flower, in Stevenson, Days and Deeds (prose). + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0152" id="link2H_4_0152"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + MOTHERS' DAY + </h2> + <h3> + For grades 1-4. + </h3> + <p> + Hans and the Wonderful Flower, in Bailey and Lewis For the Children's + Hour; The Closing Door, in Lindsay Mother Stories; The Laughter of a + Samurai, in Nixon-Roulet, Japanese Folk-Stories; The Fairy Who Came to our + House, in Bailey and Lewis, For the Children's Hour; The Little Traveler, + in Lindsay, Mother Stories; Thorwald and the Star-Children, in Boyesen, + Modern Vikings. + </p> + <p> + For grades 5-6. + </p> + <p> + Lincoln's Letter to a Mother, in Moores, Abraham Lincoln, page 105; My + Angel Mother, in Baldwin, Abraham Lincoln; Napoleon and the English Sailor + Boy, Campbell (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; The Song of the Old Mother, + Yeats (poem), in Riverside Eighth Reader; Valentine and Ursine (poem), in + Lanier, Boy's Perey. + </p> + <p> + For grades 7-8. + </p> + <p> + A Patriot Mother, in Tomlinson, War for Independence; Lincoln's Letter, in + Gross, Lincoln's Own Stories; President for One Hour, in St. Nicholas + Christmas Book; The Conqueror's Grave, Bryant (poem); The Gracci, in + Morris, Historical Tales (Roman); The Knight's Toast attributed to Scott + (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; Young Manhood, in Noah Brooks, Abraham + Lincoln. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0153" id="link2H_4_0153"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + MEMORIAL AND FLAG DAYS + </h2> + <h3> + For grades 3-6. + </h3> + <p> + A Boy Who Won the Cross, in Hart and Stevens, Romance of the Civil War; A + Story of the Flag, in Our Holidays Retold from St. Nicholas; Betsy's + Battle Flag, Irving (poem), in Stevenson, Poems of American History; + Noteworthy Flag Incidents, in Smith, Our Nation's Flag; The Legs of Duncan + Ketcham, in Price, Lads and Lassies of Other Days; The Origin of Memorial + Day, in Stevenson, Days and Deeds (prose); The Planting of the Colors, in + Thomas, Captain Phil, page 227. + </p> + <p> + For grades 7-8. + </p> + <p> + Kearny at Seven Pines, Stedman (poem); Quivira, Guiterman (poem), in + Story-Telling Poems; Reading the List, in Sehauffler, Memorial Day; + Remember the Alamo, in Lodge and Roosevelt, Hero Tales, Reuben James, + Roche, (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; The Defense of the Alamo, Miller + (poem), in Stevenson, Poems of American History; The Fire Rekindled, in + Schauffler, Memorial Day; The Flag-Bearer, in Lodge and Roosevelt, Hero + Tales; The March of the First Brigade, in Riverside Eighth Reader. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0154" id="link2H_4_0154"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + INDEPENDENCE DAY + </h2> + <h3> + For grades S-6. + </h3> + <p> + A Winter at Valley Forge, in Tappan, American Hero Stories; Cornwallis's + Buckles, in Revolutionary Stories Retold from St. Nicholas; Ethan Allen, + in Johonnot, Stories of Heroic Deeds; Fourth of July Among the Indians, in + Indian Stories Retold from St. Nicholas; How “Mad Anthony” Took Stony + Point, in Tappan, American Hero Stories; How the “Swamp Fox” Made the + British Miserable, in Tappan, American Hero Stories; John Paul Jones, in + Tappan, American Hero Stories; Laetitia and the Redcoats, in Revolutionary + Stories Retold from St. Nicholas; Molly Pitcher, in Revolutionary Stories + Retold from St. Nicholas; Paul Revere's Ride Longfellow (poem), in + Story-Telling Poems; Prescott and the Yankee Boy, in Johonnot, Stories of + Heroic Deeds; Rodney's Ride, Brooks (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; The + Boston Massacre, in Hawthorne, Grandfather's Chair; The Bulb of the + Crimson Tulip, in Revolutionary Stories Retold from St Nicholas; The First + Day of the Revolution, in Tappan; American Hero Stories. + </p> + <p> + For grades 7-8. + </p> + <p> + A Woman's Heroism, in Tomlinson, War for Independence; Grandmother's Story + of Bunker-Hill Battle, Holmes (poem); How the Major Joined Marion's Men, + in Tomlinson, War for Independence; Molly Pitcher, Sherwood (poem), in + Stevenson, Poems of American History; Patrick Henry, in Morris Historical + Tales, American, Second Series; Song of Marion's Men, Bryant (poem); That + Bunker Hill Powder, in Revolutionary Stories Retold from St. Nicholas; The + Mantle of St. John de Matha, Whittier (poem); The Tory's Farewell, in + Hawthorne, Grandfather's Chair. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0155" id="link2H_4_0155"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + LABOR DAY + </h2> + <h3> + For grades 1-4. + </h3> + <p> + Dust Under the Rug, in Lindsay, Mother Stories, Giant Energy and Fairy + Skill, in Lindsay, Mother Stories; How Flax was Given to Men, in Holbrook, + Book of Nature Myths; My Friend the Housekeeper, in Riverside Fourth + Reader, + </p> + <p> + Peasant Truth, in Riverside Third Reader; Prometheus, the Giver of Fire in + Coe, First Book of Stories for the Story-Teller; Six Soldiers of Fortune, + in Grimm, German Household Tales; The Country Maid and her Milk-Pail, in + Scudder, Book of Fables and Folk-Stories; The Flax, in Andersen, Wonder + Stories; The Hammer and the Anvil, in Ramaswami Raju, Indian Fables; The + Honest Woodman, in Poulsson, In the Child's World; The Little Gray Pony, + in Lindsay, Mother Stories; The Little House in the Wood, in Grimm, German + Household Tales; The Old Man Who Lived in a Wood (poem), in Story-Telling + Poems; The Pixy Flower, in Rhys, Fairy-Gold; The Spandies, in Gilchrist, + Helen and the Uninvited Guests, page 15; The Three Trades, in Grimm, + German Household Tales; The Toy of the Giant's Child, von Chamisso (poem), + in Story-Telling Poems; Vegetable Lambs, in Curtis, Story of Cotton; + Vulcan the Mighty Smith, in Poulsson, In the Child's World. + </p> + <p> + For grades 5-6. A Handful of Clay, in Riverside Sixth Reader; How they + Built the Ship Argo in Iolcos, in Kingsley, Greek Heroes; Icarus and + DEedalus, in Peabody, Old Greek Folk-Stones; Master of All Masters, in + Jacobs, English Fairy Tales; The Dwarf's Gifts, in Brown, In the Days of + Giants; The Forging of Balmung, in Baldwin, Hero Tales; The Giant Builder, + in Brown, In the Days of Giants; The God of Fire, in Francillon, Gods and + Heroes; The Wicked Hornet, in Baldwin, The Sampo; The Wish-Ring, in Fairy + Stories Retold from St. Nicholas; The Wounds of Labor, in d'Amicis, Heart + (Cuore); Weland's Sword, in Kipling, Puck of Pook's Hill. + </p> + <p> + For grades 74. Careers of Danger and Daring, Moffett; David Maydole, + Hammer-Maker, in Riverside Seventh Reader; Jack Farley's Flying Switch, in + Warman, Short Rails; Histories of Two Boys, in Riverside Seventh Reader; + History of Labor Day, in Stevenson, Days and Deeds (prose); The Arms of + Aeneas, in Church, Stories from Virgil; The Blacksmith Boy and the Battle, + in Marden, Winning Out; The Duke's Armorer, in Stories of Chivalry Retold + from St. Nicholas; The Scullion Boy's Opportunity, in Marden, Winning Out; + The Vision of Anton the Clockmaker, in Dyer, The Richer Life, Tubal Cain, + Mackay (poem), in Story-Telling Poems. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0156" id="link2H_4_0156"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + COLUMBUS DAY + </h2> + <h3> + For grades 4-8. + </h3> + <p> + Columbus, Miller (poem), in Riverside Seventh Reader; Columbus at the + Convent, Trowbridge (poem), in Stevenson, Poems of American History; + Guanahani, in Maores, Christopher Columbus; How Diego Mendez Got Food for + Columbus in Higginson, American Explorers; How Diego Mendez Saved + Columbus, in Higginson, American Explorers; In Search of the Grand Khan, + in Moores, Christopher Columbus; The Garden of Eden, in Moores, + Christopher Columbus. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0157" id="link2H_4_0157"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + HALLOWEEN + </h2> + <h3> + For grades 1-4. + </h3> + <p> + The Smith and the Fairies, in Grierson, Children's Book of Celtic Stories; + The Witch, in Lang, Yellow Fairy Book; The Witch That was a Hare, in Rhys, + English Fairy Book; Tom-Tit Tot (Rumpelstiltskin), in Jacobs, English + Fairy Tales. + </p> + <p> + For grades 5-6. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Fox, in Jacobs, English Fairy Tales; The Godfather, in Grimm, German + Household Tales; The Golden Arm, in Jacobs, Enylish Fairy Tales; The + Robber Bridegroom, in Grimm, German Household Tales; The Story of a Cat, + Bedoliere; The Youth Who Could not Shiver or Shake, in Grimm, German + Household Tales. + </p> + <p> + For grades 7-8. + </p> + <p> + Alice Brand, in Scott, Lady of the Lake (poem); All-Hallow-Eve Myths, in + Our Holidays Retold from St. Nicholas; Black Andie's Tale of Tod Lapraik, + in Stevenson, David Balfour; History of Hallowe'en, in Stevenson, Days and + Deeds (prose); Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and Rip Van Winkle Irving; + Macbeth, Shakespeare; The Bottle Imp, in Stevenson, Island Nights' + Entertainments; The Devil and Tom Walker, Irving; The Fire-King, Scott + (poem); The Speaking Rat, in Dickens, Uncommercial Traveller, chapter 15. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0158" id="link2H_4_0158"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THANKSGIVING DAY + </h2> + <h3> + For grades 1-4 + </h3> + <p> + A Thanksgiving Dinner, in White, When Molly was Six; The Chestnut Boys, in + Poulsson, In the Child's World; The First Thanksgiving Day, in Wiggin and + Smith, Story Hour; The Marriage of Mondahmin, in Judd, Wigwam Stories; The + Turkey's Nest, in Lindsay, More Mother Stories; The Visit, in Lindsay, + More Mother Stories; Turkeys Turning the Tables, in Howells, Christmas + Every Day. + </p> + <p> + For grades 5-6. + </p> + <p> + A Dinner That Ran Away, in Miller, Kristy's Surprise Party; A Mystery in + the Kitchen, in Miller, Kristy's Surprise Party; Ann Mary, Her Two + Thanksgivings, in Wilkins, Young Lueretia; An Old-Time Thanksgiving, in + Indian Stories Retold from St. Nicholas; The Coming of Thanksgiving, and + The Season of Pumpkin Pies, in Warner, Being a Boy; The Magic Apples, in + Brown, In the Days of Giants; St. Francis's Sermon to the Birds, + Longfellow (poem), in Story-Telling Poems. + </p> + <p> + For grades 7-8. + </p> + <p> + An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving, Alcott; The First Thanksgiving Day, Preston + (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; The Night Before Thanksgiving, in Jewett, + The Queen's Twin; The Peace Message (poem), in Stevenson, Poems of + American History; The Turkey Drive, in Sharp, Winter. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0159" id="link2H_4_0159"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHRISTMAS DAY + </h2> + <h3> + For grades 1-4. + </h3> + <p> + A Christmas Tree Reversed, in Brown, Little Miss Phoebe Gay; Babouseka, + Thomas (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; Christmas Every Day, Howells; + Fulfilled, in Bryant, How to Tell Stories to Children; His Christmas + Turkey, in Vawter, The Rabbi's Ransom; In the Great Walled Country, in + Alden, Why the Chimes Rang; Little Girl's Christmas, in Dickinson and + Skinner, Children's Book of Christmas Stories; Santa Claus and the Mouse, + Poulsson (poem), in St. Nicholas Christmas Book; The Christmas Cake, in + Lindsay, More Mother Stories; The Christmas Tree, in Austin, Basket Woman; + The First New England Christmas, in Stone and Fickett, Every-Day Life in + the Colonies; The Golden Cobwebs, in Bryant, How to Tell Stories to + Children; The Moon of Yule, in Davis, The Moons of Balbanea; The Rileys' + Christmas, in White, When Molly was Six; The Story of Gretchen in Lindsay, + Mother Stories; The Three Kings of Cologne, Field (poem), in Story-Telling + Poems; The Turkey Doll, Gates; The Voyage of the Wee Red Cap, in Dickinson + and Skinner, Children's Book of Christmas Stories; Toinette and the Elves, + in Dickinson and Skinner, Children's Book of Christmas Stones; 'Twas the + Night Before Christmas, Moore (poem); Why the Chimes Rang, Alden. + </p> + <p> + For grades 5-6. + </p> + <p> + Christmas Before Last, in Stockton, Bee-Man of Orn; Christmas in the + Alley, in Miller, Kristy's Queer Christmas; Dog of Flanders, Ramee; Felix, + in Stein, Troubadour Tales; Good King Wenceslas (poem), in Story-Telling + Poems; Hope's Christmas Tree, in Miller, Kristy's Surprise Party, How a + Bear Brought Christmas, in Miller, Kristy's Queer Christmas; How Santa + Claus Came to Simpson's Bar, in Harte, Luck of Roaring Camp; How Uncle Sam + Observes Christmas, in Our Holidays Retold from St. Nicholas; Lottie's + Christmas Tree, in Miller, Kristy's Rainy Day Picnic; St. Nicholas and the + Innkeeper, in Walsh, Story of Santa Klaus; St. Nicholas and the Robbers, + in Walsh, Story of Santa Klaus; St. Nicholas and the Slave Boy, in Walsh, + Story of Santa Klaus; Santa Claus on a Lark, Gladden; Solomon Crow's + Christmas Pockets, Stuart; The Birds' Christmas Carol, Wiggin; The Coming + of the Prince, in Field, Christmas Tales and Christmas Verse; The Festival + of St. Nicholas, in Dodge, Hans Brinker; The Peace Egg, Ewing; The Symbol + and the Saint, in Field, Christmas Tales and Christmas Verse. + </p> + <p> + For grades 7-8. + </p> + <p> + A Christmas Carol, Dickens; A Still Christmas, Repplier, in Morris, In the + Yule-Log Glow; The First Christmas Tree, Van Dyke; The Lost Word, Van + Dyke; The Mansion, Van Dyke; The Other Wise Man, Van Dyke; Cosette, in + Hugo, Les Miserables, book 3; Where Love is, There God is Also, Tolstoy. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0160" id="link2H_4_0160"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + ARBOR DAY + </h2> + <h3> + For grades 1-4. + </h3> + <p> + Flower of the Almond and Fruit of the Fig, in Foote, Little Fig-Tree + Stories; Earl and the Dryad, in Brown, Star Jewels; The Girl Who Became a + Pine Tree, in Judd, Wigwam Stories; The Kind Old Oak, in Poulsson, In the + Child's World; The Oak Tree, in Vawter, The Rabbit's Ransom; The Workman + and the Trees, in Ramaswami Raju, Indian Fables. + </p> + <p> + For grades 5-6. + </p> + <p> + Apple-Seed John, Child (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; How the Children + Saved Hamburg, in Marden, Winning Out; How the Indians Learned to Make + Maple Sugar, in University of the State of New York, Legends and Poetry of + the Forests; Old Pipes and the Dryad, in Stockton, Bee-Man of Orn; Tale of + Old Man and the Birch Tree, in University of the State of New York, + Legends and Poetry of the Forests; The Elm and the Vine, Rosas (poem), in + Story-Telling Poems; The Gourd and the Palm (poem), in Story-Telling + Poems; The Planting of the Apple Tree, Bryant (poem), in Riverside Fifth + Reader. + </p> + <p> + For grades 7-8. + </p> + <p> + Brier-Rose, Boyesen (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; How the Charter was + Saved, in Morris, Historical Tales, American; O-So-Ah, the Tall Pine + Speaks, in University of the State of New York, Legends and Poetry of the + Forests; The Eliot Oak, in Drake, New England Legends; The First of the + Trees, in University of the State of New York, Legends and Poetry of the + Forests; The Liberty Tree, in Hawthorne, Grandfather's Chair, part 3. + chapter 2; The Plucky Prince, May Bryant (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; + The Story of a Thousand-Year Pine, Mills; The Washington Elm, in Drake, + New England Legends. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0161" id="link2H_4_0161"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + BIRD DAY + </h2> + <h3> + For grades 1-4. + </h3> + <p> + Out of the Nest, in Lindsay, More Mother Stories; The Fox and the Crow, in + Jacobs, Aesop's Fables; The Jackdaw and the Doves, in Scudder, Book of + Fables and Folk-Stories; The Jay and the Peacock, in Jacobs, Aesop's + Fables; The King, the Falcon, and the Drinking Cup, in Dutton, The + Tortoise and the Geese; The Lark and her Young Ones, in Scudder, Book of + Fables and Folk-Stories; The Monk and the Bird, in Scudder, Book of + legends; The Owl and his School, in Ramaswami Raju, Indian Fables; The Owl + and the Pussy-Cat, Lear (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; The Partridge and + the Crow, in Dutton, The Tortoise and the Geese; The Pious Robin, in + Brown, Curious Book of Birds; The Rustic and the Nightingale, in Dutton, + The Tortoise and the Geese; The Sparrows, Thaxter (poem), in Story-Telling + Poems; The Sparrows and the Snake, in Dutton, The Tortoise and the Geese; + The Spendthrift and the Swallow, in Scudder, Book of Fables and + Folk-Stories; The Story of the First Mocking-Bird, in Holbrook, Book of + Nature Myths; The Story of the Oriole, in Holbrook, Book of Nature Myths; + The Wren Who Brought Fire, in Brown, Curious Book of Birds; Why the + Peacock's Tail has a Hundred Eyes, in Holbrook, Book of Nature Myths; Why + the Peetweet Cries for Rain, in Holbrook, Book of Nature Myths. + </p> + <p> + For grades 5-6. + </p> + <p> + A Madcap Thrush, in Miller, True Bird Stories; Antics in the Bird Room, in + Miller, True Bird Stories; Fate of the Children of Lir, in Grierson, + Children's Book of Celtie Stories; Halcyone, in Brown, Curious Book of + Birds; St. Francis's Sermon to the Birds, Longfellow (poem), in + Story-Telling Poems; Saint Kentigern and the Robin, in Brown, Book of + Saints and Friendly Beasts; The Donkey and the Mocking-Bird, Rosas (poem), + in Story-Telling Poems; The Early Girl, in Brown, Curious Book of Birds; + The Nightingale, in Andersen, Wonder Stories; The Parrot, Campbell (poem), + in Story-Telling Poems, The Phoenix, in Brown, Curious Book of Birds; The + Robin, Whittier (poem); The Sauey Oriole, in Miller, True Bird Stories; + The Wild Swans, in Andersen, Wonder Stories; Walter son der Vogelweid, + Longfellow (poem). + </p> + <p> + For grades 7-8. + </p> + <p> + Arnaux, the Chronicle of a Homing Pigeon, in Thompson-Seton, Animal + Heroes; King Edwin's Feast, Chadwiek (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; Our + New Neighbors at Ponkapog, in Riverside Seventh Reader; The Abbot of + Inisfalen, Allingham (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; The Birds of + Killingworth, Longfellow (poem); The Downy Woodpecker, in Bird Stories + from Burroughs; The Eagle, Tennyson (poem); The Emperor's Bird's-Nest, + Longfellow (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; The Falcon of Ser Federigo, + Longfellow (poem); The Gulls, in Breck, Wilderness Pets, pages 103, 161; + The House Wren, in Bird Stories from Burroughs; The Keeper of the Nest, in + Roberts, The Feet of the Furtive; The Screech Owl, in Bird Stories from + Burroughs; The Song Sparrow, in Bird Stories from Burroughs. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Good Stories For Great Holidays, by +Frances Jenkins Olcott + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GOOD STORIES FOR GREAT HOLIDAYS *** + +***** This file should be named 359-h.htm or 359-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/5/359/ + +Produced by Mike Lough, and David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Good Stories For Great Holidays + Arranged for Story-Telling and Reading Aloud and for the + Children's Own Reading + +Author: Frances Jenkins Olcott + +Posting Date: July 11, 2008 [EBook #359] +Release Date: November, 1995 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GOOD STORIES FOR GREAT HOLIDAYS *** + + + + +Produced by Mike Lough + + + + + +GOOD STORIES FOR GREAT HOLIDAYS + + +ARRANGED FOR STORY-TELLING AND READING ALOUD + +AND FOR THE CHILDREN'S OWN READING + +By Frances Jenkins Olcott + + +Index according to reading level is appended. + + + +TO THE STORY-TELLER + +This volume, though intended also for the children's own reading and for +reading aloud, is especially planned for story-telling. The latter is a +delightful way of arousing a gladsome holiday spirit, and of showing the +inner meanings of different holidays. As stories used for this purpose +are scattered through many volumes, and as they are not always in the +concrete form required for story-telling, I have endeavored to bring +together myths, legends, tales, and historical stories suitable to +holiday occasions. + +There are here collected one hundred and twenty stories for seventeen +holidays--stories grave, gay, humorous, or fanciful; also some that +are spiritual in feeling, and others that give the delicious thrill +of horror so craved by boys and girls at Halloween time. The range +of selection is wide, and touches all sides of wholesome boy and girl +nature, and the tales have the power to arouse an appropriate holiday +spirit. + +As far as possible the stories are presented in their original form. +When, however, they are too long for inclusion, or too loose in +structure for story-telling purposes, they are adapted. + +Adapted stories are of two sorts. Condensed: in which case a piece of +literature is shortened, scarcely any changes being made in the original +language. Rewritten: here the plot, imagery, language, and style of the +original are retained as far as possible, while the whole is moulded +into form suitable for story-telling. Some few stories are built up on a +slight framework of original matter. + +Thus it may be seen that the tales in this volume have not been reduced +to the necessarily limited vocabulary and uniform style of one editor, +but that they are varied in treatment and language, and are the products +of many minds. + +A glance at the table of contents will show that not only have +selections been made from modern authors and from the folklore of +different races, but that some quaint old literary sources have been +drawn on. Among the men and books contributing to these pages are the +Gesta Romanorum, Il Libro d'Oro, Xenophon, Ovid, Lucian, the Venerable +Bede, William of Malmesbury. John of Hildesheim, William Caxton, and the +more modern Washington Irving, Hugh Miller, Charles Dickens, and Henry +Cabot Lodge; also those immortals, Hans Andersen, the Brothers Grimm, +Horace E. Scudder, and others. + +The stories are arranged to meet the needs of story-telling in the +graded schools. Reading-lists, showing where to find additional material +for story-telling and collateral reading, are added. Grades in which the +recommended stories are useful are indicated. + +The number of selections in the volume, as well as the references +to other books, is limited by the amount and character of available +material. For instance, there is little to be found for Saint +Valentine's Day, while there is an overwhelming abundance of fine +stories for the Christmas season. Stories like Dickens's "Christmas +Carol," Ouida's "Dog of Flanders," and Hawthorne's tales, which are too +long for inclusion and would lose their literary beauty if condensed, +are referred to in the lists. Volumes containing these stories may be +procured at the public library. + +A subject index is appended. This indicates the ethical, historical, and +other subject-matter of interest to the teacher, thus making the volume +serviceable for other occasions besides holidays. + +In learning her tale the story-teller is advised not to commit it to +memory. Such a method is apt to produce a wooden or glib manner of +presentation. It is better for her to read the story over and over again +until its plot, imagery, style, and vocabulary become her own, and then +to retell it, as Miss Bryant says, "simply, vitally, joyously." + + + + + + +CONTENTS + +NEW YEAR'S DAY (January 1) + +THE FAIRY'S NEW YEAR GIFT: Emilie Poulsson, In the Child's World + +THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL: Hans Christian Andersen, Stories and Tales + +THE TWELVE MONTHS: Alexander Chodsvko, Slav Fairy Tales + +THE MAIL-COACH PASSENGERS: Hans Christian Andersen, Fairy Tales + +LINCOLN'S BIRTHDAY (February 10) + +HE RESCUES THE BIRDS: Noah Brooks, Abraham Lincoln + +LINCOLN AND THE LITTLE GIRL: Charles W. Moores, Life of Abraham Lincoln +for Boys and Girls + +TRAINING FOR THE PRESIDENCY: Orison Swett Matden, Winning Out + +WHY LINCOLN WAS CALLED "HONEST ABE": Noah Brooks, Abraham Lincoln + +A STRANGER AT FIVE-POINTS: Adapted + +A SOLOMON COME TO JUDGMENT: Charles W. Moores, Life of Abraham Lincoln +for Boys and Girls + +GEORGE PICKETT'S FRIEND: Charles W. Moores, Life of Abraham Lincoln for +Boys and Girls + +LINCOLN THE LAWYER: Z. A. Mudge, The Forest Boy + +THE COURAGE OF HIS CONVICTIONS: Adapted + +MR. LINCOLN AND THE BIBLE: Z. A. Mudge, The Forest Boy + +HIS SPRINGFIELD FAREWELL ADDRESS [Lincoln] + +SAINT VALENTINE'S DAY (February 14) + +SAINT VALENTINE + +SAINT VALENTINE: Millicent Olmsted + +A GIRL'S VALENTINE CHARM: The Connoisseur, 1775 + +MR. PEPYS HIS VALENTINE: Samuel Pepys, Diary + +CUPID AND PSYCHE: Josephine Preston Peabody, Old Greek Folk Stories + +WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY (February 22) + +THREE OLD TALES: M. L. Weems, Life of George Washington, with Curious +Anecdotes + +YOUNG GEORGE AND THE COLT: Horace E. Scudder, George Washington + +WASHINGTON THE ATHLETE: Albert F. Blaisdell and Francis R. Ball, Hero +Stories from American History + +WASHINGTON'S MODESTY: Henry Cabot Lodge, George Washington + +WASHINGTON AT YORKTOWN: Henry Cabot lodge, George Washington + +RESURRECTION DAY (Easter Sunday) (March or April) + +A LESSON OF FAITH: Mrs. Alfred Gatty, Parables from Nature + +A CHILD'S DREAM OF A STAR: Charles Dickens + +THE LOVELIEST ROSE IN THE WORLD: Hans Christian Andersen, Stories and +Tales + +MAY DAY (May 1) THE SNOWDROP: Hans Christian Andersen; Adapted by Bailey +and Lewis + +THE THREE LITTLE BUTTERFLY BROTHERS: From the German + + +THE WATER DROP: Friedrich Wilhelm Carove, Story without an End, +translated by Sarah Austin + +THE SPRING BEAUTY: Henry R. Schoolcraft, The Myth of Hiawatha + +THE FAIRY TULIPS: English Folk-Tale + +THE STREAM THAT RAN AWAY: Mary Austin, The Basket Woman + +THE ELVES: Harriet Mazwell Converse, Myths and legends of the New York +State Iroquois + +THE CANYON FLOWERS: Ralph Connor, The Sky Pilot + +CLYTIE, THE HELIOTROPE: Ovid, Metamorphoses + +HYACINTHUS: Ovid, Metamorphoses + +ECHO AND NARCISSUS: Ovid, Metamorphoses + +MOTHERS' DAY (Second Sunday in May) + +THE LARK AND ITS YOUNG ONES: P. V. Ramuswami Raju, Indian Fables + +CORNELIA S JEWELS: James Baldwin, Fifty Famous Stories Retold + +QUEEN MARGARET AND THE ROBBERS: Albert F. Blaisdell, Stories from +Enylish History + +THE REVENGE OF CORIOLANUS: Charles Morris, Historical Tales + +THE WIDOW AND HER THREE SONS + +MEMORIAL DAY (May 30)[1] AND FLAG DAY (June 14) Confederate Memorial Day +is celebrated in some States on April 26 and in others on May 10. + +BETSY ROSS AND THE FLAG: Harry Pringle Ford + +THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER: Eva March Tappan, Hero Stories from American +History + +THE LITTLE DRUMMER-BOY: Aloert Bushnell Hart, The Romance of the Civil +War + +A FLAG INCIDENT: M. M. Thomas, Captain Phil + +TWO HERO-STORIES OF THE CIVIL WAR: Ben La Bree, Camp Fires of the +Confederacy + +THE YOUNG SENTINEL: Z. A. Mudge, The Forest Boy + +THE COLONEL OF THE ZOUAVES: Noah Brooks, Abraham Lincoln + +GENERAL SCOTT AND THE STARS AND STRIPES: E. D. Townsend, Anecdotes of +the Civil War + +INDEPENDENCE DAY (July 4) + +THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE: Washington Irving, Life of Washington + +THE SIGNING OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE: H. A. Guerber, The Story +of the Thirteen Colonies + +A BRAVE GIRL: James Johonnot, Stories of Heroic Deeds + +THE BOSTON TEA-PARTY: John Andrews, Letter to a friend written in 1773 + +A GUNPOWDER STORY: John Esten Cooke, Stories of the Old Dominion + +THE CAPTURE OF FORT TICONDEROGA: Washington Irving, Life of Washington + +WASHINGTON AND THE COWARDS: Washington Irving, Life of Washington + +LABOR DAY (First Monday in September) + +THE SMITHY: P. V. Ramaswami Raju, Indian Fables + +THE NAIL: The Brothers Grimm, German Household Tales + +THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER: Horace E. Scudder, Book of Fables and Folk +Stories + +THE HILLMAN AND THE HOUSEWIFE: Juliana Horatia Ewing, Old Fashioned +Fairy Tales + +HOFUS THE STONE CUTTER, A JAPANESE LEGEND: The Riserside Third Reader + +ARACHNE: Josephine Preston Peabody, Old Greek Folk Stories + + +THE METAL KING: A German Folk-Tale + +THE CHOICE OF HERCULES: Xenophon, Memorabilia of Socrates + +THE SPEAKING STATUE: Gesta Romanorum + +THE CHAMPION STONE CUTTER: Hugh Miller + +BILL BROWN'S TEST: Cleveland Moffett, Careers of Danger and Daring + +COLUMBUS DAY (October 12) + +COLUMBUS AND THE EGG: James Baldwin, Thirty More Famous Stories Retold + +COLUMBUS AT LA RABIDA: Washington Irving, Life of Christopher Columbus + +THE MUTINY: A. de Lamartine, Life of Columbus + +THE FIRST LANDING OF COLUMBUS IN THE NEW WORLD: Washington Irving, Life +of Christopher Columbus + +HALLOWEEN (October 31) + +THE OLD WITCH: The Brothers Grimm, German Household Tales + +SHIPPEITARO: Mary F. Nixon-Roulet, Japanese Folk Stories and Fairy Tales + +HANSEL AND GRETHEL: The Brothers Grimm, German Household Tales + +BURG HILL'S ON FIRE: Elizabeth W. Grierson, Children's Book of Celtic +Stories + +THE KING OF THE CATS: Ernest Rhys, Fairy-Gold + +THE STRANGE VISITOR: Joseph Jacobs, English Fairy Tales + +THE BENEVOLENT GOBLIN: Gesta Romanorum + +THE PHANTOM KNIGHT OF THE VANDAL CAMP: Gesta Romanorum + +THANKSGIVING DAY (Last Thursday in November) + +THE FIRST HARVEST-HOME IN PLYMOUTH: W. De Loss Lore, Jr., The Fast and +Thanksgiving Days of New England + +THE MASTER OF THE HARVEST: Mrs. Alfred Gatty, Parables from Nature + +SAINT CUTHBERT'S EAGLE: The Venerable Bede, Life and Miracles of Saint +Cuthbert + +THE EARS OF WHEAT: The Brothers Grimm, German Household Tales + +HOW INDIAN CORN CAME INTO THE WORLD: Henry R. Schoolcraft, The Myth of +Hiawatha + +THE NUTCRACKER DWARF: Count Franz Pocci, Fur Frohliche Kinder + +THE PUMPKIN PIRATES, A TALE FROM LUCIAN: Alfred J. Church, The Greek +Gulliver + +THE SPIRIT OF THE CORN: Harriet Mazwell Converse, +Myths and Legends of the New York State Iroquois + +THE HORN OF PLENTY: Ovid, Metamorphoses + +CHRISTMAS DAY (December 25) + +LITTLE PICCOLA: Celia Thazter, Stories and Poems for Children + +THE STRANGER CHILD, A LEGEND: Count Franz Pocci, Fur Frohliche Kinder + +SAINT CHRISTOPHER: William Caxton, Golden Legend + +THE CHRISTMAS ROSE, AN OLD LEGEND: Lizzie Deas, Flower Favourites + +THE WOODEN SHOES OF LITTLE WOLFF: Francois Coppee + +THE PINE TREE: Hans Christian Andersen, Wonder Stories + +THE CHRISTMAS CUCKOO: Frances Browne, Granny's Wonderful Chair + +THE CHRISTMAS FAIRY OF STRASBURG, A GERMAN FOLK-TALE: J. Stirling Coyne, +Illustrated London News + +THE THREE PURSES, A LEGEND: William S. Walsh, Story of Santa Klaus + +THE THUNDER OAK, A SCANDINAVIAN LEGEND: William S. Walsh and Others + +THE CHRISTMAS THORN OF GLASTONBURY, A LEGEND OF ANCIENT BRITAIN: William +of Malmesbury and Others + +THE THREE KINGS OF COLOGNE, A LEGEND OF THE MIDDLE AGES: John of +Hildesheim, Modernized by H. S. Morris + +ARBOR DAY + +THE LITTLE TREE THAT LONGED FOR OTHER LEAVES: Friedrieh Ruckert + +WHY THE EVERGREEN TREES NEVER LOSE THEIR LEAVES: Florence Holbrook, Book +of Nature Myths + +WHY THE ASPEN QUIVERS: Old legend + +THE WONDER TREE: Friedrich Adolph Krummacher, Parables + +THE PROUD OAK TREE: Old Fable + +BAUCIS AND PHILEMON: H. P. Maskell, Francis Storr, +Half-a-Hundred Hero Tales + +THE UNFRUITFUL TREE: Friedrich Adolph Krummacher, Parables + +THE DRYAD OF THE OLD OAK: James Russell Lowell, Rhoecus (a poem) + +DAPHNE: OVID, Metamorphoses BIRD DAY + +THE OLD WOMAN WHO BECAME A WOODPECKER: Phoebe Cary, A Legend of the +Northland (poem) + +THE BOY WHO BECAME A ROBIN: Henry R. Schoolcraft, The Myth of Hiawatha + +THE TONGUE-CUT SPARROW: A. B. Mitford, Tales of Old Japan + +THE QUAILS, A LEGEND OF THE JATAKA: Riverside Fourth Reader + +THE MAGPIE'S NEST: Joseph Jacobs, English Fairy Tales + +THE GREEDY GEESE: Il Libro d'Oro + +THE KING OF THE BIRDS: The Brothers Grimm, German Household Tales + +THE DOVE WHO SPOKE TRUTH: Abbie Farwell Brown, The Curious Book of Birds + +THE BUSY BLUE JAY: Olive Thorne Miller, True Bird Stories + +BABES IN THE WOODS: John Burroughs, Bird Stories from Burroughs + +THE PRIDE OF THE REGIMENT: Harry M. Rieffer, The Recollections of a +Drummer Boy + +THE MOTHER MURRE: Dallas Lore Sharp, Summer + +REFERENCE LISTS FOR STORY-TELLING AND COLLATERAL READING + + + + + +GOOD STORIES FOR GREAT HOLIDAYS + + + + +THE FAIRY'S NEW YEAR GIFT + +BY EMILIE POULSSON (ADAPTED) + +Two little boys were at play one day when a Fairy suddenly appeared +before them and said: "I have been sent to give you New Year presents." + +She handed to each child a package, and in an instant was gone. + +Carl and Philip opened the packages and found in them two beautiful +books, with pages as pure and white as the snow when it first falls. + +Many months passed and the Fairy came again to the boys. "I have brought +you each another book?" said she, "and will take the first ones back to +Father Time who sent them to you." + +"May I not keep mine a little longer?" asked Philip. "I have hardly +thought about it lately. I'd like to paint something on the last leaf +that lies open." + +"No," said the Fairy; "I must take it just as it is." + +"I wish that I could look through mine just once," said Carl; "I have +only seen one page at a time, for when the leaf turns over it sticks +fast, and I can never open the book at more than one place each day." + +"You shall look at your book," said the Fairy, "and Philip, at his." And +she lit for them two little silver lamps, by the light of which they saw +the pages as she turned them. + +The boys looked in wonder. Could it be that these were the same fair +books she had given them a year ago? Where were the clean, white pages, +as pure and beautiful as the snow when it first falls? Here was a page +with ugly, black spots and scratches upon it; while the very next page +showed a lovely little picture. Some pages were decorated with gold and +silver and gorgeous colors, others with beautiful flowers, and still +others with a rainbow of softest, most delicate brightness. Yet even on +the most beautiful of the pages there were ugly blots and scratches. + +Carl and Philip looked up at the Fairy at last. + +"Who did this?" they asked. "Every page was white and fair as we opened +to it; yet now there is not a single blank place in the whole book!" + +"Shall I explain some of the pictures to you?" said the Fairy, smiling +at the two little boys. + +"See, Philip, the spray of roses blossomed on this page when you let +the baby have your playthings; and this pretty bird, that looks as if it +were singing with all its might, would never have been on this page +if you had not tried to be kind and pleasant the other day, instead of +quarreling." + +"But what makes this blot?" asked Philip. + +"That," said the Fairy sadly; "that came when you told an untruth one +day, and this when you did not mind mamma. All these blots and scratches +that look so ugly, both in your book and in Carl's, were made when you +were naughty. Each pretty thing in your books came on its page when you +were good." + +"Oh, if we could only have the books again!" said Carl and Philip. + +"That cannot be," said the Fairy. "See! they are dated for this year, +and they must now go back into Father Time's bookcase, but I have +brought you each a new one. Perhaps you can make these more beautiful +than the others." + +So saying, she vanished, and the boys were left alone, but each held in +his hand a new book open at the first page. + +And on the back of this book was written in letters of gold, "For the +New Year." + + + + +THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL + +BY HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN (TRANSLATED) + +It was very, very cold; it snowed and it grew dark; it was the last +evening of the year, New Year's Eve. In the cold and dark a poor little +girl, with bare head and bare feet, was walking through the streets. +When she left her own house she certainly had had slippers on; but what +could they do? They were very big slippers, and her mother had used them +till then, so big were they. The little maid lost them as she slipped +across the road, where two carriages were rattling by terribly fast. One +slipper was not to be found again, and a boy ran away with the other. He +said he could use it for a cradle when he had children of his own. + +So now the little girl went with her little naked feet, which were quite +red and blue with the cold. In an old apron she carried a number of +matches, and a bundle of them in her hand. No one had bought anything +of her all day; no one had given her a copper. Hungry and cold she went, +and drew herself together, poor little thing! The snowflakes fell on her +long yellow hair, which curled prettily over her neck; but she did not +think of that now. In all the windows lights were shining, and there was +a glorious smell of roast goose out there in the street; it was no doubt +New Year's Eve. Yes, she thought of that! + +In a corner formed by two houses, one of which was a little farther from +the street than the other, she sat down and crept close. She had drawn +up her little feet, but she was still colder, and she did not dare to +go home, for she had sold no matches, and she had not a single cent; her +father would beat her; and besides, it was cold at home, for they had +nothing over the them but a roof through which the wind whistled, though +straw and rags stopped the largest holes. + +Her small hands were quite numb with the cold. Ah! a little match might +do her good if she only dared draw one from the bundle, and strike +it against the wall, and warm her fingers at it. She drew one out. +R-r-atch! how it spluttered and burned! It was a warm bright flame, like +a little candle, when she held her hands over it; it was a wonderful +little light! It really seemed to the little girl as if she sat before a +great polished stove, with bright brass feet and a brass cover. The +fire burned so nicely; it warmed her so well,--the little girl was just +putting out her feet to warm these, too,--when out went the flame; the +stove was gone;--she sat with only the end of the burned match in her +hand. + +She struck another; it burned; it gave a light; and where it shone on +the wall, the wall became thin like a veil, and she could see through it +into the room where a table stood, spread with a white cloth, and with +china on it; and the roast goose smoked gloriously, stuffed with apples +and dried plums. And what was still more splendid to behold, the goose +hopped down from the dish, and waddled along the floor, with a knife and +fork in its breast; straight to the little girl he came. Then the match +went out, and only the thick, damp, cold wall was before her. + +She lighted another. Then she was sitting under a beautiful Christmas +tree; it was greater and finer than the one she had seen through the +glass door at the rich merchant's. Thousands of candles burned upon +the green branches, and colored pictures like those in the shop windows +looked down upon them. The little girl stretched forth both hands toward +them; then the match went out. The Christmas lights went higher and +higher. She saw that now they were stars in the sky: one of them fell +and made a long line of fire. + +"Now some one is dying," said the little girl, for her old grandmother, +the only person who had been good to her, but who was now dead, had +said: "When a star falls a soul mounts up to God." + +She rubbed another match against the wall; it became bright again, and +in the light there stood the old grandmother clear and shining, mild and +lovely. + +"Grandmother!" cried the child. "Oh, take me with you! I know you will +go when the match is burned out. You will go away like the warm stove, +the nice roast goose, and the great glorious Christmas tree!" + +And she hastily rubbed the whole bundle of matches, for she wished to +hold her grandmother fast. And the matches burned with such a glow that +it became brighter than in the middle of the day; grandmother had never +been so large or so beautiful. She took the little girl up in her arms, +and both flew in the light and the joy so high, so high! and up there +was no cold, nor hunger, nor care--they were with God. + +But in the corner by the house sat the little girl, with red cheeks and +smiling mouth, frozen to death on the last evening of the Old Year. +The New Year's sun rose upon the little body, that sat there with the +matches, of which one bundle was burned. She wanted to warm herself, +the people said. No one knew what fine things she had seen, and in what +glory she had gone in with her grandmother to the New Year's Day. + + + + +THE TWELVE MONTHS + +A SLAV LEGEND + +BY ALEXANDER CHODZKO (ADAPTED) + +There was once a widow who had two daughters, Helen, her own child by +her dead husband, and Marouckla, his daughter by his first wife. She +loved Helen, but hated the poor orphan because she was far prettier than +her own daughter. + +Marouckla did not think about her good looks, and could not understand +why her stepmother should be angry at the sight of her. The hardest work +fell to her share. She cleaned out the rooms, cooked, washed, sewed, +spun, wove, brought in the hay, milked the cow, and all this without any +help. + +Helen, meanwhile, did nothing but dress herself in her best clothes and +go to one amusement after another. + +But Marouckla never complained. She bore the scoldings and bad temper of +mother and sister with a smile on her lips, and the patience of a lamb. +But this angelic behavior did not soften them. They became even more +tyrannical and grumpy, for Marouckla grew daily more beautiful, while +Helen's ugliness increased. So the stepmother determined to get rid of +Marouckla, for she knew that while she remained, her own daughter would +have no suitors. Hunger, every kind of privation, abuse, every means was +used to make the girl's life miserable. But in spite of it all Marouckla +grew ever sweeter and more charming. + +One day in the middle of winter Helen wanted some wood-violets. + +"Listen," cried she to Marouckla, "you must go up the mountain and +find me violets. I want some to put in my gown. They must be fresh and +sweet-scented-do you hear?" + +"But, my dear sister, whoever heard of violets blooming in the snow?" +said the poor orphan. + +"You wretched creature! Do you dare to disobey me?" said Helen. "Not +another word. Off with you! If you do not bring me some violets from the +mountain forest I will kill you." + +The stepmother also added her threats to those of Helen, and with +vigorous blows they pushed Marouckla outside and shut the door upon her. +The weeping girl made her way to the mountain. The snow lay deep, and +there was no trace of any human being. Long she wandered hither and +thither, and lost herself in the wood. She was hungry, and shivered with +cold, and prayed to die. + +Suddenly she saw a light in the distance, and climbed toward it till she +reached the top of the mountain. Upon the highest peak burned a large +fire, surrounded by twelve blocks of stone on which sat twelve strange +beings. Of these the first three had white hair, three were not quite so +old, three were young and handsome, and the rest still younger. + +There they all sat silently looking at the fire. They were the Twelve +Months of the Year. The great January was placed higher than the others. +His hair and mustache were white as snow, and in his hand he held a +wand. At first Marouckla was afraid, but after a while her courage +returned, and drawing near, she said:-- + +"Men of God, may I warm myself at your fire? I am chilled by the winter +cold." + +The great January raised his head and answered: "What brings thee here, +my daughter? What dost thou seek?" + +"I am looking for violets," replied the maiden. + +"This is not the season for violets. Dost thou not see the snow +everywhere?" said January. + +"I know well, but my sister Helen and my stepmother have ordered me to +bring them violets from your mountain. If I return without them they +will kill me. I pray you, good shepherds, tell me where they may be +found." + +Here the great January arose and went over to the youngest of the +Months, and, placing his wand in his hand, said:-- + +"Brother March, do thou take the highest place." + +March obeyed, at the same time waving his wand over the fire. +Immediately the flames rose toward the sky, the snow began to melt and +the trees and shrubs to bud. The grass became green, and from between +its blades peeped the pale primrose. It was spring, and the meadows were +blue with violets. + +"Gather them quickly, Marouckla," said March. + +Joyfully she hastened to pick the flowers, and having soon a large bunch +she thanked them and ran home. Helen and the stepmother were amazed at +the sight of the flowers, the scent of which filled the house. + +"Where did you find them?" asked Helen. + +"Under the trees on the mountain-side," said Marouckla. + +Helen kept the flowers for herself and her mother. She did not even +thank her stepsister for the trouble she had taken. The next day she +desired Marouckla to fetch her strawberries. + +"Run," said she, "and fetch me strawberries from the mountain. They must +be very sweet and ripe." + +"But whoever heard of strawberries ripening in the snow?" exclaimed +Marouckla. + +"Hold your tongue, worm; don't answer me. If I don't have my +strawberries I will kill you," said Helen. + +Then the stepmother pushed Marouckla into the yard and bolted the door. +The unhappy girl made her way toward the mountain and to the large +fire round which sat the Twelve Months. The great January occupied the +highest place. + +"Men of God, may I warm myself at your fire? The winter cold chills me," +said she, drawing near. + +The great January raised his head and asked: "Why comest thou here? What +dost thou seek?" + +"I am looking for strawberries," said she. + +"We are in the midst of winter," replied January, "strawberries do not +grow in the snow." + +"I know," said the girl sadly, "but my sister and stepmother have +ordered me to bring them strawberries. If I do not they will kill me. +Pray, good shepherds, tell me where to find them." + +The great January arose, crossed over to the Month opposite him, and +putting the wand in his hand, said: "Brother June, do thou take the +highest place." + +June obeyed, and as he waved his wand over the fire the flames leaped +toward the sky. Instantly the snow melted, the earth was covered with +verdure, trees were clothed with leaves, birds began to sing, and +various flowers blossomed in the forest. It was summer. Under the bushes +masses of star-shaped flowers changed into ripening strawberries, and +instantly they covered the glade, making it look like a sea of blood. + +"Gather them quickly, Marouckla," said June. + +Joyfully she thanked the Months, and having filled her apron ran happily +home. + +Helen and her mother wondered at seeing the strawberries, which filled +the house with their delicious fragrance. + +"Wherever did you find them?" asked Helen crossly. + +"Right up among the mountains. Those from under the beech trees are not +bad," answered Marouckla. + +Helen gave a few to her mother and ate the rest herself. Not one did she +offer to her stepsister. Being tired of strawberries, on the third day +she took a fancy for some fresh, red apples. + +"Run, Marouckla," said she, "and fetch me fresh, red apples from the +mountain." + +"Apples in winter, sister? Why, the trees have neither leaves nor +fruit!" + +"Idle thing, go this minute," said Helen; "unless you bring back apples +we will kill you." + +As before, the stepmother seized her roughly and turned her out of the +house. The poor girl went weeping up the mountain, across the deep snow, +and on toward the fire round which were the Twelve Months. Motionless +they sat there, and on the highest stone was the great January. + +"Men of God, may I warm myself at your fire? The winter cold chills me," +said she, drawing near. + +The great January raised his head. "Why comest thou here? What does thou +seek?" asked he. + +"I am come to look for red apples," replied Marouckla. + +"But this is winter, and not the season for red apples," observed the +great January. + +"I know," answered the girl, "but my sister and stepmother sent me to +fetch red apples from the mountain. If I return without them they will +kill me." + +Thereupon the great January arose and went over to one of the elderly +Months, to whom he handed the wand saying:-- + +"Brother September, do thou take the highest place." + +September moved to the highest stone, and waved his wand over the fire. +There was a flare of red flames, the snow disappeared, but the fading +leaves which trembled on the trees were sent by a cold northeast wind in +yellow masses to the glade. Only a few flowers of autumn were visible. +At first Marouckla looked in vain for red apples. Then she espied a tree +which grew at a great height, and from the branches of this hung the +bright, red fruit. September ordered her to gather some quickly. The +girl was delighted and shook the tree. First one apple fell, then +another. + +"That is enough," said September; "hurry home." + +Thanking the Months she returned joyfully. Helen and the stepmother +wondered at seeing the fruit. + +"Where did you gather them?" asked the stepsister. + +"There are more on the mountain-top," answered Marouckla. + +"Then, why did you not bring more?" said Helen angrily. "You must have +eaten them on your way back, you wicked girl." + +"No, dear sister, I have not even tasted them," said Marouckla. "I shook +the tree twice. One apple fell each time. Some shepherds would not allow +me to shake it again, but told me to return home." + +"Listen, mother," said Helen. "Give me my cloak. I will fetch some more +apples myself. I shall be able to find the mountain and the tree. The +shepherds may cry 'Stop!' but I will not leave go till I have shaken +down all the apples." + +In spite of her mother's advice she wrapped herself in her pelisse, +put on a warm hood, and took the road to the mountain. Snow covered +everything. Helen lost herself and wandered hither and thither. After +a while she saw a light above her, and, following in its direction, +reached the mountain-top. + +There was the flaming fire, the twelve blocks of stone, and the Twelve +Months. At first she was frightened and hesitated; then she came nearer +and warmed her hands. She did not ask permission, nor did she speak one +polite word. + +"What hath brought thee here? What dost thou seek?" said the great +January severely. + +"I am not obliged to tell you, old graybeard. What business is it of +yours?" she replied disdainfully, turning her back on the fire and going +toward the forest. + +The great January frowned, and waved his wand over his head. Instantly +the sky became covered with clouds, the fire went down, snow fell in +large flakes, an icy wind howled round the mountain. Amid the fury of +the storm Helen stumbled about. The pelisse failed to warm her benumbed +limbs. + +The mother kept on waiting for her. She looked from the window, she +watched from the doorstep, but her daughter came not. The hours passed +slowly, but Helen did not return. + +"Can it be that the apples have charmed her from her home?" thought the +mother. Then she clad herself in hood and pelisse, and went in search of +her daughter. Snow fell in huge masses. It covered all things. For long +she wandered hither and thither, the icy northeast wind whistled in the +mountain, but no voice answered her cries. + +Day after day Marouckla worked, and prayed, and waited, but neither +stepmother nor sister returned. They had been frozen to death on the +mountain. + +The inheritance of a small house, a field, and a cow fell to Marouckla. +In course of time an honest farmer came to share them with her, and +their lives were happy and peaceful. + + + + +THE MAIL-COACH PASSENGERS + +BY HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN (ADAPTED) + +It was bitterly cold. The sky glittered with stars, and not a breeze +stirred. "Bump,"--an old pot was thrown at a neighbor's door; and, +"Bang! Bang!" went the guns, for they were greeting the New Year. + +It was New Year's Eve, and the church clock was striking twelve. +"Tan-ta-ra-ra, tan-ta-ra-ra!" sounded the horn, and the mail-coach came +lumbering up. The clumsy vehicle stopped at the gate of the town; all +the places had been taken, for there were twelve passengers in the +coach. + +"Hurrah! Hurrah!" cried the people in the town; for in every house the +New Year was being welcomed; and, as the clock struck, they stood up, +the full glasses in their hands, to drink success to the newcomer. "A +happy New Year," was the cry; "a pretty wife, plenty of money, and no +sorrow or care!" + +The wish passed round, and the glasses clashed together till they rang +again; while before the town-gate the mail-coach stopped with the twelve +strange passengers. And who were these strangers? Each of them had his +passport and his luggage with him; they even brought presents for me, +and for you, and for all the people in the town. Who were they? What did +they want? And what did they bring with them? + +"Good-morning!" they cried to the sentry at the town-gate. + +"Good-morning," replied the sentry, for the clock had struck twelve. + +"Your name and profession?" asked the sentry of the one who alighted +first from the carriage. + +"See for yourself in the passport," he replied. + +"I am myself!"--and a famous fellow he looked, arrayed in bearskin +and fur boots. "Come to me to-morrow, and I will give you a New Year's +present. I throw shillings and pence among the people. I give balls +every night, no less than thirty-one; indeed, that is the highest number +I can spare for balls. My ships are often frozen in, but in my offices +it is warm and comfortable. MY NAME IS JANUARY. I am a merchant, and I +generally bring my accounts with me." + +Then the second alighted. He seemed a merry fellow. He was a director of +a theater, a manager of masked balls, and a leader of all the amusements +we can imagine. His luggage consisted of a great cask. + +"We'll dance the bung out of the cask at carnival-time," said he. "I'll +prepare a merry tune for you and for myself, too. Unfortunately I have +not long to live,--the shortest time, in fact, of my whole family,--only +twenty-eight days. Sometimes they pop me in a day extra; but I trouble +myself very little about that. Hurrah!" + +"You must not shout so," said the sentry. + +"Certainly I may shout," retorted the man. + +"I'm Prince Carnival, traveling under THE NAME OF FEBRUARY." + +The third now got out. He looked the personification of fasting; but +he carried his nose very high, for he was a weather prophet. In his +buttonhole he wore a little bunch of violets, but they were very small. + +"MARCH, MARCH!" the fourth passenger called after him, slapping him +on the shoulder, "don't you smell something good? Make haste into the +guard-room, they are feasting in there. I can smell it already! FORWARD, +MASTER MARCH!" + +But it was not true. The speaker only wanted to make an APRIL FOOL of +him, for with that fun the fourth stranger generally began his career. +He looked very jovial, and did little work. + +"If the world were only more settled!" said he; "but sometimes I'm +obliged to be in a good humor, and sometimes a bad one. I can laugh or +cry according to circumstances. I have my summer wardrobe in this box +here, but it would be very foolish to put it on now!" + +After him a lady stepped out of the coach. SHE CALLED HERSELF MISS MAY. +She wore a summer dress and overshoes. Her dress was light green, and +there were anemones in her hair. She was so scented with wild thyme that +it made the sentry sneeze. + +"Your health, and God bless you!" was her greeting. + +How pretty she was! and such a singer! Not a theater singer nor a +ballad-singer; no, but a singer of the woods. For she wandered through +the gay, green forest, and had a concert there for her own amusement. + +"Now comes the young lady," said those in the coach; and out stepped a +young dame, delicate, proud, and pretty. IT WAS MISTRESS JUNE. In her +service people become lazy and fond of sleeping for hours. She gives +a feast on the longest day of the year, that there may be time for her +guests to partake of the numerous dishes at her table. Indeed, she keeps +her own carriage, but still she travels by the mail-coach with the rest +because she wishes to show that she is not proud. + +But she was not without a protector; her younger brother, JULY, was with +her. He was a plump, young fellow, clad in summer garments, and wearing +a straw hat. He had very little luggage because it was so cumbersome in +the great heat. He had, however, swimming-trousers with him, which are +nothing to carry. + +Then came the mother herself, MADAME AUGUST, a wholesale dealer +in fruit, proprietress of a large number of fish-ponds, and a +land-cultivator. She was fat and warm, yet she could use her hands well, +and would herself carry out food to the laborers in the field. After +work, came the recreations, dancing and playing in the greenwood, and +the "harvest home." She was a thorough housewife. + +After her a man stepped out of the coach. He is a painter, a master of +colors, and is NAMED SEPTEMBER. The forest on his arrival has to change +its colors, and how beautiful are those he chooses! The woods glow with +red, and gold, and brown. This great master painter can whistle like a +blackbird. There he stood with his color-pot in his hand, and that was +the whole of his luggage. + +A landowner followed, who in the month for sowing seed attends to his +ploughing and is fond of field sports. SQUIRE OCTOBER brought his dog +and his gun with him, and had nuts in his game-bag. + +"Crack! Crack!" He had a great deal of luggage, even a plough. He spoke +of farming, but what he said could scarcely be heard for the coughing +and sneezing of his neighbor. + +It WAS NOVEMBER, who coughed violently as he got out. He had a cold, but +he said he thought it would leave him when he went out woodcutting, for +he had to supply wood to the whole parish. He spent his evenings making +skates, for he knew, he said, that in a few weeks they would be needed. + +At length the last passenger made her appearance,--OLD MOTHER DECEMBER! +The dame was very aged, but her eyes glistened like two stars. She +carried on her arm a flower-pot, in which a little fir tree was growing. +"This tree I shall guard and cherish," she said, "that it may grow large +by Christmas Eve, and reach from the floor to the ceiling, to be adorned +with lighted candles, golden apples, and toys. I shall sit by the +fireplace, and bring a story-book out of my pocket, and read aloud to +all the little children. Then the toys on the tree will become alive, +and the little waxen Angel at the top will spread out his wings of gold +leaf, and fly down from his green perch. He will kiss every child in +the room, yes, and all the little children who stand out in the street +singing a carol about the 'Star of Bethlehem.'" + +"Well, now the coach may drive away," said the sentry; "we will keep all +the twelve months here with us." + +"First let the twelve come to me," said the Captain on duty, "one after +another. The passports I will keep here, each of them for one month. +When that has passed, I shall write the behavior of each stranger on his +passport. MR. JANUARY, have the goodness to come here." + +And MR. JANUARY stepped forward. + +When a year has passed, I think I shall be able to tell you what the +twelve passengers have brought to you, to me, and to all of us. Just +now I do not know, and probably even they do not know themselves, for we +live in strange times. + + + + +LINCOLN'S BIRTHDAY + +(FEBRUARY 12) + + + + +HE RESCUES THE BIRDS + +BY NOAH BROOKS (ADAPTED) + +Once, while riding through the country with some other lawyers, Lincoln +was missed from the party, and was seen loitering near a thicket of wild +plum trees where the men had stopped a short time before to water their +horses. + +"Where is Lincoln?" asked one of the lawyers. + +"When I saw him last," answered another, "he had caught two young birds +that the wind had blown out of their nest, and was hunting for the nest +to put them back again." + +As Lincoln joined them, the lawyers rallied him on his +tender-heartedness, and he said:-- + +"I could not have slept unless I had restored those little birds to +their mother." + + + + +LINCOLN AND THE LITTLE GIRL + +BY CHARLES W. MOORES + +In the old days, when Lincoln was one of the leading lawyers of the +State, he noticed a little girl of ten who stood beside a trunk in front +of her home crying bitterly. He stopped to learn what was wrong, and was +told that she was about to miss a long-promised visit to Decatur because +the wagon had not come for her. + +"You needn't let that trouble you," was his cheering reply. "Just come +along with me and we shall make it all right." + +Lifting the trunk upon his shoulder, and taking the little girl by the +hand, he went through the streets of Springfield, a half-mile to the +railway station, put her and her trunk on the train, and sent her away +with a happiness in her heart that is still there. + + + + +TRAINING FOR THE PRESIDENCY + +BY ORISON SWETT MARDEN + +"I meant to take good care of your book, Mr. Crawford," said the boy, +"but I've damaged it a good deal without intending to, and now I want to +make it right with you. What shall I do to make it good?" + +"Why, what happened to it, Abe?" asked the rich farmer, as he took the +copy of Weems's "Life of Washington" which he had lent young Lincoln, +and looked at the stained leaves and warped binding. "It looks as if it +had been out through all last night's storm. How came you to forget, and +leave it out to soak?" + +"It was this way, Mr. Crawford," replied Abe. "I sat up late to read +it, and when I went to bed, I put it away carefully in my bookcase, as +I call it, a little opening between two logs in the wall of our cabin. I +dreamed about General Washington all night. When I woke up I took it out +to read a page or two before I did the chores, and you can't imagine how +I felt when I found it in this shape. It seems that the mud-daubing +had got out of the weather side of that crack, and the rain must have +dripped on it three or four hours before I took it out. I'm sorry, Mr. +Crawford, and want to fix it up with you, if you can tell me how, for I +have not got money to pay for it." + +"Well," said Mr. Crawford, "come and shuck corn three days, and the book +'s yours." + +Had Mr. Crawford told young Abraham Lincoln that he had fallen heir to +a fortune the boy could hardly have felt more elated. Shuck corn only +three days, and earn the book that told all about his greatest hero! + +"I don't intend to shuck corn, split rails, and the like always," he +told Mrs. Crawford, after he had read the volume. "I'm going to fit +myself for a profession." + +"Why, what do you want to be, now?" asked Mrs. Crawford in surprise. + +"Oh, I'll be President!" said Abe with a smile. + +"You'd make a pretty President with all your tricks and jokes, now, +wouldn't you?" said the farmer's wife. + +"Oh, I'll study and get ready," replied the boy, "and then maybe the +chance will come." + + + + +WHY LINCOLN WAS CALLED "HONEST ABE" + +BY NOAH BROOKS + +In managing the country store, as in everything that he undertook for +others, Lincoln did his very best. He was honest, civil, ready to do +anything that should encourage customers to come to the place, full of +pleasantries, patient, and alert. + +On one occasion, finding late at night, when he counted over his cash, +that he had taken a few cents from a customer more than was due, +he closed the store, and walked a long distance to make good the +deficiency. + +At another time, discovering on the scales in the morning a weight with +which he had weighed out a package of tea for a woman the night before, +he saw that he had given her too little for her money. He weighed out +what was due, and carried it to her, much to the surprise of the woman, +who had not known that she was short in the amount of her purchase. + +Innumerable incidents of this sort are related of Lincoln, and we should +not have space to tell of the alertness with which he sprang to protect +defenseless women from insult, or feeble children from tyranny; for in +the rude community in which he lived, the rights of the defenseless were +not always respected as they should have been. There were bullies then, +as now. + + + + +A STRANGER AT FIVE-POINTS + +(ADAPTED) + +One afternoon in February, 1860, when the Sunday School of the +Five-Point House of Industry in New York was assembled, the teacher +saw a most remarkable man enter the room and take his place among the +others. This stranger was tall, his frame was gaunt and sinewy, his head +powerful, with determined features overcast by a gentle melancholy. + +He listened with fixed attention to the exercises. His face expressed +such genuine interest that the teacher, approaching him, suggested that +he might have something to say to the children. + +The stranger accepted the invitation with evident pleasure. Coming +forward, he began to speak and at once fascinated every child in the +room. His language was beautiful yet simple, his tones were musical, and +he spoke with deep feeling. + +The faces of the boys and girls drooped sadly as he uttered warnings, +and then brightened with joy as he spoke cheerful words of promise. Once +or twice he tried to close his remarks, but the children shouted: "Go +on! Oh! do go on!" and he was forced to continue. + +At last he finished his talk and was leaving the room quietly when the +teacher begged to know his name. + +"Abra'm Lincoln, of Illinois," was the modest response. + + + + +A SOLOMON COME TO JUDGMENT + +BY CHARLES W. MOORES + +Lincoln's practical sense and his understanding of human nature enabled +him to save the life of the son of his old Clary's Grove friend, Jack +Armstrong, who was on trial for murder. Lincoln, learning of it, went +to the old mother who had been kind to him in the days of his boyhood +poverty, and promised her that he would get her boy free. + +The witnesses were sure that Armstrong was guilty, and one of them +declared that he had seen the fatal blow struck. It was late at night, +he said, and the light of the full moon had made it possible for him to +see the crime committed. Lincoln, on cross-examination, asked him only +questions enough to make the jury see that it was the full moon that +made it possible for the witness to see what occurred; got him to say +two or three times that he was sure of it, and seemed to give up any +further effort to save the boy. + +But when the evidence was finished, and Lincoln's time came to make his +argument, he called for an almanac, which the clerk of the court had +ready for him, and handed it to the jury. They saw at once that on the +night of the murder there was no moon at all. They were satisfied that +the witness had told what was not true. Lincoln's case was won. + + + + +GEORGE PICKETT'S FRIEND + +BY CHARLES W. MOORES + +George Pickett, who had known Lincoln in Illinois, years before, joined +the Southern army, and by his conspicuous bravery and ability had become +one of the great generals of the Confederacy. Toward the close of the +war, when a large part of Virginia had fallen into the possession of the +Union army, the President called at General Pickett's Virginia home. + +The general's wife, with her baby on her arm, met him at the door. She +herself has told the story for us. + +"'Is this George Pickett's home?' he asked. + +"With all the courage and dignity I could muster, I replied: 'Yes, and I +am his wife, and this is his baby.' + +"'I am Abraham Lincoln.' + +"'The President!' I gasped. I had never seen him, but I knew the intense +love and reverence with which my soldier always spoke of him. + +"The stranger shook his head and replied: 'No; Abraham Lincoln, George's +old friend.' + +"The baby pushed away from me and reached out his hands to Mr. Lincoln, +who took him in his arms. As he did so an expression of rapt, almost +divine tenderness and love lighted up the sad face. It was a look that +I have never seen on any other face. The baby opened his mouth wide and +insisted upon giving his father's friend a dewy kiss. + +"As Mr. Lincoln gave the little one back to me he said: 'Tell your +father, the rascal, that I forgive him for the sake of your bright +eyes.'" + + + + +LINCOLN THE LAWYER + +BY Z. A. MUDGE (ADAPTED) + +He delighted to advocate the cases of those whom he knew to be wronged, +but he would not defend the cause of the guilty. If he discovered in the +course of a trial that he was on the wrong side, he lost all interest, +and ceased to make any exertion. + +Once, while engaged in a prosecution, he discovered that his client's +cause was not a good one, and he refused to make the plea. His +associate, who was less scrupulous, made the plea and obtained a +decision in their favor. The fee was nine hundred dollars, half of which +was tendered to Mr. Lincoln, but he refused to accept a single cent of +it. + +His honesty was strongly illustrated by the way he kept his accounts +with his law-partner. When he had taken a fee in the latter's absence, +he put one half of it into his own pocket, and laid the other half +carefully away, labeling it "Billy," the name by which he familiarly +addressed his partner. When asked why he did not make a record of the +amount and, for the time being, use the whole, Mr. Lincoln answered: +"Because I promised my mother never to use money belonging to another +person." + + + + +THE COURAGE OF HIS CONVICTIONS + +(ADAPTED) + +Mr. Lincoln made the great speech of his famous senatorial campaign at +Springfield, Illinois. The convention before which he spoke consisted +of a thousand delegates together with the crowd that had gathered with +them. + +His speech was carefully prepared. Every sentence was guarded and +emphatic. It has since become famous as "The Divided House" speech. +Before entering the hall where it was to be delivered, he stepped into +the office of his law-partner, Mr. Herndon, and, locking the door, so +that their interview might be private, took his manuscript from +his pocket, and read one of the opening sentences: "I believe this +government cannot endure permanently, half slave and half free." + +Mr. Herndon remarked that the sentiment was true, but suggested that it +might not be GOOD POLICY to utter it at that time. + +Mr. Lincoln replied with great firmness: "No matter about the POLICY. It +is TRUE, and the nation is entitled to it. The proposition has been true +for six thousand years, and I will deliver it as it is written." + + + + +MR. LINCOLN AND THE BIBLE + +BY Z. A. MUDGE (ADAPTED) + +A visitor in Washington once had an appointment to see Mr. Lincoln +at five o'clock in the morning. The gentleman made a hasty toilet +and presented himself at a quarter of five in the waiting-room of the +President. He asked the usher if he could see Mr. Lincoln. + +"No," he replied. + +"But I have an engagement to meet him this morning," answered the +visitor. + +"At what hour?" asked the usher. + +"At five o'clock." + +"Well, sir, he will see you at five." + +The visitor waited patiently, walking to and fro for a few minutes, when +he heard a voice as if in grave conversation. + +"Who is talking in the next room?" he asked. + +"It is the President, sir," said the usher, who then explained that +it was Mr. Lincoln's custom to spend every morning from four to five +reading the Scriptures, and praying. + + + + +HIS SPRINGFIELD FAREWELL ADDRESS + +It was on the morning of February 11, 1861, that the President-elect, +together with his family and a small party of friends, bade adieu to the +city of Springfield, which, alas! he was never to see again. + +A large throng of Springfield citizens assembled at the railway station +to see the departure, and before the train left Mr. Lincoln addressed +them in the following words:-- + +"MY FRIENDS: No one, not in my position, can appreciate the sadness I +feel at this parting. To this people I owe all that I am. Here I have +lived more than a quarter of a century; here my children were born, and +here one of them lies buried. I know not how soon I shall see you again. +A duty devolves upon me which is, perhaps, greater than that which has +devolved upon any other man since the days of Washington. He never would +have succeeded except by the aid of Divine Providence, upon which he at +all times relied. I feel that I cannot succeed without the same Divine +aid which sustained him, and on the same Almighty Being I place my +reliance for support; and I hope you, my friends, will all pray that I +may receive that Divine assistance, without which I cannot succeed, +but with which success is certain. Again I bid you an affectionate +farewell." + + + + +SAINT VALENTINE'S DAY + +(FEBRUARY 14) + +SAINT VALENTINE + +The good Saint Valentine was a priest at Rome in the days of Claudius +II. He and Saint Marius aided the Christian martyrs, and for this kind +deed Saint Valentine was apprehended and dragged before the Prefect of +Rome, who condemned him to be beaten to death with clubs and to have his +head cut off. He suffered martyrdom on the 14th day of February, about +the year 270. + +At that time it was the custom in Rome, a very ancient custom, indeed, +to celebrate in the month of February the Lupercalia, feasts in honor of +a heathen god. + +On these occasions, amidst a variety of pagan ceremonies, the names of +young women were placed in a box, from which they were drawn by the men +as chance directed. + +The pastors of the early Christian Church in Rome endeavored to do away +with the pagan element in these feasts by substituting the names of +saints for those of maidens. And as the Lupercalia began about the +middle of February, the pastors appear to have chosen Saint Valentine's +Day for the celebration of this new feast. + +So it seems that the custom of young men choosing maidens for +valentines, or saints as patrons for the coming year, arose in this +wise. + + + + +A PRISONER'S VALENTINE + +BY MILLICENT OLMSTED (ADAPTED) + +Charles, Duke of Orleans, who was taken prisoner at the battle of +Agincourt in 1415, and detained in England twenty-five years, was the +author of the earliest known written valentines. He left about sixty of +them. They were written during his confinement in the Tower of London, +and are still to be seen among the royal papers in the British Museum. + +One of his valentines reads as follows:-- + + "Wilt thou be mine? dear Love, reply-- + Sweetly consent or else deny. + Whisper softly, none shall know, + Wilt thou be mine, Love?--aye or no? + + "Spite of Fortune, we may be + Happy by one word from thee. + Life flies swiftly--ere it go + Wilt thou be mine, Love?--aye or no?" + + + + +A GIRL'S VALENTINE CHARM + +AS TOLD BY HERSELF + +(FROM THE CONNOISSEUR, 1775) + +Last Friday was Valentine's Day, and I'll tell you what I did the night +before. I got five bay leaves, and pinned four of them to the four +corners of my pillow, and the fifth to the middle; and then if I dreamt +of my sweetheart, Betty said we would be married before the year was +out. + +But to make it more sure, I boiled an egg hard, and took out the yolk, +and filled it with salt, and when I went to bed ate it, shell and all, +without speaking or drinking after it. + +We also wrote our lovers' names upon bits of paper, and rolled them up +in clay and put them into water; and the first that rose up was to be +our valentine. Would you think it? Mr. Blossom was my man, and I lay +abed and shut my eyes all the morning, till he came to our house, for I +would not have seen another man before him for all the world. + + + + +MR. PEPYS HIS VALENTINE + +AS RELATED BY HIMSELF IN 1666 + +(ADAPTED) + +This morning, came up to my wife's bedside, I being up dressing myself, +little Will Mercer, to be her valentine; and brought her name writ upon +blue paper in gold letters, done by himself, very pretty; and we were +both well pleased with it. + +But I am also this year my wife's valentine; and it will cost me five +pounds; but that I must have laid out if we had not been valentines. + +I find also that Mrs. Pierce's little girl is my valentine, she having +drawn me; which I am not sorry for, it easing me of something more that +I must have given to others. + +But here I do first observe the fashion of drawing of mottoes as well as +names; so that Pierce, who drew my wife, did draw also a motto, and this +girl drew another for me. What mine was I have forgot, but my wife's +was: "Most virtuous and most fair," which, as it may be used, or an +anagram made upon each name, might be; very pretty. + + + + +CUPID AND PSYCHE + +BY JOSEPHINE PRESTON PEABODY + +THE ENCHANTED PALACE + +Once upon a time, through that Destiny that overrules the gods, Love +himself gave up his immortal heart to a mortal maiden. And thus it came +to pass:-- + +There was a certain king who had three beautiful daughters. The two +elder married princes of great renown; but Psyche, the youngest, was so +radiantly fair that no suitor seemed worthy of her. People thronged +to see her pass through the city, and sang hymns in her praise, while +strangers took her for the very goddess of beauty herself. + +This angered Venus, and she resolved to cast down her earthly rival. One +day, therefore, she called hither her son, Love (Cupid, some name him), +and bade him sharpen his weapons. He is an archer more to be dreaded +than Apollo, for Apollo's arrows take life, but Love's bring joy or +sorrow for a whole life long. + +"Come, Love," said Venus. "There is a mortal maid who robs me of my +honors in yonder city. Avenge your mother. Wound this precious Psyche, +and let her fall in love with some churlish creature mean in the eyes of +all men." + +Cupid made ready his weapons, and flew down to earth invisibly. At that +moment Psyche was asleep in her chamber; but he touched her heart with +his golden arrow of love, and she opened her eyes so suddenly that he +started (forgetting that he was invisible), and wounded himself with +his own shaft. Heedless of the hurt, moved only by the loveliness of the +maiden, he hastened to pour over her locks the healing joy that he ever +kept by him, undoing all his work. Back to her dream the princess went, +unshadowed by any thought of love. But Cupid, not so light of heart, +returned to the heavens, saying not a word of what had passed. + +Venus waited long; then, seeing that Psyche's heart had somehow escaped +love, she sent a spell upon the maiden. From that time, lovely as she +was, not a suitor came to woo; and her parents, who desired to see her a +queen at least, made a journey to the Oracle, and asked counsel. + +Said the voice: "The Princess Psyche shall never wed a mortal. She shall +be given to one who waits for her on yonder mountain; he overcomes gods +and men." + +At this terrible sentence the poor parents were half-distraught, and +the people gave themselves up to grief at the fate in store for their +beloved princess. Psyche alone bowed to her destiny. "We have angered +Venus unwittingly," she said, "and all for sake of me, heedless maiden +that I am! Give me up, therefore, dear father and mother. If I atone, it +may be that the city will prosper once more." + +So she besought them, until, after many unavailing denials, the parents +consented; and with a great company of people they led Psyche up +the mountain,--as an offering to the monster of whom the Oracle had +spoken,--and left her there alone. + +Full of courage, yet in a secret agony of grief, she watched her kindred +and her people wind down the mountain-path, too sad to look back, until +they were lost to sight. Then, indeed, she wept, but a sudden breeze +drew near, dried her tears, and caressed her hair, seeming to murmur +comfort. In truth, it was Zephyr, the kindly West Wind, come to befriend +her; and as she took heart, feeling some benignant presence, he lifted +her in his arms, and carried her on wings as even as a sea-gull's, over +the crest of the fateful mountain and into a valley below. There he left +her, resting on a bank of hospitable grass, and there the princess fell +asleep. + +When she awoke, it was near sunset. She looked about her for some sign +of the monster's approach; she wondered, then, if her grievous trial had +been but a dream. Near by she saw a sheltering forest, whose young +trees seemed to beckon as one maid beckons to another; and eager for the +protection of the dryads, she went thither. + +The call of running waters drew her farther and farther, till she +came out upon an open place, where there was a wide pool. A fountain +fluttered gladly in the midst of it, and beyond there stretched a white +palace wonderful to see. Coaxed by the bright promise of the place, she +drew near, and, seeing no one, entered softly. It was all kinglier than +her father's home, and as she stood in wonder and awe, soft airs stirred +about her. Little by little the silence grew murmurous like the woods, +and one voice, sweeter than the rest, took words. "All that you see is +yours, gentle high princess," it said. "Fear nothing; only command us, +for we are here to serve you." + +Full of amazement and delight, Psyche followed the voice from hall to +hall, and through the lordly rooms, beautiful with everything that could +delight a young princess. No pleasant thing was lacking. There was even +a pool, brightly tiled and fed with running waters, where she bathed her +weary limbs; and after she had put on the new and beautiful raiment that +lay ready for her, she sat down to break her fast, waited upon and sung +to by the unseen spirits. + +Surely he whom the Oracle had called her husband was no monster, but +some beneficent power, invisible like all the rest. When daylight waned +he came, and his voice, the beautiful voice of a god, inspired her to +trust her strange destiny and to look and long for his return. Often +she begged him to stay with her through the day, that she might see his +face; but this he would not grant. + +"Never doubt me, dearest Psyche," said he. "Perhaps you would fear if +you saw me, and love is all I ask. There is a necessity that keeps me +hidden now. Only believe." + +So for many days Psyche was content; but when she grew used to +happiness, she thought once more of her parents mourning her as lost, +and of her sisters who shared the lot of mortals while she lived as a +goddess. One night she told her husband of these regrets, and begged +that her sisters at least might come to see her. He sighed, but did not +refuse. + +"Zephyr shall bring them hither," said he. And on the following morning, +swift as a bird, the West Wind came over the crest of the high mountain +and down into the enchanted valley, bearing her two sisters. + +They greeted Psyche with joy and amazement, hardly knowing how they had +come hither. But when this fairest of the sisters led them through her +palace and showed them all the treasures that were hers, envy grew in +their hearts and choked their old love. Even while they sat at feast +with her, they grew more and more bitter; and hoping to find some little +flaw in her good fortune, they asked a thousand questions. + +"Where is your husband?" said they. "And why is he not here with you?" + +"Ah," stammered Psyche. "All the day long--he is gone, hunting upon the +mountains." + +"But what does he look like?" they asked; and Psyche could find no +answer. + +When they learned that she had never seen him, they laughed her faith to +scorn. + +"Poor Psyche," they said. "You are walking in a dream. Wake, before it +is too late. Have you forgotten what the Oracle decreed,--that you were +destined for a dreadful creature, the fear of gods and men? And are +you deceived by this show of kindliness? We have come to warn you. The +people told us, as we came over the mountain, that your husband is +a dragon, who feeds you well for the present, that he may feast the +better, some day soon. What is it that you trust? Good words! But only +take a dagger some night, and when the monster is asleep go, light a +lamp, and look at him. You can put him to death easily, and all his +riches will be yours--and ours." + +Psyche heard this wicked plan with horror. Nevertheless, after her +sisters were gone, she brooded over what they had said, not seeing their +evil intent; and she came to find some wisdom in their words. Little +by little, suspicion ate, like a moth, into her lovely mind; and +at nightfall, in shame and fear, she hid a lamp and a dagger in her +chamber. Towards midnight, when her husband was fast asleep, up she +rose, hardly daring to breathe; and coming softly to his side, she +uncovered the lamp to see some horror. + +But there the youngest of the gods lay sleeping,--most beautiful, most +irresistible of all immortals. His hair shone golden as the sun, his +face was radiant as dear Springtime, and from his shoulders sprang two +rainbow wings. + +Poor Psyche was overcome with self-reproach. As she leaned towards him, +filled with worship, her trembling hands held the lamp ill, and some +burning oil fell upon Love's shoulder and awakened him. + +He opened his eyes, to see at once his bride and the dark suspicion in +her heart. + +"O doubting Psyche!" he exclaimed with sudden grief,--and then he flew +away, out of the window. + +Wild with sorrow, Psyche tried to follow, but she fell to the ground +instead. When she recovered her senses, she stared about her. She was +alone, and the place was beautiful no longer. Garden and palace had +vanished with Love. + + + + +THE TRIAL OF PSYCHE: + + +Over mountains and valleys Psyche journeyed alone until she came to the +city where her two envious sisters lived with the princes whom they had +married. She stayed with them only long enough to tell the story of her +unbelief and its penalty. Then she set out again to search for Love. + +As she wandered one day, travel-worn but not hopeless, she saw a lofty +palace on a hill near by, and she turned her steps thither. The place +seemed deserted. Within the hall she saw no human being,--only heaps +of grain, loose ears of corn half torn from the husk, wheat and barley, +alike scattered in confusion on the floor. Without delay, she set to +work binding the sheaves together and gathering the scattered ears of +corn in seemly wise, as a princess would wish to see them. While she +was in the midst of her task, a voice startled her, and she looked up +to behold Demeter herself, the goddess of the harvest, smiling upon her +with good will. + +"Dear Psyche," said Demeter, "you are worthy of happiness, and you may +find it yet. But since you have displeased Venus, go to her and ask her +favor. Perhaps your patience will win her pardon." + +These motherly words gave Psyche heart, and she reverently took leave of +the goddess and set out for the temple of Venus. Most humbly she offered +up her prayer, but Venus could not look at her earthly beauty without +anger. + +"Vain girl," said she, "perhaps you have come to make amends for the +wound you dealt your husband; you shall do so. Such clever people can +always find work!" + +Then she led Psyche into a great chamber heaped high with mingled grain, +beans, and lentils (the food of her doves), and bade her separate them +all and have them ready in seemly fashion by night. Heracles would have +been helpless before such a vexatious task; and poor Psyche, left alone +in this desert of grain, had not courage to begin. But even as she sat +there, a moving thread of black crawled across the floor from a crevice +in the wall; and bending nearer, she saw that a great army of ants in +columns had come to her aid. The zealous little creatures worked in +swarms, with such industry over the work they like best, that, when +Venus came at night, she found the task completed. + +"Deceitful girl," she cried, shaking the roses out of her hair with +impatience, "this is my son's work, not yours. But he will soon forget +you. Eat this black bread if you are hungry, and refresh your dull mind +with sleep. To-morrow you will need more wit." + +Psyche wondered what new misfortune could be in store for her. But when +morning came, Venus led her to the brink of a river, and, pointing to +the wood across the water, said: "Go now to yonder grove where the sheep +with the golden fleece are wont to browse. Bring me a golden lock from +every one of them, or you must go your ways and never come back again." + +This seemed not difficult, and Psyche obediently bade the goddess +farewell, and stepped into the water, ready to wade across. But as Venus +disappeared, the reeds sang louder and the nymphs of the river, looking +up sweetly, blew bubbles to the surface and murmured: "Nay, nay, have a +care, Psyche. This flock has not the gentle ways of sheep. While the +sun burns aloft, they are themselves as fierce as flame; but when the +shadows are long, they go to rest and sleep, under the trees; and you +may cross the river without fear and pick the golden fleece off the +briers in the pasture." + +Thanking the water-creatures, Psyche sat down to rest near them, and +when the time came, she crossed in safety and followed their counsel. By +twilight she returned to Venus with her arms full of shining fleece. + +"No mortal wit did this," said Venus angrily. "But if you care to prove +your readiness, go now, with this little box, down to Proserpina and ask +her to enclose in it some of her beauty, for I have grown pale in caring +for my wounded son." + +It needed not the last taunt to sadden Psyche. She knew that it was not +for mortals to go into Hades and return alive; and feeling that Love had +forsaken her, she was minded to accept her doom as soon as might be. + +But even as she hastened towards the descent, another friendly voice +detained her. "Stay, Psyche, I know your grief. Only give ear and you +shall learn a safe way through all these trials." And the voice went on +to tell her how one might avoid all the dangers of Hades and come out +unscathed. (But such a secret could not pass from mouth to mouth, with +the rest of the story.) + +"And be sure," added the voice, "when Proserpina has returned the box, +not to open it, ever much you may long to do so." + +Psyche gave heed, and by this device, whatever it was, she found her way +into Hades safely, and made her errand known to Proserpina, and was soon +in the upper world again, wearied but hopeful. + +"Surely Love has not forgotten me," she said. "But humbled as I am and +worn with toil, how shall I ever please him? Venus can never need all +the beauty in this casket; and since I use it for Love's sake, it must +be right to take some." So saying, she opened the box, heedless as +Pandora! The spells and potions of Hades are not for mortal maids, and +no sooner had she inhaled the strange aroma than she fell down like one +dead, quite overcome. + +But it happened that Love himself was recovered from his wound, and he +had secretly fled from his chamber to seek out and rescue Psyche. +He found her lying by the wayside; he gathered into the casket what +remained of the philter, and awoke his beloved. + +"Take comfort," he said, smiling. "Return to our mother and do her +bidding till I come again." + +Away he flew; and while Psyche went cheerily homeward, he hastened up to +Olympus, where all the gods sat feasting, and begged them to intercede +for him with his angry mother. + +They heard his story and their hearts were touched. Zeus himself coaxed +Venus with kind words till at last she relented, and remembered that +anger hurt her beauty, and smiled once more. All the younger gods were +for welcoming Psyche at once, and Hermes was sent to bring her hither. +The maiden came, a shy newcomer among those bright creatures. She took +the cup that Hebe held out to her, drank the divine ambrosia, and became +immortal. + +Light came to her face like moonrise, two radiant wings sprang from her +shoulders; and even as a butterfly bursts from its dull cocoon, so the +human Psyche blossomed into immortality. + +Love took her by the hand, and they were never parted any more. + + + + +WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY + +(FEBRUARY 22) + + +THREE OLD TALES + +BY M. L. WEEMS (ADAPTED) + + + + +I. THE CHERRY TREE + +When George was about six years old, he was made the wealthy master of a +hatchet of which, like most little boys, he was extremely fond. He went +about chopping everything that came his way. + +One day, as he wandered about the garden amusing himself by hacking his +mother's pea-sticks, he found a beautiful, young English cherry tree, of +which his father was most proud. He tried the edge of his hatchet on the +trunk of the tree and barked it so that it died. + +Some time after this, his father discovered what had happened to his +favorite tree. He came into the house in great anger, and demanded to +know who the mischievous person was who had cut away the bark. Nobody +could tell him anything about it. + +Just then George, with his little hatchet, came into the room. + +"George," said his father, "do you know who has killed my beautiful +little cherry tree yonder in the garden? I would not have taken five +guineas for it!" + +This was a hard question to answer, and for a moment George was +staggered by it, but quickly recovering himself he cried:-- + +"I cannot tell a lie, father, you know I cannot tell a lie! I did cut it +with my little hatchet." + +The anger died out of his father's face, and taking the boy tenderly in +his arms, he said:-- + +"My son, that you should not be afraid to tell the truth is more to me +than a thousand trees! yes, though they were blossomed with silver and +had leaves of the purest gold!" + + + + +II. THE APPLE ORCHARD + + +One fine morning in the autumn Mr. Washington, taking little George by +the hand, walked with him to the apple orchard, promising that he would +show him a fine sight. + +On arriving at the orchard they saw a fine sight, indeed! The green +grass under the trees was strewn with red-cheeked apples, and yet the +trees were bending under the weight of fruit that hung thick among the +leaves. + +"Now, George," said his father, "look, my son, see all this rich harvest +of fruit! Do you remember when your good cousin brought you a fine, +large apple last spring, how you refused to divide it with your +brothers? And yet I told you then that, if you would be generous, God +would give you plenty of apples this autumn." + +Poor George could not answer, but hanging down his head looked quite +confused, while with his little, naked, bare feet he scratched in the +soft ground. + +"Now, look up, my son," continued his father, "and see how the blessed +God has richly provided us with these trees loaded with the finest +fruit. See how abundant is the harvest. Some of the trees are bending +beneath their burdens, while the ground is covered with mellow apples, +more than you could eat, my son, in all your lifetime." + +George looked in silence on the orchard, he marked the busy, humming +bees, and heard the gay notes of the birds fluttering from tree to tree. +His eyes filled with tears and he answered softly:-- + +"Truly, father, I never will be selfish any more." + + + + +III. THE GARDEN-BED + + +One day Mr. Washington went into the garden and dug a little bed of +earth and prepared it for seed. He then took a stick and traced on the +bed George's name in full. After this he strewed the tracing thickly +with seeds, and smoothed all over nicely with his roller. + +This garden-bed he purposely prepared close to a gooseberry-walk. The +bushes were hung with the ripe fruit, and he knew that George would +visit them every morning. + +Not many days had passed away when one morning George came running +into the house, breathless with excitement, and his eyes shining with +happiness. + +"Come here! father, come here!" he cried. + +"What's the matter, my son?" asked his father. + +"O come, father," answered George, "and I'll show you such a sight as +you have never seen in all your lifetime." + +Mr. Washington gave the boy his hand, which he seized with great +eagerness. He led his father straight to the garden-bed, whereon in +large letters, in lines of soft green, was written:-- + +GEORGE WASHINGTON + + + + +YOUNG GEORGE AND THE COLT + +BY HORACE E. SCUDDER + +There is a story told of George Washington's boyhood,--unfortunately +there are not many stories,--which is to the point. His father had taken +a great deal of pride in his blooded horses, and his mother afterward +took pains to keep the stock pure. She had several young horses that +had not yet been broken, and one of them in particular, a sorrel, was +extremely spirited. No one had been able to do anything with it, and it +was pronounced thoroughly vicious as people are apt to pronounce horses +which they have not learned to master. + +George was determined to ride this colt, and told his companions that if +they would help him catch it, he would ride and tame it. + +Early in the morning they set out for the pasture, where the boys +managed to surround the sorrel, and then to put a bit into its mouth. +Washington sprang upon its back, the boys dropped the bridle, and away +flew the angry animal. + +Its rider at once began to command. The horse resisted, backing about +the field, rearing and plunging. The boys became thoroughly alarmed, +but Washington kept his seat, never once losing his self-control or his +mastery of the colt. + +The struggle was a sharp one; when suddenly, as if determined to rid +itself of its rider, the creature leaped into the air with a tremendous +bound. It was its last. The violence burst a blood-vessel, and the noble +horse fell dead. + +Before the boys could sufficiently recover to consider how they should +extricate themselves from the scrape, they were called to breakfast; +and the mistress of the house, knowing that they had been in the fields, +began to ask after her stock. + +"Pray, young gentlemen," said she, "have you seen my blooded colts in +your rambles? I hope they are well taken care of. My favorite, I am +told, is as large as his sire." + +The boys looked at one another, and no one liked to speak. Of course the +mother repeated her question. + +"The sorrel is dead, madam," said her son, "I killed him." + +And then he told the whole story. They say that his mother flushed with +anger, as her son often used to, and then, like him, controlled herself, +and presently said, quietly:-- + +"It is well; but while I regret the loss of my favorite, I rejoice in my +son who always speaks the truth." + + + + +WASHINGTON THE ATHLETE + +BY ALBERT F. BLAISDELL AND FRANCIS E. BALL + +Many stories are told of the mighty power of Washington's right arm. It +is said that he once threw a stone from the bed of the stream to the top +of the Natural Bridge, in Virginia. + +Again, we are told that once upon a time he rounded a piece of slate +to the size of a silver dollar, and threw it across the Rappahannock +at Fredericksburg, the slate falling at least thirty feet on the other +side. Many strong men have since tried the same feat, but have never +cleared the water. + +Peale, who was called the soldier-artist, was once visiting Washington +at Mount Vernon. One day, he tells us, some athletic young men were +pitching the iron bar in the presence of their host. Suddenly, without +taking off his coat, Washington grasped the bar and hurled it, with +little effort, much farther than any of them had done. + +"We were, indeed, amazed," said one of the young men, "as we stood +round, all stripped to the buff, and having thought ourselves very +clever fellows, while the Colonel, on retiring, pleasantly said:-- + +"'When you beat my pitch, young gentlemen, I'll try again.'" + +At another time, Washington witnessed a wrestling-match. The champion of +the day challenged him, in sport, to wrestle. Washington did not stop to +take off his coat, but grasped the "strong man of Virginia." It was +all over in a moment, for, said the wrestler, "In Washington's lionlike +grasp I became powerless, and was hurled to the ground with a force that +seemed to jar the very marrow in my bones." + +In the days of the Revolution, some of the riflemen and the backwoodsmen +were men of gigantic strength, but it was generally believed by good +judges that their commander-in-chief was the strongest man in the army. + + + + +WASHINGTON'S MODESTY + +BY HENRY CABOT LODGE (ADAPTED) + +Washington as soon as Fort Duquesne had fallen hurried home, resigned +his commission, and was married. The sunshine and glitter of the +wedding day must have appeared to Washington deeply appropriate, for +he certainly seemed to have all that heart of man could desire. Just +twenty-seven, in the first flush of young manhood, keen of sense and yet +wise in experience, life must have looked very fair and smiling. He had +left the army with a well-earned fame, and had come home to take the +wife of his choice, and enjoy the good will and respect of all men. + +While away on his last campaign he had been elected a member of +the House of Burgesses, and when he took his seat, on removing to +Williamsburg, three months after his marriage, Mr. Robinson, the +Speaker, thanked him publicly in eloquent words for his services to the +country. + +Washington rose to reply, but he was so utterly unable to talk about +himself that he stood before the House stammering and blushing until the +Speaker said:-- + +"Sit down, Mr. Washington, your modesty equals your valor, and that +surpasses the power of any language I possess." + + + + +WASHINGTON AT YORKTOWN + +BY HENRY CABOT LODGE + +During the assault Washington stood in an embrasure of the grand +battery, watching the advance of the men. He was always given to +exposing himself recklessly when there was fighting to be done, but not +when he was only an observer. + +This night, however, he was much exposed to the enemy's fire. One of his +aides, anxious and disturbed for his safety, told him that the place was +perilous. + +"If you think so," was the quiet answer, "you are at liberty to step +back." + +The moment was too exciting, too fraught with meaning, to think of +peril. The old fighting spirit of Braddock's field was unchained for the +last time. He would have liked to head the American assault, sword in +hand, and as he could not do that, he stood as near his troops as he +could, utterly regardless of the bullets whistling in the air about him. +Who can wonder at his intense excitement at that moment? + +Others saw a brilliant storming of two out-works, but to Washington the +whole Revolution and all the labor and thought and conflict of six years +were culminating in the smoke and din on those redoubts, while out of +the dust and heat of the sharp, quick fight success was coming. + +He had waited long, and worked hard, and his whole soul went out as he +watched the troops cross the abatis and scale the works. He could have +no thought of danger then, and when all was over, he turned to Knox and +said:-- + +"The work is done, and well done. Bring me my horse." + + + + +RESURRECTION DAY (EASTER) + +(MARCH OR APRIL) + + + + +A LESSON OF FAITH + +BY MRS. ALFRED GATTY (ADAPTED) + +"Let me hire you as a nurse for my poor children," said a butterfly to +a quiet caterpillar, who was strolling along a cabbage-leaf in her odd, +lumbering fashion. + +"See these little eggs," continued the butterfly; "I do not know how +long it will be before they come to life, and I feel very sick. If I +should die, who will take care of my baby butterflies when I am gone? +Will you, kind, mild, green caterpillar? They cannot, of course, live +on your rough food. You must give them early dew, and honey from the +flowers, and you must let them fly about only a little way at first. +Dear me! it is a sad pity that you cannot fly yourself. Dear, dear! I +cannot think what made me come and lay my eggs on a cabbage-leaf! What +a place for young butterflies to be bore upon! Here, take this gold-dust +from my wings as a reward. Oh, how dizzy I am! Caterpillar! you will +remember about the food--" + +And with these words the butterfly drooped her wings and died. The green +caterpillar, who had not had the opportunity of even saying "yes" +or "no" to the request, was left standing alone by the side of the +butterfly's eggs. + +"A pretty nurse she has chosen, indeed, poor lady!" exclaimed she, "and +a pretty business I have in hand. Why did she ever ask a poor crawling +creature like me to bring up her dainty little ones! Much they'll mind +me, truly, when they feel the gay wings on their backs, and can fly +away." + +However, the poor butterfly was dead, and there lay the eggs on the +cabbage-leaf, and the green caterpillar had a kind heart, so she +resolved to do her best. + +"But two heads are better than one," said she; "I will consult some wise +animal on the matter." + +Then she thought and thought till at last she thought of the lark, and +she fancied that because he went up so high, and nobody knew where he +went to, he must be very clever and know a great deal. + +Now in the neighboring cornfield there lived a lark, and the caterpillar +sent a message to him, begging him to come and talk to her. When he came +she told him all her difficulties, and asked him how she was to feed and +rear the little butterfly creatures. + +"Perhaps you will be able to inquire and learn something about it the +next time you go up high," said the caterpillar timidly. + +"Perhaps I can," answered the lark; and then he went singing upwards +into the bright, blue sky, till the green caterpillar could not hear a +sound, nor could she see him any more. So she began to walk round the +butterfly's eggs, nibbling a bit of the cabbage-leaf now and then as she +moved along. + +"What a time the lark has been gone!" she cried at last. "I wonder where +he is just now. He must have flown higher than usual this time. How I +should like to know where he goes, and what he hears in that curious +blue sky! He always sings going up and coming down, but he never lets +any secret out." + +And the green caterpillar took another turn round the butterfly's eggs. + +At last the lark's voice began to be heard again. The caterpillar almost +jumped for joy, and it was not long before she saw her friend descend +with hushed note to the cabbage bed. + +"News, news, glorious news, friend caterpillar!" sang the lark, "but the +worst of it is, you won't believe me!" + +"I believe anything I am told," said the caterpillar hastily. + +"Well, then, first of all, I will tell you what those little creatures +are to eat"--and the lark nodded his head toward the eggs. "What do you +think it is to be? Guess!" + +"Dew and honey out of the flowers, I am afraid!" sighed the caterpillar. + +"No such thing, my good friend," cried the lark exultantly; "you are to +feed them with cabbage-leaves!" + +"Never!" said the caterpillar indignantly. + +"It was their mother's last request that I should feed them on dew and +honey." + +"Their mother knew nothing about the matter," answered the lark; "but +why do you ask me, and then disbelieve what I say? You have neither +faith nor trust." + +"Oh, I believe everything I am told," said the caterpillar. + +"Nay, but you do not," replied the lark. + +"Why, caterpillar, what do you think those little eggs will turn out to +be?" + +"Butterflies, to be sure," said the caterpillar. + +"CATERPILLARS!" sang the lark; "and you'll find it out in time." And the +lark flew away. + +"I thought the lark was wise and kind," said the mild, green caterpillar +to herself, once more beginning to walk round the eggs, "but I find that +he is foolish and saucy instead. Perhaps he went up TOO high this time. +How I wonder what he sees, and what he does up yonder!" + +"I would tell you if you would believe me," sang the lark, descending +once more. + +"I believe everything I am told," answered the caterpillar. + +"Then I'll tell you something else," cried the lark. "YOU WILL ONE DAY +BE A BUTTERFLY YOURSELF!" + +"Wretched bird," exclaimed the caterpillar, "you are making fun of me. +You are now cruel as well as foolish! Go away! I will ask your advice no +more." + +"I told you you would not believe me," cried the lark. + +"I believe everything I am told," persisted the +caterpillar,--"everything that it is REASONABLE to believe. But to tell +me that butterflies' eggs are caterpillars, and that caterpillars leave +off crawling and get wings and become butterflies!--Lark! you do not +believe such nonsense yourself! You know it is impossible!" + +"I know no such thing," said the lark. "When I hover over the +cornfields, or go up into the depths of the sky, I see so many wonderful +things that I know there must be more. O caterpillar! it is because you +CRAWL, and never get beyond your cabbage-leaf, that you call anything +IMPOSSIBLE." + +"Nonsense," shouted the caterpillar, "I know what's possible and what's +impossible. Look at my long, green body, and many legs, and then talk to +me about having wings! Fool!" + +"More foolish you!" cried the indignant lark, "to attempt to reason +about what you cannot understand. Do you not hear how my song swells +with rejoicing as I soar upwards to the mysterious wonder-world above? +Oh, caterpillar, what comes from thence, receive as I do,--on trust." + +"What do you mean by that?" asked the caterpillar. + +"ON FAITH," answered the lark. + +"How am I to learn faith?" asked the caterpillar. + +At that moment she felt something at her side. She looked round,--eight +or ten little green caterpillars were moving about, and had already made +a hole in the cabbage-leaf. They had broken from the butterfly's eggs! + +Shame and amazement filled the green caterpillar's heart, but joy soon +followed. For as the first wonder was possible, the second might be so +too. + +"Teach me your lesson, lark," she cried. + +And the lark sang to her of the wonders of the earth below and of the +heaven above. And the caterpillar talked all the rest of her life of the +time when she should become a butterfly. + +But no one believed her. She nevertheless had learned the lark's lesson +of faith, and when she was going into her chrysalis, she said:-- + +"I shall be a butterfly some day!" + +But her relations thought her head was wandering, and they said, "Poor +thing!" + +And when she was a butterfly, and was going to die she said:-- + +"I have known many wonders,--I HAVE FAITH,--I can trust even now for the +wonder that shall come next." + + + + +A CHILD'S DREAM OF A STAR + +BY CHARLES DICKENS + +There was once a child, and he strolled about a good deal, and thought +of a number of things. He had a sister, who was a child, too, and his +constant companion. These two used to wonder all day long. They wondered +at the beauty of the flowers; they wondered at the height and blueness +of the sky; they wondered at the depth of the bright water; they +wondered at the goodness and the power of God who made the lovely world. + +They used to say to one another, sometimes: "Supposing all the children +upon earth were to die, would the flowers, and the water, and the sky +be sorry?" They believed they would be sorry. "For," said they, "the buds +are the children of the flowers, and the little playful streams that +gambol down the hillsides are the children of the water; and the +smallest, bright specks playing at hide and seek in the sky all night, +must surely be the children of the stars; and they would all be grieved +to see their playmates, the children of men, no more." + +There was one clear, shining star that used to come out in the sky +before the rest, near the church spire, above the graves. It was larger +and more beautiful, they thought, than all the others, and every night +they watched for it, standing hand in hand at a window. Whoever saw +it first cried out: "I see the star!" And often they cried out both +together, knowing so well when it would rise, and where. So they grew +to be such friends with it, that, before lying down in their beds, they +always looked out once again, to bid it good-night; and when they were +turning round to sleep, they used to say: "God bless the star!" + +But while she was still very young, oh, very, very young, the sister +drooped, and came to be so weak that she could no longer stand in the +window at night; and then the child looked sadly out by himself, and +when he saw the star turned round and said to the patient, pale face on +the bed: "I see the star!" and then a smile would come upon the face, +and a little weak voice used to say: "God bless my brother and the +star!" + +And so the time came all too soon, when the child looked out alone, and +when there was no face on the bed; and when there was a little grave +among the graves, not there before; and when the star made long rays +down towards him, as he saw it through his tears. + +Now, these rays were so bright, and they seemed to make such a shining +way from earth to heaven, that when the child went to his solitary bed +he dreamed about the star; and dreamed that, lying where he was, he saw +a train of people taken up that sparkling road by angels. And the star, +opening, showed him a great world of light, where many more such angels +waited to receive them. + +All these angels, who were waiting, turned their beaming eyes upon the +people who were carried up into the star; and some came out from the +long rows in which they stood, and fell upon the people's necks, and +kissed them tenderly, and went away with them down avenues of light, and +were so happy in their company, that lying in his bed he wept for joy. + +But there were many angels who did not go with them, and among them +one he knew. The patient face, that once had lain upon the bed, was +glorified and radiant, but his heart found out his sister among all the +host. + +His sister's angel lingered near the entrance of the star, and said to +the leader among those who had brought the people thither:-- + +"Is my brother come?" + +And he said: "No." + +She was turning hopefully away, when the child stretched out his arms, +and cried: "O sister, I am here! Take me!" And then she turned her +beaming eyes upon him, and it was night; and the star was shining into +the room, making long rays down towards him, as he saw it through his +tears. + +From that hour forth, the child looked out upon the star as on the home +he was to go to when his time should come; and he thought that he did +not belong to the earth alone, but to the star, too, because of his +sister's angel gone before. + +There was a baby born to be a brother to the child; and while he was so +little that he never yet had spoken word, he stretched his tiny form out +on his bed, and died. + +Again the child dreamed of the open star, and of the company of angels, +and the train of people, and the rows of angels with their beaming eyes +all turned upon those people's faces. + +Said his sister's angel to the leader:-- + +"Is my brother come?" + +And he said: "Not that one, but another." + +As the child beheld his brother's angel in her arms, he cried: "O +sister, I am here! Take me!" And she turned and smiled upon him, and the +star was shining. + +He grew to be a young man, and was busy at his books, when an old +servant came to him and said:-- + +"Thy mother is no more. I bring her blessing on her darling son." + +Again at night he saw the star, and all that former company. Said his +sister's angel to the leader:-- + +"Is my brother come?" + +And he said: "Thy mother!" + +A mighty cry of joy went forth through all the star, because the mother +was reunited to her two children. And he stretched out his arms and +cried: "O mother, sister, and brother, I am here! Take me!" And they +answered him: "Not yet." And the star was shining. + +He grew to be a man, whose hair was turning gray, and he was sitting in +his chair by the fireside, heavy with grief, and with his face bedewed +with tears, when the star opened once again. + +Said his sister's angel to the leader:-- + +"Is my brother come?" + +And he said: "Nay, but his maiden daughter." + +And the man, who had been the child, saw his daughter, newly lost to +him, a celestial creature among those three, and he said: "My daughter's +head is on my sister's bosom, and her arm is around my mother's neck, +and at her feet there is the baby of old time, and I can bear the +parting from her, God be praised!" + +And the star was shining. + +Thus the child came to be an old man, and his once smooth face was +wrinkled, and his steps were slow and feeble, and his back was bent. And +one night as he lay upon his bed, his children standing round, he cried, +as he had cried so long ago:-- + +"I see the star!" + +They whispered one to another: "He is dying." + +And he said: "I am. My age is falling from me like a garment, and I move +towards the star as a child. And, O my Father, now I thank Thee that it +has so often opened to receive those dear ones who await me!" + +And the star was shining; and it shines upon his grave. + + + + +THE LOVELIEST ROSE IN THE WORLD + +BY HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN (ADAPTED) + +Once there reigned a queen, in whose garden were found the most glorious +flowers at all seasons and from all the lands of the world. But more +than all others she loved the roses, and she had many kinds of this +flower, from the wild dog-rose with its apple-scented green leaves to +the most splendid, large, crimson roses. They grew against the garden +walls, wound themselves around the pillars and wind-frames, and crept +through the windows into the rooms, and all along the ceilings in the +halls. And the roses were of many colors, and of every fragrance and +form. + +But care and sorrow dwelt in those halls. The queen lay upon a sick-bed, +and the doctors said she must die. + +"There is still one thing that can save her," said the wise man. "Bring +her the loveliest rose in the world, the rose that is the symbol of the +purest, the brightest love. If that is held before her eyes ere they +close, she will not die." + +Then old and young came from every side with roses, the loveliest that +bloomed in each garden, but they were not of the right sort. The flower +was to be plucked from the Garden of Love. But what rose in all that +garden expressed the highest and purest love? + +And the poets sang of the loveliest rose in the world,--of the love of +maid and youth, and of the love of dying heroes. + +"But they have not named the right flower," said the wise man. "They +have not pointed out the place where it blooms in its splendor. It is +not the rose that springs from the hearts of youthful lovers, though +this rose will ever be fragrant in song. It is not the bloom that +sprouts from the blood flowing from the breast of the hero who dies +for his country, though few deaths are sweeter than his, and no rose is +redder than the blood that flows then. Nor is it the wondrous flower +to which man devotes many a sleepless night and much of his fresh +life,--the magic flower of science." + +"But I know where it blooms," said a happy mother, who came with her +pretty child to the bedside of the dying queen. "I know where the +loveliest rose of love may be found. It springs in the blooming cheeks +of my sweet child, when, waking from sleep, it opens its eyes and smiles +tenderly at me." + +"Lovely is this rose, but there is a lovelier still," said the wise man. + +"I have seen the loveliest, purest rose that blooms," said a woman. "I +saw it on the cheeks of the queen. She had taken off her golden crown. +And in the long, dreary night she carried her sick child in her arms. +She wept, kissed it, and prayed for her child." + +"Holy and wonderful is the white rose of a mother's grief," answered the +wise man, "but it is not the one we seek." + +"The loveliest rose in the world I saw at the altar of the Lord," said +the good Bishop, "the young maidens went to the Lord's Table. Roses +were blushing and pale roses shining on their fresh cheeks. A young girl +stood there. She looked with all the love and purity of her spirit up to +heaven. That was the expression of the highest and purest love." + +"May she be blessed," said the wise man, "but not one of you has yet +named the loveliest rose in the world." + +Then there came into the room a child, the queen's little son. + +"Mother," cried the boy, "only hear what I have read." + +And the child sat by the bedside and read from the Book of Him who +suffered death upon the cross to save men, and even those who were not +yet born. "Greater love there is not." + +And a rosy glow spread over the cheeks of the queen, and her eyes +gleamed, for she saw that from the leaves of the Book there bloomed the +loveliest rose, that sprang from the blood of Christ shed on the cross. + +"I see it!" she said, "he who beholds this, the loveliest rose on earth, +shall never die." + + + + +MAY DAY + +(MAY 1) + + + + +THE SNOWDROP [1] + +BY HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN (ADAPTED) + +[Footnote 1: From For the Children's Hour, by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey and +Clara M. Lewis. Copyright by the Milton Bradley Company.] + + +The snow lay deep, for it was winter-time. The winter winds blew cold, +but there was one house where all was snug and warm. And in the house +lay a little flower; in its bulb it lay, under the earth and the snow. + +One day the rain fell and it trickled through the ice and snow down into +the ground. And presently a sunbeam, pointed and slender, pierced down +through the earth, and tapped on the bulb. + +"Come in," said the flower. + +"I can't do that," said the sunbeam; "I'm not strong enough to lift the +latch. I shall be stronger when springtime comes." + +"When will it be spring?" asked the flower of every little sunbeam that +rapped on its door. But for a long time it was winter. The ground was +still covered with snow, and every night there was ice in the water. The +flower grew quite tired of waiting. + +"How long it is!" it said. "I feel quite cramped. I must stretch myself +and rise up a little. I must lift the latch, and look out, and say +'good-morning' to the spring." + +So the flower pushed and pushed. The walls were softened by the rain +and warmed by the little sunbeams, so the flower shot up from under the +snow, with a pale green bud on its stalk and some long narrow leaves on +either side. It was biting cold. + +"You are a little too early," said the wind and the weather; but every +sunbeam sang: "Welcome," and the flower raised its head from the snow +and unfolded itself--pure and white, and decked with green stripes. + +It was weather to freeze it to pieces,--such a delicate little +flower,--but it was stronger than any one knew. It stood in its white +dress in the white snow, bowing its head when the snow-flakes fell, +and raising it again to smile at the sunbeams, and every day it grew +sweeter. + +"Oh!" shouted the children, as they ran into the garden, "see the +snowdrop! There it stands so pretty, so beautiful,--the first, the only +one!" + + + + +THE THREE LITTLE BUTTERFLY BROTHERS + +(FROM THE GERMAN)[2] + +[Footnote 2: From Deutsches Drittes Lesebuch, by W. H. Weick and C. +Grebner. Copyright, 1886, by Van Antwerp, Bragg & Co. American Book +Company, publishers.] + + +There were once three little butterfly brothers, one white, one red, and +one yellow. They played in the sunshine, and danced among the flowers in +the garden, and they never grew tired because they were so happy. + +One day there came a heavy rain, and it wet their wings. They flew away +home, but when they got there they found the door locked and the key +gone. So they had to stay out of doors in the rain, and they grew wetter +and wetter. + +By and by they flew to the red and yellow striped tulip, and said: +"Friend Tulip, will you open your flower-cup and let us in till the +storm is over?" + +The tulip answered: "The red and yellow butterflies may enter, because +they are like me, but the white one may not come in." + +But the red and yellow butterflies said: "If our white brother may not +find shelter in your flowercup, why, then, we'll stay outside in the +rain with him." + +It rained harder and harder, and the poor little butterflies grew wetter +and wetter, so they flew to the white lily and said: "Good Lily, will +you open your bud a little so we may creep in out of the rain?" + +The lily answered: "The white butterfly may come in, because he is like +me, but the red and yellow ones must stay outside in the storm." + +Then the little white butterfly said: "If you won't receive my red and +yellow brothers, why, then, I'll stay out in the rain with them. We +would rather be wet than be parted." + +So the three little butterflies flew away. + +But the sun, who was behind a cloud, heard it all, and he knew what good +little brothers the butterflies were, and how they had held together in +spite of the wet. So he pushed his face through the clouds, and chased +away the rain, and shone brightly on the garden. + +He dried the wings of the three little butterflies, and warmed their +bodies. They ceased to sorrow, and danced among the flowers till +evening, then they flew away home, and found the door wide open. + + + + +THE WATER-DROP + +BY FRIEDRICH WILHELM CAROVE' + +(ADAPTED FROM THE TRANSLATION BY SARAH AUSTIN) + +There was once a child who lived in a little hut, and in the hut there +was nothing but a little bed and a looking-glass; but as soon as the +first sunbeam glided softly through the casement and kissed his sweet +eyelids, and the finch and the linnet waked him merrily with their +morning songs, he arose and went out into the green meadow. + +And he begged flour of the primrose, and sugar of the violet, and butter +of the buttercup. He shook dewdrops from the cowslip into the cup of the +harebell, spread out a large lime-leaf, set his breakfast upon it, and +feasted daintily. And he invited a humming-bee and a gay butterfly to +partake of his feast, but his favorite guest was a blue dragon-fly. + +The bee murmured a good deal about his riches, and the butterfly told +his adventures. Such talk delighted the child, and his breakfast was the +sweeter to him, and the sunshine on leaf and flower seemed more bright +and cheering. + +But when the bee had flown off to beg from flower to flower, and the +butterfly had fluttered away to his play-fellows, the dragon-fly still +remained, poised on a blade of grass. Her slender and burnished body, +more brightly and deeply blue than the deep blue sky, glistened in the +sunbeam. Her net-like wings laughed at the flowers because they could +not fly, but must stand still and abide the wind and rain. + +The dragon-fly sipped a little of the child's clear dewdrops and blue +violet honey, and then whispered her winged words. Such stories as the +dragon-fly did tell! And as the child sat motionless with his blue +eyes shut, and his head rested on his hands, she thought he had fallen +asleep; so she poised her double wings and flew into the rustling wood. + +But the child had only sunk into a dream of delight and was wishing he +were a sunbeam or a moonbeam; and he would have been glad to hear more +and more, and forever. + +But at last as all was still, he opened his eyes and looked around for +his dear guest, but she was flown far away. He could not bear to sit +there any longer alone, and he rose and went to the gurgling brook. It +gushed and rolled so merrily, and tumbled so wildly along as it hurried +to throw itself head-over-heels into the river, just as if the great +massy rock out of which it sprang were close behind it, and could only +be escaped by a breakneck leap. + +Then the child began to talk to the little waves and asked them whence +they came. They would not stay to give him an answer, but danced away +one over another; till at last, that the sweet child might not be +grieved, a water-drop stopped behind a piece of rock. + +"A long time ago," said the water-drop, "I lived with my countless +sisters in the great Ocean, in peace and unity. We had all sorts of +pastimes. Sometimes we mounted up high into the air, and peeped at the +stars. Then we sank plump down deep below, and looked how the coral +builders work till they are tired, that they may reach the light of day +at last. + +"But I was conceited, and thought myself much better than my sisters. +And so, one day, when the sun rose out of the sea, I clung fast to one +of his hot beams and thought how I should reach the stars and become one +of them. + +"But I had not ascended far when the sunbeam shook me off, and, in spite +of all I could say or do, let me fall into a dark cloud. And soon a +flash of fire darted through the cloud, and now I thought I must surely +die; but the cloud laid itself down softly upon the top of a mountain, +and so I escaped. + +"Now I thought I should remain hidden, when, all on a sudden, I slipped +over a round pebble, fell from one stone to another, down into the +depths of the mountain. At last it was pitch dark and I could neither +see nor hear anything. + +"Then I found, indeed, that 'pride goeth before a fall,' for, though I +had already laid aside all my unhappy pride in the cloud, my punishment +was to remain for some time in the heart of the mountain. After +undergoing many purifications from the hidden virtues of metals and +minerals, I was at length permitted to come up once more into the free +and cheerful air, and to gush from this rock and journey with this happy +stream. Now will I run back to my sisters in the Ocean, and there wait +patiently till I am called to something better." + +So said the water-drop to the child, but scarcely had she finished her +story, when the root of a For-Get-Me-Not caught the drop and sucked her +in, that she might become a floweret, and twinkle brightly as a blue +star on the green firmament of earth. + + + + +THE SPRING BEAUTY + +AN OJIBBEWAY LEGEND + +BY HENRY R. SCHOOLCRAFT (ADAPTED) + +An old man was sitting in his lodge, by the side of a frozen stream. It +was the end of winter, the air was not so cold, and his fire was +nearly out. He was old and alone. His locks were white with age, and he +trembled in every joint. Day after day passed, and he heard nothing but +the sound of the storm sweeping before it the new-fallen snow. + +One day while his fire was dying, a handsome young man approached and +entered the lodge. His cheeks were red, his eyes sparkled. He walked +with a quick, light step. His forehead was bound with a wreath of +sweet-grass, and he carried a bunch of fragrant flowers in his hand. + +"Ah, my son," said the old man, "I am happy to see you. Come in! Tell me +your adventures, and what strange lands you have seen. I will tell you +of my wonderful deeds, and what I can perform. You shall do the same, +and we will amuse each other." + +The old man then drew from a bag a curiously wrought pipe. He filled it +with mild tobacco, and handed it to his guest. They each smoked from the +pipe and then began their stories. + +"I am Peboan, the Spirit of Winter," said the old man. "I blow my +breath, and the streams stand still. The water becomes stiff and hard as +clear stone." + +"I am Seegwun, the Spirit of Spring," answered the youth. "I breathe, +and flowers spring up in the meadows and woods." + +"I shake my locks," said the old man, "and snow covers the land. The +leaves fall from the trees, and my breath blows them away. The birds fly +to a distant land, and the animals hide themselves from the cold." + +"I shake my ringlets," said the young man, "and warm showers of soft +rain fall upon the earth. The flowers lift their heads from the ground, +the grass grows thick and green. My voice recalls the birds, and they +come flying joyfully from the Southland. The warmth of my breath unbinds +the streams, and they sing the songs of summer. Music fills the groves +where-ever I walk, and all nature rejoices." + +And while they were talking thus a wonderful change took place. The sun +began to rise. A gentle warmth stole over the place. Peboan, the Spirit +of Winter, became silent. His head drooped, and the snow outside the +lodge melted away. Seegwun, the Spirit of Spring, grew more radiant, and +rose joyfully to his feet. The robin and the bluebird began to sing on +the top of the lodge. The stream began to murmur at the door, and the +fragrance of opening flowers came softly on the breeze. + +The lodge faded away, and Peboan sank down and dissolved into tiny +streams of water, that vanished under the brown leaves of the forest. +Thus the Spirit of Winter departed, and where he had melted away, there +the Indian children gathered the first blossoms, fragrant and delicately +pink,--the modest Spring Beauty. + + + + +THE FAIRY TULIPS + +ENGLISH FOLK-TALE + +Once upon a time there was a good old woman who lived in a little house. +She had in her garden a bed of beautiful striped tulips. + +One night she was wakened by the sounds of sweet singing and of babies +laughing. She looked out at the window. The sounds seemed to come from +the tulip bed, but she could see nothing. + +The next morning she walked among her flowers, but there were no signs +of any one having been there the night before. + +On the following night she was again wakened by sweet singing and babies +laughing. She rose and stole softly through her garden. The moon was +shining brightly on the tulip bed, and the flowers were swaying to and +fro. The old woman looked closely and she saw, standing by each tulip, +a little Fairy mother who was crooning and rocking the flower like a +cradle, while in each tulip-cup lay a little Fairy baby laughing and +playing. + +The good old woman stole quietly back to her house, and from that time +on she never picked a tulip, nor did she allow her neighbors to touch +the flowers. + +The tulips grew daily brighter in color and larger in size, and they +gave out a delicious perfume like that of roses. They began, too, to +bloom all the year round. And every night the little Fairy mothers +caressed their babies and rocked them to sleep in the flower-cups. + +The day came when the good old woman died, and the tulip-bed was torn +up by folks who did not know about the Fairies, and parsley was planted +there instead of the flowers. But the parsley withered, and so did all +the other plants in the garden, and from that time nothing would grow +there. + +But the good old woman's grave grew beautiful, for the Fairies sang +above it, and kept it green; while on the grave and all around it there +sprang up tulips, daffodils, and violets, and other lovely flowers of +spring. + + + + +THE STREAM THAT RAN AWAY + +BY MARY AUSTIN (ADAPTED) + +In a short and shallow canyon running eastward toward the sun, one may +find a clear, brown stream called the Creek of Pinon Pines; that is not +because it is unusual to find pinon trees in that country, but because +there are so few of them in the canyon of the stream. There are all +sorts higher up on the slopes,--long-leaved yellow pines, thimble cones, +tamarack, silver fir, and Douglas spruce; but in the canyon there +is only a group of the low-headed, gray nut pines which the earliest +inhabitants of that country called pinons. + +The Canyon of Pinon Pines has a pleasant outlook and lies open to the +sun. At the upper end there is no more room by the stream border than +will serve for a cattle trail; willows grow in it, choking the path +of the water; there are brown birches here and ropes of white clematis +tangled over thickets of brier rose. + +Low down, the ravine broadens out to inclose a meadow the width of a +lark's flight, blossomy and wet and good. Here the stream ran once in a +maze of soddy banks and watered all the ground, and afterward ran out at +the canyon's mouth across the mesa in a wash of bone-white boulders as +far as it could. That was not very far, for it was a slender stream. It +had its source on the high crests and hollows of the near-by mountain, +in the snow banks that melted and seeped downward through the rocks. But +the stream did not know any more of that than you know of what happened +to you before you were born, and could give no account of itself except +that it crept out from under a great heap of rubble far up in the Canyon +of the Pinon Pines. + +And because it had no pools in it deep enough for trout, and no trees on +its borders but gray nut pines; because, try as it might, it could never +get across the mesa to the town, the stream had fully made up its mind +to run away. + +"Pray, what good will that do you?" said the pines. "If you get to +the town, they will turn you into an irrigating ditch, and set you to +watering crops." + +"As to that," said the stream, "if I once get started I will not stop at +the town." + +Then it would fret between its banks until the spangled frills of the +mimulus were all tattered with its spray. Often at the end of the summer +it was worn quite thin and small with running, and not able to do more +than reach the meadow. + +"But some day," it whispered to the stones, "I shall run quite away." + +If the stream had been inclined for it, there was no lack of good +company on its own borders. Birds nested in the willows, rabbits came to +drink; one summer a bobcat made its lair up the bank opposite the brown +birches, and often the deer fed in the meadow. + +In the spring of one year two old men came up into the Canyon of Pinon +Pines. They had been miners and partners together for many years. They +had grown rich and grown poor, and had seen many hard places and strange +times. It was a day when the creek ran clear and the south wind smelled +of the earth. Wild bees began to whine among the willows, and the meadow +bloomed over with poppy-breasted larks. + +Then said one of the old men: "Here is good meadow and water enough; let +us build a house and grow trees. We are too old to dig in the mines." + +"Let us set about it," said the other; for that is the way with two who +have been a long time together,--what one thinks of, the other is for +doing. + +So they brought their possessions, and they built a house by the water +border and planted trees. One of the men was all for an orchard but the +other preferred vegetables. So they did each what he liked, and were +never so happy as when walking in the garden in the cool of the day, +touching the growing things as they walked, and praising each other's +work. + +They were very happy for three years. By this time the stream had become +so interested it had almost forgotten about running away. But every year +it noted that a larger bit of the meadow was turned under and planted, +and more and more the men made dams and ditches by which to turn the +water into their gardens. + +"In fact," said the stream, "I am being made into an irrigating ditch +before I have had my fling in the world. I really must make a start." + +That very winter, by the help of a great storm, the stream went roaring +down the meadow, over the mesa, and so clean away, with only a track of +muddy sand to show the way it had gone. + +All that winter the two men brought water for drinking from a spring, +and looked for the stream to come back. In the spring they hoped still, +for that was the season they looked for the orchard to bear. But no +fruit grew on the trees, and the seeds they planted shriveled in the +earth. So by the end of summer, when they understood that the water +would not come back at all, they went sadly away. + +Now the Creek of Pinon Pines did not have a happy time. It went out in +the world on the wings of the storm, and was very much tossed about and +mixed up with other waters, lost and bewildered. + +Everywhere it saw water at work, turning mills, watering fields, +carrying trade, falling as hail, rain, and snow; and at the last, after +many journeys it found itself creeping out from under the rocks of the +same old mountain, in the Canyon of Pinon Pines. + +"After all, home is best," said the little stream to itself, and ran +about in its choked channels looking for old friends. + +The willows were there, but grown shabby and dying at the top; the +birches were quite dead, and there was only rubbish where the white +clematis had been. Even the rabbits had gone away. + +The little stream ran whimpering in the meadow, fumbling at the ruined +ditches to comfort the fruit trees which were not quite dead. It was +very dull in those days living in the Canyon of Pinon Pines. + +"But it is really my own fault," said the stream. So it went on +repairing the borders as best it could. + +About the time the white clematis had come back to hide the ruin of the +brown birches, a young man came and camped with his wife and child in +the meadow. They were looking for a place to make a home. + +"What a charming place!" said the young wife; "just the right distance +from town, and a stream all to ourselves. And look, there are fruit +trees already planted. Do let us decide to stay!" + +Then she took off the child's shoes and stockings to let it play in +the stream. The water curled all about the bare feet and gurgled +delightedly. + +"Ah, do stay," begged the happy water. "I can be such a help to you, for +I know how a garden should be irrigated in the best manner." + +The child laughed, and stamped the water up to his bare knees. The young +wife watched anxiously while her husband walked up and down the stream +border and examined the fruit trees. + +"It is a delightful place," he said, "and the soil is rich, but I am +afraid the water cannot be depended upon. There are signs of a great +drought within the last two or three years. Look, there is a clump of +birches in the very path of the stream, but all dead; and the largest +limbs of the fruit trees have died. In this country one must be able +to make sure of the water-supply. I suppose the people who planted them +must have abandoned the place when the stream went dry. We must go on +farther." + +So they took their goods and the child and went on farther. + +"Ah, well," said the stream, "that is what is to be expected when has a +reputation for neglecting one's duty. But I wish they had stayed. That +baby and I understood each other." + +It had made up its mind not to run away again, though it could not be +expected to be quite cheerful after all that had happened. If you go to +the Canyon of Pinon Pines you will notice that the stream, where it goes +brokenly about the meadow, has a mournful sound. + + + + +THE ELVES + +AN IROQUOIS LEGEND + +BY HARRIET MAXWELL CONVERSE (ADAPTED) + +The little Elves of Darkness, so says the old Iroquois grandmother, were +wise and mysterious. They dwelt under the earth, where were deep forests +and broad plains. There they kept captive all the evil things that +wished to injure human beings,--the venomous reptiles, the wicked +spiders, and the fearful monsters. Sometimes one of these evil creatures +escaped and rushed upward to the bright, pure air, and spread its +poisonous breath over the living things of the upper-world. But such +happenings were rare, for the Elves of Darkness were faithful and +strong, and did not willingly allow the wicked beasts and reptiles to +harm human beings and the growing things. + +When the night was lighted by the moon's soft rays, and the woods of +the upper-world were sweet with the odor of the spring-flowers, then the +Elves of Darkness left the under-world, and creeping from their holes, +held a festival in the woods. And under many a tree, where the blades of +grass had refused to grow, the Little People danced until rings of green +sprang up beneath their feet. And to the festival came the Elves of +Light,--among whom were Tree-Elves, Flower-Elves, and Fruit-Elves. They +too danced and made merry. + +But when the moonlight faded away, and day began to break, then the +Elves of Darkness scampered back to their holes, and returned once more +to the under-world; while the Elves of Light began their daily tasks. + +For in the springtime these Little People of the Light hid in sheltered +places. They listened to the complaints of the seeds that lay covered in +the ground, and they whispered to the earth until the seeds burst their +pods and sent their shoots upward to the light. Then the little Elves +wandered over the fields and through the woods, bidding all growing +things to look upon the sun. + +The Tree-Elves tended the trees, unfolding their leaves, and feeding +their roots with sap from the earth. The Flower-Elves unwrapped the baby +buds, and tinted the petals of the opening flowers, and played with the +bees and the butterflies. + +But the busiest of all were the Fruit-Elves. Their greatest care in +the spring was the strawberry plant. When the ground softened from the +frost, the Fruit-Elves loosened the earth around each strawberry root, +that its shoots might push through to the light. They shaped the plant's +leaves, and turned its blossoms toward the warm rays of the sun. They +trained its runners, and assisted the timid fruit to form. They painted +the luscious berry, and bade it ripen. And when the first strawberries +blushed on the vines, these guardian Elves protected them from the evil +insects that had escaped from the world of darkness underground. + +And the old Iroquois grandmother tells, how once, when the fruit first +came to earth, the Evil Spirit, Hahgwehdaetgah, stole the strawberry +plant, and carried it to his gloomy cave, where he hid it away. And +there it lay until a tiny sunbeam pierced the damp mould, and finding +the little vine carried it back to its sunny fields. And ever since then +the strawberry plant has lived and thrived in the fields and woods. But +the Fruit-Elves, fearing lest the Evil One should one day steal the +vine again, watch day and night over their favorite. And when the +strawberries ripen they give the juicy, fragrant fruit to the Iroquois +children as they gather the spring flowers in the woods. + + + + +THE CANYON FLOWERS + +BY RALPH CONNOR (ADAPTED) + +At first there were no canyons, but only the broad, open prairie. One +day the Master of the Prairie, walking out over his great lawns, where +were only grasses, asked the Prairie: "Where are your flowers?" + +And the Prairie said: "Master, I have no seeds." + +Then he spoke to the birds, and they carried seeds of every kind of +flower and strewed them far and wide, and soon the Prairie bloomed with +crocuses and roses and buffalo beans and the yellow crowfoot and the +wild sunflowers and the red lilies, all the summer long. + +Then the Master came and was well pleased; but he missed the flowers he +loved best of all, and he said to the Prairie: "Where are the clematis +and the columbine, the sweet violets and wind-flowers, and all the ferns +and flowering shrubs?" + +And again the Prairie answered: "Master, I have no seeds." + +And again he spoke to the birds and again they carried all the seeds and +strewed them far and wide. + +But when next the Master came, he could not find the flowers he loved +best of all, and he said: "Where are those, my sweetest flowers?" + +And the Prairie cried sorrowfully: "O Master, I cannot keep the flowers, +for the winds sweep fiercely, and the sun beats upon my breast, and they +wither up and fly away." + +Then the Master spoke to the Lightning, and with one swift blow the +Lightning cleft the Prairie to the heart. And the Prairie rocked and +groaned in agony, and for many a day moaned bitterly over its black, +jagged, gaping wound. + +But a little river poured its waters through the cleft, and carried down +deep, black mould, and once more the birds carried seeds and strewed +them in the canyon. And after a long time the rough rocks were decked +out with soft mosses and trailing vines, and all the nooks were hung +with clematis and columbine, and great elms lifted their huge tops high +up into the sunlight, and down about their feet clustered the low cedars +and balsams, and everywhere the violets and wind-flowers and maiden-hair +grew and bloomed till the canyon became the Master's place for rest and +peace and joy. + + + + +CLYTIE, THE HELIOTROPE + +BY OVID (ADAPTED) + +There was once a Nymph named Clytie, who gazed ever at Apollo as he +drove his sun-chariot through the heavens. She watched him as he rose in +the east attended by the rosy-fingered Dawn and the dancing Hours. She +gazed as he ascended the heavens, urging his steeds still higher in +the fierce heat of the noonday. She looked with wonder as at evening +he guided his steeds downward to their many-colored pastures under the +western sky, where they fed all night on ambrosia. + +Apollo saw not Clytie. He had no thought for her, but he shed his +brightest beams upon her sister the white Nymph Leucothoe. And when +Clytie perceived this she was filled with envy and grief. + +Night and day she sat on the bare ground weeping. For nine days and nine +nights she never raised herself from the earth, nor did she take food +or drink; but ever she turned her weeping eyes toward the sun-god as he +moved through the sky. + +And her limbs became rooted to the ground. Green leaves enfolded her +body. Her beautiful face was concealed by tiny flowers, violet-colored +and sweet with perfume. Thus was she changed into a flower and her roots +held her fast to the ground; but ever she turned her blossom-covered +face toward the sun, following with eager gaze his daily flight. In vain +were her sorrow and tears, for Apollo regarded her not. + +And so through the ages has the Nymph turned her dew-washed face toward +the heavens, and men no longer call her Clytie, but the sun-flower, +heliotrope. + + + + +HYACINTHUS + +BY OVID (ADAPTED) + +Once when the golden-beamed Apollo roamed the earth, he made a companion +of Hyacinthus, the son of King Amyclas of Lacedaemon; and him he loved +with an exceeding great love, for the lad was beautiful beyond compare. + +The sun-god threw aside his lyre, and became the daily comrade of +Hyacinthus. Often they played games, or climbed the rugged mountain +ridges. Together they followed the chase or fished in the quiet and +shadowy pools; and the sun-god, unmindful of his dignity, carried the +lad's nets and held his dogs. + +It happened on a day that the two friends stripped off their garments, +rubbed the juice of the olive upon their bodies, and engaged in throwing +the quoit. First Apollo poised it and tossed it far. It cleaved the air +with its weight and fell heavily to earth. At that moment Hyacinthus ran +forwards and hastened to take up the disc, but the hard earth sent +it rebounding straight into his face, so that he fell wounded to the +ground. + +Ah! then, pale and fearful, the sun-god hastened to the side of his +fallen friend. He bore up the lad's sinking limbs and strove to stanch +his wound with healing herbs. All in vain! Alas! the wound would not +close. And as violets and lilies, when their stems are crushed, +hang their languid blossoms on their stalks and wither away, so did +Hyacinthus droop his beautiful head and die. + +Then the sun-god, full of grief, cried aloud in his anguish: "O Beloved! +thou fallest in thy early youth, and I alone am the cause of thy +destruction! Oh, that I could give my life for thee or with thee! but +since Fate will not permit this, thou shalt ever be with me, and thy +praise shall dwell on my lips. My lyre struck with my hand, my songs, +too, shall celebrate thee! And thou, dear lad, shalt become a new +flower, and on thy leaves will I write my lamentations." + +And even as the sun-god spoke, behold! the blood that had flowed from +Hyacinthus's wound stained the grass, and a flower, like a lily in +shape, sprang up, more bright than Tyrian purple. On its leaves did +Apollo inscribe the mournful characters: "ai, ai," which mean "alas! +alas!" + +And as oft as the spring drives away the winter, so oft does Hyacinthus +blossom in the fresh, green grass. + + + + +ECHO AND NARCISSUS + +BY OVID (ADAPTED) + +Long ago, in the ancient world, there was born to the blue-eyed Nymph +Liriope, a beautiful boy, whom she called Narcissus. An oracle foretold +at his birth that he should be happy and live to a good old age if he +"never saw himself." As this prophecy seemed ridiculous his mother soon +forgot all about it. + +Narcissus grew to be a stately, handsome youth. His limbs were firm and +straight. Curls clustered about his white brow, and his eyes shone +like two stars. He loved to wander among the meadow flowers and in the +pathless woodland. But he disdained his playmates, and would not listen +to their entreaties to join in their games. His heart was cold, and in +it was neither hate nor love. He lived indifferent to youth or maid, to +friend or foe. + +Now, in the forest near by dwelt a Nymph named Echo. She had been a +handmaiden of the goddess Juno. But though the Nymph was beautiful +of face, she was not loved. She had a noisy tongue. She told lies and +whispered slanders, and encouraged the other Nymphs in many misdoings. +So when Juno perceived all this, she ordered the troublesome Nymph away +from her court, and banished her to the wildwood, bidding her never +speak again except in imitation of other peoples' words. So Echo dwelt +in the woods, and forever mocked the words of youths and maidens. + +One day as Narcissus was wandering alone in the pathless forest, Echo, +peeping from behind a tree, saw his beauty, and as she gazed her heart +was filled with love. Stealthily she followed his footsteps, and often +she tried to call to him with endearing words, but she could not speak, +for she no longer had a voice of her own. + +At last Narcissus heard the sound of breaking branches, and he cried +out: "Is there any one here?" + +And Echo answered softly: "Here!" + +Narcissus, amazed, looking about on all sides and seeing no one, cried: +"Come!" + +And Echo answered: "Come!" + +Narcissus cried again: "Who art thou? Whom seekest thou?" + +And Echo answered: "Thou!" + +Then rushing from among the trees she tried to throw her arms about his +neck, but Narcissus fled through the forest, crying: "Away! away! I will +die before I love thee!" + +And Echo answered mournfully: "I love thee!" + +And thus rejected, she hid among the trees, and buried her blushing face +in the green leaves. And she pined, and pined, until her body wasted +quite away, and nothing but her voice was left. And some say that even +to this day her voice lives in lonely caves and answers men's words from +afar. + +Now, when Narcissus fled from Echo, he came to a clear spring, like +silver. Its waters were unsullied, for neither goats feeding upon the +mountains nor any other cattle had drunk from it, nor had wild beasts or +birds disturbed it, nor had branch or leaf fallen into its calm waters. +The trees bent above and shaded it from the hot sun, and the soft, green +grass grew on its margin. + +Here Narcissus, fatigued and thirsty after his flight, laid himself down +beside the spring to drink. He gazed into the mirror-like water, and saw +himself reflected in its tide. He knew not that it was his own image, +but thought that he saw a youth living in the spring. + +He gazed on two eyes like stars, on graceful slender fingers, on +clustering curls worthy of Apollo, on a mouth arched like Cupid's bow, +on blushing cheeks and ivory neck. And as he gazed his cold heart grew +warm, and love for this beautiful reflection rose up and filled his +soul. + +He rained kisses on the deceitful stream. He thrust his arms into the +water, and strove to grasp the image by the neck, but it fled away. +Again he kissed the stream, but the image mocked his love. And all day +and all night, lying there without food or drink, he continued to gaze +into the water. Then raising himself, he stretched out his arms to the +trees about him, and cried:-- + +"Did ever, O ye woods, one love as much as I! Have ye ever seen a lover +thus pine for the sake of unrequited affection?" + +Then turning once more, Narcissus addressed his reflection in the limpid +stream:-- + +"Why, dear youth, dost thou flee away from me? Neither a vast sea, nor +a long way, nor a great mountain separates us! only a little water keeps +us apart! Why, dear lad, dost thou deceive me, and whither dost thou go +when I try to grasp thee? Thou encouragest me with friendly looks. When +I extend my arms, thou extendest thine; when I smile, thou smilest in +return; when I weep, thou weepest; but when I try to clasp thee beneath +the stream, thou shunnest me and fleest away! Grief is taking my +strength, and my life will soon be over! In my early days am I cut off, +nor is Death grievous to me, now that he is about to remove my sorrows!" + +Thus mourned Narcissus, lying beside the woodland spring. He disturbed +the water with his tears, and made the woods to resound with his sighs. +And as the yellow wax is melted by the fire, or the hoar frost is +consumed by the heat of the sun, so did Narcissus pine away, his body +wasting by degrees. + +And often as he sighed: "Alas!" the grieving Echo from the wood +answered: "Alas!" + +With his last breath he looked into the water and sighed: "Ah, youth +beloved, farewell!" and Echo sighed: "Farewell!" + +And Narcissus, laying his weary head upon the grass, closed his eyes +forever. The Water-Nymphs wept for him, and the Wood-Dryads lamented +him, and Echo resounded their mourning. But when they sought his body +it had vanished away, and in its stead had grown up by the brink of the +stream a little flower, with silver leaves and golden heart,--and thus +was born to earth the woodland flower, Narcissus. + + + + + +MOTHERS' DAY + +(SECOND SUNDAY IN MAY) + +THE LARK AND ITS YOUNG ONES + +A HINDU FABLE + +BY P. V. RAMASWAMI RAJU (ADAPTED) + +A child went up to a lark and said: "Good lark, have you any young +ones?" + +"Yes, child, I have," said the mother lark, "and they are very pretty +ones, indeed." Then she pointed to the little birds and said: "This is +Fair Wing, that is Tiny Bill, and that other is Bright Eyes." + +"At home, we are three," said the child, "myself and two sisters. Mother +says that we are pretty children, and she loves us." + +To this the little larks replied: "Oh, yes, OUR mother is fond of us, +too." + +"Good mother lark," said the child, "will you let Tiny Bill go home with +me and play?" + +Before the mother lark could reply, Bright Eyes said: "Yes, if you will +send your little sister to play with us in our nest." + +"Oh, she will be so sorry to leave home," said the child; "she could not +come away from our mother." + +"Tiny Bill will be so sorry to leave our nest," answered Bright Eyes, +"and he will not go away from OUR mother." + +Then the child ran away to her mother, saying: "Ah, every one is fond of +home!" + + + + +CORNELIA'S JEWELS + +BY JAMES BALDWIN [3] + +[Footnote 3: From Fifty Famous Stories Retold. Copyright, 1896, by +American Book Company.] + + + + +It was a bright morning in the old city of Rome many hundred years ago. +In a vine-covered summer-house in a beautiful garden, two boys were +standing. They were looking at their mother and her friend, who were +walking among the flowers and trees. + +"Did you ever see so handsome a lady as our mother's friend?" asked the +younger boy, holding his tall brother's hand. "She looks like a queen." + +"Yet she is not so beautiful as our mother," said the elder boy. "She +has a fine dress, it is true; but her face is not noble and kind. It is +our mother who is like a queen." + +"That is true," said the other. "There is no woman in Rome so much like +a queen as our own dear mother." + +Soon Cornelia, their mother, came down the walk to speak with them. She +was simply dressed in a plain, white robe. Her arms and feet were bare, +as was the custom in those days; and no rings or chains glittered about +her hands and neck. For her only crown, long braids of soft brown hair +were coiled about her head; and a tender smile lit up her noble face as +she looked into her sons' proud eyes. + +"Boys," she said, "I have something to tell you." + +They bowed before her, as Roman lads were taught to do, and said: "What +is it, mother?" + +"You are to dine with us to-day, here in the garden; and then our friend +is going to show us that wonderful casket of jewels of which you have +heard so much." + +The brothers looked shyly at their mother's friend. Was it possible that +she had still other rings besides those on her fingers? Could she have +other gems besides those which sparkled in the chains about her neck? + +When the simple outdoor meal was over, a servant brought the casket from +the house. The lady opened it. Ah, how those jewels dazzled the eyes +of the wondering boys! There were ropes of pearls, white as milk, and +smooth as satin; heaps of shining rubies, red as the glowing coals; +sapphires as blue as the sky that summer day; and diamonds that flashed +and sparkled like the sunlight. + +The brothers looked long at the gems. "Ah!" whispered the younger; "if +our mother could only have such beautiful things!" + +At last, however, the casket was closed and carried carefully away. + +"Is it true, Cornelia, that you have no jewels?" asked her friend. "Is +it true, as I have heard it whispered, that you are poor?" + +"No, I am not poor," answered Cornelia, and as she spoke she drew her +two boys to her side; "for here are my jewels. They are worth more than +all your gems." + +The boys never forgot their mother's pride and love and care; and in +after years, when they had become great men in Rome, they often thought +of this scene in the garden. And the world still likes to hear the story +of Cornelia's jewels. + + + + +QUEEN MARGARET AND THE ROBBERS + +BY ALBERT F. BLAISDELL (ADAPTED) + +One day when roses were in bloom, two noblemen came to angry words in +the Temple Gardens, by the side of the river Thames. In the midst of +their quarrel one of them plucked a white rose from a bush, and, turning +to those who were near him, said:-- + +"He who will stand by me in this quarrel, let him pluck a white rose +with me, and wear it in his hat." + +Then the other gentleman tore a red rose from another bush, and said:-- + +"Let him who will stand by me pluck a red rose, and wear it as his +badge." + +Now this quarrel led to a great civil war, which was called "The War of +the Roses," for every soldier wore a white or red rose in his helmet to +show to which side he belonged. + +The leaders of the "Red Rose" sided with King Henry the Sixth and his +wife, Queen Margaret, who were fighting for the English throne. Many +great battles were fought, and wicked deeds were done in those dreadful +times. + +In a battle at a place called Hexham, the king's party was beaten, and +Queen Margaret and her little son, the Prince of Wales, had to flee for +their lives. They had not gone far before they met a band of robbers, +who stopped the queen and stole all her rich jewels, and, holding a +drawn sword over her head, threatened to take her life and that of her +child. + +The poor queen, overcome by terror, fell upon her knees and begged them +to spare her only son, the little prince. But the robbers, turning from +her, began to fight among themselves as to how they should divide the +plunder, and, drawing their weapons, they attacked one another. When +the queen saw what was happening she sprang to her feet, and, taking the +prince by the hand, made haste to escape. + +There was a thick wood close by, and the queen plunged into it, but she +was sorely afraid and trembled in every limb, for she knew that this +wood was the hiding-place of robbers and outlaws. Every tree seemed to +her excited fancy to be an armed man waiting to kill her and her little +son. + +On and on she went through the dark wood, this way and that, seeking +some place of shelter, but not knowing where she was going. At last she +saw by the light of the moon a tall, fierce-looking man step out from +behind a tree. He came directly toward her, and she knew by his dress +that he was an outlaw. But thinking that he might have children of his +own, she determined to throw herself and her son upon his mercy. + +When he came near she addressed him in a calm voice and with a stately +manner. + +"Friend," said she, "I am the queen. Kill me if thou wilt, but spare my +son, thy prince. Take him, I will trust him to thee. Keep him safe from +those that seek his life, and God will have pity on thee for all thy +sins." + +The words of the queen moved the heart of the outlaw. He told her that +he had once fought on her side, and was now hiding from the soldiers +of the "White Rose." He then lifted the little prince in his arms, and, +bidding the queen follow, led the way to a cave in the rocks. There he +gave them food and shelter, and kept them safe for two days, when the +queen's friends and attendants, discovering their hiding-place, came and +took them far away. + +If you ever go to Hexham Forest, you may see this robber's cave. It is +on the bank of a little stream that flows at the foot of a hill, and to +this day the people call it "Queen Margaret's Cave." + + + + +THE REVENGE OF CORIOLANUS + +BY CHARLES MORRIS (ADAPTED) + +Caius Marcius was a noble Roman youth, who fought valiantly, when but +seventeen years of age, in the battle of Lake Regillus, and was there +crowned with an oaken wreath, the Roman reward for saving the life of a +fellow soldier. This he showed with joy to his mother, Volumnia, whom he +loved exceedingly, it being his greatest pleasure to receive praise from +her lips. + +He afterward won many more crowns in battle, and became one of the +most famous of Roman soldiers. One of his memorable exploits took place +during a war with the Volscians, in which the Romans attacked the city +of Corioli. Through Caius's bravery the place was taken, and the Roman +general said: "Henceforth, let him be called after the name of this +city." So ever after he was known as Caius Marcius Coriolanus. + +Courage was not the only marked quality of Coriolanus. His pride was +equally great. He was a noble of the nobles, so haughty in demeanor and +so disdainful of the commons that they grew to hate him bitterly. + +At length came a time of great scarcity of food. The people were on +the verge of famine, to relieve which shiploads of corn were sent from +Sicily to Rome. The Senate resolved to distribute this corn among the +suffering people, but Coriolanus opposed this, saying: "If they want +corn, let them promise to obey the Patricians, as their fathers did. Let +them give up their tribunes. If they do this we will let them have corn, +and take care of them." + +When the people heard of what the proud noble had said, they broke +into a fury, and a mob gathered around the doors of the Senate house, +prepared to seize and tear him in pieces when he came out. But the +tribunes prevented this, and Coriolanus fled from Rome, exiled from his +native land by his pride and disdain of the people. + +The exile made his way to the land of the Volscians and became the +friend of Rome's great enemy, whom he had formerly helped to conquer. +He aroused the Volscians' ire against Rome, to a greater degree than +before, and placing himself at the head of a Volscian army greater +than the Roman forces, marched against his native city. The army swept +victoriously onward, taking city after city, and finally encamping +within five miles of Rome. + +The approach of this powerful host threw the Romans into dismay. They +had been assailed so suddenly that they had made no preparations for +defense, and the city seemed to lie at the mercy of its foes. The +women ran to the temples to pray for the favor of the gods. The people +demanded that the Senate should send deputies to the invading army to +treat for peace. + +The Senate, no less frightened than the people, obeyed, sending five +leading Patricians to the Volscian camp. These deputies were haughtily +received by Coriolanus, who offered them such severe terms that they +were unable to accept them. They returned and reported the matter, and +the Senate was thrown into confusion. The deputies were sent again, +instructed to ask for gentler terms, but now Coriolanus refused even +to let them enter his camp. This harsh repulse plunged Rome into mortal +terror. + +All else having failed, the noble women of Rome, with Volumnia, the +mother of Coriolanus, at their head, went in procession from the city to +the Volscian camp to pray for mercy. + +It was a sad and solemn spectacle, as this train of noble ladies, clad +in their habiliments of woe, and with bent heads and sorrowful faces, +wound through the hostile camp, from which they were not excluded as the +deputies had been. Even the Volscian soldiers watched them with pitying +eyes, and spoke no scornful word as they moved slowly past. + +On reaching the midst of the camp, they saw Coriolanus on the general's +seat, with the Volscian chiefs gathered around him. At first he wondered +who these women could be; but when they came near, and he saw his mother +at the head of the train, his deep love for her welled up so strongly in +his heart that he could not restrain himself, but sprang up and ran to +meet and kiss her. + +The Roman matron stopped him with a dignified gesture. "Ere you kiss +me," she said, "let me know whether I speak to an enemy or to my son; +whether I stand here as your prisoner or your mother." + +He stood before her in silence, with bent head, and unable to answer. + +"Must it, then, be that if I had never borne a son, Rome would have +never seen the camp of an enemy?" said Volumnia, in sorrowful tones. + +"But I am too old to endure much longer your shame and my misery. Think +not of me, but of your wife and children, whom you would doom to death +or to life in bondage." + +Then Virgilia, his wife, and his children, came forward and kissed him, +and all the noble ladies in the train burst into tears and bemoaned the +peril of their country. + +Coriolanus still stood silent, his face working with contending +thoughts. At length he cried out in heart-rending accents: "O mother! +What have you done to me?" + +Then clasping her hand he wrung it vehemently, saying: "Mother, the +victory is yours! A happy victory for you and Rome! but shame and ruin +for your son." + +Thereupon he embraced her with yearning heart, and afterward clasped his +wife and children to his breast, bidding them return with their tale +of conquest to Rome. As for himself, he said, only exile and shame +remained. + +Before the women reached home, the army of the Volscians was on its +homeward march. Coriolanus never led it against Rome again. He lived and +died in exile, far from his wife and children. + +The Romans, to honor Volumnia, and those who had gone with her to the +Volscian camp, built a temple to "Woman's Fortune," on the spot where +Coriolanus had yielded to his mother's entreaties. + + + + +THE WIDOW AND HER THREE SONS + +(ADAPTED) + +One day a poor woman approached Mr. Lincoln for an interview. She was +somewhat advanced in years and plainly clad, wearing a faded shawl and +worn hood. + +"Well, my good woman," said Mr. Lincoln, "what can I do for you this +morning?" + +"Mr. President," answered she, "my husband and three sons all went into +the army. My husband was killed in the battle of----. I get along very +badly since then living all alone, and I thought that I would come and +ask you to release to me my eldest son." + +Mr. Lincoln looked in her face for a moment, and then replied kindly:-- + +"Certainly! Certainly! If you have given us ALL, and your prop has been +taken away, you are justly entitled to one of your boys." + +He then made out an order discharging the young man, which the woman +took away, thanking him gratefully. + +She went to the front herself with the President's order, and found that +her son had been mortally wounded in a recent battle, and taken to the +hospital. + +She hastened to the hospital. But she was too late, the boy died, and +she saw him laid in a soldier's grave. + +She then returned to the President with his order, on the back of which +the attendant surgeon had stated the sad facts concerning the young man +it was intended to discharge. + +Mr. Lincoln was much moved by her story, and said: "I know what you wish +me to do now, and I shall do it without your asking. I shall release to +you your second son." + +Taking up his pen he began to write the order, while the grief-stricken +woman stood at his side and passed her hand softly over his head, and +stroked his rough hair as she would have stroked her boy's. + +When he had finished he handed her the paper, saying tenderly, his eyes +full of tears:-- + +"Now you have one of the two left, and I have one, that is no more than +right." + +She took the order and reverently placing her hand upon his head, +said:-- + +"The Lord bless you, Mr. President. May you live a thousand years, and +may you always be the head of this great nation." + + + + + +MEMORIAL DAY + +(APRIL OR MAY) + +FLAG DAY + +(JUNE 14) + + + + +BETSY ROSS AND THE FLAG + +BY HARRY PRINGLE FORD (ADAPTED) + +On the 14th day of June, 1777, the Continental Congress passed the +following resolution: "RESOLVED, That the flag of the thirteen United +States be thirteen stripes alternate red and white; that the Union +be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new +constellation." + +We are told that previous to this, in 1776, a committee was appointed to +look after the matter, and together with General Washington they called +at the house of Betsy Ross, 239 Arch Street, Philadelphia. + +Betsy Ross was a young widow of twenty-four heroically supporting +herself by continuing the upholstery business of her late husband, young +John Ross, a patriot who had died in the service of his country. +Betsy was noted for her exquisite needlework, and was engaged in the +flag-making business. + +The committee asked her if she thought she could make a flag from a +design, a rough drawing of which General Washington showed her. She +replied, with diffidence, that she did not know whether she could or +not, but would try. She noticed, however, that the star as drawn had six +points, and informed the committee that the correct star had but five. +They answered that as a great number of stars would be required, the +more regular form with six points could be more easily made than one +with five. + +She responded in a practical way by deftly folding a scrap of +paper; then with a single clip of her scissors she displayed a true, +symmetrical, five-pointed star. + +This decided the committee in her favor. A rough design was left for her +use, but she was permitted to make a sample flag according to her own +ideas of the arrangement of the stars and the proportions of the stripes +and the general form of the whole. + +Sometime after its completion it was presented to Congress, and the +committee had the pleasure of informing Betsy Ross that her flag was +accepted as the Nation's standard. + + + + +THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER + +BY EVA MARCH TAPPAN (ADAPTED) + +In 1814, while the War of 1812 was still going on, the people of +Maryland were in great trouble, for a British fleet began to attack +Baltimore. The enemy bombarded the forts, including Fort McHenry. For +twenty-four hours the terrific bombardment went on. + +"If Fort McHenry only stands, the city is safe," said Francis Scott Key +to a friend, and they gazed anxiously through the smoke to see if the +flag was still flying. + +These two men were in the strangest place that could be imagined. They +were in a little American vessel fast moored to the side of the British +admiral's flagship. A Maryland doctor had been seized as a prisoner by +the British, and the President had given permission for them to go out +under a flag of truce, to ask for his release. The British commander +finally decided that the prisoner might be set free; but he had no +idea of allowing the two men to go back to the city and carry any +information. "Until the attack on Baltimore is ended, you and your boat +must remain here," he said. + +The firing went on. As long as daylight lasted they could catch glimpses +of the Stars and Stripes whenever the wind swayed the clouds of smoke. +When night came they could still see the banner now and then by the +blaze of the cannon. A little after midnight the firing stopped. The two +men paced up and down the deck, straining their eyes to see if the flag +was still flying. "Can the fort have surrendered?" they questioned. "Oh, +if morning would only come!" + +At last the faint gray of dawn appeared. They could see that some flag +was flying, but it was too dark to tell which. More and more eagerly +they gazed. It grew lighter, a sudden breath of wind caught the flag, +and it floated out on the breeze. It was no English flag, it was their +own Stars and Stripes. The fort had stood, the city was safe. Then it +was that Key took from his pocket an old letter and on the back of it he +wrote the poem, "The Star-Spangled Banner." + +The British departed, and the little American boat went back to the +city. Mr. Key gave a copy of the poem to his uncle, who had been helping +to defend the fort. The uncle sent it to the printer, and had it struck +off on some handbills. Before the ink was dry the printer caught up one +and hurried away to a restaurant, where many patriots were assembled. +Waving the paper, he cried, "Listen to this!" and he read:-- + + "O say, can you see, by the dawn's early light, + What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming, + Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous + fight, + O'er the ramparts we watch'd were so gallantly streaming? + And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, + Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. + O say, does the star-spangled banner yet wave + O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?" + + +"Sing it! sing it!" cried the whole company. Charles Durang mounted a +chair and then for the first time "The Star-Spangled Banner" was sung. +The tune was "To Anacreon in Heaven," an air which had long been a +favorite. Halls, theaters, and private houses rang with its strains. + +The fleet was out of sight even before the poem was printed. In the +middle of the night the admiral had sent to the British soldiers this +message, "I can do nothing more," and they hurried on board the vessels. +It was not long before they left Chesapeake Bay altogether,--perhaps +with the new song ringing in their ears as they went. + + + + +THE LITTLE DRUMMER-BOY + +BY ALBERT BUSHNELL HART (ADAPTED) + +A few days before a certain regiment received orders to join General +Lyon, on his march to Wilson's Creek, the drummer-boy of the regiment +was taken sick, and carried to the hospital. + +Shortly after this there appeared before the captain's quarters, during +the beating of the reveille, a good-looking, middle-aged woman, dressed +in deep mourning, leading by the hand a sharp, sprightly looking boy, +apparently about twelve or thirteen years of age. + +Her story was soon told. She was from East Tennessee, where her husband +had been killed by the Confederates, and all her property destroyed. +Being destitute, she thought that if she could procure a situation for +her boy as drummer, she could find employment for herself. + +While she told her story, the little fellow kept his eyes intently fixed +upon the countenance of the captain. And just as the latter was about to +say that he could not take so small a boy, the lad spoke out:-- + +"Don't be afraid, Captain," said he, "I can drum." + +This was spoken with so much confidence that the captain smiled and said +to the sergeant:-- + +"Well, well, bring the drum, and order our fifer to come here." + +In a few moments a drum was produced and the fifer, a round-shouldered, +good-natured fellow, who stood six feet tall, made his appearance. Upon +being introduced to the lad, he stooped down, resting his hands on his +knees, and, after peering into the little fellow's face for a moment, +said:-- + +"My little man, can you drum?" + +"Yes, sir," answered the boy promptly. "I drummed for Captain Hill in +Tennessee." + +The fifer immediately straightened himself, and, placing his fife to +his lips, played the "Flowers of Edinburgh," one of the most difficult +things to follow with the drum. And nobly did the little fellow follow +him, showing himself to be master of the drum. + +When the music ceased the captain turned to the mother and observed:-- + +"Madam, I will take the boy. What is his name?" + +"Edward Lee," she replied. Then placing her hand upon the captain's arm, +she continued in a choking voice, "If he is not killed!--Captain,--you +will bring him back to me?" + +"Yes, yes," he replied, "we shall be certain to bring him back to you. +We shall be discharged in six weeks." + +An hour after, the company led the regiment out of camp, the drum and +fife playing "The Girl I left behind me." + +Eddie, as the soldiers called him, soon became a great favorite with +all the men of the company. When any of the boys returned from foraging, +Eddie's share of the peaches, melons, and other good things was meted +out first. During the heavy and fatiguing marches, the long-legged fifer +often waded through the mud with the little drummer mounted on his back, +and in the same fashion he carried Eddie when fording streams. + +During the fight at Wilson's Creek, a part of the company was stationed +on the right of Totten's battery, while the balance of the company was +ordered down into a deep ravine, at the left, in which it was known a +party of Confederates was concealed. + +An engagement took place. The contest in the ravine continued some time. +Totten suddenly wheeled his battery upon the enemy in that quarter, and +they soon retreated to high ground behind their lines. + +In less than twenty minutes after Totten had driven the Confederates +from the ravine, the word passed from man to man throughout the army, +"Lyon is killed!" And soon after, hostilities having ceased upon both +sides, the order came for the main part of the Federal force to fall +back upon Springfield, while the lesser part was to camp upon the +ground, and cover the retreat. + +That night a corporal was detailed for guard duty. His post was upon +a high eminence that overlooked the deep ravine in which the men had +engaged the enemy. It was a dreary, lonesome beat. The hours passed +slowly away, and at length the morning light began to streak along the +western sky, making surrounding objects visible. + +Presently the corporal heard a drum beating up the morning call. At +first he thought it came from the camp of the Confederates across the +creek, but as he listened he found that it came from the deep ravine. +For a few moments the sound stopped, then began again. The corporal +listened closely. The notes of the drum were familiar to him,--and then +he knew that it was the drummer-boy from Tennessee playing the morning +call. + +Just then the corporal was relieved from guard duty, and, asking +permission, went at once to Eddie's assistance. He started down the +hill, through the thick underbrush, and upon reaching the bottom of the +ravine, he followed the sound of the drum, and soon found the lad seated +upon the ground, his back leaning against a fallen tree, while his drum +hung upon a bush in front of him. + +As soon as the boy saw his rescuer he dropped his drumsticks, and +exclaimed:-- + +"O Corporal! I am so glad to see you! Give me a drink." + +The soldier took his empty canteen, and immediately turned to bring some +water from the brook that he could hear rippling through the bushes near +by, when, Eddie, thinking that he was about to leave him, cried out:-- + +"Don't leave me, Corporal, I can't walk." + +The corporal was soon back with the water, when he discovered that both +the lad's feet had been shot away by a cannon-ball. + +After satisfying his thirst, Eddie looked up into the corporal's face +and said:-- + +"You don't think I shall die, do you? This man said I should not,--he +said the surgeon could cure my feet." + +The corporal now looked about him and discovered a man lying in the +grass near by. By his dress he knew him to belong to the Confederate +army. It appeared that he had been shot and had fallen near Eddie. +Knowing that he could not live, and seeing the condition of the +drummer-boy, he had crawled to him, taken off his buckskin suspenders, +and had corded the little fellow's legs below the knees, and then he had +laid himself down and died. + +While Eddie was telling the corporal these particulars, they heard the +tramp of cavalry coming down the ravine, and in a moment a scout of the +enemy was upon them, and took them both prisoners. + +The corporal requested the officer in charge to take Eddie up in front +of him, and he did so, carrying the lad with great tenderness and care. +When they reached the Confederate camp the little fellow was dead. + + + + +A FLAG INCIDENT + +BY M. M. THOMAS (ADAPTED) + +When marching to Chattanooga the corps had reached a little wooded +valley between the mountains. The colonel, with others, rode ahead, +and, striking into a bypath, suddenly came upon a secluded little cabin +surrounded by a patch of cultivated ground. + +At the door an old woman, eighty years of age, was supporting herself +on a crutch. As they rode up she asked if they were "Yankees," and upon +their replying that they were, she said: "Have you got the Stars and +Stripes with you? My father fought the Tories in the Revolution, and my +old eyes ache for a sight of the true flag before I die." + +To gratify her the colonel sent to have the colors brought that way. +When they were unfurled and planted before her door, she passed her +trembling hands over them and held them close to her eyes that she might +view the stars once more. When the band gave her "Yankee Doodle," +and the "'Star-Spangled Banner," she sobbed like a child, as did her +daughter, a woman of fifty, while her three little grandchildren gazed +in wonder. + +They were Eastern people, who had gone to New Orleans to try to improve +their condition. Not being successful, they had moved from place to +place to better themselves, until finally they had settled on this spot, +the husband having taken several acres of land here for a debt. + +Then the war burst upon them. The man fled to the mountains to avoid the +conscription, and they knew not whether he was alive or dead. They had +managed to support life, but were so retired that they saw very few +people. + +Leaving them food and supplies, the colonel and the corps passed on. + + + + +TWO HERO-STORIES OF THE CIVIL WAR + +BY BEN LA BREE (ADAPTED) + +I. BRAVERY HONORED BY A FOE + +In a rifle-pit, on the brow of a hill near Fredericksburg, were a number +of Confederate soldiers who had exhausted their ammunition in the vain +attempt to check the advancing column of Hooker's finely equipped and +disciplined army which was crossing the river. To the relief of these +few came the brigade in double-quick time. But no sooner were the +soldiers intrenched than the firing on the opposite side of the river +became terrific. + +A heavy mist obscured the scene. The Federal soldiers poured a merciless +fire into the trenches. Soon many Confederates fell, and the agonized +cries of the wounded who lay there calling for water, smote the hearts +of their helpless comrades. + +"Water! Water!" But there was none to give, the canteens were-empty. + +"Boys," exclaimed Nathan Cunningham, a lad of eighteen, the color-bearer +for his regiment, "I can't stand this any more. They want water, and +water they must have. So let me have a few canteens and I'll go for +some." + +Carefully laying the colors, which he had borne on many a field, in a +trench, he seized some canteens, and, leaping into the mist, was soon +out of sight. + +Shortly after this the firing ceased for a while, and an order came for +the men to fall back to the main line. + +As the Confederates were retreating they met Nathan Cunningham, his +canteens full of water, hurrying to relieve the thirst of the wounded +men in the trenches. He glanced over the passing column and saw that +the faded flag, which he had carried so long, was not there. The men in +their haste to obey orders HAD FORGOTTEN OR OVERLOOKED THE COLORS. + +Quickly the lad sped to the trenches, intent now not only on giving +water to his comrades, but on rescuing the flag and so to save the honor +of his regiment. + +His mission of mercy was soon accomplished. The wounded men drank +freely. The lad then found and seized his colors, and turned to rejoin +his regiment. Scarcely had he gone three paces when a company of Federal +soldiers appeared ascending the hill. + +"Halt and surrender," came the stern command, and a hundred rifles were +leveled at the boy's breast. + +"NEVER! while I hold the colors," was his firm reply. + +The morning sun, piercing with a lurid glare the dense mist, showed the +lad proudly standing with his head thrown back and his flag grasped in +his hand, while his unprotected breast was exposed to the fire of his +foe. + +A moment's pause. Then the Federal officer gave his command:-- + +"Back with your pieces, men, don't shoot that brave boy." + +And Nathan Cunningham, with colors flying over his head, passed on and +joined his regiment. + +His comrades in arms still tell with pride of his brave deed and of the +generous act of a foe. + + + + +II. THE BRAVERY OF RICHARD KIRTLAND + + +Richard Kirtland was a sergeant in the Second Regiment of South Carolina +Volunteers. The day after the great battle of Fredericksburg, Kershaw's +brigade occupied the road at the foot of Marye's Hill. + +One hundred and fifty yards in front of the road, on the other side of +a stone wall, lay Sykes's division of the United States Army. Between +these troops and Kershaw's command a skirmish fight was continued +through the entire day. The ground between the lines was literally +covered with dead and dying Federal soldiers. + +All day long the wounded were calling, "Water! water! water!" + +In the afternoon, Sergeant Kirtland, a Confederate soldier, went to the +headquarters of General Kershaw, and said with deep emotion: "General, +all through last night and to-day; I have been hearing those poor +wounded Federal soldiers out there cry for water. Let me go and give +them some." + +"Don't you know," replied the general, "that you would get a bullet +through you the moment you stepped over the wall?" + +"Yes, sir," said the sergeant; "but if you will let me go I am willing +to try it." + +The general reflected a minute, then answered: "Kirtland, I ought not to +allow you to take this risk, but the spirit that moves you is so noble I +cannot refuse. Go, and may God protect you!" + +In the face of almost certain death the sergeant climbed the wall, +watched with anxiety by the soldiers of his army. Under the curious gaze +of his foes, and exposed to their fire, he dropped to the ground and +hastened on his errand of mercy. Unharmed, untouched, he reached the +nearest sufferer. He knelt beside him, tenderly raised his drooping +head, rested it gently on his breast, and poured the cooling life-giving +water down the parched throat. This done he laid him carefully down, +placed the soldier's knapsack under his head, straightened his broken +limbs, spread his coat over him, replaced the empty canteen with a full +one, then turned to another sufferer. + +By this time his conduct was understood by friend and foe alike and the +firing ceased on both sides. + +For an hour and a half did he pursue his noble mission, until he had +relieved the wounded on all parts of the battlefield. Then he returned +to his post uninjured. + +Surely such a noble deed is worthy of the admiration of men and angels. + + + + +THE YOUNG SENTINEL + +BY Z. A. MUDGE (ADAPTED) + +In the summer of 1862, a young man belonging to a Vermont regiment was +found sleeping at his post. He was tried and sentenced to be shot. The +day was fixed for the execution, and the young soldier calmly prepared +to meet his fate. + +Friends who knew of the case brought the matter to Mr. Lincoln's +attention. It seemed that the boy had been on duty one night, and on +the following night he had taken the place of a comrade too ill to stand +guard. The third night he had been again called out, and, being utterly +exhausted, had fallen asleep at his post. + +As soon as Mr. Lincoln understood the case, he signed a pardon, and +sent it to the camp. The morning before the execution arrived, and the +President had not heard whether the pardon had reached the officers in +charge of the matter. He began to feel uneasy. He ordered a telegram to +be sent to the camp, but received no answer. State papers could not +fix his mind, nor could he banish the condemned soldier boy from his +thoughts. + +At last, feeling that he MUST KNOW that the lad was safe, he ordered +the carriage and rode rapidly ten miles over a dusty road and beneath +a scorching sun. When he reached the camp he found that the pardon had +been received and the execution stayed. + +The sentinel was released, and his heart was filled with lasting +gratitude. When the campaign opened in the spring, the young man was +with his regiment near Yorktown, Virginia. They were ordered to attack a +fort, and he fell at the first volley of the enemy. + +His comrades caught him up and carried him bleeding and dying from the +field. "Bear witness," he said, "that I have proved myself not a coward, +and I am not afraid to die." Then, making a last effort, with his dying +breath he prayed for Abraham Lincoln. + + + + +THE COLONEL OF THE ZOUAVES + +BY NOAH BROOKS (ADAPTED) + +Among those who accompanied Mr. Lincoln, the President-elect, on his +journey from Illinois to the national capital, was Elmer E. Ellsworth, +a young man who had been employed in the law office of Lincoln and +Herndon, Springfield. + +He was a brave, handsome, and impetuous youth, and was among the first +to offer his services to the President in defense of the Union, as soon +as the mutterings of war were heard. + +Before the war he had organized a company of Zouaves from the Chicago +firemen, and had delighted and astonished many people by the exhibitions +of their skill in the evolutions through which they were put while +visiting some chief cities of the Republic. + +Now, being commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Army, +he went to New York and organized from the firemen of that city a +similar regiment, known as the Eleventh New York. + +Colonel Ellsworth's Zouaves, on the evening of May 23, were sent with +a considerable force to occupy the heights overlooking Washington and +Alexandria, on the banks of the Potomac, opposite the national capital. + +Next day, seeing a Confederate flag flying from the Marshall House, +a tavern in Alexandria kept by a secessionist, he went up through the +building to the roof and pulled it down. While on his way down the +stairs, with the flag in his arms, he was met by the tavern-keeper, who +shot and killed him instantly. Ellsworth fell, dyeing the Confederate +flag with the blood that gushed from his heart. The tavern-keeper was +instantly killed by a shot from Private Brownell, of the Ellsworth +Zouaves, who was at hand when his commander fell. + +The death of Ellsworth, needless though it may have been, caused a +profound sensation throughout the country, where he was well known. He +was among the very first martyrs of the war, as he had been one of the +first volunteers. + +Lincoln was overwhelmed with sorrow. He had the body of the lamented +young officer taken to the White House, where it lay in state until the +burial took place, and, even in the midst of his increasing cares, he +found time to sit alone and in grief-stricken meditation by the bier of +the dead young soldier of whose career he had cherished so great hopes. + +The life-blood from Ellsworth's heart had stained not only the +Confederate flag, but a gold medal found under his uniform, bearing the +legend: "Non solum nobis, sed pro patria"; "Not for ourselves alone, but +for the country." + + + + +GENERAL SCOTT AND THE STARS AND STRIPES + +BY E. D. TOWNSEND (ADAPTED) + +One day, as the general was sitting at his table in the office, the +messenger announced that a person desired to see him a moment in order +to present a gift. + +A German was introduced, who said that he was commissioned by a house in +New York to present General Scott with a small silk banner. It was very +handsome, of the size of a regimental flag, and was made of a single +piece of silk stamped with the Stars and Stripes of the proper colors. + +The German said that the manufacturers who had sent the banner, wished +to express thus the great respect they felt for General Scott, and their +sense of his importance to the country in that perilous time. + +The general was highly pleased, and, in accepting the gift, assured +the donors that the flag should hang in his room wherever he went, and +enshroud him when he died. + +As soon as the man was gone, the general desired that the stars might be +counted to see if ALL the States were represented. They were ALL there. + +The flag was then draped between the windows over the couch where the +general frequently reclined for rest during the day. It went with him in +his berth when he sailed for Europe, after his retirement, and enveloped +his coffin when he was interred at West Point. + + + + + +INDEPENDENCE DAY + +(JULY 4) + + + + +THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE + +BY WASHINGTON IRVING + +While danger was gathering round New York, and its inhabitants were +in mute suspense and fearful anticipations, the General Congress +at Philadelphia was discussing, with closed doors, what John Adams +pronounced: "The greatest question ever debated in America, and as great +as ever was or will be debated among men." The result was, a resolution +passed unanimously on the 2d of July; "that these United Colonies are, +and of right ought to be, free and independent States." + +"The 2d of July," adds the same patriot statesman, "will be the most +memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it +will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary +festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by +solemn acts of devotion to Almighty God. It ought to be solemnized with +pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and +illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this +time forth forevermore." + +The glorious event has, indeed, given rise to an annual jubilee; but +not on the day designated by Adams. The FOURTH of July is the day of +national rejoicing, for on that day the "Declaration of Independence," +that solemn and sublime document, was adopted. + +Tradition gives a dramatic effect to its announcement. It was known +to be under discussion, but the closed doors of Congress excluded the +populace. They awaited, in throngs, an appointed signal. In the steeple +of the State House was a bell, imported twenty-three years previously +from London by the Provincial Assembly of Pennsylvania. It bore the +portentous text from Scripture: "Proclaim Liberty throughout all the +land, unto all the inhabitants thereof." A joyous peal from that bell +gave notice that the bill had been passed. It was the knell of British +domination. + + + + +THE SIGNING OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE + +BY H. A. GUERBER [4] + +[Footnote 4: From The Story of the Thirteen Colonies. Copyright, 1898, +by H. A. Guerber. American Book Company, publishers.] + + +John Hancock, President of Congress, was the first to sign the +Declaration of Independence, writing his name in large, plain letters, +and saying:-- + +"There! John Bull can read my name without spectacles. Now let him +double the price on my head, for this is my defiance." + +Then he turned to the other members, and solemnly declared:-- + +"We must be unanimous. There must be no pulling different ways. We must +all hang together." + +"Yes," said Franklin, quaintly: "we must all hang together, or most +assuredly we shall all hang separately." + +We are told that Charles Carroll, thinking that his writing looked +shaky, added the words, "of Carrollton," so that the king should not be +able to make any mistake as to whose name stood there. + + +A BRAVE GIRL + +BY JAMES JOHONNOT (ADAPTED) [41] + + +[Footnote 41: From Stories of Heroic Deeds. Copyright, 1887, by D. +Appleton and Company. American Book Company, publishers.] + + +In the year 1781 the war was chiefly carried on in the South, but the +North was constantly troubled by bands of Tories and Indians, who would +swoop down on small settlements and make off with whatever they could +lay their hands on. + +During this time General Schuyler was staying at his house, which stood +just outside the stockade or walls of Albany. The British commander sent +out a party of Tories and Indians to capture the general. + +When they reached the outskirts of the city they learned from a Dutch +laborer that the general's house was guarded by six soldiers, three +watching by night and three by day. They let the Dutchman go, and as +soon as the band was out of sight he hastened to Albany and warned the +general of their approach. + +Schuyler gathered his family in one of the upper rooms of his house, +and giving orders that the doors and windows should be barred, fired a +pistol from a top-story window, to alarm the neighborhood. + +The soldiers on guard, who had been lounging in the shade of a tree, +started to their feet at the sound of the pistol; but, alas! too late, +for they found themselves surrounded by a crowd of dusky forms, who +bound them hand and foot, before they had time to resist. + +In the room upstairs was the sturdy general, standing resolutely at the +door, with gun in hand, while his black slaves were gathered about him, +each with a weapon. At the other end of the room the women were huddled +together, some weeping and some praying. + +Suddenly a deafening crash was heard. The Indian band had broken +into the house. With loud shouts they began to pillage and to destroy +everything in sight. While they were yet busy downstairs, Mrs. Schuyler +sprang to her feet and rushed to the door; for she had suddenly +remembered that the baby, who was only a few months old, was asleep in +its cradle in a room on the first floor. + +The general caught his wife in his arms, and implored her not to go to +certain death, saying that if any one was to go he would. While this +generous struggle between husband and wife was going on, their young +daughter, who had been standing near the door, glided by them, and +descended the stairs. + +All was dark in the hall, excepting where the light shone from the +dining-room in which the Indians were pillaging the shelves and fighting +over their booty. How to get past the dining-room door was the question, +but the brave girl did not hesitate. Reaching the lower hall, she walked +very deliberately forward, softly but quickly passing the door, and +unobserved reached the room in which was the cradle. + +She caught up the baby, crept back past the open door, and was just +mounting the stairs, when one of the savages happened to see her. + +"WHIZ"--and his sharp tomahawk struck the stair rail within a few inches +of the baby's head. But the frightened girl hurried on, and in a few +seconds was safe in her father's arms. + +As for the Indians, fearing an attack from the near-by garrison, they +hastened away with the booty they had collected, and left General +Schuyler and his family unharmed. + + + + +THE BOSTON TEA-PARTY + +BY JOHN ANDREWS (ADAPTED) [5] + + +[Footnote 5: From a letter written to a friend in 1773.] + + +On November 29, 1773, there arrived in Boston Harbor a ship carrying an +hundred and odd chests of the detested tea. The people in the country +roundabout, as well as the town's folk, were unanimous against allowing +the landing of it; but the agents in charge of the consignment persisted +in their refusal to take the tea back to London. The town bells were +rung, for a general muster of the citizens. Handbills were stuck up +calling on "Friends! Citizens! Countrymen!" + +Mr. Rotch, the owner of the ship, found himself exposed not only to the +loss of his ship, but to the loss of the money-value of the tea itself, +if he should attempt to send her back without clearance papers from the +custom-house; for the admiral kept a vessel in readiness to seize +any ship which might leave without those papers. Therefore, Mr. Rotch +declared that his ship should not carry back the tea without either +the proper clearance or the promise of full indemnity for any losses he +might incur. + +Matters continued thus for some days, when a general muster was called +of the people of Boston and of all the neighboring towns. They met, to +the number of five or six thousand, at ten o'clock in the morning, in +the Old South Meeting-House; where they passed a unanimous vote THAT THE +TEA SHOULD GO OUT OF THE HARBOR THAT AFTERNOON! + +A committee, with Mr. Rotch, was sent to the custom-house to demand a +clearance. This the collector said he could not give without the duties +first being paid. Mr. Rotch was then sent to ask for a pass from +the governor, who returned answer that "consistent with the rules of +government and his duty to the king he could not grant one without they +produced a previous clearance from the office." + +By the time Mr. Rotch returned to the Old South Meeting-House with +this message, the candles were lighted and the house still crowded with +people. When the governor's message was read a prodigious shout was +raised, and soon afterward the moderator declared the meeting dissolved. +This caused another general shout, outdoors and in, and what with +the noise of breaking up the meeting, one might have thought that the +inhabitants of the infernal regions had been let loose. + +That night there mustered upon Fort Hill about two hundred strange +figures, SAID TO BE INDIANS FROM NARRAGANSETT. They were clothed in +blankets, with heads muffled, and had copper-colored countenances. Each +was armed with a hatchet or axe, and a pair of pistols. They spoke a +strange, unintelligible jargon. + +They proceeded two by two to Griffin's Wharf, where three tea-ships lay, +each with one hundred and fourteen chests of the ill-fated article on +board. And before nine o'clock in the evening every chest was knocked +into pieces and flung over the sides. + +Not the least insult was offered to any one, save one Captain Conner, +who had ripped up the linings of his coat and waistcoat, and, watching +his opportunity, had filled them with tea. But, being detected, he was +handled pretty roughly. They not only stripped him of his clothes, but +gave him a coat of mud, with a severe bruising into the bargain. Nothing +but their desire not to make a disturbance prevented his being tarred +and feathered. + +The tea being thrown overboard, all the Indians disappeared in a most +marvelous fashion. + +The next day, if a stranger had walked through the streets of Boston, +and had observed the calm composure of the people, he would hardly have +thought that ten thousand pounds sterling of East India Company's tea +had been destroyed the night before. + + + + +A GUNPOWDER STORY + +BY JOHN ESTEN COOKE (ADAPTED) + +[Footnote 6: From Stories of the Old Dominion. Used by permission of the +American Book Company, publishers.] + + +In the autumn of 1777 the English decided to attack Fort Henry, at +Wheeling, in northwestern Virginia. This was an important border fort +named in honor of Patrick Henry, and around which had grown up a small +village of about twenty-five log houses. + +A band of Indians, under the leadership of one Simon Girty, was supplied +by the English with muskets and ammunition, and sent against the fort. +This Girty was a white man, who, when a boy, had been captured by +Indians, and brought up by them. He had joined their tribes, and was a +ferocious and bloodthirsty leader of savage bands. + +When the settlers at Wheeling heard that Simon Girty and his Indians +were advancing on the town, they left their homes and hastened into the +fort. Scarcely had they done so when the savages made their appearance. + +The defenders of the fort knew that a desperate fight must now take +place, and there seemed little probability that they would be able to +hold out against their assailants. They had only forty two fighting men, +including old men and boys, while the Indian force numbered about five +hundred. + +What was worse they had but a small amount of gunpowder. A keg +containing the main supply had been left by accident in one of the +village houses. This misfortune, as you will soon see, brought about the +brave action of a young girl. + +After several encounters with the savages, which took place in the +village, the defenders withdrew to the fort. Then a number of Indians +advanced with loud yells, firing as they came. The fire was returned +by the defenders, each of whom had picked out his man, and taken deadly +aim. Most of the attacking party were killed, and the whole body of +Indians fell back into the near-by woods, and there awaited a more +favorable opportunity to renew hostilities. + +The men in the fort now discovered, to their great dismay, that their +gunpowder was nearly gone. What was to be done? Unless they could get +another supply, they would not be able to hold the fort, and they and +their women and children would either be massacred or carried into +captivity. + +Colonel Shepherd, who was in command, explained to the settlers exactly +how matters stood. He also told them of the forgotten keg of powder +which was in a house standing about sixty yards from the gate of the +fort. + +It was plain to all that if any man should attempt to procure the keg, +he would almost surely be shot by the lurking Indians. In spite of this +three or four young men volunteered to go on the dangerous mission. + +Colonel Shepherd replied that he could not spare three or four strong +men, as there were already too few for the defense. Only one man should +make the attempt and they might decide who was to go. This caused a +dispute. + +Just then a young girl stepped forward and said that SHE was ready +to go. Her name was Elizabeth Zane, and she had just returned from a +boarding-school in Philadelphia. This made her brave offer all the more +remarkable, since she had not been bred up to the fearless life of the +border. + +At first the men would not hear of her running such a risk. She was told +that it meant certain death. But she urged that they could not spare +a man from the defense, and that the loss of one girl would not be an +important matter. So after some discussion the settlers agreed that she +should go for the powder. + +The house, as has already been stated, stood about sixty yards from the +fort, and Elizabeth hoped to run thither and bring back the powder in a +few minutes. The gate was opened, and she passed through, running like a +deer. + +A few straggling Indians were dodging about the log houses of the town; +they saw the fleeing girl, but for some reason they did not fire upon +her. They may have supposed that she was returning to her home to rescue +her clothes. Possibly they thought it a waste of good ammunition to fire +at a woman, when they were so sure of taking the fort before long. So +they looked on quietly while, with flying skirts, Elizabeth ran across +the open, and entered the house. + +She found the keg of powder, which was not large. She lifted it with +both arms, and, holding the precious burden close to her breast, she +darted out of the house and ran in the direction of the fort. + +When the Indians saw what she was carrying they uttered fierce yells +and fired. The bullets fell like hail about her, but not one so much as +touched her garments. With the keg hugged to her bosom, she ran on, and +reached the fort in safety. The gate closed upon her just as the bullets +of the Indians buried themselves in its thick panels. + +The rescued gunpowder enabled the little garrison to hold out until help +arrived from the other settlements near Wheeling. And Girty, seeing that +there were no further hopes of taking Fort Henry, withdrew his band. + +Thus a weak but brave girl was the means of saving strong men with their +wives and children. It was a heroic act, and Americans should never +forget to honor the name of Elizabeth Zane. + + + + +THE CAPTURE OF FORT TICONDEROGA + +BY WASHINGTON IRVING (ADAPTED) + +Some bold spirits in Connecticut conceived the project of surprising the +old forts of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, already famous in the French +War. Their situation on Lake Champlain gave them the command of the main +route into Canada so that the possession of them would be all-important +in case of hostilities. They were feebly garrisoned and negligently +guarded, and abundantly furnished with artillery and military stores so +needed by the patriot army. + +At this juncture Ethan Allen stepped forward, a patriot, and volunteered +with his "Green Mountain Boys." He was well fitted for the enterprise. +During the border warfare over the New Hampshire Grants, he and his +lieutenants had been outlawed by the Legislature of New York and +rewards offered for their apprehension. He and his associates had armed +themselves, set New York at defiance, and had sworn they would be the +death of any one who should try to arrest them. + +Thus Ethan Allen had become a kind of Robin Hood among the mountains. +His experience as a frontier champion, his robustness of mind and +body, and his fearless spirit made him a most desirable leader in the +expedition against Fort Ticonderoga. Therefore he was appointed at the +head of the attacking force. + +Accompanied by Benjamin Arnold and two other officers, Allen and his +party of soldiers who had been enlisted from several States, set out +and arrived at Shoreham, opposite Fort Ticonderoga on the shore of Lake +Champlain. They reached the place at night-time. There were only a few +boats on hand, but the transfer of men began immediately. It was slow +work. The night wore away; day was about to break, and but eighty-three +men, with Allen and Arnold, had crossed. Should they wait for the rest +to cross over, day would dawn, the garrison wake, and their enterprise +might fail. + +Allen drew up his men, addressed them in his own emphatic style, and +announced his intention of making a dash at the fort without waiting for +more force. + +"It is a desperate attempt," said he, "and I ask no man to go against +his will. I will take the lead, and be the first to advance. You that +are willing to follow, poise your firelocks!" + +Not a firelock but was poised! + +They mounted the hill briskly but in silence, guided by a boy from the +neighborhood. + +The day dawned as Allen arrived at a sally-port. A sentry pulled trigger +on him, but his piece missed fire. He retreated through a covered way. +Allen and his men followed. Another sentry thrust at an officer with his +bayonet, but was struck down by Allen, and begged for quarter. It was +granted on condition of his leading the way instantly to the quarters of +the commandant, Captain Delaplace, who was yet in bed. + +Being arrived there, Allen thundered at the door, and demanded a +surrender of the fort. By this time his followers had formed into two +lines on the parade-ground, and given three hearty cheers. + +The commandant appeared at the door half-dressed, the frightened face +of his pretty wife peering over his shoulder. He gazed at Allen in +bewildered astonishment. + +"By whose authority do you act?" exclaimed he. + +"In the name of the Continental Congress!" replied Allen, with a +flourish of his sword, and an oath which we do not care to subjoin. + +There was no disputing the point. The garrison, like the commandant, +had been startled from sleep, and made prisoners as they rushed forth +in their confusion. A surrender accordingly took place. The captain +and forty-eight men who composed his garrison were sent prisoners to +Hartford, in Connecticut. + +And thus without the loss of a single man, one of the important forts, +commanding the main route into Canada, fell into the hands of the +patriots. + + + + +WASHINGTON AND THE COWARDS + +BY WASHINGTON IRVING (ADAPTED) + +During the evacuation of New York by Washington, two divisions of the +enemy, encamped on Long Island, one British under Sir Henry Clinton, the +other Hessian under Colonel Donop, emerged in boats from the deep wooded +recesses of Newtown Inlet, and under cover of the fire from the ships +began to land at two points between Turtle and Kip's Bays. + +The breastworks were manned by patriot militia who had recently served +in Brooklyn. Disheartened by their late defeat, they fled at the first +advance of the enemy. Two brigades of Putnam's Connecticut troops, +which had been sent that morning to support them, caught the panic, and, +regardless of the commands and entreaties of their officers, joined in +the general scamper. + +At this moment Washington, who had mounted his horse at the first sound +of the cannonade, came galloping to the scene of confusion. Riding in +among the fugitives he endeavored to rally and restore them to order. +All in vain. At the first appearance of sixty or seventy redcoats, they +broke again without firing a shot, and fled in headlong terror. + +Losing all self-command at the sight of such dastardly conduct, +Washington dashed his hat upon the ground in a transport of rage. + +"Are these the men," exclaimed he, "with whom I am to defend America!" + +In a paroxysm of passion and despair he snapped his pistols at some of +them, threatened others with his sword, and was so heedless of his own +danger that he might have fallen into the hands of the enemy, who were +not eighty yards distant, had not an aide-de-camp seized the bridle of +his horse, and absolutely hurried him away. + +It was one of the rare moments of his life when the vehement element of +his nature was stirred up from its deep recesses. He soon recovered his +self-possession, and took measures against the general peril. + + + + + +LABOR DAY + +(FIRST MONDAY IN SEPTEMBER) + + + + +THE SMITHY + +A HINDU FABLE + +BY P. V. RAMASWAMI RAJU (ADAPTED) + +Once words ran high in a smithy. + +The furnace said: "If I cease to burn, the smithy must close." + +The bellows said: "If I cease to blow, no fire, no smithy." + +The hammer and anvil, also, each claimed the sole credit for keeping up +the smithy. + +The ploughshare that had been shaped by the furnace, the bellows, the +hammer and the anvil, cried: "It is not each of you alone, that keeps up +the smithy, but ALL TOGETHER." + + + + +THE NAIL + +BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM (TRANSLATED)[7] + + +[Footnote 7: From the Riverside Fourth Reader.] + + +A merchant had done good business at the fair; he had sold his wares, +and filled his bag with gold and silver. Then he set out at once on his +journey home, for he wished to be in his own house before night. + +At noon he rested in a town. When he wanted to go on, the stable-boy +brought his horse, saying: + +"A nail is wanting, sir, in the shoe of his left hind foot." + +"Let it be wanting," answered the merchant; "the shoe will stay on for +the six miles I have still to go. I am in a hurry." + +In the afternoon he got down at an inn and had his horse fed. The +stable-boy came into the room to him and said: "Sir, a shoe is wanting +from your horse's left hind foot. Shall I take him to the blacksmith?" + +"Let it still be wanting," said the man; "the horse can very well hold +out for a couple of miles more. I am in a hurry." + +So the merchant rode forth, but before long the horse began to limp. He +had not limped long before he began to stumble, and he had not stumbled +long before he fell down and broke his leg. The merchant had to leave +the horse where he fell, and unstrap the bag, take it on his back, and +go home on foot. + +"That unlucky nail," said he to himself, "has made all this trouble." + + + + +THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER + +BY HORACE E. SCUDDER + +There was once a shoemaker who worked very hard and was honest. Still, +he could not earn enough to live on. At last, all he had in the world +was gone except just leather enough to make one pair of shoes. He cut +these out at night, and meant to rise early the next morning to make +them up. + +His heart was light in spite of his troubles, for his conscience was +clear. So he went quietly to bed, left all his cares to God, and fell +asleep. In the morning he said his prayers, and sat down to work, when, +to his great wonder, there stood the shoes, already made, upon the +table. + +The good man knew not what to say or think. He looked at the work. There +was not one false stitch in the whole job. All was neat and true. + +That same day a customer came in, and the shoes pleased him so well that +he readily paid a price higher than usual for them. The shoemaker took +the money and bought leather enough to make two pairs more. He cut out +the work in the evening, and went to bed early. He wished to be up with +the sun and get to work. + +He was saved all trouble, for when he got up in the morning, the work +was done. Pretty soon buyers came in, who paid him well for his goods. +So he bought leather enough for four pairs more. + +He cut out the work again overnight, and found it finished in the +morning as before. So it went on for some time. What was got ready at +night was always done by daybreak, and the good man soon was well-to-do. + +One evening, at Christmas-time, he and his wife sat over the fire, +chatting, and he said: "I should like to sit up and watch to-night, that +we may see who it is that comes and does my work for me." So they left +the light burning, and hid themselves behind a curtain to see what would +happen. + +As soon as it was midnight, there came two little Elves. They sat upon +the shoemaker's bench, took up all the work that was cut out, and began +to ply their little fingers. They stitched and rapped and tapped at such +a rate that the shoemaker was amazed, and could not take his eyes off +them for a moment. + +On they went till the job was done, and the shoes stood, ready for use, +upon the table. This was long before daybreak. Then they ran away as +quick as lightning. + +The next day the wife said to the shoemaker: "These little Elves have +made us rich, and we ought to be thankful to them, and do them some +good in return. I am vexed to see them run about as they do. They have +nothing upon their backs to keep off the cold. I'll tell you what we +must do. I will make each of them a shirt, and a coat and waistcoat, and +a pair of pantaloons into the bargain. Do you make each of them a little +pair of shoes." + +The good shoemaker liked the thought very well. One evening he and his +wife had the clothes ready, and laid them on the table instead of the +work they used to cut out. Then they went and hid behind the curtain to +watch what the little Elves would do. + +At midnight the Elves came in and were going to sit down at their work +as usual. But when they saw the clothes lying there for them, they +laughed and were in high glee. They dressed themselves in the twinkling +of an eye, and danced and capered and sprang about as merry as could be, +till at last they danced out of the door, and over the green. + +The shoemaker saw them no more, but everything went well with him as +long as he lived. + + + + +THE HILLMAN AND THE HOUSEWIFE + +BY JULIANA HORATIA EWING (ADAPTED) + +It is well known that the Fairy People cannot abide meanness. They like +to be liberally dealt with when they beg or borrow of the human race; +and, on the other hand, to those who come to them in need, they are +invariably generous. + +Now there once lived a certain housewife who had a sharp eye to her own +interests, and gave alms of what she had no use for, hoping to get some +reward in return. One day a Hillman knocked at her door. + +"Can you lend us a saucepan, good mother?" said he. "There's a wedding +in the hill, and all the pots are in use." + +"Is he to have one?" asked the servant lass who had opened the door. + +"Aye, to be sure," answered the housewife; "one must be neighborly." + +But when the maid was taking a saucepan from the shelf, the housewife +pinched her arm and whispered sharply: "Not that, you good-for-nothing! +Get the old one out of the cupboard. It leaks, and the Hillmen are so +neat, and such nimble workers, that they are sure to mend it before they +send it home. So one obliges the Fairy People, and saves sixpence in +tinkering!" + +Thus bidden the maid fetched the saucepan, which had been laid by until +the tinker's next visit, and gave it to the Hillman, who thanked her and +went away. + +In due time the saucepan was returned, and, as the housewife had +foreseen, it was neatly mended and ready for use. + +At supper-time the maid filled the pan with milk, and set it on the fire +for the children's supper. But in a few minutes the milk was so burnt +and smoked that no one could touch it, and even the pigs refused to +drink it. + +"Ah, good-for-nothing hussy!" cried the housewife, as she refilled the +pan herself, "you would ruin the richest with your carelessness! There's +a whole quart of good milk wasted at once!" + +"AND THAT'S TWOPENCE!" cried a voice that seemed to come from the +chimney, in a whining tone, like some discontented old body going over +her grievances. + +The housewife had not left the saucepan for two minutes, when the milk +boiled over, and it was all burnt and smoked as before. + +"The pan must be dirty," muttered the good woman in vexation, "and there +are two full quarts of milk as good as thrown to the dogs." + +"AND THAT'S FOURPENCE!" added the voice in the chimney. + +After a thorough cleaning the saucepan was once more filled and set on +the fire, but with no better success. The milk boiled over again, and +was hopelessly spoiled. The housewife shed tears of anger at the waste +and cried: "Never before did such a thing befall me since I kept house! +Three quarts of new milk burnt for one meal." + +"AND THAT'S SIXPENCE!" cried the voice in the chimney. "You didn't save +the tinkering after all, mother!" + +With that the Hillman himself came tumbling down from the chimney, and +went off laughing through the door. + +But from then on the saucepan was as good as any other. + + + + +HOFUS THE STONE-CUTTER + +A JAPANESE LEGEND + +FROM THE RIVERSIDE THIRD READER (ADAPTED) + +Once upon a time in Japan, there was a poor stone-cutter, named Hofus, +who used to go every day to the mountain-side to cut great blocks of +stone. He lived near the mountain in a little stone hut, and worked hard +and was happy. + +One day he took a load of stone to the house of a rich man. There he saw +so many beautiful things that when he went back to his mountain he could +think of nothing else. Then he began to wish that he too might sleep in +a bed as soft as down, with curtains of silk, and tassels of gold. And +he sighed:-- + + "Ah me! Ah me! + If Hofus only were rich as he!" + + +To his surprise, the voice of the Mountain Spirit answered:-- + + "Have thou thy wish!" + + +When Hofus returned home that evening his little hut was gone, and in +its place stood a great palace. It was filled with beautiful things, and +the best of all was a bed of down, with curtains of silk and tassels of +gold. + +Hofus decided to work no more. But he was not used to being idle, and +time passed slowly,--the days seemed very long. + +One day as he sat by the window he saw a carriage dash past. It was +drawn by snow-white horses. In it sat a prince, while before and behind +were servants in suits of blue and white. One was holding a golden +umbrella over the prince. + +When the stone-cutter saw this, he began to feel unhappy, and he +sighed:-- + + "Ah me! Ah me! + If Hofus only a prince might be!" + + +And again the same voice that he had heard on the mountain answered:-- + + "Be thou a prince!" + + +Straightway Hofus was a prince. He had servants dressed in crimson and +gold, and he rode in a carriage with a golden umbrella over his head. + +For a short time he was happy, but one day, as he walked in the garden, +he saw that the flowers were drooping, the grass was dry and brown. And +when he rode out he felt the hot sun burn him in spite of his umbrella. + +"The sun is mightier than I," thought he, and then he sighed:-- + + "Ah me! Ah me! + If Hofus only the sun might be!" + + +And the voice answered:-- + + "Be thou the sun!" + +Straightway the great sun he became. He burned the grass and rice +fields. He dried up the streams. Rich and poor alike suffered from the +terrible heat. + +One day a cloud came and rested in front of him, and hid the earth from +his sight. He was angry and cried:-- + + "Ah me! Ah me! + If Hofus only a cloud might be!" + + +And the voice answered:-- + + "Be thou a cloud!" + + +Straightway a cloud he became. He floated before the face of the sun, +and hid the earth from it. + +Then day after day the cloud dropped rain. The rivers overflowed, and +the rice-fields were covered with water. Towns were swept away. Only the +great rocks on the mountain-side stood unmoved midst the flood. + +The cloud looked at them in wonder, then he sighed:-- + + "Ah me! Ah me! + If Hofus only a rock might be!" + + +And the voice answered:-- + + "Be thou a rock!" + + +Straightway a rock he became. Proudly he stood. The sun could not burn +him and the rain could not move him. + +"Now, at last," he said, "no one is mightier than I." + +But one day he was waked from his dreams by a noise,--tap! tap! +tap!--down at his feet. He looked and there was a stone-cutter driving +his tool into the rock. Another blow and the great rock shivered; a +block of stone broke away. + +"That man is mightier than I!" cried Hofus, and he sighed:-- + + "Ah me! Ah me! + If Hofus only the man might be!" + + +And the voice answered:-- + + "Be thou thyself!" + + +And straightway Hofus was himself again,--a poor stone-cutter, working +all day upon the mountain-side, and going home at night to his little +hut. But he was content and happy, and never again did he wish to be +other than Hofus the stone-cutter. + + + + +ARACHNE + +BY JOSEPHINE PRESTON PEABODY + +There was a certain maiden of Lydia, Arachne by name, renowned +throughout the country for her skill as a weaver. She was as nimble with +her fingers as Calypso, that Nymph who kept Odysseus for seven years in +her enchanted island. She was as untiring as Penelope, the hero's wife, +who wove day after day while she watched for his return. Day in and +day out, Arachne wove too. The very Nymphs would gather about her loom, +Naiads from the water and Dryads from the trees. + +"Maiden," they would say, shaking the leaves or the foam from their +hair, in wonder, "Pallas Athena must have taught you!" + +But this did not please Arachne. She would not acknowledge herself a +debtor, even to that goddess who protected all household arts, and by +whose grace alone one had any skill in them. + +"I learned not of Athena," said she. "If she can weave better, let her +come and try." + +The Nymphs shivered at this, and an aged woman, who was looking on, +turned to Arachne. + +"Be more heedful of your words, my daughter," said she. "The goddess may +pardon you if you ask forgiveness, but do not strive for honors with the +immortals." + +Arachne broke her thread, and the shuttle stopped humming. + +"Keep your counsel," she said. "I fear not Athena; no, nor any one +else." + +As she frowned at the old woman, she was amazed to see her change +suddenly into one tall, majestic, beautiful,--a maiden of gray eyes and +golden hair, crowned with a golden helmet. It was Athena herself. + +The bystanders shrank in fear and reverence; only Arachne was unawed and +held to her foolish boast. + +In silence the two began to weave, and the Nymphs stole nearer, coaxed +by the sound of the shuttles, that seemed to be humming with delight +over the two webs,--back and forth like bees. + +They gazed upon the loom where the goddess stood plying her task, and +they saw shapes and images come to bloom out of the wondrous colors, as +sunset clouds grow to be living creatures when we watch them. And they +saw that the goddess, still merciful, was spinning; as a warning for +Arachne, the pictures of her own triumph over reckless gods and mortals. + +In one corner of the web she made a story of her conquest over the +sea-god Poseidon. For the first king of Athens had promised to dedicate +the city to that god who should bestow upon it the most useful +gift. Poseidon gave the horse. But Athena gave the olive,--means of +livelihood,--symbol of peace and prosperity, and the city was called +after her name. Again she pictured a vain woman of Troy, who had been +turned into a crane for disputing the palm of beauty with a goddess. +Other corners of the web held similar images, and the whole shone like a +rainbow. + +Meanwhile Arachne, whose head was quite turned with vanity, embroidered +her web with stories against the gods, making light of Zeus himself and +of Apollo, and portraying them as birds and beasts. But she wove with +marvelous skill; the creatures seemed to breathe and speak, yet it was +all as fine as the gossamer that you find on the grass before rain. + +Athena herself was amazed. Not even her wrath at the girl's insolence +could wholly overcome her wonder. For an instant she stood entranced; +then she tore the web across, and three times she touched Arachne's +forehead with her spindle. + +"Live on, Arachne," she said. "And since it is your glory to weave, you +and yours must weave forever." So saying, she sprinkled upon the maiden +a certain magical potion. + +Away went Arachne's beauty; then her very human form shrank to that of a +spider, and so remained. As a spider she spent all her days weaving and +weaving; and you may see something like her handiwork any day among the +rafters. + + + + +THE METAL KING + +A GERMAN FOLE-TALE + +(ADAPTED) + +Once long ago there was a high mountain whose rocks were veined with +gold and silver and seamed with iron. At times, from a huge rent in the +mountain-side, there shot out roaring, red flames, and clouds of black +smoke. And when the village folk in the valley below saw this, they +would say: "Look! the Metal King is at his forge." For they knew that in +the gloomy heart of the mountain, the Metal King and his Spirits of the +Mines wrought in gold and iron. + +When the storm raged over the valley, the Metal King left his cavern +and riding on the wings of the wind, with thundering shouts, hurled +his red-hot bolts into the valley, now killing the peasants and their +cattle, now burning houses and barns. + +But when the weather was soft and mild, and the breezes blew gently +about the mouth of his cavern, the Metal King returned to his forge in +the depths of the mountain, and there shaped ploughshares and many other +implements of iron. These he placed outside his cavern door, as gifts to +the poor peasants. + +It happened, on a time, there lived in that valley a lazy lad, who +would neither till his fields nor ply a trade. He was avaricious, but he +longed to win gold without mining, and wealth and fame without labor. So +it came to pass that he set out one day to find the mountain treasure of +the Metal King. + +Taking a lighted lantern in one hand, a hatchet in the other, and a +bundle of twigs under his arm, he entered the dark cavern. The dampness +smote his cheek, bats flapped their wings in his face. Shivering with +fear and cold, he pressed on through a long passage under an arched +and blackened roof. As he passed along he dropped his twigs, one after +another, so that they might guide him aright when he returned. + +He came at last to a place where the passage branched off in two +directions,--to the right and to the left. Choosing the right-hand path, +he walked on and at length came to an iron door. He struck it twice with +his hammer. It flew open, and a strong current of air rushing forth put +out his light. + +"Come in! Come in!" shouted a voice like the rolling of thunder, and the +cavern echoes gave back the sounds. + +Almost overcome by terror and shivering in every limb, the lad entered. +As he stepped forward a dazzling light shone from the vaulted roof +upheld by massive columns, and across the crystal side-walls flittered +curious, shadowy figures. + +The Metal King, huge and fierce-eyed, surrounded by the misshapen +Spirits of the Mines, sat upon a block of pure silver, with a pile of +shining gold lying before him. + +"Come in, my friend!" he shouted again, and again the echoes rolled +through the cavern. + +"Come near, and sit beside me." + +The lad advanced, pale and trembling, and took his seat upon the silver +block. + +"Bring out more treasure," cried the Metal King, and at his command the +Mountain Spirits fluttered away like dreams, only to return in a moment +and pile high before the wondering lad bars of red gold, mounds of +silver coin, and stacks of precious jewels. + +And when the lad saw all that wealth he felt his heart burst with +longing to grasp it, but when he tried to put out his hand, he found +that he could not move his arm, nor could he lift his feet, nor turn his +head. + +"Thou seest these riches," said the Metal King; "they are but a handful +compared with those thou mayest gain if thou wilt work with us in the +mines. Hard is the service but rich the reward! Only say the word, and +for a year and a day thou shalt be a Mountain Spirit." + +"Nay," stammered the lad, in great terror, "nay, I came not to work. All +I beg of thee is one bar of gold and a handful of the jewels that lie +here. If they are mine I can dress better than the village lads, and +ride in my own coach!" + +"Lazy, ungrateful wretch!" cried the Metal King, rising from his seat, +while his figure seemed to tower until his head touched the cavern roof, +"wouldst thou seize without pay the treasures gained through the hard +labor of my Mountain Spirits! Hence! Get thee gone to thy place! Seek +not here for unearned riches! Cast away thy discontented disposition and +thou shalt turn stones into gold. Dig well thy garden and thy fields, +sow them and tend them diligently, search the mountain-sides; and thou +shalt gain through thine industry mines of gold and silver!" + +Scarcely had the Metal King spoken when there was heard a screeching +as of ravens, a crying as of night owls, and a mighty storm wind came +rushing against the lad; and catching him up it drove him forth along +the dark passage, and down the mountain-side, so that in a minute he +found himself on the steps of his own house. + +And from that time on a strange change came over the lad. He no longer +idled and dreamed of sudden wealth, but morning, noon, and evening +he labored diligently, sowing his fields, cultivating his garden, +and mining on the mountain-side. Years came and went; all he touched +prospered, and he grew to be the richest man in that country; but never +again did he see the Metal King or the Spirits of the Mines. + + + + +THE CHOICE OF HERCULES + +BY XENOPHON (ADAPTED) + +Long, long ago, when the world was young, there were many deeds waiting +to be wrought by daring heroes. It was then that the mighty Hercules, +who was yet a lad, felt an exceeding great and strong desire to go out +into the wide world to seek his fortune. + +One day, while wandering alone and thoughtful, he came to a place where +two paths met. And sitting down he gravely considered which he should +follow. + +One path led over flowery meadows toward the darkening distance; the +other, passing over rough stones and rugged, brown furrows, lost itself +in the glowing sunset. + +And as Hercules gazed into the distance, he saw two stately maidens +coming toward him. + +The first was tall and graceful, and wrapped round in a snow-white +mantle. Her countenance was calm and beautiful. With gracious mien and +modest glance she drew near the lad. + +The other maiden made haste to outrun the first. She, too, was tall, +but seemed taller than she really was. She, too, was beautiful, but her +glance was bold. As she ran, a rosy garment like a cloud floated about +her form, and she kept looking at her own round arms and shapely hands, +and ever and anon she seemed to gaze admiringly at her shadow as it +moved along the ground. And this fair one did outstrip the first maiden, +and rushing forward held out her white hands to the lad, exclaiming:-- + +"I see thou art hesitating, O Hercules, by what path to seek thy +fortune. Follow me along this flowery way, and I will make it a +delightful and easy road. Thou shalt taste to the full of every kind of +pleasure. No shadow of annoyance shall ever touch thee, nor strain nor +stress of war and state disturb thy peace. Instead thou shalt tread upon +carpets soft as velvet, and sit at golden tables, or recline upon silken +couches. The fairest of maidens shall attend thee, music and perfume +shall lull thy senses, and all that is delightful to eat and drink shall +be placed before thee. Never shalt thou labor, but always live in joy +and ease. Oh, come! I give my followers liberty and delight!" + +And as she spoke the maiden stretched forth her arms, and the tones of +her voice were sweet and caressing. + +"What, O maiden," asked Hercules, "is thy name?" + +"My friends," said she, "call me Happiness, but mine enemies name me +Vice." + +Even as she spoke, the white-robed maiden, who had drawn near, glided +forward, and addressed the lad in gracious tones and with words stately +and winning:-- + +"O beloved youth, who wouldst wander forth in search of Life, I too, +would plead with thee! I, Virtue, have watched and tended thee from a +child. I know the fond care thy parents have bestowed to train thee for +a hero's part. Direct now thy steps along yon rugged path that leads +to my dwelling. Honorable and noble mayest thou become through thy +illustrious deeds. + +"I will not seduce thee by promises of vain delights; instead will +I recount to thee the things that really are. Lasting fame and true +nobility come not to mortals save through pain and labor. If thou, +O Hercules, seekest the gracious gifts of Heaven, thou must remain +constant in prayer; if thou wouldst be beloved of thy friends, thou must +serve thy friends; if thou desirest to be honored of the people thou +must benefit the people; if thou art anxious to reap the fruits of the +earth, thou must till the earth with labor; and if thou wishest to be +strong in body and accomplish heroic deeds, thou must teach thy body to +obey thy mind. Yea, all this and more also must thou do." + +"Seest thou not, O Hercules," cried Vice, "over how difficult and +tedious a road this Virtue would drive thee? I, instead, will conduct +thy steps by a short and easy path to perfect Happiness." + +"Wretched being!" answered Virtue, "wouldst thou deceive this lad! What +lasting Happiness hast thou to offer! Thou pamperest thy followers with +riches, thou deludest them with idleness; thou surfeitest them with +luxury; thou enfeeblest them with softness. In youth they grow slothful +in body and weak in mind. They live without labor and wax fat. They come +to a wretched old age, dissatisfied, and ashamed, and oppressed by +the memory of their ill deeds; and, having run their course, they lay +themselves down in melancholy death and their name is remembered no +more. + +"But those fortunate youths who follow me receive other counsel. I +am the companion of virtuous men. Always I am welcome in the homes of +artisans and in the cottages of tillers of the soil. I am the guardian +of industrious households, and the rewarder of generous masters +and faithful servants. I am the promoter of the labors of peace. No +honorable deed is accomplished without me. + +"My friends have sweet repose and the untroubled enjoyment of the fruits +of their efforts. They remember their deeds with an easy conscience +and contentment, and are beloved of their friends and honored by their +country. And when they have run their course, and death overtakes them, +their names are celebrated in song and praise, and they live in the +hearts of their grateful countrymen. + +"Come, then, O Hercules, thou son of noble parents, come, follow thou +me, and by thy worthy and illustrious deeds secure for thyself exalted +Happiness." + +She ceased, and Hercules, withdrawing his gaze from the face of Vice, +arose from his place, and followed Virtue along the rugged, brown path +of Labor. + + + + +THE SPEAKING STATUE + +FROM GESTA ROMANORUM (ADAPTED) + +There was once a great emperor who made a law that whosoever worked on +the birthday of his eldest son should be put to death. He caused this +decree to be published throughout his empire, and, sending for his chief +magician, said to him:-- + +"I wish you to devise an instrument which will tell me the name of each +laborer who breaks my new law." + +"Sire," answered the magician, "your will shall be accomplished." And he +straightway constructed a wonderful, speaking statue, and placed it in +the public square of the capital city. By its magic power this statue +could discern all that went on in the empire on the birthday of the +eldest prince, and it could tell the name of each laborer who worked in +secret on that day. Thus things continued for some years, and many men +were put to death. + +Now, there was in the capital city a carpenter named Focus. He was a +diligent workman, laboring at his trade from early morning till late at +night. One year, when the prince's birthday came round, he continued to +work all that day. + +The next morning he arose, dressed himself, and, before any one was +astir in the streets, went to the magic statue and said:-- + +"O statue, statue! because you have denounced so many of our citizens, +causing them to be put to death, I vow, if you accuse me, I will break +your head!" + +Shortly after this the emperor dispatched messengers to the statue to +inquire if the law had been broken the day before. When the statue saw +them, it exclaimed:-- + +"Friends, look up! What see ye written on my forehead?" + +They looked up and beheld three sentences that ran thus:-- + + "Times are altered! + "Men grow worse! + "He who speaks the truth will have his head broken!" + + +"Go," said the statue, "declare to His Majesty what ye have seen and +read." + +The messenger accordingly departed and returned in haste to the emperor, +and related to him all that had occurred. + +The emperor ordered his guard to arm and to march instantly to the +public square, where the statue was, and commanded that if any one had +attempted to injure it, he should be seized, bound hand and foot, and +dragged to the judgment hall. + +The guard hastened to do the emperor's bidding. They approached the +statue and said:-- + +"Our emperor commands you to tell who it is that threatened you." + +The statue answered: "Seize Focus the carpenter. Yesterday he defied the +emperor's edict; this morning he threatened to break my head." + +The soldiers immediately arrested Focus, and dragged him to the judgment +hall. + +"Friend," said the emperor, "what do I hear of you? Why do you work on +my son's birthday?" + +"Your Majesty," answered Focus, "it is impossible for me to keep your +law. I am obliged to earn eight pennies every day, therefore was I +forced to work yesterday." + +"And why eight pennies?" asked the emperor. + +"Every day through the year," answered Focus, "I am bound to repay +two pennies I borrowed in my youth; two I lend; two I lose; and two I +spend." + +"How is this?" said the emperor; "explain yourself further." + +"Your Majesty," replied Focus, "listen to me. I am bound each day to +repay two pennies to my old father, for when I was a boy he expended +upon me daily the like sum. Now he is poor and needs my assistance, and +I return what I formerly borrowed. Two other pennies I lend my son, who +is pursuing his studies, in order that, if by chance I should fall into +poverty, he may restore the loan to me, just as I am now doing to his +grandfather. Again, I lose two pennies on my wife, who is a scold +and has an evil temper. On account of her bad disposition I consider +whatever I give her entirely lost. Lastly, two other pennies I spend on +myself for meat and drink. I cannot do all this without working +every day. You now know the truth, and, I pray you, give a righteous +judgment." + +"Friend," said the emperor, "you have answered well. Go and work +diligently at your calling." + +That same day the emperor annulled the law forbidding labor on his +son's birthday. Not long after this he died, and Focus the carpenter, +on account of his singular wisdom, was elected emperor in his stead. He +governed wisely, and after his death there was deposited in the royal +archives a portrait of Focus wearing a crown adorned with eight pennies. + + + + +THE CHAMPION STONE-CUTTER + +BY HUGH MILLER + +David Fraser was a famous Scotch hewer. On hearing that it had been +remarked among a party of Edinburgh masons that, though regarded as the +first of Glasgow stone-cutters, he would find in the eastern capital +at least his equals, he attired himself most uncouthly in a long-tailed +coat of tartan, and, looking to the life the untamed, untaught, +conceited little Celt, he presented himself on Monday morning, armed +with a letter of introduction from a Glasgow builder, before the foreman +of an Edinburgh squad of masons engaged upon one of the finer buildings +at that time in the course of erection. + +The letter specified neither his qualifications nor his name. It had +been written merely to secure for him the necessary employment, and the +necessary employment it did secure. + +The better workmen of the party were engaged, on his arrival, in hewing +columns, each of which was deemed sufficient work for a week; and David +was asked somewhat incredulously, by the foreman, if he could hew. + +"Oh, yes, HE THOUGHT he could hew." + +"Could he hew columns such as these?" + +"Oh, yes, HE THOUGHT he could hew columns such as these." + +A mass of stone, in which a possible column lay hid, was accordingly +placed before David, not under cover of the shed, which was already +occupied by workmen, but, agreeably to David's own request, directly +in front of it, where he might be seen by all, and where he straightway +commenced a most extraordinary course of antics. + +Buttoning his long tartan coat fast around him, he would first look +along the stone from the one end, anon from the other, and then examine +it in front and rear; or, quitting it altogether for the time, he would +take up his stand beside the other workmen, and, after looking at them +with great attention, return and give it a few taps with the mallet, in +a style evidently imitative of theirs, but monstrously a caricature. + +The shed all that day resounded with roars of laughter; and the only +thoroughly grave man on the ground was he who occasioned the mirth of +all the others. + +Next morning David again buttoned his coat; but he got on much better +this day than the former. He was less awkward and less idle, though not +less observant than before; and he succeeded ere evening in tracing, +in workmanlike fashion, a few draughts along the future column. He was +evidently greatly improving! + +On the morning of Wednesday he threw off his coat; and it was seen that, +though by no means in a hurry, he was seriously at work. There were no +more jokes or laughter; and it was whispered in the evening that the +strange Highlander had made astonishing progress during the day. + +By the middle of Thursday he had made up for his two days' trifling, and +was abreast of the other workmen. Before night he was far ahead of them; +and ere the evening of Friday, when they had still a full day's work +on each of their columns, David's was completed in a style that defied +criticism; and, his tartan coat again buttoned around him, he sat +resting himself beside it. + +The foreman went out and greeted him. + +"Well," he said, "you have beaten us all. You certainly CAN hew!" + +"Yes," said David, "I THOUGHT I could hew columns. Did the other men +take much more than a week to learn?" + +"Come, come, DAVID FRASER," replied the foreman, "we all guess who you +are. You have had your week's joke out; and now, I suppose, we must give +you your week's wages, and let you go away!" + +"Yes," said David, "work waits for me in Glasgow; but I just thought it +might be well to know how you hewed on this east side of the country." + + + + +BILL BROWN'S TEST + +BY CLEVELAND MOFFETT + +All firemen have courage, but it cannot be known until the test how many +have this particular kind,--Bill Brown's kind. + +What happened was this: Engine 29, pumping and pounding her prettiest, +stood at the northwest corner of Greenwich and Warren streets, so close +to the blazing drug-house that Driver Marks thought it wasn't safe there +for the three horses, and led them away. That was fortunate, but it left +Brown alone, right against the cheek of the fire, watching his boiler, +stoking in coal, keeping his steam-gauge at 75. As the fire gained, +chunks of red-hot sandstone began to smash down on the engine. Brown ran +his pressure up to 80, and watched the door anxiously where the boys had +gone in. + +Then the explosion came, and a blue flame, wide as a house, curled its +tongues halfway across the street, enwrapping engine and man, setting +fire to the elevated railway station overhead, or such wreck of it as +the shock had left. + +Bill Brown stood by his engine, with a wall of fire before him and a +sheet of fire above him. He heard quick footsteps on the pavements, and +voices, that grew fainter and fainter, crying, "Run for your lives!" +He heard the hose-wagon horses somewhere back in the smoke go plunging +away, mad with fright and their burns. He was alone with the fire, and +the skin was hanging in shreds on his hands, face, and neck. Only a +fireman knows how one blast of flame can shrivel up a man, and the pain +over the bared surfaces was,--well, there is no pain worse than that of +fire scorching in upon the quick flesh seared by fire. + +Here, I think, was a crisis to make a very brave man quail. Bill Brown +knew perfectly well why every one was running; there was going to be +another explosion in a couple of minutes, maybe sooner, out of this hell +in front of him. And the order had come for every man to save himself, +and every man had done it except the lads inside. And the question was, +Should he run or should he stay and die? It was tolerably certain that +he would die if he stayed. On the other hand, the boys of old 29 were +in there. Devanny and McArthur, and Gillon and Merron, his friends, his +chums. He'd seen them drag the hose in through that door,--there it was +now, a long, throbbing snake of it,--and they hadn't come out. Perhaps +they were dead. Yes, but perhaps they weren't. If they were alive, they +needed water now more than they ever needed anything before. And they +couldn't get water if he quit his engine. + +Bill Brown pondered this a long time, perhaps four seconds; then he fell +to stoking in coal, and he screwed her up another notch, and he eased +her running parts with the oiler. Explosion or not, pain or not, alone +or not, he was going to stay and make that engine hum. He had done the +greatest thing a man can do,--had offered his life for his friends. + +It is pleasant to know that this sacrifice was averted. A quarter of a +minute or so before the second and terrible explosion, Devanny and his +men came staggering from the building. Then it was that Merron fell, and +McArthur checked his fight to save him. Then it was, but not until +then, that Bill Brown left Engine 29 to her fate (she was crushed by the +falling walls), and ran for his life with his comrades. He had waited +for them, he had stood the great test. + + + + + +COLUMBUS DAY + +(OCTOBER 12) + + + + +COLUMBUS AND THE EGG + +BY JAMES BALDWIN (ADAPTED) [8] + +[Footnote 8: From Thirty More Famous Stories Retold. Copyright, 1903, by +American Book Company.] + + +One day Columbus was at a dinner which a Spanish gentleman had given +in his honor, and several persons were present who were jealous of the +great admiral's success. They were proud, conceited fellows, and they +very soon began to try to make Columbus uncomfortable. + +"You have discovered strange lands beyond the seas," they said, "but +what of that? We do not see why there should be so much said about +it. Anybody can sail across the ocean; and anybody can coast along the +islands on the other side, just as you have done. It is the simplest +thing in the world." + +Columbus made no answer; but after a while he took an egg from a dish +and said to the company:-- + +"Who among you, gentlemen, can make this egg stand on end?" + +One by one those at the table tried the experiment. When the egg had +gone entirely around and none had succeeded, all said that it could not +be done. + +Then Columbus took the egg and struck its small end gently upon the +table so as to break the shell a little. After that there was no trouble +in making it stand upright. + +"Gentlemen," said he, "what is easier than to do this which you said +was impossible? It is the simplest thing in the world. Anybody can do +it,--AFTER HE HAS BEEN SHOWN HOW!" + + + + +COLUMBUS AT LA RABIDA + +BY WASHINGTON IRVING (ADAPTED) + +About half a league from the little seaport of Palos de Moguer, in +Andalusia, there stood, and continues to stand at the present day, +an ancient convent of Franciscan friars, dedicated to Santa Maria de +Rabida. + +One day a stranger on foot, in humble guise, but of a distinguished air, +accompanied by a small boy, stopped at the gate of the convent and asked +of the porter a little bread and water for his child. While receiving +this humble refreshment, the prior of the convent, Juan Perez de +Marchena, happened to pass by, and was struck with the appearance of the +stranger. Observing from his air and accent that he was a foreigner, he +entered into conversation with him and soon learned the particulars of +his story. + +That stranger was Columbus. + +Accompanied by his little son Diego, he was on his way to the +neighboring town of Huelva, to seek a brother-in-law, who had married a +sister of his deceased wife. + +The prior was a man of extensive information. His attention had been +turned in some measure to geographical and nautical science. He was +greatly interested by the conversation of Columbus, and struck with the +grandeur of his views. When he found, however, that the voyager was +on the point of abandoning Spain to seek the patronage of the court of +France, the good friar took the alarm. + +He detained Columbus as his guest, and sent for a scientific friend +to converse with him. That friend was Garcia Fernandez, a physician of +Palos. He was equally struck with the appearance and conversation of +the stranger. Several conferences took place at the convent, at which +veteran mariners and pilots of Palos were present. + +Facts were related by some of these navigators in support of the theory +of Columbus. In a word, his project was treated with a deference in the +quiet cloisters of La Rabida and among the seafaring men of Palos which +had been sought in vain among sages and philosophers. + +Among the navigators of Palos was one Martin Alonzo Pinzon, the head +of a family of wealth, members of which were celebrated for their +adventurous expeditions. He was so convinced of the feasibility of +Columbus's plan that he offered to engage in it with purse and person, +and to bear the expenses of Columbus in an application to court. + +Fray Juan Perez, being now fully persuaded of the importance of the +proposed enterprise, advised Columbus to repair to the court, and make +his propositions to the Spanish sovereigns, offering to give him a +letter of recommendation to his friend, the Prior of the Convent +of Prado and confessor to the queen, and a man of great political +influence; through whose means he would, without doubt, immediately +obtain royal audience and favor. Martin Alonzo Pinzon, also, generously +furnished him with money for the journey, and the Friar took charge of +his youthful son, Diego, to maintain and educate him in the convent. + +Thus aided and encouraged and elated with fresh hopes, Columbus took +leave of the little junto at La Rabida, and set out, in the spring of +1486, for the Castilian court, which had just assembled at Cordova, +where the sovereigns were fully occupied with their chivalrous +enterprise for the conquest of Granada. But alas! success was not yet! +for Columbus met with continued disappointments and discouragements, +while his projects were opposed by many eminent prelates and Spanish +scientists, as being against religion and unscientific. Yet in spite +of this opposition, by degrees the theory of Columbus began to obtain +proselytes. He appeared in the presence of the king with modesty, +yet self-possession, inspired by a consciousness of the dignity and +importance of his errand; for he felt himself, as he afterwards +declared in his letters, animated as if by a sacred fire from above, and +considered himself an instrument in the hand of Heaven to accomplish +its great designs. For nearly seven years of apparently fruitless +solicitation, Columbus followed the royal court from place to place, at +times encouraged by the sovereigns, and at others neglected. + +At last he looked round in search of some other source of patronage, and +feeling averse to subjecting himself to further tantalizing delays +and disappointments of the court, determined to repair to Paris. He +departed, therefore, and went to the Convent of La Rabida to seek his +son Diego. When the worthy Friar Juan Perez de Marchena beheld Columbus +arrive once more at the gate of his convent after nearly seven years +of fruitless effort at court, and saw by the humility of his garb the +poverty he had experienced, he was greatly moved; but when he found that +he was about to carry his proposition to another country, his patriotism +took alarm. + +The Friar had once been confessor to the queen, and knew that she was +always accessible to persons of his sacred calling. He therefore wrote a +letter to her, and at the same time entreated Columbus to remain at +the convent until an answer could be received. The latter was easily +persuaded, for he felt as if on leaving Spain he was again abandoning +his home. + +The little council at La Rabida now cast round their eyes for an +ambassador to send on this momentous mission. They chose one Sebastian +Rodriguez, a pilot of Lepe, one of the most shrewd and important +personages in this maritime neighborhood. He so faithfully and +successfully conducted his embassy that he returned shortly with an +answer. + +Isabella had always been favorably disposed to the proposition of +Columbus. She thanked Juan Perez for his timely services and requested +him to repair immediately to the court, leaving Columbus in confident +hope until he should hear further from her. This royal letter, brought +back by the pilot at the end of fourteen days, spread great joy in the +little junto at the convent. + +No sooner did the warm-hearted friar receive it than he saddled +his mule, and departed, privately, before midnight to the court. He +journeyed through the countries of the Moors, and rode into the new city +of Santa Fe where Ferdinand and Isabella were engaged in besieging the +capital of Granada. + +The sacred office of Juan Perez gained him a ready admission into the +presence of the queen. He pleaded the cause of Columbus with enthusiasm. +He told of his honorable motives, of his knowledge and experience, and +his perfect capacity to fulfill the undertaking. He showed the solid +principles upon which the enterprise was founded, and the advantage that +must attend its success, and the glory it must shed upon the Spanish +Crown. + +Isabella, being warm and generous of nature and sanguine of disposition, +was moved by the representations of Juan Perez, and requested that +Columbus might be again sent to her. Bethinking herself of his poverty +and his humble plight, she ordered that money should be forwarded to +him, sufficient to bear his traveling expenses, and to furnish him with +decent raiment. + +The worthy friar lost no time in communicating the result of his +mission. He transmitted the money, and a letter, by the hand of an +inhabitant of Palos, to the physician, Garcia Fernandez, who delivered +them to Columbus The latter immediately changed his threadbare garb for +one more suited to the sphere of a court, and purchasing a mule, set out +again, reanimated by hopes, for the camp before Granada. + +This time, after some delay, his mission was attended with success. +The generous spirit of Isabella was enkindled, and it seemed as if +the subject, for the first time, broke upon her mind in all its real +grandeur. She declared her resolution to undertake the enterprise, but +paused for a moment, remembering that King Ferdinand looked coldly on +the affair, and that the royal treasury was absolutely drained by the +war. + +Her suspense was but momentary. With an enthusiasm worthy of herself +and of the cause, she exclaimed: "I undertake the enterprise for my +own crown of Castile, and will pledge my jewels to raise the necessary +funds." This was the proudest moment in the life of Isabella. It stamped +her renown forever as the patroness of the discovery of the New World. + + + + +THE MUTINY + +BY A. DE LAMARTINE (ADAPTED) + +When Columbus left the Canaries to pass with his three small ships into +the unknown seas, the eruptions of Teneriffe illuminated the heavens +and were reflected in the sea. This cast terror into the minds of his +seamen. They thought that it was the flaming sword of the angel who +expelled the first man from Eden, and who now was trying to drive +back in anger those presumptuous ones who were seeking entrance to the +forbidden and unknown seas and lands. But the admiral passed from ship +to ship explaining to his men, in a simple way, the action of volcanoes, +so that the sailors were no longer afraid. + +But as the peak of Teneriffe sank below the horizon, a great sadness +fell upon the men. It was their last beacon, the farthest sea-mark of +the Old World. They were seized with a nameless terror and loneliness. + +Then the admiral called them around him in his own ship, and told them +many stories of the things they might hope to find in the wonderful new +world to which they were going,--of the lands, the islands, the seas, +the kingdoms, the riches, the vegetation, the sunshine, the mines of +gold, the sands covered with pearls, the mountains shining with precious +stones, the plains loaded with spices. These stories, tinged with +the brilliant colors of their leader's rich imagination, filled the +discouraged sailors with hope and good spirits. + +But as they passed over the trackless ocean, and saw day by day the +great billows rolling between them and the mysterious horizon, the +sailors were again filled with dread. They lacked the courage to sail +onward into the unknown distance. The compass began to vacillate, and +no longer pointed toward the north; this confused both Columbus and his +pilots. The men fell into a panic, but the resolute and patient admiral +encouraged them once more. So buoyed up by his faith and hope, they +continued to sail onwards over the pathless waters. + +The next day a heron and a tropical bird flew about the masts of the +ships, and these seemed to the wondering sailors as two witnesses come +to confirm the reasoning of Columbus. + +The weather was mild and serene, the sky clear, the waves transparent, +the dolphins played across the bows, the airs were warm, and the +perfumes, which the waves brought from afar, seemed to exhale from +their foam. The brilliancy of the stars and the deep beauty of the night +breathed a feeling of calm security that comforted and sustained the +sailors. + +The sea also began to bring its messages. Unknown vegetations floated +upon its surface. Some were rock-plants, that had been swept off the +cliffs by the waves; some were fresh-water plants; and others, recently +torn from their roots, were still full of sap. One of them carried a +live crab,--a little sailor afloat on a tuft of grass. These plants +and living things could not have passed many days in the water without +fading and dying. And all encouraged the sailors to believe that they +were nearing land. + +At eve and morning the distant waning clouds, like those that gather +round the mountain-tops, took the form of cliffs and hills skirting the +horizon. The cry of "land" was on the tip of every tongue. But Columbus +by his reckoning knew that they must still be far from any land, but +fearing to discourage his men he kept his thoughts to himself, for he +found no trustworthy friend among his companions whose heart was firm +enough to bear his secret. + +During the long passage Columbus conversed with his own thoughts, and +with the stars, and with God whom he felt was his protector. He occupied +his days in making notes of what he observed. The nights he passed +on deck with his pilots, studying the stars and watching the seas. +He withdrew into himself, and his thoughtful gravity impressed his +companions sometimes with respect and sometimes with mistrust and awe. + +Each morning the bows of the vessels plunged through the fantastic +horizon which the evening mist had made the sailors mistake for a +shore. They kept rolling on through the boundless and bottomless abyss. +Gradually terror and discontent once more took possession of the crews. +They began to imagine that the steadfast east wind that drove them +westward prevailed eternally in this region, and that when the time came +to sail homeward, the same wind would prevent their return. For surely +their provisions and water could not hold out long enough for them to +beat their way eastward over those wide waters! + +Then the sailors began to murmur against the admiral and his seeming +fruitless obstinacy, and they blamed themselves for obeying him, when it +might mean the sacrifice of the lives of one hundred and twenty sailors. + +But each time the murmurs threatened to break out into mutiny, +Providence seemed to send more encouraging signs of land. And these for +the time being changed the complaints to hopes. At evening little birds +of the most delicate species, that build their nests in the shrubs of +the garden and orchard, hovered warbling about the masts. Their delicate +wings and joyous notes bore no signs of weariness or fright, as of birds +swept far away to sea by a storm. These signs again aroused hope. + +The green weeds on the surface of the ocean looked like waving corn +before the ears are ripe. The vegetation beneath the water delighted +the eyes of the sailors tired of the endless expanse of blue. But the +seaweed soon became so thick that they were afraid of entangling their +rudders and keels, and of remaining prisoners forever in the forests of +the ocean, as ships of the northern seas are shut in by ice. Thus each +joy soon turned to fear,--so terrible to man is the unknown. + +The wind ceased, the calms of the tropics alarmed the sailors. An +immense whale was seen sleeping on the waters. They fancied there were +monsters in the deep which would devour their ships. The roll of the +waves drove them upon currents which they could not stem for want of +wind. They imagined they were approaching the cataracts of the ocean, +and that they were being hurried toward the abysses into which the +deluge had poured its world of waters. + +Fierce and angry faces crowded round the mast. The murmurs rose louder +and louder. They talked of compelling the pilots to put about and of +throwing the admiral into the sea. Columbus, to whom their looks +and threats revealed these plans, defied them by his bold bearing or +disconcerted them by his coolness. + +Again nature came to his assistance, by giving him fresh breezes from +the east, and a calm sea under his bows. Before the close of the day +came the first cry of "Land ho!" from the lofty poop. All the crews, +repeating this cry of safety, life, and triumph, fell on their knees on +the decks, and struck up the hymn, "Glory be to God in heaven and upon +earth." When it was over, all climbed as high as they could up the +masts, yards, and rigging to see with their own eyes the new land that +had been sighted. + +But the sunrise destroyed this new hope all too quickly. The imaginary +land disappeared with the morning mist, and once more the ships seemed +to be sailing over a never-ending wilderness of waters. + +Despair took possession of the crews. Again the cry of "Land ho!" was +heard. But the sailors found as before that their hopes were but a +passing cloud. Nothing wearies the heart so much as false hopes and +bitter disappointments. + +Loud reproaches against the admiral were heard from every quarter. +Bread and water were beginning to fail. Despair changed to fury. The men +decided to turn the heads of the vessels toward Europe, and to beat back +against the winds that had favored the admiral, whom they intended to +chain to the mast of his own vessel and to give up to the vengeance of +Spain should they ever reach the port of their own country. + +These complaints now became clamorous. The admiral restrained them by +the calmness of his countenance. He called upon Heaven to decide between +himself and the sailors. He flinched not. He offered his life as a +pledge, if they would but trust and wait for three days more. He swore +that, if, in the course of the third day, land was not visible on the +horizon, he would yield to their wishes and steer for Europe. + +The mutinous men reluctantly consented and allowed him three days of +grace. . . . . . . . . . . + +At sunrise on the second day rushes recently torn up were seen floating +near the vessels. A plank hewn by an axe, a carved stick, a bough of +hawthorn in blossom, and lastly a bird's nest built on a branch which +the wind had broken, and full of eggs on which the parent-bird was +sitting, were seen swimming past on the waters. The sailors brought on +board these living witnesses of their approach to land. They were like a +message from the shore, confirming the promises of Columbus. + +The overjoyed and repentant mutineers fell on their knees before the +admiral whom they had insulted but the day before, and craved pardon for +their mistrust. + +As the day and night advanced many other sights and sounds showed that +land was very near. Toward day delicious and unknown perfumes borne on +a soft land breeze reached the vessels, and there was heard the roar of +the waves upon the reefs. + +The dawn, as it spread over the sky, gradually raised the shores of an +island from the waves. Its distant extremities were lost in the morning +mist. As the sun rose it shone on the land ascending from a low yellow +beach to the summit of hills whose dark-green covering contrasted +strongly with the clear blue of the heavens. The foam of the waves broke +on the yellow sand, and forests of tall and unknown trees stretched +away, one above another, over successive terraces of the island. Green +valleys, and bright clefts in the hollows afforded a half glimpse into +these mysterious wilds. And thus the land of golden promises, the land +of future greatness, first appeared to Christopher Columbus, the Admiral +of the Ocean, and thus he gave a New World to the nations to come. + + + + +THE FIRST LANDING OF COLUMBUS IN THE NEW WORLD + +BY WASHINGTON IRVING (ADAPTED) + +It was on Friday morning, the 12th of October, that Columbus first +beheld the New World. As the day dawned he saw before him an island, +several leagues in extent, and covered with trees like a continual +orchard. Though apparently uncultivated it was populous, for the +inhabitants were seen issuing from all parts of the woods and running to +the shore. They were perfectly naked, and, as they stood gazing at +the ships, appeared by their attitudes and gestures to be lost in +astonishment. + +Columbus made signals for the ships to cast anchor and the boats to be +manned and armed. He entered his own boat, richly attired in scarlet, +and holding the royal standard; while Martin Alonzo Pinzon and his +brother put off in company in their boats, each with a banner of the +enterprise emblazoned with a green cross, having on either side the +letters "F." and "Y.," the initials of the Castilian monarchs Fernando +and Ysabel, surmounted by crowns. + +As he approached the shore, Columbus was delighted with the purity and +suavity of the atmosphere, the crystal transparency of the sea, and +the extraordinary beauty of the vegetation. He beheld also fruits of an +unknown kind upon the trees which overhung the shores. + +On landing he threw himself on his knees, kissed the earth, and returned +thanks to God with tears of joy. His example was followed by the +rest. [9] "Almighty and Eternal God," prayed Columbus, "who by the energy +of Thy creative word hast made the firmament, the earth and the sea; +blessed and glorified be thy name in all places! May thy majesty and +dominion be exalted for ever and ever, as Thou hast permitted thy holy +name to be made known and spread by the most humble of thy servants, in +this hitherto unknown portion of Thine empire." + + +[Footnote: 9: This prayer is taken from Lamartine.] + + +Columbus, then rising, drew his sword, displayed the royal standard, and +assembling around him the two captains and the rest who had landed, he +took solemn possession in the name of the Castilian sovereigns, giving +the island the name of San Salvador. + + + + +HALLOWEEN + +(OCTOBER 31) + +THE OLD WITCH + +BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM (TRANSLATED) + +There was once a little girl who was very willful and who never obeyed +when her elders spoke to her; so how could she be happy? + +One day she said to her parents: "I have heard so much of the old witch +that I will go and see her. People say she is a wonderful old woman, +and has many marvelous things in her house, and I am very curious to see +them." + +But her parents forbade her going, saying: "The witch is a wicked old +woman, who performs many godless deeds; and if you go near her, you are +no longer a child of ours." + +The girl, however, would not turn back at her parents' command, but went +to the witch's house. When she arrived there the old woman asked her:-- + +"Why are you so pale?" + +"Ah," she replied, trembling all over, "I have frightened myself so with +what I have just seen." + +"And what did you see?" inquired the old witch. + +"I saw a black man on your steps." + +"That was a collier," replied she. + +"Then I saw a gray man." + +"That was a sportsman," said the old woman. + +"After him I saw a blood-red man." + +"That was a butcher," replied the old woman. + +"But, oh, I was most terrified," continued the girl, "when I peeped +through your window, and saw not you, but a creature with a fiery head." + +"Then you have seen the witch in her proper dress," said the old woman. +"For you I have long waited, and now you shall give me light." + +So saying the witch changed the little girl into a block of wood, and +then threw it on the fire; and when it was fully alight, she sat down on +the hearth and warmed herself, saying:-- + +"How good I feel! The fire has not burned like this for a long time!" + + + + +SHIPPEITARO + +A JAPANESE FOLK-TALE: + +BY MARY F. NIXON-ROULET (ADAPTED) [10] + + +[Footnote 10: From Japanese Folk-Stories and Fairy Tales. Copyright, +1908, by American Book Company.] + + +Once upon a time there was a brave soldier lad who was seeking his +fortune in the wide, wide world. One day he lost his way in a pathless +forest, and wandered about until he came at length to a small clearing +in the midst of which stood a ruined temple. The huge trees waved above +its walls, and the leaves in the thicket whispered around them. No sun +ever shone there, and no human being lived there. + +A storm was coming up, and the soldier lad took refuge among the ruins. + +"Here is all I want," said he. "Here I shall have shelter from the +storm-god's wrath, and a comfortable place to sleep in." + +So he wrapped himself in his cloak, and, lying down, was soon fast +asleep. But his slumbers did not last long. At midnight he was wakened +by fearful shrieks, and springing to his feet, he looked out at the +temple door. + +The storm was over. Moonlight shone on the clearing. And there he saw +what seemed to be a troop of monstrous cats, who like huge phantoms +marched across the open space in front of the temple. They broke into +a wild dance, uttering shrieks, howls, and wicked laughs. Then they all +sang together:-- + + "Whisper not to Shippeitaro + That the Phantom Cats are near; + Whisper not to Shippeitaro, + Lest he soon appear!" + + +The soldier lad crouched low behind the door, for brave as he was he did +not wish these fearful creatures to see him. But soon, with a chorus of +wild yells, the Phantom Cats disappeared as quickly as they had come, +and all was quiet as before. + +Then the soldier lad lay down and went to sleep again, nor did he waken +till the sun peered into the temple and told him that it was morning. He +quickly found his way out of the forest and walked on until he came to +the cottage of a peasant. + +As he approached he heard sounds of bitter weeping. A beautiful young +maiden met him at the door, and her eyes were red with crying. She +greeted him kindly. + +"May I have some food?" said he. + +"Enter and welcome," she replied. "My parents are just having breakfast. +You may join them, for no one passes our door hungry." + +Thanking her the lad entered, and her parents greeted him courteously +but sadly, and shared their breakfast with him. He ate heartily, and, +when he was finished, rose to go. + +"Thank you many times for this good meal, kind friends," said he, "and +may happiness be yours." + +"Happiness can never again be ours!" answered the old man, weeping. + +"You are in trouble, then," said the lad. "Tell me about it; perhaps I +can help you in some way." + +"Alas!" replied the old man, "There is within yonder forest a ruined +temple. It is the abode of horrors too terrible for words. Each year a +demon, whom no one has ever seen, demands that the people of this land +give him a beautiful maiden to devour. She is placed in a cage and +carried to the temple just at sunset. This year it is my daughter's +turn to be offered to the fiend!" And the old man buried his face in his +hands and groaned. + +The soldier lad paused to think for a moment, then he said:-- + +"It is terrible, indeed! But do not despair. I think I know a way to +help you. Who is Shippeitaro?" + +"Shippeitaro is a beautiful dog, owned by our lord, the prince," +answered the old man. + +"That is just the thing!" cried the lad. "Only keep your daughter +closely at home. Do not let her out of your sight. Trust me and she +shall be saved." + +Then the soldier lad hurried away, and found the castle of the prince. +He begged that he might borrow Shippeitaro just for one night. + +"You may take him upon the condition that you bring him back safely," +said the prince. + +"To-morrow he shall return in safety," answered the lad. + +Taking Shippeitaro with him, he hurried to the peasant's cottage, and, +when evening was come, he placed the dog in the cage which was to have +carried the maiden. The bearers then took the cage to the ruined temple, +and, placing it on the ground, ran away as fast as their legs would +carry them. + +The lad, laughing softly to himself, hid inside the temple as before, +and so quiet was the spot that he fell asleep. At midnight he was +aroused by the same wild shrieks he had heard the night before. He rose +and looked out at the temple door. + +Through the darkness, into the moonlight, came the troop of Phantom +Cats. This time they were led by a fierce, black Tomcat. As they came +nearer they chanted with unearthly screeches:-- + + "Whisper not to Shippeitaro + That the Phantom Cats are near; + Whisper not to Shippeitaro, + Lest he soon appear!" + + +With that the great Tomcat caught sight of the cage and, uttering a +fearful yowl, sprang upon it, With one blow of his claws he tore open +the lid, when, instead of the dainty morsel he expected, out jumped +Shippeitaro! + +The dog sprang upon the Tomcat, and caught him by the throat; while the +Phantom Cats stood still in amazement. Drawing his sword the lad hurried +to Shippeitaro's side, and what with Shippeitaro's teeth and the lad's +hard blows, in an instant the great Tomcat was torn and cut into pieces. +When the Phantom Cats saw this, they uttered one wild shriek and fled +away, never to return again. + +Then the soldier lad, leading Shippeitaro, returned in triumph to the +peasant's cottage. There in terror the maiden awaited his arrival, but +great was the joy of herself and her parents when they knew that the +Tomcat was no more. + +"Oh, sir," cried the maiden, "I can never thank you! I am the only child +of my parents, and no one would have been left to care for them if I had +been the monster's victim." + +"Do not thank me," answered the lad. "Thank the brave Shippeitaro. It +was he who sprang upon the great Tomcat and chased away the Phantom +Creatures." + + + + +HANSEL AND GRETHEL + +BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM (ADAPTED) + +Hard-by a great forest dwelt a poor wood-cutter with his two children +and his wife who was their stepmother. The boy was called Hansel and the +girl Grethel. The wood-cutter had little to bite and to break, and once +when a great famine fell on the land he could no longer get daily bread. +Now when he thought over this by night in his bed, and tossed about in +his trouble, he groaned, and said to his wife:-- + +"What is to become of us? How are we to feed our poor children, when we +no longer have anything even for ourselves?" + +"I'll tell you what, husband," answered the woman; "early to-morrow +morning we will take the children out into the woods where it is the +thickest; there we will light a fire for them, and give each of them +one piece of bread more, and then we will go to our work and leave them +alone. They will not find the way home again, and we shall be rid of +them." + +"No, wife," said the man, "I will not do that; how can I bear to leave +my children alone in the woods?--the wild beasts would soon come and +tear them to pieces." + +"Oh, you fool!" said she. "Then we must all four die of hunger; you may +as well plane the planks for our coffins." And she left him no peace +until he said he would do as she wished. + +"But I feel very sorry for the poor children, all the same," said the +man. + +The two children had also not been able to sleep for hunger, and had +heard what their father's wife had said to their father. + +Grethel wept bitter tears, and said to Hansel, "Now all is over with +us." + +"Be quiet, Grethel," said Hansel, "do not be troubled; I will soon find +a way to help us." + +And when the old folks had fallen asleep, he got up, put on his little +coat, opened the door below, and crept outside. The moon shone brightly, +and the white pebbles which lay in front of the house shone like real +silver pennies. Hansel stooped and put as many of them in the little +pocket of his coat as he could make room for. Then he went back, and +said to Grethel, "Be at ease, dear little sister, and sleep in peace; +God will not forsake us." And he lay down again in his bed. + +When the day dawned, but before the sun had risen, the woman came and +awoke the two children, saying:-- + +"Get up, you lazy things! we are going into the forest to fetch wood." +She gave each a little piece of bread, and said, "There is something for +your dinner, but do not eat it up before then, for you will get nothing +else." + +Grethel took the bread under her apron, as Hansel had the stones in his +pocket. Then they all set out together on the way to the forest, and +Hansel threw one after another of the white pebble-stones out of his +pocket on the road. + +When they had reached the middle of the forest, the father said, "Now, +children, pile up some wood and I will light a fire that you may not be +cold." + +Hansel and Grethel drew brushwood together till it was as high as a +little hill. + +The brushwood was lighted, and when the flames were burning very high +the woman said:-- + +"Now, children, lie down by the fire and rest; we will go into the +forest and cut some wood. When we have done, we will come back and fetch +you away." + +Hansel and Grethel sat by the fire, and when noon came, each ate a +little piece of bread, and as they heard the strokes of the wood-axe +they were sure their father was near. But it was not the axe, it was +a branch which he had tied to a dry tree, and the wind was blowing it +backward and forward. As they had been sitting such a long time they +were tired, their eyes shut, and they fell fast asleep. When at last +they awoke, it was dark night. + +Grethel began to cry, and said, "How are we to get out of the forest +now?" + +But Hansel comforted her, saying, "Just wait a little, until the moon +has risen, and then we will soon find the way." + +And when the full moon had risen, Hansel took his little sister by the +hand, and followed the pebbles, which shone like bright silver pieces, +and showed them the way. + +They walked the whole night long, and by break of day came once more to +their father's house. + +They knocked at the door, and when the woman opened it, and saw that it +was Hansel and Grethel, she said, "You naughty children, why have you +slept so long in the forest? we thought you were never coming back at +all!" + +The father, however, was glad, for it had cut him to the heart to leave +them behind alone. + +Not long after, there was once more a great lack of food in all parts, +and the children heard the woman saying at night to their father:-- + +"Everything is eaten again; we have one half-loaf left, and after that +there is an end. The children must go; we will take them farther into +the wood, so that they will not find their way out again; there is no +other means of saving ourselves!" + +The man's heart was heavy, and he thought, "It would be better to share +our last mouthful with the children." + +The woman, however, would listen to nothing he had to say, but scolded +him. He who says A must say B, too, and as he had given way the first +time, he had to do so a second time also. + +The children were still awake and had heard the talk. When the old folks +were asleep, Hansel again got up, and wanted to go and pick up pebbles, +but the woman had locked the door, and he could not get out. + +So he comforted his little sister, and said:-- + +"Do not cry, Grethel; go to sleep quietly, the good God will help us." + +Early in the morning came the woman, and took the children out of their +beds. Their bit of bread was given to them, but it was still smaller +than the time before. On the way into the forest Hansel crumbled his +in his pocket, and often threw a morsel on the ground until little by +little, he had thrown all the crumbs on the path. + +The woman led the children still deeper into the forest, where they had +never in their lives been before. Then a great fire was again made, and +she said:-- + +"Just sit there, you children, and when you are tired you may sleep a +little; we are going into the forest to cut wood, and in the evening +when we are done, we will come and fetch you away." + +When it was noon, Grethel shared her piece of bread with Hansel, who had +scattered his by the way. Then they fell asleep, and evening came and +went, but no one came to the poor children. + +They did not awake until it was dark night, and Hansel comforted his +little sister, and said:-- + +"Just wait, Grethel, until the moon rises, and then we shall see the +crumbs of bread which I have scattered about; they will show us our way +home again." + +When the moon came they set out, but they found no crumbs, for the many +thousands of birds which fly about in the woods and fields had picked +them all up. + +Hansel said to Grethel, "We shall soon find the way." + +But they did not find it. They walked the whole night and all the next +day, too, from morning till evening, but they did not get out of the +forest; they were very hungry, for they had nothing to eat but two or +three berries which grew on the ground. And as they were so tired that +their legs would carry them no longer, they lay down under a tree and +fell asleep. + +It was now three mornings since they had left their father's house. They +began to walk again, but they always got deeper into the forest, and if +help did not come soon, they must die of hunger and weariness. When it +was midday, they saw a beautiful snow-white bird sitting on a bough. It +sang so sweetly that they stood still and listened to it. And when +it had done, it spread its wings and flew away before them, and they +followed it until they reached a little house, on the roof of which it +perched; and when they came quite up to the little house, they saw it +was built of bread and covered with cakes, but that the windows were of +clear sugar. + +"We will set to work on that," said Hansel, "and have a good meal. +I will eat a bit of the roof, and you, Grethel, can eat some of the +window, it will taste sweet." + +Hansel reached up, and broke off a little of the roof to try how it +tasted, and Grethel leaned against the window and nibbled at the panes. + +Then a soft voice cried from the room,-- + + "Nibble, nibble, gnaw, + Who is nibbling at my little house?" + + +The children answered:-- + + "The wind, the wind, + The wind from heaven"; + +and went on eating. Hansel, who thought the roof tasted very nice, tore +down a great piece of it; and Grethel pushed out the whole of one round +window-pane, sat down, and went to eating it. + +All at once the door opened, and a very, very old woman, who leaned on +crutches, came creeping out. Hansel and Grethel were so scared that they +let fall what they had in their hands. + +The old woman, however, nodded her head, and said, "Oh, you dear +children, who has brought you here? Do come in, and stay with me. No +harm shall happen to you." + +She took them both by the hand, and led them into her little house. Then +good food was set before them, milk and pancakes, with sugar, apples, +and nuts. Afterwards two pretty little beds were covered with clean +white linen, and Hansel and Grethel lay down in them, and thought they +were in heaven. + +The old woman had only pretended to be so kind; she was in reality a +wicked witch, who lay in wait for children, and had built the little +bread house in order to coax them there. + +Early in the morning, before the children were awake, she was already +up, and when she saw both of them sleeping and looking so pretty, with +their plump red cheeks, she muttered to herself, "That will be a dainty +mouthful!" + +Then she seized Hansel, carried him into a little stable, and shut him +in behind a grated door. He might scream as he liked,--it was of no use. +Then she went to Grethel, shook her till she awoke and cried: "Get up, +lazy thing; fetch some water, and cook something good for your brother; +he is in the stable outside, and is to be made fat. When he is fat, I +will eat him." + +Grethel began to weep, but it was all in vain; she was forced to do what +the wicked witch told her. + +And now the best food was cooked for poor Hansel, but Grethel got +nothing but crab-shells. + +Every morning the woman crept to the little stable, and cried, "Hansel, +stretch out your finger that I may feel if you will soon be fat." + +Hansel, however, stretched out a little bone to her, and the old woman, +who had dim eyes, could not see it; she thought it was Hansel's finger, +and wondered why he grew no fatter. When four weeks had gone by, and +Hansel still was thin, she could wait no longer. + +"Come, Grethel," she cried to the girl, "fly round and bring some water. +Let Hansel be fat or lean, to-morrow I will kill him, and cook him." + +Ah, how sad was the poor little sister when she had to fetch the water, +and how her tears did flow down over her cheeks! + +"Dear God, do help us," she cried. "If the wild beasts in the forest had +but eaten us, we should at any rate have died together." + +"Just keep your noise to yourself," said the old woman; "all that won't +help you at all." + +Early in the morning, Grethel had to go out and hang up the kettle with +the water, and light the fire. + +"We will bake first," said the old woman. "I have already heated the +oven, and got the dough ready." + +She pushed poor Grethel out to the oven, from which the flames of fire +were already darting. + +"Creep in," said the witch, "and see if it is heated, so that we can +shut the bread in." And when once Grethel was inside, she meant to shut +the oven and let her bake in it, and then she would eat her, too. + +But Grethel saw what she had in her mind, and said, "I do not know how I +am to do it; how do you get in?" + +"Silly goose," said the old woman. "The door is big enough; just look, I +can get in myself!" and she crept up and thrust her head into the oven. +Then Grethel gave her a push that drove her far into it, and shut the +iron door, tight. + +Grethel ran as quick as lightning to Hansel, opened his little stable, +and cried, "Hansel, we are saved! The old witch is dead!" + +Then Hansel sprang out like a bird from its cage when the door is opened +for it. How they did dance about and kiss each other. And as they had +no longer any need to fear her, they went into the witch's house, and in +every corner there stood chests full of pearls and jewels. + +"These are far better than pebbles!" said Hansel, and filled his +pockets, and Grethel said, "I, too, will take something home with me," +and filled her pinafore. + +"But now we will go away," said Hansel, "that we may get out of the +witch's forest." When they had walked for two hours, they came to a +great piece of water. "We cannot get over," said Hansel; "I see no +foot-plank and no bridge." + +"And no boat crosses, either," answered Grethel, "but a white duck is +swimming there; if I ask her, she will help us over." Then she cried,-- + + "Little duck, little duck, dost thou see, + Hansel and Grethel are waiting for thee? + There's never a plank or bridge in sight, + Take us across on thy back so white." + + +The duck came to them, and Hansel sat on its back, and told his sister +to sit by him. + +"No," replied Grethel, "that will be too heavy for the little duck; she +shall take us across, one after the other." + +The good little duck did so, and when they were once safely across and +had walked for a short time, they knew where they were, and at last they +saw from afar their father's house. + +Then they began to run, rushed in, and threw themselves into their +father's arms. The man had not known one happy hour since he had left +the children in the forest; the woman, however, was dead. Grethel +emptied her pinafore until pearls and precious stones rolled about the +floor, and Hansel threw one handful after another out of his pocket +to add to them. Then all care was at an end, and they lived happily +together ever after. + +My tale is done; there runs a mouse; whosoever catches it may make +himself a big fur cap out of it. + + + + +BURG HILL'S ON FIRE + +A CELTIC FAIRY TALE + +BY ELIZABETH W. GRIERSON (ADAPTED) + + +Once upon a time there was a rich farmer who had a thrifty wife. She +used to go out and gather all the little bits of wool which she could +find on the hillsides, and bring them home. Then, after her family had +gone to bed, she would sit up and card the wool and spin it into yarn, +then she would weave the yarn into cloth to make garments for her +children. + +But all this work made her feel very tired, so that one night, sitting +at her loom, she laid down her shuttle and cried:-- + +"Oh, that some one would come from far or near, from land or sea, to +help me!" + +No sooner had the words left her lips than she heard some one knocking +at the door. + +"Who is there?" cried she. + +"Tell Quary, good housewife," answered a wee, wee voice. "Open the door +to me. As long as I have you'll get." + +She opened the door and there on the threshold stood a queer, little +woman, dressed in a green gown and wearing a white cap on her head. + +The good housewife was so astonished that she stood and stared at her +strange visitor; but without a word the little woman ran past her, and +seated herself at the spinning-wheel. + +The good housewife shut the door, but just then she heard another knock. + +"Who is there?" said she. + +"Tell Quary, good housewife. Open the door to me," said another wee, wee +voice. "As long as I have you'll get." + +And when she opened the door there was another queer, little woman, in a +lilac frock and a green cap, standing on the threshold. + +She, too, ran into the house without waiting to say, "By your leave," +and picking up the distaff, began to put some wool on it. + +Then before the housewife could get the door shut, a funny little +manikin, with green trousers and a red cap, came running in, and +followed the tiny women into the kitchen, seized hold of a handful of +wool, and began to card it. Another wee, wee woman followed him, and +then another tiny manikin, and another, and another, until it seemed +to the good housewife that all the fairies and pixies in Scotland were +coming into her house. + +The kitchen was alive with them. Some of them hung the great pot over +the fire to boil water to wash the wool that was dirty. Some teased the +clean wool, and some carded it. Some spun it into yarn, and some wove +the yarn into great webs of cloth. + +And the noise they made was like to make her head run round. "Splash! +splash! Whirr! whirr! Clack! clack!" The water in the pot bubbled over. +The spinning-wheel whirred. The shuttle in the loom flew backwards and +forwards. + +And the worst of it was that all the Fairies cried out for something +to eat, and although the good housewife put on her griddle and baked +bannocks as fast as she could, the bannocks were eaten up the moment +they were taken off the fire, and yet the Fairies shouted for more. + +At last the poor woman was so troubled that she went into the next room +to wake her husband. But although she shook him with all her might, she +could not wake him. It was very plain to see that he was bewitched. + +Frightened almost out of her senses, and leaving the Fairies eating her +last batch of bannocks, she stole out of the house and ran as fast as +she could to the cottage of the Wise Man who lived a mile away. + +She knocked at his door till he got up and put his head out of the +window, to see who was there; then she told him the whole story. + +"Thou foolish woman," said he, "let this be a lesson to thee never to +pray for things thou dost not need! Before thy husband can be loosed +from the spell the Fairies must be got out of the house and the +fulling-water, which they have boiled, must be thrown over him. Hurry +to the little hill that lies behind thy cottage, climb to the top of +it, and set the bushes on fire; then thou must shout three times: 'BURG +HILL'S ON FIRE!' Then will all the little Fairies run out to see if +this be true, for they live under the hill. When they are all out of the +cottage, do thou slip in as quickly as thou canst, and turn the kitchen +upside down. Upset everything the Fairies have worked with, else the +things their fingers have touched will open the door to them, and let +them in, in spite of thee." + +So the good housewife hurried away. She climbed to the top of the little +hill back of her cottage, set the bushes on fire, and cried out three +times as loud as she was able: "BURG HILL'S ON FIRE!" + +And sure enough, the door of the cottage was flung wide open, and all +the little Fairies came running out, knocking each other over in their +eagerness to be first at the hill. + +In the confusion the good housewife slipped away, and ran as fast as she +could to her cottage; and when she was once inside, it did not take her +long to bar the door, and turn everything upside down. + +She took the band off the spinning-wheel, and twisted the head of the +distaff the wrong way. She lifted the pot of fulling-water off the fire, +and turned the room topsy-turvy, and threw down the carding-combs. + +Scarcely had she done so, when the Fairies returned, and knocked at the +door. + +"Good housewife! let us in," they cried. + +"The door is shut and bolted, and I will not open it," answered she. + +"Good spinning-wheel, get up and open the door," they cried. + +"How can I," answered the spinning-wheel, "seeing that my band is +undone?" + +"Kind distaff, open the door for us," said they. + +"That would I gladly do," said the distaff, "but I cannot walk, for my +head is turned the wrong way." + +"Weaving-loom, have pity, and open the door." + +"I am all topsy-turvy, and cannot move," sighed the loom. + +"Fulling-water, open the door," they implored. + +"I am off the fire," growled the fulling-water, "and all my strength is +gone." + +"Oh! Is there nothing that will come to our aid, and open the door?" +they cried. + +"I will," said a little barley-bannock, that had lain hidden, toasting +on the hearth; and it rose and trundled like a wheel quickly across the +floor. + +But luckily the housewife saw it, and she nipped it between her finger +and thumb, and, because it was only half-baked, it fell with a "splatch" +on the cold floor. + +Then the Fairies gave up trying to get into the kitchen, and instead +they climbed up by the windows into the room where the good housewife's +husband was sleeping, and they swarmed upon his bed and tickled him +until he tossed about and muttered as if he had a fever. + +Then all of a sudden the good housewife remembered what the Wise Man had +said about the fulling-water. She ran to the kitchen and lifted a cupful +out of the pot, and carried it in, and threw it over the bed where her +husband was. + +In an instant he woke up in his right senses. Then he jumped out of bed, +ran across the room and opened the door, and the Fairies vanished. And +they have never been seen from that day to this. + + + + +THE KING OF THE CATS + +AN ENGLISH FOLK-TALE + +BY ERNEST RHYS + +Once upon a time there were two brothers who lived in a lonely house in +a very lonely part of Scotland. An old woman used to do the cooking, +and there was no one else, unless we count her cat and their own dogs, +within miles of them. + +One autumn afternoon the elder of the two, whom we will call Elshender, +said he would not go out; so the younger one, Fergus, went alone to +follow the path where they had been shooting the day before, far across +the mountains. + +He meant to return home before the early sunset; however, he did not do +so, and Elshender became very uneasy as he watched and waited in vain +till long after their usual supper-time. At last Fergus returned, wet +and exhausted, nor did he explain why he was so late. + +But after supper when the two brothers were seated before the fire, on +which the peat crackled cheerfully, the dogs lying at their feet, and +the old woman's black cat sitting gravely with half-shut eyes on the +hearth between them, Fergus recovered himself and began to tell his +adventures. + +"You must be wondering," said he, "what made me so late. I have had a +very, very strange adventure to-day. I hardly know what to say about it. +I went, as I told you I should, along our yesterday's track. A mountain +fog came on just as I was about to turn homewards, and I completely lost +my way. I wandered about for a long time not knowing where I was, till +at last I saw a light, and made for it, hoping to get help. + +"As I came near it, it disappeared, and I found myself close to an old +oak tree. I climbed into the branches the better to look for the light, +and, behold! there it was right beneath me, inside the hollow trunk of +the tree. I seemed to be looking down into a church, where a funeral was +taking place. I heard singing, and saw a coffin surrounded by torches, +all carried by--But I know you won't believe me, Elshender, if I tell +you!" + +His brother eagerly begged him to go on, and threw a dry peat on the +fire to encourage him. The dogs were sleeping quietly, but the cat was +sitting up, and seemed to be listening just as carefully and cannily as +Elshender himself. Both brothers, indeed, turned their eyes on the cat +as Fergus took up his story. + +"Yes," he continued, "it is as true as I sit here. The coffin and the +torches were both carried by CATS, and upon the coffin were marked a +crown and a scepter!" + +He got no farther, for the black cat started up, shrieking:-- + +"My stars! old Peter's dead, and I'm the King o' the Cats!"--Then rushed +up the chimney, and was seen no more. + + + + +THE STRANGE VISITOR + +AN ENGLISH FOLK-TALE + +BY JOSEPH JACOBS + +A woman was sitting at her reel one night; and still she sat, and still +she reeled, and still she wished for company. + +In came a pair of broad, broad soles, and sat down +at the fireside! + +And still she sat, and still she reeled, and still she +wished for company. + +In came a pair of small, small legs, and sat down +on the broad, broad soles! + +And still she sat, and still she reeled, and still she +wished for company. + +In came a pair of thick, thick knees, and sat down +on the small, small legs! + +And still she sat, and still she reeled, and still she +wished for company. + +In came a pair of thin, thin thighs, and sat down +on the thick, thick knees! + +And still she sat, and still she reeled, and still she +wished for company. + +In came a pair of huge, huge hips, and sat down +on the thin, thin thighs! + +And still she sat, and still she reeled, and still she +wished for company. + +In came a wee, wee waist, and sat down on the +huge, huge hips! + +And still she sat, and still she reeled, and still she +wished for company. + +In came a pair of broad, broad shoulders, and sat +down on the wee, wee waist! + +And still she sat, and still she reeled, and still she +wished for company. + +In came a pair of small, small arms, and sat down +on the broad, broad shoulders! + +And still she sat, and still she reeled, and still she +wished for company. + +In came a pair of huge, huge hands, and sat down +on the small, small arms! + +And still she sat, and still she reeled, and still she +wished for company. + +In came a small, small neck, and sat down on the +broad, broad shoulders! + +And still she sat, and still she reeled, and still she +wished for company. + +In came a huge, huge head, and sat down on the +small, small neck! + +. . . . . . . . . + +"How did you get such broad, broad feet?" quoth the Woman. +"Much tramping, much tramping!" (GRUFFLY.) + +"How did you get such small, small legs?" "AIH-H-H!--late--and +WEE-E-E-moul!" (WHININGLY.) + +"How did you get such thick, thick knees?" "Much praying, much praying!" +(PIOUSLY.) + +"How did you get such thin, thin thighs?" "Aih-h-h!--late--and +wee-e-e-moul!" (WHININGLY.) + +"How did you get such big, big hips?" "Much sitting, much sitting!" +(GRUFFLY.) + +"How did you get such a wee, wee waist?" "Aih-h-h!--late--and +wee-e-e-moul!" (WHININGLY.) + +"How did you get such broad, broad shoulders?" "With carrying broom, +with carrying broom!" (GRUFFLY.) + +"How did you get such small arms?" "Aih-h-h!--late--and wee-e-e-moul!" +(WHININGLY.) + +"How did you get such huge, huge hands?" "Threshing with an iron flail! +Threshing with an iron flail!" (GRUFFLY.) + +"How did you get such a small, small neck?" "Aih-h-h!--late--and +wee-e-e-moul!" (PITIFULLY.) + +"How did you get such a huge, huge head?" "Much knowledge, much +knowledge!" (KEENLY.) + +"What do you come for?" "FOR YOU!!!" (AT THE TOP OF THE VOICE, WITH A +WAVE OF THE ARMS AND A STAMP OF THE FEET.) + + + + +THE BENEVOLENT GOBLIN + +FROM GESTA ROMANORUM (ADAPTED) + +In the kingdom of England there is a hillock in the midst of a dense +wood. Thither in old days knights and their followers were wont to +repair when tired and thirsty after the chase. When one of their number +called out, "I thirst!" there immediately started up a Goblin with +a cheerful countenance, clad in a crimson robe, and bearing in his +outstretched hand a large drinking-horn richly ornamented with gold and +precious jewels, and full of the most delicious, unknown beverage. + +The Goblin presented the horn to the thirsty knight, who drank and +instantly felt refreshed and cool. After the drinker had emptied the +horn, the Goblin offered a silken napkin to wipe the mouth. Then, +without waiting to be thanked, the strange creature vanished as suddenly +as he had come. + +Now once there was a knight of churlish nature, who was hunting alone +in those parts. Feeling thirsty and fatigued, he visited the hillock and +cried out:-- + +"I thirst!" + +Instantly the Goblin appeared and presented the horn. + +When the knight had drained it of its delicious beverage, instead of +returning the horn, he thrust it into his bosom, and rode hastily away. + +He boasted far and wide of his deed, and his feudal lord hearing thereof +caused him to be bound and cast into prison; then fearing lest he, too, +might become partaker in the theft and ingratitude of the knight, the +lord presented the jeweled horn to the King of England, who carefully +preserved it among the royal treasures. But never again did the +benevolent Goblin return to the hillock in the wood. + + + + +THE PHANTOM KNIGHT OF THE VANDAL CAMP + +FROM GESTA ROMANORUM (ADAPTED) + +There was once in Great Britain, a knight named Albert, strong in arms +and adorned with every virtue. One day as he was seeking for adventure, +he chanced to wander into a castle where he was hospitably entertained. + +At night, after supper, as was usual in great families during the +winter, the household gathered about the hearth and occupied the time in +relating divers tales. + +At last they told how in the near-by plain of Wandlesbury there was a +haunted mound. There in old days the Vandals, who laid waste the land +and slaughtered Christians, had pitched their camp and built about it a +great rampart. And it was further related that in the hush of the night, +if any one crossed the plain, ascended the mound, and called out in a +loud voice, "Let my adversary appear!" there immediately started up +from the ruined ramparts a huge, ghostly figure, armed and mounted for +battle. This phantom then attacked the knight who had cried out and +speedily overcame him. + +Now, when Albert heard this marvelous tale, he greatly doubted its +truth, and was determined to put the matter to a test. As the moon +was shining brightly, and the night was quiet, he armed, mounted, and +immediately hastened to the plain of Wandlesbury, accompanied by a +squire of noble blood. + +He ascended the mound, dismissed his attendant, and shouted:-- + +"Let my adversary appear!" + +Instantly there sprang from the ruins a huge, ghostly knight completely +armed and mounted on an enormous steed. + +This phantom rushed upon Albert, who spurred his horse, extended his +shield, and drove at his antagonist with his lance. Both knights were +shaken by the encounter. Albert, however, so resolutely and with so +strong an arm pressed his adversary that the latter was thrown violently +to the ground. Seeing this Albert hastily seized the steed of the fallen +knight, and started to leave the mound. + +But the phantom, rising to his feet, and seeing his horse led away, +flung his lance and cruelly wounded Albert in the thigh. This done he +vanished as suddenly as he had appeared. + +Our knight, overjoyed at his victory, returned in triumph to the castle, +where the household crowded around him and praised his bravery. But when +he put off his armor he found the cuish from his right thigh filled with +clots of blood from an angry wound in his side. The family, alarmed, +hastened to apply healing herbs and bandages. + +The captured horse was then brought forward. He was prodigiously large, +and black as jet. His eyes were fierce and flashing, his neck proudly +arched, and he wore a glittering war-saddle upon his back. + +As the first streaks of dawn began to appear, the animal reared wildly, +snorted as if with pain and anger, and struck the ground so furiously +with his hoofs that the sparks flew. The black cock of the castle crew +and the horse, uttering a terrible cry, instantly disappeared. + +And every year, on the selfsame night, at the selfsame hour, the wounds +of the knight Albert broke out afresh, and tormented him with agony. +Thus till his dying day he bore in his body a yearly reminder of his +encounter with the Phantom Knight of the Vandal Camp. + + + + +THANKSGIVING DAY + +(LAST THURSDAY IN NOVEMBER) + + + + +THE FIRST HARVEST-HOME IN PLYMOUTH + +BY W. DE LOSS LOVE, JR (ADAPTED) + +After prayer and fasting and a farewell feast, the Pilgrim Fathers left +the City of Leyden, and sought the new and unknown land. "So they lefte +ye goodly & pleasante citie," writes their historian Bradford, "which +had been ther resting place near 12 years, but they knew they were +pilgrimes & looked not much on those things, but lift up their eyes to +ye Heavens their dearest cuntrie, and quieted their spirits." + +When, after many vexing days upon the deep, the pilgrims first sighted +the New World, they were filled with praise and thanksgiving. Going +ashore they fell upon their knees and blessed the God of Heaven. And +after that, whenever they were delivered from accidents or despair, they +gave God "solemne thanks and praise." Such were the Pilgrims and such +their habit day by day. + +The first winter in the New World was marked by great suffering and +want. Hunger and illness thinned the little colony, and caused many +graves to be made on the near-by hillside. + +The spring of 1621 opened. The seed was sown in the fields. The +colonists cared for it without ceasing, and watched its growth with +anxiety; for well they knew that their lives depended upon a full +harvest. + +The days of spring and summer flew by, and the autumn came. Never in +Holland or England had the Pilgrims seen the like of the treasures +bounteous Nature now spread before them. The woodlands were arrayed in +gorgeous colors, brown, crimson, and gold, and swarmed with game of all +kinds, that had been concealed during the summer. The little farm-plots +had been blessed by the sunshine and showers, and now plentiful crops +stood ready for the gathering. The Pilgrims, rejoicing, reaped the fruit +of their labors, and housed it carefully for the winter. Then, filled +with the spirit of thanksgiving, they held the first harvest-home in New +England. + +For one whole week they rested from work, feasted, exercised their +arms, and enjoyed various recreations. Many Indians visited the colony, +amongst these their greatest king, Massasoit, with ninety of his braves. +The Pilgrims entertained them for three days. And the Indians went out +into the woods and killed fine deer, which they brought to the colony +and presented to the governor and the captain and others. So all made +merry together. + +And bountiful was the feast. Oysters, fish and wild turkey, Indian +maize and barley bread, geese and ducks, venison and other savory meats, +decked the board. Kettles, skillets, and spits were overworked, while +knives and spoons, kindly assisted by fingers, made merry music on +pewter plates. Wild grapes, "very sweete and strong," added zest to +the feast. As to the vegetables, why, the good governor describes them +thus:-- + + "All sorts of grain which our own land doth yield, + Was hither brought, and sown in every field; + As wheat and rye, barley, oats, beans, and pease + Here all thrive and they profit from them raise; + All sorts of roots and herbs in gardens grow,-- + Parsnips, carrots, turnips, or what you'll sow, + Onions, melons, cucumbers, radishes, + Skirets, beets, coleworts and fair cabbages." + + +Thus a royal feast it was the Pilgrims spread that first golden autumn +at Plymouth, a feast worthy of their Indian guests. + +All slumbering discontents they smothered with common rejoicings. When +the holiday was over, they were surely better, braver men because they +had turned aside to rest awhile and be thankful together. So the exiles +of Leyden claimed the harvests of New England. + +This festival was the bursting into life of a new conception of man's +dependence on God's gifts in Nature. It was the promise of autumnal +Thanksgivings to come. + + + + +THE MASTER OF THE HARVEST + +BY MRS. ALFRED GATTY (ADAPTED) + +The Master of the Harvest walked by the side of his cornfields in the +springtime. A frown was on his face, for there had been no rain for +several weeks, and the earth was hard from the parching of the east +winds. The young wheat had not been able to spring up. + +So as he looked over the long ridges that stretched in rows before him, +he was vexed and began to grumble and say:-- + +"The harvest will be backward, and all things will go wrong." + +Then he frowned more and more, and uttered complaints against Heaven +because there was no rain; against the earth because it was so dry; +against the corn because it had not sprung up. + +And the Master's discontent was whispered all over the field, and +along the ridges where the corn-seed lay. And the poor little seeds +murmured:-- + +"How cruel to complain! Are we not doing our best? Have we let one drop +of moisture pass by unused? Are we not striving every day to be ready +for the hour of breaking forth? Are we idle? How cruel to complain!" + +But of all this the Master of the Harvest heard nothing, so the gloom +did not pass from his face. Going to his comfortable home he repeated +to his wife the dark words, that the drought would ruin the harvest, for +the corn was not yet sprung up. + +Then his wife spoke cheering words, and taking her Bible she wrote some +texts upon the flyleaf, and after them the date of the day. + +And the words she wrote were these: "The eyes of all wait upon Thee; and +Thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest Thine hand +and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. How excellent is Thy +loving-kindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust +under the shadow of Thy wings. Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more +than in the time that their corn and their wine increased." + +And so a few days passed as before, and the house was gloomy with the +discontent of the Master. But at last one evening there was rain all +over the land, and when the Master of the Harvest went out the next +morning for his early walk by the cornfields, the corn had sprung up at +last. + +The young shoots burst out at once, and very soon all along the ridges +were to be seen rows of tender blades, tinting the whole field with a +delicate green. And day by day the Master of the Harvest saw them, and +was satisfied, but he spoke of other things and forgot to rejoice. + +Then a murmur rose among the corn-blades. + +"The Master was angry because we did not come up; now that we have come +forth why is he not glad? Are we not doing our best? From morning and +evening dews, from the glow of the sun, from the juices of the earth, +from the freshening breezes, even from clouds and rain, are we not +taking food and strength, warmth and life? Why does he not rejoice?" + +And when the Master's wife asked him if the wheat was doing well he +answered, "Fairly well," and nothing more. + +But the wife opened her Book, and wrote again on the flyleaf: "Who hath +divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the +lightning of thunder, to cause it to rain on the earth where no man is, +on the wilderness wherein there is no man, to satisfy the desolate and +waste ground, and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth? +For He maketh small the drops of water; they pour down rain according +to the vapor thereof, which the clouds do drop and distil upon man +abundantly. Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the +noise of his tabernacle?" + +Very peaceful were the next few weeks. All nature seemed to rejoice in +the fine weather. The corn-blades shot up strong and tall. They burst +into flowers and gradually ripened into ears of grain. But alas! the +Master of the Harvest had still some fault to find. He looked at the +ears and saw that they were small. He grumbled and said:-- + +"The yield will be less than it ought to be. The harvest will be bad." + +And the voice of his discontent was breathed over the cornfield where +the plants were growing and growing. They shuddered and murmured: "How +thankless to complain! Are we not growing as fast as we can? If we were +idle would we bear wheat-ears at all? How thankless to complain!" + +Meanwhile a few weeks went by and a drought settled on the land. Rain +was needed, so that the corn-ears might fill. And behold, while the +wish for rain was yet on the Master's lips, the sky became full of +heavy clouds, darkness spread over the land, a wild wind arose, and the +roaring of thunder announced a storm. And such a storm! Along the ridges +of corn-plants drove the rain-laden wind, and the plants bent down +before it and rose again like the waves of the sea. They bowed down and +they rose up. Only where the whirlwind was the strongest they fell to +the ground and could not rise again. + +And when the storm was over, the Master of the Harvest saw here +and there patches of over-weighted corn, yet dripping from the +thunder-shower, and he grew angry with them, and forgot to think of the +long ridges where the corn-plants were still standing tall and strong, +and where the corn-ears were swelling and rejoicing. + +His face grew darker than ever. He railed against the rain. He railed +against the sun because it did not shine. He blamed the wheat because it +might perish before the harvest. + +"But why does he always complain?" moaned the corn-plants. "Have we not +done our best from the first? Has not God's blessing been with us? Are +we not growing daily more beautiful in strength and hope? Why does not +the Master trust, as we do, in the future richness of the harvest?" + +Of all this the Master of the Harvest heard nothing. But his wife wrote +on the flyleaf of her Book: "He watereth the hills from his chambers, +the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works. He causeth the grass +to grow for the cattle and herb for the service of man, that he may +bring forth food out of the earth, and wine that maketh glad the heart +of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth +man's heart." + +And day by day the hours of sunshine were more in number. And by degrees +the green corn-ears ripened into yellow, and the yellow turned into +gold, and the abundant harvest was ready, and the laborers were not +wanting. + +Then the bursting corn broke out into songs of rejoicing. "At least we +have not labored and watched in vain! Surely the earth hath yielded her +increase! Blessed be the Lord who daily loadeth us with benefits! Where +now is the Master of the Harvest? Come, let him rejoice with us!" + +And the Master's wife brought out her Book and her husband read the +texts she had written even from the day when the corn-seeds were held +back by the first drought, and as he read a new heart seemed to grow +within him, a heart that was thankful to the Lord of the Great Harvest. +And he read aloud from the Book:-- + +"Thou visitest the earth and waterest it; thou greatly enrichest it with +the river of God which is full of water; thou preparest them corn, +when thou hast so provided for it. Thou waterest the ridges thereof +abundantly; thou settlest the furrows thereof; thou makest it soft with +showers; thou blessest the springing thereof. Thou crownest the year +with thy goodness, and thy paths drop fatness. They drop upon the +pastures of the wilderness, and the little hills rejoice on every side. +The pastures are clothed with flocks. The valleys also are covered over +with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing.--O that men would praise +the Lord for His goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children +of men!" + + + + +SAINT CUTHBERT'S EAGLE + +BY THE VENERABLE BEDE (ADAPED) + +Once upon a time, the good Saint Cuthbert of Lindesfarne, went forth +from his monastery to preach to the poor. He took with him a young lad +as his only attendant. Together they walked along the dusty way. The +heat of the noonday sun beat upon their heads, and fatigue overcame +them. + +"Son," said Saint Cuthbert, "do you know any one on the road, whom we +may ask for food and a place in which to rest?" + +"I was just thinking the same thing," answered the lad, "but I know +nobody on the road who will entertain us. Alas! why did we not bring +along provisions? How can we proceed on our long journey without them?" + +"My son," answered the saint, "learn to have trust in God, who never +will suffer those to perish of hunger who believe in Him." + +Then looking up and seeing an eagle flying in the air, he added, "Do you +see the eagle yonder? It is possible for God to feed us by means of this +bird." + +While they were talking thus, they came to a river, and, lo! the eagle +stood on the bank. + +"Son," said Saint Cuthbert, "run and see what provision God has made for +us by his handmaid the bird." + +The lad ran, and found a good-sized fish that the eagle had just caught. +This he brought to the saint. + +"What have you done?" exclaimed the good man, "why have you not given a +part to God's handmaid? Cut the fish in two pieces, and give her one, as +her service well deserves." + +The lad did as he was bidden, and the eagle, taking the half fish in her +beak, flew away. + +Then entering a neighboring village, Saint Cuthbert gave the other half +to a peasant to cook, and while the lad and the villagers feasted, the +good saint preached to them the Word of God. + + + + +THE EARS OF WHEAT + +BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM (TRANSLATED) + +Ages upon ages ago, says the German grandmother, when angels used to +wander on earth, the ground was more fruitful than it is now. Then +the stalks of wheat bore not fifty or sixty fold, but four times five +hundred fold. Then the wheat-ears grew from the bottom to the top of the +stalk. But the men of the earth forgot that this blessing came from God, +and they became idle and selfish. + +One day a woman went through a wheat-field, and her little child, who +accompanied her, fell into a puddle and soiled her frock. The mother +tore off a handful of the wheat-ears and cleaned the child's dress with +them. + +Just then an angel passed by and saw her. Wrathfully he spoke:-- + +"Wasteful woman, no longer shall the wheat-stalks produce ears. You +mortals are not worthy of the gifts of Heaven!" + +Some peasants who were gathering wheat in the fields heard this, and +falling on their knees, prayed and entreated the angel to leave the +wheat alone, not only on their account, but for the sake of the little +birds who otherwise must perish of hunger. + +The angel pitied their distress, and granted a part of the prayer. And +from that day to this the ears of wheat have grown as they do now. + + + + +HOW INDIAN CORN CAME INTO THE WORLD + +AN OJIBBEWAY LEGEND + +BY HENRY R. SCHOOLCRAFT (ADAPTED) + +Long, long ago, in a beautiful part of this country, there lived an +Indian with his wife and children. He was poor and found it hard to +provide food enough for his family. But though needy he was kind and +contented, and always gave thanks to the Great Spirit for everything +that he received. His eldest son, Wunzh, was likewise kind and gentle +and thankful of heart, and he longed greatly to do something for his +people. + +The time came that Wunzh reached the age when every Indian boy fasts so +that he may see in a vision the Spirit that is to be his guide through +life. Wunph's father built him a little lodge apart, so that the boy +might rest there undisturbed during his days of fasting. Then Wunzh +withdrew to begin the solemn rite. + +On the first day he walked alone in the woods looking at the flowers and +plants, and filling his mind with the beautiful images of growing things +so that he might see them in his night-dreams. He saw how the flowers +and herbs and berries grew, and he knew that some were good for food, +and that others healed wounds and cured sickness. And his heart was +filled with even a greater longing to do something for his family and +his tribe. + +"Truly," thought he, "the Great Spirit made all things. To Him we owe +our lives. But could He not make it easier for us to get our food than +by hunting and catching fish? I must try to find this out in my vision." + +So Wunzh returned to his lodge and fasted and slept. On the third day he +became weak and faint. Soon he saw in a vision a young brave coming down +from the sky and approaching the lodge. He was clad in rich garments of +green and yellow colors. On his head was a tuft of nodding green plumes, +and all his motions were graceful and swaying. + +"I am sent to you, O Wunzh," said the sky-stranger, "by that Great +Spirit who made all things in sky and earth. He has seen your fasting, +and knows how you wish to do good to your people, and that you do not +seek for strength in war nor for the praise of warriors. I am sent to +tell you how you may do good to your kindred. Arise and wrestle with me, +for only by overcoming me may you learn the secret." + +Wunzh, though he was weak from fasting, felt courage grow in his heart, +and he arose and wrestled with the stranger. But soon he became weaker +and exhausted, and the stranger, seeing this, smiled gently on him and +said: "My friend, this is enough for once, I will come again to-morrow." +And he vanished as suddenly as he had appeared. + +The next day the stranger came, and Wunzh felt himself weaker than +before; nevertheless he rose and wrestled bravely. Then the stranger +spoke a second time. "My friend," he said, "have courage! To-morrow will +be your last trial." And he disappeared from Wunzh's sight. + +On the third day the stranger came as before, and the struggle was +renewed. And Wunzh, though fainter in body, grew strong in mind and +will, and he determined to win or perish in the attempt. He exerted all +his powers, and, lo! in a while, he prevailed and overcame the stranger. + +"O Wunzh, my friend," said the conquered one, "you have wrestled +manfully. You have met your trial well. To-morrow I shall come again +and you must wrestle with me for the last time. You will prevail. Do you +then strip off my garments, throw me down, clean the earth of roots and +weeds, and bury me in that spot. When you have done so, leave my body in +the ground. Come often to the place and see whether I have come to life, +but be careful not to let weeds or grass grow on my grave. If you do all +this well, you will soon discover how to benefit your fellow creatures." +Having said this the stranger disappeared. + +In the morning Wunzh's father came to him with food. "My son," he said, +"you have fasted long. It is seven days since you have tasted food, and +you must not sacrifice your life. The Master of Life does not require +that." + +"My father," replied the boy, "wait until the sun goes down to-morrow. +For a certain reason I wish to fast until that hour." + +"Very well," said the old man, "I shall wait until the time arrives when +you feel inclined to eat." And he went away. + +The next day, at the usual hour, the sky stranger came again. And, +though Wunzh had fasted seven days, he felt a new power arise within +him. He grasped the stranger with superhuman strength, and threw him +down. He took from him his beautiful garments, and, finding him dead, +buried him in the softened earth, and did all else as he had been +directed. + +He then returned to his father's lodge, and partook sparingly of food. +There he abode for some time. But he never forgot the grave of his +friend. Daily he visited it, and pulled up the weeds and grass, and kept +the earth soft and moist. Very soon, to his great wonder, he saw the +tops of green plumes coming through the ground. + +Weeks passed by, the summer was drawing to a close. One day Wunzh asked +his father to follow him. He led him to a distant meadow. There, in +the place where the stranger had been buried, stood a tall and graceful +plant, with bright-colored, silken hair, and crowned by nodding green +plumes. Its stalk was covered with waving leaves, and there grew from +its sides clusters of milk-filled ears of corn, golden and sweet, each +ear closely wrapped in its green husks. + +"It is my friend!" shouted the boy joyously; "it is Mondawmin, the +Indian Corn! We need no longer depend on hunting, so long as this gift +is planted and cared for. The Great Spirit has heard my voice and has +sent us this food." + +Then the whole family feasted on the ears of corn and thanked the Great +Spirit who gave it. So Indian Corn came into the world. + + + + +THE NUTCRACKER DWARF + +BY COUNT FRANZ POCCI (TRANSLATED) + +Two boys gathered some hazelnuts in the woods. They sat down under a +tree and tried to eat them, but they did not have their knives, and +could not bite open the nuts with their teeth. + +"Oh," they complained, "if only some one would come and open the nuts +for us!" + +Hardly had they said this when a little man came through the woods. And +such a strange little man! He had a great, great head, and from the back +of it a slender pigtail hung down to his heels. He wore a golden cap, a +red coat and yellow stockings. + + +As he came near he sang:-- + + "Hight! hight! Bite! bite! + Hans hight I! Nuts bite I! + I chase the squirrels through the trees, + I gather nuts just as I please, + I place them 'twixt my jaws so strong, + And crack and eat them all day long!" + + +The boys almost died of laughter when they saw this funny little man, +who they knew was a Wood Dwarf. + +They called out to him: "If you know how to crack nuts, why, come here +and open ours." + +But the little man grumbled through his long white beard:-- + + "If I crack the nuts for you + Promise that you'll give me two." + + +"Yes, yes," cried the boys, "you shall have all the nuts you wish, only +crack some for us, and be quick about it!" + +The little man stood before them, for he could not sit down because of +his long, stiff pigtail that hung down behind, and he sang:-- + + "Lift my pigtail, long and thin, + Place your nuts my jaws within, + Pull the pigtail down, and then + I'll crack your nuts, my little men." + + +The boys did as they were told, laughing hard all the time. Whenever +they pulled down the pigtail, there was a sharp CRACK, and a broken nut +sprang out of the Nutcracker's mouth. + +Soon all the hazelnuts were opened, and the little man grumbled again:-- + + "Hight! hight! Bite! bite! + Your nuts are cracked, and now my pay + I'll take and then I'll go away." + + +Now one of the boys wished to give the little man his promised reward, +but the other, who was a bad boy, stopped him, saying:-- + +"Why do you give that old fellow our nuts? There are only enough for us. +As for you, Nutcracker, go away from here and find some for yourself." + +Then the little man grew angry, and he grumbled horribly:-- + + "If you do not pay my fee, + Why, then, you've told a lie to me! + I am hungry, you're well fed, + Quick, or I'll bite off your head!" + + +But the bad boy only laughed and said: "You 'll bite off my head, will +you! Go away from here just as fast as you can, or you shall feel these +nut-shells," and he shook his fist at the little man. + +The Nutcracker grew red with rage. He pulled up his pigtail, snapping +his jaws together,--CRACK,--and the bad boy's head was off. + + + + +THE PUMPKIN PIRATES + +A TALE FROM LUCIAN + +BY ALFRED J. CHURCH (ADAPTED) + +Once upon a time, one Lucian the Greek was filled with a desire to see +strange countries, and especially to discover whether there was any +opposite shore to the ocean by which he lived. + +So having purchased a vessel, he strengthened it for a voyage, that he +knew would without doubt be long and stormy. Then he chose fifty stout +young fellows having the same love of adventure as himself, and next he +hired the best captain that could be got for money, and put a store of +provisions and water on board. + +All this being done, he set sail. For many days he and his companions +voyaged on deep waters and in strange seas. At times the wind was +fair and gentle, and at others it blew so hard that the sea rose in a +terrible manner. + +One day there came a violent whirlwind which twisted the ship about, +and, lifting it into the air, carried it upward into the sky, until it +reached the Moon. There Lucian and his comrades disembarked and visited +the inhabitants of Moonland. They took part in a fierce battle between +the Moon-Folk, the Sun-Folk, and an army of Vulture-Horsemen; and, +after many other wonderful adventures, they departed from Moonland, +and sailing through the sky, visited the Morning Star. Then the wind +dropping, the ship settled once more upon the sea, and they sailed on +the water. + +One morning the wind began to blow vehemently, and they were driven by +storm for days. On the third day they fell in with the Pumpkin Pirates. +These were savages who were wont to sally forth from the islands that +lay in the seas thereabouts, and plunder them that sailed by. + +For ships they had large pumpkins, each being not less than ninety feet +in length. These pumpkins they dried, and afterward dug out all the +inner part of them till they were quite hollow. For masts they had +reeds, and for sails, in the place of canvas, pumpkin leaves. + +These savages attacked Lucian's vessel with two ships' or rather two +pumpkins' crews, and wounded many of his company. For stones they used +the pumpkin-seeds, which were about the bigness of a large apple. + +Lucian's company fought for some time, without gaining the advantage, +when about noon they saw coming toward them, in the rear of the Pumpkin +Pirates, the Nut-Shell Sailors. These two tribes were at war with each +other. + +As soon as the Pumpkin Pirates saw the others approaching, they left +off fighting Lucian's crew, and prepared to give battle to the Nut-Shell +Sailors. When Lucian saw this he ordered the captain to set all sails; +and they departed with speed. But looking back he could see that the +Nut-Shell Sailors had the best of the battle, being superior in numbers, +having five crews against two of the Pumpkin Pirates, and also because +their ships were stronger. As for their ships, they were the shells of +nuts which had been split in half, each measuring fifteen fathoms, or +thereabouts. + +As soon as the Pumpkin Pirates and the Nut-Shell Sailors were out +of sight, Lucian set himself to dressing the wounds of his injured +companions. And from that time on both Lucian and his crew wore their +armor continually, not knowing when another strange enemy might come +upon them. + + + + +THE SPIRIT OF THE CORN + +AN IROQUOIS LEGEND + +BY HARRIET MAXWELL CONVERSE (ADAPTED) + +There was a time, says the Iroquois grandmother, when it was not needful +to plant the corn-seed nor to hoe the fields, for the corn sprang up of +itself, and filled the broad meadows. Its stalks grew strong and tall, +and were covered with leaves like waving banners, and filled with ears +of pearly grain wrapped in silken green husks. + +In those days Onatah, the Spirit of the Corn, walked upon the earth. The +sun lovingly touched her dusky face with the blush of the morning, +and her eyes grew soft as the gleam of the stars on dark streams. Her +night-black hair was spread before the breeze like a wind-driven cloud. + +As she walked through the fields, the corn, the Indian maize, sprang up +of itself from the earth and filled the air with its fringed tassels and +whispering leaves. With Onatah walked her two sisters, the Spirits of +the Squash and the Bean. As they passed by, squash-vines and bean-plants +grew from the corn-hills. + +One day Onatah wandered away alone in search of early dew. Then the Evil +One of the earth, Hahgwehdaetgah, followed swiftly after. He grasped her +by the hair and dragged her beneath the ground down to his gloomy cave. +Then, sending out his fire-breathing monsters, he blighted Onatah's +grain. And when her sisters, the Spirits of the Squash and the Bean, +saw the flame-monsters raging through the fields, they flew far away in +terror. + +As for poor Onatah, she lay a trembling captive in the dark prison-cave +of the Evil One. She mourned the blight of her cornfields, and sorrowed +over her runaway sisters. + +"O warm, bright sun!" she cried, "if I may walk once more upon the +earth, never again will I leave my corn!" + +And the little birds of the air heard her cry, and winging their way +upward they carried her vow and gave it to the sun as he wandered +through the blue heavens. + +The sun, who loved Onatah, sent out many searching beams of light. They +pierced through the damp earth, and entering the prison-cave, guided her +back again to her fields. + +And ever after that she watched her fields alone, for no more did her +sisters, the Spirits of the Squash and Bean, watch with her. If +her fields thirsted, no longer could she seek the early dew. If the +flame-monsters burned her corn, she could not search the skies for +cooling winds. And when the great rains fell and injured her harvest, +her voice grew so faint that the friendly sun could not hear it. + +But ever Onatah tenderly watched her fields and the little birds of the +air flocked to her service. They followed her through the rows of corn, +and made war on the tiny enemies that gnawed at the roots of the grain. + +And at harvest-time the grateful Onatah scattered the first gathered +corn over her broad lands, and the little birds, fluttering and singing, +joyfully partook of the feast spread for them on the meadow-ground. + + + + +THE HORN OF PLENTY + +BY OVID (ADAPTED) + +Aeneus, King of Aetolia, had a daughter whose name was Deianira. So +beautiful was the maiden that her fame spread throughout the world, and +many princes came to woo her. Among these were two strangers, who drove +all the other suitors from the hall of King Aeneus. + +One was Hercules, huge of limb and broad of shoulder. He was clad in +the skins of beasts, and carried in his hand a knotted club. His tangled +hair hung down upon his brawny neck, and his fierce eyes gleamed from +behind his shaggy brows. + +The other stranger was Achelous, god of the Calydonian River. Slender +and graceful was he, and clad in flowing green raiment. In his hand +he carried a staff of plaited reeds, and on his head was a crown of +water-lilies. His voice was soft and caressing, like the gentle murmur +of summer brooks. + +"O King Aeneus," said Achelous, standing before the throne, "behold I +am the King of Waters. If thou wilt receive me as thy son-in-law I will +make the beautiful Deianira queen of my river kingdom." + +"King Aeneus," said the mighty Hercules, stepping forward, "Deianira is +mine, and I will not yield her to this river-god." + +"Impertinent stranger!" cried Achelous, turning toward the hero, while +his voice rose till it sounded like the thunder of distant cataracts, +and his green garment changed to the blackness of night,--"impertinent +stranger! how darest thou claim this maiden,--thou who hast mortal blood +in thy veins! Behold me, the god Achelous, the powerful King of the +Waters! I wind with majesty through the rich lands of my wide realms. I +make all fields through which I flow beautiful with grass and flowers. +By my right divine I claim this maiden." + +But with scowling eye and rising wrath Hercules made answer. "Thou +wouldst fight with words, like a woman, while I would win by my +strength! My right hand is better than my tongue. If thou wouldst have +the maiden, then must thou first overcome me in combat." + +Thereupon Achelous threw off his raiment and began to prepare himself +for the struggle. Hercules took off his garment of beasts' skins, and +cast aside his club. The two then anointed their bodies with oil, and +threw yellow sand upon themselves. + +They took their places, they attacked, they retired, they rushed again +to the conflict. They stood firm, and they yielded not. Long they +bravely wrestled and fought; till at length Hercules by his might +overcame Achelous and bore him to the ground. He pressed him down, and, +while the fallen river-god lay panting for breath, the hero seized him +by the neck. + +Then did Achelous have recourse to his magic arts. Transforming himself +into a serpent he escaped from the hero. He twisted his body into +winding folds, and darted out his forked tongue with frightful hissings. + +But Hercules laughed mockingly, and cried out: "Ah, Achelous! While yet +in my cradle I strangled two serpents! And what art thou compared to the +Hydra whose hundred heads I cut off? Every time I cut of I one head two +others grew in its place. Yet did I conquer that horror, in spite of its +branching serpents that darted from every wound! Thinkest thou, then, +that I fear thee, thou mimic snake?" And even as he spake he gripped, as +with a pair of pincers, the back of the river-god's head. + +And Achelous struggled in vain to escape. Then, again having recourse to +his magic, he became a raging bull, and renewed the fight. But Hercules, +that mighty hero, threw his huge arms over the brawny neck of the bull, +and dragged him about. Then seizing hold of his horns, he bent his head +to one side, and bearing down fastened them into the ground. And that +was not enough, but with relentless hand he broke one of the horns, and +tore it from Achelous's forehead. + +The river-god returned to his own shape. He roared aloud with rage and +pain, and hiding his mutilated head in his mantle, rushed from the hall +and plunged into the swirling waters of his stream. + +Then the goddess of Plenty, and all the Wood-Nymphs and Water-Nymphs +came forward to greet the conqueror with song and dance. They took +the huge horn of Achelous and heaped it high with the rich and glowing +fruits and flowers of autumn. They wreathed it with vines and with +clustering grapes, and bearing it aloft presented it to Hercules and his +beautiful bride Deianira. + +And ever since that day has the Horn of Plenty gladdened men's hearts at +Harvest-Time. + + + + + +CHRISTMAS DAY + +(DECEMBER 25) + +LITTLE PICCOLA + +AFTER CELIA THAXTER + +In the sunny land of France there lived many years ago a sweet little +maid named Piccola. + +Her father had died when she was a baby, and her mother was very poor +and had to work hard all day in the fields for a few sous. + +Little Piccola had no dolls and toys, and she was often hungry and cold, +but she was never sad nor lonely. + +What if there were no children for her to play with! What if she did not +have fine clothes and beautiful toys! In summer there were always the +birds in the forest, and the flowers in the fields and meadows,--the +birds sang so sweetly, and the flowers were so bright and pretty! + +In the winter when the ground was covered with snow, Piccola helped her +mother, and knit long stockings of blue wool. + +The snow-birds had to be fed with crumbs, if she could find any, and +then, there was Christmas Day. + +But one year her mother was ill and could not earn any money. Piccola +worked hard all the day long, and sold the stockings which she knit, +even when her own little bare feet were blue with the cold. + +As Christmas Day drew near she said to her mother, "I wonder what the +good Saint Nicholas will bring me this year. I cannot hang my stocking +in the fireplace, but I shall put my wooden shoe on the hearth for him. +He will not forget me, I am sure." + +"Do not think of it this year, my dear child," replied her mother. "We +must be glad if we have bread enough to eat." + +But Piccola could not believe that the good saint would forget her. On +Christmas Eve she put her little wooden patten on the hearth before the +fire, and went to sleep to dream of Saint Nicholas. + +As the poor mother looked at the little shoe, she thought how unhappy +her dear child would be to find it empty in the morning, and wished that +she had something, even if it were only a tiny cake, for a Christmas +gift. There was nothing in the house but a few sous, and these must be +saved to buy bread. + +When the morning dawned Piccola awoke and ran to her shoe. + +Saint Nicholas had come in the night. He had not forgotten the little +child who had thought of him with such faith. + +See what he had brought her. It lay in the wooden patten, looking up at +her with its two bright eyes, and chirping contentedly as she stroked +its soft feathers. + +A little swallow, cold and hungry, had flown into the chimney and down +to the room, and had crept into the shoe for warmth. + +Piccola danced for joy, and clasped the shivering swallow to her breast. + +She ran to her mother's bedside. "Look, look!" she cried. "A Christmas +gift, a gift from the good Saint Nicholas!" And she danced again in her +little bare feet. + +Then she fed and warmed the bird, and cared for it tenderly all winter +long; teaching it to take crumbs from her hand and her lips, and to sit +on her shoulder while she was working. + +In the spring she opened the window for it to fly away, but it lived +in the woods near by all summer, and came often in the early morning to +sing its sweetest songs at her door. + + + + +THE STRANGER CHILD + +A LEGEND + +BY COUNT FRANZ POCCI (TRANSLATED) + +There once lived a laborer who earned his daily bread by cutting wood. +His wife and two children, a boy and girl, helped him with his work. The +boy's name was Valentine, and the girl's, Marie. They were obedient and +pious and the joy and comfort of their poor parents. + +One winter evening, this good family gathered about the table to eat +their small loaf of bread, while the father read aloud from the Bible. +Just as they sat down there came a knock on the window, and a sweet +voice called:-- + +"O let me in! I am a little child, and I have nothing to eat, and no +place to sleep in. I am so cold and hungry! Please, good people, let me +in!" + +Valentine and Marie sprang from the table and ran to open the door, +saying:-- + +"Come in, poor child, we have but very little ourselves, not much more +than thou hast, but what we have we will share with thee." + +The stranger Child entered, and going to the fire began to warm his cold +hands. + +The children gave him a portion of their bread, and said:-- + +"Thou must be very tired; come, lie down in our bed, and we will sleep +on the bench here before the fire." + +Then answered the stranger Child: "May God in Heaven reward you for your +kindness." + +They led the little guest to their small room, laid him in their bed, +and covered him closely, thinking to themselves:-- + +"Oh! how much we have to be thankful for! We have our nice warm room and +comfortable bed, while this Child has nothing but the sky for a roof, +and the earth for a couch." + +When the parents went to their bed, Valentine and Marie lay down on the +bench before the fire, and said one to the other:-- + +"The stranger Child is happy now, because he is so warm! Good-night!" + +Then they fell asleep. + +They had not slept many hours, when little Marie awoke, and touching her +brother lightly, whispered:-- + +"Valentine, Valentine, wake up! wake up! Listen to the beautiful music +at the window." + +Valentine rubbed his eyes and listened. He heard the most wonderful +singing and the sweet notes of many harps. + + "Blessed Child, + Thee we greet, + With sound of harp + And singing sweet. + + "Sleep in peace, + Child so bright, + We have watched thee + All the night. + + "Blest the home + That holdeth Thee, + Peace, and love, + Its guardians be." + + +The children listened to the beautiful singing, and it seemed to fill +them with unspeakable happiness. Then creeping to the window they looked +out. + +They saw a rosy light in the east, and, before the house in the snow, +stood a number of little children holding golden harps and lutes in +their hands, and dressed in sparkling, silver robes. + +Full of wonder at this sight, Valentine and Marie continued to gaze out +at the window, when they heard a sound behind them, and turning saw the +stranger Child standing near. He was clad in a golden garment, and wore +a glistening, golden crown upon his soft hair. Sweetly he spoke to the +children:-- + +"I am the Christ Child, who wanders about the world seeking to bring +joy and good things to loving children. Because you have lodged me this +night I will leave with you my blessing." + +As the Christ Child spoke He stepped from the door, and breaking off +a bough from a fir tree that grew near, planted it in the ground, +saying:-- + +"This bough shall grow into a tree, and every year it shall bear +Christmas fruit for you." + +Having said this He vanished from their sight, together with the +silver-clad, singing children--the angels. + +And, as Valentine and Marie looked on in wonder, the fir bough grew, and +grew, and grew, into a stately Christmas Tree laden with golden apples, +silver nuts, and lovely toys. And after that, every year at Christmas +time, the Tree bore the same wonderful fruit. + +And you, dear boys and girls, when you gather around your richly +decorated trees, think of the two poor children who shared their bread +with a stranger child, and be thankful. + + + + +SAINT CHRISTOPHER + +A GOLDEN LEGEND + +ENGLISHED BY WILLIAM CAXTON (ADAPTED) + +Christopher was a Canaanite, and he was of a right great stature, twelve +cubits in height, and had a terrible countenance. And it is said that as +he served and dwelled with the King of Canaan, it came in his mind that +he would seek the greatest prince that was in the world, and him would +he serve and obey. + +So he went forth and came to a right great king, whom fame said was the +greatest of the world. And when the king saw him he received him into +his service, and made him to dwell in his court. + +Upon a time a minstrel sang before him a song in which he named oft the +devil. And the king, who was a Christian, when he heard him name the +devil, made anon the sign of the cross. + +And when Christopher saw that he marveled, and asked what the sign might +mean. And because the king would not say, he said: "If thou tell me not, +I shall no longer dwell with thee." + +And then the King told him, saying: "Alway when I hear the devil named +make I this sign lest he grieve or annoy me." + +Then said Christopher to him: "Fearest thou the devil? Then is the devil +more mighty and greater than thou art. I am then deceived, for I had +supposed that I had found the most mighty and the most greatest lord in +all the world! Fare thee well, for I will now go seek the devil to be my +lord and I his servant." + +So Christopher departed from this king and hastened to seek the devil. +And as he went by a great desert he saw a company of knights, and one of +them, a knight cruel and horrible, came to him and demanded whither he +went. + +And Christopher answered: "I go to seek the devil for to be my master." + +Then said the knight: "I am he that thou seekest." + +And then Christopher was glad and bound himself to be the devil's +servant, and took him for his master and lord. + +Now, as they went along the way they found there a cross, erect and +standing. And anon as the devil saw the cross he was afeared and fled. +And when Christopher saw that he marveled and demanded why he was +afeared, and why he fled away. And the devil would not tell him in no +wise. + +Then Christopher said to him: "If thou wilt not tell me, I shall anon +depart from thee and shall serve thee no more." + +Wherefore the devil was forced to tell him and said: "There was a man +called Christ, which was hanged on the cross, and when I see his sign I +am sore afraid and flee from it." + +To whom Christopher said: "Then he is greater and more mightier than +thou, since thou art afraid of his sign, and I see well that I have +labored in vain, and have not founden the greatest lord of the world. I +will serve thee no longer, but I will go seek Christ." + +And when Christopher had long sought where he should find Christ, at +last he came into a great desert, to a hermit that dwelt there. And he +inquired of him where Christ was to be found. + +Then answered the hermit: "The king whom thou desirest to serve, +requireth that thou must often fast." + +Christopher said: "Require of me some other thing and I shall do it, but +fast I may not." + +And the hermit said: "Thou must then wake and make many prayers." + +And Christopher said: "I do not know how to pray, so this I may not do." + +And the hermit said: "Seest thou yonder deep and wide river, in which +many people have perished? Because thou art noble, and of high stature +and strong of limb, so shalt thou live by the river and thou shalt bear +over all people who pass that way. And this thing will be pleasing to +our Lord Jesu Christ, whom thou desirest to serve, and I hope he shall +show himself to thee." + +Then said Christopher: "Certes, this service may I well do, and I +promise Him to do it." + +Then went Christopher to this river, and built himself there a hut. He +carried a great pole in his hand, to support himself in the water, and +bore over on his shoulders all manner of people to the other side. And +there he abode, thus doing many days. + +And on a time, as he slept in his hut, he heard the voice of a child +which called him:-- + +"Christopher, Christopher, come out and bear me over." + +Then he awoke and went out, but he found no man. And when he was again +in his house he heard the same voice, crying:-- + +"Christopher, Christopher, come out and bear me over." + +And he ran out and found nobody. + +And the third time he was called and ran thither, and he found a Child +by the brink of the river, which prayed him goodly to bear him over the +water. + +And then Christopher lifted up the Child on his shoulders, and took his +staff, and entered into the river for to pass over. And the water of the +river arose and swelled more and more; and the Child was heavy as lead, +and always as Christopher went farther the water increased and grew +more, and the Child more and more waxed heavy, insomuch that Christopher +suffered great anguish and was afeared to be drowned. + +And when he was escaped with great pain, and passed over the water, and +set the Child aground, he said:-- + +"Child, thou hast put me in great peril. Thou weighest almost as I had +all the world upon me. I might bear no greater burden." + +And the Child answered: "Christopher, marvel thee nothing, for thou hast +not only borne all the world upon thee, but thou hast borne Him that +created and made all the world, upon thy shoulders. I am Jesu Christ the +King whom thou servest. And that thou mayest know that I say the truth, +set thy staff in the earth by thy house, and thou shalt see to-morn that +it shall bear flowers and fruit." + +And anon the Child vanished from his eyes. + +And then Christopher set his staff in the earth, and when he arose on +the morn, he found his staff bearing flowers, leaves, and dates. + + + + +THE CHRISTMAS ROSE + +AN OLD LEGEND + +BY LIZZIE DEAS (ADAPTED) + +When the Magi laid their rich offerings of myrrh, frankincense, and +gold, by the bed of the sleeping Christ Child, legend says that a +shepherd maiden stood outside the door quietly weeping. + +She, too, had sought the Christ Child. She, too, desired to bring him +gifts. But she had nothing to offer, for she was very poor indeed. In +vain she had searched the countryside over for one little flower to +bring Him, but she could find neither bloom nor leaf, for the winter had +been cold. + +And as she stood there weeping, an angel passing saw her sorrow, and +stooping he brushed aside the snow at her feet. And there sprang up on +the spot a cluster of beautiful winter roses,--waxen white with pink +tipped petals. + +"Nor myrrh, nor frankincense, nor gold," said the angel, "is offering +more meet for the Christ Child than these pure Christmas Roses." + +Joyfully the shepherd maiden gathered the flowers and made her offering +to the Holy Child. + + + + +THE WOODEN SHOES OF LITTLE WOLFF + +BY FRANCOIS COPPEE (ADAPTED) + +Once upon a time,--so long ago that the world has forgotten the +date,--in a city of the North of Europe,--the name of which is so hard +to pronounce that no one remembers it,--there was a little boy, just +seven years old, whose name was Wolff. He was an orphan and lived with +his aunt, a hard-hearted, avaricious old woman, who never kissed him but +once a year, on New Year's Day; and who sighed with regret every time +she gave him a bowlful of soup. + +The poor little boy was so sweet-tempered that he loved the old woman in +spite of her bad treatment, but he could not look without trembling at +the wart, decorated with four gray hairs, which grew on the end of her +nose. + +As Wolff's aunt was known to have a house of her own and a woolen +stocking full of gold, she did not dare to send her nephew to the school +for the poor. But she wrangled so that the schoolmaster of the rich +boys' school was forced to lower his price and admit little Wolff among +his pupils. The bad schoolmaster was vexed to have a boy so meanly clad +and who paid so little, and he punished little Wolff severely without +cause, ridiculed him, and even incited against him his comrades, who +were the sons of rich citizens. They made the orphan their drudge and +mocked at him so much that the little boy was as miserable as the +stones in the street, and hid himself away in corners to cry--when the +Christmas season came. + +On the Eve of the great Day the schoolmaster was to take all his pupils +to the midnight mass, and then to conduct them home again to their +parents' houses. + +Now as the winter was very severe, and a quantity of snow had fallen +within the past few days, the boys came to the place of meeting warmly +wrapped up, with fur-lined caps drawn down over their ears, padded +jackets, gloves and knitted mittens, and good strong shoes with thick +soles. Only little Wolff presented himself shivering in his thin +everyday clothes, and wearing on his feet socks and wooden shoes. + +His naughty comrades tried to annoy him in every possible way, but +the orphan was so busy warming his hands by blowing on them, and was +suffering so much from chilblains, that he paid no heed to the taunts of +the others. Then the band of boys, marching two by two, started for the +parish church. + +It was comfortable inside the church, which was brilliant with lighted +tapers. And the pupils, made lively by the gentle warmth, the sound of +the organ, and the singing of the choir, began to chatter in low tones. +They boasted of the midnight treats awaiting them at home. The son of +the Mayor had seen, before leaving the house, a monstrous goose larded +with truffles so that it looked like a black-spotted leopard. Another +boy told of the fir tree waiting for him, on the branches of which hung +oranges, sugar-plums, and punchinellos. Then they talked about what the +Christ Child would bring them, or what he would leave in their shoes +which they would certainly be careful to place before the fire when they +went to bed. And the eyes of the little rogues, lively as a crowd of +mice, sparkled with delight as they thought of the many gifts they +would find on waking,--the pink bags of burnt almonds, the bonbons, lead +soldiers standing in rows, menageries, and magnificent jumping-jacks, +dressed in purple and gold. + +Little Wolff, alas! knew well that his miserly old aunt would send him +to bed without any supper; but as he had been good and industrious all +the year, he trusted that the Christ Child would not forget him, so he +meant that night to set his wooden shoes on the hearth. + +The midnight mass was ended. The worshipers hurried away, anxious to +enjoy the treats awaiting them in their homes. The band of pupils, two +by two, following the schoolmaster, passed out of the church. + +Now, under the porch, seated on a stone bench, in the shadow of an +arched niche, was a child asleep,--a little child dressed in a white +garment and with bare feet exposed to the cold. He was not a beggar, for +his dress was clean and new, and--beside him upon the ground, tied in a +cloth, were the tools of a carpenter's apprentice. + +Under the light of the stars, his face, with its closed eyes, shone +with an expression of divine sweetness, and his soft, curling blond hair +seemed to form an aureole of light about his forehead. But his tender +feet, blue with the cold on this cruel night of December, were pitiful +to see! + +The pupils so warmly clad and shod, passed with indifference before +the unknown child. Some, the sons of the greatest men in the city, cast +looks of scorn on the barefooted one. But little Wolff, coming last +out of the church, stopped deeply moved before the beautiful, sleeping +child. + +"Alas!" said the orphan to himself, "how dreadful! This poor little one +goes without stockings in weather so cold! And, what is worse, he has no +shoe to leave beside him while he sleeps, so that the Christ Child may +place something in it to comfort him in all his misery." + +And carried away by his tender heart, little Wolff drew off the wooden +shoe from his right foot, placed it before the sleeping child; and as +best as he was able, now hopping, now limping, and wetting his sock in +the snow, he returned to his aunt. + +"You good-for-nothing!" cried the old woman, full of rage as she saw +that one of his shoes was gone. "What have you done with your shoe, +little beggar?" + +Little Wolff did not know how to lie, and, though shivering with terror +as he saw the gray hairs on the end of her nose stand upright, he tried, +stammering, to tell his adventure. + +But the old miser burst into frightful laughter. "Ah! the sweet young +master takes off his shoe for a beggar! Ah! master spoils a pair of +shoes for a barefoot! This is something new, indeed! Ah! well, since +things are so, I will place the shoe that is left in the fireplace, and +to-night the Christ Child will put in a rod to whip you when you wake. +And to-morrow you shall have nothing to eat but water and dry bread, and +we shall see if the next time you will give away your shoe to the first +vagabond that comes along." + +And saying this the wicked woman gave him a box on each ear, and made +him climb to his wretched room in the loft. There the heartbroken little +one lay down in the darkness, and, drenching his pillow with tears, fell +asleep. + +But in the morning, when the old woman, awakened by the cold and shaken +by her cough, descended to the kitchen, oh! wonder of wonders! she +saw the great fireplace filled with bright toys, magnificent boxes of +sugar-plums, riches of all sorts, and in front of all this treasure, the +wooden shoe which her nephew had given to the vagabond, standing beside +the other shoe which she herself had placed there the night before, +intending to put in it a handful of switches. + +And as little Wolff, who had come running at the cries of his aunt, +stood in speechless delight before all the splendid Christmas gifts, +there came great shouts of laughter from the street. + +The old woman and the little boy went out to learn what it was all +about, and saw the gossips gathered around the public fountain. What +could have happened? Oh, a most amusing and extraordinary thing! The +children of all the rich men of the city, whose parents wished to +surprise them with the most beautiful gifts, had found nothing but +switches in their shoes! + +Then the old woman and little Wolff remembered with alarm all the riches +that were in their own fireplace, but just then they saw the pastor of +the parish church arriving with his face full of perplexity. + +Above the bench near the church door, in the very spot where the night +before a child, dressed in white, with bare feet exposed to the great +cold, had rested his sleeping head, the pastor had seen a golden +circle wrought into the old stones. Then all the people knew that the +beautiful, sleeping child, beside whom had lain the carpenter's tools, +was the Christ Child himself, and that he had rewarded the faith and +charity of little Wolff. + + + + +THE PINE TREE + +BY HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN (TRANSLATED) + + +I. WHEN IT WAS LITTLE + +Out in the woods stood such a nice little Pine Tree: he had a good +place; the sun could get at him; there was fresh air enough; and round +him grew many big comrades, both pines and firs. But the little Pine +wanted so very much to be a grown-up tree. + +He did not think of the warm sun and of the fresh air, he did not care +for the little cottage-children who ran about and prattled when they +were looking for wild strawberries and raspberries. Often they came with +a whole jug full, or had their strawberries strung on a straw, and sat +down near the little Tree and said, "Oh, what a nice little fellow!" +This was what the Tree could not bear to hear. + +The year after he had shot up a good deal, and the next year after he +was still bigger; for with pine trees one can always tell by the shoots +how many years old they are. + +"Oh, were I but such a big tree as the others are," sighed the little +Tree. "Then I could spread my branches so far, and with the tops look +out into the wide world! Birds would build nests among my branches; and +when there was a breeze, I could nod as grandly as the others there." + +He had no delight at all in the sunshine, or in the birds, or the red +clouds which morning and evening sailed above him. + +When now it was winter and the snow all around lay glittering white, +a hare would often come leaping along, and jump right over the little +Tree. Oh, that made him so angry! But two winters went by, and with +the third the Tree was so big that the hare had to go round it. "Oh, to +grow, to grow, to become big and old, and be tall," thought the Tree: +"that, after all, is the most delightful thing in the world!" + +In autumn the wood-cutters always came and felled some of the largest +trees. This happened every year, and the young Pine Tree, that was now +quite well grown, trembled at the sight; for the great stately trees +fell to the earth with noise and cracking, the branches were lopped off, +and the trees looked quite bare, they were so long and thin; you would +hardly know them for trees, and then they were laid on carts, and horses +dragged them out of the wood. + +Where did they go to? What became of them? + +In spring, when the Swallow and the Stork came, the Tree asked them, +"Don't you know where they have been taken? Have you not met them +anywhere?" + +The Swallow did not know anything about it; but the Stork looked +doubtful, nodded his head, and said, "Yes; I have it; I met many new +ships as I was flying from Egypt; on the ships were splendid masts, and +I dare say it was they that smelt so of pine. I wish you joy, for they +lifted themselves on high in fine style!" + +"Oh, were I but old enough to fly across the sea! How does the sea +really look? and what is it like?" + +"Aye, that takes a long time to tell," said the Stork, and away he went. + +"Rejoice in thy youth!" said the Sunbeams, "rejoice in thy hearty +growth, and in the young life that is in thee!" + +And the Wind kissed the Tree, and the Dew wept tears over him, but the +Pine Tree understood it not. + + + +II. CHRISTMAS IN THE WOODS + + +When Christmas came, quite young trees were cut down; trees which were +not even so large or of the same age as this Pine Tree, who had no rest +or peace, but always wanted to be off. These young trees, and they were +always the finest looking, always kept their branches; they were laid on +carts, and the horses drew them out of the wood. + +"Where are they going to?" asked the Pine Tree. "They are not taller +than I; there was one, indeed, that was much shorter;--and why do they +keep all their branches? Where are they carrying them to?" + +"We know! we know!" chirped the Sparrows. "We have peeped in at the +windows down there in the town. We know where they are carrying them +to. Oh, they are going to where it is as bright and splendid as you can +think! We peeped through the windows, and saw them planted in the middle +of the warm room, and dressed with the most splendid things,--with +gilded apples, with gingerbread, with toys and many hundred lights!" + +"And then?" asked the Pine Tree, and he trembled in every bough. "And +then? What happens then?" + +"We did not see anything more: it beat everything!" + +"I wonder if I am to sparkle like that!" cried the Tree, rejoicing. +"That is still better than to go over the sea! How I do suffer for very +longing! Were Christmas but come! I am now tall, and stretch out like +the others that were carried off last year! Oh, if I were already on +the cart! I wish I were in the warm room with all the splendor and +brightness. And then? Yes; then will come something better, something +still grander, or why should they dress me out so? There must come +something better, something still grander,--but what? Oh, how I long, +how I suffer! I do not know myself what is the matter with me!" + +"Rejoice in us!" said the Air and the Sunlight; "rejoice in thy fresh +youth out here in the open air!" + +But the Tree did not rejoice at all; he grew and grew; and he stood +there in all his greenery; rich green was he winter and summer. People +that saw him said, "That's a fine tree!" and toward Christmas he was +the first that was cut down. The axe struck deep into the very pith; the +Tree fell to the earth with a sigh: he felt a pang--it was like a swoon; +he could not think of happiness, for he was sad at being parted from his +home, from the place where he had sprung up. He well knew that he should +never see his dear old comrades, the little bushes and flowers around +him, any more; perhaps not even the birds! The setting off was not at +all pleasant. + +The Tree only came to himself when he was unloaded in a courtyard with +other trees, and heard a man say, "That one is splendid! we don't want +the others." Then two servants came in rich livery and carried the +Pine Tree into a large and splendid room. Portraits were hanging on the +walls, and near the white porcelain stove stood two large Chinese vases +with lions on the covers. There, too, were large easy-chairs, silken +sofas, large tables full of picture-books, and full of toys worth a +hundred times a hundred dollars--at least so the children said. And the +Pine Tree was stuck upright in a cask filled with sand: but no one could +see that it was a cask, for green cloth was hung all around it, and it +stood on a gayly colored carpet. Oh, how the Tree quivered! What was to +happen? The servants, as well as the young ladies, dressed it. On one +branch there hung little nets cut out of colored paper; each net was +filled with sugar-plums; gilded apples and walnuts hung as though they +grew tightly there, and more than a hundred little red, blue, and white +tapers were stuck fast into the branches. Dolls that looked for all the +world like men--the Tree had never seen such things before--fluttered +among the leaves, and at the very top a large star of gold tinsel was +fixed. It was really splendid--splendid beyond telling. + +"This evening!" said they all; "how it will shine this evening!" + +"Oh," thought the Tree, "if it were only evening! If the tapers were but +lighted! And then I wonder what will happen! I wonder if the other trees +from the forest will come to look at me! I wonder if the sparrows will +beat against the window-panes! I wonder if I shall take root here, and +stand dressed so winter and summer!" + +Aye, aye, much he knew about the matter! but he had a real back-ache +for sheer longing, and a back-ache with trees is the same thing as a +head-ache with us. + + +III. CHRISTMAS IN THE HOUSE + + +The candles were now lighted. What brightness! What splendor! The Tree +trembled so in every bough that one of the tapers set fire to a green +branch. It blazed up splendidly. + +Now the Tree did not even dare to tremble. That was a fright! He was so +afraid of losing something of all his finery, that he was quite confused +amidst the glare and brightness; and now both folding-doors opened, and +a troop of children rushed in as if they would tip the whole Tree over. +The older folks came quietly behind; the little ones stood quite still, +but only for a moment, then they shouted so that the whole place echoed +their shouts, they danced round the Tree, and one present after another +was pulled off. + +"What are they about?" thought the Tree. "What is to happen now?" And +the lights burned down to the very branches, and as they burned down +they were put out one after the other, and then the children had leave +to plunder the Tree. Oh, they rushed upon it so that it cracked in all +its limbs; if its tip-top with the gold star on it had not been fastened +to the ceiling, it would have tumbled over. + +The children danced about with their pretty toys; no one looked at the +Tree except the old nurse, who peeped in among the branches; but it was +only to see if there was a fig or an apple that had been forgotten. + +"A story! a story!" cried the children, and they dragged a little fat +man toward the Tree. He sat down under it, and said, "Now we are in the +shade, and the Tree can hear very well too. But I shall tell only +one story. Now which will you have: that about Ivedy-Avedy, or about +Klumpy-Dumpy who tumbled downstairs, and came to the throne after all, +and married the princess?" + +"Ivedy-Avedy," cried some; "Klumpy-Dumpy," cried the others. There was +such a bawling and screaming!--the Pine Tree alone was silent, and he +thought to himself, "Am I not to bawl with the rest?--am I to do nothing +whatever?"--for he was one of them, and he had done what he had to do. + +And the man told about Klumpy-Dumpy who tumbled downstairs, and came to +the throne after all, and married the princess. And the children clapped +their hands, and cried out, "Go on, go on!" They wanted to hear about +Ivedy-Avedy too, but the little man only told them about Klumpy-Dumpy. +The Pine Tree stood quite still and thoughtful: the birds in the wood +had never told anything like this. "Klumpy-Dumpy fell downstairs, and +yet he married the princess! Yes, yes, that's the way of the world!" +thought the Pine Tree, and he believed it all, because it was such a +nice man who told the story. + +"Well, well! who knows, perhaps I may fall downstairs, too, and so get a +princess!" And he looked forward with joy to the next day when he should +be decked out with lights and toys, fruits and tinsel. + +"To-morrow I won't tremble!" thought the Pine Tree. "I will enjoy to +the full all my splendor! To-morrow I shall hear again the story of +Klumpy-Dumpy, and perhaps that of Ivedy-Avedy too." And the whole night +the Tree stood still in deep thought. + +In the morning the servant and the maid came in. + + +IV. IN THE ATTIC + + +"Now all the finery will begin again," thought the Pine. But they +dragged him out of the room, and up the stairs into the attic; and here +in a dark corner, where no daylight could enter, they left him. "What's +the meaning of this?" thought the Tree. "What am I to do here? What +shall I see and hear now, I wonder?" And he leaned against the wall and +stood and thought and thought. And plenty of time he had, for days and +nights passed, and nobody came up; and when at last somebody did come, +it was only to put some great trunks in the corner. There stood the Tree +quite hidden; it seemed as if he had been entirely forgotten. + +"'T is now winter out-of-doors!" thought the Tree. "The earth is hard +and covered with snow; men cannot plant me now; therefore I have been +put up here under cover till spring! How thoughtful that is! How good +men are, after all! If it were not so dark here, and so terribly lonely! +Not even a hare. Out there it was so pleasant in the woods, when the +snow was on the ground, and the hare leaped by; yes--even when he jumped +over me; but I did not like it then. It is terribly lonely here!" + +"Squeak! squeak!" said a little Mouse at the same moment, peeping out of +his hole. And then another little one came. They snuffed about the Pine +Tree, and rustled among the branches. + +"It is dreadfully cold," said the little Mouse. "But for that, it would +be delightful here, old Pine, wouldn't it!" + +"I am by no means old," said the Pine Tree. "There are many a good deal +older than I am." + +"Where do you come from?" asked the Mice; "and what can you do?" They +were so very curious. "Tell us about the most beautiful spot on earth. +Have you been there? Were you ever in the larder, where cheeses lie on +the shelves, and hams hang from above; where one dances about on tallow +candles; where one goes in lean and comes out fat?" + +"I don't know that place," said the Tree. "But I know the wood where the +sun shines, and where the little birds sing." + +And then he told his story from his youth up; and the little Mice had +never heard the like before; and they listened and said, "Well, to be +sure! How much you have seen! How happy you must have been!" + +"I!" said the Pine Tree, and he thought over what he had himself told. +"Yes, really those were happy times." And then he told about Christmas +Eve, when he was decked out with cakes and candles. + +"Oh," said the little Mice, "how lucky you have been, old Pine Tree!" + +"I am not at all old," said he. "I came from the wood this winter; I am +in my prime, and am only rather short of my age." + +"What delightful stories you know!" said the Mice: and the next night +they came with four other little Mice, who were to hear what the Tree +had to tell; and the more he told, the more plainly he remembered all +himself; and he thought: "That was a merry time! But it can come! it can +come! Klumpy-Dumpy fell down stairs, and yet he got a princess! Maybe I +can get a princess too!" And all of a sudden he thought of a nice little +Birch Tree growing out in the woods: to the Pine, that would be a really +charming princess. + +"Who is Klumpy-Dumpy?" asked the little Mice. + +So then the Pine Tree told the whole fairy tale, for he could remember +every single word of it; and the little Mice jumped for joy up to the +very top of the Tree. Next night two more Mice came, and on Sunday two +Rats, even; but they said the stories were not amusing, which vexed +the little Mice, because they, too, now began to think them not so very +amusing either. + +"Do you know only that one story?" asked the Rats. + +"Only that one!" answered the Tree. "I heard it on my happiest evening; +but I did not then know how happy I was." + +"It is a very stupid story! Don't you know one about bacon and tallow +candles? Can't you tell any larder-stories?" + +"No," said the Tree. + +"Thank you, then," said the Rats; and they went home. + +At last the little Mice stayed away also; and the Tree sighed: "After +all, it was very pleasant when the sleek little Mice sat round me and +heard what I told them. Now that too is over. But I will take good care +to enjoy myself when I am brought out again." + +But when was that to be? Why, it was one morning when there came a +number of people and set to work in the loft. The trunks were moved, the +tree was pulled out and thrown down; they knocked him upon the floor, +but a man drew him at once toward the stairs, where the daylight shone. + + +V. OUT OF DOORS AGAIN + + +"Now life begins again," thought the Tree. He felt the fresh air, the +first sunbeam,--and now he was out in the courtyard. All passed so +quickly that the Tree quite forgot to look to himself, there was so much +going on around him. The court adjoined a garden, and all was in flower; +the roses hung over the fence, so fresh and smelling so sweetly; +the lindens were in blossom, the Swallows flew by, and said, +"Quirre-virre-vit! my husband is come!" But it was not the Pine Tree +that they meant. + +"Now, I shall really live," said he with joy, and spread out his +branches; dear! dear! they were all dry and yellow. It was in a corner +among weeds and nettles that he lay. The golden star of tinsel was still +on top of the Tree, and shone in the bright sunshine. + +In the courtyard a few of the merry children were playing who had danced +at Christmas round the Tree, and were so glad at the sight of him. One +of the littlest ran and tore off the golden star. + +"See what is still on the ugly old Christmas Tree!" said he, and he +trampled on the branches, so that they cracked under his feet. + +And the Tree saw all the beauty of the flowers, and the freshness in the +garden; he saw himself, and he wished he had stayed in his dark corner +in the attic: he thought of his fresh youth in the wood, of the merry +Christmas Eve, and of the little Mice who had heard so gladly the story +of Klumpy-Dumpy. + +"Gone! gone!" said the poor Tree. "Had I but been happy when I could be. +Gone! gone!" + +And the gardener's boy came and chopped the Tree into small pieces; +there was a whole heap lying there. The wood flamed up finely under +the large brewing kettle, and it sighed so deeply! Each sigh was like a +little shot. So the children ran to where it lay and sat down before the +fire, and peeped in at the blaze, and shouted "Piff! paff!" But at every +snap there was a deep sigh. The Tree was thinking of summer days in +the wood, and of winter nights when the stars shone; it was thinking +of Christmas Eve and Klumpy-Dumpy, the only fairy tale it had heard and +knew how to tell,--and so the Tree burned out. + +The boys played about in the court, and the youngest wore the gold star +on his breast which the Tree had worn on the happiest evening of his +life. Now, that was gone, the Tree was gone, and gone too was the story. +All, all was gone, and that's the way with all stories. + + + + +THE CHRISTMAS CUCKOO + +BY FRANCES BROWNE (ADAPTED) + +Once upon a time there stood in the midst of a bleak moor, in the North +Country, a certain village. All its inhabitants were poor, for their +fields were barren, and they had little trade; but the poorest of them +all were two brothers called Scrub and Spare, who followed the cobbler's +craft. Their hut was built of clay and wattles. The door was low and +always open, for there was no window. The roof did not entirely keep out +the rain and the only thing comfortable was a wide fireplace, for which +the brothers could never find wood enough to make sufficient fire. +There they worked in most brotherly friendship, though with little +encouragement. + +On one unlucky day a new cobbler arrived in the village. He had lived in +the capital city of the kingdom and, by his own account, cobbled for the +queen and the princesses. His awls were sharp, his lasts were new; he +set up his stall in a neat cottage with two windows. The villagers soon +found out that one patch of his would outwear two of the brothers'. +In short, all the mending left Scrub and Spare, and went to the new +cobbler. + +The season had been wet and cold, their barley did not ripen well, and +the cabbages never half-closed in the garden. So the brothers were poor +that winter, and when Christmas came they had nothing to feast on but +a barley loaf and a piece of rusty bacon. Worse than that, the snow was +very deep and they could get no firewood. + +Their hut stood at the end of the village; beyond it spread the bleak +moor, now all white and silent. But that moor had once been a forest; +great roots of old trees were still to be found in it, loosened from +the soil and laid bare by the winds and rains. One of these, a rough, +gnarled log, lay hard by their door, the half of it above the snow, and +Spare said to his brother:-- + +"Shall we sit here cold on Christmas while the great root lies yonder? +Let us chop it up for firewood, the work will make us warm." + +"No," said Scrub, "it's not right to chop wood on Christmas; besides, +that root is too hard to be broken with any hatchet." + +"Hard or not, we must have a fire," replied Spare. "Come, brother, help +me in with it. Poor as we are there is nobody in the village will have +such a yule log as ours." + +Scrub liked a little grandeur, and, in hopes of having a fine yule log, +both brothers strained and strove with all their might till, between +pulling and pushing, the great old root was safe on the hearth, and +beginning to crackle and blaze with the red embers. + +In high glee the cobblers sat down to their bread and bacon. The door +was shut, for there was nothing but cold moonlight and snow outside; +but the hut, strewn with fir boughs and ornamented with holly, looked +cheerful as the ruddy blaze flared up and rejoiced their hearts. + +Then suddenly from out the blazing root they heard: "Cuckoo! cuckoo!" +as plain as ever the spring-bird's voice came over the moor on a May +morning. + +"What is that?" said Scrub, terribly frightened; "it is something bad!" + +"Maybe not," said Spare. + +And out of the deep hole at the side of the root, which the fire had not +reached, flew a large, gray cuckoo, and lit on the table before them. +Much as the cobblers had been surprised, they were still more so when it +said:-- + +"Good gentlemen, what season is this?" + +"It's Christmas," said Spare. + +"Then a merry Christmas to you!" said the cuckoo. "I went to sleep in +the hollow of that old root one evening last summer, and never woke till +the heat of your fire made me think it was summer again. But now since +you have burned my lodging, let me stay in your hut till the spring +comes round,--I only want a hole to sleep in, and when I go on my +travels next summer be assured I will bring you some present for your +trouble." + +"Stay and welcome," said Spare, while Scrub sat wondering if it were +something bad or not. + +"I'll make you a good warm hole in the thatch," said Spare. "But you +must be hungry after that long sleep,--here is a slice of barley bread. +Come help us to keep Christmas!" + +The cuckoo ate up the slice, drank water from a brown jug, and flew into +a snug hole which Spare scooped for it in the thatch of the hut. + +Scrub said he was afraid it wouldn't be lucky; but as it slept on and +the days passed he forgot his fears. + +So the snow melted, the heavy rains came, the cold grew less, the days +lengthened, and one sunny morning the brothers were awakened by the +cuckoo shouting its own cry to let them know the spring had come. + +"Now I'm going on my travels," said the bird, "over the world to tell +men of the spring. There is no country where trees bud, or flowers +bloom, that I will not cry in before the year goes round. Give me +another slice of barley bread to help me on my journey, and tell me what +present I shall bring you at the twelvemonth's end." + +Scrub would have been angry with his brother for cutting so large a +slice, their store of barley being low, but his mind was occupied with +what present it would be most prudent to ask for. + +"There are two trees hard by the well that lies at the world's end," +said the cuckoo; "one of them is called the golden tree, for its leaves +are all of beaten gold. Every winter they fall into the well with a +sound like scattered coin, and I know not what becomes of them. As for +the other, it is always green like a laurel. Some call it the wise, and +some the merry, tree. Its leaves never fall, but they that get one +of them keep a blithe heart in spite of all misfortunes, and can make +themselves as merry in a hut as in a palace." + +"Good master cuckoo, bring me a leaf off that tree!" cried Spare. + +"Now, brother, don't be a fool!" said Scrub; "think of the leaves of +beaten gold! Dear master cuckoo, bring me one of them!" + +Before another word could be spoken the cuckoo had flown out of the open +door, and was shouting its spring cry over moor and meadow. + +The brothers were poorer than ever that year. Nobody would send them a +single shoe to mend, and Scrub and Spare would have left the village +but for their barley-field and their cabbage-garden. They sowed their +barley, planted their cabbage, and, now that their trade was gone, +worked in the rich villagers' fields to make out a scanty living. + +So the seasons came and passed; spring, summer, harvest, and winter +followed each other as they have done from the beginning. At the end of +the latter Scrub and Spare had grown so poor and ragged that their old +neighbors forgot to invite them to wedding feasts or merrymakings, +and the brothers thought the cuckoo had forgotten them, too, when at +daybreak on the first of April they heard a hard beak knocking at their +door, and a voice crying:-- + +"Cuckoo! cuckoo! Let me in with my presents!" + +Spare ran to open the door, and in came the cuckoo, carrying on one +side of its bill a golden leaf larger than that of any tree in the North +Country; and in the other side of its bill, one like that of the common +laurel, only it had a fresher green. + +"Here," it said, giving the gold to Scrub and the green to Spare, "it is +a long carriage from the world's end. Give me a slice of barley bread, +for I must tell the North Country that the spring has come." + +Scrub did not grudge the thickness of that slice, though it was cut +from their last loaf. So much gold had never been in the cobbler's hands +before, and he could not help exulting over his brother. + +"See the wisdom of my choice," he said, holding up the large leaf of +gold. "As for yours, as good might be plucked from any hedge, I wonder a +sensible bird would carry the like so far." + +"Good master cobbler," cried the cuckoo, finishing its slice, +"your conclusions are more hasty than courteous. If your brother is +disappointed this time, I go on the same journey every year, and for +your hospitable entertainment will think it no trouble to bring each of +you whichever leaf you desire." + +"Darling cuckoo," cried Scrub, "bring me a golden one." + +And Spare, looking up from the green leaf on which he gazed as though it +were a crown-jewel, said:-- + +"Be sure to bring me one from the merry tree." + +And away flew the cuckoo. + +"This is the feast of All Fools, and it ought to be your birthday," said +Scrub. "Did ever man fling away such an opportunity of getting rich? +Much good your merry leaves will do in the midst of rags and poverty!" + +But Spare laughed at him, and answered with quaint old proverbs +concerning the cares that come with gold, till Scrub, at length getting +angry, vowed his brother was not fit to live with a respectable man; and +taking his lasts, his awls, and his golden leaf, he left the wattle hut, +and went to tell the villagers. + +They were astonished at the folly of Spare, and charmed with Scrub's +good sense, particularly when he showed them the golden leaf, and told +that the cuckoo would bring him one every spring. + +The new cobbler immediately took him into partnership; the greatest +people sent him their shoes to mend. Fairfeather, a beautiful village +maiden, smiled graciously upon him; and in the course of that summer +they were married, with a grand wedding feast, at which the whole +village danced except Spare, who was not invited, because the bride +could not bear his low-mindedness, and his brother thought him a +disgrace to the family. + +As for Scrub he established himself with Fairfeather in a cottage close +by that of the new cobbler, and quite as fine. There he mended shoes to +everybody's satisfaction, had a scarlet coat and a fat goose for +dinner on holidays. Fairfeather, too, had a crimson gown, and fine blue +ribbons; but neither she nor Scrub was content, for to buy this grandeur +the golden leaf had to be broken and parted With piece by piece, so the +last morsel was gone before the cuckoo came with another. + +Spare lived on in the old hut, and worked in the cabbage-garden. (Scrub +had got the barley-field because he was the elder.) Every day his coat +grew more ragged, and the hut more weather-beaten; but people remarked +that he never looked sad or sour. And the wonder was that, from the time +any one began to keep his company, he or she grew kinder, happier, and +content. + +Every first of April the cuckoo came tapping at their doors with the +golden leaf for Scrub, and the green for Spare. Fairfeather would have +entertained it nobly with wheaten bread and honey, for she had some +notion of persuading it to bring two golden leaves instead of one; but +the cuckoo flew away to eat barley bread with Spare, saying it was not +fit company for fine people, and liked the old hut where it slept so +snugly from Christmas till spring. + +Scrub spent the golden leaves, and remained always discontented; and +Spare kept the merry ones. + +I do not know how many years passed in this manner, when a certain great +lord, who owned that village, came to the neighborhood. His castle stood +on the moor. It was ancient and strong, with high towers and a deep +moat. All the country as far as one could see from the highest turret +belonged to its lord; but he had not been there for twenty years, and +would not have come then only he was melancholy. And there he lived in +a very bad temper. The servants said nothing would please him, and the +villagers put on their worst clothes lest he should raise their rents. + +But one day in the harvest-time His Lordship chanced to meet Spare +gathering water-cresses at a meadow stream, and fell into talk with the +cobbler. How it was nobody could tell, but from that hour the great lord +cast away his melancholy. He forgot all his woes, and went about with a +noble train, hunting, fishing, and making merry in his hall, where all +travelers were entertained, and all the poor were welcome. + +This strange story spread through the North Country, and great company +came to the cobbler's hut,--rich men who had lost their money, poor men +who had lost their friends, beauties who had grown old, wits who had +gone out of fashion,--all came to talk with Spare, and, whatever their +troubles had been, all went home merry. + +The rich gave him presents, the poor gave him thanks. Spare's coat +ceased to be ragged, he had bacon with his cabbage, and the villagers +began to think there was some sense in him. + + +By this time his fame had reached the capital city, and even the court. +There were a great many discontented people there; and the king had +lately fallen into ill humor because a neighboring princess, with seven +islands for her dowry, would not marry his eldest son. + +So a royal messenger was sent to Spare, with a velvet mantle, a diamond +ring, and a command that he should repair to court immediately. + +"To-morrow is the first of April," said Spare, "and I will go with you +two hours after sunrise." + +The messenger lodged all night at the castle, and the cuckoo came at +sunrise with the merry leaf. + +"Court is a fine place," it said, when the cobbler told it he was going, +"but I cannot come there; they would lay snares and catch me; so be +careful of the leaves I have brought you, and give me a farewell slice +of barley bread." + +Spare was sorry to part with the cuckoo, little as he had of its +company, but he gave it a slice which would have broken Scrub's heart in +former times, it was so thick and large. And having sewed up the leaves +in the lining of his leather doublet, he set out with the messenger on +his way to court. + +His coming caused great surprise there. Everybody wondered what the king +could see in such a common-looking man; but scarcely had His Majesty +conversed with him half an hour, when the princess and her seven islands +were forgotten and orders given that a feast for all comers should be +spread in the banquet hall. + +The princes of the blood, the great lords and ladies, the ministers of +state, after that discoursed with Spare, and the more they talked the +lighter grew their hearts, so that such changes had never been seen at +court. + +The lords forgot their spites and the ladies their envies, the princes +and ministers made friends among themselves, and the judges showed no +favor. + +As for Spare, he had a chamber assigned him in the palace, and a seat +at the king's table. One sent him rich robes, and another costly jewels; +but in the midst of all his grandeur he still wore the leathern doublet, +and continued to live at the king's court, happy and honored, and making +all others merry and content. + + + + +THE CHRISTMAS FAIRY OF STRASBURG + +A GERMAN FOLK-TALE + +BY J. STIRLING COYNE (ADAPTED) + +Once, long ago, there lived near the ancient city of Strasburg, on the +river Rhine, a young and handsome count, whose name was Otto. As the +years flew by he remained unwed, and never so much as cast a glance at +the fair maidens of the country round; for this reason people began to +call him "Stone-Heart." + +It chanced that Count Otto, on one Christmas Eve, ordered that a great +hunt should take place in the forest surrounding his castle. He and his +guests and his many retainers rode forth, and the chase became more +and more exciting. It led through thickets, and over pathless tracts +of forest, until at length Count Otto found himself separated from his +companions. + +He rode on by himself until he came to a spring of clear, bubbling +water, known to the people around as the "Fairy Well." Here Count Otto +dismounted. He bent over the spring and began to lave his hands in the +sparkling tide, but to his wonder he found that though the weather was +cold and frosty, the water was warm and delightfully caressing. He +felt a glow of joy pass through his veins, and, as he plunged his hands +deeper, he fancied that his right hand was grasped by another, soft +and small, which gently slipped from his finger the gold ring he always +wore. And, lo! when he drew out his hand, the gold ring was gone. + +Full of wonder at this mysterious event, the count mounted his horse and +returned to his castle, resolving in his mind that the very next day he +would have the Fairy Well emptied by his servants. + +He retired to his room, and, throwing himself just as he was upon his +couch, tried to sleep; but the strangeness of the adventure kept him +restless and wakeful. + +Suddenly he heard the hoarse baying of the watch-hounds in the +courtyard, and then the creaking of the drawbridge, as though it were +being lowered. Then came to his ear the patter of many small feet on +the stone staircase, and next he heard indistinctly the sound of light +footsteps in the chamber adjoining his own. + +Count Otto sprang from his couch, and as he did so there sounded a +strain of delicious music, and the door of his chamber was flung open. +Hurrying into the next room, he found himself in the midst of numberless +Fairy beings, clad in gay and sparkling robes. They paid no heed to +him, but began to dance, and laugh, and sing, to the sound of mysterious +music. + +In the center of the apartment stood a splendid Christmas Tree, the +first ever seen in that country. Instead of toys and candles there hung +on its lighted boughs diamond stars, pearl necklaces, bracelets of +gold ornamented with colored jewels, aigrettes of rubies and sapphires, +silken belts embroidered with Oriental pearls, and daggers mounted in +gold and studded with the rarest gems. The whole tree swayed, sparkled, +and glittered in the radiance of its many lights. + +Count Otto stood speechless, gazing at all this wonder, when suddenly +the Fairies stopped dancing and fell back, to make room for a lady of +dazzling beauty who came slowly toward him. + +She wore on her raven-black tresses a golden diadem set with jewels. +Her hair flowed down upon a robe of rosy satin and creamy velvet. She +stretched out two small, white hands to the count and addressed him in +sweet, alluring tones:-- + +"Dear Count Otto," said she, "I come to return your Christmas visit. I +am Ernestine, the Queen of the Fairies. I bring you something you lost +in the Fairy Well." + +And as she spoke she drew from her bosom a golden casket, set with +diamonds, and placed it in his hands. He opened it eagerly and found +within his lost gold ring. + +Carried away by the wonder of it all, and overcome by an irresistible +impulse, the count pressed the Fairy Ernestine to his heart, while she, +holding him by the hand, drew him into the magic mazes of the dance. The +mysterious music floated through the room, and the rest of that Fairy +company circled and whirled around the Fairy Queen and Count Otto, and +then gradually dissolved into a mist of many colors, leaving the count +and his beautiful guest alone. + +Then the young man, forgetting all his former coldness toward the +maidens of the country round about, fell on his knees before the Fairy +and besought her to become his bride. At last she consented on the +condition that he should never speak the word "death" in her presence. + +The next day the wedding of Count Otto and Ernestine, Queen of the +Fairies, was celebrated with great pomp and magnificence, and the two +continued to live happily for many years. + +Now it happened on a time, that the count and his Fairy wife were +to hunt in the forest around the castle. The horses were saddled and +bridled, and standing at the door, the company waited, and the count +paced the hall in great impatience; but still the Fairy Ernestine +tarried long in her chamber. At length she appeared at the door of the +hall, and the count addressed her in anger. + +"You have kept us waiting so long," he cried, "that you would make a +good messenger to send for Death!" + +Scarcely had he spoken the forbidden and fatal word, when the Fairy, +uttering a wild cry, vanished from his sight. In vain Count Otto, +overwhelmed with grief and remorse, searched the castle and the Fairy +Well, no trace could he find of his beautiful, lost wife but the imprint +of her delicate hand set in the stone arch above the castle gate. + +Years passed by, and the Fairy Ernestine did not return. The count +continued to grieve. Every Christmas Eve he set up a lighted tree in +the room where he had first met the Fairy, hoping in vain that she would +return to him. + +Time passed and the count died. The castle fell into ruins. But to this +day may be seen above the massive gate, deeply sunken in the stone arch, +the impress of a small and delicate hand. + +And such, say the good folk of Strasburg, was the origin of the +Christmas Tree. + + + + +THE THREE PURSES + +A LEGEND + +BY WILLIAM S. WALSH (ADAPTED) + +When Saint Nicholas was Bishop of Myra, there were among his people +three beautiful maidens, daughters of a nobleman. Their father was so +poor that he could not afford to give them dowries, and as in that land +no maid might marry without a dowry, so these three maidens could not +wed the youths who loved them. + +At last the father became so very poor that he no longer had money with +which to buy food or clothes for his daughters, and he was overcome by +shame and sorrow. As for the daughters they wept continually, for they +were both cold and hungry. + +One day Saint Nicholas heard of the sad state of this noble family. So +at night, when the maidens were asleep, and the father was watching, +sorrowful and lonely, the good saint took a handful of gold, and, tying +it in a purse, set off for the nobleman's house. Creeping to the open +window he threw the purse into the chamber, so that it fell on the bed +of the sleeping maidens. + +The father picked up the purse, and when he opened it and saw the gold, +he rejoiced greatly, and awakened his daughters. He gave most of the +gold to his eldest child for a dowry, and thus she was enabled to wed +the young man whom she loved. + +A few days later Saint Nicholas filled another purse with gold, and, +as before, went by night to the nobleman's house, and tossed the purse +through the open window. Thus the second daughter was enabled to marry +the young man whom she loved. + +Now, the nobleman felt very grateful to the unknown one who threw purses +of gold into his room and he longed to know who his benefactor was and +to thank him. So the next night he watched beneath the open window. +And when all was dark, lo! good Saint Nicholas came for the third time, +carrying a silken purse filled with gold, and as he was about to throw +it on the youngest maiden's bed, the nobleman caught him by his robe, +crying:-- + +"Ohs good Saint Nicholas! why do you hide yourself thus?" + +And he kissed the saint's hands and feet, but Saint Nicholas, overcome +with confusion at having his good deed discovered, begged the nobleman +to tell no man what had happened. + +Thus the nobleman's third daughter was enabled to marry the young man +whom she loved; and she and her father and her two sisters lived happily +for the remainder of their lives. + + + + +THE THUNDER OAK + +A SCANDINAVIAN LEGEND + +WILLIAM S. WALSH AND OTHER SOURCES + +When the heathen raged through the forests of the ancient Northland +there grew a giant tree branching with huge limbs toward the clouds. It +was the Thunder Oak of the war-god Thor. + +Thither, under cover of night, heathen priests were wont to bring +their victims--both men and beasts--and slay them upon the altar of the +thunder-god. There in the darkness was wrought many an evil deed, while +human blood was poured forth and watered the roots of that gloomy tree, +from whose branches depended the mistletoe, the fateful plant that +sprang from the blood-fed veins of the oak. So gloomy and terror-ridden +was the spot on which grew the tree that no beasts of field or forest +would lodge beneath its dark branches, nor would birds nest or perch +among its gnarled limbs. + +Long, long ago, on a white Christmas Eve, Thor's priests held their +winter rites beneath the Thunder Oak. Through the deep snow of the +dense forest hastened throngs of heathen folk, all intent on keeping +the mystic feast of the mighty Thor. In the hush of the night the folk +gathered in the glade where stood the tree. Closely they pressed around +the great altar-stone under the overhanging boughs where stood the +white-robed priests. Clearly shone the moonlight on all. + +Then from the altar flashed upward the sacrificial flames, casting their +lurid glow on the straining faces of the human victims awaiting the blow +of the priest's knife. + +But the knife never fell, for from the silent avenues of the dark forest +came the good Saint Winfred and his people. Swiftly the saint drew from +his girdle a shining axe. Fiercely he smote the Thunder Oak, hewing a +deep gash in its trunk. And while the heathen folk gazed in horror and +wonder, the bright blade of the axe circled faster and faster around +Saint Winfred's head, and the flakes of wood flew far and wide from the +deepening cut in the body of the tree. + +Suddenly there was heard overhead the sound of a mighty, rushing wind. A +whirling blast struck the tree. It gripped the oak from its foundations. +Backward it fell like a tower, groaning as it split into four pieces. + +But just behind it, unharmed by the ruin, stood a young fir tree, +pointing its green spire to heaven. + +Saint Winfred dropped his axe, and turned to speak to the people. +Joyously his voice rang out through the crisp, winter air:-- + +"This little tree, a young child of the forest, shall be your holy tree +to-night. It is the tree of peace, for your houses are built of fir. It +is the sign of endless life, for its leaves are forever green. See how +it points upward to heaven! Let this be called the tree of the Christ +Child. Gather about it, not in the wildwood, but in your own homes. +There it will shelter no deeds of blood, but loving gifts and rites of +kindness. So shall the peace of the White Christ reign in your hearts!" + +And with songs of joy the multitude of heathen folk took up the little +fir tree and bore it to the house of their chief, and there with good +will and peace they kept the holy Christmastide. + + + + +THE CHRISTMAS THORN OF GLASTONBURY + +A LEGEND OF ANCIENT BRITAIN + +ADAPTED FROM WILLIAM OF MALMESBURY AND OTHER SOURCES + +There is a golden Christmas legend and it relates how Joseph of +Arimathea--that good man and just, who laid our Lord in his own +sepulcher, was persecuted by Pontius Pilate, and how he fled from +Jerusalem carrying with him the Holy Grail hidden beneath a cloth of +samite, mystical and white. + +For many moons he wandered, leaning on his staff cut from a white-thorn +bush. He passed over raging seas and dreary wastes, he wandered through +trackless forests, climbed rugged mountains, and forded many floods. +At last he came to Gaul where the Apostle Philip was preaching the glad +tidings to the heathen. And there Joseph abode for a little space. + +Now, upon a night while Joseph lay asleep in his hut, he was wakened +by a radiant light. And as he gazed with wondering eyes he saw an angel +standing by his couch, wrapped in a cloud of incense. + +"Joseph of Arimathea," said the angel, "cross thou over into Britain and +preach the glad tidings to King Arvigarus. And there, where a Christmas +miracle shall come to pass, do thou build the first Christian church in +that land." + +And while Joseph lay perplexed and wondering in his heart what answer he +should make, the angel vanished from his sight. + +Then Joseph left his hut and calling the Apostle Philip, gave him the +angel's message. And, when morning dawned, Philip sent him on his way, +accompanied by eleven chosen followers. To the water's side they went, +and embarking in a little ship, they came unto the coasts of Britain. + +And they were met there by the heathen who carried them before Arvigarus +their king. To him and to his people did Joseph of Arimathea preach the +glad tidings; but the king's heart, though moved, was not convinced. +Nevertheless he gave to Joseph and his followers Avalon, the happy isle, +the isle of the blessed, and he bade them depart straightway and build +there an altar to their God. + +And a wonderful gift was this same Avalon, sometimes called the Island +of Apples, and also known to the people of the land as Ynis-witren, the +Isle of Glassy Waters. Beautiful and peaceful was it. Deep it lay in +the midst of a green valley, and the balmy breezes fanned its apple +orchards, and scattered afar the sweet fragrance of rosy blossoms or +ripened fruit. Soft grew the green grass beneath the feet. The smooth +waves gently lapped the shore, and water-lilies floated on the surface +of the tide; while in the blue sky above sailed the fleecy clouds. + +And it was on the holy Christmas Eve that Joseph and his companions +reached the Isle of Avalon. With them they carried the Holy Grail hidden +beneath its cloth of snow-white samite. Heavily they toiled up the +steep ascent of the hill called Weary-All. And when they reached the top +Joseph thrust his thorn-staff into the ground. + +And, lo! a miracle! the thorn-staff put forth roots, sprouted and +budded, and burst into a mass of white and fragrant flowers! And on the +spot where the thorn had bloomed, there Joseph built the first Christian +church in Britain. And he made it "wattled all round" of osiers gathered +from the water's edge. And in the chapel they placed the Holy Grail. + +And so, it is said, ever since at Glastonbury Abbey--the name by which +that Avalon is known to-day--on Christmas Eve the white thorn buds and +blooms. + + + + +THE THREE KINGS OF COLOGNE + +A LEGEND OF THE MIDDLE AGES + +BY JOHN OF HILDESHEIM-MODERNIZED BY H. S. MORRIS (ADAPTED) + +THE STAR + +Now, when the Children of Israel were gone out of Egypt, and had won and +made subject to them Jerusalem and all the land lying about, there was +in the Kingdom of Ind a tall hill called the Hill of Vaws, or the Hill +of Victory. On this hill were stationed sentinels of Ind, who watched +day and night against the Children of Israel, and afterward against the +Romans. + +And if an enemy approached, the keepers of the Hill of Vaws made a great +fire to warn the inhabitants of the land so that the men might make +ready to defend themselves. + +Now in the time when Balaam prophesied of the Star that should betoken +the birth of Christ, all the great lords and the people of Ind and in +the East desired greatly to see this Star of which he spake; and they +gave gifts to the keepers of the Hill of Vaws, and bade them, if they +saw by night or by day any star in the air, that had not been seen +aforetime, that they, the keepers, should send anon word to the people +of Ind. + +And thus was it that for so long a time the fame of this Star was borne +throughout the lands of the East. And the more the Star was sought for, +and the more its fame increased, so much the more all the people of the +Land of Ind desired to see it. So they ordained twelve of the wisest +and greatest of the clerks of astronomy, that were in all that country +about, and gave them great hire to keep watch upon the Hill of Vaws for +the Star that was prophesied of Balaam. + +Now, when Christ was born in Bethlehem of Judea, His Star began to rise +in the manner of a sun, bright shining. It ascended above the Hill +of Vaws, and all that day in the highest air it abode without moving, +insomuch that when the sun was hot and most high there was no difference +in shining betwixt them. + +But when the day of the nativity was passed the Star ascended up into +the firmament, and it had right many long streaks and beams, more +burning and brighter than a brand of fire; and, as an eagle flying and +beating the air with his wings, right so the streaks and beams of the +Star stirred about. + +Then all the people, both man and woman, of all that country about when +they saw this marvelous Star, were full of wonder thereat; yet they knew +well that it was the Star that was prophesied of Balaam, and long time +was desired of all the people in that country. + +Now, when the three worshipful kings, who at that time reigned in Ind, +Chaldea, and Persia, were informed by the astronomers of this Star, they +were right glad that they had grace to see the Star in their days. + +Wherefore these three worshipful kings, Melchior, Balthazar, and Jasper +(in the same hour the Star appeared to all three), though each of them +was far from the other, and none knew of the others' purpose, decided +to go and seek and worship the Lord and King of the Jews, that was new +born, as the appearance of the Star announced. + +So each king prepared great and rich gifts, and trains of mules, camels, +and horses charged with treasure, and together with a great multitude of +people they set forth on their journeys. + + + + +THE CHILD + + +Now, when these three worshipful kings were passed forth out of their +kingdoms, the Star went before each king and his people. When they +stood still and rested, the Star stood still; and when they went forward +again, the Star always went before them in virtue and strength and gave +light all the way. + +And, as it is written, in the time that Christ was born, there was peace +in all the world, wherefore in all the cities and towns through which +they went there was no gate shut neither by night nor by day; and all +the people of those same cities and towns marveled wonderfully as they +saw kings and vast multitudes go by in great haste; but they knew not +what they were, nor whence they came, nor whither they should go. + +Furthermore these three kings rode forth over hills, waters, valleys, +plains, and other divers and perilous places without hindrance, for all +the way seemed to them plain and even. And they never took shelter by +night nor by day, nor ever rested, nor did their horses and other beasts +ever eat or drink till they had come to Bethlehem. And all this time it +did seem to them as one day. + +But when the three blessed kings had come near to Jerusalem, then a +great cloud of darkness hid the Star from their sight. And when Melchior +and his people were come fast by the city, they abode in fog and +darkness. Then came Balthazar, and he abode under the same cloud near +unto Melchior. Thereupon appeared Jasper with all his host. + +So these three glorious kings, each with his host and burdens and +beasts, met together in the highway without the city of Jerusalem. And, +notwithstanding that none of them ever before had seen the other, nor +knew him, nor had heard of his coming, yet at their meeting each one +with great reverence and joy kissed the other. So afterward, when they +had spoken together and each had told his purpose and the cause of his +journey, they were much more glad and fervent. So they rode forth, and +at the uprising of the sun, they came into Jerusalem. And yet the Star +appeared not. + +So then these three worshipful kings, when they were come into the city, +asked of the people concerning the Child that was born; and when Herod +heard this he was troubled and all Jerusalem with him, and he privately +summoned to him these three kings and learned of them the time when +the Star appeared. He then sent them forth, bidding them find the young +Child and return to him. + +Now when these three kings were passed out of Jerusalem the Star +appeared to them again as it did erst, and went before them till they +were come to Bethlehem. + +Now, the nearer the kings came to the place where Christ was born, the +brighter shined the Star, and they entered Bethlehem the sixth hour +of the day. And they rode through the streets till they came before a +little house. There the Star stood still, and then descended and shone +with so great a light that the little house was full of radiance; till +anon the Star went upward again into the air, and stood still always +above the same place. + +And the three kings went into the little house and found the Child with +his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him, and offered him gifts. + +And you shall understand that these three kings had brought great gifts +from their own lands, rich ornaments and divers golden vessels, and many +jewels and precious stones, and both gold and silver,--these they had +brought to offer to the King of the Jews. But when they found the Lord +in a little-house, in poor clothes, and when they saw that the Star gave +so great and holy a light in all the place that it seemed as though they +stood in a furnace of fire, then were they so sore afraid, that of all +the rich jewels and ornaments they had brought with them, they chose +from their treasures what came first to their hands. For Melchior took +a round apple of gold in his hand, and thirty gilt pennies, and these he +offered unto our Lord; and Balthazar took out of his treasury incense; +and Jasper took out myrrh, and that he offered with weeping and tears. + +And now after these three kings had worshiped the Lord, they abode in +Bethlehem for a little space, and as they abode, there came a command +to them, in their sleep, that they should not return to Herod; and so by +another way they went home to their kingdoms. But the Star that had gone +before appeared no more. + +So these three kings, who had suddenly met together in the highway +before Jerusalem, went home together with great joy and honor. And when, +after many days' journey over perilous places, they had come to the Hill +of Vaws, they made there a fair chapel in worship of the Child they had +sought. Also they agreed to meet together at the same place once in the +year, and they ordained that the Hill of Vaws should be the place of +their burial. + +So when the three worshipful kings had done what they would, they took +leave of each other, and each one with his people rode to his own land +rejoicing. + + + + +HOW THEY CAME TO COLOGNE + + +Now, after many years, a little before the feast of Christmas, there +appeared a wonderful Star above the cities where these three kings +dwelt, and they knew thereby that their time was come when they should +pass from earth. Then with one consent they built, at the Hill of +Vaws, a fair and large tomb, and there the three Holy Kings, Melchior, +Balthazar, and Jasper died, and were buried in the same tomb by their +sorrowing people. + +Now after much time had passed away, Queen Helen, the mother of the +Emperor Constantine, began to think greatly of the bodies of these three +kings, and she arrayed herself, and, accompanied by many attendants, +went into the Land of Ind. + +And you shall understand that after she had found the bodies of +Melchior, Balthazar, and Jasper, Queen Helen put them into one chest +and ornamented it with great riches, and she brought them into +Constantinople, with joy and reverence, and laid them in a church that +is called Saint Sophia; and this church the Emperor Constantine did +make,--he alone, with a little child, set up all the marble pillars +thereof. + +Now, after the death of the Emperor Constantine a persecution against +the Christian faith arose, and in this persecution the bodies of +the three worshipful kings were set at naught. Then came the Emperor +Mauricius of Rome, and, through his counsel, the bodies of these three +kings were carried to Italy, and there they were laid in a fair church +in the city of Milan. + +Then afterward, in the process of time, the city of Milan rebelled +against the Emperor Frederick the First, and he, being sore beset, sent +to Rainald, Archbishop of Cologne, asking for help. + +This Archbishop with his army did take the city of Milan, and delivered +it to the Emperor. And for this service did the Emperor grant, at the +Archbishop's great entreaty, that he should carry forth to Cologne the +bodies of the three blessed kings. + +Then the Archbishop, with great solemnity and in procession, did carry +forth from the city of Milan the bodies of the three kings, and brought +them unto Cologne and there placed them in the fair church of Saint +Peter. And all the people of the country roundabout, with all the +reverence they might, received these relics, and there in the city of +Cologne they are kept and beholden of all manner of nations unto this +day. + + +Thus endeth the legend of these three blessed kings,--Melchior, +Balthazar, and Jasper. + + + + + +ARBOR DAY + + + + +THE LITTLE TREE THAT LONGED FOR OTHER LEAVES + +BY FRIEDRICH RUCHERT (TRANSLATED) + +There was a little tree that stood in the woods through both good and +stormy weather, and it was covered from top to bottom with needles +instead of leaves. The needles were sharp and prickly, so the little +tree said to itself:-- + +"All my tree comrades have beautiful green leaves, and I have only sharp +needles. No one will touch me. If I could have a wish I would ask for +leaves of pure gold." + +When night came the little tree fell asleep, and, lo! in the morning it +woke early and found itself covered with glistening, golden leaves. + +"Ah, ah!" said the little tree, "how grand I am! No other tree in the +woods is dressed in gold." + +But at evening time there came a peddler with a great sack and a long +beard. He saw the glitter of the golden leaves. He picked them all and +hurried away leaving the little tree cold and bare. + +"Alas! alas!" cried the little tree in sorrow; "all my golden leaves +are gone! I am ashamed to stand among the other trees that have such +beautiful foliage. If I only had another wish I would ask for leaves of +glass." + +Then the little tree fell asleep, and when it woke early, it found +itself covered with bright and shining leaves of glass. + +"Now," said the little tree, "I am happy. No tree in the woods glistens +like me." + +But there came a fierce storm-wind driving through the woods. It struck +the glass, and in a moment all the shining leaves lay shattered on the +ground. + +"My leaves, my glass leaves!" moaned the little tree; "they lie broken +in the dust, while all the other trees are still dressed in their +beautiful foliage. Oh! if I had another wish I would ask for green +leaves." + +Then the little tree slept again, and in the morning it was covered with +fresh, green foliage. And it laughed merrily, and said: "Now, I need not +be ashamed any more. I am like my comrades of the woods." + +But along came a mother-goat, looking for grass and herbs for herself +and her young ones. She saw the crisp, new leaves; and she nibbled, and +nibbled, and nibbled them all away, and she ate up both stems and tender +shoots, till the little tree stood bare. + +"Alas!" cried the little tree in anguish, "I want no more leaves, +neither gold ones nor glass ones, nor green and red and yellow ones! If +I could only have my needles once more, I would never complain again." + +And sorrowfully the little tree fell asleep, but when it saw itself in +the morning sunshine, it laughed and laughed and laughed. And all the +other trees laughed, too, but the little tree did not care. Why did they +laugh? Because in the night all its needles had come again! You may see +this for yourself. Just go into the woods and look, but do not touch the +little tree. Why not? BECAUSE IT PRICKS. + + + + +WHY THE EVERGREEN TREES NEVER LOSE THEIR LEAVES + +BY FLORENCE HOLBROOK + +Winter was coming, and the birds had flown far to the south, where the +air was warm and they could find berries to eat. One little bird had +broken its wing and could not fly with the others. It was alone in the +cold world of frost and snow. The forest looked warm, and it made its +way to the trees as well as it could, to ask for help. + +First it came to a birch tree. "Beautiful birch tree," it said, "my +wing is broken, and my friends have flown away. May I live among your +branches till they come back to me?" + +"No, indeed," answered the birch tree, drawing her fair green leaves +away. "We of the great forest have our own birds to help. I can do +nothing for you." + +"The birch is not very strong," said the little bird to itself, "and it +might be that she could not hold me easily. I will ask the oak." So the +bird said: "Great oak tree, you are so strong, will you not let me live +on your boughs till my friends come back in the springtime?" + +"In the springtime!" cried the oak. "That is a long way off. How do I +know what you might do in all that time? Birds are always looking for +something to eat, and you might even eat up some of my acorns." + +"It may be that the willow will be kind to me," thought the bird, and +it said: "Gentle willow, my wing is broken, and I could not fly to +the south with the other birds. May I live on your branches till the +springtime?" + +The willow did not look gentle then, for she drew herself up proudly and +said: "Indeed, I do not know you, and we willows never talk to people +whom we do not know. Very likely there are trees somewhere that will +take in strange birds. Leave me at once." + +The poor little bird did not know what to do. Its wing was not yet +strong, but it began to fly away as well as it could. Before it had gone +far a voice was heard. "Little bird," it said, "where are you going?" + +"Indeed, I do not know," answered the bird sadly. "I am very cold." + +"Come right here, then," said the friendly spruce tree, for it was her +voice that had called. + +"You shall live on my warmest branch all winter if you choose." + +"Will you really let me?" asked the little bird eagerly. + +"Indeed, I will," answered the kind-hearted spruce tree. "If your +friends have flown away, it is time for the trees to help you. Here is +the branch where my leaves are thickest and softest." + +"My branches are not very thick," said the friendly pine tree, "but I am +big and strong, and I can keep the North Wind from you and the spruce." + +"I can help, too," said a little juniper tree. "I can give you berries +all winter long, and every bird knows that juniper berries are good." + +So the spruce gave the lonely little bird a home; the pine kept the cold +North Wind away from it; and the juniper gave it berries to eat. The +other trees looked on and talked together wisely. + +"I would not have strange birds on my boughs," said the birch. + +"I shall not give my acorns away for any one," said the oak. + +"I never have anything to do with strangers," said the willow, and the +three trees drew their leaves closely about them. + +In the morning all those shining, green leaves lay on the ground, for +a cold North Wind had come in the night, and every leaf that it touched +fell from the tree. + +"May I touch every leaf in the forest?" asked the wind in its frolic. + +"No," said the Frost King. "The trees that have been kind to the little +bird with the broken wing may keep their leaves." + +This is why the leaves of the spruce, the pine, and the juniper are +always green. + + + + +WHY THE ASPEN QUIVERS + +OLD LEGEND + +Long, long ago, so the legend says, when Joseph and Mary and the Holy +Babe fled out of Bethlehem into Egypt, they passed through the +green wildwood. And flowers and trees and plants bent their heads in +reverence. + +But the proud aspen held its head high and refused even to look at the +Holy Babe. In vain the birds sang in the aspen's branches, entreating it +to gaze for one moment at the wonderful One; the proud tree still held +its head erect in scorn. + +Then outspake Mary, his mother. "O aspen tree," she said, "why do you +not gaze on the Holy Child? Why do you not bow your head? A star arose +at his birth, angels sang his first lullaby, kings and shepherds came to +the brightness of his rising; why, then, O aspen, do you refuse to honor +your Lord and mine?" + +But the aspen could not answer. A strange shivering passed through its +stem and along its boughs, which set its leaves a-quivering. It trembled +before the Holy Babe. + +And so from age to age, even unto this day, the proud aspen shakes and +shivers. + + + + +THE WONDER TREE + +BY FRIEDRICH ADOLPH KRUMMACHER (ADAPTED) + +One day in the springtime, Prince Solomon was sitting under the palm +trees in the royal gardens, when he saw the Prophet Nathan walking near. + +"Nathan," said the Prince, "I would see a wonder." + +The Prophet smiled. "I had the same desire in the days of my youth," he +replied. + +"And was it fulfilled?" asked Solomon. + +"A Man of God came to me," said Nathan, "having a pomegranate seed in +his hand. 'Behold,' he said, 'what will become of this.' Then he made a +hole in the ground, and planted the seed, and covered it over. When he +withdrew his hand the clods of earth opened, and I saw two small leaves +coming forth. But scarcely had I beheld them, when they joined together +and became a small stem wrapped in bark; and the stem grew before my +eyes,--and it grew thicker and higher and became covered with branches. + +"I marveled, but the Man of God motioned me to be silent. 'Behold,' said +he, 'new creations begin.' + +"Then he took water in the palm of his hand, and sprinkled the branches +three times, and, lo! the branches were covered with green leaves, so +that a cool shade spread above us, and the air was fined with perfume. + +"'From whence come this perfume and this shade?' cried I. + +"'Dost thou not see,' he answered, 'these crimson flowers bursting from +among the leaves, and hanging in clusters?' + +"I was about to speak, but a gentle breeze moved the leaves, scattering +the petals of the flowers around us. Scarcely had the falling flowers +reached the ground when I saw ruddy pomegranates hanging beneath the +leaves of the tree, like almonds on Aaron's rod. Then the Man of God +left me, and I was lost in amazement." + +"Where is he, this Man of God?" asked Prince Solomon eagerly. "What is +his name? Is he still alive?" + + +"Son of David," answered Nathan, "I have spoken to thee of a vision." + +When the Prince heard this he was grieved to the heart. "How couldst +thou deceive me thus?" he asked. + +But the Prophet replied: "Behold in thy father's gardens thou mayest +daily see the unfolding of wonder trees. Doth not this same miracle +happen to the fig, the date, and the pomegranate? They spring from the +earth, they put out branches and leaves, they flower, they fruit,--not +in a moment, perhaps, but in months and years,--but canst thou tell the +difference betwixt a minute, a month, or a year in the eyes of Him with +whom one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day?" + + + + +THE PROUD OAK TREE + +OLD FABLE [11] + + +[Footnote 11: From Deutsches Drittes Lesebuch, by W. H. Weick and C. +Grebner. Copyright, 1886, by Van Antwerp, Bragg & Co. American Book +Company, publishers.] + + +(TRANSLATED) + +The oak said to the reed that grew by the river: "It is no wonder that +you make such a sorrowful moaning, for you are so weak that the little +wren is a burden for you, and the lightest breeze must seem like a +storm-wind. Now look at me! No storm has ever been able to bow my +head. You will be much safer if you grow close to my side so that I may +shelter you from the wind that is now playing with my leaves." + +"Do not worry about me," said the reed; "I have less reason to fear the +wind than you have. I bow myself, but I never break. He who laughs last, +laughs best!" + +That night there came a fearful hurricane. The oak stood erect. The +reed bowed itself before the blast. The wind grew more furious, and, +uprooting the proud oak, flung it on the ground. + +When the morning came there stood the slender reed, glittering with +dewdrops, and softly swaying in the breeze. + + + + +BAUCIS AND PHILEMON + +ADAPTED FROM H. P. MASKEL'S RENDERING OF THE GREEK MYTH + +On the slopes of the Phrygian hills, there once dwelt a pious old couple +named Baucis and Philemon. They had lived all their lives in a tiny +cottage of wattles, thatched with straw, cheerful and content in spite +of their poverty. + +As this worthy couple sat dozing by the fireside one evening in the late +autumn, two strangers came and begged a shelter for the night. They had +to stoop to enter the humble doorway, where the old man welcomed them +heartily and bade them rest their weary limbs on the settle before the +fire. + +Meanwhile Baucis stirred the embers, blowing them into a flame with dry +leaves, and heaped on the fagots to boil the stew-pot. Hanging from the +blackened beams was a rusty side of bacon. Philemon cut off a rasher +to roast, and, while his guests refreshed themselves with a wash at the +rustic trough, he gathered pot-herbs from his patch of garden. Then the +old woman, her hands trembling with age, laid the cloth and spread the +table. + +It was a frugal meal, but one that hungry wayfarers could well relish. +The first course was an omelette of curdled milk and eggs, garnished +with radishes and served on rude oaken platters. The cups of turned +beechwood were filled with homemade wine from an earthen jug. The second +course consisted of dried figs and dates, plums, sweet-smelling apples, +and grapes, with a piece of clear, white honeycomb. What made the +meal more grateful to the guests was the hearty spirit in which it was +offered. Their hosts gave all they had without stint or grudging. + +But all at once something happened which startled and amazed Baucis and +Philemon. They poured out wine for their guests, and, lo! each time the +pitcher filled itself again to the brim. + +The old couple then knew that their guests were not mere mortals; +indeed, they were no other than Jupiter and Mercury come down to +earth in the disguise of poor travelers. Being ashamed of their humble +entertainment, Philemon hurried out and gave chase to his only goose, +intending to kill and roast it. But his guests forbade him, saying:-- + +"In mortal shape we have come down, and at a hundred houses asked +for lodging and rest. For answer a hundred doors were shut and locked +against us. You alone, the poorest of all, have received us gladly and +given us of your best. Now it is for us to punish these impious people +who treat strangers so churlishly, but you two shall be spared. Only +leave your cottage and follow us to yonder mountain-top." + +So saying, Jupiter and Mercury led the way, and the two old folks +hobbled after them. Presently they reached the top of the mountain, and +Baucis and Philemon saw all the country round, with villages and people, +sinking into a marsh; while their own cottage alone was left standing. + +And while they gazed, their cottage was changed into a white temple. The +doorway became a porch with marble columns. The thatch grew into a roof +of golden tiles. The little garden about their home became a park. + +Then Jupiter, regarding Baucis and Philemon with kindly eyes, said: +"Tell me, O good old man and you good wife, what may we do in return for +your hospitality?" + +Philemon whispered for a moment with Baucis, and she nodded her +approval. "We desire," he replied, "to be your servants, and to have the +care of this temple. One other favor we would ask. From boyhood I have +loved only Baucis, and she has lived only for me. Let the selfsame hour +take us both away together. Let me never see the tomb of my wife, nor +let her suffer the misery of mourning my death." + +Jupiter and Mercury, pleased with these requests, willingly granted +both, and endowed Baucis and Philemon with youth and strength as well. +The gods then vanished from their sight, but as long as their lives +lasted Baucis and Philemon were the guardians of the white temple that +once had been their home. + +And when again old age overtook them, they were standing one day +in front of the sacred porch, and Baucis, turning her gaze upon her +husband, saw him slowly changing into a gnarled oak tree. And Philemon, +as he felt himself rooted to the ground, saw Baucis at the same time +turning into a leafy linden. + +And as their faces disappeared behind the green foliage, each cried +unto the other, "Farewell, dearest love!" and again, "Dearest love, +farewell!" And their human forms were changed to trees and branches. + +And still, if you visit the spot, you may see an oak and a linden tree +with branches intertwined. + + + + +THE UNFRUITFUL TREE + +BY FRIEDRICH ADOLPH KRUMMACHER + +A farmer had a brother in town who was a gardener, and who possessed a +magnificent orchard full of the finest fruit trees, so that his skill +and his beautiful trees were famous everywhere. + +One day the farmer went into town to visit his brother, and was +astonished at the rows of trees that grew slender and smooth as wax +tapers. + +"Look, my brother," said the gardener; "I will give you an apple tree, +the best from my garden, and you, and your children, and your children's +children shall enjoy it." + +Then the gardener called his workmen and ordered them to take up the +tree and carry it to his brother's farm. They did so, and the next +morning the farmer began to wonder where he should plant it. + +"If I plant it on the hill," said he to himself, "the wind might catch +it and shake down the delicious fruit before it is ripe; if I plant it +close to the road, passers-by will see it and rob me of its luscious +apples; but if I plant it too near the door of my house, my servants or +the children may pick the fruit." + +So, after he had thought the matter over, he planted the tree behind his +barn, saying to himself: "Prying thieves will not think to look for it +here." + +But behold, the tree bore neither fruit nor blossoms the first year +nor the second; then the farmer sent for his brother the gardener, and +reproached him angrily, saying:-- + +"You have deceived me, and given me a barren tree instead of a fruitful +one. For, behold, this is the third year and still it brings forth +nothing but leaves!" + +The gardener, when he saw where the tree was planted, laughed and +said:-- + +"You have planted the tree where it is exposed to cold winds, and has +neither sun nor warmth. How, then, could you expect flowers and fruit? +You have planted the tree with a greedy and suspicious heart; how, then, +could you expect to reap a rich and generous harvest?" + + + + +THE DRYAD OF THE OLD OAK + +BY JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL (ADAPTED) + +In olden times there was a youth named Rhoecus. One day as he wandered +through the wood he saw an ancient oak tree, trembling and about to +fall. Full of pity for so fair a tree, Rhoecus carefully propped up its +trunk, and as he did so he heard a soft voice murmur:-- + +"Rhoecus!" + +It sounded like the gentle sighing of the wind through the leaves; and +while Rhoecus paused bewildered to listen, again he heard the murmur +like a soft breeze:-- + +"Rhoecus!" + +And there stood before him, in the green glooms of the shadowy oak, a +wonderful maiden. + +"Rhoecus," said she, in low-toned words, serene and full, and as clear +as drops of dew, "I am the Dryad of this tree, and with it I am doomed +to live and die. Thou hadst compassion on my oak, and in saving it thou +hast saved my life. Now, ask me what thou wilt that I can give, and it +shall be thine." + +"Beauteous nymph," answered Rhoecus, with a flutter at the heart, +"surely nothing will satisfy the craving of my soul save to be with thee +forever. Give to me thy love!" + +"I give it, Rhoecus," answered she with sadness in her voice, "though it +be a perilous gift. An hour before sunset meet me here." + +And straightway she vanished, and Rhoecus could see nothing but the +green glooms beneath the shadowy oak. Not a sound came to his straining +ears but the low, trickling rustle of the leaves, and, from far away on +the emerald slope, the sweet sound of an idle shepherd's pipe. + +Filled with wonder and joy Rhoecus turned his steps homeward. The earth +seemed to spring beneath him as he walked. The clear, broad sky looked +bluer than its wont, and so full of joy was he that he could scarce +believe that he had not wings. + +Impatient for the trysting-time, he sought some companions, and to while +away the tedious hours, he played at dice, and soon forgot all else. + +The dice were rattling their merriest, and Rhoecus had just laughed in +triumph at a happy throw, when through the open window of the room +there hummed a yellow bee. It buzzed about his ears, and seemed ready +to alight upon his head. At this Rhoecus laughed, and with a rough, +impatient hand he brushed it off and cried:-- + +"The silly insect! does it take me for a rose?" + +But still the bee came back. Three times it buzzed about his head, and +three times he rudely beat it back. Then straight through the window +flew the wounded bee, while Rhoecus watched its fight with angry eyes. + +And as he looked--O sorrow!--the red disk of the setting sun descended +behind the sharp mountain peak of Thessaly. + +Then instantly the blood sank from his heart, as if its very walls had +caved in, for he remembered the trysting-hour-now gone by! Without a +word he turned and rushed forth madly through the city and the gate, +over the fields into the wood. + +Spent of breath he reached the tree, and, listening fearfully, he heard +once more the low voice murmur:-- + +"Rhoecus!" + +But as he looked he could see nothing but the deepening glooms beneath +the oak. + +Then the voice sighed: "O Rhoecus, nevermore shalt thou behold me by day +or night! Why didst thou fail to come ere sunset? Why didst thou scorn +my humble messenger, and send it back to me with bruised wings? We +spirits only show ourselves to gentle eyes! And he who scorns the +smallest thing alive is forever shut away from all that is beautiful in +woods and fields. Farewell! for thou canst see me no more!" + +Then Rhoecus beat his breast and groaned aloud. "Be pitiful," he cried. +"Forgive me yet this once!" + +"Alas," the voice replied, "I am not unmerciful! I can forgive! But I +have no skill to heal thy spirit's eyes, nor can I change the temper of +thy heart." And then again she murmured, "Nevermore!" + +And after that Rhoecus heard no other sound, save the rustling of the +oak's crisp leaves, like surf upon a distant shore. + + + + +DAPHNE + +BY OVID (ADAPTED) + +In ancient times, when Apollo, the god of the shining sun, roamed the +earth, he met Cupid, who with bended bow and drawn string was seeking +human beings to wound with the arrows of love. + +"Silly boy," said Apollo, "what dost thou with the warlike bow? Such +burden best befits my shoulders, for did I not slay the fierce serpent, +the Python, whose baleful breath destroyed all that came nigh him? +Warlike arms are for the mighty, not for boys like thee! Do thou carry a +torch with which to kindle love in human hearts, but no longer lay claim +to my weapon, the bow!" + +But Cupid replied in anger: "Let thy bow shoot what it will, Apollo, but +my bow shall shoot THEE!" And the god of love rose up, and beating the +air with his wings, he drew two magic arrows from his quiver. One was +of shining gold and with its barbed point could Cupid inflict wounds of +love; the other arrow was of dull silver and its wound had the power to +engender hate. + +The silver arrow Cupid fixed in the breast of Daphne, the daughter of +the river-god Peneus; and forthwith she fled away from the homes of men, +and hunted beasts in the forest. + +With the golden arrow Cupid grievously wounded Apollo, who fleeing to +the woods saw there the Nymph Daphne pursuing the deer; and straightway +the sun-god fell in love with her beauty. Her golden locks hung down +upon her neck, her eyes were like stars, her form was slender and +graceful and clothed in clinging white. Swifter than the light wind she +flew, and Apollo followed after. + +"O Nymph! daughter of Peneus," he cried, "stay, I entreat thee! Why dost +thou fly as a lamb from the wolf, as a deer from the lion, or as a dove +with trembling wings Bees from the eagle! I am no common man! I am no +shepherd! Thou knowest not, rash maid, from whom thou art flying! The +priests of Delphi and Tenedos pay their service to me. Jupiter is my +sire. Mine own arrow is unerring, but Cupid's aim is truer, for he has +made this wound in my heart! Alas! wretched me! though I am that great +one who discovered the art of healing, yet this love may not be healed +by my herbs nor my skill!" + +But Daphne stopped not at these words, she flew from him with timid +step. The winds fluttered her garments, the light breezes spread her +flowing locks behind her. Swiftly Apollo drew near even as the keen +greyhound draws near to the frightened hare he is pursuing. With +trembling limbs Daphne sought the river, the home of her father, Peneus. +Close behind her was Apollo, the sun-god. She felt his breath on her +hair and his hand on her shoulder. Her strength was spent, she grew +pale, and in faint accents she implored the river:-- + +"O save me, my father, save me from Apollo, the sun-god!" + +Scarcely had she thus spoken before a heaviness seized her limbs. Her +breast was covered with bark, her hair grew into green leaves, and her +arms into branches. Her feet, a moment before so swift, became rooted to +the ground. And Daphne was no longer a Nymph, but a green laurel tree. + +When Apollo beheld this change he cried out and embraced the tree, and +kissed its leaves. + +"Beautiful Daphne," he said, "since thou cannot be my bride, yet shalt +thou be my tree. Henceforth my hair, my lyre, and my quiver shall be +adorned with laurel. Thy wreaths shall be given to conquering chiefs, +to winners of fame and joy; and as my head has never been shorn of its +locks, so shalt thou wear thy green leaves, winter and summer--forever!" + +Apollo ceased speaking and the laurel bent its new-made boughs in +assent, and its stem seemed to shake and its leaves gently to murmur. + + + + + +BIRD DAY + + + + +THE OLD WOMAN WHO BECAME A WOODPECKER + +BY PHOEBE CARY (ADAPTED) + +Afar in the Northland, where the winter days are so short and the nights +so long, and where they harness the reindeer to sledges, and where the +children look like bear's cubs in their funny, furry clothes, there, +long ago, wandered a good Saint on the snowy roads. + +He came one day to the door of a cottage, and looking in saw a little +old woman making cakes, and baking them on the hearth. + +Now, the good Saint was faint with fasting, and he asked if she would +give him one small cake wherewith to stay his hunger. + +So the little old woman made a VERY SMALL cake and placed it on the +hearth; but as it lay baking she looked at it and thought: "That is a +big cake, indeed, quite too big for me to give away." + +Then she kneaded another cake, much smaller, and laid that on the hearth +to cook, but when she turned it over it looked larger than the first. + +So she took a tiny scrap of dough, and rolled it out, and rolled it out, +and baked it as thin as a wafer; but when it was done it looked so large +that she could not bear to part with it; and she said: "My cakes are +much too big to give away,"--and she put them on the shelf. + +Then the good Saint grew angry, for he was hungry and faint. "You are +too selfish to have a human form," said he. "You are too greedy to +deserve food, shelter, and a warm fire. Instead, henceforth, you shall +build as the birds do, and get your scanty living by picking up nuts and +berries and by boring, boring all the day long, in the bark of trees." + +Hardly had the good Saint said this when the little old woman went +straight up the chimney, and came out at the top changed into a +red-headed woodpecker with coal-black feathers. + +And now every country boy may see her in the woods, where she lives in +trees boring, boring, boring for her food. + + + + +THE BOY WHO BECAME A ROBIN + +AN OJIBBEWAY LEGEND + +BY HENRY R. SCHOOLCRAFT (ADAPTED) + +Once upon a time there was an old Indian who had an only son, whose name +was Opeechee. The boy had come to the age when every Indian lad makes a +long fast, in order to secure a Spirit to be his guardian for life. + +Now, the old man was very proud, and he wished his son to fast longer +than other boys, and to become a greater warrior than all others. So he +directed him to prepare with solemn ceremonies for the fast. + +After the boy had been in the sweating lodge and bath several times, +his father commanded him to lie down upon a clean mat, in a little lodge +apart from the rest. + +"My son," said he, "endure your hunger like a man, and at the end of +TWELVE DAYS, you shall receive food and a blessing from my hands." + +The boy carefully did all that his father commanded, and lay quietly +with his face covered, awaiting the arrival of his guardian Spirit who +was to bring him good or bad dreams. + +His father visited him every day, encouraging him to endure with +patience the pangs of hunger and thirst. He told him of the honor and +renown that would be his if he continued his fast to the end of the +twelve days. + +To all this the boy replied not, but lay on his mat without a murmur of +discontent, until the ninth day; when he said:-- + +"My father, the dreams tell me of evil. May I break my fast now, and at +a better time make a new one?" + +"My son," replied the old man, "you know not what you ask. If you get +up now, all your glory will depart. Wait patiently a little longer. You +have but three days more to fast, then glory and honor will be yours." + +The boy said nothing more, but, covering himself closer, he lay until +the eleventh day, when he spoke again:-- + +"My father," said he, "the dreams forebode evil. May I break my fast +now, and at a better time make a new one?" + +"My son," replied the old man again, "you know not what you ask. Wait +patiently a little longer. You have but one more day to fast. To-morrow +I will myself prepare a meal and bring it to you." + +The boy remained silent, beneath his covering, and motionless except for +the gentle heaving of his breast. + +Early the next morning his father, overjoyed at having gained his end, +prepared some food. He took it and hastened to the lodge intending to +set it before his son. + +On coming to the door of the lodge what was his surprise to hear the boy +talking to some one. He lifted the curtain hanging before the doorway, +and looking in saw his son painting his breast with vermilion. And as +the lad laid on the bright color as far back on his shoulders as he +could reach, he was saying to himself:-- + +"My father has destroyed my fortune as a man. He would not listen to my +requests. I shall be happy forever, because I was obedient to my parent; +but he shall suffer. My guardian Spirit has given me a new form, and now +I must go!" + +At this his father rushed into the lodge, crying: + +"My son! my son! I pray you leave me not!" + +But the boy, with the quickness of a bird, flew to the top of the lodge, +and perching upon the highest pole, was instantly changed into a most +beautiful robin redbreast. + +He looked down on his father with pity in his eyes, and said:-- + +"Do not sorrow, O my father, I am no longer your boy, but Opeechee the +robin. I shall always be a friend to men, and live near their dwellings. +I shall ever be happy and content. Every day will I sing you songs of +joy. The mountains and fields yield me food. My pathway is in the bright +air." + +Then Opeechee the robin stretched himself as if delighting in his new +wings, and caroling his sweetest song, he flew away to the near-by +trees. + + + + +THE TONGUE-CUT SPARROW + +BY A. B. MITFORD (ADAPTED) + +Once upon a time there lived a little old man and a little old woman. +The little old man had a kind heart, and he kept a young sparrow, which +he cared for tenderly. Every morning it used to sing at the door of his +house. + +Now, the little old woman was a cross old thing, and one day when she +was going to starch her linen, the sparrow pecked at her paste. Then she +flew into a great rage and cut the sparrow's tongue and let the bird fly +away. + +When the little old man came home from the hills, where he had been +chopping wood, he found the sparrow gone. + +"Where is my little sparrow?" asked he. + +"It pecked at my starching-paste," answered the little old woman, "so I +cut its evil tongue and let it fly away." + +"Alas! Alas!" cried the little old man. "Poor thing! Poor thing! Poor +little tongue-cut sparrow! Where is your home now?" + +And then he wandered far and wide seeking his pet and crying:-- + +"Mr. Sparrow, Mr. Sparrow, where are you living?" + +And he wandered on and on, over mountain and valley, and dale and river, +until one day at the foot of a certain mountain he met the lost bird. +The little old man was filled with joy and the sparrow welcomed him with +its sweetest song. + +It led the little old man to its nest-house, introduced him to its wife +and small sparrows, and set before him all sorts of good things to eat +and drink. + +"Please partake of our humble fare," sang the sparrow; "poor as it is, +you are welcome." + +"What a polite sparrow," answered the little old man, and he stayed for +a long time as the bird's guest. At last one day the little old man said +that he must take his leave and return home. + +"Wait a bit," said the sparrow. + +And it went into the house and brought out two wicker baskets. One was +very heavy and the other light. + +"Take the one you wish," said the sparrow, "and good fortune go with +you." + +"I am very feeble," answered the little old man, "so I will take the +light one." + +He thanked the sparrow, and, shouldering the basket, said good-bye. Then +he trudged off leaving the sparrow family sad and lonely. + +When he reached home the little old woman was very angry, and began to +scold him, saying:-- + +"Well, and pray where have you been all these days? A pretty thing, +indeed, for you to be gadding about like this!" + +"Oh," he replied, "I have been on a visit to the tongue-cut sparrow, and +when I came away it gave me this wicker basket as a parting gift." + +Then they opened the basket to see what was inside, and lo and behold! +it was full of gold, silver, and other precious things! + +The little old woman was as greedy as she was cross, and when she saw +all the riches spread before her, she could not contain herself for joy. + +"Ho! Ho!" cried she. "Now I'll go and call on the sparrow, and get a +pretty present, too!" + +She asked the old man the way to the sparrow's house and set forth on +her journey. And she wandered on and on over mountain and valley, and +dale and river, until at last she saw the tongue-cut sparrow. + +"Well met, well met, Mr. Sparrow," cried she. "I have been looking +forward with much pleasure to seeing you." And then she tried to flatter +it with soft, sweet words. + +So the bird had to invite her to its nest-house, but it did not feast +her nor say anything about a parting gift. At last the little old woman +had to go, and she asked for something to carry with her to remember the +visit by. The sparrow, as before, brought out two wicker baskets. One +was very heavy and the other light. + +The greedy little old woman, choosing the heavy one, carried it off with +her. + +She hurried home as fast as she was able, and closing her doors and +windows so that no one might see, opened the basket. And, lo and behold! +out jumped all sorts of wicked hobgoblins and imps, and they scratched +and pinched her to death. + +As for the little old man he adopted a son, and his family grew rich and +prosperous. + + + + +THE QUAILS--A LEGEND OF THE JATAKA + +FROM THE RIVERSIDE FOURTH READER + +Ages ago a flock of more than a thousand quails lived together in a +forest in India. They would have been happy, but that they were in great +dread of their enemy, the quail-catcher. He used to imitate the call +of the quail; and when they gathered together in answer to it, he would +throw a great net over them, stuff them into his basket, and carry them +away to be sold. + +Now, one of the quails was very wise, and he said:-- + +"Brothers! I've thought of a good plan. In future, as soon as the fowler +throws his net over us, let each one put his head through a mesh in the +net and then all lift it up together and fly away with it. When we have +flown far enough, we can let the net drop on a thorn bush and escape +from under it." + +All agreed to the plan; and next day when the fowler threw his net, the +birds all lifted it together in the very way that the wise quail had +told them, threw it on a thorn bush and escaped. While the fowler tried +to free his net from the thorns, it grew dark, and he had to go home. + +This happened many days, till at last the fowler's wife grew angry and +asked her husband:-- + +"Why is it that you never catch any more quail?" + +Then the fowler said: "The trouble is that all the birds work together +and help one another. If they would only quarrel, I could catch them +fast enough." + +A few days later, one of the quails accidentally trod on the head of one +of his brothers, as they alighted on the feeding-ground. + +"Who trod on my head?" angrily inquired the quail who was hurt. + +"Don't be angry, I didn't mean to tread on you," said the first quail. + +But the brother quail went on quarreling. + +"I lifted all the weight of the net; you didn't help at all," he cried. + +That made the first quail angry, and before long all were drawn into +the dispute. Then the fowler saw his chance. He imitated the cry of the +quail and cast his net over those who came together. They were still +boasting and quarreling, and they did not help one another lift the net. +So the hunter lifted the net himself and crammed them into his basket. +But the wise quail gathered his friends together and flew far away, for +he knew that quarrels are the root of misfortune. + + + + +THE MAGPIE'S NEST + +BY JOSEPH JACOBS + +All the birds of the air came to the magpie and asked her to teach +them how to build nests. For the magpie is the cleverest bird of all +at building nests. So she put all the birds round her and began to show +them how to do it. First of all she took some mud and made a sort of +round cake with it. + +"Oh, that's how it's done!" said the thrush, and away it flew; and so +that's how thrushes build their nests. + +Then the magpie took some twigs and arranged them round in the mud. + +"Now I know all about it!" said the blackbird, and off it flew; and +that's how the blackbirds make their nests to this very day. + +Then the magpie put another layer of mud over the twigs. + +"Oh, that 's quite obvious!" said the wise owl, and away it flew; and +owls have never made better nests since. + +After this the magpie took some twigs and twined them round the outside. + +"The very thing!" said the sparrow, and off he went; so sparrows make +rather slovenly nests to this day. + +Well, then Madge magpie took some feathers and stuff, and lined the nest +very comfortably with it. + +"That suits me!" cried the starling, and off it flew; and very +comfortable nests have starlings. + +So it went on, every bird taking away some knowledge of how to build +nests, but none of them waiting to the end. + +Meanwhile Madge magpie went on working and working without looking up, +till the only bird that remained was the turtle-dove, and that hadn't +paid any attention all along, but only kept on saying its silly cry: +"Take two, Taffy, take two-o-o-o!" + +At last the magpie heard this just as she was putting a twig across, so +she said: "One's enough." + +But the turtle-dove kept on saying: "Take two, Taffy, take two-o-o-o!" + +Then the magpie got angry and said: "One's enough, I tell you!" + +Still the turtle-dove cried: "Take two, Taffy, take two-o-o-o!" + +At last, and at last, the magpie looked up and saw nobody near her but +the silly turtle-dove, and then she got rarely angry and flew away and +refused to tell the birds how to build nests again. + +And that is why different birds build their nests differently. + + + + +THE GREEDY GEESE + +FROM IL LIBRO D'ORO (ADAPTED) + +Many years ago there was near the sea a convent famed for the rich crops +of grain that grew on its farm. On a certain year a large flock of wild +geese descended on its fields and devoured first the corn, and then the +green blades. + +The superintendent of the farm hastened to the convent and called the +lady abbess. + +"Holy mother," said he, "this year the nuns will have to fast +continually, for there will be no food." + +"Why is that?" asked the abbess. + +"Because," answered the superintendent, "a flood of wild geese has +rained upon the land, and they have eaten up the corn, nor have they +left a single green blade." + +"Is it possible," said the abbess, "that these wicked birds have no +respect for the property of the convent! They shall do penance for their +misdeeds. Return at once to the fields, and order the geese from me to +come without delay to the convent door, so that they may receive just +punishment for their greediness." + +"But, mother," said the superintendent, "this is not a time for jesting! +These are not sheep to be guided into the fold, but birds with long, +strong wings, to fly away with." + +"Do you understand me!" answered the abbess. "Go at once, and bid them +come to me without delay, and render an account of their misdeeds." + +The superintendent ran back to the farm, and found the flock of +evildoers still there. He raised his voice and clapping his hands, +cried:-- + +"Come, come, ye greedy geese! The lady abbess commands you to hasten to +the convent door!" + +Wonderful sight! Hardly had he uttered these words than the geese raised +their necks as if to listen, then, without spreading their wings, they +placed themselves in single file, and in regular order began to march +toward the convent. As they proceeded they bowed their heads as if +confessing their fault and as though about to receive punishment. + +Arriving at the convent, they entered the courtyard in exact order, one +behind the other, and there awaited the coming of the abbess. All night +they stood thus without making a sound, as if struck dumb by their +guilty consciences. But when morning came, they uttered the most pitiful +cries as though asking pardon and permission to depart. + +Then the lady abbess, taking compassion on the repentant birds, appeared +with some nuns upon a balcony. Long she talked to the geese, asking them +why they had stolen the convent grain. She threatened them with a long +fast, and then, softening, began to offer them pardon if they would +never again attack her lands, nor eat her corn. To which the geese bowed +their heads low in assent. Then the abbess gave them her blessing and +permission to depart. + +Hardly had she done so when the geese, spreading their wings, made a +joyous circle above the convent towers, and flew away. Alighting at some +distance they counted their number and found one missing. For, alas! in +the night, when they had been shut in the courtyard, the convent cook, +seeing how fat they were, had stolen one bird and had killed, roasted, +and eaten it. + +When the birds discovered that one of their number was missing, they +again took wing and, hovering over the convent, they uttered mournful +cries, complaining of the loss of their comrade, and imploring the +abbess to return him to the flock. + +Now, when the lady abbess heard these melancholy pleas, she assembled +her household, and inquired of each member where the bird might be. +The cook, fearing that it might be already known to her, confessed the +theft, and begged for pardon. + +"You have been very audacious," said the abbess, "but at least collect +the bones and bring them to me." + +The cook did as directed, and the abbess at a word caused the bones to +come together and to assume flesh, and afterwards feathers, and, lo! the +original bird rose up. + +The geese, having received their lost companion, rejoiced loudly, +and, beating their wings gratefully, made many circles over the sacred +cloister, before they flew away. Neither did they in future ever dare +to place a foot on the lands of the convent, nor to touch one blade of +grass. + + + + +THE KING OF THE BIRDS + +BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM (TRANSLATED) + +One day the birds took it into their heads that they would like a +master, and that one of their number must be chosen king. A meeting of +all the birds was called, and on a beautiful May morning they assembled +from woods and fields and meadows. The eagle, the robin, the bluebird, +the owl, the lark, the sparrow were all there. The cuckoo came, and the +lapwing, and so did all the other birds, too numerous to mention. There +also came a very little bird that had no name at all. + +There was great confusion and noise. There was piping, hissing, +chattering and clacking, and finally it was decided that the bird that +could fly the highest should be king. + +The signal was given and all the birds flew in a great flock into the +air. There was a loud rustling and whirring and beating of wings. The +air was full of dust, and it seemed as if a black cloud were floating +over the field. + +The little birds soon grew tired and fell back quickly to earth. The +larger ones held out longer, and flew higher and higher, but the eagle +flew highest of any. He rose, and rose, until he seemed to be flying +straight into the sun. + +The other birds gave out and one by one they fell back to earth; and +when the eagle saw this he thought, "What is the use of flying any +higher? It is settled: I am king!" + +Then the birds below called in one voice: "Come back, come back! You +must be our king! No one can fly as high as you." + +"Except me!" cried a shrill, shrill voice, and the little bird without +a name rose from the eagle's back, where he had lain hidden in the +feathers, and he flew into the air. Higher and higher he mounted till +he was lost to sight, then, folding his wings together, he sank to earth +crying shrilly: "I am king! I am king!" + +"You, our king!" the birds cried in anger; "you have done this by +trickery and cunning. We will not have you to reign over us." + +Then the birds gathered together again and made another condition, that +he should be king who could go the deepest into the earth. + +How the goose wallowed in the sand, and the duck strove to dig a hole! +All the other birds, too, tried to hide themselves in the ground. +The little bird without a name found a mouse's hole, and creeping in +cried:-- + +"I am king! I am king!" + +"You, our king!" all the birds cried again, more angrily than before. +"Do you think that we would reward your cunning in this way? No, no! You +shall stay in the earth till you die of hunger!" + +So they shut up the little bird in the mouse's hole, and bade the owl +watch him carefully night and day. Then all the birds went home to bed, +for they were very tired; but the owl found it lonely and wearisome +sitting alone staring at the mouse's hole. + +"I can close one eye and watch with the other," he thought. So he closed +one eye and stared steadfastly with the other; but before he knew it he +forgot to keep that one open, and both eyes were fast asleep. + +Then the little bird without a name peeped out, and when he saw Master +Owl's two eyes tight shut, he slipped from the hole and flew away. + +From this time on the owl has not dared to show himself by day lest +the birds should pull him to pieces. He flies about only at night-time, +hating and pursuing the mouse for having made the hole into which the +little bird crept. + +And the little bird also keeps out of sight, for he fears lest the other +birds should punish him for his cunning. He hides in the hedges, and +when he thinks himself quite safe, he sings out: "I am king! I am king!" + +And the other birds in mockery call out: "Yes, yes, the hedge-king! the +hedge-king!" + + + + +THE DOVE WHO SPOKE TRUTH + +BY ABBIE FARWELL BROWN + +The dove and the wrinkled little bat once went on a journey together. +When it came toward night a storm arose, and the two companions sought +everywhere for a shelter. But all the birds were sound asleep in their +nests and the animals in their holes and dens. They could find no +welcome anywhere until they came to the hollow tree where old Master Owl +lived, wide awake in the dark. + +"Let us knock here," said the shrewd bat; "I know the old fellow is not +asleep. This is his prowling hour, and but that it is a stormy night he +would be abroad hunting.--What ho, Master Owl!" he squeaked, "will you +let in two storm-tossed travelers for a night's lodging?" + +Gruffly the selfish old owl bade them enter, and grudgingly invited them +to share his supper. The poor dove was so tired that she could scarcely +eat, but the greedy bat's spirits rose as soon as he saw the viands +spread before him. He was a sly fellow, and immediately began to flatter +his host into good humor. He praised the owl's wisdom and his courage, +his gallantry and his generosity; though every one knew that however +wise old Master Owl might be, he was neither brave nor gallant. As +for his generosity--both the dove and the bat well remembered his +selfishness toward the poor wren, when the owl alone of all the birds +refused to give the little fire-bringer a feather to help cover his +scorched and shivering body. + +All this flattery pleased the owl. He puffed and ruffled himself, trying +to look as wise, gallant, and brave as possible. He pressed the bat to +help himself more generously to the viands, which invitation the sly +fellow was not slow to accept. + +During this time the dove had not uttered a word. She sat quite still +staring at the bat, and wondering to hear such insincere speeches of +flattery. Suddenly the owl turned to her. + +"As for you, Miss Pink-Eyes," he said gruffly, "you keep careful +silence. You are a dull table-companion. Pray, have you nothing to say +for yourself?" + +"Yes," exclaimed the mischievous bat; "have you no words of praise for +our kind host? Methinks he deserves some return for this wonderfully +generous, agreeable, tasteful, well-appointed, luxurious, elegant, and +altogether acceptable banquet. What have you to say, O little dove?" + +But the dove hung her head, ashamed of her companion, and said very +simply: "O Master Owl, I can only thank you with all my heart for the +hospitality and shelter which you have given me this night. I was beaten +by the storm, and you took me in. I was hungry, and you gave me your +best to eat. I cannot flatter nor make pretty speeches like the bat. I +never learned such manners. But I thank you." + +"What!" cried the bat, pretending to be shocked, "is that all you have +to say to our obliging host? Is he not the wisest, bravest, most gallant +and generous of gentlemen? Have you no praise for his noble character as +well as for his goodness to us? I am ashamed of you! You do not deserve +such hospitality. You do not deserve this shelter." + +The dove remained silent. Like Cordelia in the play she could not speak +untruths even for her own happiness. + +"Truly, you are an unamiable guest," snarled the owl, his yellow eyes +growing keen and fierce with anger and mortified pride. "You are an +ungrateful bird, Miss, and the bat is right. You do not deserve this +generous hospitality which I have offered, this goodly shelter which you +asked. Away with you! Leave my dwelling! Pack off into the storm and see +whether or not your silence will soothe the rain and the wind. Be off, I +say!" + +"Yes, away with her!" echoed the bat, flapping his leathery wings. + +And the two heartless creatures fell upon the poor little dove and drove +her out into the dark and stormy night. + +Poor little dove! All night she was tossed and beaten about shelterless +in the storm, because she had been too truthful to flatter the vain old +owl. But when the bright morning dawned, draggled and weary as she was, +she flew to the court of King Eagle and told him all her trouble. Great +was the indignation of that noble bird. + +"For his flattery and his cruelty let the bat never presume to fly +abroad until the sun goes down," he cried. "As for the owl, I have +already doomed him to this punishment for his treatment of the wren. But +henceforth let no bird have anything to do with either of them, the +bat or the owl. Let them be outcasts and night-prowlers, enemies to be +attacked and punished if they appear among us, to be avoided by all in +their loneliness. Flattery and inhospitality, deceit and cruelty,--what +are more hideous than these? Let them cover themselves in darkness and +shun the happy light of day. + +"As for you, little dove, let this be a lesson to you to shun the +company of flatterers, who are sure to get you into trouble. But you +shall always be loved for your simplicity and truth. And as a token +of our affection your name shall be used by poets as long as the world +shall last to rhyme with LOVE." + + + + +THE BUSY BLUE JAY + +BY OLIVE THORNE MILLER (ADAPTED) + +One of the most interesting birds who ever lived in my Bird Room was a +blue jay named Jakie. He was full of business from morning till night, +scarcely ever a moment still. + +Poor little fellow! He had been stolen from the nest before he could +fly, and reared in a house, long before he was given to me. Of course he +could not be set free, for he did not know how to take care of himself. + +Jays are very active birds, and being shut up in a room, my blue jay had +to find things to do, to keep himself busy. If he had been allowed to +grow up out of doors, he would have found plenty to do, planting acorns +and nuts, nesting, and bringing up families. + +Sometimes the things he did in the house were what we call mischief +because they annoy us, such as hammering the woodwork to pieces, tearing +bits out of the leaves of books, working holes in chair seats, or +pounding a cardboard box to pieces. But how is a poor little bird to +know what is mischief? + +Many things which Jakie did were very funny. For instance, he made it +his business to clear up the room. When he had more food than he +could eat at the moment, he did not leave it around, but put it away +carefully,--not in the garbage pail, for that was not in the room, but +in some safe nook where it did not offend the eye. Sometimes it was +behind the tray in his cage, or among the books on the shelf. The places +he liked best were about me,--in the fold of a ruffle or the loop of +a bow on my dress, and sometimes in the side of my slipper. The very +choicest place of all was in my loosely bound hair. That, of course, I +could not allow, and I had to keep very close watch of him, for fear I +might have a bit of bread or meat thrust among my locks. + +In his clearing up he always went carefully over the floor, picking +up pins, or any little thing he could find, and I often dropped burnt +matches, buttons, and other small things to give him something to do. +These he would pick up and put nicely away. + +Pins Jakie took lengthwise in his beak, and at first I thought he had +swallowed them, till I saw him hunt up a proper place to hide them. The +place he chose was between the leaves of a book. He would push a pin far +in out of sight, and then go after another. A match he always tried to +put in a crack, under the baseboard, between the breadths of matting, or +under my rockers. He first placed it, and then tried to hammer it in +out of sight. He could seldom get it in far enough to suit him, and this +worried him. Then he would take it out and try another place. + +Once the blue jay found a good match, of the parlor match variety. He +put it between the breadths of matting, and then began to pound on it +as usual. Pretty soon he hit the unburnt end and it went off with a loud +crack, as parlor matches do. Poor Jakie jumped two feet into the air, +nearly frightened out of his wits; and I was frightened, too, for I +feared he might set the house on fire. + +Often when I got up from my chair a shower of the bird's playthings +would fall from his various hiding-places about my dress,--nails, +matches, shoe-buttons, bread-crumbs, and other things. Then he had to +begin his work all over again. + +Jakie liked a small ball or a marble. His game was to give it a hard +peck and see it roll. If it rolled away from him, he ran after it and +pecked again; but sometimes it rolled toward him, and then he bounded +into the air as if he thought it would bite. And what was funny, he was +always offended at this conduct of the ball, and went off sulky for a +while. + + +He was a timid little fellow. Wind or storm outside the windows made him +wild. He would fly around the room, squawking at the top of his voice; +and the horrible tin horns the boys liked to blow at Thanksgiving and +Christmas drove him frantic. + +Once I brought a Christmas tree into the room to please the birds, and +all were delighted with it except my poor little blue jay, who was much +afraid of it. Think of the sadness of a bird being afraid of a tree! + + +II + + +Jakie had decided opinions about people who came into the room to see +me, or to see the birds. At some persons he would squawk every moment. +Others he saluted with a queer cry like "Ob-ble! ob-ble! ob-ble!" Once +when a lady came in with a baby, he fixed his eyes on that infant with a +savage look as if he would like to peck it, and jumped back and forth in +his cage, panting but perfectly silent. + +Jakie was very devoted to me. He always greeted me with a low, sweet +chatter, with wings quivering, and, if he were out of the cage, he would +come on the back of my chair and touch my cheek or lips very gently with +his beak, or offer me a bit of food if he had any; and to me alone when +no one else was near, he sang a low, exquisite song. I afterwards +heard a similar song sung by a wild blue jay to his mate while she was +sitting, and so I knew that my dear little captive had given me his +sweetest--his love-song. + +One of Jakie's amusements was dancing across the back of a tall chair, +taking funny little steps, coming down hard, "jouncing" his body, and +whistling as loud as he could. He would keep up this funny performance +as long as anybody would stand before him and pretend to dance too. + +My jay was fond of a sensation. One of his dearest bits of fun was to +drive the birds into a panic. This he did by flying furiously around the +room, feathers rustling, and squawking as loud as he could. He usually +managed to fly just over the head of each bird, and as he came like a +catapult, every one flew before him, so that in a minute the room was +full of birds flying madly about, trying to get out of his way. This +gave him great pleasure. + +Once a grasshopper got into the Bird Room, probably brought in clinging +to some one's dress in the way grasshoppers do. Jakie was in his cage, +but he noticed the stranger instantly, and I opened the door for him. +He went at once to look at the grasshopper, and when it hopped he was +so startled that he hopped too. Then he picked the insect up, but he +did not know what to do with it, so he dropped it again. Again the +grasshopper jumped directly up, and again the jay did the same. This +they did over and over, till every one was tired laughing at them. It +looked as if they were trying to see who could jump the highest. + +There was another bird in the room, however, who knew what grasshoppers +were good for. He was an orchard oriole, and after looking on awhile, +he came down and carried off the hopper to eat. The jay did not like +to lose his plaything; he ran after the thief, and stood on the floor +giving low cries and looking on while the oriole on a chair was eating +the dead grasshopper. When the oriole happened to drop it, Jakie,--who +had got a new idea what to do with grasshoppers,--snatched it up and +carried it under a chair and finished it. + +I could tell many more stories about my bird, but I have told them +before in one of my "grown-up" books, so I will not repeat them here. + + + + +BABES IN THE WOODS + +BY JOHN BURROUGHS + +One day in early May, Ted and I made an expedition to the Shattega, a +still, dark, deep stream that loiters silently through the woods not far +from my cabin. As we paddled along, we were on the alert for any bit of +wild life of bird or beast that might turn up. + +There were so many abandoned woodpecker chambers in the small dead +trees as we went along that I determined to secure the section of a tree +containing a good one to take home and put up for the bluebirds. "Why +don't the bluebirds occupy them here?" inquired Ted. "Oh," I replied, +"blue birds do not come so far into the woods as this. They prefer +nesting-places in the open, and near human habitations." After carefully +scrutinizing several of the trees, we at last saw one that seemed to +fill the bill. It was a small dead tree-trunk seven or eight inches in +diameter, that leaned out over the water, and from which the top had +been broken. The hole, round and firm, was ten or twelve feet above us. +After considerable effort I succeeded in breaking the stub off near the +ground, and brought it down into the boat. + +"Just the thing," I said; "surely the bluebirds will prefer this to an +artificial box." But, lo and behold, it already had bluebirds in it! We +had not heard a sound or seen a feather till the trunk was in our hands, +when, on peering into the cavity, we discovered two young bluebirds +about half grown. This was a predicament indeed! + +Well, the only thing we could do was to stand the tree-trunk up again as +well as we could, and as near as we could to where it had stood before. +This was no easy thing. But after a time we had it fairly well replaced, +one end standing in the mud of the shallow water and the other resting +against a tree. This left the hole to the nest about ten feet below and +to one side of its former position. Just then we heard the voice of one +of the parent birds, and we quickly paddled to the other side of the +stream, fifty feet away, to watch her proceedings, saying to each other, +"Too bad! too bad!" The mother bird had a large beetle in her beak. +She alighted upon a limb a few feet above the former site of her nest, +looked down upon us, uttered a note or two, and then dropped down +confidently to the point in the vacant air where the entrance to her +nest had been but a few moments before. Here she hovered on the wing +a second or two, looking for something that was not there, and then +returned to the perch she had just left, apparently not a little +disturbed. She hammered the beetle rather excitedly upon the limb a few +times, as if it were in some way at fault, then dropped down to try for +her nest again. Only vacant air there! She hovers and hovers, her blue +wings flickering in the checkered light; surely that precious hole MUST +be there; but no, again she is baffled, and again she returns to her +perch, and mauls the poor beetle till it must be reduced to a pulp. Then +she makes a third attempt, then a fourth, and a fifth, and a sixth, till +she becomes very much excited. "What could have happened? Am I dreaming? +Has that beetle hoodooed me?" she seems to say, and in her dismay she +lets the bug drop, and looks bewilderedly about her. Then she flies away +through the woods, calling. "Going for her mate," I said to Ted. "She is +in deep trouble, and she wants sympathy and help." + +In a few minutes we heard her mate answer, and presently the two birds +came hurrying to the spot, both with loaded beaks. They perched upon the +familiar limb above the site of the nest, and the mate seemed to say, +"My dear, what has happened to you? I can find that nest." And he dived +down, and brought up in the empty air just as the mother had done. How +he winnowed it with his eager wings! How he seemed to bear on to that +blank space! His mate sat regarding him intently, confident, I think, +that he would find the clue. But he did not. Baffled and excited, he +returned to the perch beside her. Then she tried again, then he rushed +down once more, then they both assaulted the place, but it would not +give up its secret. They talked, they encouraged each other, and they +kept up the search, now one, now the other, now both together. Sometimes +they dropped down to within a few feet of the entrance to the nest, +and we thought they would surely find it. No, their minds and eyes were +intent only upon that square foot of space where the nest had been. Soon +they withdrew to a large limb many feet higher up, and seemed to say to +themselves, + +"Well, it is not there, but it must be here somewhere; let us look +about." A few minutes elapsed, when we saw the mother bird spring from +her perch and go straight as an arrow to the nest. Her maternal eye had +proved the quicker. She had found her young. Something like reason and +common sense had come to her rescue; she had taken time to look about, +and behold! there was that precious doorway. She thrust her head into +it, then sent back a call to her mate, then went farther in, then +withdrew. "Yes, it is true, they are here, they are here!" Then she went +in again, gave them the food in her beak, and then gave place to her +mate, who, after similar demonstrations of joy, also gave them his +morsel. + +Ted and I breathed freer. A burden had been taken from our minds and +hearts, and we went cheerfully on our way. We had learned something, +too; we had learned that when in the deep woods you think of bluebirds, +bluebirds may be nearer you than you think. + + + + +THE PRIDE OF THE REGIMENT + +BY HARRY M. KIEFFER (ADAPTED) + +"Old Abe" was the war-eagle of the Eighth Wisconsin Volunteers. Whoever +it may have been that first conceived the idea, it was certainly a happy +thought to make a pet of an eagle. For the eagle is our national bird, +and to carry an eagle along with the colors of a regiment on the +march, and in battle, and all through the whole war, was surely very +appropriate, indeed. + +"Old Abe's" perch was on a shield, which was carried by a soldier, to +whom, and to whom alone, he looked as to a master. He would not allow +any one to carry or even to handle him, except this soldier, nor would +he ever receive his food from any other person's hands. He seemed to +have sense enough to know that he was sometimes a burden to his master +on the march, however, and, as if to relieve him, would occasionally +spread his wings and soar aloft to a great height, the men of all +regiments along the line of march cheering him as he went up. + +He regularly received his rations from the commissary, like any enlisted +man. Whenever fresh meat was scarce, and none could be found for him by +foraging parties, he would take things into his own claws, as it were, +and go out on a foraging expedition himself. On some such occasions he +would be gone two or three days at a time, during which nothing whatever +was seen of him; but he would invariably return, and seldom would come +back without a young lamb or a chicken in his talons. His long absences +occasioned his regiment not the slightest concern, for the men knew +that, though he might fly many miles away in quest of food, he would be +quite sure to find them again. + +In what way he distinguished the two hostile armies so accurately that +he was never once known to mistake the gray for the blue, no one can +tell. But so it was, that he was never known to alight save in his own +camp, and amongst his own men. + +At Jackson, Mississippi, during the hottest part of the battle before +that city, "Old Abe" soared up into the air, and remained there from +early morning until the fight closed at night, no doubt greatly enjoying +his bird's-eye view of the battle. He did the same at Mission Ridge. He +was, I believe, struck by Confederate bullets two or three times, but +his feathers were so thick that his body was not much hurt. The shield +on which he was carried, however, showed so many marks of Confederate +balls that it looked on top as if a groove plane had been run over it. + +At the Centennial celebration held in Philadelphia, in 1876, "Old Abe" +occupied a prominent place on his perch on the west side of the nave +in the Agricultural Building. He was evidently growing old, and was the +observed of all observers. Thousands of visitors, from all sections of +the country, paid their respects to the grand old bird, who, apparently +conscious of the honors conferred upon him, overlooked the sale of +his biography and photographs going on beneath his perch with entire +satisfaction. + +As was but just and right, the soldier who had carried him during the +war continued to have charge of him after the war was over, until the +day of his death, which occurred at the capital of Wisconsin, in 1881. + + + + +THE MOTHER MURRE + +BY DALLAS LORE SHARP + +One of the most striking cases of mother-love which has ever come under +my observation, I saw in the summer of 1912 on the bird rookeries of the +Three-Arch Rocks Reservation off the coast of Oregon. + +We were making our slow way toward the top of the outer rock. Through +rookery after rookery of birds, we climbed until we reached the edge of +the summit. Scrambling over this edge, we found ourselves in the midst +of a great colony of nesting murres--hundreds of them--covering this +steep rocky part of the top. + +As our heads appeared above the rim, many of the colony took wing and +whirred over us out to sea, but most of them sat close, each bird upon +its egg or over its chick, loath to leave, and so expose to us the +hidden treasure. + +The top of the rock was somewhat cone-shaped, and in order to reach the +peak and the colonies on the west side we had to make our way through +this rookery of the murres. The first step among them, and the whole +colony was gone, with a rush of wings and feet that sent several of the +top-shaped eggs rolling, and several of the young birds toppling over +the cliff to the pounding waves and ledges far below. + +We stopped, but the colony, almost to a bird, had bolted, leaving scores +of eggs, and scores of downy young squealing and running together for +shelter, like so many beetles under a lifted board. + +But the birds had not every one bolted, for here sat two of the colony +among the broken rocks. These two had not been frightened off. That both +of them were greatly alarmed, any one could see from their open beaks, +their rolling eyes, their tense bodies on tiptoe for flight. Yet here +they sat, their wings out like props, or more like gripping hands, as if +they were trying to hold themselves down to the rocks against their wild +desire to fly. + +And so they were, in truth, for under their extended wings I saw little +black feet moving. Those two mother murres were not going to forsake +their babies! No, not even for these approaching monsters, such as they +had never before seen, clambering over their rocks. + +What was different about these two? They had their young ones to +protect. Yes, but so had every bird in the great colony its young one, +or its egg, to protect, yet all the others had gone. Did these two +have more mother-love than the others? And hence, more courage, more +intelligence? + +We took another step toward them, and one of the two birds sprang into +the air, knocking her baby over and over with the stroke of her wing, +and coming within an inch of hurling it across the rim to be battered +on the ledges below. The other bird raised her wings to follow, then +clapped them back over her baby. Fear is the most contagious thing in +the world; and that flap of fear by the other bird thrilled her, too, +but as she had withstood the stampede of the colony, so she caught +herself again and held on. + +She was now alone on the bare top of the rock, with ten thousand +circling birds screaming to her in the air above, and with two men +creeping up to her with a big black camera that clicked ominously. She +let the multitude scream, and with threatening beak watched the two men +come on. A motherless baby, spying her, ran down the rock squealing +for his life. She spread a wing, put her bill behind him and shoved him +quickly in out of sight with her own baby. The man with the camera saw +the act, for I heard his machine click, and I heard him say something +under his breath that you would hardly expect a mere man and a +game-warden to say. But most men have a good deal of the mother in them; +and the old bird had acted with such decision, such courage, such swift, +compelling instinct, that any man, short of the wildest savage, would +have felt his heart quicken at the sight. + +"Just how compelling might that mother-instinct be?" I wondered. "Just +how much would that mother-love stand?" I had dropped to my knees, and +on all fours had crept up within about three feet of the bird. She still +had chance for flight. Would she allow me to crawl any nearer? Slowly, +very slowly, I stretched forward on my hands, like a measuring-worm, +until my body lay flat on the rocks, and my fingers were within three +INCHES of her. But her wings were twitching, a wild light danced in her +eyes, and her head turned toward the sea. + +For a whole minute I did not stir. I was watching--and the wings again +began to tighten about the babies, the wild light in the eyes died down, +the long, sharp beak turned once more toward me. + +Then slowly, very slowly, I raised my hand, touched her feathers with +the tip of one finger--with two fingers--with my whole hand, while the +loud camera click-clacked, click-clacked hardly four feet away! + +It was a thrilling moment. I was not killing anything. I had no +long-range rifle in my hands, coming up against the wind toward an +unsuspecting creature hundreds of yards away. This was no wounded +leopard charging me; no mother-bear defending with her giant might a +captured cub. It was only a mother-bird, the size of a wild duck, +with swift wings at her command, hiding under those wings her own and +another's young, and her own boundless fear! + +For the second time in my life I had taken captive with my bare hands a +free wild bird. No, I had not taken her captive. She had made herself a +captive; she had taken herself in the strong net of her mother-love. + +And now her terror seemed quite gone. At the first touch of my hand I +think she felt the love restraining it, and without fear or fret she let +me reach under her and pull out the babies. But she reached after them +with her bill to tuck them back out of sight, and when I did not let +them go, she sidled toward me, quacking softly, a language that I +perfectly understood, and was quick to respond to. I gave them back, +fuzzy and black and white. She got them under her, stood up over them, +pushed her wings down hard around them, her stout tail down hard behind +them, and together with them pushed in an abandoned egg that was +close at hand. Her own baby, some one else's baby, and some one else's +forsaken egg! She could cover no more; she had not feathers enough. But +she had heart enough; and into her mother's heart she had already tucked +every motherless egg and nestling of the thousands of frightened birds, +screaming and wheeling in the air high over her head. + + + + +THE END + + + + + +REFERENCE LISTS FOR STORY-TELLING AND COLLATERAL READING + + + + +REFERENCE LISTS FOR STORY-TELLING AND COLLATERAL READING + + +(The grades assigned are merely suggestive, as some of the stories may +be used in higher or lower grades than here indicated.) + + + + +NEW YEAR'S DAY + +For grades 1-4. + +An All-the-Year-Round Story, in Poulsson, In the Child's World; Peter +the Stone-Cutter, in Macdonell, Italian Fairy Book; The Forest Full of +Friends, in Alden, Why the Chimes Rang. + + +For grades 5-8. + +A Chinese New Year's in California, in Our Holidays Retold from St. +Nicholas; A New Year's Talk, in Stevenson, Days and Deeds (prose); Story +of the Year, in Andersen, Stories and Tales; The Animals' New Year's +Eve, in Lagerlof, Further Adventures of Nils. + + + + + +LINCOLN'S BIRTHDAY + +For grades 1-4. + +A Westfield Incident, in Moores, Abraham Lincoln, page 87; Lincoln and +the Little Horse, in Werner's Readings, no. 46; Lincoln and the Pig, +in Gross, Lincoln's Own Stories; Lincoln and the Small Dog, in Moores, +Abraham Lincoln, page 25. + +For grades 5-6. + +A Backwoods Boyhood, in Moores, Abraham Lincoln; Choosing Abe Lincoln +Captain, in Schauffler, Lincoln's Birthday; Following the Surveyor's +Chain, in Baldwin, Abraham Lincoln; His Good Memory of Names, in +Gallaher, Best Lincoln Stories; Lincoln and the Doorkeeper, in Gross, + +Lincoln's Own Stories, page 78, Lincoln and the Unjust Client, in +Moores, Abraham Lincoln, page 46; Lincoln's Kindness to a Disabled +Soldier, in Gallaher, Best Lincoln Stories; The Clary's Grove Boys, in +Noah Brooks, Abraham Lincoln page 51; The Snow Boys, in Noah Brooks, +Abraham Lincoln page 122. + +For grades 7-8. + +Counsel Assigned, Andrews; He Knew lincoln, Tarbell; Lincoln and the +Sleeping Sentinel, Chittenden; Lincoln Remembered Him, in Gallaher, Best +Lincoln Stories; Lincoln's Springfield Farewell, in Moores, Abraham +lincoln, page 82; Perfect Tribute, Andrews. + + + + +SAINT VALENTINE'S DAY + +For grades 1-4. + +A Sunday Valentine, in White, When Molly was Six; Beauty and the Beast, +in Lang, Blue Fairy Book, East of the Sun and West of the Moon, in Lang, +Blue Fairy Book; The Fair One With Golden Locks, in Scudder, Children's +Book; The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood, in Scudder, Children's Book; The +Valentine (poem), in Brown, Fresh Posies. + +For grades 5-6. + +Gracieuse and Percinet, in D'Aulnoy, Fairy Tales; Jorinda and Joringel, +in Grimm, German Household Tales; The Day-Dream, Tennyson (poem), +in Story-Telling Poems; The Singing, Soaring Lark, in Grimm, German +Household Tales William and the Werewolf, in Darton, Wonder Book of Old +Romance. + +For grades 7-8. + +As You Like It, Shakespeare; Brunhild, in Baldwin, Story of Siegfried; +Floris and Blanchefleur, in Darton, Wonder Book of Old Romance; Palamon +and Arcita, in Darton, Tales of the Canterbury Pilgrims; The Fair Maid +of Perth, Scott, chapters 2-6; The Singing Leaves, Lowell (poem); The +Tempest, Shakespeare. + + + + +WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY + +For grades 1-4. + +Little George Washington, and Great George Washington, in Wiggin and +Smith, Story Hour; The Virginia Boy, in Wilson, Nature Study, Second +Reader. + +For grades 54. + +A Christmas Surprise, in Tappan, American Hero Stories Dolly Madison, +in Tappan, American Hero Stories; Going to Sea, in Scudder, George +Washington, page 33; How George Washington was Made Commander-in-Chief, +in Tomlinson, War for Independence; The Home of Washington, and The +Appearance of the Enemy, in Madison, Peggy Owen at Yorktown; Young +Washington in the Woods, in Eggleston, Strange Stories from History. + +For grades 7-8. + +Anecdotes and Stories, in Schauffler, Washington's Birthday; He Resigns +his Commission, in Lodge, George Washington, vol. I, page 338; The +British at Mount Vernon, in Lodge, George Washington, vol. I, page 295; +The Young Surveyor, in Scudder, George Washington; Washington Offered +the Supreme Power, in Lodge, George Washington, vol. I, page 328; +Washington's Farewell to His Officers, in Lodge, George Washington, vol. +I, page 387. + + + + +RESURRECTION DAY (EASTER) + +For grades 1-4. + +Easter Eggs, von Schmid; The Boy Who Discovered the Spring, in Alden, +Why the Chimes Rang; Herr Oster Hase, in Bailey and Lewis, For +the Children's Hour; The Legend of Easter Eggs, O'Brien (poem), in +Story-Telling Poems; The Rabbit's Ransom, Vawter; The White Hare, in +Stevenson, Days and Deeds (prose). + +For grades 5-8. + +Easter, Gilder (poem); The General's Easter Box, in Our Holidays +Retold from St. Nicholas; The Trinity Flower, Ewing; What Easter is, in +Stevenson, Days and Deeds (prose). + + + + + +MAY DAY + +For grades 1-4. + +A Story of the Springtime, in Kupfer, Legends of Greeee and Rome; How +the Water Lily Came, in Judd, Wigwam Stories; The Brook in the King's +Garden, in Alden, Why the Chimes Rang; The Legend of the Dandelion, in +Bailey and Lewis, For the Children's Hour; The Lilac Bush, in Riverside +Fourth Reader; The Maple Leaf and the Violet, in Wiggin and Smith, Story +Flour; The Story of the Anemone in Coe, First Book of Stories for the +Story-Teller; The Story of the First Butterflies, in Holbrook, Book of +Nature Myths; The Story of the First Snowdrops, in Holbrook, Book of +Nature Myths; The Story of the Rainbow, in Coe, First Book of Stories +for the Story-Teller; Two Little Seeds, in MacDonald, David Elginbrod, +chapter, "The Cave in the Straw;" Why the Morning-Glory Climbs, in +Bryant, How to Tell Stories to Children. + +For grades 5-6. + +Ladders to Heaven, Ewing; The Daisy, in Andersen, Wonder Stories; Five +out of One Shell, in Andersen, Stories and Tales; The Pomegranate Seeds, +in Hawthorne, Tanglewood Tales. + +For grades 7-8. + +The May-Pole at Merry Mount, in Hawthorne, Twice-Told Tales; The Opening +of the Eyes of Jasper, in Dyer The Richer Life; The Prisoner and the +Flower, in Stevenson, Days and Deeds (prose). + + + + +MOTHERS' DAY + +For grades 1-4. + +Hans and the Wonderful Flower, in Bailey and Lewis For the Children's +Hour; The Closing Door, in Lindsay Mother Stories; The Laughter of a +Samurai, in Nixon-Roulet, Japanese Folk-Stories; The Fairy Who Came to +our House, in Bailey and Lewis, For the Children's Hour; The Little +Traveler, in Lindsay, Mother Stories; Thorwald and the Star-Children, in +Boyesen, Modern Vikings. + +For grades 5-6. + +Lincoln's Letter to a Mother, in Moores, Abraham Lincoln, page 105; +My Angel Mother, in Baldwin, Abraham Lincoln; Napoleon and the English +Sailor Boy, Campbell (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; The Song of the Old +Mother, Yeats (poem), in Riverside Eighth Reader; Valentine and Ursine +(poem), in Lanier, Boy's Perey. + +For grades 7-8. + +A Patriot Mother, in Tomlinson, War for Independence; Lincoln's Letter, +in Gross, Lincoln's Own Stories; President for One Hour, in St. Nicholas +Christmas Book; The Conqueror's Grave, Bryant (poem); The Gracci, in +Morris, Historical Tales (Roman); The Knight's Toast attributed to Scott +(poem), in Story-Telling Poems; Young Manhood, in Noah Brooks, Abraham +Lincoln. + + + + +MEMORIAL AND FLAG DAYS + +For grades 3-6. + +A Boy Who Won the Cross, in Hart and Stevens, Romance of the Civil War; +A Story of the Flag, in Our Holidays Retold from St. Nicholas; Betsy's +Battle Flag, Irving (poem), in Stevenson, Poems of American History; +Noteworthy Flag Incidents, in Smith, Our Nation's Flag; The Legs of +Duncan Ketcham, in Price, Lads and Lassies of Other Days; The Origin of +Memorial Day, in Stevenson, Days and Deeds (prose); The Planting of the +Colors, in Thomas, Captain Phil, page 227. + +For grades 7-8. + +Kearny at Seven Pines, Stedman (poem); Quivira, Guiterman (poem), in +Story-Telling Poems; Reading the List, in Sehauffler, Memorial Day; +Remember the Alamo, in Lodge and Roosevelt, Hero Tales, Reuben James, +Roche, (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; The Defense of the Alamo, Miller +(poem), in Stevenson, Poems of American History; The Fire Rekindled, in +Schauffler, Memorial Day; The Flag-Bearer, in Lodge and Roosevelt, Hero +Tales; The March of the First Brigade, in Riverside Eighth Reader. + + + + + +INDEPENDENCE DAY + +For grades S-6. + +A Winter at Valley Forge, in Tappan, American Hero Stories; Cornwallis's +Buckles, in Revolutionary Stories Retold from St. Nicholas; Ethan Allen, +in Johonnot, Stories of Heroic Deeds; Fourth of July Among the Indians, +in Indian Stories Retold from St. Nicholas; How "Mad Anthony" Took Stony +Point, in Tappan, American Hero Stories; How the "Swamp Fox" Made the +British Miserable, in Tappan, American Hero Stories; John Paul Jones, +in Tappan, American Hero Stories; Laetitia and the Redcoats, in +Revolutionary Stories Retold from St. Nicholas; Molly Pitcher, in +Revolutionary Stories Retold from St. Nicholas; Paul Revere's Ride +Longfellow (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; Prescott and the Yankee Boy, +in Johonnot, Stories of Heroic Deeds; Rodney's Ride, Brooks (poem), in +Story-Telling Poems; The Boston Massacre, in Hawthorne, Grandfather's +Chair; The Bulb of the Crimson Tulip, in Revolutionary Stories Retold +from St Nicholas; The First Day of the Revolution, in Tappan; American +Hero Stories. + +For grades 7-8. + +A Woman's Heroism, in Tomlinson, War for Independence; Grandmother's +Story of Bunker-Hill Battle, Holmes (poem); How the Major Joined +Marion's Men, in Tomlinson, War for Independence; Molly Pitcher, +Sherwood (poem), in Stevenson, Poems of American History; Patrick Henry, +in Morris Historical Tales, American, Second Series; Song of Marion's +Men, Bryant (poem); That Bunker Hill Powder, in Revolutionary Stories +Retold from St. Nicholas; The Mantle of St. John de Matha, Whittier +(poem); The Tory's Farewell, in Hawthorne, Grandfather's Chair. + + + + + +LABOR DAY + +For grades 1-4. + +Dust Under the Rug, in Lindsay, Mother Stories, Giant Energy and +Fairy Skill, in Lindsay, Mother Stories; How Flax was Given to Men, in +Holbrook, Book of Nature Myths; My Friend the Housekeeper, in Riverside +Fourth Reader, + +Peasant Truth, in Riverside Third Reader; Prometheus, the Giver of Fire +in Coe, First Book of Stories for the Story-Teller; Six Soldiers of +Fortune, in Grimm, German Household Tales; The Country Maid and her +Milk-Pail, in Scudder, Book of Fables and Folk-Stories; The Flax, in +Andersen, Wonder Stories; The Hammer and the Anvil, in Ramaswami Raju, +Indian Fables; The Honest Woodman, in Poulsson, In the Child's World; +The Little Gray Pony, in Lindsay, Mother Stories; The Little House in +the Wood, in Grimm, German Household Tales; The Old Man Who Lived in +a Wood (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; The Pixy Flower, in Rhys, +Fairy-Gold; The Spandies, in Gilchrist, Helen and the Uninvited Guests, +page 15; The Three Trades, in Grimm, German Household Tales; The Toy +of the Giant's Child, von Chamisso (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; +Vegetable Lambs, in Curtis, Story of Cotton; Vulcan the Mighty Smith, in +Poulsson, In the Child's World. + +For grades 5-6. A Handful of Clay, in Riverside Sixth Reader; How they +Built the Ship Argo in Iolcos, in Kingsley, Greek Heroes; Icarus and +DEedalus, in Peabody, Old Greek Folk-Stones; Master of All Masters, in +Jacobs, English Fairy Tales; The Dwarf's Gifts, in Brown, In the Days +of Giants; The Forging of Balmung, in Baldwin, Hero Tales; The +Giant Builder, in Brown, In the Days of Giants; The God of Fire, in +Francillon, Gods and Heroes; The Wicked Hornet, in Baldwin, The Sampo; +The Wish-Ring, in Fairy Stories Retold from St. Nicholas; The Wounds of +Labor, in d'Amicis, Heart (Cuore); Weland's Sword, in Kipling, Puck of +Pook's Hill. + +For grades 74. Careers of Danger and Daring, Moffett; David Maydole, +Hammer-Maker, in Riverside Seventh Reader; Jack Farley's Flying Switch, +in Warman, Short Rails; Histories of Two Boys, in Riverside Seventh +Reader; History of Labor Day, in Stevenson, Days and Deeds (prose); The +Arms of Aeneas, in Church, Stories from Virgil; The Blacksmith Boy and +the Battle, in Marden, Winning Out; The Duke's Armorer, in Stories of +Chivalry Retold from St. Nicholas; The Scullion Boy's Opportunity, in +Marden, Winning Out; The Vision of Anton the Clockmaker, in Dyer, The +Richer Life, Tubal Cain, Mackay (poem), in Story-Telling Poems. + + + + +COLUMBUS DAY + +For grades 4-8. + +Columbus, Miller (poem), in Riverside Seventh Reader; Columbus at the +Convent, Trowbridge (poem), in Stevenson, Poems of American History; +Guanahani, in Maores, Christopher Columbus; How Diego Mendez Got Food +for Columbus in Higginson, American Explorers; How Diego Mendez Saved +Columbus, in Higginson, American Explorers; In Search of the Grand +Khan, in Moores, Christopher Columbus; The Garden of Eden, in Moores, +Christopher Columbus. + + + + +HALLOWEEN + +For grades 1-4. + +The Smith and the Fairies, in Grierson, Children's Book of Celtic +Stories; The Witch, in Lang, Yellow Fairy Book; The Witch That was a +Hare, in Rhys, English Fairy Book; Tom-Tit Tot (Rumpelstiltskin), in +Jacobs, English Fairy Tales. + +For grades 5-6. + +Mr. Fox, in Jacobs, English Fairy Tales; The Godfather, in Grimm, German +Household Tales; The Golden Arm, in Jacobs, Enylish Fairy Tales; The +Robber Bridegroom, in Grimm, German Household Tales; The Story of a Cat, +Bedoliere; The Youth Who Could not Shiver or Shake, in Grimm, German +Household Tales. + +For grades 7-8. + +Alice Brand, in Scott, Lady of the Lake (poem); All-Hallow-Eve Myths, +in Our Holidays Retold from St. Nicholas; Black Andie's Tale of +Tod Lapraik, in Stevenson, David Balfour; History of Hallowe'en, in +Stevenson, Days and Deeds (prose); Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and Rip +Van Winkle Irving; Macbeth, Shakespeare; The Bottle Imp, in Stevenson, +Island Nights' Entertainments; The Devil and Tom Walker, Irving; The +Fire-King, Scott (poem); The Speaking Rat, in Dickens, Uncommercial +Traveller, chapter 15. + + + + +THANKSGIVING DAY + +For grades 1-4 + +A Thanksgiving Dinner, in White, When Molly was Six; The Chestnut Boys, +in Poulsson, In the Child's World; The First Thanksgiving Day, in +Wiggin and Smith, Story Hour; The Marriage of Mondahmin, in Judd, Wigwam +Stories; The Turkey's Nest, in Lindsay, More Mother Stories; The Visit, +in Lindsay, More Mother Stories; Turkeys Turning the Tables, in Howells, +Christmas Every Day. + +For grades 5-6. + +A Dinner That Ran Away, in Miller, Kristy's Surprise Party; A Mystery +in the Kitchen, in Miller, Kristy's Surprise Party; Ann Mary, Her Two +Thanksgivings, in Wilkins, Young Lueretia; An Old-Time Thanksgiving, in +Indian Stories Retold from St. Nicholas; The Coming of Thanksgiving, and +The Season of Pumpkin Pies, in Warner, Being a Boy; The Magic Apples, +in Brown, In the Days of Giants; St. Francis's Sermon to the Birds, +Longfellow (poem), in Story-Telling Poems. + +For grades 7-8. + +An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving, Alcott; The First Thanksgiving Day, +Preston (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; The Night Before Thanksgiving, +in Jewett, The Queen's Twin; The Peace Message (poem), in Stevenson, +Poems of American History; The Turkey Drive, in Sharp, Winter. + + + + + +CHRISTMAS DAY + +For grades 1-4. + +A Christmas Tree Reversed, in Brown, Little Miss Phoebe Gay; Babouseka, +Thomas (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; Christmas Every Day, Howells; +Fulfilled, in Bryant, How to Tell Stories to Children; His Christmas +Turkey, in Vawter, The Rabbi's Ransom; In the Great Walled Country, in +Alden, Why the Chimes Rang; Little Girl's Christmas, in Dickinson and +Skinner, Children's Book of Christmas Stories; Santa Claus and the +Mouse, Poulsson (poem), in St. Nicholas Christmas Book; The Christmas +Cake, in Lindsay, More Mother Stories; The Christmas Tree, in Austin, +Basket Woman; The First New England Christmas, in Stone and Fickett, +Every-Day Life in the Colonies; The Golden Cobwebs, in Bryant, How +to Tell Stories to Children; The Moon of Yule, in Davis, The Moons of +Balbanea; The Rileys' Christmas, in White, When Molly was Six; The Story +of Gretchen in Lindsay, Mother Stories; The Three Kings of Cologne, +Field (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; The Turkey Doll, Gates; The +Voyage of the Wee Red Cap, in Dickinson and Skinner, Children's Book +of Christmas Stories; Toinette and the Elves, in Dickinson and Skinner, +Children's Book of Christmas Stones; 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, +Moore (poem); Why the Chimes Rang, Alden. + +For grades 5-6. + +Christmas Before Last, in Stockton, Bee-Man of Orn; Christmas in the +Alley, in Miller, Kristy's Queer Christmas; Dog of Flanders, Ramee; +Felix, in Stein, Troubadour Tales; Good King Wenceslas (poem), in +Story-Telling Poems; Hope's Christmas Tree, in Miller, Kristy's +Surprise Party, How a Bear Brought Christmas, in Miller, Kristy's Queer +Christmas; How Santa Claus Came to Simpson's Bar, in Harte, Luck of +Roaring Camp; How Uncle Sam Observes Christmas, in Our Holidays Retold +from St. Nicholas; Lottie's Christmas Tree, in Miller, Kristy's Rainy +Day Picnic; St. Nicholas and the Innkeeper, in Walsh, Story of Santa +Klaus; St. Nicholas and the Robbers, in Walsh, Story of Santa Klaus; St. +Nicholas and the Slave Boy, in Walsh, Story of Santa Klaus; Santa Claus +on a Lark, Gladden; Solomon Crow's Christmas Pockets, Stuart; The Birds' +Christmas Carol, Wiggin; The Coming of the Prince, in Field, Christmas +Tales and Christmas Verse; The Festival of St. Nicholas, in Dodge, +Hans Brinker; The Peace Egg, Ewing; The Symbol and the Saint, in Field, +Christmas Tales and Christmas Verse. + +For grades 7-8. + +A Christmas Carol, Dickens; A Still Christmas, Repplier, in Morris, In +the Yule-Log Glow; The First Christmas Tree, Van Dyke; The Lost Word, +Van Dyke; The Mansion, Van Dyke; The Other Wise Man, Van Dyke; Cosette, +in Hugo, Les Miserables, book 3; Where Love is, There God is Also, +Tolstoy. + + + + + +ARBOR DAY + +For grades 1-4. + +Flower of the Almond and Fruit of the Fig, in Foote, Little Fig-Tree +Stories; Earl and the Dryad, in Brown, Star Jewels; The Girl Who Became +a Pine Tree, in Judd, Wigwam Stories; The Kind Old Oak, in Poulsson, +In the Child's World; The Oak Tree, in Vawter, The Rabbit's Ransom; The +Workman and the Trees, in Ramaswami Raju, Indian Fables. + +For grades 5-6. + +Apple-Seed John, Child (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; How the Children +Saved Hamburg, in Marden, Winning Out; How the Indians Learned to Make +Maple Sugar, in University of the State of New York, Legends and Poetry +of the Forests; Old Pipes and the Dryad, in Stockton, Bee-Man of Orn; +Tale of Old Man and the Birch Tree, in University of the State of New +York, Legends and Poetry of the Forests; The Elm and the Vine, Rosas +(poem), in Story-Telling Poems; The Gourd and the Palm (poem), in +Story-Telling Poems; The Planting of the Apple Tree, Bryant (poem), in +Riverside Fifth Reader. + +For grades 7-8. + +Brier-Rose, Boyesen (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; How the Charter was +Saved, in Morris, Historical Tales, American; O-So-Ah, the Tall Pine +Speaks, in University of the State of New York, Legends and Poetry of +the Forests; The Eliot Oak, in Drake, New England Legends; The First of +the Trees, in University of the State of New York, Legends and Poetry of +the Forests; The Liberty Tree, in Hawthorne, Grandfather's Chair, part +3. chapter 2; The Plucky Prince, May Bryant (poem), in Story-Telling +Poems; The Story of a Thousand-Year Pine, Mills; The Washington Elm, in +Drake, New England Legends. + + + + +BIRD DAY + +For grades 1-4. + +Out of the Nest, in Lindsay, More Mother Stories; The Fox and the Crow, +in Jacobs, Aesop's Fables; The Jackdaw and the Doves, in Scudder, Book +of Fables and Folk-Stories; The Jay and the Peacock, in Jacobs, Aesop's +Fables; The King, the Falcon, and the Drinking Cup, in Dutton, The +Tortoise and the Geese; The Lark and her Young Ones, in Scudder, Book +of Fables and Folk-Stories; The Monk and the Bird, in Scudder, Book of +legends; The Owl and his School, in Ramaswami Raju, Indian Fables; +The Owl and the Pussy-Cat, Lear (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; The +Partridge and the Crow, in Dutton, The Tortoise and the Geese; The Pious +Robin, in Brown, Curious Book of Birds; The Rustic and the Nightingale, +in Dutton, The Tortoise and the Geese; The Sparrows, Thaxter (poem), in +Story-Telling Poems; The Sparrows and the Snake, in Dutton, The Tortoise +and the Geese; The Spendthrift and the Swallow, in Scudder, Book +of Fables and Folk-Stories; The Story of the First Mocking-Bird, in +Holbrook, Book of Nature Myths; The Story of the Oriole, in Holbrook, +Book of Nature Myths; The Wren Who Brought Fire, in Brown, Curious Book +of Birds; Why the Peacock's Tail has a Hundred Eyes, in Holbrook, Book +of Nature Myths; Why the Peetweet Cries for Rain, in Holbrook, Book of +Nature Myths. + +For grades 5-6. + +A Madcap Thrush, in Miller, True Bird Stories; Antics in the Bird Room, +in Miller, True Bird Stories; Fate of the Children of Lir, in Grierson, +Children's Book of Celtie Stories; Halcyone, in Brown, Curious Book +of Birds; St. Francis's Sermon to the Birds, Longfellow (poem), in +Story-Telling Poems; Saint Kentigern and the Robin, in Brown, Book +of Saints and Friendly Beasts; The Donkey and the Mocking-Bird, Rosas +(poem), in Story-Telling Poems; The Early Girl, in Brown, Curious Book +of Birds; The Nightingale, in Andersen, Wonder Stories; The Parrot, +Campbell (poem), in Story-Telling Poems, The Phoenix, in Brown, Curious +Book of Birds; The Robin, Whittier (poem); The Sauey Oriole, in Miller, +True Bird Stories; The Wild Swans, in Andersen, Wonder Stories; Walter +son der Vogelweid, Longfellow (poem). + +For grades 7-8. + +Arnaux, the Chronicle of a Homing Pigeon, in Thompson-Seton, Animal +Heroes; King Edwin's Feast, Chadwiek (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; +Our New Neighbors at Ponkapog, in Riverside Seventh Reader; The Abbot +of Inisfalen, Allingham (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; The Birds of +Killingworth, Longfellow (poem); The Downy Woodpecker, in Bird Stories +from Burroughs; The Eagle, Tennyson (poem); The Emperor's Bird's-Nest, +Longfellow (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; The Falcon of Ser Federigo, +Longfellow (poem); The Gulls, in Breck, Wilderness Pets, pages 103, 161; +The House Wren, in Bird Stories from Burroughs; The Keeper of the Nest, +in Roberts, The Feet of the Furtive; The Screech Owl, in Bird Stories +from Burroughs; The Song Sparrow, in Bird Stories from Burroughs. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Good Stories For Great Holidays, by +Frances Jenkins Olcott + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GOOD STORIES FOR GREAT HOLIDAYS *** + +***** This file should be named 359.txt or 359.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/5/359/ + +Produced by Mike Lough + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.04.29.93*END* + + +Scanned with OmniPage Professional OCR software +donated by Caere Corporation, 1-800-535-7226. +Contact Mike Lough <Mikel@caere.com> + + + +GOOD STORIES +FOR GREAT HOLIDAYS + +ARRANGED FOR +STORY-TELLING AND READING ALOUD +AND FOR +THE CHILDREN'S OWN READING + +BY +FRANCES JENKINS OLCOTT + +Index according to reading level is appended. + + + +TO THE STORY-TELLER + +This volume, though intended also for the children's +own reading and for reading aloud, is especially +planned for story-telling. The latter is +a delightful way of arousing a gladsome holiday +spirit, and of showing the inner meanings of +different holidays. As stories used for this purpose +are scattered through many volumes, and as they +are not always in the concrete form required for +story-telling, I have endeavored to bring together +myths, legends, tales, and historical stories +suitable to holiday occasions. + +There are here collected one hundred and +twenty stories for seventeen holidays--stories +grave, gay, humorous, or fanciful; also some that +are spiritual in feeling, and others that give the +delicious thrill of horror so craved by boys and +girls at Halloween time. The range of selection +is wide, and touches all sides of wholesome boy +and girl nature, and the tales have the power to +arouse an appropriate holiday spirit. + +As far as possible the stories are presented in +their original form. When, however, they are too +long for inclusion, or too loose in structure for +story-telling purposes, they are adapted. + +Adapted stories are of two sorts. Condensed: +in which case a piece of literature is shortened, +scarcely any changes being made in the original +language. Rewritten: here the plot, imagery, +language, and style of the original are retained as +far as possible, while the whole is moulded into +form suitable for story-telling. Some few stories +are built up on a slight framework of original +matter. + +Thus it may be seen that the tales in this +volume have not been reduced to the necessarily +limited vocabulary and uniform style of one editor, +but that they are varied in treatment and +language, and are the products of many minds. + +A glance at the table of contents will show that +not only have selections been made from modern +authors and from the folklore of different races, +but that some quaint old literary sources have +been drawn on. Among the men and books contributing +to these pages are the Gesta Romanorum, +Il Libro d'Oro, Xenophon, Ovid, Lucian, the +Venerable Bede, William of Malmesbury. John of +Hildesheim, William Caxton, and the more modern +Washington Irving, Hugh Miller, Charles Dickens, +and Henry Cabot Lodge; also those immortals, +Hans Andersen, the Brothers Grimm, Horace E. +Scudder, and others. + +The stories are arranged to meet the needs of +story-telling in the graded schools. Reading- +lists, showing where to find additional material +for story-telling and collateral reading, are added. +Grades in which the recommended stories are +useful are indicated. + +The number of selections in the volume, as +well as the references to other books, is limited +by the amount and character of available material. +For instance, there is little to be found for +Saint Valentine's Day, while there is an +overwhelming abundance of fine stories for the +Christmas season. Stories like Dickens's ``Christmas +Carol,'' Ouida's ``Dog of Flanders,'' and +Hawthorne's tales, which are too long for inclusion +and would lose their literary beauty if +condensed, are referred to in the lists. Volumes +containing these stories may be procured at the +public library. + +A subject index is appended. This indicates +the ethical, historical, and other subject-matter +of interest to the teacher, thus making the volume +serviceable for other occasions besides holidays. + +In learning her tale the story-teller is advised +not to commit it to memory. Such a method is +apt to produce a wooden or glib manner of presentation. +It is better for her to read the story +over and over again until its plot, imagery, style, +and vocabulary become her own, and then to retell +it, as Miss Bryant says, ``simply, vitally, joyously.'' + + + + + + +CONTENTS + +NEW YEAR'S DAY (January 1) + +THE FAIRY'S NEW YEAR GIFT: Emilie Poulsson, In the Child's World + +THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL: Hans Christian Andersen, Stories and Tales + +THE TWELVE MONTHS: Alexander Chodsvko, Slav Fairy Tales + +THE MAIL-COACH PASSENGERS: Hans Christian Andersen, Fairy Tales + +LINCOLN'S BIRTHDAY (February 10) + +HE RESCUES THE BIRDS: Noah Brooks, Abraham Lincoln + +LINCOLN AND THE LITTLE GIRL: Charles W. Moores, +Life of Abraham Lincoln for Boys and Girls + +TRAINING FOR THE PRESIDENCY: Orison Swett Matden, Winning Out + +WHY LINCOLN WAS CALLED ``HONEST ABE'': Noah Brooks, Abraham Lincoln + +A STRANGER AT FIVE-POINTS: Adapted + +A SOLOMON COME TO JUDGMENT: Charles W. Moores, +Life of Abraham Lincoln for Boys and Girls + +GEORGE PICKETT'S FRIEND: Charles W. Moores, +Life of Abraham Lincoln for Boys and Girls + +LINCOLN THE LAWYER: Z. A. Mudge, The Forest Boy + +THE COURAGE OF HIS CONVICTIONS: Adapted + +MR. LINCOLN AND THE BIBLE: Z. A. Mudge, The Forest Boy + +HIS SPRINGFIELD FAREWELL ADDRESS [Lincoln] + +SAINT VALENTINE'S DAY (February 14) + +SAINT VALENTINE + +SAINT VALENTINE: Millicent Olmsted + +A GIRL'S VALENTINE CHARM: The Connoisseur, 1775 + +MR. PEPYS HIS VALENTINE: Samuel Pepys, Diary + +CUPID AND PSYCHE: Josephine Preston Peabody, +Old Greek Folk Stories + +WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY (February 22) + +THREE OLD TALES: M. L. Weems, Life of +George Washington, with Curious Anecdotes + +YOUNG GEORGE AND THE COLT: Horace E. Scudder, + George Washington + +WASHINGTON THE ATHLETE: Albert F. Blaisdell and Francis R. Ball, +Hero Stories from American History + +WASHINGTON'S MODESTY: Henry Cabot Lodge, George Washington + +WASHINGTON AT YORKTOWN: Henry Cabot lodge, George Washington + +RESURRECTION DAY (Easter Sunday) (March or April) + +A LESSON OF FAITH: Mrs. Alfred Gatty, Parables from Nature + +A CHILD'S DREAM OF A STAR: Charles Dickens + +THE LOVELIEST ROSE IN THE WORLD: +Hans Christian Andersen, Stories and Tales + +MAY DAY (May 1) +THE SNOWDROP: Hans Christian Andersen; +Adapted by Bailey and Lewis + +THE THREE LITTLE BUTTERFLY BROTHERS: From the German + + +THE WATER DROP: Friedrich Wilhelm Carove, +Story without an End, translated by Sarah Austin + +THE SPRING BEAUTY: Henry R. Schoolcraft, The Myth of Hiawatha + +THE FAIRY TULIPS: English Folk-Tale + +THE STREAM THAT RAN AWAY: Mary Austin, The Basket Woman + +THE ELVES: Harriet Mazwell Converse, +Myths and legends of the New York State Iroquois + +THE CANYON FLOWERS: Ralph Connor, The Sky Pilot + +CLYTIE, THE HELIOTROPE: Ovid, Metamorphoses + +HYACINTHUS: Ovid, Metamorphoses + +ECHO AND NARCISSUS: Ovid, Metamorphoses + +MOTHERS' DAY (Second Sunday in May) + +THE LARK AND ITS YOUNG ONES: P. V. Ramuswami Raju, Indian Fables + +CORNELIA S JEWELS: James Baldwin, Fifty Famous Stories Retold + +QUEEN MARGARET AND THE ROBBERS: Albert F. Blaisdell, +Stories from Enylish History + +THE REVENGE OF CORIOLANUS: Charles Morris, Historical Tales + +THE WIDOW AND HER THREE SONS + +MEMORIAL DAY (May 30)[1] AND FLAG DAY (June 14) +Confederate Memorial Day is celebrated in some States on +April 26 and in others on May 10. + +BETSY ROSS AND THE FLAG: Harry Pringle Ford + +THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER: Eva March Tappan, +Hero Stories from American History + +THE LITTLE DRUMMER-BOY: Aloert Bushnell Hart, +The Romance of the Civil War + +A FLAG INCIDENT: M. M. Thomas, Captain Phil + +TWO HERO-STORIES OF THE CIVIL WAR: Ben La Bree, +Camp Fires of the Confederacy + +THE YOUNG SENTINEL: Z. A. Mudge, The Forest Boy + +THE COLONEL OF THE ZOUAVES: Noah Brooks, Abraham Lincoln + +GENERAL SCOTT AND THE STARS AND STRIPES: E. D. Townsend, +Anecdotes of the Civil War + +lNDEPENDENCE DAY (July 4) + +THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE: Washington Irving, Life of Washington + +THE SIGNING OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE: +H. A. Guerber, The Story of the Thirteen Colonies + +A BRAVE GIRL: James Johonnot, Stories of Heroic Deeds + +THE BOSTON TEA-PARTY: John Andrews, Letter to a friend written in 1773 + +A GUNPOWDER STORY: John Esten Cooke, Stories of the Old Dominion + +THE CAPTURE OF FORT TICONDEROGA: Washington Irving, Life of Washington + +WASHINGTON AND THE COWARDS: Washington Irving, Life of Washington + +LABOR DAY (First Monday in September) + +THE SMITHY: P. V. Ramaswami Raju, Indian Fables + +THE NAIL: The Brothers Grimm, German Household Tales + +THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER: Horace E. Scudder, +Book of Fables and Folk Stories + +THE HILLMAN AND THE HOUSEWIFE: Juliana Horatia Ewing, +Old Fashioned Fairy Tales + +HOFUS THE STONE CUTTER, A JAPANESE LEGEND: +The Riserside Third Reader + +ARACHNE: Josephine Preston Peabody, Old Greek Folk Stories + + +THE METAL KING: A German Folk-Tale + +THE CHOICE OF HERCULES: Xenophon, Memorabilia of Socrates + +THE SPEAKING STATUE: Gesta Romanorum + +THE CHAMPION STONE CUTTER: Hugh Miller + +BILL BROWN'S TEST: Cleveland Moffett, Careers of Danger and Daring + +COLUMBUS DAY (October 12) + +COLUMBUS AND THE EGG: James Baldwin, Thirty More Famous Stories Retold + +COLUMBUS AT LA RABIDA: Washington Irving, Life of Christopher Columbus + +THE MUTINY: A. de Lamartine, Life of Columbus + +THE FIRST LANDING OF COLUMBUS IN THE NEW WORLD: +Washington Irving, Life of Christopher Columbus + +HALLOWEEN (October 31) + +THE OLD WITCH: The Brothers Grimm, German Household Tales + +SHIPPEITARO: Mary F. Nixon-Roulet, Japanese Folk Stories and Fairy Tales + +HANSEL AND GRETHEL: The Brothers Grimm, German Household Tales + +BURG HILL'S ON FIRE: Elizabeth W. Grierson, +Children's Book of Celtic Stories + +THE KING OF THE CATS: Ernest Rhys, Fairy-Gold + +THE STRANGE VISITOR: Joseph Jacobs, English Fairy Tales + +THE BENEVOLENT GOBLIN: Gesta Romanorum + +THE PHANTOM KNIGHT OF THE VANDAL CAMP: Gesta Romanorum + +THANKSGIVING DAY (Last Thursday in November) + +THE FIRST HARVEST-HOME IN PLYMOUTH: W. De Loss Lore, Jr., +The Fast and Thanksgiving Days of New England + +THE MASTER OF THE HARVEST: Mrs. Alfred Gatty, Parables from Nature + +SAINT CUTHBERT'S EAGLE: The Venerable Bede, +Life and Miracles of Saint Cuthbert + +THE EARS OF WHEAT: The Brothers Grimm, German Household Tales + +HOW INDIAN CORN CAME INTO THE WORLD: Henry R. Schoolcraft, +The Myth of Hiawatha + +THE NUTCRACKER DWARF: Count Franz Pocci, Fur Frohliche Kinder + +THE PUMPKIN PIRATES, A TALE FROM LUCIAN: Alfred J. Church, The Greek Gulliver + +THE SPIRIT OF THE CORN: Harriet Mazwell Converse, + Myths and Legends of the New York State Iroquois + +THE HORN OF PLENTY: Ovid, Metamorphoses + +CHRISTMAS DAY (December 25) + +LITTLE PICCOLA: Celia Thazter, Stories and Poems for Children + +THE STRANGER CHILD, A LEGEND: Count Franz Pocci, Fur Frohliche Kinder + +SAINT CHRISTOPHER: William Caxton, Golden Legend + +THE CHRISTMAS ROSE, AN OLD LEGEND: Lizzie Deas, Flower Favourites + +THE WOODEN SHOES OF LITTLE WOLFF: Francois Coppee + +THE PINE TREE: Hans Christian Andersen, Wonder Stories + +THE CHRISTMAS CUCKOO: Frances Browne, Granny's Wonderful Chair + +THE CHRISTMAS FAIRY OF STRASBURG, A GERMAN FOLK-TALE: +J. Stirling Coyne, Illustrated London News + +THE THREE PURSES, A LEGEND: William S. Walsh, Story of Santa Klaus + +THE THUNDER OAK, A SCANDINAVIAN LEGEND: William S. Walsh and Others + +THE CHRISTMAS THORN OF GLASTONBURY, A LEGEND OF ANCIENT BRITAIN: +William of Malmesbury and Others + +THE THREE KINGS OF COLOGNE, A LEGEND OF THE MIDDLE AGES: +John of Hildesheim, Modernized by H. S. Morris + +ARBOR DAY + +THE LITTLE TREE THAT LONGED FOR OTHER LEAVES: Friedrieh Ruckert + +WHY THE EVERGREEN TREES NEVER LOSE THEIR LEAVES: +Florence Holbrook, Book of Nature Myths + +WHY THE ASPEN QUIVERS: Old legend + +THE WONDER TREE: Friedrich Adolph Krummacher, Parables + +THE PROUD OAK TREE: Old Fable + +BAUCIS AND PHILEMON: H. P. Maskell, Francis Storr, + Half-a-Hundred Hero Tales + +THE UNFRUITFUL TREE: Friedrich Adolph Krummacher, Parables + +THE DRYAD OF THE OLD OAK: James Russell Lowell, Rhoecus (a poem) + +DAPHNE: OVID, Metamorphoses BIRD DAY + +THE OLD WOMAN WHO BECAME A WOODPECKER: +Phoebe Cary, A Legend of the Northland (poem) + +THE BOY WHO BECAME A ROBIN: Henry R. Schoolcraft, +The Myth of Hiawatha + +THE TONGUE-CUT SPARROW: A. B. Mitford, Tales of Old Japan + +THE QUAILS, A LEGEND OF THE JATAKA: Riverside Fourth Reader + +THE MAGPIE'S NEST: Joseph Jacobs, English Fairy Tales + +THE GREEDY GEESE: Il Libro d'Oro + +THE KING OF THE BIRDS: The Brothers Grimm, German Household Tales + +THE DOVE WHO SPOKE TRUTH: Abbie Farwell Brown, The Curious Book of Birds + +THE BUSY BLUE JAY: Olive Thorne Miller, True Bird Stories + +BABES IN THE WOODS: John Burroughs, Bird Stories from Burroughs + +THE PRIDE OF THE REGIMENT: Harry M. Rieffer, +The Recollections of a Drummer Boy + +THE MOTHER MURRE: Dallas Lore Sharp, Summer + +REFERENCE LISTS FOR STORY-TELLING AND COLLATERAL READING + + + + +GOOD STORIES +FOR GREAT HOLIDAYS + +THE FAIRY'S NEW YEAR GIFT + +BY EMILIE POULSSON (ADAPTED) + +Two little boys were at play one day when a +Fairy suddenly appeared before them and said: ``I +have been sent to give you New Year presents.'' + +She handed to each child a package, and in an +instant was gone. + +Carl and Philip opened the packages and found +in them two beautiful books, with pages as pure +and white as the snow when it first falls. + +Many months passed and the Fairy came again +to the boys. ``I have brought you each another +book?'' said she, ``and will take the first ones back +to Father Time who sent them to you.'' + +``May I not keep mine a little longer?'' asked +Philip. ``I have hardly thought about it lately. +I'd like to paint something on the last leaf that +lies open.'' + +``No,'' said the Fairy; ``I must take it just as it +is.'' + +``I wish that I could look through mine just +once,'' said Carl; ``I have only seen one page at a +time, for when the leaf turns over it sticks fast, +and I can never open the book at more than one +place each day.'' + +``You shall look at your book,'' said the Fairy, +``and Philip, at his.'' And she lit for them two +little silver lamps, by the light of which they saw +the pages as she turned them. + +The boys looked in wonder. Could it be that +these were the same fair books she had given +them a year ago? Where were the clean, white +pages, as pure and beautiful as the snow when it +first falls? Here was a page with ugly, black spots +and scratches upon it; while the very next page +showed a lovely little picture. Some pages were +decorated with gold and silver and gorgeous +colors, others with beautiful flowers, and still +others with a rainbow of softest, most delicate +brightness. Yet even on the most beautiful of the +pages there were ugly blots and scratches. + +Carl and Philip looked up at the Fairy at last. + +``Who did this?'' they asked. ``Every page was +white and fair as we opened to it; yet now there is +not a single blank place in the whole book!'' + +``Shall I explain some of the pictures to you?'' +said the Fairy, smiling at the two little boys. + +``See, Philip, the spray of roses blossomed on this +page when you let the baby have your playthings; +and this pretty bird, that looks as if it were singing +with all its might, would never have been on +this page if you had not tried to be kind and +pleasant the other day, instead of quarreling.'' + +``But what makes this blot?'' asked Philip. + +``That,'' said the Fairy sadly; ``that came when +you told an untruth one day, and this when you +did not mind mamma. All these blots and +scratches that look so ugly, both in your book +and in Carl's, were made when you were naughty. +Each pretty thing in your books came on its page +when you were good.'' + +``Oh, if we could only have the books again!'' +said Carl and Philip. + +``That cannot be,'' said the Fairy. ``See! they +are dated for this year, and they must now go back +into Father Time's bookcase, but I have brought +you each a new one. Perhaps you can make these +more beautiful than the others.'' + +So saying, she vanished, and the boys were left +alone, but each held in his hand a new book open +at the first page. + +And on the back of this book was written in +letters of gold, ``For the New Year.'' + + + +THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL + +BY HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN (TRANSLATED) + +It was very, very cold; it snowed and it grew +dark; it was the last evening of the year, New +Year's Eve. In the cold and dark a poor little +girl, with bare head and bare feet, was walking +through the streets. When she left her own house +she certainly had had slippers on; but what could +they do? They were very big slippers, and her +mother had used them till then, so big were they. +The little maid lost them as she slipped across the +road, where two carriages were rattling by terribly +fast. One slipper was not to be found again, and +a boy ran away with the other. He said he could +use it for a cradle when he had children of his own. + +So now the little girl went with her little naked +feet, which were quite red and blue with the cold. +In an old apron she carried a number of matches, +and a bundle of them in her hand. No one had +bought anything of her all day; no one had given +her a copper. Hungry and cold she went, and +drew herself together, poor little thing! The +snowflakes fell on her long yellow hair, which +curled prettily over her neck; but she did not +think of that now. In all the windows lights were +shining, and there was a glorious smell of roast +goose out there in the street; it was no doubt New +Year's Eve. Yes, she thought of that! + +In a corner formed by two houses, one of which +was a little farther from the street than the other, +she sat down and crept close. She had drawn up +her little feet, but she was still colder, and she did +not dare to go home, for she had sold no matches, +and she had not a single cent; her father would +beat her; and besides, it was cold at home, for +they had nothing over the them but a roof through +which the wind whistled, though straw and rags +stopped the largest holes. + +Her small hands were quite numb with the cold. +Ah! a little match might do her good if she only +dared draw one from the bundle, and strike it +against the wall, and warm her fingers at it. She +drew one out. R-r-atch! how it spluttered and +burned! It was a warm bright flame, like a little +candle, when she held her hands over it; it was a +wonderful little light! It really seemed to the +little girl as if she sat before a great polished +stove, with bright brass feet and a brass cover. +The fire burned so nicely; it warmed her so well, +--the little girl was just putting out her feet to +warm these, too,--when out went the flame; the +stove was gone;--she sat with only the end of the +burned match in her hand. + +She struck another; it burned; it gave a light; +and where it shone on the wall, the wall became +thin like a veil, and she could see through it into +the room where a table stood, spread with a white +cloth, and with china on it; and the roast goose +smoked gloriously, stuffed with apples and dried +plums. And what was still more splendid to behold, +the goose hopped down from the dish, and +waddled along the floor, with a knife and fork in +its breast; straight to the little girl he came. Then +the match went out, and only the thick, damp, +cold wall was before her. + +She lighted another. Then she was sitting +under a beautiful Christmas tree; it was greater and +finer than the one she had seen through the glass +door at the rich merchant's. Thousands of candles +burned upon the green branches, and colored pictures +like those in the shop windows looked down +upon them. The little girl stretched forth both +hands toward them; then the match went out. +The Christmas lights went higher and higher. +She saw that now they were stars in the sky: one +of them fell and made a long line of fire. + +``Now some one is dying,'' said the little girl, +for her old grandmother, the only person who had +been good to her, but who was now dead, had said: +``When a star falls a soul mounts up to God.'' + +She rubbed another match against the wall; it +became bright again, and in the light there stood +the old grandmother clear and shining, mild and +lovely. + +``Grandmother!'' cried the child. ``Oh, take +me with you! I know you will go when the match +is burned out. You will go away like the warm +stove, the nice roast goose, and the great glorious +Christmas tree!'' + +And she hastily rubbed the whole bundle of +matches, for she wished to hold her grandmother +fast. And the matches burned with such a glow +that it became brighter than in the middle of the +day; grandmother had never been so large or so +beautiful. She took the little girl up in her arms, +and both flew in the light and the joy so high, so +high! and up there was no cold, nor hunger, nor +care--they were with God. + +But in the corner by the house sat the little +girl, with red cheeks and smiling mouth, frozen to +death on the last evening of the Old Year. The +New Year's sun rose upon the little body, that sat +there with the matches, of which one bundle was +burned. She wanted to warm herself, the people +said. No one knew what fine things she had seen, +and in what glory she had gone in with her +grandmother to the New Year's Day. + + +THE TWELVE MONTHS + +A SLAV LEGEND + +BY ALEXANDER CHODZKO (ADAPTED) + +There was once a widow who had two daughters, +Helen, her own child by her dead husband, and +Marouckla, his daughter by his first wife. She +loved Helen, but hated the poor orphan because +she was far prettier than her own daughter. + +Marouckla did not think about her good looks, +and could not understand why her stepmother +should be angry at the sight of her. The hardest +work fell to her share. She cleaned out the rooms, +cooked, washed, sewed, spun, wove, brought in +the hay, milked the cow, and all this without any +help. + +Helen, meanwhile, did nothing but dress herself +in her best clothes and go to one amusement after +another. + +But Marouckla never complained. She bore +the scoldings and bad temper of mother and sister +with a smile on her lips, and the patience of a +lamb. But this angelic behavior did not soften +them. They became even more tyrannical and +grumpy, for Marouckla grew daily more beautiful, +while Helen's ugliness increased. So the stepmother +determined to get rid of Marouckla, for +she knew that while she remained, her own daughter +would have no suitors. Hunger, every kind of +privation, abuse, every means was used to make +the girl's life miserable. But in spite of it all +Marouckla grew ever sweeter and more charming. + +One day in the middle of winter Helen wanted +some wood-violets. + +``Listen,'' cried she to Marouckla, ``you must +go up the mountain and find me violets. I want +some to put in my gown. They must be fresh +and sweet-scented-do you hear?'' + +``But, my dear sister, whoever heard of violets +blooming in the snow?'' said the poor orphan. + +``You wretched creature! Do you dare to disobey +me?'' said Helen. ``Not another word. Off +with you! If you do not bring me some violets +from the mountain forest I will kill you.'' + +The stepmother also added her threats to those +of Helen, and with vigorous blows they pushed +Marouckla outside and shut the door upon her. +The weeping girl made her way to the mountain. +The snow lay deep, and there was no trace of any +human being. Long she wandered hither and +thither, and lost herself in the wood. She was +hungry, and shivered with cold, and prayed to die. + +Suddenly she saw a light in the distance, and +climbed toward it till she reached the top of the +mountain. Upon the highest peak burned a large +fire, surrounded by twelve blocks of stone on +which sat twelve strange beings. Of these the +first three had white hair, three were not quite +so old, three were young and handsome, and the +rest still younger. + +There they all sat silently looking at the fire. +They were the Twelve Months of the Year. The +great January was placed higher than the others. +His hair and mustache were white as snow, and in +his hand he held a wand. At first Marouckla was +afraid, but after a while her courage returned, and +drawing near, she said:-- + +``Men of God, may I warm myself at your +fire? I am chilled by the winter cold.'' + +The great January raised his head and answered: +``What brings thee here, my daughter? +What dost thou seek?'' + +``I am looking for violets,'' replied the maiden. + +``This is not the season for violets. Dost thou +not see the snow everywhere?'' said January. + +``I know well, but my sister Helen and my +stepmother have ordered me to bring them violets +from your mountain. If I return without them +they will kill me. I pray you, good shepherds, tell +me where they may be found.'' + +Here the great January arose and went over to +the youngest of the Months, and, placing his wand +in his hand, said:-- + +``Brother March, do thou take the highest place.'' + +March obeyed, at the same time waving his wand +over the fire. Immediately the flames rose toward +the sky, the snow began to melt and the trees and +shrubs to bud. The grass became green, and from +between its blades peeped the pale primrose. It was +spring, and the meadows were blue with violets. + +``Gather them quickly, Marouckla,'' said March. + +Joyfully she hastened to pick the flowers, and +having soon a large bunch she thanked them +and ran home. Helen and the stepmother were +amazed at the sight of the flowers, the scent of +which filled the house. + +``Where did you find them?'' asked Helen. + +``Under the trees on the mountain-side,'' said +Marouckla. + +Helen kept the flowers for herself and her +mother. She did not even thank her stepsister for +the trouble she had taken. The next day she +desired Marouckla to fetch her strawberries. + +``Run,'' said she, ``and fetch me strawberries +from the mountain. They must be very sweet and +ripe.'' + +``But whoever heard of strawberries ripening in +the snow?'' exclaimed Marouckla. + +``Hold your tongue, worm; don't answer me. +If I don't have my strawberries I will kill you,'' +said Helen. + +Then the stepmother pushed Marouckla into +the yard and bolted the door. The unhappy girl +made her way toward the mountain and to the +large fire round which sat the Twelve Months. +The great January occupied the highest place. + +``Men of God, may I warm myself at your fire? +The winter cold chills me,'' said she, drawing near. + +The great January raised his head and asked: +``Why comest thou here? What dost thou seek?'' + +``I am looking for strawberries,'' said she. + +``We are in the midst of winter,'' replied +January, ``strawberries do not grow in the snow.'' + +``I know,'' said the girl sadly, ``but my sister +and stepmother have ordered me to bring them +strawberries. If I do not they will kill me. Pray, +good shepherds, tell me where to find them.'' + +The great January arose, crossed over to the +Month opposite him, and putting the wand in his +hand, said: ``Brother June, do thou take the +highest place.'' + +June obeyed, and as he waved his wand over +the fire the flames leaped toward the sky. Instantly +the snow melted, the earth was covered +with verdure, trees were clothed with leaves, birds +began to sing, and various flowers blossomed in +the forest. It was summer. Under the bushes +masses of star-shaped flowers changed into ripening +strawberries, and instantly they covered the +glade, making it look like a sea of blood. + +``Gather them quickly, Marouckla,'' said June. + +Joyfully she thanked the Months, and having +filled her apron ran happily home. + +Helen and her mother wondered at seeing the +strawberries, which filled the house with their +delicious fragrance. + +``Wherever did you find them?'' asked Helen +crossly. + +``Right up among the mountains. Those from +under the beech trees are not bad,'' answered +Marouckla. + +Helen gave a few to her mother and ate the rest +herself. Not one did she offer to her stepsister. +Being tired of strawberries, on the third day she +took a fancy for some fresh, red apples. + +``Run, Marouckla,'' said she, ``and fetch me +fresh, red apples from the mountain.'' + +``Apples in winter, sister? Why, the trees have +neither leaves nor fruit!'' + +``Idle thing, go this minute,'' said Helen; +``unless you bring back apples we will kill you.'' + +As before, the stepmother seized her roughly +and turned her out of the house. The poor girl +went weeping up the mountain, across the deep +snow, and on toward the fire round which were +the Twelve Months. Motionless they sat there, +and on the highest stone was the great January. + +``Men of God, may I warm myself at your fire? +The winter cold chills me,'' said she, drawing +near. + +The great January raised his head. ``Why comest +thou here? What does thou seek?'' asked he. + +``I am come to look for red apples,'' replied +Marouckla. + +``But this is winter, and not the season for red +apples,'' observed the great January. + +``I know,'' answered the girl, ``but my sister +and stepmother sent me to fetch red apples from +the mountain. If I return without them they will +kill me.'' + +Thereupon the great January arose and went +over to one of the elderly Months, to whom he +handed the wand saying:-- + +``Brother September, do thou take the highest +place.'' + +September moved to the highest stone, and +waved his wand over the fire. There was a flare +of red flames, the snow disappeared, but the fading +leaves which trembled on the trees were sent +by a cold northeast wind in yellow masses to the +glade. Only a few flowers of autumn were visible. +At first Marouckla looked in vain for red apples. +Then she espied a tree which grew at a great +height, and from the branches of this hung the +bright, red fruit. September ordered her to +gather some quickly. The girl was delighted and +shook the tree. First one apple fell, then another. + +``That is enough,'' said September; ``hurry +home.'' + +Thanking the Months she returned joyfully. +Helen and the stepmother wondered at seeing the +fruit. + +``Where did you gather them?'' asked the +stepsister. + +``There are more on the mountain-top,'' +answered Marouckla. + +``Then, why did you not bring more?'' said +Helen angrily. ``You must have eaten them on +your way back, you wicked girl.'' + +``No, dear sister, I have not even tasted them,'' +said Marouckla. ``I shook the tree twice. One +apple fell each time. Some shepherds would not +allow me to shake it again, but told me to return +home.'' + +``Listen, mother,'' said Helen. ``Give me my +cloak. I will fetch some more apples myself. I +shall be able to find the mountain and the tree. +The shepherds may cry `Stop!' but I will not +leave go till I have shaken down all the apples.'' + +In spite of her mother's advice she wrapped +herself in her pelisse, put on a warm hood, and +took the road to the mountain. Snow covered +everything. Helen lost herself and wandered +hither and thither. After a while she saw a light +above her, and, following in its direction, reached +the mountain-top. + +There was the flaming fire, the twelve blocks +of stone, and the Twelve Months. At first she +was frightened and hesitated; then she came +nearer and warmed her hands. She did not ask +permission, nor did she speak one polite word. + +``What hath brought thee here? What dost +thou seek?'' said the great January severely. + +``I am not obliged to tell you, old graybeard. +What business is it of yours?'' she replied +disdainfully, turning her back on the fire and going +toward the forest. + +The great January frowned, and waved his +wand over his head. Instantly the sky became +covered with clouds, the fire went down, snow +fell in large flakes, an icy wind howled round the +mountain. Amid the fury of the storm Helen +stumbled about. The pelisse failed to warm her +benumbed limbs. + +The mother kept on waiting for her. She looked +from the window, she watched from the doorstep, +but her daughter came not. The hours passed +slowly, but Helen did not return. + +``Can it be that the apples have charmed her +from her home?'' thought the mother. Then she +clad herself in hood and pelisse, and went in +search of her daughter. Snow fell in huge masses. +It covered all things. For long she wandered +hither and thither, the icy northeast wind +whistled in the mountain, but no voice answered +her cries. + +Day after day Marouckla worked, and prayed, +and waited, but neither stepmother nor sister +returned. They had been frozen to death on the +mountain. + +The inheritance of a small house, a field, and +a cow fell to Marouckla. In course of time an +honest farmer came to share them with her, and +their lives were happy and peaceful. + + +THE MAIL-COACH PASSENGERS + +BY HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN (ADAPTED) + +It was bitterly cold. The sky glittered with stars, +and not a breeze stirred. ``Bump,''--an old pot +was thrown at a neighbor's door; and, ``Bang! +Bang!'' went the guns, for they were greeting the +New Year. + +It was New Year's Eve, and the church clock +was striking twelve. ``Tan-ta-ra-ra, tan-ta-ra- +ra!'' sounded the horn, and the mail-coach came +lumbering up. The clumsy vehicle stopped at the +gate of the town; all the places had been taken, +for there were twelve passengers in the coach. + +``Hurrah! Hurrah!'' cried the people in the +town; for in every house the New Year was being +welcomed; and, as the clock struck, they stood +up, the full glasses in their hands, to drink +success to the newcomer. ``A happy New Year,'' +was the cry; ``a pretty wife, plenty of money, and +no sorrow or care!'' + +The wish passed round, and the glasses clashed +together till they rang again; while before the +town-gate the mail-coach stopped with the +twelve strange passengers. And who were these +strangers? Each of them had his passport and +his luggage with him; they even brought presents +for me, and for you, and for all the people in the +town. Who were they? What did they want? +And what did they bring with them? + +``Good-morning!'' they cried to the sentry at +the town-gate. + +``Good-morning,'' replied the sentry, for the +clock had struck twelve. + +``Your name and profession?'' asked the sentry +of the one who alighted first from the carriage. + +``See for yourself in the passport,'' he replied. + +``I am myself!''--and a famous fellow he looked, +arrayed in bearskin and fur boots. ``Come to me +to-morrow, and I will give you a New Year's +present. I throw shillings and pence among the +people. I give balls every night, no less than +thirty-one; indeed, that is the highest number +I can spare for balls. My ships are often frozen +in, but in my offices it is warm and comfortable. +MY NAME IS JANUARY. I am a merchant, and I +generally bring my accounts with me.'' + +Then the second alighted. He seemed a merry +fellow. He was a director of a theater, a manager +of masked balls, and a leader of all the amusements +we can imagine. His luggage consisted of +a great cask. + +``We'll dance the bung out of the cask at +carnival-time,'' said he. ``I'll prepare a merry tune +for you and for myself, too. Unfortunately I +have not long to live,--the shortest time, in fact, +of my whole family,--only twenty-eight days. +Sometimes they pop me in a day extra; but I +trouble myself very little about that. Hurrah!'' + +``You must not shout so,'' said the sentry. + +``Certainly I may shout,'' retorted the man. + +``I'm Prince Carnival, traveling under THE NAME OF FEBRUARY.'' + +The third now got out. He looked the +personification of fasting; but he carried his nose very +high, for he was a weather prophet. In his buttonhole +he wore a little bunch of violets, but they +were very small. + +``MARCH, MARCH!'' the fourth passenger called +after him, slapping him on the shoulder, ``don't +you smell something good? Make haste into the +guard-room, they are feasting in there. I can +smell it already! FORWARD, MASTER MARCH!'' + +But it was not true. The speaker only wanted +to make an APRIL FOOL of him, for with that fun +the fourth stranger generally began his career. He +looked very jovial, and did little work. + +``If the world were only more settled!'' said +he; ``but sometimes I'm obliged to be in a good +humor, and sometimes a bad one. I can laugh or +cry according to circumstances. I have my summer +wardrobe in this box here, but it would be +very foolish to put it on now!'' + +After him a lady stepped out of the coach. SHE +CALLED HERSELF MISS MAY. She wore a summer dress +and overshoes. Her dress was light green, and there +were anemones in her hair. She was so scented +with wild thyme that it made the sentry sneeze. + +``Your health, and God bless you!'' was her +greeting. + +How pretty she was! and such a singer! Not +a theater singer nor a ballad-singer; no, but a +singer of the woods. For she wandered through +the gay, green forest, and had a concert there for +her own amusement. + +``Now comes the young lady,'' said those in the +coach; and out stepped a young dame, delicate, +proud, and pretty. IT WAS MISTRESS JUNE. In her +service people become lazy and fond of sleeping +for hours. She gives a feast on the longest day +of the year, that there may be time for her guests +to partake of the numerous dishes at her table. +Indeed, she keeps her own carriage, but still she +travels by the mail-coach with the rest because +she wishes to show that she is not proud. + +But she was not without a protector; her +younger brother, JULY, was with her. He was a +plump, young fellow, clad in summer garments, +and wearing a straw hat. He had very little +luggage because it was so cumbersome in the +great heat. He had, however, swimming-trousers +with him, which are nothing to carry. + +Then came the mother herself, MADAME AUGUST, +a wholesale dealer in fruit, proprietress of +a large number of fish-ponds, and a land-cultivator. +She was fat and warm, yet she could use +her hands well, and would herself carry out food +to the laborers in the field. After work, came the +recreations, dancing and playing in the greenwood, +and the ``harvest home.'' She was a thorough housewife. + +After her a man stepped out of the coach. He +is a painter, a master of colors, and is NAMED SEPTEMBER. +The forest on his arrival has to change +its colors, and how beautiful are those he chooses! +The woods glow with red, and gold, and brown. +This great master painter can whistle like a +blackbird. There he stood with his color-pot in +his hand, and that was the whole of his luggage. + +A landowner followed, who in the month for +sowing seed attends to his ploughing and is fond +of field sports. SQUIRE OCTOBER brought his dog and +his gun with him, and had nuts in his game-bag. + +``Crack! Crack!'' He had a great deal of luggage, +even a plough. He spoke of farming, but what +he said could scarcely be heard for the coughing +and sneezing of his neighbor. + +It WAS NOVEMBER, who coughed violently as he +got out. He had a cold, but he said he thought +it would leave him when he went out woodcutting, +for he had to supply wood to the whole parish. +He spent his evenings making skates, for he knew, +he said, that in a few weeks they would be needed. + +At length the last passenger made her appearance,-- +OLD MOTHER DECEMBER! The dame was +very aged, but her eyes glistened like two stars. +She carried on her arm a flower-pot, in which a +little fir tree was growing. ``This tree I shall +guard and cherish,'' she said, ``that it may grow +large by Christmas Eve, and reach from the floor +to the ceiling, to be adorned with lighted candles, +golden apples, and toys. I shall sit by the fireplace, +and bring a story-book out of my pocket, +and read aloud to all the little children. Then the +toys on the tree will become alive, and the little +waxen Angel at the top will spread out his wings +of gold leaf, and fly down from his green perch. +He will kiss every child in the room, yes, and all +the little children who stand out in the street +singing a carol about the `Star of Bethlehem.' '' + +``Well, now the coach may drive away,'' said +the sentry; ``we will keep all the twelve months +here with us.'' + +``First let the twelve come to me,'' said the +Captain on duty, ``one after another. The passports +I will keep here, each of them for one +month. When that has passed, I shall write the +behavior of each stranger on his passport. MR. JANUARY, +have the goodness to come here.'' + +And MR. JANUARY stepped forward. + +When a year has passed, I think I shall be able +to tell you what the twelve passengers have +brought to you, to me, and to all of us. Just now +I do not know, and probably even they do not +know themselves, for we live in strange times. + + + +LINCOLN'S BIRTHDAY + +(FEBRUARY 12) + +HE RESCUES THE BIRDS + +BY NOAH BROOKS (ADAPTED) + +Once, while riding through the country with +some other lawyers, Lincoln was missed from the +party, and was seen loitering near a thicket of +wild plum trees where the men had stopped a +short time before to water their horses. + +``Where is Lincoln?'' asked one of the lawyers. + +``When I saw him last,'' answered another, +``he had caught two young birds that the wind +had blown out of their nest, and was hunting for +the nest to put them back again.'' + +As Lincoln joined them, the lawyers rallied +him on his tender-heartedness, and he said:-- + +``I could not have slept unless I had restored +those little birds to their mother.'' + + +LINCOLN AND THE LITTLE GIRL + +BY CHARLES W. MOORES + +In the old days, when Lincoln was one of the +leading lawyers of the State, he noticed a little +girl of ten who stood beside a trunk in front of her +home crying bitterly. He stopped to learn what +was wrong, and was told that she was about to +miss a long-promised visit to Decatur because the +wagon had not come for her. + +``You needn't let that trouble you,'' was his +cheering reply. ``Just come along with me and we +shall make it all right.'' + +Lifting the trunk upon his shoulder, and taking +the little girl by the hand, he went through the +streets of Springfield, a half-mile to the railway +station, put her and her trunk on the train, and +sent her away with a happiness in her heart that +is still there. + + +TRAINING FOR THE PRESIDENCY + +BY ORISON SWETT MARDEN + +``I meant to take good care of your book, Mr. +Crawford,'' said the boy, ``but I've damaged it a +good deal without intending to, and now I want +to make it right with you. What shall I do to +make it good?'' + +``Why, what happened to it, Abe?'' asked the +rich farmer, as he took the copy of Weems's +``Life of Washington'' which he had lent young +Lincoln, and looked at the stained leaves and +warped binding. ``It looks as if it had been out +through all last night's storm. How came you +to forget, and leave it out to soak?'' + +``It was this way, Mr. Crawford,'' replied Abe. +``I sat up late to read it, and when I went to bed, +I put it away carefully in my bookcase, as I call +it, a little opening between two logs in the wall of +our cabin. I dreamed about General Washington +all night. When I woke up I took it out to read +a page or two before I did the chores, and you +can't imagine how I felt when I found it in this +shape. It seems that the mud-daubing had got +out of the weather side of that crack, and the +rain must have dripped on it three or four hours +before I took it out. I'm sorry, Mr. Crawford, +and want to fix it up with you, if you can +tell me how, for I have not got money to pay +for it.'' + +``Well,'' said Mr. Crawford, ``come and shuck +corn three days, and the book 's yours.'' + +Had Mr. Crawford told young Abraham Lincoln +that he had fallen heir to a fortune the boy +could hardly have felt more elated. Shuck corn +only three days, and earn the book that told all +about his greatest hero! + +``I don't intend to shuck corn, split rails, and +the like always,'' he told Mrs. Crawford, after he +had read the volume. ``I'm going to fit myself +for a profession.'' + +``Why, what do you want to be, now?'' asked +Mrs. Crawford in surprise. + +``Oh, I'll be President!'' said Abe with a smile. + +``You'd make a pretty President with all your +tricks and jokes, now, wouldn't you?'' said the +farmer's wife. + +``Oh, I'll study and get ready,'' replied the +boy, ``and then maybe the chance will come.'' + + +WHY LINCOLN WAS CALLED +``HONEST ABE'' + +BY NOAH BROOKS + +In managing the country store, as in everything +that he undertook for others, Lincoln did his very +best. He was honest, civil, ready to do anything +that should encourage customers to come to the +place, full of pleasantries, patient, and alert. + +On one occasion, finding late at night, when he +counted over his cash, that he had taken a few +cents from a customer more than was due, he +closed the store, and walked a long distance to +make good the deficiency. + +At another time, discovering on the scales in +the morning a weight with which he had weighed +out a package of tea for a woman the night before, +he saw that he had given her too little for +her money. He weighed out what was due, and +carried it to her, much to the surprise of the +woman, who had not known that she was short +in the amount of her purchase. + +Innumerable incidents of this sort are related +of Lincoln, and we should not have space to tell +of the alertness with which he sprang to protect +defenseless women from insult, or feeble children +from tyranny; for in the rude community in +which he lived, the rights of the defenseless were +not always respected as they should have been. +There were bullies then, as now. + + +A STRANGER AT FIVE-POINTS + +(ADAPTED) + +One afternoon in February, 1860, when the Sunday +School of the Five-Point House of Industry +in New York was assembled, the teacher saw a +most remarkable man enter the room and take +his place among the others. This stranger was +tall, his frame was gaunt and sinewy, his head +powerful, with determined features overcast by +a gentle melancholy. + +He listened with fixed attention to the +exercises. His face expressed such genuine interest +that the teacher, approaching him, suggested that +he might have something to say to the children. + +The stranger accepted the invitation with +evident pleasure. Coming forward, he began to +speak and at once fascinated every child in the +room. His language was beautiful yet simple, +his tones were musical, and he spoke with deep +feeling. + +The faces of the boys and girls drooped sadly +as he uttered warnings, and then brightened with +joy as he spoke cheerful words of promise. Once +or twice he tried to close his remarks, but the +children shouted: ``Go on! Oh! do go on!'' and +he was forced to continue. + +At last he finished his talk and was leaving the +room quietly when the teacher begged to know +his name. + +``Abra'm Lincoln, of Illinois,'' was the modest +response. + + +A SOLOMON COME TO JUDGMENT + +BY CHARLES W. MOORES + +Lincoln's practical sense and his understanding +of human nature enabled him to save the life of +the son of his old Clary's Grove friend, Jack +Armstrong, who was on trial for murder. Lincoln, +learning of it, went to the old mother who had +been kind to him in the days of his boyhood +poverty, and promised her that he would get her +boy free. + +The witnesses were sure that Armstrong was +guilty, and one of them declared that he had seen +the fatal blow struck. It was late at night, he +said, and the light of the full moon had made it +possible for him to see the crime committed. +Lincoln, on cross-examination, asked him only +questions enough to make the jury see that it was the +full moon that made it possible for the witness to +see what occurred; got him to say two or three +times that he was sure of it, and seemed to give +up any further effort to save the boy. + +But when the evidence was finished, and +Lincoln's time came to make his argument, he called +for an almanac, which the clerk of the court had +ready for him, and handed it to the jury. They +saw at once that on the night of the murder there +was no moon at all. They were satisfied that the +witness had told what was not true. Lincoln's +case was won. + + +GEORGE PICKETT'S FRIEND + +BY CHARLES W. MOORES + +George Pickett, who had known Lincoln in +Illinois, years before, joined the Southern army, +and by his conspicuous bravery and ability had +become one of the great generals of the +Confederacy. Toward the close of the war, when a +large part of Virginia had fallen into the +possession of the Union army, the President called at +General Pickett's Virginia home. + +The general's wife, with her baby on her arm, +met him at the door. She herself has told the +story for us. + +`` `Is this George Pickett's home?' he asked. + +``With all the courage and dignity I could +muster, I replied: `Yes, and I am his wife, and +this is his baby.' + +`` `I am Abraham Lincoln.' + +`` `The President!' I gasped. I had never seen +him, but I knew the intense love and reverence +with which my soldier always spoke of him. + +``The stranger shook his head and replied: +`No; Abraham Lincoln, George's old friend.' + +``The baby pushed away from me and reached +out his hands to Mr. Lincoln, who took him in his +arms. As he did so an expression of rapt, almost +divine tenderness and love lighted up the sad +face. It was a look that I have never seen on any +other face. The baby opened his mouth wide and +insisted upon giving his father's friend a dewy +kiss. + +``As Mr. Lincoln gave the little one back to me +he said: `Tell your father, the rascal, that I forgive +him for the sake of your bright eyes.' '' + + +LINCOLN THE LAWYER + +BY Z. A. MUDGE (ADAPTED) + +He delighted to advocate the cases of those whom +he knew to be wronged, but he would not defend +the cause of the guilty. If he discovered in the +course of a trial that he was on the wrong side, +he lost all interest, and ceased to make any +exertion. + +Once, while engaged in a prosecution, he +discovered that his client's cause was not a good one, +and he refused to make the plea. His associate, +who was less scrupulous, made the plea and obtained +a decision in their favor. The fee was nine +hundred dollars, half of which was tendered to +Mr. Lincoln, but he refused to accept a single +cent of it. + +His honesty was strongly illustrated by the way +he kept his accounts with his law-partner. When +he had taken a fee in the latter's absence, he put +one half of it into his own pocket, and laid the +other half carefully away, labeling it ``Billy,'' +the name by which he familiarly addressed his +partner. When asked why he did not make a +record of the amount and, for the time being, use +the whole, Mr. Lincoln answered: ``Because I +promised my mother never to use money belonging +to another person.'' + + +THE COURAGE OF HIS CONVICTIONS + +(ADAPTED) + +Mr. Lincoln made the great speech of his famous +senatorial campaign at Springfield, Illinois. The +convention before which he spoke consisted of a +thousand delegates together with the crowd that +had gathered with them. + +His speech was carefully prepared. Every +sentence was guarded and emphatic. It has since +become famous as ``The Divided House'' speech. +Before entering the hall where it was to be +delivered, he stepped into the office of his law- +partner, Mr. Herndon, and, locking the door, so +that their interview might be private, took his +manuscript from his pocket, and read one of the +opening sentences: ``I believe this government +cannot endure permanently, half slave and half +free.'' + +Mr. Herndon remarked that the sentiment was +true, but suggested that it might not be GOOD POLICY +to utter it at that time. + +Mr. Lincoln replied with great firmness: ``No +matter about the POLICY. It is TRUE, and the +nation is entitled to it. The proposition has been +true for six thousand years, and I will deliver it +as it is written.'' + + +MR. LINCOLN AND THE BIBLE + +BY Z. A. MUDGE (ADAPTED) + +A visitor in Washington once had an appointment +to see Mr. Lincoln at five o'clock in the +morning. The gentleman made a hasty toilet +and presented himself at a quarter of five in the +waiting-room of the President. He asked the +usher if he could see Mr. Lincoln. + +``No,'' he replied. + +``But I have an engagement to meet him this +morning,'' answered the visitor. + +``At what hour?'' asked the usher. + +``At five o'clock.'' + +``Well, sir, he will see you at five.'' + +The visitor waited patiently, walking to and +fro for a few minutes, when he heard a voice as +if in grave conversation. + +``Who is talking in the next room?'' he asked. + +``It is the President, sir,'' said the usher, who +then explained that it was Mr. Lincoln's custom +to spend every morning from four to five reading +the Scriptures, and praying. + + +HIS SPRINGFIELD FAREWELL +ADDRESS + +It was on the morning of February 11, 1861, that +the President-elect, together with his family and +a small party of friends, bade adieu to the city +of Springfield, which, alas! he was never to see +again. + +A large throng of Springfield citizens assembled +at the railway station to see the departure, and +before the train left Mr. Lincoln addressed them +in the following words:-- + +``MY FRIENDS: No one, not in my position, can +appreciate the sadness I feel at this parting. To +this people I owe all that I am. Here I have lived +more than a quarter of a century; here my +children were born, and here one of them lies buried. +I know not how soon I shall see you again. A +duty devolves upon me which is, perhaps, greater +than that which has devolved upon any other +man since the days of Washington. He never +would have succeeded except by the aid of Divine +Providence, upon which he at all times relied. +I feel that I cannot succeed without the same +Divine aid which sustained him, and on the same +Almighty Being I place my reliance for support; +and I hope you, my friends, will all pray that +I may receive that Divine assistance, without +which I cannot succeed, but with which success +is certain. Again I bid you an affectionate farewell.'' + + + +SAINT VALENTINE'S DAY + +(FEBRUARY 14) + +SAINT VALENTINE + +The good Saint Valentine was a priest at Rome +in the days of Claudius II. He and Saint Marius +aided the Christian martyrs, and for this kind +deed Saint Valentine was apprehended and +dragged before the Prefect of Rome, who condemned +him to be beaten to death with clubs and +to have his head cut off. He suffered martyrdom +on the 14th day of February, about the year 270. + +At that time it was the custom in Rome, a very +ancient custom, indeed, to celebrate in the month +of February the Lupercalia, feasts in honor of a +heathen god. + +On these occasions, amidst a variety of pagan +ceremonies, the names of young women were +placed in a box, from which they were drawn by +the men as chance directed. + +The pastors of the early Christian Church in +Rome endeavored to do away with the pagan +element in these feasts by substituting the names +of saints for those of maidens. And as the +Lupercalia began about the middle of February, the +pastors appear to have chosen Saint Valentine's +Day for the celebration of this new feast. + +So it seems that the custom of young men +choosing maidens for valentines, or saints as patrons +for the coming year, arose in this wise. + + +A PRISONER'S VALENTINE + +BY MILLICENT OLMSTED (ADAPTED) + +Charles, Duke of Orleans, who was taken +prisoner at the battle of Agincourt in 1415, and +detained in England twenty-five years, was the +author of the earliest known written valentines. +He left about sixty of them. They were written +during his confinement in the Tower of London, +and are still to be seen among the royal papers +in the British Museum. + +One of his valentines reads as follows:-- + + ``Wilt thou be mine? dear Love, reply-- + Sweetly consent or else deny. + Whisper softly, none shall know, + Wilt thou be mine, Love?--aye or no? + + ``Spite of Fortune, we may be + Happy by one word from thee. + Life flies swiftly--ere it go + Wilt thou be mine, Love?--aye or no?'' + + +A GIRL'S VALENTINE CHARM + +AS TOLD BY HERSELF + +(FROM THE CONNOISSEUR, 1775) + +Last Friday was Valentine's Day, and I'll tell +you what I did the night before. I got five bay +leaves, and pinned four of them to the four corners +of my pillow, and the fifth to the middle; and then +if I dreamt of my sweetheart, Betty said we would +be married before the year was out. + +But to make it more sure, I boiled an egg hard, +and took out the yolk, and filled it with salt, and +when I went to bed ate it, shell and all, without +speaking or drinking after it. + +We also wrote our lovers' names upon bits of +paper, and rolled them up in clay and put them +into water; and the first that rose up was to be +our valentine. Would you think it? Mr. Blossom +was my man, and I lay abed and shut my eyes +all the morning, till he came to our house, for I +would not have seen another man before him for +all the world. + + +MR. PEPYS HIS VALENTINE + +AS RELATED BY HIMSELF IN 1666 + +(ADAPTED) + +This morning, came up to my wife's bedside, I +being up dressing myself, little Will Mercer, to +be her valentine; and brought her name writ upon +blue paper in gold letters, done by himself, very +pretty; and we were both well pleased with it. + +But I am also this year my wife's valentine; +and it will cost me five pounds; but that I must +have laid out if we had not been valentines. + +I find also that Mrs. Pierce's little girl is my +valentine, she having drawn me; which I am not +sorry for, it easing me of something more that I +must have given to others. + +But here I do first observe the fashion of +drawing of mottoes as well as names; so that Pierce, +who drew my wife, did draw also a motto, and +this girl drew another for me. What mine was I +have forgot, but my wife's was: ``Most virtuous +and most fair,'' which, as it may be used, or an +anagram made upon each name, might be; very +pretty. + + + +CUPID AND PSYCHE + +BY JOSEPHINE PRESTON PEABODY + +THE ENCHANTED PALACE + +Once upon a time, through that Destiny that +overrules the gods, Love himself gave up his +immortal heart to a mortal maiden. And thus it +came to pass:-- + +There was a certain king who had three beautiful +daughters. The two elder married princes of +great renown; but Psyche, the youngest, was so +radiantly fair that no suitor seemed worthy of +her. People thronged to see her pass through the +city, and sang hymns in her praise, while strangers +took her for the very goddess of beauty herself. + +This angered Venus, and she resolved to cast +down her earthly rival. One day, therefore, she +called hither her son, Love (Cupid, some name +him), and bade him sharpen his weapons. He is +an archer more to be dreaded than Apollo, for +Apollo's arrows take life, but Love's bring joy +or sorrow for a whole life long. + +``Come, Love,'' said Venus. ``There is a mortal +maid who robs me of my honors in yonder city. +Avenge your mother. Wound this precious +Psyche, and let her fall in love with some churlish +creature mean in the eyes of all men.'' + +Cupid made ready his weapons, and flew down +to earth invisibly. At that moment Psyche was +asleep in her chamber; but he touched her heart +with his golden arrow of love, and she opened her +eyes so suddenly that he started (forgetting that +he was invisible), and wounded himself with his +own shaft. Heedless of the hurt, moved only by +the loveliness of the maiden, he hastened to pour +over her locks the healing joy that he ever kept +by him, undoing all his work. Back to her dream +the princess went, unshadowed by any thought of +love. But Cupid, not so light of heart, returned +to the heavens, saying not a word of what had +passed. + +Venus waited long; then, seeing that Psyche's +heart had somehow escaped love, she sent a spell +upon the maiden. From that time, lovely as she +was, not a suitor came to woo; and her parents, +who desired to see her a queen at least, made a +journey to the Oracle, and asked counsel. + +Said the voice: ``The Princess Psyche shall +never wed a mortal. She shall be given to one +who waits for her on yonder mountain; he overcomes +gods and men.'' + +At this terrible sentence the poor parents were +half-distraught, and the people gave themselves +up to grief at the fate in store for their beloved +princess. Psyche alone bowed to her destiny. +``We have angered Venus unwittingly,'' she said, +``and all for sake of me, heedless maiden that +I am! Give me up, therefore, dear father and +mother. If I atone, it may be that the city will +prosper once more.'' + +So she besought them, until, after many +unavailing denials, the parents consented; and with +a great company of people they led Psyche up +the mountain,--as an offering to the monster +of whom the Oracle had spoken,--and left her +there alone. + +Full of courage, yet in a secret agony of grief, +she watched her kindred and her people wind +down the mountain-path, too sad to look back, +until they were lost to sight. Then, indeed, she +wept, but a sudden breeze drew near, dried her +tears, and caressed her hair, seeming to murmur +comfort. In truth, it was Zephyr, the kindly +West Wind, come to befriend her; and as she took +heart, feeling some benignant presence, he lifted +her in his arms, and carried her on wings as even +as a sea-gull's, over the crest of the fateful +mountain and into a valley below. There he left her, +resting on a bank of hospitable grass, and there +the princess fell asleep. + +When she awoke, it was near sunset. She +looked about her for some sign of the monster's +approach; she wondered, then, if her grievous +trial had been but a dream. Near by she saw a +sheltering forest, whose young trees seemed to +beckon as one maid beckons to another; and +eager for the protection of the dryads, she went +thither. + +The call of running waters drew her farther +and farther, till she came out upon an open +place, where there was a wide pool. A fountain +fluttered gladly in the midst of it, and beyond +there stretched a white palace wonderful to see. +Coaxed by the bright promise of the place, she +drew near, and, seeing no one, entered softly. It +was all kinglier than her father's home, and as +she stood in wonder and awe, soft airs stirred +about her. Little by little the silence grew +murmurous like the woods, and one voice, sweeter +than the rest, took words. ``All that you see is +yours, gentle high princess,'' it said. ``Fear +nothing; only command us, for we are here to serve +you.'' + +Full of amazement and delight, Psyche +followed the voice from hall to hall, and through +the lordly rooms, beautiful with everything that +could delight a young princess. No pleasant +thing was lacking. There was even a pool, brightly +tiled and fed with running waters, where she +bathed her weary limbs; and after she had put on +the new and beautiful raiment that lay ready for +her, she sat down to break her fast, waited upon +and sung to by the unseen spirits. + +Surely he whom the Oracle had called her +husband was no monster, but some beneficent power, +invisible like all the rest. When daylight waned +he came, and his voice, the beautiful voice of a +god, inspired her to trust her strange destiny and +to look and long for his return. Often she begged +him to stay with her through the day, that she +might see his face; but this he would not grant. + +``Never doubt me, dearest Psyche,'' said he. +``Perhaps you would fear if you saw me, and love +is all I ask. There is a necessity that keeps me +hidden now. Only believe.'' + +So for many days Psyche was content; but +when she grew used to happiness, she thought +once more of her parents mourning her as lost, +and of her sisters who shared the lot of mortals +while she lived as a goddess. One night she told +her husband of these regrets, and begged that +her sisters at least might come to see her. He +sighed, but did not refuse. + +``Zephyr shall bring them hither,'' said he. +And on the following morning, swift as a bird, +the West Wind came over the crest of the high +mountain and down into the enchanted valley, +bearing her two sisters. + +They greeted Psyche with joy and amazement, +hardly knowing how they had come hither. But +when this fairest of the sisters led them through +her palace and showed them all the treasures that +were hers, envy grew in their hearts and choked +their old love. Even while they sat at feast with +her, they grew more and more bitter; and hoping +to find some little flaw in her good fortune, they +asked a thousand questions. + +``Where is your husband?'' said they. ``And +why is he not here with you?'' + +``Ah,'' stammered Psyche. ``All the day long +--he is gone, hunting upon the mountains.'' + +``But what does he look like?'' they asked; and +Psyche could find no answer. + +When they learned that she had never seen +him, they laughed her faith to scorn. + +``Poor Psyche,'' they said. ``You are walking +in a dream. Wake, before it is too late. Have you +forgotten what the Oracle decreed,--that you +were destined for a dreadful creature, the fear of +gods and men? And are you deceived by this +show of kindliness? We have come to warn you. +The people told us, as we came over the mountain, +that your husband is a dragon, who feeds +you well for the present, that he may feast the +better, some day soon. What is it that you trust? +Good words! But only take a dagger some night, +and when the monster is asleep go, light a lamp, +and look at him. You can put him to death easily, +and all his riches will be yours--and ours.'' + +Psyche heard this wicked plan with horror. +Nevertheless, after her sisters were gone, she +brooded over what they had said, not seeing their +evil intent; and she came to find some wisdom +in their words. Little by little, suspicion ate, like +a moth, into her lovely mind; and at nightfall, in +shame and fear, she hid a lamp and a dagger in +her chamber. Towards midnight, when her husband +was fast asleep, up she rose, hardly daring +to breathe; and coming softly to his side, she +uncovered the lamp to see some horror. + +But there the youngest of the gods lay +sleeping,--most beautiful, most irresistible of all +immortals. His hair shone golden as the sun, his +face was radiant as dear Springtime, and from +his shoulders sprang two rainbow wings. + +Poor Psyche was overcome with self-reproach. +As she leaned towards him, filled with worship, +her trembling hands held the lamp ill, and some +burning oil fell upon Love's shoulder and awakened him. + +He opened his eyes, to see at once his bride and +the dark suspicion in her heart. + +``O doubting Psyche!'' he exclaimed with +sudden grief,--and then he flew away, out of the +window. + +Wild with sorrow, Psyche tried to follow, but +she fell to the ground instead. When she recovered +her senses, she stared about her. She was +alone, and the place was beautiful no longer. +Garden and palace had vanished with Love. + + +THE TRIAL OF PSYCHE: + + +Over mountains and valleys Psyche journeyed +alone until she came to the city where her two +envious sisters lived with the princes whom they +had married. She stayed with them only long +enough to tell the story of her unbelief and its +penalty. Then she set out again to search for +Love. + +As she wandered one day, travel-worn but not +hopeless, she saw a lofty palace on a hill near by, +and she turned her steps thither. The place +seemed deserted. Within the hall she saw no +human being,--only heaps of grain, loose ears of +corn half torn from the husk, wheat and barley, +alike scattered in confusion on the floor. Without +delay, she set to work binding the sheaves together +and gathering the scattered ears of corn +in seemly wise, as a princess would wish to see +them. While she was in the midst of her task, a +voice startled her, and she looked up to behold +Demeter herself, the goddess of the harvest, +smiling upon her with good will. + +``Dear Psyche,'' said Demeter, ``you are +worthy of happiness, and you may find it yet. +But since you have displeased Venus, go to her +and ask her favor. Perhaps your patience will win +her pardon.'' + +These motherly words gave Psyche heart, and +she reverently took leave of the goddess and set +out for the temple of Venus. Most humbly she +offered up her prayer, but Venus could not look +at her earthly beauty without anger. + +``Vain girl,'' said she, ``perhaps you have come +to make amends for the wound you dealt your +husband; you shall do so. Such clever people can +always find work!'' + +Then she led Psyche into a great chamber +heaped high with mingled grain, beans, and lentils +(the food of her doves), and bade her separate +them all and have them ready in seemly fashion +by night. Heracles would have been helpless before +such a vexatious task; and poor Psyche, left +alone in this desert of grain, had not courage to +begin. But even as she sat there, a moving thread +of black crawled across the floor from a crevice +in the wall; and bending nearer, she saw that a +great army of ants in columns had come to her +aid. The zealous little creatures worked in +swarms, with such industry over the work they +like best, that, when Venus came at night, she +found the task completed. + +``Deceitful girl,'' she cried, shaking the roses +out of her hair with impatience, ``this is my son's +work, not yours. But he will soon forget you. +Eat this black bread if you are hungry, and refresh +your dull mind with sleep. To-morrow you +will need more wit.'' + +Psyche wondered what new misfortune could +be in store for her. But when morning came, +Venus led her to the brink of a river, and, +pointing to the wood across the water, said: ``Go now +to yonder grove where the sheep with the golden +fleece are wont to browse. Bring me a golden lock +from every one of them, or you must go your +ways and never come back again.'' + +This seemed not difficult, and Psyche +obediently bade the goddess farewell, and stepped into +the water, ready to wade across. But as Venus +disappeared, the reeds sang louder and the +nymphs of the river, looking up sweetly, blew +bubbles to the surface and murmured: ``Nay, +nay, have a care, Psyche. This flock has not the +gentle ways of sheep. While the sun burns aloft, +they are themselves as fierce as flame; but when +the shadows are long, they go to rest and sleep, +under the trees; and you may cross the river +without fear and pick the golden fleece off the briers +in the pasture.'' + +Thanking the water-creatures, Psyche sat +down to rest near them, and when the time came, +she crossed in safety and followed their counsel. +By twilight she returned to Venus with her arms +full of shining fleece. + +``No mortal wit did this,'' said Venus angrily. +``But if you care to prove your readiness, go now, +with this little box, down to Proserpina and ask +her to enclose in it some of her beauty, for I have +grown pale in caring for my wounded son.'' + +It needed not the last taunt to sadden Psyche. +She knew that it was not for mortals to go into +Hades and return alive; and feeling that Love had +forsaken her, she was minded to accept her doom +as soon as might be. + +But even as she hastened towards the descent, +another friendly voice detained her. ``Stay, +Psyche, I know your grief. Only give ear and +you shall learn a safe way through all these trials.'' +And the voice went on to tell her how one might +avoid all the dangers of Hades and come out unscathed. +(But such a secret could not pass from +mouth to mouth, with the rest of the story.) + +``And be sure,'' added the voice, ``when +Proserpina has returned the box, not to open it, +ever much you may long to do so.'' + +Psyche gave heed, and by this device, whatever +it was, she found her way into Hades safely, and +made her errand known to Proserpina, and was +soon in the upper world again, wearied but hopeful. + +``Surely Love has not forgotten me,'' she said. +``But humbled as I am and worn with toil, how +shall I ever please him? Venus can never need all +the beauty in this casket; and since I use it for +Love's sake, it must be right to take some.'' So +saying, she opened the box, heedless as Pandora! +The spells and potions of Hades are not for mortal +maids, and no sooner had she inhaled the strange +aroma than she fell down like one dead, quite +overcome. + +But it happened that Love himself was recovered +from his wound, and he had secretly fled +from his chamber to seek out and rescue Psyche. +He found her lying by the wayside; he gathered +into the casket what remained of the philter, and +awoke his beloved. + +``Take comfort,'' he said, smiling. ``Return to +our mother and do her bidding till I come again.'' + +Away he flew; and while Psyche went cheerily +homeward, he hastened up to Olympus, where all +the gods sat feasting, and begged them to intercede +for him with his angry mother. + +They heard his story and their hearts were +touched. Zeus himself coaxed Venus with kind +words till at last she relented, and remembered +that anger hurt her beauty, and smiled once +more. All the younger gods were for welcoming +Psyche at once, and Hermes was sent to bring +her hither. The maiden came, a shy newcomer +among those bright creatures. She took the cup +that Hebe held out to her, drank the divine +ambrosia, and became immortal. + +Light came to her face like moonrise, two +radiant wings sprang from her shoulders; and even +as a butterfly bursts from its dull cocoon, so the +human Psyche blossomed into immortality. + +Love took her by the hand, and they were +never parted any more. + + + +WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY + +(FEBRUARY 22) + + +THREE OLD TALES + +BY M. L. WEEMS (ADAPTED) + +I. THE CHERRY TREE + +When George was about six years old, he was +made the wealthy master of a hatchet of which, +like most little boys, he was extremely fond. He +went about chopping everything that came his +way. + +One day, as he wandered about the garden +amusing himself by hacking his mother's pea- +sticks, he found a beautiful, young English cherry +tree, of which his father was most proud. He +tried the edge of his hatchet on the trunk of the +tree and barked it so that it died. + +Some time after this, his father discovered what +had happened to his favorite tree. He came into +the house in great anger, and demanded to know +who the mischievous person was who had cut +away the bark. Nobody could tell him anything +about it. + +Just then George, with his little hatchet, came +into the room. + +``George,'' said his father, ``do you know who +has killed my beautiful little cherry tree yonder +in the garden? I would not have taken five +guineas for it!'' + +This was a hard question to answer, and for a +moment George was staggered by it, but quickly +recovering himself he cried:-- + +``I cannot tell a lie, father, you know I cannot +tell a lie! I did cut it with my little hatchet.'' + +The anger died out of his father's face, and +taking the boy tenderly in his arms, he said:-- + +``My son, that you should not be afraid to tell +the truth is more to me than a thousand trees! +yes, though they were blossomed with silver and +had leaves of the purest gold!'' + + +II. THE APPLE ORCHARD + + +One fine morning in the autumn Mr. Washington, +taking little George by the hand, walked +with him to the apple orchard, promising that he +would show him a fine sight. + +On arriving at the orchard they saw a fine sight, +indeed! The green grass under the trees was +strewn with red-cheeked apples, and yet the +trees were bending under the weight of fruit that +hung thick among the leaves. + +``Now, George,'' said his father, ``look, my +son, see all this rich harvest of fruit! Do you +remember when your good cousin brought you a +fine, large apple last spring, how you refused to +divide it with your brothers? And yet I told you +then that, if you would be generous, God would +give you plenty of apples this autumn.'' + +Poor George could not answer, but hanging +down his head looked quite confused, while with +his little, naked, bare feet he scratched in the soft +ground. + +``Now, look up, my son,'' continued his father, +``and see how the blessed God has richly provided +us with these trees loaded with the finest fruit. +See how abundant is the harvest. Some of the +trees are bending beneath their burdens, while the +ground is covered with mellow apples, more than +you could eat, my son, in all your lifetime.'' + +George looked in silence on the orchard, he +marked the busy, humming bees, and heard the +gay notes of the birds fluttering from tree to tree. +His eyes filled with tears and he answered softly:-- + +``Truly, father, I never will be selfish any +more.'' + + +III. THE GARDEN-BED + + +One day Mr. Washington went into the garden +and dug a little bed of earth and prepared it for +seed. He then took a stick and traced on the bed +George's name in full. After this he strewed the +tracing thickly with seeds, and smoothed all over +nicely with his roller. + +This garden-bed he purposely prepared close +to a gooseberry-walk. The bushes were hung with +the ripe fruit, and he knew that George would +visit them every morning. + +Not many days had passed away when one +morning George came running into the house, +breathless with excitement, and his eyes shining +with happiness. + +``Come here! father, come here!'' he cried. + +``What's the matter, my son?'' asked his +father. + +``O come, father,'' answered George, ``and I'll +show you such a sight as you have never seen in +all your lifetime.'' + +Mr. Washington gave the boy his hand, which +he seized with great eagerness. He led his father +straight to the garden-bed, whereon in large +letters, in lines of soft green, was written:-- + +GEORGE WASHINGTON + + +YOUNG GEORGE AND THE COLT + +BY HORACE E. SCUDDER + +There is a story told of George Washington's +boyhood,--unfortunately there are not many +stories,--which is to the point. His father had +taken a great deal of pride in his blooded horses, +and his mother afterward took pains to keep the +stock pure. She had several young horses that +had not yet been broken, and one of them in +particular, a sorrel, was extremely spirited. No +one had been able to do anything with it, and it +was pronounced thoroughly vicious as people are +apt to pronounce horses which they have not +learned to master. + +George was determined to ride this colt, and +told his companions that if they would help him +catch it, he would ride and tame it. + +Early in the morning they set out for the +pasture, where the boys managed to surround the +sorrel, and then to put a bit into its mouth. +Washington sprang upon its back, the boys +dropped the bridle, and away flew the angry +animal. + +Its rider at once began to command. The horse +resisted, backing about the field, rearing and +plunging. The boys became thoroughly alarmed, +but Washington kept his seat, never once losing +his self-control or his mastery of the colt. + +The struggle was a sharp one; when suddenly, +as if determined to rid itself of its rider, the +creature leaped into the air with a tremendous bound. +It was its last. The violence burst a blood-vessel, +and the noble horse fell dead. + +Before the boys could sufficiently recover to +consider how they should extricate themselves +from the scrape, they were called to breakfast; +and the mistress of the house, knowing that they +had been in the fields, began to ask after her +stock. + +``Pray, young gentlemen,'' said she, ``have you +seen my blooded colts in your rambles? I hope +they are well taken care of. My favorite, I am +told, is as large as his sire.'' + +The boys looked at one another, and no one +liked to speak. Of course the mother repeated +her question. + +``The sorrel is dead, madam,'' said her son, ``I +killed him.'' + +And then he told the whole story. They say +that his mother flushed with anger, as her son +often used to, and then, like him, controlled +herself, and presently said, quietly:-- + +``It is well; but while I regret the loss of my +favorite, I rejoice in my son who always speaks +the truth.'' + + +WASHINGTON THE ATHLETE + +BY ALBERT F. BLAISDELL AND FRANCIS E. BALL + +Many stories are told of the mighty power of +Washington's right arm. It is said that he once +threw a stone from the bed of the stream to the +top of the Natural Bridge, in Virginia. + +Again, we are told that once upon a time he +rounded a piece of slate to the size of a silver +dollar, and threw it across the Rappahannock at +Fredericksburg, the slate falling at least thirty +feet on the other side. Many strong men have +since tried the same feat, but have never cleared +the water. + +Peale, who was called the soldier-artist, was +once visiting Washington at Mount Vernon. One +day, he tells us, some athletic young men were +pitching the iron bar in the presence of their host. +Suddenly, without taking off his coat, Washington +grasped the bar and hurled it, with little effort, +much farther than any of them had done. + +``We were, indeed, amazed,'' said one of the +young men, ``as we stood round, all stripped to +the buff, and having thought ourselves very +clever fellows, while the Colonel, on retiring, +pleasantly said:-- + +`` `When you beat my pitch, young gentlemen, +I'll try again.' '' + +At another time, Washington witnessed a +wrestling-match. The champion of the day +challenged him, in sport, to wrestle. Washington did +not stop to take off his coat, but grasped the +``strong man of Virginia.'' It was all over in a +moment, for, said the wrestler, ``In Washington's +lionlike grasp I became powerless, and was hurled +to the ground with a force that seemed to jar the +very marrow in my bones.'' + +In the days of the Revolution, some of the +riflemen and the backwoodsmen were men of +gigantic strength, but it was generally believed +by good judges that their commander-in-chief +was the strongest man in the army. + + +WASHINGTON'S MODESTY + +BY HENRY CABOT LODGE (ADAPTED) + +Washington as soon as Fort Duquesne had fallen +hurried home, resigned his commission, and was +married. The sunshine and glitter of the wedding +day must have appeared to Washington deeply +appropriate, for he certainly seemed to have all +that heart of man could desire. Just twenty- +seven, in the first flush of young manhood, keen +of sense and yet wise in experience, life must have +looked very fair and smiling. He had left the +army with a well-earned fame, and had come +home to take the wife of his choice, and enjoy the +good will and respect of all men. + +While away on his last campaign he had been +elected a member of the House of Burgesses, and +when he took his seat, on removing to Williamsburg, +three months after his marriage, Mr. Robinson, +the Speaker, thanked him publicly in eloquent +words for his services to the country. + +Washington rose to reply, but he was so utterly +unable to talk about himself that he stood before +the House stammering and blushing until the +Speaker said:-- + +``Sit down, Mr. Washington, your modesty +equals your valor, and that surpasses the power +of any language I possess.'' + + +WASHINGTON AT YORKTOWN + +BY HENRY CABOT LODGE + +During the assault Washington stood in an +embrasure of the grand battery, watching the +advance of the men. He was always given to +exposing himself recklessly when there was +fighting to be done, but not when he was only an +observer. + +This night, however, he was much exposed to +the enemy's fire. One of his aides, anxious and +disturbed for his safety, told him that the place +was perilous. + +``If you think so,'' was the quiet answer, ``you +are at liberty to step back.'' + +The moment was too exciting, too fraught with +meaning, to think of peril. The old fighting spirit +of Braddock's field was unchained for the last +time. He would have liked to head the American +assault, sword in hand, and as he could not do +that, he stood as near his troops as he could, +utterly regardless of the bullets whistling in the +air about him. Who can wonder at his intense +excitement at that moment? + +Others saw a brilliant storming of two out- +works, but to Washington the whole Revolution +and all the labor and thought and conflict of six +years were culminating in the smoke and din on +those redoubts, while out of the dust and heat of +the sharp, quick fight success was coming. + +He had waited long, and worked hard, and his +whole soul went out as he watched the troops +cross the abatis and scale the works. He could +have no thought of danger then, and when all was +over, he turned to Knox and said:-- + +``The work is done, and well done. Bring me +my horse.'' + + + +RESURRECTION DAY (EASTER) + +(MARCH OR APRIL) + +A LESSON OF FAITH + +BY MRS. ALFRED GATTY (ADAPTED) + +``Let me hire you as a nurse for my poor children,'' +said a butterfly to a quiet caterpillar, who +was strolling along a cabbage-leaf in her odd, +lumbering fashion. + +``See these little eggs,'' continued the +butterfly; ``I do not know how long it will be before they +come to life, and I feel very sick. If I should die, +who will take care of my baby butterflies when +I am gone? Will you, kind, mild, green caterpillar? +They cannot, of course, live on your +rough food. You must give them early dew, and +honey from the flowers, and you must let them +fly about only a little way at first. Dear me! it is +a sad pity that you cannot fly yourself. Dear, +dear! I cannot think what made me come and +lay my eggs on a cabbage-leaf! What a place for +young butterflies to be bore upon! Here, take +this gold-dust from my wings as a reward. Oh, +how dizzy I am! Caterpillar! you will remember +about the food--'' + +And with these words the butterfiy drooped +her wings and died. The green caterpillar, who +had not had the opportunity of even saying +``yes'' or ``no'' to the request, was left standing +alone by the side of the butterfly's eggs. + +``A pretty nurse she has chosen, indeed, poor +lady!'' exclaimed she, ``and a pretty business I +have in hand. Why did she ever ask a poor crawling +creature like me to bring up her dainty little +ones! Much they'll mind me, truly, when they +feel the gay wings on their backs, and can fly +away.'' + +However, the poor butterfly was dead, and +there lay the eggs on the cabbage-leaf, and the +green caterpillar had a kind heart, so she resolved +to do her best. + +``But two heads are better than one,'' said she; +``I will consult some wise animal on the matter.'' + +Then she thought and thought till at last she +thought of the lark, and she fancied that because +he went up so high, and nobody knew where he +went to, he must be very clever and know a great +deal. + +Now in the neighboring cornfield there lived +a lark, and the caterpillar sent a message to him, +begging him to come and talk to her. When he +came she told him all her difficulties, and asked +him how she was to feed and rear the little butterfly +creatures. + +``Perhaps you will be able to inquire and learn +something about it the next time you go up high,'' +said the caterpillar timidly. + +``Perhaps I can,'' answered the lark; and then +he went singing upwards into the bright, blue +sky, till the green caterpillar could not hear a +sound, nor could she see him any more. So she +began to walk round the butterfly's eggs, nibbling +a bit of the cabbage-leaf now and then as she +moved along. + +``What a time the lark has been gone!'' she +cried at last. ``I wonder where he is just now. He +must have flown higher than usual this time. How +I should like to know where he goes, and what he +hears in that curious blue sky! He always sings +going up and coming down, but he never lets any +secret out.'' + +And the green caterpillar took another turn +round the butterfly's eggs. + +At last the lark's voice began to be heard again. +The caterpillar almost jumped for joy, and it was +not long before she saw her friend descend with +hushed note to the cabbage bed. + +``News, news, glorious news, friend caterpillar!'' +sang the lark, ``but the worst of it is, you won't +believe me!'' + +``I believe anything I am told,'' said the +caterpillar hastily. + +``Well, then, first of all, I will tell you what +those little creatures are to eat''--and the lark +nodded his head toward the eggs. ``What do you +think it is to be? Guess!'' + +``Dew and honey out of the flowers, I am +afraid!'' sighed the caterpillar. + +``No such thing, my good friend,'' cried the +lark exultantly; ``you are to feed them with +cabbage-leaves!'' + +``Never!'' said the caterpillar indignantly. + +``It was their mother's last request that I should +feed them on dew and honey.'' + +``Their mother knew nothing about the matter,'' +answered the lark; ``but why do you ask +me, and then disbelieve what I say? You have +neither faith nor trust.'' + +``Oh, I believe everything I am told,'' said the +caterpillar. + +``Nay, but you do not,'' replied the lark. + +``Why, caterpillar, what do you think those +little eggs will turn out to be?'' + +``Butterflies, to be sure,'' said the caterpillar. + +``CATERPILLARS!'' sang the lark; ``and you'll find +it out in time.'' And the lark flew away. + +``I thought the lark was wise and kind,'' +said the mild, green caterpillar to herself, once +more beginning to walk round the eggs, ``but +I find that he is foolish and saucy instead. +Perhaps he went up TOO high this time. How +I wonder what he sees, and what he does up +yonder!'' + +``I would tell you if you would believe me,'' +sang the lark, descending once more. + +``I believe everything I am told,'' answered +the caterpillar. + +``Then I'll tell you something else,'' cried the +lark. ``YOU WILL ONE DAY BE A BUTTERFLY YOURSELF!'' + +``Wretched bird,'' exclaimed the caterpillar, +``you are making fun of me. You are now cruel +as well as foolish! Go away! I will ask your advice +no more.'' + +``I told you you would not believe me,'' cried +the lark. + +``I believe everything I am told,'' persisted the +caterpillar,--``everything that it is REASONABLE to +believe. But to tell me that butterflies' eggs are +caterpillars, and that caterpillars leave off crawling +and get wings and become butterflies!-- +Lark! you do not believe such nonsense yourself! +You know it is impossible!'' + +``I know no such thing,'' said the lark. ``When +I hover over the cornfields, or go up into the +depths of the sky, I see so many wonderful things +that I know there must be more. O caterpillar! +it is because you CRAWL, and never get beyond +your cabbage-leaf, that you call anything IMPOSSIBLE.'' + +``Nonsense,'' shouted the caterpillar, ``I know +what's possible and what's impossible. Look at +my long, green body, and many legs, and then +talk to me about having wings! Fool!'' + +``More foolish you!'' cried the indignant lark, +``to attempt to reason about what you cannot +understand. Do you not hear how my song +swells with rejoicing as I soar upwards to the +mysterious wonder-world above? Oh, caterpillar, +what comes from thence, receive as I do,--on +trust.'' + +``What do you mean by that?'' asked the caterpillar. + +``ON FAITH,'' answered the lark. + +``How am I to learn faith?'' asked the caterpillar. + +At that moment she felt something at her side. +She looked round,--eight or ten little green +caterpillars were moving about, and had already +made a hole in the cabbage-leaf. They had +broken from the butterfly's eggs! + +Shame and amazement filled the green caterpillar's +heart, but joy soon followed. For as the +first wonder was possible, the second might be so +too. + +``Teach me your lesson, lark,'' she cried. + +And the lark sang to her of the wonders of +the earth below and of the heaven above. And the +caterpillar talked all the rest of her life of the +time when she should become a butterfly. + +But no one believed her. She nevertheless had +learned the lark's lesson of faith, and when she +was going into her chrysalis, she said:-- + +``I shall be a butterfly some day!'' + +But her relations thought her head was wandering, +and they said, ``Poor thing!'' + +And when she was a butterfly, and was going +to die she said:-- + +``I have known many wonders,--I HAVE FAITH, +--I can trust even now for the wonder that shall +come next.'' + + +A CHILD'S DREAM OF A STAR + +BY CHARLES DICKENS + +There was once a child, and he strolled about a +good deal, and thought of a number of things. He +had a sister, who was a child, too, and his constant +companion. These two used to wonder all +day long. They wondered at the beauty of the +flowers; they wondered at the height and blueness +of the sky; they wondered at the depth of the +bright water; they wondered at the goodness and +the power of God who made the lovely world. + +They used to say to one another, sometimes: +``Supposing all the children upon earth were to +die, would the flowers, and the water, and the sky +be sorry?'' They believed they would be sorry. +``For,''said they, ``the buds are the children of the +flowers, and the little playful streams that gambol +down the hillsides are the children of the water; +and the smallest, bright specks playing at hide +and seek in the sky all night, must surely be the +children of the stars; and they would all be +grieved to see their playmates, the children of +men, no more.'' + +There was one clear, shining star that used to +come out in the sky before the rest, near the +church spire, above the graves. It was larger and +more beautiful, they thought, than all the others, +and every night they watched for it, standing +hand in hand at a window. Whoever saw it first +cried out: ``I see the star!'' And often they cried +out both together, knowing so well when it would +rise, and where. So they grew to be such friends +with it, that, before lying down in their beds, they +always looked out once again, to bid it good-night; +and when they were turning round to sleep, they +used to say: ``God bless the star!'' + +But while she was still very young, oh, very, +very young, the sister drooped, and came to be so +weak that she could no longer stand in the window +at night; and then the child looked sadly +out by himself, and when he saw the star turned +round and said to the patient, pale face on the +bed: ``I see the star!'' and then a smile would +come upon the face, and a little weak voice used +to say: ``God bless my brother and the star!'' + +And so the time came all too soon, when the +child looked out alone, and when there was no +face on the bed; and when there was a little grave +among the graves, not there before; and when the +star made long rays down towards him, as he saw +it through his tears. + +Now, these rays were so bright, and they +seemed to make such a shining way from earth to +heaven, that when the child went to his solitary +bed he dreamed about the star; and dreamed +that, lying where he was, he saw a train of people +taken up that sparkling road by angels. And the +star, opening, showed him a great world of light, +where many more such angels waited to receive +them. + +All these angels, who were waiting, turned their +beaming eyes upon the people who were carried +up into the star; and some came out from the +long rows in which they stood, and fell upon the +people's necks, and kissed them tenderly, and +went away with them down avenues of light, and +were so happy in their company, that lying in his +bed he wept for joy. + +But there were many angels who did not go +with them, and among them one he knew. The +patient face, that once had lain upon the bed, +was glorified and radiant, but his heart found out +his sister among all the host. + +His sister's angel lingered near the entrance of +the star, and said to the leader among those who +had brought the people thither:-- + +``Is my brother come?'' + +And he said: ``No.'' + +She was turning hopefully away, when the +child stretched out his arms, and cried: ``O sister, +I am here! Take me!'' And then she turned her +beaming eyes upon him, and it was night; and +the star was shining into the room, making long +rays down towards him, as he saw it through his +tears. + +From that hour forth, the child looked out +upon the star as on the home he was to go to +when his time should come; and he thought that +he did not belong to the earth alone, but to +the star, too, because of his sister's angel gone +before. + +There was a baby born to be a brother to the +child; and while he was so little that he never yet +had spoken word, he stretched his tiny form out +on his bed, and died. + +Again the child dreamed of the open star, and +of the company of angels, and the train of people, +and the rows of angels with their beaming eyes +all turned upon those people's faces. + +Said his sister's angel to the leader:-- + +``Is my brother come?'' + +And he said: ``Not that one, but another.'' + +As the child beheld his brother's angel in her +arms, he cried: ``O sister, I am here! Take me!'' +And she turned and smiled upon him, and the +star was shining. + +He grew to be a young man, and was busy at +his books, when an old servant came to him and +said:-- + +``Thy mother is no more. I bring her blessing +on her darling son.'' + +Again at night he saw the star, and all that +former company. Said his sister's angel to the +leader:-- + +``Is my brother come?'' + +And he said: ``Thy mother!'' + +A mighty cry of joy went forth through all the +star, because the mother was reunited to her two +children. And he stretched out his arms and +cried: ``O mother, sister, and brother, I am here! +Take me!'' And they answered him: ``Not yet.'' +And the star was shining. + +He grew to be a man, whose hair was turning +gray, and he was sitting in his chair by the fireside, +heavy with grief, and with his face bedewed +with tears, when the star opened once again. + +Said his sister's angel to the leader:-- + +``Is my brother come?'' + +And he said: ``Nay, but his maiden daughter.'' + +And the man, who had been the child, saw his +daughter, newly lost to him, a celestial creature +among those three, and he said: ``My daughter's +head is on my sister's bosom, and her arm is +around my mother's neck, and at her feet there +is the baby of old time, and I can bear the parting +from her, God be praised!'' + +And the star was shining. + +Thus the child came to be an old man, and his +once smooth face was wrinkled, and his steps were +slow and feeble, and his back was bent. And one +night as he lay upon his bed, his children standing +round, he cried, as he had cried so long ago:-- + +``I see the star!'' + +They whispered one to another: ``He is dying.'' + +And he said: ``I am. My age is falling from me +like a garment, and I move towards the star as a +child. And, O my Father, now I thank Thee that +it has so often opened to receive those dear ones +who await me!'' + +And the star was shining; and it shines upon +his grave. + + +THE LOVELIEST ROSE IN THE WORLD + +BY HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN (ADAPTED) + +Once there reigned a queen, in whose garden were +found the most glorious flowers at all seasons and +from all the lands of the world. But more than all +others she loved the roses, and she had many +kinds of this flower, from the wild dog-rose with +its apple-scented green leaves to the most splendid, +large, crimson roses. They grew against the +garden walls, wound themselves around the pillars +and wind-frames, and crept through the +windows into the rooms, and all along the ceilings +in the halls. And the roses were of many colors, +and of every fragrance and form. + +But care and sorrow dwelt in those halls. The +queen lay upon a sick-bed, and the doctors said +she must die. + +``There is still one thing that can save her,'' +said the wise man. ``Bring her the loveliest rose +in the world, the rose that is the symbol of the +purest, the brightest love. If that is held before +her eyes ere they close, she will not die.'' + +Then old and young came from every side with +roses, the loveliest that bloomed in each garden, +but they were not of the right sort. The flower +was to be plucked from the Garden of Love. But +what rose in all that garden expressed the highest +and purest love? + +And the poets sang of the loveliest rose in the +world,--of the love of maid and youth, and of +the love of dying heroes. + +``But they have not named the right flower,'' +said the wise man. ``They have not pointed out +the place where it blooms in its splendor. It is +not the rose that springs from the hearts of youthful +lovers, though this rose will ever be fragrant +in song. It is not the bloom that sprouts from the +blood flowing from the breast of the hero who +dies for his country, though few deaths are +sweeter than his, and no rose is redder than the +blood that flows then. Nor is it the wondrous +flower to which man devotes many a sleepless +night and much of his fresh life,--the magic +flower of science.'' + ``But I know where it blooms,'' said a happy +mother, who came with her pretty child to the +bedside of the dying queen. ``I know where the +loveliest rose of love may be found. It springs in +the blooming cheeks of my sweet child, when, +waking from sleep, it opens its eyes and smiles +tenderly at me.'' + ``Lovely is this rose, but there is a lovelier still,'' +said the wise man. + ``I have seen the loveliest, purest rose that +blooms,'' said a woman. ``I saw it on the cheeks +of the queen. She had taken off her golden crown. +And in the long, dreary night she carried her sick +child in her arms. She wept, kissed it, and prayed +for her child.'' + ``Holy and wonderful is the white rose of a +mother's grief,'' answered the wise man, ``but it +is not the one we seek.'' + ``The loveliest rose in the world I saw at the +altar of the Lord,'' said the good Bishop, ``the +young maidens went to the Lord's Table. Roses +were blushing and pale roses shining on their fresh +cheeks. A young girl stood there. She looked +with all the love and purity of her spirit up to +heaven. That was the expression of the highest +and purest love.'' + ``May she be blessed,'' said the wise man, ``but +not one of you has yet named the loveliest rose +in the world.'' + Then there came into the room a child, the +queen's little son. + ``Mother,'' cried the boy, ``only hear what I +have read.'' + And the child sat by the bedside and read from +the Book of Him who suffered death upon the +cross to save men, and even those who were not +yet born. ``Greater love there is not.'' + And a rosy glow spread over the cheeks of the +queen, and her eyes gleamed, for she saw that +from the leaves of the Book there bloomed the +loveliest rose, that sprang from the blood of +Christ shed on the cross. + ``I see it!'' she said, ``he who beholds this, the +loveliest rose on earth, shall never die.'' + + + +MAY DAY + +(MAY 1) + + +THE SNOWDROP [1] + +BY HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN (ADAPTED) + +[1] From For the Children's Hour, by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey and +Clara M. Lewis. Copyright by the Milton Bradley Company. + + +The snow lay deep, for it was winter-time. The +winter winds blew cold, but there was one house +where all was snug and warm. And in the house +lay a little flower; in its bulb it lay, under the +earth and the snow. + +One day the rain fell and it trickled through the +ice and snow down into the ground. And presently +a sunbeam, pointed and slender, pierced +down through the earth, and tapped on the bulb. + +``Come in,'' said the flower. + +``I can't do that,'' said the sunbeam; ``I'm not +strong enough to lift the latch. I shall be stronger +when springtime comes.'' + +``When will it be spring?'' asked the flower of +every little sunbeam that rapped on its door. But +for a long time it was winter. The ground was still +covered with snow, and every night there was ice in +the water. The flower grew quite tired of waiting. + +``How long it is!'' it said. ``I feel quite cramped. +I must stretch myself and rise up a little. I must +lift the latch, and look out, and say `good-morning' +to the spring.'' + +So the flower pushed and pushed. The walls +were softened by the rain and warmed by the +little sunbeams, so the flower shot up from under +the snow, with a pale green bud on its stalk and +some long narrow leaves on either side. It was +biting cold. + +``You are a little too early,'' said the wind and +the weather; but every sunbeam sang: ``Welcome,'' +and the flower raised its head from the +snow and unfolded itself--pure and white, and +decked with green stripes. + +It was weather to freeze it to pieces,--such +a delicate little flower,--but it was stronger than +any one knew. It stood in its white dress in the +white snow, bowing its head when the snow- +flakes fell, and raising it again to smile at the +sunbeams, and every day it grew sweeter. + +``Oh!'' shouted the children, as they ran into +the garden, ``see the snowdrop! There it stands +so pretty, so beautiful,--the first, the only one!'' + + +THE THREE LITTLE BUTTERFLY +BROTHERS + +(FROM THE GERMAN)[2] + +[2] From Deutsches Drittes Lesebuch, by W. H. Weick and C. +Grebner. Copyright, 1886, by Van Antwerp, Bragg & Co. American +Book Company, publishers. + + +There were once three little butterfly brothers, +one white, one red, and one yellow. They played +in the sunshine, and danced among the flowers +in the garden, and they never grew tired because +they were so happy. + +One day there came a heavy rain, and it wet +their wings. They flew away home, but when +they got there they found the door locked and the +key gone. So they had to stay out of doors in the +rain, and they grew wetter and wetter. + +By and by they flew to the red and yellow +striped tulip, and said: ``Friend Tulip, will you +open your flower-cup and let us in till the storm +is over?'' + +The tulip answered: ``The red and yellow +butterflies may enter, because they are like me, but +the white one may not come in.'' + +But the red and yellow butterflies said: ``If our +white brother may not find shelter in your flowercup, +why, then, we'll stay outside in the rain with +him.'' + +It rained harder and harder, and the poor little +butterflies grew wetter and wetter, so they flew +to the white lily and said: ``Good Lily, will you +open your bud a little so we may creep in out of +the rain?'' + +The lily answered: ``The white butterfly may +come in, because he is like me, but the red and +yellow ones must stay outside in the storm.'' + +Then the little white butterfly said: ``If you +won't receive my red and yellow brothers, why, +then, I'll stay out in the rain with them. We +would rather be wet than be parted.'' + +So the three little butterfiies flew away. + +But the sun, who was behind a cloud, heard it +all, and he knew what good little brothers the +butterflies were, and how they had held together +in spite of the wet. So he pushed his face through +the clouds, and chased away the rain, and shone +brightly on the garden. + +He dried the wings of the three little +butterflies, and warmed their bodies. They ceased to +sorrow, and danced among the flowers till evening, +then they flew away home, and found the +door wide open. + + +THE WATER-DROP + +BY FRIEDRICH WILHELM CAROVE' + +(ADAPTED FROM THE TRANSLATION BY SARAH AUSTIN) + +There was once a child who lived in a little hut, +and in the hut there was nothing but a little bed +and a looking-glass; but as soon as the first +sunbeam glided softly through the casement and +kissed his sweet eyelids, and the finch and the +linnet waked him merrily with their morning +songs, he arose and went out into the green +meadow. + +And he begged flour of the primrose, and sugar +of the violet, and butter of the buttercup. He +shook dewdrops from the cowslip into the cup of +the harebell, spread out a large lime-leaf, set his +breakfast upon it, and feasted daintily. And he +invited a humming-bee and a gay butterfly to +partake of his feast, but his favorite guest was +a blue dragon-fly. + +The bee murmured a good deal about his riches, +and the butterfly told his adventures. Such talk +delighted the child, and his breakfast was the +sweeter to him, and the sunshine on leaf and +flower seemed more bright and cheering. + +But when the bee had flown off to beg from +flower to flower, and the butterfly had fluttered +away to his play-fellows, the dragon-fly still +remained, poised on a blade of grass. Her slender +and burnished body, more brightly and deeply +blue than the deep blue sky, glistened in the +sunbeam. Her net-like wings laughed at the flowers +because they could not fly, but must stand still +and abide the wind and rain. + +The dragon-fly sipped a little of the child's clear +dewdrops and blue violet honey, and then whispered +her winged words. Such stories as the +dragon-fly did tell! And as the child sat +motionless with his blue eyes shut, and his head rested +on his hands, she thought he had fallen asleep; +so she poised her double wings and flew into the +rustling wood. + +But the child had only sunk into a dream of +delight and was wishing he were a sunbeam or a +moonbeam; and he would have been glad to hear +more and more, and forever. + +But at last as all was still, he opened his eyes +and looked around for his dear guest, but she was +flown far away. He could not bear to sit there +any longer alone, and he rose and went to the +gurgling brook. It gushed and rolled so merrily, +and tumbled so wildly along as it hurried to +throw itself head-over-heels into the river, just +as if the great massy rock out of which it sprang +were close behind it, and could only be escaped +by a breakneck leap. + +Then the child began to talk to the little waves +and asked them whence they came. They would +not stay to give him an answer, but danced away +one over another; till at last, that the sweet child +might not be grieved, a water-drop stopped behind +a piece of rock. + +``A long time ago,'' said the water-drop, ``I +lived with my countless sisters in the great Ocean, +in peace and unity. We had all sorts of pastimes. +Sometimes we mounted up high into the air, and +peeped at the stars. Then we sank plump down +deep below, and looked how the coral builders +work till they are tired, that they may reach the +light of day at last. + +``But I was conceited, and thought myself +much better than my sisters. And so, one day, +when the sun rose out of the sea, I clung fast to +one of his hot beams and thought how I should +reach the stars and become one of them. + +``But I had not ascended far when the sunbeam +shook me off, and, in spite of all I could say or do, +let me fall into a dark cloud. And soon a flash of +fire darted through the cloud, and now I thought +I must surely die; but the cloud laid itself down +softly upon the top of a mountain, and so I +escaped. + +``Now I thought I should remain hidden, when, +all on a sudden, I slipped over a round pebble, +fell from one stone to another, down into the +depths of the mountain. At last it was pitch dark +and I could neither see nor hear anything. + +``Then I found, indeed, that `pride goeth +before a fall,' for, though I had already laid aside +all my unhappy pride in the cloud, my punishment +was to remain for some time in the heart of +the mountain. After undergoing many purifications +from the hidden virtues of metals and +minerals, I was at length permitted to come up once +more into the free and cheerful air, and to gush +from this rock and journey with this happy +stream. Now will I run back to my sisters in the +Ocean, and there wait patiently till I am called +to something better.'' + +So said the water-drop to the child, but scarcely +had she finished her story, when the root of a +For-Get-Me-Not caught the drop and sucked her +in, that she might become a floweret, and twinkle +brightly as a blue star on the green firmament of +earth. + + +THE SPRING BEAUTY + +AN OJIBBEWAY LEGEND + +BY HENRY R. SCHOOLCRAFT (ADAPTED) + +An old man was sitting in his lodge, by the side +of a frozen stream. It was the end of winter, the +air was not so cold, and his fire was nearly out. +He was old and alone. His locks were white with +age, and he trembled in every joint. Day after +day passed, and he heard nothing but the sound +of the storm sweeping before it the new-fallen +snow. + +One day while his fire was dying, a handsome +young man approached and entered the lodge. +His cheeks were red, his eyes sparkled. He +walked with a quick, light step. His forehead was +bound with a wreath of sweet-grass, and he +carried a bunch of fragrant flowers in his hand. + +``Ah, my son,'' said the old man, ``I am happy +to see you. Come in! Tell me your adventures, +and what strange lands you have seen. I will tell +you of my wonderful deeds, and what I can +perform. You shall do the same, and we will amuse +each other.'' + +The old man then drew from a bag a curiously +wrought pipe. He filled it with mild tobacco, and +handed it to his guest. They each smoked from +the pipe and then began their stories. + +``I am Peboan, the Spirit of Winter,'' said the +old man. ``I blow my breath, and the streams +stand still. The water becomes stiff and hard as +clear stone.'' + +``I am Seegwun, the Spirit of Spring,'' answered +the youth. ``I breathe, and flowers spring up in +the meadows and woods.'' + +``I shake my locks,'' said the old man, ``and +snow covers the land. The leaves fall from the +trees, and my breath blows them away. The +birds fly to a distant land, and the animals hide +themselves from the cold.'' + +``I shake my ringlets,'' said the young man, +``and warm showers of soft rain fall upon the +earth. The flowers lift their heads from the +ground, the grass grows thick and green. My +voice recalls the birds, and they come flying +joyfully from the Southland. The warmth of my +breath unbinds the streams, and they sing the +songs of summer. Music fills the groves where- +ever I walk, and all nature rejoices.'' + +And while they were talking thus a wonderful +change took place. The sun began to rise. A gentle +warmth stole over the place. Peboan, the +Spirit of Winter, became silent. His head drooped, +and the snow outside the lodge melted away. +Seegwun, the Spirit of Spring, grew more radiant, +and rose joyfully to his feet. The robin and +the bluebird began to sing on the top of the lodge. +The stream began to murmur at the door, and +the fragrance of opening flowers came softly on +the breeze. + +The lodge faded away, and Peboan sank down +and dissolved into tiny streams of water, that +vanished under the brown leaves of the forest. +Thus the Spirit of Winter departed, and where +he had melted away, there the Indian children +gathered the first blossoms, fragrant and +delicately pink,--the modest Spring Beauty. + + +THE FAIRY TULIPS + +ENGLISH FOLK-TALE + +Once upon a time there was a good old woman +who lived in a little house. She had in her garden +a bed of beautiful striped tulips. + +One night she was wakened by the sounds +of sweet singing and of babies laughing. She +looked out at the window. The sounds seemed +to come from the tulip bed, but she could see +nothing. + +The next morning she walked among her +flowers, but there were no signs of any one having +been there the night before. + +On the following night she was again wakened +by sweet singing and babies laughing. She rose +and stole softly through her garden. The moon +was shining brightly on the tulip bed, and the +flowers were swaying to and fro. The old woman +looked closely and she saw, standing by each +tulip, a little Fairy mother who was crooning and +rocking the flower like a cradle, while in each +tulip-cup lay a little Fairy baby laughing and +playing. + +The good old woman stole quietly back to her +house, and from that time on she never picked +a tulip, nor did she allow her neighbors to touch +the flowers. + +The tulips grew daily brighter in color and +larger in size, and they gave out a delicious +perfume like that of roses. They began, too, to +bloom all the year round. And every night the +little Fairy mothers caressed their babies and +rocked them to sleep in the flower-cups. + +The day came when the good old woman died, +and the tulip-bed was torn up by folks who did +not know about the Fairies, and parsley was +planted there instead of the flowers. But the +parsley withered, and so did all the other plants +in the garden, and from that time nothing would +grow there. + +But the good old woman's grave grew beautiful, +for the Fairies sang above it, and kept it +green; while on the grave and all around it there +sprang up tulips, daffodils, and violets, and other +lovely flowers of spring. + + +THE STREAM THAT RAN AWAY + +BY MARY AUSTIN (ADAPTED) + +In a short and shallow canyon running eastward +toward the sun, one may find a clear, brown +stream called the Creek of Pinon Pines; that is +not because it is unusual to find pinon trees in +that country, but because there are so few of +them in the canyon of the stream. There are all +sorts higher up on the slopes,--long-leaved yellow +pines, thimble cones, tamarack, silver fir, +and Douglas spruce; but in the canyon there is +only a group of the low-headed, gray nut pines +which the earliest inhabitants of that country +called pinons. + +The Canyon of Pinon Pines has a pleasant +outlook and lies open to the sun. At the upper end +there is no more room by the stream border than +will serve for a cattle trail; willows grow in it, +choking the path of the water; there are brown +birches here and ropes of white clematis tangled +over thickets of brier rose. + +Low down, the ravine broadens out to inclose +a meadow the width of a lark's flight, blossomy +and wet and good. Here the stream ran once in +a maze of soddy banks and watered all the +ground, and afterward ran out at the canyon's +mouth across the mesa in a wash of bone-white +boulders as far as it could. That was not very +far, for it was a slender stream. It had its source +on the high crests and hollows of the near-by +mountain, in the snow banks that melted and +seeped downward through the rocks. But the +stream did not know any more of that than you +know of what happened to you before you were +born, and could give no account of itself except +that it crept out from under a great heap of +rubble far up in the Canyon of the Pinon Pines. + +And because it had no pools in it deep enough +for trout, and no trees on its borders but gray nut +pines; because, try as it might, it could never get +across the mesa to the town, the stream had fully +made up its mind to run away. + +``Pray, what good will that do you?'' said the +pines. ``If you get to the town, they will turn +you into an irrigating ditch, and set you to watering crops.'' + +``As to that,'' said the stream, ``if I once get +started I will not stop at the town.'' + +Then it would fret between its banks until the +spangled frills of the mimulus were all tattered +with its spray. Often at the end of the summer +it was worn quite thin and small with running, +and not able to do more than reach the meadow. + +``But some day,'' it whispered to the stones, +``I shall run quite away.'' + +If the stream had been inclined for it, there +was no lack of good company on its own borders. +Birds nested in the willows, rabbits came to +drink; one summer a bobcat made its lair up the +bank opposite the brown birches, and often the +deer fed in the meadow. + +In the spring of one year two old men came up +into the Canyon of Pinon Pines. They had been +miners and partners together for many years. +They had grown rich and grown poor, and had +seen many hard places and strange times. It was +a day when the creek ran clear and the south +wind smelled of the earth. Wild bees began to +whine among the willows, and the meadow +bloomed over with poppy-breasted larks. + +Then said one of the old men: ``Here is good +meadow and water enough; let us build a house +and grow trees. We are too old to dig in the +mines.'' + +``Let us set about it,'' said the other; for that +is the way with two who have been a long time +together,--what one thinks of, the other is for +doing. + +So they brought their possessions, and they +built a house by the water border and planted +trees. One of the men was all for an orchard but +the other preferred vegetables. So they did each +what he liked, and were never so happy as when +walking in the garden in the cool of the day, +touching the growing things as they walked, and +praising each other's work. + +They were very happy for three years. By +this time the stream had become so interested it +had almost forgotten about running away. But +every year it noted that a larger bit of the +meadow was turned under and planted, and more +and more the men made dams and ditches by +which to turn the water into their gardens. + +``In fact,'' said the stream, ``I am being made +into an irrigating ditch before I have had my +fling in the world. I really must make a start.'' + +That very winter, by the help of a great storm, +the stream went roaring down the meadow, over +the mesa, and so clean away, with only a track +of muddy sand to show the way it had gone. + +All that winter the two men brought water for +drinking from a spring, and looked for the stream +to come back. In the spring they hoped still, for +that was the season they looked for the orchard +to bear. But no fruit grew on the trees, and the +seeds they planted shriveled in the earth. So by +the end of summer, when they understood that +the water would not come back at all, they went +sadly away. + +Now the Creek of Pinon Pines did not have +a happy time. It went out in the world on the +wings of the storm, and was very much tossed +about and mixed up with other waters, lost and +bewildered. + +Everywhere it saw water at work, turning +mills, watering fields, carrying trade, falling as +hail, rain, and snow; and at the last, after many +journeys it found itself creeping out from under +the rocks of the same old mountain, in the Canyon +of Pinon Pines. + +``After all, home is best,'' said the little stream +to itself, and ran about in its choked channels +looking for old friends. + +The willows were there, but grown shabby and +dying at the top; the birches were quite dead, and +there was only rubbish where the white clematis +had been. Even the rabbits had gone away. + +The little stream ran whimpering in the meadow, +fumbling at the ruined ditches to comfort the +fruit trees which were not quite dead. It was +very dull in those days living in the Canyon of +Pinon Pines. + +``But it is really my own fault,'' said the +stream. So it went on repairing the borders as +best it could. + +About the time the white clematis had come +back to hide the ruin of the brown birches, a +young man came and camped with his wife and +child in the meadow. They were looking for a +place to make a home. + +``What a charming place!'' said the young +wife; ``just the right distance from town, and a +stream all to ourselves. And look, there are fruit +trees already planted. Do let us decide to stay!'' + +Then she took off the child's shoes and stockings +to let it play in the stream. The water curled +all about the bare feet and gurgled delightedly. + +``Ah, do stay,'' begged the happy water. ``I +can be such a help to you, for I know how a garden +should be irrigated in the best manner.'' + +The child laughed, and stamped the water up +to his bare knees. The young wife watched anxiously +while her husband walked up and down the +stream border and examined the fruit trees. + +``It is a delightful place,'' he said, ``and the soil +is rich, but I am afraid the water cannot be depended +upon. There are signs of a great drought +within the last two or three years. Look, there +is a clump of birches in the very path of the +stream, but all dead; and the largest limbs of the +fruit trees have died. In this country one must +be able to make sure of the water-supply. I suppose +the people who planted them must have +abandoned the place when the stream went dry. +We must go on farther.'' + +So they took their goods and the child and went +on farther. + +``Ah, well,'' said the stream, ``that is what is to +be expected when has a reputation for neglecting +one's duty. But I wish they had stayed. +That baby and I understood each other.'' + +It had made up its mind not to run away again, +though it could not be expected to be quite +cheerful after all that had happened. If you go +to the Canyon of Pinon Pines you will notice that +the stream, where it goes brokenly about the +meadow, has a mournful sound. + + +THE ELVES + +AN IROQUOIS LEGEND + +BY HARRIET MAXWELL CONVERSE (ADAPTED) + +The little Elves of Darkness, so says the old +Iroquois grandmother, were wise and mysterious. +They dwelt under the earth, where were deep +forests and broad plains. There they kept +captive all the evil things that wished to injure +human beings,--the venomous reptiles, the wicked +spiders, and the fearful monsters. Sometimes one +of these evil creatures escaped and rushed upward +to the bright, pure air, and spread its poisonous +breath over the living things of the upper-world. +But such happenings were rare, for the Elves of +Darkness were faithful and strong, and did not +willingly allow the wicked beasts and reptiles to +harm human beings and the growing things. + +When the night was lighted by the moon's +soft rays, and the woods of the upper-world were +sweet with the odor of the spring-flowers, then +the Elves of Darkness left the under-world, and +creeping from their holes, held a festival in +the woods. And under many a tree, where the +blades of grass had refused to grow, the Little +People danced until rings of green sprang up +beneath their feet. And to the festival came the +Elves of Light,--among whom were Tree-Elves, +Flower-Elves, and Fruit-Elves. They too danced +and made merry. + +But when the moonlight faded away, and day +began to break, then the Elves of Darkness +scampered back to their holes, and returned once +more to the under-world; while the Elves of Light +began their daily tasks. + +For in the springtime these Little People of the +Light hid in sheltered places. They listened to +the complaints of the seeds that lay covered in +the ground, and they whispered to the earth until +the seeds burst their pods and sent their shoots +upward to the light. Then the little Elves +wandered over the fields and through the woods, +bidding all growing things to look upon the sun. + +The Tree-Elves tended the trees, unfolding +their leaves, and feeding their roots with sap +from the earth. The Flower-Elves unwrapped +the baby buds, and tinted the petals of the +opening flowers, and played with the bees and the +butterflies. + +But the busiest of all were the Fruit-Elves. +Their greatest care in the spring was the strawberry +plant. When the ground softened from the +frost, the Fruit-Elves loosened the earth around +each strawberry root, that its shoots might push +through to the light. They shaped the plant's +leaves, and turned its blossoms toward the warm +rays of the sun. They trained its runners, and +assisted the timid fruit to form. They painted +the luscious berry, and bade it ripen. And when +the first strawberries blushed on the vines, these +guardian Elves protected them from the evil +insects that had escaped from the world of darkness +underground. + +And the old Iroquois grandmother tells, how +once, when the fruit first came to earth, the Evil +Spirit, Hahgwehdaetgah, stole the strawberry +plant, and carried it to his gloomy cave, where +he hid it away. And there it lay until a tiny +sunbeam pierced the damp mould, and finding +the little vine carried it back to its sunny fields. +And ever since then the strawberry plant has +lived and thrived in the fields and woods. But +the Fruit-Elves, fearing lest the Evil One should +one day steal the vine again, watch day and +night over their favorite. And when the +strawberries ripen they give the juicy, fragrant fruit +to the Iroquois children as they gather the spring +flowers in the woods. + + +THE CANYON FLOWERS + +BY RALPH CONNOR (ADAPTED) + +At first there were no canyons, but only the broad, +open prairie. One day the Master of the Prairie, +walking out over his great lawns, where were only +grasses, asked the Prairie: ``Where are your +flowers?'' + +And the Prairie said: ``Master, I have no seeds.'' + +Then he spoke to the birds, and they carried +seeds of every kind of flower and strewed them +far and wide, and soon the Prairie bloomed with +crocuses and roses and buffalo beans and the +yellow crowfoot and the wild sunflowers and the +red lilies, all the summer long. + +Then the Master came and was well pleased; +but he missed the flowers he loved best of all, +and he said to the Prairie: ``Where are the +clematis and the columbine, the sweet violets +and wind-flowers, and all the ferns and flowering +shrubs?'' + +And again the Prairie answered: ``Master, I +have no seeds.'' + +And again he spoke to the birds and again they +carried all the seeds and strewed them far and wide. + +But when next the Master came, he could not +find the flowers he loved best of all, and he said: +``Where are those, my sweetest flowers?'' + +And the Prairie cried sorrowfully: ``O Master, +I cannot keep the flowers, for the winds sweep +fiercely, and the sun beats upon my breast, and +they wither up and fly away.'' + +Then the Master spoke to the Lightning, and +with one swift blow the Lightning cleft the +Prairie to the heart. And the Prairie rocked and +groaned in agony, and for many a day moaned +bitterly over its black, jagged, gaping wound. + +But a little river poured its waters through the +cleft, and carried down deep, black mould, and +once more the birds carried seeds and strewed +them in the canyon. And after a long time the +rough rocks were decked out with soft mosses +and trailing vines, and all the nooks were hung +with clematis and columbine, and great elms +lifted their huge tops high up into the sunlight, +and down about their feet clustered the low +cedars and balsams, and everywhere the violets +and wind-flowers and maiden-hair grew and +bloomed till the canyon became the Master's +place for rest and peace and joy. + + +CLYTIE, THE HELIOTROPE + +BY OVID (ADAPTED) + +There was once a Nymph named Clytie, who +gazed ever at Apollo as he drove his sun-chariot +through the heavens. She watched him as he +rose in the east attended by the rosy-fingered +Dawn and the dancing Hours. She gazed as he +ascended the heavens, urging his steeds still +higher in the fierce heat of the noonday. She +looked with wonder as at evening he guided his +steeds downward to their many-colored pastures +under the western sky, where they fed all night on +ambrosia. + +Apollo saw not Clytie. He had no thought for +her, but he shed his brightest beams upon her +sister the white Nymph Leucothoe. And when +Clytie perceived this she was filled with envy +and grief. + +Night and day she sat on the bare ground +weeping. For nine days and nine nights she +never raised herself from the earth, nor did she +take food or drink; but ever she turned her +weeping eyes toward the sun-god as he moved through +the sky. + +And her limbs became rooted to the ground. +Green leaves enfolded her body. Her beautiful +face was concealed by tiny flowers, violet-colored +and sweet with perfume. Thus was she changed +into a flower and her roots held her fast to the +ground; but ever she turned her blossom-covered +face toward the sun, following with eager gaze +his daily flight. In vain were her sorrow and +tears, for Apollo regarded her not. + +And so through the ages has the Nymph turned +her dew-washed face toward the heavens, and +men no longer call her Clytie, but the sun-flower, +heliotrope. + + +HYACINTHUS + +BY OVID (ADAPTED) + +Once when the golden-beamed Apollo roamed +the earth, he made a companion of Hyacinthus, +the son of King Amyclas of Lacedaemon; and him +he loved with an exceeding great love, for the lad +was beautiful beyond compare. + +The sun-god threw aside his lyre, and became +the daily comrade of Hyacinthus. Often they +played games, or climbed the rugged mountain +ridges. Together they followed the chase or +fished in the quiet and shadowy pools; and the +sun-god, unmindful of his dignity, carried the +lad's nets and held his dogs. + +It happened on a day that the two friends +stripped off their garments, rubbed the juice of +the olive upon their bodies, and engaged in throwing +the quoit. First Apollo poised it and tossed +it far. It cleaved the air with its weight and fell +heavily to earth. At that moment Hyacinthus +ran forwards and hastened to take up the disc, +but the hard earth sent it rebounding straight +into his face, so that he fell wounded to the +ground. + +Ah! then, pale and fearful, the sun-god +hastened to the side of his fallen friend. He bore up +the lad's sinking limbs and strove to stanch his +wound with healing herbs. All in vain! Alas! the +wound would not close. And as violets and lilies, +when their stems are crushed, hang their languid +blossoms on their stalks and wither away, +so did Hyacinthus droop his beautiful head and +die. + +Then the sun-god, full of grief, cried aloud in +his anguish: ``O Beloved! thou fallest in thy +early youth, and I alone am the cause of thy +destruction! Oh, that I could give my life for thee +or with thee! but since Fate will not permit this, +thou shalt ever be with me, and thy praise shall +dwell on my lips. My lyre struck with my hand, +my songs, too, shall celebrate thee! And thou, +dear lad, shalt become a new flower, and on thy +leaves will I write my lamentations.'' + +And even as the sun-god spoke, behold! the +blood that had flowed from Hyacinthus's wound +stained the grass, and a flower, like a lily in shape, +sprang up, more bright than Tyrian purple. On +its leaves did Apollo inscribe the mournful +characters: ``ai, ai,'' which mean ``alas! alas!'' + +And as oft as the spring drives away the winter, +so oft does Hyacinthus blossom in the fresh, +green grass. + + +ECHO AND NARCISSUS + +BY OVID (ADAPTED) + +Long ago, in the ancient world, there was born +to the blue-eyed Nymph Liriope, a beautiful boy, +whom she called Narcissus. An oracle foretold at +his birth that he should be happy and live to a +good old age if he ``never saw himself.'' As this +prophecy seemed ridiculous his mother soon forgot +all about it. + +Narcissus grew to be a stately, handsome +youth. His limbs were firm and straight. Curls +clustered about his white brow, and his eyes +shone like two stars. He loved to wander among +the meadow flowers and in the pathless woodland. +But he disdained his playmates, and would not +listen to their entreaties to join in their games. +His heart was cold, and in it was neither hate nor +love. He lived indifferent to youth or maid, to +friend or foe. + +Now, in the forest near by dwelt a Nymph +named Echo. She had been a handmaiden of +the goddess Juno. But though the Nymph was +beautiful of face, she was not loved. She had +a noisy tongue. She told lies and whispered +slanders, and encouraged the other Nymphs in +many misdoings. So when Juno perceived all +this, she ordered the troublesome Nymph away +from her court, and banished her to the wildwood, +bidding her never speak again except in +imitation of other peoples' words. So Echo dwelt +in the woods, and forever mocked the words of +youths and maidens. + +One day as Narcissus was wandering alone in +the pathless forest, Echo, peeping from behind +a tree, saw his beauty, and as she gazed her heart +was filled with love. Stealthily she followed his +footsteps, and often she tried to call to him with +endearing words, but she could not speak, for she +no longer had a voice of her own. + +At last Narcissus heard the sound of breaking +branches, and he cried out: ``Is there any one +here?'' + +And Echo answered softly: ``Here!'' + +Narcissus, amazed, looking about on all sides +and seeing no one, cried: ``Come!'' + +And Echo answered: ``Come!'' + +Narcissus cried again: ``Who art thou? Whom +seekest thou?'' + +And Echo answered: ``Thou!'' + +Then rushing from among the trees she tried +to throw her arms about his neck, but Narcissus +fled through the forest, crying: ``Away! away! +I will die before I love thee!'' + +And Echo answered mournfully: ``I love +thee!'' + +And thus rejected, she hid among the trees, and +buried her blushing face in the green leaves. And +she pined, and pined, until her body wasted quite +away, and nothing but her voice was left. And +some say that even to this day her voice lives in +lonely caves and answers men's words from afar. + +Now, when Narcissus fled from Echo, he came +to a clear spring, like silver. Its waters were +unsullied, for neither goats feeding upon the +mountains nor any other cattle had drunk from it, +nor had wild beasts or birds disturbed it, nor had +branch or leaf fallen into its calm waters. The +trees bent above and shaded it from the hot sun, +and the soft, green grass grew on its margin. + +Here Narcissus, fatigued and thirsty after his +flight, laid himself down beside the spring to +drink. He gazed into the mirror-like water, and +saw himself reflected in its tide. He knew not +that it was his own image, but thought that he +saw a youth living in the spring. + +He gazed on two eyes like stars, on graceful +slender fingers, on clustering curls worthy of +Apollo, on a mouth arched like Cupid's bow, on +blushing cheeks and ivory neck. And as he gazed +his cold heart grew warm, and love for this beautiful +reflection rose up and filled his soul. + +He rained kisses on the deceitful stream. He +thrust his arms into the water, and strove to +grasp the image by the neck, but it fled away. +Again he kissed the stream, but the image mocked +his love. And all day and all night, lying there +without food or drink, he continued to gaze into +the water. Then raising himself, he stretched +out his arms to the trees about him, and cried:-- + +``Did ever, O ye woods, one love as much as I! +Have ye ever seen a lover thus pine for the sake +of unrequited affection?'' + +Then turning once more, Narcissus addressed +his reflection in the limpid stream:-- + +``Why, dear youth, dost thou flee away from +me? Neither a vast sea, nor a long way, nor a +great mountain separates us! only a little water +keeps us apart! Why, dear lad, dost thou deceive +me, and whither dost thou go when I try +to grasp thee? Thou encouragest me with +friendly looks. When I extend my arms, thou +extendest thine; when I smile, thou smilest in +return; when I weep, thou weepest; but when +I try to clasp thee beneath the stream, thou +shunnest me and fleest away! Grief is taking +my strength, and my life will soon be over! In +my early days am I cut off, nor is Death grievous +to me, now that he is about to remove my +sorrows!'' + +Thus mourned Narcissus, lying beside the +woodland spring. He disturbed the water with +his tears, and made the woods to resound with +his sighs. And as the yellow wax is melted by the +fire, or the hoar frost is consumed by the heat of +the sun, so did Narcissus pine away, his body +wasting by degrees. + +And often as he sighed: ``Alas!'' the grieving +Echo from the wood answered: ``Alas!'' + +With his last breath he looked into the water +and sighed: ``Ah, youth beloved, farewell!'' and +Echo sighed: ``Farewell!'' + +And Narcissus, laying his weary head upon the +grass, closed his eyes forever. The Water-Nymphs +wept for him, and the Wood-Dryads lamented +him, and Echo resounded their mourning. But +when they sought his body it had vanished away, +and in its stead had grown up by the brink of the +stream a little flower, with silver leaves and +golden heart,--and thus was born to earth the +woodland flower, Narcissus. + + + +MOTHERS' DAY + +(SECOND SUNDAY IN MAY) + +THE LARK AND ITS YOUNG ONES + +A HINDU FABLE + +BY P. V. RAMASWAMI RAJU (ADAPTED) + +A child went up to a lark and said: ``Good lark, +have you any young ones?'' + +``Yes, child, I have,'' said the mother lark, ``and +they are very pretty ones, indeed.'' Then she +pointed to the little birds and said: ``This is Fair +Wing, that is Tiny Bill, and that other is Bright +Eyes.'' + +``At home, we are three,'' said the child, +``myself and two sisters. Mother says that we are +pretty children, and she loves us.'' + +To this the little larks replied: ``Oh, yes, OUR +mother is fond of us, too.'' + +``Good mother lark,'' said the child, ``will you +let Tiny Bill go home with me and play?'' + +Before the mother lark could reply, Bright +Eyes said: ``Yes, if you will send your little sister +to play with us in our nest.'' + +``Oh, she will be so sorry to leave home,'' +said the child; ``she could not come away from +our mother.'' + +``Tiny Bill will be so sorry to leave our nest,'' +answered Bright Eyes, ``and he will not go away +from OUR mother.'' + +Then the child ran away to her mother, saying: +``Ah, every one is fond of home!'' + + +CORNELIA'S JEWELS + +BY JAMES BALDWIN[3] + +[3] From Fifty Famous Stories Retold. Copyright, 1896, by +American Book Company. + + +It was a bright morning in the old city of Rome +many hundred years ago. In a vine-covered summer- +house in a beautiful garden, two boys were +standing. They were looking at their mother and +her friend, who were walking among the flowers +and trees. + +``Did you ever see so handsome a lady as our +mother's friend?'' asked the younger boy, holding +his tall brother's hand. ``She looks like a +queen.'' + +``Yet she is not so beautiful as our mother,'' +said the elder boy. ``She has a fine dress, it is +true; but her face is not noble and kind. It is our +mother who is like a queen.'' + +``That is true,'' said the other. ``There is no +woman in Rome so much like a queen as our own +dear mother.'' + +Soon Cornelia, their mother, came down the +walk to speak with them. She was simply dressed +in a plain, white robe. Her arms and feet were +bare, as was the custom in those days; and no +rings or chains glittered about her hands and +neck. For her only crown, long braids of soft +brown hair were coiled about her head; and a +tender smile lit up her noble face as she looked +into her sons' proud eyes. + +``Boys,'' she said, ``I have something to tell +you.'' + +They bowed before her, as Roman lads were +taught to do, and said: ``What is it, mother?'' + +``You are to dine with us to-day, here in the +garden; and then our friend is going to show us +that wonderful casket of jewels of which you have +heard so much.'' + +The brothers looked shyly at their mother's +friend. Was it possible that she had still other +rings besides those on her fingers? Could she +have other gems besides those which sparkled in +the chains about her neck? + +When the simple outdoor meal was over, a +servant brought the casket from the house. The +lady opened it. Ah, how those jewels dazzled the +eyes of the wondering boys! There were ropes of +pearls, white as milk, and smooth as satin; heaps +of shining rubies, red as the glowing coals; +sapphires as blue as the sky that summer day; and +diamonds that flashed and sparkled like the sunlight. + +The brothers looked long at the gems. ``Ah!'' +whispered the younger; ``if our mother could only +have such beautiful things!'' + +At last, however, the casket was closed and +carried carefully away. + +``Is it true, Cornelia, that you have no jewels?'' +asked her friend. ``Is it true, as I have heard it +whispered, that you are poor?'' + +``No, I am not poor,'' answered Cornelia, and +as she spoke she drew her two boys to her side; +``for here are my jewels. They are worth more +than all your gems.'' + +The boys never forgot their mother's pride and +love and care; and in after years, when they had +become great men in Rome, they often thought +of this scene in the garden. And the world still +likes to hear the story of Cornelia's jewels. + + +QUEEN MARGARET AND THE +ROBBERS + +BY ALBERT F. BLAISDELL (ADAPTED) + +One day when roses were in bloom, two noblemen +came to angry words in the Temple Gardens, by +the side of the river Thames. In the midst of +their quarrel one of them plucked a white rose +from a bush, and, turning to those who were +near him, said:-- + +``He who will stand by me in this quarrel, let +him pluck a white rose with me, and wear it in +his hat.'' + +Then the other gentleman tore a red rose from +another bush, and said:-- + +``Let him who will stand by me pluck a red +rose, and wear it as his badge.'' + +Now this quarrel led to a great civil war, which +was called ``The War of the Roses,'' for every +soldier wore a white or red rose in his helmet to +show to which side he belonged. + +The leaders of the ``Red Rose'' sided with +King Henry the Sixth and his wife, Queen Margaret, +who were fighting for the English throne. +Many great battles were fought, and wicked +deeds were done in those dreadful times. + +In a battle at a place called Hexham, the king's +party was beaten, and Queen Margaret and her +little son, the Prince of Wales, had to flee for +their lives. They had not gone far before they +met a band of robbers, who stopped the queen +and stole all her rich jewels, and, holding a drawn +sword over her head, threatened to take her life +and that of her child. + +The poor queen, overcome by terror, fell upon +her knees and begged them to spare her only son, +the little prince. But the robbers, turning from +her, began to fight among themselves as to how +they should divide the plunder, and, drawing +their weapons, they attacked one another. When +the queen saw what was happening she sprang +to her feet, and, taking the prince by the hand, +made haste to escape. + +There was a thick wood close by, and the +queen plunged into it, but she was sorely afraid +and trembled in every limb, for she knew that +this wood was the hiding-place of robbers and +outlaws. Every tree seemed to her excited fancy +to be an armed man waiting to kill her and her +little son. + +On and on she went through the dark wood, +this way and that, seeking some place of shelter, +but not knowing where she was going. At last +she saw by the light of the moon a tall, fierce- +looking man step out from behind a tree. He +came directly toward her, and she knew by his +dress that he was an outlaw. But thinking that +he might have children of his own, she determined +to throw herself and her son upon his +mercy. + +When he came near she addressed him in a +calm voice and with a stately manner. + +``Friend,'' said she, ``I am the queen. Kill me +if thou wilt, but spare my son, thy prince. Take +him, I will trust him to thee. Keep him safe from +those that seek his life, and God will have pity +on thee for all thy sins.'' + +The words of the queen moved the heart of the +outlaw. He told her that he had once fought on +her side, and was now hiding from the soldiers of +the ``White Rose.'' He then lifted the little prince +in his arms, and, bidding the queen follow, led the +way to a cave in the rocks. There he gave them +food and shelter, and kept them safe for two days, +when the queen's friends and attendants, discovering +their hiding-place, came and took them far +away. + +If you ever go to Hexham Forest, you may see +this robber's cave. It is on the bank of a little +stream that flows at the foot of a hill, and to this +day the people call it ``Queen Margaret's Cave.'' + + +THE REVENGE OF CORIOLANUS + +BY CHARLES MORRIS (ADAPTED) + +Caius Marcius was a noble Roman youth, who +fought valiantly, when but seventeen years of +age, in the battle of Lake Regillus, and was there +crowned with an oaken wreath, the Roman reward +for saving the life of a fellow soldier. This +he showed with joy to his mother, Volumnia, +whom he loved exceedingly, it being his greatest +pleasure to receive praise from her lips. + +He afterward won many more crowns in battle, +and became one of the most famous of Roman +soldiers. One of his memorable exploits took +place during a war with the Volscians, in which +the Romans attacked the city of Corioli. Through +Caius's bravery the place was taken, and the +Roman general said: ``Henceforth, let him be +called after the name of this city.'' So ever after +he was known as Caius Marcius Coriolanus. + +Courage was not the only marked quality of +Coriolanus. His pride was equally great. He was +a noble of the nobles, so haughty in demeanor and +so disdainful of the commons that they grew to +hate him bitterly. + +At length came a time of great scarcity of food. +The people were on the verge of famine, to relieve +which shiploads of corn were sent from Sicily to +Rome. The Senate resolved to distribute this +corn among the suffering people, but Coriolanus +opposed this, saying: ``If they want corn, let +them promise to obey the Patricians, as their +fathers did. Let them give up their tribunes. If +they do this we will let them have corn, and take +care of them.'' + +When the people heard of what the proud +noble had said, they broke into a fury, and a mob +gathered around the doors of the Senate house, +prepared to seize and tear him in pieces when +he came out. But the tribunes prevented this, +and Coriolanus fled from Rome, exiled from his +native land by his pride and disdain of the +people. + +The exile made his way to the land of the +Volscians and became the friend of Rome's great +enemy, whom he had formerly helped to conquer. +He aroused the Volscians' ire against Rome, to +a greater degree than before, and placing himself +at the head of a Volscian army greater than +the Roman forces, marched against his native +city. The army swept victoriously onward, +taking city after city, and finally encamping within +five miles of Rome. + +The approach of this powerful host threw the +Romans into dismay. They had been assailed so +suddenly that they had made no preparations for +defense, and the city seemed to lie at the mercy +of its foes. The women ran to the temples to +pray for the favor of the gods. The people +demanded that the Senate should send deputies +to the invading army to treat for peace. + +The Senate, no less frightened than the people, +obeyed, sending five leading Patricians to the +Volscian camp. These deputies were haughtily +received by Coriolanus, who offered them such +severe terms that they were unable to accept +them. They returned and reported the matter, +and the Senate was thrown into confusion. The +deputies were sent again, instructed to ask for +gentler terms, but now Coriolanus refused even +to let them enter his camp. This harsh repulse +plunged Rome into mortal terror. + +All else having failed, the noble women of +Rome, with Volumnia, the mother of Coriolanus, +at their head, went in procession from the city to +the Volscian camp to pray for mercy. + +It was a sad and solemn spectacle, as this train +of noble ladies, clad in their habiliments of woe, +and with bent heads and sorrowful faces, wound +through the hostile camp, from which they were +not excluded as the deputies had been. Even the +Volscian soldiers watched them with pitying eyes, +and spoke no scornful word as they moved slowly +past. + +On reaching the midst of the camp, they saw +Coriolanus on the general's seat, with the Volscian +chiefs gathered around him. At first he wondered +who these women could be; but when they came +near, and he saw his mother at the head of the +train, his deep love for her welled up so strongly +in his heart that he could not restrain himself, +but sprang up and ran to meet and kiss her. + +The Roman matron stopped him with a dignified +gesture. ``Ere you kiss me,'' she said, ``let +me know whether I speak to an enemy or to my +son; whether I stand here as your prisoner or +your mother.'' + +He stood before her in silence, with bent head, +and unable to answer. + +``Must it, then, be that if I had never borne a +son, Rome would have never seen the camp of +an enemy?'' said Volumnia, in sorrowful tones. + +``But I am too old to endure much longer your +shame and my misery. Think not of me, but of +your wife and children, whom you would doom +to death or to life in bondage.'' + +Then Virgilia, his wife, and his children, came +forward and kissed him, and all the noble ladies +in the train burst into tears and bemoaned the +peril of their country. + +Coriolanus still stood silent, his face working +with contending thoughts. At length he cried +out in heart-rending accents: ``O mother! What +have you done to me?'' + +Then clasping her hand he wrung it vehemently, +saying: ``Mother, the victory is yours! +A happy victory for you and Rome! but shame +and ruin for your son.'' + +Thereupon he embraced her with yearning +heart, and afterward clasped his wife and children +to his breast, bidding them return with their +tale of conquest to Rome. As for himself, he said, +only exile and shame remained. + +Before the women reached home, the army of +the Volscians was on its homeward march. Coriolanus +never led it against Rome again. He lived +and died in exile, far from his wife and children. + +The Romans, to honor Volumnia, and those +who had gone with her to the Volscian camp, +built a temple to ``Woman's Fortune,'' on the +spot where Coriolanus had yielded to his mother's +entreaties. + + +THE WIDOW AND HER THREE SONS + +(ADAPTED) + +One day a poor woman approached Mr. Lincoln +for an interview. She was somewhat advanced +in years and plainly clad, wearing a faded shawl +and worn hood. + +``Well, my good woman,'' said Mr. Lincoln, +``what can I do for you this morning?'' + +``Mr. President,'' answered she, ``my husband +and three sons all went into the army. My husband +was killed in the battle of----. I get along +very badly since then living all alone, and I +thought that I would come and ask you to release +to me my eldest son.'' + +Mr. Lincoln looked in her face for a moment, +and then replied kindly:-- + +``Certainly! Certainly! If you have given us +ALL, and your prop has been taken away, you are +justly entitled to one of your boys.'' + +He then made out an order discharging the +young man, which the woman took away, thanking +him gratefully. + +She went to the front herself with the +President's order, and found that her son had been +mortally wounded in a recent battle, and taken +to the hospital. + +She hastened to the hospital. But she was too +late, the boy died, and she saw him laid in a +soldier's grave. + +She then returned to the President with his +order, on the back of which the attendant surgeon +had stated the sad facts concerning the +young man it was intended to discharge. + +Mr. Lincoln was much moved by her story, and +said: ``I know what you wish me to do now, and +I shall do it without your asking. I shall release +to you your second son.'' + +Taking up his pen he began to write the order, +while the grief-stricken woman stood at his side +and passed her hand softly over his head, and +stroked his rough hair as she would have stroked +her boy's. + +When he had finished he handed her the paper, +saying tenderly, his eyes full of tears:-- + +``Now you have one of the two left, and I have +one, that is no more than right.'' + +She took the order and reverently placing her +hand upon his head, said:-- + +``The Lord bless you, Mr. President. May you +live a thousand years, and may you always be the +head of this great nation.'' + + + +MEMORIAL DAY + +(APRIL OR MAY) + +FLAG DAY + +(JUNE 14) + + +BETSY ROSS AND THE FLAG + +BY HARRY PRINGLE FORD (ADAPTED) + +On the 14th day of June, 1777, the Continental +Congress passed the following resolution: +``RESOLVED, That the flag of the thirteen United States +be thirteen stripes alternate red and white; that +the Union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, +representing a new constellation.'' + +We are told that previous to this, in 1776, a +committee was appointed to look after the matter, +and together with General Washington they +called at the house of Betsy Ross, 239 Arch +Street, Philadelphia. + +Betsy Ross was a young widow of twenty-four +heroically supporting herself by continuing the +upholstery business of her late husband, young +John Ross, a patriot who had died in the service +of his country. Betsy was noted for her exquisite +needlework, and was engaged in the flag-making +business. + +The committee asked her if she thought she +could make a flag from a design, a rough drawing +of which General Washington showed her. She +replied, with diffidence, that she did not know +whether she could or not, but would try. She +noticed, however, that the star as drawn had +six points, and informed the committee that the +correct star had but five. They answered that +as a great number of stars would be required, the +more regular form with six points could be more +easily made than one with five. + +She responded in a practical way by deftly +folding a scrap of paper; then with a single clip +of her scissors she displayed a true, symmetrical, +five-pointed star. + +This decided the committee in her favor. A +rough design was left for her use, but she was +permitted to make a sample flag according to her +own ideas of the arrangement of the stars and the +proportions of the stripes and the general form +of the whole. + +Sometime after its completion it was presented +to Congress, and the committee had the pleasure +of informing Betsy Ross that her flag was +accepted as the Nation's standard. + + +THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER + +BY EVA MARCH TAPPAN (ADAPTED) + +In 1814, while the War of 1812 was still going +on, the people of Maryland were in great trouble, +for a British fleet began to attack Baltimore. The +enemy bombarded the forts, including Fort McHenry. +For twenty-four hours the terrific bombardment went on. + +``If Fort McHenry only stands, the city is safe,'' +said Francis Scott Key to a friend, and they gazed +anxiously through the smoke to see if the flag was +still flying. + +These two men were in the strangest place that +could be imagined. They were in a little American +vessel fast moored to the side of the British +admiral's flagship. A Maryland doctor had been +seized as a prisoner by the British, and the +President had given permission for them to go out under +a flag of truce, to ask for his release. The British +commander finally decided that the prisoner might +be set free; but he had no idea of allowing the two +men to go back to the city and carry any +information. ``Until the attack on Baltimore is ended, +you and your boat must remain here,'' he said. + +The firing went on. As long as daylight lasted +they could catch glimpses of the Stars and Stripes +whenever the wind swayed the clouds of smoke. +When night came they could still see the banner +now and then by the blaze of the cannon. A little +after midnight the firing stopped. The two men +paced up and down the deck, straining their eyes +to see if the flag was still flying. ``Can the fort +have surrendered?'' they questioned. ``Oh, if +snorning would only come!'' + +At last the faint gray of dawn appeared. They +could see that some flag was flying, but it was too +dark to tell which. More and more eagerly they +gazed. It grew lighter, a sudden breath of wind +caught the flag, and it floated out on the breeze. +It was no English flag, it was their own Stars and +Stripes. The fort had stood, the city was safe. +Then it was that Key took from his pocket an old +letter and on the back of it he wrote the poem, +``The Star-Spangled Banner.'' + +The British departed, and the little American +boat went back to the city. Mr. Key gave a copy +of the poem to his uncle, who had been helping to +defend the fort. The uncle sent it to the printer, +and had it struck off on some handbills. Before +the ink was dry the printer caught up one and +hurried away to a restaurant, where many patriots +were assembled. Waving the paper, he +cried, ``Listen to this!'' and he read:-- + + ``O say, can you see, by the dawn's early light, + What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming, + Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous +fight, + O'er the ramparts we watch'd were so gallantly streaming? + And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, + Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. + O say, does the star-spangled banner yet wave + O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?'' + + +``Sing it! sing it!'' cried the whole company. +Charles Durang mounted a chair and then for the +first time ``The Star-Spangled Banner'' was sung. +The tune was ``To Anacreon in Heaven,'' an air +which had long been a favorite. Halls, theaters, +and private houses rang with its strains. + +The fleet was out of sight even before the poem +was printed. In the middle of the night the admiral +had sent to the British soldiers this message, +``I can do nothing more,'' and they hurried on +board the vessels. It was not long before they left +Chesapeake Bay altogether,--perhaps with the +new song ringing in their ears as they went. + + +THE LITTLE DRUMMER-BOY + +BY ALBERT BUSHNELL HART (ADAPTED) + +A few days before a certain regiment received +orders to join General Lyon, on his march to +Wilson's Creek, the drummer-boy of the regiment +was taken sick, and carried to the hospital. + +Shortly after this there appeared before the +captain's quarters, during the beating of the +reveille, a good-looking, middle-aged woman, +dressed in deep mourning, leading by the hand +a sharp, sprightly looking boy, apparently about +twelve or thirteen years of age. + +Her story was soon told. She was from East +Tennessee, where her husband had been killed +by the Confederates, and all her property +destroyed. Being destitute, she thought that if she +could procure a situation for her boy as drummer, +she could find employment for herself. + +While she told her story, the little fellow kept +his eyes intently fixed upon the countenance of +the captain. And just as the latter was about to +say that he could not take so small a boy, the lad +spoke out:-- + +``Don't be afraid, Captain,'' said he, ``I can +drum.'' + +This was spoken with so much confidence that +the captain smiled and said to the sergeant:-- + +``Well, well, bring the drum, and order our +fifer to come here.'' + +In a few moments a drum was produced and +the fifer, a round-shouldered, good-natured fellow, +who stood six feet tall, made his appearance. +Upon being introduced to the lad, he stooped +down, resting his hands on his knees, and, after +peering into the little fellow's face for a moment, +said:-- + +``My little man, can you drum?'' + +``Yes, sir,'' answered the boy promptly. ``I +drummed for Captain Hill in Tennessee.'' + +The fifer immediately straightened himself, +and, placing his fife to his lips, played the ``Flowers +of Edinburgh,'' one of the most difficult things to +follow with the drum. And nobly did the little +fellow follow him, showing himself to be master of +the drum. + +When the music ceased the captain turned to +the mother and observed:-- + +``Madam, I will take the boy. What is his +name?'' + +``Edward Lee,'' she replied. Then placing her +hand upon the captain's arm, she continued in a +choking voice, ``If he is not killed!--Captain, +--you will bring him back to me?'' + +``Yes, yes,'' he replied, ``we shall be certain to +bring him back to you. We shall be discharged +in six weeks.'' + +An hour after, the company led the regiment +out of camp, the drum and fife playing ``The Girl +I left behind me.'' + +Eddie, as the soldiers called him, soon became +a great favorite with all the men of the company. +When any of the boys returned from foraging, +Eddie's share of the peaches, melons, and other +good things was meted out first. During the +heavy and fatiguing marches, the long-legged +fifer often waded through the mud with the little +drummer mounted on his back, and in the same +fashion he carried Eddie when fording streams. + +During the fight at Wilson's Creek, a part +of the company was stationed on the right of +Totten's battery, while the balance of the company +was ordered down into a deep ravine, at the +left, in which it was known a party of Confederates +was concealed. + +An engagement took place. The contest in the +ravine continued some time. Totten suddenly +wheeled his battery upon the enemy in that +quarter, and they soon retreated to high ground +behind their lines. + +In less than twenty minutes after Totten had +driven the Confederates from the ravine, the +word passed from man to man throughout the +army, ``Lyon is killed!'' And soon after, hostilities +having ceased upon both sides, the order +came for the main part of the Federal force to +fall back upon Springfield, while the lesser part +was to camp upon the ground, and cover the +retreat. + +That night a corporal was detailed for guard +duty. His post was upon a high eminence that +overlooked the deep ravine in which the men had +engaged the enemy. It was a dreary, lonesome +beat. The hours passed slowly away, and at +length the morning light began to streak along the +western sky, making surrounding objects visible. + +Presently the corporal heard a drum beating +up the morning call. At first he thought it came +from the camp of the Confederates across the +creek, but as he listened he found that it came +from the deep ravine. For a few moments the +sound stopped, then began again. The corporal +listened closely. The notes of the drum were +familiar to him,--and then he knew that it was +the drummer-boy from Tennessee playing the +morning call. + +Just then the corporal was relieved from guard +duty, and, asking permission, went at once to +Eddie's assistance. He started down the hill, +through the thick underbrush, and upon reaching +the bottom of the ravine, he followed the sound +of the drum, and soon found the lad seated upon +the ground, his back leaning against a fallen tree, +while his drum hung upon a bush in front of him. + +As soon as the boy saw his rescuer he dropped +his drumsticks, and exclaimed:-- + +``O Corporal! I am so glad to see you! Give +me a drink.'' + +The soldier took his empty canteen, and +immediately turned to bring some water from the +brook that he could hear rippling through the +bushes near by, when, Eddie, thinking that he +was about to leave him, cried out:-- + +``Don't leave me, Corporal, I can't walk.'' + +The corporal was soon back with the water, +when he discovered that both the lad's feet had +been shot away by a cannon-ball. + +After satisfying his thirst, Eddie looked up +into the corporal's face and said:-- + +``You don't think I shall die, do you? This +man said I should not,--he said the surgeon +could cure my feet.'' + +The corporal now looked about him and +discovered a man lying in the grass near by. By his +dress he knew him to belong to the Confederate +army. It appeared that he had been shot and +had fallen near Eddie. Knowing that he could +not live, and seeing the condition of the drummer- +boy, he had crawled to him, taken off his buckskin +suspenders, and had corded the little fellow's +legs below the knees, and then he had laid +himself down and died. + +While Eddie was telling the corporal these +particulars, they heard the tramp of cavalry +coming down the ravine, and in a moment a scout +of the enemy was upon them, and took them both +prisoners. + +The corporal requested the officer in charge to +take Eddie up in front of him, and he did so, +carrying the lad with great tenderness and care. +When they reached the Confederate camp the +little fellow was dead. + + +A FLAG INCIDENT + +BY M. M. THOMAS (ADAPTED) + +When marching to Chattanooga the corps had +reached a little wooded valley between the +mountains. The colonel, with others, rode ahead, and, +striking into a bypath, suddenly came upon a +secluded little cabin surrounded by a patch of +cultivated ground. + +At the door an old woman, eighty years of age, +was supporting herself on a crutch. As they rode +up she asked if they were ``Yankees,'' and upon +their replying that they were, she said: ``Have +you got the Stars and Stripes with you? My +father fought the Tories in the Revolution, and +my old eyes ache for a sight of the true flag before +I die.'' + +To gratify her the colonel sent to have the +colors brought that way. When they were unfurled +and planted before her door, she passed +her trembling hands over them and held them +close to her eyes that she might view the stars +once more. When the band gave her ``Yankee +Doodle,'' and the ```Star-Spangled Banner,'' she +sobbed like a child, as did her daughter, a woman +of fifty, while her three little grandchildren gazed +in wonder. + +They were Eastern people, who had gone to +New Orleans to try to improve their condition. +Not being successful, they had moved from place +to place to better themselves, until finally they +had settled on this spot, the husband having taken +several acres of land here for a debt. + +Then the war burst upon them. The man fled +to the mountains to avoid the conscription, and +they knew not whether he was alive or dead. +They had managed to support life, but were so +retired that they saw very few people. + +Leaving them food and supplies, the colonel +and the corps passed on. + + +TWO HERO-STORIES OF THE CIVIL +WAR + +BY BEN LA BREE (ADAPTED) + +I. BRAVERY HONORED BY A FOE + +In a rifle-pit, on the brow of a hill near Fredericksburg, +were a number of Confederate soldiers who +had exhausted their ammunition in the vain attempt +to check the advancing column of Hooker's +finely equipped and disciplined army which was +crossing the river. To the relief of these few came +the brigade in double-quick time. But no sooner +were the soldiers intrenched than the firing on +the opposite side of the river became terrific. + +A heavy mist obscured the scene. The Federal +soldiers poured a merciless fire into the trenches. +Soon many Confederates fell, and the agonized +cries of the wounded who lay there calling for +water, smote the hearts of their helpless comrades. + +``Water! Water!'' But there was none to give, +the canteens were-empty. + +``Boys,'' exclaimed Nathan Cunningham, a +lad of eighteen, the color-bearer for his regiment, +``I can't stand this any more. They want water, +and water they must have. So let me have a few +canteens and I'll go for some.'' + +Carefully laying the colors, which he had borne +on many a field, in a trench, he seized some +canteens, and, leaping into the mist, was soon out +of sight. + +Shortly after this the firing ceased for a while, +and an order came for the men to fall back to the +main line. + +As the Confederates were retreating they met +Nathan Cunningham, his canteens full of water, +hurrying to relieve the thirst of the wounded men +in the trenches. He glanced over the passing +column and saw that the faded flag, which he had +carried so long, was not there. The men in their +haste to obey orders HAD FORGOTTEN OR OVERLOOKED +THE COLORS. + +Quickly the lad sped to the trenches, intent +now not only on giving water to his comrades, but +on rescuing the flag and so to save the honor of +his regiment. + +His mission of mercy was soon accomplished. +The wounded men drank freely. The lad then +found and seized his colors, and turned to rejoin +his regiment. Scarcely had he gone three paces +when a company of Federal soldiers appeared +ascending the hill. + +``Halt and surrender,'' came the stern command, +and a hundred rifles were leveled at the +boy's breast. + +``NEVER! while I hold the colors,'' was his firm +reply. + +The morning sun, piercing with a lurid glare +the dense mist, showed the lad proudly standing +with his head thrown back and his flag grasped +in his hand, while his unprotected breast was +exposed to the fire of his foe. + +A moment's pause. Then the Federal officer +gave his command:-- + +``Back with your pieces, men, don't shoot that +brave boy.'' + +And Nathan Cunningham, with colors flying +over his head, passed on and joined his regiment. + +His comrades in arms still tell with pride of his +brave deed and of the generous act of a foe. + + +II. THE BRAVERY OF RICHARD KIRTLAND + + +Richard Kirtland was a sergeant in the Second +Regiment of South Carolina Volunteers. The +day after the great battle of Fredericksburg, +Kershaw's brigade occupied the road at the foot +of Marye's Hill. + +One hundred and fifty yards in front of the +road, on the other side of a stone wall, lay Sykes's +division of the United States Army. Between +these troops and Kershaw's command a skirmish +fight was continued through the entire day. The +ground between the lines was literally covered +with dead and dying Federal soldiers. + +All day long the wounded were calling, ``Water! +water! water!'' + +In the afternoon, Sergeant Kirtland, a +Confederate soldier, went to the headquarters of +General Kershaw, and said with deep emotion: +``General, all through last night and to-day; I +have been hearing those poor wounded Federal +soldiers out there cry for water. Let me go and +give them some.'' + +``Don't you know,'' replied the general, ``that +you would get a bullet through you the moment +you stepped over the wall?'' + +``Yes, sir,'' said the sergeant; ``but if you will +let me go I am willing to try it.'' + +The general reflected a minute, then answered: +``Kirtland, I ought not to allow you to take this +risk, but the spirit that moves you is so noble I +cannot refuse. Go, and may God protect you!'' + +In the face of almost certain death the sergeant +climbed the wall, watched with anxiety by the +soldiers of his army. Under the curious gaze of +his foes, and exposed to their fire, he dropped to +the ground and hastened on his errand of mercy. +Unharmed, untouched, he reached the nearest +sufferer. He knelt beside him, tenderly raised his +drooping head, rested it gently on his breast, and +poured the cooling life-giving water down the +parched throat. This done he laid him carefully +down, placed the soldier's knapsack under his +head, straightened his broken limbs, spread his +coat over him, replaced the empty canteen with +a full one, then turned to another sufferer. + +By this time his conduct was understood by +friend and foe alike and the firing ceased on both +sides. + +For an hour and a half did he pursue his noble +mission, until he had relieved the wounded on all +parts of the battlefield. Then he returned to his +post uninjured. + +Surely such a noble deed is worthy of the +admiration of men and angels. + + +THE YOUNG SENTINEL + +BY Z. A. MUDGE (ADAPTED) + +In the summer of 1862, a young man belonging +to a Vermont regiment was found sleeping at his +post. He was tried and sentenced to be shot. The +day was fixed for the execution, and the young +soldier calmly prepared to meet his fate. + +Friends who knew of the case brought the +matter to Mr. Lincoln's attention. It seemed that +the boy had been on duty one night, and on the +following night he had taken the place of a comrade +too ill to stand guard. The third night he +had been again called out, and, being utterly +exhausted, had fallen asleep at his post. + +As soon as Mr. Lincoln understood the case, he +signed a pardon, and sent it to the camp. The +morning before the execution arrived, and the +President had not heard whether the pardon had +reached the officers in charge of the matter. He +began to feel uneasy. He ordered a telegram to be +sent to the camp, but received no answer. State +papers could not fix his mind, nor could he banish +the condemned soldier boy from his thoughts. + +At last, feeling that he MUST KNOW that the lad +was safe, he ordered the carriage and rode rapidly +ten miles over a dusty road and beneath a scorching +sun. When he reached the camp he found that +the pardon had been received and the execution +stayed. + +The sentinel was released, and his heart was +filled with lasting gratitude. When the campaign +opened in the spring, the young man was with his +regiment near Yorktown, Virginia. They were +ordered to attack a fort, and he fell at the first +volley of the enemy. + +His comrades caught him up and carried him +bleeding and dying from the field. ``Bear witness,'' +he said, ``that I have proved myself not +a coward, and I am not afraid to die.'' Then, +making a last effort, with his dying breath he +prayed for Abraham Lincoln. + + +THE COLONEL OF THE ZOUAVES + +BY NOAH BROOKS (ADAPTED) + +Among those who accompanied Mr. Lincoln, the +President-elect, on his journey from Illinois to +the national capital, was Elmer E. Ellsworth, a +young man who had been employed in the law +office of Lincoln and Herndon, Springfield. + +He was a brave, handsome, and impetuous +youth, and was among the first to offer his services +to the President in defense of the Union, as +soon as the mutterings of war were heard. + +Before the war he had organized a company of +Zouaves from the Chicago firemen, and had +delighted and astonished many people by the +exhibitions of their skill in the evolutions through +which they were put while visiting some chief +cities of the Republic. + +Now, being commissioned a second lieutenant in +the United States Army, he went to New York and +organized from the firemen of that city a similar +regiment, known as the Eleventh New York. + +Colonel Ellsworth's Zouaves, on the evening +of May 23, were sent with a considerable force +to occupy the heights overlooking Washington +and Alexandria, on the banks of the Potomac, +opposite the national capital. + +Next day, seeing a Confederate flag flying from +the Marshall House, a tavern in Alexandria +kept by a secessionist, he went up through the +building to the roof and pulled it down. While +on his way down the stairs, wilh the flag in his +arms, he was met by the tavern-keeper, who shot +and killed him instantly. Ellsworth fell, dyeing the +Confederate flag with the blood that gushed from +his heart. The tavern-keeper was instantly killed +by a shot from Private Brownell, of the Ellsworth +Zouaves, who was at hand when his commander fell. + +The death of Ellsworth, needless though it may +have been, caused a profound sensation throughout +the country, where he was well known. He +was among the very first martyrs of the war, as +he had been one of the first volunteers. + +Lincoln was overwhelmed with sorrow. He +had the body of the lamented young officer taken +to the White House, where it lay in state until +the burial took place, and, even in the midst of +his increasing cares, he found time to sit alone +and in grief-stricken meditation by the bier of +the dead young soldier of whose career he had +cherished so great hopes. + +The life-blood from Ellsworth's heart had +stained not only the Confederate flag, but a gold +medal found under his uniform, bearing the +legend: ``Non solum nobis, sed pro patria''; ``Not +for ourselves alone, but for the country.'' + + +GENERAL SCOTT AND THE STARS +AND STRIPES + +BY E. D. TOWNSEND (ADAPTED) + +One day, as the general was sitting at his table +in the office, the messenger announced that a +person desired to see him a moment in order to +present a gift. + +A German was introduced, who said that he +was commissioned by a house in New York to +present General Scott with a small silk banner. +It was very handsome, of the size of a regimental +flag, and was made of a single piece of silk +stamped with the Stars and Stripes of the proper +colors. + +The German said that the manufacturers who +had sent the banner, wished to express thus the +great respect they felt for General Scott, and their +sense of his importance to the country in that +perilous time. + +The general was highly pleased, and, in accepting +the gift, assured the donors that the flag +should hang in his room wherever he went, and +enshroud him when he died. + +As soon as the man was gone, the general +desired that the stars might be counted to see if +ALL the States were represented. They were ALL +there. + +The flag was then draped between the windows +over the couch where the general frequently +reclined for rest during the day. It went with him +in his berth when he sailed for Europe, after his +retirement, and enveloped his coffin when he +was interred at West Point. + + + +INDEPENDENCE DAY + +(JULY 4) + + +THE DECLARATION OF +INDEPENDENCE + +BY WASHINGTON IRVING + +While danger was gathering round New York, +and its inhabitants were in mute suspense and +fearful anticipations, the General Congress at +Philadelphia was discussing, with closed doors, +what John Adams pronounced: ``The greatest +question ever debated in America, and as great +as ever was or will be debated among men.'' The +result was, a resolution passed unanimously on +the 2d of July; ``that these United Colonies are, +and of right ought to be, free and independent +States.'' + +``The 2d of July,'' adds the same patriot +statesman, ``will be the most memorable epoch in the +history of America. I am apt to believe that it +will be celebrated by succeeding generations as +the great anniversary festival. It ought to be +commemorated as the day of deliverance, by +solemn acts of devotion to Almighty God. It +ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, +with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, +and illuminations, from one end of this continent +to the other, from this time forth forevermore.'' + +The glorious event has, indeed, given rise to an +annual jubilee; but not on the day designated by +Adams. The FOURTH of July is the day of national +rejoicing, for on that day the ``Declaration of +Independence,'' that solemn and sublime document, +was adopted. + +Tradition gives a dramatic effect to its +announcement. It was known to be under +discussion, but the closed doors of Congress excluded +the populace. They awaited, in throngs, an +appointed signal. In the steeple of the State House +was a bell, imported twenty-three years previously +from London by the Provincial Assembly +of Pennsylvania. It bore the portentous text from +Scripture: ``Proclaim Liberty throughout all the +land, unto all the inhabitants thereof.'' A joyous +peal from that bell gave notice that the bill +had been passed. It was the knell of British domination. + + +THE SIGNING OF THE DECLARATION +OF INDEPENDENCE + +BY H. A. GUERBER[4] + +[4] From The Story of the Thirteen Colonies. Copyright, 1898, by +H. A. Guerber. American Book Company, publishers. + + +John Hancock, President of Congress, was the +first to sign the Declaration of Independence, +writing his name in large, plain letters, and saying:-- + +``There! John Bull can read my name without +spectacles. Now let him double the price on my +head, for this is my defiance.'' + +Then he turned to the other members, and +solemnly declared:-- + +``We must be unanimous. There must be no +pulling different ways. We must all hang together.'' + +``Yes,'' said Franklin, quaintly: ``we must all +hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang +separately.'' + +We are told that Charles Carroll, thinking that +his writing looked shaky, added the words, ``of +Carrollton,'' so that the king should not be able +to make any mistake as to whose name stood +there. + + +A BRAVE GIRL + +BY JAMES JOHONNOT (ADAPTED)[5] + + +[5] From Stories of Heroic Deeds. Copyright, 1887, by D. Appleton +and Company. American Book Company, publishers. + + +In the year 1781 the war was chiefly carried on +in the South, but the North was constantly +troubled by bands of Tories and Indians, who +would swoop down on small settlements and make +off with whatever they could lay their hands on. + +During this time General Schuyler was staying +at his house, which stood just outside the stockade +or walls of Albany. The British commander +sent out a party of Tories and Indians to capture +the general. + +When they reached the outskirts of the city +they learned from a Dutch laborer that the +general's house was guarded by six soldiers, three +watching by night and three by day. They let +the Dutchman go, and as soon as the band was +out of sight he hastened to Albany and warned +the general of their approach. + +Schuyler gathered his family in one of the +upper rooms of his house, and giving orders that +the doors and windows should be barred, fired a +pistol from a top-story window, to alarm the +neighborhood. + +The soldiers on guard, who had been lounging +in the shade of a tree, started to their feet at +the sound of the pistol; but, alas! too late, for +they found themselves surrounded by a crowd +of dusky forms, who bound them hand and foot, +before they had time to resist. + +In the room upstairs was the sturdy general, +standing resolutely at the door, with gun in hand, +while his black slaves were gathered about him, +each with a weapon. At the other end of the room +the women were huddled together, some weeping +and some praying. + +Suddenly a deafening crash was heard. The +Indian band had broken into the house. With +loud shouts they began to pillage and to destroy +everything in sight. While they were yet busy +downstairs, Mrs. Schuyler sprang to her feet and +rushed to the door; for she had suddenly remembered +that the baby, who was only a few months old, +was asleep in its cradle in a room on the first floor. + +The general caught his wife in his arms, and +implored her not to go to certain death, saying +that if any one was to go he would. While this +generous struggle between husband and wife was +going on, their young daughter, who had been +standing near the door, glided by them, and +descended the stairs. + +All was dark in the hall, excepting where the +light shone from the dining-room in which the +Indians were pillaging the shelves and fighting over +their booty. How to get past the dining-room +door was the question, but the brave girl did not +hesitate. Reaching the lower hall, she walked +very deliberately forward, softly but quickly passing +the door, and unobserved reached the room +in which was the cradle. + +She caught up the baby, crept back past the +open door, and was just mounting the stairs, +when one of the savages happened to see her. + +``WHIZ''--and his sharp tomahawk struck the +stair rail within a few inches of the baby's head. +But the frightened girl hurried on, and in a few +seconds was safe in her father's arms. + +As for the Indians, fearing an attack from +the near-by garrison, they hastened away with +the booty they had collected, and left General +Schuyler and his family unharmed. + + +THE BOSTON TEA-PARTY + +BY JOHN ANDREWS (ADAPTED)[5] + + +[5] From a letter written to a friend in 1773. + + +On November 29, 1773, there arrived in Boston +Harbor a ship carrying an hundred and odd chests +of the detested tea. The people in the country +roundabout, as well as the town's folk, were +unanimous against allowing the landing of it; but +the agents in charge of the consignment persisted +in their refusal to take the tea back to London. +The town bells were rung, for a general muster of +the citizens. Handbills were stuck up calling on +``Friends! Citizens! Countrymen!'' + +Mr. Rotch, the owner of the ship, found himself +exposed not only to the loss of his ship, but +to the loss of the money-value of the tea itself, +if he should attempt to send her back without +clearance papers from the custom-house; for the +admiral kept a vessel in readiness to seize any +ship which might leave without those papers. +Therefore, Mr. Rotch declared that his ship +should not carry back the tea without either the +proper clearance or the promise of full indemnity +for any losses he might incur. + +Matters continued thus for some days, when +a general muster was called of the people of Boston +and of all the neighboring towns. They met, +to the number of five or six thousand, at ten +o'clock in the morning, in the Old South Meeting- +House; where they passed a unanimous vote THAT THE +TEA SHOULD GO OUT OF THE HARBOR THAT AFTERNOON! + +A committee, with Mr. Rotch, was sent to the +custom-house to demand a clearance. This the +collector said he could not give without the duties +first being paid. Mr. Rotch was then sent to ask +for a pass from the governor, who returned answer +that ``consistent with the rules of government +and his duty to the king he could not grant +one without they produced a previous clearance +from the office.'' + +By the time Mr. Rotch returned to the Old +South Meeting-House with this message, the +candles were lighted and the house still crowded +with people. When the governor's message was +read a prodigious shout was raised, and soon afterward +the moderator declared the meeting dissolved. +This caused another general shout, outdoors +and in, and what with the noise of breaking +up the meeting, one might have thought that the +inhabitants of the infernal regions had been let +loose. + +That night there mustered upon Fort Hill +about two hundred strange figures, SAID TO BE +INDIANS FROM NARRAGANSETT. They were clothed +in blankets, with heads muffled, and had copper- +colored countenances. Each was armed with a +hatchet or axe, and a pair of pistols. They spoke +a strange, unintelligible jargon. + +They proceeded two by two to Griffin's Wharf, +where three tea-ships lay, each with one hundred +and fourteen chests of the ill-fated article on +board. And before nine o'clock in the evening +every chest was knocked into pieces and flung +over the sides. + +Not the least insult was offered to any one, +save one Captain Conner, who had ripped up the +linings of his coat and waistcoat, and, watching +his opportunity, had filled them with tea. But, +being detected, he was handled pretty roughly. +They not only stripped him of his clothes, but +gave him a coat of mud, with a severe bruising +into the bargain. Nothing but their desire not to +make a disturbance prevented his being tarred +and feathered. + +The tea being thrown overboard, all the +Indians disappeared in a most marvelous fashion. + +The next day, if a stranger had walked through +the streets of Boston, and had observed the calm +composure of the people, he would hardly have +thought that ten thousand pounds sterling of +East India Company's tea had been destroyed +the night before. + + +A GUNPOWDER STORY + +BY JOHN ESTEN COOKE (ADAPTED) + +[6] From Stories of the Old Dominion. Used by permission of the +American Book Company, publishers. + + +In the autumn of 1777 the English decided to +attack Fort Henry, at Wheeling, in northwestern +Virginia. This was an important border fort +named in honor of Patrick Henry, and around +which had grown up a small village of about +twenty-five log houses. + +A band of Indians, under the leadership of one +Simon Girty, was supplied by the English with +muskets and ammunition, and sent against the +fort. This Girty was a white man, who, when a +boy, had been captured by Indians, and brought +up by them. He had joined their tribes, and was +a ferocious and bloodthirsty leader of savage +bands. + +When the settlers at Wheeling heard that +Simon Girty and his Indians were advancing on the +town, they left their homes and hastened into the +fort. Scarcely had they done so when the savages +made their appearance. + +The defenders of the fort knew that a desperate +fight must now take place, and there seemed little +probability that they would be able to hold out +against their assailants. They had only forty +two fighting men, including old men and boys, +while the Indian force numbered about five +hundred. + +What was worse they had but a small amount +of gunpowder. A keg containing the main supply +had been left by accident in one of the village +houses. This misfortune, as you will soon +see, brought about the brave action of a young +girl. + +After several encounters with the savages, +which took place in the village, the defenders +withdrew to the fort. Then a number of Indians +advanced with loud yells, firing as they came. The +fire was returned by the defenders, each of whom +had picked out his man, and taken deadly aim. +Most of the attacking party were killed, and the +whole body of Indians fell back into the near-by +woods, and there awaited a more favorable +opportunity to renew hostilities. + +The men in the fort now discovered, to their +great dismay, that their gunpowder was nearly +gone. What was to be done? Unless they could +get another supply, they would not be able to +hold the fort, and they and their women and children +would either be massacred or carried into +captivity. + +Colonel Shepherd, who was in command, +explained to the settlers exactly how matters stood. +He also told them of the forgotten keg of powder +which was in a house standing about sixty yards +from the gate of the fort. + +It was plain to all that if any man should +attempt to procure the keg, he would almost surely +be shot by the lurking Indians. In spite of this +three or four young men volunteered to go on the +dangerous mission. + +Colonel Shepherd replied that he could not +spare three or four strong men, as there were +already too few for the defense. Only one man +should make the attempt and they might decide +who was to go. This caused a dispute. + +Just then a young girl stepped forward and +said that SHE was ready to go. Her name was +Elizabeth Zane, and she had just returned from +a boarding-school in Philadelphia. This made +her brave offer all the more remarkable, since she +had not been bred up to the fearless life of the +border. + +At first the men would not hear of her running +such a risk. She was told that it meant certain +death. But she urged that they could not spare +a man from the defense, and that the loss of one +girl would not be an important matter. So after +some discussion the settlers agreed that she should +go for the powder. + +The house, as has already been stated, stood +about sixty yards from the fort, and Elizabeth +hoped to run thither and bring back the powder +in a few minutes. The gate was opened, and she +passed through, running like a deer. + +A few straggling Indians were dodging about +the log houses of the town; they saw the fleeing +girl, but for some reason they did not fire upon +her. They may have supposed that she was +returning to her home to rescue her clothes. Possibly +they thought it a waste of good ammunition +to fire at a woman, when they were so sure of +taking the fort before long. So they looked on +quietly while, with flying skirts, Elizabeth ran +across the open, and entered the house. + +She found the keg of powder, which was not +large. She lifted it with both arms, and, holding the +precious burden close to her breast, she darted out +of the house and ran in the direction of the fort. + +When the Indians saw what she was carrying +they uttered fierce yells and fired. The bullets +fell like hail about her, but not one so much as +touched her garments. With the keg hugged to +her bosom, she ran on, and reached the fort in +safety. The gate closed upon her just as the +bullets of the Indians buried themselves in its +thick panels. + +The rescued gunpowder enabled the little +garrison to hold out until help arrived from the other +settlements near Wheeling. And Girty, seeing +that there were no further hopes of taking Fort +Henry, withdrew his band. + +Thus a weak but brave girl was the means of +saving strong men with their wives and children. +It was a heroic act, and Americans should never +forget to honor the name of Elizabeth Zane. + + +THE CAPTURE OF FORT TICONDEROGA + +BY WASHINGTON IRVING (ADAPTED) + +Some bold spirits in Connecticut conceived the +project of surprising the old forts of Ticonderoga +and Crown Point, already famous in the French +War. Their situation on Lake Champlain gave +them the command of the main route into Canada +so that the possession of them would be all- +important in case of hostilities. They were feebly +garrisoned and negligently guarded, and abundantly +furnished with artillery and military stores +so needed by the patriot army. + +At this juncture Ethan Allen stepped forward, +a patriot, and volunteered with his ``Green +Mountain Boys.'' He was well fitted for the +enterprise. During the border warfare over the New +Hampshire Grants, he and his lieutenants had +been outlawed by the Legislature of New York +and rewards offered for their apprehension. He +and his associates had armed themselves, set New +York at defiance, and had sworn they would be +the death of any one who should try to arrest +them. + +Thus Ethan Allen had become a kind of Robin +Hood among the mountains. His experience as +a frontier champion, his robustness of mind and +body, and his fearless spirit made him a most +desirable leader in the expedition against Fort +Ticonderoga. Therefore he was appointed at the +head of the attacking force. + +Accompanied by Benjamin Arnold and two +other officers, Allen and his party of soldiers who +had been enlisted from several States, set out and +arrived at Shoreham, opposite Fort Ticonderoga +on the shore of Lake Champlain. They reached +the place at night-time. There were only a few +boats on hand, but the transfer of men began +immediately. It was slow work. The night wore +away; day was about to break, and but eighty- +three men, with Allen and Arnold, had crossed. +Should they wait for the rest to cross over, day +would dawn, the garrison wake, and their enterprise +might fail. + +Allen drew up his men, addressed them in his +own emphatic style, and announced his intention +of making a dash at the fort without waiting for +more force. + +``It is a desperate attempt,'' said he, ``and I +ask no man to go against his will. I will take the +lead, and be the first to advance. You that are +willing to follow, poise your firelocks!'' + +Not a firelock but was poised! + +They mounted the hill briskly but in silence, +guided by a boy from the neighborhood. + +The day dawned as Allen arrived at a sally- +port. A sentry pulled trigger on him, but his +piece missed fire. He retreated through a covered +way. Allen and his men followed. Another +sentry thrust at an officer with his bayonet, but +was struck down by Allen, and begged for quarter. +It was granted on condition of his leading the +way instantly to the quarters of the commandant, +Captain Delaplace, who was yet in bed. + +Being arrived there, Allen thundered at the +door, and demanded a surrender of the fort. By +this time his followers had formed into two lines +on the parade-ground, and given three hearty +cheers. + +The commandant appeared at the door half- +dressed, the frightened face of his pretty wife +peering over his shoulder. He gazed at Allen in +bewildered astonishment. + +``By whose authority do you act?'' exclaimed +he. + +``In the name of the Continental Congress!'' +replied Allen, with a flourish of his sword, and an +oath which we do not care to subjoin. + +There was no disputing the point. The garrison, +like the commandant, had been startled from +sleep, and made prisoners as they rushed forth +in their confusion. A surrender accordingly took +place. The captain and forty-eight men who +composed his garrison were sent prisoners to Hartford, +in Connecticut. + +And thus without the loss of a single man, one +of the important forts, commanding the main +route into Canada, fell into the hands of the +patriots. + + +WASHINGTON AND THE COWARDS + +BY WASHINGTON IRVING (ADAPTED) + +During the evacuation of New York by Washington, +two divisions of the enemy, encamped on +Long Island, one British under Sir Henry Clinton, +the other Hessian under Colonel Donop, emerged +in boats from the deep wooded recesses of Newtown +Inlet, and under cover of the fire from the +ships began to land at two points between Turtle +and Kip's Bays. + +The breastworks were manned by patriot +militia who had recently served in Brooklyn. +Disheartened by their late defeat, they fled at +the first advance of the enemy. Two brigades +of Putnam's Connecticut troops, which had been +sent that morning to support them, caught the +panic, and, regardless of the commands and +entreaties of their officers, joined in the general +scamper. + +At this moment Washington, who had mounted +his horse at the first sound of the cannonade, +came galloping to the scene of confusion. Riding +in among the fugitives he endeavored to rally and +restore them to order. All in vain. At the first +appearance of sixty or seventy redcoats, they +broke again without firing a shot, and fled in +headlong terror. + +Losing all self-command at the sight of such +dastardly conduct, Washington dashed his hat +upon the ground in a transport of rage. + +``Are these the men,'' exclaimed he, ``with +whom I am to defend America!'' + +In a paroxysm of passion and despair he +snapped his pistols at some of them, threatened +others with his sword, and was so heedless of his +own danger that he might have fallen into the +hands of the enemy, who were not eighty yards +distant, had not an aide-de-camp seized the +bridle of his horse, and absolutely hurried him +away. + +It was one of the rare moments of his life when +the vehement element of his nature was stirred +up from its deep recesses. He soon recovered his +self-possession, and took measures against the +general peril. + + + +LABOR DAY + +(FIRST MONDAY IN SEPTEMBER) + + +THE SMITHY + +A HINDU FABLE + +BY P. V. RAMASWAMI RAJU (ADAPTED) + +Once words ran high in a smithy. + +The furnace said: ``If I cease to burn, the +smithy must close.'' + +The bellows said: ``If I cease to blow, no fire, +no smithy.'' + +The hammer and anvil, also, each claimed the +sole credit for keeping up the smithy. + +The ploughshare that had been shaped by the +furnace, the bellows, the hammer and the anvil, +cried: ``It is not each of you alone, that keeps up +the smithy, but ALL TOGETHER.'' + + +THE NAIL + +BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM (TRANSLATED)[7] + + +[7] From the Riverside Fourth Reader. + + +A merchant had done good business at the fair; +he had sold his wares, and filled his bag with gold +and silver. Then he set out at once on his journey +home, for he wished to be in his own house before +night. + +At noon he rested in a town. When he wanted +to go on, the stable-boy brought his horse, saying: + +``A nail is wanting, sir, in the shoe of his left +hind foot.'' + +``Let it be wanting,'' answered the merchant; +``the shoe will stay on for the six miles I have still +to go. I am in a hurry.'' + +In the afternoon he got down at an inn and had +his horse fed. The stable-boy came into the room +to him and said: ``Sir, a shoe is wanting from your +horse's left hind foot. Shall I take him to the +blacksmith?'' + +``Let it still be wanting,'' said the man; ``the +horse can very well hold out for a couple of miles +more. I am in a hurry.'' + +So the merchant rode forth, but before long the +horse began to limp. He had not limped long +before he began to stumble, and he had not +stumbled long before he fell down and broke his +leg. The merchant had to leave the horse where +he fell, and unstrap the bag, take it on his back, +and go home on foot. + +``That unlucky nail,'' said he to himself, ``has +made all this trouble.'' + + +THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER + +BY HORACE E. SCUDDER + +There was once a shoemaker who worked very +hard and was honest. Still, he could not earn +enough to live on. At last, all he had in the world +was gone except just leather enough to make one +pair of shoes. He cut these out at night, and +meant to rise early the next morning to make +them up. + +His heart was light in spite of his troubles, for +his conscience was clear. So he went quietly to +bed, left all his cares to God, and fell asleep. In +the morning he said his prayers, and sat down to +work, when, to his great wonder, there stood the +shoes, already made, upon the table. + +The good man knew not what to say or think. +He looked at the work. There was not one false +stitch in the whole job. All was neat and true. + +That same day a customer came in, and the +shoes pleased him so well that he readily paid a +price higher than usual for them. The shoemaker +took the money and bought leather enough to +make two pairs more. He cut out the work in the +evening, and went to bed early. He wished to +be up with the sun and get to work. + +He was saved all trouble, for when he got up +in the morning, the work was done. Pretty soon +buyers came in, who paid him well for his goods. +So he bought leather enough for four pairs more. + +He cut out the work again overnight, and found +it finished in the morning as before. So it went +on for some time. What was got ready at night +was always done by daybreak, and the good man +soon was well-to-do. + +One evening, at Christmas-time, he and his +wife sat over the fire, chatting, and he said: ``I +should like to sit up and watch to-night, that we +may see who it is that comes and does my work +for me.'' So they left the light burning, and hid +themselves behind a curtain to see what would +happen. + +As soon as it was midnight, there came two +little Elves. They sat upon the shoemaker's +bench, took up all the work that was cut out, and +began to ply their little fingers. They stitched +and rapped and tapped at such a rate that the +shoemaker was amazed, and could not take his +eyes off them for a moment. + +On they went till the job was done, and the +shoes stood, ready for use, upon the table. This +was long before daybreak. Then they ran away +as quick as lightning. + +The next day the wife said to the shoemaker: +``These little Elves have made us rich, and we +ought to be thankful to them, and do them some +good in return. I am vexed to see them run about +as they do. They have nothing upon their backs +to keep off the cold. I'll tell you what we must +do. I will make each of them a shirt, and a coat +and waistcoat, and a pair of pantaloons into the +bargain. Do you make each of them a little pair +of shoes.'' + +The good shoemaker liked the thought very +well. One evening he and his wife had the clothes +ready, and laid them on the table instead of the +work they used to cut out. Then they went and +hid behind the curtain to watch what the little +Elves would do. + +At midnight the Elves came in and were going +to sit down at their work as usual. But when they +saw the clothes lying there for them, they laughed +and were in high glee. They dressed themselves in +the twinkling of an eye, and danced and capered +and sprang about as merry as could be, till at +last they danced out of the door, and over the +green. + +The shoemaker saw them no more, but everything +went well with him as long as he lived. + + +THE HILLMAN AND THE HOUSEWIFE + +BY JULlANA HORATIA EWING (ADAPTED) + +It is well known that the Fairy People cannot +abide meanness. They like to be liberally dealt +with when they beg or borrow of the human race; +and, on the other hand, to those who come to +them in need, they are invariably generous. + +Now there once lived a certain housewife who +had a sharp eye to her own interests, and gave +alms of what she had no use for, hoping to get +some reward in return. One day a Hillman +knocked at her door. + +``Can you lend us a saucepan, good mother?'' +said he. ``There's a wedding in the hill, and all +the pots are in use.'' + +``Is he to have one?'' asked the servant lass +who had opened the door. + +``Aye, to be sure,'' answered the housewife; +``one must be neighborly.'' + +But when the maid was taking a saucepan from +the shelf, the housewife pinched her arm and +whispered sharply: ``Not that, you good-for- +nothing! Get the old one out of the cupboard. +It leaks, and the Hillmen are so neat, and such +nimble workers, that they are sure to mend it +before they send it home. So one obliges the +Fairy People, and saves sixpence in tinkering!'' + +Thus bidden the maid fetched the saucepan, +which had been laid by until the tinker's next +visit, and gave it to the Hillman, who thanked +her and went away. + +In due time the saucepan was returned, and, +as the housewife had foreseen, it was neatly +mended and ready for use. + +At supper-time the maid filled the pan with +milk, and set it on the fire for the children's +supper. But in a few minutes the milk was so burnt +and smoked that no one could touch it, and even +the pigs refused to drink it. + +``Ah, good-for-nothing hussy!'' cried the +housewife, as she refilled the pan herself, ``you would +ruin the richest with your carelessness! There's +a whole quart of good milk wasted at once!'' + +``AND THAT'S TWOPENCE!'' cried a voice that +seemed to come from the chimney, in a whining +tone, like some discontented old body going over +her grievances. + +The housewife had not left the saucepan for two +minutes, when the milk boiled over, and it was +all burnt and smoked as before. + +``The pan must be dirty,'' muttered the good +woman in vexation, ``and there are two full +quarts of milk as good as thrown to the dogs.'' + +``AND THAT'S FOURPENCE!'' added the voice in +the chimney. + +After a thorough cleaning the saucepan was +once more filled and set on the fire, but with no +better success. The milk boiled over again, and +was hopelessly spoiled. The housewife shed tears +of anger at the waste and cried: ``Never before +did such a thing befall me since I kept house! +Three quarts of new milk burnt for one meal.'' + +``AND THAT'S SIXPENCE!'' cried the voice in the +chimney. ``You didn't save the tinkering after +all, mother!'' + +With that the Hillman himself came tumbling +down from the chimney, and went off laughing +through the door. + +But from then on the saucepan was as good as +any other. + + +HOFUS THE STONE-CUTTER + +A JAPANESE LEGEND + +FROM THE RIVERSIDE THIRD READER (ADAPTED) + +Once upon a time in Japan, there was a poor +stone-cutter, named Hofus, who used to go every +day to the mountain-side to cut great blocks of +stone. He lived near the mountain in a little +stone hut, and worked hard and was happy. + +One day he took a load of stone to the house +of a rich man. There he saw so many beautiful +things that when he went back to his mountain +he could think of nothing else. Then he began to +wish that he too might sleep in a bed as soft as +down, with curtains of silk, and tassels of gold. +And he sighed:-- + + ``Ah me! Ah me! + If Hofus only were rich as he!'' + + +To his surprise, the voice of the Mountain +Spirit answered:-- + + ``Have thou thy wish!'' + + +When Hofus returned home that evening his +little hut was gone, and in its place stood a great +palace. It was filled with beautiful things, and +the best of all was a bed of down, with curtains +of silk and tassels of gold. + +Hofus decided to work no more. But he was +not used to being idle, and time passed slowly,-- +the days seemed very long. + +One day as he sat by the window he saw a +carriage dash past. It was drawn by snow-white +horses. In it sat a prince, while before and behind +were servants in suits of blue and white. One was +holding a golden umbrella over the prince. + +When the stone-cutter saw this, he began to +feel unhappy, and he sighed:-- + + ``Ah me! Ah me! + If Hofus only a prince might be!'' + + +And again the same voice that he had heard on +the mountain answered:-- + + ``Be thou a prince!'' + + +Straightway Hofus was a prince. He had servants +dressed in crimson and gold, and he rode in +a carriage with a golden umbrella over his head. + +For a short time he was happy, but one day, +as he walked in the garden, he saw that the +flowers were drooping, the grass was dry and +brown. And when he rode out he felt the hot sun +burn him in spite of his umbrella. + +``The sun is mightier than I,'' thought he, and +then he sighed:-- + + ``Ah me! Ah me! + If Hofus only the sun might be!'' + + +And the voice answered:-- + + ``Be thou the sun!'' + +Straightway the great sun he became. He +burned the grass and rice fields. he dried up the +streams. Rich and poor alike suffered from the +terrible heat. + +One day a cloud came and rested in front of +him, and hid the earth from his sight. He was +angry and cried:-- + + ``Ah me! Ah me! + If Hofus only a cloud might be!'' + + +And the voice answered:-- + + ``Be thou a cloud!'' + + +Straightway a cloud he became. He floated +before the face of the sun, and hid the earth +from it. + +Then day after day the cloud dropped rain. +The rivers overflowed, and the rice-fields were +covered with water. Towns were swept away. +Only the great rocks on the mountain-side stood +unmoved midst the flood. + +The cloud looked at them in wonder, then he +sighed:-- + + ``Ah me! Ah me! + If Hofus only a rock might be!'' + + +And the voice answered:-- + + ``Be thou a rock!'' + + +Straightway a rock he became. Proudly he +stood. The sun could not burn him and the rain +could not move him. + +``Now, at last,'' he said, ``no one is mightier +than I.'' + +But one day he was waked from his dreams by +a noise,--tap! tap! tap!--down at his feet. He +looked and there was a stone-cutter driving his +tool into the rock. Another blow and the great +rock shivered; a block of stone broke away. + +``That man is mightier than I!'' cried Hofus, +and he sighed:-- + + ``Ah me! Ah me! + If Hofus only the man might be!'' + + +And the voice answered:-- + + ``Be thou thyself!'' + + +And straightway Hofus was himself again,-- +a poor stone-cutter, working all day upon the +mountain-side, and going home at night to his +little hut. But he was content and happy, and +never again did he wish to be other than Hofus +the stone-cutter. + + +ARACHNE + +BY JOSEPHINE PRESTON PEABODY + +There was a certain maiden of Lydia, Arachne +by name, renowned throughout the country for +her skill as a weaver. She was as nimble with her +fingers as Calypso, that Nymph who kept Odysseus +for seven years in her enchanted island. She +was as untiring as Penelope, the hero's wife, who +wove day after day while she watched for his +return. Day in and day out, Arachne wove too. +The very Nymphs would gather about her loom, +Naiads from the water and Dryads from the trees. + +``Maiden,'' they would say, shaking the leaves +or the foam from their hair, in wonder, ``Pallas +Athena must have taught you!'' + +But this did not please Arachne. She would not +acknowledge herself a debtor, even to that goddess +who protected all household arts, and by +whose grace alone one had any skill in them. + +``I learned not of Athena,'' said she. ``If she +can weave better, let her come and try.'' + +The Nymphs shivered at this, and an aged +woman, who was looking on, turned to Arachne. + +``Be more heedful of your words, my daughter,'' +said she. ``The goddess may pardon you if you +ask forgiveness, but do not strive for honors with +the immortals.'' + +Arachne broke her thread, and the shuttle +stopped humming. + +``Keep your counsel,'' she said. ``I fear not +Athena; no, nor any one else.'' + +As she frowned at the old woman, she was +amazed to see her change suddenly into one tall, +majestic, beautiful,--a maiden of gray eyes and +golden hair, crowned with a golden helmet. It +was Athena herself. + +The bystanders shrank in fear and reverence; +only Arachne was unawed and held to her foolish +boast. + +In silence the two began to weave, and the +Nymphs stole nearer, coaxed by the sound of the +shuttles, that seemed to be humming with delight +over the two webs,--back and forth like bees. + +They gazed upon the loom where the goddess +stood plying her task, and they saw shapes and +images come to bloom out of the wondrous colors, +as sunset clouds grow to be living creatures when +we watch them. And they saw that the goddess, +still merciful, was spinning; as a warning for +Arachne, the pictures of her own triumph over +reckless gods and mortals. + +In one corner of the web she made a story of +her conquest over the sea-god Poseidon. For the +first king of Athens had promised to dedicate +the city to that god who should bestow upon it the +most useful gift. Poseidon gave the horse. But +Athena gave the olive,--means of livelihood,-- +symbol of peace and prosperity, and the city was +called after her name. Again she pictured a vain +woman of Troy, who had been turned into a +crane for disputing the palm of beauty with a +goddess. Other corners of the web held similar +images, and the whole shone like a rainbow. + +Meanwhile Arachne, whose head was quite +turned with vanity, embroidered her web with +stories against the gods, making light of Zeus +himself and of Apollo, and portraying them as +birds and beasts. But she wove with marvelous +skill; the creatures seemed to breathe and speak, +yet it was all as fine as the gossamer that you find +on the grass before rain. + +Athena herself was amazed. Not even her +wrath at the girl's insolence could wholly overcome +her wonder. For an instant she stood entranced; +then she tore the web across, and three +times she touched Arachne's forehead with her +spindle. + +``Live on, Arachne,'' she said. ``And since it is +your glory to weave, you and yours must weave +forever.'' So saying, she sprinkled upon the +maiden a certain magical potion. + +Away went Arachne's beauty; then her very +human form shrank to that of a spider, and so +remained. As a spider she spent all her days +weaving and weaving; and you may see something +like her handiwork any day among the rafters. + + +THE METAL KING + +A GERMAN FOLE-TALE + +(ADAPTED) + +Once long ago there was a high mountain whose +rocks were veined with gold and silver and seamed +with iron. At times, from a huge rent in the +mountain-side, there shot out roaring, red flames, +and clouds of black smoke. And when the +village folk in the valley below saw this, they would +say: ``Look! the Metal King is at his forge.'' For +they knew that in the gloomy heart of the mountain, +the Metal King and his Spirits of the Mines +wrought in gold and iron. + +When the storm raged over the valley, the +Metal King left his cavern and riding on the wings +of the wind, with thundering shouts, hurled his +red-hot bolts into the valley, now killing the +peasants and their cattle, now burning houses and +barns. + +But when the weather was soft and mild, and +the breezes blew gently about the mouth of his +cavern, the Metal King returned to his forge in +the depths of the mountain, and there shaped +ploughshares and many other implements of iron. +These he placed outside his cavern door, as gifts +to the poor peasants. + +It happened, on a time, there lived in that +valley a lazy lad, who would neither till his fields +nor ply a trade. He was avaricious, but he longed +to win gold without mining, and wealth and fame +without labor. So it came to pass that he set +out one day to find the mountain treasure of the +Metal King. + +Taking a lighted lantern in one hand, a hatchet +in the other, and a bundle of twigs under his +arm, he entered the dark cavern. The dampness +smote his cheek, bats flapped their wings in his +face. Shivering with fear and cold, he pressed +on through a long passage under an arched and +blackened roof. As he passed along he dropped +his twigs, one after another, so that they might +guide him aright when he returned. + +He came at last to a place where the passage +branched off in two directions,--to the right and +to the left. Choosing the right-hand path, he +walked on and at length came to an iron door. He +struck it twice with his hammer. It flew open, +and a strong current of air rushing forth put out +his light. + +``Come in! Come in!'' shouted a voice like the +rolling of thunder, and the cavern echoes gave +back the sounds. + +Almost overcome by terror and shivering in +every limb, the lad entered. As he stepped forward +a dazzling light shone from the vaulted +roof upheld by massive columns, and across +the crystal side-walls flittered curious, shadowy +figures. + +The Metal King, huge and fierce-eyed, +surrounded by the misshapen Spirits of the Mines, +sat upon a block of pure silver, with a pile of +shining gold lying before him. + +``Come in, my friend!'' he shouted again, and +again the echoes rolled through the cavern. + +``Come near, and sit beside me.'' + +The lad advanced, pale and trembling, and +took his seat upon the silver block. + +``Bring out more treasure,'' cried the Metal +King, and at his command the Mountain Spirits +fluttered away like dreams, only to return in a +moment and pile high before the wondering lad +bars of red gold, mounds of silver coin, and stacks +of precious jewels. + +And when the lad saw all that wealth he felt +his heart burst with longing to grasp it, but when +he tried to put out his hand, he found that he +could not move his arm, nor could he lift his feet, +nor turn his head. + +``Thou seest these riches,'' said the Metal +King; ``they are but a handful compared with +those thou mayest gain if thou wilt work with us +in the mines. Hard is the service but rich the +reward! Only say the word, and for a year and +a day thou shalt be a Mountain Spirit.'' + +``Nay,'' stammered the lad, in great terror, +``nay, I came not to work. All I beg of thee is +one bar of gold and a handful of the jewels that +lie here. If they are mine I can dress better than +the village lads, and ride in my own coach!'' + +``Lazy, ungrateful wretch!'' cried the Metal +King, rising from his seat, while his figure seemed +to tower until his head touched the cavern roof, +``wouldst thou seize without pay the treasures +gained through the hard labor of my Mountain +Spirits! Hence! Get thee gone to thy place! +Seek not here for unearned riches! Cast away thy +discontented disposition and thou shalt turn +stones into gold. Dig well thy garden and thy +fields, sow them and tend them diligently, search +the mountain-sides; and thou shalt gain through +thine industry mines of gold and silver!'' + +Scarcely had the Metal King spoken when +there was heard a screeching as of ravens, a +crying as of night owls, and a mighty storm wind +came rushing against the lad; and catching him +up it drove him forth along the dark passage, and +down the mountain-side, so that in a minute he +found himself on the steps of his own house. + +And from that time on a strange change came +over the lad. He no longer idled and dreamed of +sudden wealth, but morning, noon, and evening +he labored diligently, sowing his fields, cultivating +his garden, and mining on the mountain-side. +Years came and went; all he touched prospered, +and he grew to be the richest man in that country; +but never again did he see the Metal King +or the Spirits of the Mines. + + +THE CHOICE OF HERCULES + +BY XENOPHON (ADAPTED) + +Long, long ago, when the world was young, there +were many deeds waiting to be wrought by daring +heroes. It was then that the mighty Hercules, +who was yet a lad, felt an exceeding great and +strong desire to go out into the wide world to seek +his fortune. + +One day, while wandering alone and thoughtful, +he came to a place where two paths met. And +sitting down he gravely considered which he +should follow. + +One path led over flowery meadows toward the +darkening distance; the other, passing over rough +stones and rugged, brown furrows, lost itself in +the glowing sunset. + +And as Hercules gazed into the distance, he +saw two stately maidens coming toward him. + +The first was tall and graceful, and wrapped +round in a snow-white mantle. Her countenance +was calm and beautiful. With gracious mien and +modest glance she drew near the lad. + +The other maiden made haste to outrun the +first. She, too, was tall, but seemed taller than +she really was. She, too, was beautiful, but her +glance was bold. As she ran, a rosy garment like +a cloud floated about her form, and she kept +looking at her own round arms and shapely hands, +and ever and anon she seemed to gaze admiringly +at her shadow as it moved along the ground. And +this fair one did outstrip the first maiden, and +rushing forward held out her white hands to the +lad, exclaiming:-- + +``I see thou art hesitating, O Hercules, by what +path to seek thy fortune. Follow me along this +flowery way, and I will make it a delightful and +easy road. Thou shalt taste to the full of every +kind of pleasure. No shadow of annoyance shall +ever touch thee, nor strain nor stress of war and +state disturb thy peace. Instead thou shalt tread +upon carpets soft as velvet, and sit at golden +tables, or recline upon silken couches. The fairest +of maidens shall attend thee, music and perfume +shall lull thy senses, and all that is delightful to +eat and drink shall be placed before thee. Never +shalt thou labor, but always live in joy and ease. +Oh, come! I give my followers liberty and delight!'' + +And as she spoke the maiden stretched forth +her arms, and the tones of her voice were sweet +and caressing. + +``What, O maiden,'' asked Hercules, ``is thy +name?'' + +``My friends,'' said she, ``call me Happiness, +but mine enemies name me Vice.'' + +Even as she spoke, the white-robed maiden, +who had drawn near, glided forward, and addressed +the lad in gracious tones and with words +stately and winning:-- + +``O beloved youth, who wouldst wander forth +in search of Life, I too, would plead with thee! +I, Virtue, have watched and tended thee from a +child. I know the fond care thy parents have +bestowed to train thee for a hero's part. Direct now +thy steps along yon rugged path that leads to my +dwelling. Honorable and noble mayest thou become +through thy illustrious deeds. + +``I will not seduce thee by promises of vain +delights; instead will I recount to thee the things +that really are. Lasting fame and true nobility +come not to mortals save through pain and labor. +If thou, O Hercules, seekest the gracious gifts of +Heaven, thou must remain constant in prayer; +if thou wouldst be beloved of thy friends, thou +must serve thy friends; if thou desirest to be +honored of the people thou must benefit the people; +if thou art anxious to reap the fruits of the +earth, thou must till the earth with labor; and if +thou wishest to be strong in body and accomplish +heroic deeds, thou must teach thy body to obey +thy mind. Yea, all this and more also must thou +do.'' + +``Seest thou not, O Hercules,'' cried Vice, +``over how difficult and tedious a road this Virtue +would drive thee? I, instead, will conduct thy +steps by a short and easy path to perfect Happiness.'' + +``Wretched being!'' answered Virtue, ``wouldst +thou deceive this lad! What lasting Happiness +hast thou to offer! Thou pamperest thy followers +with riches, thou deludest them with idleness; +thou surfeitest them with luxury; thou enfeeblest +them with softness. In youth they grow slothful +in body and weak in mind. They live without +labor and wax fat. They come to a wretched old +age, dissatisfied, and ashamed, and oppressed by +the memory of their ill deeds; and, having run +their course, they lay themselves down in +melancholy death and their name is remembered no +more. + +``But those fortunate youths who follow me +receive other counsel. I am the companion of +virtuous men. Always I am welcome in the +homes of artisans and in the cottages of tillers of +the soil. I am the guardian of industrious +households, and the rewarder of generous masters and +faithful servants. I am the promoter of the labors +of peace. No honorable deed is accomplished +without me. + +``My friends have sweet repose and the +untroubled enjoyment of the fruits of their efforts. +They remember their deeds with an easy conscience +and contentment, and are beloved of their +friends and honored by their country. And when +they have run their course, and death overtakes +them, their names are celebrated in song and +praise, and they live in the hearts of their +grateful countrymen. + +``Come, then, O Hercules, thou son of noble +parents, come, follow thou me, and by thy +worthy and illustrious deeds secure for thyself +exalted Happiness.'' + +She ceased, and Hercules, withdrawing his +gaze from the face of Vice, arose from his place, +and followed Virtue along the rugged, brown path +of Labor. + + +THE SPEAKING STATUE + +FROM GESTA ROMANORUM (ADAPTED) + +There was once a great emperor who made a law +that whosoever worked on the birthday of his +eldest son should be put to death. He caused this +decree to be published throughout his empire, +and, sending for his chief magician, said to him:-- + +``I wish you to devise an instrument which will +tell me the name of each laborer who breaks my +new law.'' + +``Sire,'' answered the magician, ``your will +shall be accomplished.'' And he straightway +constructed a wonderful, speaking statue, and placed +it in the public square of the capital city. By its +magic power this statue could discern all that +went on in the empire on the birthday of the +eldest prince, and it could tell the name of each +laborer who worked in secret on that day. Thus +things continued for some years, and many men +were put to death. + +Now, there was in the capital city a carpenter +named Focus. He was a diligent workman, +laboring at his trade from early morning till late at +night. One year, when the prince's birthday came +round, he continued to work all that day. + +The next morning he arose, dressed himself, +and, before any one was astir in the streets, went +to the magic statue and said:-- + +``O statue, statue! because you have +denounced so many of our citizens, causing them +to be put to death, I vow, if you accuse me, I will +break your head!'' + +Shortly after this the emperor dispatched +messengers to the statue to inquire if the law had +been broken the day before. When the statue +saw them, it exclaimed:-- + +``Friends, look up! What see ye written on +my forehead?'' + +They looked up and beheld three sentences +that ran thus:-- + + ``Times are altered! + ``Men grow worse! + ``He who speaks the truth will have his head broken!'' + + +``Go,'' said the statue, ``declare to His Majesty +what ye have seen and read.'' + +The messenger accordingly departed and returned +in haste to the emperor, and related to +him all that had occurred. + +The emperor ordered his guard to arm and to +march instantly to the public square, where the +statue was, and commanded that if any one had +attempted to injure it, he should be seized, bound +hand and foot, and dragged to the judgment hall. + +The guard hastened to do the emperor's +bidding. They approached the statue and said:-- + +``Our emperor commands you to tell who it is +that threatened you.'' + +The statue answered: ``Seize Focus the +carpenter. Yesterday he defied the emperor's edict; +this morning he threatened to break my head.'' + +The soldiers immediately arrested Focus, and +dragged him to the judgment hall. + +``Friend,'' said the emperor, ``what do I hear +of you? Why do you work on my son's birthday?'' + +``Your Majesty,'' answered Focus, ``it is +impossible for me to keep your law. I am obliged +to earn eight pennies every day, therefore was I +forced to work yesterday.'' + +``And why eight pennies?'' asked the emperor. + +``Every day through the year,'' answered +Focus, ``I am bound to repay two pennies I borrowed +in my youth; two I lend; two I lose; and +two I spend.'' + +``How is this?'' said the emperor; ``explain +yourself further.'' + +``Your Majesty,'' replied Focus, ``listen to me. +I am bound each day to repay two pennies to my +old father, for when I was a boy he expended upon +me daily the like sum. Now he is poor and needs +my assistance, and I return what I formerly +borrowed. Two other pennies I lend my son, who is +pursuing his studies, in order that, if by chance +I should fall into poverty, he may restore the +loan to me, just as I am now doing to his grandfather. +Again, I lose two pennies on my wife, who +is a scold and has an evil temper. On account of +her bad disposition I consider whatever I give +her entirely lost. Lastly, two other pennies I +spend on myself for meat and drink. I cannot +do all this without working every day. You now +know the truth, and, I pray you, give a righteous +judgment.'' + +``Friend, ``said the emperor, ``you have answered +well. Go and work diligently at your calling.'' + +That same day the emperor annulled the law +forbidding labor on his son's birthday. Not long +after this he died, and Focus the carpenter, on +account of his singular wisdom, was elected +emperor in his stead. He governed wisely, and after +his death there was deposited in the royal archives +a portrait of Focus wearing a crown adorned with +eight pennies. + + +THE CHAMPION STONE-CUTTER + +BY HUGH MILLER + +David Fraser was a famous Scotch hewer. On +hearing that it had been remarked among a party +of Edinburgh masons that, though regarded as +the first of Glasgow stone-cutters, he would find +in the eastern capital at least his equals, he +attired himself most uncouthly in a long-tailed coat +of tartan, and, looking to the life the untamed, +untaught, conceited little Celt, he presented +himself on Monday morning, armed with a letter +of introduction from a Glasgow builder, before +the foreman of an Edinburgh squad of masons +engaged upon one of the finer buildings at that +time in the course of erection. + +The letter specified neither his qualifications +nor his name. It had been written merely to +secure for him the necessary employment, and +the necessary employment it did secure. + +The better workmen of the party were engaged, +on his arrival, in hewing columns, each of +which was deemed sufficient work for a week; and +David was asked somewhat incredulously, by the +foreman, if he could hew. + +``Oh, yes, HE THOUGHT he could hew.'' + +``Could he hew columns such as these?'' + +``Oh, yes, HE THOUGHT he could hew columns such +as these.'' + +A mass of stone, in which a possible column +lay hid, was accordingly placed before David, not +under cover of the shed, which was already +occupied by workmen, but, agreeably to David's +own request, directly in front of it, where he +might be seen by all, and where he straightway +commenced a most extraordinary course of antics. + +Buttoning his long tartan coat fast around him, +he would first look along the stone from the one +end, anon from the other, and then examine it in +front and rear; or, quitting it altogether for the +time, he would take up his stand beside the other +workmen, and, after looking at them with great +attention, return and give it a few taps with the +mallet, in a style evidently imitative of theirs, but +monstrously a caricature. + +The shed all that day resounded with roars of +laughter; and the only thoroughly grave man on +the ground was he who occasioned the mirth of +all the others. + +Next morning David again buttoned his coat; +but he got on much better this day than the +former. He was less awkward and less idle, +though not less observant than before; and he +succeeded ere evening in tracing, in workmanlike +fashion, a few draughts along the future column. +He was evidently greatly improving! + +On the morning of Wednesday he threw off his +coat; and it was seen that, though by no means in +a hurry, he was seriously at work. There were no +more jokes or laughter; and it was whispered in +the evening that the strange Highlander had made +astonishing progress during the day. + +By the middle of Thursday he had made up for +his two days' trifling, and was abreast of the +other workmen. Before night he was far ahead of +them; and ere the evening of Friday, when they +had still a full day's work on each of their +columns, David's was completed in a style that defied +criticism; and, his tartan coat again buttoned +around him, he sat resting himself beside it. + +The foreman went out and greeted him. + +``Well,'' he said, ``you have beaten us all. You +certainly CAN hew!'' + +``Yes,'' said David, ``I THOUGHT I could hew +columns. Did the other men take much more than +a week to learn?'' + +``Come, come, DAVID FRASER,'' replied the +foreman, ``we all guess who you are. You have had +your week's joke out; and now, I suppose, we +must give you your week's wages, and let you go +away!'' + +``Yes,'' said David, ``work waits for me in +Glasgow; but I just thought it might be well to +know how you hewed on this east side of the +country.'' + + +BILL BROWN'S TEST + +BY CLEVELAND MOFFETT + +All firemen have courage, but it cannot be known +until the test how many have this particular kind, +--Bill Brown's kind. + +What happened was this: Engine 29, pumping +and pounding her prettiest, stood at the northwest +corner of Greenwich and Warren streets, +so close to the blazing drug-house that Driver +Marks thought it wasn't safe there for the three +horses, and led them away. That was fortunate, +but it left Brown alone, right against the cheek +of the fire, watching his boiler, stoking in coal, +keeping his steam-gauge at 75. As the fire gained, +chunks of red-hot sandstone began to smash down +on the engine. Brown ran his pressure up to 80, +and watched the door anxiously where the boys +had gone in. + +Then the explosion came, and a blue flame, +wide as a house, curled its tongues halfway across +the street, enwrapping engine and man, setting +fire to the elevated railway station overhead, or +such wreck of it as the shock had left. + +Bill Brown stood by his engine, with a wall +of fire before him and a sheet of fire above him. +He heard quick footsteps on the pavements, +and voices, that grew fainter and fainter, crying, +``Run for your lives!'' He heard the hose-wagon +horses somewhere back in the smoke go plunging +away, mad with fright and their burns. He was +alone with the fire, and the skin was hanging in +shreds on his hands, face, and neck. Only a +fireman knows how one blast of flame can shrivel +up a man, and the pain over the bared surfaces +was,--well, there is no pain worse than that +of fire scorching in upon the quick flesh seared +by fire. + +Here, I think, was a crisis to make a very +brave man quail. Bill Brown knew perfectly well +why every one was running; there was going to +be another explosion in a couple of minutes, +maybe sooner, out of this hell in front of him. +And the order had come for every man to save +himself, and every man had done it except the +lads inside. And the question was, Should he run +or should he stay and die? It was tolerably certain +that he would die if he stayed. On the other +hand, the boys of old 29 were in there. Devanny +and McArthur, and Gillon and Merron, his +friends, his chums. He'd seen them drag the +hose in through that door,--there it was now, +a long, throbbing snake of it,--and they hadn't +come out. Perhaps they were dead. Yes, but +perhaps they weren't. If they were alive, they +needed water now more than they ever needed +anything before. And they couldn't get water +if he quit his engine. + +Bill Brown pondered this a long time, perhaps +four seconds; then he fell to stoking in coal, and +he screwed her up another notch, and he eased +her running parts with the oiler. Explosion or +not, pain or not, alone or not, he was going to +stay and make that engine hum. He had done +the greatest thing a man can do,--had offered +his life for his friends. + +It is pleasant to know that this sacrifice was +averted. A quarter of a minute or so before the +second and terrible explosion, Devanny and his +men came staggering from the building. Then it +was that Merron fell, and McArthur checked his +fight to save him. Then it was, but not until +then, that Bill Brown left Engine 29 to her fate +(she was crushed by the falling walls), and ran +for his life with his comrades. He had waited for +them, he had stood the great test. + + + +COLUMBUS DAY + +(OCTOBER 12) + +COLUMBUS AND THE EGG + +BY JAMES BALDWIN (ADAPTED)[8] + +[8] From Thirty More Famous Stories Retold. Copyright, 1903, by +American Book Company. + + +One day Columbus was at a dinner which a +Spanish gentleman had given in his honor, and +several persons were present who were jealous of +the great admiral's success. They were proud, +conceited fellows, and they very soon began to +try to make Columbus uncomfortable. + +``You have discovered strange lands beyond +the seas,'' they said, ``but what of that? We do +not see why there should be so much said about +it. Anybody can sail across the ocean; and +anybody can coast along the islands on the other +side, just as you have done. It is the simplest +thing in the world.'' + +Columbus made no answer; but after a while +he took an egg from a dish and said to the company:-- + +``Who among you, gentlemen, can make this +egg stand on end?'' + +One by one those at the table tried the +experiment. When the egg had gone entirely around +and none had succeeded, all said that it could +not be done. + +Then Columbus took the egg and struck its +small end gently upon the table so as to break +the shell a little. After that there was no trouble +in making it stand upright. + +``Gentlemen,'' said he, ``what is easier than to +do this which you said was impossible? It is the +simplest thing in the world. Anybody can do +it,--AFTER HE HAS BEEN SHOWN HOW!'' + + +COLUMBUS AT LA RABIDA + +BY WASHINGTON IRVING (ADAPTED) + +About half a league from the little seaport of +Palos de Moguer, in Andalusia, there stood, and +continues to stand at the present day, an ancient +convent of Franciscan friars, dedicated to Santa +Maria de Rabida. + +One day a stranger on foot, in humble guise, +but of a distinguished air, accompanied by a +small boy, stopped at the gate of the convent and +asked of the porter a little bread and water for +his child. While receiving this humble refreshment, +the prior of the convent, Juan Perez de +Marchena, happened to pass by, and was struck +with the appearance of the stranger. Observing +from his air and accent that he was a foreigner, +he entered into conversation with him and soon +learned the particulars of his story. + +That stranger was Columbus. + +Accompanied by his little son Diego, he was +on his way to the neighboring town of Huelva, +to seek a brother-in-law, who had married a +sister of his deceased wife. + +The prior was a man of extensive information. +His attention had been turned in some measure +to geographical and nautical science. He was +greatly interested by the conversation of Columbus, +and struck with the grandeur of his views. +When he found, however, that the voyager was +on the point of abandoning Spain to seek the +patronage of the court of France, the good friar +took the alarm. + +He detained Columbus as his guest, and sent +for a scientific friend to converse with him. That +friend was Garcia Fernandez, a physician of +Palos. He was equally struck with the appearance +and conversation of the stranger. Several +conferences took place at the convent, at which +veteran mariners and pilots of Palos were present. + +Facts were related by some of these navigators +in support of the theory of Columbus. In a +word, his project was treated with a deference +in the quiet cloisters of La Rabida and among the +seafaring men of Palos which had been sought in +vain among sages and philosophers. + +Among the navigators of Palos was one Martin +Alonzo Pinzon, the head of a family of wealth, +members of which were celebrated for their +adventurous expeditions. He was so convinced of the +feasibility of Columbus's plan that he offered to +engage in it with purse and person, and to bear the +expenses of Columbus in an application to court. + +Fray Juan Perez, being now fully persuaded of +the importance of the proposed enterprise, advised +Columbus to repair to the court, and make +his propositions to the Spanish sovereigns, +offering to give him a letter of recommendation to his +friend, the Prior of the Convent of Prado and +confessor to the queen, and a man of great political +influence; through whose means he would, +without doubt, immediately obtain royal audience +and favor. Martin Alonzo Pinzon, also, generously +furnished him with money for the journey, +and the Friar took charge of his youthful son, +Diego, to maintain and educate him in the convent. + +Thus aided and encouraged and elated with +fresh hopes, Columbus took leave of the little +junto at La Rabida, and set out, in the spring of +1486, for the Castilian court, which had just +assembled at Cordova, where the sovereigns were +fully occupied with their chivalrous enterprise for +the conquest of Granada. But alas! success was +not yet! for Columbus met with continued +disappointments and discouragements, while his +projects were opposed by many eminent prelates +and Spanish scientists, as being against religion +and unscientific. Yet in spite of this opposition, +by degrees the theory of Columbus began to +obtain proselytes. He appeared in the presence +of the king with modesty, yet self-possession, +inspired by a consciousness of the dignity and +importance of his errand; for he felt himself, as +he afterwards declared in his letters, animated as +if by a sacred fire from above, and considered +himself an instrument in the hand of Heaven to +accomplish its great designs. For nearly seven +years of apparently fruitless solicitation, Columbus +followed the royal court from place to place, at +times encouraged by the sovereigns, and at others +neglected. + +At last he looked round in search of some other +source of patronage, and feeling averse to subjecting +himself to further tantalizing delays and +disappointments of the court, determined to repair +to Paris. He departed, therefore, and went to the +Convent of La Rabida to seek his son Diego. +When the worthy Friar Juan Perez de Marchena +beheld Columbus arrive once more at the gate of +his convent after nearly seven years of fruitless +effort at court, and saw by the humility of his +garb the poverty he had experienced, he was +greatly moved; but when he found that he was +about to carry his proposition to another country, +his patriotism took alarm. + +The Friar had once been confessor to the +queen, and knew that she was always accessible +to persons of his sacred calling. He therefore +wrote a letter to her, and at the same time +entreated Columbus to remain at the convent +until an answer could be received. The latter +was easily persuaded, for he felt as if on leaving +Spain he was again abandoning his home. + +The little council at La Rabida now cast round +their eyes for an ambassador to send on this +momentous mission. They chose one Sebastian +Rodriguez, a pilot of Lepe, one of the most +shrewd and important personages in this maritime +neighborhood. He so faithfully and successfully +conducted his embassy that he returned +shortly with an answer. + +Isabella had always been favorably disposed +to the proposition of Columbus. She thanked +Juan Perez for his timely services and requested +him to repair immediately to the court, leaving +Columbus in confident hope until he should hear +further from her. This royal letter, brought back +by the pilot at the end of fourteen days, spread +great joy in the little junto at the convent. + +No sooner did the warm-hearted friar receive +it than he saddled his mule, and departed, +privately, before midnight to the court. He +journeyed through the countries of the Moors, +and rode into the new city of Santa Fe where +Ferdinand and Isabella were engaged in besieging +the capital of Granada. + +The sacred office of Juan Perez gained him a +ready admission into the presence of the queen. +He pleaded the cause of Columbus with enthusiasm. +He told of his honorable motives, of his +knowledge and experience, and his perfect +capacity to fulfill the undertaking. He showed the +solid principles upon which the enterprise was +founded, and the advantage that must attend its +success, and the glory it must shed upon the +Spanish Crown. + +Isabella, being warm and generous of nature +and sanguine of disposition, was moved by the +representations of Juan Perez, and requested that +Columbus might be again sent to her. Bethinking +herself of his poverty and his humble plight, she +ordered that money should be forwarded to him, +sufficient to bear his traveling expenses, and to +furnish him with decent raiment. + +The worthy friar lost no time in communicating +the result of his mission. He transmitted +the money, and a letter, by the hand of an +inhabitant of Palos, to the physician, Garcia +Fernandez, who delivered them to Columbus +The latter immediately changed his threadbare +garb for one more suited to the sphere of a court, +and purchasing a mule, set out again, reanimated +by hopes, for the camp before Granada. + +This time, after some delay, his mission was +attended with success. The generous spirit of +Isabella was enkindled, and it seemed as if the +subject, for the first time, broke upon her mind in +all its real grandeur. She declared her resolution +to undertake the enterprise, but paused for +a moment, remembering that King Ferdinand +looked coldly on the affair, and that the royal +treasury was absolutely drained by the war. + +Her suspense was but momentary. With an +enthusiasm worthy of herself and of the cause, +she exclaimed: ``I undertake the enterprise for +my own crown of Castile, and will pledge my +jewels to raise the necessary funds.'' This was +the proudest moment in the life of Isabella. It +stamped her renown forever as the patroness of +the discovery of the New World. + + +THE MUTINY + +BY A. DE LAMARTINE (ADAPTED) + +When Columbus left the Canaries to pass with +his three small ships into the unknown seas, the +eruptions of Teneriffe illuminated the heavens +and were reflected in the sea. This cast terror +into the minds of his seamen. They thought that +it was the flaming sword of the angel who +expelled the first man from Eden, and who now was +trying to drive back in anger those presumptuous +ones who were seeking entrance to the forbidden +and unknown seas and lands. But the admiral +passed from ship to ship explaining to his men, +in a simple way, the action of volcanoes, so that +the sailors were no longer afraid. + +But as the peak of Teneriffe sank below the +horizon, a great sadness fell upon the men. It +was their last beacon, the farthest sea-mark of +the Old World. They were seized with a nameless +terror and loneliness. + +Then the admiral called them around him in +his own ship, and told them many stories of the +things they might hope to find in the wonderful +new world to which they were going,--of the +lands, the islands, the seas, the kingdoms, the +riches, the vegetation, the sunshine, the mines of +gold, the sands covered with pearls, the mountains +shining with precious stones, the plains +loaded with spices. These stories, tinged with the +brilliant colors of their leader's rich imagination, +filled the discouraged sailors with hope and good +spirits. + +But as they passed over the trackless ocean, +and saw day by day the great billows rolling +between them and the mysterious horizon, the +sailors were again filled with dread. They lacked +the courage to sail onward into the unknown +distance. The compass began to vacillate, and +no longer pointed toward the north; this confused +both Columbus and his pilots. The men +fell into a panic, but the resolute and patient +admiral encouraged them once more. So buoyed +up by his faith and hope, they continued to sail +onwards over the pathless waters. + +The next day a heron and a tropical bird flew +about the masts of the ships, and these seemed to +the wondering sailors as two witnesses come to +confirm the reasoning of Columbus. + +The weather was mild and serene, the sky clear, +the waves transparent, the dolphins played across +the bows, the airs were warm, and the perfumes, +which the waves brought from afar, seemed to exhale +from their foam. The brilliancy of the stars +and the deep beauty of the night breathed a feeling +of calm security that comforted and sustained +the sailors. + +The sea also began to bring its messages. +Unknown vegetations floated upon its surface. Some +were rock-plants, that had been swept off the cliffs +by the waves; some were fresh-water plants; and +others, recently torn from their roots, were still full +of sap. One of them carried a live crab,--a little +sailor afloat on a tuft of grass. These plants and +living things could not have passed many days in +the water without fading and dying. And all +encouraged the sailors to believe that they were +nearing land. + +At eve and morning the distant waning clouds, +like those that gather round the mountain-tops, +took the form of cliffs and hills skirting the +horizon. The cry of ``land'' was on the tip of every +tongue. But Columbus by his reckoning knew that +they must still be far from any land, but fearing to +discourage his men he kept his thoughts to himself, +for he found no trustworthy friend among his +companions whose heart was firm enough to bear +his secret. + +During the long passage Columbus conversed +with his own thoughts, and with the stars, and +with God whom he felt was his protector. He +occupied his days in making notes of what he +observed. The nights he passed on deck with his +pilots, studying the stars and watching the seas. +He withdrew into himself, and his thoughtful +gravity impressed his companions sometimes +with respect and sometimes with mistrust and awe. + +Each morning the bows of the vessels plunged +through the fantastic horizon which the evening +mist had made the sailors mistake for a shore. +They kept rolling on through the boundless and +bottomless abyss. Gradually terror and discontent +once more took possession of the crews. They +began to imagine that the steadfast east wind +that drove them westward prevailed eternally +in this region, and that when the time came to +sail homeward, the same wind would prevent their +return. For surely their provisions and water +could not hold out long enough for them to beat +their way eastward over those wide waters! + +Then the sailors began to murmur against the +admiral and his seeming fruitless obstinacy, and +they blamed themselves for obeying him, when it +might mean the sacrifice of the lives of one hundred +and twenty sailors. + +But each time the murmurs threatened to break +out into mutiny, Providence seemed to send more +encouraging signs of land. And these for the time +being changed the complaints to hopes. At evening +little birds of the most delicate species, that +build their nests in the shrubs of the garden +and orchard, hovered warbling about the masts. +Their delicate wings and joyous notes bore no +signs of weariness or fright, as of birds swept far +away to sea by a storm. These signs again aroused +hope. + +The green weeds on the surface of the ocean +looked like waving corn before the ears are ripe. +The vegetation beneath the water delighted the +eyes of the sailors tired of the endless expanse of +blue. But the seaweed soon became so thick that +they were afraid of entangling their rudders and +keels, and of remaining prisoners forever in the +forests of the ocean, as ships of the northern seas +are shut in by ice. Thus each joy soon turned to +fear,--so terrible to man is the unknown. + +The wind ceased, the calms of the tropics +alarmed the sailors. An immense whale was seen +sleeping on the waters. They fancied there were +monsters in the deep which would devour their +ships. The roll of the waves drove them upon +currents which they could not stem for want of +wind. They imagined they were approaching +the cataracts of the ocean, and that they were +being hurried toward the abysses into which the +deluge had poured its world of waters. + +Fierce and angry faces crowded round the mast. +The murmurs rose louder and louder. They talked +of compelling the pilots to put about and of throwing +the admiral into the sea. Columbus, to whom +their looks and threats revealed these plans, +defied them by his bold bearing or disconcerted +them by his coolness. + +Again nature came to his assistance, by giving +him fresh breezes from the east, and a calm sea +under his bows. Before the close of the day came +the first cry of ``Land ho!'' from the lofty poop. +All the crews, repeating this cry of safety, life, and +triumph, fell on their knees on the decks,and struck +up the hymn, ``Glory be to God in heaven and +upon earth.'' When it was over, all climbed as +high as they could up the masts, yards, and rigging +to see with their own eyes the new land that +had been sighted. + +But the sunrise destroyed this new hope all too +quickly. The imaginary land disappeared with +the morning mist, and once more the ships seemed +to be sailing over a never-ending wilderness of +waters. + +Despair took possession of the crews. Again +the cry of ``Land ho!'' was heard. But the sailors +found as before that their hopes were but a passing +cloud. Nothing wearies the heart so much as +false hopes and bitter disappointments. + +Loud reproaches against the admiral were +heard from every quarter. Bread and water were +beginning to fail. Despair changed to fury. The +men decided to turn the heads of the vessels toward +Europe, and to beat back against the winds +that had favored the admiral, whom they intended +to chain to the mast of his own vessel and to give +up to the vengeance of Spain should they ever +reach the port of their own country. + +These complaints now became clamorous. The +admiral restrained them by the calmness of his +countenance. He called upon Heaven to decide +between himself and the sailors. He flinched not. +He offered his life as a pledge, if they would but +trust and wait for three days more. He swore +that, if, in the course of the third day, land was +not visible on the horizon, he would yield to +their wishes and steer for Europe. + +The mutinous men reluctantly consented and +allowed him three days of grace. + . . . . . . . . . . + +At sunrise on the second day rushes recently +torn up were seen floating near the vessels. A +plank hewn by an axe, a carved stick, a bough +of hawthorn in blossom, and lastly a bird's nest +built on a branch which the wind had broken, and +full of eggs on which the parent-bird was sitting, +were seen swimming past on the waters. The +sailors brought on board these living witnesses +of their approach to land. They were like a +message from the shore, confirming the promises of +Columbus. + +The overjoyed and repentant mutineers fell on +their knees before the admiral whom they had +insulted but the day before, and craved pardon +for their mistrust. + +As the day and night advanced many other +sights and sounds showed that land was very near. +Toward day delicious and unknown perfumes borne +on a soft land breeze reached the vessels, and there +was heard the roar of the waves upon the reefs. + +The dawn, as it spread over the sky, gradually +raised the shores of an island from the waves. +Its distant extremities were lost in the morning +mist. As the sun rose it shone on the land ascending +from a low yellow beach to the summit of hills +whose dark-green covering contrasted strongly +with the clear blue of the heavens. The foam of +the waves broke on the yellow sand, and forests +of tall and unknown trees stretched away, one +above another, over successive terraces of the +island. Green valleys, and bright clefts in the +hollows afforded a half glimpse into these mysterious +wilds. And thus the land of golden promises, the +land of future greatness, first appeared to +Christopher Columbus, the Admiral of the Ocean, and +thus he gave a New World to the nations to come. + + +THE FIRST LANDING OF COLUMBUS +IN THE NEW WORLD + +BY WASHINGTON IRVING (ADAPTED) + +It was on Friday morning, the 12th of October, +that Columbus first beheld the New World. As the +day dawned he saw before him an island, several +leagues in extent, and covered with trees like a +continual orchard. Though apparently uncultivated +it was populous, for the inhabitants were +seen issuing from all parts of the woods and +running to the shore. They were perfectly naked, +and, as they stood gazing at the ships, appeared +by their attitudes and gestures to be lost in astonishment. + +Columbus made signals for the ships to cast +anchor and the boats to be manned and armed. +He entered his own boat, richly attired in scarlet, +and holding the royal standard; while Martin +Alonzo Pinzon and his brother put off in company +in their boats, each with a banner of the enterprise +emblazoned with a green cross, having on +either side the letters ``F.'' and ``Y.,'' the initials +of the Castilian monarchs Fernando and Ysabel, +surmounted by crowns. + +As he approached the shore, Columbus was +delighted with the purity and suavity of the +atmosphere, the crystal transparency of the sea, +and the extraordinary beauty of the vegetation. +He beheld also fruits of an unknown kind upon +the trees which overhung the shores. + +On landing he threw himself on his knees, kissed +the earth, and returned thanks to God with tears +of joy. His example was followed by the rest.[9] +``Almighty and Eternal God,'' prayed Columbus, +``who by the energy of Thy creative word +hast made the firmament, the earth and the sea; +blessed and glorified be thy name in all places! +May thy majesty and dominion be exalted for +ever and ever, as Thou hast permitted thy holy +name to be made known and spread by the most +humble of thy servants, in this hitherto unknown +portion of Thine empire.'' + + +[9] This prayer is taken from Lamartine. + + + +Columbus, then rising, drew his sword, +displayed the royal standard, and assembling around +him the two captains and the rest who had landed, +he took solemn possession in the name of the +Castilian sovereigns, giving the island the name +of San Salvador. + + +HALLOWEEN + +(OCTOBER 31) + +THE OLD WITCH + +BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM (TRANSLATED) + +There was once a little girl who was very willful +and who never obeyed when her elders spoke to +her; so how could she be happy? + +One day she said to her parents: ``I have heard +so much of the old witch that I will go and see +her. People say she is a wonderful old woman, +and has many marvelous things in her house, and +I am very curious to see them.'' + +But her parents forbade her going, saying: +``The witch is a wicked old woman, who performs +many godless deeds; and if you go near her, you +are no longer a child of ours.'' + +The girl, however, would not turn back at her +parents' command, but went to the witch's house. +When she arrived there the old woman asked +her:-- + +``Why are you so pale?'' + +``Ah,'' she replied, trembling all over, ``I have +frightened myself so with what I have just seen.'' + +``And what did you see?'' inquired the old +witch. + +``I saw a black man on your steps.'' + +``That was a collier,'' replied she. + +``Then I saw a gray man.'' + +``That was a sportsman,'' said the old woman. + +``After him I saw a blood-red man.'' + +``That was a butcher,'' replied the old woman. + +``But, oh, I was most terrified,'' continued the +girl, ``when I peeped through your window, and +saw not you, but a creature with a fiery head.'' + +``Then you have seen the witch in her proper +dress,'' said the old woman. ``For you I have long +waited, and now you shall give me light.'' + +So saying the witch changed the little girl into +a block of wood, and then threw it on the fire; +and when it was fully alight, she sat down on the +hearth and warmed herself, saying:-- + +``How good I feel! The fire has not burned like +this for a long time!'' + + +SHIPPEITARO + +A JAPANESE FOLK-TALE: + +BY MARY F. NIXON-ROULET (ADAPTED)[10] + + +[10] From Japanese Folk-Stories and Fairy Tales. Copyright, 1908, +by American Book Company. + + +Once upon a time there was a brave soldier lad +who was seeking his fortune in the wide, wide +world. One day he lost his way in a pathless +forest, and wandered about until he came at length +to a small clearing in the midst of which stood a +ruined temple. The huge trees waved above its +walls, and the leaves in the thicket whispered +around them. No sun ever shone there, and no +human being lived there. + +A storm was coming up, and the soldier lad took +refuge among the ruins. + +``Here is all I want,'' said he. ``Here I shall have +shelter from the storm-god's wrath, and a comfortable +place to sleep in.'' + +So he wrapped himself in his cloak, and, lying +down, was soon fast asleep. But his slumbers did +not last long. At midnight he was wakened by fearful +shrieks, and springing to his feet, he looked out +at the temple door. + +The storm was over. Moonlight shone on the +clearing. And there he saw what seemed to be a +troop of monstrous cats, who like huge phantoms +marched across the open space in front of the +temple. They broke into a wild dance, uttering +shrieks, howls, and wicked laughs. Then they all +sang together:-- + + ``Whisper not to Shippeitaro + That the Phantom Cats are near; + Whisper not to Shippeitaro, + Lest he soon appear!'' + + +The soldier lad crouched low behind the door, +for brave as he was he did not wish these fearful +creatures to see him. But soon, with a chorus +of wild yells, the Phantom Cats disappeared as +quickly as they had come, and all was quiet as +before. + +Then the soldier lad lay down and went to sleep +again, nor did he waken till the sun peered into +the temple and told him that it was morning. He +quickly found his way out of the forest and walked +on until he came to the cottage of a peasant. + +As he approached he heard sounds of bitter +weeping. A beautiful young maiden met him at +the door, and her eyes were red with crying. She +greeted him kindly. + +``May I have some food?'' said he. + +``Enter and welcome,'' she replied. ``My parents +are just having breakfast. You may join +them, for no one passes our door hungry.'' + +Thanking her the lad entered, and her parents +greeted him courteously but sadly, and shared +their breakfast with him. He ate heartily, and, +when he was finished, rose to go. + +``Thank you many times for this good meal, +kind friends,'' said he, ``and may happiness be +yours.'' + +``Happiness can never again be ours!'' +answered the old man, weeping. + +``You are in trouble, then,'' said the lad. ``Tell +me about it; perhaps I can help you in some way.'' + +``Alas!'' replied the old man, ``There is within +yonder forest a ruined temple. It is the abode of +horrors too terrible for words. Each year a demon, +whom no one has ever seen, demands that the +people of this land give him a beautiful maiden +to devour. She is placed in a cage and carried to +the temple just at sunset. This year it is my daughter's +turn to be offered to the fiend!'' And the old +man buried his face in his hands and groaned. + +The soldier lad paused to think for a moment, +then he said:-- + +``It is terrible, indeed! But do not despair. I +think I know a way to help you. Who is Shippeitaro?'' + +``Shippeitaro is a beautiful dog, owned by our +lord, the prince,'' answered the old man. + +``That is just the thing!'' cried the lad. ``Only +keep your daughter closely at home. Do not let +her out of your sight. Trust me and she shall be +saved.'' + +Then the soldier lad hurried away, and found +the castle of the prince. He begged that he might +borrow Shippeitaro just for one night. + +``You may take him upon the condition that +you bring him back safely,'' said the prince. + +``To-morrow he shall return in safety,'' +answered the lad. + +Taking Shippeitaro with him, he hurried to +the peasant's cottage, and, when evening was +come, he placed the dog in the cage which was to +have carried the maiden. The bearers then took +the cage to the ruined temple, and, placing it on +the ground, ran away as fast as their legs would +carry them. + +The lad, laughing softly to himself, hid inside +the temple as before, and so quiet was the spot +that he fell asleep. At midnight he was aroused +by the same wild shrieks he had heard the night +before. He rose and looked out at the temple door. + +Through the darkness, into the moonlight, came +the troop of Phantom Cats. This time they were +led by a fierce, black Tomcat. As they came nearer +they chanted with unearthly screeches:-- + + ``Whisper not to Shippeitaro + That the Phantom Cats are near; + Whisper not to Shippeitaro, + Lest he soon appear!'' + + +With that the great Tomcat caught sight of the +cage and, uttering a fearful yowl, sprang upon it, +With one blow of his claws he tore open the lid, +when, instead of the dainty morsel he expected, +out jumped Shippeitaro! + +The dog sprang upon the Tomcat, and caught +him by the throat; while the Phantom Cats stood +still in amazement. Drawing his sword the lad +hurried to Shippeitaro's side, and what with +Shippeitaro's teeth and the lad's hard blows, in +an instant the great Tomcat was torn and cut into +pieces. When the Phantom Cats saw this, they +uttered one wild shriek and fled away, never to +return again. + +Then the soldier lad, leading Shippeitaro, +returned in triumph to the peasant's cottage. There +in terror the maiden awaited his arrival, but great +was the joy of herself and her parents when they +knew that the Tomcat was no more. + +``Oh, sir,'' cried the maiden, ``I can never thank +you! I am the only child of my parents, and no +one would have been left to care for them if I +had been the monster's victim.'' + +``Do not thank me,'' answered the lad. ``Thank +the brave Shippeitaro. It was he who sprang upon +the great Tomcat and chased away the Phantom +Creatures.'' + + +HANSEL AND GRETHEL + +BY THE BROTIIERS GRIMM (ADAPTED) + +Hard-by a great forest dwelt a poor wood-cutter +with his two children and his wife who was +their stepmother. The boy was called Hansel +and the girl Grethel. The wood-cutter had little +to bite and to break, and once when a great +famine fell on the land he could no longer get +daily bread. Now when he thought over this by +night in his bed, and tossed about in his trouble, +he groaned, and said to his wife:-- + +``What is to become of us? How are we to feed +our poor children, when we no longer have anything +even for ourselves?'' + +``I'll tell you what, husband,'' answered the +woman; ``early to-morrow morning we will take +the children out into the woods where it is the +thickest; there we will light a fire for them, and +give each of them one piece of bread more, and +then we will go to our work and leave them alone. +They will not find the way home again, and we +shall be rid of them.'' + +``No, wife,'' said the man, ``I will not do that; +how can I bear to leave my children alone in the +woods?--the wild beasts would soon come and +tear them to pieces.'' + +``Oh, you fool!'' said she. ``Then we must all +four die of hunger; you may as well plane the +planks for our coffins.'' And she left him no peace +until he said he would do as she wished. + +``But I feel very sorry for the poor children, all +the same,'' said the man. + +The two children had also not been able to +sleep for hunger, and had heard what their father's +wife had said to their father. + +Grethel wept bitter tears, and said to Hansel, +``Now all is over with us.'' + +``Be quiet, Grethel,'' said Hansel, ``do not be +troubled; I will soon find a way to help us.'' + +And when the old folks had fallen asleep, he +got up, put on his little coat, opened the door +below, and crept outside. The moon shone brightly, +and the white pebbles which lay in front of the +house shone like real silver pennies. Hansel stooped +and put as many of them in the little pocket of his +coat as he could make room for. Then he went +back, and said to Grethel, ``Be at ease, dear little +sister, and sleep in peace; God will not forsake us.'' +And he lay down again in his bed. + +When the day dawned, but before the sun had +risen, the woman came and awoke the two children, +saying:-- + +``Get up, you lazy things! we are going into the +forest to fetch wood.'' She gave each a little piece +of bread, and said, ``There is something for your +dinner, but do not eat it up before then, for you +will get nothing else.'' + +Grethel took the bread under her apron, as +Hansel had the stones in his pocket. Then they +all set out together on the way to the forest, +and Hansel threw one after another of the white +pebble-stones out of his pocket on the road. + +When they had reached the middle of the forest, +the father said, ``Now, children, pile up some wood +and I will light a fire that you may not be cold.'' + +Hansel and Grethel drew brushwood together +till it was as high as a little hill. + +The brushwood was lighted, and when the +flames were burning very high the woman said:-- + +``Now, children, lie down by the fire and rest; +we will go into the forest and cut some wood. +When we have done, we will come back and fetch +you away.'' + +Hansel and Grethel sat by the fire, and when +noon came, each ate a little piece of bread, and +as they heard the strokes of the wood-axe they +were sure their father was near. But it was not +the axe, it was a branch which he had tied to a +dry tree, and the wind was blowing it backward +and forward. As they had been sitting such a long +time they were tired, their eyes shut, and they fell +fast asleep. When at last they awoke, it was dark +night. + +Grethel began to cry, and said, ``How are we to +get out of the forest now?'' + +But Hansel comforted her, saying, ``Just wait +a little, until the moon has risen, and then we will +soon find the way.'' + +And when the full moon had risen, Hansel took +his little sister by the hand, and followed the +pebbles, which shone like bright silver pieces, +and showed them the way. + +They walked the whole night long, and by +break of day came once more to their father's +house. + +They knocked at the door, and when the woman +opened it, and saw that it was Hansel and Grethel, +she said, ``You naughty children, why have you +slept so long in the forest? we thought you were +never coming back at all!'' + +The father, however, was glad, for it had cut +him to the heart to leave them behind alone. + +Not long after, there was once more a great lack +of food in all parts, and the children heard the +woman saying at night to their father:-- + +``Everything is eaten again; we have one half- +loaf left, and after that there is an end. The +children must go; we will take them farther into the +wood, so that they will not find their way out again; +there is no other means of saving ourselves!'' + +The man's heart was heavy, and he thought, +``It would be better to share our last mouthful +with the children.'' + +The woman, however, would listen to nothing +he had to say, but scolded him. He who says A +must say B, too, and as he had given way the first +time, he had to do so a second time also. + +The children were still awake and had heard +the talk. When the old folks were asleep, Hansel +again got up, and wanted to go and pick up +pebbles, but the woman had locked the door, and +he could not get out. + +So he comforted his little sister, and said:-- + +``Do not cry, Grethel; go to sleep quietly, the +good God will help us.'' + +Early in the morning came the woman, and +took the children out of their beds. Their bit of +bread was given to them, but it was still smaller +than the time before. On the way into the forest +Hansel crumbled his in his pocket, and often +threw a morsel on the ground until little by little, +he had thrown all the crumbs on the path. + +The woman led the children still deeper into +the forest, where they had never in their lives been +before. Then a great fire was again made, and she +said:-- + +``Just sit there, you children, and when you +are tired you may sleep a little; we are going into +the forest to cut wood, and in the evening when we +are done, we will come and fetch you away.'' + +When it was noon, Grethel shared her piece of +bread with Hansel, who had scattered his by the +way. Then they fell asleep, and evening came and +went, but no one came to the poor children. + +They did not awake until it was dark night, and +Hansel comforted his little sister, and said:-- + +``Just wait, Grethel, until the moon rises, and +then we shall see the crumbs of bread which I +have scattered about; they will show us our way +home again.'' + +When the moon came they set out, but they +found no crumbs, for the many thousands of birds +which fly about in the woods and fields had picked +them all up. + +Hansel said to Grethel, ``We shall soon find the +way.'' + +But they did not find it. They walked the whole +night and all the next day, too, from morning +till evening, but they did not get out of the forest; +they were very hungry, for they had nothing to +eat but two or three berries which grew on the +ground. And as they were so tired that their legs +would carry them no longer, they lay down under +a tree and fell asleep. + +It was now three mornings since they had left +their father's house. They began to walk again, +but they always got deeper into the forest, and +if help did not come soon, they must die of hunger +and weariness. When it was midday, they +saw a beautiful snow-white bird sitting on a bough. +It sang so sweetly that they stood still and +listened to it. And when it had done, it spread its +wings and flew away before them, and they followed +it until they reached a little house, on the +roof of which it perched; and when they came quite +up to the little house, they saw it was built of +bread and covered with cakes, but that the windows +were of clear sugar. + +``We will set to work on that,'' said Hansel, +``and have a good meal. I will eat a bit of the roof, +and you, Grethel, can eat some of the window, it +will taste sweet.'' + +Hansel reached up, and broke off a little of the +roof to try how it tasted, and Grethel leaned +against the window and nibbled at the panes. + +Then a soft voice cried from the room,-- + + ``Nibble, nibble, gnaw, + Who is nibbling at my little house?'' + + +The children answered:-- + + ``The wind, the wind, + The wind from heaven''; + +and went on eating. Hansel, who thought the +roof tasted very nice, tore down a great piece of +it; and Grethel pushed out the whole of one round +window-pane, sat down, and went to eating it. + +All at once the door opened, and a very, very +old woman, who leaned on crutches, came creeping +out. Hansel and Grethel were so scared that they +let fall what they had in their hands. + +The old woman, however, nodded her head, and +said, ``Oh, you dear children, who has brought you +here? Do come in, and stay with me. No harm +shall happen to you.'' + +She took them both by the hand, and led them +into her little house. Then good food was set +before them, milk and pancakes, with sugar, apples, +and nuts. Afterwards two pretty little beds were +covered with clean white linen, and Hansel and +Grethel lay down in them, and thought they were +in heaven. + +The old woman had only pretended to be so +kind; she was in reality a wicked witch, who +lay in wait for children, and had built the little +bread house in order to coax them there. + +Early in the morning, before the children were +awake, she was already up, and when she saw +both of them sleeping and looking so pretty, with +their plump red cheeks, she muttered to herself, +``That will be a dainty mouthful!'' + +Then she seized Hansel, carried him into a little +stable, and shut him in behind a grated door. He +might scream as he liked,--it was of no use. Then +she went to Grethel, shook her till she awoke and +cried: ``Get up, lazy thing; fetch some water, and +cook something good for your brother; he is in the +stable outside, and is to be made fat. When he +is fat, I will eat him.'' + +Grethel began to weep, but it was all in vain; she +was forced to do what the wicked witch told her. + +And now the best food was cooked for poor +Hansel, but Grethel got nothing but crab-shells. + +Every morning the woman crept to the little +stable, and cried, ``Hansel, stretch out your finger +that I may feel if you will soon be fat.'' + +Hansel, however, stretched out a little bone to +her, and the old woman, who had dim eyes, could +not see it; she thought it was Hansel's finger, and +wondered why he grew no fatter. When four weeks +had gone by, and Hansel still was thin, she could +wait no longer. + +``Come, Grethel,'' she cried to the girl, ``fly +round and bring some water. Let Hansel be fat +or lean, to-morrow I will kill him, and cook him.'' + +Ah, how sad was the poor little sister when she +had to fetch the water, and how her tears did flow +down over her cheeks! + +``Dear God, do help us,'' she cried. ``If the +wild beasts in the forest had but eaten us, we +should at any rate have died together.'' + +``Just keep your noise to yourself,'' said the +old woman; ``all that won't help you at all.'' + +Early in the morning, Grethel had to go out and +hang up the kettle with the water, and light the fire. + +``We will bake first,'' said the old woman. ``I +have already heated the oven, and got the dough +ready.'' + +She pushed poor Grethel out to the oven, from +which the flames of fire were already darting. + +``Creep in,'' said the witch, ``and see if it is +heated, so that we can shut the bread in.'' And +when once Grethel was inside, she meant to shut +the oven and let her bake in it, and then she would +eat her, too. + +But Grethel saw what she had in her mind, and +said, ``I do not know how I am to do it; how do +you get in?'' + +``Silly goose,'' said the old woman. ``The door +is big enough; just look, I can get in myself!'' +and she crept up and thrust her head into the +oven. Then Grethel gave her a push that drove +her far into it, and shut the iron door, tight. + +Grethel ran as quick as lightning to Hansel, +opened his little stable, and cried, ``Hansel, we +are saved! The old witch is dead!'' + +Then Hansel sprang out like a bird from its +cage when the door is opened for it. How they did +dance about and kiss each other. And as they +had no longer any need to fear her, they went +into the witch's house, and in every corner there +stood chests full of pearls and jewels. + +``These are far better than pebbles!'' said +Hansel, and filled his pockets, and Grethel said, +``I, too, will take something home with me,'' and +filled her pinafore. + +``But now we will go away,'' said Hansel, ``that +we may get out of the witch's forest.'' When +they had walked for two hours, they came to a +great piece of water. ``We cannot get over,'' said +Hansel; ``I see no foot-plank and no bridge.'' + +``And no boat crosses, either,'' answered +Grethel, ``but a white duck is swimming there; if I +ask her, she will help us over.'' Then she cried,-- + + ``Little duck, little duck, dost thou see, + Hansel and Grethel are waiting for thee? + There's never a plank or bridge in sight, + Take us across on thy back so white.'' + + +The duck came to them, and Hansel sat on +its back, and told his sister to sit by him. + +``No,'' replied Grethel, ``that will be too +heavy for the little duck; she shall take us across, +one after the other.'' + +The good little duck did so, and when they were +once safely across and had walked for a short time, +they knew where they were, and at last they saw +from afar their father's house. + +Then they began to run, rushed in, and threw +themselves into their father's arms. The man +had not known one happy hour since he had left +the children in the forest; the woman, however, +was dead. Grethel emptied her pinafore until +pearls and precious stones rolled about the floor, +and Hansel threw one handful after another out +of his pocket to add to them. Then all care was +at an end, and they lived happily together ever +after. + +My tale is done; there runs a mouse; whosoever +catches it may make himself a big fur cap +out of it. + + +BURG HILL'S ON FIRE + +A CELTIC FAIRY TALE + +BY ELIZABETH W. GRIERSON (ADAPTED) + + +Once upon a time there was a rich farmer who had +a thrifty wife. She used to go out and gather all +the little bits of wool which she could find on the +hillsides, and bring them home. Then, after her +family had gone to bed, she would sit up and card +the wool and spin it into yarn, then she would +weave the yarn into cloth to make garments for +her children. + +But all this work made her feel very tired, so +that one night, sitting at her loom, she laid down +her shuttle and cried:-- + +``Oh, that some one would come from far or +near, from land or sea, to help me!'' + +No sooner had the words left her lips than she +heard some one knocking at the door. + +``Who is there?'' cried she. + +``Tell Quary, good housewife,'' answered a +wee, wee voice. ``Open the door to me. As long +as I have you'll get.'' + +She opened the door and there on the threshold +stood a queer, little woman, dressed in a green +gown and wearing a white cap on her head. + +The good housewife was so astonished that she +stood and stared at her strange visitor; but without +a word the little woman ran past her, and +seated herself at the spinning-wheel. + +The good housewife shut the door, but just then +she heard another knock. + +``Who is there?'' said she. + +``Tell Quary, good housewife. Open the door +to me,'' said another wee, wee voice. ``As long as +I have you'll get.'' + +And when she opened the door there was another +queer, little woman, in a lilac frock and a green +cap, standing on the threshold. + +She, too, ran into the house without waiting +to say, ``By your leave,'' and picking up the distaff, +began to put some wool on it. + +Then before the housewife could get the door +shut, a funny little manikin, with green trousers +and a red cap, came running in, and followed the +tiny women into the kitchen, seized hold of a handful +of wool, and began to card it. Another wee, +wee woman followed him, and then another tiny +manikin, and another, and another, until it +seemed to the good housewife that all the fairies +and pixies in Scotland were coming into her +house. + +The kitchen was alive with them. Some of them +hung the great pot over the fire to boil water to +wash the wool that was dirty. Some teased the +clean wool, and some carded it. Some spun it +into yarn, and some wove the yarn into great webs +of cloth. + +And the noise they made was like to make her +head run round. ``Splash! splash! Whirr! whirr! +Clack! clack!'' The water in the pot bubbled +over. The spinning-wheel whirred. The shuttle +in the loom flew backwards and forwards. + +And the worst of it was that all the Fairies cried +out for something to eat, and although the good +housewife put on her griddle and baked bannocks +as fast as she could, the bannocks were +eaten up the moment they were taken off the +fire, and yet the Fairies shouted for more. + +At last the poor woman was so troubled that +she went into the next room to wake her husband. +But although she shook him with all her might, +she could not wake him. It was very plain to see +that he was bewitched. + +Frightened almost out of her senses, and leaving +the Fairies eating her last batch of bannocks, she +stole out of the house and ran as fast as she could +to the cottage of the Wise Man who lived a mile +away. + +She knocked at his door till he got up and put +his head out of the window, to see who was there; +then she told him the whole story. + +``Thou foolish woman,'' said he, ``let this be a +lesson to thee never to pray for things thou dost +not need! Before thy husband can be loosed from +the spell the Fairies must be got out of the house +and the fulling-water, which they have boiled, +must be thrown over him. Hurry to the little hill +that lies behind thy cottage, climb to the top of +it, and set the bushes on fire; then thou must shout +three times: `BURG HILL'S ON FIRE!' Then will all the +little Fairies run out to see if this be true, for they +live under the hill. When they are all out of the +cottage, do thou slip in as quickly as thou canst, +and turn the kitchen upside down. Upset everything +the Fairies have worked with, else the things +their fingers have touched will open the door to +them, and let them in, in spite of thee.'' + +So the good housewife hurried away. She +climbed to the top of the little hill back of her +cottage, set the bushes on fire, and cried out three +times as loud as she was able: ``BURG HILL'S ON FIRE!'' + +And sure enough, the door of the cottage was +flung wide open, and all the little Fairies came +running out, knocking each other over in their +eagerness to be first at the hill. + +In the confusion the good housewife slipped +away, and ran as fast as she could to her cottage; +and when she was once inside, it did not take her +long to bar the door, and turn everything upside +down. + +She took the band off the spinning-wheel, and +twisted the head of the distaff the wrong way. She +lifted the pot of fulling-water off the fire, and +turned the room topsy-turvy, and threw down the +carding-combs. + +Scarcely had she done so, when the Fairies +returned, and knocked at the door. + +``Good housewife! let us in,'' they cried. + +``The door is shut and bolted, and I will not +open it,'' answered she. + +``Good spinning-wheel, get up and open the +door,'' they cried. + +``How can I,'' answered the spinning-wheel, +``seeing that my band is undone?'' + +``Kind distaff, open the door for us,'' said they. + +``That would I gladly do,'' said the distaff, +``but I cannot walk, for my head is turned the +wrong way.'' + +``Weaving-loom, have pity, and open the door.'' + +``I am all topsy-turvy, and cannot move,'' +sighed the loom. + +``Fulling-water, open the door,'' they implored. + +``I am off the fire,'' growled the fulling-water, +``and all my strength is gone.'' + +``Oh! Is there nothing that will come to our +aid, and open the door?'' they cried. + +``I will,'' said a little barley-bannock, that +had lain hidden, toasting on the hearth; and it +rose and trundled like a wheel quickly across the +floor. + +But luckily the housewife saw it, and she nipped +it between her finger and thumb, and, because it +was only half-baked, it fell with a ``splatch'' on +the cold floor. + +Then the Fairies gave up trying to get into the +kitchen, and instead they climbed up by the windows +into the room where the good housewife's +husband was sleeping, and they swarmed upon +his bed and tickled him until he tossed about +and muttered as if he had a fever. + +Then all of a sudden the good housewife +remembered what the Wise Man had said about the +fulling-water. She ran to the kitchen and lifted a +cupful out of the pot, and carried it in, and threw +it over the bed where her husband was. + +In an instant he woke up in his right senses. +Then he jumped out of bed, ran across the room +and opened the door, and the Fairies vanished. +And they have never been seen from that day to +this. + + +THE KING OF THE CATS + +AN ENGLISH FOLK-TALE + +BY ERNEST RHYS + +Once upon a time there were two brothers who +lived in a lonely house in a very lonely part of +Scotland. An old woman used to do the cooking, +and there was no one else, unless we count her +cat and their own dogs, within miles of them. + +One autumn afternoon the elder of the two, +whom we will call Elshender, said he would not +go out; so the younger one, Fergus, went alone to +follow the path where they had been shooting the +day before, far across the mountains. + +He meant to return home before the early +sunset; however, he did not do so, and Elshender +became very uneasy as he watched and waited +in vain till long after their usual supper-time. +At last Fergus returned, wet and exhausted, nor +did he explain why he was so late. + +But after supper when the two brothers were +seated before the fire, on which the peat crackled +cheerfully, the dogs lying at their feet, and the old +woman's black cat sitting gravely with half-shut +eyes on the hearth between them, Fergus recovered +himself and began to tell his adventures. + +``You must be wondering,'' said he, ``what +made me so late. I have had a very, very strange +adventure to-day. I hardly know what to say +about it. I went, as I told you I should, along our +yesterday's track. A mountain fog came on just +as I was about to turn homewards, and I completely +lost my way. I wandered about for a long +time not knowing where I was, till at last I saw a +light, and made for it, hoping to get help. + +``As I came near it, it disappeared, and I found +myself close to an old oak tree. I climbed into +the branches the better to look for the light, and, +behold! there it was right beneath me, inside the +hollow trunk of the tree. I seemed to be looking +down into a church, where a funeral was taking +place. I heard singing, and saw a coffin +surrounded by torches, all carried by--But I know +you won't believe me, Elshender, if I tell you!'' + +His brother eagerly begged him to go on, and +threw a dry peat on the fire to encourage him. +The dogs were sleeping quietly, but the cat was +sitting up, and seemed to be listening just as +carefully and cannily as Elshender himself. Both +brothers, indeed, turned their eyes on the cat as +Fergus took up his story. + +``Yes,'' he continued, ``it is as true as I sit here. +The coffin and the torches were both carried by +CATS, and upon the coffin were marked a crown and +a scepter!'' + +He got no farther, for the black cat started up, +shrieking:-- + +``My stars! old Peter's dead, and I'm the King +o' the Cats!''--Then rushed up the chimney, +and was seen no more. + + +THE STRANGE VISITOR + +AN ENGLISH FOLK-TALE + +BY JOSEPH JACOBS + +A woman was sitting at her reel one night; and +still she sat, and still she reeled, and still she +wished for company. + +In came a pair of broad, broad soles, and sat down + at the fireside! + +And still she sat, and still she reeled, and still she + wished for company. + +In came a pair of small, small legs, and sat down + on the broad, broad soles! + +And still she sat, and still she reeled, and still she + wished for company. + +In came a pair of thick, thick knees, and sat down + on the small, small legs! + +And still she sat, and still she reeled, and still she + wished for company. + +In came a pair of thin, thin thighs, and sat down + on the thick, thick knees! + +And still she sat, and still she reeled, and still she + wished for company. + +In came a pair of huge, huge hips, and sat down + on the thin, thin thighs! + +And still she sat, and still she reeled, and still she + wished for company. + +In came a wee, wee waist, and sat down on the + huge, huge hips! + +And still she sat, and still she reeled, and still she + wished for company. + +In came a pair of broad, broad shoulders, and sat + down on the wee, wee waist! + +And still she sat, and still she reeled, and still she + wished for company. + +In came a pair of small, small arms, and sat down + on the broad, broad shoulders! + +And still she sat, and still she reeled, and still she + wished for company. + +In came a pair of huge, huge hands, and sat down + on the small, small arms! + +And still she sat, and still she reeled, and still she + wished for company. + +In came a small, small neck, and sat down on the + broad, broad shoulders! + +And still she sat, and still she reeled, and still she + wished for company. + +In came a huge, huge head, and sat down on the + small, small neck! + + . . . . . . . . . + +``How did you get such broad, broad feet?'' + quoth the Woman. +``Much tramping, much tramping!'' (GRUFFLY.) + +``How did you get such small, small legs?'' +``AIH-H-H!--late--and WEE-E-E-moul!'' (WHININGLY.) + +``How did you get such thick, thick knees?'' +``Much praying, much praying!'' (PIOUSLY.) + +``How did you get such thin, thin thighs?'' +``Aih-h-h!--late--and wee-e-e-moul!'' (WHININGLY.) + +``How did you get such big, big hips?'' +``Much sitting, much sitting!'' (GRUFFLY.) + +``How did you get such a wee, wee waist?'' +``Aih-h-h!--late--and wee-e-e-moul!'' (WHININGLY.) + +``How did you get such broad, broad shoulders?'' +``With carrying broom, with carrying broom!'' + (GRUFFLY.) + +``How did you get such small arms?'' +``Aih-h-h!--late--and wee-e-e-moul!'' (WHININGLY.) + +``How did you get such huge, huge hands?'' +``Threshing with an iron flail! Threshing with an + iron flail!'' (GRUFFLY.) + +``How did you get such a small, small neck?'' +``Aih-h-h!--late--and wee-e-e-moul!'' (PITIFULLY.) + +``How did you get such a huge, huge head?'' +``Much knowledge, much knowledge!'' (KEENLY.) + +``What do you come for?'' +``FOR YOU! ! !'' (AT THE TOP OF THE VOICE, WITH A +WAVE OF THE ARMS AND A STAMP OF THE FEET.) + + +THE BENEVOLENT GOBLIN + +FROM GESTA ROMANORUM (ADAPTED) + +In the kingdom of England there is a hillock in +the midst of a dense wood. Thither in old days +knights and their followers were wont to repair +when tired and thirsty after the chase. When one +of their number called out, ``I thirst!'' there +immediately started up a Goblin with a cheerful +countenance, clad in a crimson robe, and bearing +in his outstretched hand a large drinking-horn +richly ornamented with gold and precious jewels, +and full of the most delicious, unknown beverage. + +The Goblin presented the horn to the thirsty +knight, who drank and instantly felt refreshed +and cool. After the drinker had emptied the horn, +the Goblin offered a silken napkin to wipe the +mouth. Then, without waiting to be thanked, the +strange creature vanished as suddenly as he had +come. + +Now once there was a knight of churlish nature, +who was hunting alone in those parts. Feeling +thirsty and fatigued, he visited the hillock and +cried out:-- + +``I thirst!'' + +Instantly the Goblin appeared and presented +the horn. + +When the knight had drained it of its delicious +beverage, instead of returning the horn, he thrust +it into his bosom, and rode hastily away. + +He boasted far and wide of his deed, and his +feudal lord hearing thereof caused him to be +bound and cast into prison; then fearing lest he, +too, might become partaker in the theft and +ingratitude of the knight, the lord presented the +jeweled horn to the King of England, who carefully +preserved it among the royal treasures. But +never again did the benevolent Goblin return to +the hillock in the wood. + + +THE PHANTOM KNIGHT OF THE +VANDAL CAMP + +FROM GESTA ROMANORUM (ADAPTED) + +There was once in Great Britain, a knight named +Albert, strong in arms and adorned with every +virtue. One day as he was seeking for adventure, +he chanced to wander into a castle where he was +hospitably entertained. + +At night, after supper, as was usual in great +families during the winter, the household gathered +about the hearth and occupied the time in +relating divers tales. + +At last they told how in the near-by plain of +Wandlesbury there was a haunted mound. There +in old days the Vandals, who laid waste the land +and slaughtered Christians, had pitched their +camp and built about it a great rampart. And it +was further related that in the hush of the night, +if any one crossed the plain, ascended the mound, +and called out in a loud voice, ``Let my adversary +appear!'' there immediately started up from the +ruined ramparts a huge, ghostly figure, armed +and mounted for battle. This phantom then +attacked the knight who had cried out and +speedily overcame him. + +Now, when Albert heard this marvelous tale, he +greatly doubted its truth, and was determined to +put the matter to a test. As the moon was shining +brightly, and the night was quiet, he armed, +mounted, and immediately hastened to the plain +of Wandlesbury, accompanied by a squire of noble +blood. + +He ascended the mound, dismissed his attendant, +and shouted:-- + +``Let my adversary appear!'' + +Instantly there sprang from the ruins a huge, +ghostly knight completely armed and mounted on +an enormous steed. + +This phantom rushed upon Albert, who spurred +his horse, extended his shield, and drove at his +antagonist with his lance. Both knights were +shaken by the encounter. Albert, however, so +resolutely and with so strong an arm pressed his +adversary that the latter was thrown violently to +the ground. Seeing this Albert hastily seized the +steed of the fallen knight, and started to leave +the mound. + +But the phantom, rising to his feet, and seeing +his horse led away, flung his lance and cruelly +wounded Albert in the thigh. This done he vanished +as suddenly as he had appeared. + +Our knight, overjoyed at his victory, returned +in triumph to the castle, where the household +crowded around him and praised his bravery. But +when he put off his armor he found the cuish +from his right thigh filled with clots of blood +from an angry wound in his side. The family, +alarmed, hastened to apply healing herbs and +bandages. + +The captured horse was then brought forward. +He was prodigiously large, and black as jet. His +eyes were fierce and flashing, his neck proudly +arched, and he wore a glittering war-saddle upon +his back. + +As the first streaks of dawn began to appear, +the animal reared wildly, snorted as if with pain +and anger, and struck the ground so furiously +with his hoofs that the sparks flew. The black +cock of the castle crew and the horse, uttering a +terrible cry, instantly disappeared. + +And every year, on the selfsame night, at the +selfsame hour, the wounds of the knight Albert +broke out afresh, and tormented him with agony. +Thus till his dying day he bore in his body a +yearly reminder of his encounter with the Phantom +Knight of the Vandal Camp. + + +THANKSGIVING DAY + +(LAST THURSDAY IN NOVEMBER) + +THE FIRST HARVEST-HOME IN +PLYMOUTH + +BY W. DE LOSS LOVE, JR (ADAPTED) + +After prayer and fasting and a farewell feast, +the Pilgrim Fathers left the City of Leyden, and +sought the new and unknown land. ``So they lefte +y<St> goodly & pleasante citie,'' writes their historian +Bradford, ``which had been ther resting place +near 12 years, but they knew they were pilgrimes +& looked not much on those things, but lift up +their eyes to y<Se> Heavens their dearest cuntrie, and +quieted their spirits.'' + +When, after many vexing days upon the deep, +the pilgrims first sighted the New World, they +were filled with praise and thanksgiving. Going +ashore they fell upon their knees and blessed the +God of Heaven. And after that, whenever they +were delivered from accidents or despair, they +gave God ``solemne thanks and praise.'' Such +were the Pilgrims and such their habit day by +day. + +The first winter in the New World was marked +by great suffering and want. Hunger and illness +thinned the little colony, and caused many +graves to be made on the near-by hillside. + +The spring of 1621 opened. The seed was sown +in the fields. The colonists cared for it without +ceasing, and watched its growth with anxiety; for +well they knew that their lives depended upon a +full harvest. + +The days of spring and summer flew by, and the +autumn came. Never in Holland or England had +the Pilgrims seen the like of the treasures bounteous +Nature now spread before them. The woodlands +were arrayed in gorgeous colors, brown, +crimson, and gold, and swarmed with game of all +kinds, that had been concealed during the summer. +The little farm-plots had been blessed by the +sunshine and showers, and now plentiful crops +stood ready for the gathering. The Pilgrims, +rejoicing, reaped the fruit of their labors, and +housed it carefully for the winter. Then, filled +with the spirit of thanksgiving, they held the first +harvest-home in New England. + +For one whole week they rested from work, +feasted, exercised their arms, and enjoyed various +recreations. Many Indians visited the colony, +amongst these their greatest king, Massasoit, with +ninety of his braves. The Pilgrims entertained +them for three days. And the Indians went out +into the woods and killed fine deer, which they +brought to the colony and presented to the governor +and the captain and others. So all made +merry together. + +And bountiful was the feast. Oysters, fish and +wild turkey, Indian maize and barley bread, +geese and ducks, venison and other savory meats, +decked the board. Kettles, skillets, and spits were +overworked, while knives and spoons, kindly +assisted by fingers, made merry music on pewter +plates. Wild grapes, ``very sweete and strong,'' +added zest to the feast. As to the vegetables, why, +the good governor describes them thus:-- + + ``All sorts of grain which our own land doth yield, + Was hither brought, and sown in every field; + As wheat and rye, barley, oats, beans, and pease + Here all thrive and they profit from them raise; + All sorts of roots and herbs in gardens grow,-- + Parsnips, carrots, turnips, or what you'll sow, + Onions, melons, cucumbers, radishes, + Skirets, beets, coleworts and fair cabbages.'' + + +Thus a royal feast it was the Pilgrims spread +that first golden autumn at Plymouth, a feast +worthy of their Indian guests. + +All slumbering discontents they smothered with +common rejoicings. When the holiday was over, +they were surely better, braver men because they +had turned aside to rest awhile and be thankful +together. So the exiles of Leyden claimed the +harvests of New England. + +This festival was the bursting into life of a new +conception of man's dependence on God's gifts in +Nature. It was the promise of autumnal +Thanksgivings to come. + + +THE MASTER OF THE HARVEST + +BY MRS. ALFRED GATTY (ADAPTED) + +The Master of the Harvest walked by the side of +his cornfields in the springtime. A frown was on +his face, for there had been no rain for several +weeks, and the earth was hard from the parching +of the east winds. The young wheat had not been +able to spring up. + +So as he looked over the long ridges that +stretched in rows before him, he was vexed and +began to grumble and say:-- + +``The harvest will be backward, and all things +will go wrong.'' + +Then he frowned more and more, and uttered +complaints against Heaven because there was no +rain; against the earth because it was so dry; +against the corn because it had not sprung up. + +And the Master's discontent was whispered all +over the field, and along the ridges where the +corn-seed lay. And the poor little seeds murmured:-- + +``How cruel to complain! Are we not doing our +best? Have we let one drop of moisture pass by +unused? Are we not striving every day to be +ready for the hour of breaking forth? Are we +idle? How cruel to complain!'' + +But of all this the Master of the Harvest heard +nothing, so the gloom did not pass from his face. +Going to his comfortable home he repeated to his +wife the dark words, that the drought would ruin +the harvest, for the corn was not yet sprung up. + +Then his wife spoke cheering words, and taking +her Bible she wrote some texts upon the flyleaf, +and after them the date of the day. + +And the words she wrote were these: ``The eyes +of all wait upon Thee; and Thou givest them their +meat in due season. Thou openest Thine hand +and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. +How excellent is Thy loving-kindness, O God! +therefore the children of men put their trust under +the shadow of Thy wings. Thou hast put gladness +in my heart, more than in the time that their corn +and their wine increased.'' + +And so a few days passed as before, and the +house was gloomy with the discontent of the Master. +But at last one evening there was rain all over +the land, and when the Master of the Harvest +went out the next morning for his early walk by +the cornfields, the corn had sprung up at last. + +The young shoots burst out at once, and very +soon all along the ridges were to be seen rows of +tender blades, tinting the whole field with a +delicate green. And day by day the Master of the +Harvest saw them, and was satisfied, but he +spoke of other things and forgot to rejoice. + +Then a murmur rose among the corn-blades. + +``The Master was angry because we did not come +up; now that we have come forth why is he not +glad? Are we not doing our best? From morning +and evening dews, from the glow of the sun, +from the juices of the earth, from the freshening +breezes, even from clouds and rain, are we not +taking food and strength, warmth and life? Why +does he not rejoice?'' + +And when the Master's wife asked him if the +wheat was doing well he answered, ``Fairly well,'' +and nothing more. + +But the wife opened her Book, and wrote again +on the flyleaf: ``Who hath divided a watercourse +for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the +lightning of thunder, to cause it to rain on the +earth where no man is, on the wilderness wherein +there is no man, to satisfy the desolate and waste +ground, and to cause the bud of the tender herb +to spring forth? For He maketh small the drops +of water; they pour down rain according to the +vapor thereof, which the clouds do drop and distil +upon man abundantly. Also can any understand +the spreadings of the clouds, or the noise of his +tabernacle?'' + +Very peaceful were the next few weeks. All +nature seemed to rejoice in the fine weather. The +corn-blades shot up strong and tall. They burst +into flowers and gradually ripened into ears of +grain. But alas! the Master of the Harvest had +still some fault to find. He looked at the ears +and saw that they were small. He grumbled and +said:-- + +``The yield will be less than it ought to be. The +harvest will be bad.'' + +And the voice of his discontent was breathed +over the cornfield where the plants were growing +and growing. They shuddered and murmured: +``How thankless to complain! Are we not growing +as fast as we can? If we were idle would we +bear wheat-ears at all? How thankless to complain!'' + +Meanwhile a few weeks went by and a drought +settled on the land. Rain was needed, so that the +corn-ears might fill. And behold, while the wish +for rain was yet on the Master's lips, the sky +became full of heavy clouds, darkness spread over +the land, a wild wind arose, and the roaring of +thunder announced a storm. And such a storm! +Along the ridges of corn-plants drove the rain- +laden wind, and the plants bent down before it +and rose again like the waves of the sea. They +bowed down and they rose up. Only where the +whirlwind was the strongest they fell to the +ground and could not rise again. + +And when the storm was over, the Master of +the Harvest saw here and there patches of over- +weighted corn, yet dripping from the thunder- +shower, and he grew angry with them, and forgot +to think of the long ridges where the corn-plants +were still standing tall and strong, and where the +corn-ears were swelling and rejoicing. + +His face grew darker than ever. He railed +against the rain. He railed against the sun +because it did not shine. He blamed the wheat +because it might perish before the harvest. + +``But why does he always complain?'' moaned +the corn-plants. ``Have we not done our best +from the first? Has not God's blessing been with +us? Are we not growing daily more beautiful in +strength and hope? Why does not the Master +trust, as we do, in the future richness of the +harvest?'' + +Of all this the Master of the Harvest heard +nothing. But his wife wrote on the flyleaf of her +Book: ``He watereth the hills from his chambers, +the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works. +He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle and +herb for the service of man, that he may bring +forth food out of the earth, and wine that maketh +glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face +to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's +heart.'' + +And day by day the hours of sunshine were +more in number. And by degrees the green corn- +ears ripened into yellow, and the yellow turned +into gold, and the abundant harvest was ready, +and the laborers were not wanting. + +Then the bursting corn broke out into songs +of rejoicing. ``At least we have not labored and +watched in vain! Surely the earth hath yielded +her increase! Blessed be the Lord who daily +loadeth us with benefits! Where now is the Master +of the Harvest? Come, let him rejoice with us!'' + +And the Master's wife brought out her Book +and her husband read the texts she had written +even from the day when the corn-seeds were held +back by the first drought, and as he read a new +heart seemed to grow within him, a heart that was +thankful to the Lord of the Great Harvest. And +he read aloud from the Book:-- + +``Thou visitest the earth and waterest it; thou +greatly enrichest it with the river of God which +is full of water; thou preparest them corn, when +thou hast so provided for it. Thou waterest the +ridges thereof abundantly; thou settlest the furrows +thereof; thou makest it soft with showers; +thou blessest the springing thereof. Thou +crownest the year with thy goodness, and thy paths +drop fatness. They drop upon the pastures of the +wilderness, and the little hills rejoice on every +side. The pastures are clothed with flocks. The +valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout +for joy, they also sing.--O that men would praise +the Lord for His goodness, and for his wonderful +works to the children of men!'' + + +SAINT CUTHBERT'S EAGLE + +BY THE VENERABLE BEDE (ADAPED) + +Once upon a time, the good Saint Cuthbert of +Lindesfarne, went forth from his monastery to +preach to the poor. He took with him a young +lad as his only attendant. Together they walked +along the dusty way. The heat of the noonday +sun beat upon their heads, and fatigue overcame +them. + +``Son,'' said Saint Cuthbert, ``do you know +any one on the road, whom we may ask for food +and a place in which to rest?'' + +``I was just thinking the same thing,'' answered +the lad, ``but I know nobody on the road who will +entertain us. Alas! why did we not bring along +provisions? How can we proceed on our long +journey without them?'' + +``My son,'' answered the saint, ``learn to have +trust in God, who never will suffer those to perish +of hunger who believe in Him.'' + +Then looking up and seeing an eagle flying in +the air, he added, ``Do you see the eagle yonder? +It is possible for God to feed us by means of this +bird.'' + +While they were talking thus, they came to a +river, and, lo! the eagle stood on the bank. + +``Son,'' said Saint Cuthbert, ``run and see what +provision God has made for us by his handmaid +the bird.'' + +The lad ran, and found a good-sized fish that +the eagle had just caught. This he brought to the +saint. + +``What have you done?'' exclaimed the good +man, ``why have you not given a part to God's +handmaid? Cut the fish in two pieces, and give +her one, as her service well deserves.'' + +The lad did as he was bidden, and the eagle, +taking the half fish in her beak, flew away. + +Then entering a neighboring village, Saint +Cuthbert gave the other half to a peasant to cook, +and while the lad and the villagers feasted, the +good saint preached to them the Word of God + + +THE EARS OF WHEAT + +BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM (TRANSLATED) + +Ages upon ages ago, says the German grandmother, +when angels used to wander on earth, the +ground was more fruitful than it is now. Then the +stalks of wheat bore not fifty or sixty fold, but +four times five hundred fold. Then the wheat- +ears grew from the bottom to the top of the stalk. +But the men of the earth forgot that this blessing +came from God, and they became idle and selfish. + +One day a woman went through a wheat-field, +and her little child, who accompanied her, fell +into a puddle and soiled her frock. The mother +tore off a handful of the wheat-ears and cleaned +the child's dress with them. + +Just then an angel passed by and saw her. +Wrathfully he spoke:-- + +``Wasteful woman, no longer shall the wheat- +stalks produce ears. You mortals are not worthy +of the gifts of Heaven!'' + +Some peasants who were gathering wheat in +the fields heard this, and falling on their knees, +prayed and entreated the angel to leave the wheat +alone, not only on their account, but for the sake +of the little birds who otherwise must perish of +hunger. + +The angel pitied their distress, and granted a +part of the prayer. And from that day to this the +ears of wheat have grown as they do now. + + +HOW INDIAN CORN CAME INTO THE +WORLD + +AN OJIBBEWAY LEGEND + +BY HENRY R. SCHOOLCRAFT (ADAPTED) + +Long, long ago, in a beautiful part of this country, +there lived an Indian with his wife and children. +He was poor and found it hard to provide food +enough for his family. But though needy he was +kind and contented, and always gave thanks to +the Great Spirit for everything that he received. +His eldest son, Wunzh, was likewise kind and +gentle and thankful of heart, and he longed +greatly to do something for his people. + +The time came that Wunzh reached the age +when every Indian boy fasts so that he may see in +a vision the Spirit that is to be his guide through +life. Wunph's father built him a little lodge apart, +so that the boy might rest there undisturbed during +his days of fasting. Then Wunzh withdrew to +begin the solemn rite. + +On the first day he walked alone in the woods +looking at the flowers and plants, and filling his +mind with the beautiful images of growing things +so that he might see them in his night-dreams. He +saw how the flowers and herbs and berries grew, +and he knew that some were good for food, and +that others healed wounds and cured sickness. +And his heart was filled with even a greater +longing to do something for his family and his +tribe. + +``Truly,'' thought he, ``the Great Spirit made +all things. To Him we owe our lives. But could +He not make it easier for us to get our food than +by hunting and catching fish? I must try to find +this out in my vision.'' + +So Wunzh returned to his lodge and fasted +and slept. On the third day he became weak and +faint. Soon he saw in a vision a young brave +coming down from the sky and approaching the +lodge. He was clad in rich garments of green and +yellow colors. On his head was a tuft of nodding +green plumes, and all his motions were graceful +and swaying. + +``I am sent to you, O Wunzh,'' said the sky- +stranger, ``by that Great Spirit who made all +things in sky and earth. He has seen your fasting, +and knows how you wish to do good to your people, +and that you do not seek for strength in war +nor for the praise of warriors. I am sent to tell +you how you may do good to your kindred. Arise +and wrestle with me, for only by overcoming me +may you learn the secret.'' + +Wunzh, though he was weak from fasting, felt +courage grow in his heart, and he arose and +wrestled with the stranger. But soon he became +weaker and exhausted, and the stranger, seeing +this, smiled gently on him and said: ``My friend, +this is enough for once, I will come again +to-morrow.'' And he vanished as suddenly as he had +appeared. + +The next day the stranger came, and Wunzh felt +himself weaker than before; nevertheless he rose +and wrestled bravely. Then the stranger spoke a +second time. ``My friend,'' he said, ``have courage! +To-morrow will be your last trial.'' And he +disappeared from Wunzh's sight. + +On the third day the stranger came as before, +and the struggle was renewed. And Wunzh, +though fainter in body, grew strong in mind and +will, and he determined to win or perish in the +attempt. He exerted all his powers, and, lo! in a +while, he prevailed and overcame the stranger. + +``O Wunzh, my friend,'' said the conquered +one, ``you have wrestled manfully. You have met +your trial well. To-morrow I shall come again and +you must wrestle with me for the last time. You +will prevail. Do you then strip off my garments, +throw me down, clean the earth of roots and +weeds, and bury me in that spot. When you have +done so, leave my body in the ground. Come +often to the place and see whether I have come to +life, but be careful not to let weeds or grass grow +on my grave. If you do all this well, you will soon +discover how to benefit your fellow creatures.'' +Having said this the stranger disappeared. + +In the morning Wunzh's father came to him +with food. ``My son,'' he said, ``you have fasted +long. It is seven days since you have tasted food, +and you must not sacrifice your life. The Master +of Life does not require that.'' + +``My father,'' replied the boy, ``wait until the +sun goes down to-morrow. For a certain reason I +wish to fast until that hour.'' + +``Very well,'' said the old man, ``I shall wait +until the time arrives when you feel inclined to +eat.'' And he went away. + +The next day, at the usual hour, the sky +stranger came again. And, though Wunzh had +fasted seven days, he felt a new power arise within +him. He grasped the stranger with superhuman +strength, and threw him down. He took from him +his beautiful garments, and, finding him dead, +buried him in the softened earth, and did all else +as he had been directed. + +He then returned to his father's lodge, and +partook sparingly of food. There he abode for some +time. But he never forgot the grave of his friend. +Daily he visited it, and pulled up the weeds and +grass, and kept the earth soft and moist. Very +soon, to his great wonder, he saw the tops of green +plumes coming through the ground. + +Weeks passed by, the summer was drawing to a +close. One day Wunzh asked his father to follow +him. He led him to a distant meadow. There, in +the place where the stranger had been buried, +stood a tall and graceful plant, with bright- +colored, silken hair, and crowned by nodding +green plumes. Its stalk was covered with waving +leaves, and there grew from its sides clusters of +milk-filled ears of corn, golden and sweet, each +ear closely wrapped in its green husks. + +``It is my friend!'' shouted the boy joyously; +``it is Mondawmin, the Indian Corn! We need +no longer depend on hunting, so long as this gift +is planted and cared for. The Great Spirit has +heard my voice and has sent us this food.'' + +Then the whole family feasted on the ears of +corn and thanked the Great Spirit who gave it. So +Indian Corn came into the world. + + +THE NUTCRACKER DWARF + +BY COUNT FRANZ POCCI (TRANSLATED) + +Two boys gathered some hazelnuts in the woods. +They sat down under a tree and tried to eat them, +but they did not have their knives, and could not +bite open the nuts with their teeth. + +``Oh,'' they complained, ``if only some one +would come and open the nuts for us!'' + +Hardly had they said this when a little man +came through the woods. And such a strange +little man! He had a great, great head, and from +the back of it a slender pigtail hung down to his +heels. He wore a golden cap, a red coat and yellow +stockings. + + +As he came near he sang:-- + + ``Hight! hight! Bite! bite! + Hans hight I! Nuts bite I! + I chase the squirrels through the trees, + I gather nuts just as I please, + I place them 'twixt my jaws so strong, + And crack and eat them all day long!'' + + +The boys almost died of laughter when they +saw this funny little man, who they knew was a +Wood Dwarf. + +They called out to him: ``If you know how to +crack nuts, why, come here and open ours.'' + +But the little man grumbled through his long +white beard:-- + + ``If I crack the nuts for you + Promise that you'll give me two.'' + + +``Yes, yes,'' cried the boys, ``you shall have all +the nuts you wish, only crack some for us, and be +quick about it!'' + +The little man stood before them, for he could +not sit down because of his long, stiff pigtail that +hung down behind, and he sang:-- + + ``Lift my pigtail, long and thin, + Place your nuts my jaws within, + Pull the pigtail down, and then + I'll crack your nuts, my little men.'' + + +The boys did as they were told, laughing hard +all the time. Whenever they pulled down the pigtail, +there was a sharp CRACK, and a broken nut +sprang out of the Nutcracker's mouth. + +Soon all the hazelnuts were opened, and the +little man grumbled again:-- + + ``Hight! hight! Bite! bite! + Your nuts are cracked, and now my pay + I'll take and then I'll go away.'' + + +Now one of the boys wished to give the little +man his promised reward, but the other, who was +a bad boy, stopped him, saying:-- + +``Why do you give that old fellow our nuts? +There are only enough for us. As for you, +Nutcracker, go away from here and find some for +yourself.'' + +Then the little man grew angry, and he +grumbled horribly:-- + + ``If you do not pay my fee, + Why, then, you've told a lie to me! + I am hungry, you're well fed, + Quick, or I'll bite off your head!'' + + +But the bad boy only laughed and said: ``You 'll +bite off my head, will you! Go away from here +just as fast as you can, or you shall feel these nut- +shells,'' and he shook his fist at the little man. + +The Nutcracker grew red with rage. He pulled +up his pigtail, snapping his jaws together,--CRACK, +--and the bad boy's head was off. + + +THE PUMPKIN PIRATES + +A TALE FROM LUCIAN + +BY ALFRED J. CHURCH (ADAPTED) + +Once upon a time, one Lucian the Greek was +filled with a desire to see strange countries, and +especially to discover whether there was any +opposite shore to the ocean by which he lived. + +So having purchased a vessel, he strengthened +it for a voyage, that he knew would without doubt +be long and stormy. Then he chose fifty stout +young fellows having the same love of adventure +as himself, and next he hired the best captain that +could be got for money, and put a store of provisions +and water on board. + +All this being done, he set sail. For many days +he and his companions voyaged on deep waters +and in strange seas. At times the wind was fair +and gentle, and at others it blew so hard that the +sea rose in a terrible manner. + +One day there came a violent whirlwind which +twisted the ship about, and, lifting it into the air, +carried it upward into the sky, until it reached +the Moon. There Lucian and his comrades disembarked +and visited the inhabitants of Moonland. +They took part in a fierce battle between the +Moon-Folk, the Sun-Folk, and an army of Vulture- +Horsemen; and, after many other wonderful +adventures, they departed from Moonland, and +sailing through the sky, visited the Morning Star. +Then the wind dropping, the ship settled once +more upon the sea, and they sailed on the water. + +One morning the wind began to blow vehemently, +and they were driven by storm for days. +On the third day they fell in with the Pumpkin +Pirates. These were savages who were wont to +sally forth from the islands that lay in the seas +thereabouts, and plunder them that sailed by. + +For ships they had large pumpkins, each being +not less than ninety feet in length. These pumpkins +they dried, and afterward dug out all the +inner part of them till they were quite hollow. +For masts they had reeds, and for sails, in the +place of canvas, pumpkin leaves. + +These savages attacked Lucian's vessel with +two ships' or rather two pumpkins' crews, and +wounded many of his company. For stones they +used the pumpkin-seeds, which were about the +bigness of a large apple. + +Lucian's company fought for some time, +without gaining the advantage, when about noon they +saw coming toward them, in the rear of the Pumpkin +Pirates, the Nut-Shell Sailors. These two +tribes were at war with each other. + +As soon as the Pumpkin Pirates saw the others +approaching, they left off fighting Lucian's crew, +and prepared to give battle to the Nut-Shell Sailors. +When Lucian saw this he ordered the captain +to set all sails; and they departed with speed. But +looking back he could see that the Nut-Shell Sailors +had the best of the battle, being superior in +numbers, having five crews against two of the +Pumpkin Pirates, and also because their ships +were stronger. As for their ships, they were the +shells of nuts which had been split in half, each +measuring fifteen fathoms, or thereabouts. + +As soon as the Pumpkin Pirates and the Nut- +Shell Sailors were out of sight, Lucian set himself +to dressing the wounds of his injured companions. +And from that time on both Lucian and his crew +wore their armor continually, not knowing when +another strange enemy might come upon them. + + +THE SPIRIT OF THE CORN + +AN IROQUOIS LEGEND + +BY HARRIET MAXWELL CONVERSE (ADAPTED) + +There was a time, says the Iroquois grandmother, +when it was not needful to plant the corn- +seed nor to hoe the fields, for the corn sprang up of +itself, and filled the broad meadows. Its stalks +grew strong and tall, and were covered with leaves +like waving banners, and filled with ears of pearly +grain wrapped in silken green husks. + +In those days Onatah, the Spirit of the Corn, +walked upon the earth. The sun lovingly touched +her dusky face with the blush of the morning, and +her eyes grew soft as the gleam of the stars on +dark streams. Her night-black hair was spread +before the breeze like a wind-driven cloud. + +As she walked through the fields, the corn, the +Indian maize, sprang up of itself from the earth +and filled the air with its fringed tassels and +whispering leaves. With Onatah walked her two +sisters, the Spirits of the Squash and the Bean. As +they passed by, squash-vines and bean-plants +grew from the corn-hills. + +One day Onatah wandered away alone in search +of early dew. Then the Evil One of the earth, +Hahgwehdaetgah, followed swiftly after. He +grasped her by the hair and dragged her beneath +the ground down to his gloomy cave. Then, sending +out his fire-breathing monsters, he blighted +Onatah's grain. And when her sisters, the Spirits +of the Squash and the Bean, saw the flame- +monsters raging through the fields, they flew far +away in terror. + +As for poor Onatah, she lay a trembling captive +in the dark prison-cave of the Evil One. She +mourned the blight of her cornfields, and sorrowed +over her runaway sisters. + +``O warm, bright sun!'' she cried, ``if I may +walk once more upon the earth, never again will I +leave my corn!'' + +And the little birds of the air heard her cry, and +winging their way upward they carried her vow +and gave it to the sun as he wandered through the +blue heavens. + +The sun, who loved Onatah, sent out many +searching beams of light. They pierced through +the damp earth, and entering the prison-cave, +guided her back again to her fields. + +And ever after that she watched her fields alone, +for no more did her sisters, the Spirits of the +Squash and Bean, watch with her. If her fields +thirsted, no longer could she seek the early dew. +If the flame-monsters burned her corn, she could +not search the skies for cooling winds. And when +the great rains fell and injured her harvest, her +voice grew so faint that the friendly sun could not +hear it. + +But ever Onatah tenderly watched her fields +and the little birds of the air flocked to her service. +They followed her through the rows of corn, and +made war on the tiny enemies that gnawed at the +roots of the grain. + +And at harvest-time the grateful Onatah +scattered the first gathered corn over her broad lands, +and the little birds, fluttering and singing, joyfully +partook of the feast spread for them on the +meadow-ground. + + +THE HORN OF PLENTY + +BY OVID (ADAPTED) + +Aeneus, King of Aetolia, had a daughter whose +name was Deianira. So beautiful was the maiden +that her fame spread throughout the world, and +many princes came to woo her. Among these were +two strangers, who drove all the other suitors from +the hall of King Aeneus. + +One was Hercules, huge of limb and broad of +shoulder. He was clad in the skins of beasts, and +carried in his hand a knotted club. His tangled +hair hung down upon his brawny neck, and his +fierce eyes gleamed from behind his shaggy brows. + +The other stranger was Achelous, god of the +Calydonian River. Slender and graceful was he, +and clad in flowing green raiment. In his hand he +carried a staff of plaited reeds, and on his head was +a crown of water-lilies. His voice was soft and +caressing, like the gentle murmur of summer brooks. + +``O King Aeneus,'' said Achelous, standing +before the throne, ``behold I am the King of +Waters. If thou wilt receive me as thy son-in-law +I will make the beautiful Deianira queen of my +river kingdom.'' + +``King Aeneus,'' said the mighty Hercules, +stepping forward, ``Deianira is mine, and I will +not yield her to this river-god.'' + +``Impertinent stranger!'' cried Achelous, +turning toward the hero, while his voice rose till it +sounded like the thunder of distant cataracts, and +his green garment changed to the blackness of +night,--``impertinent stranger! how darest thou +claim this maiden,--thou who hast mortal blood +in thy veins! Behold me, the god Achelous, the +powerful King of the Waters! I wind with majesty +through the rich lands of my wide realms. I +make all fields through which I flow beautiful with +grass and flowers. By my right divine I claim this +maiden.'' + +But with scowling eye and rising wrath +Hercules made answer. ``Thou wouldst fight with +words, like a woman, while I would win by my +strength! My right hand is better than my tongue. +If thou wouldst have the maiden, then must thou +first overcome me in combat.'' + +Thereupon Achelous threw off his raiment and +began to prepare himself for the struggle. Hercules +took off his garment of beasts' skins, and +cast aside his club. The two then anointed their +bodies with oil, and threw yellow sand upon +themselves. + +They took their places, they attacked, they +retired, they rushed again to the conflict. They +stood firm, and they yielded not. Long they +bravely wrestled and fought; till at length +Hercules by his might overcame Achelous and bore +him to the ground. He pressed him down, and, +while the fallen river-god lay panting for breath, +the hero seized him by the neck. + +Then did Achelous have recourse to his magic +arts. Transforming himself into a serpent he +escaped from the hero. He twisted his body into +winding folds, and darted out his forked tongue +with frightful hissings. + +But Hercules laughed mockingly, and cried out: +``Ah, Achelous! While yet in my cradle I strangled +two serpents! And what art thou compared +to the Hydra whose hundred heads I cut off? +Every time I cut of I one head two others grew in +its place. Yet did I conquer that horror, in spite +of its branching serpents that darted from every +wound! Thinkest thou, then, that I fear thee, +thou mimic snake?'' And even as he spake he +gripped, as with a pair of pincers, the back of the +river-god's head. + +And Achelous struggled in vain to escape. +Then, again having recourse to his magic, he +became a raging bull, and renewed the fight. But +Hercules, that mighty hero, threw his huge arms +over the brawny neck of the bull, and dragged +him about. Then seizing hold of his horns, he +bent his head to one side, and bearing down +fastened them into the ground. And that was not +enough, but with relentless hand he broke one of +the horns, and tore it from Achelous's forehead. + +The river-god returned to his own shape. He +roared aloud with rage and pain, and hiding his +mutilated head in his mantle, rushed from the +hall and plunged into the swirling waters of his +stream. + +Then the goddess of Plenty, and all the Wood- +Nymphs and Water-Nymphs came forward to +greet the conqueror with song and dance. They +took the huge horn of Achelous and heaped it high +with the rich and glowing fruits and flowers of +autumn. They wreathed it with vines and with +clustering grapes, and bearing it aloft presented it +to Hercules and his beautiful bride Deianira. + +And ever since that day has the Horn of Plenty +gladdened men's hearts at Harvest-Time. + + + +CHRISTMAS DAY + +(DECEMBER 25) + +LITTLE PICCOLA + +AFTER CELIA THAXTER + +In the sunny land of France there lived many +years ago a sweet little maid named Piccola. + +Her father had died when she was a baby, and +her mother was very poor and had to work hard +all day in the fields for a few sous. + +Little Piccola had no dolls and toys, and she +was often hungry and cold, but she was never sad +nor lonely. + +What if there were no children for her to play +with! What if she did not have fine clothes and +beautiful toys! In summer there were always the +birds in the forest, and the flowers in the fields and +meadows,--the birds sang so sweetly, and the +flowers were so bright and pretty! + +In the winter when the ground was covered +with snow, Piccola helped her mother, and knit +long stockings of blue wool. + +The snow-birds had to be fed with crumbs, if +she could find any, and then, there was Christmas +Day. + +But one year her mother was ill and could not +earn any money. Piccola worked hard all the day +long, and sold the stockings which she knit, even +when her own little bare feet were blue with the +cold. + +As Christmas Day drew near she said to her +mother, ``I wonder what the good Saint Nicholas +will bring me this year. I cannot hang my stocking +in the fireplace, but I shall put my wooden +shoe on the hearth for him. He will not forget +me, I am sure.'' + +``Do not think of it this year, my dear child,'' +replied her mother. ``We must be glad if we have +bread enough to eat.'' + +But Piccola could not believe that the good +saint would forget her. On Christmas Eve she +put her little wooden patten on the hearth before +the fire, and went to sleep to dream of Saint +Nicholas. + +As the poor mother looked at the little shoe, +she thought how unhappy her dear child would be +to find it empty in the morning, and wished that +she had something, even if it were only a tiny +cake, for a Christmas gift. There was nothing in +the house but a few sous, and these must be saved +to buy bread. + +When the morning dawned Piccola awoke and +ran to her shoe. + +Saint Nicholas had come in the night. He had +not forgotten the little child who had thought of +him with such faith. + +See what he had brought her. It lay in the +wooden patten, looking up at her with its two +bright eyes, and chirping contentedly as she +stroked its soft feathers. + +A little swallow, cold and hungry, had flown +into the chimney and down to the room, and +had crept into the shoe for warmth. + +Piccola danced for joy, and clasped the +shivering swallow to her breast. + +She ran to her mother's bedside. ``Look, +look!'' she cried. ``A Christmas gift, a gift from +the good Saint Nicholas!'' And she danced again +in her little bare feet. + +Then she fed and warmed the bird, and cared +for it tenderly all winter long; teaching it to take +crumbs from her hand and her lips, and to sit on +her shoulder while she was working. + +In the spring she opened the window for it to +fly away, but it lived in the woods near by all +summer, and came often in the early morning to +sing its sweetest songs at her door. + + +THE STRANGER CHILD + +A LEGEND + +BY COUNT FRANZ POCCI (TRANSLATED) + +There once lived a laborer who earned his daily +bread by cutting wood. His wife and two children, +a boy and girl, helped him with his work. +The boy's name was Valentine, and the girl's, +Marie. They were obedient and pious and the +joy and comfort of their poor parents. + +One winter evening, this good family gathered +about the table to eat their small loaf of bread, +while the father read aloud from the Bible. Just +as they sat down there came a knock on the window, +and a sweet voice called:-- + +``O let me in! I am a little child, and I have +nothing to eat, and no place to sleep in. I am so +cold and hungry! Please, good people, let me in!'' + +Valentine and Marie sprang from the table and +ran to open the door, saying:-- + +``Come in, poor child, we have but very little +ourselves, not much more than thou hast, but +what we have we will share with thee.'' + +The stranger Child entered, and going to the +fire began to warm his cold hands. + +The children gave him a portion of their bread, +and said:-- + +``Thou must be very tired; come, lie down in +our bed, and we will sleep on the bench here before +the fire.'' + +Then answered the stranger Child: ``May God +in Heaven reward you for your kindness.'' + +They led the little guest to their small room, +laid him in their bed, and covered him closely, +thinking to themselves:-- + +``Oh! how much we have to be thankful for! +We have our nice warm room and comfortable +bed, while this Child has nothing but the sky for a +roof, and the earth for a couch.'' + +When the parents went to their bed, Valentine +and Marie lay down on the bench before the fire, +and said one to the other:-- + +``The stranger Child is happy now, because he +is so warm! Good-night!'' + +Then they fell asleep. + +They had not slept many hours, when little +Marie awoke, and touching her brother lightly, +whispered:-- + +``Valentine, Valentine, wake up! wake up! +Listen to the beautiful music at the window.'' + +Valentine rubbed his eyes and listened. He +heard the most wonderful singing and the sweet +notes of many harps. + + ``Blessed Child, + Thee we greet, + With sound of harp + And singing sweet. + + ``Sleep in peace, + Child so bright, + We have watched thee + All the night. + + ``Blest the home + That holdeth Thee, + Peace, and love, + Its guardians be.'' + + +The children listened to the beautiful singing, +and it seemed to fill them with unspeakable happiness. +Then creeping to the window they looked +out. + +They saw a rosy light in the east, and, before +the house in the snow, stood a number of little +children holding golden harps and lutes in their +hands, and dressed in sparkling, silver robes. + +Full of wonder at this sight, Valentine and +Marie continued to gaze out at the window, when +they heard a sound behind them, and turning saw +the stranger Child standing near. He was clad in +a golden garment, and wore a glistening, golden +crown upon his soft hair. Sweetly he spoke to the +children:-- + +``I am the Christ Child, who wanders about the +world seeking to bring joy and good things to loving +children. Because you have lodged me this +night I will leave with you my blessing.'' + +As the Christ Child spoke He stepped from the +door, and breaking off a bough from a fir tree that +grew near, planted it in the ground, saying:-- + +``This bough shall grow into a tree, and every +year it shall bear Christmas fruit for you.'' + +Having said this He vanished from their sight, +together with the silver-clad, singing children-- +the angels. + +And, as Valentine and Marie looked on in wonder, +the fir bough grew, and grew, and grew, +into a stately Christmas Tree laden with golden +apples, silver nuts, and lovely toys. And after +that, every year at Christmas time, the Tree bore +the same wonderful fruit. + +And you, dear boys and girls, when you gather +around your richly decorated trees, think of the +two poor children who shared their bread with a +stranger child, and be thankful. + + +SAINT CHRISTOPHER + +A GOLDEN LEGEND + +ENGLISHED BY WILLIAM CAXTON (ADAPTED) + +Christopher was a Canaanite, and he was of a +right great stature, twelve cubits in height, and +had a terrible countenance. And it is said that as +he served and dwelled with the King of Canaan, +it came in his mind that he would seek the +greatest prince that was in the world, and him would +he serve and obey. + +So he went forth and came to a right great +king, whom fame said was the greatest of the +world. And when the king saw him he received +him into his service, and made him to dwell in +his court. + +Upon a time a minstrel sang before him a song +in which he named oft the devil. And the king, +who was a Christian, when he heard him name +the devil, made anon the sign of the cross. + +And when Christopher saw that he marveled, +and asked what the sign might mean. And because +the king would not say, he said: ``If thou +tell me not, I shall no longer dwell with thee.'' + +And then the King told him, saying: ``Alway +when I hear the devil named make I this sign lest +he grieve or annoy me.'' + +Then said Christopher to him: ``Fearest thou +the devil? Then is the devil more mighty and +greater than thou art. I am then deceived, for I +had supposed that I had found the most mighty +and the most greatest lord in all the world! +Fare thee well, for I will now go seek the devil +to be my lord and I his servant.'' + +So Christopher departed from this king and +hastened to seek the devil. And as he went by a +great desert he saw a company of knights, and one +of them, a knight cruel and horrible, came to him +and demanded whither he went. + +And Christopher answered: ``I go to seek the +devil for to be my master.'' + +Then said the knight: ``I am he that thou +seekest.'' + +And then Christopher was glad and bound himself +to be the devil's servant, and took him for his +master and lord. + +Now, as they went along the way they found +there a cross, erect and standing. And anon as the +devil saw the cross he was afeared and fled. And +when Christopher saw that he marveled and +demanded why he was afeared, and why he fled +away. And the devil would not tell him in no +wise. + +Then Christopher said to him: ``If thou wilt not +tell me, I shall anon depart from thee and shall +serve thee no more.'' + +Wherefore the devil was forced to tell him and +said: ``There was a man called Christ, which was +hanged on the cross, and when I see his sign I am +sore afraid and flee from it.'' + +To whom Christopher said: ``Then he is greater +and more mightier than thou, since thou art +afraid of his sign,and I see well that I have labored +in vain, and have not founden the greatest lord of +the world. I will serve thee no longer, but I will +go seek Christ.'' + +And when Christopher had long sought where +he should find Christ, at last he came into a great +desert, to a hermit that dwelt there. And he +inquired of him where Christ was to be found. + +Then answered the hermit: ``The king whom +thou desirest to serve, requireth that thou must +often fast.'' + +Christopher said: ``Require of me some other +thing and I shall do it, but fast I may not.'' + +And the hermit said: ``Thou must then wake +and make many prayers.'' + +And Christopher said: ``I do not know how to +pray, so this I may not do.'' + +And the hermit said: ``Seest thou yonder deep +and wide river, in which many people have +perished? Because thou art noble, and of high +stature and strong of limb, so shalt thou live by +the river and thou shalt bear over all people who +pass that way. And this thing will be pleasing +to our Lord Jesu Christ, whom thou desirest to +serve, and I hope he shall show himself to thee.'' + +Then said Christopher: ``Certes, this service +may I well do, and I promise Him to do it.'' + +Then went Christopher to this river, and built +himself there a hut. He carried a great pole in his +hand, to support himself in the water, and bore +over on his shoulders all manner of people to the +other side. And there he abode, thus doing many +days. + +And on a time, as he slept in his hut, he heard +the voice of a child which called him:-- + +``Christopher, Christopher, come out and bear +me over.'' + +Then he awoke and went out, but he found no +man. And when he was again in his house he +heard the same voice, crying:-- + +``Christopher, Christopher, come out and bear +me over.'' + +And he ran out and found nobody. + +And the third time he was called and ran +thither, and he found a Child by the brink of the +river, which prayed him goodly to bear him over +the water. + +And then Christopher lifted up the Child on his +shoulders, and took his staff, and entered into the +river for to pass over. And the water of the river +arose and swelled more and more; and the Child +was heavy as lead, and always as Christopher +went farther the water increased and grew more, +and the Child more and more waxed heavy, insomuch +that Christopher suffered great anguish and +was afeared to be drowned. + +And when he was escaped with great pain, and +passed over the water, and set the Child aground, +he said:-- + +``Child, thou hast put me in great peril. Thou +weighest almost as I had all the world upon me. +I might bear no greater burden.'' + +And the Child answered: ``Christopher, marvel +thee nothing, for thou hast not only borne all the +world upon thee, but thou hast borne Him that +created and made all the world, upon thy +shoulders. I am Jesu Christ the King whom thou +servest. And that thou mayest know that I say +the truth, set thy staff in the earth by thy house, +and thou shalt see to-morn that it shall bear +flowers and fruit.'' + +And anon the Child vanished from his eyes. + +And then Christopher set his staff in the earth, +and when he arose on the morn, he found his staff +bearing flowers, leaves, and dates. + + +THE CHRISTMAS ROSE + +AN OLD LEGEND + +BY LIZZIE DEAS (ADAPTED) + +When the Magi laid their rich offerings of myrrh, +frankincense, and gold, by the bed of the sleeping +Christ Child, legend says that a shepherd maiden +stood outside the door quietly weeping. + +She, too, had sought the Christ Child. She, too, +desired to bring him gifts. But she had nothing to +offer, for she was very poor indeed. In vain she +had searched the countryside over for one little +flower to bring Him, but she could find neither +bloom nor leaf, for the winter had been cold. + +And as she stood there weeping, an angel +passing saw her sorrow, and stooping he brushed +aside the snow at her feet. And there sprang up +on the spot a cluster of beautiful winter roses,-- +waxen white with pink tipped petals. + +``Nor myrrh, nor frankincense, nor gold,'' said +the angel, ``is offering more meet for the Christ +Child than these pure Christmas Roses.'' + +Joyfully the shepherd maiden gathered the +flowers and made her offering to the Holy Child. + + +THE WOODEN SHOES OF LITTLE WOLFF + +BY FRANCOIS COPPEE (ADAPTED) + +Once upon a time,--so long ago that the world +has forgotten the date,--in a city of the North of +Europe,--the name of which is so hard to +pronounce that no one remembers it,--there was a +little boy, just seven years old, whose name was +Wolff. He was an orphan and lived with his aunt, +a hard-hearted, avaricious old woman, who never +kissed him but once a year, on New Year's Day; +and who sighed with regret every time she gave +him a bowlful of soup. + +The poor little boy was so sweet-tempered that +he loved the old woman in spite of her bad treatment, +but he could not look without trembling at +the wart, decorated with four gray hairs, which +grew on the end of her nose. + +As Wolff's aunt was known to have a house of +her own and a woolen stocking full of gold, she did +not dare to send her nephew to the school for the +poor. But she wrangled so that the schoolmaster +of the rich boys' school was forced to lower his +price and admit little Wolff among his pupils. +The bad schoolmaster was vexed to have a boy +so meanly clad and who paid so little, and he +punished little Wolff severely without cause, +ridiculed him, and even incited against him his +comrades, who were the sons of rich citizens. +They made the orphan their drudge and mocked +at him so much that the little boy was as miserable +as the stones in the street, and hid himself +away in corners to cry--when the Christmas +season came. + +On the Eve of the great Day the schoolmaster +was to take all his pupils to the midnight mass, +and then to conduct them home again to their +parents' houses. + +Now as the winter was very severe, and a +quantity of snow had fallen within the past few +days, the boys came to the place of meeting +warmly wrapped up, with fur-lined caps drawn +down over their ears, padded jackets, gloves and +knitted mittens, and good strong shoes with +thick soles. Only little Wolff presented himself +shivering in his thin everyday clothes, and wearing +on his feet socks and wooden shoes. + +His naughty comrades tried to annoy him in +every possible way, but the orphan was so busy +warming his hands by blowing on them, and was +suffering so much from chilblains, that he paid no +heed to the taunts of the others. Then the band +of boys, marching two by two, started for the +parish church. + +It was comfortable inside the church, which +was brilliant with lighted tapers. And the pupils, +made lively by the gentle warmth, the sound of +the organ, and the singing of the choir, began to +chatter in low tones. They boasted of the midnight +treats awaiting them at home. The son of +the Mayor had seen, before leaving the house, a +monstrous goose larded with truffles so that it +looked like a black-spotted leopard. Another boy +told of the fir tree waiting for him, on the branches +of which hung oranges, sugar-plums, and punchinellos. +Then they talked about what the Christ +Child would bring them, or what he would leave +in their shoes which they would certainly be careful +to place before the fire when they went to bed. +And the eyes of the little rogues, lively as a crowd +of mice, sparkled with delight as they thought of +the many gifts they would find on waking,--the +pink bags of burnt almonds, the bonbons, lead +soldiers standing in rows, menageries, and magnificent +jumping-jacks, dressed in purple and gold. + +Little Wolff, alas! knew well that his miserly +old aunt would send him to bed without any supper; +but as he had been good and industrious all +the year, he trusted that the Christ Child would +not forget him, so he meant that night to set his +wooden shoes on the hearth. + +The midnight mass was ended. The worshipers +hurried away, anxious to enjoy the treats awaiting +them in their homes. The band of pupils, two by +two, following the schoolmaster, passed out of the +church. + +Now, under the porch, seated on a stone bench, +in the shadow of an arched niche, was a child +asleep,--a little child dressed in a white garment +and with bare feet exposed to the cold. He was +not a beggar, for his dress was clean and new, and +--beside him upon the ground, tied in a cloth, were +the tools of a carpenter's apprentice. + +Under the light of the stars, his face, with its +closed eyes, shone with an expression of divine +sweetness, and his soft, curling blond hair seemed +to form an aureole of light about his forehead. +But his tender feet, blue with the cold on this +cruel night of December, were pitiful to see! + +The pupils so warmly clad and shod, passed +with indifference before the unknown child. +Some, the sons of the greatest men in the city, +cast looks of scorn on the barefooted one. But +little Wolff, coming last out of the church, stopped +deeply moved before the beautiful, sleeping child. + +``Alas!'' said the orphan to himself, ``how +dreadful! This poor little one goes without stockings +in weather so cold! And, what is worse, he +has no shoe to leave beside him while he sleeps, so +that the Christ Child may place something in it to +comfort him in all his misery.'' + +And carried away by his tender heart, little +Wolff drew off the wooden shoe from his right +foot, placed it before the sleeping child; and as +best as he was able, now hopping, now limping, +and wetting his sock in the snow, he returned to +his aunt. + +``You good-for-nothing!'' cried the old woman, +full of rage as she saw that one of his shoes was +gone. ``What have you done with your shoe, little +beggar?'' + +Little Wolff did not know how to lie, and, +though shivering with terror as he saw the gray +hairs on the end of her nose stand upright, he +tried, stammering, to tell his adventure. + +But the old miser burst into frightful laughter. +``Ah! the sweet young master takes off his shoe +for a beggar! Ah! master spoils a pair of shoes for +a barefoot! This is something new, indeed! Ah! +well, since things are so, I will place the shoe that +is left in the fireplace, and to-night the Christ +Child will put in a rod to whip you when you +wake. And to-morrow you shall have nothing to +eat but water and dry bread, and we shall see if +the next time you will give away your shoe to the +first vagabond that comes along.'' + +And saying this the wicked woman gave him +a box on each ear, and made him climb to his +wretched room in the loft. There the heartbroken +little one lay down in the darkness, and, +drenching his pillow with tears, fell asleep. + +But in the morning, when the old woman, +awakened by the cold and shaken by her cough, +descended to the kitchen, oh! wonder of wonders! +she saw the great fireplace filled with bright toys, +magnificent boxes of sugar-plums, riches of all +sorts, and in front of all this treasure, the wooden +shoe which her nephew had given to the vagabond, +standing beside the other shoe which she +herself had placed there the night before, intending +to put in it a handful of switches. + +And as little Wolff, who had come running at +the cries of his aunt, stood in speechless delight +before all the splendid Christmas gifts, there +came great shouts of laughter from the street. + +The old woman and the little boy went out to +learn what it was all about, and saw the gossips +gathered around the public fountain. What could +have happened? Oh, a most amusing and extraordinary +thing! The children of all the rich men of +the city, whose parents wished to surprise them +with the most beautiful gifts, had found nothing +but switches in their shoes! + +Then the old woman and little Wolff remembered +with alarm all the riches that were in their +own fireplace, but just then they saw the pastor +of the parish church arriving with his face full of +perplexity. + +Above the bench near the church door, in the +very spot where the night before a child, dressed +in white, with bare feet exposed to the great cold, +had rested his sleeping head, the pastor had seen a +golden circle wrought into the old stones. Then +all the people knew that the beautiful, sleeping +child, beside whom had lain the carpenter's tools, +was the Christ Child himself, and that he had +rewarded the faith and charity of little Wolff. + + +THE PINE TREE + +BY HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN (TRANSLATED) + +I + +WHEN IT WAS LITTLE + +Out in the woods stood such a nice little Pine +Tree: he had a good place; the sun could get at +him; there was fresh air enough; and round him +grew many big comrades, both pines and firs. +But the little Pine wanted so very much to be a +grown-up tree. + +He did not think of the warm sun and of the fresh +air, he did not care for the little cottage-children +who ran about and prattled when they were looking +for wild strawberries and raspberries. Often +they came with a whole jug full, or had their +strawberries strung on a straw, and sat down near the +little Tree and said, ``Oh, what a nice little fellow!'' +This was what the Tree could not bear to hear. + +The year after he had shot up a good deal, and +the next year after he was still bigger; for with +pine trees one can always tell by the shoots how +many years old they are. + +``Oh, were I but such a big tree as the others +are,'' sighed the little Tree. ``Then I could +spread my branches so far, and with the tops look +out into the wide world! Birds would build nests +among my branches; and when there was a +breeze, I could nod as grandly as the others +there.'' + +He had no delight at all in the sunshine, or in +the birds, or the red clouds which morning and +evening sailed above him. + +When now it was winter and the snow all +around lay glittering white, a hare would often +come leaping along, and jump right over the little +Tree. Oh, that made him so angry! But two +winters went by, and with the third the Tree was +so big that the hare had to go round it. ``Oh, +to grow, to grow, to become big and old, and be +tall,'' thought the Tree: ``that, after all, is the +most delightful thing in the world!'' + +In autumn the wood-cutters always came and +felled some of the largest trees. This happened +every year, and the young Pine Tree, that was +now quite well grown, trembled at the sight; for +the great stately trees fell to the earth with noise +and cracking, the branches were lopped off, and +the trees looked quite bare, they were so long and +thin; you would hardly know them for trees, and +then they were laid on carts, and horses dragged +them out of the wood. + +Where did they go to? What became of them? + +In spring, when the Swallow and the Stork +came, the Tree asked them, ``Don't you know +where they have been taken? Have you not met +them anywhere?'' + +The Swallow did not know anything about it; +but the Stork looked doubtful, nodded his head, +and said, ``Yes; I have it; I met many new ships +as I was flying from Egypt; on the ships were +splendid masts, and I dare say it was they that +smelt so of pine. I wish you joy, for they lifted +themselves on high in fine style!'' + +``Oh, were I but old enough to fly across the sea! +How does the sea really look? and what is it like?'' + +``Aye, that takes a long time to tell,'' said the +Stork, and away he went. + +``Rejoice in thy youth!'' said the Sunbeams, +``rejoice in thy hearty growth, and in the young +life that is in thee!'' + +And the Wind kissed the Tree, and the Dew +wept tears over him, but the Pine Tree understood it not. + + +II + +CHRISTMAS IN THE WOODS + + +When Christmas came, quite young trees were +cut down; trees which were not even so large or of +the same age as this Pine Tree, who had no rest or +peace, but always wanted to be off. These young +trees, and they were always the finest looking, +always kept their branches; they were laid on +carts, and the horses drew them out of the wood. + +``Where are they going to?'' asked the Pine +Tree. ``They are not taller than I; there was one, +indeed, that was much shorter;--and why do +they keep all their branches? Where are they +carrying them to?'' + +``We know! we know!'' chirped the Sparrows. +``We have peeped in at the windows down there in +the town. We know where they are carrying them +to. Oh, they are going to where it is as bright and +splendid as you can think! We peeped through +the windows, and saw them planted in the middle +of the warm room, and dressed with the most +splendid things,--with gilded apples, with +gingerbread, with toys and many hundred lights!'' + +``And then?'' asked the Pine Tree, and he +trembled in every bough. ``And then? What +happens then?'' + +``We did not see anything more: it beat everything!'' + +``I wonder if I am to sparkle like that!'' cried +the Tree, rejoicing. ``That is still better than to +go over the sea! How I do suffer for very longing! +Were Christmas but come! I am now tall, and +stretch out like the others that were carried off +last year! Oh, if I were already on the cart! I +wish I were in the warm room with all the splendor +and brightness. And then? Yes; then will come +something better, something still grander, or why +should they dress me out so? There must come +something better, something still grander,--but +what? Oh, how I long, how I suffer! I do not +know myself what is the matter with me!'' + +``Rejoice in us!'' said the Air and the Sunlight; +``rejoice in thy fresh youth out here in the open +air!'' + +But the Tree did not rejoice at all; he grew and +grew; and he stood there in all his greenery; rich +green was he winter and summer. People that +saw him said, ``That's a fine tree!'' and toward +Christmas he was the first that was cut down. +The axe struck deep into the very pith; the Tree +fell to the earth with a sigh: he felt a pang--it +was like a swoon; he could not think of happiness, +for he was sad at being parted from his home, +from the place where he had sprung up. He well +knew that he should never see his dear old comrades, +the little bushes and flowers around him, +any more; perhaps not even the birds! The setting +off was not at all pleasant. + +The Tree only came to himself when he was +unloaded in a courtyard with other trees, and +heard a man say, ``That one is splendid! we don't +want the others.'' Then two servants came in +rich livery and carried the Pine Tree into a large +and splendid room. Portraits were hanging on +the walls, and near the white porcelain stove +stood two large Chinese vases with lions on the +covers. There, too, were large easy-chairs, silken +sofas, large tables full of picture-books, and full of +toys worth a hundred times a hundred dollars-- +at least so the children said. And the Pine Tree +was stuck upright in a cask filled with sand: but +no one could see that it was a cask, for green cloth +was hung all around it, and it stood on a gayly +colored carpet. Oh, how the Tree quivered! +What was to happen? The servants, as well as the +young ladies, dressed it. On one branch there +hung little nets cut out of colored paper; each net +was filled with sugar-plums; gilded apples and +walnuts hung as though they grew tightly there, +and more than a hundred little red, blue, and white +tapers were stuck fast into the branches. Dolls +that looked for all the world like men--the Tree +had never seen such things before--fluttered +among the leaves, and at the very top a large star +of gold tinsel was fixed. It was really splendid-- +splendid beyond telling. + +``This evening!'' said they all; ``how it will +shine this evening!'' + +``Oh,'' thought the Tree, ``if it were only +evening! If the tapers were but lighted! And then I +wonder what will happen! I wonder if the other +trees from the forest will come to look at me! +I wonder if the sparrows will beat against the +window-panes! I wonder if I shall take root here, +and stand dressed so winter and summer!'' + +Aye, aye, much he knew about the matter! but +he had a real back-ache for sheer longing, and a +back-ache with trees is the same thing as a head- +ache with us. + + +III + +CHRISTMAS IN THE HOUSE + + +The candles were now lighted. What brightness! +What splendor! The Tree trembled so in +every bough that one of the tapers set fire to a +green branch. It blazed up splendidly. + +Now the Tree did not even dare to tremble. +That was a fright! He was so afraid of losing +something of all his finery, that he was quite +confused amidst the glare and brightness; and now +both folding-doors opened, and a troop of children +rushed in as if they would tip the whole Tree over. +The older folks came quietly behind; the little +ones stood quite still, but only for a moment, then +they shouted so that the whole place echoed their +shouts, they danced round the Tree, and one +present after another was pulled off. + +``What are they about?'' thought the Tree. +``What is to happen now?'' And the lights burned +down to the very branches, and as they burned +down they were put out one after the other, and +then the children had leave to plunder the Tree. +Oh, they rushed upon it so that it cracked in all its +limbs; if its tip-top with the gold star on it had +not been fastened to the ceiling, it would have +tumbled over. + +The children danced about with their pretty +toys; no one looked at the Tree except the old +nurse, who peeped in among the branches; but it +was only to see if there was a fig or an apple that +had been forgotten. + +``A story! a story!'' cried the children, and they +dragged a little fat man toward the Tree. He sat +down under it, and said, ``Now we are in the +shade, and the Tree can hear very well too. But I +shall tell only one story. Now which will you +have: that about Ivedy-Avedy, or about Klumpy- +Dumpy who tumbled downstairs, and came to the +throne after all, and married the princess?'' + +``Ivedy-Avedy,'' cried some; ``Klumpy- +Dumpy,'' cried the others. There was such a +bawling and screaming!--the Pine Tree alone +was silent, and he thought to himself, ``Am I not +to bawl with the rest?--am I to do nothing +whatever?''--for he was one of them, and he had done +what he had to do. + +And the man told about Klumpy-Dumpy who +tumbled downstairs, and came to the throne after +all, and married the princess. And the children +clapped their hands, and cried out, ``Go on, go +on!'' They wanted to hear about Ivedy-Avedy +too, but the little man only told them about +Klumpy-Dumpy. The Pine Tree stood quite still +and thoughtful: the birds in the wood had never +told anything like this. ``Klumpy-Dumpy fell +downstairs, and yet he married the princess! Yes, +yes, that's the way of the world!'' thought the +Pine Tree, and he believed it all, because it was +such a nice man who told the story. + +``Well, well! who knows, perhaps I may fall +downstairs, too, and so get a princess!'' And he +looked forward with joy to the next day when he +should be decked out with lights and toys, fruits +and tinsel. + +``To-morrow I won't tremble!'' thought the +Pine Tree. ``I will enjoy to the full all my +splendor! To-morrow I shall hear again the story of +Klumpy-Dumpy, and perhaps that of Ivedy- +Avedy too.'' And the whole night the Tree stood +still in deep thought. + +In the morning the servant and the maid came in. + + +IV + +IN THE ATTIC + + +``Now all the finery will begin again,'' thought +the Pine. But they dragged him out of the room, +and up the stairs into the attic; and here in a dark +corner, where no daylight could enter, they left +him. ``What's the meaning of this?'' thought the +Tree. ``What am I to do here? What shall I see +and hear now, I wonder?'' And he leaned against +the wall and stood and thought and thought. +And plenty of time he had, for days and nights +passed, and nobody came up; and when at last +somebody did come, it was only to put some great +trunks in the corner. There stood the Tree quite +hidden; it seemed as if he had been entirely forgotten. + +``'T is now winter out-of-doors!'' thought the +Tree. ``The earth is hard and covered with snow; +men cannot plant me now; therefore I have been +put up here under cover till spring! How thoughtful +that is! How good men are, after all! If it +were not so dark here, and so terribly lonely! Not +even a hare. Out there it was so pleasant in the +woods, when the snow was on the ground, and the +hare leaped by; yes--even when he jumped over +me; but I did not like it then. It is terribly lonely +here!'' + +``Squeak! squeak!'' said a little Mouse at the +same moment, peeping out of his hole. And then +another little one came. They snuffed about the +Pine Tree, and rustled among the branches. + +``It is dreadfully cold,'' said the little Mouse. +``But for that, it would be delightful here, old +Pine, wouldn't it!'' + +``I am by no means old,'' said the Pine Tree. +``There are many a good deal older than I am.'' + +``Where do you come from?'' asked the Mice; +``and what can you do?'' They were so very +curious. ``Tell us about the most beautiful spot +on earth. Have you been there? Were you ever in +the larder, where cheeses lie on the shelves, and +hams hang from above; where one dances about +on tallow candles; where one goes in lean and +comes out fat?'' + +``I don't know that place,'' said the Tree. +``But I know the wood where the sun shines, and +where the little birds sing.'' + +And then he told his story from his youth up; +and the little Mice had never heard the like +before; and they listened and said, +``Well, to be sure! How much you have seen! +How happy you must have been!'' + +``I!'' said the Pine Tree, and he thought over +what he had himself told. ``Yes, really those +were happy times.'' And then he told about +Christmas Eve, when he was decked out with +cakes and candles. + +``Oh,'' said the little Mice, ``how lucky you have +been, old Pine Tree!'' + +``I am not at all old,'' said he. ``I came from +the wood this winter; I am in my prime, and am +only rather short of my age.'' + +``What delightful stories you know!'' said the +Mice: and the next night they came with four +other little Mice, who were to hear what the Tree +had to tell; and the more he told, the more plainly +he remembered all himself; and he thought: +``That was a merry time! But it can come! it can +come! Klumpy-Dumpy fell down stairs, and yet +he got a princess! Maybe I can get a princess +too!'' And all of a sudden he thought of a nice +little Birch Tree growing out in the woods: to the +Pine, that would be a really charming princess. + +``Who is Klumpy-Dumpy?'' asked the little +Mice. + +So then the Pine Tree told the whole fairy tale, +for he could remember every single word of it; and +the little Mice jumped for joy up to the very top +of the Tree. Next night two more Mice came, +and on Sunday two Rats, even; but they said the +stories were not amusing, which vexed the little +Mice, because they, too, now began to think +them not so very amusing either. + +``Do you know only that one story?'' asked the +Rats. + +``Only that one!'' answered the Tree. ``I heard +it on my happiest evening; but I did not then +know how happy I was.'' + +``It is a very stupid story! Don't you know one +about bacon and tallow candles? Can't you tell +any larder-stories?'' + +``No,'' said the Tree. + +``Thank you, then,'' said the Rats; and they +went home. + +At last the little Mice stayed away also; and +the Tree sighed: ``After all, it was very pleasant +when the sleek little Mice sat round me and heard +what I told them. Now that too is over. But I +will take good care to enjoy myself when I am +brought out again.'' + +But when was that to be? Why, it was one +morning when there came a number of people and +set to work in the loft. The trunks were moved, +the tree was pulled out and thrown down; they +knocked him upon the floor, but a man drew him +at once toward the stairs, where the daylight shone. + + +V + +OUT OF DOORS AGAIN + + +``Now life begins again,'' thought the Tree. He +felt the fresh air, the first sunbeam,--and now +he was out in the courtyard. All passed so quickly +that the Tree quite forgot to look to himself, there +was so much going on around him. The court +adjoined a garden, and all was in flower; the roses +hung over the fence, so fresh and smelling so +sweetly; the lindens were in blossom, the Swallows +flew by, and said, ``Quirre-virre-vit! my husband +is come!'' But it was not the Pine Tree that they +meant. + +``Now, I shall really live,'' said he with joy, and +spread out his branches; dear! dear! they were all +dry and yellow. It was in a corner among weeds +and nettles that he lay. The golden star of tinsel +was still on top of the Tree, and shone in the +bright sunshine. + +In the courtyard a few of the merry children +were playing who had danced at Christmas +round the Tree, and were so glad at the sight of +him. One of the littlest ran and tore off the golden +star. + +``See what is still on the ugly old Christmas +Tree!'' said he, and he trampled on the branches, +so that they cracked under his feet. + +And the Tree saw all the beauty of the flowers, +and the freshness in the garden; he saw himself, +and he wished he had stayed in his dark corner in +the attic: he thought of his fresh youth in the +wood, of the merry Christmas Eve, and of the +little Mice who had heard so gladly the story of +Klumpy-Dumpy. + +``Gone! gone!'' said the poor Tree. ``Had I but +been happy when I could be. Gone! gone!'' + +And the gardener's boy came and chopped the +Tree into small pieces; there was a whole heap +lying there. The wood flamed up finely under +the large brewing kettle, and it sighed so deeply! +Each sigh was like a little shot. So the children +ran to where it lay and sat down before the fire, +and peeped in at the blaze, and shouted ``Piff! +paff!'' But at every snap there was a deep sigh. +The Tree was thinking of summer days in the +wood, and of winter nights when the stars shone; +it was thinking of Christmas Eve and Klumpy- +Dumpy, the only fairy tale it had heard and knew +how to tell,--and so the Tree burned out. + +The boys played about in the court, and the +youngest wore the gold star on his breast which +the Tree had worn on the happiest evening of his +life. Now, that was gone, the Tree was gone, and +gone too was the story. All, all was gone, and +that's the way with all stories. + + +THE CHRISTMAS CUCKOO + +BY FRANCES BROWNE (ADAPTED) + +Once upon a time there stood in the midst of a +bleak moor, in the North Country, a certain village. +All its inhabitants were poor, for their fields +were barren, and they had little trade; but the +poorest of them all were two brothers called Scrub +and Spare, who followed the cobbler's craft. +Their hut was built of clay and wattles. The door +was low and always open, for there was no +window. The roof did not entirely keep out the rain +and the only thing comfortable was a wide fireplace, +for which the brothers could never find +wood enough to make sufficient fire. There they +worked in most brotherly friendship, though with +little encouragement. + +On one unlucky day a new cobbler arrived in +the village. He had lived in the capital city of the +kingdom and, by his own account, cobbled for the +queen and the princesses. His awls were sharp, +his lasts were new; he set up his stall in a neat +cottage with two windows. The villagers soon +found out that one patch of his would outwear +two of the brothers'. In short, all the mending +left Scrub and Spare, and went to the new cobbler. + +The season had been wet and cold, their barley +did not ripen well, and the cabbages never half- +closed in the garden. So the brothers were poor +that winter, and when Christmas came they had +nothing to feast on but a barley loaf and a piece of +rusty bacon. Worse than that, the snow was very +deep and they could get no firewood. + +Their hut stood at the end of the village; +beyond it spread the bleak moor, now all white and +silent. But that moor had once been a forest; +great roots of old trees were still to be found in it, +loosened from the soil and laid bare by the winds +and rains. One of these, a rough, gnarled log, lay +hard by their door, the half of it above the snow, +and Spare said to his brother:-- + +``Shall we sit here cold on Christmas while the +great root lies yonder? Let us chop it up for +firewood, the work will make us warm.'' + +``No,'' said Scrub, ``it's not right to chop wood +on Christmas; besides, that root is too hard to be +broken with any hatchet.'' + +``Hard or not, we must have a fire,'' replied +Spare. ``Come, brother, help me in with it. Poor +as we are there is nobody in the village will have +such a yule log as ours.'' + +Scrub liked a little grandeur, and, in hopes of +having a fine yule log, both brothers strained and +strove with all their might till, between pulling +and pushing, the great old root was safe on the +hearth, and beginning to crackle and blaze with +the red embers. + +In high glee the cobblers sat down to their +bread and bacon. The door was shut, for there +was nothing but cold moonlight and snow outside; +but the hut, strewn with fir boughs and ornamented +with holly, looked cheerful as the ruddy +blaze flared up and rejoiced their hearts. + +Then suddenly from out the blazing root they +heard: ``Cuckoo! cuckoo!'' as plain as ever the +spring-bird's voice came over the moor on a May +morning. + +``What is that?'' said Scrub, terribly +frightened; ``it is something bad!'' + +``Maybe not,'' said Spare. + +And out of the deep hole at the side of the root, +which the fire had not reached, flew a large, gray +cuckoo, and lit on the table before them. Much +as the cobblers had been surprised, they were still +more so when it said:-- + +``Good gentlemen, what season is this?'' + +``It's Christmas,'' said Spare. + +``Then a merry Christmas to you!'' said the +cuckoo. ``I went to sleep in the hollow of that old +root one evening last summer, and never woke till +the heat of your fire made me think it was summer +again. But now since you have burned my +lodging, let me stay in your hut till the spring +comes round,--I only want a hole to sleep in, +and when I go on my travels next summer be +assured I will bring you some present for your +trouble.'' + +``Stay and welcome,'' said Spare, while Scrub +sat wondering if it were something bad or not. + +``I'll make you a good warm hole in the +thatch,'' said Spare. ``But you must be hungry +after that long sleep,--here is a slice of barley +bread. Come help us to keep Christmas!'' + +The cuckoo ate up the slice, drank water from a +brown jug, and flew into a snug hole which Spare +scooped for it in the thatch of the hut. + +Scrub said he was afraid it wouldn't be lucky; +but as it slept on and the days passed he forgot +his fears. + +So the snow melted, the heavy rains came, +the cold grew less, the days lengthened, and one +sunny morning the brothers were awakened by +the cuckoo shouting its own cry to let them know +the spring had come. + +``Now I'm going on my travels,'' said the +bird, ``over the world to tell men of the spring. +There is no country where trees bud, or flowers +bloom, that I will not cry in before the year goes +round. Give me another slice of barley bread to +help me on my journey, and tell me what present +I shall bring you at the twelvemonth's end.'' + +Scrub would have been angry with his brother +for cutting so large a slice, their store of barley +being low, but his mind was occupied with what +present it would be most prudent to ask for. + +``There are two trees hard by the well that lies +at the world's end,'' said the cuckoo; ``one of +them is called the golden tree, for its leaves are all +of beaten gold. Every winter they fall into the +well with a sound like scattered coin, and I know +not what becomes of them. As for the other, it is +always green like a laurel. Some call it the wise, +and some the merry, tree. Its leaves never fall, +but they that get one of them keep a blithe heart +in spite of all misfortunes, and can make themselves +as merry in a hut as in a palace.'' + +``Good master cuckoo, bring me a leaf off that +tree!'' cried Spare. + +``Now, brother, don't be a fool!'' said Scrub; +``think of the leaves of beaten gold! Dear master +cuckoo, bring me one of them!'' + +Before another word could be spoken the +cuckoo had flown out of the open door, and was +shouting its spring cry over moor and meadow. + +The brothers were poorer than ever that year. +Nobody would send them a single shoe to mend, +and Scrub and Spare would have left the village +but for their barley-field and their cabbage- +garden. They sowed their barley, planted their +cabbage, and, now that their trade was gone, +worked in the rich villagers' fields to make out a +scanty living. + +So the seasons came and passed; spring, +summer, harvest, and winter followed each other as +they have done from the beginning. At the end of +the latter Scrub and Spare had grown so poor and +ragged that their old neighbors forgot to invite +them to wedding feasts or merrymakings, and the +brothers thought the cuckoo had forgotten them, +too, when at daybreak on the first of April they +heard a hard beak knocking at their door, and a +voice crying:-- + +``Cuckoo! cuckoo! Let me in with my presents!'' + +Spare ran to open the door, and in came the +cuckoo, carrying on one side of its bill a golden +leaf larger than that of any tree in the North +Country; and in the other side of its bill, one like +that of the common laurel, only it had a fresher +green. + +``Here,'' it said, giving the gold to Scrub and +the green to Spare, ``it is a long carriage from the +world's end. Give me a slice of barley bread, for I +must tell the North Country that the spring has +come.'' + +Scrub did not grudge the thickness of that slice, +though it was cut from their last loaf. So much +gold had never been in the cobbler's hands before, +and he could not help exulting over his brother. + +``See the wisdom of my choice,'' he said, +holding up the large leaf of gold. ``As for yours, as +good might be plucked from any hedge, I wonder +a sensible bird would carry the like so far.'' + +``Good master cobbler,'' cried the cuckoo, +finishing its slice, ``your conclusions are more +hasty than courteous. If your brother is +disappointed this time, I go on the same journey every +year, and for your hospitable entertainment will +think it no trouble to bring each of you whichever +leaf you desire.'' + +``Darling cuckoo,'' cried Scrub, ``bring me a +golden one.'' + +And Spare, looking up from the green leaf on +which he gazed as though it were a crown-jewel, +said:-- + +``Be sure to bring me one from the merry tree.'' + +And away flew the cuckoo. + +``This is the feast of All Fools, and it ought to +be your birthday,'' said Scrub. ``Did ever man +fling away such an opportunity of getting rich? +Much good your merry leaves will do in the +midst of rags and poverty!'' + +But Spare laughed at him, and answered with +quaint old proverbs concerning the cares that +come with gold, till Scrub, at length getting +angry, vowed his brother was not fit to live with a +respectable man; and taking his lasts, his awls, +and his golden leaf, he left the wattle hut, and +went to tell the villagers. + +They were astonished at the folly of Spare, and +charmed with Scrub's good sense, particularly +when he showed them the golden leaf, and told +that the cuckoo would bring him one every spring. + +The new cobbler immediately took him into +partnership; the greatest people sent him their +shoes to mend. Fairfeather, a beautiful village +maiden, smiled graciously upon him; and in the +course of that summer they were married, with a +grand wedding feast, at which the whole village +danced except Spare, who was not invited, because +the bride could not bear his low-mindedness, +and his brother thought him a disgrace to the +family. + +As for Scrub he established himself with +Fairfeather in a cottage close by that of the new +cobbler, and quite as fine. There he mended shoes to +everybody's satisfaction, had a scarlet coat and a +fat goose for dinner on holidays. Fairfeather, too, +had a crimson gown, and fine blue ribbons; but +neither she nor Scrub was content, for to buy this +grandeur the golden leaf had to be broken and +parted With piece by piece, so the last morsel was +gone before the cuckoo came with another. + +Spare lived on in the old hut, and worked in the +cabbage-garden. (Scrub had got the barley-field +because he was the elder.) Every day his coat +grew more ragged, and the hut more weather- +beaten; but people remarked that he never +looked sad or sour. And the wonder was that, +from the time any one began to keep his company, +he or she grew kinder, happier, and content. + +Every first of April the cuckoo came tapping at +their doors with the golden leaf for Scrub, and the +green for Spare. Fairfeather would have entertained +it nobly with wheaten bread and honey, +for she had some notion of persuading it to bring +two golden leaves instead of one; but the cuckoo +flew away to eat barley bread with Spare, saying +it was not fit company for fine people, and liked +the old hut where it slept so snugly from Christmas +till spring. + +Scrub spent the golden leaves, and remained +always discontented; and Spare kept the merry +ones. + +I do not know how many years passed in this +manner, when a certain great lord, who owned +that village, came to the neighborhood. His +castle stood on the moor. It was ancient and +strong, with high towers and a deep moat. All +the country as far as one could see from the highest +turret belonged to its lord; but he had not been +there for twenty years, and would not have come +then only he was melancholy. And there he lived +in a very bad temper. The servants said nothing +would please him, and the villagers put on their +worst clothes lest he should raise their rents. + +But one day in the harvest-time His Lordship +chanced to meet Spare gathering water-cresses at +a meadow stream, and fell into talk with the +cobbler. How it was nobody could tell, but from that +hour the great lord cast away his melancholy. He +forgot all his woes, and went about with a noble +train, hunting, fishing, and making merry in his +hall, where all travelers were entertained, and all +the poor were welcome. + +This strange story spread through the North +Country, and great company came to the cobbler's +hut,--rich men who had lost their money, +poor men who had lost their friends, beauties who +had grown old, wits who had gone out of fashion, +--all came to talk with Spare, and, whatever +their troubles had been, all went home merry. + +The rich gave him presents, the poor gave him +thanks. Spare's coat ceased to be ragged, he had +bacon with his cabbage, and the villagers began +to think there was some sense in him. + + +By this time his fame had reached the capital +city, and even the court. There were a great +many discontented people there; and the king +had lately fallen into ill humor because a +neighboring princess, with seven islands for her dowry, +would not marry his eldest son. + +So a royal messenger was sent to Spare, with a +velvet mantle, a diamond ring, and a command +that he should repair to court immediately. + +``To-morrow is the first of April,'' said Spare, +``and I will go with you two hours after sunrise.'' + +The messenger lodged all night at the castle, +and the cuckoo came at sunrise with the merry +leaf. + +``Court is a fine place,'' it said, when the +cobbler told it he was going, ``but I cannot come +there; they would lay snares and catch me; so be +careful of the leaves I have brought you, and give +me a farewell slice of barley bread.'' + +Spare was sorry to part with the cuckoo, little +as he had of its company, but he gave it a slice +which would have broken Scrub's heart in former +times, it was so thick and large. And having +sewed up the leaves in the lining of his leather +doublet, he set out with the messenger on his way +to court. + +His coming caused great surprise there. +Everybody wondered what the king could see in such +a common-looking man; but scarcely had His +Majesty conversed with him half an hour, when +the princess and her seven islands were forgotten +and orders given that a feast for all comers should +be spread in the banquet hall. + +The princes of the blood, the great lords and +ladies, the ministers of state, after that discoursed +with Spare, and the more they talked the lighter +grew their hearts, so that such changes had never +been seen at court. + +The lords forgot their spites and the ladies their +envies, the princes and ministers made friends +among themselves, and the judges showed no +favor. + +As for Spare, he had a chamber assigned him in +the palace, and a seat at the king's table. One +sent him rich robes, and another costly jewels; but +in the midst of all his grandeur he still wore the +leathern doublet, and continued to live at the +king's court, happy and honored, and making all +others merry and content. + + +THE CHRISTMAS FAIRY OF STRASBURG + +A GERMAN FOLK-TALE + +BY J. STIRLING COYNE (ADAPTED) + +Once, long ago, there lived near the ancient city +of Strasburg, on the river Rhine, a young and +handsome count, whose name was Otto. As the +years flew by he remained unwed, and never so +much as cast a glance at the fair maidens of the +country round; for this reason people began to +call him ``Stone-Heart.'' + +It chanced that Count Otto, on one Christmas +Eve, ordered that a great hunt should take place +in the forest surrounding his castle. He and his +guests and his many retainers rode forth, and +the chase became more and more exciting. It +led through thickets, and over pathless tracts of +forest, until at length Count Otto found himself +separated from his companions. + +He rode on by himself until he came to a spring +of clear, bubbling water, known to the people +around as the ``Fairy Well.'' Here Count Otto +dismounted. He bent over the spring and began +to lave his hands in the sparkling tide, but to his +wonder he found that though the weather was +cold and frosty, the water was warm and delightfully +caressing. He felt a glow of joy pass through +his veins, and, as he plunged his hands deeper, he +fancied that his right hand was grasped by another, +soft and small, which gently slipped from +his finger the gold ring he always wore. And, lo! +when he drew out his hand, the gold ring was gone. + +Full of wonder at this mysterious event, the +count mounted his horse and returned to his +castle, resolving in his mind that the very next +day he would have the Fairy Well emptied by his +servants. + +He retired to his room, and, throwing himself +just as he was upon his couch, tried to sleep; but +the strangeness of the adventure kept him restless +and wakeful. + +Suddenly he heard the hoarse baying of the +watch-hounds in the courtyard, and then the +creaking of the drawbridge, as though it were +being lowered. Then came to his ear the patter of +many small feet on the stone staircase, and next +he heard indistinctly the sound of light footsteps +in the chamber adjoining his own. + +Count Otto sprang from his couch, and as he +did so there sounded a strain of delicious music, +and the door of his chamber was flung open. +Hurrying into the next room, he found himself in +the midst of numberless Fairy beings, clad in gay +and sparkling robes. They paid no heed to him, +but began to dance, and laugh, and sing, to the +sound of mysterious music. + +In the center of the apartment stood a splendid +Christmas Tree, the first ever seen in that country. +Instead of toys and candles there hung on +its lighted boughs diamond stars, pearl necklaces, +bracelets of gold ornamented with colored jewels, +aigrettes of rubies and sapphires, silken belts +embroidered with Oriental pearls, and daggers +mounted in gold and studded with the rarest +gems. The whole tree swayed, sparkled, and +glittered in the radiance of its many lights. + +Count Otto stood speechless, gazing at all this +wonder, when suddenly the Fairies stopped dancing +and fell back, to make room for a lady of +dazzling beauty who came slowly toward him. + +She wore on her raven-black tresses a golden +diadem set with jewels. Her hair flowed down +upon a robe of rosy satin and creamy velvet. She +stretched out two small, white hands to the count +and addressed him in sweet, alluring tones:-- + +``Dear Count Otto,'' said she, ``I come to +return your Christmas visit. I am Ernestine, the +Queen of the Fairies. I bring you something you +lost in the Fairy Well.'' + +And as she spoke she drew from her bosom a +golden casket, set with diamonds, and placed it in +his hands. He opened it eagerly and found within +his lost gold ring. + +Carried away by the wonder of it all, and +overcome by an irresistible impulse, the count pressed +the Fairy Ernestine to his heart, while she, holding +him by the hand, drew him into the magic +mazes of the dance. The mysterious music floated +through the room, and the rest of that Fairy +company circled and whirled around the Fairy Queen +and Count Otto, and then gradually dissolved +into a mist of many colors, leaving the count and +his beautiful guest alone. + +Then the young man, forgetting all his former +coldness toward the maidens of the country +round about, fell on his knees before the Fairy +and besought her to become his bride. At last +she consented on the condition that he should +never speak the word ``death'' in her presence. + +The next day the wedding of Count Otto and +Ernestine, Queen of the Fairies, was celebrated +with great pomp and magnificence, and the two +continued to live happily for many years. + +Now it happened on a time, that the count and +his Fairy wife were to hunt in the forest around +the castle. The horses were saddled and bridled, +and standing at the door, the company waited, +and the count paced the hall in great impatience; +but still the Fairy Ernestine tarried long in her +chamber. At length she appeared at the door of +the hall, and the count addressed her in anger. + +``You have kept us waiting so long,'' he cried, +``that you would make a good messenger to send +for Death!'' + +Scarcely had he spoken the forbidden and fatal +word, when the Fairy, uttering a wild cry, vanished +from his sight. In vain Count Otto, overwhelmed +with grief and remorse, searched the +castle and the Fairy Well, no trace could he find +of his beautiful, lost wife but the imprint of her +delicate hand set in the stone arch above the +castle gate. + +Years passed by, and the Fairy Ernestine did +not return. The count continued to grieve. +Every Christmas Eve he set up a lighted tree in +the room where he had first met the Fairy, hoping +in vain that she would return to him. + +Time passed and the count died. The castle +fell into ruins. But to this day may be seen above +the massive gate, deeply sunken in the stone arch, +the impress of a small and delicate hand. + +And such, say the good folk of Strasburg, was +the origin of the Christmas Tree. + + +THE THREE PURSES + +A LEGEND + +BY WILLIAM S. WALSH (ADAPTED) + +When Saint Nicholas was Bishop of Myra, there +were among his people three beautiful maidens, +daughters of a nobleman. Their father was so +poor that he could not afford to give them dowries, +and as in that land no maid might marry +without a dowry, so these three maidens could +not wed the youths who loved them. + +At last the father became so very poor that he +no longer had money with which to buy food or +clothes for his daughters, and he was overcome by +shame and sorrow. As for the daughters they +wept continually, for they were both cold and +hungry. + +One day Saint Nicholas heard of the sad state +of this noble family. So at night, when the +maidens were asleep, and the father was watching, +sorrowful and lonely, the good saint took a handful +of gold, and, tying it in a purse, set off for the +nobleman's house. Creeping to the open window +he threw the purse into the chamber, so that it +fell on the bed of the sleeping maidens. + +The father picked up the purse, and when he +opened it and saw the gold, he rejoiced greatly, +and awakened his daughters. He gave most of the +gold to his eldest child for a dowry, and thus she +was enabled to wed the young man whom she loved. + +A few days later Saint Nicholas filled another +purse with gold, and, as before, went by night +to the nobleman's house, and tossed the purse +through the open window. Thus the second +daughter was enabled to marry the young man +whom she loved. + +Now, the nobleman felt very grateful to the +unknown one who threw purses of gold into his +room and he longed to know who his benefactor +was and to thank him. So the next night he +watched beneath the open window. And when +all was dark, lo! good Saint Nicholas came for the +third time, carrying a silken purse filled with gold, +and as he was about to throw it on the youngest +maiden's bed, the nobleman caught him by his +robe, crying:-- + +``Ohs good Saint Nicholas! why do you hide +yourself thus?'' + +And he kissed the saint's hands and feet, but +Saint Nicholas, overcome with confusion at having +his good deed discovered, begged the nobleman +to tell no man what had happened. + +Thus the nobleman's third daughter was enabled +to marry the young man whom she loved; +and she and her father and her two sisters lived +happily for the remainder of their lives. + + +THE THUNDER OAK + +A SCANDINAVIAN LEGEND + +WILLIAM S. WALSH AND OTHER SOURCES + +When the heathen raged through the forests of +the ancient Northland there grew a giant tree +branching with huge limbs toward the clouds. +It was the Thunder Oak of the war-god Thor. + +Thither, under cover of night, heathen priests +were wont to bring their victims--both men and +beasts--and slay them upon the altar of the +thunder-god. There in the darkness was wrought +many an evil deed, while human blood was poured +forth and watered the roots of that gloomy tree, +from whose branches depended the mistletoe, the +fateful plant that sprang from the blood-fed veins +of the oak. So gloomy and terror-ridden was the +spot on which grew the tree that no beasts of field or +forest would lodge beneath its dark branches, nor +would birds nest or perch among its gnarled limbs. + +Long, long ago, on a white Christmas Eve, +Thor's priests held their winter rites beneath the +Thunder Oak. Through the deep snow of the +dense forest hastened throngs of heathen folk, all +intent on keeping the mystic feast of the mighty +Thor. In the hush of the night the folk gathered +in the glade where stood the tree. Closely they +pressed around the great altar-stone under the +overhanging boughs where stood the white- +robed priests. Clearly shone the moonlight on all. + +Then from the altar flashed upward the +sacrificial flames, casting their lurid glow on the +straining faces of the human victims awaiting the blow +of the priest's knife. + +But the knife never fell, for from the silent +avenues of the dark forest came the good Saint +Winfred and his people. Swiftly the saint drew +from his girdle a shining axe. Fiercely he smote +the Thunder Oak, hewing a deep gash in its +trunk. And while the heathen folk gazed in horror +and wonder, the bright blade of the axe +circled faster and faster around Saint Winfred's +head, and the flakes of wood flew far and wide +from the deepening cut in the body of the tree. + +Suddenly there was heard overhead the sound +of a mighty, rushing wind. A whirling blast +struck the tree. It gripped the oak from its +foundations. Backward it fell like a tower, +groaning as it split into four pieces. + +But just behind it, unharmed by the ruin, +stood a young fir tree, pointing its green spire to +heaven. + +Saint Winfred dropped his axe, and turned to +speak to the people. Joyously his voice rang out +through the crisp, winter air:-- + +``This little tree, a young child of the forest, +shall be your holy tree to-night. It is the tree of +peace, for your houses are built of fir. It is the +sign of endless life, for its leaves are forever green. +See how it points upward to heaven! Let this be +called the tree of the Christ Child. Gather about +it, not in the wildwood, but in your own homes. +There it will shelter no deeds of blood, but loving +gifts and rites of kindness. So shall the peace of +the White Christ reign in your hearts!'' + +And with songs of joy the multitude of heathen +folk took up the little fir tree and bore it to the +house of their chief, and there with good will and +peace they kept the holy Christmastide. + + +THE CHRISTMAS THORN OF +GLASTONBURY + +A LEGEND OF ANCIENT BRITAIN + +ADAPTED FROM WILLIAM OF MALMESBURY AND OTHER SOURCES + +There is a golden Christmas legend and it +relates how Joseph of Arimathea--that good man +and just, who laid our Lord in his own sepulcher, +was persecuted by Pontius Pilate, and how he +fled from Jerusalem carrying with him the Holy +Grail hidden beneath a cloth of samite, mystical +and white. + +For many moons he wandered, leaning on his +staff cut from a white-thorn bush. He passed +over raging seas and dreary wastes, he wandered +through trackless forests, climbed rugged mountains, +and forded many floods. At last he came to +Gaul where the Apostle Philip was preaching the +glad tidings to the heathen. And there Joseph +abode for a little space. + +Now, upon a night while Joseph lay asleep in +his hut, he was wakened by a radiant light. And +as he gazed with wondering eyes he saw an +angel standing by his couch, wrapped in a cloud +of incense. + +``Joseph of Arimathea,'' said the angel, ``cross +thou over into Britain and preach the glad tidings +to King Arvigarus. And there, where a Christmas +miracle shall come to pass, do thou build the +first Christian church in that land.'' + +And while Joseph lay perplexed and wondering +in his heart what answer he should make, the +angel vanished from his sight. + +Then Joseph left his hut and calling the Apostle +Philip, gave him the angel's message. And, when +morning dawned, Philip sent him on his way, +accompanied by eleven chosen followers. To the +water's side they went, and embarking in a little +ship, they came unto the coasts of Britain. + +And they were met there by the heathen who +carried them before Arvigarus their king. To him +and to his people did Joseph of Arimathea preach +the glad tidings; but the king's heart, though +moved, was not convinced. Nevertheless he gave +to Joseph and his followers Avalon, the happy +isle, the isle of the blessed, and he bade them +depart straightway and build there an altar to their +God. + +And a wonderful gift was this same Avalon, +sometimes called the Island of Apples, and also +known to the people of the land as Ynis-witren, +the Isle of Glassy Waters. Beautiful and peaceful +was it. Deep it lay in the midst of a green valley, +and the balmy breezes fanned its apple orchards, +and scattered afar the sweet fragrance of rosy +blossoms or ripened fruit. Soft grew the green +grass beneath the feet. The smooth waves gently +lapped the shore, and water-lilies floated on the +surface of the tide; while in the blue sky above +sailed the fleecy clouds. + +And it was on the holy Christmas Eve that +Joseph and his companions reached the Isle of +Avalon. With them they carried the Holy Grail +hidden beneath its cloth of snow-white samite. +Heavily they toiled up the steep ascent of the +hill called Weary-All. And when they reached +the top Joseph thrust his thorn-staff into the +ground. + +And, lo! a miracle! the thorn-staff put forth +roots, sprouted and budded, and burst into a mass +of white and fragrant flowers! And on the spot +where the thorn had bloomed, there Joseph built +the first Christian church in Britain. And he +made it ``wattled all round'' of osiers gathered +from the water's edge. And in the chapel they +placed the Holy Grail. + +And so, it is said, ever since at Glastonbury +Abbey--the name by which that Avalon is +known to-day--on Christmas Eve the white +thorn buds and blooms. + + +THE THREE KINGS OF COLOGNE + +A LEGEND OF THE MIDDLE AGES + +BY JOHN OF HILDESHEIM-MODERNIZED BY +H. S. MORRIS (ADAPTED) + +THE STAR + +Now, when the Children of Israel were gone +out of Egypt, and had won and made subject to +them Jerusalem and all the land lying about, +there was in the Kingdom of Ind a tall hill called +the Hill of Vaws, or the Hill of Victory. On this +hill were stationed sentinels of Ind, who watched +day and night against the Children of Israel, and +afterward against the Romans. + +And if an enemy approached, the keepers of the +Hill of Vaws made a great fire to warn the +inhabitants of the land so that the men might make +ready to defend themselves. + +Now in the time when Balaam prophesied of +the Star that should betoken the birth of Christ, +all the great lords and the people of Ind and in the +East desired greatly to see this Star of which he +spake; and they gave gifts to the keepers of the +Hill of Vaws, and bade them, if they saw by +night or by day any star in the air, that had not +been seen aforetime, that they, the keepers, should +send anon word to the people of Ind. + +And thus was it that for so long a time the fame +of this Star was borne throughout the lands of the +East. And the more the Star was sought for, and +the more its fame increased, so much the more all +the people of the Land of Ind desired to see it. +So they ordained twelve of the wisest and greatest +of the clerks of astronomy, that were in all that +country about, and gave them great hire to keep +watch upon the Hill of Vaws for the Star that was +prophesied of Balaam. + +Now, when Christ was born in Bethlehem of +Judea, His Star began to rise in the manner of a +sun, bright shining. It ascended above the Hill of +Vaws, and all that day in the highest air it abode +without moving, insomuch that when the sun +was hot and most high there was no difference in +shining betwixt them. + +But when the day of the nativity was passed +the Star ascended up into the firmament, and it +had right many long streaks and beams, more +burning and brighter than a brand of fire; and, +as an eagle flying and beating the air with his +wings, right so the streaks and beams of the Star +stirred about. + +Then all the people, both man and woman, of +all that country about when they saw this marvelous +Star, were full of wonder thereat; yet they +knew well that it was the Star that was prophesied +of Balaam, and long time was desired of all +the people in that country. + +Now, when the three worshipful kings, who at +that time reigned in Ind, Chaldea, and Persia, +were informed by the astronomers of this Star, +they were right glad that they had grace to see the +Star in their days. + +Wherefore these three worshipful kings, +Melchior, Balthazar, and Jasper (in the same hour +the Star appeared to all three), though each of +them was far from the other, and none knew of +the others' purpose, decided to go and seek and +worship the Lord and King of the Jews, that was +new born, as the appearance of the Star announced. + +So each king prepared great and rich gifts, and +trains of mules, camels, and horses charged with +treasure, and together with a great multitude of +people they set forth on their journeys. + + +THE CHILD + + +Now, when these three worshipful kings were +passed forth out of their kingdoms, the Star went +before each king and his people. When they stood +still and rested, the Star stood still; and when they +went forward again, the Star always went before +them in virtue and strength and gave light all the +way. + +And, as it is written, in the time that Christ +was born, there was peace in all the world, wherefore +in all the cities and towns through which +they went there was no gate shut neither by night +nor by day; and all the people of those same cities +and towns marveled wonderfully as they saw +kings and vast multitudes go by in great haste; +but they knew not what they were, nor whence +they came, nor whither they should go. + +Furthermore these three kings rode forth over +hills, waters, valleys, plains, and other divers and +perilous places without hindrance, for all the way +seemed to them plain and even. And they never +took shelter by night nor by day, nor ever rested, +nor did their horses and other beasts ever eat or +drink till they had come to Bethlehem. And all +this time it did seem to them as one day. + +But when the three blessed kings had come +near to Jerusalem, then a great cloud of darkness +hid the Star from their sight. And when Melchior +and his people were come fast by the city, they +abode in fog and darkness. Then came Balthazar, +and he abode under the same cloud near unto +Melchior. Thereupon appeared Jasper with all +his host. + +So these three glorious kings, each with his host +and burdens and beasts, met together in the +highway without the city of Jerusalem. And, +notwithstanding that none of them ever before had +seen the other, nor knew him, nor had heard of +his coming, yet at their meeting each one with +great reverence and joy kissed the other. So +afterward, when they had spoken together and each +had told his purpose and the cause of his journey, +they were much more glad and fervent. So they +rode forth, and at the uprising of the sun, they came +into Jerusalem. And yet the Star appeared not. + +So then these three worshipful kings, when +they were come into the city, asked of the people +concerning the Child that was born; and when +Herod heard this he was troubled and all Jerusalem +with him, and he privately summoned to him +these three kings and learned of them the time +when the Star appeared. He then sent them +forth, bidding them find the young Child and +return to him. + +Now when these three kings were passed out of +Jerusalem the Star appeared to them again as it +did erst, and went before them till they were come +to Bethlehem. + +Now, the nearer the kings came to the place +where Christ was born, the brighter shined the +Star, and they entered Bethlehem the sixth hour +of the day. And they rode through the streets +till they came before a little house. There the Star +stood still, and then descended and shone with so +great a light that the little house was full of +radiance; till anon the Star went upward again into +the air, and stood still always above the same +place. + +And the three kings went into the little house +and found the Child with his mother, and they +fell down and worshiped him, and offered him +gifts. + +And you shall understand that these three kings +had brought great gifts from their own lands, rich +ornaments and divers golden vessels, and many +jewels and precious stones, and both gold and +silver,--these they had brought to offer to the King +of the Jews. But when they found the Lord in a +little-house, in poor clothes, and when they saw +that the Star gave so great and holy a light in all +the place that it seemed as though they stood in a +furnace of fire, then were they so sore afraid, that +of all the rich jewels and ornaments they had +brought with them, they chose from their treasures +what came first to their hands. For Melchior +took a round apple of gold in his hand, and +thirty gilt pennies, and these he offered unto our +Lord; and Balthazar took out of his treasury incense; +and Jasper took out myrrh, and that he +offered with weeping and tears. + +And now after these three kings had worshiped +the Lord, they abode in Bethlehem for a little +space, and as they abode, there came a command +to them, in their sleep, that they should not +return to Herod; and so by another way they went +home to their kingdoms. But the Star that had +gone before appeared no more. + +So these three kings, who had suddenly met +together in the highway before Jerusalem, went +home together with great joy and honor. And +when, after many days' journey over perilous +places, they had come to the Hill of Vaws, they +made there a fair chapel in worship of the Child +they had sought. Also they agreed to meet +together at the same place once in the year, and they +ordained that the Hill of Vaws should be the place +of their burial. + +So when the three worshipful kings had done +what they would, they took leave of each other, +and each one with his people rode to his own land +rejoicing. + + +HOW THEY CAME TO COLOGNE + + +Now, after many years, a little before the feast +of Christmas, there appeared a wonderful Star +above the cities where these three kings dwelt, +and they knew thereby that their time was come +when they should pass from earth. Then with +one consent they built, at the Hill of Vaws, a fair +and large tomb, and there the three Holy Kings, +Melchior, Balthazar, and Jasper died, and were +buried in the same tomb by their sorrowing +people. + +Now after much time had passed away, Queen +Helen, the mother of the Emperor Constantine, +began to think greatly of the bodies of these three +kings, and she arrayed herself, and, accompanied +by many attendants, went into the Land of Ind. + +And you shall understand that after she had +found the bodies of Melchior, Balthazar, and +Jasper, Queen Helen put them into one chest and +ornamented it with great riches, and she brought +them into Constantinople, with joy and reverence, +and laid them in a church that is called +Saint Sophia; and this church the Emperor +Constantine did make,--he alone, with a little child, +set up all the marble pillars thereof. + +Now, after the death of the Emperor Constantine +a persecution against the Christian faith +arose, and in this persecution the bodies of the +three worshipful kings were set at naught. Then +came the Emperor Mauricius of Rome, and, +through his counsel, the bodies of these three +kings were carried to Italy, and there they were +laid in a fair church in the city of Milan. + +Then afterward, in the process of time, the city +of Milan rebelled against the Emperor Frederick +the First, and he, being sore beset, sent to Rainald, +Archbishop of Cologne, asking for help. + +This Archbishop with his army did take the +city of Milan, and delivered it to the Emperor. +And for this service did the Emperor grant, at +the Archbishop's great entreaty, that he should +carry forth to Cologne the bodies of the three +blessed kings. + +Then the Archbishop, with great solemnity and +in procession, did carry forth from the city of +Milan the bodies of the three kings, and brought +them unto Cologne and there placed them in the +fair church of Saint Peter. And all the people of +the country roundabout, with all the reverence +they might, received these relics, and there in the +city of Cologne they are kept and beholden of all +manner of nations unto this day. + + +Thus endeth the legend of these three blessed +kings,--Melchior, Balthazar, and Jasper. + + + +ARBOR DAY + + +THE LITTLE TREE THAT LONGED +FOR OTHER LEAVES + +BY FRIEDRICH RUCHERT (TRANSLATED) + +There was a little tree that stood in the woods +through both good and stormy weather, and it +was covered from top to bottom with needles +instead of leaves. The needles were sharp and +prickly, so the little tree said to itself:-- + +``All my tree comrades have beautiful green +leaves, and I have only sharp needles. No one +will touch me. If I could have a wish I would ask +for leaves of pure gold.'' + +When night came the little tree fell asleep, and, +lo! in the morning it woke early and found itself +covered with glistening, golden leaves. + +``Ah, ah!'' said the little tree, ``how grand I +am! No other tree in the woods is dressed in +gold.'' + +But at evening time there came a peddler with +a great sack and a long beard. He saw the glitter +of the golden leaves. He picked them all and +hurried away leaving the little tree cold and +bare. + +``Alas! alas!'' cried the little tree in sorrow; +``all my golden leaves are gone! I am ashamed +to stand among the other trees that have such +beautiful foliage. If I only had another wish I +would ask for leaves of glass.'' + +Then the little tree fell asleep, and when it +woke early, it found itself covered with bright +and shining leaves of glass. + +``Now,'' said the little tree, ``I am happy. No +tree in the woods glistens like me.'' + +But there came a fierce storm-wind driving +through the woods. It struck the glass, and in a +moment all the shining leaves lay shattered on +the ground. + +``My leaves, my glass leaves!'' moaned the +little tree; ``they lie broken in the dust, while all +the other trees are still dressed in their beautiful +foliage. Oh! if I had another wish I would ask for +green leaves.'' + +Then the little tree slept again, and in the +morning it was covered with fresh, green foliage. +And it laughed merrily, and said: ``Now, I need +not be ashamed any more. I am like my comrades +of the woods.'' + +But along came a mother-goat, looking for +grass and herbs for herself and her young ones. +She saw the crisp, new leaves; and she nibbled, +and nibbled, and nibbled them all away, and she +ate up both stems and tender shoots, till the little +tree stood bare. + +``Alas!'' cried the little tree in anguish, ``I +want no more leaves, neither gold ones nor glass +ones, nor green and red and yellow ones! If I +could only have my needles once more, I would +never complain again.'' + +And sorrowfully the little tree fell asleep, but +when it saw itself in the morning sunshine, it +laughed and laughed and laughed. And all the +other trees laughed, too, but the little tree did not +care. Why did they laugh? Because in the night +all its needles had come again! You may see this +for yourself. Just go into the woods and look, but +do not touch the little tree. Why not? BECAUSE IT +PRICKS. + + +WHY THE EVERGREEN TREES +NEVER LOSE THEIR LEAVES + +BY FLORENCE HOLBROOK + +Winter was coming, and the birds had flown +far to the south, where the air was warm and they +could find berries to eat. One little bird had +broken its wing and could not fly with the others. +It was alone in the cold world of frost and snow. +The forest looked warm, and it made its way to +the trees as well as it could, to ask for help. + +First it came to a birch tree. ``Beautiful birch +tree,'' it said, ``my wing is broken, and my friends +have flown away. May I live among your +branches till they come back to me?'' + +``No, indeed,'' answered the birch tree, drawing +her fair green leaves away. ``We of the great +forest have our own birds to help. I can do +nothing for you.'' + +``The birch is not very strong,'' said the little +bird to itself, ``and it might be that she could not +hold me easily. I will ask the oak.'' So the bird +said: ``Great oak tree, you are so strong, will you +not let me live on your boughs till my friends +come back in the springtime?'' + +``In the springtime!'' cried the oak. ``That is a +long way off. How do I know what you might do +in all that time? Birds are always looking for +something to eat, and you might even eat up some +of my acorns.'' + +``It may be that the willow will be kind to me,'' +thought the bird, and it said: ``Gentle willow, my +wing is broken, and I could not fly to the south +with the other birds. May I live on your branches +till the springtime?'' + +The willow did not look gentle then, for she +drew herself up proudly and said: ``Indeed, I do +not know you, and we willows never talk to people +whom we do not know. Very likely there are +trees somewhere that will take in strange birds. +Leave me at once.'' + +The poor little bird did not know what to do. +Its wing was not yet strong, but it began to fly +away as well as it could. Before it had gone far a +voice was heard. ``Little bird,'' it said, ``where +are you going?'' + +``Indeed, I do not know,'' answered the bird +sadly. ``I am very cold.'' + +``Come right here, then,'' said the friendly +spruce tree, for it was her voice that had called. + +``You shall live on my warmest branch all winter +if you choose.'' + +``Will you really let me?'' asked the little bird +eagerly. + +``Indeed, I will,'' answered the kind-hearted +spruce tree. ``If your friends have flown away, it +is time for the trees to help you. Here is the +branch where my leaves are thickest and softest.'' + +``My branches are not very thick,'' said the +friendly pine tree, ``but I am big and strong, and +I can keep the North Wind from you and the +spruce.'' + +``I can help, too,'' said a little juniper tree. ``I +can give you berries all winter long, and every +bird knows that juniper berries are good.'' + +So the spruce gave the lonely little bird a home; +the pine kept the cold North Wind away from it; +and the juniper gave it berries to eat. The other +trees looked on and talked together wisely. + +``I would not have strange birds on my +boughs,'' said the birch. + +``I shall not give my acorns away for any one,'' +said the oak. + +``I never have anything to do with strangers,'' +said the willow, and the three trees drew their +leaves closely about them. + +In the morning all those shining, green leaves +lay on the ground, for a cold North Wind had +come in the night, and every leaf that it touched +fell from the tree. + +``May I touch every leaf in the forest?'' asked +the wind in its frolic. + +``No,'' said the Frost King. ``The trees that +have been kind to the little bird with the broken +wing may keep their leaves.'' + +This is why the leaves of the spruce, the pine, +and the juniper are always green. + + +WHY THE ASPEN QUIVERS + +OLD LEGEND + +Long, long ago, so the legend says, when Joseph +and Mary and the Holy Babe fled out of +Bethlehem into Egypt, they passed through the +green wildwood. And flowers and trees and +plants bent their heads in reverence. + +But the proud aspen held its head high and +refused even to look at the Holy Babe. In vain the +birds sang in the aspen's branches, entreating it +to gaze for one moment at the wonderful One; +the proud tree still held its head erect in scorn. + +Then outspake Mary, his mother. ``O aspen +tree,'' she said, ``why do you not gaze on the Holy +Child? Why do you not bow your head? A star +arose at his birth, angels sang his first lullaby, +kings and shepherds came to the brightness of his +rising; why, then, O aspen, do you refuse to honor +your Lord and mine?'' + +But the aspen could not answer. A strange +shivering passed through its stem and along its +boughs, which set its leaves a-quivering. It +trembled before the Holy Babe. + +And so from age to age, even unto this day, the +proud aspen shakes and shivers. + + +THE WONDER TREE + +BY FRIEDRICH ADOLPH KRUMMACHER (ADAPTED) + +One day in the springtime, Prince Solomon was +sitting under the palm trees in the royal gardens, +when he saw the Prophet Nathan walking near. + +``Nathan,'' said the Prince, ``I would see a +wonder.'' + +The Prophet smiled. ``I had the same desire +in the days of my youth,'' he replied. + +``And was it fulfilled?'' asked Solomon. + +``A Man of God came to me,'' said Nathan, +``having a pomegranate seed in his hand. +`Behold,' he said, `what will become of this.' Then +he made a hole in the ground, and planted the +seed, and covered it over. When he withdrew his +hand the clods of earth opened, and I saw two +small leaves coming forth. But scarcely had I +beheld them, when they joined together and became +a small stem wrapped in bark; and the stem grew +before my eyes,--and it grew thicker and higher +and became covered with branches. + +``I marveled, but the Man of God motioned me +to be silent. `Behold,' said he, `new creations +begin.' + +``Then he took water in the palm of his hand, +and sprinkled the branches three times, and, lo! +the branches were covered with green leaves, so +that a cool shade spread above us, and the air +was fined with perfume. + +`` `From whence come this perfume and this +shade?' cried I. + +`` `Dost thou not see,' he answered, `these +crimson flowers bursting from among the leaves, and +hanging in clusters?' + +``I was about to speak, but a gentle breeze +moved the leaves, scattering the petals of the +flowers around us. Scarcely had the falling flowers +reached the ground when I saw ruddy pomegranates +hanging beneath the leaves of the tree, +like almonds on Aaron's rod. Then the Man of +God left me, and I was lost in amazement.'' + +``Where is he, this Man of God?'' asked Prince +Solomon eagerly. ``What is his name? Is he +still alive?'' + + +``Son of David,'' answered Nathan, ``I have +spoken to thee of a vision.'' + +When the Prince heard this he was grieved to +the heart. ``How couldst thou deceive me thus?'' +he asked. + +But the Prophet replied: ``Behold in thy father's +gardens thou mayest daily see the unfolding +of wonder trees. Doth not this same miracle happen +to the fig, the date, and the pomegranate? +They spring from the earth, they put out branches +and leaves, they flower, they fruit,--not in a +moment, perhaps, but in months and years,-- +but canst thou tell the difference betwixt a +minute, a month, or a year in the eyes of Him with +whom one day is as a thousand years, and a +thousand years as one day?'' + + +THE PROUD OAK TREE +OLD FABLE[11] + + +[11] From Deutsches Drittes Lesebuch, by W. H. Weick and C. +Grebner. Copyright, 1886, by Van Antwerp, Bragg & Co. +American Book Company, publishers. + + +(TRANSLATED) + +The oak said to the reed that grew by the river: +``It is no wonder that you make such a sorrowful +moaning, for you are so weak that the little wren +is a burden for you, and the lightest breeze must +seem like a storm-wind. Now look at me! No +storm has ever been able to bow my head. You +will be much safer if you grow close to my side so +that I may shelter you from the wind that is now +playing with my leaves.'' + +``Do not worry about me,'' said the reed; ``I +have less reason to fear the wind than you have. +I bow myself, but I never break. He who laughs +last, laughs best!'' + +That night there came a fearful hurricane. The +oak stood erect. The reed bowed itself before the +blast. The wind grew more furious, and, uprooting +the proud oak, flung it on the ground. + +When the morning came there stood the slender +reed, glittering with dewdrops, and softly +swaying in the breeze. + + +BAUCIS AND PHILEMON + +ADAPTED FROM H. P. MASKEL'S RENDERING +OF THE GREEK MYTH + +On the slopes of the Phrygian hills, there once +dwelt a pious old couple named Baucis and +Philemon. They had lived all their lives in a tiny +cottage of wattles, thatched with straw, cheerful and +content in spite of their poverty. + +As this worthy couple sat dozing by the fireside +one evening in the late autumn, two strangers +came and begged a shelter for the night. They +had to stoop to enter the humble doorway, where +the old man welcomed them heartily and bade +them rest their weary limbs on the settle before +the fire. + +Meanwhile Baucis stirred the embers, blowing +them into a flame with dry leaves, and heaped on +the fagots to boil the stew-pot. Hanging from the +blackened beams was a rusty side of bacon. Philemon +cut off a rasher to roast, and, while his +guests refreshed themselves with a wash at the +rustic trough, he gathered pot-herbs from his +patch of garden. Then the old woman, her hands +trembling with age, laid the cloth and spread the +table. + +It was a frugal meal, but one that hungry +wayfarers could well relish. The first course was an +omelette of curdled milk and eggs, garnished with +radishes and served on rude oaken platters. The +cups of turned beechwood were filled with homemade +wine from an earthen jug. The second +course consisted of dried figs and dates, plums, +sweet-smelling apples, and grapes, with a piece +of clear, white honeycomb. What made the meal +more grateful to the guests was the hearty spirit +in which it was offered. Their hosts gave all they +had without stint or grudging. + +But all at once something happened which +startled and amazed Baucis and Philemon. They +poured out wine for their guests, and, lo! each +time the pitcher filled itself again to the brim. + +The old couple then knew that their guests were +not mere mortals; indeed, they were no other +than Jupiter and Mercury come down to earth +in the disguise of poor travelers. Being ashamed +of their humble entertainment, Philemon hurried +out and gave chase to his only goose, intending +to kill and roast it. But his guests forbade him, +saying:-- + +``In mortal shape we have come down, and at a +hundred houses asked for lodging and rest. For +answer a hundred doors were shut and locked +against us. You alone, the poorest of all, have +received us gladly and given us of your best. Now +it is for us to punish these impious people who +treat strangers so churlishly, but you two shall be +spared. Only leave your cottage and follow us to +yonder mountain-top.'' + +So saying, Jupiter and Mercury led the way, +and the two old folks hobbled after them. Presently +they reached the top of the mountain, and +Baucis and Philemon saw all the country round, +with villages and people, sinking into a marsh; +while their own cottage alone was left standing. + +And while they gazed, their cottage was +changed into a white temple. The doorway became +a porch with marble columns. The thatch +grew into a roof of golden tiles. The little garden +about their home became a park. + +Then Jupiter, regarding Baucis and Philemon +with kindly eyes, said: ``Tell me, O good old man +and you good wife, what may we do in return for +your hospitality?'' + +Philemon whispered for a moment with Baucis, +and she nodded her approval. ``We desire,'' he +replied, ``to be your servants, and to have the +care of this temple. One other favor we would +ask. From boyhood I have loved only Baucis, +and she has lived only for me. Let the selfsame +hour take us both away together. Let me never +see the tomb of my wife, nor let her suffer the +misery of mourning my death.'' + +Jupiter and Mercury, pleased with these +requests, willingly granted both, and endowed +Baucis and Philemon with youth and strength as +well. The gods then vanished from their sight, +but as long as their lives lasted Baucis and +Philemon were the guardians of the white temple that +once had been their home. + +And when again old age overtook them, they +were standing one day in front of the sacred +porch, and Baucis, turning her gaze upon her +husband, saw him slowly changing into a gnarled +oak tree. And Philemon, as he felt himself rooted +to the ground, saw Baucis at the same time turning +into a leafy linden. + +And as their faces disappeared behind the green +foliage, each cried unto the other, ``Farewell, +dearest love!'' and again, ``Dearest love, +farewell!'' And their human forms were changed to +trees and branches. + +And still, if you visit the spot, you may see an +oak and a linden tree with branches intertwined. + + +THE UNFRUITFUL TREE + +BY FRIEDRICH ADOLPH KRUMMACHER + +A farmer had a brother in town who was a gardener, +and who possessed a magnificent orchard +full of the finest fruit trees, so that his skill and his +beautiful trees were famous everywhere. + +One day the farmer went into town to visit his +brother, and was astonished at the rows of trees +that grew slender and smooth as wax tapers. + +``Look, my brother,'' said the gardener; ``I will +give you an apple tree, the best from my garden, +and you, and your children, and your children's +children shall enjoy it.'' + +Then the gardener called his workmen and +ordered them to take up the tree and carry it to +his brother's farm. They did so, and the next +morning the farmer began to wonder where he +should plant it. + +``If I plant it on the hill,'' said he to himself, +``the wind might catch it and shake down the +delicious fruit before it is ripe; if I plant it close to the +road, passers-by will see it and rob me of its luscious +apples; but if I plant it too near the door of +my house, my servants or the children may pick +the fruit.'' + +So, after he had thought the matter over, he +planted the tree behind his barn, saying to himself: +``Prying thieves will not think to look for it +here.'' + +But behold, the tree bore neither fruit nor +blossoms the first year nor the second; then the +farmer sent for his brother the gardener, and +reproached him angrily, saying:-- + +``You have deceived me, and given me a barren +tree instead of a fruitful one. For, behold, this is +the third year and still it brings forth nothing but +leaves!'' + +The gardener, when he saw where the tree was +planted, laughed and said:-- + +``You have planted the tree where it is exposed +to cold winds, and has neither sun nor warmth. +How, then, could you expect flowers and fruit? +You have planted the tree with a greedy and +suspicious heart; how, then, could you expect to +reap a rich and generous harvest?'' + + +THE DRYAD OF THE OLD OAK + +BY JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL (ADAPTED) + +In olden times there was a youth named Rhoecus. +One day as he wandered through the wood he saw +an ancient oak tree, trembling and about to fall. +Full of pity for so fair a tree, Rhoecus carefully +propped up its trunk, and as he did so he heard a +soft voice murmur:-- + +``Rhoecus!'' + +It sounded like the gentle sighing of the wind +through the leaves; and while Rhoecus paused +bewildered to listen, again he heard the murmur +like a soft breeze:-- + +``Rhoecus!'' + +And there stood before him, in the green glooms +of the shadowy oak, a wonderful maiden. + +``Rhoecus,'' said she, in low-toned words, serene +and full, and as clear as drops of dew, ``I am the +Dryad of this tree, and with it I am doomed to +live and die. Thou hadst compassion on my oak, +and in saving it thou hast saved my life. Now, +ask me what thou wilt that I can give, and it +shall be thine.'' + +``Beauteous nymph,'' answered Rhoecus, with a +flutter at the heart, ``surely nothing will satisfy +the craving of my soul save to be with thee forever. +Give to me thy love!'' + +``I give it, Rhoecus,'' answered she with sadness +in her voice, ``though it be a perilous gift. An hour +before sunset meet me here.'' + +And straightway she vanished, and Rhoecus +could see nothing but the green glooms beneath +the shadowy oak. Not a sound came to his straining +ears but the low, trickling rustle of the leaves, +and, from far away on the emerald slope, the +sweet sound of an idle shepherd's pipe. + +Filled with wonder and joy Rhoecus turned his +steps homeward. The earth seemed to spring +beneath him as he walked. The clear, broad sky +looked bluer than its wont, and so full of joy was +he that he could scarce believe that he had not +wings. + +Impatient for the trysting-time, he sought some +companions, and to while away the tedious hours, +he played at dice, and soon forgot all else. + +The dice were rattling their merriest, and Rhoecus +had just laughed in triumph at a happy throw, +when through the open window of the room there +hummed a yellow bee. It buzzed about his ears, +and seemed ready to alight upon his head. At this +Rhoecus laughed, and with a rough, impatient +hand he brushed it off and cried:-- + +``The silly insect! does it take me for a rose?'' + +But still the bee came back. Three times it +buzzed about his head, and three times he rudely +beat it back. Then straight through the window +flew the wounded bee, while Rhoecus watched its +fight with angry eyes. + +And as he looked--O sorrow!--the red disk +of the setting sun descended behind the sharp +mountain peak of Thessaly. + +Then instantly the blood sank from his heart, as +if its very walls had caved in, for he remembered +the trysting-hour-now gone by! Without a word +he turned and rushed forth madly through the city +and the gate, over the fields into the wood. + +Spent of breath he reached the tree, and, +listening fearfully, he heard once more the low voice +murmur:-- + +``Rhoecus!'' + +But as he looked he could see nothing but the +deepening glooms beneath the oak. + +Then the voice sighed: ``O Rhoecus, nevermore +shalt thou behold me by day or night! Why didst +thou fail to come ere sunset? Why didst thou +scorn my humble messenger, and send it back to +me with bruised wings? We spirits only show ourselves +to gentle eyes! And he who scorns the +smallest thing alive is forever shut away from all +that is beautiful in woods and fields. Farewell! +for thou canst see me no more!'' + +Then Rhoecus beat his breast and groaned aloud. +``Be pitiful,'' he cried. ``Forgive me yet this +once!'' + +``Alas,'' the voice replied, ``I am not unmerciful! +I can forgive! But I have no skill to heal thy +spirit's eyes, nor can I change the temper of thy +heart.'' And then again she murmured, ``Nevermore!'' + +And after that Rhoecus heard no other sound, +save the rustling of the oak's crisp leaves, like +surf upon a distant shore. + + +DAPHNE + +BY OVID (ADAPTED) + +In ancient times, when Apollo, the god of the +shining sun, roamed the earth, he met Cupid, who +with bended bow and drawn string was seeking +human beings to wound with the arrows of love. + +``Silly boy,'' said Apollo, ``what dost thou with +the warlike bow? Such burden best befits my +shoulders, for did I not slay the fierce serpent, the +Python, whose baleful breath destroyed all that +came nigh him? Warlike arms are for the mighty, +not for boys like thee! Do thou carry a torch with +which to kindle love in human hearts, but no +longer lay claim to my weapon, the bow!'' + +But Cupid replied in anger: ``Let thy bow +shoot what it will, Apollo, but my bow shall shoot +THEE!'' And the god of love rose up, and beating +the air with his wings, he drew two magic arrows +from his quiver. One was of shining gold and with +its barbed point could Cupid inflict wounds of +love; the other arrow was of dull silver and its +wound had the power to engender hate. + +The silver arrow Cupid fixed in the breast of +Daphne, the daughter of the river-god Peneus; +and forthwith she fled away from the homes of +men, and hunted beasts in the forest. + +With the golden arrow Cupid grievously +wounded Apollo, who fleeing to the woods saw +there the Nymph Daphne pursuing the deer; and +straightway the sun-god fell in love with her +beauty. Her golden locks hung down upon her +neck, her eyes were like stars, her form was slender +and graceful and clothed in clinging white. +Swifter than the light wind she flew, and Apollo +followed after. + +``O Nymph! daughter of Peneus,'' he cried, +``stay, I entreat thee! Why dost thou fly as a +lamb from the wolf, as a deer from the lion, or as a +dove with trembling wings Bees from the eagle! I +am no common man! I am no shepherd! Thou +knowest not, rash maid, from whom thou art flying! +The priests of Delphi and Tenedos pay their +service to me. Jupiter is my sire. Mine own +arrow is unerring, but Cupid's aim is truer, for he +has made this wound in my heart! Alas! wretched +me! though I am that great one who discovered +the art of healing, yet this love may not be healed +by my herbs nor my skill!'' + +But Daphne stopped not at these words, she +flew from him with timid step. The winds fluttered +her garments, the light breezes spread her +flowing locks behind her. Swiftly Apollo drew +near even as the keen greyhound draws near to +the frightened hare he is pursuing. With trembling +limbs Daphne sought the river, the home of +her father, Peneus. Close behind her was Apollo, +the sun-god. She felt his breath on her hair and +his hand on her shoulder. Her strength was spent, +she grew pale, and in faint accents she implored +the river:-- + +``O save me, my father, save me from Apollo, +the sun-god!'' + +Scarcely had she thus spoken before a heaviness +seized her limbs. Her breast was covered with +bark, her hair grew into green leaves, and her +arms into branches. Her feet, a moment before so +swift, became rooted to the ground. And Daphne +was no longer a Nymph, but a green laurel tree. + +When Apollo beheld this change he cried out +and embraced the tree, and kissed its leaves. + +``Beautiful Daphne,'' he said, ``since thou cannot +be my bride, yet shalt thou be my tree. Henceforth +my hair, my lyre, and my quiver shall be +adorned with laurel. Thy wreaths shall be given +to conquering chiefs, to winners of fame and joy; +and as my head has never been shorn of its locks, +so shalt thou wear thy green leaves, winter and +summer--forever!'' + +Apollo ceased speaking and the laurel bent its +new-made boughs in assent, and its stem seemed +to shake and its leaves gently to murmur. + + + +BIRD DAY + + +THE OLD WOMAN WHO BECAME A +WOODPECKER + +BY PHOEBE CARY (ADAPTED) + +Afar in the Northland, where the winter days are +so short and the nights so long, and where they +harness the reindeer to sledges, and where the +children look like bear's cubs in their funny, furry +clothes, there, long ago, wandered a good Saint on +the snowy roads. + +He came one day to the door of a cottage, and +looking in saw a little old woman making cakes, +and baking them on the hearth. + +Now, the good Saint was faint with fasting, and +he asked if she would give him one small cake +wherewith to stay his hunger. + +So the little old woman made a VERY SMALL +cake and placed it on the hearth; but as it lay +baking she looked at it and thought: ``That is +a big cake, indeed, quite too big for me to give +away.'' + +Then she kneaded another cake, much smaller, +and laid that on the hearth to cook, but when she +turned it over it looked larger than the first. + +So she took a tiny scrap of dough, and rolled it +out, and rolled it out, and baked it as thin as a +wafer; but when it was done it looked so large that +she could not bear to part with it; and she said: +``My cakes are much too big to give away,''-- +and she put them on the shelf. + +Then the good Saint grew angry, for he was +hungry and faint. ``You are too selfish to have a +human form,'' said he. ``You are too greedy to +deserve food, shelter, and a warm fire. Instead, +henceforth, you shall build as the birds do, and +get your scanty living by picking up nuts and +berries and by boring, boring all the day long, in +the bark of trees.'' + +Hardly had the good Saint said this when the +little old woman went straight up the chimney, +and came out at the top changed into a red- +headed woodpecker with coal-black feathers. + +And now every country boy may see her in the +woods, where she lives in trees boring, boring, +boring for her food. + + +THE BOY WHO BECAME A ROBIN + +AN OJIBBEWAY LEGEND + +BY HENRY R. SCHOOLCRAFT (ADAPTED) + +Once upon a time there was an old Indian who +had an only son, whose name was Opeechee. The +boy had come to the age when every Indian lad +makes a long fast, in order to secure a Spirit to be +his guardian for life. + +Now, the old man was very proud, and he +wished his son to fast longer than other boys, and +to become a greater warrior than all others. So he +directed him to prepare with solemn ceremonies +for the fast. + +After the boy had been in the sweating lodge +and bath several times, his father commanded +him to lie down upon a clean mat, in a little +lodge apart from the rest. + +``My son,'' said he, ``endure your hunger like a +man, and at the end of TWELVE DAYS, you shall +receive food and a blessing from my hands.'' + +The boy carefully did all that his father +commanded, and lay quietly with his face covered, +awaiting the arrival of his guardian Spirit who +was to bring him good or bad dreams. + +His father visited him every day, encouraging +him to endure with patience the pangs of hunger +and thirst. He told him of the honor and renown +that would be his if he continued his fast to the +end of the twelve days. + +To all this the boy replied not, but lay on his +mat without a murmur of discontent, until the +ninth day; when he said:-- + +``My father, the dreams tell me of evil. May I +break my fast now, and at a better time make a +new one?'' + +``My son,'' replied the old man, ``you know not +what you ask. If you get up now, all your glory +will depart. Wait patiently a little longer. You +have but three days more to fast, then glory and +honor will be yours.'' + +The boy said nothing more, but, covering +himself closer, he lay until the eleventh day, when he +spoke again:-- + +``My father,'' said he, ``the dreams forebode +evil. May I break my fast now, and at a better +time make a new one?'' + +``My son,'' replied the old man again, ``you know +not what you ask. Wait patiently a little longer. +You have but one more day to fast. To-morrow I +will myself prepare a meal and bring it to you.'' + +The boy remained silent, beneath his covering, +and motionless except for the gentle heaving of +his breast. + +Early the next morning his father, overjoyed at +having gained his end, prepared some food. He +took it and hastened to the lodge intending to set +it before his son. + +On coming to the door of the lodge what was his +surprise to hear the boy talking to some one. He +lifted the curtain hanging before the doorway, +and looking in saw his son painting his breast with +vermilion. And as the lad laid on the bright color +as far back on his shoulders as he could reach, he +was saying to himself:-- + +``My father has destroyed my fortune as a +man. He would not listen to my requests. I shall +be happy forever, because I was obedient to my +parent; but he shall suffer. My guardian Spirit +has given me a new form, and now I must go!'' + +At this his father rushed into the lodge, crying: + +``My son! my son! I pray you leave me not!'' + +But the boy, with the quickness of a bird, flew +to the top of the lodge, and perching upon the +highest pole, was instantly changed into a most +beautiful robin redbreast. + +He looked down on his father with pity in his +eyes, and said:-- + +``Do not sorrow, O my father, I am no longer +your boy, but Opeechee the robin. I shall always +be a friend to men, and live near their dwellings. +I shall ever be happy and content. Every day will +I sing you songs of joy. The mountains and fields +yield me food. My pathway is in the bright air.'' + +Then Opeechee the robin stretched himself as +if delighting in his new wings, and caroling his +sweetest song, he flew away to the near-by trees. + + +THE TONGUE-CUT SPARROW +BY A. B. MITFORD (ADAPTED) + +Once upon a time there lived a little old man and +a little old woman. The little old man had a kind +heart, and he kept a young sparrow, which he +cared for tenderly. Every morning it used to sing +at the door of his house. + +Now, the little old woman was a cross old thing, +and one day when she was going to starch her +linen, the sparrow pecked at her paste. Then she +flew into a great rage and cut the sparrow's tongue +and let the bird fly away. + +When the little old man came home from the +hills, where he had been chopping wood, he found +the sparrow gone. + +``Where is my little sparrow?'' asked he. + +``It pecked at my starching-paste,'' answered +the little old woman, ``so I cut its evil tongue and +let it fly away.'' + +``Alas! Alas!'' cried the little old man. ``Poor +thing! Poor thing! Poor little tongue-cut sparrow! +Where is your home now?'' + +And then he wandered far and wide seeking his +pet and crying:-- + +``Mr. Sparrow, Mr. Sparrow, where are you +living?'' + +And he wandered on and on, over mountain +and valley, and dale and river, until one day at +the foot of a certain mountain he met the lost bird. +The little old man was filled with joy and the +sparrow welcomed him with its sweetest song. + +It led the little old man to its nest-house, +introduced him to its wife and small sparrows, and set +before him all sorts of good things to eat and +drink. + +``Please partake of our humble fare,'' sang the +sparrow; ``poor as it is, you are welcome.'' + +``What a polite sparrow,'' answered the little +old man, and he stayed for a long time as the +bird's guest. At last one day the little old man +said that he must take his leave and return home. + +``Wait a bit,'' said the sparrow. + +And it went into the house and brought out +two wicker baskets. One was very heavy and the +other light. + +``Take the one you wish,'' said the sparrow, +``and good fortune go with you.'' + +``I am very feeble,'' answered the little old man, +``so I will take the light one.'' + +He thanked the sparrow, and, shouldering the +basket, said good-bye. Then he trudged off +leaving the sparrow family sad and lonely. + +When he reached home the little old woman +was very angry, and began to scold him, saying:-- + +``Well, and pray where have you been all these +days? A pretty thing, indeed, for you to be +gadding about like this!'' + +``Oh,'' he replied, ``I have been on a visit to the +tongue-cut sparrow, and when I came away it +gave me this wicker basket as a parting gift.'' + +Then they opened the basket to see what was +inside, and lo and behold! it was full of gold, +silver, and other precious things! + +The little old woman was as greedy as she was +cross, and when she saw all the riches spread +before her, she could not contain herself for joy. + +``Ho! Ho!'' cried she. ``Now I'll go and call on +the sparrow, and get a pretty present, too!'' + +She asked the old man the way to the sparrow's +house and set forth on her journey. And she +wandered on and on over mountain and valley, +and dale and river, until at last she saw the +tongue-cut sparrow. + +``Well met, well met, Mr. Sparrow,'' cried she. +``I have been looking forward with much pleasure +to seeing you.'' And then she tried to flatter it +with soft, sweet words. + +So the bird had to invite her to its nest-house, +but it did not feast her nor say anything about a +parting gift. At last the little old woman had to +go, and she asked for something to carry with her +to remember the visit by. The sparrow, as before, +brought out two wicker baskets. One was very +heavy and the other light. + +The greedy little old woman, choosing the +heavy one, carried it off with her. + +She hurried home as fast as she was able, and +closing her doors and windows so that no one +might see, opened the basket. And, lo and behold! +out jumped all sorts of wicked hobgoblins +and imps, and they scratched and pinched her to +death. + +As for the little old man he adopted a son, and +his family grew rich and prosperous. + + +THE QUAILS +A LEGEND OF THE JATAKA + +FROM THE RIVERSIDE FOURTH READER + +Ages ago a flock of more than a thousand quails +lived together in a forest in India. They would +have been happy, but that they were in great +dread of their enemy, the quail-catcher. He used +to imitate the call of the quail; and when they +gathered together in answer to it, he would throw +a great net over them, stuff them into his basket, +and carry them away to be sold. + +Now, one of the quails was very wise, and he +said:-- + +``Brothers! I've thought of a good plan. In +future, as soon as the fowler throws his net over +us, let each one put his head through a mesh in +the net and then all lift it up together and fly +away with it. When we have flown far enough, +we can let the net drop on a thorn bush and escape +from under it.'' + +All agreed to the plan; and next day when the +fowler threw his net, the birds all lifted it together +in the very way that the wise quail had +told them, threw it on a thorn bush and escaped. +While the fowler tried to free his net from the +thorns, it grew dark, and he had to go home. + +This happened many days, till at last the +fowler's wife grew angry and asked her husband:-- + +``Why is it that you never catch any more +quail?'' + +Then the fowler said: ``The trouble is that all +the birds work together and help one another. If +they would only quarrel, I could catch them fast +enough.'' + +A few days later, one of the quails accidentally +trod on the head of one of his brothers, as they +alighted on the feeding-ground. + +``Who trod on my head?'' angrily inquired the +quail who was hurt. + +``Don't be angry, I didn't mean to tread on +you,'' said the first quail. + +But the brother quail went on quarreling. + +``I lifted all the weight of the net; you didn't +help at all,'' he cried. + +That made the first quail angry, and before long +all were drawn into the dispute. Then the fowler +saw his chance. He imitated the cry of the quail +and cast his net over those who came together. +They were still boasting and quarreling, and they +did not help one another lift the net. So the +hunter lifted the net himself and crammed them +into his basket. But the wise quail gathered his +friends together and flew far away, for he knew +that quarrels are the root of misfortune. + + +THE MAGPIE'S NEST + +BY JOSEPH JACOBS + +All the birds of the air came to the magpie and +asked her to teach them how to build nests. For +the magpie is the cleverest bird of all at building +nests. So she put all the birds round her and +began to show them how to do it. First of all she +took some mud and made a sort of round cake +with it. + +``Oh, that's how it's done!'' said the thrush, +and away it flew; and so that's how thrushes build +their nests. + +Then the magpie took some twigs and arranged +them round in the mud. + +``Now I know all about it!'' said the blackbird, +and off it flew; and that's how the blackbirds +make their nests to this very day. + +Then the magpie put another layer of mud over +the twigs. + +``Oh, that 's quite obvious!'' said the wise owl, +and away it flew; and owls have never made +better nests since. + +After this the magpie took some twigs and +twined them round the outside. + +``The very thing!'' said the sparrow, and off he +went; so sparrows make rather slovenly nests to +this day. + +Well, then Madge magpie took some feathers +and stuff, and lined the nest very comfortably +with it. + +``That suits me!'' cried the starling, and off it +flew; and very comfortable nests have starlings. + +So it went on, every bird taking away some +knowledge of how to build nests, but none of them +waiting to the end. + +Meanwhile Madge magpie went on working +and working without looking up, till the only bird +that remained was the turtle-dove, and that +hadn't paid any attention all along, but only +kept on saying its silly cry: ``Take two, Taffy, +take two-o-o-o!'' + +At last the magpie heard this just as she was +putting a twig across, so she said: ``One's enough.'' + +But the turtle-dove kept on saying: ``Take +two, Taffy, take two-o-o-o!'' + +Then the magpie got angry and said: ``One's +enough, I tell you!'' + +Still the turtle-dove cried: ``Take two, Taffy, +take two-o-o-o!'' + +At last, and at last, the magpie looked up and +saw nobody near her but the silly turtle-dove, +and then she got rarely angry and flew away and +refused to tell the birds how to build nests again. + +And that is why different birds build their nests +differently. + + +THE GREEDY GEESE + +FROM IL LIBRO D'ORO (ADAPTED) + +Many years ago there was near the sea a convent +famed for the rich crops of grain that grew on its +farm. On a certain year a large flock of wild geese +descended on its fields and devoured first the +corn, and then the green blades. + +The superintendent of the farm hastened to +the convent and called the lady abbess. + +``Holy mother,'' said he, ``this year the nuns will +have to fast continually, for there will be no food.'' + +``Why is that?'' asked the abbess. + +``Because,'' answered the superintendent, ``a +flood of wild geese has rained upon the land, and +they have eaten up the corn, nor have they left a +single green blade.'' + +``Is it possible,'' said the abbess, ``that these +wicked birds have no respect for the property of +the convent! They shall do penance for their +misdeeds. Return at once to the fields, and order +the geese from me to come without delay to the +convent door, so that they may receive just punishment +for their greediness.'' + +``But, mother,'' said the superintendent, ``this +is not a time for jesting! These are not sheep to +be guided into the fold, but birds with long, strong +wings, to fly away with.'' + +``Do you understand me!'' answered the abbess. +``Go at once, and bid them come to me +without delay, and render an account of their +misdeeds.'' + +The superintendent ran back to the farm, and +found the flock of evildoers still there. He raised +his voice and clapping his hands, cried:-- + +``Come, come, ye greedy geese! The lady abbess +commands you to hasten to the convent +door!'' + +Wonderful sight! Hardly had he uttered these +words than the geese raised their necks as if to +listen, then, without spreading their wings, they +placed themselves in single file, and in regular +order began to march toward the convent. As +they proceeded they bowed their heads as if confessing +their fault and as though about to receive +punishment. + +Arriving at the convent, they entered the +courtyard in exact order, one behind the other, +and there awaited the coming of the abbess. All +night they stood thus without making a sound, as +if struck dumb by their guilty consciences. But +when morning came, they uttered the most pitiful +cries as though asking pardon and permission to +depart. + +Then the lady abbess, taking compassion on +the repentant birds, appeared with some nuns +upon a balcony. Long she talked to the geese, +asking them why they had stolen the convent +grain. She threatened them with a long fast, and +then, softening, began to offer them pardon if +they would never again attack her lands, nor eat +her corn. To which the geese bowed their heads +low in assent. Then the abbess gave them her +blessing and permission to depart. + +Hardly had she done so when the geese, spreading +their wings, made a joyous circle above the +convent towers, and flew away. Alighting at some +distance they counted their number and found +one missing. For, alas! in the night, when they +had been shut in the courtyard, the convent cook, +seeing how fat they were, had stolen one bird and +had killed, roasted, and eaten it. + +When the birds discovered that one of their +number was missing, they again took wing and, +hovering over the convent, they uttered mournful +cries, complaining of the loss of their comrade, +and imploring the abbess to return him to the +flock. + +Now, when the lady abbess heard these +melancholy pleas, she assembled her household, and +inquired of each member where the bird might be. +The cook, fearing that it might be already known +to her, confessed the theft, and begged for pardon. + +``You have been very audacious,'' said the +abbess, ``but at least collect the bones and bring +them to me.'' + +The cook did as directed, and the abbess at a +word caused the bones to come together and to +assume flesh, and afterwards feathers, and, lo! the +original bird rose up. + +The geese, having received their lost companion, +rejoiced loudly, and, beating their wings +gratefully, made many circles over the sacred +cloister, before they flew away. Neither did they +in future ever dare to place a foot on the lands of +the convent, nor to touch one blade of grass. + + +THE KING OF THE BIRDS + +BY THE BROTHERS GRIMM (TRANSLATED) + +One day the birds took it into their heads that +they would like a master, and that one of their +number must be chosen king. A meeting of all the +birds was called, and on a beautiful May morning +they assembled from woods and fields and meadows. +The eagle, the robin, the bluebird, the owl, +the lark, the sparrow were all there. The cuckoo +came, and the lapwing, and so did all the other +birds, too numerous to mention. There also came +a very little bird that had no name at all. + +There was great confusion and noise. There +was piping, hissing, chattering and clacking, and +finally it was decided that the bird that could fly +the highest should be king. + +The signal was given and all the birds flew in a +great flock into the air. There was a loud rustling +and whirring and beating of wings. The air was +full of dust, and it seemed as if a black cloud were +floating over the field. + +The little birds soon grew tired and fell back +quickly to earth. The larger ones held out longer, +and flew higher and higher, but the eagle flew +highest of any. He rose, and rose, until he seemed +to be flying straight into the sun. + +The other birds gave out and one by one they +fell back to earth; and when the eagle saw this +he thought, ``What is the use of flying any higher? +It is settled: I am king!'' + +Then the birds below called in one voice: +``Come back, come back! You must be our king! +No one can fly as high as you.'' + +``Except me!'' cried a shrill, shrill voice, and +the little bird without a name rose from the eagle's +back, where he had lain hidden in the feathers, +and he flew into the air. Higher and higher he +mounted till he was lost to sight, then, folding his +wings together, he sank to earth crying shrilly: ``I +am king! I am king!'' + +``You, our king!'' the birds cried in anger; +``you have done this by trickery and cunning. We +will not have you to reign over us.'' + +Then the birds gathered together again and +made another condition, that he should be king +who could go the deepest into the earth. + +How the goose wallowed in the sand, and the +duck strove to dig a hole! All the other birds, too, +tried to hide themselves in the ground. The little +bird without a name found a mouse's hole, and +creeping in cried:-- + +``I am king! I am king!'' + +``You, our king!'' all the birds cried again, +more angrily than before. ``Do you think that we +would reward your cunning in this way? No, no! +You shall stay in the earth till you die of hunger!'' + +So they shut up the little bird in the mouse's +hole, and bade the owl watch him carefully night +and day. Then all the birds went home to bed, +for they were very tired; but the owl found it +lonely and wearisome sitting alone staring at the +mouse's hole. + +``I can close one eye and watch with the other,'' +he thought. So he closed one eye and stared +steadfastly with the other; but before he knew it +he forgot to keep that one open, and both eyes +were fast asleep. + +Then the little bird without a name peeped out, +and when he saw Master Owl's two eyes tight +shut, he slipped from the hole and flew away. + +From this time on the owl has not dared to +show himself by day lest the birds should pull him +to pieces. He flies about only at night-time, hating +and pursuing the mouse for having made the +hole into which the little bird crept. + +And the little bird also keeps out of sight, for he +fears lest the other birds should punish him for +his cunning. He hides in the hedges, and when he +thinks himself quite safe, he sings out: ``I am +king! I am king!'' + +And the other birds in mockery call out: ``Yes, +yes, the hedge-king! the hedge-king!'' + + +THE DOVE WHO SPOKE TRUTH + +BY ABBIE FARWELL BROWN + +The dove and the wrinkled little bat once went on +a journey together. When it came toward night +a storm arose, and the two companions sought +everywhere for a shelter. But all the birds were +sound asleep in their nests and the animals in their +holes and dens. They could find no welcome +anywhere until they came to the hollow tree +where old Master Owl lived, wide awake in the +dark. + +``Let us knock here,'' said the shrewd bat; ``I +know the old fellow is not asleep. This is his +prowling hour, and but that it is a stormy night +he would be abroad hunting.--What ho, Master +Owl!'' he squeaked, ``will you let in two storm- +tossed travelers for a night's lodging?'' + +Gruffly the selfish old owl bade them enter, and +grudgingly invited them to share his supper. The +poor dove was so tired that she could scarcely eat, +but the greedy bat's spirits rose as soon as he saw +the viands spread before him. He was a sly fellow, +and immediately began to flatter his host into +good humor. He praised the owl's wisdom and his +courage, his gallantry and his generosity; though +every one knew that however wise old Master Owl +might be, he was neither brave nor gallant. As for +his generosity--both the dove and the bat well +remembered his selfishness toward the poor wren, +when the owl alone of all the birds refused to give +the little fire-bringer a feather to help cover his +scorched and shivering body. + +All this flattery pleased the owl. He puffed and +ruffled himself, trying to look as wise, gallant, and +brave as possible. He pressed the bat to help +himself more generously to the viands, which +invitation the sly fellow was not slow to accept. + +During this time the dove had not uttered a +word. She sat quite still staring at the bat, and +wondering to hear such insincere speeches of +flattery. Suddenly the owl turned to her. + +``As for you, Miss Pink-Eyes,'' he said gruffly, +``you keep careful silence. You are a dull table- +companion. Pray, have you nothing to say for +yourself?'' + +``Yes,'' exclaimed the mischievous bat; ``have +you no words of praise for our kind host? Methinks +he deserves some return for this wonderfully +generous, agreeable, tasteful, well-appointed, +luxurious, elegant, and altogether acceptable +banquet. What have you to say, O little dove?'' + +But the dove hung her head, ashamed of her +companion, and said very simply: ``O Master +Owl, I can only thank you with all my heart for +the hospitality and shelter which you have given +me this night. I was beaten by the storm, and +you took me in. I was hungry, and you gave me +your best to eat. I cannot flatter nor make pretty +speeches like the bat. I never learned such +manners. But I thank you.'' + +``What!'' cried the bat, pretending to be +shocked, ``is that all you have to say to our +obliging host? Is he not the wisest, bravest, most +gallant and generous of gentlemen? Have you no +praise for his noble character as well as for his +goodness to us? I am ashamed of you! You do +not deserve such hospitality. You do not deserve +this shelter.'' + +The dove remained silent. Like Cordelia in the +play she could not speak untruths even for her +own happiness. + +``Truly, you are an unamiable guest,'' snarled +the owl, his yellow eyes growing keen and fierce +with anger and mortified pride. ``You are an +ungrateful bird, Miss, and the bat is right. You +do not deserve this generous hospitality which I +have offered, this goodly shelter which you asked. +Away with you! Leave my dwelling! Pack off +into the storm and see whether or not your silence +will soothe the rain and the wind. Be off, I say!'' + +``Yes, away with her!'' echoed the bat, flapping +his leathery wings. + +And the two heartless creatures fell upon the +poor little dove and drove her out into the dark +and stormy night. + +Poor little dove! All night she was tossed and +beaten about shelterless in the storm, because she +had been too truthful to flatter the vain old owl. +But when the bright morning dawned, draggled +and weary as she was, she flew to the court of +King Eagle and told him all her trouble. Great +was the indignation of that noble bird. + +``For his flattery and his cruelty let the bat +never presume to fly abroad until the sun goes +down,'' he cried. ``As for the owl, I have already +doomed him to this punishment for his treatment +of the wren. But henceforth let no bird have anything +to do with either of them, the bat or the owl. +Let them be outcasts and night-prowlers, enemies +to be attacked and punished if they appear +among us, to be avoided by all in their loneliness. +Flattery and inhospitality, deceit and cruelty,-- +what are more hideous than these? Let them +cover themselves in darkness and shun the happy +light of day. + +``As for you, little dove, let this be a lesson to +you to shun the company of flatterers, who are +sure to get you into trouble. But you shall +always be loved for your simplicity and truth. And +as a token of our affection your name shall be +used by poets as long as the world shall last to +rhyme with LOVE.'' + + +THE BUSY BLUE JAY + +BY OLIVE THORNE MILLER (ADAPTED) + +One of the most interesting birds who ever lived +in my Bird Room was a blue jay named Jakie. +He was full of business from morning till night, +scarcely ever a moment still. + +Poor little fellow! He had been stolen from the +nest before he could fly, and reared in a house, +long before he was given to me. Of course he +could not be set free, for he did not know how to +take care of himself. + +Jays are very active birds, and being shut up in +a room, my blue jay had to find things to do, to +keep himself busy. If he had been allowed to +grow up out of doors, he would have found plenty +to do, planting acorns and nuts, nesting, and +bringing up families. + +Sometimes the things he did in the house were +what we call mischief because they annoy us, such +as hammering the woodwork to pieces, tearing +bits out of the leaves of books, working holes +in chair seats, or pounding a cardboard box to +pieces. But how is a poor little bird to know what +is mischief? + +Many things which Jakie did were very funny. +For instance, he made it his business to clear up +the room. When he had more food than he could +eat at the moment, he did not leave it around, but +put it away carefully,--not in the garbage pail, +for that was not in the room, but in some safe +nook where it did not offend the eye. Sometimes +it was behind the tray in his cage, or among the +books on the shelf. The places he liked best were +about me,--in the fold of a ruffle or the loop of a +bow on my dress, and sometimes in the side of my +slipper. The very choicest place of all was in my +loosely bound hair. That, of course, I could not +allow, and I had to keep very close watch of him, +for fear I might have a bit of bread or meat thrust +among my locks. + +In his clearing up he always went carefully over +the floor, picking up pins, or any little thing he +could find, and I often dropped burnt matches, +buttons, and other small things to give him something +to do. These he would pick up and put +nicely away. + +Pins Jakie took lengthwise in his beak, and at +first I thought he had swallowed them, till I saw +him hunt up a proper place to hide them. The +place he chose was between the leaves of a book. +He would push a pin far in out of sight, and then +go after another. A match he always tried to put +in a crack, under the baseboard, between the +breadths of matting, or under my rockers. He +first placed it, and then tried to hammer it in out +of sight. He could seldom get it in far enough to +suit him, and this worried him. Then he would +take it out and try another place. + +Once the blue jay found a good match, of the +parlor match variety. He put it between the +breadths of matting, and then began to pound on +it as usual. Pretty soon he hit the unburnt end +and it went off with a loud crack, as parlor +matches do. Poor Jakie jumped two feet into the +air, nearly frightened out of his wits; and I was +frightened, too, for I feared he might set the +house on fire. + +Often when I got up from my chair a shower of +the bird's playthings would fall from his various +hiding-places about my dress,--nails, matches, +shoe-buttons, bread-crumbs, and other things. +Then he had to begin his work all over again. + +Jakie liked a small ball or a marble. His game +was to give it a hard peck and see it roll. If it +rolled away from him, he ran after it and pecked +again; but sometimes it rolled toward him, and +then he bounded into the air as if he thought it +would bite. And what was funny, he was always +offended at this conduct of the ball, and went off +sulky for a while. + + +He was a timid little fellow. Wind or storm +outside the windows made him wild. He would +fly around the room, squawking at the top of his +voice; and the horrible tin horns the boys liked to +blow at Thanksgiving and Christmas drove him +frantic. + +Once I brought a Christmas tree into the room +to please the birds, and all were delighted with it +except my poor little blue jay, who was much +afraid of it. Think of the sadness of a bird being +afraid of a tree! + + +II + + +Jakie had decided opinions about people who +came into the room to see me, or to see the birds. +At some persons he would squawk every moment. +Others he saluted with a queer cry like ``Ob-ble! +ob-ble! ob-ble!'' Once when a lady came in with a +baby, he fixed his eyes on that infant with a savage +look as if he would like to peck it, and jumped +back and forth in his cage, panting but perfectly +silent. + +Jakie was very devoted to me. He always +greeted me with a low, sweet chatter, with wings +quivering, and, if he were out of the cage, he +would come on the back of my chair and touch +my cheek or lips very gently with his beak, or +offer me a bit of food if he had any; and to me +alone when no one else was near, he sang a low, +exquisite song. I afterwards heard a similar song +sung by a wild blue jay to his mate while she was +sitting, and so I knew that my dear little captive +had given me his sweetest--his love-song. + +One of Jakie's amusements was dancing across +the back of a tall chair, taking funny little steps, +coming down hard, ``jouncing'' his body, and +whistling as loud as he could. He would keep up +this funny performance as long as anybody would +stand before him and pretend to dance too. + +My jay was fond of a sensation. One of his +dearest bits of fun was to drive the birds into a +panic. This he did by flying furiously around the +room, feathers rustling, and squawking as loud as +he could. He usually managed to fly just over the +head of each bird, and as he came like a catapult, +every one flew before him, so that in a minute the +room was full of birds flying madly about, trying +to get out of his way. This gave him great +pleasure. + +Once a grasshopper got into the Bird Room, +probably brought in clinging to some one's dress +in the way grasshoppers do. Jakie was in his cage, +but he noticed the stranger instantly, and I +opened the door for him. He went at once to look +at the grasshopper, and when it hopped he was so +startled that he hopped too. Then he picked the +insect up, but he did not know what to do with it, +so he dropped it again. Again the grasshopper +jumped directly up, and again the jay did the +same. This they did over and over, till every one +was tired laughing at them. It looked as if they +were trying to see who could jump the highest. + +There was another bird in the room, however, +who knew what grasshoppers were good for. He +was an orchard oriole, and after looking on awhile, +he came down and carried off the hopper to eat. +The jay did not like to lose his plaything; he ran +after the thief, and stood on the floor giving low +cries and looking on while the oriole on a chair +was eating the dead grasshopper. When the oriole +happened to drop it, Jakie,--who had got a new +idea what to do with grasshoppers,--snatched it +up and carried it under a chair and finished it. + +I could tell many more stories about my bird, +but I have told them before in one of my ``grown-up'' +books, so I will not repeat them here. + + +BABES IN THE WOODS + +BY JOHN BURROUGHS + +One day in early May, Ted and I made an expedition +to the Shattega, a still, dark, deep stream +that loiters silently through the woods not far +from my cabin. As we paddled along, we were on +the alert for any bit of wild life of bird or beast +that might turn up. + +There were so many abandoned woodpecker +chambers in the small dead trees as we went along +that I determined to secure the section of a tree +containing a good one to take home and put up +for the bluebirds. ``Why don't the bluebirds occupy +them here?'' inquired Ted. ``Oh,'' I replied, +``blue birds do not come so far into the woods as +this. They prefer nesting-places in the open, and +near human habitations.'' After carefully scrutinizing +several of the trees, we at last saw one that +seemed to fill the bill. It was a small dead tree- +trunk seven or eight inches in diameter, that +leaned out over the water, and from which the top +had been broken. The hole, round and firm, was +ten or twelve feet above us. After considerable +effort I succeeded in breaking the stub off near +the ground, and brought it down into the boat. + +``Just the thing,'' I said; ``surely the bluebirds +will prefer this to an artificial box.'' But, lo and +behold, it already had bluebirds in it! We had not +heard a sound or seen a feather till the trunk was +in our hands, when, on peering into the cavity, we +discovered two young bluebirds about half grown. +This was a predicament indeed! + +Well, the only thing we could do was to stand +the tree-trunk up again as well as we could, and +as near as we could to where it had stood before. +This was no easy thing. But after a time we had +it fairly well replaced, one end standing in the +mud of the shallow water and the other resting +against a tree. This left the hole to the nest about +ten feet below and to one side of its former position. +Just then we heard the voice of one of the +parent birds, and we quickly paddled to the other +side of the stream, fifty feet away, to watch her +proceedings, saying to each other, ``Too bad! too +bad!'' The mother bird had a large beetle in her +beak. She alighted upon a limb a few feet above +the former site of her nest, looked down upon us, +uttered a note or two, and then dropped down +confidently to the point in the vacant air where +the entrance to her nest had been but a few +moments before. Here she hovered on the wing a +second or two, looking for something that was not +there, and then returned to the perch she had just +left, apparently not a little disturbed. She hammered +the beetle rather excitedly upon the limb +a few times, as if it were in some way at fault, +then dropped down to try for her nest again. +Only vacant air there! She hovers and hovers, +her blue wings flickering in the checkered light; +surely that precious hole MUST be there; but no, +again she is baffled, and again she returns to her +perch, and mauls the poor beetle till it must be +reduced to a pulp. Then she makes a third +attempt, then a fourth, and a fifth, and a sixth, +till she becomes very much excited. ``What could +have happened? Am I dreaming? Has that beetle +hoodooed me?'' she seems to say, and in her dismay +she lets the bug drop, and looks bewilderedly +about her. Then she flies away through the +woods, calling. ``Going for her mate,'' I said to +Ted. ``She is in deep trouble, and she wants +sympathy and help.'' + +In a few minutes we heard her mate answer, +and presently the two birds came hurrying to the +spot, both with loaded beaks. They perched upon +the familiar limb above the site of the nest, and +the mate seemed to say, ``My dear, what has +happened to you? I can find that nest.'' And he +dived down, and brought up in the empty air just +as the mother had done. How he winnowed it +with his eager wings! How he seemed to bear on +to that blank space! His mate sat regarding him +intently, confident, I think, that he would find +the clue. But he did not. Baffled and excited, he +returned to the perch beside her. Then she tried +again, then he rushed down once more, then they +both assaulted the place, but it would not give up +its secret. They talked, they encouraged each +other, and they kept up the search, now one, now +the other, now both together. Sometimes they +dropped down to within a few feet of the entrance +to the nest, and we thought they would surely +find it. No, their minds and eyes were intent only +upon that square foot of space where the nest had +been. Soon they withdrew to a large limb many +feet higher up, and seemed to say to themselves, + +``Well, it is not there, but it must be here +somewhere; let us look about.'' A few minutes elapsed, +when we saw the mother bird spring from her +perch and go straight as an arrow to the nest. Her +maternal eye had proved the quicker. She had +found her young. Something like reason and +common sense had come to her rescue; she had +taken time to look about, and behold! there was +that precious doorway. She thrust her head into +it, then sent back a call to her mate, then went +farther in, then withdrew. ``Yes, it is true, they +are here, they are here!'' Then she went in again, +gave them the food in her beak, and then gave +place to her mate, who, after similar demonstrations +of joy, also gave them his morsel. + +Ted and I breathed freer. A burden had been +taken from our minds and hearts, and we went +cheerfully on our way. We had learned something, +too; we had learned that when in the deep +woods you think of bluebirds, bluebirds may be +nearer you than you think. + + +THE PRIDE OF THE REGIMENT + +BY HARRY M. KIEFFER (ADAPTED) + +``Old Abe'' was the war-eagle of the Eighth +Wisconsin Volunteers. Whoever it may have +been that first conceived the idea, it was certainly +a happy thought to make a pet of an eagle. For +the eagle is our national bird, and to carry an +eagle along with the colors of a regiment on the +march, and in battle, and all through the whole +war, was surely very appropriate, indeed. + +``Old Abe's'' perch was on a shield, which was +carried by a soldier, to whom, and to whom alone, +he looked as to a master. He would not allow any +one to carry or even to handle him, except this +soldier, nor would he ever receive his food from +any other person's hands. He seemed to have +sense enough to know that he was sometimes a +burden to his master on the march, however, and, +as if to relieve him, would occasionally spread his +wings and soar aloft to a great height, the men of +all regiments along the line of march cheering him +as he went up. + +He regularly received his rations from the +commissary, like any enlisted man. Whenever +fresh meat was scarce, and none could be found +for him by foraging parties, he would take things +into his own claws, as it were, and go out on a +foraging expedition himself. On some such +occasions he would be gone two or three days at a +time, during which nothing whatever was seen of +him; but he would invariably return, and seldom +would come back without a young lamb or a +chicken in his talons. His long absences occasioned +his regiment not the slightest concern, for the men +knew that, though he might fly many miles away +in quest of food, he would be quite sure to find +them again. + +In what way he distinguished the two hostile +armies so accurately that he was never once +known to mistake the gray for the blue, no one +can tell. But so it was, that he was never known +to alight save in his own camp, and amongst his +own men. + +At Jackson, Mississippi, during the hottest part +of the battle before that city, ``Old Abe'' soared +up into the air, and remained there from early +morning until the fight closed at night, no doubt +greatly enjoying his bird's-eye view of the battle. +He did the same at Mission Ridge. He was, I +believe, struck by Confederate bullets two or +three times, but his feathers were so thick that +his body was not much hurt. The shield on which +he was carried, however, showed so many marks +of Confederate balls that it looked on top as if a +groove plane had been run over it. + +At the Centenial celebration held in +Philadelphia, in 1876, ``Old Abe'' occupied a prominent +place on his perch on the west side of the nave +in the Agricultural Building. He was evidently +growing old, and was the observed of all +observers. Thousands of visitors, from all sections +of the country, paid their respects to the grand +old bird, who, apparently conscious of the honors +conferred upon him, overlooked the sale of his +biography and photographs going on beneath his +perch with entire satisfaction. + +As was but just and right, the soldier who had +carried him during the war continued to have +charge of him after the war was over, until the +day of his death, which occurred at the capital of +Wisconsin, in 1881. + + +THE MOTHER MURRE + +BY DALLAS LORE SHARP + +One of the most striking cases of mother-love +which has ever come under my observation, I saw +in the summer of 1912 on the bird rookeries of +the Three-Arch Rocks Reservation off the coast +of Oregon. + +We were making our slow way toward the top +of the outer rock. Through rookery after rookery +of birds, we climbed until we reached the edge of +the summit. Scrambling over this edge, we found +ourselves in the midst of a great colony of nesting +murres--hundreds of them--covering this steep +rocky part of the top. + +As our heads appeared above the rim, many of +the colony took wing and whirred over us out to +sea, but most of them sat close, each bird upon its +egg or over its chick, loath to leave, and so expose +to us the hidden treasure. + +The top of the rock was somewhat cone-shaped, +and in order to reach the peak and the colonies on +the west side we had to make our way through +this rookery of the murres. The first step among +them, and the whole colony was gone, with a rush +of wings and feet that sent several of the top- +shaped eggs rolling, and several of the young birds +toppling over the cliff to the pounding waves and +ledges far below. + +We stopped, but the colony, almost to a bird, +had bolted, leaving scores of eggs, and scores of +downy young squealing and running together for +shelter, like so many beetles under a lifted board. + +But the birds had not every one bolted, for here +sat two of the colony among the broken rocks. +These two had not been frightened off. That both +of them were greatly alarmed, any one could see +from their open beaks, their rolling eyes, their +tense bodies on tiptoe for flight. Yet here they +sat, their wings out like props, or more like gripping +hands, as if they were trying to hold themselves +down to the rocks against their wild desire +to fly. + +And so they were, in truth, for under their +extended wings I saw little black feet moving. +Those two mother murres were not going to +forsake their babies! No, not even for these +approaching monsters, such as they had never +before seen, clambering over their rocks. + +What was different about these two? They had +their young ones to protect. Yes, but so had +every bird in the great colony its young one, or its +egg, to protect, yet all the others had gone. Did +these two have more mother-love than the +others? And hence, more courage, more intelligence? + +We took another step toward them, and one of +the two birds sprang into the air, knocking her +baby over and over with the stroke of her wing, +and coming within an inch of hurling it across the +rim to be battered on the ledges below. The other +bird raised her wings to follow, then clapped them +back over her baby. Fear is the most contagious +thing in the world; and that flap of fear by the +other bird thrilled her, too, but as she had +withstood the stampede of the colony, so she caught +herself again and held on. + +She was now alone on the bare top of the rock, +with ten thousand circling birds screaming to her +in the air above, and with two men creeping up to +her with a big black camera that clicked ominously. +She let the multitude scream, and with +threatening beak watched the two men come on. +A motherless baby, spying her, ran down the rock +squealing for his life. She spread a wing, put her +bill behind him and shoved him quickly in out of +sight with her own baby. The man with the +camera saw the act, for I heard his machine click, +and I heard him say something under his breath +that you would hardly expect a mere man and a +game-warden to say. But most men have a good +deal of the mother in them; and the old bird +had acted with such decision, such courage, such +swift, compelling instinct, that any man, short +of the wildest savage, would have felt his heart +quicken at the sight. + +``Just how compelling might that mother- +instinct be?'' I wondered. ``Just how much +would that mother-love stand?'' I had dropped +to my knees, and on all fours had crept up within +about three feet of the bird. She still had chance +for flight. Would she allow me to crawl any +nearer? Slowly, very slowly, I stretched forward +on my hands, like a measuring-worm, until my +body lay flat on the rocks, and my fingers were +within three INCHES of her. But her wings were +twitching, a wild light danced in her eyes, and her +head turned toward the sea. + +For a whole minute I did not stir. I was +watching--and the wings again began to tighten about +the babies, the wild light in the eyes died down, +the long, sharp beak turned once more toward me. + +Then slowly, very slowly, I raised my hand, +touched her feathers with the tip of one finger-- +with two fingers--with my whole hand, while +the loud camera click-clacked, click-clacked +hardly four feet away! + +It was a thrilling moment. I was not killing +anything. I had no long-range rifle in my hands, +coming up against the wind toward an unsuspecting +creature hundreds of yards away. This was no +wounded leopard charging me; no mother-bear +defending with her giant might a captured cub. It +was only a mother-bird, the size of a wild duck, +with swift wings at her command, hiding under +those wings her own and another's young, and +her own boundless fear! + +For the second time in my life I had taken +captive with my bare hands a free wild bird. No, +I had not taken her captive. She had made herself +a captive; she had taken herself in the strong net +of her mother-love. + +And now her terror seemed quite gone. At the +first touch of my hand I think she felt the love +restraining it, and without fear or fret she let me +reach under her and pull out the babies. But she +reached after them with her bill to tuck them +back out of sight, and when I did not let them go, +she sidled toward me, quacking softly, a language +that I perfectly understood, and was quick to +respond to. I gave them back, fuzzy and black +and white. She got them under her, stood up over +them, pushed her wings down hard around them, +her stout tail down hard behind them, and +together with them pushed in an abandoned egg +that was close at hand. Her own baby, some one +else's baby, and some one else's forsaken egg! She +could cover no more; she had not feathers enough. +But she had heart enough; and into her mother's +heart she had already tucked every motherless +egg and nestling of the thousands of frightened +birds, screaming and wheeling in the air high over +her head. + + +THE END + + + +REFERENCE LISTS +FOR STORY-TELLING AND COLLATERAL +READING + + +REFERENCE LISTS +FOR STORY-TELLING AND COLLATERAL +READING + + +(The grades assigned are merely suggestive, as some of the stories +may be used in higher or lower grades than here indicated.) + + +NEW YEAR'S DAY + +For grades 1-4. + +An All-the-Year-Round Story, in Poulsson, In the Child's +World; Peter the Stone-Cutter, in Macdonell, Italian +Fairy Book; The Forest Full of Friends, in Alden, Why the +Chimes Rang. + + +For grades 5-8. + +A Chinese New Year's in California, in Our Holidays +Retold from St. Nicholas; A New Year's Talk, in Stevenson, +Days and Deeds (prose); Story of the Year, in Andersen, +Stories and Tales; The Animals' New Year's Eve, in Lagerlof, +Further Adventures of Nils. + + + +LINCOLN'S BIRTHDAY + +For grades 1-4. + +A Westfield Incident, in Moores, Abraham Lincoln, page +87; Lincoln and the Little Horse, in Werner's Readings, no. +46; Lincoln and the Pig, in Gross, Lincoln's Own Stories; +Lincoln and the Small Dog, in Moores, Aoraham Lincoln, +page 25. + +For grades 5-6. + +A Backwoods Boyhood, in Moores, Abraham Lincoln; +Choosing Abe Lincoln Captain, in Schauffler, Lincoln's +Birthday; Following the Surveyor's Chain, in Baldwin, +Abraham Lincoln; His Good Memory of Names, in Gallaher, +Best Lincoln Stories; Lincoln and the Doorkeeper, in Gross, + +Lincoln's Own Stories, page 78, Lincoln and the Unjust Client, +in Moores, Abraham Lincoln, page 46; Lincoln's Kindness to +a Disabled Soldier, in Gallaher, Best Lincoln Stories; The +Clary's Grove Boys, in Noah Brooks, Abraham Lincoln page +51; The Snow Boys, in Noah Brooks, Abraham Lincoln page +122. + +For grades 7-8. + +Counsel Assigned, Andrews; He Knew lincoln, Tarbell; +Lincoln and the Sleeping Senhnel, Chittenden; Lincoln +Remembered Him, in Gallaher, Best Lincoln Stories; Lincoln's +Springfield Farewell, in Moores, Abraham lincoln, page 82; +Perfect Tribute, Andrews. + + +SAINT VALENTINE'S DAY + +For grades 1-4. + +A Sunday Valentine, in White, When Molly was Six; +Beauty and the Beast, in Lang, Blue Fairy Book, East of the +Sun and West of the Moon, in Lang, Blue Fairy Book; The +Fair One With Golden Locks, in Scudder, Children's Book; +The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood, in Scudder, Children's +Book; The Valentine (poem), in Brown, Fresh Posies. + +For grades 5-6. + +Gracieuse and Percinet, in D'Aulnoy, Fairy Tales; Jorinda +and Joringel, in Grimm, German Household Tales; The Day- +Dream, Tennyson (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; The +Singing, Soaring Lark, in Grimm, German Household Tales +William and the Werewolf, in Darton, Wonder Book of Old +Romance. + +For grades 7-8. + +As You Like It, Shakespeare; Brunhild, in Baldwin, Story +of Siegfried; Floris and Blanchefleur, in Darton, Wonder +Book of Old Romance; Palamon and Arcita, in Darton, Tales +of the Canterbury Pilgrims; The Fair Maid of Perth, Scott, +chapters 2-6; The Singing Leaves, Lowell (poem); The +Tempest, Shakespeare. + + +WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY + +For grades 1-4. + +Little George Washington, and Great George Washington, +in Wiggin and Smith, Story Hour; The Virginia Boy, in +Wilson, Nature Study, Second Reader. + +For grades 54. + +A Christmas Surprise, in Tappan, American Hero Stories +Dolly Madison, in Tappan, American Hero Stories; Going +to Sea, in Scudder, George Washinyton, page 33; How George +Washington was Made Commander-in-Chief, in Tomlinson, +War for Independence; The Home of Washington, and +The Appearance of the Enemy, in Madison, Peggy Owen at +Yorktown; Young Washington in the Woods, in Eggleston, +Strange Stories from History. + +For grades 7-8. + +Anecdotes and Stories, in Schauffler, Washington's Birthday; +He Resigns his Commission, in Lodge, George Washington, +vol. I, page 338; The British at Mount Vernon, in Lodge, +George Washington, vol. I, page 295; The Young Surveyor, +in Scudder, George Washington; Washington Offered the +Supreme Power, in Lodge, George Washington, vol. I, page 328; +Washington's Farewell to His Officers, in Lodge, George +Washington, vol. I, page 387. + + +RESURRECTION DAY (EASTER) + +For grades 1-4. + +Easter Eggs, von Schmid; The Boy Who Discovered the +Spring, in Alden, Why the Chimes Rang; Herr Oster Hase, +in Bailey and Lewis, For the Children's Hour; The Legend +of Easter Eggs, O'Brien (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; The +Rabbit's Ransom, Vawter; The White Hare, in Stevenson, +Days and Deeds (prose). + +For grades 5-8. + +Easter, Gilder (poem); The General's Easter Box, in Our +Holidays Retold from St. Nicholas; The Trinity Flower, +Ewing; What Easter is, in Stevenson, Days and Deeds (prose). + + + +MAY DAY + +For grades 1-4. + +A Story of the Springtime, in Kupfer, Legends of Greeee +and Rome; How the Water Lily Came, in Judd, Wigwam +Stories; The Brook in the King's Garden, in Alden, Why the +Chimes Rang; The Legend of the Dandelion, in Bailey and +Lewis, For the Children's Hour; The Lilac Bush, in Riverside +Fourth Reader; The Maple Leaf and the Violet, in +Wiggin and Smith, Story Flour; The Story of the Anemone +in Coe, First Book of Stories for the Story-Teller; The Story +of the First Butterflies, in Holbrook, Book of Nature Myths; +The Story of the First Snowdrops, in Holbrook, Book of Nature +Myths; The Story of the Rainbow, in Coe, First Book +of Stories for the Story-Teller; Two Little Seeds, in MacDonald, +David Elginbrod, chapter, ``The Cave in the Straw; +``Why the Morning-Glory Climbs, in Bryant, How to Tell +Stories to Children. + +For grades 5-6. + +Ladders to Heaven, Ewing; The Daisy, in Andersen, +Wonder Stories; Five out of One Shell, in Andersen, Stories and +Tales; The Pomegranate Seeds, in Hawthorne, Tanglewood +Tales. + +For grades 7-8. + +The May-Pole at Merry Mount, in Hawthorne, Twice- +Told Tales; The Opening of the Eyes of Jasper, in Dyer +The Richer Life; The Prisoner and the Flower, in Stevenson, +Days and Deeds (prose). + + +MOTHERS' DAY + +For grades 1-4. + +Hans and the Wonderful Flower, in Bailey and Lewis +For the Children's Hour; The Closing Door, in Lindsay +Mother Stories; The Laughter of a Samurai, in Nixon-Roulet, +Japanese Folk-Stories; The Fairy Who Came to our +House, in Bailey and Lewis, For the wrhildren's Hour; The +Little Traveler, in Lindsay, Mother Stories; Thorwald and +the Star-Children, in Boyesen, Modern Vikings. + +For grades 5-6. + +Lincoln's Letter to a Mother, in Moores, Abraham Lincoln, +page 105; My Angel Mother, in Baldwin, Abraham +Lincoln; Napoleon and the English Sailor Boy, Campbell +(poem), in Story-Telling Poems; The Song of the Old Mother, +Yeats (poem), in Riverside Eighth Reader; Valentine and +Ursine (poem), in Lanier, Boy's Perey. + +For grades 7-8. + +A Patriot Mother, in Tomlinson, War for Independence; +Lincoln's Letter, in Gross, Lincoln's Own Stories; President +for One Hour, in St. Nicholas Christmas Book; The Conqueror's +Grave, Bryant (poem); The Gracci, in Morris, +Historical Tales (Roman); The Knight's Toast attributed to +Scott (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; Young Manhood, in +Noah Brooks, Abraham Lincoln. + + +MEMORIAL AND FLAG DAYS + +For grades 3-6. + +A Boy Who Won the Cross, in Hart and Stevens, Romance +of the Civil War; A Story of the Flag, in Our Holidays Retold +from St. Nicholas; Betsy's Battle Flag, Irving (poem), in +Stevenson, Poems of Ameriean History; Noteworthy Flag Incidents, +in Smith, Our Nation's Flag; The Legs of Duncan +Ketcham, in Price, Lads and Lassies of Other Days; The +Origin of Memorial Day, in Stevenson, Days and Deeds (prose); +The Planting of the Colors, in Thomas, Captain Phil, page +227. + +For grades 7-8. + +Kearny at Seven Pines, Stedman (poem); Quivira, Guiterman +(poem), in Story-Telling Poems; Reading the List, in +Sehauffler, Memorial Day; Remember the Alamo, in Lodge +and Roosevelt, Hero Tales, Reuben James, Roche, (poem), in +Story-Telling Poems; The Defense of the Alamo, Miller +(poem), in Stevenson, Poems of American History; The Fire +Rekindled, in Schauffler, Memorial Day; The Flag-Bearer, +in Lodge and Roosevelt, Hero Tales; The March of the First +Brigade, in Riverside Eighth Reader. + + + +INDEPENDENCE DAY + +For grades S-6. + +A Winter at Valley Forge, in Tappan, American Hero +Stories; Cornwallis's Buckles, in Revolutionary Stories Retold +from St. Nicholas; Ethan Allen, in Johonnot, Stories of +Heroic Deeds; Fourth of July Among the Indians, in Indian +Stories Retold from St. Nicholas; How ``Mad Anthony'' +Took Stony Point, in Tappan, American Hero Stories; How +the ``Swamp Fox'' Made the British Miserable, in Tappan, +American Hero Stories; John Paul Jones, in Tappan, American +Hero Stories; Laetitia and the Redcoats, in Revolutionary +Stories Retold from St. Nicholas; Molly Pitcher, in +Revolutionary Stories Retold from St. Nicholas; Paul Revere's Ride +Longfellow (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; Prescott and the +Yankee Boy, in Johonnot, Stories of Heroic Deeds; Rodney's +Ride, Brooks (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; The Boston +Massacre, in Hawthorne, Grandfather's Chair; The Bulb of +the Crimson Tulip, in Revolutionary Stories Retold from St +Nicholas; The First Day of the Revolution, in Tappan; +American Hero Stories. + +For grades 7-8. + +A Woman's Heroism, in Tomlinson, Warfor Independence; +Grandmother's Story of Bunker-Hill Battle, Holmes (poem); +How the Major Joined Marion's Men, in Tomlinson, War for +Independence; Molly Pitcher, Sherwood (poem), in Stevenson, +Poems of American History; Patrick Henry, in Morris +Historical Tales, American, Second Series; Song of Marion's +Men, Bryant (poem); That Bunker Hill Powder, in Revolutionary +Stories Retold from St. Nicholas; The Mantle of St. +John de Matha, Whittier (poem); The Tory's Farewell, in +Hawthorne, Grandfather's Chair. + + + +LABOR DAY + +For grades 1-4. + +Dust Under the Rug, in Lindsay, Mother Stories, Giant +Energy and Fairy Skill, in Lindsay, Mother Stories; How +Flax was Given to Men, in Holbrook, Book of Nature Myths; +My Friend the Housekeeper, in Riverside Fourth Reader, + +Peasant Truth, in Riverside Third Reader; Prometheus, the +Giver of Fire in Coe, First Book of Stories for the Story- +Teller; Six Soidiers of Fortune, in Grimm, German Household +Tales; The Country Maid and her Milk-Pail, in Scudder, +Book of Fables and Folk-Stories; The Flax, in Andersen, +Wonder Stories; The Hammer and the Anvil, in Ramaswami +Raju, Indian Fables; The Honest Woodman, in Poulsson, +In the Child's World; The Little Gray Pony, in Lindsay, +Mother Stories; The Little House in the Wood, in Grimm, +German Household Tales; The Old Man Who Lived in a +Wood (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; The Pixy Flower, in +Rhys, Fairy-Gold; The Spandies, in Gilchrist, Helen and the +Uninvited Guests, page 15; The Three Trades, in Grimm, +German Household Tales; The Toy of the Giant's Child, von +Chamisso (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; Vegetable Lambs, +in Curtis, Story of Cotton; Vulcan the Mighty Smith, in +Poulsson, In the Child's World. + +For grades 5-6. +A Handful of Clay, in Riverside Sixth Reader; How they +Built the Ship Argo in Iolcos, in Kingsley, Greek Heroes; +Icarus and DEedalus, in Peabody, Old Greek Folk-Stones; +Master of All Masters, in Jacobs, English Fairy Tales; The +Dwarf's Gifts, in Brown, In the Days of Giants; The Forging +of Balmung, in Baldwin, Hero Tales; The Giant Builder, +in Brown, In the Days of Giants; The God of Fire, in +Francillon, Gods and Heroes; The Wicked Hornet, in Baldwin, +The Sampo; The Wish-Ring, in Fairy Stories Retold from St. +Nicholas; The Wounds of Labor, in d'Amicis, Heart (Cuore); +Weland's Sword, in Kipling, Puck of Pook's Hill. + +For grades 74. +Careers of Danger and Daring, Moffett; David Maydole, +Hammer-Maker, in Riverside Seventh Reader; Jack Farley's +Flying Switch, in Warman, Short Rails; Histories of Two +Boys, in Riverside Seventh Reader; History of Labor Day, +in Stevenson, Days and Deeds (prose); The Arms of Aeneas, +in Church, Stories from Virgil; The Blacksmith Boy and the +Battle, in Marden, Winning Out; The Duke's Armorer, in +Stories of Chivalry Retold from St. Nicholas; The Scullion +Boy's Opportunity, in Marden, Winning Out; The Vision of +Anton the Clockmaker, in Dyer, The Richer Life, Tubal +Cain, Mackay (poem), in Story-Telling Poems. + + +COLUMBUS DAY + +For grades 4-8. + +Columbus, Miller (poem), in Riverside Seventh Reader; +Columbus at the Convent, Trowbridge (poem), in Stevenson, +Poems of American History; Guanahani, in Maores, Christopher +Columbus; How Diego Mendez Got Food for Columbus +in Higginson, American Explorers; How Diego Mendez +Saved Columbus, in Higginson, American Ewplorers; In +Search of the Grand Khan, in Moores, Christopher Columbus; +The Garden of Eden, in Moores, Christopher Columbus. + + +HALLOWEEN + +For grades 1-4. + +The Smith and the Fairies, in Grierson, Children's Book of +Celtic Stories; The Witch, in Lang, Yellow Fairy Book; The +Witch That was a Hare, in Rhys, English Fairy Book; Tom- +Tit Tot (Rumpelstiltskin), in Jacobs, English Fairy Tales. + +For grades 5-6. + +Mr. Fox, in Jacobs, English Fairy Tales; The Godfather, +in Grimm, German Household Tales; The Golden Arm, in +Jacobs, Enylish Fairy Tales; The Robber Bridegroom, in +Grimm, German Household Tales; The Story of a Cat, Bedoliere; +The Youth Who Could not Shiver or Shake, in Grimm, +German Household Tales. + +For grades 7-8. + +Alice Brand, in Scott, Lady of the Lake (poem); All- +Hallow-Eve Myths, in Our Holidays Retold from St. Nicholas; +Black Andie's Tale of Tod Lapraik, in Stevenson, David +Balfour; History of Hallowe'en, in Stevenson, Days and +Deeds (prose); Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and Rip Van Winkle +Irving; Macbeth, Shakespeare; The Bottle Imp, in Stevenson, +Island Nights' Entertainments; The Devil and Tom +Walker, Irving; The Fire-King, Scott (poem); The Speaking +Rat, in Dickens, Uncommercial Traveller, chapter 15. + + +THANKSGIVING DAY + +For grades 1-4 + +A Thanksgiving Dinner, in White, When Molly was Six; +The Chestnut Boys, in Poulsson, In the Child's World; The +First Thanksgiving Day, in Wiggin and Smith, Story Hour; +The Marriage of Mondahmin, in Judd, Wigwam Stories; The +Turkey's Nest, in Lindsay, More Mother Stories; The Visit, +in Lindsay, More Mother Stories; Turkeys Turning the +Tables, in Howells, Christmas Every Day. + +For grades 5-6. + +A Dinner That Ran Away, in Miller, Kristy's Surprise +Party; A Mystery in the Kitchen, in Miller, Kristy's Surprise +Party; Ann Mary, Her Two Thanksgivings, in Wilkins, +Young Lueretia; An Old-Time Thanksgiving, in Indian Stories +Retold from St. Nicholas; The Coming of Thanksgiving, and +The Season of Pumpkin Pies, in Warner, Being a Boy; The +Magic Apples, in Brown, In the Days of Giants; St. Francis's +Sermon to the Birds, Longfellow (poem), in Story-Telling +Poems. + +For grades 7-8. + +An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving, Alcott; The First +Thanksgiving Day, Preston (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; The +Night Before Thanksgiving, in Jewett, The Queen's Twin; +The Peace Message (poem), in Stevenson, Poems of Amercan +History; The Turkey Drive, in Sharp, Winter. + + + +CHRISTMAS DAY + +For grades 1-4. + +A Christmas Tree Reversed, in Brown, lattle Miss Phoebe +Gay; Babouseka, Thomas (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; +Christmas Every Day, Howells; Fulfilled, in Bryant, How to +Tell Stories to Children; His Christmas Turkey, in Vawter, +The Rabbi's Ransom; In the Great Walled Country, in Alden, +Why the Chimes Rang; Little Girl's Christmas, in Dickinson +and Skinner, Children's Book of Christmas Stories; Santa +Claus and the Mouse, Poulsson (poem), in St. Nicholas +Christmas Book; The Christmas Cake, in Lindsay, More +Mother Stories; The Christmas Tree, in Austin, Basket +Woman; The First New England Christmas, in Stone and +Fickett, Every-Day Life in the Colonies; The Golden Cobwebs, +in Bryant, How to Tell Stories to Children; The Moon of +Yule, in Davis, The Moons of Balbanea; The Rileys' Christmas, +in White, When Molly was Six; The Story of Gretehen +in Lindsay, Mother Stories; The Three Kings of Cologne, Field +(poem), in Story-Telling Poems; The Turkey Doll, Gates; The +Voyage of the Wee Red Cap, in Dickinson and Skinner, Children's +Book of Christmas Stories; Toinette and the Elves, in +Dickinson and Skinner, Children's Book of Christmas Stones; +'Twas the Night Before Christmas, Moore (poem); Why the +Chimes Rang, Alden. + +For grades 5-6. + +Christmas Before Last, in Stockton, Bee-Man of Orn; +Christmas in the Alley, in Miller, Kristy's Queer Christmas; +Dog of Flanders, Ramee; Felix, in Stein, Troubadour Tales; +Good King Wenceslas (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; +Hope's Christmas Tree, in Miller, Kristy's Surprise Party, +How a Bear Brought Christmas, in Miller, Kristy's Queer +Christmas; How Santa Claus Came to Simpson's Bar, in +Harte, Luck of Roaring Camp; How Uncle Sam Observes +Christmas, in Our Holidays Retold from St. Nicholas; Lottie's +Christmas Tree, in Miller, Kristy's Rainy Day Picnic; St. +Nicholas and the Innkeeper, in Walsh, Story of Santa Klaus; +St. Nicholas and the Robbers, in Walsh, Story of Santa +Klaus; St. Nicholas and the Slave Boy, in Walsh, Story of +Santa Klaus; Santa Claus on a Lark, Gladden; Solomon +Crow's Christmas Pockets, Stuart; The Birds' Christmas +Carol, Wiggin; The Coming of the Prince, in Field, Christmas +Tales and Christmas Verse; The Festival of St. Nicholas, +in Dodge, Hans Brinker; The Peace Egg, Ewing; The Symbol +and the Saint, in Field, Christmas Tales and Christmas +Verse. + +For grades 7-8. + +A Christmas Carol, Dickens; A Still Christmas, Repplier, +in Morris, In the Yule-Log Glow; The First Christmas Tree, +Van Dyke; The Lost Word, Van Dyke; The Mansion, Van +Dyke; The Other Wise Man, Van Dyke; Cosette, in Hugo, Les +Miserables, book 3; Where Love is, There God is Also, Tolstoy. + + + +ARBOR DAY + +For grades 1-4. + +Flower of the Almond and Fruit of the Fig, in Foote, Little +Fig-Tree Stories; Earl and the Dryad, in Brown, Star Jewels; +The Girl Who Became a Pine Tree, in Judd, Wigwam Stories; +The Kind Old Oak, in Poulsson, In the Child's World; The +Oak Tree, in Vawter, The Rabbit's Ransom; The Workman +and the Trees, in Ramaswami Raju, Indian Fables. + +For grades 5-6. + +Apple-Seed John, Child (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; +How the Children Saved Hamburg, in Marden, Winning +Out; How the Indians Learned to Make Maple Sugar, in +University of the State of New York, Legends and Poetry of +the Forests; Old Pipes and the Dryad, in Stockton, Bee-Man +of Orn; Tale of Old Man and the Birch Tree, in University of +the State of New York, Legends and Poetry of the Forests; +The Elm and the Vine, Rosas (poem), in Story-Telling +Poems; The Gourd and the Palm (poem), in Story-Telling +Poems; The Planting of the Apple Tree, Bryant (poem), in +Riverside Fifth Reader. + +For grades 7-8. + +Brier-Rose, Boyesen (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; How +the Charter was Saved, in Morris, Historical Tales, American; +O-So-Ah, the Tall Pine Speaks, in University of the +State of New York, Legends and Poetry of the Forests; The +Eliot Oak, in Drake, New England Legends; The First of +the Trees, in University of the State of New York, Legends +and Poetry of the Forests; The Liberty Tree, in Hawthorne, +Grandfather's Chair, part 3. chapter 2; The Plucky Prince, +May Bryant (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; The Story of +a Thousand-Year Pine, Mills; The Washington Elm, in +Drake, New England Legends. + + +BIRD DAY + +For grades 1-4. + +Out of the Nest, in Lindsay, More Mother Stories; The Fox +and the Crow, in Jacobs, Aesop's Fables; The Jackdaw and +the Doves, in Scudder, Book of Fables and Folk-Stories; The +Jay and the Peacock, in Jacobs, Aesop's Fables; The King, the +Falcon, and the Drinking Cup, in Dutton, The Tortoise and +the Geese; The Lark and her Young Ones, in Scudder, Book of +Fables and Folk-Stories; The Monk and the Bird, in Scudder, +Book of legends; The Owl and his School, in Ramaswami +Raju, Indian Fables; The Owl and the Pussy-Cat, Lear +(poem), in Story-Telling Poems; The Partridge and the Crow, +in Dutton, The Tortoise and the Geese; The Pious Robin, in +Brown, Curious Book of Birds; The Rustic and the Nightingale, +in Dutton, The Tortoise and the Geese; The Sparrows, +Thaxter (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; The Sparrows and +the Snake, in Dutton, The Tortoise and the Geese; The Spendthrift +and the Swallow, in Scudder, Book of Fables and Folk- +Stories; The Story of the First Mocking-Bird, in Holbrook, +Book of Nature Myths; The Story of the Oriole, in Holbrook, +Book of Nature Myths; The Wren Who Brought Fire, in +Brown, Curious Book of Birds; Why the Peacock's Tail has +a Hundred Eyes, in Holbrook, Book of Nature Myths; Why +the Peetweet Cries for Rain, in Holbrook, Book of Nature +Myths. + +For grades 5-6. + +A Madcap Thrush, in Miller, True Bird Stories; Antics in +the Bird Room, in Miller, True Bird Stories; Fate of the +Children of Lir, in Grierson, Children's Book of Celtie Stories; +Halcyone, in Brown, Curious Book of Birds; St. Francis's Sermon +to the Birds, Longfellow (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; +Saint Kentigern and the Robin, in Brown, Book of Saints +and Friendly Beasts; The Donkey and the Mocking-Bird, +Rosas (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; The Early Girl, in +Brown, Curious Book of Birds; The Nightingale, in Andersen, +Wonder Stories; The Parrot, Campbell (poem), in Story- +Telling Poems, The Phoenix, in Brown, Curious Book of +Birds; The Robin, Whittier (poem); The Sauey Oriole, in +Miller, True Bird Stories; The Wild Swans, in Andersen, +Wonder Stories; Walter son der Vogelweid, Longfellow +(poem). + +For grades 7-8. + +Arnaux, the Chroniele of a Homing Pigeon, in Thompson- +Seton, Animal Heroes; King Edwin's Feast, Chadwiek +(poem), in Story-Telling Poems; Our New Neighbors at +Ponkapog, in Riverside Seventh Reader; The Abbot of Inisfalen, +Allingham (poem), in Story-Telling Poems; The Birds +of Killingworth, Longfellow (poem); The Downy Woodpecker, +in Bird Stories from Burroughs; The Eagle, Tennyson +(poem); The Emperor's Bird's-Nest, Longfellow (poem), +in Story-Telling Poems; The Falcon of Ser Federigo, Longfellow +(poem); The Gulls, in Breck, Wilderness Pets, pages +103, 161; The House Wren, in Bird Stories from Burroughs; +The Keeper of the Nest, in Roberts, The Feet of the Furtive; +The Screech Owl, in Bird Stories from Burroughs; The Song +Sparrow, in Bird Stories from Burroughs. + + + + + + + + +End of The Project Gutenberg Etext of Good Stories for Holidays + + + diff --git a/old/sthol10.zip b/old/sthol10.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..e0c0a83 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/sthol10.zip |