diff options
Diffstat (limited to '5352.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | 5352.txt | 1316 |
1 files changed, 1316 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/5352.txt b/5352.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c981bf4 --- /dev/null +++ b/5352.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1316 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Marjorie's Three Gifts, by Louisa May Alcott + +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: Marjorie's Three Gifts + +Author: Louisa May Alcott + +Release Date: March, 2004 [EBook #5352] +Posting Date: April 19, 2009 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARJORIE'S THREE GIFTS *** + + + + +Produced by Brandon Ryan + + + + + + + + +MARJORIE'S THREE GIFTS + + +By Louisa M. Alcott + + +Author of "Little Women," "Little Men," "An Old-Fashioned Girl," Etc. + +BOSTON + +1899 + + + + + +MARJORIE'S THREE GIFTS + + +Marjorie sat on the door-step, shelling peas, quite unconscious what +a pretty picture she made, with the roses peeping at her through the +lattice work of the porch, the wind playing hide-and-seek in her curly +hair, while the sunshine with its silent magic changed her faded gingham +to a golden gown, and shimmered on the bright tin pan as if it were a +silver shield. Old Rover lay at her feet, the white kitten purred on her +shoulder, and friendly robins hopped about her in the grass, chirping "A +happy birthday, Marjorie!" + +But the little maid neither saw nor heard, for her eyes were fixed on +the green pods, and her thoughts were far away. She was recalling the +fairy-tale granny told her last night, and wishing with all her heart +that such things happened nowadays. For in this story, as a poor girl +like herself sat spinning before the door, a Brownie came by, and gave +the child a good-luck penny; then a fairy passed, and left a talisman +which would keep her always happy; and last of all, the prince rolled +up in his chariot, and took her away to reign with him over a lovely +kingdom, as a reward for her many kindnesses to others. + +When Marjorie imagined this part of the story, it was impossible to help +giving one little sigh, and for a minute she forgot her work, so busy +was she thinking what beautiful presents she would give to all the poor +children in her realm when THEY had birthdays. Five impatient young peas +took this opportunity to escape from the half-open pod in her hand and +skip down the steps, to be immediately gobbled up by an audacious robin, +who gave thanks in such a shrill chirp that Marjorie woke up, laughed, +and fell to work again. She was just finishing, when a voice called out +from the lane,-- + +"Hi, there! come here a minute, child!" and looking up, she saw a little +old man in a queer little carriage drawn by a fat little pony. + +Running down to the gate, Marjorie dropped a curtsy, saying +pleasantly,-- + +"What did you wish, sir?" + +"Just undo that check-rein for me. I am lame, and Jack wants to drink +at your brook," answered the old man, nodding at her till his spectacles +danced on his nose. + +Marjorie was rather afraid of the fat pony, who tossed his head, whisked +his tail, and stamped his feet as if he was of a peppery temper. But she +liked to be useful, and just then felt as if there were few things she +could NOT do if she tried, because it was her birthday. So she proudly +let down the rein, and when Jack went splashing into the brook, she +stood on the bridge, waiting to check him up again after he had drunk +his fill of the clear, cool water. + +The old gentleman sat in his place, looking up at the little girl, who +was smiling to herself as she watched the blue dragon-flies dance among +the ferns, a blackbird tilt on the alderboughs, and listened to the +babble of the brook. + +"How old are you, child?" asked the old man, as if he rather envied this +rosy creature her youth and health. + +"Twelve to-day, sir;" and Marjorie stood up straight and tall, as if +mindful of her years. + +"Had any presents?" asked the old man, peering up with an odd smile. + +"One, sir,--here it is;" and she pulled out of her pocket a tin +savings-bank in the shape of a desirable family mansion, painted red, +with a green door and black chimney. Proudly displaying it on the rude +railing of the bridge, she added, with a happy face,-- + +"Granny gave it to me, and all the money in it is going to be mine." + +"How much have you got?" asked the old gentleman, who appeared to like +to sit there in the middle of the brook, while Jack bathed his feet and +leisurely gurgled and sneezed. + +"Not a penny yet, but I'm going to earn some," answered Marjorie, +patting the little bank with an air of resolution pretty to see. + +"How will you do it?" continued the inquisitive old man. + +"Oh, I'm going to pick berries and dig dandelions, and weed, and drive +cows, and do chores. It is vacation, and I can work all the time, and +earn ever so much." + +"But vacation is play-time,--how about that?" + +"Why, that sort of work IS play, and I get bits of fun all along. I +always have a good swing when I go for the cows, and pick flowers with +the dandelions. Weeding isn't so nice, but berrying is very pleasant, +and we have good times all together." + +"What shall you do with your money when you get it?" + +"Oh, lots of things! Buy books and clothes for school, and, if I get a +great deal, give some to granny. I'd love to do that, for she takes care +of me, and I'd be so proud to help her!" + +"Good little lass!" said the old gentleman, as he put his hand in his +pocket. "Would you now?" he added, apparently addressing himself to a +large frog who sat upon a stone, looking so wise and grandfatherly that +it really did seem quite proper to consult him. At all events, he gave +his opinion in the most decided manner, for, with a loud croak, he +turned an undignified somersault into the brook, splashing up the +water at a great rate. "Well, perhaps it wouldn't be best on the whole. +Industry is a good teacher, and money cannot buy happiness, as I know to +my sorrow." + +The old gentleman still seemed to be talking to the frog, and as he +spoke he took his hand out of his pocket with less in it than he had at +first intended. + +"What a very queer person!" thought Marjorie, for she had not heard a +word, and wondered what he was thinking about down there. + +Jack walked out of the brook just then, and she ran to check him up; not +an easy task for little hands, as he preferred to nibble the grass +on the bank. But she did it cleverly, smoothed the ruffled mane, and, +dropping another curtsy, stood aside to let the little carriage pass. + +"Thank you, child--thank you. Here is something for your bank, and good +luck to it." + +As he spoke, the old man laid a bright gold dollar in her hand, patted +the rosy cheek, and vanished in a cloud of dust, leaving Marjorie so +astonished at the grandeur of the gift, that she stood looking at it +as if it had been a fortune. It was to her; and visions of pink calico +gowns, new grammars, and fresh hat-ribbons danced through her head in +delightful confusion, as her eyes rested on the shining coin in her +palm. + +Then, with a solemn air, she invested her first money by popping it down +the chimney of the scarlet mansion, and peeping in with one eye to see +if it landed safely on the ground-floor. This done, she took a long +breath, and looked over the railing, to be sure it was not all a dream. +No; the wheel marks were still there, the brown water was not yet clear, +and, if a witness was needed, there sat the big frog again, looking so +like the old gentleman, with his bottle-green coat, speckled trousers, +and twinkling eyes, that Marjorie burst out laughing, and clapped her +hands, saying aloud,-- + +"I'll play he was the Brownie, and this is the good-luck penny he gave +me. Oh, what fun!" and away she skipped, rattling the dear new bank like +a castanet. + +When she had told granny all about it, she got knife and basket, and +went out to dig dandelions; for the desire to increase her fortune was +so strong, she could not rest a minute. Up and down she went, so busily +peering and digging, that she never lifted up her eyes till something +like a great white bird skimmed by so low she could not help seeing +it. A pleasant laugh sounded behind her as she started up, and, looking +round, she nearly sat down again in sheer surprise, for there close by +was a slender little lady, comfortably established under a big umbrella. + +"If there WERE any fairies, I'd be sure that was one," thought Marjorie, +staring with all her might, for her mind was still full of the old +story; and curious things do happen on birthdays, as every one knows. + +It really did seem rather elfish to look up suddenly and see a lovely +lady all in white, with shining hair and a wand in her hand, sitting +under what looked very like a large yellow mushroom in the middle of +a meadow, where, till now, nothing but cows and grasshoppers had been +seen. Before Marjorie could decide the question, the pleasant laugh came +again, and the stranger said, pointing to the white thing that was still +fluttering over the grass like a little cloud,-- + +"Would you kindly catch my hat for me, before it blows quite away?" + +Down went basket and knife, and away ran Marjorie, entirely satisfied +now that there was no magic about the new-comer; for if she had been an +elf, couldn't she have got her hat without any help from a mortal child? +Presently, however, it did begin to seem as if that hat was bewitched, +for it led the nimble-footed Marjorie such a chase that the cows stopped +feeding to look on in placid wonder; the grasshoppers vainly tried to +keep up, and every ox-eye daisy did its best to catch the runaway, but +failed entirely, for the wind liked a game of romps, and had it that +day. As she ran, Marjorie heard the lady singing, like the princess in +the story of the Goose-Girl,-- + + "Blow, breezes, blow! + Let Curdkin's hat go! + Blow, breezes, blow! + Let him after it go! + O'er hills, dales and rocks, + Away be it whirled, + Till the silvery locks + Are all combed and curled." + +This made her laugh so that she tumbled into a clover-bed, and lay there +a minute to get her breath. Just then, as if the playful wind +repented of its frolic, the long veil fastened to the hat caught in a +blackberry-vine near by, and held the truant fast till Marjorie secured +it. + +"Now come and see what I am doing," said the lady, when she had thanked +the child. + +Marjorie drew near confidingly, and looked down at the wide-spread book +before her. She gave a start, and laughed out with surprise and delight; +for there was a lovely picture of her own little home, and her own +little self on the door-step, all so delicate, and beautiful, and true, +it seemed as if done by magic. + +"Oh, how pretty! There is Rover, and Kitty and the robins, and me! How +could you ever do it, ma'am?" said Marjorie, with a wondering glance +at the long paint-brush, which had wrought what seemed a miracle to her +childish eyes. + +"I'll show you presently; but tell me, first, if it looks quite right +and natural to you. Children sometimes spy out faults that no one else +can see," answered the lady, evidently pleased with the artless praise +her work received. + +"It looks just like our house, only more beautiful. Perhaps that is +because I know how shabby it really is. That moss looks lovely on the +shingles, but the roof leaks. The porch is broken, only the roses hide +the place; and my gown is all faded, though it once was as bright as you +have made it. I wish the house and everything would stay pretty forever, +as they will in the picture." + +While Marjorie spoke, the lady had been adding more color to the sketch, +and when she looked up, something warmer and brighter than sunshine +shone in her face, as she said, so cheerily, it was like a bird's song +to hear her,-- + +"It can't be summer always, dear, but we can make fair weather for +ourselves if we try. The moss, the roses, and soft shadows show the +little house and the little girl at their best, and that is what we all +should do; for it is amazing how lovely common things become, if one +only knows how to look at them." + +"I wish _I_ did," said Marjorie, half to herself, remembering how often +she was discontented, and how hard it was to get on, sometimes. + +"So do I," said the lady, in her happy voice. "Just believe that there +is a sunny side to everything, and try to find it, and you will be +surprised to see how bright the world will seem, and how cheerful you +will be able to keep your little self." + +"I guess granny has found that out, for she never frets. I do, but I'm +going to stop it, because I'm twelve to-day, and that is too old for +such things," said Marjorie, recollecting the good resolutions she had +made that morning when she woke. + +"I am twice twelve, and not entirely cured yet; but I try, and don't +mean to wear blue spectacles if I can help it," answered the lady, +laughing so blithely that Marjorie was sure she would not have to try +much longer. "Birthdays were made for presents, and I should like to +give you one. Would it please you to have this little picture?" she +added, lifting it out of the book. + +"Truly my own? Oh, yes, indeed!" cried Marjorie, coloring with pleasure, +for she had never owned so beautiful a thing before. + +"Then you shall have it, dear. Hang it where you can see it often, and +when you look, remember that it is the sunny side of home, and help to +keep it so." + +Marjorie had nothing but a kiss to offer by way of thanks, as the lovely +sketch was put into her hand; but the giver seemed quite satisfied, for +it was a very grateful little kiss. Then the child took up her basket +and went away, not dancing and singing now, but slowly and silently; for +this gift made her thoughtful as well as glad. As she climbed the wall, +she looked back to nod good-by to the pretty lady; but the meadow was +empty, and all she saw was the grass blowing in the wind. + +"Now, deary, run out and play, for birthdays come but once a year, +and we must make them as merry as we can," said granny, as she settled +herself for her afternoon nap, when the Saturday cleaning was all done, +and the little house as neat as wax. + +So Marjorie put on a white apron in honor of the occasion, and, taking +Kitty in her arms, went out to enjoy herself. Three swings on the gate +seemed to be a good way of beginning the festivities; but she only got +two, for when the gate creaked back the second time, it stayed shut, and +Marjorie hung over the pickets, arrested by the sound of music. + +"It's soldiers," she said, as the fife and drum drew nearer, and flags +were seen waving over the barberry-bushes at the corner. + +"No; it's a picnic," she added in a moment; for she saw hats with +wreaths about them bobbing up and down, as a gayly-trimmed hay-cart full +of children came rumbling down the lane. + +"What a nice time they are going to have!" thought Marjorie, sadly +contrasting that merry-making with the quiet party she was having all by +herself. + +Suddenly her face shone, and Kitty was waved over her head like a +banner, as she flew out of the gate, crying, rapturously,-- + +"It's Billy! and I know he's come for me!" + +It certainly WAS Billy, proudly driving the old horse, and beaming at +his little friend from the bower of flags and chestnut-boughs, where he +sat in state, with a crown of daisies on his sailor-hat and a spray of +blooming sweetbrier in his hand. Waving his rustic sceptre, he led off +the shout of "Happy birthday, Marjorie!" which was set up as the wagon +stopped at the gate, and the green boughs suddenly blossomed with +familiar faces, all smiling on the little damsel, who stood in the lane +quite overpowered with delight. + +"It's a s'prise party!" cried one small lad, tumbling out behind. + +"We are going up the mountain to have fun!" added a chorus of voices, as +a dozen hands beckoned wildly. + +"We got it up on purpose for you, so tie your hat and come away," said +a pretty girl, leaning down to kiss Marjorie, who had dropped Kitty, and +stood ready for any splendid enterprise. + +A word to granny, and away went the happy child, sitting up beside +Billy, under the flags that waved over a happier load than any royal +chariot ever bore. + +It would be vain to try and tell all the plays and pleasures of happy +children on a Saturday afternoon, but we may briefly say that Marjorie +found a mossy stone all ready for her throne, and Billy crowned her with +a garland like his own. That a fine banquet was spread, and eaten with +a relish many a Lord Mayor's feast has lacked. Then how the whole court +danced and played together afterward! The lords climbed trees and turned +somersaults, the ladies gathered flowers and told secrets under the +sweetfern-bushes, the queen lost her shoe jumping over the waterfall, +and the king paddled into the pool below and rescued it. A happy little +kingdom, full of summer sunshine, innocent delights, and loyal hearts; +for love ruled, and the only war that disturbed the peaceful land was +waged by the mosquitoes as night came on. + +Marjorie stood on her throne watching the sunset while her maids of +honor packed up the remains of the banquet, and her knights prepared +the chariot. All the sky was gold and purple, all the world bathed in a +soft, red light, and the little girl was very happy as she looked down +at the subjects who had served her so faithfully that day. + +"Have you had a good time, Marjy?" asked King William; who stood below, +with his royal nose on a level with her majesty's two dusty little +shoes. + +"Oh, Billy, it has been just splendid! But I don't see why you should +all be so kind to me," answered Marjorie, with such a look of innocent +wonder, that Billy laughed to see it. + +"Because you are so sweet and good, we can't help loving you,--that's +why," he said, as if this simple fact was reason enough. + +"I'm going to be the best girl that ever was, and love everybody in the +world," cried the child, stretching out her arms as if ready, in the +fulness of her happy heart, to embrace all creation. + +"Don't turn into an angel and fly away just yet, but come home, or +granny will never lend you to us any more." + +With that, Billy jumped her down, and away they ran, to ride gayly back +through the twilight, singing like a flock of nightingales. + +As she went to bed that night, Marjorie looked at the red bank, the +pretty picture, and the daisy crown, saying to herself,-- + +"It has been a VERY nice birthday, and I am something like the girl in +the story, after all, for the old man gave me a good-luck penny, the +kind lady told me how to keep happy, and Billy came for me like the +prince. The girl didn't go back to the poor house again, but I'm glad +_I_ did, for MY granny isn't a cross one, and my little home is the +dearest in the world." + +Then she tied her night-cap, said her prayers, and fell asleep; but the +moon, looking in to kiss the blooming face upon the pillow, knew that +three good spirits had come to help little Marjorie from that day forth, +and their names were Industry, Cheerfulness, and Love. + + + + + +ROSES AND FORGET-ME-NOTS + + + + +I. ROSES + + +It was a cold November storm, and everything looked forlorn. Even the +pert sparrows were draggle-tailed and too much out of spirits to fight +for crumbs with the fat pigeons who tripped through the mud with their +little red boots as if in haste to get back to their cosy home in the +dove-cot. + +But the most forlorn creature out that day was a small errand girl, with +a bonnet-box on each arm, and both hands struggling to hold a big broken +umbrella. A pair of worn-out boots let in the wet upon her tired feet; a +thin cotton dress and an old shawl poorly protected her from the storm; +and a faded hood covered her head. + +The face that looked out from this hood was too pale and anxious for one +so young; and when a sudden gust turned the old umbrella inside out with +a crash, despair fell upon poor Lizzie, and she was so miserable she +could have sat down in the rain and cried. + +But there was no time for tears; so, dragging the dilapidated umbrella +along, she spread her shawl over the bonnet-boxes and hurried down the +broad street, eager to hide her misfortunes from a pretty young girl who +stood at a window laughing at her. + +She could not find the number of the house where one of the fine hats +was to be left; and after hunting all down one side of the street, she +crossed over, and came at last to the very house where the pretty girl +lived. She was no longer to be seen; and, with a sigh of relief, Lizzie +rang the bell, and was told to wait in the hall while Miss Belle tried +the hat on. + +Glad to rest, she warmed her feet, righted her umbrella, and then sat +looking about her with eyes quick to see the beauty and the comfort that +made the place so homelike and delightful. A small waiting-room opened +from the hall, and in it stood many blooming plants, whose fragrance +attracted Lizzie as irresistibly as if she had been a butterfly or bee. + +Slipping in, she stood enjoying the lovely colors, sweet odors, and +delicate shapes of these household spirits; for Lizzie loved flowers +passionately; and just then they possessed a peculiar charm for her. + +One particularly captivating little rose won her heart, and made her +long for it with a longing that became a temptation too strong to +resist. It was so perfect; so like a rosy face smiling out from the +green leaves, that Lizzie could NOT keep her hands off it, and having +smelt, touched, and kissed it, she suddenly broke the stem and hid it in +her pocket. Then, frightened at what she had done, she crept back to her +place in the hall, and sat there, burdened with remorse. + +A servant came just then to lead her upstairs; for Miss Belle wished the +hat altered, and must give directions. With her heart in a flutter, and +pinker roses in her cheeks than the one in her pocket, Lizzie followed +to a handsome room, where a pretty girl stood before a long mirror with +the hat in her hand. + +"Tell Madame Tifany that I don't like it at all, for she hasn't put in +the blue plume mamma ordered; and I won't have rose-buds, they are so +common," said the young lady, in a dissatisfied tone, as she twirled the +hat about. + +"Yes, miss," was all Lizzie could say; for SHE considered that hat the +loveliest thing a girl could possibly own. + +"You had better ask your mamma about it, Miss Belle, before you give any +orders. She will be up in a few moments, and the girl can wait," put in +a maid, who was sewing in the ante-room. + +"I suppose I must; but I WON'T have roses," answered Belle, crossly. +Then she glanced at Lizzie, and said more gently, "You look very cold; +come and sit by the fire while you wait." + +"I'm afraid I'll wet the pretty rug, miss; my feet are sopping," said +Lizzie, gratefully, but timidly. + +"So they are! Why didn't you wear rubber boots?" + +"I haven't got any." + +"I'll give you mine, then, for I hate them; and as I never go out in +wet weather, they are of no earthly use to me. Marie, bring them here; +I shall be glad to get rid of them, and I'm sure they'll be useful to +you." + +"Oh, thank you, miss! I'd like 'em ever so much, for I'm out in the rain +half the time, and get bad colds because my boots are old," said Lizzie, +smiling brightly at the thought of the welcome gift. + +"I should think your mother would get you warmer things," began Belle, +who found something rather interesting in the shabby girl, with shy +bright eyes, and curly hair bursting out of the old hood. + +"I haven't got any mother," said Lizzie, with a pathetic glance at her +poor clothes. + +"I'm so sorry! Have you brothers and sisters?" asked Belle, hoping to +find something pleasant to talk about; for she was a kind little soul. + +"No, miss; I've got no folks at all." + +"Oh, dear; how sad! Why, who takes care of you?" cried Belle, looking +quite distressed. + +"No one; I take care of myself. I work for Madame, and she pays me a +dollar a week. I stay with Mrs. Brown, and chore round to pay for my +keep. My dollar don't get many clothes, so I can't be as neat as I'd +like." And the forlorn look came back to poor Lizzie's face. + +Belle said nothing, but sat among the sofa cushions, where she had +thrown herself, looking soberly at this other girl, no older than she +was, who took care of herself and was all alone in the world. It was a +new idea to Belle, who was loved and petted as an only child is apt to +be. She often saw beggars and pitied them, but knew very little about +their wants and lives; so it was like turning a new page in her happy +life to be brought so near to poverty as this chance meeting with the +milliner's girl. + +"Aren't you afraid and lonely and unhappy?" she said, slowly, trying to +understand and put herself in Lizzie's place. + +"Yes; but it's no use. I can't help it, and may be things will get +better by and by, and I'll have my wish," answered Lizzie, more +hopefully, because Belle's pity warmed her heart and made her troubles +seem lighter. + +"What is your wish?" asked Belle, hoping mamma wouldn't come just yet, +for she was getting interested in the stranger. + +"To have a nice little room, and make flowers, like a French girl I +know. It's such pretty work, and she gets lots of money, for every one +likes her flowers. She shows me how, sometimes, and I can do leaves +first-rate; but--" + +There Lizzie stopped suddenly, and the color rushed up to her forehead; +for she remembered the little rose in her pocket and it weighed upon her +conscience like a stone. + +Before Belle could ask what was the matter, Marie came in with a tray of +cake and fruit, saying: + +"Here's your lunch, Miss Belle." + +"Put it down, please; I'm not ready for it yet." + +And Belle shook her head as she glanced at Lizzie, who was staring hard +at the fire with such a troubled face that Belle could not bear to see +it. + +Jumping out of her nest of cushions, she heaped a plate with good +things, and going to Lizzie, offered it, saying, with a gentle courtesy +that made the act doubly sweet: + +"Please have some; you must be tired of waiting." + +But Lizzie could not take it; she could only cover her face and cry; +for this kindness rent her heart and made the stolen flower a burden too +heavy to be borne. + +"Oh, don't cry so! Are you sick? Have I been rude? Tell me all about +it; and if I can't do anything, mamma can," said Belle, surprised and +troubled. + +"No; I'm not sick; I'm bad, and I can't bear it when you are so good to +me," sobbed Lizzie, quite overcome with penitence; and taking out the +crumpled rose, she confessed her fault with many tears. + +"Don't feel so much about such a little thing as that," began Belle, +warmly; then checked herself, and added, more soberly, "It WAS wrong to +take it without leave; but it's all right now, and I'll give you as many +roses as you want, for I know you are a good girl." + +"Thank you. I didn't want it only because it was pretty, but I wanted to +copy it. I can't get any for myself, and so I can't do my make-believe +ones well. Madame won't even lend me the old ones in the store, and +Estelle has none to spare for me, because I can't pay her for teaching +me. She gives me bits of muslin and wire and things, and shows me now +and then. But I know if I had a real flower I could copy it; so she'd +see I did know something, for I try real hard. I'm SO tired of slopping +round the streets, I'd do anything to earn my living some other way." + +Lizzie had poured out her trouble rapidly; and the little story was +quite affecting when one saw the tears on her cheeks, the poor clothes, +and the thin hands that held the stolen rose. Belle was much touched, +and, in her impetuous way, set about mending matters as fast as +possible. + +"Put on those boots and that pair of dry stockings right away. Then tuck +as much cake and fruit into your pocket as it will hold. I'm going to +get you some flowers, and see if mamma is too busy to attend to me." + +With a nod and a smile, Belle flew about the room a minute; then +vanished, leaving Lizzie to her comfortable task, feeling as if fairies +still haunted the world as in the good old times. + +When Belle came back with a handful of roses, she found Lizzie absorbed +in admiring contemplation of her new boots, as she ate sponge-cake in a +blissful sort of waking-dream. + +"Mamma can't come; but I don't care about the hat. It will do very well, +and isn't worth fussing about. There, will those be of any use to you?" +And she offered the nosegay with a much happier face than the one Lizzie +first saw. + +"Oh, miss, they're just lovely! I'll copy that pink rose as soon as ever +I can, and when I've learned how to do 'em tip-top, I'd like to bring +you some, if you don't mind," answered Lizzie, smiling all over her face +as she buried her nose luxuriously in the fragrant mass. + +"I'd like it very much, for I should think you'd have to be very clever +to make such pretty things. I really quite fancy those rosebuds in my +hat, now I know that you're going to learn how to make them. Put an +orange in your pocket, and the flowers in water as soon as you can, so +they'll be fresh when you want them. Good-by. Bring home our hats every +time and tell me how you get on." + +With kind words like these, Belle dismissed Lizzie, who ran downstairs, +feeling as rich as if she had found a fortune. Away to the next place +she hurried, anxious to get her errands done and the precious posy +safely into fresh water. But Mrs. Turretviile was not at home, and the +bonnet could not be left till paid for. So Lizzie turned to go down the +high steps, glad that she need not wait. She stopped one instant to take +a delicious sniff at her flowers, and that was the last happy moment +that poor Lizzie knew for many weary months. + +The new boots were large for her, the steps slippery with sleet, and +down went the little errand girl, from top to bottom, till she landed in +the gutter directly upon Mrs. Turretville's costly bonnet. + +"I've saved my posies, anyway," sighed Lizzie, as she picked herself +up, bruised, wet, and faint with pain; "but, oh, my heart! won't Madame +scold when she sees that band-box smashed flat," groaned the poor child, +sitting on the curbstone to get her breath and view the disaster. + +The rain poured, the wind blew, the sparrows on the park railing chirped +derisively, and no one came along to help Lizzie out of her troubles. +Slowly she gathered up her burdens; painfully she limped away in the big +boots; and the last the naughty sparrows saw of her was a shabby little +figure going round the corner, with a pale, tearful face held lovingly +over the bright bouquet that was her one treasure and her only comfort +in the moment which brought to her the great misfortune of her life. + + + + +II. FORGET-ME-NOTS + + +"Oh, mamma, I am so relieved that the box has come at last! If it had +not, I do believe I should have died of disappointment," cried pretty +Belle, five years later, on the morning before her eighteenth birthday. + +"It would have been a serious disappointment, darling; for I had sot +my heart on your wearing my gift to-morrow night, and when the steamers +kept coming in without my trunk from Paris, I was very anxious. I hope +you will like it." + +"Dear mamma, I know I shall like it; your taste is so good and you know +what suits me so well. Make haste, Marie; I'm dying to see it," said +Belle, dancing about the great trunk, as the maid carefully unfolded +tissue papers and muslin wrappers. + +A young girl's first ball-dress is a grand affair,--in her eyes, at +least; and Belle soon stopped dancing, to stand with clasped hands, +eager eyes and parted lips before the snowy pile of illusion that was +at last daintily lifted out upon the bed. Then, as Marie displayed +its loveliness, little cries of delight were heard, and when the whole +delicate dress was arranged to the best effect she threw herself upon +her mother's neck and actually cried with pleasure. + +"Mamma, it is too lovely I and you are very kind to do so much for me. +How shall I ever thank you?" + +"By putting it right on to see if it fits; and when you wear it look +your happiest, that I may be proud of my pretty daughter." + +Mamma got no further, for Marie uttered a French shriek, wrung her +hands, and then began to burrow wildly in the trunk and among the +papers, crying distractedly: + +"Great Heavens, madame! the wreath has been forgotten! What an +affliction! Mademoiselle's enchanting toilette is destroyed without the +wreath, and nowhere do I find it." + +In vain they searched; in vain Marie wailed and Belle declared it must +be somewhere; no wreath appeared. It was duly set down in the bill, and +a fine sum charged for a head-dress to match the dainty forget-me-nots +that looped the fleecy skirts and ornamented the bosom of the dress. It +had evidently been forgotten; and mamma despatched Marie at once to try +and match the flowers, for Belle would not hear of any other decoration +for her beautiful blonde hair. + +The dress fitted to a charm, and was pronounced by all beholders the +loveliest thing ever seen. Nothing was wanted but the wreath to make +it quite perfect, and when Marie returned, after a long search, with no +forget-me-nots, Belle was in despair. + +"Wear natural ones," suggested a sympathizing friend. + +But another hunt among greenhouses was as fruitless as that among the +milliners' rooms. No forget-me-nots could be found, and Marie fell +exhausted into a chair, desolated at what she felt to be an awful +calamity. + +"Let me have the carriage, and I'll ransack the city till I find some," +cried Belle, growing more resolute with each failure. + +Marnma was deep in preparations for the ball, and could not help her +afflicted daughter, though she was much disappointed at the mishap. So +Belle drove off, resolved to have her flowers whether there were any or +not. + +Any one who has ever tried to match a ribbon, find a certain fabric, or +get anything done in a hurry, knows what a wearisome task it +sometimes is, and can imagine Belle's state of mind after repeated +disappointments. She was about to give up in despair, when some one +suggested that perhaps the Frenchwoman, Estelle Valnor, might make the +desired wreath, if there was time. + +Away drove Belle, and, on entering the room, gave a sigh of +satisfaction, for a whole boxful of the loveliest forget-me-nots stood +upon the table. As fast as possible, she told her tale and demanded the +flowers, no matter what the price might be. Imagine her feelings when +the Frenchwoman, with a shrug, announced that it was impossible to give +mademoiselle a single spray. All were engaged to trim a bridesmaid's +dress, and must be sent away at once. + +It really was too bad! and Belle lost her temper entirely, for no +persuasion or bribes would win a spray from Estelle. The provoking part +of it was that the wedding would not come off for several days, and +there was time enough to make more flowers for that dress, since Belle +only wanted a few for her hair. Neither would Estelle make her any, as +her hands were full, and so small an order was not worth deranging one's +self for; but observing Belle's sorrowful face, she said, affably: + +"Mademoiselle may, perhaps, find the flowers she desires at Miss +Berton's. She has been helping me with these garlands, and may have some +left. Here is her address." + +Belle took the card with thanks, and hurried away with a last hope +faintly stirring in her girlish heart, for Belle had an unusually ardent +wish to look her best at this party, since Somebody was to be there, and +Somebody considered forget-me-nots the sweetest flowers in the world. +Mamma knew this, and the kiss Belle gave her when the dress came had a +more tender meaning than gratified vanity or daughterly love. + +Up many stairs she climbed, and came at last to a little room, very poor +but very neat, where, at the one window, sat a young girl, with crutches +by her side and her lap full of flower-leaves and petals. She rose +slowly as Belle came in, and then stood looking at her, with such a +wistful expression in her shy, bright eyes, that Belle's anxious face +cleared involuntarily, and her voice lost its impatient tone. + +As she spoke, she glanced about the room, hoping to see some blue +blossoms awaiting her. But none appeared; and she was about to despond +again, when the girl said, gently: + +"I have none by me now, but I may be able to find you some." + +"Thank you very much; but I have been everywhere in vain. Still, if +you do get any, please send them to me as soon as possible. Here is my +card." + +Miss Berton glanced at it, then cast a quick look at the sweet, anxious +face before her, and smiled so brightly that Belle smiled also, and +asked, wonderingly: + +"What is it? What do you see?" + +"I see the dear young lady who was so kind to me long ago. You don't +remember me, and never knew my name; but I never have forgotten you all +these years. I always hoped I could do something to show how grateful +I was, and now I can, for you shall have your flowers if I sit up all +night to make them." + +But Belle still shook her head and watched the smiling face before +her with wondering eyes, till the girl added, with sudden color in her +cheeks: + +"Ah, you've done so many kind things in your life, you don't remember +the little errand girl from Madame Tifany's who stole a rose in your +hall, and how you gave her rubber boots and cake and flowers, and were +so good to her she couldn't forget it if she lived to be a hundred." + +"But you are so changed," began Belle, who did faintly recollect that +little incident in her happy life. + +"Yes, I had a fall and hurt myself so that I shall always be lame." + +And Lizzie went on to tell how Madame had dismissed her in a rage; how +she lay ill till Mrs. Brown sent her to the hospital; and how for a year +she had suffered much alone, in that great house of pain, before one of +the kind visitors had befriended her. + +While hearing the story of the five years, that had been so full of +pleasure, ease and love for herself, Belle forgot her errand, and, +sitting beside Lizzie, listened with pitying eyes to all she told of her +endeavors to support herself by the delicate handiwork she loved. + +"I'm very happy now," ended Lizzie, looking about the little bare room +with a face full of the sweetest content. "I get nearly work enough to +pay my way, and Estelle sends me some when she has more than she can do. +I've learned to do it nicely, and it is so pleasant to sit here and make +flowers instead of trudging about in the wet with other people's hats. +Though I do sometimes wish I was able to trudge, one gets on so slowly +with crutches." + +A little sigh followed the words, and Belle put her own plump hand on +the delicate one that held the crutch, saying, in her cordial young +voice: + +"I'll come and take you to drive sometimes, for you are too pale, and +you'll get ill sitting here at work day after day. Please let me; I'd +love to; for I feel so idle and wicked when I see busy people like you +that I reproach myself for neglecting my duty and having more than my +share of happiness." + +Lizzie thanked her with a look, and then said, in a tone of interest +that was delightful to hear: + +"Tell about the wreath you want; I should so love to do it for you, if I +can." + +Belle had forgotten all about it in listening to this sad little story +of a girl's life. Now she felt half ashamed to talk of so frivolous a +matter till she remembered that it would help Lizzie; and, resolving to +pay for it as never garland was paid for before, she entered upon the +subject with renewed interest. + +"You shall have the flowers in time for your ball to-morrow night. I +will engage to make a wreath that will please you, only it may take +longer than I think. Don't be troubled if I don't send it till evening; +it will surely come in time. I can work fast, and this will be the +happiest job I ever did," said Lizzie, beginning to lay out mysterious +little tools and bend delicate wires. + +"You are altogether too grateful for the little I have done. It makes +me feel ashamed to think I did not find you out before and do something +better worth thanks." + +"Ah, it wasn't the boots or the cake or the roses, dear Miss Belle. It +was the kind looks, the gentle words, the way it was done, that went +right to my heart, and did me more good than a million of money. I never +stole a pin after that day, for the little rose wouldn't let me forget +how you forgave me so sweetly. I sometimes think it kept me from greater +temptations, for I was a poor, forlorn child, with no one to keep me +good." + +Pretty Belle looked prettier than ever as she listened, and a bright +tear stood in either eye like a drop of dew on a blue flower. It touched +her very much to learn that her little act of childish charity had been +so sweet and helpful to this lonely girl, and now lived so freshly in +her grateful memory. It showed her, suddenly, how precious little deeds +of love and sympathy are; how strong to bless, how easy to perform, how +comfortable to recall. Her heart was very full and tender just then, and +the lesson sunk deep into it never to be forgotten. + +She sat a long time watching flowers bud and blossom under Lizzie's +skilful fingers, and then hurried home to tell all her glad news to +mamma. + +If the next day had not been full of most delightfully exciting events, +Belle might have felt some anxiety about her wreath, for hour after hour +went by and nothing arrived from Lizzie. + +Evening came, and all was ready. Belle was dressed, and looked so lovely +that mamma declared she needed nothing more. But Marie insisted that +the grand effect would be ruined without the garland among the sunshiny +hair. Belle had time now to be anxious, and waited with growing +impatience for the finishing touch to her charming toilette. + +"I must be downstairs to receive, and can't wait another moment; so +put in the blue pompon and let me go," she said at last, with a sigh +of disappointment, for the desire to look beautiful that night in +Somebody's eyes had increased four-fold. + +With a tragic gesture, Marie was about to adjust the pompon when the +quick tap of a crutch came down the hall, and Lizzie hurried in, flushed +and breathless, but smiling happily as she uncovered the box she carried +with a look of proud satisfaction. + +A general "Ah!" of admiration arose as Belle, mamma, and Marie surveyed +the lovely wreath that lay before them; and when it was carefully +arranged on the bright head that was to wear it, Belle blushed with +pleasure. Mamma said: "It is more beautiful than any Paris could have +sent us;" and Marie clasped her hands theatrically, sighing, with her +head on one side: + +"Truly, yes; mademoiselle is now adorable!" + +"I am so glad you like it. I did my very best and worked all night, but +I had to beg one spray from Estelle, or, with all my haste, I could not +have finished in time," said Lizzie, refreshing her weary eyes with a +long, affectionate gaze at the pretty figure before her. + +A fold of the airy skirt was caught on one of the blue clusters, and +Lizzie knelt down to arrange it as she spoke. Belle leaned toward her +and said softly: "Money alone can't pay you for this kindness; so tell +me how I can best serve you. This is the happiest night of my life, and +I want to make every one feel glad also." + +"Then don't talk of paying me, but promise that I may make the flowers +you wear on your wedding-day," whispered Lizzie, kissing the kind hand +held out to help her rise, for on it she saw a brilliant ring, and in +the blooming, blushing face bent over her she read the tender little +story that Somebody had told Belle that day. + +"So you shall! and I'll keep this wreath all my life for your sake, +dear," answered Belle, as her full heart bubbled over with pitying +affection for the poor girl who would never make a bridal garland for +herself. + +Belle kept her word, even when she was in a happy home of her own; for +out of the dead roses bloomed a friendship that brightened Lizzie's +life; and long after the blue garland was faded Belle remembered the +helpful little lesson that taught her to read the faces poverty +touches with a pathetic eloquence, which says to those who look, +"Forget-me-not." + + + + + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Marjorie's Three Gifts, by Louisa May Alcott + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MARJORIE'S THREE GIFTS *** + +***** This file should be named 5352.txt or 5352.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/5/3/5/5352/ + +Produced by Brandon Ryan + +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. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere 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 + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our 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. |