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Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f4c8363 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #53732 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/53732) diff --git a/old/53732-0.txt b/old/53732-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 8f9acec..0000000 --- a/old/53732-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,6563 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Standard Catholic Readers by Grades: Fifth -Year, by Various - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: Standard Catholic Readers by Grades: Fifth Year - -Author: Various - -Editor: Mary E. Doyle - -Release Date: December 14, 2016 [EBook #53732] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STANDARD CATHOLIC READERS *** - - - - -Produced by Juliet Sutherland and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - -[Illustration: THE MADONNA OF THE CHAIR - -_Painting by Raphael_] - - - - - _EIGHT BOOK SERIES_ - - STANDARD - CATHOLIC READERS - BY GRADES - - FIFTH YEAR - - BY - MARY E. DOYLE - - FORMERLY PRINCIPAL OF HOLY NAMES NORMAL SCHOOL, - SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, AND SUPERVISOR OF TEACHING, - STATE NORMAL SCHOOL, SUPERIOR, WISCONSIN - - [Illustration] - - NEW YORK ⁘ CINCINNATI ⁘ CHICAGO - AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY - - COPYRIGHT, 1909, 1913, BY - MARY E. DOYLE. - - STAND. CATH. READERS BY GRADES. - 5TH YEAR. - - E. P. 6 - - - - -PREFACE - - -The selections in this reader for the Fifth Year were chosen with -reference both to their intrinsic literary quality and to the varying -capabilities of the pupils who will read them. It is confidently hoped -that they will reach some interest of each child, and, at the same time, -help to form a correct literary standard and encourage a taste for the -best reading. - -In the preparation of this series of readers, valuable counsel and -assistance have been given me by many friendly educators and those in -authority. I am especially grateful to the Rt. Rev. John Lancaster -Spalding of Peoria for helpful advice and encouragement in the planning -and inception of the work; also, to the Rt. Rev. James McGolrick of -Duluth, Minnesota, to the Rt. Rev. A. F. Schinner of Superior, Wisconsin, -and to other prelates and clergy who have graciously given me assistance -in various ways. Many thanks, too, for kindly suggestions and criticisms -are hereby proffered to numerous friends among those patient and inspiring -educators--the Sisters. - - MARY E. DOYLE. - - - - -ACKNOWLEDGMENTS - - -The selections from Whittier, Longfellow. Lowell, Miriam Coles Harris, and -John Burroughs are used by special permission of, and arrangement with, -Houghton Mifflin Company, the publishers of the works of these authors. -The selections from Helen Hunt Jackson are used by special arrangement -with Little, Brown, & Company. Acknowledgments for the use of copyright -material are also made: to Small, Maynard & Company for the poems by -Father Tabb; to the editor and publisher of _The Ave Maria_ for “Lucy’s -Rosary,” by J. R. Marre, and other poems from that magazine; to Mary F. -Nixon-Roulet for the selections of which she is the author; to Longmans, -Green, & Company, for “The Reindeer,” by Andrew Lang; to Henry Coyle -for the poems of which he is the author; and to the Congregation of the -Mission of St Vincent de Paul, Springfield, Mass., for the extract from -Mother Mary Loyola’s “Jesus of Nazareth,” of which book they are the -publishers. - - - - -CONTENTS - - - PAGE - - Little Wolff and his Wooden Shoe _François Coppée_ 7 - - The Eagle and the Swan _J. J. Audubon_ 14 - - Lucy’s Rosary _J. R. Marre_ 16 - - The Taxgatherer _Rev. John B. Tabb_ 17 - - The Wisdom of Alexander _Horace Binney Wallace_ 18 - - Thanksgiving _Henry Coyle_ 23 - - The Enchanted Bark _Cervantes_ 24 - - A Legend of St. Nicholas _Author Unknown_ 30 - - Raphael of Urbino 36 - - Lead, Kindly Light _Cardinal Newman_ 43 - - Parable of the Good Samaritan _The Bible_ 44 - - Connor Mac-Nessa--An Irish Legend _M. F. Nixon-Roulet_ 46 - - The Martyrdom of Blessed John Fisher _Rev. T. E. Bridgett_ 50 - - The Nightingale and the Glowworm _William Cowper_ 56 - - If thou couldst be a Bird _Rev. F. W. Faber_ 58 - - The First Crusade 60 - - How the Robin Came _John G. Whittier_ 75 - - How St. Francis preached to the Birds _From “Little Flowers of - St. Francis”_ 78 - - The Petrified Fern _Mary L. Bolles Branch_ 82 - - Bird Enemies _John Burroughs_ 84 - - St. Joseph’s Month _H. W._ 95 - - A Song of Spring _Aubrey de Vere_ 96 - - Robert Bruce _Sir Walter Scott_ 97 - - “When Evening Shades are Falling” _Thomas Moore_ 106 - - The Reindeer _A. Lang_ 107 - - A Story of Ancient Ireland _Lady Gregory_ 114 - - San Gabriel _Helen Hunt Jackson_ 118 - - Imitation of Mary _St. Ambrose_ 120 - - Scene from “William Tell” _Sheridan Knowles_ 121 - - The Schoolmaster of Sleepy Hollow _Washington Irving_ 132 - - The Bluebird _Rev. John B. Tabb_ 151 - - The Brook _Alfred Tennyson_ 152 - - The Story of a Happy Child 154 - - May Carol _Sister Mary Antonia_ 158 - - The Precious Blood of Jesus _Henry Coyle_ 160 - - The Spanish Cook _Miriam Coles Harris_ 161 - - The Planting of the Apple Tree _William Cullen Bryant_ 166 - - The Conversion of King Ratbodo _Conrad von Bolanden_ 170 - - The Blessed Virgin Mary _H. W. Longfellow_ 174 - - Come to Jesus _Rev. F. W. Faber_ 175 - - Father Marquette _John G. Shea_ 178 - - The Shepherd of King Admetus _J. R. Lowell_ 186 - - The Sermon on the Mount _Mother Mary Loyola_ 188 - - The Star-spangled Banner _Francis Scott Key_ 196 - - How America was Discovered 198 - - The Power of God _Thomas Moore_ 213 - - Our Country and our Home _James Montgomery_ 214 - - Notes 215 - - - - -FIFTH YEAR - - - - -LITTLE WOLFF AND HIS WOODEN SHOE - - -I - -Once upon a time, so long ago that everybody has forgotten the date, there -was a little boy whose name was Wolff. He lived with his aunt in a tall -old house in a city whose name is so hard to pronounce that nobody can -speak it. He was seven years old, and he could not remember that he had -ever seen his father or his mother. - -The old aunt who had the care of little Wolff was very selfish and cross. -She gave him dry bread to eat, of which there was never enough; and not -more than once in the year did she speak kindly to him. - -But the poor boy loved this woman, because he had no one else to love; and -there was never a day so dark that he did not think of the sunlight. - -Everybody knew that Wolff’s aunt owned a house and had a stocking full of -gold under her bed, and so she did not dare to send the little boy to the -school for the poor as she would have liked to do. But a schoolmaster on -the next street agreed to teach him for almost nothing; and whenever there -was work he could do, he was kept at home. - -The schoolmaster had an unkind feeling for Wolff because he brought him so -little money and was dressed so poorly. And so the boy was punished very -often, and had to bear the blame for all the wrong that was done in the -school. - -The little fellow was often very sad; and more than once he hid himself -where he could not be seen and cried as though his heart would break. But -at last Christmas came. - -The night before Christmas there was to be singing in the church, and the -schoolmaster was to be there with all his boys; and everybody was to have -a very happy time looking at the Christmas candles and listening to the -sweet music. - -The winter had set in very cold and rough, and there was much snow on the -ground; and so the boys came to the schoolhouse with fur caps drawn down -over their ears, and heavy coats, and warm gloves, and thick high-topped -boots. But little Wolff had no warm clothes. He came shivering in the thin -coat which he wore on Sundays in summer; and there was nothing on his feet -but coarse stockings very full of holes, and a pair of heavy wooden shoes. - -The other boys made many jokes about his sad looks and his worn-out -clothes. But the poor child was so busy blowing his fingers and thumping -his toes to keep them warm that he did not hear what was said. And when -the hour came, the whole company of boys, with the schoolmaster at the -front, started to the church. - - -II - -It was very fine in the church. Hundreds of wax candles were burning in -their places, and the air was so warm that Wolff soon forgot his aching -fingers. The boys sat still for a little while; and then while the singing -was going on and the organ was making loud music, they began in low voices -to talk to one another; and each told about the fine things that were -going to be done at his home on the morrow. - -The mayor’s son told of a monstrous goose that he had seen in the kitchen -before he came away; it was stuffed, and stuck all over with cloves till -it was as spotted as a leopard. Another boy whispered of a little fir tree -in a wooden box in his mother’s parlor; its branches were full of fruits -and nuts and candy and beautiful toys. And he said that he was sure of a -fine dinner, for the cook had pinned the two strings of her cap behind her -back, us she always did when something wonderfully good was coming. - -Then the children talked of what the Christ Child would bring them, and of -what He would put in their shoes, which, of course, they would leave by -the fireplace when they went to bed. And the eyes of the little fellows -danced with joy as they thought of the bags of candy and the lead soldiers -and the grand jumping jacks which they would draw out in the morning. - -But little Wolff said nothing. He knew that his selfish old aunt would -send him to bed without any supper, as she always did. But he felt in his -heart that he had been all the year as good and kind as he could be; and -so he hoped that the blessed Christ Child would not forget him nor fail to -see his wooden shoes which he would put in the ashes in the corner of the -fireplace. - - -III - -At last the singing stopped, the organ was silent, and the Christmas music -was ended. The boys arose in order and left the church, two by two, as -they had entered it; and the teacher walked in front. - -Now, as he passed through the door of the church, little Wolff saw a child -sitting on one of the stone steps and fast asleep in the midst of the -snow. The child was thinly clad, and his feet, cold as it was, were bare. - -In the pale light of the moon, the face of the child, with its closed -eyes, was full of a sweetness which is not of this earth, and his long -locks of yellow hair seemed like a golden crown upon his head. But his -poor bare feet, blue in the cold of that winter night, were sad to look -upon. - -The scholars, so warmly clad, passed before the strange child, and did not -so much as glance that way. But little Wolff, who was the last to come out -of the church, stopped, full of pity, before him. - -“Ah, the poor child!” he said to himself. “How sad it is that he must go -barefoot in such weather as this! And what is still worse, he has not a -stocking nor even a wooden shoe to lay before him while he sleeps, so that -the Christ Child can put something in it to make him glad when he wakens.” - -Little Wolff did not stand long to think about it; but in the goodness of -his heart he took off the wooden shoe from his right foot and laid it by -the side of the sleeping child. Then, limping along through the snow, and -shivering with cold, he went down the street till he came to his cheerless -home. - -“You worthless fellow!” cried his aunt. “Where have you been? What have -you done with your other shoe?” - -Little Wolff trembled now with fear as well as with the cold; but he had -no thought of deceiving his angry aunt. He told her how he had given the -shoe to a child that was poorer than himself. The woman laughed an ugly, -wicked laugh. - -“And so,” she said, “our fine young gentleman takes off his shoes for -beggars! He gives his wooden shoe to a barefoot! Well, we shall see. -You may put the shoe that is left in the chimney, and, mind what I say! -If anything is left in it, it will be a switch to whip you with in the -morning. To-morrow, for your Christmas dinner, you shall have nothing but -a hard crust of bread to eat and cold water to drink. I will show you how -to give away your shoes to the first beggar that comes along!” - -The wicked woman struck the boy upon the cheek with her hand, and then -made him climb up to his bed in the loft. Sobbing with grief and pain, -little Wolff lay on his hard, cold bed, and did not go to sleep till the -moon had gone down and the Christmas bells had rung in the glad day of -peace and good will. - -In the morning when the old woman arose grumbling and went downstairs, a -wonderful sight met her eyes. The great chimney was full of beautiful toys -and bags of candy and all kinds of pretty things; and right in the midst -of these was the wooden shoe which Wolff had given to the child, and near -it was its mate in which the wicked aunt had meant to put a strong switch. - -The woman was so amazed that she cried out and stood still as if in a -fright. Little Wolff heard the cry and ran downstairs as quickly as he -could to see what was the matter. He, too, stopped short when he saw all -the beautiful things that were in the chimney. But as he stood and looked, -he heard people laughing in the street. What did it all mean? - -By the side of the town pump many of the neighbors were standing. Each -was telling what had happened at his home that morning. The boys who had -rich parents and had been looking for beautiful gifts had found only long -switches in their shoes. - -But, in the meanwhile, Wolff and his aunt stood still and looked at the -wonderful gifts around the two wooden shoes. Who had placed them there? -And where now was the kind, good giver? - -Then, as they still wondered, they heard the voice of some one reading -in the little chapel over the way: “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the -least of these--” And then, in some strange way, they understood how it -had all come about; and even the heart of the wicked aunt was softened. -And their eyes were filled with tears and their faces with smiles, as -they knelt down together and thanked the good God for what He had done to -reward the kindness and love of a little child. - - --_Adapted from the French of François Coppée._ - - - - -THE EAGLE AND THE SWAN - - -Imagine yourself, on a day early in November, floating slowly down -the Mississippi River. The near approach of winter brings millions of -waterfowl on whistling wings from the countries of the North to seek a -milder climate in which to sojourn for a season. - -The eagle is seen perched on the highest branch of the tallest tree by the -margin of the broad stream. His glistening but pitiless eye looks over -water and land and sees objects afar off. He listens to every sound that -comes to his quick ear, glancing now and then to the earth beneath, lest -the light tread of the rabbit may pass unheard. - -His mate is perched on the other side of the river, and now and then warns -him by a cry to continue patient. At this well-known call he partly opens -his broad wings and answers to her voice in tones not unlike the laugh -of a madman. Ducks and many smaller waterfowl are seen passing rapidly -towards the South; but the eagle heeds them not--they are for the time -beneath his attention. - -The next moment, however, the wild, trumpet-like sound of a distant swan -is heard. The eagle suddenly shakes his body, raises his wings, and makes -ready for flight. A shriek from his mate comes across the stream, for she -is fully as watchful as he. - -The snow-white bird is now in sight; her long neck is stretched forward; -her eyes are as watchful as those of her enemy; her large wings seem with -difficulty to support the weight of her body. Nearer and nearer she comes. -The eagle has marked her for his prey. - -As the swan is about to pass the dreaded pair, the eagle starts from his -perch with an awful scream. He glides through the air like a falling star, -and, like a flash of lightning, comes upon the timid bird, which now, in -agony and despair, seeks to escape the grasp of his cruel talons. She -would plunge into the stream, did not the eagle force her to remain in the -air by striking at her from beneath. - -The hope of escape is soon given up by the swan. She has already become -much weakened. She is about to gasp her last breath, when the eagle -strikes with his talons the under side of her wing and forces the dying -bird to fall in a slanting direction upon the nearest shore. - -The eagle’s mate has watched every movement that he has made, and if she -did not assist him in capturing the swan, it was because she felt sure -that his power and courage were quite enough for the deed. She now sails -to the spot where he is waiting for her, and both together turn the breast -of the luckless swan upward and gorge themselves with gore. - - --J. J. AUDUBON. - - - - -LUCY’S ROSARY - - - I love to see her well-worn beads - Slip through her tender hand; - They fall like rich enchanted seeds - Cast in a fruitful land. - - From each small bead full silently - A floweret fair doth grow-- - A winsome thing with soft bright eye, - Yet strong in grace, I know. - - Wild winds may rave and storms may shout, - Her blossoms will not fall; - The angels gird them round about - With hedgerows thick and tall. - - The Blessed Mary smiles on them, - Just as, in days of yore, - She smiled when in old Bethlehem - Her little Babe she bore. - - And saints adown the golden stair - With noiseless steps oft creep, - To tend these shining flowers of prayer, - When Lucy is asleep. - - When autumn dies, these radiant flowers - Shall safe transplanted be, - To bloom in Eden’s greenest bowers - For all eternity. - - Before the Godhead they shall raise - Their perfumes pure and sweet, - And bloom in silent hymns of praise - At Lady Mary’s feet. - - --J. R. MARRE. - -From _The Ave Maria_. - - - - -THE TAXGATHERER - - - “And pray, who are you?” - Said the violet blue - To the Bee, with surprise - At his wonderful size, - In her eyeglass of dew. - - “I, madam,” quoth he, - “Am a publican Bee, - Collecting the tax - Of honey and wax. - Have you nothing for me?” - - --REV. JOHN B. TABB. - - - - -THE WISDOM OF ALEXANDER - - - Macedon melancholy philosopher countenance - cypress messenger perplexity recognize - vigor humiliation solitude poverty - oracles alleviation company behest - -The bannered hosts of Macedon stood arrayed in splendid might. Crowning -the hills and filling the valleys, far and wide extended the millions in -arms who waited on the word of the young Alexander--the most superb array -of human power which sceptered ambition ever evoked to do its bidding. - -That army was to sweep nations off the earth and make a continent its -camp, following the voice of one whose sword was the index to glory, whose -command was the synonym of triumph. It now stood expectant, for the king -yet lingered. - -While his war horse fretted at the gate, and myriads thus in silence -waited his appearance, Alexander took his way to the apartment of his -mother. The sole ligament which bound him to virtue and to feeling was the -love of that mother, and the tie was as strong as it was tender. - -In mute dejection they embraced; and Alexander, as he gazed upon that -affectionate face, which had never been turned to him but in tenderness -and yearning love, seemed to ask, “Shall I ever again behold that sweet -smile?” The anxiety of his mother’s countenance denoted the same sad -curiosity; and without a word, but with the selfsame feeling in their -hearts, they went out together to seek the oracles in the temple of -Philip, to learn their fate. - -Alone, in unuttered sympathy, the two ascended the steps of the sacred -temple and approached the shrine. A priest stood behind the altar. The -blue smoke of the incense curled upward in front, and the book of oracles -was before him. - -“Where shall my grave be digged?” said the king; and the priest opened -the book and read, “Where the soil is of iron, and the sky of gold, there -shall the grave of the monarch of men be digged.” - -To the utmost limit Asia had become the possession of the Macedonian. -Fatigued with conquest, and anxious to seek a country where the difficulty -of victory should enhance its value, the hero was returning to Europe. A -few days would have brought him to the capital of his kingdom, when he -fell suddenly ill. He was lifted from his horse, and one of his generals, -unlacing his armor, spread it out for him to lie upon, and held his golden -shield to screen him from the mid-day sun. - -When the king raised his eyes and beheld the glittering canopy, he was -conscious of the omen. “The oracle has said that where the ground should -be of iron, and the sky of gold, there should my grave be made! Behold the -fulfillment! It is a mournful thing! The young cypress is cut down in the -vigor of its strength, in the first fullness of its beauty. The thread -of life is snapped suddenly, and with it a thousand prospects vanish, a -thousand hopes are crushed! But let the will of fate be done! She has long -obeyed my behest! I yield myself now to hers! Yet, my mother!” - -And the monarch mused in melancholy silence. At length he turned to his -attendants and ordered his tablets to be brought; and he took them, and -wrote, “Let the customary alms, which my mother shall distribute at my -death, be given to those who have never felt the miseries of the world, -and have never lost those who were dear to them;” and sinking back upon -his iron couch, he yielded up his breath. They buried him where he died, -and an army wept over his grave! - -When the intelligence of the death of Alexander was brought to his mother, -as she sat among her ladies, she was overwhelmed by anguish. - -“Ah! why,” she exclaimed, “was I exalted so high, only to be plunged into -such depth of misery? Why was I not made of lower condition, so, haply, I -had escaped such grief? The joy of my youth is plucked up, the comfort of -my age is withered! Who is more wretched than I?” And she refused to be -comforted. - -The last wish of her son was read to her, and she resolved to perform that -one remaining duty and then retire to solitude, to indulge her grief for -the remainder of her life. She ordered her servants to go into the city -and bring to the palace such as the will of Alexander directed--selecting -those who were the poorest. But the messengers, ere long, returned, and -said that there were none of that description to be found among the poor. -“Go then,” said the queen, “and apply to all classes, and return not -without bringing some who have never lost any who were dear to them.” And -the order was proclaimed through all the city, and all heard it and passed -on. - -The neighboring villages gave no better success; and the search was -extended through all the country; and they went over all Macedonia, and -throughout Greece, and at every house they stood and cried, “If there are -any here who have never known misery, and never lost those that were dear -to them, let them come out, and receive the bounty of the queen;” but none -came forth. And they went to the haunts of the gay, and into the libraries -of the philosophers; to the seats of public office, and to the caves of -hermits; they searched among the rich, and among the poor--among the high -and among the low; but not one person was found who had not tasted misery; -and they reported the result to the queen. - -“It is strange!” said she, as if struck with sudden astonishment. “Are -there none who have not lost their friend? And is my condition the -condition of all? It is not credible. Are there none here, in this room, -in this palace, who have always been happy?” But there was no reply to the -inquiry. - -“You, young page, whose countenance is gay, what sorrow have you ever -known?” - -“Alas! madam, my father was killed in the wars of Alexander, and my -mother, through grief, has followed him!” - -The question was put to others; but every one had lost a brother, a -father, or a mother. “Can it be,” said the queen, “can it be that all are -as I am?” - -“All are as you are, madam,” said an old man that was present, “excepting -in these splendors and these consolations. By poverty and humility you -might have lost the alleviations, but, you could not have escaped the -blow. There are nights without a star; but there are no days without a -cloud. To suffer is the lot of all; to bear, the glory of a few.” - -“I recognize,” said the queen, “the wisdom of Alexander!” and she bowed in -resignation, and wept no more. - - --HORACE BINNEY WALLACE. - - - - -THANKSGIVING - - - With gratitude, O God, we praise - Thy holy name to-day, and raise - Our hearts to thee; - For all Thy gifts sent from above, - For life and strength and trust and love, - For liberty. - - For summer days, for smiles and tears, - For all our joys and hopes and fears, - For storm and fair; - For toil and weariness and rest; - For sleep; for strength to bear the test - Of pain and care; - - For food and raiment, and increase - Of harvest plenty, and for peace, - On earth good will. - O God, our Father, we this day - Give thanks for all, and now we pray - Be with us still! - - --HENRY COYLE. - - * * * * * - - Beautiful Mother, we deck thy shrine; - All that is brightest and best of ours - Found in our gardens, we reckon thine,-- - God thought of thee when He made the flowers. - - --REV. K. D. BESTE. - - - - -THE ENCHANTED BARK - - - humor scene donkey Sancho - relief leagues armor Dulcinea - patience moored purpose Don Quixote - -Fair and softly, and step by step, did Don Quixote and his squire wend -their way through field and wood and village and farmland. Many and -strange were their adventures--so many and strange, indeed, that I shall -not try to relate the half of them. - -At length, on a sunny day, they came to the banks of the river Ebro. As -the knight sat on Rozinante’s back and gazed at the flowing water and at -the grass and trees which bordered the banks with living green, he felt -very happy. His squire, however, was in no pleasant humor, for the last -few days had been days of weary toil. - -Presently Don Quixote observed a little boat which was lying in the water -near by, being moored by a rope to the trunk of a small tree. It had -neither oars nor sail, and for that reason it seemed all the more inviting. - -The knight dismounted from his steed, calling at the same time to his -squire to do the same. - -“Alight, Sancho,” he said. “Let us tie our beasts to the branches of this -willow.” - -Sancho obeyed, asking, “Why do we alight here, master?” - -“You are to know,” answered Don Quixote, “that this boat lies here for us. -It invites me to embark in it and hasten to the relief of some knight, or -other person of high degree, who is in distress.” - -“I wonder if that is so,” said Sancho. - -“Certainly,” answered his master. “In all the books that I have read, -enchanters are forever doing such things. If a knight happens to be in -danger, there is sometimes only one other knight that can rescue him. So a -boat is provided for that other knight, and, in the twinkling of an eye, -he is whisked away to the scene of trouble, even though it be two or three -thousand leagues.” - -“That is wonderful,” said Sancho. - -“Most assuredly,” answered Don Quixote; “and it is for just such a purpose -that this enchanted bark lies here. Therefore let us leave our steeds here -in the shade and embark in it.” - -“Well, well,” said Sancho, “since you are the master, I must obey. But I -tell you this is no enchanted bark. It is some fisherman’s boat.” - -“They are usually fishermen’s boats,” said Don Quixote. “So, let us begin -our voyage without delay.” - -He leaped into the little vessel. Sancho followed, and untied the rope. -The boat drifted slowly out into the stream. - -When Sancho saw that they were out of reach of the shore and had no means -of pushing back, he began to quake with fear. - -“We shall never see our noble steeds again,” he cried. “Hear how the poor -donkey brays and moans because we are leaving him. See how Rozinante tugs -at his bridle. Oh, my poor, dear friends, good-by!” - -Then he began such a moaning and howling that Don Quixote lost all -patience with him. - -“Coward!” he cried. “What are you afraid of? Who is after you? Who hurts -you? Why, we have already floated some seven or eight hundred leagues. If -I’m not mistaken, we shall soon pass the equinoctial line which divides -the earth into two equal parts.” - -“And when we come to that line, how far have we gone then?” asked Sancho. - -“A mighty way,” answered the knight. - -They were now floating down the river with some speed. Below them were two -great water mills near the middle of the stream. - -“Look! look, my Sancho!” cried Don Quixote. “Do you see yon city or -castle? That is where some knight lies in prison, or some princess is -detained against her will.” - -“What do you mean?” asked Sancho. “Don’t you see that those are no -castles? They are only water mills for grinding corn.” - -“Peace, Sancho! I know they look like water mills, but that is a trick of -the enchanters. Why, those vile fellows can change and overturn everything -from its natural form. You know how they transformed my Dulcinea.” - -The boat was now moving quite rapidly with the current. The people in the -mills saw it and came out with long poles to keep it clear of the great -water wheels. They were powdered with flour dust, as millers commonly are, -and therefore looked quite uncanny. - -“Hello, there!” they cried. “Are you mad, in that boat? Push off, or -you’ll be cut to pieces by the mill wheels.” - -“Didn’t I tell you, Sancho, that this is the place where I must show my -strength?” said Don Quixote. “See how those hobgoblins come out against -us! But I’ll show them what sort of person I am.” - -Then he stood up in the boat and began to call the millers all sorts of -bad names. - -“You paltry cowards!” he cried. “Release at once the captive whom you -are detaining within your castle. For I am Don Quixote de la Mancha, the -Knight of the Lions, whom heaven has sent to set your prisoner free.” - -He drew his sword and began to thrust the air with it, as though fighting -with an invisible enemy. But the millers gave little heed to his actions, -and stood ready with their poles to stop the boat. - -Sancho threw himself on his knees in the bottom of the boat and began to -pray for deliverance. And, indeed, it seemed as though their time had -come, for they were drifting straight into the wheel. Quickly the millers -bestirred themselves, and thrusting out their poles they overturned the -boat. - -Don Quixote and Sancho were, of course, spilled out into the stream. It -was lucky that both could swim. The weight of the knight’s armor dragged -him twice to the bottom; and both he and his squire would have been -drowned had not two of the millers jumped in and pulled them out by main -force. - -Hardly had our exhausted heroes recovered their senses when the fisherman -who owned the boat came running down to the shore. When he saw that the -little craft had been broken to pieces in the millwheel, he fell upon -Sancho and began to beat him unmercifully. - -“You shall pay me for that boat,” he cried. - -“I am ready to pay for it,” said Don Quixote, “provided these people will -fairly and immediately surrender the prisoners whom they have unjustly -detained in their castle.” - -“What castle do you mean? and what prisoners?” asked the millers. “Explain -yourself, sir. We don’t know what you are talking about.” - -“I might as well talk to a stump as try to persuade you to do a good -act,” answered Don Quixote. “Now I see that two rival enchanters have -clashed in this adventure. One sent me a boat, the other overwhelmed it -in the river. It is very plain that I can do nothing where there is such -plotting and counter-plotting.” - -Then he turned his face toward the mill and raised his eyes to the window -above the wheel. - -“My friends!” he cried at the top of his voice, “my friends, whoever you -are who lie immured in that prison, hear me! Pardon my ill luck, for I -cannot set you free. You must needs wait for some other knight to perform -that adventure.” - -Having said this, he ordered Sancho to pay the fisherman fifty reals for -the boat. Sancho obeyed sullenly, for he was reluctant to part with the -money. - -“Two voyages like that will sink all our stock,” he muttered. - -The fisherman and the millers stood with their mouths open, wondering what -sort of men these were who had come so strangely into their midst. Then, -concluding that they were madmen, they left them, the millers going to -their mill, and the fisherman to his hut. - -As for Don Quixote and Sancho, they trudged sorrowfully back to their -beasts; and thus ended the adventure of the enchanted bark. - - --_Retold from CERVANTES._ - - - - -A LEGEND OF ST. NICHOLAS - - - Nicholas heathen apparel aching - jeweled suddenly sniveling kindred - banquet anguish vanished giant - -[Illustration] - - The tales of good St. Nicholas - Are known in every clime; - Told in painting, and in statues, - And in the poet’s rhyme. - In England’s Isle, alone, to-day, - Four hundred churches stand - Which bear his name, and keep it well - Remembered through the land. - - And all the little children - In England know full well - This tale of good St. Nicholas, - Which I am now to tell. - The sweetest tale, I think, of all - The tales they tell of him; - I never read it but my eyes - With tears begin to swim. - - There was a heathen king who roved - About with cruel bands, - And waged a fierce and wicked war - On all the Christian lands. - And once he took as captive - A little fair-haired boy, - A Christian merchant’s only son, - His mother’s pride and joy. - - He decked him in apparel gay, - And said, “You’re just the age - To serve behind my chair at meat, - A dainty Christian page.” - - Oh, with a sore and aching heart - The lonely captive child - Roamed through the palace, big and grand, - And wept and never smiled. - And all the heathen jeered at him, - And called him Christian dog, - And when the king was angry - He kicked him like a log. - - One day, just as the cruel king - Had sat him down to dine, - And in his jeweled cup of gold - The page was pouring wine, - The little fellow’s heart ran o’er - In tears he could not stay, - For he remembered suddenly, - It was the very day - On which the yearly feast was kept - Of good St. Nicholas, - And at his home that very hour - Were dancing on the grass, - With music, and with feasting, all - The children of the town. - - The king looked up, and saw his tears; - His face began to frown: - “How now, thou dog! thy sniveling tears - Are running in my cup; - ’Twas not with these, but with good wine, - I bade thee fill it up. - - “Why weeps the hound?” The child replied, - “I weep, because to-day, - In name of good St. Nicholas, - All Christian children play; - And all my kindred gather home, - From greatest unto least, - And keep to good St. Nicholas, - A merry banquet feast.” - - The heathen king laughed scornfully: - “If he be saint indeed, - Thy famous great St. Nicholas, - Why does he not take heed - To thee to-day, and bear thee back - To thy own native land? - Ha! well I wot, he cannot take - One slave from out my hand!” - - Scarce left the boastful words his tongue - When, with astonished eyes, - The cruel king a giant form - Saw swooping from the skies. - A whirlwind shook the palace walls, - The doors flew open wide, - And lo! the good St. Nicholas - Came in with mighty stride. - - Right past the guards, as they were not, - Close to the king’s gold chair, - With striding steps the good Saint came, - And seizing by the hair - The frightened little page, he bore - Him, in a twinkling, high - Above the palace topmost roof, - And vanished in the sky. - - Now at that very hour was spread - A banquet rich and dear, - Within the little page’s home - To which, from far and near, - The page’s mourning parents called - All poor to come and pray - With them, to good St. Nicholas, - Upon his sacred day. - Thinking, perhaps, that he would heal - Their anguish and their pain, - And at poor people’s prayers might give - Their child to them again. - - Now what a sight was there to see, - When flying through the air, - The Saint came carrying the boy, - Still by his curly hair! - And set him on his mother’s knee, - Too frightened yet to stand, - And holding still the king’s gold cup - Fast in his little hand. - - And what glad sounds were these to hear, - What sobs and joyful cries, - And calls for good St. Nicholas, - To come back from the skies! - But swift he soared, and only smiled, - And vanished in the blue; - Most likely he was hurrying - Some other good to do. - - - - -RAPHAEL OF URBINO - - -I - - physical admiration torrent Urbino - brilliancy inferior fresco Apennines - -Raphael of Urbino is called the prince of painters. And a true prince he -was in physical beauty, in graciousness of manner, in kindness of soul, -and in power to command the love and admiration of all people with whom he -came in contact. - -It would almost seem that the gentleness of St. Francis himself had fallen -upon him, for Raphael, too, was born among the Apennines near the old town -of Assisi. The rugged mountains still rise hill upon hill to the distant -blue sky. Assisi, almost deserted, may still be visited, and you may stand -in the very house where Raphael was born. You will find it on a steep -hillside in the little town of Urbino. - -Urbino is built upon a jutting mountain cliff beneath which is a rushing -torrent. In the far distance one may see on a clear day the blue -Mediterranean. Urbino was once a prosperous town over which a powerful -duke ruled, but now it is a quaint village whose one treasure is the house -on the steep hillside. - -Raphael’s father was Giovanni Santi, a painter of some ability. His mother -was the daughter of a rich merchant. Raphael was born April 6, 1483. - -No shadow fell across the path of the child until he was eight years -of age. Then a great sorrow befell him. His mother died. His father, -anxious that the child should not miss a mother’s care, married again. His -stepmother treated him with all tenderness, and thus the child grew strong -and beautiful in the bright Italian sunshine and the loving atmosphere of -home. - -He had few companions besides his father and mother. He played much in his -father’s studio, and like Angelo learned in babyhood to use the tools of -art which later would bring him renown. - -In 1494, while the boy was still young, his second misfortune came. His -father died. Raphael was left under the guardianship of his stepmother and -his father’s brother, a priest. - -For a time nothing was done toward his further education. But an uncle who -seemed to realize that the lad had unusual genius for painting at last -gained permission to send him away to a master. He was placed under the -instruction of Perugino, who, it is said, remarked, “Let him be my pupil; -he will soon be my master.” - -Raphael remained in the studio of Perugino at Perugia nearly nine years. -Other students were with him who afterwards became great artists. - -A master like Perugino would often receive many orders for pictures or -frescoes which he could not execute alone. So the less important work -would be left to students. This not only aided the artist, but it made -it possible for students to show their power. If a young man had unusual -talent, he was sure to seize this opportunity to show his ability and -attract the master’s attention. Raphael’s earliest work was done to assist -Perugino. - -After the death of Perugino, Raphael returned for a time to Urbino. Here -he painted for the reigning duke St. George slaying the Dragon and St. -Michael attacking Satan. Both of these pictures are now in the Louvre -gallery at Paris. - -But Raphael wanted especially to see the pictures of Angelo and Leonardo, -whose fame had spread to the most remote valleys of the rugged Apennines. -So with a letter of introduction to the ruler of Florence, Raphael in 1504 -started upon his travels. His letter, he knew, would insure him a welcome -in Florence at least. - -As he walked through the streets of this beautiful city he felt like -a fairy prince in a land of magic. Now he stood beneath the bell tower -which Giotto had designed, now he passed the wonderful bronze gates which -Ghiberti had cast, and now he studied the pictures of Leonardo or Angelo -which were in all the brilliancy of fresh color. - -New ideas crowded upon him, new inspiration roused him. He was sure he -could do more, much more, than he had ever dreamed of doing before. -Eagerly he began to paint, and within a few months three Madonnas were -marked with his name. A fresco painting of the Last Supper, which was -probably executed by him this same year, was discovered on the wall of a -convent dining room in 1845. - -He had been gone not quite a year when he returned to Urbino to complete -some work which he had before undertaken. The influence of Florence was -seen at once in both color and form. He was a finer artist. - -All that northern Italy could offer, Raphael had now seen. But the art of -Rome excelled the art of Florence. Angelo was at that very time hard at -work upon the ceiling frescoes of the Sistine Chapel. Leonardo in Milan -had amazed Italy and the world by his Last Supper. He, too, was soon to be -in Rome. Hither, in 1506, Raphael went. - -A young man of handsome, courtly appearance and gracious manners, with -many friends and no enemies, fortune truly favored him! The Pope received -him gladly and soon commissioned him to decorate the hall of the Vatican. - -Two of the greatest artists of any age were now working almost side by -side, Michael Angelo and Raphael of Urbino. Often one or the other would -stand by his rival and watch his brush. Yet neither ever spoke. Each -admired the other and each was known to defend the other under the attacks -of inferior artists. - - -II - - steadily influence devout favorite - probably festival sleeves conception - -Raphael worked steadily in the Vatican hall. Perhaps the most pleasing of -these frescoes is the one which shows the Church in heaven and the Church -on earth. - -The fresco is divided into two sections. The upper one shows the Almighty -Father in the midst of angels. Below Him is Christ enthroned, with the -Virgin and St. John the Baptist. Beneath the throne is the Dove of the -Holy Spirit. In the lower fresco appear St. John, St. Ambrose, St. -Augustine, and St. Gregory. - -At No. 124 Via Coronari, near the St. Angelo bridge, is the four-story -house where Raphael lived during his first four years in Rome. - -Raphael was admitted in 1514 into the Fraternity of the Body of Christ, -and his many Madonnas of rare beauty were doubtless inspired by his devout -spirit. - -During his stay in Rome Raphael set up a studio to which many students -flocked. They loved him both as friend and master, and he was untiring in -his efforts to instruct and inspire them. - -He was commissioned by the Pope with the task of making certain -decorations for the Sistine Chapel. They were to take the form of -tapestries with which the chapel would be adorned on great festival -occasions. There were ten of these, all telling some Bible story in the -life of Christ or one of His immediate followers. - -The last of the series is the Coronation of the Virgin. It shows Christ on -his throne crowning the Madonna. The Father and the Holy Spirit are seen -above and St. Jerome and St. John the Baptist below. - -As yet nothing has been said of the painting by which the name of Raphael -is best known, the Sistine Madonna. It was painted in 1518 for the -Benedictine Monastery of San Sisto at Piacenza. In 1754 it was purchased -by Augustus III, Elector of Saxony, for forty thousand dollars. It was -received in Dresden with great rejoicing, and the throne of Saxony was -moved to give it a suitable place. It is now in the Dresden gallery. - -Another favorite is the Madonna of the Chair. This shows the Madonna, -seated, holding the child. “The dress of the mother is light blue; the -mantle about her shoulder is green with red and willow-green stripes and -a gold-embroidered border; her sleeves are red faced with gold at the -wrists. A grayish-brown veil with reddish-brown stripes is wound around -her head. The child’s dress is orange colored; the back of the chair is -red.” Such is the description given by Grimm. - -At the time of his death Raphael was putting forth every effort to finish -his noble conception of the Transfiguration. It is now, as he left it, in -the Vatican. - -On the night of Good Friday, April 6, 1520, at the age of thirty-seven, -Raphael died. In his beautiful home, where the people of Rome might do him -honor, the unfinished Transfiguration beside him, in the midst of lighted -tapers, he lay in state until the body was carried to the Pantheon. In the -procession also was carried the great picture. - - - - -LEAD, KINDLY LIGHT - - - Lead, Kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom - Lead Thou me on! - The night is dark, and I am far from home-- - Lead Thou me on! - Keep Thou my feet, I do not ask to see - The distant scene--one step enough for me. - - I was not ever thus, nor pray’d that Thou - Shouldst lead me on. - I loved to choose and see my path, but now - Lead Thou me on! - I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears, - Pride ruled my will: remember not past years. - - So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still - Will lead me on, - O’er moor and fen, o’er crag and torrent, till - The night is gone; - And with the morn those angel faces smile - Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile. - - --CARDINAL NEWMAN. - - - - -PARABLE OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN - - -A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, -who also stripped him: and having wounded him went away leaving him half -dead. - -And it chanced that a certain priest went down the same way: and seeing -him, passed by. - -In like manner also a Levite, when he was near the place and saw him, -passed by. - -But a certain Samaritan being on his journey, came near him: and seeing -him was moved with compassion. - -And going up to him, bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine: and -setting him upon his own beast brought him to an inn, and took care of him. - -And the next day he took out two pence, and gave to the host, and said: -Take care of him: and whatsoever thou shalt spend over and above, I at my -return will repay thee. - -Which of these three in thy opinion was neighbor to him that fell among -the robbers? - - --_Luke_ x. 30-36. - -[Illustration: _Painting by Plockhorst_ - -THE GOOD SAMARITAN] - - - - -CONNOR MAC-NESSA--AN IRISH LEGEND - - - siege tourney falconry anxious - relief anguish tranquil crucify - chieftain emerald generous vigorous - - Loud roared the din of battle, fierce, - Bloody and wild, - With Ulster men and Connaught men - The field was piled. - Connor Mac-Nessa, Ulster’s King, - In the mad fray - Wounded to death and well-nigh spent - And dying lay. - - A Druid came with healing balm - Of herb and leaf, - He poured it in the gaping wound, - To give relief; - The wound was healed, “Yet,” said the leech, - “Beware, my Liege! - Of war’s alarm or battle fray, - Sally or siege; - - “No more o’er mere and fen with thee, - Oh! noble king, - Brave Knight and Lady fair will strive - For bittern’s wing; - No more thou’lt ride thy prancing steed - After the doe, - No more thou’lt tilt at tourney brave - ’Gainst gallant foe; - - “For thee the fireside’s tranquil calm, - Lest sudden rift - Of wound break forth and cause thy death - In anguish swift!” - Quiet and calm, in war or peace, - No more to roam, - Connor Mac-Nessa, Ulster’s King, - Abode at home. - - One day, when woods were green and fair, - And hearts were light, - Swiftly the gleaming mid-day sun - Grew dark as night; - Black portents unto Erin fair - It seemed to bring. - “What means this, mighty Druid?” asked - The anxious king. - - “Far, far away, across the sea,” - The Druid said, - “Jesu, the Christ, upon a cross - Bends low His head. - Their King upon the shameful tree, - With mocking cry, - And scornful gibe, the cruel Jews - Now crucify.” - - King Connor cried, “What crime had this - Man done, I pray?” - “But to be good were crime enough - For such as they, - My King,” the answer came. “He was - To death enticed, - Then broke His tender, loving heart, - This fair, white Christ!” - - A generous flush o’erspread his cheek, - Mac-Nessa sprang - Quick to his feet; his quivering voice - In anger rang. - “Ah! wicked deed! Ah! poor, white Christ! - They murder Thee! - Why didst thou not unto the King - Of Erin flee? - - “Thy battles he would fight to death, - Poor, guiltless One, - Ulster’s great chieftain ne’er could see - Injustice done!” - Then dashed he from the hall and seized - With vigorous hand - His keen and sharp-edged clevy-- - A wondrous brand! - - Under the turquoise sky, upon - The emerald turf, - His anger raged like foaming crest - Of frothy surf. - He hacked and hewed the giant trees - With his keen sword. - “Thus would I slay Thy foes, poor Christ, - With blood out-poured!” - - Then quickly his forgotten wound - Sprung gaping wide. - He reeled and fell: “I go to Thee, - Oh! Christ!” he sighed, - For the King Christ he loved unseen, - With flowers bespread, - Connor Mac-Nessa, Ulster’s King - Lay cold and dead! - - --M. F. N.-R. - - - - -THE MARTYRDOM OF BLESSED JOHN FISHER - - - message persuasion signify lieutenant - apparel infirmity scaffold occasion - forehead infinite tyrant solemnity - -It was very late in the night when the sentence was pronounced, and the -prisoner was asleep. The lieutenant was unwilling to disturb his rest for -that time, and so did not awaken him, but in the morning before five of -the clock he came to him in his chamber in the Bell Tower, and found him -yet asleep in his bed. - -He awakened the good father, and explained that he was come to him on a -message from the king. Then, with some persuasion, he said that he should -remember himself to be an old man, and that he could not expect by course -of nature to live much longer. Finally he informed him that he was come to -signify unto him that the king’s pleasure was he should suffer death that -forenoon. - -“Well,” answered this blessed father, “if this be your errand, you bring -me no great news. I have long expected this message. And I most humbly -thank the king’s majesty that it has pleased him to rid me from all this -worldly business, and I thank you also for your tidings. But I pray you, -Mr. Lieutenant, when is mine hour that I must go hence?” - -“Your hour,” said the lieutenant, “must be nine of the clock.” - -“And what hour is it now?” said he. - -“It is now about five,” said the lieutenant. - -“Well, then,” said he, “let me by your patience sleep an hour or two, -for I have slept very little this night. My rest has been very much -broken, not for any fear of death, I thank God, but by reason of my great -infirmity and weakness.” - -“The king’s further pleasure is,” said the lieutenant, “that you should -not talk much. Especially you must not say anything touching his majesty, -whereby the people should have any cause to think ill of him or of his -proceedings.” - -“For that,” said the father, “you shall see me order myself well. For, by -God’s grace, neither the king, nor any man else, shall have occasion to -mislike my words.” - -The lieutenant then departed from him, and so the prisoner, falling again -to rest, slept soundly two hours and more. - -After he was waked again he called to his man to help him up. Then he -commanded him to take away the shirt of hair (which he was accustomed to -wear on his back) and to convey it secretly out of the house. Then he bade -him bring a clean white shirt, and all the best apparel he had, as cleanly -bright as possible. - -While he was dressing himself, he appeared to have more curiosity and care -for the fine and cleanly wearing of his apparel that day than had ever -been his wont before. His man asked him what this sudden change meant, -since he must know well enough that he must put off all again within two -hours and lose it. - -“What of that?” said the father. “Dost thou not mark that this is our -wedding day, and that it is necessary for us to use more cleanliness for -solemnity of the marriage?” - -About nine of the clock the lieutenant came again to his prison. Finding -him almost ready, he said that he was now come for him. - -“I will wait upon you straight,” said the father, “as fast as this thin -body of mine will give me leave.” Then he turned to his man and said, -“Reach me my fur cape to put about my neck.” - -“Oh, my lord,” said the lieutenant, “why need you be so careful for your -health for this little while? Your lordship knoweth that it is not much -above an hour.” - -“I think no otherwise,” said this blessed father. “But in the meantime I -will keep myself as well as I can, till the very time of my execution. -I have, I thank our Lord, a very good desire and willing mind to die at -this present time, and so trust of His infinite mercy and goodness He will -continue this desire. Nevertheless, I will not willingly hinder my health -for one minute of an hour. Indeed, I will prolong the same as long as I -can by such reasonable ways and means as Almighty God hath provided for -me.” - -Then, taking a little book in his hand, which was a New Testament lying -by him, he made a cross on his forehead and went out of his prison door -with the lieutenant. He was so weak that he was scarce able to go down the -stairs, and at the stairs-foot he was taken up in a chair between two of -the lieutenant’s men. These carried him to the Tower gate to be delivered -to the sheriffs of London for execution. - -When they were come to the farthest wall of the Tower, they rested there -with him a space; and an officer was sent on before to know in what -readiness the sheriffs were to receive him. As they were resting here, the -father rose out of his chair, and stood on his feet, leaning his shoulder -to the wall. Then, lifting his eyes towards heaven, he opened his little -book in his hand, and said, “O Lord, this is the last time that ever -I shall open this book; let some comfortable place now chance unto me -whereby I thy poor servant may glorify Thee in this my last hour.” - -Then he opened the book, and the first thing that came to his sight were -these words: “This is life everlasting, that they may know Thee the only -true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent. I have glorified Thee upon -earth, I have finished the work Thou gavest me to do.” Having read these -words, he shut the book together and said, “Here is even learning enough -for me to my life’s end.” - -The sheriff was now ready for him. So he was taken up again by certain of -the sheriff’s men, and, guarded by many armed men, he was carried to the -scaffold on Tower Hill, otherwise called East Smithfield. He was seen to -be praying all the way, and pondering upon the words that he had read. - -When he was come to the foot of the scaffold, they that carried him -offered to help him up the stairs; but he said, “Nay, masters, since I -have come so far let me alone, and you shall see me shift for myself well -enough.” So he went up the stairs without any help, so lively that it was -a marvel to them that knew before of his weakness. As he was mounting up -the stairs, the southeast sun shined very bright in his face. Observing -this, he said to himself these words, lifting up his hands, “Come ye to -Him and be enlightened; and your faces shall not be confounded.” - -By the time he was on the scaffold, it was about ten of the clock. The -executioner, being ready to do his office, kneeled down to him (as the -fashion is) and asked his forgiveness. - -“I forgive thee,” said the father, “with all my heart, and I trust thou -shalt see me overcome this storm lustily.” - -Then was his gown and fur cape taken from him, and he stood in his doublet -and hose, in sight of all the people. There was to be seen a long, lean, -and slender body, having on it little other substance besides the skin -and bones. Indeed, so thin and emaciated was he that those who beheld him -marveled much to see a living man so far consumed. Therefore, it appeared -monstrous that the king could be so cruel as to put such a man to death as -he was, even though he had been a real offender against the law. - -If he had been in the Turk’s dominion, and there found guilty of some -great offense, yet methinks the Turk would never have put him to death -being already so near death. For it is an horrible and exceeding cruelty -to kill that thing which is presently dying, except it be for pity’s sake -to rid it from longer pain. Therefore, it may be thought that the cruelty -and hard heart of King Henry in this point passed all the Turks and -tyrants that ever have been heard or read of. - -After speaking a few words the father kneeled down on his knees and said -certain prayers. Then came the executioner and bound a handkerchief about -his eyes. This holy father, lifting up his hands and heart to heaven, said -a few other prayers, which were not long but fervent and devout, which -being ended, he laid his holy head down over the midst of a little block.… -And so his immortal soul mounted to the blissful joys of Heaven. - - --THE REV. T. E. BRIDGETT, C. SS. R. - - - - -THE NIGHTINGALE AND THE GLOWWORM - - - appetite eagerly harangued minstrelsy - eloquent abhor oration approbation - - A nightingale, that all day long - Had cheered the village with his song, - Nor yet at eve his note suspended, - Nor yet when eventide was ended, - Began to feel, as well he might, - The keen demands of appetite; - When, looking eagerly around, - He spied far off, upon the ground, - A something shining in the dark, - And knew the glowworm by his spark; - So, stooping from the hawthorn top, - He thought to put him in his crop. - - The worm, aware of his intent, - Harangued him thus, right eloquent: - “Did you admire my lamp,” quoth he, - “As much as I your minstrelsy, - You would abhor to do me wrong - As much as I to spoil your song; - For ’twas the selfsame Power divine - Taught you to sing and me to shine; - That you with music, I with light, - Might beautify and cheer the night.” - - The songster heard this short oration, - And, warbling out his approbation, - Released him, as my story tells, - And found a supper somewhere else. - - --WILLIAM COWPER. - - - - -IF THOU COULDST BE A BIRD - - - If thou couldst be a bird, what bird wouldst thou be? - A frolicsome gull on the billowy sea, - Screaming and wailing when stormy winds rave, - Or anchored, white thing! on the merry green wave? - - Or an eagle aloft in the blue ether dwelling, - Free of the caves of the lofty Helvellyn, - Who is up in the sunshine when we are in shower, - And could reach our loved ocean in less than an hour? - - Or a stork on a mosque’s broken pillar in peace, - By some famous old stream in the bright land of Greece; - A sweet-mannered householder! waiving his state - Now and then, in some kind little toil for his mate? - - Or a heath bird, that lies on the Cheviot moor, - Where the wet, shining earth is as bare as the floor; - Who mutters glad sounds, though his joys are but few-- - Yellow moon, windy sunshine, and skies cold and blue? - - Or, if thy man’s heart worketh in thee at all, - Perchance thou wouldst dwell by some bold baron’s hall; - A black, glossy rook, working early and late, - Like a laboring man on the baron’s estate? - - Or a linnet, who builds in the close hawthorn bough, - Where her small, frightened eyes may be seen looking through; - Who heeds not, fond mother! the oxlips that shine - On the hedge banks beneath, or the glazed celandine? - - Or a swallow that flieth the sunny world over, - The true home of spring and spring flowers to discover; - Who, go where he will, takes away on his wings - Good words from mankind for the bright thoughts he brings? - - But what! can these pictures of strange winged mirth - Make the child to forget that she walks on the earth? - Dost thou feel at thy sides as though wings were to start - From some place where they lie folded up in thy heart? - - Then love the green things in thy first simple youth, - The beasts, birds, and fishes, with heart and in truth, - And fancy shall pay thee thy love back in skill; - Thou shalt be all the birds of the air at thy will. - - --F. W. FABER. - - - - -THE FIRST CRUSADE - - -I. CAUSES OF THE CRUSADES - - Mecca inhabitants shrewd apostles - Medina increased conquered crusades - Mohammed idolatry zealous hermit - -About six hundred years after the birth of Christ, a child named Mohammed -was born in the city of Mecca in Arabia. The father of Mohammed died when -the child was still a babe, and his mother was very poor. During his -boyhood he earned a scanty living by tending the flocks of his neighbors, -and much of his time was spent in the desert. - -Even when young, Mohammed seemed to be religious. He often went to a cave -a few miles from Mecca, and stayed there alone for days at a time. He -claimed that he had visions in which the angel Gabriel came down to him, -and told him many things which he should tell the people of Arabia. When -he was forty years old, he went forth to preach, saying that he was the -prophet of God. - -At the end of three years he had forty followers. The people of Mecca, -however, did not believe him to be a prophet. They were for the most part -idolaters, and as Mohammed preached against idolatry, they finally drove -him from the city. - -He and his followers then went to the city of Medina. The inhabitants of -that city received them kindly, and Mohammed was able to raise an army -with which to overcome his enemies. - -Mohammed was a very shrewd man, and among other things he was careful to -teach his followers that the hour of each man’s death was fixed. Hence -one was as safe in battle as at home. This belief, of course, helped his -soldiers to fight bravely. - -The number of Mohammed’s followers now increased very fast; and ten -years after his flight to Medina, he returned to Mecca at the head of -forty thousand pilgrims. Soon all Arabia was converted to his faith, and -idolatry was no longer known in Mecca. - -After Mohammed’s death, his followers formed the plan of converting the -whole world by means of the sword. In course of time their armies overran -Persia, Egypt, and northern Africa. They also entered Spain, and having -established themselves there, they hoped to conquer the whole of Europe. - -Soon the Moslems, as the followers of Mohammed were called, took -possession of Palestine and of Jerusalem, where was the sacred tomb of our -Saviour. - -After the earliest churches had been established by the apostles of -Christ, it had been the custom of Christians to make pilgrimages to -Jerusalem to see the tomb of our Saviour. Each pilgrim carried a palm -branch and wore a cockleshell in his hat. The branch was the token of -victory; the shell a sign that the sea had been crossed. After the Moslems -had gained possession of the Holy Land, as Palestine is often called, -the pilgrims often suffered much from persecution. Then, too, they were -required to pay a large sum for permission to visit the tomb and other -sacred places. - -[Illustration: CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHER - -(Present Day)] - -It was to free the pilgrims, who came from Europe, from this persecution -that the crusades, or holy wars, were undertaken. These crusades were -begun through the efforts of one zealous man, a priest commonly known as -“Peter the Hermit.” - - -II. PETER THE HERMIT - - pilgrimage exposure admittance enthusiasm - resurrection sanction earnestly separated - cardinals council military Constantinople - -Peter the Hermit was born in France. He was in turn a soldier, a priest, -and a hermit. At length he made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. On reaching -Jerusalem, he saw with such sadness the wrongs suffered by the Christians -that he said in his heart, “I will rescue the tomb of our Lord from the -heathen.” - -During his stay in the Holy City, he went often to the Church of the -Resurrection. One day he beheld in a vision the Lord, who directed him to -go forth and do his work. He at once returned to Europe. His plan was to -raise a great army and with it drive the Moslems from the Holy Land. But -he must first obtain the consent and aid of Pope Urban II. - -So he traveled to Rome and was permitted to tell the Pope his plan. What -a picture they made! The Pope sat in state clothed in rich robes. His -cardinals and attendants were around him. Before him stood the pilgrim, -his face tanned with exposure and his clothes all travel-stained, telling -of the grievous wrongs suffered by the Christians in Jerusalem. No wonder -Pope Urban wept. The Pope gave his sanction to Peter to preach throughout -Europe, urging the people to go and rescue the blessed tomb. - -[Illustration: PETER THE HERMIT PREACHING THE CRUSADE] - -Peter, light of heart but strong of purpose, started forth in the year -1094. He was clad in a woolen garment over which he wore a coarse brown -mantle. His feet and head he left bare. He was a small man, and if you had -seen him, you would not have called him fine looking. Still, he was never -refused admittance into the presence of prince or king. - -The poor loved him for his gentleness, and the rich loaded him with gifts. -These, however, he never kept for himself, but gave to those who were in -need. - -At Clermont, in November, 1095, the Pope held a council of all the -cardinals, bishops, and priests who stood high in the Church. He told them -what Peter meant to do, asking them to render him aid. So earnestly did he -speak, that when he had finished, they all shouted together, “God wills -it! God wills it!” - -“Then,” said Pope Urban, “let the army of the Lord when it rushes upon its -enemies shout that cry, ‘God wills it.’” - -He commanded all who should take up arms in the cause to wear on the -shoulder a cross, reminding them that Christ had said, “He that does not -take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” This is why the wars -were called the Crusades, for the word “crusade” means literally “the -taking of the cross.” - -A great army was soon assembled and ready to march. All the men were eager -and wild with enthusiasm, but most of them had never had any military -training. How would they succeed in that long and toilsome journey across -sea and land to Palestine? - -They soon began to meet with trouble. In their haste, they had not -provided nearly enough food for themselves. When that gave out, they began -to take whatever they needed from the people along the way. In Hungary -they did much harm to towns and farms. This made the inhabitants very -angry, and they came out to fight the crusaders. Many of the crusaders -were killed and the rest were scattered in flight. - -At length Peter was separated from his followers, and wandered for some -time alone in the forest. Then, in order to make his whereabouts known to -any who might be in the same forest or near, he blew his horn. In answer -to his call several companies of his friends soon appeared. So with only -a small number of those who at first started out, Peter at length reached -Constantinople. - -At that time Constantinople was the capital of the Roman Empire in the -East and its ruler was the Emperor Alexis. The emperor received the -crusaders kindly. Here Peter the Hermit was rejoined by a large force of -his followers who had been separated from him during the march. - -After leaving Constantinople, the crusaders entered the land of the Turks, -through which they must march before reaching the Holy Land. A terrible -battle was soon fought with the Moslems, and most of the crusaders -perished. Peter now saw that with the few men who were left he could -do nothing; he therefore decided to find a place of security among the -mountains and wait there until aid should come. There we shall leave him -for a time. - - -III. KNIGHTHOOD IN THE CRUSADES - - chivalry tournaments modesty archery - jousts avenge obedience sponsors - -When Pope Urban II called the council of Clermont, and so many men of -all ranks stitched upon their shoulders the cross of red silk, the Age -of Chivalry in Europe had already begun. The word “chivalry” is from a -French word which means rider of a horse. So, when we speak of the Age of -Chivalry, we picture to ourselves knights riding their horses and engaging -in real or mock battles. - -The mock battles were called jousts or tournaments, and they were the -chief amusement of the time. Noble lords and beautiful ladies were present -and watched the contest from raised seats as we now watch ball games. The -real battles had many causes. Sometimes one prince would quarrel with a -neighboring prince and settle the dispute by war. Sometimes a body of -knights would go forth to avenge a wrong. - -[Illustration: A KNIGHT OF THE CRUSADES] - -Sometimes a king would call upon his knights to go with him to conquer -some neighboring country. The knights were therefore always ready for war. - -Every boy, if he were the son of a noble, at about the age of seven was -sent to the castle or court of some prince or king, as a page. - -Here he was taught modesty and obedience, hunting, riding, archery, and -the hurling of the lance. - -When he had become skillful in these he might bear the shield of his -master. He was then a squire. He must know no fear, and must not boast of -his own deeds. He must defend the weak and be ever courteous to ladies. At -feasts he must carve the meats and wait upon the guests. - -When he reached the age of twenty-one, the squire might be made a knight. -This was often a very pretty ceremony. The squire would come before his -lord and a great party of nobles, dressed in armor, except the helmet, -sword, and spurs. - -Several nobles would offer themselves as sponsors, declaring that they -were sure he would prove himself noble and brave. Then the squire was -struck lightly on the shoulders with the sword of his master. At the same -time his master repeated these words, “I dub thee knight in the name of -God and St. Michael; be faithful, bold, and fortunate.” The knight then -went forth to do some deed by which to “win his spurs.” - -Sometimes, before being knighted, the young squire was left in the chapel -of the castle all night. Here he guarded his armor, and by devout and -continuous prayer invoked the blessing of God upon himself and whatever -cause he should undertake. - -Urged by the preaching of Peter the Hermit and the encouragement of Pope -Urban, the knights of Western Europe took up the cause of the crusades. -Soon after the departure of Peter with his untrained host of followers, a -gallant army, led by two famous knights, Godfrey of Bouillon and Tancred, -an Italian knight, began its march to the Holy Land. - -Peter at last succeeded in joining them with the few men who were left -with him, and together they advanced to Jerusalem. - - -IV. GODFREY OF BOUILLON - - material scarcity missiles recognized - exhaust devices signals Saracens - -Many are the tales that are told of the knightly leaders in this first -crusade, and many were their adventures. It was on the 29th of May, 1099, -that the Christian army first came into full view of the Holy City. Filled -with new zeal at the sight, every man shouted, “It is the will of God.” - -The city, however, had been fortified in every possible way, and Godfrey, -who was in command, knew it would be a hard task to mount the high walls. -He was certain that battering-rams would be necessary to break down the -walls, but how were they to obtain the material to make them? The barren -country around afforded nothing of which they could make use. To transport -the timber from a distance would exhaust both men and horses which were -already suffering from scarcity of water and food. - -At last news came that a fleet had arrived from Genoa with siege machines -and supplies. The crusaders hastened to the nearest seaport, but found -that their enemies had been before them and destroyed the fleet. Still -they were able to pick up much of the material and many of the instruments -used in the making of the machines. Some of the Genoese who were skilled -in handicraft put together a few wooden towers and other devices which -were of great use in surmounting and breaking down the walls. Bridges were -also thrown out, over the walls, by which the soldiers could pass into the -city. - -On Thursday morning, July 14, 1099, the crusaders made the first attack -with their wooden towers. The Saracens, as the Mohammedans were called by -the crusaders, met them with missiles of all sorts, which they threw upon -them. The crusaders soon made a breach in the wall, but still could not -enter the city. - -Early the next morning the attack was renewed. A procession of priests -was formed and moved about through the throng, encouraging the knights. -A pigeon was captured, and under its wing a note was found telling the -Saracen commander that help was at hand. This stirred the Christians to -still fiercer attack. - -Suddenly there appeared to the host a horseman clothed in white. The -crusaders at once recognized the vision of St. George. “St. George has -come to our assistance,” Godfrey exclaimed. “He signals to enter the Holy -City.” - -[Illustration: JERUSALEM TAKEN BY THE CRUSADERS] - -Again arose the cry, “God wills it! God wills it!” Godfrey commanded the -attack to be renewed. The hay which the Saracens had heaped up against -the walls to deaden the shock of the battering-rams was set on fire. The -Saracens, stifled by the smoke, leaped from the walls. Then the tower -bridges were let fall, and soon Godfrey and other knights forced their way -into the city. - -After the capture of the Holy City, Godfrey was chosen king of Jerusalem, -or Defender of the Faith. But he lived only about a year to enjoy that -high distinction. - - -V. TANCRED - - patrolled cautiously finally renowned - endurance Antioch endeared approached - -Tancred was known among his followers for his unselfishness. He seemed -never to become weary. If a comrade complained of a duty, he himself would -perform it. He patrolled walls at night, fought by day, and by his own -endurance of labor and hard fare sought to set an example for his men. - -One night, when he was standing guard with only his squire as companion, -he was attacked by three armed Saracens on horseback. They came upon him -quickly, thinking, of course, that they could easily overcome him. They -did not know that the blade of this renowned warrior could cleave their -heavy armor as if it were cloth. - -On came the first horseman and down came Tancred’s sword. The Saracen -fell. The next, who had seen the first one fall, waited for the third. -Very cautiously they approached side by side, but they soon fared the -same as their companion. - -It was Tancred who took possession of Bethlehem. He was made ruler over -that part of the Holy Land, but hearing that Antioch was threatened by the -Saracens, he went to its relief. For three years he held it against the -unbelievers. - -Tancred’s cousin, Bohemond, who was the rightful ruler of Antioch, was -held as prisoner by the Saracen commander; but finally Tancred succeeded -in setting his cousin free. He at once gave up to his cousin the entire -rule, although he had so endeared himself to the people that they besought -him to remain. - -A battle wound was the cause of Tancred’s death. He met his fate bravely, -and died with the purpose of saving the Holy Land still uppermost in his -heart. - - * * * * * - -Between the years 1095 and 1270 there were eight crusades, all undertaken -for the purpose of delivering the Holy Land from the Saracens. While they -failed to accomplish that object, they were still of great benefit to the -Church and civilization. They made the people better acquainted with the -geography and history of other lands, and led to an increase of trade and -industry throughout the known world. - - - - -HOW THE ROBIN CAME - - - tortures genesis hovering myth - chieftain human wampum pity - - Happy young friends, sit by me, - Under May’s blown apple tree, - While these home birds in and out - Through the blossoms flit about. - Hear a story strange and old, - By the wild red Indians told. - How the robin came to be: - Once a great chief left his son,-- - Well-beloved, his only one,-- - When the boy was well-nigh grown, - In the trial lodge alone. - Left for tortures long and slow - Youths like him must undergo, - Who their pride of manhood test, - Lacking water, food, and rest. - - Seven days the fast he kept, - Seven nights he never slept. - Then the young boy, wrung with pain, - Weak from nature’s overstrain, - Faltering, moaned a low complaint, - “Spare me, father, for I faint!” - But the chieftain, haughty-eyed, - Hid his pity in his pride. - “You shall be a hunter good, - Knowing never lack of food; - You shall be a warrior great, - Wise as fox and strong as bear; - Many scalps your belt shall wear, - If with patient heart you wait - Bravely till your task is done. - Better you should starving die - Than that boy and squaw should cry - Shame upon your father’s son!” - - When next morn the sun’s first rays - Glistened on the hemlock sprays, - Straight that lodge the old chief sought, - And boiled samp and moose meat brought. - “Rise and eat, my son!” he said. - Lo, he found the poor boy dead! - As with grief his grave they made, - And his bow beside him laid, - Pipe, and knife, and wampum braid, - On the lodge top overhead, - Preening smooth its breast of red - And the brown coat that it wore, - Sat a bird, unknown before. - And as if with human tongue, - “Mourn me not,” it said, or sung; - “I, a bird, am still your son, - Happier than if hunter fleet, - Or a brave, before your feet - Laying scalps in battle won. - Friend of man, my song shall cheer - Lodge and corn land; hovering near, - To each wigwam I shall bring - Tidings of the coming spring; - Every child my voice shall know - In the moon of melting snow, - When the maple’s red bud swells, - And the windflower lifts its bells. - As their fond companion - Men shall henceforth own your son, - And my song shall testify - That of human kin am I.” - - Thus the Indian legend saith - How, at first, the robin came - With a sweeter life than death, - Bird for boy, and still the same. - If my young friends doubt that this - Is the robin’s genesis, - Not in vain is still the myth - If a truth be found therewith: - Unto gentleness belong - Gifts unknown to pride and wrong; - Happier far than hate is praise,-- - He who sings than he who slays. - - --JOHN G. WHITTIER. - - - - -HOW ST. FRANCIS PREACHED TO THE BIRDS - - - fervor abandon salvation penance - triple multitude substance raiment - refuge creator preserved element - marveled benefits ingratitude providence - -One day when St. Francis was in a village of Italy, he began to preach; -and first of all he commanded the swallows who were singing that they -should keep silence until he had done preaching, and the swallows obeyed -him. And he preached with so much fervor that all the men and women in -that village were minded to go forth and abandon the village. - -But St. Francis suffered them not, and said to them: “Do not be in haste, -and do not go hence, and I will order that which you must do for the -salvation of your souls;” and then he thought of his third order for the -salvation of the whole world. And he left them much comforted and well -disposed to penance; and he departed thence. - -And passing along, in fervor of soul, he lifted up his eyes and saw many -trees standing by the way, and filled with a countless multitude of little -birds; at which St. Francis wondered, and said to his companions, “Wait -a little for me in the road, and I will go and preach to my sisters the -birds.” - -And he entered into the field, and began to preach to the birds that were -on the ground. And suddenly, those that were in the trees came around him, -and together they all remained silent, so long as it pleased St. Francis -to speak; and even after he had finished they would not depart until he -had given them his blessing. And according as it was afterwards related, -St. Francis went among them and touched them with his cloak, and none of -them moved. - -The substance of the sermon was this: “My little sisters, the birds, you -are much beholden to God your creator, and in all places you ought to -praise Him, because He has given you liberty to fly about in all places, -and has given you double and triple raiment. Know also that He preserved -your race in the ark of Noe that your species might not perish. - -“And again you are beholden to Him for the element of air, which He has -appointed for you; and for this also that you never sow nor reap, but -God feeds you and gives you the brooks and fountains for your drink, the -mountains and valleys also for your refuge, and the tall trees wherein to -make your nests. And since you know neither how to sew nor how to spin, -God clothes you, you and your young ones. Wherefore your creator loves you -much, since He has bestowed on you so many benefits. And therefore beware, -my little sisters, of the sin of ingratitude, and study always to please -God.” - -As St. Francis spoke thus to them, all the multitude of these birds opened -their beaks, and stretched out their necks, and opened their wings; and -reverently bowing their heads to the earth, by their acts and by their -songs they showed that the words of the holy father gave them the greatest -delight. And St. Francis rejoiced, and was glad with them, and marveled -much at such a multitude of birds, and at their beautiful variety, and -their attention and familiarity; for all which he devoutly praised their -creator in them. - -Finally, having finished his sermon, St. Francis made the sign of the -cross over them, and gave them leave to depart. Thereupon, all those -birds arose in the air, with wonderful singing; and after the fashion of -the sign of the cross which St. Francis had made over them, they divided -themselves into four parts; and one part flew toward the east, and another -to the west, another to the south, and another to the north. - -Then, all departing, they went their way singing wonderful songs, -signifying by this that as St. Francis, standard bearer of the cross of -Christ, had preached to them, made on them the sign of the cross, after -which they had divided themselves, going to the four parts of the world, -so the preaching of the cross of Christ, renewed by St. Francis, should -be carried by him and by his brothers to the whole world, and that these -brothers, after the fashion of the birds, should possess nothing of their -own in this world, but commit their lives solely to the providence of God. - - --From “LITTLE FLOWERS OF ST. FRANCIS.” - - * * * * * - - Teach me, O lark! with thee to gently rise, - To exalt my soul and lift it to the skies. - - --EDMUND BURKE. - - - - -THE PETRIFIED FERN - - - petrified holiday avalanches design - delicate reveled mysteries haughty - mammoth veinings fissure holiday - - In a valley, centuries ago, - Grew a little fern leaf, green and slender, - Veining delicate and fibers tender; - Waving when the wind crept down so low; - Rushes tall, and moss, and grass grew round it, - Playful sunbeams darted in and found it, - Drops of dew stole in by night and crowned it, - But no foot of man e’er trod that way; - Earth was young and keeping holiday. - - Monster fishes swam the silent main, - Stately forests waved their giant branches, - Mountains hurled their snowy avalanches, - Mammoth creatures stalked across the plain; - Nature reveled in grand mysteries; - But the little fern was not of these, - Did not number with the hills and trees, - Only grew and waved its wild sweet way,-- - No one came to note it day by day. - - Earth, one time, put on a frolic mood, - Heaved the rocks and changed the mighty motion - Of the deep, strong currents of the ocean; - Moved the plain and shook the haughty wood, - Crushed the little fern in soft moist clay, - Covered it, and hid it safe away. - Oh, the long, long centuries since that day! - Oh, the agony, oh, life’s bitter cost, - Since that useless little fern was lost! - - Useless! Lost! There came a thoughtful man - Searching Nature’s secrets, far and deep; - From a fissure in a rocky steep - He withdrew a stone, o’er which there ran - Fairy pencilings, a quaint design, - Veinings, leafage, fibers clear and fine, - And the fern’s life lay in every line! - So, I think, God hides some souls away, - Sweetly to surprise us the last day. - - --MARY L. BOLLES BRANCH. - - * * * * * - - The purest treasure mortal times afford - Is spotless reputation: that away, - Men are but gilded loam or painted clay. - - --SHAKESPEARE. - - - - -BIRD ENEMIES - - -I - - recognize honor innocent complimentary - assassin retorts bugaboo apparently - suspect thrush social intolerable - -How surely the birds know their enemies! See how the wrens and robins and -bluebirds pursue and scold the cat, while they take little or no notice of -the dog! Even the swallow will fight the cat, and, relying too confidently -upon its powers of flight, sometimes swoops down so near to its enemy that -it is caught by a sudden stroke of the cat’s paw. The only case I know of -in which our small birds fail to recognize their enemy is furnished by the -shrike; apparently the little birds do not know that this modest-colored -bird is an assassin. At least, I have never seen them scold or molest him, -or utter any outcries at his presence, as they usually do at birds of prey. - -But the birds have nearly all found out the trick of the jay, and when he -comes sneaking through the trees in May and June in quest of eggs, he is -quickly exposed and roundly abused. It is amusing to see the robins hustle -him out of the tree which holds their nest. They cry, “Thief! thief!” to -the top of their voices as they charge upon him, and the jay retorts in a -voice scarcely less complimentary as he makes off. - -The jays have their enemies also, and need to keep an eye on their own -eggs. It would be interesting to know if jays ever rob jays, or crows -plunder crows; or is there honor among thieves even in the feathered -tribes? I suspect the jay is often punished by birds which are otherwise -innocent of nest robbing. - -[Illustration] - -One season I found a jay’s nest in a cedar on the side of a wooded ridge. -It held five eggs, every one of which had been punctured. Apparently -some bird had driven its sharp beak through their shells, with the sole -intention of destroying them, for no part of the contents of the eggs had -been removed. It looked like a case of revenge--as if some thrush or -warbler, whose nest had suffered at the hands of the jays, had watched its -opportunity, and had in this way retaliated upon its enemies. An egg for -an egg. The jays were lingering near, very demure and silent, and probably -ready to join a crusade against nest robbers. - -The great bugaboo of the birds is the owl. The owl snatches them from -off their roosts at night, and gobbles up their eggs and young in their -nests. He is a veritable ogre to them, and his presence fills them with -consternation and alarm. - -One season, to protect my early cherries, I placed a large stuffed owl -amid the branches of the tree. Such a racket as there instantly began -about my grounds is not pleasant to think upon. The orioles and robins -fairly “shrieked out their affright.” The news instantly spread in every -direction, and apparently every bird in town came to see that owl in the -cherry tree, and every bird took a cherry, so that I lost more fruit than -if I had left the owl indoors. With craning necks and horrified looks the -birds alighted upon the branches, and between their screams would snatch -off a cherry, as if the act was some relief to their feelings. - -The chirp and chatter of the young of birds which build in concealed or -inclosed places, like the woodpeckers, the house wren, the high-hoe, the -oriole, etc., is in marked contrast to the silence of the fledgelings of -most birds that build open and exposed nests. The young of the sparrows, -warblers, flycatchers, thrushes, etc., never allow a sound to escape them; -and on the alarm note of their parents being heard, sit especially close -and motionless, while the young of chimney swallows, woodpeckers, and -orioles are very noisy. - -The owl, I suspect, thrusts its leg into the cavities of woodpeckers and -into the pocket-like nest of the oriole, and clutches and brings forth the -birds in its talons. In one case, a screech owl had thrust its claw into a -cavity in a tree, and grasped the head of a red-headed woodpecker; being -apparently unable to draw its prey forth, it had thrust its own round head -into the hole, and in some way became fixed there, and had thus died with -the woodpecker in its talons. - - -II - - mishap tragedies desiccated vicinity - tragic vermin intolerable purgatory - comic couple cavity explosion - -The life of birds is beset with dangers and mishaps of which we know -little. One day, in my walk, I came upon a goldfinch with the tip of one -wing securely fastened to the feathers of its back, by what appeared to be -the silk of some caterpillar. The bird, though uninjured, was completely -crippled, and could not fly a stroke. Its little body was hot and panting -in my hands as I carefully broke the fetter. Then it darted swiftly away -with a happy cry. - -A record of all the accidents and tragedies of bird life for a single -season would show many curious incidents. A friend of mine opened his -box stove one fall to kindle a fire in it, when he beheld in the black -interior the desiccated forms of two bluebirds. The birds had probably -taken refuge in the chimney during some cold spring storm, and had come -down the pipe to the stove, from whence they were unable to ascend. - -A peculiarly touching little incident of bird life occurred to a caged -canary. It laid some eggs, and was so carried away by its feelings that -it would offer food to the eggs, and chatter and twitter, trying, as it -seemed, to encourage them to eat. The incident is hardly tragic, neither -is it comic. - -Certain birds nest in the vicinity of our houses and outbuildings, or even -in and upon them, for protection from their enemies, but they often thus -expose themselves to plague of the most deadly character. - -I refer to the vermin with which their nests often swarm, and which kill -the young before they are fledged. In a state of nature this probably -never happens; at least I have never seen or heard of it happening to -nests placed in trees or under rocks. It is the curse of civilization -falling upon the birds which come too near man. The vermin is probably -conveyed to the nest in hen’s feathers, or in straws and hairs picked up -about the barn or henhouse. A robin’s nest will occasionally become an -intolerable nuisance from the swarms upon swarms of minute vermin with -which it is filled. The parent birds stem the tide as long as they can, -but are often compelled to leave the young to their terrible fate. - -One season a phœbe bird built on a projecting stone under the eaves of the -house, and all appeared to go well till the young were nearly fledged, -when the nest suddenly became a bit of purgatory. The birds kept their -places till they could hold out no longer, when they leaped forth and fell -dead upon the ground. - -After a delay of a week or more, during which I imagine the parent birds -purified themselves by every means known to them, the couple built another -nest a few yards from the first, and proceeded to rear a second brood; -but the new nest developed into the same bed of torment that the first -did, and the three young birds, nearly ready to fly, perished as they sat -within it. The parent birds then left the place. - -I imagine the smaller birds have an enemy in our native white-footed -mouse, though I have not proof enough to convict him. But one season the -nest of a chickadee which I was observing was broken up in a position -where nothing but a mouse could have reached it. The bird had chosen a -cavity in the limb of an apple tree which stood but a few yards from the -house. The cavity was deep, and the entrance to it, which was ten feet -from the ground, was small. - -Barely light enough was admitted to enable one to make out the number of -eggs, which was six, at the bottom of the dim interior. While one was -peering in and trying to get his head out of his own light, the bird would -startle him by a queer kind of puffing sound. She would not leave her nest -like most birds, but really tried to blow, or scare, the intruder away; -and after repeated experiments I could hardly refrain from jerking my head -back when that little explosion of sound came up from the dark interior. - -One night the nest was harried. A slight trace of hair or fur at the -entrance led me to infer that some small animal was the robber. - -A weasel might have done it, as they sometimes climb trees, but I doubt if -either a squirrel or a rat could have passed the entrance. - -A pair of the least flycatchers, the bird which is a small edition of the -pewee, one season built their nest where I had them for many hours each -day under my observation. The nest was a very snug and compact structure -placed in the forks of a small maple about twelve feet from the ground. -The season before a red squirrel had harried the nest of a wood thrush in -this same tree, and I was apprehensive that he would serve the flycatchers -the same trick; so, as I sat with my book in a summerhouse near by, I kept -my loaded gun within easy reach. - -One egg was laid, and the next morning, as I made my daily inspection -of the nest, only a fragment of its empty shell was to be found. This I -removed, mentally imprecating the rogue of a red squirrel. The birds were -much disturbed by the event, but after much inspection of it and many -consultations together, concluded, it seems, to try again. - -Two more eggs were laid, when one day I heard the birds utter a sharp -cry, and on looking up I saw a cat-bird perched upon the rim of the nest, -hastily devouring the eggs. I soon regretted my precipitation in killing -her, because such interference is generally unwise. It turned out that she -had a nest of her own with five eggs in a spruce tree near my window. - -Then this pair of little flycatchers did what I had never seen birds do -before: they pulled the nest to pieces and rebuilt it in a peach tree not -many rods away, where a brood was successfully reared. The nest was here -exposed to the direct rays of the noonday sun, and to shield her young -when the heat was greatest, the mother-bird would stand above them with -wings slightly spread, as other birds have been known to do under like -circumstances. - - -III - - peculiar species expressive courage - curious dismay desperate assault - subtle rescue deranged enemy - -Probably the darkest tragedy of the nest is enacted when a snake plunders -it. All birds and animals, so far as I have observed, behave in a peculiar -manner toward a snake. They seem to feel something of the same loathing -toward it that the human species experience. The bark of a dog when he -encounters a snake is different from that which he gives out on any other -occasion; it is a mingled note of alarm, inquiry, and disgust. - -One day a tragedy was enacted a few yards from where I was sitting with a -book: two song sparrows were trying to defend their nest against a black -snake. The curious, interrogating note of a chicken who had suddenly come -upon the scene in his walk first caused me to look up from my reading. -There were the sparrows, with wings raised in a way peculiarly expressive -of horror and dismay, rushing about a low clump of grass and bushes. - -Then, looking more closely, I saw the glistening form of the black snake, -and the quick movement of his head as he tried to seize the birds. The -sparrows darted about and through the grass and weeds, trying to beat the -snake off. Their tails and wings were spread, and, panting with the heat -and desperate struggle, they presented a most singular spectacle. They -uttered no cry, not a sound escaped them; they were plainly speechless -with horror and dismay. Not once did they drop their wings, and the -peculiar expression of those uplifted palms, as it were, I shall never -forget. - -It occurred to me that perhaps here was a case of attempted bird charming -on the part of the snake, so I looked on from behind the fence. The birds -charged the snake and harassed him from every side, but were evidently -under no spell save that of courage in defending their nest. - -Every moment or two I could see the head and neck of the serpent make a -sweep at the birds, when the one struck at would fall back, and the other -would renew the assault. There appeared to be little danger that the snake -could strike and hold one of the birds, though I trembled for them, they -were so bold and approached so near to the snake’s head. Time and again he -sprang at them but without success. How the poor things panted, and held -up their wings appealingly! - -Then the snake glided off, barely escaping the stone which I hurled at -him. I found the nest rifled and deranged; whether it had contained eggs -or young I know not. The male sparrow had cheered me many a day with his -song, and I blamed myself for not having rushed at once to the rescue, -when the arch enemy was upon him. - -There is probably little truth in the popular notion that snakes charm -birds. The black snake is the most subtle of our snakes, and I have never -seen him have any but young, helpless birds in his mouth. - - --JOHN BURROUGHS. - - - - -ST. JOSEPH’S MONTH - - - O, holy St. Joseph! in thee we confide, - Be thou our protector, our father, our guide; - The flowers of our innocent childhood we twine - In a fragrant white garland of love at thy shrine. - St. Joseph, who guided the Child on His way, - O, guide us and guard us and bless us, we pray! - - Long ago didst thou teach the Lord Jesus to speak, - And thine arms were His strength when His footsteps, were weak; - So lend us thy help in the days of our youth - So teach us to walk in the pathway of truth! - St. Joseph, Christ’s early protector and stay, - Protect us and save us from evil, we pray! - - When the years glowing o’er us shall smolder away, - When their ashes down-drifting, shall crown us with gray, - Still loyal and true may we keep to our vow - To honor our saint as we honor him now! - St. Joseph, who guided the Child on His way, - O, guide us at last to His presence, we pray! - - --H. W. - - - - -A SONG OF SPRING - - - Hark, the spring! She calls - With a thousand voices - ’Mid the echoing forest halls - One great heart rejoices. - - Hills, where young lambs bound, - Whiten o’er with daisies; - Flag flowers light the lower ground, - Where the old steer grazes. - - Meadows laugh, flower-gay; - Every breeze that passes - Waves the seed-cloud’s gleaming gray - O’er the greener grasses. - - O thou spring! be strong, - Exquisite newcomer! - And the onset baffle long - Of advancing summer! - - --AUBREY DE VERE. - - - - -ROBERT BRUCE - - -I. CHASED BY A BLOODHOUND - - entertaining revenge assemble pursuit - dispersed attendant prisoner fugitives - resolved oppressed relation retreat - -I will now tell you a story of King Robert Bruce during his wanderings. -His adventures are as entertaining as those which men invent for story -books, with this advantage, that they are all true. - -About the time when the Bruce was yet at the head of but few men, Sir -Aymer de Valence, who was Earl of Pembroke, together with John of Lorn, -came into Galloway, each of them being at the head of a large body of men. - -John of Lorn had a bloodhound with him, which it was said had formerly -belonged to Robert Bruce himself; and having been fed by the king with -his own hands, it became attached to him and would follow his footsteps -anywhere, as dogs are well known to trace their masters’ steps, whether -they be bloodhounds or not. By means of this hound, John of Lorn thought -he should certainly find out Bruce, and take revenge on him for the death -of his relation Comyn. - -When these two armies advanced upon King Robert, he at first thought of -fighting the English earl; but becoming aware that John of Lorn was moving -round with another large body to attack him in the rear, he resolved to -avoid fighting at that time, lest he should be oppressed by numbers. For -this purpose, the king divided the men he had with him into three bodies, -and commanded them to retreat by three different ways, thinking the enemy -would not know which party to pursue. He also appointed a place at which -they were to assemble again. - -When John of Lorn came to the place where the army of Bruce had been thus -divided, the bloodhound took his course after one of these divisions, -neglecting the other two, and then John of Lorn knew that the king must be -in that party; so he also made no pursuit after the two other divisions, -but, with all his men, followed that which the dog pointed out. - -The king again saw that he was followed by a large body, and being -determined to escape from them if possible, he made all the people who -were with him disperse themselves different ways, thinking thus that the -enemy must needs lose trace of him. He kept only one man along with him, -and that was his own foster brother, or the son of his nurse. - -When John of Lorn came to the place where Bruce’s companions had dispersed -themselves, the bloodhound, after it had snuffed up and down for a little, -quitted the footsteps of all the other fugitives, and ran barking upon the -track of two men out of the whole number. Then John of Lorn knew that one -of these two must be King Robert. Accordingly, he commanded five of his -men to chase after him, and either make him prisoner or slay him. - -The Highlanders started off accordingly, and ran so fast that they gained -sight of Robert and his foster brother. The king asked his companion what -help he could give him, and his foster brother answered he was ready to do -his best. So these two turned on the five men of John of Lorn and killed -them all. - -By this time Bruce was very much fatigued, and yet they dared not sit down -to take any rest; for whenever they stopped for an instant, they heard the -cry of the bloodhound behind them, and knew by that that their enemies -were coming up fast after them. At length they came to a wood through -which ran a small river. Then Bruce said to his foster brother, “Let us -wade down this stream for a great way, instead of going straight across, -and so this unhappy hound will lose the scent; for if we were once clear -of him, I should not be afraid of getting away from the pursuers.” - -Accordingly, the king and his attendant walked a great way down the -stream, taking care to keep their feet in the water, which could not -retain any scent where they had stepped. Then they came ashore on the -farther side from the enemy, and went deep into the wood. - -In the meanwhile, the hound led John of Lorn straight to the place where -the king went into the water, but there the dog began to be puzzled, not -knowing where to go next; for running water cannot retain the scent of a -man’s foot, like that which remains on turf. So John of Lorn, seeing the -dog was at fault, as it is called, that is, had lost the track of that -which he pursued, he gave up the chase and returned to join with Aymer de -Valence. - - -II. IN THE FOREST - - habitation ruffians civilly salutations - amazing villains insisted acquainted - -King Robert’s adventures were not yet ended. His foster brother and -he walked on in hopes of coming to some habitation. At length, in the -midst of the forest, they met with three men who looked like thieves or -ruffians. They were well armed, and one of them bore a sheep on his back, -which it seemed as if they had just stolen. - -They saluted the king civilly; and he, replying to their salutations, -asked them where they were going. The men answered they were seeking for -Robert Bruce, for that they intended to join with him. - -The king answered that he would conduct them where they would find the -Scottish king. Then the man who had spoken changed countenance, and Bruce, -who looked sharply at him, began to suspect that the ruffian guessed who -he was, and that he and his companions had some design against his person, -in order to gain the reward which had been offered for his life. - -So he said to them, “My good friends, as we are not well acquainted with -each other, you must go before us, and we will follow near to you.” - -“You have no occasion to suspect any harm from us,” answered the man. - -“Neither do I suspect any,” said Bruce; “but this is the way in which I -choose to travel.” - -The men did as he commanded, and thus they traveled till they came -together to a waste and ruinous cottage, where the men proposed to dress -some part of the sheep, which their companion was carrying. The king was -glad to hear of food; but he insisted that there should be two fires -kindled,--one for himself and his foster brother at one end of the house, -the other at the other end for their three companions. - -The men did as he desired. They broiled a quarter of mutton for -themselves, and gave another to the king and his attendant. They were -obliged to eat it without bread or salt; but as they were very hungry, -they were glad to get food in any shape, and partook of it very heartily. - -Then so heavy a drowsiness fell on King Robert, that, for all the danger -he was in, he could not resist an inclination to sleep. But first he -desired his foster brother to watch while he slept, for he had great -suspicion of their new acquaintances. His foster brother promised to keep -awake, and did his best to keep his word. But the king had not been long -asleep ere his foster brother fell into a deep slumber also, for he had -undergone as much fatigue as the king. - -When the three villains saw the king and his attendant asleep they made -signs to each other, and, rising up at once, drew their swords with the -purpose to kill them both. But the king slept lightly, and for as little -noise as the traitors made, he was awakened by it, and starting up, drew -his sword and went to meet them. At the same moment he pushed his foster -brother with his foot to awaken him, and he got on his feet; but ere he -had got his eyes cleared to see what was about to happen, one of the -ruffians slew him. - -The king was now alone, one man against three, and in the greatest danger -of his life; but his amazing strength, and the good armor which he wore, -freed him from this great peril, and he killed the three men, one after -another. He then left the cottage, very sorrowful for the death of his -faithful foster brother, and took his direction toward the place where he -had appointed his men to assemble. - - -III. AT THE FARMHOUSE - - gallant fidelity weariness mischief - trusty faithful sentinels mentioned - -It was now near night, and the place of meeting being a farmhouse, Bruce -went boldly into it, where he found the mistress, an old, true-hearted -Scotswoman, sitting alone. Upon seeing a stranger enter, she asked him -who he was. The king answered that he was a traveler, who was journeying -through the country. - -“All travelers,” answered the good woman, “are welcome here for the sake -of one.” - -“And who is that one,” said the king, “for whose sake you make all -travelers welcome?” - -“It is our rightful king, Robert the Bruce,” answered the mistress, “who -is the lawful lord of this country; and although he is now pursued with -hounds and horns, I hope to live to see him king over all Scotland.” - -“Since you love him so well, dame,” said the king, “know that you see him -before you. I am Robert the Bruce.” - -“You!” said the good woman, “and wherefore are you thus alone?--where are -all your men?” - -“I have none with me at this moment,” answered Bruce, “and therefore I -must travel alone.” - -“But that shall not be,” said the brave old dame; “for I have two sons, -gallant and trusty men, who shall be your servants for life and death.” - -So she brought her two sons, and though she well knew the dangers to which -she exposed them, she made them swear fidelity to the king; and they -afterward became high officers in his service. - -Now the loyal old woman was getting everything ready for the king’s -supper, when suddenly there was a great trampling of horses heard round -the house. They thought it must be some of the English, or John of Lorn’s -men, and the good wife called upon her sons to fight to the last for King -Robert. But shortly after they heard the voice of the good Lord James of -Douglas, and of Edward Bruce, the king’s brother, who had come with a -hundred and fifty horsemen to this farmhouse. - -Robert the Bruce, forgetting hunger and weariness, began to inquire where -the enemy who had pursued them so long had taken up their abode for the -night; “for,” said he, “as they must suppose us totally scattered and -fled, it is likely that they will think themselves quite secure, and keep -careless watch.” - -“That is very true,” answered James of Douglas, “for I passed a village -where there are two hundred of them quartered, who had placed no -sentinels; and if you have a mind, we may surprise them, and do them more -mischief than they have done us.” - -Then there was nothing but mount and ride; and as the Scots came by -surprise on the body of English whom Douglas had mentioned, and rushed -suddenly into the village where they were quartered, they easily dispersed -and cut them to pieces. - - --SIR WALTER SCOTT. - - - - -“WHEN EVENING SHADES ARE FALLING” - - - When evening shades are falling - O’er ocean’s sunny sleep, - To pilgrims’ hearts recalling - Their home beyond the deep; - When rest, o’er all descending, - The shores with gladness smile, - And lutes, their echoes blending, - Are heard from isle to isle: - Then, Mary, Star of the Sea, - We pray, we pray, to thee. - - The noonday tempest over - Now ocean toils no more, - And wings of halcyons hover, - Where all was strife before; - Oh, thus may life, in closing - Its short tempestuous day, - Beneath heaven’s smile reposing, - Shine all its storms away: - Thus, Mary, Star of the Sea, - We pray, we pray, to thee. - - --THOMAS MOORE. - - - - -THE REINDEER - -Adapted from “The Red Book of Animal Stories.” Copyright, 1899, by -Longmans, Green, & Company. Used by permission. - - - nourishing excellent sinews immense - delicacy especially crevices sociable - -[Illustration] - -There is perhaps no other animal in the world so useful as the reindeer, -at least none that can be put to so many uses. The flesh of a sheep is -eaten, and its wool is woven into cloth; but then we should never think -of harnessing a sheep even to a baby carriage. A camel serves, in the -desert, the purpose of a van and of a riding horse in one, and his hair -makes warm garments; but he would give us a very ill-tasting dinner, and -the same may be said of some other useful creatures. A reindeer, however, -is good to eat, and makes an excellent steed; its milk is nourishing; -the softer parts of its horns, when properly prepared, are considered -a delicacy; the bones are turned to account as tools; the sinews are -twisted into thread, and, all the long winter, the skin and hair keep the -dwellers in the far North snug and warm. Take away the reindeer, and the -inhabitants of every country north of latitude 60° would feel as helpless -as we should in England if there were no more sheep or cows! - -Reindeer live, by choice, on the slopes of mountains, and require no -better food than the moss, or little alpine plants, which they find -growing in the crevices of the rock. Sometimes, in very cold places, or -when the winter is particularly severe, they take shelter in the forest; -but when spring is in the air once more, out they come in great herds, -thin and sore from the bites of newly awakened insects, and wander away in -search of fresher pasture. In August and September, when the sun has grown -too strong for them, they seek the shade of the woods again. - -In their wild state reindeer are great travelers, and as they are very -strong, and excellent swimmers, they go immense distances, especially the -reindeer of North America, who will cross the ice to Greenland in the -early part of the year, and stay there till the end of October, when they -come back to their old quarters. They are most sociable creatures, and are -never happy unless they have three or four hundred companions, while herds -of a thousand have sometimes been counted. The females and calves are -always placed in front, and the big bucks bring up the rear, to see that -nobody falls out of the ranks from weakness. - -Like many animals that live in the North, the color of the reindeer is -different in winter from what it is in summer. Twice a year he changes his -coat, and the immense thick covering which has been so comfortable all -through the fierce cold, begins to fall in early spring and a short hair -to take its place, so that by the time summer comes, he is nice and cool, -and looks quite another creature from what he did in the winter. As the -days shorten and grow frosty, the coat becomes longer and closer, and by -the time the first snow falls the deer is quite prepared to meet it. - -Though reindeer prefer mountain sides when they can get them, their broad -and wide-cleft hoofs are well adapted for the lowlands of the North of -Europe and of America, which are a morass in summer and a snow-field in -winter. Here are to be seen whole herds of them, either walking with a -regular rapid step, or else going at a quick trot; but in either case -always making a peculiar crackling noise with their feet. - -They have an acute sense of smell, and will detect a man at a distance of -five or six hundred paces, and as their eyes are as good as their ears, -the huntsman has much ado to get up to them. They are dainty in their -food, choosing out only the most delicate of the alpine plants, and their -skins cannot be as tough as they look, for they are very sensitive to the -bites of mosquitoes, gnats, and particularly of midges. - -Reindeer are very cautious, as many hunters have found to their cost; -but they are ready to be friendly with any cows or horses they may come -across, and this must make the task of taming them a great deal easier. -They have their regular hours for meals, too, and early in the mornings -and late in the evenings may be seen going out for their breakfasts and -suppers, which, in summer, consist, in the highlands, of the leaves and -flowers of the snow ranunculus, reindeer sorrel, a favorite kind of -grass, and, better than all, the young shoots of the dwarf birch. In the -afternoons they lie down and rest, and choose for their place of repose a -patch of snow, or a glacier if one is at hand. - -In Norway and Lapland great herds of reindeer may be seen, during the -summer, wandering along the banks of rivers, or making for the mountains, -returning with the approach of winter to their old quarters. With the -first snow fall they are safe under shelter, for this is the time when -wolves are most to be feared. In the spring they are let loose again, and -are driven carefully to some spot which is freer from midges than the -rest. And so life goes on from year to year. - -Reindeer herding is by no means so easy as it looks, and it would be quite -impossible, even to a Lapp, if it were not for the help of dogs, who are -part of the family. They are small creatures, hardly as big as a Spitz, -and very thin, with close compact hair all over their bodies. These dogs -are very obedient, and understand every movement of their master’s eyelid. -They will not only keep the herd together on land, but follow them into a -river, or across an arm of the sea. It is they who rescue the weaklings -in danger of drowning, after their winter’s fast, and in the autumn, when -the reindeer have grown strong from good living, drive the herd back again -through the bay. - -A herd of reindeer on the march is a beautiful sight to see. They go -quickly along, faster than any other domestic animal, and are kept -together by the herdsman and his dogs, who are untiring in their efforts -to bring up stragglers. - -When a good stretch of pasture is found, the Lapps build a fold, into -which the reindeer are driven every evening, so that the work of the -milkers may be lightened. These folds are made of the stems of birches -placed close together and strengthened with cross-pieces and strong props. -They are about seven feet high, and have two wide doors. At milking time, -which the dogs know as well as the men, the animals are driven inside by -their faithful guardians, and milking begins busily. The young ones are -generally left outside under the watchful eyes of the dogs, who see that -they do not wander too far away. - -Inside the fold the noise is really deafening. The reindeer run to and -fro, giving loud cries and throwing their heads about; which, as their -horns are very big, is not pleasant for the milkers. Any one walking -that way would be struck, first, with the sound of the commotion in the -inclosure, and this would most likely be followed by a crackling noise, as -if a hundred electric batteries were at work at once. - -In the middle of the fold are thick tree trunks to which the reindeer -which have to be milked are fastened, for without these they would not -stand still one single instant. - -The milkers have a thong which is thrown round the neck of the animal, and -drawn closer till it is tied by a slip noose over the creature’s mouth, so -as to prevent it from biting. Then the ends are made secure to the milking -block, and the milking begins--the animal all the while struggling hard to -get free. But the Lapps know how to manage them, and only draw the cord -tighter over the nose, so that the creatures are bound in self-defense to -remain quiet. - -The milk flows into a sort of large bowl with handles, but the Lapps are -both careless and dirty in their ways, and not only waste a great deal of -the milk, but leave so many hairs in it that it is necessary to strain it -through a cloth before it can be drunk. However, the milk itself is very -good. The milking once over, the doors are opened, and the animals scamper -out joyously. - -All together, the life of the owner of a herd of reindeer cannot be said -to be an idle one. Yet he is in general well satisfied with his lot, and -thinks himself the most fortunate man in the world. - - --A. LANG. - - - - -A STORY OF ANCIENT IRELAND - - - chariots weapon barriers protector - whelp award district savage - -There was a great smith in Ulster of the name of Culain, who made a feast -for Conchubar and his people. When Conchubar was setting out to the feast, -he passed by the lawn where the boy troop were at their games, and he -watched them awhile, and saw how young Setanta, his sister’s son, was -winning the goal from them all. - -“That little lad will serve Ulster yet,” said Conchubar; “and call him to -me now,” he said, “and let him come with me to the smith’s feast.” - -“I cannot go with you now,” said Setanta, when they had called to him, -“for these boys have not had enough of play yet.” - -“It would be too long for me to wait for you,” said the king. - -“There is no need for you to wait; I will follow the track of the -chariots,” said Setanta. - -So Conchubar went on to the smith’s house, and there was a welcome before -him, and the feast was brought in, and they began to be merry. And then -Culain said to the king, “Will there be any one else of your people -coming after you to-night?” - -“There will not,” said Conchubar, for he forgot that he had told the -little lad to follow him. “But why do you ask me that?” he said. - -“I have a fierce hound,” said the smith, “and when I take the chain off -him, he lets no one come into the district with himself, and he will obey -no one but myself, and he has in him the strength of a hundred.” - -“Loose him out,” said Conchubar, “and let him keep a watch on the place.” - -So Culain loosed him out, and the dog made a course round the whole -district, and then he came back to the place where he was used to watch -the house. - -Now, as to the boys at Emain, when they were done playing, every one went -to his father’s house, or to whoever was in charge of him. But Setanta set -out on the track of the chariots, shortening the way for himself with his -hurling stick and his ball. - -When he came to the lawn before the smith’s house, the hound heard him -coming, and began such a fierce yelling that he might have been heard -through all Ulster, and he sprang at him as if he had a mind not to stop -and tear him up at all, but to swallow him at the one mouthful. The little -fellow had no weapon but his stick and his ball, but when he saw the -hound coming at him, he struck the ball with such force that it went down -his throat, and through his body. Then he seized him by the hind legs and -dashed him against a rock until there was no life left in him. - -When the men feasting within heard the outcry of the hound, Conchubar -started up and said, “It is no good luck brought us on this journey, for -that is surely my sister’s son that was coming after me, and that has got -his death by the hound.” - -On that all the men rushed out, not waiting to go through the door, but -over walls and barriers as they could. But Fergus was the first to get to -where the boy was, and he took him up and lifted him on his shoulder, and -brought him in safe and sound to Conchubar, and there was great joy in -them all. - -But Culain the smith went out with them, and when he saw his great hound -lying dead and broken, there was great grief in his heart, and he came in -and said to Setanta, “There is no good welcome for you here.” - -“What have you against the little lad?” said Conchubar. - -“It was no good luck that brought him here, or that made me prepare this -feast for yourself,” said the smith, “for now, my hound being gone, my -substance will be wasted, and my way of living will be gone astray. And, -little boy,” he said, “that was a good member of my family you took from -me, for he was the protector of my flocks and of all that I have.” - -“Do not be vexed on account of that,” said the boy, “and I myself will -makeup to you for what I have done.” - -“How will you do that?” said Conchubar. - -“This is how I will do it: if there is a whelp of the same breed to be had -in Ireland, I will rear him and train him until he is as good a hound as -the one killed; and until that time, Culain,” he said, “I myself will be -your watchdog, to guard your goods and your cattle and your house.” - -“You have made a fair offer,” said Conchubar. - -“I could have given no better award myself,” said Cathbad the Druid. -“And from this out,” he said, “your name will be Cuchulain, the Hound of -Culain.” - -“I am better pleased with my own name of Setanta,” said the boy. - -“Do not say that,” said Cathbad, “for all the men in the whole world will -some day have the name of Cuchulain in their mouths.” - -“If that is so, I am content to keep it,” said the boy. And this is how he -came by the name Cuchulain. - - --LADY GREGORY. - - - - -SAN GABRIEL - - - uncivil specimens behavior celebrations - dozens wreaths garlands especially - -There are a great many interesting stories about the first settlement of -San Gabriel, and the habits and customs of the Indians there. They were a -very polite people to each other, and used to train their children in some -respects very carefully. - -If a child were sent to bring water to an older person, and he tasted it -on the way, he was made to throw the water out and go and bring fresh -water; when two grown-up persons were talking together, if a child ran -between them, he was told that he had done an uncivil thing. These are -only specimens of their rules for polite behavior. They seem to me as good -as ours. - -These Indians were very fond of flowers, of which the whole country is -full. They used to make long garlands and wreaths, not only to wear on -their heads, but to reach way down to their feet. These they wore at -festivals and celebrations; and sometimes at these festivals they used to -have what they called “song contests.” - -Two of the best singers, or poets, would be matched together to see which -could sing the better, or make the better verses. That seems to me a -more interesting kind of match than the spelling matches we have in our -villages. - -But there is nothing of this sort to be seen in San Gabriel now, or indeed -anywhere in California. The Indians have been driven away by the white -people who wanted their lands; year by year more and more white people -have come, and the Indians have been robbed of more and more of their -lands, and have died off by hundreds, until there are not many left. - -Mr. Connor was much interested in collecting all he could of the curious -stone bowls and pestles they used to make, and of their baskets and lace -work. He spent much of his time riding about the country; and whenever he -came to an Indian hut he would stop and ask if they had any stone bowls -they would like to sell. - -The bowls especially were a great curiosity. Nobody knew how long ago -they had been made. When the missionaries first came to the country they -found the Indians using them; they had them of all sizes, from those so -large that they are almost more than a man can lift down to the tiny ones -no bigger than a tea-cup. But big and little, they were all made in the -same way out of solid stone, scooped out in the middle, by rubbing another -stone round and round on them. - -Even yet people who are searching for such curiosities sometimes find -big grave mounds in which dozens of them are buried--buried side by side -with the people who used to eat out of them. There is nothing left of the -people but their skulls and a few bones; but the bowls will last as long -as the world stands. - - --HELEN HUNT JACKSON. - - - - -IMITATION OF MARY - - -Let the life of the Blessed Mary be ever present to you.… - -She was humble of heart, serious in her conversation, fonder of reading -than of speaking. - -She placed her confidence rather in the prayer of the poor than in the -uncertain riches of the world. - -She was ever intent on her occupations, and accustomed to make God rather -than man the witness of her thoughts. - -She injured no one, wished well to all, reverenced age, yielded not to -envy, avoided all boasting, followed the dictates of reason, and loved -virtue. - - --ST. AMBROSE. - - - - -A SCENE FROM “WILLIAM TELL” - - -(Switzerland had been conquered by Austria, and Gesler, a cruel tyrant, -was her governor. William Tell had refused to bow before Gesler’s hat, -which had been elevated on a pole; he was therefore arrested and taken -before the governor. His son Albert was also taken, and both were -threatened with death.) - -[Illustration] - - SCENE I - - (_WILLIAM TELL, ALBERT, his son, and GESLER with officers. TELL in - chains._) - - GESLER. What is thy name? - - TELL. My name? - It matters not to keep it from thee now-- - My name is Tell. - - GES. Tell!--William Tell? - - TELL. The same. - - GES. What! he so famed ’bove all his countrymen - For guiding o’er the stormy lake the boat? - And such a master of his bow, ’tis said - His arrows never miss! Indeed, I’ll take - Exquisite vengeance! Mark! I’ll spare thy life-- - Thy boy’s, too!--both of you are free--on one - Condition. - - TELL. Name it. - - GES. I would see you make - A trial of your skill with that same bow - You shoot so well with. - - TELL. Name the trial you - Would have me make. - - GES. You look upon your boy - As though instinctively you guessed it. - - TELL. Look upon my boy! What mean you? - Look upon - My boy as though I guessed it! Guessed the trial - You’d have me make! Guessed it - Instinctively! you do not mean--no--no-- - You would not have me make a trial of - My skill upon my child! Impossible! - I do not guess your meaning. - - GES. I would see - Thee hit an apple at the distance of - A hundred paces. - - TELL. Is my boy to hold it? - - GES. No. - - TELL. No! I’ll send the arrow through the core. - - GES. It is to rest upon his head. - - TELL. Great Heaven, you hear him! - - GES. Thou dost hear the choice I give-- - Such trial of the skill thou art master of, - Or death to both of you; not otherwise - To be escaped. - - TELL. O monster! - - GES. Wilt thou do it? - - ALBERT. He will! he will! - - TELL. Ferocious monster! Make - A father murder his own child-- - - GES. Take off - His chains, if he consent. - - TELL. With his own hand! - - GES. Does he consent? - - ALB. He does. - - (_GESLER signs to his officers, who proceed to take off TELL’S - chains. TELL all the time unconscious what they do._) - - TELL. With his own hand! - Murder his child with his own hand--this hand! - The hand I’ve led him, when an infant, by! - ’Tis beyond horror--’tis most horrible. - Amazement! (_His chains fall off._) What’s that you’ve done to me? - Villains! put on my chains again. My hands - Are free from blood, and have no gust for it, - That they should drink my child’s! Here! here! I’ll not - Murder my boy for Gesler. - - ALB. Father--father! - You will not hit me, father! - - TELL. Hit thee! Send - The arrow through thy brain; or, missing that, - Shoot out an eye; or, if thine eye escape, - Mangle the cheek I’ve seen thy mother’s lips - Cover with kisses. Hit thee--hit a hair - Of thee, and cleave thy mother’s heart. - - GES. Dost thou consent? - - TELL. Give me my bow and quiver. - - GES. For what? - - TELL. To shoot my boy! - - ALB. No, father--no! - To save me! You’ll be sure to hit the apple-- - Will you not save me, father? - - TELL. Lead me forth; - I’ll make the trial. - - ALB. Thank you! - - TELL. Thank me! Do - You know for what? I will not make the trial, - To take him to his mother in my arms - And lay him down a corpse before her! - - GES. Then he dies this moment--and you certainly - Do murder him whose life you have a chance - To save, and will not use it. - - TELL. Well, I’ll do it. I’ll make the trial. - - ALB. Father-- - - TELL. Speak not to me; - Let me not hear thy voice. Thou must be dumb; - And so should all things be. Earth should be dumb, - And heaven--unless its thunders muttered at - The deed, and sent a bolt to stop it. Give me - My bow and quiver! - - GES. When all’s ready. - - TELL. Well, lead on! - - SCENE II - - _Enter, slowly, people in evident distress. Officers, SARNEM, - GESLER, TELL, ALBERT, and soldiers, one bearing TELL’S bow and - quiver, another with a basket of apples._ - - GES. That is your ground. Now shall they measure thence - A hundred paces. Take the distance. - - TELL. Is the line a true one? - - GES. True or not, what is’t to thee? - - TELL. What is’t to me? A little thing, - A very little thing--a yard or two - Is nothing here or there--were it a wolf - I shot at. Never mind. - - GES. Be thankful, slave, - Our grace accords thee life on any terms. - - TELL. I will be thankful, Gesler. Villain, stop! - You measure to the sun! - - GES. And what of that? - What matter whether to or from the sun? - - TELL. I’d have it at my back--the sun should shine - Upon the mark, and not on him that shoots. - I cannot see to shoot against the sun; - I will not shoot against the sun! - - GES. Give him his way. Thou hast cause to bless my mercy. - - TELL. I shall remember it. I’d like to see - The apple I’m to shoot at. - - GES. Stay! show me the basket--there-- - - TELL. You’ve picked the smallest one. - - GES. I know I have. - - TELL. Oh! do you? But you see - The color on’t is dark.--I’d have it light, - To see it better. - - GES. Take it as it is; - Thy skill will be the greater if thou hit’st it. - - TELL. True--true! I did not think of that--I wonder - I did not think of that. Give me some chance - To save my boy! (_Throws away the apple._) - I will not murder him, - If I can help it--for the honor of - The form thou wearest, if all the heart is gone. - - GES. Well, choose thyself. - - TELL. Have I a friend among the lookers-on? - - VERNER. (_Rushing forward._) Here, Tell! - - TELL. I thank thee, Verner! - He is a friend runs out into a storm - To shake a hand with us. I must be brief: - When once the bow is bent, we cannot take - The shot too soon. Verner, whatever be - The issue of this hour, the common cause - Must not stand still. Let not to-morrow’s sun - Set on the tyrant’s banner! Verner! Verner! - The boy! the boy! Thinkest thou he hath the courage - To stand it? - - VER. Yes. - - TELL. How looks he? - - VER. Clear and smilingly; - If you doubt it, look yourself. - - TELL. No--no--my friend; - To hear it is enough. - - VER. He bears himself so much above his years. - - TELL. I know! I know! - - VER. With constancy so modest-- - - TELL. I was sure he would. - - VER. And looks with such relying love - And reverence upon you. - - TELL. Man! man! man! - No more. Already I’m too much the father - To act the man. Verner, no more, my friend. - I would be flint--flint--flint. Don’t make me feel - I’m not. Do not mind me. Take the boy - And set him, Verner, with his back to me. - Set him upon his knees--and place this apple - Upon his head, so that the stem may front me,-- - Thus, Verner; charge him to keep steady--tell him - I’ll hit the apple. Verner, do all this - More briefly than I tell it thee. - - VER. Come, Albert. (_Leading him out._) - - ALB. May I not speak with him before I go? - - VER. You must not. - - ALB. I must! I cannot go from him without. - - VER. It is his will you should. - - ALB. His will, is it? - I am content, then--come. - - TELL. My boy! (_Holding out his arms to him._) - - ALB. My father! (_Rushing into TELL’S arms._) - - TELL. If thou canst bear it, should not I? Go, now, - My son--and keep in mind that I can shoot-- - Go, boy--be thou but steady, I will hit - The apple. Go! God bless thee--go. My bow!-- - (_The bow is handed to him._) - Thou wilt not fail thy master, wilt thou? Thou - Hast never failed him yet, old servant. No, - I’m sure of thee. I know thy honesty. - Thou art stanch--stanch. Let me see my quiver. - - GES. Give him a single arrow. - - TELL. Do you shoot? - - SOL. I do. - - TELL. Is it so you pick an arrow, friend? - The point, you see, is bent; the feather jagged. - (_Breaks it._) That’s all the use ’tis fit for. - - GES. Let him have another. - - TELL. Why, ’tis better than the first, - But yet not good enough for such an aim - As I’m to take--’tis heavy in the shaft; - I’ll not shoot with it! (_Throws it away._) Let me see my quiver. - Bring it! ’Tis not one arrow in a dozen - I’d take to shoot with at a dove, much less - A dove like that. - - GES. It matters not. - Show him the quiver. - - TELL. See if the boy is ready. - (_TELL here hides an arrow under his vest_.) - - VER. He is. - - TELL. I’m ready, too! Keep silent for - Heaven’s sake and do not stir--and let me have - Your prayers--your prayers--and be my witnesses - That if his life’s in peril from my hand, - ’Tis only for the chance of saving it. (_To the people._) - - GES. Go on. - - TELL. I will. - O friends, for mercy’s sake, keep motionless - And silent. - - (_TELL shoots; a shout of exultation bursts from the crowd. TELL’S - head drops on his bosom; he with difficulty supports himself upon - his bow._) - - VER. (_Rushing in with ALBERT._) Thy boy is safe, no - hair of him is touched. - - ALB. Father, I’m safe! Your Albert’s safe, dear father,-- - Speak to me! Speak to me! - - VER. He cannot, boy. - - ALB. You grant him life? - - GES. I do. - - ALB. And we are free? - - GES. You are. (Crossing angrily behind.) - - VER. Open his vest - And give him air. - - (_ALBERT opens his father’s vest, and the arrow drops. TELL starts, - fixes his eye upon ALBERT, and clasps him to his breast._) - - TELL. My boy! my boy! - - GES. For what - Hid you that arrow in your breast? Speak, slave! - - TELL. To kill thee, tyrant, had I slain my boy! - - --SHERIDAN KNOWLES. - - - - -THE SCHOOLMASTER OF SLEEPY HOLLOW - - -I. HIS SCHOOL AND HIS FRIENDS - - custom vicinity scarecrow murmur - uncouth adjacent appalling personage - -In a remote period of American history there lived in Sleepy Hollow a -worthy man whose name was Ichabod Crane. He sojourned, or, as he expressed -it, “tarried” in that quiet little valley for the purpose of instructing -the children of the vicinity. - -He was tall, but very lank, with narrow shoulders, long arms and legs, -hands that dangled a mile out of his sleeves, and feet that might have -served as shovels. His head was small, with huge ears, large glassy eyes, -and a long snipe nose. To see him striding along the crest of a hill on a -windy day, with his ill-fitting clothes fluttering about him, one might -have mistaken him for some scarecrow escaped from a cornfield. - -His schoolhouse was a low building of one large room, rudely built of -logs. It stood in a rather lonely but pleasant place, just at the foot of -a woody hill, with a brook running close by, and a birch tree growing near -one end of it. From this place of learning the low murmur of children’s -voices, conning over their lessons, might be heard on a drowsy summer day -like the hum of a beehive. Now and then this was interrupted by the stern -voice of the master, or perhaps by the appalling sound of a birch twig, as -some loiterer was urged along the flowery path of knowledge. - -When school hours were over, the teacher forgot that he was the master, -and was even the companion and playmate of the older boys; and on holiday -afternoons he liked to go home with some of the smaller ones who happened -to have pretty sisters, or mothers noted for their skill in cooking. - -Indeed, it was a wise thing for him to keep on good terms with his pupils. -He earned so little by teaching school that he could scarcely have had -enough to eat had he not, according to country custom, boarded at the -houses of the children whom he instructed. With these he lived, by turns, -a week at a time, thus going the rounds of the neighborhood, with all his -worldly goods tied up in a cotton handkerchief. - -He had many ways of making himself both useful and agreeable. He helped -the farmers in the lighter labors of their farms, raked the hay at harvest -time, mended the fences, took the horses to water, drove the cows from -pasture, and cut wood for the winter fire. He found favor in the eyes of -the mothers by petting the children, particularly the youngest; and he -would often sit with a child on one knee and rock a cradle with his foot -for whole hours together. - -He was looked upon as a kind of idle, gentlemanlike personage of finer -tastes and better manners than the rough young men who had been brought -up in the country. He was always welcome at the tea table of a farmhouse; -and his presence was almost sure to bring out an extra dish of cakes or -sweetmeats, or the parade of a silver teapot. He would walk with the young -ladies in the churchyard between services on Sundays, gathering grapes for -them from the wild vines that overran the surrounding trees, or sauntering -with a whole bevy of them along the banks of the adjacent mill pond; while -the bashful country youngsters hung sheepishly back and hated him for his -fine manners. - -One of his sources of pleasure was to pass long winter evenings with the -Dutch farmers, as they sat by the fire with a long row of apples roasting -and sputtering along the hearth. He listened to their wondrous tales of -ghosts and goblins, and haunted fields, and haunted brooks, and haunted -bridges, and haunted houses, and particularly of the headless horseman, or -“Galloping Hessian of the Hollow,” as they sometimes called him. And then -he would entertain them with stories of witchcraft, and would frighten -them with woeful speculations about comets and shooting stars, and by -telling them that the world did really turn round, and that they were half -the time topsy-turvy. - -There was pleasure in all this while snugly cuddling in the chimney corner -of a room that was lighted by the ruddy glow from a crackling wood fire, -and where no ghost dared show its face; but it was a pleasure dearly -bought by the terrors which would beset him during his walk homeward. How -fearful were the shapes and shadows that fell across his way in the dim -and ghastly glare of a snowy night! How often did he shrink with curdling -awe at the sound of his own steps on the frosty crust beneath his feet, -and dread to look over his shoulder lest he should behold some uncouth -being tramping close behind him! - - -II. THE INVITATION - - autumnal urchins application cavalier - pensive pommel apparition genuine - horizon plumage luxurious gradually - -On a fine autumnal afternoon, Ichabod, in pensive mood, sat enthroned on -the lofty stool from whence he watched the doings of his little school. In -his hand he held a ferule, that scepter of despotic power; the birch of -justice reposed on three nails behind the stool, a constant terror to evil -doers; while on the desk were sundry contraband articles taken from idle -urchins, such as half-eaten apples, popguns, whirligigs, and fly cages. -His scholars were all busily intent upon their books, or slyly whispering -behind them with one eye kept upon the master, and a kind of buzzing -stillness reigned throughout the schoolroom. - -This stillness was suddenly interrupted by the appearance of a negro, in -tow-cloth jacket and trousers, who, mounted on the back of a ragged, wild, -half-broken colt, came clattering up to the schoolhouse door. He brought -an invitation to Ichabod to attend a merrymaking, or “quilting frolic,” to -be held that evening at the house of Herr Van Tassel; and having delivered -his message, he dashed over the brook, and was seen scampering away up the -hollow, full of the importance and hurry of his mission. - -All was now bustle and hubbub in the late quiet schoolroom. The scholars -were hurried through their lessons. Those who were nimble skipped over -half without being noticed; and those who were slow were hurried along by -a smart application of the rod. Then books were flung aside without being -put away on the shelves; inkstands were overturned, benches thrown down, -and the whole school was turned loose an hour before the usual time, the -children yelping and racketing about the green, in joy at their early -freedom. - -The gallant Ichabod now spent at least an extra half hour at his toilet, -brushing and furbishing his best and only suit of rusty black, and -arranging his looks by a bit of broken looking-glass that hung up in the -schoolhouse. That he might make his appearance at the party in the true -style of a cavalier, he borrowed a horse from the farmer with whom he was -boarding, and, thus gallantly mounted, rode forth, like a knight-errant in -quest of adventures. - -The animal he bestrode was a broken-down plow horse. He was gaunt and -shagged, with a slender neck, and a head like a hammer. His mane and tail -were tangled and knotted with burs. One eye had lost its pupil, and was -glaring and spectral, but the other still gleamed with genuine wickedness. -He must have had plenty of fire and mettle in his day, if we may judge -from his name, which was Gunpowder. - -Ichabod was a rider suited for such a steed. He rode with short stirrups, -which brought his knees nearly up to the pommel of the saddle; his elbows -stuck out like a grasshopper’s; and as the horse jogged on, the motion of -his arms was not unlike the flapping of a pair of wings. A small wool hat -rested on the top of his nose, for so his scanty strip of forehead might -be called; and the skirts of his black coat fluttered out almost to the -horse’s tail. Such was the appearance of Ichabod and his steed as they -shambled along the highway; and it was altogether such an apparition as is -seldom to be met with in broad daylight. - -It was, as I have said, a fine autumnal day. The sky was clear and serene. -The forests had put on their sober brown and yellow, while some trees of -the tenderer kind had been nipped by the frost into brilliant dyes of -orange, purple, and scarlet. Streaming files of wild ducks began to make -their appearance high in the air. The bark of the squirrel might be heard -from the groves of beech and hickory, and the pensive whistle of the quail -at intervals from the neighboring stubble fields. - -The small birds fluttered, chirping and frolicking, from bush to bush, and -tree to tree, gay and happy because of the plenty and variety around them. -There were the twittering blackbirds, flying in sable clouds; and the -golden-winged woodpecker, with his crimson crest and splendid plumage; and -the cedar bird, with its red-tipped wings and yellow-tipped tail; and the -blue jay, in his gay, light-blue coat and white underclothes, screaming -and chattering, nodding and bowing, and pretending to be on good terms -with every songster of the grove. - -As Ichabod jogged slowly on his way, his eye ranged with delight over -the treasures of jolly autumn. On all sides he beheld vast store of -apples,--some still hanging on the trees, some gathered into baskets and -barrels for the market, others heaped up in rich piles for the cider -press. Farther on he beheld great fields of Indian corn, with its golden -ears peeping from their leafy coverts, and holding out the promise of -cakes and hasty pudding. There, too, were multitudes of yellow pumpkins -turning up their yellow sides to the sun, and giving ample prospects of -the most luxurious of pies. And anon he passed the fragrant buckwheat -fields, breathing the odor of the beehive; and as he beheld them, he -dreamed of dainty slapjacks, well buttered, and garnished with honey. - -Thus feeding his mind with many sweet thoughts, he journeyed along the -sides of a range of hills which look out upon some of the goodliest scenes -of the mighty Hudson. The sun gradually wheeled his broad disk down -into the west. A few amber clouds floated in the sky, without a breath -of air to move them. The horizon was of a fine, golden tint, changing -gradually into a pure apple-green, and from that into the deep blue of the -midheaven. A slanting ray lingered on the woody crests of the precipices -that overhung some parts of the river, giving greater depth to the dark -gray and purple of their rocky sides. - - -III. AT THE PARTY - - adjacent innovations sumptuous piazza - antiquated animated skeleton specter - -It was toward evening when Ichabod arrived at the castle of the Herr Van -Tassel. He found it thronged with the pride and flower of the adjacent -country,--old farmers, in homespun coats and breeches, blue stockings, -huge shoes, and magnificent pewter buckles; their brisk little dames, in -close-crimped caps and long-waisted gowns, with scissors and pincushions, -and gay calico pockets hanging on the outside; young girls, almost as -antiquated as their mothers, excepting where a straw hat, a fine ribbon, -or perhaps a white frock showed signs of city innovations; the sons, in -short, square-skirted coats with rows of huge brass buttons, and their -hair generally queued in the fashion of the times. - -What a world of charms burst upon the gaze of my hero as he entered the -state parlor of Van Tassel’s mansion--the ample charms of a Dutch country -tea table, in the sumptuous time of autumn! Such heaped-up platters of -cakes, of various and indescribable kinds, known only to experienced Dutch -housewives! - -There were doughnuts and crisp, crumbling crullers; sweet cakes and short -cakes, ginger cakes and honey cakes, and the whole family of cakes; and -then there were apple pies, and peach pies, and pumpkin pies; and slices -of ham and smoked beef; and dishes of preserved plums, and peaches, and -pears, and quinces; not to mention broiled shad and roasted chickens, -together with bowls of milk and cream; all mingled, higgledy-piggledy, -with the motherly teapot sending up its clouds of vapor from the midst! -I want breath and time to describe this banquet as I ought, and am too -eager to get on with my story. Happily, Ichabod Crane was not in so great -a hurry, but did ample justice to every dainty. - -And now, supper being ended, the sound of music from the common room -summoned to the dance. The musician was an old, gray-headed negro, who -had been the itinerant orchestra of the neighborhood for more than half a -century. His instrument was as old and battered as himself. The greater -part of the time he scraped away on two or three strings, moving his head -with every movement of the bow, and stamping his foot whenever a fresh -couple were to start. - -Ichabod prided himself on his dancing. Not a limb, not a fiber about him -was idle. How could the flogger of urchins be otherwise than animated and -joyous? When the dance was over, Ichabod joined a circle of the older -folks, who, with Herr Van Tassel, sat smoking at one end of the piazza, -and told stories of the war and wild and wonderful legends of ghosts and -other supernatural beings. - -Some mention was made of a woman in white that haunted the dark glen at -Raven Rock, and was often heard to shriek on wintry nights before a storm. -The chief part of the stories, however, turned upon the favorite specter -of Sleepy Hollow, the headless horseman, who had been heard several times -of late patrolling the country. One man told how he had once met the -horseman and was obliged to get up behind him; how they galloped over -bush and brake, over hill and swamp, until they reached the bridge by the -church, when the horseman suddenly turned into a skeleton, threw him into -the brook, and sprang away over the tree tops with a clap of thunder. - -A wild, roistering young man, who was called Brom Bones, declared that the -headless horseman was, after all, no rider compared with himself. He said -that returning one night from the neighboring village of Sing Sing, he had -been overtaken by this midnight trooper; that he had offered to race with -him for a bowl of punch, and would have won it, too, but just as they came -to the church bridge, the specter bolted and vanished in a flash of fire. - - -IV. THE MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE - - idea gnarled sensitive sociability - dismal covert gigantic desperation - inquiry violence opposite evidently - -The party now gradually broke up. The old farmers gathered together their -families in their wagons, and were heard for some time rattling along the -hollow roads and over the distant hills. Their light-hearted laughter, -mingling with the clatter of hoofs, echoed along the silent woodlands, -growing fainter and fainter till they gradually died away, and the late -scene of noise and frolic was all silent and deserted. - -It was the very witching time of night that Ichabod pursued his travel -homeward. In the dead hush of midnight he could hear the barking of a dog -on the opposite shore of the Hudson, but it was so vague and faint as only -to give an idea of the distance between them. No signs of life occurred -near, but now and then the chirp of a cricket, or perhaps the guttural -twang of a bullfrog from a neighboring marsh, as if sleeping uncomfortably -and turning suddenly in his bed. - -All the stories that Ichabod had heard about ghosts and goblins now came -crowding into his mind. The night grew darker and darker. The stars seemed -to sink deeper in the sky, and driving clouds occasionally hid them from -his sight. He had never felt so lonely and dismal. He was, moreover, -approaching the very place where many of the scenes of the ghost stories -had been laid. In the center of the road stood an enormous tulip tree, -which towered like a giant above all the other trees of the neighborhood -and formed a kind of landmark. Its limbs were gnarled and fantastic, large -as the trunks of ordinary trees, twisting down almost to the ground, and -rising again into the air. - -As Ichabod approached this tree, he began to whistle. He thought his -whistle was answered: it was but a blast sweeping sharply through the -dry branches. Coming a little nearer, he thought he saw something white -hanging in the midst of the tree. He paused, and ceased whistling, but, on -looking more narrowly, perceived that it was a place where the tree had -been struck by lightning, and the white wood laid bare. Suddenly he heard -a groan. His teeth chattered, and his knees smote against the saddle. It -was but the rubbing of one huge bough upon another, as they were swayed -about by the breeze. He passed the tree in safety, but new perils lay -before him. - -About two hundred yards from the tree a small brook crossed the road, and -ran into a marshy and thickly wooded glen. A few rough logs laid side -by side served for a bridge over this stream. To pass this bridge was -the severest trial; for it was here that the unfortunate André had been -captured, and under covert of the thicket of chestnuts and vines by the -side of the road had the sturdy yeomen, who surprised him, lain concealed. -The stream has ever since been considered a haunted stream, and fearful -are the feelings of the schoolboy who has to pass it alone after dark. - -As Ichabod approached the stream his heart began to thump. He gave his -horse half a score of kicks in the ribs, and tried to dash briskly across -the bridge; but instead of starting forward, the perverse old animal made -a lateral movement, and ran broadside against the fence. Ichabod jerked -the rein on the other side, and kicked lustily with the contrary foot. It -was all in vain. His steed started, it is true, but it was only to plunge -to the opposite side of the road into a thicket of brambles. - -The schoolmaster now bestowed both whip and heel upon the ribs of old -Gunpowder, who dashed forward, but came to a stand just by the bridge -with a suddenness that had nearly sent his rider sprawling over his head. -Just at this moment a plashy tramp by the side of the bridge caught the -sensitive ear of Ichabod. In the dark shadow of the trees he beheld -something huge, black, and towering. It stirred not, but seemed gathered -up in the gloom, like some gigantic monster ready to spring upon the -traveler. - -The hair of the affrighted pedagogue rose upon his head with terror. -What was to be done? Summoning up a show of courage, he called out in -stammering accents, “Who are you?” He received no reply. He repeated his -demand in a still more agitated voice. Still there was no answer. Once -more he cudgeled the sides of Gunpowder, and, shutting his eyes, broke -forth into a psalm tune. Just then the shadowy object of alarm put itself -in motion, and, with a scramble and a bound, stood at once in the middle -of the road. - -Though the night was dark and dismal, yet the form of the unknown might -now in some degree be ascertained. He appeared to be a horseman of large -dimensions, and mounted on a horse of powerful frame. He made no offer -of molestation or sociability, but kept aloof on one side of the road, -jogging along on the blind side of old Gunpowder, who had now got over his -fright and waywardness. - -Ichabod, who had no relish for this strange midnight companion, and -bethought himself of the adventure of Brom Bones and the headless -horseman, now quickened his steed, in hopes of leaving him behind. The -stranger, however, quickened his horse to an equal pace. Ichabod drew up, -and fell into a walk, thinking to lag behind; the other did the same. -His heart began to sink within him. There was something in the moody and -dogged silence of his companion that was mysterious and appalling. It was -soon fearfully accounted for. - -On mounting a rising ground, which brought the figure of his -fellow-traveler in relief against the sky, Ichabod was horror-struck on -perceiving that he was headless; but his horror was still more increased -on observing that the head, which should have rested on his shoulders, -was carried before him on the pommel of his saddle. His terror rose to -desperation. He rained a shower of kicks and blows upon Gunpowder, hoping, -by sudden movement, to give his companion the slip; but the specter -started full jump with him. - -Away, then, they dashed, through thick and thin, stones flying and sparks -flashing at every bound. Ichabod’s flimsy garments fluttered in the air -as he stretched his long, lank body away over his horse’s head, in the -eagerness of his flight. - -They had now reached the road which turns off to Sleepy Hollow; but -Gunpowder, who seemed possessed with a demon, instead of keeping up it, -made an opposite turn, and plunged headlong down hill to the left. This -road leads through a sandy hollow, shaded by trees for about a quarter -of a mile, where it crosses the bridge famous in goblin story; and just -beyond swells the green knoll on which stands the whitewashed church. - -Just as he had got halfway through the hollow, the girths of the saddle -gave way, and Ichabod felt it slipping from under him. He seized it by the -pommel, and tried to hold it firm, but in vain. He had just time to save -himself by clasping Gunpowder round the neck, when the saddle fell to the -earth, and he heard it trampled under foot by his pursuer. For a moment -the terror of its owner’s wrath passed across his mind, for it was his -Sunday saddle; but this was no time for petty fears. He had much ado to -keep his seat, sometimes slipping on one side, sometimes on another, and -sometimes jolted on the high ridge of his horse’s backbone with a violence -that was far from pleasant. - -An opening in the trees now cheered him with the hope that the church -bridge was at hand. “If I can but reach that bridge,” thought Ichabod, “I -am safe.” Just then he heard the black steed panting and blowing close -behind him. He even fancied that he felt his hot breath. Another kick in -the ribs, and old Gunpowder sprang upon the bridge; he thundered over the -resounding planks; he gained the opposite side; and now Ichabod cast a -look behind to see if his pursuer should vanish in a flash of fire and -brimstone. - -Just then he saw the goblin rising in his stirrups, and in the very act -of hurling his head at him. Ichabod tried to dodge the horrible missile, -but too late. It encountered his cranium with a tremendous crash. He was -tumbled headlong into the dust; and Gunpowder, the black steed, and the -goblin rider passed by like a whirlwind. - -The next morning the old horse was found without his saddle, and with the -bridle under his feet, soberly cropping the grass at his master’s gate. -Ichabod did not make his appearance at breakfast. Dinner hour came, but no -Ichabod. The boys assembled at the schoolhouse, and strolled idly about -the banks of the brook; but no schoolmaster. - -An inquiry was set on foot, and after much investigation they came upon -his traces. In one part of the road by the church was found the saddle -trampled in the dirt. The tracks of horses’ hoofs deeply dented in the -road, and evidently at furious speed, were traced to the bridge, beyond -which, on the bank of a broad part of the brook, where the water ran -deep and black, was found the hat of the unfortunate Ichabod, and close -beside it a shattered pumpkin. The brook was searched, but the body of the -schoolmaster was not to be discovered. - -As Ichabod was a bachelor, and in nobody’s debt, nobody troubled his head -any more about him. It is true, an old farmer, who went down to New York -on a visit several years after, brought home the intelligence that Ichabod -Crane was still alive; that he had left the neighborhood, partly through -fear of the goblin and the farmer whose horse he had ridden, and partly -for other reasons; that he had changed his quarters to a distant part of -the country, had kept school and studied law, and finally had been made a -justice of the Ten Pound Court. Brom Bones, too, was observed to look very -knowing whenever the story of Ichabod was related, and always burst into a -hearty laugh at the mention of the pumpkin, which led some to suppose that -he knew more about the matter than he chose to tell. - - --WASHINGTON IRVING. - - - - -THE BLUEBIRD - - - When God had made a host of them, - One little flower still lacked a stem - To hold its blossom blue; - So into it He breathed a song, - And suddenly, with petals strong - As wings, away it flew. - - - --FATHER TABB. - - * * * * * - - We live in deeds, not years; in thoughts, not breaths; - In feelings, not in figures on a dial. - We should count time by heart-throbs. He most lives - Who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best. - - --PHILIP JAMES BAILEY. - - - - -THE BROOK - - - I come from haunts of coot and hern, - I make a sudden sally, - And sparkle out among the fern - To bicker down a valley. - - By thirty hills I hurry down, - Or slip between the ridges, - By twenty thorps, a little town, - And half a hundred bridges. - - Till last by Philip’s farm I flow - To join the brimming river, - For men may come and men may go, - But I go on forever. - - I chatter over stony ways, - In little sharps and trebles, - I bubble into eddying bays, - I babble on the pebbles. - - With many a curve my banks I fret - By many a field and fallow, - And many a fairy foreland set - With willow weed and mallow. - - I chatter, chatter, as I flow - To join the brimming river, - For men may come and men may go, - But I go on forever. - - I wind about, and in and out, - With here a blossom sailing, - And here and there a lusty trout, - And here and there a grayling. - - And here and there a foamy flake - Upon me, as I travel - With many a silvery waterbreak - Above the golden gravel. - - And draw them all along, and flow - To join the brimming river, - For men may come and men may go, - But I go on forever. - - I slip, I slide, I gloom, I glance, - Among my skimming swallows; - I make the netted sunbeams dance - Against my sandy shallows. - - I murmur under moon and stars - In brambly wildernesses; - I linger by my shingly bars; - I loiter round my cresses; - - And out again I curve and flow - To join the brimming river, - For men may come and men may go, - But I go on forever. - - --ALFRED TENNYSON. - - - - -THE STORY OF A HAPPY CHILD - - -I - - chevalier poem education opera - conservatory poetry poverty accord - applause talent composer theater - -The Chevalier had found a lad who would be worthy of his care. To be sure -he was but a peasant boy full of fun and laughter. The Chevalier himself -had once been young and remembered how tempting the sunshine used to be -and the fields and the ripe nuts of autumn. He had marked with pleasure -this handsome lad, and watched with interest his changing face and dancing -eye as he went on his merry way. - -“I shall ask him to my house,” thought the Chevalier, “and see what he -will say to my books.” - -So Giochino went to the Chevalier’s house and listened eagerly while the -Chevalier told him of the beautiful verses and stories which many of the -books contained. Now and then the Chevalier would read a few lines from a -poem. - -The boy loved poetry. It was sweet in sound and had a movement like the -gliding of boats on still water. It made him forget everything else,--even -how he had teased his old music teacher, and that his mother was sometimes -sad. - -Perhaps he was a little lonesome, for his mother, whom he loved dearly, -was often far off. She was working for her boy, saving every cent possible -to give him the musical education for which she had longed. Here and there -throughout Italy she went singing in one of the traveling opera companies -so common in those days. In her younger years her voice had been full -and strong, but now it was failing and she wondered what would happen to -Giochino. - -But the boy’s heart was too joyous to be cast down by poverty or trouble. -The days were bright and sunny, why should he not be gay? His voice was -clear, true, pure in tone, and almost of its own accord broke into song. -Occasionally he, too, would earn a little money by singing at the theater. - -After a time he was able to study music with a master and finally entered -the conservatory at Bologna. Here he was taught some of the more difficult -things about music. - -It was not long before he discovered that he already knew enough to write -operas. He was delighted. He would go to seek his fortune. - -His teacher, realizing that he had extraordinary talent, wished him to -continue his study further and even offered to instruct him in the stately -music of the Church, if he would remain. But the youth did not heed his -offer and started forth. - -In his happy, aimless way he went from place to place. He sang, he -accompanied, he directed and composed. He was always good-natured, always -generous, and never without friends. - -It was evening in Venice. The opera was just over. People were thronging -from the door of the opera house. They were talking excitedly. Evidently -they were much pleased. Giochino Rossini’s opera, “Tancred,” had been -presented for the first time. It had been received with wild applause. - -Rossini was surprised at this. “I fancied,” he said, “that, after hearing -my opera, they would put me into the madhouse. But they are madder than -I.” - - -II - - popular finally composition indignation - spirit composer message mentioned - -When he was but twenty-four Rossini produced what has been, perhaps, the -most popular of his operas, “The Barber of Seville.” But fame alone could -not make him content. Beyond Italy the world was wide. The spirit of the -man was as restless as that of the boy. He went to Vienna, and finally to -Paris. - -In Paris he felt he could work at his best. Here he composed his great -masterpiece in opera, “William Tell.” It was the story in music and song -of the great Swiss hero, of whom you have doubtless heard many tales. For -years the hero had seen his country bound under the hand of a tyrant. His -soul was on fire with indignation. His country must be freed. He would -make it free. - -Nothing but grand and noble music could tell such a story. Yet Rossini -has told it wonderfully. The opera was brought out in Paris and has been -played many times since. - -Although as yet you may not have listened to any of the music which has -been mentioned thus far, the most of you have probably heard many times -Rossini’s finest composition. When he wrote it, he was forty-five; and -when it was done, he wrote no longer. This was his last message to the -world. This was the “Stabat Mater,” sung for the first time on Good Friday. - -In his house in Paris Rossini gathered about him many friends, among them -young men who desired to become musicians, poets, or writers. His generous -heart was full to the last of merriment and song, though as a composer he -was silent. He was born at Pesaro, Italy, February 29, 1792, and died in -Paris, November 13, 1868. - - - - -MAY CAROL - - - See the robins swinging - ’Mid the orchards’ snow; - Feel the perfumed breezes - Wafted to and fro; - Listen to the music - Heard from bird and spray; - Lift your hearts, ye sad ones, - ’Tis the lovely May. - - Ah, our hearts were weary - Waiting for the light, - For the frosts to vanish - With their bitter blight: - See, the earth’s brown bosom - Heaves, where zephyrs play; - See, she thrills and answers - To the touch of May. - - May, all fresh and smiling, - Sweet--from heaven above; - May, our souls beguiling - With her dreams of love: - Violet-eyed and fragrant-- - How our pulses play - ’Neath the virgin beauty - Of the radiant May. - - Lift your hearts up: floating - Through the gold and blue - Where the liquid sunlight - Streams and filters through, - There a Lady, smiling, - Stands ’mid cloudless day-- - Snow-white Virgin-Mother, - Dazzling Queen of May. - - --MARY ANTONIA, SISTER OF MERCY. - - - - -THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS - - - O Precious Blood of Jesus, - Shed for me, - Upon the cruel cross of - Calvary: - - Each drop of blood so precious, - And the pain, - A sacrifice was offered - Not in vain. - - O Precious Blood of Jesus, - May I feel - The fire of love for Christ, and - Holy zeal! - - O Precious Blood of Jesus, - Cleansing, pure! - Inflame my soul with ardor - To endure. - - --HENRY COYLE. - - - - -THE SPANISH COOK - - - peasant zealous summit intervals - chef caprice recovery porridge - plaza vespers procession accident - -Pilar was a young peasant woman. I do not know from what village she came, -somewhere in the neighborhood of Malaga. She was paid three dollars a -month, and she “found” herself. A man cook in that happy land gets five -dollars a month, but times were bad, and my friends had for three years -to content themselves with a woman cook. She cooked well, though, and -cheerfully, and she prepared more meals in the twenty-four hours than any -other cook I ever heard of. - -She seemed to have identified herself thoroughly with the family, and -to work with a zealous love for them all. There was, however, one of -the many children for whom she had a special affection, a very delicate -little maiden of two and a half. During the autumn this child had been -desperately ill. The doctors gave no hope. Pilar in anguish prayed for her -recovery, and promised the Bestower of life that if He would spare little -Anita, she would, before the end of Holy Week, carry to the shrine on the -top of the “Calvary” outside the town, one pound of olive oil to be burned -in His honor. She promised a great many prayers besides, which she managed -to get said, in the intervals of her frying and stewing and boiling. - -Well, the little girl, contrary to the doctors, began to mend, and finally -was entirely restored to health. Pilar was most grateful, and said many -_Aves_ in thanksgiving. The winter was a busy one, and then Lent came and -seemed not less busy in that big household. Pilar did not forget the pound -of oil, but there never seemed a moment when she could ask a half day to -go and carry it to the shrine. Holy Week came, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, -Thursday,--what should she do! She could scarcely get away from her work -even to go out to her parish church on Holy Thursday to say a little -prayer before the Repository, where, throned in flowers and lighted with -myriad candles, the Blessed Sacrament is kept till the morning of Good -Friday. - -As to going to seven churches and saying her prayers before each -Repository as other people did, that, alas! was not “for the likes of -her.” She had a dumb, deep-down feeling, however, that the good God knew, -and that it would be all right. On her way back from her hurried prayer at -the church, a procession passed which she watched for a moment. But this -only proved painful, for it had begun to rain, and her pious Southern soul -was aflame with wrath that the image of the Blessed Redeemer should be -exposed to the storm. - -“They don’t care about wetting his dear curls,” she cried, “as long as -they can have a good procession.” - -She shook her fist at the crowd, and came away in tears. Her mistress, a -devout Catholic, tried to console her by reminding her that, after all, it -was only an image and not the dear Lord she loved. Oh, she knew _that_; -but “it was cruel, but it was shameful!” - -She felt as a mother would feel if the dress of her dead baby, or its -little half-worn shoe, were spoiled by the caprice or cold-heartedness of -some one who had no feeling for it. All together Holy Thursday was not -very consoling to Pilar, and the pound of oil grew heavier every hour. - -The next day, Good Friday, she had only time to go to church through the -silent streets, where no wheels were heard, and say her prayers and look -at the black, black altars and the veiled statues. That night, after her -work was done, and the last baby had been served with its last porridge, -she put her kitchen in hurried order, and stole out silently. She had -bought the pound of oil at a little shop in the next street and, hiding -it under her shawl, turned her steps towards Barcenillas. - -The night was black and tempestuous. A hot, dry wind blew; occasionally a -gust brought a few drops of rain, but more often it was a gale which made -the street lamps blink, and whirled the dust around her. It was a long way -to the suburb; it was late; there were few abroad, but no matter, the good -Lord knew why she was out, and He would take care of her. - -There are no street cars running in the days of Holy Week. From Holy -Thursday till after the cathedral bells ring for first vespers on Holy -Saturday, no wheels move in the streets of Malaga. - -It was nearly midnight when she got to Barcenillas. She crossed the silent -plaza, passed through the gate, and began the ascent of the steep hill. -There is a great broad road that winds up it, and at every “station” there -is a lamp burning. She knelt at each as she reached it. But the place was -very lonely; the eucalyptus trees shook and whispered to each other, and -the lamps were dim and flickered in the rough wind. - -The night before there had been processions all through the night, crowds -upon crowds going up the hill; she would not have been lonely then. But -she could not get away, because of little Josef’s being ill and needing -the water heated for his bath every hour. Yes, it would have been nicer -last night, with all the priests, and all the chanting, and all the -flaming torches. But the good God knew all about it,--why she did not come -then, when she wanted to. She would not worry, but she said her prayers -with chattering teeth, and many furtive looks behind her. - -At last she reached the summit, where in a little chapel burned the light -that could be seen for miles around Malaga. There a solitary brother -knelt, saying his beads, and keeping watch. She said her last prayers at -the altar, and left the votive oil with the friar, who commended her piety -and was very kind. As she came out, the clouds broke and the Paschal moon -shone through them, and the broad road led down with smooth ease towards -the sleeping, silent city. Her steps made just as lonely echoes on the -stones of the deserted streets, but she felt herself favored of heaven, as -no doubt she was, and all her fears were gone. - -It was after three o’clock when she let herself in at the kitchen door; -and it was several weeks before her mistress learned, by accident, of the -dolorous little pilgrimage. - - --MIRIAM COLES HARRIS. - - - - -THE PLANTING OF THE APPLE TREE - - - cleave lea roseate tenderly - mold fruitage verdurous crimson - haunt sojourners fraud rhymes - - Come, let us plant the apple tree. - Cleave the tough greensward with the spade; - Wide let its hollow bed be made; - There gently lay the roots, and there - Sift the dark mold with kindly care, - And press it o’er them tenderly, - As round the sleeping infant’s feet - We softly fold the cradle sheet; - So plant we the apple tree. - - What plant we in this apple tree? - Buds which the breath of summer days - Shall lengthen into leafy sprays; - Boughs where the thrush, with crimson breast, - Shall haunt and sing and hide her nest; - We plant, upon the sunny lea, - A shadow for the noontide hour, - A shelter from the summer shower, - When we plant the apple tree. - - What plant we in this apple tree? - Sweets for a hundred flowery springs, - To load the May wind’s restless wings, - When, from the orchard row, he pours - Its fragrance through our open doors; - A world of blossoms for the bee, - Flowers for the sick girl’s silent room, - For the glad infant sprigs of bloom, - We plant with the apple tree. - - What plant we in this apple tree? - Fruits that shall swell in sunny June, - And redden in the August noon, - And drop, when gentle airs come by, - That fan the blue September sky; - While children come, with cries of glee, - And seek them where the fragrant grass - Betrays their bed to those who pass, - At the foot of the apple tree. - - And when, above this apple tree, - The winter stars are quivering bright, - And winds go howling through the night, - Girls, whose young eyes o’erflow with mirth, - Shall peel its fruits by cottage hearth, - And guests in prouder homes shall see, - Heaped with the grape of Cintra’s vine, - And golden orange of the line, - The fruit of the apple tree. - - The fruitage of this apple tree, - Winds and our flag of stripe and star - Shall bear to coasts that lie afar, - Where men shall wonder at the view, - And ask in what fair groves they grew; - And sojourners beyond the sea - Shall think of childhood’s careless day, - And long, long hours of summer play, - In the shade of the apple tree. - - Each year shall give this apple tree - A broader flush of roseate bloom, - A deeper maze of verdurous gloom, - And loosen, when the frost-clouds lower, - The crisp brown leaves in thicker shower. - The years shall come and pass, but we - Shall hear no longer, where we lie, - The summer’s songs, the autumn’s sigh, - In the boughs of the apple tree. - - And time shall waste this apple tree. - Oh, when its aged branches throw - Thin shadows on the ground below, - Shall fraud and force and iron will - Oppress the weak and helpless still? - What shall the tasks of mercy be, - Amid the toils, the strifes, the tears - Of those who live when length of years - Is wasting this apple tree? - - “Who planted this old apple tree?” - The children of that distant day - Thus to some aged man shall say; - And, gazing on its mossy stem, - The gray-haired man shall answer them: - “A poet of the land was he, - Born in the rude but good old times; - ’Tis said he made some quaint old rhymes - On planting the apple tree.” - - --WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT. - - - - -THE CONVERSION OF KING RATBODO - - - dunes miracle indignation devastating - righteous policy obstinate development - terror pagan chieftain abomination - -St. Wulfram and his monks had much work for a time. The Frisians came in -crowds for Christian instructions and baptism. It was a great and hard -task to teach human beings in the lowest stage of development. Moreover, -the teachings of the missionaries were opposed in all things to the -traditional customs of the people. Many wrongs, such as slavery, for -instance, could not be set aside at once. Moreover, if the people were to -be made peaceful and weaned from their wildness, they had to be taught -other ways of support than plundering and hunting. - -So the Benedictines taught the converts not only Christian doctrine, but -how to plow and to plant. They built dunes to hold out the devastating -sea, and sent to their abbey home for seeds and implements. In a few years -the face of Frisia was greatly changed. - -Ratbodo had given Wulfram land and a dwelling near his own residence. -In this way he could best keep track of everything that happened at the -mission. - -The king himself remained obdurate in his paganism. Once he said, -tauntingly, to the entreating Wulfram, that if the Christian God would -work a miracle for him especially, he would be converted. Wulfram reminded -him of the miracles he had seen and had not been converted. Then Ratbodo -said that if the table in front of him were changed into gold, he would -yield; but Wulfram, in righteous indignation, told him how childish was -such a request. - -All the while the chieftains were urging the king to send away the bishop. -But he laughed at them, saying that what Wulfram had built up he himself -would destroy in ten days when the time came, just as had been done in the -case of many others. Even the king’s little son, Clodio, was baptized and -died a Christian, but the king only smiled. His day was coming, he held. - -Then Wulfram went back to Fontinella to get more monks, laborers, and lay -brothers for his work in Frisia. The converted Frisians were beginning to -realize the blessings of regular and well-ordered work. There were more -and more laborers and fewer sea robbers and warriors. Nevertheless, the -great mass of the Frisian people remained obstinate, following the example -of the king and the great chiefs. - -Among the gods whose wrath the Frisians most feared was the god of -the sea. The lowness of the land made frequent inundations inevitable. -Besides, Frisians, when not robbing, were fishing, or living on the water -in some way. Thus they were always anxious to pacify the mighty god of the -floods. - -On this day, too, a great multitude, together with the king and the -chieftains, were gathered at the sea-coast, waiting to soothe the water -deity by human sacrifice. The lot had fallen on two little boys this time, -the only children of a widow. At the time of low tide the little ones were -laid on a projecting point of land, so that the rising waters would cover -them. Their feet were tied so cunningly that the childish hands could not -undo the knots. Thus they sat on the beach, waiting the waters that were -to be their death. - -Several hundred feet back, the crowds were gathered to watch the unhappy -spectacle. In the foreground sat a young woman, the mother of the -children, weeping and moaning in her grief, without, however, waking the -faintest sympathy in the hearts of the by-standers. - -The waters were even then advancing on the point of land, and a strong -wind was driving up the flood in great waves. The little ones began to -scream in terror as the spray struck them, and the mother sprang to her -feet. If she had not been held fast, she would have flung herself into the -water with her children. Gradually the land disappeared; nothing was left -but the raised point to which the children clung. One could see how the -older boy was trying to hold up his little brother. - -“King!” said a voice, ringing with a holy anger, “why this abomination -before the eyes of almighty God?” - -Ratbodo started and the chieftains stared in silent astonishment. - -“We are offering sacrifice to the god of the waters,” said the king, after -a moment. “Go take the victims away from him if you can; they may be your -slaves and the slaves of your God for the rest of time,” he added with a -sneer. - -“So be it,” answered Wulfram. Turning, he made the sign of the cross -over the rising tide and walked out as if on solid land. The Christians -present in the crowd cried aloud for joy, but the pagans stood in wonder -bordering on fear. The king himself was most moved by the miraculous -sight. His eyes were fixed, his face pale as death. He was convinced that -in the saint walking thus unharmed over the waters he saw an unmistakable -manifestation of the power of the Christian God. - -“That is even more than a golden table,” he whispered tremblingly. - -Wulfram lifted the children out of the water and carried them to the land. -At once the Frisians crowded about him, asking to be made Christians. -Ratbodo himself said:-- - -“It is but right that a man should keep his word. I said to you years ago -that if your God would make a golden table before my eyes, I would become -a Christian. But He did more. He made a solid floor of the moving sea. -Come to me every day and instruct me.” - - --CONRAD VON BOLANDEN. - - - - -THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY - - - If our faith had given us nothing more - Than this example of all womanhood, - So mild, so merciful, so strong, so good, - So patient, peaceful, loyal, loving, pure, - This were enough to prove it higher and truer - Than all creeds the world had known before. - - --H. W. LONGFELLOW. - -From _The Golden Legend_. - - - - -COME TO JESUS - - -[Illustration] - - Souls of men! why will ye scatter - Like a crowd of frightened sheep? - Foolish hearts! why will ye wander - From a love so true and deep? - - Was there ever kindest shepherd - Half so gentle, half so sweet - As the Saviour who would have us - Come and gather round His feet? - - It is God: His love looks mighty, - But is mightier than it seems: - ’Tis our Father: and His fondness - Goes far out beyond our dreams. - - There’s a wideness in God’s mercy, - Like the wideness of the sea: - There’s a kindness in His justice, - Which is more than liberty. - - There is no place where earthly sorrows - Are more felt than up in heaven; - There is no place where earthly failings - Have such kindly judgment given. - - There is welcome for the sinner, - And more graces for the good; - There is mercy with the Saviour; - There is healing in His Blood. - - There is grace enough for thousands - Of new worlds as great as this; - There is room for fresh creations - In that upper home of bliss. - - For the love of God is broader - Than the treasures of man’s mind; - And the heart of the Eternal - Is most wonderfully kind. - - There is plentiful redemption - In the Blood that has been shed; - There is joy for all the members - In the sorrows of the Head. - - If our love were but more simple, - We should take Him at His word; - And our lives would be all sunshine - In the sweetness of our Lord. - - --FATHER FABER. - - * * * * * - - Be comforted; and blessèd be - The meek, the merciful, the pure - Of heart; for they shall see, shall hear - God’s mercy. So shall peace endure. - - --JOAQUIN MILLER. - - - - -FATHER MARQUETTE - - - expedition martyrdom humility adieu - investigation utterance fathoms erect - deputed banquet domestic cubit - -In 1672, letters from Quebec informed Marquette that the government had -taken up the project of exploring the Mississippi, and that he was the -missionary selected to accompany the expedition. His heart exulted at the -prospect. The hope of a glorious martyrdom while opening the way to future -heralds of the Cross buoyed him up, though in his humility he never spoke -of martyrdom. To him it was but a death, “to cease to offend God.” - -The winter was spent by the two explorers in studying all that had yet -been learned of the great river, in gathering around them every Indian -wanderer, and amid the tawny group drawing their first rude map of the -Mississippi, and the water courses that led to it. And on this first map, -traced doubtless kneeling on the ground, they set down the name of each -tribe they were to pass, each important point to be met. The undertaking -was dangerous, but it was not to be rash: all was the result of calm, cool -investigation. In the spring they embarked at Mackinaw in two frail bark -canoes; each with his paddle in hand, and full of hope, they soon plied -them merrily over the crystal waters of the lake. - -[Illustration: “THEY HAPPILY GLIDED INTO THE GREAT RIVER.”] - -All was new to Marquette. He had now attained the limit of former -discoveries, the new world was before them; they looked back a last -adieu to the waters, which, great as the distance was, connected them -with Quebec and their countrymen; they knelt on the shore to offer, by a -new devotion, their lives, their honor, and their undertaking to their -beloved mother the Virgin Mary Immaculate; then, launching on the broad -Wisconsin, they sailed slowly down its current, amid its vine-clad isles -and its countless sand bars. - -No sound broke the stillness, no human form appeared, and at last, after -sailing seven days, on the 17th of June they happily glided into the great -river. Joy that could find no utterance in words filled the grateful heart -of Marquette. The broad river of the Conception, as he named it, now lay -before them, stretching away hundreds of miles to an unknown sea. - -“The Mississippi River,” he writes, “has its source in several lakes in -the country of the nations at the north; it is narrow at the mouth of -the Wisconsin; its current, which runs south, is slow and gentle. On the -right is a considerable chain of very high mountains, and on the left fine -lands; it is in many places studded with islands. On sounding we found -ten fathoms of water. Its breadth varies greatly; sometimes it is three -quarters of a league broad, and then narrows in to less than two hundred -yards. We followed its course quietly, as it bears south and southeast to -the forty-second degree. - -“Then we perceive that the whole face of the country changes. Scarcely -a forest or mountain is now in sight. The islands increase in beauty -and are covered with finer trees; we see nothing but deer and elk, wild -geese and swans unable to fly, as they are here moulting. From time to -time we encounter monstrous fish, one of which struck our canoe with such -violence that I took it for a large tree that would knock our frail craft -to pieces. Another time we perceived on the water a bearded monster with -a tiger’s head, a pointed muzzle like a wild cat; ears erect, a gray head -but a jet-black neck. It was the only one we beheld. - -“When we cast our nets we took sturgeon, and a very strange fish -resembling a trout, but with larger mouth and smaller eyes and snout. From -the last projects a large bone, three fingers wide, and a cubit long; the -end is round and as wide as a hand. When the fish leaps out of water, the -weight of this bone often throws it back. - -“Having descended the river to 41° 2´, still keeping the same direction, -we found that turkeys took the place of other wild birds, and wild cattle -replaced other animals. We call them wild cattle, because they resemble -our domestic ones. They are not longer, but almost as bulky again, and -more corpulent. Our man killed one, and the three of us could move it only -with great difficulty. The head is very large, the forehead flat and a -half yard broad between the horns, which resemble exactly those of our -oxen, but are black and longer. A large crop hangs down from the neck, -and there is a high hump on the back. The whole head, neck, and part of -the shoulders are covered with a great mane like a horse’s; it is a foot -long and gives them a hideous appearance, and as it falls over the eyes -prevents their seeing straight ahead. - -“The rest of the body is covered with a coarse curly hair like the wool of -our sheep, but much stronger and thicker. This is shed every summer, and -then the skin is as soft as velvet. At this time the Indians employ the -skins to make beautiful robes, which they paint with various colors. The -flesh and fat are excellent, and furnish the best dish at banquets. They -are very fierce, and not a year passes without their killing some Indian. -When attacked, they take a man with their horns, if they can, lift him up, -and then dash him on the ground, and trample him to death. - -“When you fire at them from a distance with gun or bow, you must throw -yourself on the ground as soon as you fire, and hide in the grass, for if -they perceive the person who fired, they rush on him and attack him. As -their feet are large and rather short, they do not generally move fast, -unless they are provoked. They are scattered over the prairies like herds -of cattle. I have seen four hundred of them in a band.” - -At last, on the 25th of June, they descried footprints on the shore. They -now took heart again, and Joliet and the missionary, leaving their five -men in the canoes, followed a little beaten path to discover who the tribe -might be. They traveled on in silence almost to the cabin doors, when they -halted, and with a loud halloo proclaimed their coming. Three villages lay -before them; the first, roused by the cry, poured forth its motley group, -which halted at the sight of the newcomers and the well-known dress of the -missionary. - -“They deputed four old men to come and speak with us,” says Marquette. -“Two carried tobacco pipes richly adorned and trimmed with feathers of -many kinds. They walked slowly, lifting their pipes toward the sun, as -if offering them to him to smoke, but yet without uttering a single -word. They were a long time coming the short distance between us and the -village. Having at last reached us, they stopped to examine us carefully. - -“On seeing these ceremonies which are used only with friends, I took -courage, more especially as I saw they wore European goods, which made me -judge them to be allies of the French. I therefore spoke to them first, -and asked them who they were. They answered: ‘We are Illinois,’ and in -token of peace they offered us their pipes to smoke. They then invited us -to their village, where the whole tribe impatiently awaited us. - -“At the door of the cabin in which we were to be received was an old man -awaiting us in a very remarkable attitude. It is their usual ceremony -in receiving strangers. This man stood perfectly naked, with his hands -stretched out and raised toward the sun, as if he wished to screen himself -from its rays, which nevertheless passed through his fingers to his face. -When we came near him, he addressed this compliment to us: ‘How beautiful -is the sun, O Frenchman, when thou comest to visit us! All our town awaits -thee, and thou shalt enter all our cabins in peace,’ He then took us -into his, where there was a crowd of people, who devoured us with their -eyes, but maintained the deepest silence. We heard, however, these words -occasionally addressed to us: ‘Well done, brothers, to visit us!’” - -Then the great peace calumet was brought and solemnly smoked, and the two -Frenchmen were conducted to the village of the great sachem. Here, too, -they were received with pomp, and the calumet was again smoked. Marquette -explained the object of their voyage to visit the nations living on the -great river, and announce to them the word of God their Creator. They told -the Illinois that they were sent by the great chief of the French, and -asked information as to the nations between them and the sea. - -The sachem presented them an Indian slave, saying: “I thank thee, -Blackgown, and thee, Frenchman, for taking so much pains to come and -visit us; never has the earth been so beautiful, nor the sun so bright as -to-day; never has our river been so calm, nor so free from rocks, which -your canoes have removed as they passed; never has our tobacco had so fine -a flavor, nor our corn appeared so beautiful as we behold it to-day. Here -is my son, whom I give thee, that thou mayst know my heart. I pray thee to -take pity on me and all my nation. Thou knowest the Great Spirit who has -made us all; thou speakest to Him and hearest His word. Ask Him to give me -life and health, and come and dwell with us that we may know Him.” - -They feasted the two Frenchmen, and gave them a calumet of peace as a -safeguard against hostile tribes, but tried to persuade them to go no -farther. - - --JOHN GILMARY SHEA. - - - - -THE SHEPHERD OF KING ADMETUS - - - There came a youth upon the earth, - Some thousand years ago, - Whose slender hands were nothing worth, - Whether to plow, or reap, or sow. - - Upon an empty tortoise shell - He stretched some chords, and drew - Music that made men’s bosoms swell - Fearless, or brimmed their eyes with dew. - - Then King Admetus, one who had - Pure taste by right divine, - Decreed his singing not too bad - To hear between the cups of wine. - - And so, well pleased with being soothed - Into a sweet half-sleep, - Three times his kingly beard he smoothed, - And made him viceroy o’er his sheep. - - His words were simple words enough, - And yet he used them so, - That what in other mouths was rough - In his seemed musical and low. - - Men called him but a shiftless youth - In whom no good they saw; - And yet, unwittingly, in truth, - They made his careless words their law. - - They knew not how he learned at all, - For idly, hour by hour, - He sat and watched the dead leaves fall, - Or mused upon a common flower. - - It seemed the loveliness of things - Did teach him all their use, - For, in mere weeds, and stones, and springs, - He found a healing power profuse. - - Men granted that his speech was wise, - But, when a glance they caught - Of his slim grace and woman’s eyes, - They laughed, and called him good-for-naught. - - Yet after he was dead and gone, - And e’en his memory dim, - Earth seemed more sweet to live upon, - More full of love, because of him. - - --JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL. - - - - -THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT - - -I - - consent reckoning solemnly honors - possess justice merciful persecution - thirst really content satisfy - -One day a vast multitude follows our Blessed Lord up a mountain side. They -come trooping after Him, men, women, and children; their homes, their -business, all the cares of this life, by common consent left behind. Now -He has stopped and turned round, facing them. He waits long and patiently -as they come toiling up, guiding them with His hand to go here and there -where they may hear Him best. - -It is His first great Sermon that He is going to preach, this Sermon -on the Mount, and it is not only for the numbers beyond all reckoning -gathered together here, but for all that shall come into this world and -have to be taught what they must do to save their souls. Therefore He -would speak so solemnly and from such a lofty place. He sits down, and the -Twelve come and stand around Him, or sit on the ground at His feet. The -people press round as close as they can, and when all are seated and quiet -He begins to speak. - -What will the text of this great Preacher be? What is the thought -uppermost in His mind and heart? This--to teach us what we must do to be -happy. He knows that we are made for happiness, and that we long to be -happy. But He knows, too, that very many try to find happiness in things -that will not satisfy them, in the riches, pleasures, and honors of this -world which can never content our hearts. And so He tells us in the -beginning of His Sermon on the Mount who are really blessed or happy. - -“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. - -“Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the land. - -“Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. - -“Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice, for they shall -have their fill. - -“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. - -“Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God. - -“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of -God. - -“Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’ sake, for theirs is -the kingdom of Heaven.” - -Blessed the sufferers for whom Heaven is waiting! this is the text of the -Sermon on the Mount. - - -II - - envy abundance sufficiency conquerors - society invitation spiritual victors - raiment contrition special deserve - -_The poor in spirit_ are those who, having little of the good things of -this life, are content with what God has given them, and do not envy those -who are better off. Those, too, who having a sufficiency or an abundance -of the pleasant things of this world, do not let their hearts get too fond -of them, are ready to give them up if God should take them away, and are -generous in sharing them with those in need. To poor, such as these, our -Lord promises all the riches of Heaven by and by. - -_The meek_ are those who have gained a mastery over anger and revengeful -thoughts. They possess as conquerors three lands--the land of their own -soul, which they control as lords and masters, the Land of Heaven, where -nothing will trouble them any more, and, strange to say, that very land -in which they seemed to be overcome. For in the little difficulties and -differences of daily life, it is those that yield who are really victors. -How many conquests has meekness made! - -_The mourners_ are those who all their lives long have a quiet, loving -sorrow for their sins--not as though they were unforgiven, but just -because they are forgiven, because they have offended Him who forgives so -readily and so often. Those, too, are blessed mourners who remember when -sorrow comes that He who loves them only permits it for their good, and -that in a very little while He will wipe away all tears from their eyes, -and they shall be comforted, “nor mourning, nor crying, nor sorrow shall -be any more.” - -_Who hunger and thirst after justice._ The soul, like the body, has its -hunger and thirst. Our Lord says those are blessed who take care to -feed it with those things which keep it alive in the grace of God, with -prayer, and instruction, and the Sacraments. Blessed are those who hunger -after this spiritual food, who are always trying to get more and more of -God’s grace, who go hungry to prayer, hungry to Confession and Communion. -Almighty God says, “Open thy mouth and I will fill it.” And our Blessed -Lady sings in her canticle, “He hath fed the hungry with good things.” It -was because all the saints hungered like this that so much was given them. - -_The merciful._ There is nothing our Lord tells us so often and so plainly -as this--that to obtain mercy from God we must ourselves be merciful. If -we wish Him to judge us kindly and to forgive our many faults, we must be -forgiving and kind. “Be merciful,” He says, “as your Heavenly Father is -merciful.” He tells us that at the Last Day He will say “Come” to those -who have been merciful to others for His sake, and “Depart from Me” to -those who have been unmerciful to the poor and needy, and therefore to -Him. For what we do to His least brethren He counts as done to Himself. -If, then, we want to hear His sweet invitation on that dreadful Day, we -know how to secure it--“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain -mercy.” - -_The clean of heart._ The reward and the joy of the next life is to see -God. There are many joys in Heaven--freedom from pain and care, the -delights of the glorified body, the society of the Angels and Saints, -reunion with those we loved on earth. But all these are as nothing -compared with the Vision of God. It is this that makes Heaven what it is. -Without this all the rest would not satisfy us. But to see the All Holy -God we must be holy. In Heaven all are clothed with white robes, and the -nearer the approach to the Great White Throne, the more dazzlingly white -is the raiment. We must be getting ready to join that spotless throng. -How? By taking as much pains to keep our soul free from stain as we do to -prevent soiling our dress when we go along a miry road; by shunning with -care all mortal sin and deliberate venial sin; by being careful in our -examination of conscience, and often cleansing our soul in the Sacrament -of Penance, and by frequent acts of contrition. If we do this we shall be -among the clean of heart, and one day we shall see God. - -_The peacemakers._ “Some there are who are neither at peace with -themselves nor suffer others to be at peace. And some there are who keep -themselves in peace and study to restore peace to others.” Gladness goes -with these peacemakers; they turn aside little words and jokes that would -give pain, and come among us like our Blessed Lord, whose favorite word of -greeting was, “Peace be to you.” They are so like their Father who is in -Heaven that they deserve to be called in a special way His children. - -_The persecuted._ If our Lord had not told us these are blessed, should we -ever have guessed it? To be persecuted seems such a terrible thing, and so -indeed it is unless we can bring ourselves to think more of Him for whose -sake we suffer than of the suffering itself. Perhaps we may have known -the quiet happiness of being by the side of one we loved who was in pain. -The thought that our presence and our sympathy soothed that dear one was -greater joy than any pleasure to be found elsewhere. Something like this -is the gladness those have even now who for our Lord’s sake are hated and -persecuted. They know that if they are like Him in His suffering they will -be like Him one day in His glory. Are they not blessed then? - - -III - - reverent amazement revenge deceive - riveted congregation poverty beatitudes - -And now let us stop awhile to look at our dear Master and His hearers. The -Twelve are listening with reverent and fixed attention, their eyes riveted -on His blessed face. The people gaze at Him in amazement and delight. They -have been taught to hate their enemies, to seek revenge, to think that -poverty and suffering are the signs of God’s anger, that an abundance of -corn and wine and cattle are the rewards for which a good man must hope. - -Their beatitudes would have been, “Blessed are the rich and the -successful, those that laugh and are held in honor by men.” How unlike -these to the blessed ones of Jesus of Nazareth! His way to happiness was -a hard way, but they knew as they looked up into His face that it was the -right way. And they felt that He could not only teach but help them. Had -they known the story of His life as we do they would have seen that He had -first practised all He taught. He was so poor that He had not where to lay -His head. He was meek and humble of heart, the Man of sorrows, the great -Peacemaker. - -After the Sermon our Lord comes down from the Mount, conversing familiarly -with His disciples, His simple congregation flocking after Him, trying to -get near Him, all so refreshed by His company and His words. Hear them -talking of Him among themselves, saying, “We never heard the like.” - -Oh, if we had seen our Blessed Lord as these happy people saw Him, if we -had followed Him about with the crowd, had sat at His feet as He taught, -and watched Him as He laid His hands on the eyes of the blind and the -sores of the poor lepers--how we should have loved Him! - - --MOTHER MARY LOYOLA. - - - - -THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER - - - perilous ramparts haughty conceals - conquer desolation hireling confusion - motto triumph reposes pollution - - Oh 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 watched were so gallantly streaming? - - And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air, - Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. - Oh say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave - O’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave? - - On that shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep, - Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes, - What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep, - As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses? - - Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam, - In full glory reflected now shines on the stream; - ’Tis the star-spangled banner; O long may it wave - O’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave! - - And where is that band who so vauntingly swore - ’Mid the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion, - A home and a country shall leave us no more? - Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps’ pollution. - - No refuge could save the hireling and slave, - From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave. - And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave - O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave. - - Oh, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand - Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation; - Blest with victr’y and peace, may the heaven-rescued land, - Praise the power that hath made and preserved us a nation. - - Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just, - And this be our motto: “In God is our trust!” - And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave - O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave. - - - - -HOW AMERICA WAS DISCOVERED - - -I - -THE ITALIAN SAILOR - - Italian belief finally dangerous - Indies ocean theory persuade - Europe imagine journey furnish - -About four hundred years ago there came to Spain an Italian sailor who -believed that the earth is round. Such a belief may not seem at all -strange to us, but to the people of that time it appeared to be very -foolish and unreasonable. Almost everybody laughed at the Italian, and -called him a silly fellow. - -“Have you eyes?” they asked. “If so, you need only to open them and look -about you to see that the earth is as flat as the top of a table.” - -“You may think it is flat,” he answered, “and indeed it does appear to be -so. But I know it is round; and if I had only a good ship or two, and some -trusty sailors, I would prove it to you. I would sail westward across the -great ocean, and in the end would reach the Indies and China, which must -be on the other side of the great round world.” - -“Who ever heard of such nonsense!” cried his learned critics. “Everybody -knows that China and the Indies are in the far East, and that they can -be reached only by a dangerous voyage through the Mediterranean Sea, -and long journeys with camels across the great desert. Yet, here is Mr. -Crack-brain, an Italian sailor, who says he can go to the East by sailing -west. One might as well try to reach the moon by going down into a deep -well.” - -“But you don’t understand me,” answered the man whom they had called Mr. -Crack-brain. “Here is an apple. Let us suppose that it is the earth. I -stick a pin on this side, and call it Spain. On the other side I stick -another pin, and call it the Indies. Now suppose a fly lights upon the -apple at the point which I have called Spain. By turning to the right, or -eastward, he can travel round to the Indies with but little trouble; or by -turning to the left, or westward, he can reach the same place with just as -much ease, and in really a shorter time. Do you see?” - -“Do we see?” said his hearers. “Most certainly we see the apple, and we -can imagine that we see the fly. It is very hard, however, to imagine that -the earth is an apple, or anything like it. For, suppose that it were so: -what would become of all the water in the seas and the great ocean? Why, -it would run off at the blossom end of the apple, which you call the South -Pole; and all the rocks and trees and men would follow it. Or, suppose -that men could stick to the lower part of the earth as the fly does to -the lower part of the apple--how very silly it would be to think of them -walking about with their heads hanging down!” - -“And suppose,” said one of the doubters, who thought himself very -wise,--“suppose that the earth is round, and suppose that the water should -not spill off, and suppose you should sail to the other side, as you want -to do, how are you to get back? Did anybody ever hear of a ship sailing -uphill?” - -And so, with sneering remarks, the wise men dismissed the whole subject. -They said it was not worth while for them to spend their time in talking -about such things. But the man whom they had called Mr. Crack-brain would -not give up his theory. He was not the first man to believe that the -earth is round--this he knew; but he hoped to be the first to prove it -by sailing westward, and thus finally reaching the Indies, and the rich -countries of the far East. And yet he had no ship, he was very poor, and -the few friends whom he had were not able to give him any help. - -“My only hope,” he said, “is to persuade the king and queen to furnish me -with a ship.” - -But how should an unknown Italian sailor make himself heard by the king -and queen of the most powerful country in Europe? - -The great men at the king’s court ridiculed him. “You had better buy a -fisherman’s boat,” they said, “and try to make an honest living with your -nets. Men of your kind have no business with kings. As to your crazy -theory about the shape of the earth, only think of it! How dare you, the -son of an Italian wool-comber, imagine that you know more about it than -the wisest men in the world?” - -But he did not despair. For years he followed the king’s court from place -to place. Most people looked upon him as a kind of harmless lunatic who -had gotten a single idea in his head and was unable to think of anything -else. But there were a few good and wise men who listened to his theories, -and after studying them carefully began to believe that there was some -truth in them. - -One of these men was Father Perez, the prior of the convent of La Rabida, -and, to please this good prior, the queen at last sent for the sailor and -asked him to tell her all about his strange theories and his plans for -sailing west and reaching the East. - -“You say that, if you had the vessels and the men, you would sail westward -and discover new lands on the farther side of the great ocean,” said the -queen. “What reasons have you for supposing that there are any such lands?” - -“My first reason is that, since the earth is round like a ball, the -countries of China and the Indies must lie in a westward direction and -can, sooner or later, be reached by sailing across the sea,” was the -answer. “You, yourself, have heard the story of St. Brandon, the Scottish -priest, who, eight hundred years ago, was driven by a storm far across the -ocean, and how at last he landed upon a strange and unknown shore. I doubt -not but that this country was one of the outlying islands of the Indies, -or perhaps the eastern shore of China. - -“Not very long ago, Martin Vincent, a sea captain of Lisbon, ventured to -go a distance of four hundred miles from land. There he picked up a piece -of wood, with strange marks and carvings upon it, which had been drifted -from the west by strong winds. Other seafaring men have found, far out -in the ocean, reeds and light wood, such as travelers say are found in -some parts of the Indies, but nowhere in Europe. And if any one should -want more proofs than these, it would not be hard to find them. There is -a story among the people of the far north which relates that, about five -hundred years ago, some bold sea rovers from Iceland discovered a wild, -wooded country many days’ sail to the westward. Indeed, it is said that -these men tried to form a settlement there, and that they sent more than -one shipload of grapes and timber back to Iceland. Now, it is very plain -to me that this country of Vinland, as they called it, was no other than a -part of the northern coast of China or Japan.” - -It is not to be supposed that the queen cared whether the earth was round -or flat; nor is it likely that her mind was ever troubled with questions -of that kind. But she thought that if this man’s theories were true, and -there were lands rich in gold and spices on the other side of the ocean, -it would be a fine thing for the queen and king of Spain to possess them. -The Italian sailor had studied his subject well, and he certainly knew -what he was talking about. He had told his story so well that the queen -was almost ready to believe that he was right. But she was very busy just -then, in a war with the Moors, and she had little time to think about -anything else. If the Italian would wait till everything else could be -settled, she would see whether a ship or two might not be fitted out for -his use. - -For seven years this man with a new idea kept on trying to find some one -who was able and willing to help him carry out the plans which he had so -much at heart. At last, broken in health and almost penniless, he gave up -hope, and was about to leave Spain forever. It was then that one of his -friends, Luis St. Angel, pleaded his case before the queen. - -“It will cost but little to fit out two or three ships for him. If the -undertaking should prove to be a failure you would not lose much. But if -it should succeed, only think what vast riches and how great honor will be -won for Spain!” - -“I will take the risk!” cried the queen, at last. “If the money cannot be -had otherwise, I will sell my jewels to get it. Find him, and bring him -before me; and let us lose no more time about this business.” - -St. Angel hastened to obey. - -“Do you know whether Christopher Columbus has passed out through this gate -to-day?” he asked of the soldier who was standing guard at one of the -gates of the old city of Granada. - -“Christopher Columbus? Who is he?” asked the soldier. - -“He is a gray-bearded man, rather tall, with a stoop in his shoulders. -When last seen he was riding on a small, brown mule, and coming this way.” - -“Oh? Do you mean the fellow who has been trying to make people believe -that the earth is round?” - -“Yes, that is the man.” - -“He passed through here not half an hour ago. His mule is a very slow -traveler, and if you follow, you can easily overtake him before he has -gone far.” - -St. Angel gave the rein to his swift horse, and galloped onward in pursuit -of Columbus. It was not long until the slow-paced mule, with its sad -rider, was seen plodding along the dusty highway. The man was too busy -with his own thoughts to heed the sound of the ringing hoofs behind him. - -“Christopher Columbus!” cried his friend, “turn about, and come back with -me. I have good news for you. Queen Isabella bids me say that she will -help you, and that you shall have the ships and the men for which you -ask. And she hopes that you may find a new way to the East, and perhaps -discover unknown lands on the farther side of the great ocean. Turn about, -and come back with me!” - - -II - -THE VOYAGE - - Palos Canary precious monsters - Niña Santa Maria anxious venture - Pinta Perez mysterious expanse - -One morning in August, 1492, there was a great stir in the little seaport -town of Palos in Spain. At break of day the streets were full of people. -Long before sunrise the shore was lined with anxious men, women, and -children. All were talking about the same thing; some were weeping; some -appeared to be angry; some were in despair. - -“Only think of it,” said one. “Think of sailing into seas where the water -is always boiling hot.” - -“And if you escape being scalded,” said another, “then there are those -terrible sea beasts that are large enough to swallow ships and sailors at -a mouthful.” - -“It is all on account of that Italian sailor who says that the world is -round,” said a third. “He has persuaded several persons, who ought to -know better, that he can reach the East by sailing west.” - -Moored near the shore were three small ships. They were but little larger -than fishing boats; and in these frail vessels Columbus was going to -venture into the vast unknown sea, in search of strange lands and of a new -and better way to distant India. - -Two of the ships, the “Niña” and the “Pinta,” had no decks and were -covered only at the ends where the sailors slept. The third, called the -“Santa Maria,” was larger and had a deck, and from its masthead floated -the flag of Columbus. It was toward these three ships that the eyes of the -people on shore were directed; it was about these ships and the men on -board of them that all were talking. - -On the deck of the largest ship stood Columbus, and by his side was good -Father Perez, praying that the voyagers might be blessed with fair winds -and a smooth sea, and that the brave captain might be successful in his -quest. Then the last good-bys were spoken, the moorings were cast loose, -the sails were spread; and, a little before sunrise, the vessels glided -slowly out of the harbor and into the vast western ocean. The people stood -on the shore and watched, while the sails grew smaller and smaller and at -last were lost to sight below the line of sea and sky. - -“Alas! We shall never see them again,” said some, returning to their -homes. But others remained all day by the shore talking about the strange -idea that there were unknown lands in the distant West. - -Two hundred miles southwest of Palos there is a group of islands called -the Canary Islands. These were well known to the people of that time, -and belonged to Spain. But sailors seldom ventured beyond them, and no -one knew of any land farther to the west. It was to these islands that -Columbus first directed his course. In six days the three little vessels -reached the Canary Islands. The sailing had been very slow. The rudder of -one of the ships had not been well made and had soon been broken. And so, -now, much time was wasted while having a new rudder made and put in place. - -It was not until the 6th of September that Columbus again set sail, -pushing westward into unknown waters. Soon the sailors began to give way -to their fears. The thought that they were on seas where no man had before -ventured filled them with alarm. They remembered all the strange stories -that they had heard of dreadful monsters and of mysterious dangers, and -their minds were filled with distress. - -But Columbus showed them how unreasonable these stories were; and he -aroused their curiosity by telling them wonderful things about India--that -land of gold and precious stones, which they would surely reach if they -would bravely persevere. - -And so, day after day, they sailed onward. The sea was calm, and the wind -blowing from the east drove the ships steadily forward. By the first of -October they had sailed more than two thousand miles. Birds came from the -west, and flew about the ships. The water was full of floating seaweed. -But still no land could be seen. - -Then the sailors began to fear that they would never be able to return -against the east wind that was blowing. “Why should we obey this man, -Columbus?” they said. “He is surely mad. Let us throw him into the sea, -and then turn the ships about while we can.” - -But Columbus was so firm and brave that they dared not lay hands on him; -they dared not disobey him. Soon they began to see signs of the nearness -of land. Weeds, such as grow only in rivers, were seen floating near the -ships. A branch of a tree, with berries on it, was picked up. Columbus -offered a reward to the man who should first see land. - -“We must be very near it now,” he said. - -That night no one could sleep. At about two o’clock the man who was on the -lookout on one of the smaller vessels cried: “Land! land! land!” Columbus -himself had seen a distant light moving, some hours before. There was now -a great stir on board the ships. - -“Where is the land?” cried every one. - -“There--there! Straight before us.” - - -III - -THE DISCOVERY - - San Salvador anchor bananas messenger - Cuba scarlet palms brilliant - -Yes, there was a low, dark mass far in front of them, which might be land. -In the dim starlight, it was hard to make out what it was. But one thing -was certain, it was not a mere expanse of water, such as lay in every -other direction. And so the sailors brought out a little old-fashioned -cannon and fired it off as a signal to the crews of the other vessels. -Then the sails of the three ships were furled, and they waited for the -light of day. - -When morning dawned, Columbus and his companions saw that they were quite -near to a green and sunny island. It was a beautiful spot. There were -pleasant groves where the songs of birds were heard. Thousands of flowers -were seen on every hand, and the trees were laden with fruit. The island -was inhabited, too; for strange men could be seen running toward the shore -and looking with wonder at the ships. - -The sailors, who had lately been ready to give up all hope, were now -filled with joy. They crowded around Columbus, and kissed his hands, and -begged him to forgive them for thinking of disobeying him. The ships cast -anchor, the boats were lowered, and Columbus, with most of the men, went -on shore. Columbus was dressed in a grand robe of scarlet, and the banner -of Spain was borne above him. - -[Illustration: THE LANDING OF COLUMBUS.] - -As soon as the boats reached the shore, Columbus stepped out and knelt -down upon the beach and gave thanks to God; then he took possession of -the island in the name of the king and queen of Spain, and called it San -Salvador. It was thus that the first land in America was discovered on the -12th of October, 1492. - -The natives were filled with wonder at what they saw. At first they were -awed and frightened at sight of the ships and the strange men; but they -soon overcame their fears and seemed delighted and very friendly. They -brought to Columbus gifts of all they had,--bananas, yams, oranges, and -beautiful birds. - -“Surely,” they said, “these wonderful beings who have come to us from the -sea are not mere men like ourselves. They must be messengers from heaven.” - -Columbus believed that this island was near the coast of Asia, and that -it was one of the islands of India; and so he called the people Indians. -He did not remain here long, but sailed away to discover other lands. In -a short time the ships came to a large island where there were rivers of -fresh water flowing into the sea. The air was sweet with the breath of -blossoms; the sky was blue and clear; the sea was calm; the world seemed -full of joy and peace. This island was Cuba. - -“Let us live here always!” cried the sailors; “for surely this is -paradise.” - -And so, for three months and more, Columbus and his companions sailed -among scenes of delight, such as they had never before imagined. They -visited island after island, and everywhere saw new beauties and new -pleasures. The natives were simple-hearted and kind. “They love their -neighbors as themselves,” said Columbus. They looked with wonder upon the -bright swords of the white men and upon their brilliant armor; and when -the little cannon was fired, they were so filled with alarm that they fell -to the ground. - -It was on the 15th of the next March that Columbus, after a stormy -homeward voyage, sailed again into the little harbor of Palos, from which -he had started. And now there was a greater stir in the little town than -there had been before. “Christopher Columbus has come back from the -unknown seas!” was the cry that went from house to house. - -“Did he reach the East by sailing west? Has he really been to far-off -India?” asked the doubting ones. - -“He has, indeed!” was the answer. “He has discovered a new world.” - -Then the bells were rung, guns were fired, and bonfires blazed on the -hilltops. Everybody rejoiced. Everybody was willing now to say that the -Italian sailor was right when he declared the earth to be round. - - - - -THE POWER OF GOD - - - Thou art, O God! the life and light - Of all this wondrous world we see; - Its glow by day, its smile by night, - Are but reflections caught from Thee. - Where’er we turn, Thy glories shine, - And all things fair and bright are Thine. - - When day, with farewell beam, delays, - Among the opening clouds of even, - And we can almost think we gaze - Through golden vistas into heaven; - Those hues that mark the sun’s decline, - So soft, so radiant, Lord! are Thine. - - When night, with wings of starry gloom, - O’ershadows all the earth and skies, - Like some dark, beauteous bird, whose plume - Is sparkling with unnumbered eyes;-- - That sacred gloom, those fires Divine, - So grand, so countless, Lord! are Thine. - - --THOMAS MOORE. - - - - -OUR COUNTRY AND OUR HOME - - - There is a land, of every land the pride, - Beloved by Heaven o’er all the world beside; - Where brighter suns dispense serener light, - And milder moons emparadise the night: - A land of beauty, virtue, valor, truth, - Time-tutored age, and love-exalted youth: - The wandering mariner whose eye explores - The wealthiest isles, the most enchanting shores, - Views not a realm so bountiful and fair, - Nor breathes the spirit of a purer air. - For in this land of Heaven’s peculiar grace, - The heritage of Nature’s noblest race, - There is a spot of earth supremely blest-- - A dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest: - Here woman reigns; the mother, daughter, wife, - Strew with fresh flowers the narrow way of life; - In the clear heaven of her delightful eye, - An angel-guard of loves and graces lie; - Around her knees domestic duties meet, - And fireside pleasures gambol at her feet. - “Where shall that land, that spot of earth be found?” - Art thou a man?--a patriot?--look around; - Oh, thou shalt find, howe’er thy footsteps roam, - That land _thy_ Country, and that spot thy _Home_. - - --MONTGOMERY. - - - - -NOTES ABOUT AUTHORS - - -PAGE 7.--=François Coppée=, a noted French writer, was born at Paris in -1842. Although he was the writer of good French poetry and some successful -plays, he is best known to American readers by his charming short stories, -in which he depicts the life and aspirations of the common people. In his -later life he was an ardent Catholic, and as such wrote fearlessly in -defense of the rights of the Church in France. He died in 1908. - -PAGE 14.--=John James Audubon=, a noted American ornithologist of French -descent, was born at New Orleans in 1780. Perhaps no other person has done -so much for the birds of America, or has described them so well, as he. -His drawings of birds are particularly famous. He died at New York in 1851. - -PAGE 16.--=J. R. Marre=, is a contemporary Catholic writer whose poems are -well known to readers of _The Ave Maria_ and other religious periodicals. - -PAGE 17.--=Rev. John Banister Tabb= was born in Virginia, March 22, -1845. He studied for the priesthood and was ordained in 1884. He is an -instructor in St. Charles College, Maryland. His poems are exquisite in -movement and diction no less than in richness of thought. - -PAGE 18.--=Horace Binney Wallace=, a noted American lawyer and prose -writer, was born at Philadelphia, 1817; died at Paris, 1852. His best -known work, _Literary Criticisms_, was published after his death. - -PAGE 23.--=Henry Coyle= is a contemporary Catholic poet residing at -Boston, Massachusetts. He is well known as a contributor to Catholic -periodicals. His first volume of poetry, entitled _The Promise of -Morning_, was published in 1899. His writings are characterized by deep -religious feeling no less than by rare poetic charm. - -PAGE 24.--=Miguel de Saavedra Cervantes=, a celebrated Spanish poet and -novelist, was born near Madrid, 1547; died, 1616. His most famous work is -the romance entitled _Don Quixote_, which was first printed in 1605. It -has been translated into every language of Europe. - -PAGE 43.--=John Henry, Cardinal Newman= was born at London in 1801. He -was educated at a private school until he entered Oxford, where he took -his degree before he was twenty. In 1822 he was elected Fellow in Oriel -College. In 1845 he left the Church of England for the Roman Catholic -Church. He wrote many sermons, treatises, and poems. In literary merit his -work ranks very high. He died in 1890. - -=Rev. Thomas Edward Bridgett=, a noted priest and author, was born at -Derby, England, in 1829. He was the founder of the Confraternity of the -Holy Family for men, and much of his life was devoted to missionary work. -He was the author of numerous religious and historical works, among which -may be named, _The History of the Holy Eucharist_, _Life of the Blessed -John Fisher_, _Blunders and Forgeries_, etc. Father Bridgett died at St. -Mary’s Clapham, England, in 1899. - -PAGE 56.--=William Cowper=, a celebrated English poet, was born in 1731. -He attended Westminster school and afterwards studied law. His most famous -poems are _The Task_ and the ballad _John Gilpin’s Ride_. He died in 1800. - -PAGE 58.--=Rev. Frederick William Faber= was born in Yorkshire, England, -in 1814. He was an eloquent preacher, a brilliant talker, and had an -unsurpassed power of gaining the love of all with whom he came in contact. -His hymns are well known, and sung throughout the world. He founded a -religious community which was afterwards merged in the oratory of St. -Philip Neri. He died in 1863. - -PAGE 75.--=John Greenleaf Whittier= was born at Haverhill, Massachusetts, -1807. At the age of eighteen he studied for two years at an academy near -his home. In 1829 he became the editor of a paper established at Boston to -advocate protective tariff. He was active in the cause of antislavery. He -died in 1892. - -PAGE 82.--=Mary Lydia Bolles Branch= was born at New London, Connecticut, -in 1840. She is best known as a writer of stories for children. - -PAGE 84.--=John Burroughs= was born in Roxbury, New York, in 1837. He -was the son of a farmer, but received a good college education. For eight -or nine years he taught school, and then became a journalist in New York -city. From 1861 till 1873 he was a clerk in the Treasury Department at -Washington. He finally settled on a farm at West Park, New York, giving -his time to literature and the observation of nature. His love of nature -has inspired most of what he has contributed to the literature of the -world. - -PAGE 96.--=Aubrey de Vere=, an Irish Catholic poet, was born in 1788. He -belonged to a good family, and always had leisure to cultivate a naturally -refined taste. At first he wrote dramas, but later, poems, especially -sonnets. He was a true patriot, and pays many tributes of love to his -country in his historical themes. He died in 1846. - -PAGE 97.--=Sir Walter Scott= was born at Edinburgh in 1771. His delightful -art of story telling, both in prose and poetry, has been excelled by few. -Among his most popular poems are _The Lady of the Lake_ and _Marmion_; -among his most popular novels are _Kenilworth_, _Ivanhoe_, _The Talisman_, -and _Old Mortality_. He died in 1832. - -PAGE 106.--=Thomas Moore= was born at Dublin, Ireland, in 1779; died in -1852. He entered Trinity College, Dublin, at fifteen years of age. He -studied law, and in 1799 entered the Middle Temple, London. In 1803 he -received a government appointment to the Bermuda Islands and traveled -quite extensively in the United States. Among English Catholic poets he -holds a high rank. - -PAGE 107.--=Andrew Lang= was born in Scotland in 1844; died at London in -1912. He pursued many different lines of literary work, and was one of the -most versatile writers of modern times. The number of volumes bearing his -name as author is surprisingly large. - -PAGE 114.--=Lady Gregory= is the daughter of Dudley Presse, Deputy -Lieutenant of Roxborough, County Galway, Ireland. She has done very -valuable service to literature in preserving and editing many of the -early Celtic legends. Some of her publications are: _Poets and Dreamers_, -_Cuchullain of Muerthemme_, and _Gods and Fighting Men_. - -PAGE 118.--=Helen Hunt Jackson= was born in 1831 at Amherst, -Massachusetts. In 1867 she wrote her first stories, and from that time -until her death books from the pen of H. H. were published with frequency. -She wrote verses, essays, sketches of travel, children’s stories, novels, -and tracts on questions of the day. - -PAGE 120.--=St. Ambrose= or Ambrosius, one of the fathers of the Latin -Church, was born at Treves, A.D. 340; died, 397. He was the champion of -the Catholics against Arians and pagans; he became Bishop of Milan in 374. -He was the author of numerous hymns and other religious works. - -PAGE 121.--=James Sheridan Knowles= was born at Dublin, Ireland, 1784. For -a time he held a commission in the militia, but became attracted to the -stage and entered the dramatic profession. He died in 1862. - -PAGE 132.--=Washington Irving= was born in New York city, April 3, 1783; -died, 1859. His early schooling was not very systematic. When a young -man he began the study of law, but never followed the profession very -steadily. He is the most popular of the American writers of the early part -of the nineteenth century. - -PAGE 152.--=Alfred Tennyson= was born at Somersby, England, in 1809. He -was educated at Cambridge, where he gained the Chancellor’s medal for his -poem _Timbuctoo_ in blank verse. In 1830 he published his first volume -of poems. Other poems followed quickly and soon became popularly known. -Tennyson’s poetry is distinguished by its rare quality and delicate choice -of language. He was for many years poet laureate. He died in 1892. - -PAGE 158.--=Sister Mary Antonia= is an occasional and highly esteemed -contributor of verse to current Catholic periodicals. - -PAGE 161.--=Miriam Coles Harris= is a contemporary Catholic writer whose -works have attracted considerable attention. The extract is from _A Corner -of Spain_, published in 1896. - -PAGE 166.--=William Cullen Bryant=, a famous American poet, was born -at Cummington, Massachusetts, November 3, 1794. He entered Williams -College at the age of sixteen, but at the end of two years took honorable -dismission and engaged in the study of law. He was admitted to the bar in -1815; removed to New York in 1825; was editor of the _New York Review_ in -the same year; and in 1826 became connected with the _Evening Post_, with -which he continued until his death, which occurred in 1878. - -PAGE 170.--=Conrad Von Bolanden= is the pseudonym of a contemporary German -Catholic writer, Monsignor Joseph Bischoff, who was born in August, 1828. -He was made a Papal Chamberlain to Pope Pius IX in recognition of the -merits of his efforts in the field of Catholic literature. He has written -much, finding the motives of his books in history and in the problems of -social life. - -PAGE 174.--=Henry Wadsworth Longfellow= is often called the children’s -poet, partly because of his love for children and partly because of some -poems written for children. He was born in Portland, Maine, in 1807. From -1835 to 1854 he was professor of modern languages at Harvard University. -He died in 1882. - -PAGE 178.--=John Gilmary Shea=, a brilliant Catholic writer, was born -at New York city, July 1824; died, 1892. He devoted most of his time to -literature instead of to the law, for which he was educated. Perhaps no -one has done more to preserve the history and language of the aborigines -of this country. _History of the Catholic Missions among the Indian Tribes -of the United States_, _Early Voyages up and down the Mississippi_, -_History of the Catholic Church in Colonial Times_, are some of his most -popular works. - -PAGE 186.--=James Russell Lowell= was born at Cambridge, Massachusetts, -February 22, 1819. He died in the same house in which he was born, August -12, 1891. For many years he held the chair of modern languages in Harvard -University. He was a man who represented American culture and letters at -their best. - -PAGE 188.--=Mother Mary Loyola= of the Bar Convent, York, England, is a -writer of more than ordinary power on the subjects dearest to every true -Catholic. Her book, _Jesus of Nazareth_, from which our selection is -taken, was written especially for American children and is dedicated to -them. - -PAGE 196.--=Francis Scott Key=, author of “The Star-spangled Banner,” was -born in Frederick County, Maryland, in 1780. It was during the British -invasion in 1814, while he was detained on a British man-of-war within -sight of the bombardment of Fort McHenry, that Key wrote this beautiful -lyrical poem. He died at Baltimore in 1843. - -PAGE 214.--=James Montgomery= was a Scottish poet, born in 1776; died in -1854. His poems, once very popular, are now almost forgotten. - - - - -WORD LIST - - -GUIDE TO PRONUNCIATION - - ā, as in māte. - ā̇, as in sen´ā̇te. - â, as in câre. - ă, as in ăt. - ä, as in ärm. - ȧ, as in ȧsk. - a̤, as in a̤ll. - ạ = ŏ, as in whạt. - ç = s, as in çell. - ch = k, as in chorus. - çh = sh, as in maçhine. - ē, as in hē, mēte. - ē̇, as in ē̇vent. - ĕ, as in mĕt. - ẽ, as in hẽr. - e̱ = ā̱, as in e̱ight. - ê, = â, as in whêre. - ḡ, as in ḡet. - ġ = j, as in ġem. - ī, as in mīne. - i̇, as in i̇dea. - ĭ, as in ĭt. - ĩ = ẽ, as in sĩr, bĩrd. - ï = ē, as in machïne. - ṉ = ng, as in baṉk, liṉger. - ō, as in ōld. - ō̇, as in ō̇bey. - ô, as in ôr. - ŏ, as in nŏt. - o̤ = o̅o̅, as in do̤, ro̅o̅m. - ọ = o͝o or ụ, as in wọlf, fo͝ot. - ȯ = ŭ, as in sȯn. - s̱ = z, as in his̱. - th, as in thin. - t͞h, as in t͞hen. - ū, as in mūte. - ŭ, as in thŭs. - ṳ, as in rṳde. - ụ= o͝o, as in fụll. - û, as in bûrn. - x̱ = gz, as in ex̱ist. - ȳ = ī, as in bȳ. - y̆ = ĭ, as in hy̆mn. - ỹ = ẽ, as in mỹrtle. - -Certain vowels, as a and e, when obscure are marked thus, a̯, e̯. Silent -letters are italicized. In the following word list only accented syllables -and syllables of doubtful pronunciation are marked. - - a băn´don - ab hôr´ - a bŏm´i nā´tion - a bŭn´dạnçe - ăc´çi dent - ăc côrd´ - āc_h_´ing - ac quā_i_nt´ed - ä d_i_eū´ - ad jā´çent - ăd´mĭ rā´tion - ad mĭt´tanç_e_ - al lē vĭ ā´tion - a māz´ing - a māze´ment - am´mu nĭ´tion - ăn´chor - ăṉ´guĭsh - ăn´ĭ māt ed - ăn´tĭ quāt ed - ăṉx´ious (-yŭs) - a pŏ_s´t_l_e_ - ap pa̤ll´ing - ap păr´el - ap pâr´ent ly - ap´pa rĭ´tion - ăp´pe tīt_e_ - ap pla̤_u_s̱_e_´ - ap´plĭ cā´tion - ap prō_a_ch_e_d´ - ăp´pro bā´tion - ärch´er y - är´mor - as săs´sĭn - as sa̤_u_lt´ - as sĕm´bl_e_ - at tĕnd´a̯nt - a̤_u_ tŭm´nal - ăv´ȧ lănch_e_ - a vĕnġ_e_´ - a wa̤rd´ - bä nä´nȧ - băṉ´quet - băr´rĭ er - bē̇ ăt´ĭ tud_e_ - be hāv´ior (-yer) - be hĕst´ - be l_i_ēf´ - bĕn´e fit - brĭl´liançe (-ya̯ns) - brĭl´liant - bŭg´ȧ boo - cä_l_m´ - căl´u met - cam pā_ig_n´ - cā̇ prïç_e_´ - cär´di nal - ca̤_u_´tious ly - cav ȧ l_i_ēr´ - căv´i ty - çel´e brā´tion - c_h_ā´ŏs - chăr´ĭ ot - chef (shĕf) - çhĕv´a l_i_ēr´ - ch_i_ēf´ta̯_i_n - çhĭv´al ry - çĭv´il ly - clē_a_v_e_ - cŏm´ic - cŏm´mȧn dänt´ - com mŏd´ĭ ty - cȯm´pa ny - com´plē mĕnt´a ry - cŏm´plĭ ment - com pōs̱´er - com po s̱ĭ´tion - con çē_a_l´ - con çĕp´tion - con fū´s̱ion - cŏn gre gā´tion - cŏṉ´quer (-kẽr) - cŏṉn´quer or - con sĕnt´ - con sẽrv´a to ry - con sĭd´er a bl_e_ - con tĕnt´ - con trĭ bu´tion - coun´çil - coun´te na̯nç_e_ - couple (kŭp´l) - c_o_ûr´aġ_e_ - c_o_ûr´te ous ly - c_o_ûr´te sy - cō_u_rt´ĭer - cȯv´ert - cre ā´tor - crĕv´ĭç_e_ - crĭm´s̱on - crṳ´çĭ fȳ - crṳa sād_e_´ - cū´bit - cū´rĭ _o_us - cŭs´tom - çy´press - dān´ġer _o_us - de çē_i_v_e_´ - dĕl´ĭ cā̇ çy̆ - dĕl´ĭ cat_e_ - de pūt´ed - de rānġ_e_´ - de s̱ẽrv_e_´ - dĕs´ic cāt ed - de s̱ī_g_n´ - des´o lā´tion - dĕs´per at_e_ - des per ā´tion - dev´ăs tat ing - de vĕl´op ment - de vīç_e_´ - de vout´ - dĭs̱´ma̯l - dis mā_y_´ - dis´o bē´di ĕnç_e_ - dis pẽrs_e_´ - dĭs´trict - do mĕs´tic - dŏṉ´k_e_y̆ - dȯz´_e_n - dūn_e_s̱ - ē_a_´ger - ē_a_´ger ly - ẽ_a_r´nest ly - ĕd´u cā´tion - ĕl´e ment - ĕl´o quent - ĕm´er ald - en dē_a_r´ - en dūr´a̯nç_e_ - ĕn´ē̇ my - en´ter tā_i_n´ - en thū´s̱ĭ asm - ĕn´vy - e rĕct´ - es pĕ´çĭal ly - ĕv´ĭ dent ly - ĕx´çel lent - ex ha̤_u_st´ - ex păns_e_´ - ex pe dĭ´tion - ex plō´s̱ion - ex pō´s̱ur_e_ - ex prĕss´iv_e_ - ex tr_a_ôr´dĭ na ry - fa̤_l_´con ry - fath´om - fā´vor ĭt_e_ - fẽr´vor - fĕs´tĭ val - fī´nal ly - fĭs´sūr_e_ - fŏr_e´h_ĕ_a_d - fra̤_u_d - frĕs´co - frṳ_i_t´ag_e_ - fū´ġĭ tĭv_e_ - fûr´nish - gär´land - ġĕn er _o_ŭs - ġĕn´e sĭs - ġĕn´ū ĭn_e_ - ġī´ant - ġī găn´tic - _g_närled - grăd´u al ly - grăn´d_e_ûr - gr_i_ēv´ing - hab´ĭ tā´tion - hȧ răng_ue_´ - ha̤_ugh_´ty - hä_u_nt - h_e_ī_gh_t - hĕr´it ag_e_ - hẽr´mit - hīr_e_´ling - hŏl´ĭ da_y_ - _h_ŏn´ŏr - ho rī´zon - hȯv´er ing - hū´man - hu mĭl ĭ ā´tion - hū´mor - hûr´rĭ cā̇n_e_ - īdē´ȧ - ī dŏl´a try - ĭm ăġ´ĭn_e_ - im mĕns_e_´ - in crē_a_s_e_´ - in´dĭg nā´tion - in fē´rĭ or - ĭn´fĭ nĭt_e_ - ĭn´fĩrm´i ty - ĭn´flu enç_e_ - in grăt´i tud_e_ - in hăb´it ant - ĭn´no çent - in´no vā´tion - in quī´ry - in sĭst´ed - ĭn´ter val - in tŏl´er a bl_e_ - in vĕs´ti gat_e_ - in vĭ tā´tion - jew´_e_l - j_o_ŭr´n_e_y̆ - j_o_ŭst - jŭs´tĭc_e_ - kĭn´dred - lē_a_ - lē_a_g_ue_ - l_ie_ū tĕn´ant - lux ū´ri_o_us - măm´moth - mär’tyr dom - mär´vel_e_d - ma tē´rĭ al - mē_a_´ger ly - mĕl´an chol y - mĕn´tion - mẽr´çi ful - mĕs´saġ_e_ - mĕs´sen ġer - mĭl´i ta ry - mĭn´strel sy - mĭr´a cl_e_ - mĭs hăp´ - mĭs´sĭl_e_ - mod´es ty - mōld - mŏn´ster - mo̅o̅r_e_d - mŏt´to - mŭl´tĭ tūd_e_ - mûr´mur - my̆s´tē rĭ _o_us - my̆s´ter y - my̆th - n_o_ŭr´ish ing - o bē´di enç_e_ - ŏb´sti nat_e_ - oc cā´s̱ion - ō´çean (-sha̯n) - ŏp´e rȧ - ŏp´po s̱ĭt_e_ - op prĕs_se_d´ - or´acl_e_ - o rā´tion - pā´gan - pälms - par tĭc´u lar - pā´tiençe (-shens) - pa trōl_le_d´ - pĕ_a_s̱´ant - pe cūl´iar - pĕn´anç_e_ - pĕn´sĭv_e_ - pĕr´il _o_us - per plĕx´i ty - per se cū´tion - pẽr´son ag_e_ - per suāde´ - per suā´sion - pĕt´ri fi_e_d - phĭ lŏs´o pher - phy̆s̱´ic al - pĭ ăz´zȧ - pĭl´grim ag_e_ - pĭt´y - plä´zȧ - plūm´ag_e_ - pō´em - pō´et ry - pŏl´i cy - pol lū´tion - pȯm´mel - pŏp´u lar - pôr´ri_d_g_e_ - pos̱ s̱ĕss´ - pŏv´er ty - prĕ´cious - pre s̱erv_e_´ - prĭs̱´on er - prŏb´a bly - pro çĕs´sion - pro tĕct´or - prŏv´ĭ denç_e_ - pûr´pos_e_ - pûr sū_i_t´ - rā_i_´ment - răm´parts - răp´tur _o_us - rē´al ly - rĕck´on ing - rĕc´og niz_e_ - re cȯv´er y - rĕf´ug_e_ - re lā´tion - re l_i_ēf´ - re nown_e_d´ - re pos̱_e_´ - rĕs´cū_e_ - re s̱ŏlv_e_´ - rĕs´ŭr rĕc´tion - re tôrts´ - re trē_a_t´ - re vē_a_l´ - re vĕnġ_e_´ - rĕv´er ent - r_h_ȳme - rīght´eous (-chŭs) - rĭv´et ed - rō´s̱ē̇ āt_e_ - rŭf´fĭ an - săl´u ta´tion - sal vā´tion - sănc´tion - săt´is fy - săv´aġ_e_ - scăf´fold - scăr´çĭ ty - scâr_e_´cro_w_ - scär´let - s_c_ēn_e_ - s_c_ĕnt´ed - sẽ_a_rch - sĕm´i cĩr´cl_e_ - sĕn´si tive - sĕp´a rat ed - shrewd - s_i_ēġ_e_ - sĭg´nal - sĭg´ni fy - sĭn´ew - skĕl´e ton - sleev_e_ - snĭv´el ing - sō´cia bl_e_ - so´cia bĭl´ĭ ty - sō´cial (-shal) - so ç´īe ty - so j_o_ûrn´er - so lĕm´_n_ĭ ty - sŏl´emn ly - sŏl´ī tud_e_ - spĕ´cial - spē´cies (-shē̇z) - spĕç´i men - spĕc´ter - sphēr_e_ - spĭr´it - spĭr´it u al - spŏn´sor - stĕ_a_d´ĭ ly - sŭb´stanc_e_ - subtle (sŭt´l) - sŭd´den ly - sŭf fi´cien cy - sŭm´mit - sŭmp´tu _o_us - sŭs pĕct´ - sy̆m´pa thy̆ - tăl´ent - tĕn´der ly - tĕr´rā̇ç_e_ - tĕr´ri fi_e_d - ter´ror - thē´a ter - thē´o ry - thĩrst - thrŭsh - tŏr´rent - tôr´tur_e_ - to̤_u_r´na ment - to̤_u_r´n_e_y - trăġ´e dy - trăġ´ic - trăṉ´quil - trăns pâr´ent - trĭ´but_e_ - trĭp´l_e_ - tri´umph - tri ŭm´phant - tȳ´rant - un cĭv´il - un co̤_u_th´ - ûr´chin - ū´s̱ū al - ŭt´ter anç_e_ - văn´ish - ve̱_i_n´ing - vĕn´tur_e_ - vẽr´dur _o_us - vẽr´min - vĕs´per - vĭ çĭn´ĭ ty - vĭc´tor - vĭc´to ry - vĭg´or - vĭg´or _o_us - vĭl´ l_a_in - vī´o l_e_nç_e_ - vĭs̱´ion - wäm´pum - wĕ_a_p´on - whĕlp - _w_rē_a_th - zĕ_a_l´_o_us - - -PROPER NAMES - - Ad mē´tus - Af´rĭ cȧ - A̤l´ba ny - Al ex ăn´der - Am´brōs̱_e_ - An´ġe lo - An ï´ta´ - An´tĭ oc_h_ - Ap´en nīn_e_s̱ - A rā´bĭ a̯ - A´sĭȧ - As sĭ´sĭ - A̤_u_ gŭs´tĭne - A̤_u_ gŭs´tu̯s - Ā_y_´mer - Ben e dĭct´ĭn_e_ - Bẽr lĭn´ - Blĕn´_he_im - Bo´he mond - Bŏn´ĭ fāç_e_ - Bouillon (bo̅o̅ yōṉ´) - Brĭt´_ai_n - Brṳç_e_ - Căl´va ry - Ca pẽr´na um - Cär rä´rä - Căth´bad - Çhĕv ȧ l_i_ēr´ - Çhĕv´ĭ ot - Clẽr´mont - Comyn (kŭm´in) - Cŏn´_eh_ū bär - Cŏn´na̤ught - Cŏn´stan tĭ nō´pl_e_ - Cor o nä´rï - Cū´bȧ - Cuchulain (ko̅o̅ ho̅o̅´lin) - Cṳlā_i_n - Da kō´tȧ - Da măs´cus - De troit´ - Don Quixote (dŏn kehō´te) - D_o_ŭg´las - Drĕs̱´den - Drṳ´ĭd - Dul çĭn´e a - E´bro - E´ġy̆pt - E mā_i_n´ - E´rin - Es´t_h_e̯r - Eū´rop_e_ - Fẽr´gus - Flŏr´enc_e_ - Fon tĭ nĕl´lȧ - Frăn´cis - Frĕd´er ick - Frï´s̱ĭ ȧ - Gā´brĭ el - Ġĕn´ō̇ ȧ - Ġĕn o ēs̱_e_´ - Gĕs´ler - G_h_ï bẽr´tï - Ġ_i_ō chï´no - Gŏd´fr_e_y̆ - Grĕg´o ry - Häl´le̯ - Han´del - Hel vĕl´ly̆n - Hŭṉ´ gȧ ry - Ic_h_´ȧ bŏd - In´dĭ_e_s̱ - It´a ly - Je rṳ´sa lem - Joliet (zhō lyā´) - Jôr´da̯n - Lē o närd´ō̇ - Lē´vīt_e_ - Măç´e don - Măl´a gȧ - Mär quette´ (-kĕt) - Mĕc´cȧ - Me dï´nȧ - Mĕd´ĭ ter rā´ne an - Me nŏm´o nĭ_e_ - Mī´c_h_a el - Mĭl´an - Mis´sis sĭp´pĭ - Mo hăm´med - Mŏs̱lem - Mus tȧ´phȧ - Nĭc_h_´o las - Nï´ña - Păl´es tīn_e_ - Pä´lōs - Păn´the on - Pe̱´rez (-āth) - Persia (pēr´shĭȧ) - Pe̱´sä rō - Piacenza (pē ä chĕn´zä) - Pil är´ - Pĭn´ta - Po nē´mä_h_ - Que bĕc´ - Rāph´a el - Rat bō´do - Ros sï´nï - Ro´zĭ năn te - Sa măr´ĭ tan - Săn´c_h_o - Sän Săl´va dor - Sän Sïs´to - Sän´tȧ Crō´ce (-chā) - Sän´ta Ma rï´a - Săr´a çen - Săx´o ny - Se tăn´ta - Seville (sĕv´ĭl) - Sĭs´tïn_e_ - Spăn´ĭard - Stä´bat Mä´ter - Tăn´cred - Thames (tĕmz) - Ul´ster - Ur´ban - Ur bï´no - Valence (vä lŏṉs´) - Văt´ĭ can - Vĕn´ĭç_e_ - Vẽr´ner - Vï´ȧ Cŏr o nä´rĭ - Vï ĕn´nȧ - Wis cŏn´sin - Wọlff - Wu̇lf´ram - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Standard Catholic Readers by Grades: -Fifth Year, by Various - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STANDARD CATHOLIC READERS *** - -***** This file should be named 53732-0.txt or 53732-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/3/7/3/53732/ - -Produced by Juliet Sutherland and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - 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Doyle. - </title> - - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - -<style type="text/css"> - -a { - text-decoration: none; -} - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - -h1,h2,h3 { - text-align: center; - clear: both; -} - -hr { - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - clear: both; -} - -hr.tb { - width: 45%; - margin-left: 27.5%; - margin-right: 27.5%; -} - -hr.chap { - width: 65%; - margin-left: 17.5%; - margin-right: 17.5%; -} - -ul { - list-style-type: none; -} - -li { - margin-top: .5em; - padding-left: 2em; - text-indent: -2em; -} - -p { - margin-top: 0.5em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: 0.5em; - text-indent: 1em; -} - -table { - margin: 1em auto 1em auto; - max-width: 45em; -} - -td { - padding-left: 2.25em; - padding-right: 0.25em; - vertical-align: top; - text-indent: -2em; -} - -.attribution { - text-align: right; - margin-top: 1.5em; -} - -.caption { - text-align: center; - margin-bottom: 1em; - font-size: 90%; - text-indent: 0em; -} - -.center { - text-align: center; - text-indent: 0em; -} - -.figcenter { - margin: auto; - text-align: center; -} - -.hanging { - padding-left: 2em; - text-indent: -2em; -} - -.larger { - font-size: 150%; -} - -.pagenum { - position: absolute; - right: 4%; - font-size: smaller; - text-align: right; - font-style: normal; -} - -.poetry-container, .metrical-container { - text-align: center; - margin: 1em; -} - -.poetry, .metrical { - display: inline-block; - text-align: left; -} - -.stanza { - margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em; -} - -.metrical .verse { - text-indent: -3em; - padding-left: 6em; -} - -.poetry .verse { - text-indent: -3em; - padding-left: 3em; -} - -.poetry .indent1 { - text-indent: -2em; -} - -.poetry .indent2 { - text-indent: -1em; -} - -.poetry .indent4 { - text-indent: 1em; -} - -.smaller { - font-size: 80%; -} - -.smcap { - font-variant: small-caps; - font-style: normal; -} - -.tdr { - text-align: right; -} - -.titlepage { - text-align: center; - margin-top: 3em; - text-indent: 0em; -} - -.u { - text-decoration: underline; -} - -@media handheld { - -img { - max-width: 100%; - width: auto; - height: auto; -} - -.poetry { - display: block; - margin-left: 1.5em; -} -} - </style> - </head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Standard Catholic Readers by Grades: Fifth -Year, by Various - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: Standard Catholic Readers by Grades: Fifth Year - -Author: Various - -Editor: Mary E. Doyle - -Release Date: December 14, 2016 [EBook #53732] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STANDARD CATHOLIC READERS *** - - - - -Produced by Juliet Sutherland and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> -<img src="images/frontis.jpg" width="500" height="500" alt="" /> -<p class="caption"><span class="smcap">The Madonna of the Chair</span></p> -<p class="caption"><i>Painting by Raphael</i></p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> - -<p class="titlepage larger"><span class="u">EIGHT BOOK SERIES</span></p> - -<p class="titlepage larger">STANDARD<br /> -CATHOLIC READERS<br /> -<span class="smaller">BY GRADES</span></p> - -<p class="center">FIFTH YEAR</p> - -<p class="titlepage"><span class="smaller">BY</span><br /> -MARY E. DOYLE</p> - -<p class="titlepage smaller">FORMERLY PRINCIPAL OF HOLY NAMES NORMAL SCHOOL,<br /> -SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, AND SUPERVISOR OF TEACHING,<br /> -STATE NORMAL SCHOOL, SUPERIOR, WISCONSIN</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 200px;"> -<img src="images/illus003.jpg" width="200" height="225" alt="The Virgin Mary" /> -</div> - -<p class="center"><span class="smaller">NEW YORK ⁘ CINCINNATI ⁘ CHICAGO</span><br /> -AMERICAN BOOK COMPANY</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span></p> - -<p class="titlepage smaller"><span class="smcap">Copyright, 1909, 1913, by<br /> -MARY E. DOYLE.</span></p> - -<p class="center smaller"><span class="smcap">Stand. Cath. Readers by Grades.<br /> -5th Year.</span></p> - -<p class="center smaller">E. P. 6</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span></p> - -<h2>PREFACE</h2> - -<p>The selections in this reader for the Fifth Year -were chosen with reference both to their intrinsic -literary quality and to the varying capabilities of the -pupils who will read them. It is confidently hoped -that they will reach some interest of each child, and, -at the same time, help to form a correct literary -standard and encourage a taste for the best reading.</p> - -<p>In the preparation of this series of readers, valuable -counsel and assistance have been given me by many -friendly educators and those in authority. I am -especially grateful to the Rt. Rev. John Lancaster -Spalding of Peoria for helpful advice and encouragement -in the planning and inception of the work; -also, to the Rt. Rev. James McGolrick of Duluth, -Minnesota, to the Rt. Rev. A. F. Schinner of Superior, -Wisconsin, and to other prelates and clergy who -have graciously given me assistance in various ways. -Many thanks, too, for kindly suggestions and criticisms -are hereby proffered to numerous friends among -those patient and inspiring educators—the Sisters.</p> - -<p class="attribution">MARY E. DOYLE.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span></p> - -<h2>ACKNOWLEDGMENTS</h2> - -<p>The selections from Whittier, Longfellow. Lowell, Miriam -Coles Harris, and John Burroughs are used by special permission -of, and arrangement with, Houghton Mifflin Company, the -publishers of the works of these authors. The selections from -Helen Hunt Jackson are used by special arrangement with -Little, Brown, & Company. Acknowledgments for the use of -copyright material are also made: to Small, Maynard & Company -for the poems by Father Tabb; to the editor and publisher -of <i>The Ave Maria</i> for “Lucy’s Rosary,” by J. R. Marre, -and other poems from that magazine; to Mary F. Nixon-Roulet -for the selections of which she is the author; to Longmans, -Green, & Company, for “The Reindeer,” by Andrew Lang; to -Henry Coyle for the poems of which he is the author; and to -the Congregation of the Mission of St Vincent de Paul, Springfield, -Mass., for the extract from Mother Mary Loyola’s “Jesus -of Nazareth,” of which book they are the publishers.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span></p> - -<h2>CONTENTS</h2> - -<table summary="Contents"> - <tr> - <td></td> - <td></td> - <td class="tdr smaller">PAGE</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#LITTLE_WOLFF_AND_HIS_WOODEN_SHOE">Little Wolff and his Wooden Shoe</a></td> - <td><i>François Coppée</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_7">7</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#THE_EAGLE_AND_THE_SWAN">The Eagle and the Swan</a></td> - <td><i>J. J. Audubon</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_14">14</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#LUCYS_ROSARY">Lucy’s Rosary</a></td> - <td><i>J. R. Marre</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_16">16</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#THE_TAXGATHERER">The Taxgatherer</a></td> - <td><i>Rev. John B. Tabb</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_17">17</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#THE_WISDOM_OF_ALEXANDER">The Wisdom of Alexander</a></td> - <td><i>Horace Binney Wallace</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_18">18</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#THANKSGIVING">Thanksgiving</a></td> - <td><i>Henry Coyle</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_23">23</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#THE_ENCHANTED_BARK">The Enchanted Bark</a></td> - <td><i>Cervantes</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_24">24</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#A_LEGEND_OF_ST_NICHOLAS">A Legend of St. Nicholas</a></td> - <td><i>Author Unknown</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_30">30</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#RAPHAEL_OF_URBINO">Raphael of Urbino</a></td> - <td></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_36">36</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#LEAD_KINDLY_LIGHT">Lead, Kindly Light</a></td> - <td><i>Cardinal Newman</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_43">43</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#PARABLE_OF_THE_GOOD_SAMARITAN">Parable of the Good Samaritan</a></td> - <td><i>The Bible</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_44">44</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#CONNOR_MAC-NESSA_AN_IRISH_LEGEND">Connor Mac-Nessa—An Irish Legend</a></td> - <td><i>M. F. Nixon-Roulet</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_46">46</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#THE_MARTYRDOM_OF_BLESSED_JOHN_FISHER">The Martyrdom of Blessed John Fisher</a></td> - <td><i>Rev. T. E. Bridgett</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_50">50</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#THE_NIGHTINGALE_AND_THE_GLOWWORM">The Nightingale and the Glowworm</a></td> - <td><i>William Cowper</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_56">56</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#IF_THOU_COULDST_BE_A_BIRD">If thou couldst be a Bird</a></td> - <td><i>Rev. F. W. Faber</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_58">58</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#THE_FIRST_CRUSADE">The First Crusade</a></td> - <td></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_60">60</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#HOW_THE_ROBIN_CAME">How the Robin Came</a></td> - <td><i>John G. Whittier</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_75">75</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#HOW_ST_FRANCIS_PREACHED_TO_THE_BIRDS">How St. Francis preached to the Birds</a></td> - <td><i>From “Little Flowers of St. Francis”</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_78">78</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#THE_PETRIFIED_FERN">The Petrified Fern</a></td> - <td><i>Mary L. Bolles Branch</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_82">82</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#BIRD_ENEMIES">Bird Enemies</a></td> - <td><i>John Burroughs</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_84">84</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#ST_JOSEPHS_MONTH">St. Joseph’s Month</a></td> - <td><i>H. W.</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_95">95</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span><a href="#A_SONG_OF_SPRING">A Song of Spring</a></td> - <td><i>Aubrey de Vere</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_96">96</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#ROBERT_BRUCE">Robert Bruce</a></td> - <td><i>Sir Walter Scott</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_97">97</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#WHEN_EVENING_SHADES_ARE_FALLING">“When Evening Shades are Falling”</a></td> - <td><i>Thomas Moore</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_106">106</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#THE_REINDEER">The Reindeer</a></td> - <td><i>A. Lang</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_107">107</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#A_STORY_OF_ANCIENT_IRELAND">A Story of Ancient Ireland</a></td> - <td><i>Lady Gregory</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_114">114</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#SAN_GABRIEL">San Gabriel</a></td> - <td><i>Helen Hunt Jackson</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_118">118</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#IMITATION_OF_MARY">Imitation of Mary</a></td> - <td><i>St. Ambrose</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_120">120</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#A_SCENE_FROM_WILLIAM_TELL">Scene from “William Tell”</a></td> - <td><i>Sheridan Knowles</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_121">121</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#THE_SCHOOLMASTER_OF_SLEEPY_HOLLOW">The Schoolmaster of Sleepy Hollow</a></td> - <td><i>Washington Irving</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_132">132</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#THE_BLUEBIRD">The Bluebird</a></td> - <td><i>Rev. John B. Tabb</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_151">151</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#THE_BROOK">The Brook</a></td> - <td><i>Alfred Tennyson</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_152">152</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#THE_STORY_OF_A_HAPPY_CHILD">The Story of a Happy Child</a></td> - <td></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_154">154</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#MAY_CAROL">May Carol</a></td> - <td><i>Sister Mary Antonia</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_158">158</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#THE_PRECIOUS_BLOOD_OF_JESUS">The Precious Blood of Jesus</a></td> - <td><i>Henry Coyle</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_160">160</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#THE_SPANISH_COOK">The Spanish Cook</a></td> - <td><i>Miriam Coles Harris</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_161">161</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#THE_PLANTING_OF_THE_APPLE_TREE">The Planting of the Apple Tree</a></td> - <td><i>William Cullen Bryant</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_166">166</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#THE_CONVERSION_OF_KING_RATBODO">The Conversion of King Ratbodo</a></td> - <td><i>Conrad von Bolanden</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_170">170</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#THE_BLESSED_VIRGIN_MARY">The Blessed Virgin Mary</a></td> - <td><i>H. W. Longfellow</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_174">174</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#COME_TO_JESUS">Come to Jesus</a></td> - <td><i>Rev. F. W. Faber</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_175">175</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#FATHER_MARQUETTE">Father Marquette</a></td> - <td><i>John G. Shea</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_178">178</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#THE_SHEPHERD_OF_KING_ADMETUS">The Shepherd of King Admetus</a></td> - <td><i>J. R. Lowell</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_186">186</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#THE_SERMON_ON_THE_MOUNT">The Sermon on the Mount</a></td> - <td><i>Mother Mary Loyola</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_188">188</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#THE_STAR-SPANGLED_BANNER">The Star-spangled Banner</a></td> - <td><i>Francis Scott Key</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_196">196</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#HOW_AMERICA_WAS_DISCOVERED">How America was Discovered</a></td> - <td></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_198">198</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#THE_POWER_OF_GOD">The Power of God</a></td> - <td><i>Thomas Moore</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_213">213</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#OUR_COUNTRY_AND_OUR_HOME">Our Country and our Home</a></td> - <td><i>James Montgomery</i></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_214">214</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td><a href="#NOTES_ABOUT_AUTHORS">Notes</a></td> - <td></td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_215">215</a></td> - </tr> -</table> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span></p> - -<h1>FIFTH YEAR</h1> - -<h2 id="LITTLE_WOLFF_AND_HIS_WOODEN_SHOE">LITTLE WOLFF AND HIS WOODEN SHOE</h2> - -<h3>I</h3> - -<p>Once upon a time, so long ago that everybody -has forgotten the date, there was a little boy whose -name was Wolff. He lived with his aunt in a tall -old house in a city whose name is so hard to pronounce -that nobody can speak it. He was seven -years old, and he could not remember that he had -ever seen his father or his mother.</p> - -<p>The old aunt who had the care of little Wolff was -very selfish and cross. She gave him dry bread to -eat, of which there was never enough; and not more -than once in the year did she speak kindly to him.</p> - -<p>But the poor boy loved this woman, because he -had no one else to love; and there was never a day -so dark that he did not think of the sunlight.</p> - -<p>Everybody knew that Wolff’s aunt owned a house -and had a stocking full of gold under her bed, and -so she did not dare to send the little boy to the school -for the poor as she would have liked to do. But a -schoolmaster on the next street agreed to teach him -for almost nothing; and whenever there was work he -could do, he was kept at home.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span></p> - -<p>The schoolmaster had an unkind feeling for Wolff -because he brought him so little money and was -dressed so poorly. And so the boy was punished -very often, and had to bear the blame for all the -wrong that was done in the school.</p> - -<p>The little fellow was often very sad; and more -than once he hid himself where he could not be seen -and cried as though his heart would break. But at -last Christmas came.</p> - -<p>The night before Christmas there was to be singing -in the church, and the schoolmaster was to be -there with all his boys; and everybody was to have -a very happy time looking at the Christmas candles -and listening to the sweet music.</p> - -<p>The winter had set in very cold and rough, and -there was much snow on the ground; and so the -boys came to the schoolhouse with fur caps drawn -down over their ears, and heavy coats, and warm -gloves, and thick high-topped boots. But little Wolff -had no warm clothes. He came shivering in the thin -coat which he wore on Sundays in summer; and there -was nothing on his feet but coarse stockings very full -of holes, and a pair of heavy wooden shoes.</p> - -<p>The other boys made many jokes about his sad -looks and his worn-out clothes. But the poor child -was so busy blowing his fingers and thumping his toes -to keep them warm that he did not hear what was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> -said. And when the hour came, the whole company -of boys, with the schoolmaster at the front, started -to the church.</p> - -<h3>II</h3> - -<p>It was very fine in the church. Hundreds of wax -candles were burning in their places, and the air was -so warm that Wolff soon forgot his aching fingers. -The boys sat still for a little while; and then while -the singing was going on and the organ was making -loud music, they began in low voices to talk to one -another; and each told about the fine things that -were going to be done at his home on the morrow.</p> - -<p>The mayor’s son told of a monstrous goose that -he had seen in the kitchen before he came away; it -was stuffed, and stuck all over with cloves till it was -as spotted as a leopard. Another boy whispered of a -little fir tree in a wooden box in his mother’s parlor; -its branches were full of fruits and nuts and candy -and beautiful toys. And he said that he was sure of -a fine dinner, for the cook had pinned the two strings -of her cap behind her back, us she always did when -something wonderfully good was coming.</p> - -<p>Then the children talked of what the Christ Child -would bring them, and of what He would put in their -shoes, which, of course, they would leave by the fireplace -when they went to bed. And the eyes of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> -little fellows danced with joy as they thought of the -bags of candy and the lead soldiers and the grand -jumping jacks which they would draw out in the -morning.</p> - -<p>But little Wolff said nothing. He knew that his -selfish old aunt would send him to bed without any -supper, as she always did. But he felt in his heart -that he had been all the year as good and kind as he -could be; and so he hoped that the blessed Christ -Child would not forget him nor fail to see his wooden -shoes which he would put in the ashes in the corner of -the fireplace.</p> - -<h3>III</h3> - -<p>At last the singing stopped, the organ was silent, -and the Christmas music was ended. The boys arose -in order and left the church, two by two, as they -had entered it; and the teacher walked in front.</p> - -<p>Now, as he passed through the door of the church, -little Wolff saw a child sitting on one of the stone -steps and fast asleep in the midst of the snow. The -child was thinly clad, and his feet, cold as it was, -were bare.</p> - -<p>In the pale light of the moon, the face of the child, -with its closed eyes, was full of a sweetness which is -not of this earth, and his long locks of yellow hair -seemed like a golden crown upon his head. But his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> -poor bare feet, blue in the cold of that winter night, -were sad to look upon.</p> - -<p>The scholars, so warmly clad, passed before the -strange child, and did not so much as glance that -way. But little Wolff, who was the last to come out -of the church, stopped, full of pity, before him.</p> - -<p>“Ah, the poor child!” he said to himself. “How -sad it is that he must go barefoot in such weather as -this! And what is still worse, he has not a stocking -nor even a wooden shoe to lay before him while he -sleeps, so that the Christ Child can put something -in it to make him glad when he wakens.”</p> - -<p>Little Wolff did not stand long to think about it; -but in the goodness of his heart he took off the wooden -shoe from his right foot and laid it by the side of the -sleeping child. Then, limping along through the snow, -and shivering with cold, he went down the street till -he came to his cheerless home.</p> - -<p>“You worthless fellow!” cried his aunt. “Where -have you been? What have you done with your -other shoe?”</p> - -<p>Little Wolff trembled now with fear as well as with -the cold; but he had no thought of deceiving his -angry aunt. He told her how he had given the shoe -to a child that was poorer than himself. The woman -laughed an ugly, wicked laugh.</p> - -<p>“And so,” she said, “our fine young gentleman<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> -takes off his shoes for beggars! He gives his wooden -shoe to a barefoot! Well, we shall see. You may -put the shoe that is left in the chimney, and, mind -what I say! If anything is left in it, it will be a switch -to whip you with in the morning. To-morrow, for -your Christmas dinner, you shall have nothing but a -hard crust of bread to eat and cold water to drink. -I will show you how to give away your shoes to the -first beggar that comes along!”</p> - -<p>The wicked woman struck the boy upon the cheek -with her hand, and then made him climb up to his bed -in the loft. Sobbing with grief and pain, little Wolff -lay on his hard, cold bed, and did not go to sleep till -the moon had gone down and the Christmas bells -had rung in the glad day of peace and good will.</p> - -<p>In the morning when the old woman arose grumbling -and went downstairs, a wonderful sight met -her eyes. The great chimney was full of beautiful -toys and bags of candy and all kinds of pretty things; -and right in the midst of these was the wooden shoe -which Wolff had given to the child, and near it was its -mate in which the wicked aunt had meant to put a -strong switch.</p> - -<p>The woman was so amazed that she cried out and -stood still as if in a fright. Little Wolff heard the -cry and ran downstairs as quickly as he could to see -what was the matter. He, too, stopped short when he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span> -saw all the beautiful things that were in the chimney. -But as he stood and looked, he heard people laughing -in the street. What did it all mean?</p> - -<p>By the side of the town pump many of the neighbors -were standing. Each was telling what had -happened at his home that morning. The boys who -had rich parents and had been looking for beautiful -gifts had found only long switches in their shoes.</p> - -<p>But, in the meanwhile, Wolff and his aunt stood -still and looked at the wonderful gifts around the -two wooden shoes. Who had placed them there? -And where now was the kind, good giver?</p> - -<p>Then, as they still wondered, they heard the voice -of some one reading in the little chapel over the way: -“Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of -these—” And then, in some strange way, they -understood how it had all come about; and even the -heart of the wicked aunt was softened. And their -eyes were filled with tears and their faces with smiles, -as they knelt down together and thanked the good -God for what He had done to reward the kindness -and love of a little child.</p> - -<p class="attribution">—<i>Adapted from the French of François Coppée.</i></p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="THE_EAGLE_AND_THE_SWAN">THE EAGLE AND THE SWAN</h2> - -<p>Imagine yourself, on a day early in November, -floating slowly down the Mississippi River. The -near approach of winter brings millions of waterfowl -on whistling wings from the countries of the North to -seek a milder climate in which to sojourn for a season.</p> - -<p>The eagle is seen perched on the highest branch of -the tallest tree by the margin of the broad stream. -His glistening but pitiless eye looks over water and -land and sees objects afar off. He listens to every -sound that comes to his quick ear, glancing now and -then to the earth beneath, lest the light tread of the -rabbit may pass unheard.</p> - -<p>His mate is perched on the other side of the river, -and now and then warns him by a cry to continue -patient. At this well-known call he partly opens his -broad wings and answers to her voice in tones not -unlike the laugh of a madman. Ducks and many -smaller waterfowl are seen passing rapidly towards -the South; but the eagle heeds them not—they are -for the time beneath his attention.</p> - -<p>The next moment, however, the wild, trumpet-like -sound of a distant swan is heard. The eagle suddenly -shakes his body, raises his wings, and makes ready for -flight. A shriek from his mate comes across the -stream, for she is fully as watchful as he.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span></p> - -<p>The snow-white bird is now in sight; her long neck -is stretched forward; her eyes are as watchful as those -of her enemy; her large wings seem with difficulty to -support the weight of her body. Nearer and nearer -she comes. The eagle has marked her for his prey.</p> - -<p>As the swan is about to pass the dreaded pair, the -eagle starts from his perch with an awful scream. He -glides through the air like a falling star, and, like a -flash of lightning, comes upon the timid bird, which -now, in agony and despair, seeks to escape the grasp -of his cruel talons. She would plunge into the stream, -did not the eagle force her to remain in the air by -striking at her from beneath.</p> - -<p>The hope of escape is soon given up by the swan. -She has already become much weakened. She is -about to gasp her last breath, when the eagle strikes -with his talons the under side of her wing and forces -the dying bird to fall in a slanting direction upon the -nearest shore.</p> - -<p>The eagle’s mate has watched every movement that -he has made, and if she did not assist him in capturing -the swan, it was because she felt sure that his power -and courage were quite enough for the deed. She -now sails to the spot where he is waiting for her, and -both together turn the breast of the luckless swan upward -and gorge themselves with gore.</p> - -<p class="attribution">—<span class="smcap">J. J. Audubon.</span></p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="LUCYS_ROSARY">LUCY’S ROSARY</h2> - - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">I love to see her well-worn beads</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Slip through her tender hand;</div> -<div class="verse">They fall like rich enchanted seeds</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Cast in a fruitful land.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">From each small bead full silently</div> -<div class="verse indent1">A floweret fair doth grow—</div> -<div class="verse">A winsome thing with soft bright eye,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Yet strong in grace, I know.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Wild winds may rave and storms may shout,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Her blossoms will not fall;</div> -<div class="verse">The angels gird them round about</div> -<div class="verse indent1">With hedgerows thick and tall.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">The Blessed Mary smiles on them,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Just as, in days of yore,</div> -<div class="verse">She smiled when in old Bethlehem</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Her little Babe she bore.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">And saints adown the golden stair</div> -<div class="verse indent1">With noiseless steps oft creep,</div> -<div class="verse">To tend these shining flowers of prayer,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">When Lucy is asleep.</div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">When autumn dies, these radiant flowers</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Shall safe transplanted be,</div> -<div class="verse">To bloom in Eden’s greenest bowers</div> -<div class="verse indent1">For all eternity.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Before the Godhead they shall raise</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Their perfumes pure and sweet,</div> -<div class="verse">And bloom in silent hymns of praise</div> -<div class="verse indent1">At Lady Mary’s feet.</div> -</div> -<div class="attribution">—<span class="smcap">J. R. Marre.</span></div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>From <i>The Ave Maria</i>.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2 id="THE_TAXGATHERER">THE TAXGATHERER</h2> - - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">“And pray, who are you?”</div> -<div class="verse">Said the violet blue</div> -<div class="verse indent2">To the Bee, with surprise</div> -<div class="verse indent2">At his wonderful size,</div> -<div class="verse">In her eyeglass of dew.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">“I, madam,” quoth he,</div> -<div class="verse">“Am a publican Bee,</div> -<div class="verse indent2">Collecting the tax</div> -<div class="verse indent2">Of honey and wax.</div> -<div class="verse">Have you nothing for me?”</div> -</div> -<div class="attribution">—<span class="smcap">Rev. John B. Tabb.</span></div> -</div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="THE_WISDOM_OF_ALEXANDER">THE WISDOM OF ALEXANDER</h2> - -<table summary="List of words to learn from this reading exercise"> - <tr> - <td>Macedon</td> - <td>melancholy</td> - <td>philosopher</td> - <td>countenance</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>cypress</td> - <td>messenger</td> - <td>perplexity</td> - <td>recognize</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>vigor</td> - <td>humiliation</td> - <td>solitude</td> - <td>poverty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>oracles</td> - <td>alleviation</td> - <td>company</td> - <td>behest</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p>The bannered hosts of Macedon stood arrayed in -splendid might. Crowning the hills and filling the -valleys, far and wide extended the millions in arms who -waited on the word of the young Alexander—the -most superb array of human power which sceptered -ambition ever evoked to do its bidding.</p> - -<p>That army was to sweep nations off the earth and -make a continent its camp, following the voice of -one whose sword was the index to glory, whose command -was the synonym of triumph. It now stood -expectant, for the king yet lingered.</p> - -<p>While his war horse fretted at the gate, and myriads -thus in silence waited his appearance, Alexander -took his way to the apartment of his mother. The -sole ligament which bound him to virtue and to feeling -was the love of that mother, and the tie was as -strong as it was tender.</p> - -<p>In mute dejection they embraced; and Alexander, -as he gazed upon that affectionate face, which had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> -never been turned to him but in tenderness and yearning -love, seemed to ask, “Shall I ever again behold -that sweet smile?” The anxiety of his mother’s -countenance denoted the same sad curiosity; and -without a word, but with the selfsame feeling in their -hearts, they went out together to seek the oracles in -the temple of Philip, to learn their fate.</p> - -<p>Alone, in unuttered sympathy, the two ascended -the steps of the sacred temple and approached the -shrine. A priest stood behind the altar. The blue -smoke of the incense curled upward in front, and the -book of oracles was before him.</p> - -<p>“Where shall my grave be digged?” said the king; -and the priest opened the book and read, “Where the -soil is of iron, and the sky of gold, there shall the grave -of the monarch of men be digged.”</p> - -<p>To the utmost limit Asia had become the possession -of the Macedonian. Fatigued with conquest, -and anxious to seek a country where the difficulty of -victory should enhance its value, the hero was returning -to Europe. A few days would have brought -him to the capital of his kingdom, when he fell suddenly -ill. He was lifted from his horse, and one of -his generals, unlacing his armor, spread it out for him -to lie upon, and held his golden shield to screen him -from the mid-day sun.</p> - -<p>When the king raised his eyes and beheld the glittering<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> -canopy, he was conscious of the omen. “The -oracle has said that where the ground should be of -iron, and the sky of gold, there should my grave be -made! Behold the fulfillment! It is a mournful -thing! The young cypress is cut down in the vigor -of its strength, in the first fullness of its beauty. The -thread of life is snapped suddenly, and with it a thousand -prospects vanish, a thousand hopes are crushed! -But let the will of fate be done! She has long obeyed -my behest! I yield myself now to hers! Yet, my -mother!”</p> - -<p>And the monarch mused in melancholy silence. At -length he turned to his attendants and ordered his -tablets to be brought; and he took them, and wrote, -“Let the customary alms, which my mother shall -distribute at my death, be given to those who have -never felt the miseries of the world, and have never -lost those who were dear to them;” and sinking back -upon his iron couch, he yielded up his breath. They -buried him where he died, and an army wept over his -grave!</p> - -<p>When the intelligence of the death of Alexander -was brought to his mother, as she sat among her -ladies, she was overwhelmed by anguish.</p> - -<p>“Ah! why,” she exclaimed, “was I exalted so high, -only to be plunged into such depth of misery? Why -was I not made of lower condition, so, haply, I had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> -escaped such grief? The joy of my youth is plucked -up, the comfort of my age is withered! Who is more -wretched than I?” And she refused to be comforted.</p> - -<p>The last wish of her son was read to her, and she -resolved to perform that one remaining duty and then -retire to solitude, to indulge her grief for the remainder -of her life. She ordered her servants to go into the -city and bring to the palace such as the will of Alexander -directed—selecting those who were the poorest. -But the messengers, ere long, returned, and said that -there were none of that description to be found among -the poor. “Go then,” said the queen, “and apply to -all classes, and return not without bringing some who -have never lost any who were dear to them.” And the -order was proclaimed through all the city, and all -heard it and passed on.</p> - -<p>The neighboring villages gave no better success; -and the search was extended through all the country; -and they went over all Macedonia, and throughout -Greece, and at every house they stood and cried, “If -there are any here who have never known misery, -and never lost those that were dear to them, let them -come out, and receive the bounty of the queen;” but -none came forth. And they went to the haunts of -the gay, and into the libraries of the philosophers; -to the seats of public office, and to the caves of hermits; -they searched among the rich, and among the poor—among<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> -the high and among the low; but not one -person was found who had not tasted misery; and they -reported the result to the queen.</p> - -<p>“It is strange!” said she, as if struck with sudden -astonishment. “Are there none who have not lost -their friend? And is my condition the condition of -all? It is not credible. Are there none here, in this -room, in this palace, who have always been happy?” -But there was no reply to the inquiry.</p> - -<p>“You, young page, whose countenance is gay, what -sorrow have you ever known?”</p> - -<p>“Alas! madam, my father was killed in the wars -of Alexander, and my mother, through grief, has -followed him!”</p> - -<p>The question was put to others; but every one had -lost a brother, a father, or a mother. “Can it be,” -said the queen, “can it be that all are as I am?”</p> - -<p>“All are as you are, madam,” said an old man that -was present, “excepting in these splendors and these -consolations. By poverty and humility you might -have lost the alleviations, but, you could not have -escaped the blow. There are nights without a star; -but there are no days without a cloud. To suffer -is the lot of all; to bear, the glory of a few.”</p> - -<p>“I recognize,” said the queen, “the wisdom of -Alexander!” and she bowed in resignation, and wept -no more.</p> - -<p class="attribution">—<span class="smcap">Horace Binney Wallace.</span></p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="THANKSGIVING">THANKSGIVING</h2> - - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">With gratitude, O God, we praise</div> -<div class="verse">Thy holy name to-day, and raise</div> -<div class="verse indent2">Our hearts to thee;</div> -<div class="verse">For all Thy gifts sent from above,</div> -<div class="verse">For life and strength and trust and love,</div> -<div class="verse indent2">For liberty.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">For summer days, for smiles and tears,</div> -<div class="verse">For all our joys and hopes and fears,</div> -<div class="verse indent2">For storm and fair;</div> -<div class="verse">For toil and weariness and rest;</div> -<div class="verse">For sleep; for strength to bear the test</div> -<div class="verse indent2">Of pain and care;</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">For food and raiment, and increase</div> -<div class="verse">Of harvest plenty, and for peace,</div> -<div class="verse indent2">On earth good will.</div> -<div class="verse">O God, our Father, we this day</div> -<div class="verse">Give thanks for all, and now we pray</div> -<div class="verse indent2">Be with us still!</div> -</div> -<div class="attribution">—<span class="smcap">Henry Coyle.</span></div> -</div> -</div> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Beautiful Mother, we deck thy shrine;</div> -<div class="verse indent1">All that is brightest and best of ours</div> -<div class="verse">Found in our gardens, we reckon thine,—</div> -<div class="verse indent1">God thought of thee when He made the flowers.</div> -</div> -<div class="attribution">—<span class="smcap">Rev. K. D. Beste.</span></div> -</div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="THE_ENCHANTED_BARK">THE ENCHANTED BARK</h2> - -<table summary="List of words to learn from this reading exercise"> - <tr> - <td>humor</td> - <td>scene</td> - <td>donkey</td> - <td>Sancho</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>relief</td> - <td>leagues</td> - <td>armor</td> - <td>Dulcinea</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>patience</td> - <td>moored</td> - <td>purpose</td> - <td>Don Quixote</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p>Fair and softly, and step by step, did Don Quixote -and his squire wend their way through field and wood -and village and farmland. Many and strange were -their adventures—so many and strange, indeed, -that I shall not try to relate the half of them.</p> - -<p>At length, on a sunny day, they came to the banks -of the river Ebro. As the knight sat on Rozinante’s -back and gazed at the flowing water and at the grass -and trees which bordered the banks with living green, -he felt very happy. His squire, however, was in no -pleasant humor, for the last few days had been days -of weary toil.</p> - -<p>Presently Don Quixote observed a little boat which -was lying in the water near by, being moored by a rope -to the trunk of a small tree. It had neither oars nor -sail, and for that reason it seemed all the more inviting.</p> - -<p>The knight dismounted from his steed, calling at -the same time to his squire to do the same.</p> - -<p>“Alight, Sancho,” he said. “Let us tie our beasts -to the branches of this willow.”</p> - -<p>Sancho obeyed, asking, “Why do we alight here, -master?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span></p> - -<p>“You are to know,” answered Don Quixote, “that -this boat lies here for us. It invites me to embark in -it and hasten to the relief of some knight, or other -person of high degree, who is in distress.”</p> - -<p>“I wonder if that is so,” said Sancho.</p> - -<p>“Certainly,” answered his master. “In all the -books that I have read, enchanters are forever doing -such things. If a knight happens to be in danger, -there is sometimes only one other knight that can -rescue him. So a boat is provided for that other -knight, and, in the twinkling of an eye, he is whisked -away to the scene of trouble, even though it be two -or three thousand leagues.”</p> - -<p>“That is wonderful,” said Sancho.</p> - -<p>“Most assuredly,” answered Don Quixote; “and -it is for just such a purpose that this enchanted bark -lies here. Therefore let us leave our steeds here in -the shade and embark in it.”</p> - -<p>“Well, well,” said Sancho, “since you are the -master, I must obey. But I tell you this is no enchanted -bark. It is some fisherman’s boat.”</p> - -<p>“They are usually fishermen’s boats,” said Don Quixote. -“So, let us begin our voyage without delay.”</p> - -<p>He leaped into the little vessel. Sancho followed, -and untied the rope. The boat drifted slowly out -into the stream.</p> - -<p>When Sancho saw that they were out of reach of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> -the shore and had no means of pushing back, he began -to quake with fear.</p> - -<p>“We shall never see our noble steeds again,” he -cried. “Hear how the poor donkey brays and moans -because we are leaving him. See how Rozinante tugs -at his bridle. Oh, my poor, dear friends, good-by!”</p> - -<p>Then he began such a moaning and howling that -Don Quixote lost all patience with him.</p> - -<p>“Coward!” he cried. “What are you afraid of? -Who is after you? Who hurts you? Why, we have -already floated some seven or eight hundred leagues. -If I’m not mistaken, we shall soon pass the equinoctial -line which divides the earth into two equal parts.”</p> - -<p>“And when we come to that line, how far have -we gone then?” asked Sancho.</p> - -<p>“A mighty way,” answered the knight.</p> - -<p>They were now floating down the river with some -speed. Below them were two great water mills near -the middle of the stream.</p> - -<p>“Look! look, my Sancho!” cried Don Quixote. -“Do you see yon city or castle? That is where -some knight lies in prison, or some princess is detained -against her will.”</p> - -<p>“What do you mean?” asked Sancho. “Don’t -you see that those are no castles? They are only -water mills for grinding corn.”</p> - -<p>“Peace, Sancho! I know they look like water<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> -mills, but that is a trick of the enchanters. Why, -those vile fellows can change and overturn everything -from its natural form. You know how they -transformed my Dulcinea.”</p> - -<p>The boat was now moving quite rapidly with the -current. The people in the mills saw it and came -out with long poles to keep it clear of the great water -wheels. They were powdered with flour dust, as millers -commonly are, and therefore looked quite uncanny.</p> - -<p>“Hello, there!” they cried. “Are you mad, in -that boat? Push off, or you’ll be cut to pieces by -the mill wheels.”</p> - -<p>“Didn’t I tell you, Sancho, that this is the place -where I must show my strength?” said Don Quixote. -“See how those hobgoblins come out against -us! But I’ll show them what sort of person I am.”</p> - -<p>Then he stood up in the boat and began to call -the millers all sorts of bad names.</p> - -<p>“You paltry cowards!” he cried. “Release at -once the captive whom you are detaining within -your castle. For I am Don Quixote de la Mancha, -the Knight of the Lions, whom heaven has sent to -set your prisoner free.”</p> - -<p>He drew his sword and began to thrust the air -with it, as though fighting with an invisible enemy. -But the millers gave little heed to his actions, and -stood ready with their poles to stop the boat.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span></p> - -<p>Sancho threw himself on his knees in the bottom -of the boat and began to pray for deliverance. And, -indeed, it seemed as though their time had come, -for they were drifting straight into the wheel. Quickly -the millers bestirred themselves, and thrusting out -their poles they overturned the boat.</p> - -<p>Don Quixote and Sancho were, of course, spilled -out into the stream. It was lucky that both could -swim. The weight of the knight’s armor dragged -him twice to the bottom; and both he and his squire -would have been drowned had not two of the millers -jumped in and pulled them out by main force.</p> - -<p>Hardly had our exhausted heroes recovered their -senses when the fisherman who owned the boat came -running down to the shore. When he saw that the -little craft had been broken to pieces in the millwheel, -he fell upon Sancho and began to beat him unmercifully.</p> - -<p>“You shall pay me for that boat,” he cried.</p> - -<p>“I am ready to pay for it,” said Don Quixote, -“provided these people will fairly and immediately -surrender the prisoners whom they have unjustly -detained in their castle.”</p> - -<p>“What castle do you mean? and what prisoners?” -asked the millers. “Explain yourself, sir. We don’t -know what you are talking about.”</p> - -<p>“I might as well talk to a stump as try to persuade<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> -you to do a good act,” answered Don Quixote. -“Now I see that two rival enchanters have clashed -in this adventure. One sent me a boat, the other -overwhelmed it in the river. It is very plain that I -can do nothing where there is such plotting and counter-plotting.”</p> - -<p>Then he turned his face toward the mill and raised -his eyes to the window above the wheel.</p> - -<p>“My friends!” he cried at the top of his voice, -“my friends, whoever you are who lie immured in -that prison, hear me! Pardon my ill luck, for I cannot -set you free. You must needs wait for some other -knight to perform that adventure.”</p> - -<p>Having said this, he ordered Sancho to pay the -fisherman fifty reals for the boat. Sancho obeyed -sullenly, for he was reluctant to part with the money.</p> - -<p>“Two voyages like that will sink all our stock,” he -muttered.</p> - -<p>The fisherman and the millers stood with their mouths -open, wondering what sort of men these were who had -come so strangely into their midst. Then, concluding -that they were madmen, they left them, the millers -going to their mill, and the fisherman to his hut.</p> - -<p>As for Don Quixote and Sancho, they trudged sorrowfully -back to their beasts; and thus ended the -adventure of the enchanted bark.</p> - -<p class="attribution">—<i>Retold from <span class="smcap">Cervantes</span>.</i></p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="A_LEGEND_OF_ST_NICHOLAS">A LEGEND OF ST. NICHOLAS</h2> - -<table summary="List of words to learn from this reading exercise"> - <tr> - <td>Nicholas</td> - <td>heathen</td> - <td>apparel</td> - <td>aching</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>jeweled</td> - <td>suddenly</td> - <td>sniveling</td> - <td>kindred</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>banquet</td> - <td>anguish</td> - <td>vanished</td> - <td>giant</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> -<img src="images/illus035.jpg" width="400" height="425" alt="St. Nicholas, about to pick the page up by his hair" /> -</div> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">The tales of good St. Nicholas</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Are known in every clime;</div> -<div class="verse">Told in painting, and in statues,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">And in the poet’s rhyme.</div> -<div class="verse">In England’s Isle, alone, to-day,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Four hundred churches stand</div> -<div class="verse">Which bear his name, and keep it well</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Remembered through the land.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">And all the little children</div> -<div class="verse indent1">In England know full well</div> -<div class="verse">This tale of good St. Nicholas,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Which I am now to tell.</div> -<div class="verse">The sweetest tale, I think, of all</div> -<div class="verse indent1">The tales they tell of him;</div> -<div class="verse">I never read it but my eyes</div> -<div class="verse indent1">With tears begin to swim.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">There was a heathen king who roved</div> -<div class="verse indent1">About with cruel bands,</div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> -<div class="verse">And waged a fierce and wicked war</div> -<div class="verse indent1">On all the Christian lands.</div> -<div class="verse">And once he took as captive</div> -<div class="verse indent1">A little fair-haired boy,</div> -<div class="verse">A Christian merchant’s only son,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">His mother’s pride and joy.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">He decked him in apparel gay,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">And said, “You’re just the age</div> -<div class="verse">To serve behind my chair at meat,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">A dainty Christian page.”</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Oh, with a sore and aching heart</div> -<div class="verse indent1">The lonely captive child</div> -<div class="verse">Roamed through the palace, big and grand,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">And wept and never smiled.</div> -<div class="verse">And all the heathen jeered at him,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">And called him Christian dog,</div> -<div class="verse">And when the king was angry</div> -<div class="verse indent1">He kicked him like a log.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">One day, just as the cruel king</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Had sat him down to dine,</div> -<div class="verse">And in his jeweled cup of gold</div> -<div class="verse indent1">The page was pouring wine,</div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> -<div class="verse">The little fellow’s heart ran o’er</div> -<div class="verse indent1">In tears he could not stay,</div> -<div class="verse">For he remembered suddenly,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">It was the very day</div> -<div class="verse">On which the yearly feast was kept</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Of good St. Nicholas,</div> -<div class="verse">And at his home that very hour</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Were dancing on the grass,</div> -<div class="verse">With music, and with feasting, all</div> -<div class="verse indent1">The children of the town.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">The king looked up, and saw his tears;</div> -<div class="verse indent1">His face began to frown:</div> -<div class="verse">“How now, thou dog! thy sniveling tears</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Are running in my cup;</div> -<div class="verse">’Twas not with these, but with good wine,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">I bade thee fill it up.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">“Why weeps the hound?” The child replied,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">“I weep, because to-day,</div> -<div class="verse">In name of good St. Nicholas,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">All Christian children play;</div> -<div class="verse">And all my kindred gather home,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">From greatest unto least,</div> -<div class="verse">And keep to good St. Nicholas,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">A merry banquet feast.”</div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">The heathen king laughed scornfully:</div> -<div class="verse indent1">“If he be saint indeed,</div> -<div class="verse">Thy famous great St. Nicholas,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Why does he not take heed</div> -<div class="verse">To thee to-day, and bear thee back</div> -<div class="verse indent1">To thy own native land?</div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> -<div class="verse">Ha! well I wot, he cannot take</div> -<div class="verse indent1">One slave from out my hand!”</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Scarce left the boastful words his tongue</div> -<div class="verse indent1">When, with astonished eyes,</div> -<div class="verse">The cruel king a giant form</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Saw swooping from the skies.</div> -<div class="verse">A whirlwind shook the palace walls,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">The doors flew open wide,</div> -<div class="verse">And lo! the good St. Nicholas</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Came in with mighty stride.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Right past the guards, as they were not,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Close to the king’s gold chair,</div> -<div class="verse">With striding steps the good Saint came,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">And seizing by the hair</div> -<div class="verse">The frightened little page, he bore</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Him, in a twinkling, high</div> -<div class="verse">Above the palace topmost roof,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">And vanished in the sky.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Now at that very hour was spread</div> -<div class="verse indent1">A banquet rich and dear,</div> -<div class="verse">Within the little page’s home</div> -<div class="verse indent1">To which, from far and near,</div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> -<div class="verse">The page’s mourning parents called</div> -<div class="verse indent1">All poor to come and pray</div> -<div class="verse">With them, to good St. Nicholas,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Upon his sacred day.</div> -<div class="verse">Thinking, perhaps, that he would heal</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Their anguish and their pain,</div> -<div class="verse">And at poor people’s prayers might give</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Their child to them again.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Now what a sight was there to see,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">When flying through the air,</div> -<div class="verse">The Saint came carrying the boy,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Still by his curly hair!</div> -<div class="verse">And set him on his mother’s knee,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Too frightened yet to stand,</div> -<div class="verse">And holding still the king’s gold cup</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Fast in his little hand.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">And what glad sounds were these to hear,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">What sobs and joyful cries,</div> -<div class="verse">And calls for good St. Nicholas,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">To come back from the skies!</div> -<div class="verse">But swift he soared, and only smiled,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">And vanished in the blue;</div> -<div class="verse">Most likely he was hurrying</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Some other good to do.</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="RAPHAEL_OF_URBINO">RAPHAEL OF URBINO</h2> - -<h3>I</h3> - -<table summary="List of words to learn from this reading exercise"> - <tr> - <td>physical</td> - <td>admiration</td> - <td>torrent</td> - <td>Urbino</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>brilliancy</td> - <td>inferior</td> - <td>fresco</td> - <td>Apennines</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p>Raphael of Urbino is called the prince of painters. -And a true prince he was in physical beauty, in graciousness -of manner, in kindness of soul, and in power -to command the love and admiration of all people with -whom he came in contact.</p> - -<p>It would almost seem that the gentleness of St. -Francis himself had fallen upon him, for Raphael, too, -was born among the Apennines near the old town of -Assisi. The rugged mountains still rise hill upon hill -to the distant blue sky. Assisi, almost deserted, may -still be visited, and you may stand in the very house -where Raphael was born. You will find it on a steep -hillside in the little town of Urbino.</p> - -<p>Urbino is built upon a jutting mountain cliff beneath -which is a rushing torrent. In the far distance one -may see on a clear day the blue Mediterranean. Urbino -was once a prosperous town over which a powerful duke -ruled, but now it is a quaint village whose one treasure -is the house on the steep hillside.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span></p> - -<p>Raphael’s father was Giovanni Santi, a painter of -some ability. His mother was the daughter of a rich -merchant. Raphael was born April 6, 1483.</p> - -<p>No shadow fell across the path of the child until he -was eight years of age. Then a great sorrow befell him. -His mother died. His father, anxious that the child -should not miss a mother’s care, married again. His -stepmother treated him with all tenderness, and thus -the child grew strong and beautiful in the bright Italian -sunshine and the loving atmosphere of home.</p> - -<p>He had few companions besides his father and -mother. He played much in his father’s studio, and -like Angelo learned in babyhood to use the tools of -art which later would bring him renown.</p> - -<p>In 1494, while the boy was still young, his second -misfortune came. His father died. Raphael was left -under the guardianship of his stepmother and his -father’s brother, a priest.</p> - -<p>For a time nothing was done toward his further -education. But an uncle who seemed to realize that -the lad had unusual genius for painting at last gained -permission to send him away to a master. He was -placed under the instruction of Perugino, who, it is -said, remarked, “Let him be my pupil; he will soon be -my master.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span></p> - -<p>Raphael remained in the studio of Perugino at -Perugia nearly nine years. Other students were with -him who afterwards became great artists.</p> - -<p>A master like Perugino would often receive many -orders for pictures or frescoes which he could not execute -alone. So the less important work would be left -to students. This not only aided the artist, but it -made it possible for students to show their power. -If a young man had unusual talent, he was sure to seize -this opportunity to show his ability and attract the -master’s attention. Raphael’s earliest work was done -to assist Perugino.</p> - -<p>After the death of Perugino, Raphael returned for a -time to Urbino. Here he painted for the reigning duke -St. George slaying the Dragon and St. Michael attacking -Satan. Both of these pictures are now in the -Louvre gallery at Paris.</p> - -<p>But Raphael wanted especially to see the pictures -of Angelo and Leonardo, whose fame had spread to -the most remote valleys of the rugged Apennines. -So with a letter of introduction to the ruler of Florence, -Raphael in 1504 started upon his travels. His -letter, he knew, would insure him a welcome in Florence -at least.</p> - -<p>As he walked through the streets of this beautiful<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> -city he felt like a fairy prince in a land of magic. -Now he stood beneath the bell tower which Giotto had -designed, now he passed the wonderful bronze gates -which Ghiberti had cast, and now he studied the pictures -of Leonardo or Angelo which were in all the -brilliancy of fresh color.</p> - -<p>New ideas crowded upon him, new inspiration roused -him. He was sure he could do more, much more, than -he had ever dreamed of doing before. Eagerly he began -to paint, and within a few months three Madonnas -were marked with his name. A fresco painting of the -Last Supper, which was probably executed by him -this same year, was discovered on the wall of a convent -dining room in 1845.</p> - -<p>He had been gone not quite a year when he returned -to Urbino to complete some work which he had before -undertaken. The influence of Florence was seen at -once in both color and form. He was a finer artist.</p> - -<p>All that northern Italy could offer, Raphael had now -seen. But the art of Rome excelled the art of Florence. -Angelo was at that very time hard at work -upon the ceiling frescoes of the Sistine Chapel. Leonardo -in Milan had amazed Italy and the world by his -Last Supper. He, too, was soon to be in Rome. -Hither, in 1506, Raphael went.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span></p> - -<p>A young man of handsome, courtly appearance and -gracious manners, with many friends and no enemies, -fortune truly favored him! The Pope received him -gladly and soon commissioned him to decorate the hall -of the Vatican.</p> - -<p>Two of the greatest artists of any age were now working -almost side by side, Michael Angelo and Raphael -of Urbino. Often one or the other would stand by his -rival and watch his brush. Yet neither ever spoke. -Each admired the other and each was known to defend -the other under the attacks of inferior artists.</p> - -<h3>II</h3> - -<table summary="List of words to learn from this reading exercise"> - <tr> - <td>steadily</td> - <td>influence</td> - <td>devout</td> - <td>favorite</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>probably</td> - <td>festival</td> - <td>sleeves</td> - <td>conception</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p>Raphael worked steadily in the Vatican hall. Perhaps -the most pleasing of these frescoes is the one which -shows the Church in heaven and the Church on earth.</p> - -<p>The fresco is divided into two sections. The upper -one shows the Almighty Father in the midst of angels. -Below Him is Christ enthroned, with the Virgin and -St. John the Baptist. Beneath the throne is the Dove -of the Holy Spirit. In the lower fresco appear St. -John, St. Ambrose, St. Augustine, and St. Gregory.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span></p> - -<p>At No. 124 Via Coronari, near the St. Angelo bridge, -is the four-story house where Raphael lived during his -first four years in Rome.</p> - -<p>Raphael was admitted in 1514 into the Fraternity of -the Body of Christ, and his many Madonnas of rare -beauty were doubtless inspired by his devout spirit.</p> - -<p>During his stay in Rome Raphael set up a studio to -which many students flocked. They loved him both -as friend and master, and he was untiring in his efforts -to instruct and inspire them.</p> - -<p>He was commissioned by the Pope with the task of -making certain decorations for the Sistine Chapel. -They were to take the form of tapestries with which -the chapel would be adorned on great festival occasions. -There were ten of these, all telling some Bible story in -the life of Christ or one of His immediate followers.</p> - -<p>The last of the series is the Coronation of the Virgin. -It shows Christ on his throne crowning the Madonna. -The Father and the Holy Spirit are seen above and -St. Jerome and St. John the Baptist below.</p> - -<p>As yet nothing has been said of the painting by -which the name of Raphael is best known, the Sistine -Madonna. It was painted in 1518 for the Benedictine -Monastery of San Sisto at Piacenza. In 1754 it was -purchased by Augustus III, Elector of Saxony, for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> -forty thousand dollars. It was received in Dresden -with great rejoicing, and the throne of Saxony was -moved to give it a suitable place. It is now in the -Dresden gallery.</p> - -<p>Another favorite is the Madonna of the Chair. This -shows the Madonna, seated, holding the child. “The -dress of the mother is light blue; the mantle about -her shoulder is green with red and willow-green stripes -and a gold-embroidered border; her sleeves are red -faced with gold at the wrists. A grayish-brown veil -with reddish-brown stripes is wound around her head. -The child’s dress is orange colored; the back of the -chair is red.” Such is the description given by -Grimm.</p> - -<p>At the time of his death Raphael was putting forth -every effort to finish his noble conception of the Transfiguration. -It is now, as he left it, in the Vatican.</p> - -<p>On the night of Good Friday, April 6, 1520, at the -age of thirty-seven, Raphael died. In his beautiful -home, where the people of Rome might do him honor, -the unfinished Transfiguration beside him, in the midst -of lighted tapers, he lay in state until the body was -carried to the Pantheon. In the procession also was -carried the great picture.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="LEAD_KINDLY_LIGHT">LEAD, KINDLY LIGHT</h2> - - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Lead, Kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom</div> -<div class="verse indent4">Lead Thou me on!</div> -<div class="verse">The night is dark, and I am far from home—</div> -<div class="verse indent4">Lead Thou me on!</div> -<div class="verse">Keep Thou my feet, I do not ask to see</div> -<div class="verse">The distant scene—one step enough for me.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">I was not ever thus, nor pray’d that Thou</div> -<div class="verse indent4">Shouldst lead me on.</div> -<div class="verse">I loved to choose and see my path, but now</div> -<div class="verse indent4">Lead Thou me on!</div> -<div class="verse">I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,</div> -<div class="verse">Pride ruled my will: remember not past years.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still</div> -<div class="verse indent4">Will lead me on,</div> -<div class="verse">O’er moor and fen, o’er crag and torrent, till</div> -<div class="verse indent4">The night is gone;</div> -<div class="verse">And with the morn those angel faces smile</div> -<div class="verse">Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile.</div> -</div> -<div class="attribution">—<span class="smcap">Cardinal Newman.</span></div> -</div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="PARABLE_OF_THE_GOOD_SAMARITAN">PARABLE OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN</h2> - -<p>A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, -and fell among robbers, who also stripped him: and -having wounded him went away leaving him half -dead.</p> - -<p>And it chanced that a certain priest went down the -same way: and seeing him, passed by.</p> - -<p>In like manner also a Levite, when he was near -the place and saw him, passed by.</p> - -<p>But a certain Samaritan being on his journey, came -near him: and seeing him was moved with compassion.</p> - -<p>And going up to him, bound up his wounds, pouring -in oil and wine: and setting him upon his own beast -brought him to an inn, and took care of him.</p> - -<p>And the next day he took out two pence, and gave -to the host, and said: Take care of him: and whatsoever -thou shalt spend over and above, I at my return -will repay thee.</p> - -<p>Which of these three in thy opinion was neighbor -to him that fell among the robbers?</p> - -<p class="attribution">—<i>Luke</i> x. 30-36.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 485px;"> -<img src="images/illus047.jpg" width="485" height="600" alt="" /> -<p class="caption"><i>Painting by Plockhorst</i></p> -<p class="caption"><span class="smcap">The Good Samaritan</span></p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="CONNOR_MAC-NESSA_AN_IRISH_LEGEND">CONNOR MAC-NESSA—AN IRISH LEGEND</h2> - -<table summary="List of words to learn from this reading exercise"> - <tr> - <td>siege</td> - <td>tourney</td> - <td>falconry</td> - <td>anxious</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>relief</td> - <td>anguish</td> - <td>tranquil</td> - <td>crucify</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>chieftain</td> - <td>emerald</td> - <td>generous</td> - <td>vigorous</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Loud roared the din of battle, fierce,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Bloody and wild,</div> -<div class="verse">With Ulster men and Connaught men</div> -<div class="verse indent1">The field was piled.</div> -<div class="verse">Connor Mac-Nessa, Ulster’s King,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">In the mad fray</div> -<div class="verse">Wounded to death and well-nigh spent</div> -<div class="verse indent1">And dying lay.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">A Druid came with healing balm</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Of herb and leaf,</div> -<div class="verse">He poured it in the gaping wound,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">To give relief;</div> -<div class="verse">The wound was healed, “Yet,” said the leech,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">“Beware, my Liege!</div> -<div class="verse">Of war’s alarm or battle fray,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Sally or siege;</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">“No more o’er mere and fen with thee,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Oh! noble king,</div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> -<div class="verse">Brave Knight and Lady fair will strive</div> -<div class="verse indent1">For bittern’s wing;</div> -<div class="verse">No more thou’lt ride thy prancing steed</div> -<div class="verse indent1">After the doe,</div> -<div class="verse">No more thou’lt tilt at tourney brave</div> -<div class="verse indent1">’Gainst gallant foe;</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">“For thee the fireside’s tranquil calm,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Lest sudden rift</div> -<div class="verse">Of wound break forth and cause thy death</div> -<div class="verse indent1">In anguish swift!”</div> -<div class="verse">Quiet and calm, in war or peace,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">No more to roam,</div> -<div class="verse">Connor Mac-Nessa, Ulster’s King,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Abode at home.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">One day, when woods were green and fair,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">And hearts were light,</div> -<div class="verse">Swiftly the gleaming mid-day sun</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Grew dark as night;</div> -<div class="verse">Black portents unto Erin fair</div> -<div class="verse indent1">It seemed to bring.</div> -<div class="verse">“What means this, mighty Druid?” asked</div> -<div class="verse indent1">The anxious king.</div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">“Far, far away, across the sea,”</div> -<div class="verse indent1">The Druid said,</div> -<div class="verse">“Jesu, the Christ, upon a cross</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Bends low His head.</div> -<div class="verse">Their King upon the shameful tree,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">With mocking cry,</div> -<div class="verse">And scornful gibe, the cruel Jews</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Now crucify.”</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">King Connor cried, “What crime had this</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Man done, I pray?”</div> -<div class="verse">“But to be good were crime enough</div> -<div class="verse indent1">For such as they,</div> -<div class="verse">My King,” the answer came. “He was</div> -<div class="verse indent1">To death enticed,</div> -<div class="verse">Then broke His tender, loving heart,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">This fair, white Christ!”</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">A generous flush o’erspread his cheek,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Mac-Nessa sprang</div> -<div class="verse">Quick to his feet; his quivering voice</div> -<div class="verse indent1">In anger rang.</div> -<div class="verse">“Ah! wicked deed! Ah! poor, white Christ!</div> -<div class="verse indent1">They murder Thee!</div> -<div class="verse">Why didst thou not unto the King</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Of Erin flee?</div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">“Thy battles he would fight to death,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Poor, guiltless One,</div> -<div class="verse">Ulster’s great chieftain ne’er could see</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Injustice done!”</div> -<div class="verse">Then dashed he from the hall and seized</div> -<div class="verse indent1">With vigorous hand</div> -<div class="verse">His keen and sharp-edged clevy—</div> -<div class="verse indent1">A wondrous brand!</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Under the turquoise sky, upon</div> -<div class="verse indent1">The emerald turf,</div> -<div class="verse">His anger raged like foaming crest</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Of frothy surf.</div> -<div class="verse">He hacked and hewed the giant trees</div> -<div class="verse indent1">With his keen sword.</div> -<div class="verse">“Thus would I slay Thy foes, poor Christ,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">With blood out-poured!”</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Then quickly his forgotten wound</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Sprung gaping wide.</div> -<div class="verse">He reeled and fell: “I go to Thee,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Oh! Christ!” he sighed,</div> -<div class="verse">For the King Christ he loved unseen,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">With flowers bespread,</div> -<div class="verse">Connor Mac-Nessa, Ulster’s King</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Lay cold and dead!</div> -</div> -<div class="attribution">—<span class="smcap">M. F. N.-R.</span></div> -</div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="THE_MARTYRDOM_OF_BLESSED_JOHN_FISHER">THE MARTYRDOM OF BLESSED JOHN FISHER</h2> - -<table summary="List of words to learn from this reading exercise"> - <tr> - <td>message</td> - <td>persuasion</td> - <td>signify</td> - <td>lieutenant</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>apparel</td> - <td>infirmity</td> - <td>scaffold</td> - <td>occasion</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>forehead</td> - <td>infinite</td> - <td>tyrant</td> - <td>solemnity</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p>It was very late in the night when the sentence was -pronounced, and the prisoner was asleep. The lieutenant -was unwilling to disturb his rest for that time, -and so did not awaken him, but in the morning before -five of the clock he came to him in his chamber in the -Bell Tower, and found him yet asleep in his bed.</p> - -<p>He awakened the good father, and explained that -he was come to him on a message from the king. Then, -with some persuasion, he said that he should remember -himself to be an old man, and that he could not expect -by course of nature to live much longer. Finally he -informed him that he was come to signify unto him that -the king’s pleasure was he should suffer death that -forenoon.</p> - -<p>“Well,” answered this blessed father, “if this be your -errand, you bring me no great news. I have long expected -this message. And I most humbly thank the -king’s majesty that it has pleased him to rid me from -all this worldly business, and I thank you also for your<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> -tidings. But I pray you, Mr. Lieutenant, when is -mine hour that I must go hence?”</p> - -<p>“Your hour,” said the lieutenant, “must be nine of -the clock.”</p> - -<p>“And what hour is it now?” said he.</p> - -<p>“It is now about five,” said the lieutenant.</p> - -<p>“Well, then,” said he, “let me by your patience sleep -an hour or two, for I have slept very little this night. -My rest has been very much broken, not for any fear -of death, I thank God, but by reason of my great infirmity -and weakness.”</p> - -<p>“The king’s further pleasure is,” said the lieutenant, -“that you should not talk much. Especially you must -not say anything touching his majesty, whereby the -people should have any cause to think ill of him or -of his proceedings.”</p> - -<p>“For that,” said the father, “you shall see me order -myself well. For, by God’s grace, neither the king, -nor any man else, shall have occasion to mislike my -words.”</p> - -<p>The lieutenant then departed from him, and so the -prisoner, falling again to rest, slept soundly two hours -and more.</p> - -<p>After he was waked again he called to his man to -help him up. Then he commanded him to take away<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> -the shirt of hair (which he was accustomed to wear on -his back) and to convey it secretly out of the house. -Then he bade him bring a clean white shirt, and all -the best apparel he had, as cleanly bright as possible.</p> - -<p>While he was dressing himself, he appeared to have -more curiosity and care for the fine and cleanly wearing -of his apparel that day than had ever been his wont -before. His man asked him what this sudden change -meant, since he must know well enough that he must -put off all again within two hours and lose it.</p> - -<p>“What of that?” said the father. “Dost thou not -mark that this is our wedding day, and that it is necessary -for us to use more cleanliness for solemnity of -the marriage?”</p> - -<p>About nine of the clock the lieutenant came again to -his prison. Finding him almost ready, he said that -he was now come for him.</p> - -<p>“I will wait upon you straight,” said the father, “as -fast as this thin body of mine will give me leave.” -Then he turned to his man and said, “Reach me my -fur cape to put about my neck.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, my lord,” said the lieutenant, “why need you -be so careful for your health for this little while? -Your lordship knoweth that it is not much above an -hour.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span></p> - -<p>“I think no otherwise,” said this blessed father. -“But in the meantime I will keep myself as well as -I can, till the very time of my execution. I have, I -thank our Lord, a very good desire and willing mind -to die at this present time, and so trust of His infinite -mercy and goodness He will continue this desire. -Nevertheless, I will not willingly hinder my health -for one minute of an hour. Indeed, I will prolong the -same as long as I can by such reasonable ways and -means as Almighty God hath provided for me.”</p> - -<p>Then, taking a little book in his hand, which was a -New Testament lying by him, he made a cross on his -forehead and went out of his prison door with the -lieutenant. He was so weak that he was scarce able -to go down the stairs, and at the stairs-foot he was -taken up in a chair between two of the lieutenant’s -men. These carried him to the Tower gate to be -delivered to the sheriffs of London for execution.</p> - -<p>When they were come to the farthest wall of the -Tower, they rested there with him a space; and an -officer was sent on before to know in what readiness -the sheriffs were to receive him. As they were resting -here, the father rose out of his chair, and stood on his -feet, leaning his shoulder to the wall. Then, lifting his -eyes towards heaven, he opened his little book in his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> -hand, and said, “O Lord, this is the last time that ever -I shall open this book; let some comfortable place now -chance unto me whereby I thy poor servant may glorify -Thee in this my last hour.”</p> - -<p>Then he opened the book, and the first thing that -came to his sight were these words: “This is life everlasting, -that they may know Thee the only true God, -and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent. I have -glorified Thee upon earth, I have finished the work -Thou gavest me to do.” Having read these words, he -shut the book together and said, “Here is even learning -enough for me to my life’s end.”</p> - -<p>The sheriff was now ready for him. So he was taken -up again by certain of the sheriff’s men, and, guarded -by many armed men, he was carried to the scaffold on -Tower Hill, otherwise called East Smithfield. He -was seen to be praying all the way, and pondering -upon the words that he had read.</p> - -<p>When he was come to the foot of the scaffold, they -that carried him offered to help him up the stairs; but -he said, “Nay, masters, since I have come so far let -me alone, and you shall see me shift for myself well -enough.” So he went up the stairs without any help, -so lively that it was a marvel to them that knew before -of his weakness. As he was mounting up the stairs,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> -the southeast sun shined very bright in his face. Observing -this, he said to himself these words, lifting up -his hands, “Come ye to Him and be enlightened; and -your faces shall not be confounded.”</p> - -<p>By the time he was on the scaffold, it was about ten -of the clock. The executioner, being ready to do his -office, kneeled down to him (as the fashion is) and -asked his forgiveness.</p> - -<p>“I forgive thee,” said the father, “with all my heart, -and I trust thou shalt see me overcome this storm -lustily.”</p> - -<p>Then was his gown and fur cape taken from him, and -he stood in his doublet and hose, in sight of all the -people. There was to be seen a long, lean, and slender -body, having on it little other substance besides the -skin and bones. Indeed, so thin and emaciated was -he that those who beheld him marveled much to see -a living man so far consumed. Therefore, it appeared -monstrous that the king could be so cruel as to put -such a man to death as he was, even though he had -been a real offender against the law.</p> - -<p>If he had been in the Turk’s dominion, and there -found guilty of some great offense, yet methinks the -Turk would never have put him to death being already -so near death. For it is an horrible and exceeding<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> -cruelty to kill that thing which is presently dying, -except it be for pity’s sake to rid it from longer pain. -Therefore, it may be thought that the cruelty and hard -heart of King Henry in this point passed all the Turks -and tyrants that ever have been heard or read of.</p> - -<p>After speaking a few words the father kneeled down -on his knees and said certain prayers. Then came the -executioner and bound a handkerchief about his eyes. -This holy father, lifting up his hands and heart to -heaven, said a few other prayers, which were not long -but fervent and devout, which being ended, he laid his -holy head down over the midst of a little block.… -And so his immortal soul mounted to the blissful joys -of Heaven.</p> - -<p class="attribution">—<span class="smcap">The Rev. T. E. Bridgett, C. SS. R.</span></p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2 id="THE_NIGHTINGALE_AND_THE_GLOWWORM">THE NIGHTINGALE AND THE GLOWWORM</h2> - -<table summary="List of words to learn from this reading exercise"> - <tr> - <td>appetite</td> - <td>eagerly</td> - <td>harangued</td> - <td>minstrelsy</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>eloquent</td> - <td>abhor</td> - <td>oration</td> - <td>approbation</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">A nightingale, that all day long</div> -<div class="verse">Had cheered the village with his song,</div> -<div class="verse">Nor yet at eve his note suspended,</div> -<div class="verse">Nor yet when eventide was ended,</div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> -<div class="verse">Began to feel, as well he might,</div> -<div class="verse">The keen demands of appetite;</div> -<div class="verse">When, looking eagerly around,</div> -<div class="verse">He spied far off, upon the ground,</div> -<div class="verse">A something shining in the dark,</div> -<div class="verse">And knew the glowworm by his spark;</div> -<div class="verse">So, stooping from the hawthorn top,</div> -<div class="verse">He thought to put him in his crop.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">The worm, aware of his intent,</div> -<div class="verse">Harangued him thus, right eloquent:</div> -<div class="verse">“Did you admire my lamp,” quoth he,</div> -<div class="verse">“As much as I your minstrelsy,</div> -<div class="verse">You would abhor to do me wrong</div> -<div class="verse">As much as I to spoil your song;</div> -<div class="verse">For ’twas the selfsame Power divine</div> -<div class="verse">Taught you to sing and me to shine;</div> -<div class="verse">That you with music, I with light,</div> -<div class="verse">Might beautify and cheer the night.”</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">The songster heard this short oration,</div> -<div class="verse">And, warbling out his approbation,</div> -<div class="verse">Released him, as my story tells,</div> -<div class="verse">And found a supper somewhere else.</div> -</div> -<div class="attribution">—<span class="smcap">William Cowper.</span></div> -</div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="IF_THOU_COULDST_BE_A_BIRD">IF THOU COULDST BE A BIRD</h2> - - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">If thou couldst be a bird, what bird wouldst thou be?</div> -<div class="verse">A frolicsome gull on the billowy sea,</div> -<div class="verse">Screaming and wailing when stormy winds rave,</div> -<div class="verse">Or anchored, white thing! on the merry green wave?</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Or an eagle aloft in the blue ether dwelling,</div> -<div class="verse">Free of the caves of the lofty Helvellyn,</div> -<div class="verse">Who is up in the sunshine when we are in shower,</div> -<div class="verse">And could reach our loved ocean in less than an hour?</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Or a stork on a mosque’s broken pillar in peace,</div> -<div class="verse">By some famous old stream in the bright land of Greece;</div> -<div class="verse">A sweet-mannered householder! waiving his state</div> -<div class="verse">Now and then, in some kind little toil for his mate?</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Or a heath bird, that lies on the Cheviot moor,</div> -<div class="verse">Where the wet, shining earth is as bare as the floor;</div> -<div class="verse">Who mutters glad sounds, though his joys are but few—</div> -<div class="verse">Yellow moon, windy sunshine, and skies cold and blue?</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Or, if thy man’s heart worketh in thee at all,</div> -<div class="verse">Perchance thou wouldst dwell by some bold baron’s hall;</div> -<div class="verse">A black, glossy rook, working early and late,</div> -<div class="verse">Like a laboring man on the baron’s estate?</div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Or a linnet, who builds in the close hawthorn bough,</div> -<div class="verse">Where her small, frightened eyes may be seen looking through;</div> -<div class="verse">Who heeds not, fond mother! the oxlips that shine</div> -<div class="verse">On the hedge banks beneath, or the glazed celandine?</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Or a swallow that flieth the sunny world over,</div> -<div class="verse">The true home of spring and spring flowers to discover;</div> -<div class="verse">Who, go where he will, takes away on his wings</div> -<div class="verse">Good words from mankind for the bright thoughts he brings?</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">But what! can these pictures of strange winged mirth</div> -<div class="verse">Make the child to forget that she walks on the earth?</div> -<div class="verse">Dost thou feel at thy sides as though wings were to start</div> -<div class="verse">From some place where they lie folded up in thy heart?</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Then love the green things in thy first simple youth,</div> -<div class="verse">The beasts, birds, and fishes, with heart and in truth,</div> -<div class="verse">And fancy shall pay thee thy love back in skill;</div> -<div class="verse">Thou shalt be all the birds of the air at thy will.</div> -</div> -<div class="attribution">—<span class="smcap">F. W. Faber.</span></div> -</div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="THE_FIRST_CRUSADE">THE FIRST CRUSADE</h2> - -<h3>I. <span class="smcap">Causes of the Crusades</span></h3> - -<table summary="List of words to learn from this reading exercise"> - <tr> - <td>Mecca</td> - <td>inhabitants</td> - <td>shrewd</td> - <td>apostles</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>Medina</td> - <td>increased</td> - <td>conquered</td> - <td>crusades</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>Mohammed</td> - <td>idolatry</td> - <td>zealous</td> - <td>hermit</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p>About six hundred years after the birth of Christ, -a child named Mohammed was born in the city of -Mecca in Arabia. The father of Mohammed died when -the child was still a babe, and his mother was very -poor. During his boyhood he earned a scanty living -by tending the flocks of his neighbors, and much of -his time was spent in the desert.</p> - -<p>Even when young, Mohammed seemed to be religious. -He often went to a cave a few miles from Mecca, and -stayed there alone for days at a time. He claimed that -he had visions in which the angel Gabriel came down -to him, and told him many things which he should tell -the people of Arabia. When he was forty years old, -he went forth to preach, saying that he was the prophet -of God.</p> - -<p>At the end of three years he had forty followers. The -people of Mecca, however, did not believe him to be a -prophet. They were for the most part idolaters, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> -as Mohammed preached against idolatry, they finally -drove him from the city.</p> - -<p>He and his followers then went to the city of Medina. -The inhabitants of that city received them kindly, and -Mohammed was able to raise an army with which to -overcome his enemies.</p> - -<p>Mohammed was a very shrewd man, and among -other things he was careful to teach his followers that -the hour of each man’s death was fixed. Hence one -was as safe in battle as at home. This belief, of course, -helped his soldiers to fight bravely.</p> - -<p>The number of Mohammed’s followers now increased -very fast; and ten years after his flight to Medina, -he returned to Mecca at the head of forty thousand -pilgrims. Soon all Arabia was converted to his faith, -and idolatry was no longer known in Mecca.</p> - -<p>After Mohammed’s death, his followers formed the -plan of converting the whole world by means of the -sword. In course of time their armies overran Persia, -Egypt, and northern Africa. They also entered Spain, -and having established themselves there, they hoped -to conquer the whole of Europe.</p> - -<p>Soon the Moslems, as the followers of Mohammed -were called, took possession of Palestine and of Jerusalem, -where was the sacred tomb of our Saviour.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span></p> - -<p>After the earliest churches had been established by -the apostles of Christ, it had been the custom of Christians -to make pilgrimages to Jerusalem to see the tomb -of our Saviour. Each pilgrim carried a palm branch -and wore a cockleshell in his hat. The branch was the -token of victory; the shell a sign that the sea had been -crossed. After the Moslems had gained possession of -the Holy Land, as -Palestine is often -called, the pilgrims -often suffered -much from persecution. -Then, too, -they were required -to pay a large sum -for permission to -visit the tomb and -other sacred -places.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 300px;"> -<img src="images/illus064.jpg" width="300" height="400" alt="" /> -<p class="caption"><span class="smcap">Church of the Holy Sepulcher</span></p> -<p class="caption">(Present Day)</p> -</div> - -<p>It was to free -the pilgrims, who -came from Europe, -from this persecution -that the crusades, or holy wars, were undertaken. -These crusades were begun through the efforts<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> -of one zealous man, a priest commonly known as -“Peter the Hermit.”</p> - -<h3>II. <span class="smcap">Peter the Hermit</span></h3> - -<table summary="List of words to learn from this reading exercise"> - <tr> - <td>pilgrimage</td> - <td>exposure</td> - <td>admittance</td> - <td>enthusiasm</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>resurrection</td> - <td>sanction</td> - <td>earnestly</td> - <td>separated</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>cardinals</td> - <td>council</td> - <td>military</td> - <td>Constantinople</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p>Peter the Hermit was born in France. He was in -turn a soldier, a priest, and a hermit. At length he -made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. On reaching -Jerusalem, he saw with such sadness the wrongs suffered -by the Christians that he said in his heart, “I will -rescue the tomb of our Lord from the heathen.”</p> - -<p>During his stay in the Holy City, he went often to -the Church of the Resurrection. One day he beheld -in a vision the Lord, who directed him to go forth and -do his work. He at once returned to Europe. His -plan was to raise a great army and with it drive the -Moslems from the Holy Land. But he must first -obtain the consent and aid of Pope Urban II.</p> - -<p>So he traveled to Rome and was permitted to tell -the Pope his plan. What a picture they made! The -Pope sat in state clothed in rich robes. His cardinals -and attendants were around him. Before him stood<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> -the pilgrim, his face tanned with exposure and his -clothes all travel-stained, telling of the grievous wrongs -suffered by the Christians in Jerusalem. No wonder -Pope Urban wept. The Pope gave his sanction to Peter -to preach throughout Europe, urging the people to -go and rescue the blessed tomb.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> -<img src="images/illus066.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /> -<p class="caption"><span class="smcap">Peter the Hermit preaching the Crusade</span></p> -</div> - -<p>Peter, light of heart but strong of purpose, started -forth in the year 1094. He was clad in a woolen garment -over which he wore a coarse brown mantle. His -feet and head he left bare. He was a small man, and -if you had seen him, you would not have called him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> -fine looking. Still, he was never refused admittance -into the presence of prince or king.</p> - -<p>The poor loved him for his gentleness, and the rich -loaded him with gifts. These, however, he never kept -for himself, but gave to those who were in need.</p> - -<p>At Clermont, in November, 1095, the Pope held a -council of all the cardinals, bishops, and priests who -stood high in the Church. He told them what Peter -meant to do, asking them to render him aid. So -earnestly did he speak, that when he had finished, they -all shouted together, “God wills it! God wills it!”</p> - -<p>“Then,” said Pope Urban, “let the army of the Lord -when it rushes upon its enemies shout that cry, ‘God -wills it.’”</p> - -<p>He commanded all who should take up arms in the -cause to wear on the shoulder a cross, reminding them -that Christ had said, “He that does not take up his -cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” This is why -the wars were called the Crusades, for the word “crusade” -means literally “the taking of the cross.”</p> - -<p>A great army was soon assembled and ready to march. -All the men were eager and wild with enthusiasm, but -most of them had never had any military training. -How would they succeed in that long and toilsome -journey across sea and land to Palestine?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span></p> - -<p>They soon began to meet with trouble. In their -haste, they had not provided nearly enough food for -themselves. When that gave out, they began to take -whatever they needed from the people along the way. -In Hungary they did much harm to towns and farms. -This made the inhabitants very angry, and they came -out to fight the crusaders. Many of the crusaders were -killed and the rest were scattered in flight.</p> - -<p>At length Peter was separated from his followers, and -wandered for some time alone in the forest. Then, -in order to make his whereabouts known to any who -might be in the same forest or near, he blew his horn. -In answer to his call several companies of his friends -soon appeared. So with only a small number of those -who at first started out, Peter at length reached Constantinople.</p> - -<p>At that time Constantinople was the capital of the -Roman Empire in the East and its ruler was the Emperor -Alexis. The emperor received the crusaders -kindly. Here Peter the Hermit was rejoined by a -large force of his followers who had been separated -from him during the march.</p> - -<p>After leaving Constantinople, the crusaders entered -the land of the Turks, through which they must march -before reaching the Holy Land. A terrible battle was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> -soon fought with the Moslems, and most of the crusaders -perished. Peter now saw that with the few -men who were left he could do nothing; he therefore -decided to find a place of security among the mountains -and wait there until aid should come. There we shall -leave him for a time.</p> - -<h3>III. <span class="smcap">Knighthood in the Crusades</span></h3> - -<table summary="List of words to learn from this reading exercise"> - <tr> - <td>chivalry</td> - <td>tournaments</td> - <td>modesty</td> - <td>archery</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>jousts</td> - <td>avenge</td> - <td>obedience</td> - <td>sponsors</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p>When Pope Urban II called the council of Clermont, -and so many men of all ranks stitched upon their -shoulders the cross of red silk, the Age of Chivalry in -Europe had already begun. The word “chivalry” is -from a French word which means rider of a horse. -So, when we speak of the Age of Chivalry, we picture -to ourselves knights riding their horses and engaging -in real or mock battles.</p> - -<p>The mock battles were called jousts or tournaments, -and they were the chief amusement of the time. Noble -lords and beautiful ladies were present and watched -the contest from raised seats as we now watch ball -games. The real battles had many causes. Sometimes -one prince would quarrel with a neighboring<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> -prince and settle the dispute by war. Sometimes a -body of knights would go forth to avenge a wrong.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 250px;"> -<img src="images/illus070.jpg" width="250" height="400" alt="" /> -<p class="caption"><span class="smcap">A Knight of the Crusades</span></p> -</div> - -<p>Sometimes a king would call upon -his knights to go with him to conquer -some neighboring country. -The knights were therefore always -ready for war.</p> - -<p>Every boy, if he were the son -of a noble, at about the age of -seven was sent to the -castle or court of some -prince or king, as a page.</p> - -<p>Here he was taught -modesty and obedience, -hunting, riding, -archery, and the -hurling of the lance.</p> - -<p>When he had become -skillful in these -he might bear the -shield of his master. -He was then a squire. He must know no fear, and -must not boast of his own deeds. He must defend the -weak and be ever courteous to ladies. At feasts he -must carve the meats and wait upon the guests.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span></p> - -<p>When he reached the age of twenty-one, the squire -might be made a knight. This was often a very pretty -ceremony. The squire would come before his lord and -a great party of nobles, dressed in armor, except the -helmet, sword, and spurs.</p> - -<p>Several nobles would offer themselves as sponsors, -declaring that they were sure he would prove himself -noble and brave. Then the squire was struck lightly -on the shoulders with the sword of his master. At the -same time his master repeated these words, “I dub -thee knight in the name of God and St. Michael; be -faithful, bold, and fortunate.” The knight then went -forth to do some deed by which to “win his spurs.”</p> - -<p>Sometimes, before being knighted, the young squire -was left in the chapel of the castle all night. Here he -guarded his armor, and by devout and continuous -prayer invoked the blessing of God upon himself and -whatever cause he should undertake.</p> - -<p>Urged by the preaching of Peter the Hermit and the -encouragement of Pope Urban, the knights of Western -Europe took up the cause of the crusades. Soon after -the departure of Peter with his untrained host of -followers, a gallant army, led by two famous knights, -Godfrey of Bouillon and Tancred, an Italian knight, -began its march to the Holy Land.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span></p> - -<p>Peter at last succeeded in joining them with the few -men who were left with him, and together they advanced -to Jerusalem.</p> - -<h3>IV. <span class="smcap">Godfrey of Bouillon</span></h3> - -<table summary="List of words to learn from this reading exercise"> - <tr> - <td>material</td> - <td>scarcity</td> - <td>missiles</td> - <td>recognized</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>exhaust</td> - <td>devices</td> - <td>signals</td> - <td>Saracens</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p>Many are the tales that are told of the knightly -leaders in this first crusade, and many were their -adventures. It was on the 29th of May, 1099, that the -Christian army first came into full view of the Holy -City. Filled with new zeal at the sight, every man -shouted, “It is the will of God.”</p> - -<p>The city, however, had been fortified in every -possible way, and Godfrey, who was in command, -knew it would be a hard task to mount the high walls. -He was certain that battering-rams would be necessary -to break down the walls, but how were they to obtain -the material to make them? The barren country -around afforded nothing of which they could make use. -To transport the timber from a distance would exhaust -both men and horses which were already suffering -from scarcity of water and food.</p> - -<p>At last news came that a fleet had arrived from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> -Genoa with siege machines and supplies. The crusaders -hastened to the nearest seaport, but found that -their enemies had been before them and destroyed -the fleet. Still they were able to pick up much of the -material and many of the instruments used in the -making of the machines. Some of the Genoese who -were skilled in handicraft put together a few wooden -towers and other devices which were of great use in -surmounting and breaking down the walls. Bridges -were also thrown out, over the walls, by which the -soldiers could pass into the city.</p> - -<p>On Thursday morning, July 14, 1099, the crusaders -made the first attack with their wooden towers. The -Saracens, as the Mohammedans were called by the -crusaders, met them with missiles of all sorts, which -they threw upon them. The crusaders soon made a -breach in the wall, but still could not enter the city.</p> - -<p>Early the next morning the attack was renewed. -A procession of priests was formed and moved about -through the throng, encouraging the knights. A pigeon -was captured, and under its wing a note was found -telling the Saracen commander that help was at hand. -This stirred the Christians to still fiercer attack.</p> - -<p>Suddenly there appeared to the host a horseman -clothed in white. The crusaders at once recognized<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> -the vision of St. George. “St. George has come to -our assistance,” Godfrey exclaimed. “He signals to -enter the Holy City.”</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> -<img src="images/illus074.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /> -<p class="caption"><span class="smcap">Jerusalem taken by the Crusaders</span></p> -</div> - -<p>Again arose the cry, “God wills it! God wills it!” -Godfrey commanded the attack to be renewed. The -hay which the Saracens had heaped up against the -walls to deaden the shock of the battering-rams was -set on fire. The Saracens, stifled by the smoke, leaped -from the walls. Then the tower bridges were let fall, -and soon Godfrey and other knights forced their way -into the city.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span></p> - -<p>After the capture of the Holy City, Godfrey was -chosen king of Jerusalem, or Defender of the Faith. -But he lived only about a year to enjoy that high -distinction.</p> - -<h3>V. <span class="smcap">Tancred</span></h3> - -<table summary="List of words to learn from this reading exercise"> - <tr> - <td>patrolled</td> - <td>cautiously</td> - <td>finally</td> - <td>renowned</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>endurance</td> - <td>Antioch</td> - <td>endeared</td> - <td>approached</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p>Tancred was known among his followers for his unselfishness. -He seemed never to become weary. If a -comrade complained of a duty, he himself would perform -it. He patrolled walls at night, fought by day, -and by his own endurance of labor and hard fare -sought to set an example for his men.</p> - -<p>One night, when he was standing guard with only -his squire as companion, he was attacked by three -armed Saracens on horseback. They came upon him -quickly, thinking, of course, that they could easily -overcome him. They did not know that the blade of -this renowned warrior could cleave their heavy armor -as if it were cloth.</p> - -<p>On came the first horseman and down came Tancred’s -sword. The Saracen fell. The next, who had -seen the first one fall, waited for the third. Very<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> -cautiously they approached side by side, but they -soon fared the same as their companion.</p> - -<p>It was Tancred who took possession of Bethlehem. -He was made ruler over that part of the Holy Land, -but hearing that Antioch was threatened by the Saracens, -he went to its relief. For three years he held it -against the unbelievers.</p> - -<p>Tancred’s cousin, Bohemond, who was the rightful -ruler of Antioch, was held as prisoner by the Saracen -commander; but finally Tancred succeeded in setting -his cousin free. He at once gave up to his cousin the -entire rule, although he had so endeared himself to the -people that they besought him to remain.</p> - -<p>A battle wound was the cause of Tancred’s death. -He met his fate bravely, and died with the purpose of -saving the Holy Land still uppermost in his heart.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Between the years 1095 and 1270 there were eight -crusades, all undertaken for the purpose of delivering -the Holy Land from the Saracens. While they failed to -accomplish that object, they were still of great benefit -to the Church and civilization. They made the people -better acquainted with the geography and history of -other lands, and led to an increase of trade and industry -throughout the known world.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="HOW_THE_ROBIN_CAME">HOW THE ROBIN CAME</h2> - -<table summary="List of words to learn from this reading exercise"> - <tr> - <td>tortures</td> - <td>genesis</td> - <td>hovering</td> - <td>myth</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>chieftain</td> - <td>human</td> - <td>wampum</td> - <td>pity</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Happy young friends, sit by me,</div> -<div class="verse">Under May’s blown apple tree,</div> -<div class="verse">While these home birds in and out</div> -<div class="verse">Through the blossoms flit about.</div> -<div class="verse">Hear a story strange and old,</div> -<div class="verse">By the wild red Indians told.</div> -<div class="verse">How the robin came to be:</div> -<div class="verse">Once a great chief left his son,—</div> -<div class="verse">Well-beloved, his only one,—</div> -<div class="verse">When the boy was well-nigh grown,</div> -<div class="verse">In the trial lodge alone.</div> -<div class="verse">Left for tortures long and slow</div> -<div class="verse">Youths like him must undergo,</div> -<div class="verse">Who their pride of manhood test,</div> -<div class="verse">Lacking water, food, and rest.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Seven days the fast he kept,</div> -<div class="verse">Seven nights he never slept.</div> -<div class="verse">Then the young boy, wrung with pain,</div> -<div class="verse">Weak from nature’s overstrain,</div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> -<div class="verse">Faltering, moaned a low complaint,</div> -<div class="verse">“Spare me, father, for I faint!”</div> -<div class="verse">But the chieftain, haughty-eyed,</div> -<div class="verse">Hid his pity in his pride.</div> -<div class="verse">“You shall be a hunter good,</div> -<div class="verse">Knowing never lack of food;</div> -<div class="verse">You shall be a warrior great,</div> -<div class="verse">Wise as fox and strong as bear;</div> -<div class="verse">Many scalps your belt shall wear,</div> -<div class="verse">If with patient heart you wait</div> -<div class="verse">Bravely till your task is done.</div> -<div class="verse">Better you should starving die</div> -<div class="verse">Than that boy and squaw should cry</div> -<div class="verse">Shame upon your father’s son!”</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">When next morn the sun’s first rays</div> -<div class="verse">Glistened on the hemlock sprays,</div> -<div class="verse">Straight that lodge the old chief sought,</div> -<div class="verse">And boiled samp and moose meat brought.</div> -<div class="verse">“Rise and eat, my son!” he said.</div> -<div class="verse">Lo, he found the poor boy dead!</div> -<div class="verse">As with grief his grave they made,</div> -<div class="verse">And his bow beside him laid,</div> -<div class="verse">Pipe, and knife, and wampum braid,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">On the lodge top overhead,</div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> -<div class="verse">Preening smooth its breast of red</div> -<div class="verse">And the brown coat that it wore,</div> -<div class="verse">Sat a bird, unknown before.</div> -<div class="verse">And as if with human tongue,</div> -<div class="verse">“Mourn me not,” it said, or sung;</div> -<div class="verse">“I, a bird, am still your son,</div> -<div class="verse">Happier than if hunter fleet,</div> -<div class="verse">Or a brave, before your feet</div> -<div class="verse">Laying scalps in battle won.</div> -<div class="verse">Friend of man, my song shall cheer</div> -<div class="verse">Lodge and corn land; hovering near,</div> -<div class="verse">To each wigwam I shall bring</div> -<div class="verse">Tidings of the coming spring;</div> -<div class="verse">Every child my voice shall know</div> -<div class="verse">In the moon of melting snow,</div> -<div class="verse">When the maple’s red bud swells,</div> -<div class="verse">And the windflower lifts its bells.</div> -<div class="verse">As their fond companion</div> -<div class="verse">Men shall henceforth own your son,</div> -<div class="verse">And my song shall testify</div> -<div class="verse">That of human kin am I.”</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Thus the Indian legend saith</div> -<div class="verse">How, at first, the robin came</div> -<div class="verse">With a sweeter life than death,</div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> -<div class="verse">Bird for boy, and still the same.</div> -<div class="verse">If my young friends doubt that this</div> -<div class="verse">Is the robin’s genesis,</div> -<div class="verse">Not in vain is still the myth</div> -<div class="verse">If a truth be found therewith:</div> -<div class="verse">Unto gentleness belong</div> -<div class="verse">Gifts unknown to pride and wrong;</div> -<div class="verse">Happier far than hate is praise,—</div> -<div class="verse">He who sings than he who slays.</div> -</div> -<div class="attribution">—<span class="smcap">John G. Whittier.</span></div> -</div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2 id="HOW_ST_FRANCIS_PREACHED_TO_THE_BIRDS">HOW ST. FRANCIS PREACHED TO THE BIRDS</h2> - -<table summary="List of words to learn from this reading exercise"> - <tr> - <td>fervor</td> - <td>abandon</td> - <td>salvation</td> - <td>penance</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>triple</td> - <td>multitude</td> - <td>substance</td> - <td>raiment</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>refuge</td> - <td>creator</td> - <td>preserved</td> - <td>element</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>marveled</td> - <td>benefits</td> - <td>ingratitude</td> - <td>providence</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p>One day when St. Francis was in a village of Italy, -he began to preach; and first of all he commanded -the swallows who were singing that they should keep -silence until he had done preaching, and the swallows -obeyed him. And he preached with so much fervor -that all the men and women in that village were -minded to go forth and abandon the village.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span></p> - -<p>But St. Francis suffered them not, and said to them: -“Do not be in haste, and do not go hence, and I will -order that which you must do for the salvation of your -souls;” and then he thought of his third order for the -salvation of the whole world. And he left them much -comforted and well disposed to penance; and he departed -thence.</p> - -<p>And passing along, in fervor of soul, he lifted up his -eyes and saw many trees standing by the way, and filled -with a countless multitude of little birds; at which -St. Francis wondered, and said to his companions, -“Wait a little for me in the road, and I will go and -preach to my sisters the birds.”</p> - -<p>And he entered into the field, and began to preach to -the birds that were on the ground. And suddenly, -those that were in the trees came around him, and -together they all remained silent, so long as it pleased -St. Francis to speak; and even after he had finished -they would not depart until he had given them his -blessing. And according as it was afterwards related, -St. Francis went among them and touched them with -his cloak, and none of them moved.</p> - -<p>The substance of the sermon was this: “My little -sisters, the birds, you are much beholden to God your -creator, and in all places you ought to praise Him, because<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> -He has given you liberty to fly about in all -places, and has given you double and triple raiment. -Know also that He preserved your race in the ark of -Noe that your species might not perish.</p> - -<p>“And again you are beholden to Him for the element -of air, which He has appointed for you; and for this -also that you never sow nor reap, but God feeds you -and gives you the brooks and fountains for your drink, -the mountains and valleys also for your refuge, and the -tall trees wherein to make your nests. And since you -know neither how to sew nor how to spin, God clothes -you, you and your young ones. Wherefore your creator -loves you much, since He has bestowed on you so many -benefits. And therefore beware, my little sisters, of -the sin of ingratitude, and study always to please God.”</p> - -<p>As St. Francis spoke thus to them, all the multitude -of these birds opened their beaks, and stretched out -their necks, and opened their wings; and reverently -bowing their heads to the earth, by their acts and by -their songs they showed that the words of the holy -father gave them the greatest delight. And St. Francis -rejoiced, and was glad with them, and marveled much -at such a multitude of birds, and at their beautiful -variety, and their attention and familiarity; for all -which he devoutly praised their creator in them.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span></p> - -<p>Finally, having finished his sermon, St. Francis -made the sign of the cross over them, and gave them -leave to depart. Thereupon, all those birds arose in -the air, with wonderful singing; and after the fashion -of the sign of the cross which St. Francis had made -over them, they divided themselves into four parts; -and one part flew toward the east, and another to -the west, another to the south, and another to the -north.</p> - -<p>Then, all departing, they went their way singing -wonderful songs, signifying by this that as St. Francis, -standard bearer of the cross of Christ, had preached to -them, made on them the sign of the cross, after which -they had divided themselves, going to the four parts -of the world, so the preaching of the cross of Christ, -renewed by St. Francis, should be carried by him and -by his brothers to the whole world, and that these -brothers, after the fashion of the birds, should possess -nothing of their own in this world, but commit their -lives solely to the providence of God.</p> - -<p class="attribution">—From “<span class="smcap">Little Flowers of St. Francis.</span>”</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Teach me, O lark! with thee to gently rise,</div> -<div class="verse">To exalt my soul and lift it to the skies.</div> -</div> -<div class="attribution">—<span class="smcap">Edmund Burke.</span></div> -</div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="THE_PETRIFIED_FERN">THE PETRIFIED FERN</h2> - -<table summary="List of words to learn from this reading exercise"> - <tr> - <td>petrified</td> - <td>holiday</td> - <td>avalanches</td> - <td>design</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>delicate</td> - <td>reveled</td> - <td>mysteries</td> - <td>haughty</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>mammoth</td> - <td>veinings</td> - <td>fissure</td> - <td>holiday</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">In a valley, centuries ago,</div> -<div class="verse indent2">Grew a little fern leaf, green and slender,</div> -<div class="verse indent2">Veining delicate and fibers tender;</div> -<div class="verse">Waving when the wind crept down so low;</div> -<div class="verse indent2">Rushes tall, and moss, and grass grew round it,</div> -<div class="verse indent2">Playful sunbeams darted in and found it,</div> -<div class="verse indent2">Drops of dew stole in by night and crowned it,</div> -<div class="verse indent2">But no foot of man e’er trod that way;</div> -<div class="verse indent2">Earth was young and keeping holiday.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Monster fishes swam the silent main,</div> -<div class="verse indent2">Stately forests waved their giant branches,</div> -<div class="verse indent2">Mountains hurled their snowy avalanches,</div> -<div class="verse">Mammoth creatures stalked across the plain;</div> -<div class="verse indent2">Nature reveled in grand mysteries;</div> -<div class="verse indent2">But the little fern was not of these,</div> -<div class="verse indent2">Did not number with the hills and trees,</div> -<div class="verse indent2">Only grew and waved its wild sweet way,—</div> -<div class="verse indent2">No one came to note it day by day.</div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Earth, one time, put on a frolic mood,</div> -<div class="verse indent2">Heaved the rocks and changed the mighty motion</div> -<div class="verse indent2">Of the deep, strong currents of the ocean;</div> -<div class="verse">Moved the plain and shook the haughty wood,</div> -<div class="verse indent2">Crushed the little fern in soft moist clay,</div> -<div class="verse indent2">Covered it, and hid it safe away.</div> -<div class="verse indent2">Oh, the long, long centuries since that day!</div> -<div class="verse indent2">Oh, the agony, oh, life’s bitter cost,</div> -<div class="verse indent2">Since that useless little fern was lost!</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Useless! Lost! There came a thoughtful man</div> -<div class="verse indent2">Searching Nature’s secrets, far and deep;</div> -<div class="verse indent2">From a fissure in a rocky steep</div> -<div class="verse">He withdrew a stone, o’er which there ran</div> -<div class="verse indent2">Fairy pencilings, a quaint design,</div> -<div class="verse indent2">Veinings, leafage, fibers clear and fine,</div> -<div class="verse indent2">And the fern’s life lay in every line!</div> -<div class="verse indent2">So, I think, God hides some souls away,</div> -<div class="verse indent2">Sweetly to surprise us the last day.</div> -</div> -<div class="attribution">—<span class="smcap">Mary L. Bolles Branch.</span></div> -</div> -</div> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">The purest treasure mortal times afford</div> -<div class="verse">Is spotless reputation: that away,</div> -<div class="verse">Men are but gilded loam or painted clay.</div> -</div> -<div class="attribution">—<span class="smcap">Shakespeare.</span></div> -</div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="BIRD_ENEMIES">BIRD ENEMIES</h2> - -<h3>I</h3> - -<table summary="List of words to learn from this reading exercise"> - <tr> - <td>recognize</td> - <td>honor</td> - <td>innocent</td> - <td>complimentary</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>assassin</td> - <td>retorts</td> - <td>bugaboo</td> - <td>apparently</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>suspect</td> - <td>thrush</td> - <td>social</td> - <td>intolerable</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p>How surely the birds know their enemies! See -how the wrens and robins and bluebirds pursue and -scold the cat, while they take little or no notice of the -dog! Even the swallow will fight the cat, and, relying -too confidently upon its powers of flight, sometimes -swoops down so near to its enemy that it is caught -by a sudden stroke of the cat’s paw. The only case I -know of in which our small birds fail to recognize their -enemy is furnished by the shrike; apparently the little -birds do not know that this modest-colored bird is an -assassin. At least, I have never seen them scold or -molest him, or utter any outcries at his presence, as -they usually do at birds of prey.</p> - -<p>But the birds have nearly all found out the trick -of the jay, and when he comes sneaking through the -trees in May and June in quest of eggs, he is quickly -exposed and roundly abused. It is amusing to see -the robins hustle him out of the tree which holds their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> -nest. They cry, “Thief! thief!” to the top of their -voices as they charge upon him, and the jay retorts -in a voice scarcely less complimentary as he makes -off.</p> - -<p>The jays have their enemies also, and need to keep -an eye on their own eggs. It would be interesting to -know if jays ever rob jays, -or crows plunder crows; -or is there honor among -thieves even in the feathered -tribes? I suspect the -jay is often punished by -birds which are otherwise -innocent of nest robbing.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 225px;"> -<img src="images/illus087.jpg" width="225" height="400" alt="A jay. Illustrator credit: GLEESON." /> -</div> - -<p>One season I found a -jay’s nest in a cedar on -the side of a wooded ridge. -It held five eggs, every one -of which had been punctured. -Apparently some -bird had driven its sharp -beak through their shells, -with the sole intention of destroying them, for no part -of the contents of the eggs had been removed. It -looked like a case of revenge—as if some thrush or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> -warbler, whose nest had suffered at the hands of the -jays, had watched its opportunity, and had in this way -retaliated upon its enemies. An egg for an egg. The -jays were lingering near, very demure and silent, and -probably ready to join a crusade against nest robbers.</p> - -<p>The great bugaboo of the birds is the owl. The -owl snatches them from off their roosts at night, and -gobbles up their eggs and young in their nests. He -is a veritable ogre to them, and his presence fills them -with consternation and alarm.</p> - -<p>One season, to protect my early cherries, I placed -a large stuffed owl amid the branches of the tree. -Such a racket as there instantly began about my -grounds is not pleasant to think upon. The orioles -and robins fairly “shrieked out their affright.” The -news instantly spread in every direction, and apparently -every bird in town came to see that owl in the cherry -tree, and every bird took a cherry, so that I lost more -fruit than if I had left the owl indoors. With craning -necks and horrified looks the birds alighted upon the -branches, and between their screams would snatch off -a cherry, as if the act was some relief to their feelings.</p> - -<p>The chirp and chatter of the young of birds which -build in concealed or inclosed places, like the woodpeckers, -the house wren, the high-hoe, the oriole,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> -etc., is in marked contrast to the silence of the fledgelings -of most birds that build open and exposed nests. -The young of the sparrows, warblers, flycatchers, -thrushes, etc., never allow a sound to escape them; and -on the alarm note of their parents being heard, sit -especially close and motionless, while the young of -chimney swallows, woodpeckers, and orioles are very -noisy.</p> - -<p>The owl, I suspect, thrusts its leg into the cavities -of woodpeckers and into the pocket-like nest of the -oriole, and clutches and brings forth the birds in its -talons. In one case, a screech owl had thrust its claw -into a cavity in a tree, and grasped the head of a red-headed -woodpecker; being apparently unable to draw -its prey forth, it had thrust its own round head into -the hole, and in some way became fixed there, and had -thus died with the woodpecker in its talons.</p> - -<h3>II</h3> - -<table summary="List of words to learn from this reading exercise"> - <tr> - <td>mishap</td> - <td>tragedies</td> - <td>desiccated</td> - <td>vicinity</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>tragic</td> - <td>vermin</td> - <td>intolerable</td> - <td>purgatory</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>comic</td> - <td>couple</td> - <td>cavity</td> - <td>explosion</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p>The life of birds is beset with dangers and mishaps -of which we know little. One day, in my walk, I came<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> -upon a goldfinch with the tip of one wing securely fastened -to the feathers of its back, by what appeared -to be the silk of some caterpillar. The bird, though -uninjured, was completely crippled, and could not fly -a stroke. Its little body was hot and panting in my -hands as I carefully broke the fetter. Then it darted -swiftly away with a happy cry.</p> - -<p>A record of all the accidents and tragedies of bird -life for a single season would show many curious incidents. -A friend of mine opened his box stove one fall -to kindle a fire in it, when he beheld in the black interior -the desiccated forms of two bluebirds. The -birds had probably taken refuge in the chimney during -some cold spring storm, and had come down the pipe -to the stove, from whence they were unable to ascend.</p> - -<p>A peculiarly touching little incident of bird life occurred -to a caged canary. It laid some eggs, and was -so carried away by its feelings that it would offer food -to the eggs, and chatter and twitter, trying, as it -seemed, to encourage them to eat. The incident is -hardly tragic, neither is it comic.</p> - -<p>Certain birds nest in the vicinity of our houses and -outbuildings, or even in and upon them, for protection -from their enemies, but they often thus expose themselves -to plague of the most deadly character.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span></p> - -<p>I refer to the vermin with which their nests often -swarm, and which kill the young before they are fledged. -In a state of nature this probably never happens; -at least I have never seen or heard of it happening -to nests placed in trees or under rocks. It is the curse -of civilization falling upon the birds which come too -near man. The vermin is probably conveyed to the -nest in hen’s feathers, or in straws and hairs picked -up about the barn or henhouse. A robin’s nest will -occasionally become an intolerable nuisance from the -swarms upon swarms of minute vermin with which it -is filled. The parent birds stem the tide as long as -they can, but are often compelled to leave the young -to their terrible fate.</p> - -<p>One season a phœbe bird built on a projecting stone -under the eaves of the house, and all appeared to go -well till the young were nearly fledged, when the nest -suddenly became a bit of purgatory. The birds kept -their places till they could hold out no longer, when -they leaped forth and fell dead upon the ground.</p> - -<p>After a delay of a week or more, during which I -imagine the parent birds purified themselves by every -means known to them, the couple built another nest -a few yards from the first, and proceeded to rear a -second brood; but the new nest developed into the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> -same bed of torment that the first did, and the three -young birds, nearly ready to fly, perished as they sat -within it. The parent birds then left the place.</p> - -<p>I imagine the smaller birds have an enemy in our -native white-footed mouse, though I have not proof -enough to convict him. But one season the nest of a -chickadee which I was observing was broken up in a -position where nothing but a mouse could have reached -it. The bird had chosen a cavity in the limb of an -apple tree which stood but a few yards from the house. -The cavity was deep, and the entrance to it, which was -ten feet from the ground, was small.</p> - -<p>Barely light enough was admitted to enable one to -make out the number of eggs, which was six, at the -bottom of the dim interior. While one was peering in -and trying to get his head out of his own light, the -bird would startle him by a queer kind of puffing -sound. She would not leave her nest like most birds, -but really tried to blow, or scare, the intruder away; -and after repeated experiments I could hardly refrain -from jerking my head back when that little explosion -of sound came up from the dark interior.</p> - -<p>One night the nest was harried. A slight trace of -hair or fur at the entrance led me to infer that some -small animal was the robber.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span></p> - -<p>A weasel might have done it, as they sometimes -climb trees, but I doubt if either a squirrel or a rat -could have passed the entrance.</p> - -<p>A pair of the least flycatchers, the bird which is a -small edition of the pewee, one season built their nest -where I had them for many hours each day under my -observation. The nest was a very snug and compact -structure placed in the forks of a small maple about -twelve feet from the ground. The season before a red -squirrel had harried the nest of a wood thrush in this -same tree, and I was apprehensive that he would serve -the flycatchers the same trick; so, as I sat with my -book in a summerhouse near by, I kept my loaded gun -within easy reach.</p> - -<p>One egg was laid, and the next morning, as I made -my daily inspection of the nest, only a fragment of its -empty shell was to be found. This I removed, mentally -imprecating the rogue of a red squirrel. The -birds were much disturbed by the event, but after -much inspection of it and many consultations together, -concluded, it seems, to try again.</p> - -<p>Two more eggs were laid, when one day I heard the -birds utter a sharp cry, and on looking up I saw a cat-bird -perched upon the rim of the nest, hastily devouring -the eggs. I soon regretted my precipitation in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> -killing her, because such interference is generally unwise. -It turned out that she had a nest of her own -with five eggs in a spruce tree near my window.</p> - -<p>Then this pair of little flycatchers did what I had -never seen birds do before: they pulled the nest to -pieces and rebuilt it in a peach tree not many rods -away, where a brood was successfully reared. The -nest was here exposed to the direct rays of the noonday -sun, and to shield her young when the heat was greatest, -the mother-bird would stand above them with wings -slightly spread, as other birds have been known to do -under like circumstances.</p> - -<h3>III</h3> - -<table summary="List of words to learn from this reading exercise"> - <tr> - <td>peculiar</td> - <td>species</td> - <td>expressive</td> - <td>courage</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>curious</td> - <td>dismay</td> - <td>desperate</td> - <td>assault</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>subtle</td> - <td>rescue</td> - <td>deranged</td> - <td>enemy</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p>Probably the darkest tragedy of the nest is enacted -when a snake plunders it. All birds and animals, so -far as I have observed, behave in a peculiar manner -toward a snake. They seem to feel something of the -same loathing toward it that the human species experience. -The bark of a dog when he encounters a -snake is different from that which he gives out on any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> -other occasion; it is a mingled note of alarm, inquiry, -and disgust.</p> - -<p>One day a tragedy was enacted a few yards from -where I was sitting with a book: two song sparrows -were trying to defend their nest against a black snake. -The curious, interrogating note of a chicken who had -suddenly come upon the scene in his walk first caused -me to look up from my reading. There were the sparrows, -with wings raised in a way peculiarly expressive -of horror and dismay, rushing about a low clump of -grass and bushes.</p> - -<p>Then, looking more closely, I saw the glistening form -of the black snake, and the quick movement of his -head as he tried to seize the birds. The sparrows -darted about and through the grass and weeds, trying -to beat the snake off. Their tails and wings were -spread, and, panting with the heat and desperate -struggle, they presented a most singular spectacle. -They uttered no cry, not a sound escaped them; they -were plainly speechless with horror and dismay. Not -once did they drop their wings, and the peculiar expression -of those uplifted palms, as it were, I shall -never forget.</p> - -<p>It occurred to me that perhaps here was a case of -attempted bird charming on the part of the snake, so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> -I looked on from behind the fence. The birds charged -the snake and harassed him from every side, but were -evidently under no spell save that of courage in defending -their nest.</p> - -<p>Every moment or two I could see the head and neck -of the serpent make a sweep at the birds, when the one -struck at would fall back, and the other would renew -the assault. There appeared to be little danger that -the snake could strike and hold one of the birds, -though I trembled for them, they were so bold and approached -so near to the snake’s head. Time and again -he sprang at them but without success. How the poor -things panted, and held up their wings appealingly!</p> - -<p>Then the snake glided off, barely escaping the stone -which I hurled at him. I found the nest rifled and -deranged; whether it had contained eggs or young I -know not. The male sparrow had cheered me many a -day with his song, and I blamed myself for not having -rushed at once to the rescue, when the arch enemy -was upon him.</p> - -<p>There is probably little truth in the popular notion -that snakes charm birds. The black snake is the most -subtle of our snakes, and I have never seen him have -any but young, helpless birds in his mouth.</p> - -<p class="attribution">—<span class="smcap">John Burroughs.</span></p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="ST_JOSEPHS_MONTH">ST. JOSEPH’S MONTH</h2> - - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">O, holy St. Joseph! in thee we confide,</div> -<div class="verse">Be thou our protector, our father, our guide;</div> -<div class="verse">The flowers of our innocent childhood we twine</div> -<div class="verse">In a fragrant white garland of love at thy shrine.</div> -<div class="verse">St. Joseph, who guided the Child on His way,</div> -<div class="verse">O, guide us and guard us and bless us, we pray!</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Long ago didst thou teach the Lord Jesus to speak,</div> -<div class="verse">And thine arms were His strength when His footsteps, were weak;</div> -<div class="verse">So lend us thy help in the days of our youth</div> -<div class="verse">So teach us to walk in the pathway of truth!</div> -<div class="verse">St. Joseph, Christ’s early protector and stay,</div> -<div class="verse">Protect us and save us from evil, we pray!</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">When the years glowing o’er us shall smolder away,</div> -<div class="verse">When their ashes down-drifting, shall crown us with gray,</div> -<div class="verse">Still loyal and true may we keep to our vow</div> -<div class="verse">To honor our saint as we honor him now!</div> -<div class="verse">St. Joseph, who guided the Child on His way,</div> -<div class="verse">O, guide us at last to His presence, we pray!</div> -</div> -<div class="attribution">—<span class="smcap">H. W.</span></div> -</div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="A_SONG_OF_SPRING">A SONG OF SPRING</h2> - - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Hark, the spring! She calls</div> -<div class="verse indent1">With a thousand voices</div> -<div class="verse">’Mid the echoing forest halls</div> -<div class="verse indent1">One great heart rejoices.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Hills, where young lambs bound,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Whiten o’er with daisies;</div> -<div class="verse">Flag flowers light the lower ground,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Where the old steer grazes.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Meadows laugh, flower-gay;</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Every breeze that passes</div> -<div class="verse">Waves the seed-cloud’s gleaming gray</div> -<div class="verse indent1">O’er the greener grasses.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">O thou spring! be strong,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Exquisite newcomer!</div> -<div class="verse">And the onset baffle long</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Of advancing summer!</div> -</div> -<div class="attribution">—<span class="smcap">Aubrey de Vere.</span></div> -</div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="ROBERT_BRUCE">ROBERT BRUCE</h2> - -<h3>I. <span class="smcap">Chased by a Bloodhound</span></h3> - -<table summary="List of words to learn from this reading exercise"> - <tr> - <td>entertaining</td> - <td>revenge</td> - <td>assemble</td> - <td>pursuit</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>dispersed</td> - <td>attendant</td> - <td>prisoner</td> - <td>fugitives</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>resolved</td> - <td>oppressed</td> - <td>relation</td> - <td>retreat</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p>I will now tell you a story of King Robert Bruce -during his wanderings. His adventures are as entertaining -as those which men invent for story books, -with this advantage, that they are all true.</p> - -<p>About the time when the Bruce was yet at the -head of but few men, Sir Aymer de Valence, who was -Earl of Pembroke, together with John of Lorn, came -into Galloway, each of them being at the head of a -large body of men.</p> - -<p>John of Lorn had a bloodhound with him, which it -was said had formerly belonged to Robert Bruce himself; -and having been fed by the king with his own -hands, it became attached to him and would follow -his footsteps anywhere, as dogs are well known to -trace their masters’ steps, whether they be bloodhounds -or not. By means of this hound, John of Lorn -thought he should certainly find out Bruce, and take -revenge on him for the death of his relation Comyn.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span></p> - -<p>When these two armies advanced upon King Robert, -he at first thought of fighting the English earl; but -becoming aware that John of Lorn was moving round -with another large body to attack him in the rear, he -resolved to avoid fighting at that time, lest he should -be oppressed by numbers. For this purpose, the king -divided the men he had with him into three bodies, -and commanded them to retreat by three different -ways, thinking the enemy would not know which party -to pursue. He also appointed a place at which they -were to assemble again.</p> - -<p>When John of Lorn came to the place where the -army of Bruce had been thus divided, the bloodhound -took his course after one of these divisions, neglecting -the other two, and then John of Lorn knew that the -king must be in that party; so he also made no pursuit -after the two other divisions, but, with all his -men, followed that which the dog pointed out.</p> - -<p>The king again saw that he was followed by a -large body, and being determined to escape from them -if possible, he made all the people who were with him -disperse themselves different ways, thinking thus that -the enemy must needs lose trace of him. He kept -only one man along with him, and that was his own -foster brother, or the son of his nurse.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span></p> - -<p>When John of Lorn came to the place where Bruce’s -companions had dispersed themselves, the bloodhound, -after it had snuffed up and down for a little, quitted -the footsteps of all the other fugitives, and ran barking -upon the track of two men out of the whole number. -Then John of Lorn knew that one of these two -must be King Robert. Accordingly, he commanded -five of his men to chase after him, and either make -him prisoner or slay him.</p> - -<p>The Highlanders started off accordingly, and ran so -fast that they gained sight of Robert and his foster -brother. The king asked his companion what help he -could give him, and his foster brother answered he was -ready to do his best. So these two turned on the five -men of John of Lorn and killed them all.</p> - -<p>By this time Bruce was very much fatigued, and -yet they dared not sit down to take any rest; for -whenever they stopped for an instant, they heard the -cry of the bloodhound behind them, and knew by that -that their enemies were coming up fast after them. -At length they came to a wood through which ran -a small river. Then Bruce said to his foster brother, -“Let us wade down this stream for a great way, instead -of going straight across, and so this unhappy -hound will lose the scent; for if we were once clear<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> -of him, I should not be afraid of getting away from -the pursuers.”</p> - -<p>Accordingly, the king and his attendant walked a -great way down the stream, taking care to keep their -feet in the water, which could not retain any scent -where they had stepped. Then they came ashore on -the farther side from the enemy, and went deep into -the wood.</p> - -<p>In the meanwhile, the hound led John of Lorn -straight to the place where the king went into the -water, but there the dog began to be puzzled, not -knowing where to go next; for running water cannot -retain the scent of a man’s foot, like that which -remains on turf. So John of Lorn, seeing the dog was -at fault, as it is called, that is, had lost the track of -that which he pursued, he gave up the chase and returned -to join with Aymer de Valence.</p> - -<h3>II. <span class="smcap">In the Forest</span></h3> - -<table summary="List of words to learn from this reading exercise"> - <tr> - <td>habitation</td> - <td>ruffians</td> - <td>civilly</td> - <td>salutations</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>amazing</td> - <td>villains</td> - <td>insisted</td> - <td>acquainted</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p>King Robert’s adventures were not yet ended. His -foster brother and he walked on in hopes of coming to -some habitation. At length, in the midst of the forest,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> -they met with three men who looked like thieves or -ruffians. They were well armed, and one of them bore -a sheep on his back, which it seemed as if they had -just stolen.</p> - -<p>They saluted the king civilly; and he, replying to -their salutations, asked them where they were going. -The men answered they were seeking for Robert Bruce, -for that they intended to join with him.</p> - -<p>The king answered that he would conduct them -where they would find the Scottish king. Then the -man who had spoken changed countenance, and -Bruce, who looked sharply at him, began to suspect -that the ruffian guessed who he was, and that he and -his companions had some design against his person, -in order to gain the reward which had been offered -for his life.</p> - -<p>So he said to them, “My good friends, as we are not -well acquainted with each other, you must go before -us, and we will follow near to you.”</p> - -<p>“You have no occasion to suspect any harm from -us,” answered the man.</p> - -<p>“Neither do I suspect any,” said Bruce; “but this -is the way in which I choose to travel.”</p> - -<p>The men did as he commanded, and thus they -traveled till they came together to a waste and ruinous<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> -cottage, where the men proposed to dress some part -of the sheep, which their companion was carrying. -The king was glad to hear of food; but he insisted -that there should be two fires kindled,—one for himself -and his foster brother at one end of the house, the -other at the other end for their three companions.</p> - -<p>The men did as he desired. They broiled a quarter -of mutton for themselves, and gave another to the king -and his attendant. They were obliged to eat it without -bread or salt; but as they were very hungry, they -were glad to get food in any shape, and partook of it -very heartily.</p> - -<p>Then so heavy a drowsiness fell on King Robert, -that, for all the danger he was in, he could not resist -an inclination to sleep. But first he desired his foster -brother to watch while he slept, for he had great suspicion -of their new acquaintances. His foster brother -promised to keep awake, and did his best to keep his -word. But the king had not been long asleep ere his -foster brother fell into a deep slumber also, for he had -undergone as much fatigue as the king.</p> - -<p>When the three villains saw the king and his attendant -asleep they made signs to each other, and, rising -up at once, drew their swords with the purpose to kill -them both. But the king slept lightly, and for as little<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> -noise as the traitors made, he was awakened by it, and -starting up, drew his sword and went to meet them. -At the same moment he pushed his foster brother with -his foot to awaken him, and he got on his feet; but -ere he had got his eyes cleared to see what was about -to happen, one of the ruffians slew him.</p> - -<p>The king was now alone, one man against three, -and in the greatest danger of his life; but his amazing -strength, and the good armor which he wore, freed -him from this great peril, and he killed the three men, -one after another. He then left the cottage, very -sorrowful for the death of his faithful foster brother, -and took his direction toward the place where he had -appointed his men to assemble.</p> - -<h3>III. <span class="smcap">At the Farmhouse</span></h3> - -<table summary="List of words to learn from this reading exercise"> - <tr> - <td>gallant</td> - <td>fidelity</td> - <td>weariness</td> - <td>mischief</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>trusty</td> - <td>faithful</td> - <td>sentinels</td> - <td>mentioned</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p>It was now near night, and the place of meeting -being a farmhouse, Bruce went boldly into it, where he -found the mistress, an old, true-hearted Scotswoman, -sitting alone. Upon seeing a stranger enter, she asked -him who he was. The king answered that he was a -traveler, who was journeying through the country.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span></p> - -<p>“All travelers,” answered the good woman, “are -welcome here for the sake of one.”</p> - -<p>“And who is that one,” said the king, “for whose -sake you make all travelers welcome?”</p> - -<p>“It is our rightful king, Robert the Bruce,” answered -the mistress, “who is the lawful lord of this country; -and although he is now pursued with hounds and horns, -I hope to live to see him king over all Scotland.”</p> - -<p>“Since you love him so well, dame,” said the king, -“know that you see him before you. I am Robert the -Bruce.”</p> - -<p>“You!” said the good woman, “and wherefore -are you thus alone?—where are all your men?”</p> - -<p>“I have none with me at this moment,” answered -Bruce, “and therefore I must travel alone.”</p> - -<p>“But that shall not be,” said the brave old -dame; “for I have two sons, gallant and trusty -men, who shall be your servants for life and death.”</p> - -<p>So she brought her two sons, and though she well -knew the dangers to which she exposed them, she -made them swear fidelity to the king; and they -afterward became high officers in his service.</p> - -<p>Now the loyal old woman was getting everything -ready for the king’s supper, when suddenly there was -a great trampling of horses heard round the house.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> -They thought it must be some of the English, or John -of Lorn’s men, and the good wife called upon her sons -to fight to the last for King Robert. But shortly after -they heard the voice of the good Lord James of Douglas, -and of Edward Bruce, the king’s brother, who -had come with a hundred and fifty horsemen to this -farmhouse.</p> - -<p>Robert the Bruce, forgetting hunger and weariness, -began to inquire where the enemy who had -pursued them so long had taken up their abode -for the night; “for,” said he, “as they must suppose -us totally scattered and fled, it is likely that they -will think themselves quite secure, and keep careless -watch.”</p> - -<p>“That is very true,” answered James of Douglas, -“for I passed a village where there are two hundred -of them quartered, who had placed no sentinels; and -if you have a mind, we may surprise them, and do -them more mischief than they have done us.”</p> - -<p>Then there was nothing but mount and ride; and -as the Scots came by surprise on the body of English -whom Douglas had mentioned, and rushed suddenly -into the village where they were quartered, they easily -dispersed and cut them to pieces.</p> - -<p class="attribution">—<span class="smcap">Sir Walter Scott.</span></p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="WHEN_EVENING_SHADES_ARE_FALLING">“WHEN EVENING SHADES ARE FALLING”</h2> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">When evening shades are falling</div> -<div class="verse indent1">O’er ocean’s sunny sleep,</div> -<div class="verse">To pilgrims’ hearts recalling</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Their home beyond the deep;</div> -<div class="verse">When rest, o’er all descending,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">The shores with gladness smile,</div> -<div class="verse">And lutes, their echoes blending,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Are heard from isle to isle:</div> -<div class="verse">Then, Mary, Star of the Sea,</div> -<div class="verse">We pray, we pray, to thee.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">The noonday tempest over</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Now ocean toils no more,</div> -<div class="verse">And wings of halcyons hover,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Where all was strife before;</div> -<div class="verse">Oh, thus may life, in closing</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Its short tempestuous day,</div> -<div class="verse">Beneath heaven’s smile reposing,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Shine all its storms away:</div> -<div class="verse">Thus, Mary, Star of the Sea,</div> -<div class="verse">We pray, we pray, to thee.</div> -</div> -<div class="attribution">—<span class="smcap">Thomas Moore.</span></div> -</div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="THE_REINDEER">THE REINDEER</h2> - -<p>Adapted from “The Red Book of Animal Stories.” Copyright, -1899, by Longmans, Green, & Company. Used by permission.</p> - -<table summary="List of words to learn from this reading exercise"> - <tr> - <td>nourishing</td> - <td>excellent</td> - <td>sinews</td> - <td>immense</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>delicacy</td> - <td>especially</td> - <td>crevices</td> - <td>sociable</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> -<img src="images/illus109.jpg" width="400" height="325" alt="A reindeer. Illustrator credit: GLEESON." /> -</div> - -<p>There is perhaps no other animal in the world so -useful as the reindeer, at least none that can be put -to so many uses. The flesh of a sheep is eaten, and -its wool is woven into cloth; but then we should never -think of harnessing a sheep even to a baby carriage.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> -A camel serves, in the desert, the purpose of a van -and of a riding horse in one, and his hair makes warm -garments; but he would give us a very ill-tasting -dinner, and the same may be said of some other useful -creatures. A reindeer, however, is good to eat, and -makes an excellent steed; its milk is nourishing; the -softer parts of its horns, when properly prepared, are -considered a delicacy; the bones are turned to account -as tools; the sinews are twisted into thread, and, all -the long winter, the skin and hair keep the dwellers -in the far North snug and warm. Take away the reindeer, -and the inhabitants of every country north of -latitude 60° would feel as helpless as we should in -England if there were no more sheep or cows!</p> - -<p>Reindeer live, by choice, on the slopes of mountains, -and require no better food than the moss, or little -alpine plants, which they find growing in the crevices -of the rock. Sometimes, in very cold places, or when -the winter is particularly severe, they take shelter in -the forest; but when spring is in the air once more, -out they come in great herds, thin and sore from the -bites of newly awakened insects, and wander away in -search of fresher pasture. In August and September, -when the sun has grown too strong for them, they seek -the shade of the woods again.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span></p> - -<p>In their wild state reindeer are great travelers, and -as they are very strong, and excellent swimmers, they -go immense distances, especially the reindeer of North -America, who will cross the ice to Greenland in the -early part of the year, and stay there till the end of -October, when they come back to their old quarters. -They are most sociable creatures, and are never happy -unless they have three or four hundred companions, -while herds of a thousand have sometimes been counted. -The females and calves are always placed in front, -and the big bucks bring up the rear, to see that nobody -falls out of the ranks from weakness.</p> - -<p>Like many animals that live in the North, the color -of the reindeer is different in winter from what it is -in summer. Twice a year he changes his coat, and -the immense thick covering which has been so comfortable -all through the fierce cold, begins to fall in -early spring and a short hair to take its place, so that -by the time summer comes, he is nice and cool, and -looks quite another creature from what he did in the -winter. As the days shorten and grow frosty, the coat -becomes longer and closer, and by the time the first -snow falls the deer is quite prepared to meet it.</p> - -<p>Though reindeer prefer mountain sides when they -can get them, their broad and wide-cleft hoofs are well<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> -adapted for the lowlands of the North of Europe and -of America, which are a morass in summer and a snow-field -in winter. Here are to be seen whole herds of -them, either walking with a regular rapid step, or else -going at a quick trot; but in either case always making -a peculiar crackling noise with their feet.</p> - -<p>They have an acute sense of smell, and will detect -a man at a distance of five or six hundred paces, and -as their eyes are as good as their ears, the huntsman -has much ado to get up to them. They are dainty in -their food, choosing out only the most delicate of the -alpine plants, and their skins cannot be as tough as -they look, for they are very sensitive to the bites of -mosquitoes, gnats, and particularly of midges.</p> - -<p>Reindeer are very cautious, as many hunters have -found to their cost; but they are ready to be friendly -with any cows or horses they may come across, and -this must make the task of taming them a great -deal easier. They have their regular hours for meals, -too, and early in the mornings and late in the evenings -may be seen going out for their breakfasts and -suppers, which, in summer, consist, in the highlands, -of the leaves and flowers of the snow ranunculus, -reindeer sorrel, a favorite kind of grass, and, better -than all, the young shoots of the dwarf birch. In<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> -the afternoons they lie down and rest, and choose for -their place of repose a patch of snow, or a glacier if -one is at hand.</p> - -<p>In Norway and Lapland great herds of reindeer may -be seen, during the summer, wandering along the banks -of rivers, or making for the mountains, returning with -the approach of winter to their old quarters. With the -first snow fall they are safe under shelter, for this is -the time when wolves are most to be feared. In the -spring they are let loose again, and are driven carefully -to some spot which is freer from midges than the rest. -And so life goes on from year to year.</p> - -<p>Reindeer herding is by no means so easy as it looks, -and it would be quite impossible, even to a Lapp, if -it were not for the help of dogs, who are part of the -family. They are small creatures, hardly as big as a -Spitz, and very thin, with close compact hair all over -their bodies. These dogs are very obedient, and -understand every movement of their master’s eyelid. -They will not only keep the herd together on land, but -follow them into a river, or across an arm of the sea. -It is they who rescue the weaklings in danger of drowning, -after their winter’s fast, and in the autumn, when -the reindeer have grown strong from good living, drive -the herd back again through the bay.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span></p> - -<p>A herd of reindeer on the march is a beautiful sight -to see. They go quickly along, faster than any other -domestic animal, and are kept together by the herdsman -and his dogs, who are untiring in their efforts to -bring up stragglers.</p> - -<p>When a good stretch of pasture is found, the Lapps -build a fold, into which the reindeer are driven every -evening, so that the work of the milkers may be lightened. -These folds are made of the stems of birches -placed close together and strengthened with cross-pieces -and strong props. They are about seven feet -high, and have two wide doors. At milking time, -which the dogs know as well as the men, the animals -are driven inside by their faithful guardians, and -milking begins busily. The young ones are generally -left outside under the watchful eyes of the dogs, who -see that they do not wander too far away.</p> - -<p>Inside the fold the noise is really deafening. The -reindeer run to and fro, giving loud cries and throwing -their heads about; which, as their horns are very big, -is not pleasant for the milkers. Any one walking that -way would be struck, first, with the sound of the commotion -in the inclosure, and this would most likely -be followed by a crackling noise, as if a hundred -electric batteries were at work at once.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span></p> - -<p>In the middle of the fold are thick tree trunks to -which the reindeer which have to be milked are fastened, -for without these they would not stand still -one single instant.</p> - -<p>The milkers have a thong which is thrown round the -neck of the animal, and drawn closer till it is tied by -a slip noose over the creature’s mouth, so as to prevent -it from biting. Then the ends are made secure to the -milking block, and the milking begins—the animal -all the while struggling hard to get free. But the -Lapps know how to manage them, and only draw the -cord tighter over the nose, so that the creatures are -bound in self-defense to remain quiet.</p> - -<p>The milk flows into a sort of large bowl with handles, -but the Lapps are both careless and dirty in their ways, -and not only waste a great deal of the milk, but leave so -many hairs in it that it is necessary to strain it through -a cloth before it can be drunk. However, the milk -itself is very good. The milking once over, the doors -are opened, and the animals scamper out joyously.</p> - -<p>All together, the life of the owner of a herd of reindeer -cannot be said to be an idle one. Yet he is -in general well satisfied with his lot, and thinks himself -the most fortunate man in the world.</p> - -<p class="attribution">—<span class="smcap">A. Lang.</span></p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="A_STORY_OF_ANCIENT_IRELAND">A STORY OF ANCIENT IRELAND</h2> - -<table summary="List of words to learn from this reading exercise"> - <tr> - <td>chariots</td> - <td>weapon</td> - <td>barriers</td> - <td>protector</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>whelp</td> - <td>award</td> - <td>district</td> - <td>savage</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p>There was a great smith in Ulster of the name of -Culain, who made a feast for Conchubar and his people. -When Conchubar was setting out to the feast, he -passed by the lawn where the boy troop were at their -games, and he watched them awhile, and saw how -young Setanta, his sister’s son, was winning the goal -from them all.</p> - -<p>“That little lad will serve Ulster yet,” said Conchubar; -“and call him to me now,” he said, “and let him -come with me to the smith’s feast.”</p> - -<p>“I cannot go with you now,” said Setanta, when -they had called to him, “for these boys have not had -enough of play yet.”</p> - -<p>“It would be too long for me to wait for you,” -said the king.</p> - -<p>“There is no need for you to wait; I will follow the -track of the chariots,” said Setanta.</p> - -<p>So Conchubar went on to the smith’s house, and there -was a welcome before him, and the feast was brought -in, and they began to be merry. And then Culain<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span> -said to the king, “Will there be any one else of your -people coming after you to-night?”</p> - -<p>“There will not,” said Conchubar, for he forgot -that he had told the little lad to follow him. “But -why do you ask me that?” he said.</p> - -<p>“I have a fierce hound,” said the smith, “and when -I take the chain off him, he lets no one come into the -district with himself, and he will obey no one but -myself, and he has in him the strength of a hundred.”</p> - -<p>“Loose him out,” said Conchubar, “and let him -keep a watch on the place.”</p> - -<p>So Culain loosed him out, and the dog made a course -round the whole district, and then he came back to -the place where he was used to watch the house.</p> - -<p>Now, as to the boys at Emain, when they were done -playing, every one went to his father’s house, or to -whoever was in charge of him. But Setanta set out on -the track of the chariots, shortening the way for himself -with his hurling stick and his ball.</p> - -<p>When he came to the lawn before the smith’s -house, the hound heard him coming, and began such a -fierce yelling that he might have been heard through -all Ulster, and he sprang at him as if he had a mind not -to stop and tear him up at all, but to swallow him at -the one mouthful. The little fellow had no weapon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> -but his stick and his ball, but when he saw the hound -coming at him, he struck the ball with such force that -it went down his throat, and through his body. Then -he seized him by the hind legs and dashed him against -a rock until there was no life left in him.</p> - -<p>When the men feasting within heard the outcry of -the hound, Conchubar started up and said, “It is no -good luck brought us on this journey, for that is surely -my sister’s son that was coming after me, and that has -got his death by the hound.”</p> - -<p>On that all the men rushed out, not waiting to go -through the door, but over walls and barriers as they -could. But Fergus was the first to get to where the -boy was, and he took him up and lifted him on his -shoulder, and brought him in safe and sound to Conchubar, -and there was great joy in them all.</p> - -<p>But Culain the smith went out with them, and when -he saw his great hound lying dead and broken, there -was great grief in his heart, and he came in and said to -Setanta, “There is no good welcome for you here.”</p> - -<p>“What have you against the little lad?” said Conchubar.</p> - -<p>“It was no good luck that brought him here, or that -made me prepare this feast for yourself,” said the smith, -“for now, my hound being gone, my substance will be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> -wasted, and my way of living will be gone astray. -And, little boy,” he said, “that was a good member -of my family you took from me, for he was the protector -of my flocks and of all that I have.”</p> - -<p>“Do not be vexed on account of that,” said the boy, -“and I myself will makeup to you for what I have done.”</p> - -<p>“How will you do that?” said Conchubar.</p> - -<p>“This is how I will do it: if there is a whelp of the -same breed to be had in Ireland, I will rear him and -train him until he is as good a hound as the one killed; -and until that time, Culain,” he said, “I myself will -be your watchdog, to guard your goods and your -cattle and your house.”</p> - -<p>“You have made a fair offer,” said Conchubar.</p> - -<p>“I could have given no better award myself,” said -Cathbad the Druid. “And from this out,” he said, -“your name will be Cuchulain, the Hound of Culain.”</p> - -<p>“I am better pleased with my own name of Setanta,” -said the boy.</p> - -<p>“Do not say that,” said Cathbad, “for all the men -in the whole world will some day have the name of -Cuchulain in their mouths.”</p> - -<p>“If that is so, I am content to keep it,” said the -boy. And this is how he came by the name Cuchulain.</p> - -<p class="attribution">—<span class="smcap">Lady Gregory.</span></p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="SAN_GABRIEL">SAN GABRIEL</h2> - -<table summary="List of words to learn from this reading exercise"> - <tr> - <td>uncivil</td> - <td>specimens</td> - <td>behavior</td> - <td>celebrations</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>dozens</td> - <td>wreaths</td> - <td>garlands</td> - <td>especially</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p>There are a great many interesting stories about -the first settlement of San Gabriel, and the habits -and customs of the Indians there. They were a very -polite people to each other, and used to train their -children in some respects very carefully.</p> - -<p>If a child were sent to bring water to an older -person, and he tasted it on the way, he was made to -throw the water out and go and bring fresh water; -when two grown-up persons were talking together, -if a child ran between them, he was told that he -had done an uncivil thing. These are only specimens -of their rules for polite behavior. They seem to me -as good as ours.</p> - -<p>These Indians were very fond of flowers, of which -the whole country is full. They used to make long -garlands and wreaths, not only to wear on their heads, -but to reach way down to their feet. These they wore -at festivals and celebrations; and sometimes at these -festivals they used to have what they called “song -contests.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span></p> - -<p>Two of the best singers, or poets, would be matched -together to see which could sing the better, or make -the better verses. That seems to me a more interesting -kind of match than the spelling matches we have -in our villages.</p> - -<p>But there is nothing of this sort to be seen in San -Gabriel now, or indeed anywhere in California. The -Indians have been driven away by the white people -who wanted their lands; year by year more and more -white people have come, and the Indians have been -robbed of more and more of their lands, and have -died off by hundreds, until there are not many left.</p> - -<p>Mr. Connor was much interested in collecting all he -could of the curious stone bowls and pestles they used -to make, and of their baskets and lace work. He -spent much of his time riding about the country; and -whenever he came to an Indian hut he would stop and -ask if they had any stone bowls they would like to sell.</p> - -<p>The bowls especially were a great curiosity. Nobody -knew how long ago they had been made. When the -missionaries first came to the country they found the -Indians using them; they had them of all sizes, from -those so large that they are almost more than a man -can lift down to the tiny ones no bigger than a tea-cup. -But big and little, they were all made in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> -same way out of solid stone, scooped out in the middle, -by rubbing another stone round and round on them.</p> - -<p>Even yet people who are searching for such curiosities -sometimes find big grave mounds in which dozens -of them are buried—buried side by side with the -people who used to eat out of them. There is nothing -left of the people but their skulls and a few bones; -but the bowls will last as long as the world stands.</p> - -<p class="attribution">—<span class="smcap">Helen Hunt Jackson.</span></p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2 id="IMITATION_OF_MARY">IMITATION OF MARY</h2> - -<p>Let the life of the Blessed Mary be ever present to -you.…</p> - -<p>She was humble of heart, serious in her conversation, -fonder of reading than of speaking.</p> - -<p>She placed her confidence rather in the prayer of -the poor than in the uncertain riches of the world.</p> - -<p>She was ever intent on her occupations, and accustomed -to make God rather than man the witness of -her thoughts.</p> - -<p>She injured no one, wished well to all, reverenced -age, yielded not to envy, avoided all boasting, followed -the dictates of reason, and loved virtue.</p> - -<p class="attribution">—<span class="smcap">St. Ambrose.</span></p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="A_SCENE_FROM_WILLIAM_TELL">A SCENE FROM “WILLIAM TELL”</h2> - -<p>(Switzerland had been conquered by Austria, and Gesler, a cruel tyrant, -was her governor. William Tell had refused to bow before Gesler’s hat, -which had been elevated on a pole; he was therefore arrested and taken -before the governor. His son Albert was also taken, and both were threatened -with death.)</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> -<img src="images/illus124.jpg" width="400" height="325" alt="" /> -</div> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Scene I</span></h3> - -<div class="metrical-container"> - -<div class="metrical"> - -<p class="hanging">(<i><span class="smcap">William Tell</span>, <span class="smcap">Albert</span>, his son, and <span class="smcap">Gesler</span> with -officers. <span class="smcap">Tell</span> in chains.</i>)</p> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Gesler.</span> What is thy name?</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Tell.</span> My name?</div> -<div class="verse">It matters not to keep it from thee now—</div> -<div class="verse">My name is Tell.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Ges.</span> Tell!—William Tell?</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Tell.</span> The same.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Ges.</span> What! he so famed ’bove all his countrymen</div> -<div class="verse">For guiding o’er the stormy lake the boat?</div> -<div class="verse">And such a master of his bow, ’tis said</div> -<div class="verse">His arrows never miss! Indeed, I’ll take</div> -<div class="verse">Exquisite vengeance! Mark! I’ll spare thy life—</div> -<div class="verse">Thy boy’s, too!—both of you are free—on one</div> -<div class="verse">Condition.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Tell.</span> Name it.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span><span class="smcap">Ges.</span> I would see you make</div> -<div class="verse">A trial of your skill with that same bow</div> -<div class="verse">You shoot so well with.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Tell.</span> Name the trial you</div> -<div class="verse">Would have me make.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Ges.</span> You look upon your boy</div> -<div class="verse">As though instinctively you guessed it.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Tell.</span> Look upon my boy! What mean you?</div> -<div class="verse">Look upon</div> -<div class="verse">My boy as though I guessed it! Guessed the trial</div> -<div class="verse"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span>You’d have me make! Guessed it</div> -<div class="verse">Instinctively! you do not mean—no—no—</div> -<div class="verse">You would not have me make a trial of</div> -<div class="verse">My skill upon my child! Impossible!</div> -<div class="verse">I do not guess your meaning.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Ges.</span> I would see</div> -<div class="verse">Thee hit an apple at the distance of</div> -<div class="verse">A hundred paces.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Tell.</span> Is my boy to hold it?</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Ges.</span> No.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Tell.</span> No! I’ll send the arrow through the core.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Ges.</span> It is to rest upon his head.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Tell.</span> Great Heaven, you hear him!</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Ges.</span> Thou dost hear the choice I give—</div> -<div class="verse">Such trial of the skill thou art master of,</div> -<div class="verse">Or death to both of you; not otherwise</div> -<div class="verse">To be escaped.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Tell.</span> O monster!</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Ges.</span> Wilt thou do it?</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Albert.</span> He will! he will!</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Tell.</span> Ferocious monster! Make</div> -<div class="verse">A father murder his own child—</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Ges.</span> Take off</div> -<div class="verse">His chains, if he consent.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Tell.</span> With his own hand!</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span><span class="smcap">Ges.</span> Does he consent?</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Alb.</span> He does.</div> -</div> - -<p class="hanging">(<i><span class="smcap">Gesler</span> signs to his officers, who proceed to take off -<span class="smcap">Tell’s</span> chains. <span class="smcap">Tell</span> all the time unconscious what -they do.</i>)</p> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Tell.</span> With his own hand!</div> -<div class="verse">Murder his child with his own hand—this hand!</div> -<div class="verse">The hand I’ve led him, when an infant, by!</div> -<div class="verse">’Tis beyond horror—’tis most horrible.</div> -<div class="verse">Amazement! (<i>His chains fall off.</i>) What’s that you’ve done to me?</div> -<div class="verse">Villains! put on my chains again. My hands</div> -<div class="verse">Are free from blood, and have no gust for it,</div> -<div class="verse">That they should drink my child’s! Here! here! I’ll not</div> -<div class="verse">Murder my boy for Gesler.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Alb.</span> Father—father!</div> -<div class="verse">You will not hit me, father!</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Tell.</span> Hit thee! Send</div> -<div class="verse">The arrow through thy brain; or, missing that,</div> -<div class="verse">Shoot out an eye; or, if thine eye escape,</div> -<div class="verse">Mangle the cheek I’ve seen thy mother’s lips</div> -<div class="verse">Cover with kisses. Hit thee—hit a hair</div> -<div class="verse">Of thee, and cleave thy mother’s heart.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Ges.</span> Dost thou consent?</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span><span class="smcap">Tell.</span> Give me my bow and quiver.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Ges.</span> For what?</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Tell.</span> To shoot my boy!</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Alb.</span> No, father—no!</div> -<div class="verse">To save me! You’ll be sure to hit the apple—</div> -<div class="verse">Will you not save me, father?</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Tell.</span> Lead me forth;</div> -<div class="verse">I’ll make the trial.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Alb.</span> Thank you!</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Tell.</span> Thank me! Do</div> -<div class="verse">You know for what? I will not make the trial,</div> -<div class="verse">To take him to his mother in my arms</div> -<div class="verse">And lay him down a corpse before her!</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Ges.</span> Then he dies this moment—and you certainly</div> -<div class="verse">Do murder him whose life you have a chance</div> -<div class="verse">To save, and will not use it.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Tell.</span> Well, I’ll do it. I’ll make the trial.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Alb.</span> Father—</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Tell.</span> Speak not to me;</div> -<div class="verse">Let me not hear thy voice. Thou must be dumb;</div> -<div class="verse">And so should all things be. Earth should be dumb,</div> -<div class="verse">And heaven—unless its thunders muttered at</div> -<div class="verse">The deed, and sent a bolt to stop it. Give me</div> -<div class="verse">My bow and quiver!</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Ges.</span> When all’s ready.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span><span class="smcap">Tell.</span> Well, lead on!</div> -</div> - -<h3><span class="smcap">Scene II</span></h3> - -<p class="hanging"><i>Enter, slowly, people in evident distress. Officers, -<span class="smcap">Sarnem</span>, <span class="smcap">Gesler</span>, <span class="smcap">Tell</span>, <span class="smcap">Albert</span>, and soldiers, -one bearing <span class="smcap">Tell’s</span> bow and quiver, another with a -basket of apples.</i></p> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Ges.</span> That is your ground. Now shall they measure thence</div> -<div class="verse">A hundred paces. Take the distance.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Tell.</span> Is the line a true one?</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Ges.</span> True or not, what is’t to thee?</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Tell.</span> What is’t to me? A little thing,</div> -<div class="verse">A very little thing—a yard or two</div> -<div class="verse">Is nothing here or there—were it a wolf</div> -<div class="verse">I shot at. Never mind.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Ges.</span> Be thankful, slave,</div> -<div class="verse">Our grace accords thee life on any terms.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Tell.</span> I will be thankful, Gesler. Villain, stop!</div> -<div class="verse">You measure to the sun!</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Ges.</span> And what of that?</div> -<div class="verse">What matter whether to or from the sun?</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Tell.</span> I’d have it at my back—the sun should shine</div> -<div class="verse">Upon the mark, and not on him that shoots.</div> -<div class="verse">I cannot see to shoot against the sun;</div> -<div class="verse"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span>I will not shoot against the sun!</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Ges.</span> Give him his way. Thou hast cause to bless my mercy.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Tell.</span> I shall remember it. I’d like to see</div> -<div class="verse">The apple I’m to shoot at.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Ges.</span> Stay! show me the basket—there—</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Tell.</span> You’ve picked the smallest one.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Ges.</span> I know I have.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Tell.</span> Oh! do you? But you see</div> -<div class="verse">The color on’t is dark.—I’d have it light,</div> -<div class="verse">To see it better.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Ges.</span> Take it as it is;</div> -<div class="verse">Thy skill will be the greater if thou hit’st it.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Tell.</span> True—true! I did not think of that—I wonder</div> -<div class="verse">I did not think of that. Give me some chance</div> -<div class="verse">To save my boy! (<i>Throws away the apple.</i>)</div> -<div class="verse">I will not murder him,</div> -<div class="verse">If I can help it—for the honor of</div> -<div class="verse">The form thou wearest, if all the heart is gone.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Ges.</span> Well, choose thyself.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Tell.</span> Have I a friend among the lookers-on?</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Verner.</span> (<i>Rushing forward.</i>) Here, Tell!</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Tell.</span> I thank thee, Verner!</div> -<div class="verse">He is a friend runs out into a storm</div> -<div class="verse"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span>To shake a hand with us. I must be brief:</div> -<div class="verse">When once the bow is bent, we cannot take</div> -<div class="verse">The shot too soon. Verner, whatever be</div> -<div class="verse">The issue of this hour, the common cause</div> -<div class="verse">Must not stand still. Let not to-morrow’s sun</div> -<div class="verse">Set on the tyrant’s banner! Verner! Verner!</div> -<div class="verse">The boy! the boy! Thinkest thou he hath the courage</div> -<div class="verse">To stand it?</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Ver.</span> Yes.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Tell.</span> How looks he?</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Ver.</span> Clear and smilingly;</div> -<div class="verse">If you doubt it, look yourself.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Tell.</span> No—no—my friend;</div> -<div class="verse">To hear it is enough.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Ver.</span> He bears himself so much above his years.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Tell.</span> I know! I know!</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Ver.</span> With constancy so modest—</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Tell.</span> I was sure he would.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Ver.</span> And looks with such relying love</div> -<div class="verse">And reverence upon you.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Tell.</span> Man! man! man!</div> -<div class="verse">No more. Already I’m too much the father</div> -<div class="verse">To act the man. Verner, no more, my friend.</div> -<div class="verse">I would be flint—flint—flint. Don’t make me feel</div> -<div class="verse">I’m not. Do not mind me. Take the boy</div> -<div class="verse"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span>And set him, Verner, with his back to me.</div> -<div class="verse">Set him upon his knees—and place this apple</div> -<div class="verse">Upon his head, so that the stem may front me,—</div> -<div class="verse">Thus, Verner; charge him to keep steady—tell him</div> -<div class="verse">I’ll hit the apple. Verner, do all this</div> -<div class="verse">More briefly than I tell it thee.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Ver.</span> Come, Albert. (<i>Leading him out.</i>)</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Alb.</span> May I not speak with him before I go?</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Ver.</span> You must not.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Alb.</span> I must! I cannot go from him without.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Ver.</span> It is his will you should.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Alb.</span> His will, is it?</div> -<div class="verse">I am content, then—come.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Tell.</span> My boy! (<i>Holding out his arms to him.</i>)</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Alb.</span> My father! (<i>Rushing into <span class="smcap">Tell’s</span> arms.</i>)</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Tell.</span> If thou canst bear it, should not I? Go, now,</div> -<div class="verse">My son—and keep in mind that I can shoot—</div> -<div class="verse">Go, boy—be thou but steady, I will hit</div> -<div class="verse">The apple. Go! God bless thee—go. My bow!— (<i>The bow is handed to him.</i>)</div> -<div class="verse">Thou wilt not fail thy master, wilt thou? Thou</div> -<div class="verse">Hast never failed him yet, old servant. No,</div> -<div class="verse">I’m sure of thee. I know thy honesty.</div> -<div class="verse">Thou art stanch—stanch. Let me see my quiver.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Ges.</span> Give him a single arrow.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span><span class="smcap">Tell.</span> Do you shoot?</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Sol.</span> I do.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Tell.</span> Is it so you pick an arrow, friend?</div> -<div class="verse">The point, you see, is bent; the feather jagged.</div> -<div class="verse">(<i>Breaks it.</i>) That’s all the use ’tis fit for.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Ges.</span> Let him have another.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Tell.</span> Why, ’tis better than the first,</div> -<div class="verse">But yet not good enough for such an aim</div> -<div class="verse">As I’m to take—’tis heavy in the shaft;</div> -<div class="verse">I’ll not shoot with it! (<i>Throws it away.</i>) Let me see my quiver.</div> -<div class="verse">Bring it! ’Tis not one arrow in a dozen</div> -<div class="verse">I’d take to shoot with at a dove, much less</div> -<div class="verse">A dove like that.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Ges.</span> It matters not.</div> -<div class="verse">Show him the quiver.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Tell.</span> See if the boy is ready. (<i><span class="smcap">Tell</span> here hides an arrow under his vest</i>.)</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Ver.</span> He is.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Tell.</span> I’m ready, too! Keep silent for</div> -<div class="verse">Heaven’s sake and do not stir—and let me have</div> -<div class="verse">Your prayers—your prayers—and be my witnesses</div> -<div class="verse">That if his life’s in peril from my hand,</div> -<div class="verse">’Tis only for the chance of saving it. (<i>To the people.</i>)</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Ges.</span> Go on.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span><span class="smcap">Tell.</span> I will.</div> -<div class="verse">O friends, for mercy’s sake, keep motionless</div> -<div class="verse">And silent.</div> -</div> - -<p class="hanging">(<i><span class="smcap">Tell</span> shoots; a shout of exultation bursts from the crowd. -<span class="smcap">Tell’s</span> head drops on his bosom; he with difficulty -supports himself upon his bow.</i>)</p> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Ver.</span> (<i>Rushing in with <span class="smcap">Albert</span>.</i>) Thy boy is safe, no</div> -<div class="verse">hair of him is touched.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Alb.</span> Father, I’m safe! Your Albert’s safe, dear father,—</div> -<div class="verse">Speak to me! Speak to me!</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Ver.</span> He cannot, boy.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Alb.</span> You grant him life?</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Ges.</span> I do.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Alb.</span> And we are free?</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Ges.</span> You are. (Crossing angrily behind.)</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Ver.</span> Open his vest</div> -<div class="verse">And give him air.</div> -</div> - -<p class="hanging">(<i><span class="smcap">Albert</span> opens his father’s vest, and the arrow drops. -<span class="smcap">Tell</span> starts, fixes his eye upon <span class="smcap">Albert</span>, and clasps him to his breast.</i>)</p> - -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Tell.</span> My boy! my boy!</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Ges.</span> For what</div> -<div class="verse">Hid you that arrow in your breast? Speak, slave!</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse"><span class="smcap">Tell.</span> To kill thee, tyrant, had I slain my boy!</div> -</div> - -<div class="attribution">—<span class="smcap">Sheridan Knowles.</span></div> - -</div> - -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="THE_SCHOOLMASTER_OF_SLEEPY_HOLLOW">THE SCHOOLMASTER OF SLEEPY HOLLOW</h2> - -<h3>I. <span class="smcap">His School and His Friends</span></h3> - -<table summary="List of words to learn from this reading exercise"> - <tr> - <td>custom</td> - <td>vicinity</td> - <td>scarecrow</td> - <td>murmur</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>uncouth</td> - <td>adjacent</td> - <td>appalling</td> - <td>personage</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p>In a remote period of American history there lived -in Sleepy Hollow a worthy man whose name was Ichabod -Crane. He sojourned, or, as he expressed it, -“tarried” in that quiet little valley for the purpose of -instructing the children of the vicinity.</p> - -<p>He was tall, but very lank, with narrow shoulders, -long arms and legs, hands that dangled a mile out of -his sleeves, and feet that might have served as shovels. -His head was small, with huge ears, large glassy eyes, -and a long snipe nose. To see him striding along the -crest of a hill on a windy day, with his ill-fitting clothes -fluttering about him, one might have mistaken him for -some scarecrow escaped from a cornfield.</p> - -<p>His schoolhouse was a low building of one large room, -rudely built of logs. It stood in a rather lonely but -pleasant place, just at the foot of a woody hill, with a -brook running close by, and a birch tree growing near -one end of it. From this place of learning the low -murmur of children’s voices, conning over their lessons,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> -might be heard on a drowsy summer day like the hum -of a beehive. Now and then this was interrupted by -the stern voice of the master, or perhaps by the appalling -sound of a birch twig, as some loiterer was urged -along the flowery path of knowledge.</p> - -<p>When school hours were over, the teacher forgot -that he was the master, and was even the companion -and playmate of the older boys; and on holiday afternoons -he liked to go home with some of the smaller ones -who happened to have pretty sisters, or mothers noted -for their skill in cooking.</p> - -<p>Indeed, it was a wise thing for him to keep on good -terms with his pupils. He earned so little by teaching -school that he could scarcely have had enough to eat -had he not, according to country custom, boarded at -the houses of the children whom he instructed. With -these he lived, by turns, a week at a time, thus going -the rounds of the neighborhood, with all his worldly -goods tied up in a cotton handkerchief.</p> - -<p>He had many ways of making himself both useful -and agreeable. He helped the farmers in the lighter -labors of their farms, raked the hay at harvest time, -mended the fences, took the horses to water, drove -the cows from pasture, and cut wood for the winter -fire. He found favor in the eyes of the mothers by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> -petting the children, particularly the youngest; and -he would often sit with a child on one knee and rock -a cradle with his foot for whole hours together.</p> - -<p>He was looked upon as a kind of idle, gentlemanlike -personage of finer tastes and better manners than the -rough young men who had been brought up in the -country. He was always welcome at the tea table of -a farmhouse; and his presence was almost sure to bring -out an extra dish of cakes or sweetmeats, or the parade -of a silver teapot. He would walk with the young -ladies in the churchyard between services on Sundays, -gathering grapes for them from the wild vines that -overran the surrounding trees, or sauntering with a -whole bevy of them along the banks of the adjacent -mill pond; while the bashful country youngsters hung -sheepishly back and hated him for his fine manners.</p> - -<p>One of his sources of pleasure was to pass long -winter evenings with the Dutch farmers, as they sat -by the fire with a long row of apples roasting and sputtering -along the hearth. He listened to their wondrous -tales of ghosts and goblins, and haunted fields, and -haunted brooks, and haunted bridges, and haunted -houses, and particularly of the headless horseman, or -“Galloping Hessian of the Hollow,” as they sometimes -called him. And then he would entertain them with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> -stories of witchcraft, and would frighten them with -woeful speculations about comets and shooting stars, -and by telling them that the world did really turn -round, and that they were half the time topsy-turvy.</p> - -<p>There was pleasure in all this while snugly cuddling -in the chimney corner of a room that was lighted by the -ruddy glow from a crackling wood fire, and where no -ghost dared show its face; but it was a pleasure dearly -bought by the terrors which would beset him during -his walk homeward. How fearful were the shapes -and shadows that fell across his way in the dim and -ghastly glare of a snowy night! How often did he -shrink with curdling awe at the sound of his own steps -on the frosty crust beneath his feet, and dread to look -over his shoulder lest he should behold some uncouth -being tramping close behind him!</p> - -<h3>II. <span class="smcap">The Invitation</span></h3> - -<table summary="List of words to learn from this reading exercise"> - <tr> - <td>autumnal</td> - <td>urchins</td> - <td>application</td> - <td>cavalier</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>pensive</td> - <td>pommel</td> - <td>apparition</td> - <td>genuine</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>horizon</td> - <td>plumage</td> - <td>luxurious</td> - <td>gradually</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p>On a fine autumnal afternoon, Ichabod, in pensive -mood, sat enthroned on the lofty stool from whence he -watched the doings of his little school. In his hand he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> -held a ferule, that scepter of despotic power; the birch -of justice reposed on three nails behind the stool, a -constant terror to evil doers; while on the desk were -sundry contraband articles taken from idle urchins, -such as half-eaten apples, popguns, whirligigs, and fly -cages. His scholars were all busily intent upon their -books, or slyly whispering behind them with one eye -kept upon the master, and a kind of buzzing stillness -reigned throughout the schoolroom.</p> - -<p>This stillness was suddenly interrupted by the appearance -of a negro, in tow-cloth jacket and trousers, -who, mounted on the back of a ragged, wild, half-broken -colt, came clattering up to the schoolhouse door. -He brought an invitation to Ichabod to attend a -merrymaking, or “quilting frolic,” to be held that -evening at the house of Herr Van Tassel; and having -delivered his message, he dashed over the brook, and -was seen scampering away up the hollow, full of the -importance and hurry of his mission.</p> - -<p>All was now bustle and hubbub in the late quiet -schoolroom. The scholars were hurried through their -lessons. Those who were nimble skipped over half -without being noticed; and those who were slow were -hurried along by a smart application of the rod. Then -books were flung aside without being put away on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span> -shelves; inkstands were overturned, benches thrown -down, and the whole school was turned loose an hour -before the usual time, the children yelping and racketing -about the green, in joy at their early freedom.</p> - -<p>The gallant Ichabod now spent at least an extra half -hour at his toilet, brushing and furbishing his best and -only suit of rusty black, and arranging his looks by a -bit of broken looking-glass that hung up in the schoolhouse. -That he might make his appearance at the -party in the true style of a cavalier, he borrowed a horse -from the farmer with whom he was boarding, and, -thus gallantly mounted, rode forth, like a knight-errant -in quest of adventures.</p> - -<p>The animal he bestrode was a broken-down plow -horse. He was gaunt and shagged, with a slender neck, -and a head like a hammer. His mane and tail were -tangled and knotted with burs. One eye had lost its -pupil, and was glaring and spectral, but the other still -gleamed with genuine wickedness. He must have had -plenty of fire and mettle in his day, if we may judge -from his name, which was Gunpowder.</p> - -<p>Ichabod was a rider suited for such a steed. He -rode with short stirrups, which brought his knees -nearly up to the pommel of the saddle; his elbows -stuck out like a grasshopper’s; and as the horse jogged<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> -on, the motion of his arms was not unlike the flapping -of a pair of wings. A small wool hat rested on the top -of his nose, for so his scanty strip of forehead might -be called; and the skirts of his black coat fluttered out -almost to the horse’s tail. Such was the appearance -of Ichabod and his steed as they shambled along the -highway; and it was altogether such an apparition as -is seldom to be met with in broad daylight.</p> - -<p>It was, as I have said, a fine autumnal day. The -sky was clear and serene. The forests had put on their -sober brown and yellow, while some trees of the tenderer -kind had been nipped by the frost into brilliant -dyes of orange, purple, and scarlet. Streaming files -of wild ducks began to make their appearance high in -the air. The bark of the squirrel might be heard from -the groves of beech and hickory, and the pensive -whistle of the quail at intervals from the neighboring -stubble fields.</p> - -<p>The small birds fluttered, chirping and frolicking, -from bush to bush, and tree to tree, gay and happy -because of the plenty and variety around them. -There were the twittering blackbirds, flying in sable -clouds; and the golden-winged woodpecker, with his -crimson crest and splendid plumage; and the cedar -bird, with its red-tipped wings and yellow-tipped tail;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span> -and the blue jay, in his gay, light-blue coat and white -underclothes, screaming and chattering, nodding and -bowing, and pretending to be on good terms with every -songster of the grove.</p> - -<p>As Ichabod jogged slowly on his way, his eye ranged -with delight over the treasures of jolly autumn. On all -sides he beheld vast store of apples,—some still hanging -on the trees, some gathered into baskets and barrels -for the market, others heaped up in rich piles for the -cider press. Farther on he beheld great fields of Indian -corn, with its golden ears peeping from their leafy -coverts, and holding out the promise of cakes and hasty -pudding. There, too, were multitudes of yellow pumpkins -turning up their yellow sides to the sun, and giving -ample prospects of the most luxurious of pies. -And anon he passed the fragrant buckwheat fields, -breathing the odor of the beehive; and as he beheld -them, he dreamed of dainty slapjacks, well buttered, -and garnished with honey.</p> - -<p>Thus feeding his mind with many sweet thoughts, -he journeyed along the sides of a range of hills which -look out upon some of the goodliest scenes of the -mighty Hudson. The sun gradually wheeled his broad -disk down into the west. A few amber clouds floated -in the sky, without a breath of air to move them. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> -horizon was of a fine, golden tint, changing gradually -into a pure apple-green, and from that into the deep -blue of the midheaven. A slanting ray lingered on the -woody crests of the precipices that overhung some parts -of the river, giving greater depth to the dark gray and -purple of their rocky sides.</p> - -<h3>III. <span class="smcap">At the Party</span></h3> - -<table summary="List of words to learn from this reading exercise"> - <tr> - <td>adjacent</td> - <td>innovations</td> - <td>sumptuous</td> - <td>piazza</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>antiquated</td> - <td>animated</td> - <td>skeleton</td> - <td>specter</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p>It was toward evening when Ichabod arrived at the -castle of the Herr Van Tassel. He found it thronged -with the pride and flower of the adjacent country,—old -farmers, in homespun coats and breeches, blue -stockings, huge shoes, and magnificent pewter buckles; -their brisk little dames, in close-crimped caps and long-waisted -gowns, with scissors and pincushions, and gay -calico pockets hanging on the outside; young girls, -almost as antiquated as their mothers, excepting where -a straw hat, a fine ribbon, or perhaps a white frock -showed signs of city innovations; the sons, in short, -square-skirted coats with rows of huge brass buttons, -and their hair generally queued in the fashion of the -times.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span></p> - -<p>What a world of charms burst upon the gaze of my -hero as he entered the state parlor of Van Tassel’s mansion—the -ample charms of a Dutch country tea table, -in the sumptuous time of autumn! Such heaped-up -platters of cakes, of various and indescribable kinds, -known only to experienced Dutch housewives!</p> - -<p>There were doughnuts and crisp, crumbling crullers; -sweet cakes and short cakes, ginger cakes and honey -cakes, and the whole family of cakes; and then there -were apple pies, and peach pies, and pumpkin pies; -and slices of ham and smoked beef; and dishes of -preserved plums, and peaches, and pears, and quinces; -not to mention broiled shad and roasted chickens, together -with bowls of milk and cream; all mingled, -higgledy-piggledy, with the motherly teapot sending -up its clouds of vapor from the midst! I want breath -and time to describe this banquet as I ought, and am -too eager to get on with my story. Happily, Ichabod -Crane was not in so great a hurry, but did ample justice -to every dainty.</p> - -<p>And now, supper being ended, the sound of music -from the common room summoned to the dance. The -musician was an old, gray-headed negro, who had been -the itinerant orchestra of the neighborhood for more -than half a century. His instrument was as old and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> -battered as himself. The greater part of the time he -scraped away on two or three strings, moving his -head with every movement of the bow, and stamping -his foot whenever a fresh couple were to start.</p> - -<p>Ichabod prided himself on his dancing. Not a -limb, not a fiber about him was idle. How could the -flogger of urchins be otherwise than animated and -joyous? When the dance was over, Ichabod joined a -circle of the older folks, who, with Herr Van Tassel, -sat smoking at one end of the piazza, and told stories -of the war and wild and wonderful legends of ghosts -and other supernatural beings.</p> - -<p>Some mention was made of a woman in white that -haunted the dark glen at Raven Rock, and was often -heard to shriek on wintry nights before a storm. The -chief part of the stories, however, turned upon the -favorite specter of Sleepy Hollow, the headless horseman, -who had been heard several times of late patrolling -the country. One man told how he had once met -the horseman and was obliged to get up behind him; -how they galloped over bush and brake, over hill and -swamp, until they reached the bridge by the church, -when the horseman suddenly turned into a skeleton, -threw him into the brook, and sprang away over the -tree tops with a clap of thunder.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span></p> - -<p>A wild, roistering young man, who was called Brom -Bones, declared that the headless horseman was, after -all, no rider compared with himself. He said that returning -one night from the neighboring village of Sing -Sing, he had been overtaken by this midnight trooper; -that he had offered to race with him for a bowl of -punch, and would have won it, too, but just as they -came to the church bridge, the specter bolted and -vanished in a flash of fire.</p> - -<h3>IV. <span class="smcap">The Midnight Adventure</span></h3> - -<table summary="List of words to learn from this reading exercise"> - <tr> - <td>idea</td> - <td>gnarled</td> - <td>sensitive</td> - <td>sociability</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>dismal</td> - <td>covert</td> - <td>gigantic</td> - <td>desperation</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>inquiry</td> - <td>violence</td> - <td>opposite</td> - <td>evidently</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p>The party now gradually broke up. The old farmers -gathered together their families in their wagons, -and were heard for some time rattling along the hollow -roads and over the distant hills. Their light-hearted -laughter, mingling with the clatter of hoofs, -echoed along the silent woodlands, growing fainter and -fainter till they gradually died away, and the late scene -of noise and frolic was all silent and deserted.</p> - -<p>It was the very witching time of night that Ichabod -pursued his travel homeward. In the dead hush of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> -midnight he could hear the barking of a dog on the -opposite shore of the Hudson, but it was so vague and -faint as only to give an idea of the distance between -them. No signs of life occurred near, but now and then -the chirp of a cricket, or perhaps the guttural twang of -a bullfrog from a neighboring marsh, as if sleeping uncomfortably -and turning suddenly in his bed.</p> - -<p>All the stories that Ichabod had heard about ghosts -and goblins now came crowding into his mind. The -night grew darker and darker. The stars seemed to -sink deeper in the sky, and driving clouds occasionally -hid them from his sight. He had never felt so lonely -and dismal. He was, moreover, approaching the very -place where many of the scenes of the ghost stories -had been laid. In the center of the road stood an -enormous tulip tree, which towered like a giant above -all the other trees of the neighborhood and formed a -kind of landmark. Its limbs were gnarled and fantastic, -large as the trunks of ordinary trees, twisting -down almost to the ground, and rising again into the -air.</p> - -<p>As Ichabod approached this tree, he began to whistle. -He thought his whistle was answered: it was but a -blast sweeping sharply through the dry branches. -Coming a little nearer, he thought he saw something<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span> -white hanging in the midst of the tree. He paused, -and ceased whistling, but, on looking more narrowly, -perceived that it was a place where the tree had been -struck by lightning, and the white wood laid bare. -Suddenly he heard a groan. His teeth chattered, and -his knees smote against the saddle. It was but the -rubbing of one huge bough upon another, as they -were swayed about by the breeze. He passed the -tree in safety, but new perils lay before him.</p> - -<p>About two hundred yards from the tree a small -brook crossed the road, and ran into a marshy and -thickly wooded glen. A few rough logs laid side by -side served for a bridge over this stream. To pass -this bridge was the severest trial; for it was here that -the unfortunate André had been captured, and under -covert of the thicket of chestnuts and vines by the side -of the road had the sturdy yeomen, who surprised -him, lain concealed. The stream has ever since been -considered a haunted stream, and fearful are the feelings -of the schoolboy who has to pass it alone after dark.</p> - -<p>As Ichabod approached the stream his heart began -to thump. He gave his horse half a score of kicks in -the ribs, and tried to dash briskly across the bridge; -but instead of starting forward, the perverse old animal -made a lateral movement, and ran broadside against<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span> -the fence. Ichabod jerked the rein on the other side, -and kicked lustily with the contrary foot. It was all -in vain. His steed started, it is true, but it was only -to plunge to the opposite side of the road into a thicket -of brambles.</p> - -<p>The schoolmaster now bestowed both whip and heel -upon the ribs of old Gunpowder, who dashed forward, -but came to a stand just by the bridge with a suddenness -that had nearly sent his rider sprawling over his -head. Just at this moment a plashy tramp by the -side of the bridge caught the sensitive ear of Ichabod. -In the dark shadow of the trees he beheld something -huge, black, and towering. It stirred not, but seemed -gathered up in the gloom, like some gigantic monster -ready to spring upon the traveler.</p> - -<p>The hair of the affrighted pedagogue rose upon his -head with terror. What was to be done? Summoning -up a show of courage, he called out in stammering -accents, “Who are you?” He received no reply. -He repeated his demand in a still more agitated voice. -Still there was no answer. Once more he cudgeled the -sides of Gunpowder, and, shutting his eyes, broke forth -into a psalm tune. Just then the shadowy object of -alarm put itself in motion, and, with a scramble and a -bound, stood at once in the middle of the road.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span></p> - -<p>Though the night was dark and dismal, yet the -form of the unknown might now in some degree be -ascertained. He appeared to be a horseman of large -dimensions, and mounted on a horse of powerful frame. -He made no offer of molestation or sociability, but -kept aloof on one side of the road, jogging along on -the blind side of old Gunpowder, who had now got -over his fright and waywardness.</p> - -<p>Ichabod, who had no relish for this strange midnight -companion, and bethought himself of the adventure -of Brom Bones and the headless horseman, -now quickened his steed, in hopes of leaving him behind. -The stranger, however, quickened his horse to -an equal pace. Ichabod drew up, and fell into a walk, -thinking to lag behind; the other did the same. His -heart began to sink within him. There was something -in the moody and dogged silence of his companion that -was mysterious and appalling. It was soon fearfully -accounted for.</p> - -<p>On mounting a rising ground, which brought the -figure of his fellow-traveler in relief against the sky, -Ichabod was horror-struck on perceiving that he was -headless; but his horror was still more increased on -observing that the head, which should have rested -on his shoulders, was carried before him on the pommel<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> -of his saddle. His terror rose to desperation. He -rained a shower of kicks and blows upon Gunpowder, -hoping, by sudden movement, to give his companion -the slip; but the specter started full jump with him.</p> - -<p>Away, then, they dashed, through thick and thin, -stones flying and sparks flashing at every bound. -Ichabod’s flimsy garments fluttered in the air as he -stretched his long, lank body away over his horse’s -head, in the eagerness of his flight.</p> - -<p>They had now reached the road which turns off -to Sleepy Hollow; but Gunpowder, who seemed possessed -with a demon, instead of keeping up it, made -an opposite turn, and plunged headlong down hill to -the left. This road leads through a sandy hollow, -shaded by trees for about a quarter of a mile, where it -crosses the bridge famous in goblin story; and just -beyond swells the green knoll on which stands the -whitewashed church.</p> - -<p>Just as he had got halfway through the hollow, the -girths of the saddle gave way, and Ichabod felt it -slipping from under him. He seized it by the pommel, -and tried to hold it firm, but in vain. He had just -time to save himself by clasping Gunpowder round -the neck, when the saddle fell to the earth, and he -heard it trampled under foot by his pursuer. For a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span> -moment the terror of its owner’s wrath passed across -his mind, for it was his Sunday saddle; but this was -no time for petty fears. He had much ado to keep -his seat, sometimes slipping on one side, sometimes on -another, and sometimes jolted on the high ridge of -his horse’s backbone with a violence that was far from -pleasant.</p> - -<p>An opening in the trees now cheered him with the -hope that the church bridge was at hand. “If I can -but reach that bridge,” thought Ichabod, “I am safe.” -Just then he heard the black steed panting and blowing -close behind him. He even fancied that he felt -his hot breath. Another kick in the ribs, and old -Gunpowder sprang upon the bridge; he thundered -over the resounding planks; he gained the opposite -side; and now Ichabod cast a look behind to see if his -pursuer should vanish in a flash of fire and brimstone.</p> - -<p>Just then he saw the goblin rising in his stirrups, -and in the very act of hurling his head at him. Ichabod -tried to dodge the horrible missile, but too late. It -encountered his cranium with a tremendous crash. -He was tumbled headlong into the dust; and Gunpowder, -the black steed, and the goblin rider passed -by like a whirlwind.</p> - -<p>The next morning the old horse was found without<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span> -his saddle, and with the bridle under his feet, soberly -cropping the grass at his master’s gate. Ichabod -did not make his appearance at breakfast. Dinner -hour came, but no Ichabod. The boys assembled at -the schoolhouse, and strolled idly about the banks of -the brook; but no schoolmaster.</p> - -<p>An inquiry was set on foot, and after much investigation -they came upon his traces. In one part of the -road by the church was found the saddle trampled -in the dirt. The tracks of horses’ hoofs deeply dented -in the road, and evidently at furious speed, were traced -to the bridge, beyond which, on the bank of a broad -part of the brook, where the water ran deep and black, -was found the hat of the unfortunate Ichabod, and -close beside it a shattered pumpkin. The brook was -searched, but the body of the schoolmaster was not -to be discovered.</p> - -<p>As Ichabod was a bachelor, and in nobody’s debt, -nobody troubled his head any more about him. It is -true, an old farmer, who went down to New York on -a visit several years after, brought home the intelligence -that Ichabod Crane was still alive; that he -had left the neighborhood, partly through fear of -the goblin and the farmer whose horse he had ridden, -and partly for other reasons; that he had changed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> -his quarters to a distant part of the country, had -kept school and studied law, and finally had been made -a justice of the Ten Pound Court. Brom Bones, too, -was observed to look very knowing whenever the story -of Ichabod was related, and always burst into a hearty -laugh at the mention of the pumpkin, which led some -to suppose that he knew more about the matter than -he chose to tell.</p> - -<p class="attribution">—<span class="smcap">Washington Irving.</span></p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2 id="THE_BLUEBIRD">THE BLUEBIRD</h2> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">When God had made a host of them,</div> -<div class="verse">One little flower still lacked a stem</div> -<div class="verse indent1">To hold its blossom blue;</div> -<div class="verse">So into it He breathed a song,</div> -<div class="verse">And suddenly, with petals strong</div> -<div class="verse indent1">As wings, away it flew.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="attribution">—<span class="smcap">Father Tabb.</span></div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">We live in deeds, not years; in thoughts, not breaths;</div> -<div class="verse">In feelings, not in figures on a dial.</div> -<div class="verse">We should count time by heart-throbs. He most lives</div> -<div class="verse">Who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best.</div> -</div> -<div class="attribution">—<span class="smcap">Philip James Bailey.</span></div> -</div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="THE_BROOK">THE BROOK</h2> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">I come from haunts of coot and hern,</div> -<div class="verse indent2">I make a sudden sally,</div> -<div class="verse">And sparkle out among the fern</div> -<div class="verse indent2">To bicker down a valley.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">By thirty hills I hurry down,</div> -<div class="verse indent2">Or slip between the ridges,</div> -<div class="verse">By twenty thorps, a little town,</div> -<div class="verse indent2">And half a hundred bridges.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Till last by Philip’s farm I flow</div> -<div class="verse indent2">To join the brimming river,</div> -<div class="verse">For men may come and men may go,</div> -<div class="verse indent2">But I go on forever.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">I chatter over stony ways,</div> -<div class="verse indent2">In little sharps and trebles,</div> -<div class="verse">I bubble into eddying bays,</div> -<div class="verse indent2">I babble on the pebbles.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">With many a curve my banks I fret</div> -<div class="verse indent2">By many a field and fallow,</div> -<div class="verse">And many a fairy foreland set</div> -<div class="verse indent2">With willow weed and mallow.</div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">I chatter, chatter, as I flow</div> -<div class="verse indent2">To join the brimming river,</div> -<div class="verse">For men may come and men may go,</div> -<div class="verse indent2">But I go on forever.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">I wind about, and in and out,</div> -<div class="verse indent2">With here a blossom sailing,</div> -<div class="verse">And here and there a lusty trout,</div> -<div class="verse indent2">And here and there a grayling.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">And here and there a foamy flake</div> -<div class="verse indent2">Upon me, as I travel</div> -<div class="verse">With many a silvery waterbreak</div> -<div class="verse indent2">Above the golden gravel.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">And draw them all along, and flow</div> -<div class="verse indent2">To join the brimming river,</div> -<div class="verse">For men may come and men may go,</div> -<div class="verse indent2">But I go on forever.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">I slip, I slide, I gloom, I glance,</div> -<div class="verse indent2">Among my skimming swallows;</div> -<div class="verse">I make the netted sunbeams dance</div> -<div class="verse indent2">Against my sandy shallows.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">I murmur under moon and stars</div> -<div class="verse indent2">In brambly wildernesses;</div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span> -<div class="verse">I linger by my shingly bars;</div> -<div class="verse indent2">I loiter round my cresses;</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">And out again I curve and flow</div> -<div class="verse indent2">To join the brimming river,</div> -<div class="verse">For men may come and men may go,</div> -<div class="verse indent2">But I go on forever.</div> -</div> -<div class="attribution">—<span class="smcap">Alfred Tennyson.</span></div> -</div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2 id="THE_STORY_OF_A_HAPPY_CHILD">THE STORY OF A HAPPY CHILD</h2> - -<h3>I</h3> - -<table summary="List of words to learn from this reading exercise"> - <tr> - <td>chevalier</td> - <td>poem</td> - <td>education</td> - <td>opera</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>conservatory</td> - <td>poetry</td> - <td>poverty</td> - <td>accord</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>applause</td> - <td>talent</td> - <td>composer</td> - <td>theater</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p>The Chevalier had found a lad who would be worthy -of his care. To be sure he was but a peasant boy full -of fun and laughter. The Chevalier himself had once -been young and remembered how tempting the sunshine -used to be and the fields and the ripe nuts of -autumn. He had marked with pleasure this handsome -lad, and watched with interest his changing face and -dancing eye as he went on his merry way.</p> - -<p>“I shall ask him to my house,” thought the Chevalier, -“and see what he will say to my books.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span></p> - -<p>So Giochino went to the Chevalier’s house and -listened eagerly while the Chevalier told him of the -beautiful verses and stories which many of the books -contained. Now and then the Chevalier would read a -few lines from a poem.</p> - -<p>The boy loved poetry. It was sweet in sound and -had a movement like the gliding of boats on still -water. It made him forget everything else,—even -how he had teased his old music teacher, and that his -mother was sometimes sad.</p> - -<p>Perhaps he was a little lonesome, for his mother, -whom he loved dearly, was often far off. She was -working for her boy, saving every cent possible to give -him the musical education for which she had longed. -Here and there throughout Italy she went singing in -one of the traveling opera companies so common in -those days. In her younger years her voice had been -full and strong, but now it was failing and she wondered -what would happen to Giochino.</p> - -<p>But the boy’s heart was too joyous to be cast down by -poverty or trouble. The days were bright and sunny, -why should he not be gay? His voice was clear, true, -pure in tone, and almost of its own accord broke into -song. Occasionally he, too, would earn a little money -by singing at the theater.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span></p> - -<p>After a time he was able to study music with a master -and finally entered the conservatory at Bologna. Here -he was taught some of the more difficult things about -music.</p> - -<p>It was not long before he discovered that he already -knew enough to write operas. He was delighted. He -would go to seek his fortune.</p> - -<p>His teacher, realizing that he had extraordinary -talent, wished him to continue his study further and -even offered to instruct him in the stately music of the -Church, if he would remain. But the youth did not -heed his offer and started forth.</p> - -<p>In his happy, aimless way he went from place to -place. He sang, he accompanied, he directed and -composed. He was always good-natured, always generous, -and never without friends.</p> - -<p>It was evening in Venice. The opera was just over. -People were thronging from the door of the opera house. -They were talking excitedly. Evidently they were -much pleased. Giochino Rossini’s opera, “Tancred,” -had been presented for the first time. It had been -received with wild applause.</p> - -<p>Rossini was surprised at this. “I fancied,” he said, -“that, after hearing my opera, they would put me into -the madhouse. But they are madder than I.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span></p> - -<h3>II</h3> - -<table summary="List of words to learn from this reading exercise"> - <tr> - <td>popular</td> - <td>finally</td> - <td>composition</td> - <td>indignation</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>spirit</td> - <td>composer</td> - <td>message</td> - <td>mentioned</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p>When he was but twenty-four Rossini produced -what has been, perhaps, the most popular of his operas, -“The Barber of Seville.” But fame alone could not -make him content. Beyond Italy the world was wide. -The spirit of the man was as restless as that of the boy. -He went to Vienna, and finally to Paris.</p> - -<p>In Paris he felt he could work at his best. Here he -composed his great masterpiece in opera, “William -Tell.” It was the story in music and song of the great -Swiss hero, of whom you have doubtless heard many -tales. For years the hero had seen his country bound -under the hand of a tyrant. His soul was on fire with -indignation. His country must be freed. He would -make it free.</p> - -<p>Nothing but grand and noble music could tell such a -story. Yet Rossini has told it wonderfully. The opera -was brought out in Paris and has been played many -times since.</p> - -<p>Although as yet you may not have listened to any -of the music which has been mentioned thus far, the -most of you have probably heard many times Rossini’s<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> -finest composition. When he wrote it, he was forty-five; -and when it was done, he wrote no longer. This -was his last message to the world. This was the -“Stabat Mater,” sung for the first time on Good -Friday.</p> - -<p>In his house in Paris Rossini gathered about him -many friends, among them young men who desired -to become musicians, poets, or writers. His generous -heart was full to the last of merriment and song, though -as a composer he was silent. He was born at Pesaro, -Italy, February 29, 1792, and died in Paris, November -13, 1868.</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h2 id="MAY_CAROL">MAY CAROL</h2> - - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">See the robins swinging</div> -<div class="verse indent1">’Mid the orchards’ snow;</div> -<div class="verse">Feel the perfumed breezes</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Wafted to and fro;</div> -<div class="verse">Listen to the music</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Heard from bird and spray;</div> -<div class="verse">Lift your hearts, ye sad ones,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">’Tis the lovely May.</div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Ah, our hearts were weary</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Waiting for the light,</div> -<div class="verse">For the frosts to vanish</div> -<div class="verse indent1">With their bitter blight:</div> -<div class="verse">See, the earth’s brown bosom</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Heaves, where zephyrs play;</div> -<div class="verse">See, she thrills and answers</div> -<div class="verse indent1">To the touch of May.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">May, all fresh and smiling,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Sweet—from heaven above;</div> -<div class="verse">May, our souls beguiling</div> -<div class="verse indent1">With her dreams of love:</div> -<div class="verse">Violet-eyed and fragrant—</div> -<div class="verse indent1">How our pulses play</div> -<div class="verse">’Neath the virgin beauty</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Of the radiant May.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Lift your hearts up: floating</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Through the gold and blue</div> -<div class="verse">Where the liquid sunlight</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Streams and filters through,</div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span> -<div class="verse">There a Lady, smiling,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Stands ’mid cloudless day—</div> -<div class="verse">Snow-white Virgin-Mother,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Dazzling Queen of May.</div> -</div> -<div class="attribution">—<span class="smcap">Mary Antonia, Sister of Mercy.</span></div> -</div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2 id="THE_PRECIOUS_BLOOD_OF_JESUS">THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS</h2> - - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">O Precious Blood of Jesus,</div> -<div class="verse indent2">Shed for me,</div> -<div class="verse">Upon the cruel cross of</div> -<div class="verse indent2">Calvary:</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Each drop of blood so precious,</div> -<div class="verse indent2">And the pain,</div> -<div class="verse">A sacrifice was offered</div> -<div class="verse indent2">Not in vain.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">O Precious Blood of Jesus,</div> -<div class="verse indent2">May I feel</div> -<div class="verse">The fire of love for Christ, and</div> -<div class="verse indent2">Holy zeal!</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">O Precious Blood of Jesus,</div> -<div class="verse indent2">Cleansing, pure!</div> -<div class="verse">Inflame my soul with ardor</div> -<div class="verse indent2">To endure.</div> -</div> -<div class="attribution">—<span class="smcap">Henry Coyle.</span></div> -</div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="THE_SPANISH_COOK">THE SPANISH COOK</h2> - -<table summary="List of words to learn from this reading exercise"> - <tr> - <td>peasant</td> - <td>zealous</td> - <td>summit</td> - <td>intervals</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>chef</td> - <td>caprice</td> - <td>recovery</td> - <td>porridge</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>plaza</td> - <td>vespers</td> - <td>procession</td> - <td>accident</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p>Pilar was a young peasant woman. I do not know -from what village she came, somewhere in the neighborhood -of Malaga. She was paid three dollars a -month, and she “found” herself. A man cook in that -happy land gets five dollars a month, but times were -bad, and my friends had for three years to content -themselves with a woman cook. She cooked well, -though, and cheerfully, and she prepared more meals -in the twenty-four hours than any other cook I ever -heard of.</p> - -<p>She seemed to have identified herself thoroughly -with the family, and to work with a zealous love for -them all. There was, however, one of the many -children for whom she had a special affection, a very -delicate little maiden of two and a half. During the -autumn this child had been desperately ill. The -doctors gave no hope. Pilar in anguish prayed for -her recovery, and promised the Bestower of life that -if He would spare little Anita, she would, before the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span> -end of Holy Week, carry to the shrine on the top of -the “Calvary” outside the town, one pound of olive -oil to be burned in His honor. She promised a great -many prayers besides, which she managed to get said, -in the intervals of her frying and stewing and boiling.</p> - -<p>Well, the little girl, contrary to the doctors, began -to mend, and finally was entirely restored to health. -Pilar was most grateful, and said many <i>Aves</i> in thanksgiving. -The winter was a busy one, and then Lent -came and seemed not less busy in that big household. -Pilar did not forget the pound of oil, but there never -seemed a moment when she could ask a half day to go -and carry it to the shrine. Holy Week came, Monday, -Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday,—what should she -do! She could scarcely get away from her work even -to go out to her parish church on Holy Thursday to -say a little prayer before the Repository, where, throned -in flowers and lighted with myriad candles, the Blessed -Sacrament is kept till the morning of Good Friday.</p> - -<p>As to going to seven churches and saying her prayers -before each Repository as other people did, that, alas! -was not “for the likes of her.” She had a dumb, -deep-down feeling, however, that the good God knew, -and that it would be all right. On her way back -from her hurried prayer at the church, a procession<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span> -passed which she watched for a moment. But this -only proved painful, for it had begun to rain, and her -pious Southern soul was aflame with wrath that the -image of the Blessed Redeemer should be exposed to -the storm.</p> - -<p>“They don’t care about wetting his dear curls,” -she cried, “as long as they can have a good procession.”</p> - -<p>She shook her fist at the crowd, and came away in -tears. Her mistress, a devout Catholic, tried to console -her by reminding her that, after all, it was only -an image and not the dear Lord she loved. Oh, she -knew <i>that</i>; but “it was cruel, but it was shameful!”</p> - -<p>She felt as a mother would feel if the dress of her -dead baby, or its little half-worn shoe, were spoiled -by the caprice or cold-heartedness of some one who -had no feeling for it. All together Holy Thursday -was not very consoling to Pilar, and the pound of oil -grew heavier every hour.</p> - -<p>The next day, Good Friday, she had only time to -go to church through the silent streets, where no wheels -were heard, and say her prayers and look at the black, -black altars and the veiled statues. That night, after -her work was done, and the last baby had been served -with its last porridge, she put her kitchen in hurried -order, and stole out silently. She had bought the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> -pound of oil at a little shop in the next street and, -hiding it under her shawl, turned her steps towards -Barcenillas.</p> - -<p>The night was black and tempestuous. A hot, dry -wind blew; occasionally a gust brought a few drops -of rain, but more often it was a gale which made the -street lamps blink, and whirled the dust around her. -It was a long way to the suburb; it was late; there -were few abroad, but no matter, the good Lord knew -why she was out, and He would take care of her.</p> - -<p>There are no street cars running in the days of Holy -Week. From Holy Thursday till after the cathedral -bells ring for first vespers on Holy Saturday, no wheels -move in the streets of Malaga.</p> - -<p>It was nearly midnight when she got to Barcenillas. -She crossed the silent plaza, passed through the gate, -and began the ascent of the steep hill. There is a -great broad road that winds up it, and at every “station” -there is a lamp burning. She knelt at each as -she reached it. But the place was very lonely; the eucalyptus -trees shook and whispered to each other, and -the lamps were dim and flickered in the rough wind.</p> - -<p>The night before there had been processions all -through the night, crowds upon crowds going up the -hill; she would not have been lonely then. But she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> -could not get away, because of little Josef’s being ill -and needing the water heated for his bath every hour. -Yes, it would have been nicer last night, with all the -priests, and all the chanting, and all the flaming torches. -But the good God knew all about it,—why she did -not come then, when she wanted to. She would not -worry, but she said her prayers with chattering teeth, -and many furtive looks behind her.</p> - -<p>At last she reached the summit, where in a little -chapel burned the light that could be seen for miles -around Malaga. There a solitary brother knelt, saying -his beads, and keeping watch. She said her last -prayers at the altar, and left the votive oil with the -friar, who commended her piety and was very kind. -As she came out, the clouds broke and the Paschal moon -shone through them, and the broad road led down with -smooth ease towards the sleeping, silent city. Her -steps made just as lonely echoes on the stones of the -deserted streets, but she felt herself favored of heaven, -as no doubt she was, and all her fears were gone.</p> - -<p>It was after three o’clock when she let herself in at -the kitchen door; and it was several weeks before her -mistress learned, by accident, of the dolorous little -pilgrimage.</p> - -<p class="attribution">—<span class="smcap">Miriam Coles Harris.</span></p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="THE_PLANTING_OF_THE_APPLE_TREE">THE PLANTING OF THE APPLE TREE</h2> - -<table summary="List of words to learn from this reading exercise"> - <tr> - <td>cleave</td> - <td>lea</td> - <td>roseate</td> - <td>tenderly</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>mold</td> - <td>fruitage</td> - <td>verdurous</td> - <td>crimson</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>haunt</td> - <td>sojourners</td> - <td>fraud</td> - <td>rhymes</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse indent1">Come, let us plant the apple tree.</div> -<div class="verse">Cleave the tough greensward with the spade;</div> -<div class="verse">Wide let its hollow bed be made;</div> -<div class="verse">There gently lay the roots, and there</div> -<div class="verse">Sift the dark mold with kindly care,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">And press it o’er them tenderly,</div> -<div class="verse">As round the sleeping infant’s feet</div> -<div class="verse">We softly fold the cradle sheet;</div> -<div class="verse indent1">So plant we the apple tree.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse indent1">What plant we in this apple tree?</div> -<div class="verse">Buds which the breath of summer days</div> -<div class="verse">Shall lengthen into leafy sprays;</div> -<div class="verse">Boughs where the thrush, with crimson breast,</div> -<div class="verse">Shall haunt and sing and hide her nest;</div> -<div class="verse indent1">We plant, upon the sunny lea,</div> -<div class="verse">A shadow for the noontide hour,</div> -<div class="verse">A shelter from the summer shower,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">When we plant the apple tree.</div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse indent1">What plant we in this apple tree?</div> -<div class="verse">Sweets for a hundred flowery springs,</div> -<div class="verse">To load the May wind’s restless wings,</div> -<div class="verse">When, from the orchard row, he pours</div> -<div class="verse">Its fragrance through our open doors;</div> -<div class="verse indent1">A world of blossoms for the bee,</div> -<div class="verse">Flowers for the sick girl’s silent room,</div> -<div class="verse">For the glad infant sprigs of bloom,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">We plant with the apple tree.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse indent1">What plant we in this apple tree?</div> -<div class="verse">Fruits that shall swell in sunny June,</div> -<div class="verse">And redden in the August noon,</div> -<div class="verse">And drop, when gentle airs come by,</div> -<div class="verse">That fan the blue September sky;</div> -<div class="verse indent1">While children come, with cries of glee,</div> -<div class="verse">And seek them where the fragrant grass</div> -<div class="verse">Betrays their bed to those who pass,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">At the foot of the apple tree.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse indent1">And when, above this apple tree,</div> -<div class="verse">The winter stars are quivering bright,</div> -<div class="verse">And winds go howling through the night,</div> -<div class="verse">Girls, whose young eyes o’erflow with mirth,</div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> -<div class="verse">Shall peel its fruits by cottage hearth,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">And guests in prouder homes shall see,</div> -<div class="verse">Heaped with the grape of Cintra’s vine,</div> -<div class="verse">And golden orange of the line,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">The fruit of the apple tree.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse indent1">The fruitage of this apple tree,</div> -<div class="verse">Winds and our flag of stripe and star</div> -<div class="verse">Shall bear to coasts that lie afar,</div> -<div class="verse">Where men shall wonder at the view,</div> -<div class="verse">And ask in what fair groves they grew;</div> -<div class="verse indent1">And sojourners beyond the sea</div> -<div class="verse">Shall think of childhood’s careless day,</div> -<div class="verse">And long, long hours of summer play,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">In the shade of the apple tree.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse indent1">Each year shall give this apple tree</div> -<div class="verse">A broader flush of roseate bloom,</div> -<div class="verse">A deeper maze of verdurous gloom,</div> -<div class="verse">And loosen, when the frost-clouds lower,</div> -<div class="verse">The crisp brown leaves in thicker shower.</div> -<div class="verse indent1">The years shall come and pass, but we</div> -<div class="verse">Shall hear no longer, where we lie,</div> -<div class="verse">The summer’s songs, the autumn’s sigh,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">In the boughs of the apple tree.</div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse indent1">And time shall waste this apple tree.</div> -<div class="verse">Oh, when its aged branches throw</div> -<div class="verse">Thin shadows on the ground below,</div> -<div class="verse">Shall fraud and force and iron will</div> -<div class="verse">Oppress the weak and helpless still?</div> -<div class="verse indent1">What shall the tasks of mercy be,</div> -<div class="verse">Amid the toils, the strifes, the tears</div> -<div class="verse">Of those who live when length of years</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Is wasting this apple tree?</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse indent1">“Who planted this old apple tree?”</div> -<div class="verse">The children of that distant day</div> -<div class="verse">Thus to some aged man shall say;</div> -<div class="verse">And, gazing on its mossy stem,</div> -<div class="verse">The gray-haired man shall answer them:</div> -<div class="verse indent1">“A poet of the land was he,</div> -<div class="verse">Born in the rude but good old times;</div> -<div class="verse">’Tis said he made some quaint old rhymes</div> -<div class="verse indent1">On planting the apple tree.”</div> -</div> -<div class="attribution">—<span class="smcap">William Cullen Bryant.</span></div> -</div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="THE_CONVERSION_OF_KING_RATBODO">THE CONVERSION OF KING RATBODO</h2> - -<table summary="List of words to learn from this reading exercise"> - <tr> - <td>dunes</td> - <td>miracle</td> - <td>indignation</td> - <td>devastating</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>righteous</td> - <td>policy</td> - <td>obstinate</td> - <td>development</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>terror</td> - <td>pagan</td> - <td>chieftain</td> - <td>abomination</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p>St. Wulfram and his monks had much work for a -time. The Frisians came in crowds for Christian instructions -and baptism. It was a great and hard task -to teach human beings in the lowest stage of development. -Moreover, the teachings of the missionaries -were opposed in all things to the traditional customs -of the people. Many wrongs, such as slavery, for -instance, could not be set aside at once. Moreover, -if the people were to be made peaceful and weaned -from their wildness, they had to be taught other -ways of support than plundering and hunting.</p> - -<p>So the Benedictines taught the converts not only -Christian doctrine, but how to plow and to plant. -They built dunes to hold out the devastating sea, and -sent to their abbey home for seeds and implements. -In a few years the face of Frisia was greatly changed.</p> - -<p>Ratbodo had given Wulfram land and a dwelling -near his own residence. In this way he could best -keep track of everything that happened at the mission.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span></p> - -<p>The king himself remained obdurate in his paganism. -Once he said, tauntingly, to the entreating Wulfram, -that if the Christian God would work a miracle for -him especially, he would be converted. Wulfram reminded -him of the miracles he had seen and had not -been converted. Then Ratbodo said that if the -table in front of him were changed into gold, he would -yield; but Wulfram, in righteous indignation, told -him how childish was such a request.</p> - -<p>All the while the chieftains were urging the king to -send away the bishop. But he laughed at them, saying -that what Wulfram had built up he himself would -destroy in ten days when the time came, just as had -been done in the case of many others. Even the king’s -little son, Clodio, was baptized and died a Christian, -but the king only smiled. His day was coming, he held.</p> - -<p>Then Wulfram went back to Fontinella to get -more monks, laborers, and lay brothers for his work -in Frisia. The converted Frisians were beginning -to realize the blessings of regular and well-ordered -work. There were more and more laborers and fewer -sea robbers and warriors. Nevertheless, the great -mass of the Frisian people remained obstinate, following -the example of the king and the great chiefs.</p> - -<p>Among the gods whose wrath the Frisians most<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span> -feared was the god of the sea. The lowness of the -land made frequent inundations inevitable. Besides, -Frisians, when not robbing, were fishing, or living -on the water in some way. Thus they were always -anxious to pacify the mighty god of the floods.</p> - -<p>On this day, too, a great multitude, together with -the king and the chieftains, were gathered at the sea-coast, -waiting to soothe the water deity by human -sacrifice. The lot had fallen on two little boys this -time, the only children of a widow. At the time of -low tide the little ones were laid on a projecting point -of land, so that the rising waters would cover them. -Their feet were tied so cunningly that the childish -hands could not undo the knots. Thus they sat on -the beach, waiting the waters that were to be their -death.</p> - -<p>Several hundred feet back, the crowds were gathered -to watch the unhappy spectacle. In the foreground -sat a young woman, the mother of the children, weeping -and moaning in her grief, without, however, waking -the faintest sympathy in the hearts of the by-standers.</p> - -<p>The waters were even then advancing on the point -of land, and a strong wind was driving up the flood -in great waves. The little ones began to scream in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span> -terror as the spray struck them, and the mother sprang -to her feet. If she had not been held fast, she would -have flung herself into the water with her children. -Gradually the land disappeared; nothing was left -but the raised point to which the children clung. One -could see how the older boy was trying to hold up his -little brother.</p> - -<p>“King!” said a voice, ringing with a holy anger, -“why this abomination before the eyes of almighty -God?”</p> - -<p>Ratbodo started and the chieftains stared in silent -astonishment.</p> - -<p>“We are offering sacrifice to the god of the waters,” -said the king, after a moment. “Go take the victims -away from him if you can; they may be your slaves -and the slaves of your God for the rest of time,” he -added with a sneer.</p> - -<p>“So be it,” answered Wulfram. Turning, he made -the sign of the cross over the rising tide and walked -out as if on solid land. The Christians present in the -crowd cried aloud for joy, but the pagans stood in -wonder bordering on fear. The king himself was -most moved by the miraculous sight. His eyes were -fixed, his face pale as death. He was convinced that -in the saint walking thus unharmed over the waters<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span> -he saw an unmistakable manifestation of the power of -the Christian God.</p> - -<p>“That is even more than a golden table,” he whispered -tremblingly.</p> - -<p>Wulfram lifted the children out of the water and -carried them to the land. At once the Frisians -crowded about him, asking to be made Christians. -Ratbodo himself said:—</p> - -<p>“It is but right that a man should keep his word. -I said to you years ago that if your God would make -a golden table before my eyes, I would become a -Christian. But He did more. He made a solid floor -of the moving sea. Come to me every day and instruct -me.”</p> - -<p class="attribution">—<span class="smcap">Conrad von Bolanden.</span></p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2 id="THE_BLESSED_VIRGIN_MARY">THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY</h2> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">If our faith had given us nothing more</div> -<div class="verse">Than this example of all womanhood,</div> -<div class="verse">So mild, so merciful, so strong, so good,</div> -<div class="verse">So patient, peaceful, loyal, loving, pure,</div> -<div class="verse">This were enough to prove it higher and truer</div> -<div class="verse">Than all creeds the world had known before.</div> -</div> -<div class="attribution">—<span class="smcap">H. W. Longfellow.</span></div> -</div> -</div> - -<p>From <i>The Golden Legend</i>.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="COME_TO_JESUS">COME TO JESUS</h2> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> -<img src="images/illus178.jpg" width="400" height="500" alt="Jesus in crown of thorns" /> -</div> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Souls of men! why will ye scatter</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Like a crowd of frightened sheep?</div> -<div class="verse">Foolish hearts! why will ye wander</div> -<div class="verse indent1">From a love so true and deep?</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Was there ever kindest shepherd</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Half so gentle, half so sweet</div> -<div class="verse">As the Saviour who would have us</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Come and gather round His feet?</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">It is God: His love looks mighty,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">But is mightier than it seems:</div> -<div class="verse">’Tis our Father: and His fondness</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Goes far out beyond our dreams.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">There’s a wideness in God’s mercy,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Like the wideness of the sea:</div> -<div class="verse">There’s a kindness in His justice,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Which is more than liberty.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">There is no place where earthly sorrows</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Are more felt than up in heaven;</div> -<div class="verse">There is no place where earthly failings</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Have such kindly judgment given.</div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">There is welcome for the sinner,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">And more graces for the good;</div> -<div class="verse">There is mercy with the Saviour;</div> -<div class="verse indent1">There is healing in His Blood.</div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">There is grace enough for thousands</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Of new worlds as great as this;</div> -<div class="verse">There is room for fresh creations</div> -<div class="verse indent1">In that upper home of bliss.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">For the love of God is broader</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Than the treasures of man’s mind;</div> -<div class="verse">And the heart of the Eternal</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Is most wonderfully kind.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">There is plentiful redemption</div> -<div class="verse indent1">In the Blood that has been shed;</div> -<div class="verse">There is joy for all the members</div> -<div class="verse indent1">In the sorrows of the Head.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">If our love were but more simple,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">We should take Him at His word;</div> -<div class="verse">And our lives would be all sunshine</div> -<div class="verse indent1">In the sweetness of our Lord.</div> -</div> -<div class="attribution">—<span class="smcap">Father Faber.</span></div> -</div> -</div> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Be comforted; and blessèd be</div> -<div class="verse indent1">The meek, the merciful, the pure</div> -<div class="verse">Of heart; for they shall see, shall hear</div> -<div class="verse indent1">God’s mercy. So shall peace endure.</div> -</div> -<div class="attribution">—<span class="smcap">Joaquin Miller.</span></div> -</div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="FATHER_MARQUETTE">FATHER MARQUETTE</h2> - -<table summary="List of words to learn from this reading exercise"> - <tr> - <td>expedition</td> - <td>martyrdom</td> - <td>humility</td> - <td>adieu</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>investigation</td> - <td>utterance</td> - <td>fathoms</td> - <td>erect</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>deputed</td> - <td>banquet</td> - <td>domestic</td> - <td>cubit</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p>In 1672, letters from Quebec informed Marquette -that the government had taken up the project of exploring -the Mississippi, and that he was the missionary -selected to accompany the expedition. His heart -exulted at the prospect. The hope of a glorious martyrdom -while opening the way to future heralds of the -Cross buoyed him up, though in his humility he never -spoke of martyrdom. To him it was but a death, “to -cease to offend God.”</p> - -<p>The winter was spent by the two explorers in studying -all that had yet been learned of the great river, in -gathering around them every Indian wanderer, and -amid the tawny group drawing their first rude map of -the Mississippi, and the water courses that led to it. -And on this first map, traced doubtless kneeling on the -ground, they set down the name of each tribe they -were to pass, each important point to be met. The -undertaking was dangerous, but it was not to be rash: -all was the result of calm, cool investigation. In the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span> -spring they embarked at Mackinaw in two frail bark -canoes; each with his paddle in hand, and full of hope, -they soon plied them merrily over the crystal waters -of the lake.</p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 400px;"> -<img src="images/illus181.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="" /> -<p class="caption">“<span class="smcap">They happily glided into the great river.</span>”</p> -</div> - -<p>All was new to Marquette. He had now attained the -limit of former discoveries, the new world was before -them; they looked back a last adieu to the waters, -which, great as the distance was, connected them with -Quebec and their countrymen; they knelt on the shore -to offer, by a new devotion, their lives, their honor,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span> -and their undertaking to their beloved mother the -Virgin Mary Immaculate; then, launching on the -broad Wisconsin, they sailed slowly down its current, -amid its vine-clad isles and its countless sand bars.</p> - -<p>No sound broke the stillness, no human form appeared, -and at last, after sailing seven days, on the -17th of June they happily glided into the great river. -Joy that could find no utterance in words filled the -grateful heart of Marquette. The broad river of the -Conception, as he named it, now lay before them, -stretching away hundreds of miles to an unknown sea.</p> - -<p>“The Mississippi River,” he writes, “has its source -in several lakes in the country of the nations at the -north; it is narrow at the mouth of the Wisconsin; -its current, which runs south, is slow and gentle. On -the right is a considerable chain of very high mountains, -and on the left fine lands; it is in many places studded -with islands. On sounding we found ten fathoms -of water. Its breadth varies greatly; sometimes it -is three quarters of a league broad, and then narrows -in to less than two hundred yards. We followed its -course quietly, as it bears south and southeast to the -forty-second degree.</p> - -<p>“Then we perceive that the whole face of the country -changes. Scarcely a forest or mountain is now in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span> -sight. The islands increase in beauty and are covered -with finer trees; we see nothing but deer and elk, wild -geese and swans unable to fly, as they are here moulting. -From time to time we encounter monstrous fish, -one of which struck our canoe with such violence that -I took it for a large tree that would knock our frail -craft to pieces. Another time we perceived on the -water a bearded monster with a tiger’s head, a pointed -muzzle like a wild cat; ears erect, a gray head but a -jet-black neck. It was the only one we beheld.</p> - -<p>“When we cast our nets we took sturgeon, and a -very strange fish resembling a trout, but with larger -mouth and smaller eyes and snout. From the last -projects a large bone, three fingers wide, and a cubit -long; the end is round and as wide as a hand. When -the fish leaps out of water, the weight of this bone -often throws it back.</p> - -<p>“Having descended the river to 41° 2´, still keeping -the same direction, we found that turkeys took the -place of other wild birds, and wild cattle replaced -other animals. We call them wild cattle, because they -resemble our domestic ones. They are not longer, -but almost as bulky again, and more corpulent. Our -man killed one, and the three of us could move it -only with great difficulty. The head is very large, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span> -forehead flat and a half yard broad between the horns, -which resemble exactly those of our oxen, but are -black and longer. A large crop hangs down from the -neck, and there is a high hump on the back. The -whole head, neck, and part of the shoulders are covered -with a great mane like a horse’s; it is a foot long -and gives them a hideous appearance, and as it falls -over the eyes prevents their seeing straight ahead.</p> - -<p>“The rest of the body is covered with a coarse curly -hair like the wool of our sheep, but much stronger and -thicker. This is shed every summer, and then the -skin is as soft as velvet. At this time the Indians -employ the skins to make beautiful robes, which they -paint with various colors. The flesh and fat are -excellent, and furnish the best dish at banquets. They -are very fierce, and not a year passes without their -killing some Indian. When attacked, they take a -man with their horns, if they can, lift him up, and -then dash him on the ground, and trample him to -death.</p> - -<p>“When you fire at them from a distance with gun -or bow, you must throw yourself on the ground as -soon as you fire, and hide in the grass, for if they perceive -the person who fired, they rush on him and -attack him. As their feet are large and rather short,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span> -they do not generally move fast, unless they are -provoked. They are scattered over the prairies like -herds of cattle. I have seen four hundred of them in -a band.”</p> - -<p>At last, on the 25th of June, they descried footprints -on the shore. They now took heart again, -and Joliet and the missionary, leaving their five men -in the canoes, followed a little beaten path to discover -who the tribe might be. They traveled on in silence -almost to the cabin doors, when they halted, and with -a loud halloo proclaimed their coming. Three villages -lay before them; the first, roused by the cry, poured -forth its motley group, which halted at the sight of the -newcomers and the well-known dress of the missionary.</p> - -<p>“They deputed four old men to come and speak -with us,” says Marquette. “Two carried tobacco -pipes richly adorned and trimmed with feathers of -many kinds. They walked slowly, lifting their pipes -toward the sun, as if offering them to him to -smoke, but yet without uttering a single word. They -were a long time coming the short distance between -us and the village. Having at last reached us, they -stopped to examine us carefully.</p> - -<p>“On seeing these ceremonies which are used only -with friends, I took courage, more especially as I saw<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span> -they wore European goods, which made me judge them -to be allies of the French. I therefore spoke to them -first, and asked them who they were. They answered: -‘We are Illinois,’ and in token of peace they offered us -their pipes to smoke. They then invited us to their -village, where the whole tribe impatiently awaited us.</p> - -<p>“At the door of the cabin in which we were to be -received was an old man awaiting us in a very remarkable -attitude. It is their usual ceremony in -receiving strangers. This man stood perfectly naked, -with his hands stretched out and raised toward the -sun, as if he wished to screen himself from its rays, -which nevertheless passed through his fingers to his -face. When we came near him, he addressed this -compliment to us: ‘How beautiful is the sun, O Frenchman, -when thou comest to visit us! All our town -awaits thee, and thou shalt enter all our cabins in -peace,’ He then took us into his, where there was a -crowd of people, who devoured us with their eyes, but -maintained the deepest silence. We heard, however, -these words occasionally addressed to us: ‘Well done, -brothers, to visit us!’”</p> - -<p>Then the great peace calumet was brought and -solemnly smoked, and the two Frenchmen were conducted -to the village of the great sachem. Here, too,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> -they were received with pomp, and the calumet was -again smoked. Marquette explained the object of -their voyage to visit the nations living on the great -river, and announce to them the word of God their -Creator. They told the Illinois that they were sent -by the great chief of the French, and asked information -as to the nations between them and the sea.</p> - -<p>The sachem presented them an Indian slave, saying: -“I thank thee, Blackgown, and thee, Frenchman, for -taking so much pains to come and visit us; never has -the earth been so beautiful, nor the sun so bright as -to-day; never has our river been so calm, nor so free -from rocks, which your canoes have removed as they -passed; never has our tobacco had so fine a flavor, -nor our corn appeared so beautiful as we behold it -to-day. Here is my son, whom I give thee, that thou -mayst know my heart. I pray thee to take pity on -me and all my nation. Thou knowest the Great Spirit -who has made us all; thou speakest to Him and hearest -His word. Ask Him to give me life and health, and -come and dwell with us that we may know Him.”</p> - -<p>They feasted the two Frenchmen, and gave them a -calumet of peace as a safeguard against hostile tribes, -but tried to persuade them to go no farther.</p> - -<p class="attribution">—<span class="smcap">John Gilmary Shea.</span></p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="THE_SHEPHERD_OF_KING_ADMETUS">THE SHEPHERD OF KING ADMETUS</h2> - - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">There came a youth upon the earth,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Some thousand years ago,</div> -<div class="verse">Whose slender hands were nothing worth,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Whether to plow, or reap, or sow.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Upon an empty tortoise shell</div> -<div class="verse indent1">He stretched some chords, and drew</div> -<div class="verse">Music that made men’s bosoms swell</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Fearless, or brimmed their eyes with dew.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Then King Admetus, one who had</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Pure taste by right divine,</div> -<div class="verse">Decreed his singing not too bad</div> -<div class="verse indent1">To hear between the cups of wine.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">And so, well pleased with being soothed</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Into a sweet half-sleep,</div> -<div class="verse">Three times his kingly beard he smoothed,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">And made him viceroy o’er his sheep.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">His words were simple words enough,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">And yet he used them so,</div> -<div class="verse">That what in other mouths was rough</div> -<div class="verse indent1">In his seemed musical and low.</div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Men called him but a shiftless youth</div> -<div class="verse indent1">In whom no good they saw;</div> -<div class="verse">And yet, unwittingly, in truth,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">They made his careless words their law.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">They knew not how he learned at all,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">For idly, hour by hour,</div> -<div class="verse">He sat and watched the dead leaves fall,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Or mused upon a common flower.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">It seemed the loveliness of things</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Did teach him all their use,</div> -<div class="verse">For, in mere weeds, and stones, and springs,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">He found a healing power profuse.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Men granted that his speech was wise,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">But, when a glance they caught</div> -<div class="verse">Of his slim grace and woman’s eyes,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">They laughed, and called him good-for-naught.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Yet after he was dead and gone,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">And e’en his memory dim,</div> -<div class="verse">Earth seemed more sweet to live upon,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">More full of love, because of him.</div> -</div> -<div class="attribution">—<span class="smcap">James Russell Lowell.</span></div> -</div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="THE_SERMON_ON_THE_MOUNT">THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT</h2> - -<h3>I</h3> - -<table summary="List of words to learn from this reading exercise"> - <tr> - <td>consent</td> - <td>reckoning</td> - <td>solemnly</td> - <td>honors</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>possess</td> - <td>justice</td> - <td>merciful</td> - <td>persecution</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>thirst</td> - <td>really</td> - <td>content</td> - <td>satisfy</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p>One day a vast multitude follows our Blessed Lord -up a mountain side. They come trooping after Him, -men, women, and children; their homes, their business, -all the cares of this life, by common consent left behind. -Now He has stopped and turned round, facing -them. He waits long and patiently as they come toiling -up, guiding them with His hand to go here and -there where they may hear Him best.</p> - -<p>It is His first great Sermon that He is going to -preach, this Sermon on the Mount, and it is not only -for the numbers beyond all reckoning gathered together -here, but for all that shall come into this world -and have to be taught what they must do to save their -souls. Therefore He would speak so solemnly and from -such a lofty place. He sits down, and the Twelve come -and stand around Him, or sit on the ground at His feet. -The people press round as close as they can, and when -all are seated and quiet He begins to speak.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span></p> - -<p>What will the text of this great Preacher be? -What is the thought uppermost in His mind and -heart? This—to teach us what we must do to be -happy. He knows that we are made for happiness, -and that we long to be happy. But He knows, too, -that very many try to find happiness in things that -will not satisfy them, in the riches, pleasures, and -honors of this world which can never content our -hearts. And so He tells us in the beginning of His -Sermon on the Mount who are really blessed or -happy.</p> - -<p>“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the -kingdom of Heaven.</p> - -<p>“Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the -land.</p> - -<p>“Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.</p> - -<p>“Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice, -for they shall have their fill.</p> - -<p>“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain -mercy.</p> - -<p>“Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see -God.</p> - -<p>“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called -the children of God.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’ -sake, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.”</p> - -<p>Blessed the sufferers for whom Heaven is waiting! -this is the text of the Sermon on the Mount.</p> - -<h3>II</h3> - -<table summary="List of words to learn from this reading exercise"> - <tr> - <td>envy</td> - <td>abundance</td> - <td>sufficiency</td> - <td>conquerors</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>society</td> - <td>invitation</td> - <td>spiritual</td> - <td>victors</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>raiment</td> - <td>contrition</td> - <td>special</td> - <td>deserve</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p><i>The poor in spirit</i> are those who, having little of the -good things of this life, are content with what God has -given them, and do not envy those who are better off. -Those, too, who having a sufficiency or an abundance -of the pleasant things of this world, do not let their -hearts get too fond of them, are ready to give them -up if God should take them away, and are generous -in sharing them with those in need. To poor, such as -these, our Lord promises all the riches of Heaven by -and by.</p> - -<p><i>The meek</i> are those who have gained a mastery over -anger and revengeful thoughts. They possess as conquerors -three lands—the land of their own soul, which -they control as lords and masters, the Land of Heaven, -where nothing will trouble them any more, and, strange<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> -to say, that very land in which they seemed to be overcome. -For in the little difficulties and differences of -daily life, it is those that yield who are really victors. -How many conquests has meekness made!</p> - -<p><i>The mourners</i> are those who all their lives long have -a quiet, loving sorrow for their sins—not as though -they were unforgiven, but just because they are forgiven, -because they have offended Him who forgives so readily -and so often. Those, too, are blessed mourners who -remember when sorrow comes that He who loves them -only permits it for their good, and that in a very little -while He will wipe away all tears from their eyes, and -they shall be comforted, “nor mourning, nor crying, -nor sorrow shall be any more.”</p> - -<p><i>Who hunger and thirst after justice.</i> The soul, like -the body, has its hunger and thirst. Our Lord says -those are blessed who take care to feed it with those -things which keep it alive in the grace of God, with -prayer, and instruction, and the Sacraments. Blessed -are those who hunger after this spiritual food, who are -always trying to get more and more of God’s grace, -who go hungry to prayer, hungry to Confession and -Communion. Almighty God says, “Open thy mouth -and I will fill it.” And our Blessed Lady sings in her -canticle, “He hath fed the hungry with good things.”<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span> -It was because all the saints hungered like this that so -much was given them.</p> - -<p><i>The merciful.</i> There is nothing our Lord tells us -so often and so plainly as this—that to obtain mercy -from God we must ourselves be merciful. If we wish -Him to judge us kindly and to forgive our many faults, -we must be forgiving and kind. “Be merciful,” He -says, “as your Heavenly Father is merciful.” He tells -us that at the Last Day He will say “Come” to those -who have been merciful to others for His sake, and -“Depart from Me” to those who have been unmerciful -to the poor and needy, and therefore to Him. For -what we do to His least brethren He counts as done -to Himself. If, then, we want to hear His sweet -invitation on that dreadful Day, we know how to secure -it—“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain -mercy.”</p> - -<p><i>The clean of heart.</i> The reward and the joy of the -next life is to see God. There are many joys in Heaven—freedom -from pain and care, the delights of the glorified -body, the society of the Angels and Saints, reunion -with those we loved on earth. But all these are as -nothing compared with the Vision of God. It is this -that makes Heaven what it is. Without this all the -rest would not satisfy us. But to see the All Holy God<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span> -we must be holy. In Heaven all are clothed with white -robes, and the nearer the approach to the Great White -Throne, the more dazzlingly white is the raiment. We -must be getting ready to join that spotless throng. -How? By taking as much pains to keep our soul free -from stain as we do to prevent soiling our dress when -we go along a miry road; by shunning with care all -mortal sin and deliberate venial sin; by being careful -in our examination of conscience, and often cleansing -our soul in the Sacrament of Penance, and by frequent -acts of contrition. If we do this we shall be among the -clean of heart, and one day we shall see God.</p> - -<p><i>The peacemakers.</i> “Some there are who are neither -at peace with themselves nor suffer others to be at peace. -And some there are who keep themselves in peace and -study to restore peace to others.” Gladness goes with -these peacemakers; they turn aside little words and -jokes that would give pain, and come among us like our -Blessed Lord, whose favorite word of greeting was, -“Peace be to you.” They are so like their Father -who is in Heaven that they deserve to be called in a -special way His children.</p> - -<p><i>The persecuted.</i> If our Lord had not told us these -are blessed, should we ever have guessed it? To be -persecuted seems such a terrible thing, and so indeed it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span> -is unless we can bring ourselves to think more of Him -for whose sake we suffer than of the suffering itself. -Perhaps we may have known the quiet happiness of -being by the side of one we loved who was in pain. The -thought that our presence and our sympathy soothed -that dear one was greater joy than any pleasure to be -found elsewhere. Something like this is the gladness -those have even now who for our Lord’s sake are hated -and persecuted. They know that if they are like Him -in His suffering they will be like Him one day in His -glory. Are they not blessed then?</p> - -<h3>III</h3> - -<table summary="List of words to learn from this reading exercise"> - <tr> - <td>reverent</td> - <td>amazement</td> - <td>revenge</td> - <td>deceive</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>riveted</td> - <td>congregation</td> - <td>poverty</td> - <td>beatitudes</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p>And now let us stop awhile to look at our dear Master -and His hearers. The Twelve are listening with -reverent and fixed attention, their eyes riveted on His -blessed face. The people gaze at Him in amazement -and delight. They have been taught to hate their -enemies, to seek revenge, to think that poverty and -suffering are the signs of God’s anger, that an abundance -of corn and wine and cattle are the rewards for -which a good man must hope.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span></p> - -<p>Their beatitudes would have been, “Blessed are -the rich and the successful, those that laugh and are -held in honor by men.” How unlike these to the -blessed ones of Jesus of Nazareth! His way to happiness -was a hard way, but they knew as they looked up -into His face that it was the right way. And they felt -that He could not only teach but help them. Had -they known the story of His life as we do they would -have seen that He had first practised all He taught. -He was so poor that He had not where to lay His head. -He was meek and humble of heart, the Man of sorrows, -the great Peacemaker.</p> - -<p>After the Sermon our Lord comes down from the -Mount, conversing familiarly with His disciples, His -simple congregation flocking after Him, trying to get -near Him, all so refreshed by His company and His -words. Hear them talking of Him among themselves, -saying, “We never heard the like.”</p> - -<p>Oh, if we had seen our Blessed Lord as these happy -people saw Him, if we had followed Him about with the -crowd, had sat at His feet as He taught, and watched -Him as He laid His hands on the eyes of the blind and -the sores of the poor lepers—how we should have loved -Him!</p> - -<p class="attribution">—<span class="smcap">Mother Mary Loyola.</span></p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="THE_STAR-SPANGLED_BANNER">THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER</h2> - -<table summary="List of words to learn from this reading exercise"> - <tr> - <td>perilous</td> - <td>ramparts</td> - <td>haughty</td> - <td>conceals</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>conquer</td> - <td>desolation</td> - <td>hireling</td> - <td>confusion</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>motto</td> - <td>triumph</td> - <td>reposes</td> - <td>pollution</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Oh say, can you see by the dawn’s early light,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming—</div> -<div class="verse">Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,</div> -<div class="verse">Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.</div> -<div class="verse">Oh say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave</div> -<div class="verse">O’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave?</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">On that shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,</div> -<div class="verse">What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?</div><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,</div> -<div class="verse">In full glory reflected now shines on the stream;</div> -<div class="verse">’Tis the star-spangled banner; O long may it wave</div> -<div class="verse">O’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave!</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">And where is that band who so vauntingly swore</div> -<div class="verse indent1">’Mid the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion,</div> -<div class="verse">A home and a country shall leave us no more?</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps’ pollution.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">No refuge could save the hireling and slave,</div> -<div class="verse">From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave.</div> -<div class="verse">And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave</div> -<div class="verse">O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Oh, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation;</div> -<div class="verse">Blest with victr’y and peace, may the heaven-rescued land,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Praise the power that hath made and preserved us a nation.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just,</div> -<div class="verse">And this be our motto: “In God is our trust!”</div> -<div class="verse">And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave</div> -<div class="verse">O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="HOW_AMERICA_WAS_DISCOVERED">HOW AMERICA WAS DISCOVERED</h2> - -<h3>I<br /> -<span class="smaller">THE ITALIAN SAILOR</span></h3> - -<table summary="List of words to learn from this reading exercise"> - <tr> - <td>Italian</td> - <td>belief</td> - <td>finally</td> - <td>dangerous</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>Indies</td> - <td>ocean</td> - <td>theory</td> - <td>persuade</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>Europe</td> - <td>imagine</td> - <td>journey</td> - <td>furnish</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p>About four hundred years ago there came to Spain -an Italian sailor who believed that the earth is round. -Such a belief may not seem at all strange to us, but to -the people of that time it appeared to be very foolish -and unreasonable. Almost everybody laughed at the -Italian, and called him a silly fellow.</p> - -<p>“Have you eyes?” they asked. “If so, you need -only to open them and look about you to see that the -earth is as flat as the top of a table.”</p> - -<p>“You may think it is flat,” he answered, “and indeed -it does appear to be so. But I know it is round; and -if I had only a good ship or two, and some trusty sailors, -I would prove it to you. I would sail westward -across the great ocean, and in the end would reach the -Indies and China, which must be on the other side of -the great round world.”</p> - -<p>“Who ever heard of such nonsense!” cried his learned -critics. “Everybody knows that China and the Indies -are in the far East, and that they can be reached only by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span> -a dangerous voyage through the Mediterranean Sea, -and long journeys with camels across the great desert. -Yet, here is Mr. Crack-brain, an Italian sailor, who says -he can go to the East by sailing west. One might as -well try to reach the moon by going down into a deep -well.”</p> - -<p>“But you don’t understand me,” answered the man -whom they had called Mr. Crack-brain. “Here is an -apple. Let us suppose that it is the earth. I stick a -pin on this side, and call it Spain. On the other side I -stick another pin, and call it the Indies. Now suppose -a fly lights upon the apple at the point which I have -called Spain. By turning to the right, or eastward, he -can travel round to the Indies with but little trouble; -or by turning to the left, or westward, he can reach the -same place with just as much ease, and in really a -shorter time. Do you see?”</p> - -<p>“Do we see?” said his hearers. “Most certainly -we see the apple, and we can imagine that we see the -fly. It is very hard, however, to imagine that the earth -is an apple, or anything like it. For, suppose that it -were so: what would become of all the water in the -seas and the great ocean? Why, it would run off at -the blossom end of the apple, which you call the South -Pole; and all the rocks and trees and men would follow -it. Or, suppose that men could stick to the lower part -of the earth as the fly does to the lower part of the apple—how<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span> -very silly it would be to think of them walking -about with their heads hanging down!”</p> - -<p>“And suppose,” said one of the doubters, who -thought himself very wise,—“suppose that the earth -is round, and suppose that the water should not spill -off, and suppose you should sail to the other side, as -you want to do, how are you to get back? Did anybody -ever hear of a ship sailing uphill?”</p> - -<p>And so, with sneering remarks, the wise men dismissed -the whole subject. They said it was not worth -while for them to spend their time in talking about -such things. But the man whom they had called Mr. -Crack-brain would not give up his theory. He was -not the first man to believe that the earth is round—this -he knew; but he hoped to be the first to prove -it by sailing westward, and thus finally reaching the -Indies, and the rich countries of the far East. And yet -he had no ship, he was very poor, and the few friends -whom he had were not able to give him any help.</p> - -<p>“My only hope,” he said, “is to persuade the king -and queen to furnish me with a ship.”</p> - -<p>But how should an unknown Italian sailor make himself -heard by the king and queen of the most powerful -country in Europe?</p> - -<p>The great men at the king’s court ridiculed him. -“You had better buy a fisherman’s boat,” they said, -“and try to make an honest living with your nets.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span> -Men of your kind have no business with kings. As to -your crazy theory about the shape of the earth, only -think of it! How dare you, the son of an Italian wool-comber, -imagine that you know more about it than the -wisest men in the world?”</p> - -<p>But he did not despair. For years he followed the -king’s court from place to place. Most people looked -upon him as a kind of harmless lunatic who had gotten -a single idea in his head and was unable to think of anything -else. But there were a few good and wise men -who listened to his theories, and after studying them -carefully began to believe that there was some truth in -them.</p> - -<p>One of these men was Father Perez, the prior of the -convent of La Rabida, and, to please this good prior, -the queen at last sent for the sailor and asked him to -tell her all about his strange theories and his plans for -sailing west and reaching the East.</p> - -<p>“You say that, if you had the vessels and the men, -you would sail westward and discover new lands on -the farther side of the great ocean,” said the queen. -“What reasons have you for supposing that there are -any such lands?”</p> - -<p>“My first reason is that, since the earth is round like -a ball, the countries of China and the Indies must lie -in a westward direction and can, sooner or later, be -reached by sailing across the sea,” was the answer.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span> -“You, yourself, have heard the story of St. Brandon, -the Scottish priest, who, eight hundred years ago, was -driven by a storm far across the ocean, and how at last -he landed upon a strange and unknown shore. I doubt -not but that this country was one of the outlying -islands of the Indies, or perhaps the eastern shore of -China.</p> - -<p>“Not very long ago, Martin Vincent, a sea captain -of Lisbon, ventured to go a distance of four hundred -miles from land. There he picked up a piece of wood, -with strange marks and carvings upon it, which had -been drifted from the west by strong winds. Other -seafaring men have found, far out in the ocean, reeds -and light wood, such as travelers say are found in some -parts of the Indies, but nowhere in Europe. And if -any one should want more proofs than these, it would -not be hard to find them. There is a story among the -people of the far north which relates that, about five -hundred years ago, some bold sea rovers from Iceland -discovered a wild, wooded country many days’ sail to -the westward. Indeed, it is said that these men tried -to form a settlement there, and that they sent more -than one shipload of grapes and timber back to Iceland. -Now, it is very plain to me that this country of Vinland, -as they called it, was no other than a part of the -northern coast of China or Japan.”</p> - -<p>It is not to be supposed that the queen cared whether<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span> -the earth was round or flat; nor is it likely that her -mind was ever troubled with questions of that kind. -But she thought that if this man’s theories were true, -and there were lands rich in gold and spices on the other -side of the ocean, it would be a fine thing for the queen -and king of Spain to possess them. The Italian sailor -had studied his subject well, and he certainly knew -what he was talking about. He had told his story so -well that the queen was almost ready to believe that he -was right. But she was very busy just then, in a war -with the Moors, and she had little time to think about -anything else. If the Italian would wait till everything -else could be settled, she would see whether a ship or two -might not be fitted out for his use.</p> - -<p>For seven years this man with a new idea kept on -trying to find some one who was able and willing to -help him carry out the plans which he had so much at -heart. At last, broken in health and almost penniless, -he gave up hope, and was about to leave Spain forever. -It was then that one of his friends, Luis St. Angel, -pleaded his case before the queen.</p> - -<p>“It will cost but little to fit out two or three ships -for him. If the undertaking should prove to be a failure -you would not lose much. But if it should succeed, -only think what vast riches and how great honor will -be won for Spain!”</p> - -<p>“I will take the risk!” cried the queen, at last.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span> -“If the money cannot be had otherwise, I will sell my -jewels to get it. Find him, and bring him before me; -and let us lose no more time about this business.”</p> - -<p>St. Angel hastened to obey.</p> - -<p>“Do you know whether Christopher Columbus has -passed out through this gate to-day?” he asked of the -soldier who was standing guard at one of the gates of -the old city of Granada.</p> - -<p>“Christopher Columbus? Who is he?” asked the -soldier.</p> - -<p>“He is a gray-bearded man, rather tall, with a stoop -in his shoulders. When last seen he was riding on a -small, brown mule, and coming this way.”</p> - -<p>“Oh? Do you mean the fellow who has been trying -to make people believe that the earth is round?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, that is the man.”</p> - -<p>“He passed through here not half an hour ago. His -mule is a very slow traveler, and if you follow, you can -easily overtake him before he has gone far.”</p> - -<p>St. Angel gave the rein to his swift horse, and galloped -onward in pursuit of Columbus. It was not long until -the slow-paced mule, with its sad rider, was seen plodding -along the dusty highway. The man was too busy -with his own thoughts to heed the sound of the ringing -hoofs behind him.</p> - -<p>“Christopher Columbus!” cried his friend, “turn -about, and come back with me. I have good news for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span> -you. Queen Isabella bids me say that she will help -you, and that you shall have the ships and the men for -which you ask. And she hopes that you may find a -new way to the East, and perhaps discover unknown -lands on the farther side of the great ocean. Turn -about, and come back with me!”</p> - -<h3>II<br /> -<span class="smaller">THE VOYAGE</span></h3> - -<table summary="List of words to learn from this reading exercise"> - <tr> - <td>Palos</td> - <td>Canary</td> - <td>precious</td> - <td>monsters</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>Niña</td> - <td>Santa Maria</td> - <td>anxious</td> - <td>venture</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>Pinta</td> - <td>Perez</td> - <td>mysterious</td> - <td>expanse</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p>One morning in August, 1492, there was a great stir -in the little seaport town of Palos in Spain. At break -of day the streets were full of people. Long before -sunrise the shore was lined with anxious men, women, -and children. All were talking about the same thing; -some were weeping; some appeared to be angry; some -were in despair.</p> - -<p>“Only think of it,” said one. “Think of sailing into -seas where the water is always boiling hot.”</p> - -<p>“And if you escape being scalded,” said another, -“then there are those terrible sea beasts that are large -enough to swallow ships and sailors at a mouthful.”</p> - -<p>“It is all on account of that Italian sailor who says -that the world is round,” said a third. “He has persuaded<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span> -several persons, who ought to know better, that -he can reach the East by sailing west.”</p> - -<p>Moored near the shore were three small ships. They -were but little larger than fishing boats; and in these -frail vessels Columbus was going to venture into the -vast unknown sea, in search of strange lands and of a -new and better way to distant India.</p> - -<p>Two of the ships, the “Niña” and the “Pinta,” -had no decks and were covered only at the ends where -the sailors slept. The third, called the “Santa Maria,” -was larger and had a deck, and from its masthead -floated the flag of Columbus. It was toward these -three ships that the eyes of the people on shore were -directed; it was about these ships and the men on -board of them that all were talking.</p> - -<p>On the deck of the largest ship stood Columbus, and -by his side was good Father Perez, praying that the -voyagers might be blessed with fair winds and a smooth -sea, and that the brave captain might be successful in -his quest. Then the last good-bys were spoken, the -moorings were cast loose, the sails were spread; and, a -little before sunrise, the vessels glided slowly out of -the harbor and into the vast western ocean. The -people stood on the shore and watched, while the sails -grew smaller and smaller and at last were lost to -sight below the line of sea and sky.</p> - -<p>“Alas! We shall never see them again,” said some,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span> -returning to their homes. But others remained all -day by the shore talking about the strange idea that -there were unknown lands in the distant West.</p> - -<p>Two hundred miles southwest of Palos there is a group -of islands called the Canary Islands. These were well -known to the people of that time, and belonged to -Spain. But sailors seldom ventured beyond them, and -no one knew of any land farther to the west. It was -to these islands that Columbus first directed his course. -In six days the three little vessels reached the Canary -Islands. The sailing had been very slow. The rudder -of one of the ships had not been well made and had soon -been broken. And so, now, much time was wasted -while having a new rudder made and put in place.</p> - -<p>It was not until the 6th of September that Columbus -again set sail, pushing westward into unknown waters. -Soon the sailors began to give way to their fears. -The thought that they were on seas where no man had -before ventured filled them with alarm. They remembered -all the strange stories that they had heard -of dreadful monsters and of mysterious dangers, and -their minds were filled with distress.</p> - -<p>But Columbus showed them how unreasonable these -stories were; and he aroused their curiosity by telling -them wonderful things about India—that land of -gold and precious stones, which they would surely -reach if they would bravely persevere.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span></p> - -<p>And so, day after day, they sailed onward. The sea -was calm, and the wind blowing from the east drove -the ships steadily forward. By the first of October -they had sailed more than two thousand miles. Birds -came from the west, and flew about the ships. The -water was full of floating seaweed. But still no land -could be seen.</p> - -<p>Then the sailors began to fear that they would never -be able to return against the east wind that was blowing. -“Why should we obey this man, Columbus?” -they said. “He is surely mad. Let us throw him into -the sea, and then turn the ships about while we can.”</p> - -<p>But Columbus was so firm and brave that they -dared not lay hands on him; they dared not disobey -him. Soon they began to see signs of the nearness of -land. Weeds, such as grow only in rivers, were seen -floating near the ships. A branch of a tree, with berries -on it, was picked up. Columbus offered a reward to -the man who should first see land.</p> - -<p>“We must be very near it now,” he said.</p> - -<p>That night no one could sleep. At about two o’clock -the man who was on the lookout on one of the smaller -vessels cried: “Land! land! land!” Columbus himself -had seen a distant light moving, some hours before. -There was now a great stir on board the ships.</p> - -<p>“Where is the land?” cried every one.</p> - -<p>“There—there! Straight before us.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span></p> - -<h3>III<br /> -<span class="smaller">THE DISCOVERY</span></h3> - -<table summary="List of words to learn from this reading exercise"> - <tr> - <td>San Salvador</td> - <td>anchor</td> - <td>bananas</td> - <td>messenger</td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td>Cuba</td> - <td>scarlet</td> - <td>palms</td> - <td>brilliant</td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p>Yes, there was a low, dark mass far in front of them, -which might be land. In the dim starlight, it was hard -to make out what it was. But one thing was certain, -it was not a mere expanse of water, such as lay in every -other direction. And so the sailors brought out a little -old-fashioned cannon and fired it off as a signal to the -crews of the other vessels. Then the sails of the three -ships were furled, and they waited for the light of day.</p> - -<p>When morning dawned, Columbus and his companions -saw that they were quite near to a green and -sunny island. It was a beautiful spot. There were -pleasant groves where the songs of birds were heard. -Thousands of flowers were seen on every hand, and the -trees were laden with fruit. The island was inhabited, -too; for strange men could be seen running toward the -shore and looking with wonder at the ships.</p> - -<p>The sailors, who had lately been ready to give up all -hope, were now filled with joy. They crowded around -Columbus, and kissed his hands, and begged him to -forgive them for thinking of disobeying him. The -ships cast anchor, the boats were lowered, and Columbus, -with most of the men, went on shore. Columbus -was dressed in a grand robe of scarlet, and the banner of -Spain was borne above him.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span></p> - -<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> -<img src="images/illus212.jpg" width="600" height="375" alt="" /> -<p class="caption"><span class="smcap">The Landing of Columbus.</span></p> -</div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span></p> - -<p>As soon as the boats reached the shore, Columbus -stepped out and knelt down upon the beach and gave -thanks to God; then he took possession of the island -in the name of the king and queen of Spain, and called -it San Salvador. It was thus that the first land in -America was discovered on the 12th of October, 1492.</p> - -<p>The natives were filled with wonder at what they -saw. At first they were awed and frightened at sight -of the ships and the strange men; but they soon overcame -their fears and seemed delighted and very friendly. -They brought to Columbus gifts of all they had,—bananas, -yams, oranges, and beautiful birds.</p> - -<p>“Surely,” they said, “these wonderful beings who -have come to us from the sea are not mere men like ourselves. -They must be messengers from heaven.”</p> - -<p>Columbus believed that this island was near the coast -of Asia, and that it was one of the islands of India; -and so he called the people Indians. He did not remain -here long, but sailed away to discover other lands. -In a short time the ships came to a large island where -there were rivers of fresh water flowing into the sea. -The air was sweet with the breath of blossoms; the -sky was blue and clear; the sea was calm; the world -seemed full of joy and peace. This island was Cuba.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Let us live here always!” cried the sailors; “for -surely this is paradise.”</p> - -<p>And so, for three months and more, Columbus and -his companions sailed among scenes of delight, such as -they had never before imagined. They visited island -after island, and everywhere saw new beauties and -new pleasures. The natives were simple-hearted and -kind. “They love their neighbors as themselves,” -said Columbus. They looked with wonder upon the -bright swords of the white men and upon their brilliant -armor; and when the little cannon was fired, they were -so filled with alarm that they fell to the ground.</p> - -<p>It was on the 15th of the next March that Columbus, -after a stormy homeward voyage, sailed again into the -little harbor of Palos, from which he had started. And -now there was a greater stir in the little town than -there had been before. “Christopher Columbus has -come back from the unknown seas!” was the cry that -went from house to house.</p> - -<p>“Did he reach the East by sailing west? Has he -really been to far-off India?” asked the doubting ones.</p> - -<p>“He has, indeed!” was the answer. “He has discovered -a new world.”</p> - -<p>Then the bells were rung, guns were fired, and bonfires -blazed on the hilltops. Everybody rejoiced. Everybody -was willing now to say that the Italian sailor was -right when he declared the earth to be round.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="THE_POWER_OF_GOD">THE POWER OF GOD</h2> - - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Thou art, O God! the life and light</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Of all this wondrous world we see;</div> -<div class="verse">Its glow by day, its smile by night,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Are but reflections caught from Thee.</div> -<div class="verse">Where’er we turn, Thy glories shine,</div> -<div class="verse">And all things fair and bright are Thine.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">When day, with farewell beam, delays,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Among the opening clouds of even,</div> -<div class="verse">And we can almost think we gaze</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Through golden vistas into heaven;</div> -<div class="verse">Those hues that mark the sun’s decline,</div> -<div class="verse">So soft, so radiant, Lord! are Thine.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">When night, with wings of starry gloom,</div> -<div class="verse indent1">O’ershadows all the earth and skies,</div> -<div class="verse">Like some dark, beauteous bird, whose plume</div> -<div class="verse indent1">Is sparkling with unnumbered eyes;—</div> -<div class="verse">That sacred gloom, those fires Divine,</div> -<div class="verse">So grand, so countless, Lord! are Thine.</div> -</div> -<div class="attribution">—<span class="smcap">Thomas Moore.</span></div> -</div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="OUR_COUNTRY_AND_OUR_HOME">OUR COUNTRY AND OUR HOME</h2> - - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">There is a land, of every land the pride,</div> -<div class="verse">Beloved by Heaven o’er all the world beside;</div> -<div class="verse">Where brighter suns dispense serener light,</div> -<div class="verse">And milder moons emparadise the night:</div> -<div class="verse">A land of beauty, virtue, valor, truth,</div> -<div class="verse">Time-tutored age, and love-exalted youth:</div> -<div class="verse">The wandering mariner whose eye explores</div> -<div class="verse">The wealthiest isles, the most enchanting shores,</div> -<div class="verse">Views not a realm so bountiful and fair,</div> -<div class="verse">Nor breathes the spirit of a purer air.</div> -<div class="verse">For in this land of Heaven’s peculiar grace,</div> -<div class="verse">The heritage of Nature’s noblest race,</div> -<div class="verse">There is a spot of earth supremely blest—</div> -<div class="verse">A dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest:</div> -<div class="verse">Here woman reigns; the mother, daughter, wife,</div> -<div class="verse">Strew with fresh flowers the narrow way of life;</div> -<div class="verse">In the clear heaven of her delightful eye,</div> -<div class="verse">An angel-guard of loves and graces lie;</div> -<div class="verse">Around her knees domestic duties meet,</div> -<div class="verse">And fireside pleasures gambol at her feet.</div> -<div class="verse">“Where shall that land, that spot of earth be found?”</div> -<div class="verse">Art thou a man?—a patriot?—look around;</div> -<div class="verse">Oh, thou shalt find, howe’er thy footsteps roam,</div> -<div class="verse">That land <i>thy</i> Country, and that spot thy <i>Home</i>.</div> -</div> -<div class="attribution">—<span class="smcap">Montgomery.</span></div> -</div> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="NOTES_ABOUT_AUTHORS">NOTES ABOUT AUTHORS</h2> - -<p><a href="#Page_7"><span class="smcap">Page 7.</span></a>—<b>François Coppée</b>, a noted French writer, was born at Paris -in 1842. Although he was the writer of good French poetry and some -successful plays, he is best known to American readers by his charming -short stories, in which he depicts the life and aspirations of the common -people. In his later life he was an ardent Catholic, and as such wrote -fearlessly in defense of the rights of the Church in France. He died in -1908.</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_14"><span class="smcap">Page 14.</span></a>—<b>John James Audubon</b>, a noted American ornithologist of -French descent, was born at New Orleans in 1780. Perhaps no other -person has done so much for the birds of America, or has described them -so well, as he. His drawings of birds are particularly famous. He died -at New York in 1851.</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_16"><span class="smcap">Page 16.</span></a>—<b>J. R. Marre</b>, is a contemporary Catholic writer whose -poems are well known to readers of <i>The Ave Maria</i> and other religious -periodicals.</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_17"><span class="smcap">Page 17.</span></a>—<b>Rev. John Banister Tabb</b> was born in Virginia, March 22, -1845. He studied for the priesthood and was ordained in 1884. He is -an instructor in St. Charles College, Maryland. His poems are exquisite -in movement and diction no less than in richness of thought.</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_18"><span class="smcap">Page 18.</span></a>—<b>Horace Binney Wallace</b>, a noted American lawyer and -prose writer, was born at Philadelphia, 1817; died at Paris, 1852. His -best known work, <i>Literary Criticisms</i>, was published after his death.</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_23"><span class="smcap">Page 23.</span></a>—<b>Henry Coyle</b> is a contemporary Catholic poet residing at -Boston, Massachusetts. He is well known as a contributor to Catholic -periodicals. His first volume of poetry, entitled <i>The Promise of Morning</i>, -was published in 1899. His writings are characterized by deep religious -feeling no less than by rare poetic charm.</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_24"><span class="smcap">Page 24.</span></a>—<b>Miguel de Saavedra Cervantes</b>, a celebrated Spanish poet -and novelist, was born near Madrid, 1547; died, 1616. His most famous -work is the romance entitled <i>Don Quixote</i>, which was first printed in -1605. It has been translated into every language of Europe.</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_43"><span class="smcap">Page 43.</span></a>—<b>John Henry, Cardinal Newman</b> was born at London in -1801. He was educated at a private school until he entered Oxford, -where he took his degree before he was twenty. In 1822 he was elected -Fellow in Oriel College. In 1845 he left the Church of England for the -Roman Catholic Church. He wrote many sermons, treatises, and poems. -In literary merit his work ranks very high. He died in 1890.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span></p> - -<p><b>Rev. Thomas Edward Bridgett</b>, a noted priest and author, was born at -Derby, England, in 1829. He was the founder of the Confraternity of -the Holy Family for men, and much of his life was devoted to missionary -work. He was the author of numerous religious and historical works, -among which may be named, <i>The History of the Holy Eucharist</i>, <i>Life of -the Blessed John Fisher</i>, <i>Blunders and Forgeries</i>, etc. Father Bridgett -died at St. Mary’s Clapham, England, in 1899.</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_56"><span class="smcap">Page 56.</span></a>—<b>William Cowper</b>, a celebrated English poet, was born in -1731. He attended Westminster school and afterwards studied law. His -most famous poems are <i>The Task</i> and the ballad <i>John Gilpin’s Ride</i>. -He died in 1800.</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_58"><span class="smcap">Page 58.</span></a>—<b>Rev. Frederick William Faber</b> was born in Yorkshire, -England, in 1814. He was an eloquent preacher, a brilliant talker, and -had an unsurpassed power of gaining the love of all with whom he came -in contact. His hymns are well known, and sung throughout the world. -He founded a religious community which was afterwards merged in the -oratory of St. Philip Neri. He died in 1863.</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_75"><span class="smcap">Page 75.</span></a>—<b>John Greenleaf Whittier</b> was born at Haverhill, Massachusetts, -1807. At the age of eighteen he studied for two years at an -academy near his home. In 1829 he became the editor of a paper established -at Boston to advocate protective tariff. He was active in the cause -of antislavery. He died in 1892.</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_82"><span class="smcap">Page 82.</span></a>—<b>Mary Lydia Bolles Branch</b> was born at New London, -Connecticut, in 1840. She is best known as a writer of stories for -children.</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_84"><span class="smcap">Page 84.</span></a>—<b>John Burroughs</b> was born in Roxbury, New York, in 1837. -He was the son of a farmer, but received a good college education. For -eight or nine years he taught school, and then became a journalist in -New York city. From 1861 till 1873 he was a clerk in the Treasury Department -at Washington. He finally settled on a farm at West Park, -New York, giving his time to literature and the observation of nature. -His love of nature has inspired most of what he has contributed to the -literature of the world.</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_96"><span class="smcap">Page 96.</span></a>—<b>Aubrey de Vere</b>, an Irish Catholic poet, was born in 1788. -He belonged to a good family, and always had leisure to cultivate a -naturally refined taste. At first he wrote dramas, but later, poems, -especially sonnets. He was a true patriot, and pays many tributes of -love to his country in his historical themes. He died in 1846.</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_97"><span class="smcap">Page 97.</span></a>—<b>Sir Walter Scott</b> was born at Edinburgh in 1771. His -delightful art of story telling, both in prose and poetry, has been excelled -by few. Among his most popular poems are <i>The Lady of the Lake</i> and -<i>Marmion</i>; among his most popular novels are <i>Kenilworth</i>, <i>Ivanhoe</i>, <i>The -Talisman</i>, and <i>Old Mortality</i>. He died in 1832.</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_106"><span class="smcap">Page 106.</span></a>—<b>Thomas Moore</b> was born at Dublin, Ireland, in 1779; died -in 1852. He entered Trinity College, Dublin, at fifteen years of age. He -studied law, and in 1799 entered the Middle Temple, London. In 1803<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span> -he received a government appointment to the Bermuda Islands and -traveled quite extensively in the United States. Among English Catholic -poets he holds a high rank.</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_107"><span class="smcap">Page 107.</span></a>—<b>Andrew Lang</b> was born in Scotland in 1844; died at -London in 1912. He pursued many different lines of literary work, and -was one of the most versatile writers of modern times. The number of -volumes bearing his name as author is surprisingly large.</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_114"><span class="smcap">Page 114.</span></a>—<b>Lady Gregory</b> is the daughter of Dudley Presse, Deputy -Lieutenant of Roxborough, County Galway, Ireland. She has done very -valuable service to literature in preserving and editing many of the early -Celtic legends. Some of her publications are: <i>Poets and Dreamers</i>, -<i>Cuchullain of Muerthemme</i>, and <i>Gods and Fighting Men</i>.</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_118"><span class="smcap">Page 118.</span></a>—<b>Helen Hunt Jackson</b> was born in 1831 at Amherst, Massachusetts. -In 1867 she wrote her first stories, and from that time until -her death books from the pen of H. H. were published with frequency. -She wrote verses, essays, sketches of travel, children’s stories, novels, -and tracts on questions of the day.</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_120"><span class="smcap">Page 120.</span></a>—<b>St. Ambrose</b> or Ambrosius, one of the fathers of the -Latin Church, was born at Treves, A.D. 340; died, 397. He was the -champion of the Catholics against Arians and pagans; he became Bishop -of Milan in 374. He was the author of numerous hymns and other -religious works.</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_121"><span class="smcap">Page 121.</span></a>—<b>James Sheridan Knowles</b> was born at Dublin, Ireland, -1784. For a time he held a commission in the militia, but became -attracted to the stage and entered the dramatic profession. He died in -1862.</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_132"><span class="smcap">Page 132.</span></a>—<b>Washington Irving</b> was born in New York city, April 3, -1783; died, 1859. His early schooling was not very systematic. When -a young man he began the study of law, but never followed the profession -very steadily. He is the most popular of the American writers of the -early part of the nineteenth century.</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_152"><span class="smcap">Page 152.</span></a>—<b>Alfred Tennyson</b> was born at Somersby, England, in -1809. He was educated at Cambridge, where he gained the Chancellor’s -medal for his poem <i>Timbuctoo</i> in blank verse. In 1830 he published his -first volume of poems. Other poems followed quickly and soon became -popularly known. Tennyson’s poetry is distinguished by its rare quality -and delicate choice of language. He was for many years poet laureate. -He died in 1892.</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_158"><span class="smcap">Page 158.</span></a>—<b>Sister Mary Antonia</b> is an occasional and highly esteemed -contributor of verse to current Catholic periodicals.</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_161"><span class="smcap">Page 161.</span></a>—<b>Miriam Coles Harris</b> is a contemporary Catholic writer -whose works have attracted considerable attention. The extract is from -<i>A Corner of Spain</i>, published in 1896.</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_166"><span class="smcap">Page 166.</span></a>—<b>William Cullen Bryant</b>, a famous American poet, was born -at Cummington, Massachusetts, November 3, 1794. He entered Williams<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span> -College at the age of sixteen, but at the end of two years took honorable -dismission and engaged in the study of law. He was admitted to the bar -in 1815; removed to New York in 1825; was editor of the <i>New York -Review</i> in the same year; and in 1826 became connected with the -<i>Evening Post</i>, with which he continued until his death, which occurred -in 1878.</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_170"><span class="smcap">Page 170.</span></a>—<b>Conrad Von Bolanden</b> is the pseudonym of a contemporary -German Catholic writer, Monsignor Joseph Bischoff, who was -born in August, 1828. He was made a Papal Chamberlain to Pope -Pius IX in recognition of the merits of his efforts in the field of Catholic -literature. He has written much, finding the motives of his books in -history and in the problems of social life.</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_174"><span class="smcap">Page 174.</span></a>—<b>Henry Wadsworth Longfellow</b> is often called the children’s -poet, partly because of his love for children and partly because of -some poems written for children. He was born in Portland, Maine, in -1807. From 1835 to 1854 he was professor of modern languages at -Harvard University. He died in 1882.</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_178"><span class="smcap">Page 178.</span></a>—<b>John Gilmary Shea</b>, a brilliant Catholic writer, was born -at New York city, July 1824; died, 1892. He devoted most of his time -to literature instead of to the law, for which he was educated. Perhaps -no one has done more to preserve the history and language of the -aborigines of this country. <i>History of the Catholic Missions among the -Indian Tribes of the United States</i>, <i>Early Voyages up and down the Mississippi</i>, -<i>History of the Catholic Church in Colonial Times</i>, are some of -his most popular works.</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_186"><span class="smcap">Page 186.</span></a>—<b>James Russell Lowell</b> was born at Cambridge, Massachusetts, -February 22, 1819. He died in the same house in which he was -born, August 12, 1891. For many years he held the chair of modern -languages in Harvard University. He was a man who represented -American culture and letters at their best.</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_188"><span class="smcap">Page 188.</span></a>—<b>Mother Mary Loyola</b> of the Bar Convent, York, England, -is a writer of more than ordinary power on the subjects dearest to every -true Catholic. Her book, <i>Jesus of Nazareth</i>, from which our selection is -taken, was written especially for American children and is dedicated to -them.</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_196"><span class="smcap">Page 196.</span></a>—<b>Francis Scott Key</b>, author of “The Star-spangled -Banner,” was born in Frederick County, Maryland, in 1780. It was -during the British invasion in 1814, while he was detained on a British -man-of-war within sight of the bombardment of Fort McHenry, that Key -wrote this beautiful lyrical poem. He died at Baltimore in 1843.</p> - -<p><a href="#Page_214"><span class="smcap">Page 214.</span></a>—<b>James Montgomery</b> was a Scottish poet, born in 1776; -died in 1854. His poems, once very popular, are now almost forgotten.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span></p> - -<h2 id="WORD_LIST">WORD LIST</h2> - -<h3>GUIDE TO PRONUNCIATION</h3> - -<ul> -<li>ā, as in māte.</li> -<li>ā̇, as in sen´ā̇te.</li> -<li>â, as in câre.</li> -<li>ă, as in ăt.</li> -<li>ä, as in ärm.</li> -<li>ȧ, as in ȧsk.</li> -<li>a̤, as in a̤ll.</li> -<li>ạ = ŏ, as in whạt.</li> -<li>ç = s, as in çell.</li> -<li>ch = k, as in chorus.</li> -<li>çh = sh, as in maçhine.</li> -<li>ē, as in hē, mēte.</li> -<li>ē̇, as in ē̇vent.</li> -<li>ĕ, as in mĕt.</li> -<li>ẽ, as in hẽr.</li> -<li>e̱ = ā̱, as in e̱ight.</li> -<li>ê, = â, as in whêre.</li> -<li>ḡ, as in ḡet.</li> -<li>ġ = j, as in ġem.</li> -<li>ī, as in mīne.</li> -<li>i̇, as in i̇dea.</li> -<li>ĭ, as in ĭt.</li> -<li>ĩ = ẽ, as in sĩr, bĩrd.</li> -<li>ï = ē, as in machïne.</li> -<li>ṉ = ng, as in baṉk, liṉger.</li> -<li>ō, as in ōld.</li> -<li>ō̇, as in ō̇bey.</li> -<li>ô, as in ôr.</li> -<li>ŏ, as in nŏt.</li> -<li>o̤ = o̅o̅, as in do̤, ro̅o̅m.</li> -<li>ọ = o͝o or ụ, as in wọlf, fo͝ot.</li> -<li>ȯ = ŭ, as in sȯn.</li> -<li>s̱ = z, as in his̱.</li> -<li>th, as in thin.</li> -<li>t͞h, as in t͞hen.</li> -<li>ū, as in mūte.</li> -<li>ŭ, as in thŭs.</li> -<li>ṳ, as in rṳde.</li> -<li>ụ= o͝o, as in fụll.</li> -<li>û, as in bûrn.</li> -<li>x̱ = gz, as in ex̱ist.</li> -<li>ȳ = ī, as in bȳ.</li> -<li>y̆ = ĭ, as in hy̆mn.</li> -<li>ỹ = ẽ, as in mỹrtle.</li> -</ul> - -<p>Certain vowels, as a and e, when obscure are marked thus, a̯, e̯. -Silent letters are italicized. In the following word list only accented -syllables and syllables of doubtful pronunciation are marked.</p> - -<ul> -<li>a băn´don</li> -<li>ab hôr´</li> -<li>a bŏm´i nā´tion</li> -<li>a bŭn´dạnçe</li> -<li>ăc´çi dent</li> -<li>ăc côrd´</li> -<li>āc<i>h</i>´ing</li> -<li>ac quā<i>i</i>nt´ed</li> -<li>ä d<i>i</i>eū´</li> -<li>ad jā´çent</li> -<li>ăd´mĭ rā´tion</li> -<li>ad mĭt´tanç<i>e</i></li> -<li>al lē vĭ ā´tion</li> -<li>a māz´ing</li> -<li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span>a māze´ment</li> -<li>am´mu nĭ´tion</li> -<li>ăn´chor</li> -<li>ăṉ´guĭsh</li> -<li>ăn´ĭ māt ed</li> -<li>ăn´tĭ quāt ed</li> -<li>ăṉx´ious (-yŭs)</li> -<li>a pŏ<i>s´t</i>l<i>e</i></li> -<li>ap pa̤ll´ing</li> -<li>ap păr´el</li> -<li>ap pâr´ent ly</li> -<li>ap´pa rĭ´tion</li> -<li>ăp´pe tīt<i>e</i></li> -<li>ap pla̤<i>u</i>s̱<i>e</i>´</li> -<li>ap´plĭ cā´tion</li> -<li>ap prō<i>a</i>ch<i>e</i>d´</li> -<li>ăp´pro bā´tion</li> -<li>ärch´er y</li> -<li>är´mor</li> -<li>as săs´sĭn</li> -<li>as sa̤<i>u</i>lt´</li> -<li>as sĕm´bl<i>e</i></li> -<li>at tĕnd´a̯nt</li> -<li>a̤<i>u</i> tŭm´nal</li> -<li>ăv´ȧ lănch<i>e</i></li> -<li>a vĕnġ<i>e</i>´</li> -<li>a wa̤rd´</li> -<li>bä nä´nȧ</li> -<li>băṉ´quet</li> -<li>băr´rĭ er</li> -<li>bē̇ ăt´ĭ tud<i>e</i></li> -<li>be hāv´ior (-yer)</li> -<li>be hĕst´</li> -<li>be l<i>i</i>ēf´</li> -<li>bĕn´e fit</li> -<li>brĭl´liançe (-ya̯ns)</li> -<li>brĭl´liant</li> -<li>bŭg´ȧ boo</li> -<li>cä<i>l</i>m´</li> -<li>căl´u met</li> -<li>cam pā<i>ig</i>n´</li> -<li>cā̇ prïç<i>e</i>´</li> -<li>cär´di nal</li> -<li>ca̤<i>u</i>´tious ly</li> -<li>cav ȧ l<i>i</i>ēr´</li> -<li>căv´i ty</li> -<li>çel´e brā´tion</li> -<li>c<i>h</i>ā´ŏs</li> -<li>chăr´ĭ ot</li> -<li>chef (shĕf)</li> -<li>çhĕv´a l<i>i</i>ēr´</li> -<li>ch<i>i</i>ēf´ta̯<i>i</i>n</li> -<li>çhĭv´al ry</li> -<li>çĭv´il ly</li> -<li>clē<i>a</i>v<i>e</i></li> -<li>cŏm´ic</li> -<li>cŏm´mȧn dänt´</li> -<li>com mŏd´ĭ ty</li> -<li>cȯm´pa ny</li> -<li>com´plē mĕnt´a ry</li> -<li>cŏm´plĭ ment</li> -<li>com pōs̱´er</li> -<li>com po s̱ĭ´tion</li> -<li>con çē<i>a</i>l´</li> -<li>con çĕp´tion</li> -<li>con fū´s̱ion</li> -<li>cŏn gre gā´tion</li> -<li>cŏṉ´quer (-kẽr)</li> -<li>cŏṉn´quer or</li> -<li>con sĕnt´</li> -<li>con sẽrv´a to ry</li> -<li>con sĭd´er a bl<i>e</i></li> -<li>con tĕnt´</li> -<li>con trĭ bu´tion</li> -<li>coun´çil</li> -<li>coun´te na̯nç<i>e</i></li> -<li>couple (kŭp´l)</li> -<li>c<i>o</i>ûr´aġ<i>e</i></li> -<li>c<i>o</i>ûr´te ous ly</li> -<li>c<i>o</i>ûr´te sy</li> -<li>cō<i>u</i>rt´ĭer</li> -<li>cȯv´ert</li> -<li>cre ā´tor</li> -<li>crĕv´ĭç<i>e</i></li> -<li>crĭm´s̱on</li> -<li>crṳ´çĭ fȳ</li> -<li>crṳa sād<i>e</i>´</li> -<li>cū´bit</li> -<li>cū´rĭ <i>o</i>us</li> -<li>cŭs´tom</li> -<li>çy´press</li> -<li>dān´ġer <i>o</i>us</li> -<li>de çē<i>i</i>v<i>e</i>´</li> -<li>dĕl´ĭ cā̇ çy̆</li> -<li>dĕl´ĭ cat<i>e</i></li> -<li>de pūt´ed</li> -<li>de rānġ<i>e</i>´</li> -<li>de s̱ẽrv<i>e</i>´</li> -<li>dĕs´ic cāt ed</li> -<li>de s̱ī<i>g</i>n´</li> -<li>des´o lā´tion</li> -<li>dĕs´per at<i>e</i></li> -<li>des per ā´tion</li> -<li>dev´ăs tat ing</li> -<li>de vĕl´op ment</li> -<li>de vīç<i>e</i>´</li> -<li>de vout´</li> -<li>dĭs̱´ma̯l</li> -<li>dis mā<i>y</i>´</li> -<li>dis´o bē´di ĕnç<i>e</i></li> -<li>dis pẽrs<i>e</i>´</li> -<li>dĭs´trict</li> -<li>do mĕs´tic</li> -<li>dŏṉ´k<i>e</i>y̆</li> -<li>dȯz´<i>e</i>n</li> -<li>dūn<i>e</i>s̱</li> -<li>ē<i>a</i>´ger</li> -<li>ē<i>a</i>´ger ly</li> -<li>ẽ<i>a</i>r´nest ly</li> -<li>ĕd´u cā´tion</li> -<li>ĕl´e ment</li> -<li>ĕl´o quent</li> -<li>ĕm´er ald</li> -<li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span>en dē<i>a</i>r´</li> -<li>en dūr´a̯nç<i>e</i></li> -<li>ĕn´ē̇ my</li> -<li>en´ter tā<i>i</i>n´</li> -<li>en thū´s̱ĭ asm</li> -<li>ĕn´vy</li> -<li>e rĕct´</li> -<li>es pĕ´çĭal ly</li> -<li>ĕv´ĭ dent ly</li> -<li>ĕx´çel lent</li> -<li>ex ha̤<i>u</i>st´</li> -<li>ex păns<i>e</i>´</li> -<li>ex pe dĭ´tion</li> -<li>ex plō´s̱ion</li> -<li>ex pō´s̱ur<i>e</i></li> -<li>ex prĕss´iv<i>e</i></li> -<li>ex tr<i>a</i>ôr´dĭ na ry</li> -<li>fa̤<i>l</i>´con ry</li> -<li>fath´om</li> -<li>fā´vor ĭt<i>e</i></li> -<li>fẽr´vor</li> -<li>fĕs´tĭ val</li> -<li>fī´nal ly</li> -<li>fĭs´sūr<i>e</i></li> -<li>fŏr<i>e´h</i>ĕ<i>a</i>d</li> -<li>fra̤<i>u</i>d</li> -<li>frĕs´co</li> -<li>frṳ<i>i</i>t´ag<i>e</i></li> -<li>fū´ġĭ tĭv<i>e</i></li> -<li>fûr´nish</li> -<li>gär´land</li> -<li>ġĕn er <i>o</i>ŭs</li> -<li>ġĕn´e sĭs</li> -<li>ġĕn´ū ĭn<i>e</i></li> -<li>ġī´ant</li> -<li>ġī găn´tic</li> -<li><i>g</i>närled</li> -<li>grăd´u al ly</li> -<li>grăn´d<i>e</i>ûr</li> -<li>gr<i>i</i>ēv´ing</li> -<li>hab´ĭ tā´tion</li> -<li>hȧ răng<i>ue</i>´</li> -<li>ha̤<i>ugh</i>´ty</li> -<li>hä<i>u</i>nt</li> -<li>h<i>e</i>ī<i>gh</i>t</li> -<li>hĕr´it ag<i>e</i></li> -<li>hẽr´mit</li> -<li>hīr<i>e</i>´ling</li> -<li>hŏl´ĭ da<i>y</i></li> -<li><i>h</i>ŏn´ŏr</li> -<li>ho rī´zon</li> -<li>hȯv´er ing</li> -<li>hū´man</li> -<li>hu mĭl ĭ ā´tion</li> -<li>hū´mor</li> -<li>hûr´rĭ cā̇n<i>e</i></li> -<li>īdē´ȧ</li> -<li>ī dŏl´a try</li> -<li>ĭm ăġ´ĭn<i>e</i></li> -<li>im mĕns<i>e</i>´</li> -<li>in crē<i>a</i>s<i>e</i>´</li> -<li>in´dĭg nā´tion</li> -<li>in fē´rĭ or</li> -<li>ĭn´fĭ nĭt<i>e</i></li> -<li>ĭn´fĩrm´i ty</li> -<li>ĭn´flu enç<i>e</i></li> -<li>in grăt´i tud<i>e</i></li> -<li>in hăb´it ant</li> -<li>ĭn´no çent</li> -<li>in´no vā´tion</li> -<li>in quī´ry</li> -<li>in sĭst´ed</li> -<li>ĭn´ter val</li> -<li>in tŏl´er a bl<i>e</i></li> -<li>in vĕs´ti gat<i>e</i></li> -<li>in vĭ tā´tion</li> -<li>jew´<i>e</i>l</li> -<li>j<i>o</i>ŭr´n<i>e</i>y̆</li> -<li>j<i>o</i>ŭst</li> -<li>jŭs´tĭc<i>e</i></li> -<li>kĭn´dred</li> -<li>lē<i>a</i></li> -<li>lē<i>a</i>g<i>ue</i></li> -<li>l<i>ie</i>ū tĕn´ant</li> -<li>lux ū´ri<i>o</i>us</li> -<li>măm´moth</li> -<li>mär’tyr dom</li> -<li>mär´vel<i>e</i>d</li> -<li>ma tē´rĭ al</li> -<li>mē<i>a</i>´ger ly</li> -<li>mĕl´an chol y</li> -<li>mĕn´tion</li> -<li>mẽr´çi ful</li> -<li>mĕs´saġ<i>e</i></li> -<li>mĕs´sen ġer</li> -<li>mĭl´i ta ry</li> -<li>mĭn´strel sy</li> -<li>mĭr´a cl<i>e</i></li> -<li>mĭs hăp´</li> -<li>mĭs´sĭl<i>e</i></li> -<li>mod´es ty</li> -<li>mōld</li> -<li>mŏn´ster</li> -<li>mo̅o̅r<i>e</i>d</li> -<li>mŏt´to</li> -<li>mŭl´tĭ tūd<i>e</i></li> -<li>mûr´mur</li> -<li>my̆s´tē rĭ <i>o</i>us</li> -<li>my̆s´ter y</li> -<li>my̆th</li> -<li>n<i>o</i>ŭr´ish ing</li> -<li>o bē´di enç<i>e</i></li> -<li>ŏb´sti nat<i>e</i></li> -<li>oc cā´s̱ion</li> -<li>ō´çean (-sha̯n)</li> -<li>ŏp´e rȧ</li> -<li>ŏp´po s̱ĭt<i>e</i></li> -<li>op prĕs<i>se</i>d´</li> -<li>or´acl<i>e</i></li> -<li>o rā´tion</li> -<li>pā´gan</li> -<li>pälms</li> -<li>par tĭc´u lar</li> -<li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span>pā´tiençe (-shens)</li> -<li>pa trōl<i>le</i>d´</li> -<li>pĕ<i>a</i>s̱´ant</li> -<li>pe cūl´iar</li> -<li>pĕn´anç<i>e</i></li> -<li>pĕn´sĭv<i>e</i></li> -<li>pĕr´il <i>o</i>us</li> -<li>per plĕx´i ty</li> -<li>per se cū´tion</li> -<li>pẽr´son ag<i>e</i></li> -<li>per suāde´</li> -<li>per suā´sion</li> -<li>pĕt´ri fi<i>e</i>d</li> -<li>phĭ lŏs´o pher</li> -<li>phy̆s̱´ic al</li> -<li>pĭ ăz´zȧ</li> -<li>pĭl´grim ag<i>e</i></li> -<li>pĭt´y</li> -<li>plä´zȧ</li> -<li>plūm´ag<i>e</i></li> -<li>pō´em</li> -<li>pō´et ry</li> -<li>pŏl´i cy</li> -<li>pol lū´tion</li> -<li>pȯm´mel</li> -<li>pŏp´u lar</li> -<li>pôr´ri<i>d</i>g<i>e</i></li> -<li>pos̱ s̱ĕss´</li> -<li>pŏv´er ty</li> -<li>prĕ´cious</li> -<li>pre s̱erv<i>e</i>´</li> -<li>prĭs̱´on er</li> -<li>prŏb´a bly</li> -<li>pro çĕs´sion</li> -<li>pro tĕct´or</li> -<li>prŏv´ĭ denç<i>e</i></li> -<li>pûr´pos<i>e</i></li> -<li>pûr sū<i>i</i>t´</li> -<li>rā<i>i</i>´ment</li> -<li>răm´parts</li> -<li>răp´tur <i>o</i>us</li> -<li>rē´al ly</li> -<li>rĕck´on ing</li> -<li>rĕc´og niz<i>e</i></li> -<li>re cȯv´er y</li> -<li>rĕf´ug<i>e</i></li> -<li>re lā´tion</li> -<li>re l<i>i</i>ēf´</li> -<li>re nown<i>e</i>d´</li> -<li>re pos̱<i>e</i>´</li> -<li>rĕs´cū<i>e</i></li> -<li>re s̱ŏlv<i>e</i>´</li> -<li>rĕs´ŭr rĕc´tion</li> -<li>re tôrts´</li> -<li>re trē<i>a</i>t´</li> -<li>re vē<i>a</i>l´</li> -<li>re vĕnġ<i>e</i>´</li> -<li>rĕv´er ent</li> -<li>r<i>h</i>ȳme</li> -<li>rīght´eous (-chŭs)</li> -<li>rĭv´et ed</li> -<li>rō´s̱ē̇ āt<i>e</i></li> -<li>rŭf´fĭ an</li> -<li>săl´u ta´tion</li> -<li>sal vā´tion</li> -<li>sănc´tion</li> -<li>săt´is fy</li> -<li>săv´aġ<i>e</i></li> -<li>scăf´fold</li> -<li>scăr´çĭ ty</li> -<li>scâr<i>e</i>´cro<i>w</i></li> -<li>scär´let</li> -<li>s<i>c</i>ēn<i>e</i></li> -<li>s<i>c</i>ĕnt´ed</li> -<li>sẽ<i>a</i>rch</li> -<li>sĕm´i cĩr´cl<i>e</i></li> -<li>sĕn´si tive</li> -<li>sĕp´a rat ed</li> -<li>shrewd</li> -<li>s<i>i</i>ēġ<i>e</i></li> -<li>sĭg´nal</li> -<li>sĭg´ni fy</li> -<li>sĭn´ew</li> -<li>skĕl´e ton</li> -<li>sleev<i>e</i></li> -<li>snĭv´el ing</li> -<li>sō´cia bl<i>e</i></li> -<li>so´cia bĭl´ĭ ty</li> -<li>sō´cial (-shal)</li> -<li>so ç´īe ty</li> -<li>so j<i>o</i>ûrn´er</li> -<li>so lĕm´<i>n</i>ĭ ty</li> -<li>sŏl´emn ly</li> -<li>sŏl´ī tud<i>e</i></li> -<li>spĕ´cial</li> -<li>spē´cies (-shē̇z)</li> -<li>spĕç´i men</li> -<li>spĕc´ter</li> -<li>sphēr<i>e</i></li> -<li>spĭr´it</li> -<li>spĭr´it u al</li> -<li>spŏn´sor</li> -<li>stĕ<i>a</i>d´ĭ ly</li> -<li>sŭb´stanc<i>e</i></li> -<li>subtle (sŭt´l)</li> -<li>sŭd´den ly</li> -<li>sŭf fi´cien cy</li> -<li>sŭm´mit</li> -<li>sŭmp´tu <i>o</i>us</li> -<li>sŭs pĕct´</li> -<li>sy̆m´pa thy̆</li> -<li>tăl´ent</li> -<li>tĕn´der ly</li> -<li>tĕr´rā̇ç<i>e</i></li> -<li>tĕr´ri fi<i>e</i>d</li> -<li>ter´ror</li> -<li>thē´a ter</li> -<li>thē´o ry</li> -<li>thĩrst</li> -<li>thrŭsh</li> -<li>tŏr´rent</li> -<li>tôr´tur<i>e</i></li> -<li>to̤<i>u</i>r´na ment</li> -<li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span>to̤<i>u</i>r´n<i>e</i>y</li> -<li>trăġ´e dy</li> -<li>trăġ´ic</li> -<li>trăṉ´quil</li> -<li>trăns pâr´ent</li> -<li>trĭ´but<i>e</i></li> -<li>trĭp´l<i>e</i></li> -<li>tri´umph</li> -<li>tri ŭm´phant</li> -<li>tȳ´rant</li> -<li>un cĭv´il</li> -<li>un co̤<i>u</i>th´</li> -<li>ûr´chin</li> -<li>ū´s̱ū al</li> -<li>ŭt´ter anç<i>e</i></li> -<li>văn´ish</li> -<li>ve̱<i>i</i>n´ing</li> -<li>vĕn´tur<i>e</i></li> -<li>vẽr´dur <i>o</i>us</li> -<li>vẽr´min</li> -<li>vĕs´per</li> -<li>vĭ çĭn´ĭ ty</li> -<li>vĭc´tor</li> -<li>vĭc´to ry</li> -<li>vĭg´or</li> -<li>vĭg´or <i>o</i>us</li> -<li>vĭl´ l<i>a</i>in</li> -<li>vī´o l<i>e</i>nç<i>e</i></li> -<li>vĭs̱´ion</li> -<li>wäm´pum</li> -<li>wĕ<i>a</i>p´on</li> -<li>whĕlp</li> -<li><i>w</i>rē<i>a</i>th</li> -<li>zĕ<i>a</i>l´<i>o</i>us</li> -</ul> - -<h3>PROPER NAMES</h3> - -<ul> -<li>Ad mē´tus</li> -<li>Af´rĭ cȧ</li> -<li>A̤l´ba ny</li> -<li>Al ex ăn´der</li> -<li>Am´brōs̱<i>e</i></li> -<li>An´ġe lo</li> -<li>An ï´ta´</li> -<li>An´tĭ oc<i>h</i></li> -<li>Ap´en nīn<i>e</i>s̱</li> -<li>A rā´bĭ a̯</li> -<li>A´sĭȧ</li> -<li>As sĭ´sĭ</li> -<li>A̤<i>u</i> gŭs´tĭne</li> -<li>A̤<i>u</i> gŭs´tu̯s</li> -<li>Ā<i>y</i>´mer</li> -<li>Ben e dĭct´ĭn<i>e</i></li> -<li>Bẽr lĭn´</li> -<li>Blĕn´<i>he</i>im</li> -<li>Bo´he mond</li> -<li>Bŏn´ĭ fāç<i>e</i></li> -<li>Bouillon (bo̅o̅ yōṉ´)</li> -<li>Brĭt´<i>ai</i>n</li> -<li>Brṳç<i>e</i></li> -<li>Căl´va ry</li> -<li>Ca pẽr´na um</li> -<li>Cär rä´rä</li> -<li>Căth´bad</li> -<li>Çhĕv ȧ l<i>i</i>ēr´</li> -<li>Çhĕv´ĭ ot</li> -<li>Clẽr´mont</li> -<li>Comyn (kŭm´in)</li> -<li>Cŏn´<i>eh</i>ū bär</li> -<li>Cŏn´na̤ught</li> -<li>Cŏn´stan tĭ nō´pl<i>e</i></li> -<li>Cor o nä´rï</li> -<li>Cū´bȧ</li> -<li>Cuchulain (ko̅o̅ ho̅o̅´lin)</li> -<li>Cṳlā<i>i</i>n</li> -<li>Da kō´tȧ</li> -<li>Da măs´cus</li> -<li>De troit´</li> -<li>Don Quixote (dŏn kehō´te)</li> -<li>D<i>o</i>ŭg´las</li> -<li>Drĕs̱´den</li> -<li>Drṳ´ĭd</li> -<li>Dul çĭn´e a</li> -<li>E´bro</li> -<li>E´ġy̆pt</li> -<li>E mā<i>i</i>n´</li> -<li>E´rin</li> -<li>Es´t<i>h</i>e̯r</li> -<li>Eū´rop<i>e</i></li> -<li>Fẽr´gus</li> -<li>Flŏr´enc<i>e</i></li> -<li>Fon tĭ nĕl´lȧ</li> -<li>Frăn´cis</li> -<li>Frĕd´er ick</li> -<li>Frï´s̱ĭ ȧ</li> -<li>Gā´brĭ el</li> -<li>Ġĕn´ō̇ ȧ</li> -<li>Ġĕn o ēs̱<i>e</i>´</li> -<li>Gĕs´ler</li> -<li>G<i>h</i>ï bẽr´tï</li> -<li>Ġ<i>i</i>ō chï´no</li> -<li>Gŏd´fr<i>e</i>y̆</li> -<li>Grĕg´o ry</li> -<li>Häl´le̯</li> -<li>Han´del</li> -<li>Hel vĕl´ly̆n</li> -<li>Hŭṉ´ gȧ ry</li> -<li>Ic<i>h</i>´ȧ bŏd</li> -<li>In´dĭ<i>e</i>s̱</li> -<li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span>It´a ly</li> -<li>Je rṳ´sa lem</li> -<li>Joliet (zhō lyā´)</li> -<li>Jôr´da̯n</li> -<li>Lē o närd´ō̇</li> -<li>Lē´vīt<i>e</i></li> -<li>Măç´e don</li> -<li>Măl´a gȧ</li> -<li>Mär quette´ (-kĕt)</li> -<li>Mĕc´cȧ</li> -<li>Me dï´nȧ</li> -<li>Mĕd´ĭ ter rā´ne an</li> -<li>Me nŏm´o nĭ<i>e</i></li> -<li>Mī´c<i>h</i>a el</li> -<li>Mĭl´an</li> -<li>Mis´sis sĭp´pĭ</li> -<li>Mo hăm´med</li> -<li>Mŏs̱lem</li> -<li>Mus tȧ´phȧ</li> -<li>Nĭc<i>h</i>´o las</li> -<li>Nï´ña</li> -<li>Păl´es tīn<i>e</i></li> -<li>Pä´lōs</li> -<li>Păn´the on</li> -<li>Pe̱´rez (-āth)</li> -<li>Persia (pēr´shĭȧ)</li> -<li>Pe̱´sä rō</li> -<li>Piacenza (pē ä chĕn´zä)</li> -<li>Pil är´</li> -<li>Pĭn´ta</li> -<li>Po nē´mä<i>h</i></li> -<li>Que bĕc´</li> -<li>Rāph´a el</li> -<li>Rat bō´do</li> -<li>Ros sï´nï</li> -<li>Ro´zĭ năn te</li> -<li>Sa măr´ĭ tan</li> -<li>Săn´c<i>h</i>o</li> -<li>Sän Săl´va dor</li> -<li>Sän Sïs´to</li> -<li>Sän´tȧ Crō´ce (-chā)</li> -<li>Sän´ta Ma rï´a</li> -<li>Săr´a çen</li> -<li>Săx´o ny</li> -<li>Se tăn´ta</li> -<li>Seville (sĕv´ĭl)</li> -<li>Sĭs´tïn<i>e</i></li> -<li>Spăn´ĭard</li> -<li>Stä´bat Mä´ter</li> -<li>Tăn´cred</li> -<li>Thames (tĕmz)</li> -<li>Ul´ster</li> -<li>Ur´ban</li> -<li>Ur bï´no</li> -<li>Valence (vä lŏṉs´)</li> -<li>Văt´ĭ can</li> -<li>Vĕn´ĭç<i>e</i></li> -<li>Vẽr´ner</li> -<li>Vï´ȧ Cŏr o nä´rĭ</li> -<li>Vï ĕn´nȧ</li> -<li>Wis cŏn´sin</li> -<li>Wọlff</li> -<li>Wu̇lf´ram</li> -</ul> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Standard Catholic Readers by Grades: -Fifth Year, by Various - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK STANDARD CATHOLIC READERS *** - -***** This file should be named 53732-h.htm or 53732-h.zip ***** -This and all 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