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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. 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..f86e644 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #54480 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/54480) diff --git a/old/54480-h.zip b/old/54480-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index f6cce70..0000000 --- a/old/54480-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/54480-h/54480-h.htm b/old/54480-h/54480-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index bac3f7c..0000000 --- a/old/54480-h/54480-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,3565 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> -<head> -<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" /> -<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Tell-Tale, by Catherine Parr Strickland Traill</title> - <style type="text/css"> - - p { margin-top: .75em; - text-align: justify; - margin-bottom: .75em; - } - - p.bold {text-align: center; font-weight: bold;} - p.bold2 {text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-size: 150%;} - - h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { - text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ - clear: both; - } - h1 span, h2 span { display: block; text-align: center; } - #id1 { font-size: smaller } - - - hr { - width: 33%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: 33.5%; - margin-right: 33.5%; - clear: both; - } - - hr.smler { - width: 5%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: 47.5%; - margin-right: 47.5%; - clear: both; - } - - hr.dble { - width: 10%; - margin-top: 0.5em; - margin-bottom: 0.5em; - margin-left: 45%; - margin-right: 45%; - clear: both; - border: 0; - border-top: 6px double #8c8c8c; - } - - body{margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; - } - - .pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ - /* visibility: hidden; */ - position: absolute; - left: 92%; - font-size: smaller; - text-align: right; - text-indent: 0px; - } /* page numbers */ - - .center {text-align: center;} - .smaller {font-size: smaller;} - .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} - .box {max-width: 40em; margin: 1.5em auto;} - .space-above {margin-top: 3em;} - .left {text-align: left;} - .s9 {display: inline; margin-left: 9em;} - - .poem {display: inline-block; text-align: left;} - .poem br {display: none;} - .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} - .poem div {margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} - - hr.full { width: 100%; - margin-top: 3em; - margin-bottom: 0em; - margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto; - height: 4px; - border-width: 4px 0 0 0; /* remove all borders except the top one */ - border-style: solid; - border-color: #000000; - clear: both; } - </style> -</head> -<body> -<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Tell-Tale, by Catherine Parr Strickland -Traill</h1> -<p>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 <a -href="http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. 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.</p> -<p>Title: The Tell-Tale</p> -<p> An Original Collection of Moral and Amusing Stories</p> -<p>Author: Catherine Parr Strickland Traill</p> -<p>Release Date: April 3, 2017 [eBook #54480]</p> -<p>Language: English</p> -<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> -<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TELL-TALE***</p> -<p> </p> -<h4>E-text prepared by MFR, Martin Pettit,<br /> - and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> - (<a href="http://www.pgdp.net">http://www.pgdp.net</a>)<br /> - from page images generously made available by<br /> - Internet Archive<br /> - (<a href="https://archive.org">https://archive.org</a>)</h4> -<p> </p> -<table border="0" style="background-color: #ccccff;margin: 0 auto;" cellpadding="10"> - <tr> - <td valign="top"> - Note: - </td> - <td> - Images of the original pages are available through - Internet Archive. See - <a href="https://archive.org/details/telltaleoriginal00traiiala"> - https://archive.org/details/telltaleoriginal00traiiala</a> - </td> - </tr> -</table> -<p> </p> -<hr class="full" /> -<p> </p> -<p> </p> -<p> </p> - -<div class="center"><a name="cover.jpg" id="cover.jpg"></a><img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="cover" /></div> - -<hr /> - -<p class="bold">THE</p> - -<p class="bold2">TELL-TALE.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/frontispiece.jpg" alt="Page 153 Page 168" /></div> - -<p class="bold">Page 153. <span class="s9"> </span> Page 168.</p> - -<p class="bold"><i>Published April 20 1823 by Harris & Son corner of S<sup>t</sup>. Pauls.</i></p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/titlepage.jpg" alt="title page" /></div> - -<hr /> - -<h1>THE<br />TELL-TALE:</h1> - -<p class="bold">AN</p> - -<p class="bold">Original Collection</p> - -<p class="bold">OF</p> - -<p class="bold">MORAL AND AMUSING</p> - -<p class="bold">STORIES.</p> - -<div class="center space-above"><img src="images/dec.jpg" alt="Decoration" /></div> - -<p class="bold space-above">LONDON:<br />HARRIS AND SON,<br />ST. PAUL'S CHURCH-YARD.<br />1823.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p class="center">LONDON</p> - -<p class="center">PRINTED BY COX AND BAYLIS, GREAT QUEEN STREET.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> - -<p class="bold2">THE TELL-TALE.</p> - -<hr class="dble" /> - -<h2><span>ARPHU,</span> <span class="smaller">OR, THE FAIRY KITTEN.</span></h2> - -<p>"My dear mamma," said William Dormer, as he stood by his mother's knee, -"have you no more pretty stories to relate?"</p> - -<p>"Let me see," said Mrs. Dormer, "but I think I must have almost -exhausted my stock. Beauty and the Beast, I told you yesterday; the -Yellow Dwarf you know by heart, for you were telling it the other day to -your cousin; and as for Puss in Boots, the Sleeping Beauty, and -Whittington and his Cat, you know them nearly as well as I do.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span></p><p>"However," added she, "I will endeavour to recollect something else; -but this is not the proper time for me to relate tales. When you have -done the sum which your papa has given you, and Mary has finished her -copy—and when Lewis has learned his lesson—when all this is done—why, -perhaps, by that time, I shall have thought of a new story."</p> - -<p>This observation produced the desired effect. Lewis, who had been -previously winding some thread about his fingers, began to apply himself -diligently to his task; William paid strict attention to his cyphering, -till it was completed; and Mary acquitted herself better than usual in -writing. The children then reminded their kind mother of her promise, -and anxiously inquired what story she had recollected.</p> - -<p>"You are very fond of fairy tales," said Mrs. Dormer, "and I am now -going to relate one, which is called 'The Fairy Kitten.'"</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span></p><p>"Oh dear!" said William, "did she catch mice? I never heard of fairies -keeping cats before."</p> - -<p>"Remember the White Cat," said Lewis, "I dare say she was one of <i>her</i> -kittens."</p> - -<p>"Have patience," said Mrs. Dormer, "and you shall hear.</p> - -<p>"A very long time ago, when fairies dwelt in England, there lived on a -woody hill, near a lake in Cumberland, a king of the fairies, who was -very good and benevolent; and if any of his little subjects ever -committed evil or malicious tricks (to which it is said fairies are much -inclined), he was sure to punish them severely. But it was the -misfortune of this good king to have a little son, who, instead of -resembling his excellent father, was of a most wicked and cruel -disposition. The name of this mischievous being was Arphu, and to look -<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span>at him, every one would have thought him exceedingly good. He had a -beautiful face, and hair that glittered like sunbeams; he had downy -wings which shone with a thousand different colours, like that beautiful -stuffed humming-bird, which your kind uncle sent me. But though he had -all these beauties, he was always inclined to do evil, rather than good. -While the other fairies were, in obedience to the orders of the king, -busily employed in supporting flowers that had been overthrown by the -hail, or raising the ears of wheat which had been beaten to the earth by -a thunder storm, Arphu would silently slip away from these kind offices, -and fly or run through wet or mire, in search of mischief. If he chanced -to see a poor snail which with great toil had climbed a leaf to eat its -breakfast, he would give it so hard a push, that the hungry little -creature would tumble down, and have all its labour to begin again. If -he saw a harmless caterpillar crawling on a twig that overhung the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span> -lake, he would shake the branch violently, and then laugh to see the -poor little animal descend by its slender thread, directly into the -water below, where a greedy fish waited to devour it. He loved to drive -flies into spiders' webs, and fish into nets; but his chief delight was -to follow some rude children, the sons of a farmer, who lived in the -valley under the hill. He did not mind if his golden ringlets were wet -through, or his splendid wings dabbled with mire, if he could follow -them in their play, and secretly tempt them to torment some harmless -bird or animal, which he took care to entrap for their cruel sport.</p> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/i004.jpg" alt="Page 12 Page 4" /></div> - -<p class="bold">Page 12. <span class="s9"> </span> Page 4.</p> - -<p class="bold"><i>Published April 20 1823 by Harris & Son corner of S<sup>t</sup>. Pauls.</i></p> - -<p>This conduct gave great pain to the benevolent mind of the king; and, -after some time, he declared in council, that the next wicked action -which Arphu committed should be punished with exemplary severity. He -then ordered four of the wisest fairies to follow the young prince -secretly, and to bring him before<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> his throne the next lawless deed they -found him doing. They obeyed, and that day caught him in a very wicked -trick. Two swallows had built their nest under the eaves of a farmer's -barn; but when they had completed it, and hatched their young, Arphu -stole up to the nest and loosened it from the barn, so that the tender -young ones were shattered to pieces on the ground. Whilst the -mischievous prince was surveying the dying pangs of the wretched little -birds, and listening to the woeful complaint of their parents, the -fairies seized him and hurried him to the foot of his father's throne, -where they related the distressing scene which they had just witnessed.</p> - -<p>The king, as you may suppose, was extremely angry, especially as this -cruelty had been exercised upon swallows, which were protected both by -fairies and men, for their industry in clearing the air from noxious -insects, and for their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> ingenuity in building their curious nests. -"Wicked and malicious little being!" said he, fixing his eyes with an -awful frown on Arphu; "thou shalt learn by thy own experience what it is -to suffer the miseries thou hast inflicted on others; and if this -punishment do not amend thee, thou shalt be for ever stripped of thy gay -wings and pearl coronet, and be confined with the evil gnomes in the -neighbouring iron mines. Fly from my sight, and receive the reward of -thy crimes!"</p> - -<p>Arphu willingly fled from the palace of his angry father: but he had not -proceeded far, before he felt himself whirled round and round in the air -with such violence that his head became giddy, and he soon lost all -sense. When he recovered, he was greatly astonished to find that he had -entered the body of a little kitten, belonging to a cat which was -tenderly nursing her young brood on some hay, in a loft over the -farmer's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> barn. He now comprehended the justice of his father's -sentence, and was aware that the very children whom he had taught to be -cruel, would now have it in their power to torment him. He shuddered at -the cruelty he had seen them practise; he shook and trembled in every -limb at the least noise; he tried to speak, and call out, but found that -he could only utter piteous mews; and to add to his distress, he could -not even see in this degraded state. His new mother, however, licked and -caressed him with much affection; and, after he had thought a great -while, and bitterly repented of his faults, he fell fast asleep.</p> - -<p>The next morning he awoke very cold and hungry, for the cat was gone. -Well, he pawed about with his little blind brothers and sisters, and got -as close to them as he could to warm himself, but they, in crawling -about to find their mother, often scratched his face<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> with their claws: -he conceived, however, that they did not mean to hurt him, so he did not -return it, for his weak and wretched state had already taught him -wisdom. Presently he heard a loud purring: he shrunk in dismay, but he -recollected it was only the cat who came to suckle and comfort them. Now -for nine or ten days, old pussy took the tenderest care of her kits, -though she did not know that the fairy prince was one of them; and in -that time the kittens began to see clearly, and in a fortnight longer -they grew strong, and very pretty; and Arphu with the rest of the brood -began to frisk about and play a thousand funny tricks; and though they -sometimes quarrelled with him, and bit his ears or tail, Arphu took such -delight in their gambols, that he soon began to love them, and never -attempted to hurt them. Arphu had often dreaded the time when he was to -suffer pain, but so many days had gone by that he had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> almost forgotten -it. One morning, however, they heard a great noise on the hayloft -stairs: the kittens all fled in great haste from where they had been -frisking, and scampered into their nest, where they lay in great dread -crouching close to each other. And now there was the noise of a great -many feet on the stairs, and Arphu plainly distinguished the voices of -the farmer's children.</p> - -<p>"Come here, Maudlin," said Hodge, the eldest boy, "come and look about, -for I know that our Tib has kitted somewhere in the hayloft; let us find -the kits, and we will have a nice drown."</p> - -<p>"Go, Hodge!" said Maudlin, "you cruel boy! if I could find the poor -things, I would hide them all from you. You have grown so hard-hearted -of late!"</p> - -<p>All this time Hodge and his brothers were looking about, in spite of the -<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span>reproaches of the kind little Maudlin; but just as Hodge was giving up -his search, Gilbert, the youngest boy, trod on Arphu's tail, and gave -him such a pang, that he could not help mewing most piteously, which -instantly betrayed their hiding place. Gilbert turned over the hay as -quick as lightning, till he felt the soft fur of the kittens; then -called out, "I have found them, here they are."</p> - -<p>Poor Arphu, and his unfortunate brothers, were now dragged to the light: -whilst the gentle Maudlin wept to see the tender creatures in the hands -of her cruel brothers, who griped them barbarously, regardless of their -cries and wailings. After a few minutes the boys thought proper to carry -them down stairs, and with shouts of joy took them to the horse-pond, -where they ranged their shivering victims on the cold wet grass that -grew around it: they then began to choose the prettiest, that they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> -might save it. Poor Arphu's errors and sufferings may well be imagined, -but at length they chose him as the best; and tying some heavy stones -round the necks of all the others, plunged them one by one into the -pond; and Arphu saw his pretty brothers, his innocent frisking -playfellows, drowned before his face without mercy. Meanwhile the poor -cat, which was almost mad to see her young treated so barbarously, ran -amongst them, and seizing Arphu, dragged him off in her mouth. This way -of carrying hurt him very much: but the cruel boys were so busy putting -them to death, that they did not see pussy make off with him; and she -soon carried him to a new hiding place. This was the hollow branch of a -tree in the farmer's garden. Here Arphu suffered a great deal of cold, -and on a moonlight night he would put his little nose out of the hole -and see his fellow fairies dance in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> the meadow below, and look most gay -and beautiful: but no one took notice of him in his fallen state.</p> - -<p>For a long time Arphu could not forget the pretty playfellows he loved -so much, and with whom he used to have such merry games; but the playful -nature of a kitten gradually overcame his grief, and he began to run up -and down the oak, and ventured on the grass underneath, where he played -in the sun with his shadow, and ran after his tail, the length and -beauty of which was so great, that though a fairy, he could not help -admiring it. And now our careless little Arphu by degrees forgot his -cruel foes; till one fine sunny morning, when he was asleep under the -oak, chance led Gilbert that way. The artful boy made no noise, but -creeping softly forward, sprung upon Arphu, and held him so fast, that -he almost squeezed him to death. He then ran into the kitchen, where the -farmer's family were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> at breakfast; and putting Arphu on little -Maudlin's lap, he exclaimed, "I have found him at last; old Tib must -have hid him in the garden, for he lay beneath the great oak." Maudlin -tenderly stroked the kitten, and said, "Ah, pretty creature, I am sorry -they have found thee, for I sadly fear they will hurt and ill use thee."</p> - -<p>The good little girl then began to feed Arphu out of her bason; but at -this unlucky minute the ill-natured Hodge came in, calling in a surly -tone for his breakfast. He had been clipping the hedge in the front of -the house, and was in a very ill humour, as he always was when he had -any thing to do. Little Maudlin got up to pour his milk out of the -boiler, but no sooner had she placed the kitten on her stool than the -cruel Hodge in a moment laid his hands on it, and seizing the shears, -cut the poor thing's nice velvet ears close to its head. He was then -going to cut its tail, but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> the piteous cries of the miserable little -animal called Maudlin to its aid. Maudlin, seeing the kitten all over -blood, began to cry; and her father, who loved his little girl dearly, -called to Hodge: "Let thy sister's kitten alone, sirrah! or I will -thrash thee soundly." Emboldened by this threat, Maudlin snatched Arphu -out of her brother's hands, and ran down the garden to hide him. Hodge -flew after her to see where the kitten was put; but just as he came up -with her, Maudlin fell over the stump of a tree, Hodge tumbled on her, -and his weight and hers together crushed poor Arphu to death.</p> - -<p>Maudlin wept bitterly when she got up and saw what had happened; and the -farmer coming up with his long cart whip, gave Hodge a handsome trimming -for his cruelty and disobedience. And now Arphu, finding himself -released from the body in which he had suffered so much pain, went and -knelt as a penitent<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> before his father's throne, shuddering at the -recollection of the agony he had so recently endured, and humbly -promising amendment for the future. The fairy king was rejoiced to find -that the harsh lesson had done his little Arphu good, and tenderly -condoling him for his sufferings, restored him to favour again; and I am -happy to add that Arphu was never known to be again malicious, but ever -remembered his own woes when he saw any animal tormented.</p> - -<p>"How strange, mamma!" said William; "I never heard a fairy tale before, -but what had giants, and enchanters, and princesses in it."</p> - -<p>"Well, William," said Mary, "it is quite as good without them. I wish my -cousin John had heard it, because be might have learnt to treat poor -little helpless animals better than he does. I don't like him, because -he is such a cruel boy."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span></p><p>"Yes," said William, "it might have made him better; but I will try to -remember it, and tell it all to my cousin Kate, when she comes."</p> - -<p>"You will soon have an opportunity, my love," said Mrs. Dormer, "for -your uncle brings Kate to-morrow to spend the Midsummer holidays with -us, and perhaps to stay some time longer: for her health is very -indifferent, and I hope the pleasant air of Hampstead will do her good."</p> - -<p>"How glad I am," said Mary. "But I hope he won't bring John, for he -would spoil all our pleasure. The last time he was here, he pinched -Kate, and kicked me; and you remember William beat him for it; and my -uncle was so angry!"</p> - -<p>"Yes, my love; but William should not have taken the law into his own -hands. However, do not be alarmed, for John is not to come. I cannot -wonder at your disliking him, for he is by no<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> means good or gentle. But -you must remember that he lost his mother during his infancy, which was -a great disadvantage to him; and his father never sees him or Kate, but -when they return from school for the holidays."</p> - -<p>"But, mamma, Kate is very good."</p> - -<p>"Yes, my dear Willy, Kate is very sweet-tempered and patient; but, like -William, she is rather careless. And now, my dears, look out of the -window, and see what your papa and the carpenter are about."</p> - -<p>"Oh, mamma," said little Lewis, "papa has a long rope, and a nice little -chair, and Taylor is putting up two great posts."</p> - -<p>"Do not you remember the swing he promised you?" asked Mrs. Dormer.</p> - -<p>"Oh, what a good papa!" said William; "come mamma, do let us go and look -at it."</p> - -<p>"With pleasure," said the good mother, and taking William and Mary by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> -the hand, she went down the garden, preceded by the little Lewis, who -literally jumped for joy.</p> - -<p>After the arrival of cousin Kate, the little Dormers were so busy in -making her welcome, and so much occupied with the new swing, that they -forgot to ask their mamma for another story. The next afternoon, after -they had finished their lessons, and were preparing for a visit to the -swing, it began to rain very fast. This put a stop to their intended -amusement, and, what was worse, they could not run on the grass for fear -of catching cold; all the children, therefore, crowded together on one -of the window seats, and remained some time looking sorrowfully at the -rain. At last William said, "if mamma would tell us another story about -Arphu, we should not be so dull as we now are."</p> - -<p>"Well, my Willy," said Mrs. Dormer, "you shall not be dull if I can<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> -help it—I will tell you another story, though it is not about Arphu."</p> - -<p>On hearing this, the four children got down from the window seat, and -bringing their stools, seated themselves around Mrs. Dormer, anxious to -hear the promised story.</p> - -<hr class="dble" /> - -<h2><span>THE LITTLE WATER-CARRIER;</span> <span class="smaller">OR, THE REWARD OF INDUSTRY.</span></h2> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>"Mamma," said little Sidney Fletcher, taking his mother's hand and -leading her to the window, "do look at that little boy who is carrying -those water-buckets on his shoulders through the rain."</p> - -<p>"Well, Sydney, I see him; but why did you wish me to leave my work? was -it only to look at the little water-carrier?" inquired Mrs. Fletcher.</p> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/i020.jpg" alt="Page 20 Page 27" /></div> - -<p class="bold">Page 20. <span class="s9"> </span> Page 27.</p> - -<p class="bold"><i>Published April 20 1823 by Harris & Son corner of S<sup>t</sup>. Pauls.</i></p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span>"I wanted, my dear mamma, to know what his name is; I thought you could -tell me."</p> - -<p>"And why did you want to know his name?" said his mother.</p> - -<p>"Because," answered Sydney, "he seems so industrious. Charles and myself -often sit and watch him from the school-room window. He comes from -behind that opening in the street, going to work very early, and keeping -on till it is almost dark; don't you think the poor fellow must be very -much tired before night?"</p> - -<p>Mrs. Fletcher was pleased to see the amiable disposition of her child, -and said,</p> - -<p>"My dear boy, I have myself often observed the industry of the little -water-carrier. I dare say he is a good boy; for he never appears -discontented at his burden, but carries it cheerfully along, though it -is certainly too great a weight for one so small."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span></p><p>"Indeed, mamma," said Sidney, "I do not think I should be near so -patient as he is, for I would walk slower, and not go so often."</p> - -<p>"Then you would do very wrong, Sidney: for if you were forced to work, -would it not render the labour lighter to do it willingly, and make -haste? That little boy ought to be a pattern for you and Charles."</p> - -<p>"You are right, mamma, I do think, in what you say," observed Sidney -thoughtfully; "for I got my Latin lesson done much sooner (though it was -very hard) this morning, because I learned it fast, and did not leave -off to look out at the window, or to play; and papa gave me this nice -pencil-case, and said I was a good boy."</p> - -<p>"Then, Sydney," said his mother, "I hope you will not forfeit your good -name; and if your father says to-morrow evening that you are still a -good boy, and have not done any thing amiss, I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> will give you the silver -pen you have wished for so long."</p> - -<p>Sidney was sure that he should be good enough to merit the pen, which he -had long desired to possess. He was so pleased already with the thought -of the reward, that he began jumping about the room for joy, making -rather more noise than his mother's head could bear.</p> - -<p>"I fear, Sidney, you are in a fair way of losing the pen, if you go on -making so much noise, for that is not being good: but I do not wish to -alarm you (for Sidney began to look rather grave); see, here are your -sisters and brother, with your papa,"</p> - -<p>Who then entered the room. Marcella, the eldest girl, was a year younger -than her brother Charles, who was nearly fourteen years old: Sidney was -eleven, and little Juliet eight. The two boys were studying the Latin -language, with the help of their father; and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span>Marcella French with her -mother: as to little Juliet, she was as yet but in the first rudiments -of English grammar. Mr. Fletcher instructed the girls in writing and -cyphering with their brothers.</p> - -<p>The rain having left off, the children put on their hats, and went to -take a walk with their father. Mrs. Fletcher preferred remaining at -home, to the great disappointment of Sydney, who was very fond of his -mother; besides, he thought he should be less likely to err if she were -with him.</p> - -<p>Their way lay through a beautiful green lane, by the side of a wood. -Charles, who was of a more serious turn than the generality of children -of his early age, walked with his father, conversing on the various -objects that met their view as they proceeded; whilst the other children -tripped gaily on before, sometimes running races, and at other times -gathering the wild flowers that grew in the hedges. Little Juliet at -length called them.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span></p><p>"Come, come," said she, "and see what I have found."</p> - -<p>Sidney and Marcella soon came running to the spot where Juliet was -plucking wild strawberries.</p> - -<p>"I would not eat any till you came up," said little Juliet.</p> - -<p>"That was a good girl," said her sister.</p> - -<p>Sidney kissed her for remembering them, but said, "I will not take them -from you, for I know where I can get plenty;" and away he ran, till he -found a large gap in the hedge, through which he climbed up the bank -into the wood. Marcella begged him to return; but Sidney was deaf to all -intreaties, and invited them to follow his example. Marcella would not, -and told him how wrong it was to trespass on forbidden grounds.</p> - -<p>"Oh," said he, "but I am not doing any hurt. Only see what a quantity of -nice strawberries I have got in my hat:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> if you will hold your frock, I -will throw you some."</p> - -<p>"No, Sidney," said she, "they do not belong to us: we have no right to -any of them."</p> - -<p>"Why, if I did not pluck them the birds would, and you know the owner of -the wood cannot hinder them," answered Sidney.</p> - -<p>"Well, then," said Juliet, "consider how you are robbing the pretty -robin redbreasts and the blackbirds of their food. Come back, come back, -Sydney, for papa is close by."</p> - -<p>"Wait a minute," said he.</p> - -<p>"Make haste, then."</p> - -<p>"Here I am," said he, jumping across the ditch, which, unfortunately for -him, was at that part half full of dirty water, and the opposite side -high and slippery. Just as he had gained the edge of the bank his feet -slipped, and he fell back into the water up to his middle, and his new -trowsers were dirted all over.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> With some trouble he contrived to -scramble out, by the assistance of his sisters; and whilst they were -trying to fish out his hat, which unfortunately had fallen into the -ditch, and was now sailing about with the unlucky strawberries in it, -Mr. Fletcher and Charles came up to where Sidney stood, dripping with -wet, and wringing the water from his jacket.</p> - -<p>"How is this, Sidney?" inquired his father: "have you been learning to -swim in this clear stream with your clothes on?"</p> - -<p>Sidney felt very much ashamed, for he did not like to confess how -foolishly he had acted, and happening at this moment to recollect the -silver pen, he conceived it was certainly lost: he therefore hung down -his head and began to cry bitterly.</p> - -<p>"Come, Sidney," said his father, "do not be such a baby as to cry: if -you did fall into the ditch it cannot be helped; I dare say it was -accidental."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span></p><p>But Sidney, who well knew how naughty he had been, only wept the more.</p> - -<p>Charles having, in the mean time, by the assistance of his father's -walking-stick, brought the hat and all its cargo safe to land, a -suspicion of somewhat like the truth struck the mind of Mr. Fletcher, -who demanded an account of the whole transaction. Marcella knew that her -brother would rather suffer any punishment than tell a falsehood to -screen himself, she therefore gave her father a brief account of the -unlucky affair.</p> - -<p>Mr. Fletcher observed, that the fault had brought its own punishment; -and bade the children hasten home, as Sidney's wet clothes might do him -a serious injury, if they were not speedily changed.</p> - -<p>Sidney ran into the parlour, and with tears of real penitence confessed -the fault to his mother.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span></p><p>"Well, Sidney," said his good mamma, "I am not <i>very</i> angry with you, -as you have candidly told me all. But I fear the pen is forfeited; and -you must not mind having to appear in those dirtied clothes, for I -cannot afford to buy you new ones yet. I think you will take more heed, -and not be so naughty for the future."</p> - -<p>Sidney kissed his dear, kind mamma, and declared that he deserved to -lose the pen, and wear the spoiled clothes, as a warning for him never -to act contrary to the good advice of his sisters.</p> - -<p>His mother then bade him change his clothes and return again to her. In -about ten minutes Sidney returned, looking very clean and neat in his -everyday clothes. He found his father, and brother, and sisters in the -room. When he came in Mrs. Fletcher said, "now, children, I have some -news concerning your little favourite the water-carrier." The two boys -got on each side of her,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> eagerly asking her what she had heard about -him.</p> - -<p>"If you will have patience I will tell you, said Mrs. Fletcher. As soon -as you were all gone, I put on my hat, and went to pay my milkwoman, -Mrs. Beals, who lives under the same roof as the little water-carrier. -There I learnt that he is a French boy, who has neither father nor -mother, but only a blind grandfather, whom he entirely supports by his -industry. This was enough for me; I tapped at the door, which was opened -by the little fellow himself. He had been drawing water from the well; -but on perceiving me he left his pails, and came up, cap in hand, and -having dusted a chair, begged me, in the best English he could speak, to -be seated. At one end of the kitchen, which, though scantily furnished, -was very clean, sat an old man, with white hair and a long silver beard, -splitting straw."</p> - -<p>"An old man, with a long white<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> beard!" exclaimed all the little -children; "how funny he must have looked!"</p> - -<p>"Did you not burst out a laughing, mamma, when you saw him?" asked -little Juliet.</p> - -<p>"No, indeed: I did not commit so foolish and cruel an action, as to -laugh at an old blind man," said Mrs. Fletcher. "But are you inclined to -hear the rest, or I shall leave off?"</p> - -<p>"Oh no, dear mamma, do not leave off—pray go on," cried all the -children in a breath.</p> - -<p>"Well, I did not burst out a laughing, as you supposed, Juliet, but I -took a seat close by the old blind man, who rose and asked Louis in -French whether he had given the lady a seat, for he knew me to be a -female by my voice. Now, children, I must inform you that the -conversation was carried on in French; but as you do not understand that -language, I shall give it you, as near as I can remember, in English.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span></p><p>"I told him that I was a neighbour, and hearing that he was both blind -and ill, had come to see if I could render him any assistance. He -expressed his gratitude, and said that he had been very sadly, but, by -the blessing of God, he was now much better, owing to the care and -tenderness with which his little grandchild had nursed him.</p> - -<p>"I then told him how interested you all were for the little -water-carrier. The old man smiled with pleasure, and said, 'Louis is -indeed a good boy, and God will take care of him, and bountifully reward -him for all the dutiful kindness he has shown to me.'</p> - -<p>"He told me that Louis was nearly fifteen years old.</p> - -<p>"'How long have you, then, been in this country?' asked I.</p> - -<p>"'Nearly four years,' said the old man, 'during which time my son Louis -has supported me by his industry.'</p> - -<p>"I then asked him why he came to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> England. He said, 'Oh, lady, when the -wars and the troubles broke out in our own country, I was too fond of my -king to fight against him, so with my son and daughter, and this little -Louis, I embarked, with what money we had, for England; but a storm came -on in the night—the packet was wrecked, and my two children perished in -the waves. By some miracle, myself and my grandchild were saved: but we -lost all our property. You may be sure, madam, that I sorrowed greatly -for the loss of my dear children; I would much rather it had pleased God -to have taken me instead, or all of us together: but it was not so, and -His will be done. I was enabled to reach London by the charity of a -worthy gentleman, who likewise put me in a way of earning my bread by -straw-work.'</p> - -<p>"I relate this to you, as near as I can, in the same way old Justin told -it to me. But to go on: he lived in this manner some time, but at length -he fell sick of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> a fever, which deprived him of that greatest of all -earthly blessings, his sight. His friend, the good gentleman, died -suddenly, and Justin had exhausted all his little savings in medicine. -Being blind he was unable to work, therefore what was he to do? Louis -indeed had learned the art of working in straw: but he was very young, -and his time was fully taken up in attending on his sick grandfather.</p> - -<p>"On Justin's recovery, his landlady, finding that her lodgers had no -means of paying their rent, advised him to travel down to one of the -large towns, where he would get a double price for his straw baskets; -besides which, she assured him that Louis would die, shut up in the -close air of London. Pleased by the hopes which the woman held out to -him, Justin and his grandson set off to travel down into the country. He -said he did indeed experience great kindness from the people. He did not -like to beg—he had never in his life before asked for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> a piece of -bread; but the silent pleading of his little Louis, and his own forlorn -state, moved the charitable hearts of the English to pity and relieve -them."</p> - -<p>Here Mrs. Fletcher paused to take breath.</p> - -<p>"Well, mamma, go on," said Sidney, impatient to know what became of poor -Justin.</p> - -<p>"Do, dear mother, tell us all," said Charles and Marcella both together.</p> - -<p>"Well, my dears, at last they came to this city, and a good widow took -them into her house till they could get some employment. It was at a -time when water was very scarce, as it often is at this part of the -city, and water-carriers being in great request, the good widow heard of -a place where Louis might probably earn some money. Louis was very happy -to hear of this, and being fitted out with pails, he commenced his new -employment, and worked so hard, that at the end of the week he brought -home<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> to his grandfather seven shillings. The benevolent widow, though -she was in very moderate circumstances herself, would not take any -payment for the time they had been at her house, and, not content with -this kindness, she engaged to dispose of any little trifle they could -manufacture in straw, to the ladies at whose houses she went to work.</p> - -<p>"'You may be sure, madam,' said old Justin, 'that we were very grateful -for the benefits bestowed by this excellent woman; but we insisted on -her sharing the profits of our little works. Louis gave great -satisfaction wherever he went with his water pails. One lady took a -great deal of notice of him, because of his beautiful curling hair, and -presented him with a new cap; another lady gave him a trifle to hear him -talk in his broken English. Louis continued to work so hard, that I was -fearful he would ruin his health; he now always earned eight shillings -every week by carrying of water,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> besides putting our little dwelling to -rights, and settling me to my employment, which was only splitting and -preparing straw for him against the evening, for then he fell to work -himself, and soon made straw baskets and boxes much quicker and neater -than I ever could." The well whence Louis drew the water was at some -distance from their lodgings, and the kind-hearted widow procured the -rooms they now inhabit at a low rate. Being now close to the water, -Louis was able to carry a great deal more in a day; they went on for -about a year very comfortably, but at length old Justin fell sick, and -then it was, Sidney, you used to see Louis working so hard in the rain, -and beginning so much earlier, and keeping on till dark in the evening, -that he might earn enough to support his sick grandfather. A little -after this, their good friend the widow was forced to go up to London, -to attend a daughter who was taken ill. I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> have now told you, my -children, all that old Justin communicated to me."</p> - -<p>"Oh, thank you, dear mamma," said Sidney, "for telling us all this. But -what did Louis say to you?"</p> - -<p>"Why Louis took my hand, and said, 'May God bless sweet lady, for you -much good and ver kind.'</p> - -<p>"I asked him two or three questions in English, and, among others, if he -could read. He considered a minute or two, and then said very quickly, -'Louis no book—me no read.'</p> - -<p>"I then asked him who taught him English?' He said, 'Good lady widow -teach Louis English; me know none before.'</p> - -<p>"I now spoke to him in French, and asked 'if he were contented with his -present situation.' You should have seen him then, Sidney, how his black -eyes sparkled with joy when he heard me address him in his native -language! He answered me with great animation<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> and vivacity, 'Oh, yes, -Madame, I am quite contented, for I can honestly earn my bread; but I -should be happier if I had more time to attend to the wants of my poor -blind grandfather; and this I should have, if it were possible for me to -work entirely on the straw.'</p> - -<p>"I told him that he was a good boy, and that I would come and see him -again. This was all that passed between Louis and myself, only I found -that he had taken great pains in endeavouring to teach his grandfather a -few words of English; but, alas! poor Justin was too old to learn a -strange tongue."</p> - -<p>"Oh, dear mamma," exclaimed Charles, taking his mother's hand as he -looked wistfully in her face, "cannot we do something for poor Louis and -his blind grandfather, that he may not be obliged to work so hard?"</p> - -<p>"That is exactly what I wished to consult you all about," replied Mrs. -Fletcher. "What will be the best plan<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> to pursue? Charles, you are the -eldest, and shall speak first."</p> - -<p>"I would get Justin into the blind hospital," said Charles, "and then -you know, mamma, we could put Louis to school."</p> - -<p>"That will not do," rejoined Mrs. Fletcher: "for, in the first place, I -am pretty sure that Louis would not quit his grandfather; and besides I -do not see what good would result from putting Louis to school."</p> - -<p>"Oh," cried Sidney and Marcella at once, "let us put all our money -together and buy Louis some new clothes."</p> - -<p>"That is much better," said their father, "and you are very good -children to offer it; but I think I can improve on your plan still -more."</p> - -<p>"Do, dear papa, let us hear what <i>you</i> think best," they all said.</p> - -<p>"You said just now, Sidney," answered Mr. Fletcher, "that you would all -put your money together and buy Louis<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> a suit of new clothes; now, if -you will agree to that, I will make a contract with my friend Newman, -who keeps the great toyshop at the bottom of Queen Street, to take all -the straw ornaments, baskets, and whatever Louis makes, at a reasonable -price. This I think can be done; for I heard him the other day -expressing a wish that he could meet with such articles ready made here, -as sending for them from London made them come very expensive."</p> - -<p>"And as Justin can split and prepare the straw, ready for Louis to work -up," said Mrs. Fletcher, "I have no doubt but they will by this mean -gain a very comfortable livelihood."</p> - -<p>The children unanimously agreed that this was the best plan yet thought -of, and were all eager to have it put in immediate execution; -accordingly they all ran to fetch their stock of cash. Charles had six -shillings, which he had been a long time saving up to buy a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> flute; and -in addition to this he had a new crown piece, which his uncle Fielding -had sent him at Christmas, when each of his sisters and his brother had -received a similar present. "I am sure," said he, "my uncle will not be -angry if I give this to clothe poor Louis, so here are eleven shillings -of mine."</p> - -<p>"And I have nine shillings and six-pence," said Marcella, emptying her -little treasure-box into her mother's lap.</p> - -<p>Sidney had, with the new crown-piece, in all eight shillings, and some -halfpence; but poor little Juliet (who could never pass either a -cake-shop or a beggar while she had a penny in her pocket), now slowly -advanced with her mite, which consisted of the enormous sum of three -halfpence.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Fletcher smiled at this donation, but it was rather a wonder that -Juliet was mistress of so large a sum.</p> - -<p>"Well, my dears," said their mother, "as you have all so generously -given up<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> your money, you shall go with me after tea to chuse some -clothes for Louis. Charles, you are nearly of his size, so you shall be -fitted for him."</p> - -<p>The children jumped for joy whilst anticipating the delight which Louis -would feel when newly clothed by their liberality; and after tea they -went with their mother to a large warehouse of ready-made clothes, -where, after some consultation, they made choice of a suit of good gray -mixed cloth, a pair of shoes, and two strong pair of stockings. In the -mean time Mr. Fletcher called on his friend Newman, who agreed to take -all Louis's straw work, provided it was neatly wrought, and he was very -glad to find one who would serve his shop so near home; he promised to -call on Louis and look at some of his baskets, and if they were well -made, he said he would keep him in constant employ. This being happily -settled, Mr. Fletcher and his benevolent family returned home, much -pleased with the success of their scheme.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span></p><p>It was too late that night to mention any thing to Louis; but the next -morning, after the children had finished their studies, Mrs. Fletcher -took them all to Justin's cottage, and Marcella was permitted to carry -the bundle. On their tapping at the door, Louis, who was cooking a -morsel of dinner over a little fire, sprung forward; and taking Mrs. -Fletcher's hand, exclaimed, while his dark eyes sparkled with animation, -"Her come agen! her come agen!" Mrs. Fletcher smiled at his imperfect -attempt to express his joy at seeing her. "Here, Louis," said she -(addressing herself to him in French), "here is a reward for the dutiful -care you have taken of your grandfather."</p> - -<p>Marcella advanced, and Louis gazed in silent wonder as she unfolded the -bundle, and displayed its contents; indeed he seemed almost struck -speechless with astonishment, whilst he looked alternately at the -clothes and at his kind<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> visitors. Mrs. Fletcher, perceiving his -emotion, took him by the hand, and said, "Compose yourself, my little -fellow, and try whether this suit will fit you."</p> - -<p>Louis retired into an inner room: but soon returned so much improved in -appearance, that his young friends could scarcely recognize in him the -little ragged water-carrier whom they had been accustomed to see.</p> - -<p>Justin now advanced to thank them for their bounty; and his joy was much -increased when he was informed that Louis would be no longer forced to -carry water pails for his subsistence, but would pursue his straw-work, -and remain always with him. Mrs. Fletcher perceiving a sudden gloom -overspread the face of Louis, asked him in French what was the matter.</p> - -<p>"Ah, Madame," replied he, "I was thinking what pleasure my poor -grandfather would have had in <i>seeing</i> his little<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> Louis in these -beautiful new clothes; but, alas! he is <i>blind</i>, and cannot see any -thing."</p> - -<p>The aged Justin laid his withered hand on the shoulder of his grandson, -and said impressively, "My child, do not repine at the will of the -Almighty. It pleased God to deprive me of my sight; yet he has had great -blessings in store for me. It was only for you, my Louis, that I feared; -and it has pleased heaven to listen to my prayers, and to raise up these -kind friends for you. God bless and reward them as they deserve!"</p> - -<p>Mr. Fletcher now entered the cottage, with his friend Mr. Newman. With a -trembling hand Louis produced the specimens of his work, which were in a -manner to decide his fate; but the toy-man was so well pleased with -them, and so deeply interested in the little manufacturer, that he -assured Louis he should never want employment whilst he lived, nor a -friend while he continued to deserve one.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span></p><p>Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher kindly invited Louis and his grandfather to spend -the remainder of the day with them, to the great joy of the children, -who liked Louis better than ever; and they have often looked back with -delight upon this day, as one of the happiest in their lives. Sidney at -night received the silver pen, and a kiss from his mother, who said he -had well deserved it.</p> - -<p>While Justin and his grandson were at the house of Mrs. Fletcher, she -ordered a few light chairs and some plain furniture, with materials to -assist Louis in his work, to be conveyed to their cottage; and little -Juliet who had bitterly lamented the smallness of her subscription to -the purchasing the clothes, now begged her mother to allow of her -presenting something of her own.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Fletcher gave her leave to carry to the cottage a pot with a -beautiful geranium, which had been given to her some time before. She -placed it on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> window where old Justin usually sat, who had the -pleasure (though he could not see its beauty) of inhaling its delightful -perfume, as he sat splitting the straw for Louis's work.</p> - -<p>Louis would never part with his water-pails, which were always placed in -a conspicuous part of the cottage, "for these," he said, "first -introduced me to the notice of my dear friends." And when, with a heart -overflowing with joy, he has expressed his gratitude, Mrs. Fletcher -would often answer, "remember, Louis, this was the reward of -<i>industry</i>."</p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>When Mrs. Dormer had finished the tale, she said to her son, "William, -do you like this story? or do you prefer to hear about giants, and -dwarfs, and fairies?"</p> - -<p>William looked very thoughtful for some time: at last he said, "no, -mamma, this is certainly the best; for it seems<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> more like the truth, I -dare say all these things really happened; while you know even little -Louis would laugh at me if I really believed there ever were such -creatures as fairies."</p> - -<p>"Ah, William," said Mary, "but there are some very beautiful stories -about fairies. Do not you remember the story in verse which mamma read -to us some time ago? It began thus:</p> - -<div class="center"><div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<div>"In Britain's isle, and Arthur's days,</div> -<div>When midnight fairies danced the maze."</div> -</div></div></div> - -<p>"Oh yes, Mary, I remember, and I wish mamma would read us some more -tales like that."</p> - -<p>"I must find them first, Willy," said Mrs. Dormer, "for that tale stands -alone in the English language: I do not remember another that equals it -in beauty. But you must be content with hearing the adventures of -children like yourselves, for my stock of fairy lore is almost -exhausted."</p> - -<p>"What is the name, dear aunt, of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> next story you mean to read us," -asked Kate, "for I peeped into your desk when you took the last out, and -I saw that you had a good many more left."</p> - -<p>"That will depend on circumstances, my love," replied Mrs. Dormer. "I do -not know which I shall read first. But I will tell you what you will -like better; and that is, our friends Mr. and Mrs. Matthews have sent an -invitation for you all to spend to-morrow afternoon with them. We shall -have a delightful walk across the heath; and you, William, will see your -little friends—for George and Edward have come home for the holidays."</p> - -<p>This news gave great delight to the little Dormers, and they spent the -evening anticipating the pleasure of the morrow, and in hoping and -wishing for a fine day.</p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>William's eyes were opened by six the next morning; he ran to the -<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span>chamber where his sister and cousin slept, and tapping at the door, -asked them if they would get up, as it was a fine morning, and study -their lessons in the garden before breakfast, and then they would be -done very early when their mamma was teaching them. This proposal was -perfectly agreeable to the little girls; who, after dressing themselves -and saying their prayers, went into the garden, and with lively spirits -enjoyed the delicious freshness of a lovely summer's morning. Here they -walked up and down, studying very diligently till they had their lessons -by heart, and already looked forward to the pleasure of their mamma's -praise.</p> - -<p>All this was very well, and they walked some time very soberly, till -little Louis came into the garden, saying he had some very hard words to -learn, and intreating his sister Mary to pronounce them for him. Mary -very good-naturedly complied, and sat down on the seat<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> under the fir -tree to con them over with him.</p> - -<p>Kate and William, though good children were sometimes inclined to be -giddy, and this morning they were in such high spirits, that they were -more careless than usual. Unfortunately, chance led their steps towards -the poultry-yard, which was separated from the garden by some pales and -a wicket. They opened the gate and passed through, to look at some nice -broods of ducks that were just hatched. Kate stood several minutes -admiring the soft yellow ducklings, and did not notice what William was -doing, till he called her to partake in some sport which he thought very -delightful. He had laid a plank (left there by accident) across a small -dirty pond, dug for the convenience of the ducks, and was racing -backwards and forwards so cheerfully on this board, that giddy little -Kate thought she must follow his example. After they had amused -<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span>themselves for some time with this diversion, William took it into his -head to jump from the plank across the pond, and as it was a very little -distance, he did it easily. Kate endeavoured to follow, but as she was -not used to leaping, it is no great wonder that she plumped up to her -waist in the dirty water. They both shrieked in concert for help; and -the gardener being fortunately near the spot, soon pulled Miss Kate out -of the mud, and carried her in his arms to the house. In their way they -met Mary and Louis, who had been alarmed by the cries of Kate: Mary was -terribly frightened at seeing the water stream from her cousin's -clothes; she ran to her mother's door, crying, "pray, mamma, come -quickly, for I fear that Kate is drowned."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Dormer was much astonished, for she did not think Kate could get at -any water sufficient to drown herself. However, she hastened to the -children's room, where she beheld the weeping<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> Kate, with the house-maid -busily employed in taking off her wet clothes. Mrs. Dormer's first care -was to hurry the imprudent child to bed, and cover her up warm, while -her clean clothes were airing. She then demanded the particulars of the -disaster; and, on hearing the whole affair, could hardly help laughing. -However, she comforted the weeping girl by saying, if she had not taken -cold there was no great harm done, and, promising to send her up some -warm tea, she retired; whilst Kate was greatly troubled for fear she -should be made to lay in bed all the day.</p> - -<p>When Mrs. Dormer entered the parlour, she perceived William, looking -much like a culprit.</p> - -<p>"So, Sir," said his mother, "it was you who led your cousin into this -mischief."</p> - -<p>"It was, dear mamma, but I am very, very sorrow," answered William.</p> - -<p>"Consider," said Mrs. Dormer, "the delicate state of your cousin's -health,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> and how fatal such an accident might have been if her wet -clothes had not been taken off directly. I do not think she will be ill -as it is, but hope she will be able to go to Mrs. Matthews's this -afternoon.</p> - -<p>"I suppose, mamma," said William, "as I have been so bad a boy, <i>I</i> am -not to go?"</p> - -<p>"You well know," said his mother, "that I never punish an act of -carelessness as I do any thing criminal, therefore I shall trust to your -own good disposition, that you will not err in a like manner for the -future."</p> - -<p>William kissed the hand of his kind mamma, and said, "I did indeed think -of Sidney's jumping into the ditch, just as Kate fell into the pond: but -you know, mamma, that was too late. We should have thought on it before -we played such a foolish trick."</p> - -<p>After Mrs. Dormer had done breakfast she went up and dressed Kate, who -had taken no hurt. The children finished their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> lessons very soon: and -Mrs. Dormer told them there was time for a good deal of play before -dinner. "I think," added she, "I can answer for Kate's keeping out of -the duck-pond."</p> - -<p>On hearing this remark Kate hung down her head, and looked very -foolish—at last she said, "I would rather not go out, aunt. If you -would read us a story I should like much better to sit still and hear it."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Dormer smiled, and unlocking her writing-desk, selected from among -her papers the tale of</p> - -<h3>THE MIDSUMMER HOLIDAYS.</h3> - -<p>"Mr. Howard and Mr. Russel were near neighbours; indeed their grounds -were only parted by a clear stream, which flowed between the two -gardens: they were both widowers, and each had one son.</p> - -<p>Mr. Russel was an old captain retired from service, with a small fortune -and his pay to live on.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span></p><p>His neighbour Mr. Howard had been a banker in London, and having -amassed a large fortune, withdrew from the fatigues of business, to -enjoy the remainder of his life in the quiet retirement of the country.</p> - -<p>These gentlemen were much alike in all their pursuits: they were both -fond of gardening, fishing, and smoking; yet they did not visit, though -they often entered into conversation across the river, when they were -fishing opposite each other.</p> - -<p>Mr. Howard's son Philip, or Phil as he was generally called, was nearly -of the same age as Captain Russel's Harry. Captain Russel would not send -Harry to school, for he did not approve of that method of education; Mr. -Howard, on the contrary, kept his son at a public seminary, and only -suffered him to return for a short time during the Midsummer holidays. -He allowed him, indeed, to pass the whole vacation with him at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> -Christmas, when he thought that he could do the least mischief; and then -Phil would much rather have been at school, for his father made him -study as closely as he did there.</p> - -<p>As to Harry Russel, he was the most unlucky boy that ever was born. He -was always in mischief, robbing the farmers' orchards, or trespassing on -their grounds, to deprive the poor innocent birds of their eggs and -young. There always was some complaint being brought in from the maids, -such as, "Sir, is Master Russel to steal the pipes? he has got away ever -so many."</p> - -<p>Then when Captain Russel went to shave, he found all his shaving soap -gone: upon inquiry, it always was, "Why, Sir, Master Harry would take -it; he said it was only to blow bubbles with." Poor Captain Russel was -always in a passion: for before he was cool from one he was thrown into -another. There was the gardener, with, "Sir, Master Harry<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> will tread on -the border, Master Harry will run in the high grass, Master Harry will -pluck the fruit;" but, in general, it ended with, "Master Harry will -take the boy away from his work, to play with him." Thus was the Captain -constantly tormented.</p> - -<p>Captain Russel would not permit his son to visit, or receive visits, -from any of the young gentlemen in the neighbourhood, for fear of having -his flowers gathered, and his garden injured.</p> - -<p>Harry, who was of a very social disposition, rather than not have -playfellows, made companions of his father's cow-boy and all his ragged -brethren; for Mr. Russel kept a cow, and this boy tended her, and worked -in the garden.</p> - -<p>Another of Master Henry's bad tricks was taking a large stick, and -dabbling in his father's favourite fishing place; whenever he was found -so employed, he received a good thrashing from the captain, which you -must acknowledge he richly deserved.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span></p><p>Now the Midsummer holidays approached, and Harry heard Mr. Howard tell -his father that Phil was coming home to spend a week or two with him. -This greatly rejoiced Master Hal, for he was very curious to see his -neighbour's son, of whom he formed great hopes.</p> - -<p>At length the wished-for day arrived, and Harry ran down to the river to -watch for young Howard's appearing in the opposite garden. He did not -wait long, for a loud shout made him run to the banks of the stream; and -there stood the long expected Phil, throwing stones into the river to -scare the fish.</p> - -<p>Now it was very delightful to find a companion; but Harry thought it -still better for him to be as mischievous a creature as he was himself. -They soon greeted each other with great glee, and stood talking some -time across the river. Phil invited Harry to come over to him.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span></p><p>"No," said Harry, "I cannot do that, for I do not choose to undress for -a swim."</p> - -<p>"Then come with your clothes on," said Phil; "look, here is a shallow -place."</p> - -<p>Harry sat down on the grass, and pulling off his shoes and stockings, -threw them over to Phil; he then paddled across the river with great -expedition, and was joyfully welcomed by young Howard. For a long time -they walked about, keeping at a respectful distance from the house for -fear of being seen by Phil's father; and, as they had many things to -talk about, they did no great harm that day.</p> - -<p>From this time the two boys became such friends, that, regardless of -their fathers' express commands to the contrary, they were seldom or -ever apart; and as they were commonly walking arm and arm in one or -other of the gardens, nothing could remain <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span>undisturbed for them; the -gardens were robbed of the best fruit, and the newly raked beds were -completely covered with footmarks.</p> - -<p>One day Mr. Russel, looking out of the chamber window, was not a little -surprised at beholding his son perched in one of the great cherry-trees -which grew on the grass-plot in front, and Master Phil in the other. In -a tone of great displeasure, he demanded what they were doing there?</p> - -<p>Phil replied, without leaving off eating, and with the greatest -audacity, "we are keeping the birds off the cherry-tree, Sir."</p> - -<p>Mr. Russel was greatly enraged at the cool impudence of this answer; and -though he made no reply, he muttered to himself, as he turned from the -window, "these are your Eton tricks, young gentleman; but your back -shall pay for it." He then ordered the culprits to be seized as soon as -they left<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> the trees, and to be brought before him.</p> - -<p>This was accordingly done; and the luckless pilferers, when they were -preparing to escape, were caught and carried before Mr. Russel, in spite -of all their kicking and struggling. The captain stood ready to receive -them with a horsewhip, which he laid over their shoulders pretty -smartly; and though they implored for mercy, and promised never to -misbehave again, the captain knew that such promises could not be -depended on. When he thought he had punished them sufficiently, he sent -his own boy sobbing to bed, and followed Master Phil, with the horsewhip -in his hand, threatening that the next time he caught him on his side of -the stream that he would give him twice as much; when Phil, on reaching -the stream, boldly plunged in, shoes and all, and splashed over to his -own garden, and ran to the house, crying bitterly.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span></p><p>Though Mr. Howard knew that Phil had well deserved the stripes he had -received, yet he did not choose that any one should chastise his son but -himself, and he told Captain Russel so the next day. Captain Russel said -he had borne with young Howard's lawless conduct long enough, and he -would put up with it no longer, but whip him home whenever he caught him -trespassing on his grounds, and Mr. Howard might do the same by his Hal, -if he liked it. Mr. Howard declared, if he came plaguing him, he would; -and then told Captain Russel it was his unbearable boy who had spoiled -and corrupted the manners of Phil. This Captain Russel denied with some -warmth, and retorted the charge; high words now arose between the -fathers, and, though I am sure neither had any reason to defend their -children, the two gentlemen parted in great wrath; but both agreed to -horsewhip the first boy that entered the other's garden.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span></p><p>It was not long before Mr. Howard put his threat in execution, for in -defiance of these prohibitions, Phil and Hal went into Mr. Howard's -meadow, and were amusing themselves with swinging on the great gate. -This made Mr. Howard very angry: he bestowed on them a good caning, and -sent Hal Russel roaring home. One would have thought this might have -cured them of their improper behaviour, but they would get over into the -forbidden gardens now as often as ever. Mr. Howard was at length so -completely wearied by his son's mischievous tricks, that he determined -to shorten his holidays by three weeks: poor Phil was accordingly doomed -to depart on the next Monday. But on the preceding Saturday he invited -Harry to come over, and have one last gambol in the garden. He told him -there was an early plum-tree loaded with delicious fruit, just ripe, and -persuaded him to come and have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> the first taste. Harry needed no very -pressing invitation, and having forded the river, he proceeded with his -companion to the plum-tree. The fruit was indeed tempting, and Harry -mounted with great expedition: but he had scarcely tasted one plum -before Phil called,</p> - -<p>"Come down, Harry; make haste—my father is coming towards us!"</p> - -<p>Harry was so hurried, that he forgot his usual dexterity in descending; -his foot slipped, and he fell with such violence on the ground that his -right arm and leg were broken. Mr. Howard, who had not before observed -that Hal was in the garden, was instantly drawn to the spot by the -screams of the suffering boy, whom he tenderly raised, and saw his -servants convey him carefully home. He returned to his own house, and -conveyed his son to a room which was utterly divested of all furniture, -except a bed to sleep on; he then<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> gave him a supply of bread and water -for the day, and locked him in.</p> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/i066.jpg" alt="Page 66 Page 74" /></div> - -<p class="bold">Page 66. <span class="s9"> </span> Page 74.</p> - -<p class="bold"><i>Published April 20 1823 by Harris & Son corner of S<sup>t</sup>. Pauls.</i></p> - -<p>Phil, who had now leisure to repent of his folly and wilfulness, -expected at least to be confined in this solitude till he was taken to -school; and he grieved bitterly for the deplorable fate of his companion -Harry, who might probably lose his life, or the use of his limbs. Many -were the tears which he shed while eating his solitary meals, which were -delivered to him in silence by a servant. Often did he wish for his -father's presence, that he might ask his forgiveness; but three tedious -days and nights passed on, and Mr. Howard did not appear. All the -amusement Phil had, was looking out of a high and closely-barred window. -He had not even a book to pass away the heavy hours, though he would -have been thankful for the dullest that ever was written. On the fourth -day, towards the evening, as he was sitting sighing in a corner,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> the -door unlocked, and on raising his eyes, his father stood before him, -looking very stern and severe. He took the culprit's hand in silence, -and led him through the garden. Phil shuddered when he saw the fatal -tree, the cause of so much sorrow, and felt thankful when he had passed -it. Mr. Howard conducted him through their own meadow to a little bridge -that crossed the river, and divided Captain Russel's field from theirs. -The gate of this bridge was always before kept padlocked; but on this -occasion Mr. Howard opened it, and proceeded to Captain Russel's house, -and went up the stairs to Harry's bed-chamber. The curtains were closed -round the bed, and Captain Russel sat there, reading the Bible aloud. -When he saw Mr. Howard, he rose and gave him his hand. Mr. Howard asked -if his patient were awake. "Yes," said Captain Russel, unclosing the -curtains, and exhibiting to the weeping Phil his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> once healthy and -blooming companion, reduced, comparatively, to a shadow. He was -supported by a number of pillows, and looked like death. His hair, that -used to curl in ringlets round his rosy, laughing face, now hung lank -and straight over his sunken eyes and wan cheeks. This sad sight filled -the heart of Phil with grief and remorse: he threw himself by the side -of the bed, and hid his face in the bed-clothes to stifle his sobs. -Harry stretched out his burning hand, and in a feeble voice desired him -to be comforted.</p> - -<p>"See, young man," said Captain Russel, "the fatal effects of -disobedience: this might have been <i>your</i> fate: let this misfortune be a -lesson to you for the future. I see I need say no more."</p> - -<p>Phil was truly penitent: he sobbed as if his heart would break, and -implored forgiveness with such unaffected sorrow, that the two gentlemen -freely pardoned him. "From this time," he said, "I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> will be as dutiful -as I was before disobedient, and if poor Hal does but recover, we will -never be mischievous again."</p> - -<p>"Think, Philip," said his father, "if Harry dies, you will have to -answer for being the means of depriving Captain Russel of his only -child."</p> - -<p>Phil's grief now became so violent, that Mr. Howard thought that he had -better take him away.</p> - -<p>"Oh, Sir," said Phil (taking the hand of Captain Russel), "pray let me -stay by Harry. I will sit quite still, and make no noise; indeed I -cannot leave him."</p> - -<p>The sick boy, in a low and feeble voice, begged that his friend might -stay. Captain Russel kindly consented, and Philip took his station by -the side of Harry's bed, and by every tender care endeavoured to soothe -his pain and raise his spirits. When Captain Russel saw that Philip had -naturally a noble disposition and a good heart, he would come<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> and -converse with him, and often praised him for the friendly attention he -shewed his suffering friend. When Philip dared ask him questions, he -inquired what had happened during the days he had passed in confinement.</p> - -<p>"The first three days," said Captain Russel, "were passed by my -suffering child in all the agony of pain and delirium; your father, very -kindly, passed all his time with me, sharing my solicitude and grief. On -the evening of the fourth day Harry recovered his senses, and earnestly -begged to see you. Your father immediately went and fetched you, the -rest you know."</p> - -<p>Philip had a bed made up in his friend's room, and never left him but -when the doctor was dressing poor Harry's leg and and arm: he then used -to take a little air. At last Harry was able to sit up, but he was -forced to hold his arm in a sling, and have his leg supported by -pillows.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span></p><p>After some weeks Harry was sufficiently recovered to walk in the -garden; and though he soon looked as rosy and handsome as before, still -he always had a slight lameness, which served to remind him of his -disobedience.</p> - -<p>Philip staid at home till Harry was quite well, and then their fathers -agreed that both the boys should go together to Eton school. This plan -was carried into execution, and when they returned at Christmas they -were so completely altered in their deportment, that their fathers -beheld them with pride and pleasure.</p> - -<p>You may be sure that the next Midsummer holidays were spent in a very -different manner from those of the preceding year. Mr. Howard and -Captain Russel had now become intimate friends, and often made a -comfortable party by the river side, with their pipes and fishing -tackle; and when the boys came, they would sit and play quietly at -draughts, or chess, on a seat near them.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span></p><p>Hal was never heard to repine at this accident, but as he grew up he -often declared that this misfortune had proved a blessing to him and -Philip, and would warn any wayward children he saw in mischief to desist -from evil, lest, like him, they should suffer from the bad effects of -<i>disobedience</i>.</p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>The cloth was laid for dinner by the time Mrs. Dormer had finished her -story. The children all looked very grave at the end, and seemed much -edified: particularly William, who said, as he seated himself at table, -"I am afraid, mamma, you think that I behaved as bad as Harry or Phil -this morning."</p> - -<p>"No, Willy," said his mother, "what you did wrong was not the result of -wilful mischief but was only for want of thought: for instance, if I had -looked over the pales when you were dancing on the plants, and told you -to come<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> away, and never to do so again, I think I can answer for my -William that he would not have disobeyed me."</p> - -<p>"No, dear mamma," said William, "I hope I should not have been so -wicked."</p> - -<p>Just as dinner was finished, Edward Matthews drove up to the door in a -donkey chaise, which he had brought, by the desire of his father, that -the little girls might not be fatigued with walking in the heat of the -day. Mrs. Dormer, with Kate and Mary, were soon ready; and Edward, -having lifted the young ladies and little Lewis into the chaise, walked -with William by the side of the donkey, leading him, and patting his -neck. Mr. and Mrs. Dormer walked behind, and were greatly pleased with -the attention and kindness of Edward: who, to say the truth, was a -favourite with all the family. He was a fine manly youth of thirteen, -but though he was by many years older than the little <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span>Dormers, he was -so sweet tempered that they doated on him.</p> - -<p>The little party proceeded joyously across the heath, exulting in the -company of their dear Edward; who, poor fellow, had need of two or three -pair of ears: for, in the joy of their hearts, the children all talked -at once, telling him all the wonderful things that had happened to them -since they saw him last.</p> - -<p>The afternoon passed rapidly; and the children enjoyed themselves so -much, that their indulgent parents, rejoicing to see them good and -happy, delayed breaking up the party till the latest minute. When the -hour of separation at length arrived, and they were preparing to depart, -Mrs. Matthews asked Mrs. Dormer if she would permit her little family to -join her sons in a party to Hampstead-fair, that day week. Now Mrs. -Dormer had a dislike to fairs; but as Mr. Dormer seemed to wish it, and -the children all looked up in her face<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> with most anxious countenances, -she would not withhold her consent.</p> - -<p>The donkey chaise was again brought to the door, and the little Dormers -had a charming ride home. Mary, in particular, was delighted at seeing -the heath spangled with glow-worms.</p> - -<p>"Oh, papa," she exclaimed, "do let me get out and catch some of the -lovely creatures; I never saw any before."</p> - -<p>"No, Mary," said her mother, "you must not run on the damp grass with -your thin shoes. Look," continued she, holding up her handkerchief, -which shone like a lamp, "see, Mary, I have collected a great many of -the lovely creatures, as you call them, and will examine them when we -get home."</p> - -<p>Mary was highly pleased at this; but she could not help calling out, as -she saw these beautiful insects shine brighter as the darkness -increased: "Oh, mamma, there is another! do catch it."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span></p><p>All the little party were quite grieved when they turned down the lane -that separated their house from the heath.</p> - -<p>Sleep weighed too heavy on the eyes of all the children to allow them to -look at the glow-worms that night, but in the morning Mary ran into her -mother's dressing-room to look at the beautiful prisoners. She hastily -took off the lid of a glass jar, in which her mother had placed them, -and, lifting up some wet moss, gave almost a shriek of disappointment. -"Oh, mamma," she said, "all the glow-worms have run away; here are -nothing but some ugly brown beetles! I dare say they have eaten those -pretty creatures."</p> - -<p>"What a pity!" said Kate. "Dear aunt, let us empty the jar into the -garden."</p> - -<p>"No, my love," said her aunt, "let them alone; perhaps these beetles may -bring us some tidings of the glow-worms." At that minute they heard Mr. -Dormer<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> below, talking to Edward, who had just arrived, with his little -brother George. Mrs. Dormer, therefore, went down to ask them to dinner; -which invitation they thankfully accepted.</p> - -<p>In the cool of the evening, after the children and their guests had -tired themselves with play, they all came up to Mrs. Dormer's -dressing-room and begged for a story. Mrs. Dormer had prepared for them, -there, a regale of cakes and fruit, and while they were enjoying it, she -kindly read to them the story of</p> - -<h3>THE BLIND HIGHLAND PIPER.</h3> - -<p>"If you have finished writing those rules in your cyphering book in -time, you shall go with me to the booksellers, to choose some books for -your cousin Jane, and for yourself," said Mr. Percy to his nephew, -Arthur Stanly, who was writing at a desk.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span></p><p>"Thank you, my dear uncle. What time shall you be ready?" asked Arthur, -still continuing to write on.</p> - -<p>"In about half an hour at farthest," said Mr. Percy.</p> - -<p>"Shall you be ready by that time?"</p> - -<p>Arthur cast his eyes over a long page of writing and figures which he -had still to copy into his book, repeating, "Half an hour! I am afraid I -cannot get it all done."</p> - -<p>"I shall be sorry," observed his uncle, "to go without you; but I am -engaged to dine with some friends precisely at two o'clock. It is now a -few minutes past one: therefore we shall have but one quarter of an hour -to walk there, and transact our business, and the other quarter to go -home and dress in."</p> - -<p>Arthur ardently wished that the time went slower.</p> - -<p>"I think you have had plenty of time to finish this rule; it is now -upwards of an hour since you began. What<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> have you been doing all this -while?" said Mr. Percy, looking over his nephew's shoulder.</p> - -<p>Arthur felt much ashamed: he looked down at his feet, and began tying -his shoe-strings without saying a word, for he did not know what excuse -to offer to his uncle.</p> - -<p>Mr. Percy still looked at him, as if expecting an answer; and at last he -repeated the question.</p> - -<p>"I was trying," said Arthur, "to catch a robin which flew into the room. -I was very silly, and have lost a great deal of time by it."</p> - -<p>"You was silly, indeed," replied his uncle; "but that is your concern, -not mine. However, if you have finished by the time the hand of the hall -clock points to half past one, you shall go with me. If your rule be -written out neatly in that time, I shall give you great credit, if not -you must remain at home. Here are two good pens for you."</p> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/i081.jpg" alt="Page 81 Page 85" /></div> - -<p class="bold">Page 81. <span class="s9"> </span> Page 85.</p> - -<p class="bold"><i>Published April 20 1823 by Harris & Son corner of S<sup>t</sup>. Pauls.</i></p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span></p><p>Arthur eagerly took the pens and began writing; but his uncle had -hardly quitted the room, when the thought entered into his head that no -one would be the wiser if he were to put back the clock a few minutes. -Accordingly, without giving himself time to reflect on the gross -impropriety of such an action, he opened the study door and looked out -into the hall. No one was near; he listened a moment—; all was quite -still. He then jumped upon a chair which stood near the clock, and, -having carefully opened the door in front, put back the hand ten -minutes. In doing this, however, he was under considerable alarm, for -persons who are acting wrong are always in fear of being detected.</p> - -<p>He now jumped from the chair, and ran back to his desk; but his hand -trembled so much that he could hardly hold his pen. In a minute or two, -however, he recovered himself, and just as he heard his uncle entering -the hall, he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> finished his assigned task, happy for a moment in the -success of his scheme.</p> - -<p>His cousin Jane now came running into the room, and exclaimed:</p> - -<p>"Arthur, papa is waiting for you; but he supposes you have not done -yet."</p> - -<p>"Yes, but I have, though," answered he, in a tone of exultation, and -went into the hall with his book. Mr. Percy was standing with his watch -in his hand, comparing it with the clock.</p> - -<p>Arthur coloured like scarlet, for he feared to be detected in his guilt. -He stood silent, and dared not raise his eyes to the face of his uncle.</p> - -<p>But, far from having the least suspicion of what had been done, Mr. -Percy only observed that he must get his watch regulated, for though he -had set it by the clock that very morning, it was now ten minutes -faster.</p> - -<p>Arthur felt all the pain arising from conscious guilt. He hung his head -in silence, whilst his uncle, glancing his eyes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> over the writing, -exclaimed, "Very well, indeed! very prettily done! I give you a deal of -credit for this; and so short a time as you had to do it in, too! Well, -we shall see, if you improve so fast, what I shall do."</p> - -<p>"Arthur, who had never deceived his good uncle before, felt more pain at -this unmerited praise than if he had been punished as he deserved.</p> - -<p>"Oh," thought he, "if my uncle did but know how wicked I have been, he -would never forgive me."</p> - -<p>Mr. Percy told him to put on his hat and great-coat, for they had no -time to lose.</p> - -<p>"Good bye, my little Jane," said Mr. Percy, as he shut the street door.</p> - -<p>"Good bye, dear papa, and cousin Arthur," cried Jane Percy, going into -the parlour.</p> - -<p>"I never knew you so very silent before, Arthur: what is it you are -thinking of?" said Mr. Percy, as they entered the shop of Mansel, the -bookseller.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span></p><p>Arthur was spared the trouble of replying, for Mr. Mansel then came -forward, and entered into conversation with Mr. Percy.</p> - -<p>Arthur walked to the door: he scarcely knew what was going forward, his -mind being too much occupied in reflecting upon his late transgression, -and in considering what he had best do. At length he determined to tell -his cousin, and ask her advice. He had not observed the people who were -hurrying along to escape a heavy fall of snow, till his ear was -attracted by the plaintive tones of a child's voice, asking charity. He -looked up, and beheld a little girl without any shoes or stockings, -leading by the hand a Highland soldier, who was very handsome, but quite -blind. He appeared scarce thirty years of age: the tattered remnant of a -plaid which was wrapt round him bespoke poverty and distress in the -extreme, and scarcely sufficed to defend his body from the cold<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> wind -and snow. On his head he wore a sort of cap or bonnet, of various -colours; through the many holes of which his yellow hair appeared, and -waved to the breeze in long curls. By his side he wore an old sword, -which made Arthur conclude that he was a soldier. The little girl had -been asking relief of the passengers; but no one thought it worth while -to stop, at the risk of getting wet, to inquire into the cause of their -distress. One man rudely pushed the little suppliant away, calling her -an impostor, and a little beggar brat. She then turned with a sorrowful -look towards Arthur, who dropped into the plaid bonnet which she held in -her hand all the halfpence he had about him, and inquired if her father -were quite blind?</p> - -<p>The tears stood in the little girl's eyes, as she turned them -sorrowfully up to her father's face, and answered, "yes: he is <i>quite</i> -blind, and very ill."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span></p><p>"Poor man!" said Arthur; "how much he is to be pitied! Is he a -soldier?"</p> - -<p>"He was once a soldier, but he cannot see now," replied the little girl.</p> - -<p>"And what is your name?" asked Arthur.</p> - -<p>"Flora Glengary?"</p> - -<p>"And how came your father to lose his sight?"</p> - -<p>As Flora did not immediately reply, the soldier, taking off his cap, -said, "my good young gentleman, I was once a soldier, and served with -the army in Egypt, but lost my sight by lightning. I then took my little -girl, and came back to England, in hopes of being able to beg my way to -Dunbar, my native town, in Scotland, where I had friends; but now I can -get no farther, for I am very ill, and quite friendless. Before I lost -my bagpipes I got on very well; but now they are gone, I believe my -child and I must starve."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span></p><p>"And how came you to lose your pipes?" asked Arthur.</p> - -<p>"I fell sick, master, and was forced to sell them for a mere trifle. -Whilst I had them, I did not beg, exactly, for many people gave me money -to hear me play."</p> - -<p>"And how much would it cost you to buy them again?"</p> - -<p>"I cannot get them back for less than half a guinea," answered the -Highlander, sighing; "but we do not possess a sixpence in the world."</p> - -<p>"Will half a guinea restore your pipes to you?" eagerly inquired young -Stanly.</p> - -<p>He half checked himself, however, as he put his hand into his pocket, -and opened his purse; for he had no money, but one half guinea which his -aunt had recently given him, with a strict charge never to part with it -on any account. "My aunt will be very angry," said he, "if I give this -money away; besides, it was in my dear father's <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span>possession for many -years. I should like to keep it as long as he did." But when he saw the -look of joy and hope which shone in the eyes of the anxious Flora, as -she viewed the gold in his hand, he thought it would be cruel, indeed, -to disappoint her.</p> - -<p>"No, Flora," said he, "your father shall not starve while I have this, -which I really do not want, only for its having belonged to my father." -He then put the money into her bonnet, saying, "take this; buy the -bagpipes, and some bread for your father: I have no more, or it should -be yours."</p> - -<p>He would now have retreated; but Flora forcibly detained him, eagerly -seizing hold of his hand, and uttering a thousand thanks. At length, -however, he disengaged himself, and returned to the shop with a feeling -of happiness, which arises only from the knowledge of having performed -an act of real benevolence.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span></p><p>"Arthur," said his uncle, "where have you been? I have been waiting for -you some minutes. I have selected such books as I think will be the most -proper for your cousin Jane. Now, what is it you wish to have?"</p> - -<p>Arthur looked over several volumes which laid on the counter. "If you -have no objection, Sir, I should prefer either Homer's Iliad, or -Voltaire's History of Charles the Twelfth, or the Life of Gustavus -Vasa."</p> - -<p>"Any of these you can have," said his uncle; "it only remains for you to -determine."</p> - -<p>Arthur considered for a few minutes. "Homer I have read; we have it in -the library. I have not read either of the others; but I admire Gustavus -more than Charles, because I think he was the most amiable character. -Well, then, if you please, Sir, I will take this," said he, choosing an -elegantly bound pocket volume, containing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> the life of that excellent -monarch, by Raymond. He wrote his name in it, and Mr. Mansel packed it -up with the rest.</p> - -<p>The fall of snow having ceased, Arthur returned home, and Mr. Percy -proceeded to join his friends.</p> - -<p>Arthur tried to read part of the life of Gustavus aloud, to his aunt and -cousin: but, in spite of every thing, the misdeed of the morning would -obtrude into his thoughts; he therefore made some excuse, and retired to -the study, to consider what he should do.</p> - -<p>As he passed through the hall, and raised his eyes to the clock, his -conscience reproached him bitterly for his misconduct. He ran into the -study, and throwing himself into a chair, covered his face with both his -hands. It was the first fault of the kind he had ever committed, but -that did not lessen it in his eyes.</p> - -<p>Arthur bitterly lamented his idleness,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> when he first began writing. "If -I had not tried to catch the poor little robin," said he, "this would -not have happened; for I should have finished my writing in plenty of -time."</p> - -<p>Arthur actually shed tears of regret and sorrow at his own foolishness, -in thus having been tempted to deceive his good and unsuspecting uncle.</p> - -<p>While he was thus deploring his fault, Jane Percy softly stole into the -room, and taking one of his hands from his face, said in a soothing -voice,</p> - -<p>"My dear cousin, what is it that affects you? Will you not tell your -Jane?"</p> - -<p>Arthur was moved by the gentle, persuasive voice of his amiable -relative, and confided to her the cause of his sorrow. Jane was truly -grieved that her dear cousin Arthur should have acted so extremely -wrong; but she strove to console him in the best manner she could.</p> - -<p>"Consider, Arthur," said she, "it is the <i>first</i> fault of the kind you -ever were guilty of."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span></p><p>But this observation, far from comforting him, only added to his grief, -as reminding him that he had now forfeited his good name. It was true, -no one need know it but himself and Jane: but <i>he</i> was conscious of it, -and therefore he could never again bear to be praised for being a good -boy, when he knew he did not deserve that character.</p> - -<p>"Dear Arthur," said Jane, "I think it will be the best to go to your -uncle to-morrow morning, and tell him what you have done. He will not be -so angry if you openly confess it to him; and I know you will never do -so again."</p> - -<p>Arthur tenderly embraced his little cousin, and thanked her for her good -advice.</p> - -<p>"Indeed, Jane," said he, "that will be the best plan: for I would rather -my uncle should know it at once, and be angry, and punish me as I -deserve; for then I might, by my future good conduct, atone for my -transgression. But<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> I never can look up in his face with pleasure again, -knowing that I have deceived him."</p> - -<p>Arthur now wished to tell his cousin about little Flora and her father; -but a feeling of something like pride withheld him. He was afraid she -might think he told her, only to lessen the crime he had committed in -her eyes, he therefore remained silent on that subject; for Arthur knew -well that a generous action, however excellent, did not obliterate the -disgrace of deceit and falsehood.</p> - -<p>The next morning, when Mr. Percy came into the study, to set Arthur and -Jane their tasks, he offered to shake hands with his nephew, according -to his usual custom; but Arthur, bursting into tears, exclaimed,</p> - -<p>"Oh, Sir! I have been a very wicked boy, and am not worthy that you -should shake hands with me."</p> - -<p>Mr. Percy, much surprised, demanded<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> an explanation; and Arthur, with -great earnestness and simplicity, related what he had done.</p> - -<p>Mr. Percy was sensibly touched by the sincerity of his nephew, though at -the same time he was seriously displeased, for he did not like to be -deceived by a child: he therefore finished setting the copies, and left -the room, without saying a word; for though he would not punish Arthur, -as he had so nobly revealed the truth; yet he thought, if he left him in -doubt, it would operate on his mind as an adequate punishment. In this -opinion he was perfectly correct: for poor Arthur, imagining that he had -offended past all forgiveness, gave himself up to despair.</p> - -<p>Jane herself knew not what to think, but she tried to comfort her -disconsolate cousin; and whilst they were condoling together, they heard -Mrs. Percy calling them.</p> - -<p>"Come, make haste, children," said<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> she, "come and hear the Scotch -piper."</p> - -<p>The sound of music was plainly heard in the street; and Arthur eagerly -pressed forward to catch a glance at the musician. All the pain he had -previously suffered was amply repaid at that moment, by the sight of the -blind Highlander, and little Flora his daughter, who was looking, with -the greatest delight, at her father as he played.</p> - -<p>Arthur had the satisfaction of beholding many a handful of halfpence -thrown into the plaid bonnet of the now happy Flora.</p> - -<p>The Highlander came opposite the window. Mrs. Percy threw open the sash, -in order to bestow a trifle on the piper.</p> - -<p>Flora raised her eyes, and uttered almost a scream of joy, as she beheld -their little benefactor: exclaiming, "There he is—there he is!—Oh, how -glad I am to see him!"</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span></p><p>Arthur hastily drew in his head; for he feared lest his aunt should be -angry at his having parted with the half-guinea.</p> - -<p>But Flora still continued jumping about, and calling for him to look -out, and see how happy they were.</p> - -<p>"What can the child mean?" said Mr. Percy, who stood with them at the -window. "Let somebody call her in, and we will hear."</p> - -<p>"No, no, dear uncle, do not have her in," cried Arthur, in a tone of -entreaty.</p> - -<p>But Mr. Percy, who was determined to know the reason, left the room, and -hastened into the street; where he heard the whole account of his -nephew's generosity from the lips of the grateful Flora.</p> - -<p>At first he could scarcely credit it; but the truth was attested by the -soldier, who, on hearing Arthur's voice, declared it to be that of his -benefactor.</p> - -<p>Arthur, with tears in his eyes, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span>informed his aunt and cousin of the -whole affair, saying, as he concluded,</p> - -<p>"Indeed, my dear aunt, I could not help giving the money to them, though -it had been my father's."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Percy, far from blaming her nephew, applauded him as he deserved; -as to Jane, she was, if possible, the happiest of the party.</p> - -<p>Mr. Percy shortly after returned, and presenting his hand to Arthur, -said: "I now give you my hand with the greatest pleasure I ever did in -my life; your fault was trivial compared to your generous action, and I -am at this moment prouder of my nephew than if he had been born a -prince."</p> - -<p>That very day Mr. Percy presented Arthur with the Life of Charles XII; -and a beautiful edition of Homer, handsomely bound in purple morocco. He -also raised a subscription among his friends, to enable the blind piper -to return to the place of his nativity.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span></p><p>Arthur Stanly was often heard to declare, when he grew to man's estate, -that these two days had been the most miserable as well as the happiest -of his life.</p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>All eyes were attentively fixed on Mrs. Dormer as she concluded, and the -children agreed that this was the best story they had yet heard. When -they had done commenting on it, Edward observed that it was getting -dusk, and was time for him and his brother to be going. When he had -taken his leave, the children sat talking with their mother till near -dark, and Mrs. Dormer began to think it was almost bed-time. As Mary and -Kate were bidding her good-night, the latter happened to look towards a -flower-stand, on which Mrs. Dormer had placed the glass jar.</p> - -<p>"Oh, Mary," cried she, "look, look! the dear little glow-worms have come -back again!"</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span></p><p>As she spoke all the children ran to the jar, which glittered among the -plants, and every moment became an object of greater beauty, as the -brilliant insects, one by one, unfolded their light, as if in emulation -of each other, filling the vase wish lustre, and shewing every particle -of the moss they laid on, as if it were transparent. The children gazed -on it with the greatest admiration; at last Mary said,</p> - -<p>"I can hardly help laughing, to think how silly I was in the morning; -for I now see plainly the shape of the glow-worm is the same with the -brown beetles I was so angry with."</p> - -<p>"Oh, Mary," said Kate, "my aunt knew all about it, when she told us so -gravely that the ugly beetles would bring us news of the glow-worms."</p> - -<p>"I did, indeed," said her aunt, "for many summers ago I kept many of -them in wet moss and grass till near autumn; at that time they laid some -whitish eggs<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> and died. These eggs, however, did not produce any thing; -so I cannot tell you whether these insects assume any other form -previous to that you now see them in; nor can I direct you to any book -that will give you a satisfactory account."</p> - -<p>"Dear mamma," said Mary, "they are far from being ugly now; for they are -very brisk and lively, and constantly in motion, though in the morning -they seemed half dead."</p> - -<p>"It seems," said her mother, "that damp and dark places are necessary to -to their existence; and yet they appear only in the warmest weather.</p> - -<p>"But, Mary, there is another luminous insect, which some people mistake -for the glow-worm: it is of a very disgusting shape, being a species of -the centipede; it has, like that ugly insect, nearly fifty legs, on each -side, and runs amazingly fast, leaving behind a long trail of greenish -light."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span></p><p>"I should not like them at all," said William, "for I think the -centipede is uglier than a snake."</p> - -<p>"I have a great dislike to them, myself," said Mrs. Dormer; "but the -luminous centipede is not so frightful as those black ones you see -sometimes on cellar walls, and in old wood. I remember the first time I -saw any of the bright centipedes: I was coming home with my brother in -the evening, through a green lane; I saw something shine brightly in the -hedge: I ran up to it, thinking it was one of my favourite glow-worms, -but recoiled, with no little disgust, when I saw that I was going to lay -my hand on a nest of these centipedes, all writhing and clinging -together like serpents, shewing at the same time a brilliant light."</p> - -<p>"Dear!" said William, "how horrid they must have looked! I suppose, -mamma, you did not catch any?"</p> - -<p>"No," said Mrs. Dormer, "I was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> then very young, not much older than -Mary; and I could not conquer the antipathy I had to their hideous -shape. But my brother took one, and brought it home, and when we looked -at it by the light we found it was about two inches and a half long, of -a pale brown, and certainly the best-looking of its species that I have -seen."</p> - -<p>The children would have been glad to have asked some more questions, but -it grew so late, that their mother would not detain them from their -beds, and they went away talking about the story and the glow-worms.</p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>During the next week the children could think of nothing but the -pleasure they were to enjoy at Hampstead fair; and all of them were -continually wishing for a fine day. As the time drew near, Lewis and -Kate were every minute running into the hall, and climbing one of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> the -green chairs to consult the barometer; though I cannot say they -understood much about it. However, the evening before the wished-for day -Kate ventured boldly to predict beautiful weather for the morrow: they -all retired to rest, therefore, in excellent spirits. But when they -awoke in the morning the rain was descending in torrents, and the sky -looked as dark and heavy as if the wet weather had set in for a week. -The poor children passed the morning in great anxiety, frequently -peeping out at different windows, in hopes of seeing a little bit of -blue in the sky, and wishing in vain for the rain to clear off. When the -afternoon came, and they were forced to give up all hopes of going, Mary -retreated to a corner, and began to weep bitterly. Kate and her brothers -came and tried to comfort her; but Mary had set her mind so much on -going, that she only cried the more. Presently her mamma came<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> in; and -Mary, ashamed that her mother should see that she was such a baby as to -cry for a little disappointment, hid her face in her frock: but still -she could not suppress a sob or two. Mrs. Dormer came up to the corner -where they all were assembled.</p> - -<p>"What is the matter?" she said (putting Mary's frock from her eyes), -"What ails my poor Mary? Is she ill, or has some one hurt her?"</p> - -<p>Mary was much confused, and did not answer. Kate told her aunt that she -believed her cousin cried because the rain had hindered her from going -to the fair. Mrs. Dormer looked at Mary for some time, and then said,</p> - -<p>"I dare say, Mary, you expect that I should ridicule you for being so -weak as to cry; but I will not do so, for I see that you are ashamed of -it already. Come out of your corner, and see whether I can convince you, -that you might have gone to the fair, and it is possible<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> you might have -returned still more unhappy than you are now."</p> - -<p>Mary dried her tears; and her mamma seated her on part of her own chair. -The other children got their stools, and sat down by Mrs. Dormer.</p> - -<p>"I remember the time, Mary, when I was as anxious to see the fair as you -are now; and the day on which I was to go turned out quite fine, and yet -I was very far from spending it happily."</p> - -<p>"Pray, dear mamma," said William, "do tell us what happened; for I would -as soon hear you tell a story, as go to the fair; only we should have -liked to have spent another day with dear Edward."</p> - -<p>"I had written down all that happened," said his mother; "I meant to -have read it to you, one day or other, but I think this will be the best -time; for however you may laugh at the comical distresses I got into, -yet you would have found them very unpleasant,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> if they had befallen you -to-day. Listen then, my children, and hear my account of</p> - -<h3>A DAY AT HAMPSTEAD FAIR.</h3> - -<p>It is now nearly nineteen years ago, since my uncle Richmond came to -stay at this very house, with his two sons. You know, my dears, that -your grandfather lived here before we did: I was then about eleven years -old.</p> - -<p>My uncle, Captain Richmond, was my father's brother, and the commander -of a frigate in the navy; he had been on a long cruise, and was passing -a few weeks with my father, previously to his going to sea again.</p> - -<p>Captain Richmond had lost his wife: he had only two sons; one of whom -went to sea as a midshipman, under his father, and the other to the -naval academy at Portsmouth. This last was away from school for the -vacation; so<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> my uncle brought both of them to stay at my father's -house. My poor mother had rather delicate nerves, and these rough -sailor-boys discomposed her sadly: for they were as wild as tiger-cats, -and as full of mischief as monkeys; they broke her china, insulted her -lap-dog; stole her apples; ducked her hens in the pond (that very pond -you are so well acquainted with, Kate); and above all, affronted my -youngest brother Sam, who was my mother's pet. However, she bore with -all these enormities, out of respect to my uncle Richmond, who was a -brave, generous sailor, and sincerely attached to all his brother's -family. This visit was agreeable enough to us children, only Frank and -James Richmond were rather too rough in their play; and they sometimes -fell out with my eldest brother, William, bestowing on him the epithets -of "land-lubber," and "fresh water spark," when he displeased them. -These <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span>disputes were generally settled by my uncle with a few strokes of -a cat-o'-nine tails that he always carried in his coat-pocket, for the -accommodation of his sons. I was always engaged in these quarrels, -either on one side or the other; and as I never came in for a share of -the blows, I was sometimes wicked enough to laugh at the speed with -which my uncle chastised his boys, whether guilty or innocent; and at -the coolness with which the stripes were received by the young sailors. -My uncle always took it for granted his sons were in the wrong; but if -the instrument chanced to glance on the back of either of my brothers, -the house resounded with their lamentations.</p> - -<p>They had been at our house about six weeks, and were going away in a few -days, when the captain said to my mother one evening, "sister, to-morrow -is Hampstead fair; and I should like all the young ones to go, and have -a day of it."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span></p><p>My mother shook her head, and seemed to disapprove; but my uncle seemed -determined to have his own way: besides, my brother Sam set up a loud -fit of crying, for fear he should not go. This induced my mother to give -her consent; and the nurse-maid, Ann, and our old nurse Hill, were -ordered to hold themselves in readiness to attend us to the fair on the -morrow. Now my father was in London, where he had to spend two days on -business, or <i>he</i> might possibly have put a negative on this -arrangement; but as it was, we were all greatly delighted with the plan, -particularly uncle Richmond, who declared that he would go with us, and -steer us safely along.</p> - -<p>In the morning I was awoke by a loud shout under the window from -midshipman Frank. I got up quickly, and found my cousins dressed in -their uniforms, and looking very smart. Frank promised to be my beau, -and to take<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> great care of me. Well, it was past ten o'clock before we -were all ready. At last, out we marched in the following order: the -nurse-maid led my little sister Jane, and old nurse Hill the darling -Sam, of whom my mother had given us all special charge; then came Frank, -handing me along very politely, and Captain Richmond, with my brother -William and cousin James, brought up the rear. In this manner we -proceeded very sedately till we almost reached the town, and began to -hear the noise and bustle of the fair. Just as we came to the houses we -met a party of naval officers, who began shaking hands with Captain -Richmond, and telling him about some recent victory at sea. Away went my -uncle Richmond with them, without bestowing a thought on us poor -children, whom he had under his care. Then my troubles began. Master -James had behaved very peaceably while his father's eye was on him,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> for -he stood in some awe of the cat-o'-nine-tails, which he saw the Captain -put into his pocket before he set out; indeed his father said to him, -"Jem, if you are not on your best behaviour, you will have a taste of -it." But the moment his father was fairly out of sight he began his -pranks; he twitched his hand from William, and scampered some way before -us, until he met with a quiet old hen, clucking in the dusty road with a -few dirty chicks: the moment James saw the hen, he stole softly up, and -putting his foot under her, by a dexterous toss, sent her cackling and -screaming up in the air, as high as the garret windows of the next -house. After performing this exploit, he ran laughing back to us. Now -the old woman who owned the hen was enraged to see the unusual flight of -the poor creature, and running out, began to abuse James in a very -shrill voice, not sparing us, to whom she saw he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> belonged; but we had -certainly no share in the mischief. Mrs. Hill, our nurse, was a woman of -too much spirit to put up with so much injustice; she began to scold in -return, while the idle boy who had caused the quarrel stood laughing, -and provoking the old woman to greater rage. Frank enjoyed the fray as -much as his brother, but at last he attended to my intreaties, and -persuaded Mrs. Hill to walk on, and leave the angry old woman: but he -could not prevail on our good nurse to proceed, till she had quite -exhausted her breath in scolding.</p> - -<p>Master James seemed to think very highly of himself for this trick; he -marched before the whole party with his arms a-kimbo, kicking up the -dust, and on the look-out for another mischievous prank. Mrs. Hill, when -she had recovered her voice, scolded James for raising the dust: he -answered saucily; she retorted, and they entered<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> the fair, wrangling as -hard as they could.</p> - -<p>When we got among the crowd, James and William escaped from us, and got -into a merry-go-round. Frank very kindly staid with me, and handed me -about the fair. Sometimes we stopped to look at the fire-eaters, and -sometimes to view the Merry-Andrew. The sun shone very hot; and after we -had been in the fair about an hour and a half, I became very faint and -tired. The place got more and more crowded, and I could hardly move -among a throng of people, most of whom were a foot taller than myself. -Frank helped me through as well as he could, and we were making the best -of our way towards a fruit-stall, when a saucy little drummer pushed me -so rudely that I was nearly thrown on my face. Frank asked him how he -dared act so? and the drummer answered by twirling Frank's hat round on -his head, and calling him a powder-monkey. This<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> was rather more than -the little officer chose to bear, he therefore flew at the drummer, and -gave him a violent blow; this was immediately returned, and a furious -battle began. I escaped, half frighted to death, and luckily found Mrs. -Hill and little Sam in a stall close by. In a little time Frank had well -pummelled the drummer; but it was of no use waiting for him: he was off, -and so were James and William. It was now one o'clock, and little Jane -and Sam were very hungry. Nurse Hill proposed going out of the town, and -eating the provisions we had brought for dinner in a green meadow at a -little distance; but a new difficulty occurred: Master Sam, who had -before been very tractable, now spied out a large gingerbread cocked-hat -hung in front of a stall close by; this valuable article he insisted on -buying; but it was the sign of the stall, and the man it belonged to was -loth to sell it. However, after a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> great deal of bargaining, the man -agreed to take three shillings for the hat; this was sixpence more than -we had, and he would not take a farthing less, so poor Sam was -disappointed; but he thought (as all spoiled children do) to manage -matters abroad as he did at home, by a fit of crying: however, all his -screaming was of no avail here; and nurse Hill, greatly scandalized at -his bad behaviour, took him up in her arms, and carried him, kicking, -out of the fair.</p> - -<p>We had got to the field where we thought of dining before Sam was -pacified; at last we all sat down on the grass, and Ann took out of the -basket a nice damask napkin, with some cold roast chicken and ham packed -in vine leaves, and a bottle of cyder. We had all drank some of the -cyder, which much refreshed us, and just as we were preparing to eat our -dinner, a big boy stepped over nurse Hill's shoulder, and seizing the -napkin and all that was in it,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> ran off in an instant. Poor nurse Hill -ran after him, scolding and threatening, but it was of no use. The -hungry children cried bitterly for their lost dinner, and we had nothing -but the cyder left. Ann put the bottle in her basket, thanking her stars -that the thief had not taken that. Mrs. Hill thought it best for us to -return to the fair, and lay out the money we had left in victuals for -the children, and then try to collect the boys together and return home. -My head ached with the noise of the fair, and I was loth to go back to -it. We had nearly reached the town, when Frank met us; his face was -adorned with two black eyes, otherwise he did not seem to have received -much damage from the fight.</p> - -<p>"Where have you been, you tiresome boy? always fighting and quarrelling, -and scaring honest bodies out of their wits," screamed nurse Hill in a -shrill voice, as soon as she saw him.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span></p><p>"There, mother Hill," said Frank, "hold your tongue. I have taken no -hurt. I suppose you would have had me stood by, and see Mary pushed down -and trampled on by that land-lubber? but I dressed his tawdry jacket for -him. I say, cousin Mary," continued he, "I have been at the Bush, where -my father and a party of officers are dining; and they tell me that -Nelson has beaten the French soundly; and my father is appointed Captain -of a ship in Nelson's squadron, and we are ordered to sail next week, -and I am to go with them; huzza!"</p> - -<p>Frank now shouted and capered as if he was wild. I was a little peevish, -however, and did not like the noise he made. "I wish," said I, "you -would be quiet, Frank, and come back with us to the fair, and help find -those mad boys who have run away from us, and then we can go home."</p> - -<p>"Well, I will," said Frank; "but I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> forgot to tell you that my father -gave me a guinea when I was at the Bush, to be divided amongst you all -for fairings; and if mother Hill and Ann are good-tempered, they shall -come in for a share."</p> - -<p>This put us all in good-humour. We entered the town in high spirits, and -soon got some refreshment, and Sam directly went to the stall to buy the -gingerbread hat; but alas, it had been sold while he was gone. This -disappointment occasioned another fit of roaring; till, to appease him, -Mrs. Hill permitted him to mount one of the horses in a merry-go-round. -We stood a few minutes, seeing him spin round in great state, when my -brother William came up to us, crying aloud. He had certainly been -rolled in the dust, for his coat was covered with dirt. Before we could -inquire what was the matter James followed him: <i>he</i> did not cry, but he -was in a sad pickle; his nose was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> streaming with blood, the frill of -his shirt hung in tatters, and one skirt of his coat was rent off. We -really were not a little ashamed of this addition to our party: for a -mob, attracted by the noise William made, began to gather round us. At -this moment a hackney-coachman from London drove through the fair, -calling, "Who rides? who rides? A ride for a penny a-head." Frank gave -him a hail, as he called it. The man drew up, and Frank bustled James -and William into the coach; he then packed in nurse Hill, and the maid -with the children. As he was handing me up the steps I dropped my shoe -among the crowd.</p> - -<p>"Oh, my shoe!" I cried; "find my shoe!"</p> - -<p>"Never mind your shoe," said Frank, "we cannot look for it among so many -people." He then pushed me into the coach, jumped in himself, and the -man shut the door.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span></p><p>How we all contrived to get into one coach I cannot think to this day; -but when we were in, nurse asked the boys what had ailed them. William -began to cry afresh, and James to laugh.</p> - -<p>"How came you in such a plight, Jem?" asked Frank.</p> - -<p>"Why," said Jem, "you must know that a little while ago William and I -went up to a cake stall, and whilst I was bargaining, Master Will peeped -through a hole in an oyster-woman's stall close by, and there he saw a -little white pitcher standing on one of the tubs; so he stooped down and -picked up a pebble, which he threw with such good aim through the hole, -that the pitcher, which was full of spirits, broke in pieces, and all -the liquor ran among the oysters. The stall-woman flew out like a fury; -but she could not have told who had done it, you know, only a great -thick-headed boy who stood by pointed at poor Will, and said, "That is -the boy who threw<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> the stone." The fish-woman at this began to cuff poor -William, and knocked him into the dirt; whilst I, having nothing else to -do, gave the boy who had told the tale a good banging; but I believe I -came off the worst, for the boy was bigger and stronger than me, though -Will has made such a piping for a few thumps."</p> - -<p>By the time James had finished relating this mishap the coachman stopped -his horses; he said he had given us a good ride for our money, and would -go no farther; we offered to pay him handsomely if he would take us -home. "No," he said, "he could make more money by driving about the -fair, and he would not stir another step."</p> - -<p>Think of me, unhappy creature that I was, for I had to walk home with -only one shoe. Frank, to do him justice, was very kind, and offered to -carry me on his back; but that I did not choose, for fear the people we -met should laugh<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> at me. Well, we began to move slowly forward on the -road home. I leaned heavily on Frank's arm, and hopped some paces on one -foot. This mode of travelling so diverted the mischievous James, and he -burst into such immoderate fits of laughter, that I, provoked beyond all -endurance, began to cry as if I should break my heart. Frank was much -concerned at this, and threatened James that if he were not quiet, he -would get him a ropes-ending by telling his father. Frank then took off -the black silk handkerchief which he wore round his neck, and tied it -about my foot as well as he could, to defend me against the stones. -James, who was brought to order by my tears more than by his brother's -threats, begged my pardon, and offered to help me along. I took his arm -rather sulkily, and, supported by him and Frank, contrived to limp -forward a little way.</p> - -<p>As we were proceeding homewards in this melancholy manner a post-chaise<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> -drove past us. Presently it stopped, and my father jumped out; he came -towards us, much astonished at meeting with his children in such a -pitiful condition. He first looked at Frank's bruised face, and -William's dirty jacket; then at my foot, and James's bloody nose and -tattered garments.</p> - -<p>"Why, children," he said, "what do you all here so far from home? and -who has been misusing you in this manner?"</p> - -<p>We all lifted up our voices at once to reply; but nurse Hill contrived -to make hers sound the loudest.</p> - -<p>"Oh, Sir," she said, "the Captain would take us all to Hampstead fair; -but as soon as we got there he left us, and we have met with so many -mischances, that I thought I never should have brought the children -alive out of the fair."</p> - -<p>"So," said my father, "this is just like my mad-cap brother! What could<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> -induce their mother to trust so many children to such a hair-brained -creature?"</p> - -<p>We now complained how tired and hungry we all were; my father had us -children put into the chaise, and, bidding the postillion drive at a -foot-pace, walked by the side with Frank, hearing from him all our -disasters; and indeed we had all contrived to get into some misfortune -except our maid Ann, and quiet little Jane.</p> - -<p>I hardly need tell you that we were all rejoiced when we arrived at -home, and were fed and comforted after our fatigues.</p> - -<p>Some days after Captain Richmond and his sons set off for Portsmouth, -where his ship lay. It was a long time before I could laugh at our -mishaps; indeed I would cry bitterly if any one afterwards proposed our -spending another <i>day at Hampstead Fair</i>.</p> - -<p>"I do not wonder at it, mamma," said Mary. "Oh, how vexed I should<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> have -been! I am afraid that I should have fretted myself quite ill if such -disagreeable things had happened to me."</p> - -<p>"Therefore, Mary, such places are very improper for you, who cannot bear -any little accident with temper. I was not fretful, but I really -suffered severely from terror and fatigue. I see that Kate and William -are laughing, as if they did not think it very frightful."</p> - -<p>"Who can help laughing, mamma?" said William; "but I am sadly afraid, -that if Kate and I had gone to the fair we might have got into some -mischief, for we are both very careless."</p> - -<p>"Your brother William is my father," said Kate to her aunt.</p> - -<p>"Yes, my dear girl," said Mrs. Dormer, "and we often now laugh over our -misfortunes at Hampstead fair."</p> - -<p>The weather proved so wet all the week that it was impossible to go to -the fair either of the two remaining days on which it was held; but -after the first<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> disappointment was over, the children regretted it very -little; and they were made ample amends, by spending another happy, -quiet day with Edward and George before they went to school.</p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>The month of July passed away very delightfully. Kate's health was -greatly improved by the kind attention and judicious management of her -good aunt: the consumptive symptoms that had before threatened her -entirely disappeared, and by the middle of August she was considered -well enough to go back to school; but previously to that her father -wished her to return home with her uncle, aunt, and cousins, to spend -some days with him. This gentleman had recently purchased a landed -estate in Surrey, which he cultivated himself; and as he had now been -for some time comfortably settled in the farm, he came over to invite -them into Surrey at the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> joyous time of the harvest. The invitation was -accepted by Mr. and Mrs. Dormer; and the next day the whole party set -off for Mr. Richmond's estate. He drove Kate and William in his gig, and -Mary and Lewis followed with their father and mother in a post-chaise. -They enjoyed the ride greatly; and Kate strove to amuse her father, by -relating to him some of the stories she had heard from her aunt.</p> - -<p>It was past eight in the evening when they arrived at the farm. They -drove round a lawn to a large handsome white house; which, though an old -building, had a peculiar air of comfort and cheerfulness. Every thing -within, also, appeared very neat; and the children, who had never been -in a farm-house before, found plenty of objects to admire. The rows of -pewter, which filled a long range of shelves over the dresser, and that -rivalled silver itself in brightness, caught the attention of the young -<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span>strangers; who had a thousand questions to ask of their uncle, for -every thing they saw was entirely new to them.</p> - -<p>William and Mary ran to the door to look at a fine litter of young pigs, -which the dairy-maid was feeding with some milk.</p> - -<p>"Look, Mary," said William, "how those little pigs are quarrelling for -the milk! how greedy it seems of them, when there is plenty for all!"</p> - -<p>"It is very naughty for them to fight," said Lewis, "they are such -pretty little white creatures; what a pity it is that they are not -good."</p> - -<p>"They are indeed very pretty," said Kate; "but you know, Lewis, those -things which are the <i>prettiest</i> are not <i>always</i> the <i>best</i>."</p> - -<p>They were still amusing themselves by looking at the little pigs, when -they were called into the parlour to supper. The children gazed with -wonder at the profusion of victuals provided for them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> An enormous hot -apple-pie smoked in the middle of the table; on each side of it stood -two large custards. At one end of the table were three roast chickens -and a large ham, and at the other a huge plum-pudding. The journey had -made them very hungry, and they did honour to the ample supper that Mrs. -Harrison, the good old housekeeper, had provided for them.</p> - -<p>The children's eyes were open by sunrise in the morning, and Mary and -Kate jumped out of bed, and began dressing with great expedition, when -Mary looking out of the window into a green meadow below, exclaimed in a -tone of great surprise, "Oh, Kate, come and look at a beautiful creature -that is walking about in the meadow below: I never saw any fowl like it -before; it is prettier than mamma's stuffed humming-bird."</p> - -<p>Kate left off washing her face, and ran to the window, for she could -not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> think what Mary was admiring so much.</p> - -<p>"Oh, it is only the peacock," said she.</p> - -<p>"How I should like to catch it," said Mary. "Kate, is it tame?"</p> - -<p>"Not very, for it runs away and makes a noise if any one comes near it," -said Kate; "it was once very tame, but John used to pull the long -feathers out of its tail, and drive it about till it grew very cross, -and has not suffered any one to catch it since."</p> - -<p>"How cruel!" said Mary, "to pull out its nice feathers; what a pity John -is not good!"</p> - -<p>While Mary was tying her shoes, William and Lewis called out from an -adjoining room for her to look at a large flock of sheep which were -being driven into a field close by. Mary was astonished to see how -carefully the shepherd's dog guided them along, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> brought back those -which attempted to stray from the rest of the flock.</p> - -<p>"How pretty and innocent they look! don't they, Kate?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, Mary."</p> - -<p>"But look, Kate, Mrs. Harrison is crossing the yard; we shall be too -late to see the cows milked, and the calves suckled. Make haste and comb -out your hair," said Mary, impatiently.</p> - -<p>"We shall have plenty of time, dear Mary," replied Kate; "for, if you -remember, Mrs. Harrison promised last night to call us when she was -ready to show us the milking."</p> - -<p>But Mary was so impatient to see the young calves, and to drink the new -milk, that Kate led the way to the dairy, where the dairy-maid was -busily employed in taking off the cream of the yesterday's milk. Kate -was satisfying the curiosity of Mary respecting the various utensils, -when Mrs. Harrison entered with William and Lewis, and they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> all -proceeded to the cowhouse, where all the cows stood fastened up, waiting -to be milked.</p> - -<p>The children were all delighted when the calves were let out of the -adjoining crib, and came capering to suck.</p> - -<p>"Look, madam," said Mary, "how ill-tempered that spotted cow seems -towards her calf."</p> - -<p>"And now see, Mary, how she is kicking it! What a cruel creature to hurt -such a nice little calf?" exclaimed Lewis springing forward as he spoke, -and before Mrs. Harrison had time to prevent him, he bestowed on the cow -two or three hearty blows with an old shackle, which unfortunately for -the poor beast happened to lay near, saying, "Now learn to use your calf -so ill." But the cow, not being used to such rough treatment, began -kicking at a great rate. Lewis ran back to Mrs. Harrison in a fright.</p> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/i132.jpg" alt="Page 132 Page 143" /></div> - -<p class="bold">Page 132. <span class="s9"> </span> Page 143.</p> - -<p class="bold"><i>Published April 20 1823 by Harris & Son corner of S<sup>t</sup>. Pauls.</i></p> - -<p>"What ill-natured creatures cows<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> are," said Lewis, regarding the object -of his wrath with great indignation.</p> - -<p>"And yet, my dear, the cow was not so much to blame as you thought her, -for see how the calf has bitten her."</p> - -<p>"So it has, I declare," said Lewis, "for the blood is running quite -fast. I wish I had not been so hasty in striking her, poor thing."</p> - -<p>The cow was now quiet, and began eating her hay again. Lewis went up to -her, and stroked her face and sides, which she did not seem to take at -all amiss.</p> - -<p>"Now, dear Mrs. Harrison, will you give us a little new milk?" said -Kate; "here is the wooden cup."</p> - -<p>"With pleasure," said the good old lady, and she filled the cup and sent -it round; they each drank a good draught of the milk, and thought it -delicious.</p> - -<p>When the cows were all milked, they proceeded to the poultry-yard, and -Mrs. Harrison filled her lap with barley and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> dross wheat. At the sound -of her well known voice, all sorts of poultry came tumbling over each -other, in their eagerness to get their morning repast; turkeys and their -chicks, guinea-fowls, and a peahen with her brood. This last was -examined with great attention by Mary.</p> - -<p>"They are not prettier than chickens; nay, I do not like them so well," -said she.</p> - -<p>"No, my dear," returned Mrs. Harrison; "it is many months before the -young peachicks show any marks of their beauty; and then it is only the -male that is handsome, for you see the peahen is rather an ordinary -bird.</p> - -<p>"But where are all the geese?" said William; "for I see only two, under -coops, with some nice little yellow goslings."</p> - -<p>"All the geese, and large turkies, and ducks and hogs, are driven to the -barley fields after the crops are cleared; and there they find an -excellent living, by picking up the grains that have been scattered."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span></p><p>The little party now returned to the house; and on entering the -parlour, they kissed their mamma, and bid their father and uncle good -morning. They then took their seats at a side-table very orderly, and -ate their breakfasts of brown bread and milk, with great relish, for -rising so early had given them a keen appetite.</p> - -<p>When the cloth was removed, the children got round Mrs. Dormer, and -began to tell her all they had seen. Mr. Richmond seemed greatly -diverted by the adventure of Lewis with the cow; but advised him not to -be so ready in administering justice among the cattle, lest he should -get severely hurt for his pains.</p> - -<p>"And now," he said, "in about an hour I will return and take you to the -harvest-field. In the mean time, Kate shall go with you into the garden, -and there you will see the rabbits, and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> bees at work, only take -care that you are not stung."</p> - -<p>When they had sufficiently admired the rabbits, and looked at the bees -till they were tired, they walked up and down the garden with Mrs. -Dormer, till they saw their father and Mr. Richmond coming to them.</p> - -<p>The whole party now proceeded across the lawn; the giddy little Lewis -running on before till he reached a stile, which led into a field of -barley-stubble. In this field there were a large flock of geese and some -turkies, together with the peacock which Mary had admired in the -morning. Lewis, who was a careless fellow, got among them, and was -assaulted by the great turkey-cock, who ran after him, trying to bite -him.</p> - -<p>Lewis took to his heels, and in his haste to escape from the wrath of -the turkey, he disturbed a flock of goslings, which with the old grey -goose, were quietly sitting on the ground, sunning<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> themselves among the -stubble. The goose, seeing her brood in disorder, made such a lamentable -outcry as brought the gander and several of his companions to her aid. -Lewis was now in the greatest distress; he knew not which way to run. At -last he boldly faced about, and taking up a handful of stones, flung -them among the foremost of his enemies: the gander, enraged at this, -flapped his wings, and gave Lewis several unmerciful pecks on the back -of his leg.</p> - -<p>It would be difficult to determine which made the most noise, the geese, -or Lewis Dormer, for they screamed in concert, and were joined by the -turkies; and though the peacock did not attempt to assist his -neighbours, yet he added his note to increase the clamour.</p> - -<p>The noise did not fail to reach the ears of the party in the meadow, who -came quickly up to the barley-field. Mr. Richmond jumped over the -stile,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> and drove the geese away with his stick, and they retired -hissing and screaming to a little distance, while Lewis, with tears in -his eyes, ran to his mother, and related the bad behaviour of the -turkies and geese; declaring at the same time that he wished his uncle -would not keep such ill-tempered creatures, for he hated them all.</p> - -<p>"And yet, Lewis does not dislike roasted goose for dinner," said his -father, "and I have seen him eat turkey at Christmas."</p> - -<p>"Yes; but roasted geese never <i>hurt</i> me," said Lewis, rubbing his leg.</p> - -<p>"Will you go back, and wait till your leg is better?" said Mrs. Dormer.</p> - -<p>"Do, dear Lewis," said his cousin Kate; "and I will stay with you, and -we can look at the pictures in the great parlour."</p> - -<p>But Lewis, who did not relish the thoughts of returning to the house at -all, thanked his cousin, and said his leg was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> getting better; indeed, -he was in a few minutes the foremost in a race that William and Mary -were engaged in, and scampered along as if nothing had happened.</p> - -<p>They soon reached the harvest-field, where the men were busily employed -in loading and carrying the wheat. Here every thing was alive and -bustling: the men all looked cheerful and gay; some whistled or sung as -they worked, and others talked of the pleasures to be enjoyed at the -expected harvest-home supper.</p> - -<p>"Here is our good master coming, my boys," cried the men on the loaded -waggon to those below.</p> - -<p>"Well, my lads," said Mr. Richmond, as he drew near, "when am I to -prepare this harvest-supper for you?"</p> - -<p>"We expect, Sir, to bring home the last load to-morrow afternoon," said -the head man, respectfully taking off his hat to his master.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span></p><p>In that part of the field which was cleared the wives and children of -the labourers were permitted to begin gleaning. The children soon ran -off to observe the gleaners at work; and Mary and Kate began gathering -up the ears of corn, and presenting to those who appeared feeble, and -not able to work so hard as the others.</p> - -<p>"God bless your pretty faces, my little dears," said a poor old woman, -to whom Mary and Kate had given a large handful of corn.</p> - -<p>Lewis, hearing the benedictions which were so liberally bestowed on the -girls, and determining not to be out-done in generosity, began to -present large handfuls of the corn, which he pulled out of the standing -sheaves, to the women and children; when, just as Lewis began to fill -the lap of a little girl, his uncle touched him on the shoulder. "Aha! -my little man, if you are so bountiful I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> shall soon lose half the -profits of my fields."</p> - -<p>Lewis was quite in a fright, for he thought his uncle would be very -angry: indeed he had never recollected that the wheat was none of his to -give away; so he looked very penitent, and begged his uncle's pardon.</p> - -<p>His uncle readily forgave him; but reminded him that when he next -intended to be generous, at another person's expense, he must first ask -permission.</p> - -<p>Shortly after Mr. Richmond told them he was going to quit the field, as -they should have dinner very soon.</p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>The next day presented a scene of bustle and activity; every body was -busy, and every countenance beamed with joy—it was Harvest Home—and -there was not an individual on the farm<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> but what partook of the general -rejoicing that the master's corn was got safely in.</p> - -<p>The great oaken table was placed in the middle of the hall, and benches -and forms were brought to accommodate the guests. The hall itself was -decked with green boughs, and a sheaf of wheat was suspended over the -table. A barrel of ale was tapped, and a noble batch of harvest cakes -baked; and the gardener brought in a great basket full of apples and -plums, to entertain the good folks after supper.</p> - -<p>Mary and Kate were highly interested in the preparations for the -approaching festival. Mrs. Harrison, taking each of the little girls by -the hand, went from place to place, giving orders to the maids, and -seeing that her commands were executed; she then proceeded to make the -plum-puddings and apple-pies, Mary and Kate seating themselves by her -side and attentively looking on.</p> - -<p>Presently the butcher knocked at the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> kitchen door, and Mary's -admiration was excited on seeing the enormous pieces of beef and suet -which he took out of his basket.</p> - -<p>"Mrs. Harrison," she exclaimed, "how is all that meat to be eaten?"</p> - -<p>"I warrant you, my dear, there will not be a vast deal too much."</p> - -<p>And in a few minutes a great fire was made, the plum-puddings were put -into the copper, and two great pieces of beef laid down to roast.</p> - -<p>Towards the evening Mrs. Harrison put on her green lute-string gown -(which was never worn but on great occasions), her very best cap, and -worked-muslin apron, and the maid-servants decked themselves out in -their holiday-gowns.</p> - -<p>A shout of "The last load! huzzah! here comes the last load!" brought -the children to the window. They saw the last load of wheat coming home, -crowned with green boughs, and followed by men, women and children, some -before and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> some behind, shouting joyfully as they advanced.</p> - -<p>The little Dormers were in as high spirits as any of them; and William -and Lewis rushed out to see it unloaded.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Harrison hurried forwards with a large basket full of harvest -cakes, just hot from the oven, followed by one of the maids with a stone -pitcher of ale, to regale the harvest-men as soon as the waggon was -unloaded. The men with their wives and children then went home to dress.</p> - -<p>At length the supper hour arrived, and the pieces of beef which struck -Mary with such astonishment were placed on the table, and two great -plum-puddings at the head, and two at the foot, and a great apple-pie in -the middle; a large piece of bread and a mug of ale were also placed to -every plate. All had been arranged in the nicest order by Mrs. Harrison, -who now took the head of the table.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span></p><p>Mr. Richmond walked through the hall with the children, to see that -every thing was right, and that the people were comfortable. All the -farming men were there, with their wives and children, who looked the -pictures of health and joy: they were all standing round the table. When -Mr. Richmond entered, the men bowed, the women curtsied, and the -children followed the example of their parents.</p> - -<p>"Is every thing ready, Mrs. Harrison?" asked Mr. Richmond.</p> - -<p>"Yes, Sir; every thing," was the reply.</p> - -<p>"Then say grace, and begin your supper," rejoined he.</p> - -<p>Grace was accordingly said, and the company having taken their seats, -Mrs. Harrison began carving. When Mr. Richmond had seen them all helped, -he wished them a good appetite, and (that they might enjoy themselves -without restraint) withdrew with his delighted little visitors.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span></p><p>Nor had the guests been forgotten; for when the children entered the -dining parlour they found an excellent supper laid out for them.</p> - -<p>And now the cloth being removed, Mr. Richmond once more entered the -hall, and threw open the folding doors, that the children might see the -people.</p> - -<p>"Well, my good friends, how do you come on?" asked Mr. Richmond.</p> - -<p>"God bless your honour, bravely," replied many voices at once, and again -the head man rose and said grace, the cloth was taken away, and the -fruit and pitchers of ale put on the table; a horn full of beer was then -given to each. In a moment men, women and children burst into the -chorus-song of "Here's a health to our good master, the founder of the -feast." Certainly their voices were not very harmonious, and the words -were rather homely, the song having been used by their fathers before -them for many <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span>generations: but the children listened to it with great -pleasure; they afterwards heard their own healths given, one by one; and -Lewis seemed to think himself a person of great consequence when he was -toasted in turn.</p> - -<p>They staid up long after their usual time, and then retired to bed, -greatly pleased at the scene they had beheld.</p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>In a day or two after the jovial harvest-home Mr. and Mrs. Dormer took -leave of their good brother and his family. The tears stood in Kate's -eyes as she viewed the approach of the post-chaise which was to take her -aunt away. "And now," she said, "I shall lose you. Oh, how often I shall -think of your nice stories, and how happy I have been with my cousins, -when I am at school at Guilford."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Dormer stooped down and kissed away her tears, which now began to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> -fall very fast. "Do not grieve, my dear Kate, for these happy times will -soon come again, for your father has promised that you shall spend next -Christmas with me, and I have other stories which you shall hear then; -and I hope my little Kate will spend her Christmas holidays as -pleasantly as she has the Midsummer." Kate wiped away her tears at -hearing this joyful news, and summoned fortitude to bid her cousins -good-bye, though it required all Mrs. Harrison's kindness to comfort -her, when she could no longer see the carriage that bore them away.</p> - -<p>The intervening months passed rapidly away; the long anticipated -vacation arrived, and the little Dormers were once more gratified with -the company and conversation of their cousin Kate. A thousand little -occurrences were remembered and related with mutual satisfaction; and -amidst all the festivities attendant on the season of Christmas, the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> -intellectual enjoyment of hearing more tales was eagerly anticipated by -the children. The very first evening after Kate's arrival, therefore, -Mrs. Dormer was reminded of her kind promise: and as she was at all -times willing to gratify her beloved family, she desired the young folks -to form themselves into a comfortable circle round the fire whilst she -related the story of</p> - -<h3>THE PRIMROSE GIRL,</h3> - -<p class="bold">OR, LITTLE EMMA'S BIRTH-DAY.</p> - -<p>It was a beautiful morning in the month of April, when Mr. and Mrs. -Selwhyn arose somewhat earlier than their usual hour, on account of some -expected visitors who had been invited on that day to Heathwood Park, -for the purpose of celebrating the birth-day of little Emma, who, being -an only child, was made a great pet of, and who had now completed her -ninth year. She<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> was, indeed, a most promising little creature of her -age: but why was she so?—because she was good, and kind, obedient to -her parents, and attentive to all the instructions of her teachers: -therefore she might truly be called promising; because, my young -readers, if children do well at this early age, they promise to do -better when they grow older; and thus was Miss Emma Selwhyn at nine -years of age considered a very promising young lady by all her numerous -friends and acquaintance. It is no wonder, therefore, that her birth-day -was commemorated with peculiar pleasure by her fond parents, because -they hoped with the increase of years she would also increase in -learning, humility, and virtue.</p> - -<p>With this pleasing anticipation, Mrs. Selwhyn requested her husband to -favour her with half an hour's conversation, as they walked towards the -summer-house in the garden, which breathed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> the delicious fragrance of -the opening flowers!</p> - -<p>"I have been thinking, my love," said Mrs. Selwhyn, "if you have no -objection, of trying a little stratagem with Emma. As it is her -birth-day, I should wish to know whether thankfulness for her own -blessings would induce her to perform any act of kindness towards others -on this particular day, that she may with more pleasure remember it on -the next."</p> - -<p>"With all my heart," rejoined Mr. Selwhyn. "Let us try the experiment, -by presenting her, instead of personal ornaments as formerly, with a -purse of money, and we shall then see what she will do with it."</p> - -<p>"I shall be much disappointed if she does not make use of it in the way -I should wish," said Mrs. Selwhyn, drawing out of her pocket a neat red -morocco purse, containing two half-crown pieces, to which Mr. Selwhyn -added two more, making in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> the whole, the sum of ten shillings. Now this -was certainly a very large sum for a little girl of Emma's age to be -trusted with: for some children spend their money very foolishly, and -throw it away on mere trifles. However, we shall see what use Emma will -make of it, and I hope it will be a good one; for money is of little or -no value, unless it be appropriated to good purposes.</p> - -<p>"Now," said Mr. Selwhyn, "we will return; as by this time, I dare say, -Emma is ready for her breakfast, and will no doubt be delighted with the -unexpected present we are going to make her."</p> - -<p>"Oh, you cannot think," cried Mrs. Selwhyn, "how careful she is of her -money! I gave her two new shillings, and I should not be at all -surprised if she has one of them laid by."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Selwhyn now stopped a few moments, intending to gather some -flowers, but suddenly directing her attention <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span>towards the summer-house, -she perceived her amiable daughter in close conversation with a poor -little girl, who, though almost clothed in rags, was yet very clean and -modest in her appearance. She had no bonnet on her head, but a large -basket, plentifully supplied with bunches of primroses; and though she -had a smiling countenance, full of good-humour and sweetness, yet her -rosy cheeks were wet with tears, which she brushed away with hands that -were sun-burnt, but not dirty.</p> - -<p>"Poor little girl!" cried Emma, "I am very sorry for you, indeed; and I -am sure, if my mamma were here, she would let me buy a great many of -your primroses. I would buy all you have got in your basket if I could -afford it." With these words Emma, taking a bundle of primroses out of -the basket gave the little girl a penny, exclaiming, "how sorry I am -that I have no more than this penny; but if I had, you should be welcome -to it, indeed you should."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span></p><p>"Bless you, Miss," cried the primrose girl; "it is more than anybody -else has given me; and God will love you, because you are not proud, and -are not ashamed of speaking to a poor girl like me!"</p> - -<p>"Oh dear, I should be very wicked if I were ashamed of speaking to poor -people," said Emma. "Papa and mamma would be much displeased with me; -and they are so kind, that I should be sorry to do any thing to excite -their displeasure."</p> - -<p>The primrose girl now placed her basket on her head, and putting her -penny into one corner of it, sighed mournfully as she bade Emma adieu, -saying she would buy a penny roll, and carry it home to her sick mother.</p> - -<p>"Oh dear," cried Emma, "if you have got a sick mother, I am sure my -mamma would do something for her, for she is very kind to every body -that is ill. Where do you live, little girl?<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> pray tell me, and I will -come and see you, if mamma pleases, and bring you something. I have got -a nice basket, which will hold a great deal, you cannot think how much! -This is my birth-day, and what do you think I will do? I will save all -my plum-cake, and you shall have it for your sick mother, indeed you -shall."</p> - -<p>The primrose girl dropt a low curtsey, and informing her young -benefactress that her mother lived by the side of the old barn in the -forest, she tripped away in pursuit of more customers, and with a joyful -heart, that she had already got one penny towards the homely meal which -awaited her when the labours of the day should be over; while little -Emma awaited a very different scene in the splendid breakfast parlour in -the family mansion of Heathwood Park. Scarcely, however, could the -transports of Mr. and Mrs. Selwhyn be concealed in the presence of their -beloved child,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> the discovery of whose benevolent disposition towards -the poor primrose girl had rendered her doubly dear to them.</p> - -<p>"Well," cried Mrs. Selwhyn, "what do you think of Emma now?"</p> - -<p>"Think!" exclaimed Mr. Selwhyn, "why I am of opinion that the red -morocco purse cannot be better bestowed than on one who knows so well -how to make a proper use of it. Here she comes, with cheeks as fresh as -the blooming rose! But pray do not say a word of the primrose girl."</p> - -<p>Emma now came into the room, and paid her respects to her papa and -mamma, who kissing her ruby lips, reminded her that it was her -birth-day.</p> - -<p>"You are nine years old to-day, Emma," said Mrs. Selwhyn.</p> - -<p>"Yes, mamma; and nine more will make eighteen, and I shall be a great -woman, if I live till then; and my apple-tree, that papa said he planted -the day I was born, will be a great tree,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> with plenty of apples on it; -and you know, as it is mine, I may, when I am grown a woman, do what I -like with it."</p> - -<p>"Oh, certainly," exclaimed Mr. Selwhyn; "but pray, Emma, in that case, -what would you do with it? I should like to know."</p> - -<p>"Why, papa, I would gather all the apples I could find on it and make -them all into apple-dumplings, for poor little girls who had sick -mothers, and could not afford to buy any."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Selwhyn could no longer refrain from pressing her darling girl to -her maternal bosom, for at this moment a mother's heart was quite full; -while Mr. Selwhyn, equally delighted, affectionately kissed his beloved -daughter.</p> - -<p>"Mrs. Selwhyn," said he, "I believe it is high time to produce the red -morocco purse; it is really growing quite troublesome in my pocket."</p> - -<p>"Then suppose you give it without further delay," rejoined Mrs. Selwhyn.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span></p><p>"Emma, your papa is going to present you with a birth-day gift; a -little red morocco purse."</p> - -<p>"With money in it?" inquired Emma.</p> - -<p>"Yes, my love: a purse is of little use without there is money it."</p> - -<p>Emma was silent, but her blushing cheeks and sparkling eyes evinced the -secret pleasure which this intelligence conveyed.</p> - -<p>Mr. Selwhyn, while presenting his daughter with her birth-day gift, -said, "now Emma, place this carefully in your pocket; and though you -need not now examine its contents, remember they are entirely your own, -and you are at liberty to make use of them agreeable to your own -inclinations."</p> - -<p>"What, papa, may I do what I like with the money?" inquired Emma, -regarding the purse with a wishful eye, while she deposited it carefully -in her pocket.</p> - -<p>"I have given it you for that <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span>purpose," answered her fond parent; "only -remember, that if you live till next birth-day, you must inform me in -what manner you disposed of it." Mr. Selwhyn then retired to his study, -and his good lady was left alone with her daughter.</p> - -<p>"I will spare you from your studies, this morning, my dear Emma," said -Mrs. Selwhyn, "for we have company to dinner, because it is your -birth-day. But look! as I live, here is Susannah, your old nurse, -hobbling over the stile. She is coming, I suppose, to wish you many -happy returns of this day. She was a kind nurse to you, Emma, when you -was a helpless little baby, and could not take care of yourself; so I -will leave you to make her as welcome as you please, while I attend to -my domestic concerns."</p> - -<p>Susannah had by this time arrived at the garden-gate, and Emma with a -joyful countenance came out to meet her.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span></p><p>"How kind it is of you, dear Susannah," cried she, "to come and see me -on my birth-day! But you have walked a great way, and must be extremely -fatigued; pray sit down, and rest yourself."</p> - -<p>Susannah seated herself in the first chair she could find, for she was -very aged and infirm; and when Emma had taken off her cloak, and laid -aside her walking-stick, she thus addressed her:</p> - -<p>"There, Susannah, now you are seated, and may take as much rest as you -please, and I will wait on you, and bring you any thing you may want: -for mamma told me you was a kind nurse to me, when I was a little baby -and could not help myself, so now I have got strength, I will help you, -Susannah. Indeed, I should be very naughty if I did not. Will you take -any refreshment after your walk? Suppose I fetch you some nice cake, and -a little cream?"</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span></p><p>"Heaven preserve and bless you, my darling!" cried Susannah; "there is -no occasion for that: I see you, and I am happy; but I could not rest -without coming to bless you on your birth-day! You was a tender lamb, -and you are a tender lamb now. Heaven spare you to see many such days! -But I shall never live to see them—I am growing old and feeble."</p> - -<p>"Ah! but, Susannah, you do not know what I have got for you!" said Emma, -throwing her arms affectionately round Susannah's neck, while she slyly -drew from her pocket the red morocco purse. "Do you know, papa has given -me this pretty purse full of money, and says, because it is my -birth-day, I may do whatever I like with it. Let us see how much money -there is in it." The delighted Emma now threw the whole contents on the -table, exclaiming, "there, Susannah, four half-crown pieces, I declare! -Only think what a kind papa I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> have got, and what a deal of money he has -given me! Now, Susannah, I will give you two of these pieces, because -you are my nurse, and the other two I will keep for somebody. Oh dear, -what a charming thing it is to have plenty of money, to do whatever one -likes with! I am so happy you cannot think, because I know somebody I am -going to see, who will be quite happy too! It is a great pleasure to -make other people happy, when we can do it so pleasantly, is it not, -Susannah?"</p> - -<p>"My dear child," rejoined Susannah, "I cannot accept of your kindness -without the consent of your parents;" and with this remark she returned -the money, much to the mortification of Emma; who, however, after many -entreaties, at last prevailed on her visitor to put the two half-crowns -into her pocket.</p> - -<p>The maid now came in, to tell Emma that her mamma desired she would go<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> -and be dressed, and with an invitation to old Susannah that she would go -into the housekeeper's room, where she would be made quite comfortable. -Emma accordingly left Susannah, with a fresh kiss, and a fresh blessing -from the affectionate nurse.</p> - -<p>On being afterwards introduced to Mr. and Mrs. Selwhyn, from whom, on -that day, she always received her accustomed present of a new gown and a -guinea, Susannah pulled out the two half-crowns which Emma had given -her, and while she dwelt with artless simplicity on the kindness and -generosity of the young donor, she declared she could not receive her -gift without consulting them on the occasion.</p> - -<p>Mr. and Mrs. Selwhyn exchanged looks of evident satisfaction.</p> - -<p>"The red morocco purse will not disgrace its owner," said Mr. Selwhyn. -"You must certainly accept of Emma's present; so put the two -half-crowns<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> into your pocket, for the money was given to her with an -intimation that she might use it in any manner she liked best; and I am -very well satisfied that she knows so well how to appreciate its value."</p> - -<p>Before we proceed further, permit me to ask my young readers if it was -not very praiseworthy and amiable in Emma, to present her poor old nurse -with this mark of her bounty and affection? I am sure you will agree -with me; and if you have had a poor old nurse who has taken care of you -in your infancy, I have no doubt but you will be happy to imitate the -example of Miss Emma Selwhyn.</p> - -<p>At half-past three o'clock two carriages arrived at Heathwood Park, and -a very happy and agreeable party of friends assembled together. Indeed, -it was truly delightful to see with what marked attention little Emma -was treated by all her numerous friends and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span>acquaintances, several of -whom had brought her some very pretty birth-day presents. As she was -blessed with an excellent memory, her papa desired her to recite the -"Beggar's Petition," and it was very pretty to hear her say,</p> - -<div class="center"><div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<div>"Pity the Sorrows of a poor old man,</div> -<div>"Whose trembling limbs have borne him to your door,</div> -<div>"Whose days are dwindled to the shortest span:</div> -<div>"Oh, give relief, and Heaven will bless your store!"</div> -</div></div></div> - -<p>When she had finished she received the praises of every body present; -which would not have been the case had she not paid due attention to her -learning, by which she retained all she had read, and could with ease -repeat all her lessons on that account.</p> - -<p>A very large and beautiful plum-cake was now put on the table; but -though Emma was presented by her mamma with a double allowance, in -honour of her birth-day, she contrived to eat but a small portion of it -herself, reserving the rest for the benevolent purpose she had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> -intended: for the Primrose Girl and her sick mother were not forgotten, -as will appear in the sequel of our tale.</p> - -<p>The birth-day having closed in the most agreeable manner, Emma arose -very early the next morning, and, taking the basket under her arm, she -first of all deposited her large piece of plum-cake; she then ran down -stairs to Betty the cook, whom she addressed in the following manner:</p> - -<p>"Good morning, Betty; the weather is extremely pleasant; and as I am -going out for a walk, who knows but I may happen to meet with somebody -who is very poor, and very hungry? I shall take it very kind, Betty, if -you will put into my basket a little stale bread, or a little meat, or -any thing else you may have at hand. I shall be so much obliged to you; -and so, I dare say, will somebody else; for you know, Betty, it is a sad -thing to be hungry and poor!"</p> - -<p>Betty lost not a moment in complying<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> with Emma's request; but filled -the little basket as full as she could with cold victuals and other -trifling things: for not only Betty, but all the rest of the servants at -Heathwood Park, were very fond of their young mistress, whose amiable -disposition and gentle manners had rendered her a very deserving -favourite amongst them. And this, my reader will allow, was a very -commendable trait in Emma's character; for we must not look with -contempt upon servants because they are our inferiors; for they are not -only useful to us, but they are also our fellow-creatures, and sometimes -prove our friends, and there is nothing more unbecoming in young persons -than to speak uncivilly to those who are employed in their service. I -hope you will remember this, my young reader, and never pout, or look -cross at persons who do their duty towards you, in that humble station -in which it has pleased Providence to place them.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span></p><p>Emma now pursued her way to the forest, with the basket hanging on her -arm; but when she arrived there she was puzzled to find her way to the -barn. At last she met with an old woman who was going the same way.</p> - -<p>"Pray, Goody," cried Emma, "can you tell me where I can find an old -barn? I shall be so much obliged to you!"</p> - -<p>Now some old women are apt to be very inquisitive about what does not -concern them, yet they are by no means to be answered rudely on that -account.</p> - -<p>"Why, yes, pretty miss," cried the old woman, dropping a low curtsey -(for she soon saw that it was Miss Emma Selwhyn she was talking to), "it -is close by; and, as I am going that way, I will shew you: but pray, -miss, may I be so bold as to inquire who you may want? for, alack-a-day! -nobody lives there but Margery Blackbourne, the woodman's widow, and her -daughter<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> Fanny, who is nothing better than a poor primrose girl!"</p> - -<p>"A poor primrose girl!" cried Emma. "Ah, Goody, you are right, it is -that poor child I am going to see; and though she is nothing better than -a primrose girl, yet I like her very much, because she is good to her -mother who is sick; besides Fanny is altogether the nicest little girl I -ever saw!"</p> - -<p>"Fanny is much obliged to you, I am sure," rejoined the old woman; "and -indeed, I cannot say but the poor thing has a hard life of it. To be -forced to cry primroses from morning till night is no easy matter, when -one is both hungry and thirsty. But there is her mother, Miss; do not -you see her by yonder stile, picking up some dry sticks to light her -fire, while Fanny, I suppose, is gone to try if she can get her a morsel -of bread."</p> - -<p>Emma did not wait to listen to any further conversation of the old -woman,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> but she did not forget to reward her for the trouble she had -taken in shewing her the way, and slipping six-pence into her hand, -wished her good morning. She then went directly to the door of the poor -primrose girl, and found, to her no small satisfaction, that she had not -yet set out on her accustomed ramble, but was busily employed in boiling -a little pottage, over a very little fire for her mother's breakfast. -Emma immediately accosted her thus:</p> - -<p>"Ah, little Fanny, (for I am told that is your name) how do you do? and -how is your mother? I promised I would come, and I am so happy, you -cannot think, to find you at home."</p> - -<p>"Miss, will you be so good as to sit down?" asked the primrose girl; -"here is mother's great chair; it is the best we have got."</p> - -<p>"I do not mind where I sit, thank you, Fanny," said Emma, seating -herself on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> a little wooden stool before the fire, and placing her -basket on the table; "but I must not stay long, because my papa and -mamma do not know where I am; so make haste, Fanny, if you please, and -empty the basket which I have brought with me. I told you it would hold -a great deal, and it is quite full."</p> - -<p>The primrose girl did as she was desired; but when she saw the plum-cake -at the bottom of the basket, the poor little creature was so overcome, -that she burst into a flood of tears, and turning to Emma, clasped her -little sun-burnt hands together with heartfelt gratitude!</p> - -<p>"Oh, Miss!" she exclaimed, "this is too much for poor people like us to -expect. That you should save your plum-cake on purpose that we might -share it is so kind, so very kind, that indeed my heart is quite full, -and so will mammy's be, when she sees you."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span></p><p>At this instant poor Margery came in: but could scarcely believe her -senses, when she saw Miss Emma Selwhyn, the heiress of the rich Squire -of Heathwood Park, sitting on the wooden stool before the fire, in -familiar conversation with her daughter Fanny!</p> - -<p>Emma very soon explained the nature of her errand, and drawing out her -red morocco purse, presented Margery with the two remaining half-crowns -that were in it. "There," cried she, "take this money; it will buy you -some victuals when you are hungry. It is entirely my own, for my papa -gave it to me to do whatever I liked with it, so I shall now go home -quite contented and happy; and one day or other, when I am grown a great -woman, I will have a garden full of primroses, and that will always make -me remember Fanny."</p> - -<p>With this observation Emma retired, taking with her the blessings of the -poor widow, and the prayers of a fatherless<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> child! and these, my young -reader, are of great importance, and should never be lightly esteemed. -They will make you happy when you have nothing else to make you so, -because you cannot obtain these blessings except by the performance of -kind and benevolent actions.</p> - -<p>Emma, on returning from her visit of mercy, was rewarded by the warm -approbation and fond endearments of her beloved parents; and I am happy -to add, that she lived to witness the return of many joyful birth-days, -on which occasions the red morocco purse was always replenished with the -sum of four half crowns, with the same permission that she had hitherto -obtained from her papa. Two of these pieces were regularly bestowed on -Susannah her old nurse; and as there yet remained two at the bottom of -the purse, my reader will probably guess what Emma did with them. They -were, in fact, reserved as a present for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> her young favourite primrose -girl, Fanny of the forest, who ever gratefully remembered the fortunate -hour when she first beheld little Emma, to whom she sold a penny bunch -of primroses on the morning of her birth-day.</p> - -<p class="center space-above">THE END.</p> - -<p> </p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p class="center">LONDON:<br />PRINTED BY COX AND BAYLIS, GREAT QUEEN STREET.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span></p> - -<h2><i>The following Works are published by</i><br />HARRIS AND SON,</h2> - -<p class="bold"><i>Corner of St. Paul's Church-Yard</i>.</p> - -<div class="box"> -<p>1. SCENES of BRITISH WEALTH in PRODUCE, MANUFACTURES, and COMMERCE, for -the Amusement and Instruction of Little Tarry-at-Home Travellers; -illustrated with 84 Engravings. By the Rev. <span class="smcap">J. Taylor</span>, Author of Scenes -in England, Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. Price 7s. 6d. half-bound.</p> - -<p>2. SCENES IN ENGLAND, for the Amusement and Instruction of Little -Tarry-at-Home Travellers; illustrated by 84 Engravings and a Map. Price -5s. half-bound, and 7s. coloured. Second Edition.</p> - -<p>3. SCENES IN EUROPE, for the Amusement and Instruction of Little -Tarry-at-Home Travellers; illustrated by 84 Engravings and a Map; sixth -edition, corrected. Price 4s. half-bound, plain, and 6s. coloured.</p> - -<p>4. SCENES IN ASIA, for the Amusement and Instruction of Little -Tarry-at-Home Travellers; third edition, illustrated by 84 Engravings -and a Map. Price 4s. plain, and 6s. coloured.</p> - -<p>5. SCENES IN AFRICA, for the Amusement and Instruction of Little -Tarry-at-Home Travellers; illustrated by 84 Engravings and a Map, second -edition.</p> - -<p>6. SCENES IN AMERICA, for the Amusement and Instruction of Little -Tarry-at-Home Travellers; illustrated by 84 Engravings and a Map. Price -4s. half-bound, plain, and 6s. coloured.</p> - -<p class="center"><i>Also, just published</i>,</p> - -<p class="center">THE FOLLOWING WORKS BY VARIOUS AUTHORS.</p> - -<p>1. WARS of the JEWS, as related by Josephus; adapted to the Capacities -of Young Persons, and illustrated with 24 Engravings, after original -designs by Mr. <span class="smcap">Brooke</span>. Price 6s. half-bound, plain, and 7s. 6d. -coloured.</p> - -<p>2. CLAUDINE; or, Humility the Basis of all the Virtues, a Swiss Tale. By -the Author of "Always Happy," &c.; illustrated by 12 appropriate -Engravings. Price, half-bound, 4s. 6d. plain, and 6s. coloured.</p> - -<p>3. TRUE STORIES from ANCIENT HISTORY, chronologically arranged, from the -Creation of the World to the Death of Charlemagne. By the Author of -"True Stories from Modern History," &c. &c.; illustrated with 72 -Engravings, after original designs by Mr. <span class="smcap">Brooke</span>. Price 12s. 2 vols. -12mo. half-bound.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span></p> - -<p class="center"><i>New Publications.</i></p> - -<p>4. TOM TRIP'S NATURAL HISTORY of BIRDS and BEASTS; being a Collection of -84 Engravings, with short Descriptions to each, for Young Children. -Price, half-bound, 8s. coloured, or 5s. 6d. plain.</p> - -<p>5. POLAR SCENES, exhibited in the Voyages of Heemskirk and Barenz to the -Northern Regions; and in the Adventures of Four Russian Sailors at the -Island of Spitzbergen. Compiled for the Instruction of Youth, and -translated from the German of <span class="smcap">M. Campe</span>. Illustrated with 36 copper-plate -Engravings. Price 5s. plain, or 6s. 6d. coloured. Third Edition.</p> - -<p>6. THEODORE; or, THE CRUSADERS: a Tale for Youth. By Mrs. <span class="smcap">Hofland</span>, -Author of "The Son of a Genius," &c. Illustrated with 24 Plates. Price -5s. plain, half-bound, or 6s. 6d. coloured. Second Edition.</p> - -<p>7. THE TRAVELLER, or an Entertaining Journey round the Habitable Globe: -being a novel and easy Method of studying Geography. Second Edition. -Illustrated with 42 Plates, consisting of Views of the Principal Capital -Cities of the World, and the Costume of its various Inhabitants. Price -6s. plain, half-bound, or 7s. 6d. coloured. Third Edition.</p> - -<p>8. THE DAUGHTER OF A GENIUS: a Tale. By Mrs. <span class="smcap">Hofland</span>, Author of "The Son -of a Genius," &c. &c. Price 3s. 6d. half-bound.</p> - -<p>9. A VISIT TO GROVE COTTAGE; by the Author of "Fruits of Enterprize" and -"The India Cabinet." Illustrated with 12 Engravings.</p> - -<p>10. TWELVE STORIES FOR CHILDREN under Nine Years of Age; with -Engravings.</p> - -<p>11. ADELAIDE; or, the Massacre of St. Bartholomew: a Tale founded on -important Events during the Civil Wars of Henry IV. of France. By Mrs. -<span class="smcap">Hofland</span>, Author of "The Son of a Genius," the "Crusaders," &c. -Illustrated with 24 Engravings. Price 5s. half-bound.</p> - -<p class="space-above"><sup>*</sup>*<sup>*</sup> <span class="smcap">Harris</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Son</span>, <i>in addition to the above little Works, have -several in MS. which it is their intention to publish at different -periods; and, as they are anxious to produce such as have a tendency to -convey useful information, as well as those of an infantile description, -they hope to meet with a continuation of the encouragement which they -have hitherto experienced</i>.</p> -</div> - -<hr /> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/iback.jpg" alt="back" /></div> - -<p> </p> -<hr /> -<p> </p> - -<table border="0" style="background-color: #ccccff;margin: 0 auto;" cellpadding="10"> - <tr> - <td> - <p class="bold">Transcriber's note:</p> - <p>The original text contained several unpaired double quotation marks - which could not be corrected with certainty.</p> - </td> - </tr> -</table> - -<p> </p> -<p> </p> -<hr class="full" /> -<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TELL-TALE***</p> -<p>******* This file should be named 54480-h.htm or 54480-h.zip *******</p> -<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> -<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/5/4/4/8/54480">http://www.gutenberg.org/5/4/4/8/54480</a></p> -<p> -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed.</p> - -<p>Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. 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: The Tell-Tale - An Original Collection of Moral and Amusing Stories - - -Author: Catherine Parr Strickland Traill - - - -Release Date: April 3, 2017 [eBook #54480] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TELL-TALE*** - - -E-text prepared by MFR, Martin Pettit, and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images generously made -available by Internet Archive (https://archive.org) - - - -Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this - file which includes the original illustrations. - See 54480-h.htm or 54480-h.zip: - (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/54480/54480-h/54480-h.htm) - or - (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/54480/54480-h.zip) - - - Images of the original pages are available through - Internet Archive. See - https://archive.org/details/telltaleoriginal00traiiala - - - - - -THE TELL-TALE. - - -[Illustration: Page 153. Page 168. - -_Published April 20 1823 by Harris & Son corner of St. Pauls._] - - -THE TELL-TALE: - -An Original Collection of -Moral and Amusing Stories. - - - - - - -[Illustration: Decoration] - - -London: - -Harris and Son, -St. Paul's Church-Yard. -1823. - -London -Printed by Cox and Baylis, Great Queen Street. - - - - -THE TELL-TALE. - - - - -ARPHU, - -OR, THE FAIRY KITTEN. - - -"My dear mamma," said William Dormer, as he stood by his mother's knee, -"have you no more pretty stories to relate?" - -"Let me see," said Mrs. Dormer, "but I think I must have almost -exhausted my stock. Beauty and the Beast, I told you yesterday; the -Yellow Dwarf you know by heart, for you were telling it the other day to -your cousin; and as for Puss in Boots, the Sleeping Beauty, and -Whittington and his Cat, you know them nearly as well as I do. - -"However," added she, "I will endeavour to recollect something else; -but this is not the proper time for me to relate tales. When you have -done the sum which your papa has given you, and Mary has finished her -copy--and when Lewis has learned his lesson--when all this is done--why, -perhaps, by that time, I shall have thought of a new story." - -This observation produced the desired effect. Lewis, who had been -previously winding some thread about his fingers, began to apply himself -diligently to his task; William paid strict attention to his cyphering, -till it was completed; and Mary acquitted herself better than usual in -writing. The children then reminded their kind mother of her promise, -and anxiously inquired what story she had recollected. - -"You are very fond of fairy tales," said Mrs. Dormer, "and I am now -going to relate one, which is called 'The Fairy Kitten.'" - -"Oh dear!" said William, "did she catch mice? I never heard of fairies -keeping cats before." - -"Remember the White Cat," said Lewis, "I dare say she was one of _her_ -kittens." - -"Have patience," said Mrs. Dormer, "and you shall hear. - -"A very long time ago, when fairies dwelt in England, there lived on a -woody hill, near a lake in Cumberland, a king of the fairies, who was -very good and benevolent; and if any of his little subjects ever -committed evil or malicious tricks (to which it is said fairies are much -inclined), he was sure to punish them severely. But it was the -misfortune of this good king to have a little son, who, instead of -resembling his excellent father, was of a most wicked and cruel -disposition. The name of this mischievous being was Arphu, and to look -at him, every one would have thought him exceedingly good. He had a -beautiful face, and hair that glittered like sunbeams; he had downy -wings which shone with a thousand different colours, like that beautiful -stuffed humming-bird, which your kind uncle sent me. But though he had -all these beauties, he was always inclined to do evil, rather than good. -While the other fairies were, in obedience to the orders of the king, -busily employed in supporting flowers that had been overthrown by the -hail, or raising the ears of wheat which had been beaten to the earth by -a thunder storm, Arphu would silently slip away from these kind offices, -and fly or run through wet or mire, in search of mischief. If he chanced -to see a poor snail which with great toil had climbed a leaf to eat its -breakfast, he would give it so hard a push, that the hungry little -creature would tumble down, and have all its labour to begin again. If -he saw a harmless caterpillar crawling on a twig that overhung the -lake, he would shake the branch violently, and then laugh to see the -poor little animal descend by its slender thread, directly into the -water below, where a greedy fish waited to devour it. He loved to drive -flies into spiders' webs, and fish into nets; but his chief delight was -to follow some rude children, the sons of a farmer, who lived in the -valley under the hill. He did not mind if his golden ringlets were wet -through, or his splendid wings dabbled with mire, if he could follow -them in their play, and secretly tempt them to torment some harmless -bird or animal, which he took care to entrap for their cruel sport. - -[Illustration: Page 12. Page 4. - -_Published April 20 1823 by Harris & Son corner of St. Pauls._] - -This conduct gave great pain to the benevolent mind of the king; and, -after some time, he declared in council, that the next wicked action -which Arphu committed should be punished with exemplary severity. He -then ordered four of the wisest fairies to follow the young prince -secretly, and to bring him before his throne the next lawless deed they -found him doing. They obeyed, and that day caught him in a very wicked -trick. Two swallows had built their nest under the eaves of a farmer's -barn; but when they had completed it, and hatched their young, Arphu -stole up to the nest and loosened it from the barn, so that the tender -young ones were shattered to pieces on the ground. Whilst the -mischievous prince was surveying the dying pangs of the wretched little -birds, and listening to the woeful complaint of their parents, the -fairies seized him and hurried him to the foot of his father's throne, -where they related the distressing scene which they had just witnessed. - -The king, as you may suppose, was extremely angry, especially as this -cruelty had been exercised upon swallows, which were protected both by -fairies and men, for their industry in clearing the air from noxious -insects, and for their ingenuity in building their curious nests. -"Wicked and malicious little being!" said he, fixing his eyes with an -awful frown on Arphu; "thou shalt learn by thy own experience what it is -to suffer the miseries thou hast inflicted on others; and if this -punishment do not amend thee, thou shalt be for ever stripped of thy gay -wings and pearl coronet, and be confined with the evil gnomes in the -neighbouring iron mines. Fly from my sight, and receive the reward of -thy crimes!" - -Arphu willingly fled from the palace of his angry father: but he had not -proceeded far, before he felt himself whirled round and round in the air -with such violence that his head became giddy, and he soon lost all -sense. When he recovered, he was greatly astonished to find that he had -entered the body of a little kitten, belonging to a cat which was -tenderly nursing her young brood on some hay, in a loft over the -farmer's barn. He now comprehended the justice of his father's -sentence, and was aware that the very children whom he had taught to be -cruel, would now have it in their power to torment him. He shuddered at -the cruelty he had seen them practise; he shook and trembled in every -limb at the least noise; he tried to speak, and call out, but found that -he could only utter piteous mews; and to add to his distress, he could -not even see in this degraded state. His new mother, however, licked and -caressed him with much affection; and, after he had thought a great -while, and bitterly repented of his faults, he fell fast asleep. - -The next morning he awoke very cold and hungry, for the cat was gone. -Well, he pawed about with his little blind brothers and sisters, and got -as close to them as he could to warm himself, but they, in crawling -about to find their mother, often scratched his face with their claws: -he conceived, however, that they did not mean to hurt him, so he did not -return it, for his weak and wretched state had already taught him -wisdom. Presently he heard a loud purring: he shrunk in dismay, but he -recollected it was only the cat who came to suckle and comfort them. Now -for nine or ten days, old pussy took the tenderest care of her kits, -though she did not know that the fairy prince was one of them; and in -that time the kittens began to see clearly, and in a fortnight longer -they grew strong, and very pretty; and Arphu with the rest of the brood -began to frisk about and play a thousand funny tricks; and though they -sometimes quarrelled with him, and bit his ears or tail, Arphu took such -delight in their gambols, that he soon began to love them, and never -attempted to hurt them. Arphu had often dreaded the time when he was to -suffer pain, but so many days had gone by that he had almost forgotten -it. One morning, however, they heard a great noise on the hayloft -stairs: the kittens all fled in great haste from where they had been -frisking, and scampered into their nest, where they lay in great dread -crouching close to each other. And now there was the noise of a great -many feet on the stairs, and Arphu plainly distinguished the voices of -the farmer's children. - -"Come here, Maudlin," said Hodge, the eldest boy, "come and look about, -for I know that our Tib has kitted somewhere in the hayloft; let us find -the kits, and we will have a nice drown." - -"Go, Hodge!" said Maudlin, "you cruel boy! if I could find the poor -things, I would hide them all from you. You have grown so hard-hearted -of late!" - -All this time Hodge and his brothers were looking about, in spite of the -reproaches of the kind little Maudlin; but just as Hodge was giving up -his search, Gilbert, the youngest boy, trod on Arphu's tail, and gave -him such a pang, that he could not help mewing most piteously, which -instantly betrayed their hiding place. Gilbert turned over the hay as -quick as lightning, till he felt the soft fur of the kittens; then -called out, "I have found them, here they are." - -Poor Arphu, and his unfortunate brothers, were now dragged to the light: -whilst the gentle Maudlin wept to see the tender creatures in the hands -of her cruel brothers, who griped them barbarously, regardless of their -cries and wailings. After a few minutes the boys thought proper to carry -them down stairs, and with shouts of joy took them to the horse-pond, -where they ranged their shivering victims on the cold wet grass that -grew around it: they then began to choose the prettiest, that they -might save it. Poor Arphu's errors and sufferings may well be imagined, -but at length they chose him as the best; and tying some heavy stones -round the necks of all the others, plunged them one by one into the -pond; and Arphu saw his pretty brothers, his innocent frisking -playfellows, drowned before his face without mercy. Meanwhile the poor -cat, which was almost mad to see her young treated so barbarously, ran -amongst them, and seizing Arphu, dragged him off in her mouth. This way -of carrying hurt him very much: but the cruel boys were so busy putting -them to death, that they did not see pussy make off with him; and she -soon carried him to a new hiding place. This was the hollow branch of a -tree in the farmer's garden. Here Arphu suffered a great deal of cold, -and on a moonlight night he would put his little nose out of the hole -and see his fellow fairies dance in the meadow below, and look most gay -and beautiful: but no one took notice of him in his fallen state. - -For a long time Arphu could not forget the pretty playfellows he loved -so much, and with whom he used to have such merry games; but the playful -nature of a kitten gradually overcame his grief, and he began to run up -and down the oak, and ventured on the grass underneath, where he played -in the sun with his shadow, and ran after his tail, the length and -beauty of which was so great, that though a fairy, he could not help -admiring it. And now our careless little Arphu by degrees forgot his -cruel foes; till one fine sunny morning, when he was asleep under the -oak, chance led Gilbert that way. The artful boy made no noise, but -creeping softly forward, sprung upon Arphu, and held him so fast, that -he almost squeezed him to death. He then ran into the kitchen, where the -farmer's family were at breakfast; and putting Arphu on little -Maudlin's lap, he exclaimed, "I have found him at last; old Tib must -have hid him in the garden, for he lay beneath the great oak." Maudlin -tenderly stroked the kitten, and said, "Ah, pretty creature, I am sorry -they have found thee, for I sadly fear they will hurt and ill use thee." - -The good little girl then began to feed Arphu out of her bason; but at -this unlucky minute the ill-natured Hodge came in, calling in a surly -tone for his breakfast. He had been clipping the hedge in the front of -the house, and was in a very ill humour, as he always was when he had -any thing to do. Little Maudlin got up to pour his milk out of the -boiler, but no sooner had she placed the kitten on her stool than the -cruel Hodge in a moment laid his hands on it, and seizing the shears, -cut the poor thing's nice velvet ears close to its head. He was then -going to cut its tail, but the piteous cries of the miserable little -animal called Maudlin to its aid. Maudlin, seeing the kitten all over -blood, began to cry; and her father, who loved his little girl dearly, -called to Hodge: "Let thy sister's kitten alone, sirrah! or I will -thrash thee soundly." Emboldened by this threat, Maudlin snatched Arphu -out of her brother's hands, and ran down the garden to hide him. Hodge -flew after her to see where the kitten was put; but just as he came up -with her, Maudlin fell over the stump of a tree, Hodge tumbled on her, -and his weight and hers together crushed poor Arphu to death. - -Maudlin wept bitterly when she got up and saw what had happened; and the -farmer coming up with his long cart whip, gave Hodge a handsome trimming -for his cruelty and disobedience. And now Arphu, finding himself -released from the body in which he had suffered so much pain, went and -knelt as a penitent before his father's throne, shuddering at the -recollection of the agony he had so recently endured, and humbly -promising amendment for the future. The fairy king was rejoiced to find -that the harsh lesson had done his little Arphu good, and tenderly -condoling him for his sufferings, restored him to favour again; and I am -happy to add that Arphu was never known to be again malicious, but ever -remembered his own woes when he saw any animal tormented. - -"How strange, mamma!" said William; "I never heard a fairy tale before, -but what had giants, and enchanters, and princesses in it." - -"Well, William," said Mary, "it is quite as good without them. I wish my -cousin John had heard it, because be might have learnt to treat poor -little helpless animals better than he does. I don't like him, because -he is such a cruel boy." - -"Yes," said William, "it might have made him better; but I will try to -remember it, and tell it all to my cousin Kate, when she comes." - -"You will soon have an opportunity, my love," said Mrs. Dormer, "for -your uncle brings Kate to-morrow to spend the Midsummer holidays with -us, and perhaps to stay some time longer: for her health is very -indifferent, and I hope the pleasant air of Hampstead will do her good." - -"How glad I am," said Mary. "But I hope he won't bring John, for he -would spoil all our pleasure. The last time he was here, he pinched -Kate, and kicked me; and you remember William beat him for it; and my -uncle was so angry!" - -"Yes, my love; but William should not have taken the law into his own -hands. However, do not be alarmed, for John is not to come. I cannot -wonder at your disliking him, for he is by no means good or gentle. But -you must remember that he lost his mother during his infancy, which was -a great disadvantage to him; and his father never sees him or Kate, but -when they return from school for the holidays." - -"But, mamma, Kate is very good." - -"Yes, my dear Willy, Kate is very sweet-tempered and patient; but, like -William, she is rather careless. And now, my dears, look out of the -window, and see what your papa and the carpenter are about." - -"Oh, mamma," said little Lewis, "papa has a long rope, and a nice little -chair, and Taylor is putting up two great posts." - -"Do not you remember the swing he promised you?" asked Mrs. Dormer. - -"Oh, what a good papa!" said William; "come mamma, do let us go and look -at it." - -"With pleasure," said the good mother, and taking William and Mary by -the hand, she went down the garden, preceded by the little Lewis, who -literally jumped for joy. - -After the arrival of cousin Kate, the little Dormers were so busy in -making her welcome, and so much occupied with the new swing, that they -forgot to ask their mamma for another story. The next afternoon, after -they had finished their lessons, and were preparing for a visit to the -swing, it began to rain very fast. This put a stop to their intended -amusement, and, what was worse, they could not run on the grass for fear -of catching cold; all the children, therefore, crowded together on one -of the window seats, and remained some time looking sorrowfully at the -rain. At last William said, "if mamma would tell us another story about -Arphu, we should not be so dull as we now are." - -"Well, my Willy," said Mrs. Dormer, "you shall not be dull if I can -help it--I will tell you another story, though it is not about Arphu." - -On hearing this, the four children got down from the window seat, and -bringing their stools, seated themselves around Mrs. Dormer, anxious to -hear the promised story. - - - - -THE LITTLE WATER-CARRIER; - -OR, THE REWARD OF INDUSTRY. - - -"Mamma," said little Sidney Fletcher, taking his mother's hand and -leading her to the window, "do look at that little boy who is carrying -those water-buckets on his shoulders through the rain." - -"Well, Sydney, I see him; but why did you wish me to leave my work? was -it only to look at the little water-carrier?" inquired Mrs. Fletcher. - -[Illustration: Page 20. Page 27. - -_Published April 20 1823 by Harris & Son corner of St. Pauls._] - -"I wanted, my dear mamma, to know what his name is; I thought you could -tell me." - -"And why did you want to know his name?" said his mother. - -"Because," answered Sydney, "he seems so industrious. Charles and myself -often sit and watch him from the school-room window. He comes from -behind that opening in the street, going to work very early, and keeping -on till it is almost dark; don't you think the poor fellow must be very -much tired before night?" - -Mrs. Fletcher was pleased to see the amiable disposition of her child, -and said, - -"My dear boy, I have myself often observed the industry of the little -water-carrier. I dare say he is a good boy; for he never appears -discontented at his burden, but carries it cheerfully along, though it -is certainly too great a weight for one so small." - -"Indeed, mamma," said Sidney, "I do not think I should be near so -patient as he is, for I would walk slower, and not go so often." - -"Then you would do very wrong, Sidney: for if you were forced to work, -would it not render the labour lighter to do it willingly, and make -haste? That little boy ought to be a pattern for you and Charles." - -"You are right, mamma, I do think, in what you say," observed Sidney -thoughtfully; "for I got my Latin lesson done much sooner (though it was -very hard) this morning, because I learned it fast, and did not leave -off to look out at the window, or to play; and papa gave me this nice -pencil-case, and said I was a good boy." - -"Then, Sydney," said his mother, "I hope you will not forfeit your good -name; and if your father says to-morrow evening that you are still a -good boy, and have not done any thing amiss, I will give you the silver -pen you have wished for so long." - -Sidney was sure that he should be good enough to merit the pen, which he -had long desired to possess. He was so pleased already with the thought -of the reward, that he began jumping about the room for joy, making -rather more noise than his mother's head could bear. - -"I fear, Sidney, you are in a fair way of losing the pen, if you go on -making so much noise, for that is not being good: but I do not wish to -alarm you (for Sidney began to look rather grave); see, here are your -sisters and brother, with your papa," - -Who then entered the room. Marcella, the eldest girl, was a year younger -than her brother Charles, who was nearly fourteen years old: Sidney was -eleven, and little Juliet eight. The two boys were studying the Latin -language, with the help of their father; and Marcella French with her -mother: as to little Juliet, she was as yet but in the first rudiments -of English grammar. Mr. Fletcher instructed the girls in writing and -cyphering with their brothers. - -The rain having left off, the children put on their hats, and went to -take a walk with their father. Mrs. Fletcher preferred remaining at -home, to the great disappointment of Sydney, who was very fond of his -mother; besides, he thought he should be less likely to err if she were -with him. - -Their way lay through a beautiful green lane, by the side of a wood. -Charles, who was of a more serious turn than the generality of children -of his early age, walked with his father, conversing on the various -objects that met their view as they proceeded; whilst the other children -tripped gaily on before, sometimes running races, and at other times -gathering the wild flowers that grew in the hedges. Little Juliet at -length called them. - -"Come, come," said she, "and see what I have found." - -Sidney and Marcella soon came running to the spot where Juliet was -plucking wild strawberries. - -"I would not eat any till you came up," said little Juliet. - -"That was a good girl," said her sister. - -Sidney kissed her for remembering them, but said, "I will not take them -from you, for I know where I can get plenty;" and away he ran, till he -found a large gap in the hedge, through which he climbed up the bank -into the wood. Marcella begged him to return; but Sidney was deaf to all -intreaties, and invited them to follow his example. Marcella would not, -and told him how wrong it was to trespass on forbidden grounds. - -"Oh," said he, "but I am not doing any hurt. Only see what a quantity of -nice strawberries I have got in my hat: if you will hold your frock, I -will throw you some." - -"No, Sidney," said she, "they do not belong to us: we have no right to -any of them." - -"Why, if I did not pluck them the birds would, and you know the owner of -the wood cannot hinder them," answered Sidney. - -"Well, then," said Juliet, "consider how you are robbing the pretty -robin redbreasts and the blackbirds of their food. Come back, come back, -Sydney, for papa is close by." - -"Wait a minute," said he. - -"Make haste, then." - -"Here I am," said he, jumping across the ditch, which, unfortunately for -him, was at that part half full of dirty water, and the opposite side -high and slippery. Just as he had gained the edge of the bank his feet -slipped, and he fell back into the water up to his middle, and his new -trowsers were dirted all over. With some trouble he contrived to -scramble out, by the assistance of his sisters; and whilst they were -trying to fish out his hat, which unfortunately had fallen into the -ditch, and was now sailing about with the unlucky strawberries in it, -Mr. Fletcher and Charles came up to where Sidney stood, dripping with -wet, and wringing the water from his jacket. - -"How is this, Sidney?" inquired his father: "have you been learning to -swim in this clear stream with your clothes on?" - -Sidney felt very much ashamed, for he did not like to confess how -foolishly he had acted, and happening at this moment to recollect the -silver pen, he conceived it was certainly lost: he therefore hung down -his head and began to cry bitterly. - -"Come, Sidney," said his father, "do not be such a baby as to cry: if -you did fall into the ditch it cannot be helped; I dare say it was -accidental." - -But Sidney, who well knew how naughty he had been, only wept the more. - -Charles having, in the mean time, by the assistance of his father's -walking-stick, brought the hat and all its cargo safe to land, a -suspicion of somewhat like the truth struck the mind of Mr. Fletcher, -who demanded an account of the whole transaction. Marcella knew that her -brother would rather suffer any punishment than tell a falsehood to -screen himself, she therefore gave her father a brief account of the -unlucky affair. - -Mr. Fletcher observed, that the fault had brought its own punishment; -and bade the children hasten home, as Sidney's wet clothes might do him -a serious injury, if they were not speedily changed. - -Sidney ran into the parlour, and with tears of real penitence confessed -the fault to his mother. - -"Well, Sidney," said his good mamma, "I am not _very_ angry with you, -as you have candidly told me all. But I fear the pen is forfeited; and -you must not mind having to appear in those dirtied clothes, for I -cannot afford to buy you new ones yet. I think you will take more heed, -and not be so naughty for the future." - -Sidney kissed his dear, kind mamma, and declared that he deserved to -lose the pen, and wear the spoiled clothes, as a warning for him never -to act contrary to the good advice of his sisters. - -His mother then bade him change his clothes and return again to her. In -about ten minutes Sidney returned, looking very clean and neat in his -everyday clothes. He found his father, and brother, and sisters in the -room. When he came in Mrs. Fletcher said, "now, children, I have some -news concerning your little favourite the water-carrier." The two boys -got on each side of her, eagerly asking her what she had heard about -him. - -"If you will have patience I will tell you, said Mrs. Fletcher. As soon -as you were all gone, I put on my hat, and went to pay my milkwoman, -Mrs. Beals, who lives under the same roof as the little water-carrier. -There I learnt that he is a French boy, who has neither father nor -mother, but only a blind grandfather, whom he entirely supports by his -industry. This was enough for me; I tapped at the door, which was opened -by the little fellow himself. He had been drawing water from the well; -but on perceiving me he left his pails, and came up, cap in hand, and -having dusted a chair, begged me, in the best English he could speak, to -be seated. At one end of the kitchen, which, though scantily furnished, -was very clean, sat an old man, with white hair and a long silver beard, -splitting straw." - -"An old man, with a long white beard!" exclaimed all the little -children; "how funny he must have looked!" - -"Did you not burst out a laughing, mamma, when you saw him?" asked -little Juliet. - -"No, indeed: I did not commit so foolish and cruel an action, as to -laugh at an old blind man," said Mrs. Fletcher. "But are you inclined to -hear the rest, or I shall leave off?" - -"Oh no, dear mamma, do not leave off--pray go on," cried all the -children in a breath. - -"Well, I did not burst out a laughing, as you supposed, Juliet, but I -took a seat close by the old blind man, who rose and asked Louis in -French whether he had given the lady a seat, for he knew me to be a -female by my voice. Now, children, I must inform you that the -conversation was carried on in French; but as you do not understand that -language, I shall give it you, as near as I can remember, in English. - -"I told him that I was a neighbour, and hearing that he was both blind -and ill, had come to see if I could render him any assistance. He -expressed his gratitude, and said that he had been very sadly, but, by -the blessing of God, he was now much better, owing to the care and -tenderness with which his little grandchild had nursed him. - -"I then told him how interested you all were for the little -water-carrier. The old man smiled with pleasure, and said, 'Louis is -indeed a good boy, and God will take care of him, and bountifully reward -him for all the dutiful kindness he has shown to me.' - -"He told me that Louis was nearly fifteen years old. - -"'How long have you, then, been in this country?' asked I. - -"'Nearly four years,' said the old man, 'during which time my son Louis -has supported me by his industry.' - -"I then asked him why he came to England. He said, 'Oh, lady, when the -wars and the troubles broke out in our own country, I was too fond of my -king to fight against him, so with my son and daughter, and this little -Louis, I embarked, with what money we had, for England; but a storm came -on in the night--the packet was wrecked, and my two children perished in -the waves. By some miracle, myself and my grandchild were saved: but we -lost all our property. You may be sure, madam, that I sorrowed greatly -for the loss of my dear children; I would much rather it had pleased God -to have taken me instead, or all of us together: but it was not so, and -His will be done. I was enabled to reach London by the charity of a -worthy gentleman, who likewise put me in a way of earning my bread by -straw-work.' - -"I relate this to you, as near as I can, in the same way old Justin told -it to me. But to go on: he lived in this manner some time, but at length -he fell sick of a fever, which deprived him of that greatest of all -earthly blessings, his sight. His friend, the good gentleman, died -suddenly, and Justin had exhausted all his little savings in medicine. -Being blind he was unable to work, therefore what was he to do? Louis -indeed had learned the art of working in straw: but he was very young, -and his time was fully taken up in attending on his sick grandfather. - -"On Justin's recovery, his landlady, finding that her lodgers had no -means of paying their rent, advised him to travel down to one of the -large towns, where he would get a double price for his straw baskets; -besides which, she assured him that Louis would die, shut up in the -close air of London. Pleased by the hopes which the woman held out to -him, Justin and his grandson set off to travel down into the country. He -said he did indeed experience great kindness from the people. He did not -like to beg--he had never in his life before asked for a piece of -bread; but the silent pleading of his little Louis, and his own forlorn -state, moved the charitable hearts of the English to pity and relieve -them." - -Here Mrs. Fletcher paused to take breath. - -"Well, mamma, go on," said Sidney, impatient to know what became of poor -Justin. - -"Do, dear mother, tell us all," said Charles and Marcella both together. - -"Well, my dears, at last they came to this city, and a good widow took -them into her house till they could get some employment. It was at a -time when water was very scarce, as it often is at this part of the -city, and water-carriers being in great request, the good widow heard of -a place where Louis might probably earn some money. Louis was very happy -to hear of this, and being fitted out with pails, he commenced his new -employment, and worked so hard, that at the end of the week he brought -home to his grandfather seven shillings. The benevolent widow, though -she was in very moderate circumstances herself, would not take any -payment for the time they had been at her house, and, not content with -this kindness, she engaged to dispose of any little trifle they could -manufacture in straw, to the ladies at whose houses she went to work. - -"'You may be sure, madam,' said old Justin, 'that we were very grateful -for the benefits bestowed by this excellent woman; but we insisted on -her sharing the profits of our little works. Louis gave great -satisfaction wherever he went with his water pails. One lady took a -great deal of notice of him, because of his beautiful curling hair, and -presented him with a new cap; another lady gave him a trifle to hear him -talk in his broken English. Louis continued to work so hard, that I was -fearful he would ruin his health; he now always earned eight shillings -every week by carrying of water, besides putting our little dwelling to -rights, and settling me to my employment, which was only splitting and -preparing straw for him against the evening, for then he fell to work -himself, and soon made straw baskets and boxes much quicker and neater -than I ever could." The well whence Louis drew the water was at some -distance from their lodgings, and the kind-hearted widow procured the -rooms they now inhabit at a low rate. Being now close to the water, -Louis was able to carry a great deal more in a day; they went on for -about a year very comfortably, but at length old Justin fell sick, and -then it was, Sidney, you used to see Louis working so hard in the rain, -and beginning so much earlier, and keeping on till dark in the evening, -that he might earn enough to support his sick grandfather. A little -after this, their good friend the widow was forced to go up to London, -to attend a daughter who was taken ill. I have now told you, my -children, all that old Justin communicated to me." - -"Oh, thank you, dear mamma," said Sidney, "for telling us all this. But -what did Louis say to you?" - -"Why Louis took my hand, and said, 'May God bless sweet lady, for you -much good and ver kind.' - -"I asked him two or three questions in English, and, among others, if he -could read. He considered a minute or two, and then said very quickly, -'Louis no book--me no read.' - -"I then asked him who taught him English?' He said, 'Good lady widow -teach Louis English; me know none before.' - -"I now spoke to him in French, and asked 'if he were contented with his -present situation.' You should have seen him then, Sidney, how his black -eyes sparkled with joy when he heard me address him in his native -language! He answered me with great animation and vivacity, 'Oh, yes, -Madame, I am quite contented, for I can honestly earn my bread; but I -should be happier if I had more time to attend to the wants of my poor -blind grandfather; and this I should have, if it were possible for me to -work entirely on the straw.' - -"I told him that he was a good boy, and that I would come and see him -again. This was all that passed between Louis and myself, only I found -that he had taken great pains in endeavouring to teach his grandfather a -few words of English; but, alas! poor Justin was too old to learn a -strange tongue." - -"Oh, dear mamma," exclaimed Charles, taking his mother's hand as he -looked wistfully in her face, "cannot we do something for poor Louis and -his blind grandfather, that he may not be obliged to work so hard?" - -"That is exactly what I wished to consult you all about," replied Mrs. -Fletcher. "What will be the best plan to pursue? Charles, you are the -eldest, and shall speak first." - -"I would get Justin into the blind hospital," said Charles, "and then -you know, mamma, we could put Louis to school." - -"That will not do," rejoined Mrs. Fletcher: "for, in the first place, I -am pretty sure that Louis would not quit his grandfather; and besides I -do not see what good would result from putting Louis to school." - -"Oh," cried Sidney and Marcella at once, "let us put all our money -together and buy Louis some new clothes." - -"That is much better," said their father, "and you are very good -children to offer it; but I think I can improve on your plan still -more." - -"Do, dear papa, let us hear what _you_ think best," they all said. - -"You said just now, Sidney," answered Mr. Fletcher, "that you would all -put your money together and buy Louis a suit of new clothes; now, if -you will agree to that, I will make a contract with my friend Newman, -who keeps the great toyshop at the bottom of Queen Street, to take all -the straw ornaments, baskets, and whatever Louis makes, at a reasonable -price. This I think can be done; for I heard him the other day -expressing a wish that he could meet with such articles ready made here, -as sending for them from London made them come very expensive." - -"And as Justin can split and prepare the straw, ready for Louis to work -up," said Mrs. Fletcher, "I have no doubt but they will by this mean -gain a very comfortable livelihood." - -The children unanimously agreed that this was the best plan yet thought -of, and were all eager to have it put in immediate execution; -accordingly they all ran to fetch their stock of cash. Charles had six -shillings, which he had been a long time saving up to buy a flute; and -in addition to this he had a new crown piece, which his uncle Fielding -had sent him at Christmas, when each of his sisters and his brother had -received a similar present. "I am sure," said he, "my uncle will not be -angry if I give this to clothe poor Louis, so here are eleven shillings -of mine." - -"And I have nine shillings and six-pence," said Marcella, emptying her -little treasure-box into her mother's lap. - -Sidney had, with the new crown-piece, in all eight shillings, and some -halfpence; but poor little Juliet (who could never pass either a -cake-shop or a beggar while she had a penny in her pocket), now slowly -advanced with her mite, which consisted of the enormous sum of three -halfpence. - -Mrs. Fletcher smiled at this donation, but it was rather a wonder that -Juliet was mistress of so large a sum. - -"Well, my dears," said their mother, "as you have all so generously -given up your money, you shall go with me after tea to chuse some -clothes for Louis. Charles, you are nearly of his size, so you shall be -fitted for him." - -The children jumped for joy whilst anticipating the delight which Louis -would feel when newly clothed by their liberality; and after tea they -went with their mother to a large warehouse of ready-made clothes, -where, after some consultation, they made choice of a suit of good gray -mixed cloth, a pair of shoes, and two strong pair of stockings. In the -mean time Mr. Fletcher called on his friend Newman, who agreed to take -all Louis's straw work, provided it was neatly wrought, and he was very -glad to find one who would serve his shop so near home; he promised to -call on Louis and look at some of his baskets, and if they were well -made, he said he would keep him in constant employ. This being happily -settled, Mr. Fletcher and his benevolent family returned home, much -pleased with the success of their scheme. - -It was too late that night to mention any thing to Louis; but the next -morning, after the children had finished their studies, Mrs. Fletcher -took them all to Justin's cottage, and Marcella was permitted to carry -the bundle. On their tapping at the door, Louis, who was cooking a -morsel of dinner over a little fire, sprung forward; and taking Mrs. -Fletcher's hand, exclaimed, while his dark eyes sparkled with animation, -"Her come agen! her come agen!" Mrs. Fletcher smiled at his imperfect -attempt to express his joy at seeing her. "Here, Louis," said she -(addressing herself to him in French), "here is a reward for the dutiful -care you have taken of your grandfather." - -Marcella advanced, and Louis gazed in silent wonder as she unfolded the -bundle, and displayed its contents; indeed he seemed almost struck -speechless with astonishment, whilst he looked alternately at the -clothes and at his kind visitors. Mrs. Fletcher, perceiving his -emotion, took him by the hand, and said, "Compose yourself, my little -fellow, and try whether this suit will fit you." - -Louis retired into an inner room: but soon returned so much improved in -appearance, that his young friends could scarcely recognize in him the -little ragged water-carrier whom they had been accustomed to see. - -Justin now advanced to thank them for their bounty; and his joy was much -increased when he was informed that Louis would be no longer forced to -carry water pails for his subsistence, but would pursue his straw-work, -and remain always with him. Mrs. Fletcher perceiving a sudden gloom -overspread the face of Louis, asked him in French what was the matter. - -"Ah, Madame," replied he, "I was thinking what pleasure my poor -grandfather would have had in _seeing_ his little Louis in these -beautiful new clothes; but, alas! he is _blind_, and cannot see any -thing." - -The aged Justin laid his withered hand on the shoulder of his grandson, -and said impressively, "My child, do not repine at the will of the -Almighty. It pleased God to deprive me of my sight; yet he has had great -blessings in store for me. It was only for you, my Louis, that I feared; -and it has pleased heaven to listen to my prayers, and to raise up these -kind friends for you. God bless and reward them as they deserve!" - -Mr. Fletcher now entered the cottage, with his friend Mr. Newman. With a -trembling hand Louis produced the specimens of his work, which were in a -manner to decide his fate; but the toy-man was so well pleased with -them, and so deeply interested in the little manufacturer, that he -assured Louis he should never want employment whilst he lived, nor a -friend while he continued to deserve one. - -Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher kindly invited Louis and his grandfather to spend -the remainder of the day with them, to the great joy of the children, -who liked Louis better than ever; and they have often looked back with -delight upon this day, as one of the happiest in their lives. Sidney at -night received the silver pen, and a kiss from his mother, who said he -had well deserved it. - -While Justin and his grandson were at the house of Mrs. Fletcher, she -ordered a few light chairs and some plain furniture, with materials to -assist Louis in his work, to be conveyed to their cottage; and little -Juliet who had bitterly lamented the smallness of her subscription to -the purchasing the clothes, now begged her mother to allow of her -presenting something of her own. - -Mrs. Fletcher gave her leave to carry to the cottage a pot with a -beautiful geranium, which had been given to her some time before. She -placed it on the window where old Justin usually sat, who had the -pleasure (though he could not see its beauty) of inhaling its delightful -perfume, as he sat splitting the straw for Louis's work. - -Louis would never part with his water-pails, which were always placed in -a conspicuous part of the cottage, "for these," he said, "first -introduced me to the notice of my dear friends." And when, with a heart -overflowing with joy, he has expressed his gratitude, Mrs. Fletcher -would often answer, "remember, Louis, this was the reward of -_industry_." - - ---- - -When Mrs. Dormer had finished the tale, she said to her son, "William, -do you like this story? or do you prefer to hear about giants, and -dwarfs, and fairies?" - -William looked very thoughtful for some time: at last he said, "no, -mamma, this is certainly the best; for it seems more like the truth, I -dare say all these things really happened; while you know even little -Louis would laugh at me if I really believed there ever were such -creatures as fairies." - -"Ah, William," said Mary, "but there are some very beautiful stories -about fairies. Do not you remember the story in verse which mamma read -to us some time ago? It began thus: - - - "In Britain's isle, and Arthur's days, - When midnight fairies danced the maze." - - -"Oh yes, Mary, I remember, and I wish mamma would read us some more -tales like that." - -"I must find them first, Willy," said Mrs. Dormer, "for that tale stands -alone in the English language: I do not remember another that equals it -in beauty. But you must be content with hearing the adventures of -children like yourselves, for my stock of fairy lore is almost -exhausted." - -"What is the name, dear aunt, of the next story you mean to read us," -asked Kate, "for I peeped into your desk when you took the last out, and -I saw that you had a good many more left." - -"That will depend on circumstances, my love," replied Mrs. Dormer. "I do -not know which I shall read first. But I will tell you what you will -like better; and that is, our friends Mr. and Mrs. Matthews have sent an -invitation for you all to spend to-morrow afternoon with them. We shall -have a delightful walk across the heath; and you, William, will see your -little friends--for George and Edward have come home for the holidays." - -This news gave great delight to the little Dormers, and they spent the -evening anticipating the pleasure of the morrow, and in hoping and -wishing for a fine day. - - ---- - -William's eyes were opened by six the next morning; he ran to the -chamber where his sister and cousin slept, and tapping at the door, -asked them if they would get up, as it was a fine morning, and study -their lessons in the garden before breakfast, and then they would be -done very early when their mamma was teaching them. This proposal was -perfectly agreeable to the little girls; who, after dressing themselves -and saying their prayers, went into the garden, and with lively spirits -enjoyed the delicious freshness of a lovely summer's morning. Here they -walked up and down, studying very diligently till they had their lessons -by heart, and already looked forward to the pleasure of their mamma's -praise. - -All this was very well, and they walked some time very soberly, till -little Louis came into the garden, saying he had some very hard words to -learn, and intreating his sister Mary to pronounce them for him. Mary -very good-naturedly complied, and sat down on the seat under the fir -tree to con them over with him. - -Kate and William, though good children were sometimes inclined to be -giddy, and this morning they were in such high spirits, that they were -more careless than usual. Unfortunately, chance led their steps towards -the poultry-yard, which was separated from the garden by some pales and -a wicket. They opened the gate and passed through, to look at some nice -broods of ducks that were just hatched. Kate stood several minutes -admiring the soft yellow ducklings, and did not notice what William was -doing, till he called her to partake in some sport which he thought very -delightful. He had laid a plank (left there by accident) across a small -dirty pond, dug for the convenience of the ducks, and was racing -backwards and forwards so cheerfully on this board, that giddy little -Kate thought she must follow his example. After they had amused -themselves for some time with this diversion, William took it into his -head to jump from the plank across the pond, and as it was a very little -distance, he did it easily. Kate endeavoured to follow, but as she was -not used to leaping, it is no great wonder that she plumped up to her -waist in the dirty water. They both shrieked in concert for help; and -the gardener being fortunately near the spot, soon pulled Miss Kate out -of the mud, and carried her in his arms to the house. In their way they -met Mary and Louis, who had been alarmed by the cries of Kate: Mary was -terribly frightened at seeing the water stream from her cousin's -clothes; she ran to her mother's door, crying, "pray, mamma, come -quickly, for I fear that Kate is drowned." - -Mrs. Dormer was much astonished, for she did not think Kate could get at -any water sufficient to drown herself. However, she hastened to the -children's room, where she beheld the weeping Kate, with the house-maid -busily employed in taking off her wet clothes. Mrs. Dormer's first care -was to hurry the imprudent child to bed, and cover her up warm, while -her clean clothes were airing. She then demanded the particulars of the -disaster; and, on hearing the whole affair, could hardly help laughing. -However, she comforted the weeping girl by saying, if she had not taken -cold there was no great harm done, and, promising to send her up some -warm tea, she retired; whilst Kate was greatly troubled for fear she -should be made to lay in bed all the day. - -When Mrs. Dormer entered the parlour, she perceived William, looking -much like a culprit. - -"So, Sir," said his mother, "it was you who led your cousin into this -mischief." - -"It was, dear mamma, but I am very, very sorrow," answered William. - -"Consider," said Mrs. Dormer, "the delicate state of your cousin's -health, and how fatal such an accident might have been if her wet -clothes had not been taken off directly. I do not think she will be ill -as it is, but hope she will be able to go to Mrs. Matthews's this -afternoon. - -"I suppose, mamma," said William, "as I have been so bad a boy, _I_ am -not to go?" - -"You well know," said his mother, "that I never punish an act of -carelessness as I do any thing criminal, therefore I shall trust to your -own good disposition, that you will not err in a like manner for the -future." - -William kissed the hand of his kind mamma, and said, "I did indeed think -of Sidney's jumping into the ditch, just as Kate fell into the pond: but -you know, mamma, that was too late. We should have thought on it before -we played such a foolish trick." - -After Mrs. Dormer had done breakfast she went up and dressed Kate, who -had taken no hurt. The children finished their lessons very soon: and -Mrs. Dormer told them there was time for a good deal of play before -dinner. "I think," added she, "I can answer for Kate's keeping out of -the duck-pond." - -On hearing this remark Kate hung down her head, and looked very -foolish--at last she said, "I would rather not go out, aunt. If you -would read us a story I should like much better to sit still and hear -it." - -Mrs. Dormer smiled, and unlocking her writing-desk, selected from among -her papers the tale of - - -THE MIDSUMMER HOLIDAYS. - -"Mr. Howard and Mr. Russel were near neighbours; indeed their grounds -were only parted by a clear stream, which flowed between the two -gardens: they were both widowers, and each had one son. - -Mr. Russel was an old captain retired from service, with a small fortune -and his pay to live on. - -His neighbour Mr. Howard had been a banker in London, and having -amassed a large fortune, withdrew from the fatigues of business, to -enjoy the remainder of his life in the quiet retirement of the country. - -These gentlemen were much alike in all their pursuits: they were both -fond of gardening, fishing, and smoking; yet they did not visit, though -they often entered into conversation across the river, when they were -fishing opposite each other. - -Mr. Howard's son Philip, or Phil as he was generally called, was nearly -of the same age as Captain Russel's Harry. Captain Russel would not send -Harry to school, for he did not approve of that method of education; Mr. -Howard, on the contrary, kept his son at a public seminary, and only -suffered him to return for a short time during the Midsummer holidays. -He allowed him, indeed, to pass the whole vacation with him at -Christmas, when he thought that he could do the least mischief; and then -Phil would much rather have been at school, for his father made him -study as closely as he did there. - -As to Harry Russel, he was the most unlucky boy that ever was born. He -was always in mischief, robbing the farmers' orchards, or trespassing on -their grounds, to deprive the poor innocent birds of their eggs and -young. There always was some complaint being brought in from the maids, -such as, "Sir, is Master Russel to steal the pipes? he has got away ever -so many." - -Then when Captain Russel went to shave, he found all his shaving soap -gone: upon inquiry, it always was, "Why, Sir, Master Harry would take -it; he said it was only to blow bubbles with." Poor Captain Russel was -always in a passion: for before he was cool from one he was thrown into -another. There was the gardener, with, "Sir, Master Harry will tread on -the border, Master Harry will run in the high grass, Master Harry will -pluck the fruit;" but, in general, it ended with, "Master Harry will -take the boy away from his work, to play with him." Thus was the Captain -constantly tormented. - -Captain Russel would not permit his son to visit, or receive visits, -from any of the young gentlemen in the neighbourhood, for fear of having -his flowers gathered, and his garden injured. - -Harry, who was of a very social disposition, rather than not have -playfellows, made companions of his father's cow-boy and all his ragged -brethren; for Mr. Russel kept a cow, and this boy tended her, and worked -in the garden. - -Another of Master Henry's bad tricks was taking a large stick, and -dabbling in his father's favourite fishing place; whenever he was found -so employed, he received a good thrashing from the captain, which you -must acknowledge he richly deserved. - -Now the Midsummer holidays approached, and Harry heard Mr. Howard tell -his father that Phil was coming home to spend a week or two with him. -This greatly rejoiced Master Hal, for he was very curious to see his -neighbour's son, of whom he formed great hopes. - -At length the wished-for day arrived, and Harry ran down to the river to -watch for young Howard's appearing in the opposite garden. He did not -wait long, for a loud shout made him run to the banks of the stream; and -there stood the long expected Phil, throwing stones into the river to -scare the fish. - -Now it was very delightful to find a companion; but Harry thought it -still better for him to be as mischievous a creature as he was himself. -They soon greeted each other with great glee, and stood talking some -time across the river. Phil invited Harry to come over to him. - -"No," said Harry, "I cannot do that, for I do not choose to undress for -a swim." - -"Then come with your clothes on," said Phil; "look, here is a shallow -place." - -Harry sat down on the grass, and pulling off his shoes and stockings, -threw them over to Phil; he then paddled across the river with great -expedition, and was joyfully welcomed by young Howard. For a long time -they walked about, keeping at a respectful distance from the house for -fear of being seen by Phil's father; and, as they had many things to -talk about, they did no great harm that day. - -From this time the two boys became such friends, that, regardless of -their fathers' express commands to the contrary, they were seldom or -ever apart; and as they were commonly walking arm and arm in one or -other of the gardens, nothing could remain undisturbed for them; the -gardens were robbed of the best fruit, and the newly raked beds were -completely covered with footmarks. - -One day Mr. Russel, looking out of the chamber window, was not a little -surprised at beholding his son perched in one of the great cherry-trees -which grew on the grass-plot in front, and Master Phil in the other. In -a tone of great displeasure, he demanded what they were doing there? - -Phil replied, without leaving off eating, and with the greatest -audacity, "we are keeping the birds off the cherry-tree, Sir." - -Mr. Russel was greatly enraged at the cool impudence of this answer; and -though he made no reply, he muttered to himself, as he turned from the -window, "these are your Eton tricks, young gentleman; but your back -shall pay for it." He then ordered the culprits to be seized as soon as -they left the trees, and to be brought before him. - -This was accordingly done; and the luckless pilferers, when they were -preparing to escape, were caught and carried before Mr. Russel, in spite -of all their kicking and struggling. The captain stood ready to receive -them with a horsewhip, which he laid over their shoulders pretty -smartly; and though they implored for mercy, and promised never to -misbehave again, the captain knew that such promises could not be -depended on. When he thought he had punished them sufficiently, he sent -his own boy sobbing to bed, and followed Master Phil, with the horsewhip -in his hand, threatening that the next time he caught him on his side of -the stream that he would give him twice as much; when Phil, on reaching -the stream, boldly plunged in, shoes and all, and splashed over to his -own garden, and ran to the house, crying bitterly. - -Though Mr. Howard knew that Phil had well deserved the stripes he had -received, yet he did not choose that any one should chastise his son but -himself, and he told Captain Russel so the next day. Captain Russel said -he had borne with young Howard's lawless conduct long enough, and he -would put up with it no longer, but whip him home whenever he caught him -trespassing on his grounds, and Mr. Howard might do the same by his Hal, -if he liked it. Mr. Howard declared, if he came plaguing him, he would; -and then told Captain Russel it was his unbearable boy who had spoiled -and corrupted the manners of Phil. This Captain Russel denied with some -warmth, and retorted the charge; high words now arose between the -fathers, and, though I am sure neither had any reason to defend their -children, the two gentlemen parted in great wrath; but both agreed to -horsewhip the first boy that entered the other's garden. - -It was not long before Mr. Howard put his threat in execution, for in -defiance of these prohibitions, Phil and Hal went into Mr. Howard's -meadow, and were amusing themselves with swinging on the great gate. -This made Mr. Howard very angry: he bestowed on them a good caning, and -sent Hal Russel roaring home. One would have thought this might have -cured them of their improper behaviour, but they would get over into the -forbidden gardens now as often as ever. Mr. Howard was at length so -completely wearied by his son's mischievous tricks, that he determined -to shorten his holidays by three weeks: poor Phil was accordingly doomed -to depart on the next Monday. But on the preceding Saturday he invited -Harry to come over, and have one last gambol in the garden. He told him -there was an early plum-tree loaded with delicious fruit, just ripe, and -persuaded him to come and have the first taste. Harry needed no very -pressing invitation, and having forded the river, he proceeded with his -companion to the plum-tree. The fruit was indeed tempting, and Harry -mounted with great expedition: but he had scarcely tasted one plum -before Phil called, - -"Come down, Harry; make haste--my father is coming towards us!" - -Harry was so hurried, that he forgot his usual dexterity in descending; -his foot slipped, and he fell with such violence on the ground that his -right arm and leg were broken. Mr. Howard, who had not before observed -that Hal was in the garden, was instantly drawn to the spot by the -screams of the suffering boy, whom he tenderly raised, and saw his -servants convey him carefully home. He returned to his own house, and -conveyed his son to a room which was utterly divested of all furniture, -except a bed to sleep on; he then gave him a supply of bread and water -for the day, and locked him in. - -[Illustration: Page 66. Page 74. - -_Published April 20 1823 by Harris & Son corner of St. Pauls._] - -Phil, who had now leisure to repent of his folly and wilfulness, -expected at least to be confined in this solitude till he was taken to -school; and he grieved bitterly for the deplorable fate of his companion -Harry, who might probably lose his life, or the use of his limbs. Many -were the tears which he shed while eating his solitary meals, which were -delivered to him in silence by a servant. Often did he wish for his -father's presence, that he might ask his forgiveness; but three tedious -days and nights passed on, and Mr. Howard did not appear. All the -amusement Phil had, was looking out of a high and closely-barred window. -He had not even a book to pass away the heavy hours, though he would -have been thankful for the dullest that ever was written. On the fourth -day, towards the evening, as he was sitting sighing in a corner, the -door unlocked, and on raising his eyes, his father stood before him, -looking very stern and severe. He took the culprit's hand in silence, -and led him through the garden. Phil shuddered when he saw the fatal -tree, the cause of so much sorrow, and felt thankful when he had passed -it. Mr. Howard conducted him through their own meadow to a little bridge -that crossed the river, and divided Captain Russel's field from theirs. -The gate of this bridge was always before kept padlocked; but on this -occasion Mr. Howard opened it, and proceeded to Captain Russel's house, -and went up the stairs to Harry's bed-chamber. The curtains were closed -round the bed, and Captain Russel sat there, reading the Bible aloud. -When he saw Mr. Howard, he rose and gave him his hand. Mr. Howard asked -if his patient were awake. "Yes," said Captain Russel, unclosing the -curtains, and exhibiting to the weeping Phil his once healthy and -blooming companion, reduced, comparatively, to a shadow. He was -supported by a number of pillows, and looked like death. His hair, that -used to curl in ringlets round his rosy, laughing face, now hung lank -and straight over his sunken eyes and wan cheeks. This sad sight filled -the heart of Phil with grief and remorse: he threw himself by the side -of the bed, and hid his face in the bed-clothes to stifle his sobs. -Harry stretched out his burning hand, and in a feeble voice desired him -to be comforted. - -"See, young man," said Captain Russel, "the fatal effects of -disobedience: this might have been _your_ fate: let this misfortune be a -lesson to you for the future. I see I need say no more." - -Phil was truly penitent: he sobbed as if his heart would break, and -implored forgiveness with such unaffected sorrow, that the two gentlemen -freely pardoned him. "From this time," he said, "I will be as dutiful -as I was before disobedient, and if poor Hal does but recover, we will -never be mischievous again." - -"Think, Philip," said his father, "if Harry dies, you will have to -answer for being the means of depriving Captain Russel of his only -child." - -Phil's grief now became so violent, that Mr. Howard thought that he had -better take him away. - -"Oh, Sir," said Phil (taking the hand of Captain Russel), "pray let me -stay by Harry. I will sit quite still, and make no noise; indeed I -cannot leave him." - -The sick boy, in a low and feeble voice, begged that his friend might -stay. Captain Russel kindly consented, and Philip took his station by -the side of Harry's bed, and by every tender care endeavoured to soothe -his pain and raise his spirits. When Captain Russel saw that Philip had -naturally a noble disposition and a good heart, he would come and -converse with him, and often praised him for the friendly attention he -shewed his suffering friend. When Philip dared ask him questions, he -inquired what had happened during the days he had passed in confinement. - -"The first three days," said Captain Russel, "were passed by my -suffering child in all the agony of pain and delirium; your father, very -kindly, passed all his time with me, sharing my solicitude and grief. On -the evening of the fourth day Harry recovered his senses, and earnestly -begged to see you. Your father immediately went and fetched you, the -rest you know." - -Philip had a bed made up in his friend's room, and never left him but -when the doctor was dressing poor Harry's leg and and arm: he then used -to take a little air. At last Harry was able to sit up, but he was -forced to hold his arm in a sling, and have his leg supported by -pillows. - -After some weeks Harry was sufficiently recovered to walk in the -garden; and though he soon looked as rosy and handsome as before, still -he always had a slight lameness, which served to remind him of his -disobedience. - -Philip staid at home till Harry was quite well, and then their fathers -agreed that both the boys should go together to Eton school. This plan -was carried into execution, and when they returned at Christmas they -were so completely altered in their deportment, that their fathers -beheld them with pride and pleasure. - -You may be sure that the next Midsummer holidays were spent in a very -different manner from those of the preceding year. Mr. Howard and -Captain Russel had now become intimate friends, and often made a -comfortable party by the river side, with their pipes and fishing -tackle; and when the boys came, they would sit and play quietly at -draughts, or chess, on a seat near them. - -Hal was never heard to repine at this accident, but as he grew up he -often declared that this misfortune had proved a blessing to him and -Philip, and would warn any wayward children he saw in mischief to desist -from evil, lest, like him, they should suffer from the bad effects of -_disobedience_. - - ---- - -The cloth was laid for dinner by the time Mrs. Dormer had finished her -story. The children all looked very grave at the end, and seemed much -edified: particularly William, who said, as he seated himself at table, -"I am afraid, mamma, you think that I behaved as bad as Harry or Phil -this morning." - -"No, Willy," said his mother, "what you did wrong was not the result of -wilful mischief but was only for want of thought: for instance, if I had -looked over the pales when you were dancing on the plants, and told you -to come away, and never to do so again, I think I can answer for my -William that he would not have disobeyed me." - -"No, dear mamma," said William, "I hope I should not have been so -wicked." - -Just as dinner was finished, Edward Matthews drove up to the door in a -donkey chaise, which he had brought, by the desire of his father, that -the little girls might not be fatigued with walking in the heat of the -day. Mrs. Dormer, with Kate and Mary, were soon ready; and Edward, -having lifted the young ladies and little Lewis into the chaise, walked -with William by the side of the donkey, leading him, and patting his -neck. Mr. and Mrs. Dormer walked behind, and were greatly pleased with -the attention and kindness of Edward: who, to say the truth, was a -favourite with all the family. He was a fine manly youth of thirteen, -but though he was by many years older than the little Dormers, he was -so sweet tempered that they doated on him. - -The little party proceeded joyously across the heath, exulting in the -company of their dear Edward; who, poor fellow, had need of two or three -pair of ears: for, in the joy of their hearts, the children all talked -at once, telling him all the wonderful things that had happened to them -since they saw him last. - -The afternoon passed rapidly; and the children enjoyed themselves so -much, that their indulgent parents, rejoicing to see them good and -happy, delayed breaking up the party till the latest minute. When the -hour of separation at length arrived, and they were preparing to depart, -Mrs. Matthews asked Mrs. Dormer if she would permit her little family to -join her sons in a party to Hampstead-fair, that day week. Now Mrs. -Dormer had a dislike to fairs; but as Mr. Dormer seemed to wish it, and -the children all looked up in her face with most anxious countenances, -she would not withhold her consent. - -The donkey chaise was again brought to the door, and the little Dormers -had a charming ride home. Mary, in particular, was delighted at seeing -the heath spangled with glow-worms. - -"Oh, papa," she exclaimed, "do let me get out and catch some of the -lovely creatures; I never saw any before." - -"No, Mary," said her mother, "you must not run on the damp grass with -your thin shoes. Look," continued she, holding up her handkerchief, -which shone like a lamp, "see, Mary, I have collected a great many of -the lovely creatures, as you call them, and will examine them when we -get home." - -Mary was highly pleased at this; but she could not help calling out, as -she saw these beautiful insects shine brighter as the darkness -increased: "Oh, mamma, there is another! do catch it." - -All the little party were quite grieved when they turned down the lane -that separated their house from the heath. - -Sleep weighed too heavy on the eyes of all the children to allow them to -look at the glow-worms that night, but in the morning Mary ran into her -mother's dressing-room to look at the beautiful prisoners. She hastily -took off the lid of a glass jar, in which her mother had placed them, -and, lifting up some wet moss, gave almost a shriek of disappointment. -"Oh, mamma," she said, "all the glow-worms have run away; here are -nothing but some ugly brown beetles! I dare say they have eaten those -pretty creatures." - -"What a pity!" said Kate. "Dear aunt, let us empty the jar into the -garden." - -"No, my love," said her aunt, "let them alone; perhaps these beetles may -bring us some tidings of the glow-worms." At that minute they heard Mr. -Dormer below, talking to Edward, who had just arrived, with his little -brother George. Mrs. Dormer, therefore, went down to ask them to dinner; -which invitation they thankfully accepted. - -In the cool of the evening, after the children and their guests had -tired themselves with play, they all came up to Mrs. Dormer's -dressing-room and begged for a story. Mrs. Dormer had prepared for them, -there, a regale of cakes and fruit, and while they were enjoying it, she -kindly read to them the story of - - -THE BLIND HIGHLAND PIPER. - -"If you have finished writing those rules in your cyphering book in -time, you shall go with me to the booksellers, to choose some books for -your cousin Jane, and for yourself," said Mr. Percy to his nephew, -Arthur Stanly, who was writing at a desk. - -"Thank you, my dear uncle. What time shall you be ready?" asked Arthur, -still continuing to write on. - -"In about half an hour at farthest," said Mr. Percy. - -"Shall you be ready by that time?" - -Arthur cast his eyes over a long page of writing and figures which he -had still to copy into his book, repeating, "Half an hour! I am afraid I -cannot get it all done." - -"I shall be sorry," observed his uncle, "to go without you; but I am -engaged to dine with some friends precisely at two o'clock. It is now a -few minutes past one: therefore we shall have but one quarter of an hour -to walk there, and transact our business, and the other quarter to go -home and dress in." - -Arthur ardently wished that the time went slower. - -"I think you have had plenty of time to finish this rule; it is now -upwards of an hour since you began. What have you been doing all this -while?" said Mr. Percy, looking over his nephew's shoulder. - -Arthur felt much ashamed: he looked down at his feet, and began tying -his shoe-strings without saying a word, for he did not know what excuse -to offer to his uncle. - -Mr. Percy still looked at him, as if expecting an answer; and at last he -repeated the question. - -"I was trying," said Arthur, "to catch a robin which flew into the room. -I was very silly, and have lost a great deal of time by it." - -"You was silly, indeed," replied his uncle; "but that is your concern, -not mine. However, if you have finished by the time the hand of the hall -clock points to half past one, you shall go with me. If your rule be -written out neatly in that time, I shall give you great credit, if not -you must remain at home. Here are two good pens for you." - -[Illustration: Page 81. Page 85. - -_Published April 20 1823 by Harris & Son corner of St. Pauls._] - -Arthur eagerly took the pens and began writing; but his uncle had -hardly quitted the room, when the thought entered into his head that no -one would be the wiser if he were to put back the clock a few minutes. -Accordingly, without giving himself time to reflect on the gross -impropriety of such an action, he opened the study door and looked out -into the hall. No one was near; he listened a moment--; all was quite -still. He then jumped upon a chair which stood near the clock, and, -having carefully opened the door in front, put back the hand ten -minutes. In doing this, however, he was under considerable alarm, for -persons who are acting wrong are always in fear of being detected. - -He now jumped from the chair, and ran back to his desk; but his hand -trembled so much that he could hardly hold his pen. In a minute or two, -however, he recovered himself, and just as he heard his uncle entering -the hall, he finished his assigned task, happy for a moment in the -success of his scheme. - -His cousin Jane now came running into the room, and exclaimed: - -"Arthur, papa is waiting for you; but he supposes you have not done -yet." - -"Yes, but I have, though," answered he, in a tone of exultation, and -went into the hall with his book. Mr. Percy was standing with his watch -in his hand, comparing it with the clock. - -Arthur coloured like scarlet, for he feared to be detected in his guilt. -He stood silent, and dared not raise his eyes to the face of his uncle. - -But, far from having the least suspicion of what had been done, Mr. -Percy only observed that he must get his watch regulated, for though he -had set it by the clock that very morning, it was now ten minutes -faster. - -Arthur felt all the pain arising from conscious guilt. He hung his head -in silence, whilst his uncle, glancing his eyes over the writing, -exclaimed, "Very well, indeed! very prettily done! I give you a deal of -credit for this; and so short a time as you had to do it in, too! Well, -we shall see, if you improve so fast, what I shall do." - -"Arthur, who had never deceived his good uncle before, felt more pain at -this unmerited praise than if he had been punished as he deserved. - -"Oh," thought he, "if my uncle did but know how wicked I have been, he -would never forgive me." - -Mr. Percy told him to put on his hat and great-coat, for they had no -time to lose. - -"Good bye, my little Jane," said Mr. Percy, as he shut the street door. - -"Good bye, dear papa, and cousin Arthur," cried Jane Percy, going into -the parlour. - -"I never knew you so very silent before, Arthur: what is it you are -thinking of?" said Mr. Percy, as they entered the shop of Mansel, the -bookseller. - -Arthur was spared the trouble of replying, for Mr. Mansel then came -forward, and entered into conversation with Mr. Percy. - -Arthur walked to the door: he scarcely knew what was going forward, his -mind being too much occupied in reflecting upon his late transgression, -and in considering what he had best do. At length he determined to tell -his cousin, and ask her advice. He had not observed the people who were -hurrying along to escape a heavy fall of snow, till his ear was -attracted by the plaintive tones of a child's voice, asking charity. He -looked up, and beheld a little girl without any shoes or stockings, -leading by the hand a Highland soldier, who was very handsome, but quite -blind. He appeared scarce thirty years of age: the tattered remnant of a -plaid which was wrapt round him bespoke poverty and distress in the -extreme, and scarcely sufficed to defend his body from the cold wind -and snow. On his head he wore a sort of cap or bonnet, of various -colours; through the many holes of which his yellow hair appeared, and -waved to the breeze in long curls. By his side he wore an old sword, -which made Arthur conclude that he was a soldier. The little girl had -been asking relief of the passengers; but no one thought it worth while -to stop, at the risk of getting wet, to inquire into the cause of their -distress. One man rudely pushed the little suppliant away, calling her -an impostor, and a little beggar brat. She then turned with a sorrowful -look towards Arthur, who dropped into the plaid bonnet which she held in -her hand all the halfpence he had about him, and inquired if her father -were quite blind? - -The tears stood in the little girl's eyes, as she turned them -sorrowfully up to her father's face, and answered, "yes: he is _quite_ -blind, and very ill." - -"Poor man!" said Arthur; "how much he is to be pitied! Is he a -soldier?" - -"He was once a soldier, but he cannot see now," replied the little girl. - -"And what is your name?" asked Arthur. - -"Flora Glengary?" - -"And how came your father to lose his sight?" - -As Flora did not immediately reply, the soldier, taking off his cap, -said, "my good young gentleman, I was once a soldier, and served with -the army in Egypt, but lost my sight by lightning. I then took my little -girl, and came back to England, in hopes of being able to beg my way to -Dunbar, my native town, in Scotland, where I had friends; but now I can -get no farther, for I am very ill, and quite friendless. Before I lost -my bagpipes I got on very well; but now they are gone, I believe my -child and I must starve." - -"And how came you to lose your pipes?" asked Arthur. - -"I fell sick, master, and was forced to sell them for a mere trifle. -Whilst I had them, I did not beg, exactly, for many people gave me money -to hear me play." - -"And how much would it cost you to buy them again?" - -"I cannot get them back for less than half a guinea," answered the -Highlander, sighing; "but we do not possess a sixpence in the world." - -"Will half a guinea restore your pipes to you?" eagerly inquired young -Stanly. - -He half checked himself, however, as he put his hand into his pocket, -and opened his purse; for he had no money, but one half guinea which his -aunt had recently given him, with a strict charge never to part with it -on any account. "My aunt will be very angry," said he, "if I give this -money away; besides, it was in my dear father's possession for many -years. I should like to keep it as long as he did." But when he saw the -look of joy and hope which shone in the eyes of the anxious Flora, as -she viewed the gold in his hand, he thought it would be cruel, indeed, -to disappoint her. - -"No, Flora," said he, "your father shall not starve while I have this, -which I really do not want, only for its having belonged to my father." -He then put the money into her bonnet, saying, "take this; buy the -bagpipes, and some bread for your father: I have no more, or it should -be yours." - -He would now have retreated; but Flora forcibly detained him, eagerly -seizing hold of his hand, and uttering a thousand thanks. At length, -however, he disengaged himself, and returned to the shop with a feeling -of happiness, which arises only from the knowledge of having performed -an act of real benevolence. - -"Arthur," said his uncle, "where have you been? I have been waiting for -you some minutes. I have selected such books as I think will be the most -proper for your cousin Jane. Now, what is it you wish to have?" - -Arthur looked over several volumes which laid on the counter. "If you -have no objection, Sir, I should prefer either Homer's Iliad, or -Voltaire's History of Charles the Twelfth, or the Life of Gustavus -Vasa." - -"Any of these you can have," said his uncle; "it only remains for you to -determine." - -Arthur considered for a few minutes. "Homer I have read; we have it in -the library. I have not read either of the others; but I admire Gustavus -more than Charles, because I think he was the most amiable character. -Well, then, if you please, Sir, I will take this," said he, choosing an -elegantly bound pocket volume, containing the life of that excellent -monarch, by Raymond. He wrote his name in it, and Mr. Mansel packed it -up with the rest. - -The fall of snow having ceased, Arthur returned home, and Mr. Percy -proceeded to join his friends. - -Arthur tried to read part of the life of Gustavus aloud, to his aunt and -cousin: but, in spite of every thing, the misdeed of the morning would -obtrude into his thoughts; he therefore made some excuse, and retired to -the study, to consider what he should do. - -As he passed through the hall, and raised his eyes to the clock, his -conscience reproached him bitterly for his misconduct. He ran into the -study, and throwing himself into a chair, covered his face with both his -hands. It was the first fault of the kind he had ever committed, but -that did not lessen it in his eyes. - -Arthur bitterly lamented his idleness, when he first began writing. "If -I had not tried to catch the poor little robin," said he, "this would -not have happened; for I should have finished my writing in plenty of -time." - -Arthur actually shed tears of regret and sorrow at his own foolishness, -in thus having been tempted to deceive his good and unsuspecting uncle. - -While he was thus deploring his fault, Jane Percy softly stole into the -room, and taking one of his hands from his face, said in a soothing -voice, - -"My dear cousin, what is it that affects you? Will you not tell your -Jane?" - -Arthur was moved by the gentle, persuasive voice of his amiable -relative, and confided to her the cause of his sorrow. Jane was truly -grieved that her dear cousin Arthur should have acted so extremely -wrong; but she strove to console him in the best manner she could. - -"Consider, Arthur," said she, "it is the _first_ fault of the kind you -ever were guilty of." - -But this observation, far from comforting him, only added to his grief, -as reminding him that he had now forfeited his good name. It was true, -no one need know it but himself and Jane: but _he_ was conscious of it, -and therefore he could never again bear to be praised for being a good -boy, when he knew he did not deserve that character. - -"Dear Arthur," said Jane, "I think it will be the best to go to your -uncle to-morrow morning, and tell him what you have done. He will not be -so angry if you openly confess it to him; and I know you will never do -so again." - -Arthur tenderly embraced his little cousin, and thanked her for her good -advice. - -"Indeed, Jane," said he, "that will be the best plan: for I would rather -my uncle should know it at once, and be angry, and punish me as I -deserve; for then I might, by my future good conduct, atone for my -transgression. But I never can look up in his face with pleasure again, -knowing that I have deceived him." - -Arthur now wished to tell his cousin about little Flora and her father; -but a feeling of something like pride withheld him. He was afraid she -might think he told her, only to lessen the crime he had committed in -her eyes, he therefore remained silent on that subject; for Arthur knew -well that a generous action, however excellent, did not obliterate the -disgrace of deceit and falsehood. - -The next morning, when Mr. Percy came into the study, to set Arthur and -Jane their tasks, he offered to shake hands with his nephew, according -to his usual custom; but Arthur, bursting into tears, exclaimed, - -"Oh, Sir! I have been a very wicked boy, and am not worthy that you -should shake hands with me." - -Mr. Percy, much surprised, demanded an explanation; and Arthur, with -great earnestness and simplicity, related what he had done. - -Mr. Percy was sensibly touched by the sincerity of his nephew, though at -the same time he was seriously displeased, for he did not like to be -deceived by a child: he therefore finished setting the copies, and left -the room, without saying a word; for though he would not punish Arthur, -as he had so nobly revealed the truth; yet he thought, if he left him in -doubt, it would operate on his mind as an adequate punishment. In this -opinion he was perfectly correct: for poor Arthur, imagining that he had -offended past all forgiveness, gave himself up to despair. - -Jane herself knew not what to think, but she tried to comfort her -disconsolate cousin; and whilst they were condoling together, they heard -Mrs. Percy calling them. - -"Come, make haste, children," said she, "come and hear the Scotch -piper." - -The sound of music was plainly heard in the street; and Arthur eagerly -pressed forward to catch a glance at the musician. All the pain he had -previously suffered was amply repaid at that moment, by the sight of the -blind Highlander, and little Flora his daughter, who was looking, with -the greatest delight, at her father as he played. - -Arthur had the satisfaction of beholding many a handful of halfpence -thrown into the plaid bonnet of the now happy Flora. - -The Highlander came opposite the window. Mrs. Percy threw open the sash, -in order to bestow a trifle on the piper. - -Flora raised her eyes, and uttered almost a scream of joy, as she beheld -their little benefactor: exclaiming, "There he is--there he is!--Oh, how -glad I am to see him!" - -Arthur hastily drew in his head; for he feared lest his aunt should be -angry at his having parted with the half-guinea. - -But Flora still continued jumping about, and calling for him to look -out, and see how happy they were. - -"What can the child mean?" said Mr. Percy, who stood with them at the -window. "Let somebody call her in, and we will hear." - -"No, no, dear uncle, do not have her in," cried Arthur, in a tone of -entreaty. - -But Mr. Percy, who was determined to know the reason, left the room, and -hastened into the street; where he heard the whole account of his -nephew's generosity from the lips of the grateful Flora. - -At first he could scarcely credit it; but the truth was attested by the -soldier, who, on hearing Arthur's voice, declared it to be that of his -benefactor. - -Arthur, with tears in his eyes, informed his aunt and cousin of the -whole affair, saying, as he concluded, - -"Indeed, my dear aunt, I could not help giving the money to them, though -it had been my father's." - -Mrs. Percy, far from blaming her nephew, applauded him as he deserved; -as to Jane, she was, if possible, the happiest of the party. - -Mr. Percy shortly after returned, and presenting his hand to Arthur, -said: "I now give you my hand with the greatest pleasure I ever did in -my life; your fault was trivial compared to your generous action, and I -am at this moment prouder of my nephew than if he had been born a -prince." - -That very day Mr. Percy presented Arthur with the Life of Charles XII; -and a beautiful edition of Homer, handsomely bound in purple morocco. He -also raised a subscription among his friends, to enable the blind piper -to return to the place of his nativity. - -Arthur Stanly was often heard to declare, when he grew to man's estate, -that these two days had been the most miserable as well as the happiest -of his life. - - ---- - -All eyes were attentively fixed on Mrs. Dormer as she concluded, and the -children agreed that this was the best story they had yet heard. When -they had done commenting on it, Edward observed that it was getting -dusk, and was time for him and his brother to be going. When he had -taken his leave, the children sat talking with their mother till near -dark, and Mrs. Dormer began to think it was almost bed-time. As Mary and -Kate were bidding her good-night, the latter happened to look towards a -flower-stand, on which Mrs. Dormer had placed the glass jar. - -"Oh, Mary," cried she, "look, look! the dear little glow-worms have come -back again!" - -As she spoke all the children ran to the jar, which glittered among the -plants, and every moment became an object of greater beauty, as the -brilliant insects, one by one, unfolded their light, as if in emulation -of each other, filling the vase wish lustre, and shewing every particle -of the moss they laid on, as if it were transparent. The children gazed -on it with the greatest admiration; at last Mary said, - -"I can hardly help laughing, to think how silly I was in the morning; -for I now see plainly the shape of the glow-worm is the same with the -brown beetles I was so angry with." - -"Oh, Mary," said Kate, "my aunt knew all about it, when she told us so -gravely that the ugly beetles would bring us news of the glow-worms." - -"I did, indeed," said her aunt, "for many summers ago I kept many of -them in wet moss and grass till near autumn; at that time they laid some -whitish eggs and died. These eggs, however, did not produce any thing; -so I cannot tell you whether these insects assume any other form -previous to that you now see them in; nor can I direct you to any book -that will give you a satisfactory account." - -"Dear mamma," said Mary, "they are far from being ugly now; for they are -very brisk and lively, and constantly in motion, though in the morning -they seemed half dead." - -"It seems," said her mother, "that damp and dark places are necessary to -to their existence; and yet they appear only in the warmest weather. - -"But, Mary, there is another luminous insect, which some people mistake -for the glow-worm: it is of a very disgusting shape, being a species of -the centipede; it has, like that ugly insect, nearly fifty legs, on each -side, and runs amazingly fast, leaving behind a long trail of greenish -light." - -"I should not like them at all," said William, "for I think the -centipede is uglier than a snake." - -"I have a great dislike to them, myself," said Mrs. Dormer; "but the -luminous centipede is not so frightful as those black ones you see -sometimes on cellar walls, and in old wood. I remember the first time I -saw any of the bright centipedes: I was coming home with my brother in -the evening, through a green lane; I saw something shine brightly in the -hedge: I ran up to it, thinking it was one of my favourite glow-worms, -but recoiled, with no little disgust, when I saw that I was going to lay -my hand on a nest of these centipedes, all writhing and clinging -together like serpents, shewing at the same time a brilliant light." - -"Dear!" said William, "how horrid they must have looked! I suppose, -mamma, you did not catch any?" - -"No," said Mrs. Dormer, "I was then very young, not much older than -Mary; and I could not conquer the antipathy I had to their hideous -shape. But my brother took one, and brought it home, and when we looked -at it by the light we found it was about two inches and a half long, of -a pale brown, and certainly the best-looking of its species that I have -seen." - -The children would have been glad to have asked some more questions, but -it grew so late, that their mother would not detain them from their -beds, and they went away talking about the story and the glow-worms. - - ---- - -During the next week the children could think of nothing but the -pleasure they were to enjoy at Hampstead fair; and all of them were -continually wishing for a fine day. As the time drew near, Lewis and -Kate were every minute running into the hall, and climbing one of the -green chairs to consult the barometer; though I cannot say they -understood much about it. However, the evening before the wished-for day -Kate ventured boldly to predict beautiful weather for the morrow: they -all retired to rest, therefore, in excellent spirits. But when they -awoke in the morning the rain was descending in torrents, and the sky -looked as dark and heavy as if the wet weather had set in for a week. -The poor children passed the morning in great anxiety, frequently -peeping out at different windows, in hopes of seeing a little bit of -blue in the sky, and wishing in vain for the rain to clear off. When the -afternoon came, and they were forced to give up all hopes of going, Mary -retreated to a corner, and began to weep bitterly. Kate and her brothers -came and tried to comfort her; but Mary had set her mind so much on -going, that she only cried the more. Presently her mamma came in; and -Mary, ashamed that her mother should see that she was such a baby as to -cry for a little disappointment, hid her face in her frock: but still -she could not suppress a sob or two. Mrs. Dormer came up to the corner -where they all were assembled. - -"What is the matter?" she said (putting Mary's frock from her eyes), -"What ails my poor Mary? Is she ill, or has some one hurt her?" - -Mary was much confused, and did not answer. Kate told her aunt that she -believed her cousin cried because the rain had hindered her from going -to the fair. Mrs. Dormer looked at Mary for some time, and then said, - -"I dare say, Mary, you expect that I should ridicule you for being so -weak as to cry; but I will not do so, for I see that you are ashamed of -it already. Come out of your corner, and see whether I can convince you, -that you might have gone to the fair, and it is possible you might have -returned still more unhappy than you are now." - -Mary dried her tears; and her mamma seated her on part of her own chair. -The other children got their stools, and sat down by Mrs. Dormer. - -"I remember the time, Mary, when I was as anxious to see the fair as you -are now; and the day on which I was to go turned out quite fine, and yet -I was very far from spending it happily." - -"Pray, dear mamma," said William, "do tell us what happened; for I would -as soon hear you tell a story, as go to the fair; only we should have -liked to have spent another day with dear Edward." - -"I had written down all that happened," said his mother; "I meant to -have read it to you, one day or other, but I think this will be the best -time; for however you may laugh at the comical distresses I got into, -yet you would have found them very unpleasant, if they had befallen you -to-day. Listen then, my children, and hear my account of - - -A DAY AT HAMPSTEAD FAIR. - -It is now nearly nineteen years ago, since my uncle Richmond came to -stay at this very house, with his two sons. You know, my dears, that -your grandfather lived here before we did: I was then about eleven years -old. - -My uncle, Captain Richmond, was my father's brother, and the commander -of a frigate in the navy; he had been on a long cruise, and was passing -a few weeks with my father, previously to his going to sea again. - -Captain Richmond had lost his wife: he had only two sons; one of whom -went to sea as a midshipman, under his father, and the other to the -naval academy at Portsmouth. This last was away from school for the -vacation; so my uncle brought both of them to stay at my father's -house. My poor mother had rather delicate nerves, and these rough -sailor-boys discomposed her sadly: for they were as wild as tiger-cats, -and as full of mischief as monkeys; they broke her china, insulted her -lap-dog; stole her apples; ducked her hens in the pond (that very pond -you are so well acquainted with, Kate); and above all, affronted my -youngest brother Sam, who was my mother's pet. However, she bore with -all these enormities, out of respect to my uncle Richmond, who was a -brave, generous sailor, and sincerely attached to all his brother's -family. This visit was agreeable enough to us children, only Frank and -James Richmond were rather too rough in their play; and they sometimes -fell out with my eldest brother, William, bestowing on him the epithets -of "land-lubber," and "fresh water spark," when he displeased them. -These disputes were generally settled by my uncle with a few strokes of -a cat-o'-nine tails that he always carried in his coat-pocket, for the -accommodation of his sons. I was always engaged in these quarrels, -either on one side or the other; and as I never came in for a share of -the blows, I was sometimes wicked enough to laugh at the speed with -which my uncle chastised his boys, whether guilty or innocent; and at -the coolness with which the stripes were received by the young sailors. -My uncle always took it for granted his sons were in the wrong; but if -the instrument chanced to glance on the back of either of my brothers, -the house resounded with their lamentations. - -They had been at our house about six weeks, and were going away in a few -days, when the captain said to my mother one evening, "sister, to-morrow -is Hampstead fair; and I should like all the young ones to go, and have -a day of it." - -My mother shook her head, and seemed to disapprove; but my uncle seemed -determined to have his own way: besides, my brother Sam set up a loud -fit of crying, for fear he should not go. This induced my mother to give -her consent; and the nurse-maid, Ann, and our old nurse Hill, were -ordered to hold themselves in readiness to attend us to the fair on the -morrow. Now my father was in London, where he had to spend two days on -business, or _he_ might possibly have put a negative on this -arrangement; but as it was, we were all greatly delighted with the plan, -particularly uncle Richmond, who declared that he would go with us, and -steer us safely along. - -In the morning I was awoke by a loud shout under the window from -midshipman Frank. I got up quickly, and found my cousins dressed in -their uniforms, and looking very smart. Frank promised to be my beau, -and to take great care of me. Well, it was past ten o'clock before we -were all ready. At last, out we marched in the following order: the -nurse-maid led my little sister Jane, and old nurse Hill the darling -Sam, of whom my mother had given us all special charge; then came Frank, -handing me along very politely, and Captain Richmond, with my brother -William and cousin James, brought up the rear. In this manner we -proceeded very sedately till we almost reached the town, and began to -hear the noise and bustle of the fair. Just as we came to the houses we -met a party of naval officers, who began shaking hands with Captain -Richmond, and telling him about some recent victory at sea. Away went my -uncle Richmond with them, without bestowing a thought on us poor -children, whom he had under his care. Then my troubles began. Master -James had behaved very peaceably while his father's eye was on him, for -he stood in some awe of the cat-o'-nine-tails, which he saw the Captain -put into his pocket before he set out; indeed his father said to him, -"Jem, if you are not on your best behaviour, you will have a taste of -it." But the moment his father was fairly out of sight he began his -pranks; he twitched his hand from William, and scampered some way before -us, until he met with a quiet old hen, clucking in the dusty road with a -few dirty chicks: the moment James saw the hen, he stole softly up, and -putting his foot under her, by a dexterous toss, sent her cackling and -screaming up in the air, as high as the garret windows of the next -house. After performing this exploit, he ran laughing back to us. Now -the old woman who owned the hen was enraged to see the unusual flight of -the poor creature, and running out, began to abuse James in a very -shrill voice, not sparing us, to whom she saw he belonged; but we had -certainly no share in the mischief. Mrs. Hill, our nurse, was a woman of -too much spirit to put up with so much injustice; she began to scold in -return, while the idle boy who had caused the quarrel stood laughing, -and provoking the old woman to greater rage. Frank enjoyed the fray as -much as his brother, but at last he attended to my intreaties, and -persuaded Mrs. Hill to walk on, and leave the angry old woman: but he -could not prevail on our good nurse to proceed, till she had quite -exhausted her breath in scolding. - -Master James seemed to think very highly of himself for this trick; he -marched before the whole party with his arms a-kimbo, kicking up the -dust, and on the look-out for another mischievous prank. Mrs. Hill, when -she had recovered her voice, scolded James for raising the dust: he -answered saucily; she retorted, and they entered the fair, wrangling as -hard as they could. - -When we got among the crowd, James and William escaped from us, and got -into a merry-go-round. Frank very kindly staid with me, and handed me -about the fair. Sometimes we stopped to look at the fire-eaters, and -sometimes to view the Merry-Andrew. The sun shone very hot; and after we -had been in the fair about an hour and a half, I became very faint and -tired. The place got more and more crowded, and I could hardly move -among a throng of people, most of whom were a foot taller than myself. -Frank helped me through as well as he could, and we were making the best -of our way towards a fruit-stall, when a saucy little drummer pushed me -so rudely that I was nearly thrown on my face. Frank asked him how he -dared act so? and the drummer answered by twirling Frank's hat round on -his head, and calling him a powder-monkey. This was rather more than -the little officer chose to bear, he therefore flew at the drummer, and -gave him a violent blow; this was immediately returned, and a furious -battle began. I escaped, half frighted to death, and luckily found Mrs. -Hill and little Sam in a stall close by. In a little time Frank had well -pummelled the drummer; but it was of no use waiting for him: he was off, -and so were James and William. It was now one o'clock, and little Jane -and Sam were very hungry. Nurse Hill proposed going out of the town, and -eating the provisions we had brought for dinner in a green meadow at a -little distance; but a new difficulty occurred: Master Sam, who had -before been very tractable, now spied out a large gingerbread cocked-hat -hung in front of a stall close by; this valuable article he insisted on -buying; but it was the sign of the stall, and the man it belonged to was -loth to sell it. However, after a great deal of bargaining, the man -agreed to take three shillings for the hat; this was sixpence more than -we had, and he would not take a farthing less, so poor Sam was -disappointed; but he thought (as all spoiled children do) to manage -matters abroad as he did at home, by a fit of crying: however, all his -screaming was of no avail here; and nurse Hill, greatly scandalized at -his bad behaviour, took him up in her arms, and carried him, kicking, -out of the fair. - -We had got to the field where we thought of dining before Sam was -pacified; at last we all sat down on the grass, and Ann took out of the -basket a nice damask napkin, with some cold roast chicken and ham packed -in vine leaves, and a bottle of cyder. We had all drank some of the -cyder, which much refreshed us, and just as we were preparing to eat our -dinner, a big boy stepped over nurse Hill's shoulder, and seizing the -napkin and all that was in it, ran off in an instant. Poor nurse Hill -ran after him, scolding and threatening, but it was of no use. The -hungry children cried bitterly for their lost dinner, and we had nothing -but the cyder left. Ann put the bottle in her basket, thanking her stars -that the thief had not taken that. Mrs. Hill thought it best for us to -return to the fair, and lay out the money we had left in victuals for -the children, and then try to collect the boys together and return home. -My head ached with the noise of the fair, and I was loth to go back to -it. We had nearly reached the town, when Frank met us; his face was -adorned with two black eyes, otherwise he did not seem to have received -much damage from the fight. - -"Where have you been, you tiresome boy? always fighting and quarrelling, -and scaring honest bodies out of their wits," screamed nurse Hill in a -shrill voice, as soon as she saw him. - -"There, mother Hill," said Frank, "hold your tongue. I have taken no -hurt. I suppose you would have had me stood by, and see Mary pushed down -and trampled on by that land-lubber? but I dressed his tawdry jacket for -him. I say, cousin Mary," continued he, "I have been at the Bush, where -my father and a party of officers are dining; and they tell me that -Nelson has beaten the French soundly; and my father is appointed Captain -of a ship in Nelson's squadron, and we are ordered to sail next week, -and I am to go with them; huzza!" - -Frank now shouted and capered as if he was wild. I was a little peevish, -however, and did not like the noise he made. "I wish," said I, "you -would be quiet, Frank, and come back with us to the fair, and help find -those mad boys who have run away from us, and then we can go home." - -"Well, I will," said Frank; "but I forgot to tell you that my father -gave me a guinea when I was at the Bush, to be divided amongst you all -for fairings; and if mother Hill and Ann are good-tempered, they shall -come in for a share." - -This put us all in good-humour. We entered the town in high spirits, and -soon got some refreshment, and Sam directly went to the stall to buy the -gingerbread hat; but alas, it had been sold while he was gone. This -disappointment occasioned another fit of roaring; till, to appease him, -Mrs. Hill permitted him to mount one of the horses in a merry-go-round. -We stood a few minutes, seeing him spin round in great state, when my -brother William came up to us, crying aloud. He had certainly been -rolled in the dust, for his coat was covered with dirt. Before we could -inquire what was the matter James followed him: _he_ did not cry, but he -was in a sad pickle; his nose was streaming with blood, the frill of -his shirt hung in tatters, and one skirt of his coat was rent off. We -really were not a little ashamed of this addition to our party: for a -mob, attracted by the noise William made, began to gather round us. At -this moment a hackney-coachman from London drove through the fair, -calling, "Who rides? who rides? A ride for a penny a-head." Frank gave -him a hail, as he called it. The man drew up, and Frank bustled James -and William into the coach; he then packed in nurse Hill, and the maid -with the children. As he was handing me up the steps I dropped my shoe -among the crowd. - -"Oh, my shoe!" I cried; "find my shoe!" - -"Never mind your shoe," said Frank, "we cannot look for it among so many -people." He then pushed me into the coach, jumped in himself, and the -man shut the door. - -How we all contrived to get into one coach I cannot think to this day; -but when we were in, nurse asked the boys what had ailed them. William -began to cry afresh, and James to laugh. - -"How came you in such a plight, Jem?" asked Frank. - -"Why," said Jem, "you must know that a little while ago William and I -went up to a cake stall, and whilst I was bargaining, Master Will peeped -through a hole in an oyster-woman's stall close by, and there he saw a -little white pitcher standing on one of the tubs; so he stooped down and -picked up a pebble, which he threw with such good aim through the hole, -that the pitcher, which was full of spirits, broke in pieces, and all -the liquor ran among the oysters. The stall-woman flew out like a fury; -but she could not have told who had done it, you know, only a great -thick-headed boy who stood by pointed at poor Will, and said, "That is -the boy who threw the stone." The fish-woman at this began to cuff poor -William, and knocked him into the dirt; whilst I, having nothing else to -do, gave the boy who had told the tale a good banging; but I believe I -came off the worst, for the boy was bigger and stronger than me, though -Will has made such a piping for a few thumps." - -By the time James had finished relating this mishap the coachman stopped -his horses; he said he had given us a good ride for our money, and would -go no farther; we offered to pay him handsomely if he would take us -home. "No," he said, "he could make more money by driving about the -fair, and he would not stir another step." - -Think of me, unhappy creature that I was, for I had to walk home with -only one shoe. Frank, to do him justice, was very kind, and offered to -carry me on his back; but that I did not choose, for fear the people we -met should laugh at me. Well, we began to move slowly forward on the -road home. I leaned heavily on Frank's arm, and hopped some paces on one -foot. This mode of travelling so diverted the mischievous James, and he -burst into such immoderate fits of laughter, that I, provoked beyond all -endurance, began to cry as if I should break my heart. Frank was much -concerned at this, and threatened James that if he were not quiet, he -would get him a ropes-ending by telling his father. Frank then took off -the black silk handkerchief which he wore round his neck, and tied it -about my foot as well as he could, to defend me against the stones. -James, who was brought to order by my tears more than by his brother's -threats, begged my pardon, and offered to help me along. I took his arm -rather sulkily, and, supported by him and Frank, contrived to limp -forward a little way. - -As we were proceeding homewards in this melancholy manner a post-chaise -drove past us. Presently it stopped, and my father jumped out; he came -towards us, much astonished at meeting with his children in such a -pitiful condition. He first looked at Frank's bruised face, and -William's dirty jacket; then at my foot, and James's bloody nose and -tattered garments. - -"Why, children," he said, "what do you all here so far from home? and -who has been misusing you in this manner?" - -We all lifted up our voices at once to reply; but nurse Hill contrived -to make hers sound the loudest. - -"Oh, Sir," she said, "the Captain would take us all to Hampstead fair; -but as soon as we got there he left us, and we have met with so many -mischances, that I thought I never should have brought the children -alive out of the fair." - -"So," said my father, "this is just like my mad-cap brother! What could -induce their mother to trust so many children to such a hair-brained -creature?" - -We now complained how tired and hungry we all were; my father had us -children put into the chaise, and, bidding the postillion drive at a -foot-pace, walked by the side with Frank, hearing from him all our -disasters; and indeed we had all contrived to get into some misfortune -except our maid Ann, and quiet little Jane. - -I hardly need tell you that we were all rejoiced when we arrived at -home, and were fed and comforted after our fatigues. - -Some days after Captain Richmond and his sons set off for Portsmouth, -where his ship lay. It was a long time before I could laugh at our -mishaps; indeed I would cry bitterly if any one afterwards proposed our -spending another _day at Hampstead Fair_. - -"I do not wonder at it, mamma," said Mary. "Oh, how vexed I should have -been! I am afraid that I should have fretted myself quite ill if such -disagreeable things had happened to me." - -"Therefore, Mary, such places are very improper for you, who cannot bear -any little accident with temper. I was not fretful, but I really -suffered severely from terror and fatigue. I see that Kate and William -are laughing, as if they did not think it very frightful." - -"Who can help laughing, mamma?" said William; "but I am sadly afraid, -that if Kate and I had gone to the fair we might have got into some -mischief, for we are both very careless." - -"Your brother William is my father," said Kate to her aunt. - -"Yes, my dear girl," said Mrs. Dormer, "and we often now laugh over our -misfortunes at Hampstead fair." - -The weather proved so wet all the week that it was impossible to go to -the fair either of the two remaining days on which it was held; but -after the first disappointment was over, the children regretted it very -little; and they were made ample amends, by spending another happy, -quiet day with Edward and George before they went to school. - - ---- - -The month of July passed away very delightfully. Kate's health was -greatly improved by the kind attention and judicious management of her -good aunt: the consumptive symptoms that had before threatened her -entirely disappeared, and by the middle of August she was considered -well enough to go back to school; but previously to that her father -wished her to return home with her uncle, aunt, and cousins, to spend -some days with him. This gentleman had recently purchased a landed -estate in Surrey, which he cultivated himself; and as he had now been -for some time comfortably settled in the farm, he came over to invite -them into Surrey at the joyous time of the harvest. The invitation was -accepted by Mr. and Mrs. Dormer; and the next day the whole party set -off for Mr. Richmond's estate. He drove Kate and William in his gig, and -Mary and Lewis followed with their father and mother in a post-chaise. -They enjoyed the ride greatly; and Kate strove to amuse her father, by -relating to him some of the stories she had heard from her aunt. - -It was past eight in the evening when they arrived at the farm. They -drove round a lawn to a large handsome white house; which, though an old -building, had a peculiar air of comfort and cheerfulness. Every thing -within, also, appeared very neat; and the children, who had never been -in a farm-house before, found plenty of objects to admire. The rows of -pewter, which filled a long range of shelves over the dresser, and that -rivalled silver itself in brightness, caught the attention of the young -strangers; who had a thousand questions to ask of their uncle, for -every thing they saw was entirely new to them. - -William and Mary ran to the door to look at a fine litter of young pigs, -which the dairy-maid was feeding with some milk. - -"Look, Mary," said William, "how those little pigs are quarrelling for -the milk! how greedy it seems of them, when there is plenty for all!" - -"It is very naughty for them to fight," said Lewis, "they are such -pretty little white creatures; what a pity it is that they are not -good." - -"They are indeed very pretty," said Kate; "but you know, Lewis, those -things which are the _prettiest_ are not _always_ the _best_." - -They were still amusing themselves by looking at the little pigs, when -they were called into the parlour to supper. The children gazed with -wonder at the profusion of victuals provided for them. An enormous hot -apple-pie smoked in the middle of the table; on each side of it stood -two large custards. At one end of the table were three roast chickens -and a large ham, and at the other a huge plum-pudding. The journey had -made them very hungry, and they did honour to the ample supper that Mrs. -Harrison, the good old housekeeper, had provided for them. - -The children's eyes were open by sunrise in the morning, and Mary and -Kate jumped out of bed, and began dressing with great expedition, when -Mary looking out of the window into a green meadow below, exclaimed in a -tone of great surprise, "Oh, Kate, come and look at a beautiful creature -that is walking about in the meadow below: I never saw any fowl like it -before; it is prettier than mamma's stuffed humming-bird." - -Kate left off washing her face, and ran to the window, for she could -not think what Mary was admiring so much. - -"Oh, it is only the peacock," said she. - -"How I should like to catch it," said Mary. "Kate, is it tame?" - -"Not very, for it runs away and makes a noise if any one comes near it," -said Kate; "it was once very tame, but John used to pull the long -feathers out of its tail, and drive it about till it grew very cross, -and has not suffered any one to catch it since." - -"How cruel!" said Mary, "to pull out its nice feathers; what a pity John -is not good!" - -While Mary was tying her shoes, William and Lewis called out from an -adjoining room for her to look at a large flock of sheep which were -being driven into a field close by. Mary was astonished to see how -carefully the shepherd's dog guided them along, and brought back those -which attempted to stray from the rest of the flock. - -"How pretty and innocent they look! don't they, Kate?" - -"Yes, Mary." - -"But look, Kate, Mrs. Harrison is crossing the yard; we shall be too -late to see the cows milked, and the calves suckled. Make haste and comb -out your hair," said Mary, impatiently. - -"We shall have plenty of time, dear Mary," replied Kate; "for, if you -remember, Mrs. Harrison promised last night to call us when she was -ready to show us the milking." - -But Mary was so impatient to see the young calves, and to drink the new -milk, that Kate led the way to the dairy, where the dairy-maid was -busily employed in taking off the cream of the yesterday's milk. Kate -was satisfying the curiosity of Mary respecting the various utensils, -when Mrs. Harrison entered with William and Lewis, and they all -proceeded to the cowhouse, where all the cows stood fastened up, waiting -to be milked. - -The children were all delighted when the calves were let out of the -adjoining crib, and came capering to suck. - -"Look, madam," said Mary, "how ill-tempered that spotted cow seems -towards her calf." - -"And now see, Mary, how she is kicking it! What a cruel creature to hurt -such a nice little calf?" exclaimed Lewis springing forward as he spoke, -and before Mrs. Harrison had time to prevent him, he bestowed on the cow -two or three hearty blows with an old shackle, which unfortunately for -the poor beast happened to lay near, saying, "Now learn to use your calf -so ill." But the cow, not being used to such rough treatment, began -kicking at a great rate. Lewis ran back to Mrs. Harrison in a fright. - -[Illustration: Page 132. Page 143. - -_Published April 20 1823 by Harris & Son corner of St. Pauls._] - -"What ill-natured creatures cows are," said Lewis, regarding the object -of his wrath with great indignation. - -"And yet, my dear, the cow was not so much to blame as you thought her, -for see how the calf has bitten her." - -"So it has, I declare," said Lewis, "for the blood is running quite -fast. I wish I had not been so hasty in striking her, poor thing." - -The cow was now quiet, and began eating her hay again. Lewis went up to -her, and stroked her face and sides, which she did not seem to take at -all amiss. - -"Now, dear Mrs. Harrison, will you give us a little new milk?" said -Kate; "here is the wooden cup." - -"With pleasure," said the good old lady, and she filled the cup and sent -it round; they each drank a good draught of the milk, and thought it -delicious. - -When the cows were all milked, they proceeded to the poultry-yard, and -Mrs. Harrison filled her lap with barley and dross wheat. At the sound -of her well known voice, all sorts of poultry came tumbling over each -other, in their eagerness to get their morning repast; turkeys and their -chicks, guinea-fowls, and a peahen with her brood. This last was -examined with great attention by Mary. - -"They are not prettier than chickens; nay, I do not like them so well," -said she. - -"No, my dear," returned Mrs. Harrison; "it is many months before the -young peachicks show any marks of their beauty; and then it is only the -male that is handsome, for you see the peahen is rather an ordinary -bird. - -"But where are all the geese?" said William; "for I see only two, under -coops, with some nice little yellow goslings." - -"All the geese, and large turkies, and ducks and hogs, are driven to the -barley fields after the crops are cleared; and there they find an -excellent living, by picking up the grains that have been scattered." - -The little party now returned to the house; and on entering the -parlour, they kissed their mamma, and bid their father and uncle good -morning. They then took their seats at a side-table very orderly, and -ate their breakfasts of brown bread and milk, with great relish, for -rising so early had given them a keen appetite. - -When the cloth was removed, the children got round Mrs. Dormer, and -began to tell her all they had seen. Mr. Richmond seemed greatly -diverted by the adventure of Lewis with the cow; but advised him not to -be so ready in administering justice among the cattle, lest he should -get severely hurt for his pains. - -"And now," he said, "in about an hour I will return and take you to the -harvest-field. In the mean time, Kate shall go with you into the garden, -and there you will see the rabbits, and the bees at work, only take -care that you are not stung." - -When they had sufficiently admired the rabbits, and looked at the bees -till they were tired, they walked up and down the garden with Mrs. -Dormer, till they saw their father and Mr. Richmond coming to them. - -The whole party now proceeded across the lawn; the giddy little Lewis -running on before till he reached a stile, which led into a field of -barley-stubble. In this field there were a large flock of geese and some -turkies, together with the peacock which Mary had admired in the -morning. Lewis, who was a careless fellow, got among them, and was -assaulted by the great turkey-cock, who ran after him, trying to bite -him. - -Lewis took to his heels, and in his haste to escape from the wrath of -the turkey, he disturbed a flock of goslings, which with the old grey -goose, were quietly sitting on the ground, sunning themselves among the -stubble. The goose, seeing her brood in disorder, made such a lamentable -outcry as brought the gander and several of his companions to her aid. -Lewis was now in the greatest distress; he knew not which way to run. At -last he boldly faced about, and taking up a handful of stones, flung -them among the foremost of his enemies: the gander, enraged at this, -flapped his wings, and gave Lewis several unmerciful pecks on the back -of his leg. - -It would be difficult to determine which made the most noise, the geese, -or Lewis Dormer, for they screamed in concert, and were joined by the -turkies; and though the peacock did not attempt to assist his -neighbours, yet he added his note to increase the clamour. - -The noise did not fail to reach the ears of the party in the meadow, who -came quickly up to the barley-field. Mr. Richmond jumped over the -stile, and drove the geese away with his stick, and they retired -hissing and screaming to a little distance, while Lewis, with tears in -his eyes, ran to his mother, and related the bad behaviour of the -turkies and geese; declaring at the same time that he wished his uncle -would not keep such ill-tempered creatures, for he hated them all. - -"And yet, Lewis does not dislike roasted goose for dinner," said his -father, "and I have seen him eat turkey at Christmas." - -"Yes; but roasted geese never _hurt_ me," said Lewis, rubbing his leg. - -"Will you go back, and wait till your leg is better?" said Mrs. Dormer. - -"Do, dear Lewis," said his cousin Kate; "and I will stay with you, and -we can look at the pictures in the great parlour." - -But Lewis, who did not relish the thoughts of returning to the house at -all, thanked his cousin, and said his leg was getting better; indeed, -he was in a few minutes the foremost in a race that William and Mary -were engaged in, and scampered along as if nothing had happened. - -They soon reached the harvest-field, where the men were busily employed -in loading and carrying the wheat. Here every thing was alive and -bustling: the men all looked cheerful and gay; some whistled or sung as -they worked, and others talked of the pleasures to be enjoyed at the -expected harvest-home supper. - -"Here is our good master coming, my boys," cried the men on the loaded -waggon to those below. - -"Well, my lads," said Mr. Richmond, as he drew near, "when am I to -prepare this harvest-supper for you?" - -"We expect, Sir, to bring home the last load to-morrow afternoon," said -the head man, respectfully taking off his hat to his master. - -In that part of the field which was cleared the wives and children of -the labourers were permitted to begin gleaning. The children soon ran -off to observe the gleaners at work; and Mary and Kate began gathering -up the ears of corn, and presenting to those who appeared feeble, and -not able to work so hard as the others. - -"God bless your pretty faces, my little dears," said a poor old woman, -to whom Mary and Kate had given a large handful of corn. - -Lewis, hearing the benedictions which were so liberally bestowed on the -girls, and determining not to be out-done in generosity, began to -present large handfuls of the corn, which he pulled out of the standing -sheaves, to the women and children; when, just as Lewis began to fill -the lap of a little girl, his uncle touched him on the shoulder. "Aha! -my little man, if you are so bountiful I shall soon lose half the -profits of my fields." - -Lewis was quite in a fright, for he thought his uncle would be very -angry: indeed he had never recollected that the wheat was none of his to -give away; so he looked very penitent, and begged his uncle's pardon. - -His uncle readily forgave him; but reminded him that when he next -intended to be generous, at another person's expense, he must first ask -permission. - -Shortly after Mr. Richmond told them he was going to quit the field, as -they should have dinner very soon. - - ---- - -The next day presented a scene of bustle and activity; every body was -busy, and every countenance beamed with joy--it was Harvest Home--and -there was not an individual on the farm but what partook of the general -rejoicing that the master's corn was got safely in. - -The great oaken table was placed in the middle of the hall, and benches -and forms were brought to accommodate the guests. The hall itself was -decked with green boughs, and a sheaf of wheat was suspended over the -table. A barrel of ale was tapped, and a noble batch of harvest cakes -baked; and the gardener brought in a great basket full of apples and -plums, to entertain the good folks after supper. - -Mary and Kate were highly interested in the preparations for the -approaching festival. Mrs. Harrison, taking each of the little girls by -the hand, went from place to place, giving orders to the maids, and -seeing that her commands were executed; she then proceeded to make the -plum-puddings and apple-pies, Mary and Kate seating themselves by her -side and attentively looking on. - -Presently the butcher knocked at the kitchen door, and Mary's -admiration was excited on seeing the enormous pieces of beef and suet -which he took out of his basket. - -"Mrs. Harrison," she exclaimed, "how is all that meat to be eaten?" - -"I warrant you, my dear, there will not be a vast deal too much." - -And in a few minutes a great fire was made, the plum-puddings were put -into the copper, and two great pieces of beef laid down to roast. - -Towards the evening Mrs. Harrison put on her green lute-string gown -(which was never worn but on great occasions), her very best cap, and -worked-muslin apron, and the maid-servants decked themselves out in -their holiday-gowns. - -A shout of "The last load! huzzah! here comes the last load!" brought -the children to the window. They saw the last load of wheat coming home, -crowned with green boughs, and followed by men, women and children, some -before and some behind, shouting joyfully as they advanced. - -The little Dormers were in as high spirits as any of them; and William -and Lewis rushed out to see it unloaded. - -Mrs. Harrison hurried forwards with a large basket full of harvest -cakes, just hot from the oven, followed by one of the maids with a stone -pitcher of ale, to regale the harvest-men as soon as the waggon was -unloaded. The men with their wives and children then went home to dress. - -At length the supper hour arrived, and the pieces of beef which struck -Mary with such astonishment were placed on the table, and two great -plum-puddings at the head, and two at the foot, and a great apple-pie in -the middle; a large piece of bread and a mug of ale were also placed to -every plate. All had been arranged in the nicest order by Mrs. Harrison, -who now took the head of the table. - -Mr. Richmond walked through the hall with the children, to see that -every thing was right, and that the people were comfortable. All the -farming men were there, with their wives and children, who looked the -pictures of health and joy: they were all standing round the table. When -Mr. Richmond entered, the men bowed, the women curtsied, and the -children followed the example of their parents. - -"Is every thing ready, Mrs. Harrison?" asked Mr. Richmond. - -"Yes, Sir; every thing," was the reply. - -"Then say grace, and begin your supper," rejoined he. - -Grace was accordingly said, and the company having taken their seats, -Mrs. Harrison began carving. When Mr. Richmond had seen them all helped, -he wished them a good appetite, and (that they might enjoy themselves -without restraint) withdrew with his delighted little visitors. - -Nor had the guests been forgotten; for when the children entered the -dining parlour they found an excellent supper laid out for them. - -And now the cloth being removed, Mr. Richmond once more entered the -hall, and threw open the folding doors, that the children might see the -people. - -"Well, my good friends, how do you come on?" asked Mr. Richmond. - -"God bless your honour, bravely," replied many voices at once, and again -the head man rose and said grace, the cloth was taken away, and the -fruit and pitchers of ale put on the table; a horn full of beer was then -given to each. In a moment men, women and children burst into the -chorus-song of "Here's a health to our good master, the founder of the -feast." Certainly their voices were not very harmonious, and the words -were rather homely, the song having been used by their fathers before -them for many generations: but the children listened to it with great -pleasure; they afterwards heard their own healths given, one by one; and -Lewis seemed to think himself a person of great consequence when he was -toasted in turn. - -They staid up long after their usual time, and then retired to bed, -greatly pleased at the scene they had beheld. - - ---- - -In a day or two after the jovial harvest-home Mr. and Mrs. Dormer took -leave of their good brother and his family. The tears stood in Kate's -eyes as she viewed the approach of the post-chaise which was to take her -aunt away. "And now," she said, "I shall lose you. Oh, how often I shall -think of your nice stories, and how happy I have been with my cousins, -when I am at school at Guilford." - -Mrs. Dormer stooped down and kissed away her tears, which now began to -fall very fast. "Do not grieve, my dear Kate, for these happy times will -soon come again, for your father has promised that you shall spend next -Christmas with me, and I have other stories which you shall hear then; -and I hope my little Kate will spend her Christmas holidays as -pleasantly as she has the Midsummer." Kate wiped away her tears at -hearing this joyful news, and summoned fortitude to bid her cousins -good-bye, though it required all Mrs. Harrison's kindness to comfort -her, when she could no longer see the carriage that bore them away. - -The intervening months passed rapidly away; the long anticipated -vacation arrived, and the little Dormers were once more gratified with -the company and conversation of their cousin Kate. A thousand little -occurrences were remembered and related with mutual satisfaction; and -amidst all the festivities attendant on the season of Christmas, the -intellectual enjoyment of hearing more tales was eagerly anticipated by -the children. The very first evening after Kate's arrival, therefore, -Mrs. Dormer was reminded of her kind promise: and as she was at all -times willing to gratify her beloved family, she desired the young folks -to form themselves into a comfortable circle round the fire whilst she -related the story of - - - - -THE PRIMROSE GIRL, - -OR, LITTLE EMMA'S BIRTH-DAY. - -It was a beautiful morning in the month of April, when Mr. and Mrs. -Selwhyn arose somewhat earlier than their usual hour, on account of some -expected visitors who had been invited on that day to Heathwood Park, -for the purpose of celebrating the birth-day of little Emma, who, being -an only child, was made a great pet of, and who had now completed her -ninth year. She was, indeed, a most promising little creature of her -age: but why was she so?--because she was good, and kind, obedient to -her parents, and attentive to all the instructions of her teachers: -therefore she might truly be called promising; because, my young -readers, if children do well at this early age, they promise to do -better when they grow older; and thus was Miss Emma Selwhyn at nine -years of age considered a very promising young lady by all her numerous -friends and acquaintance. It is no wonder, therefore, that her birth-day -was commemorated with peculiar pleasure by her fond parents, because -they hoped with the increase of years she would also increase in -learning, humility, and virtue. - -With this pleasing anticipation, Mrs. Selwhyn requested her husband to -favour her with half an hour's conversation, as they walked towards the -summer-house in the garden, which breathed the delicious fragrance of -the opening flowers! - -"I have been thinking, my love," said Mrs. Selwhyn, "if you have no -objection, of trying a little stratagem with Emma. As it is her -birth-day, I should wish to know whether thankfulness for her own -blessings would induce her to perform any act of kindness towards others -on this particular day, that she may with more pleasure remember it on -the next." - -"With all my heart," rejoined Mr. Selwhyn. "Let us try the experiment, -by presenting her, instead of personal ornaments as formerly, with a -purse of money, and we shall then see what she will do with it." - -"I shall be much disappointed if she does not make use of it in the way -I should wish," said Mrs. Selwhyn, drawing out of her pocket a neat red -morocco purse, containing two half-crown pieces, to which Mr. Selwhyn -added two more, making in the whole, the sum of ten shillings. Now this -was certainly a very large sum for a little girl of Emma's age to be -trusted with: for some children spend their money very foolishly, and -throw it away on mere trifles. However, we shall see what use Emma will -make of it, and I hope it will be a good one; for money is of little or -no value, unless it be appropriated to good purposes. - -"Now," said Mr. Selwhyn, "we will return; as by this time, I dare say, -Emma is ready for her breakfast, and will no doubt be delighted with the -unexpected present we are going to make her." - -"Oh, you cannot think," cried Mrs. Selwhyn, "how careful she is of her -money! I gave her two new shillings, and I should not be at all -surprised if she has one of them laid by." - -Mrs. Selwhyn now stopped a few moments, intending to gather some -flowers, but suddenly directing her attention towards the summer-house, -she perceived her amiable daughter in close conversation with a poor -little girl, who, though almost clothed in rags, was yet very clean and -modest in her appearance. She had no bonnet on her head, but a large -basket, plentifully supplied with bunches of primroses; and though she -had a smiling countenance, full of good-humour and sweetness, yet her -rosy cheeks were wet with tears, which she brushed away with hands that -were sun-burnt, but not dirty. - -"Poor little girl!" cried Emma, "I am very sorry for you, indeed; and I -am sure, if my mamma were here, she would let me buy a great many of -your primroses. I would buy all you have got in your basket if I could -afford it." With these words Emma, taking a bundle of primroses out of -the basket gave the little girl a penny, exclaiming, "how sorry I am -that I have no more than this penny; but if I had, you should be welcome -to it, indeed you should." - -"Bless you, Miss," cried the primrose girl; "it is more than anybody -else has given me; and God will love you, because you are not proud, and -are not ashamed of speaking to a poor girl like me!" - -"Oh dear, I should be very wicked if I were ashamed of speaking to poor -people," said Emma. "Papa and mamma would be much displeased with me; -and they are so kind, that I should be sorry to do any thing to excite -their displeasure." - -The primrose girl now placed her basket on her head, and putting her -penny into one corner of it, sighed mournfully as she bade Emma adieu, -saying she would buy a penny roll, and carry it home to her sick mother. - -"Oh dear," cried Emma, "if you have got a sick mother, I am sure my -mamma would do something for her, for she is very kind to every body -that is ill. Where do you live, little girl? pray tell me, and I will -come and see you, if mamma pleases, and bring you something. I have got -a nice basket, which will hold a great deal, you cannot think how much! -This is my birth-day, and what do you think I will do? I will save all -my plum-cake, and you shall have it for your sick mother, indeed you -shall." - -The primrose girl dropt a low curtsey, and informing her young -benefactress that her mother lived by the side of the old barn in the -forest, she tripped away in pursuit of more customers, and with a joyful -heart, that she had already got one penny towards the homely meal which -awaited her when the labours of the day should be over; while little -Emma awaited a very different scene in the splendid breakfast parlour in -the family mansion of Heathwood Park. Scarcely, however, could the -transports of Mr. and Mrs. Selwhyn be concealed in the presence of their -beloved child, the discovery of whose benevolent disposition towards -the poor primrose girl had rendered her doubly dear to them. - -"Well," cried Mrs. Selwhyn, "what do you think of Emma now?" - -"Think!" exclaimed Mr. Selwhyn, "why I am of opinion that the red -morocco purse cannot be better bestowed than on one who knows so well -how to make a proper use of it. Here she comes, with cheeks as fresh as -the blooming rose! But pray do not say a word of the primrose girl." - -Emma now came into the room, and paid her respects to her papa and -mamma, who kissing her ruby lips, reminded her that it was her -birth-day. - -"You are nine years old to-day, Emma," said Mrs. Selwhyn. - -"Yes, mamma; and nine more will make eighteen, and I shall be a great -woman, if I live till then; and my apple-tree, that papa said he planted -the day I was born, will be a great tree, with plenty of apples on it; -and you know, as it is mine, I may, when I am grown a woman, do what I -like with it." - -"Oh, certainly," exclaimed Mr. Selwhyn; "but pray, Emma, in that case, -what would you do with it? I should like to know." - -"Why, papa, I would gather all the apples I could find on it and make -them all into apple-dumplings, for poor little girls who had sick -mothers, and could not afford to buy any." - -Mrs. Selwhyn could no longer refrain from pressing her darling girl to -her maternal bosom, for at this moment a mother's heart was quite full; -while Mr. Selwhyn, equally delighted, affectionately kissed his beloved -daughter. - -"Mrs. Selwhyn," said he, "I believe it is high time to produce the red -morocco purse; it is really growing quite troublesome in my pocket." - -"Then suppose you give it without further delay," rejoined Mrs. Selwhyn. - -"Emma, your papa is going to present you with a birth-day gift; a -little red morocco purse." - -"With money in it?" inquired Emma. - -"Yes, my love: a purse is of little use without there is money it." - -Emma was silent, but her blushing cheeks and sparkling eyes evinced the -secret pleasure which this intelligence conveyed. - -Mr. Selwhyn, while presenting his daughter with her birth-day gift, -said, "now Emma, place this carefully in your pocket; and though you -need not now examine its contents, remember they are entirely your own, -and you are at liberty to make use of them agreeable to your own -inclinations." - -"What, papa, may I do what I like with the money?" inquired Emma, -regarding the purse with a wishful eye, while she deposited it carefully -in her pocket. - -"I have given it you for that purpose," answered her fond parent; "only -remember, that if you live till next birth-day, you must inform me in -what manner you disposed of it." Mr. Selwhyn then retired to his study, -and his good lady was left alone with her daughter. - -"I will spare you from your studies, this morning, my dear Emma," said -Mrs. Selwhyn, "for we have company to dinner, because it is your -birth-day. But look! as I live, here is Susannah, your old nurse, -hobbling over the stile. She is coming, I suppose, to wish you many -happy returns of this day. She was a kind nurse to you, Emma, when you -was a helpless little baby, and could not take care of yourself; so I -will leave you to make her as welcome as you please, while I attend to -my domestic concerns." - -Susannah had by this time arrived at the garden-gate, and Emma with a -joyful countenance came out to meet her. - -"How kind it is of you, dear Susannah," cried she, "to come and see me -on my birth-day! But you have walked a great way, and must be extremely -fatigued; pray sit down, and rest yourself." - -Susannah seated herself in the first chair she could find, for she was -very aged and infirm; and when Emma had taken off her cloak, and laid -aside her walking-stick, she thus addressed her: - -"There, Susannah, now you are seated, and may take as much rest as you -please, and I will wait on you, and bring you any thing you may want: -for mamma told me you was a kind nurse to me, when I was a little baby -and could not help myself, so now I have got strength, I will help you, -Susannah. Indeed, I should be very naughty if I did not. Will you take -any refreshment after your walk? Suppose I fetch you some nice cake, and -a little cream?" - -"Heaven preserve and bless you, my darling!" cried Susannah; "there is -no occasion for that: I see you, and I am happy; but I could not rest -without coming to bless you on your birth-day! You was a tender lamb, -and you are a tender lamb now. Heaven spare you to see many such days! -But I shall never live to see them--I am growing old and feeble." - -"Ah! but, Susannah, you do not know what I have got for you!" said Emma, -throwing her arms affectionately round Susannah's neck, while she slyly -drew from her pocket the red morocco purse. "Do you know, papa has given -me this pretty purse full of money, and says, because it is my -birth-day, I may do whatever I like with it. Let us see how much money -there is in it." The delighted Emma now threw the whole contents on the -table, exclaiming, "there, Susannah, four half-crown pieces, I declare! -Only think what a kind papa I have got, and what a deal of money he has -given me! Now, Susannah, I will give you two of these pieces, because -you are my nurse, and the other two I will keep for somebody. Oh dear, -what a charming thing it is to have plenty of money, to do whatever one -likes with! I am so happy you cannot think, because I know somebody I am -going to see, who will be quite happy too! It is a great pleasure to -make other people happy, when we can do it so pleasantly, is it not, -Susannah?" - -"My dear child," rejoined Susannah, "I cannot accept of your kindness -without the consent of your parents;" and with this remark she returned -the money, much to the mortification of Emma; who, however, after many -entreaties, at last prevailed on her visitor to put the two half-crowns -into her pocket. - -The maid now came in, to tell Emma that her mamma desired she would go -and be dressed, and with an invitation to old Susannah that she would go -into the housekeeper's room, where she would be made quite comfortable. -Emma accordingly left Susannah, with a fresh kiss, and a fresh blessing -from the affectionate nurse. - -On being afterwards introduced to Mr. and Mrs. Selwhyn, from whom, on -that day, she always received her accustomed present of a new gown and a -guinea, Susannah pulled out the two half-crowns which Emma had given -her, and while she dwelt with artless simplicity on the kindness and -generosity of the young donor, she declared she could not receive her -gift without consulting them on the occasion. - -Mr. and Mrs. Selwhyn exchanged looks of evident satisfaction. - -"The red morocco purse will not disgrace its owner," said Mr. Selwhyn. -"You must certainly accept of Emma's present; so put the two -half-crowns into your pocket, for the money was given to her with an -intimation that she might use it in any manner she liked best; and I am -very well satisfied that she knows so well how to appreciate its value." - -Before we proceed further, permit me to ask my young readers if it was -not very praiseworthy and amiable in Emma, to present her poor old nurse -with this mark of her bounty and affection? I am sure you will agree -with me; and if you have had a poor old nurse who has taken care of you -in your infancy, I have no doubt but you will be happy to imitate the -example of Miss Emma Selwhyn. - -At half-past three o'clock two carriages arrived at Heathwood Park, and -a very happy and agreeable party of friends assembled together. Indeed, -it was truly delightful to see with what marked attention little Emma -was treated by all her numerous friends and acquaintances, several of -whom had brought her some very pretty birth-day presents. As she was -blessed with an excellent memory, her papa desired her to recite the -"Beggar's Petition," and it was very pretty to hear her say, - - - "Pity the Sorrows of a poor old man, - "Whose trembling limbs have borne him to your door, - "Whose days are dwindled to the shortest span: - "Oh, give relief, and Heaven will bless your store!" - - -When she had finished she received the praises of every body present; -which would not have been the case had she not paid due attention to her -learning, by which she retained all she had read, and could with ease -repeat all her lessons on that account. - -A very large and beautiful plum-cake was now put on the table; but -though Emma was presented by her mamma with a double allowance, in -honour of her birth-day, she contrived to eat but a small portion of it -herself, reserving the rest for the benevolent purpose she had -intended: for the Primrose Girl and her sick mother were not forgotten, -as will appear in the sequel of our tale. - -The birth-day having closed in the most agreeable manner, Emma arose -very early the next morning, and, taking the basket under her arm, she -first of all deposited her large piece of plum-cake; she then ran down -stairs to Betty the cook, whom she addressed in the following manner: - -"Good morning, Betty; the weather is extremely pleasant; and as I am -going out for a walk, who knows but I may happen to meet with somebody -who is very poor, and very hungry? I shall take it very kind, Betty, if -you will put into my basket a little stale bread, or a little meat, or -any thing else you may have at hand. I shall be so much obliged to you; -and so, I dare say, will somebody else; for you know, Betty, it is a sad -thing to be hungry and poor!" - -Betty lost not a moment in complying with Emma's request; but filled -the little basket as full as she could with cold victuals and other -trifling things: for not only Betty, but all the rest of the servants at -Heathwood Park, were very fond of their young mistress, whose amiable -disposition and gentle manners had rendered her a very deserving -favourite amongst them. And this, my reader will allow, was a very -commendable trait in Emma's character; for we must not look with -contempt upon servants because they are our inferiors; for they are not -only useful to us, but they are also our fellow-creatures, and sometimes -prove our friends, and there is nothing more unbecoming in young persons -than to speak uncivilly to those who are employed in their service. I -hope you will remember this, my young reader, and never pout, or look -cross at persons who do their duty towards you, in that humble station -in which it has pleased Providence to place them. - -Emma now pursued her way to the forest, with the basket hanging on her -arm; but when she arrived there she was puzzled to find her way to the -barn. At last she met with an old woman who was going the same way. - -"Pray, Goody," cried Emma, "can you tell me where I can find an old -barn? I shall be so much obliged to you!" - -Now some old women are apt to be very inquisitive about what does not -concern them, yet they are by no means to be answered rudely on that -account. - -"Why, yes, pretty miss," cried the old woman, dropping a low curtsey -(for she soon saw that it was Miss Emma Selwhyn she was talking to), "it -is close by; and, as I am going that way, I will shew you: but pray, -miss, may I be so bold as to inquire who you may want? for, alack-a-day! -nobody lives there but Margery Blackbourne, the woodman's widow, and her -daughter Fanny, who is nothing better than a poor primrose girl!" - -"A poor primrose girl!" cried Emma. "Ah, Goody, you are right, it is -that poor child I am going to see; and though she is nothing better than -a primrose girl, yet I like her very much, because she is good to her -mother who is sick; besides Fanny is altogether the nicest little girl I -ever saw!" - -"Fanny is much obliged to you, I am sure," rejoined the old woman; "and -indeed, I cannot say but the poor thing has a hard life of it. To be -forced to cry primroses from morning till night is no easy matter, when -one is both hungry and thirsty. But there is her mother, Miss; do not -you see her by yonder stile, picking up some dry sticks to light her -fire, while Fanny, I suppose, is gone to try if she can get her a morsel -of bread." - -Emma did not wait to listen to any further conversation of the old -woman, but she did not forget to reward her for the trouble she had -taken in shewing her the way, and slipping six-pence into her hand, -wished her good morning. She then went directly to the door of the poor -primrose girl, and found, to her no small satisfaction, that she had not -yet set out on her accustomed ramble, but was busily employed in boiling -a little pottage, over a very little fire for her mother's breakfast. -Emma immediately accosted her thus: - -"Ah, little Fanny, (for I am told that is your name) how do you do? and -how is your mother? I promised I would come, and I am so happy, you -cannot think, to find you at home." - -"Miss, will you be so good as to sit down?" asked the primrose girl; -"here is mother's great chair; it is the best we have got." - -"I do not mind where I sit, thank you, Fanny," said Emma, seating -herself on a little wooden stool before the fire, and placing her -basket on the table; "but I must not stay long, because my papa and -mamma do not know where I am; so make haste, Fanny, if you please, and -empty the basket which I have brought with me. I told you it would hold -a great deal, and it is quite full." - -The primrose girl did as she was desired; but when she saw the plum-cake -at the bottom of the basket, the poor little creature was so overcome, -that she burst into a flood of tears, and turning to Emma, clasped her -little sun-burnt hands together with heartfelt gratitude! - -"Oh, Miss!" she exclaimed, "this is too much for poor people like us to -expect. That you should save your plum-cake on purpose that we might -share it is so kind, so very kind, that indeed my heart is quite full, -and so will mammy's be, when she sees you." - -At this instant poor Margery came in: but could scarcely believe her -senses, when she saw Miss Emma Selwhyn, the heiress of the rich Squire -of Heathwood Park, sitting on the wooden stool before the fire, in -familiar conversation with her daughter Fanny! - -Emma very soon explained the nature of her errand, and drawing out her -red morocco purse, presented Margery with the two remaining half-crowns -that were in it. "There," cried she, "take this money; it will buy you -some victuals when you are hungry. It is entirely my own, for my papa -gave it to me to do whatever I liked with it, so I shall now go home -quite contented and happy; and one day or other, when I am grown a great -woman, I will have a garden full of primroses, and that will always make -me remember Fanny." - -With this observation Emma retired, taking with her the blessings of the -poor widow, and the prayers of a fatherless child! and these, my young -reader, are of great importance, and should never be lightly esteemed. -They will make you happy when you have nothing else to make you so, -because you cannot obtain these blessings except by the performance of -kind and benevolent actions. - -Emma, on returning from her visit of mercy, was rewarded by the warm -approbation and fond endearments of her beloved parents; and I am happy -to add, that she lived to witness the return of many joyful birth-days, -on which occasions the red morocco purse was always replenished with the -sum of four half crowns, with the same permission that she had hitherto -obtained from her papa. Two of these pieces were regularly bestowed on -Susannah her old nurse; and as there yet remained two at the bottom of -the purse, my reader will probably guess what Emma did with them. They -were, in fact, reserved as a present for her young favourite primrose -girl, Fanny of the forest, who ever gratefully remembered the fortunate -hour when she first beheld little Emma, to whom she sold a penny bunch -of primroses on the morning of her birth-day. - - -THE END. - - -LONDON: -PRINTED BY COX AND BAYLIS, GREAT QUEEN STREET. - - - - -_The following Works are published by_ - -HARRIS AND SON, - -_Corner of St. Paul's Church-Yard_. - - -1. SCENES of BRITISH WEALTH in PRODUCE, MANUFACTURES, and COMMERCE, for -the Amusement and Instruction of Little Tarry-at-Home Travellers; -illustrated with 84 Engravings. By the Rev. J. TAYLOR, Author of Scenes -in England, Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. Price 7s. 6d. half-bound. - -2. 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