Spinning-Wheel Stories

S P I N N I G -W H E E L

S T O R I E S .

AL TT LOUISA M. CO

” “ ” AU H 01? E W ME N AN OLD-FA H N ED G I E MEN T OR LITTL O , S IO IRL, L TTL , “ ” “ ” “ ” EIG H OOUS INS E N B M UN DE TH E A CS T , ROS I LOO , R LIL , “ ” “ " “ ACK AN D H P A K E CH E W K A j JILL , OS IT L S T S, OR , ” “ ” S Y OF E"PE ENCE M DS A N VE TOR RI , OO , O L, “ ” “ " PROVBR B E VE P C HE STORI S, SIL R IT RS, “ ’ - " AUNT jo s SCRAP BAG.

BO STON

TTLE RO AND CO LI , B WN, MPANY,

19 02 . a ﬁ ht 1 88 C ps/ g , 4,

BY LOUISA M.

Bnihmitg wus s

N AND SON CAM BRIDGE JOHN WI LSO , C O N TE N TS.

’ GRA ND MA S STORY

’ TA BBY S TABL E-C LOTH

’ ELI S ED UCATI ON

u—f

LI TTLE THI NGS

TH E BANNER OF BEAUMANOIR

’ ER EY s OR TH E I RL S ST J S ; , G GHO

TH E LI TTL E HO U SE I N TH E GAR D EN

’ IS Y S EWEL -Box AN D H OW SH E F ILLED I T DA J ,

’ CORN Y S CA TAM O UNT

TH E COOKI NG -CLASS

THE HA R E AND TH E TORTOISE

IT is t oo bad to have our jolly vacation spoiled by ’ n n t i be this provoki g storm . Did m nd it yesterday, caus e we could eat all the ti me ; but here we are ’ for l Oooped up a week, perhaps, and I d ike to know ” ' Geoﬁ what we are to do, growled , as he stood at the win dow lookin g gloomily at the bleak scene without . It cert ainly was discouraging ; for th e north wind

e was i f in ift howl d, the air dark w th all g snow, and dr s

s i f ds if were ri ng over ences, roa , and ﬁelds, as to barricade the Christmas party in the great country

s hou e . “ it ’ We can bear pleasantly, since it can t be h d ” elpe , said gentle sister Mary, with a kind hand on his ul f fl of for i s sho der, and a ace u l sympathy his d ’ r for . I m i n appointment so ry the coast ng, skati g, and sleighin g frolics we have lost ; but ifwe must be shut ' ’ u I m ul n t p, sure we co d have a pleasanter prison or a i ’ k nder jailer. Don t let grandma hear us complain, for she has made great exerti ons to have our visit a l ro if merry one, and it wi l t uble her we are not gay ” c and ontented. - 2 SPINNING WHEEL ST ORIES.

’ T for of l nl hat s easy a parcel gir s, who o y want to ’ ll i it s mu over the ﬁre, and chatter, and dr nk tea but

fl s for fun rough on us el ow , who come the outside . ’ c House is well enough ; but when you ve seen it on e, ’ ’ s . E s ff there an end ating is jolly, but you can t tu ’ f n f . i t orever We might dig, or snowball, it did blow a

c of ff gale . Never saw su h a beast a storm and Geo ﬂattened his nose against the window-pane and scowled at the elements . f A laugh made him turn around, and orget his woes to stare at the quaint little ﬁgure that stood curts eying

- of - in the door way the keeping room , where a dozen young people were penned while the maids cleared up ’ of s f s i n i c the remains yesterday ea t the k t hen, the mothers were busy with the babies upstairs, and the fathers read papers i n the best parlor for this was a family gathering under the roofofthe old homestead .

s - f f f A ro y, dark eyed ace looked out rom the aded

c green alash, a gayly ﬂowered gown was looped up

u c over a bl e quilted petti oat, and a red camlet cloak fu hung d own behind . A big reticule and a nny u mbrella were held in either hand, and red hose and - i of very high heeled, pointed shoes covered a tr m pair f eet. God bles s ou me en t lemen I y , rry g May n ot h in g you d i s may ’ Here s your an cien t gran n y come ” To call t is i s tmas d a , h Chr y,

i i of sang M nn e, the lively member the ﬂock, as she bobbed little curtseys and smiled so infectiously that even cross Geoffcheered up. M ’ TORY GRAND A S S . 3

“ ’ Where d id you get th at rigging ? Is n t it " becoming ? What queer s t uﬁ Did grandma

o I ? ever lo k so, wonder These and many other questions rained upon the

of wearer the old costume, and she answered them as l fast as she cou d .

for n I went rummaging up garret somethi g to read, ’ of T d and found two chests old duds . hought I dress

u h ow i . m p and see you l ked me Grand a said I might, and told me I looked like her when she was young.

Sh e f was a beauty, you know so I eel as proud as a f peacock . And Min danced away to stand be ore the

of i - portrait a bloom ng girl in a short waisted, white i O sat n gown and a pearl necklace, which hung pposite the companion portrait ofan ofﬁcer in an old-fashi oned if un orm . if ul So you do . Wonder I sho d look like it h is ff grandpa I got into old toggery said Geo , looking up at the handsome man with the queue and - l the high coat col ar. “ an d n if in Go try ; the u orm is the chest, and not ’ m - L uch moth eaten. et s have a jolly rummage, and ’

. We d see what we can ﬁnd id n t eat ourselves sick, so we will amuse these lazy invalids and Mi n glanced pityingly at several cousins who lay about on

f in so as or easy chairs, pretending to read, but evi d en tly suffering from too great devotion to the boun

ifu n f of d t l di ner and evening east yester ay .

L ff of Away went Min and otty, Geo and Walt, glad

anyt hing to beguile th e stormy afternoon . Grandma

off smiled as she heard the tramp eet overhead, the - 4 SPINNING WHEEL STORIES.

ofl t h e h an of - peals aughter, and g chest lids, well knowing that a scene ofdire confus ion awaited her

s f c but fu for th e when the noi y roli was done, thank l stores ofancient ﬁnery which would keep the restless

for children happy a day.

for It was truly a noble garret, it extended the

of s i wi whole length the great quare house, w th ndows

s at either end, and divided in the middle by a olid

f s i . All o ch mney around stood rows che ts, dilapidated f f of i urniture, and wardrobes ull old relics, wh le the walls were hung with many things for which modern tongues can ﬁnd no names . In one corner was a book

fu of s in case ll mu ty books and papers ; another, kitchen utens ils and rusty weapons ; the third was de i f voted to qu lts hung on lines, and in the ourth stood a

- s mi loom with a spinning wheel beside it, both ee ngly

for well cared , as the dust lay lightly on them, and

’ i t aﬂ ﬂax was still upon the d s . A glorious rummage followed the irruption ofthe

' i Geoﬂ Goths and Vandals into th s quiet spot, and soon quite forgot the s torm as he pranced about in the buﬂ

- h at and blue coat, with a cocked on his head, and ’ L f grandfather s sword at his side. otty arrayed hersel

for m i n a pumpkin hood and quilted cloak war th,

- an while Walt, the book worm , went straight to the

f s cient library, and became absorbed in aded souvenir ,

n d of c . yellow newspapers, a almanacs a entury ago Havi ng displayed themselves below and romped all

O t h e s ver house, the ma queraders grew tired at last, and early twilight warned them to leave before ghostly shadows began to haunt the garret . ’ GRANDMA S STORY . 5

“ I mean to take this down and ask grandma to ’ ’ ve Sh ow me h ow it s done . I heard her tell about s pinning and weaving when she was a girl, and I know had f I can learn, said Minnie, who allen in love with i l i the l ttle wheel, and vain y tried to tw st the ﬂax into

' as n i f dis taﬂ as smooth a thread the one ha g ng rom the , as ifshadowy ﬁngers had lately spun it.

n o i f in E Quee Vict r a set the ashion ngland, and we ’ n t u e might do it here. Would it be fn to have a wh el

r us e it in the pa lor at home, and really it ; not keep

i as i " t ed up with blue ribbons, the other g rls do

r e L i . c i d otty, charmed with the new dea “ ff it fr o . Come, Geo , take down us You ought to d o it out ofgratitude for my cheerin g you up so ” ni in cely, said Min , lead g the way.

So i . it i I w ll Here, Walt, give a ho st, and come behind to pick up the pieces for the old machine must be about a hundred, I guess . S i ff houlder ng the wheel, Geo carried it down ; but n o h its f for ell by the way, the stout little wheel was

i n r n for all o der, kept so by loving ha ds that more than eighty years had been spinning the min gled

of f i f thread a long and use ul l e . Glorious ﬁres were roaring up the wi de chimneys in

n - parlor and keepi g room, and old and young were

i o gather ng ar und them , while the storm beat on the

i - n i if w ndow panes , and the wi try w nd howled as angry i at be ng shut out . ’ See ve i Min what we stolen , grandma, cr ed , as

in s the procession came , ro y, dusty, gay, and eager. “ Bless the child "What possessed you to lug that S - EEL 6 PINNING WH STORIES.

?” S old thing down asked Madam hirley, much amus ed

z f as the pri e was placed be ore her, where she sat i n her

h - - a hig backed chair, right splendid old lady in her l i stately cap, black si k gown, and musl n apron, with a

of bunch keys at her side, like a model housekeeper, as she was . ’ d o You don t mind our playing with it, you ? And will you teach me to spin ? I think it ’s such a pretty

i n little thing, and I want to be like you all ways, ” s of grandma dear, answered Min, itting on the arm f the great chair, with her resh cheek close to the wrinkled one where winter roses still bloomed . “ You wheedling gypsy " I ’ll teach you with all

for f my heart, it is pretty work, and I o ten wonder ’ i ladies don t keep it up . I did t ll I was too busy, and ’ now I often take a turn at it when I m tired ofkni t

Th e h ting. hum is very soothing, and the thread muc ” stronger than any we get nowadays . l As she spoke, the old ady dusted the wheel, and i f f gave it a sk l ul turn or two, till the so t whir made pleasant music in the room . ?” ff Is it really a hundred years old asked Geo , drawing nearer with the others to watch the n ew work . “ ’ of i Just about. It was one my mother s wedd ng

f . presents, and she gave it to me when I was ﬁ teen

Deary me, how well I remember that day and grandma seemed to fall a-dreaming as her eyes rested

E. . . on the letters R M rudely cut in the wood, and below these were three others with something meant ’ for a true lover s knot between . ’ GRANDMA S STORY . 7

” s ? Mi n Whose initial are these asked , scenting a r i i is c for omance w th g rl h qui kness, grandma was smi ling as ifher eyes read the title to some little story in those worn letters . “ Eli e h i zab t Rachel Morgan , and Joel Manl us i f Sh rley. Your blessed grand ather cut our names t i there the day I was six een , and put the ﬂour sh ” e s d betwe n to how what he wanted, added the old la y, laughing as she made the wheel hum again . “ T l ” el about it, please do, begged Min , remem bering that grandma h ad been a beauty and a belle. “ ’ i ’ It s a long tale, my darl ng, and I could n t tell it S ’m I ’ll now . ometime when I teaching you to spin ” it . do , maybe But the girl was determined to have her story and f in a ter tea, when the little ones were bed, the elders

h s i n th e n f d playing w i t the parlor, and you g olks e i i i n i cid ng what game to beg n , M n ie sat down and tr ed i u f l to sp n , s re that the ami iar sound would lure i grandma to g ve the lesson and tell the tale .

Sh e w as i for r ght, the wheel had not gone around

of many times, when the tap the cane was heard, and

u in for the old lady came r stling , quite ready a chat, now that three cups ofh er own good tea and a nap in f the chimney corner had re reshed her. ’ No, dear, that s not the way ; you need a dish of

t n d wa er to wet your ﬁ gers in , and you must raw the

ﬂax out slow and steady, else it runs to waste, and ’ c makes a poor thread . Fet h me that chair, and I ll ” S i how you how, s nce you are bent on learning. S - EEL R E 8 PINNING WH STO I S.

E f - stablishing hersel in the straight backed seat, a skilful tap ofthe foot set the wheel in swift and easy

e motion, and the gray thr ad twisted ﬁne and evenly

' f d is t aﬂ rom the . ’ it c ? L Is n t a pretty pi ture said Min to otty, as

c Old they wat hed the lady work . “ Not so pretty as the one I used to see when my

c dear mother sat here, and I , a little hild , at her knee .

Ah, my dears, she could have told you stories all night

l . of long, and wel worth hearing I was never tired ” them . “ ’ Please tell one now, grandma. We don t know

it s it what to play, and would be so nice to around the ” i t Mi n ﬁre and hear it th s stormy night, sugges ed , f i art ully seizing the h nt . ’ " " all s 11 ll Do Do We love storie , and we be as sti ” ff c as mice, added Geo , be koning to the others as he

- O took the big arm chair, being the ldest grandson and

c leader ofthe ﬂo k .

ru f Camping on the g, or nestling in the so a corner, the boys and girls all turned expectant faces toward

m - grand a, who settled her cap strings and smoothed i i her spotless apron, w th an indulgent sm le at her little audience . ’ ” I don t know which one to tell ﬁrst . ’ Th e ghost story ; that s a splendid one, and most ” of l . the chi dren never heard it, said Walt

Have Indians and ﬁghting in it. I like that ” i ff. k nd, added Geo T s o n No ; tell a love story. hey are i teresting, s L aid otty. R D A’ S STOR 9 G AN M Y.

w n i i I a t the story about the nit als ﬁrst. I know

is e i . So n i it very s nt mental do begi w th that, ” M r in . g andma, begged “ ’ l d e We l, dears, perhaps I b tter choose that one,

for of O n it has the battle New rlea s, and wolves, and

i in it ll i all spinn ng, and sweethearts it ; so wi su t you , ” I hope . Oh " i i i , lovely Do beg n right away, cr ed M nnie, as the clapping ofha nds showed how satisfactory the

a " Gr ndma gave a loud hem and began at once, while the little wheel hummed a soft accompaniment h to er words .

’ GRANDMA S STORY .

HE was ft i s W N I ﬁ een , my mother gave me th

B is t for wheel, and said Now, daughter etsey, it ime ’ i for i t ll you to begin your wedd ng outﬁt, I m strus you ’ marry young. In thos e days girls spun and wove ’ ofﬁn e i i n webs l nen and laid em up chests, with

for - n ft lavender and rosemary, sheets and table li en a er

m o of . S they arried I spun away, making all manner

ﬁn e in for was r plans my silly head, I a p etty piece, i they all sa d, and young as I was, two or three ﬁne lads used to come evenings and sit starin g at me while d I worke .

“ ‘ e nl u Among thes , was my neighbor Joel Ma i s ’ S f of a c hirley, and I was ond him ; but he h d n t mu h i money, so I put on a rs, and tried his patience very ‘ ’ c . On e in i e s e mu h day he came and sa d : B t y, I m P - 1 0 S INNING WHEEL STORIES.

’ a- di m going sol ering ; they need men, and I Off. Will ’ ’ you thi nk Ofpoor Joe when I m gone ? “ ’ f if I don t know how I looked, but I elt as I ’ ul Onl co d n t bear it . y I was too proud to show my i trouble so I laughed, and gave my wheel a tw st, and

of said I was glad it, since anyt hing was better than hanging round at home . That hurt him; but he was always gentle to saucy

i f out r Betsey, and tak ng out his kni e, he those lette s i i ul under mine, say ng, w th a look I never co d

That will remind you ofme ifyou are likely to ’ - f . b m orget Good y ; I going right away, and may ’ never come back . “ Off f u He kissed me, and was be ore I co ld say a word, and then I cried till my ﬂax was wet and my ’ a thread tangled, and my heart most broken . De ry " me, how well I remember that heavy day i i Grandma sm led, but someth ng shone in her old e L f eyes very like a tear, and sentim ntal otty elt deeply interes ted at this point .

' r in ? Geoﬂ Whe e does the ﬁghting come asked ,

of c who was a military turn, as be ame the descendant

s ofa oldier. “ ’ I did n t know or care much about the War of

1 81 2 far f of , except as as the sa ety one man was con c u of erned . Joe got on witho t any harm till the battle

New O i rleans, when he was nearly killed beh nd the ” - a s s i cotton bale bre stwork General Jack on bu lt . “ . s f s Yes, I know all about it Jack on ought again t

s s T twelve thou and, and lo t only seven men. hat was ’ GRANDMA S STORY. 1 1

f 8 1 815 Thr h e la o . t st battle the war, January , ee c for " ff heers grandpa shouted Geo , waving a tidy, as no h at was at hand .

Th e others echoed the hurrah, and grandma beamed “ ’ with pride as she went on : We could n t get news

th e f e s s from army very o ten in thos troublou time , and f f Joe was gone two years be ore the war ended . A ter

for the great battle we had no news a long spell, and T we feared he was one ofthe seven men killed . hose

were dreadful days for all ofus . My honored mother i was . S a pious soul, and so was Mrs h rley ; and they

i rt 1 kept up the r hea s with hope and prayer ; but , h was i f poor t ing, young and weak , and I cr ed mysel f li i hal b nd, remember ng how naughty I had been . I ul i wo d spin no more, but set the wheel away, say ng I

' S n of hould have no eed wedding gear, as I should

never marry ; and I wore black ribbon on my caps, ’ of and one Joe s buttons strung about my neck, mourn

ing dismally for my lost dear.

So d the winter en ed, and the summer went, and no f o . h e news came Joe All said was dead, and we had r f p ayers at church, and talked o setting up a stone in - l f the grave yard, and I thought my i e was done for I i dl f if p ned sa y, and elt as I could never laugh again .

for L w as But I did ; the ord very good to us, and out ” of c danger and captivity delivered that lear boy. a l f Grandm spoke solemn y, and olded her hands in thanksgiving as she looked up at the picture ofthe

f i Th e handsome o ﬁcer hang ng on the wall before her. elder children could just remember grandpa as a very

old an d f fu to eeble man, and it struck them as nny SP - E 1 2 INNING WHE L STORIES.

e ofhi m v i sp ak as a dear boy but they ne er sm led, and dutift lifted their eyes to the queue and the h -c if hig ollared coat, wondering Joe was as ros y in real lif e as in the portrait . “ ’ l s c We l, that the sentimental part ; now omes the i ” merry part, and that w ll suit the boys, said the old

i as lady, br skly, she spun away, and went on in a lively tone

On e December day, as I sat by that very window, f dreaming sorrow ully at my sewing work, while old

S n ﬁre s aw ally nodded over her knitti g by the , I a man come creeping along by the fence and dodg e be - T hind the wood pile . here were many bad folks ’ round in those times for war always leaves a sight of l l f azy rascals aﬂoat, as wel as poor ellows maimed and homeless.

e Mrs Mother had gone over to the s wing society at . ’ for S l was s o iff Shirley s, and I was all alone ; a ly st

h l was with r eumatics she cou d scarce stir, and that

Of Th e s why I stayed to take care her. old mu ket

c - c o always hung over the kit hen chimney pie e, l aded,

for So and I knew how to ﬁre it, Joe had taught me . away I went and got it d own for I s aw the man pop

u h is s ping p head now and then to py the land, and I w l felt s ure he meant mischief. I kne Sally wou d only c m h en s rea like a scared , so I let her sleep ; and get ting behind the shutter I pointed my gun , and waited to blaze away as soon as the en emy s howed signs of attacking. “ n a Presently he came creepi g up to the b ck door, an I h f d eard hi m . All was try the latch ast, so I just

4 SP - EEL OR E 1 INNING WH ST I S.

’ But n t ? ? i al you were dead What next cr ed W t,

’ s " f Ble s you, no I only ell into Joe s arms, and

fl w r i when I came to, there the dear e lo was, c y ng over

l S us me like a baby, whi e old ally danced round like

l in ofh er cs a bed amite, spite rheumati , shouting ’ ’ " T " s s Hosanna hanks and praise He come, he come “ ” ? ff us for Was he shot asked Geo , anxio a little bloodshed .

a s No, dear ; the old gun burst and hurt my h nd , ’ of but not a mite harm was done to Joe . I don t

i k l l for i th n I cou d tel all that happened a spell, be ng quite dazed with joy and s urpris e ; but by the time mother came home I was as peart as a wren, and Joe was at the table eating and d rinking everv mortal thing I could ﬁnd in the house . ’ d had He been kept a prisoner till exchanged, and had a hard time getting home, with little money and

s s f a bad wound in the leg, be ide being eeble with jail ’ f s f . n t ever But we did ret over past trouble , being so di glad to get him back . How my blessed mother d h laug , when we told her the reception I gave the poor

" a s c lad But I s id it served him right, in e he came

f s Of c sneaking home like a thie , in tead mar hing in like T a hero . hen he owned that he came there to get

n in something to eat, bei g ashamed to go upon his

o fe mother with all her company about her. S we d ’ and comforted him ; and when we d got our wits ’ i Mrs . S s about us, I wh pped away to hirley and told

an d of s -ﬁve my news, every one tho e twenty women R D ’ S STO G AN MA RY . 1 5

went straight over to our house and burst in upon poor

as . T Joe, he lay resting on the settle hat was my

for revenge the scare he gave me, and a ﬁne one it was for the women ch attered over h im like a ﬂock ofmag h im pies, and I sat in the corner and laughed at . Ah, I was a sad puss in those days ’ Th e i fun old lady s black eyes tw nkled with , and the

dr u chil en laughed with her, till Walt caused a l ll by

in ? Where do the wolves come , grandma ’ ’ d f em Right along, ear ; I m not likely to orget ,

for if i of they most cost me my l e, to say noth ng my T new slippers . here was great rejoicing over Joe, and every one wanted to do something t o honor our hero for f he had done well , we ound out, when the General

hi s . d heard story We had a great dinner, and Ju ge Mullikin gave a supper but Major Belknap was bound to i in f outsh ne the rest, so he vited all the young olks

over to his house, nigh ten miles away, to a ball, and

. lf we all went I made myse ﬁne, you may believe, i of i h ’ and wore a pa r blue kid slippers , w t mother s ’ ﬂ' o . if best buckles to set em Joe had a new un orm ,

of . and was an elegant ﬁgure a man , I do assure you ’ o n t i He c uld dance, poor dear, being st ll very lame but I was a proud girl when I marched into that ball

on of i Th e room, the arm my l mping beau . men

c heered, and the ladies stood up in chairs to see

him , and he was as red as my ribbons, and I could dl f h im — har y keep rom crying, as I held up, the ﬂoor being sli ppery as glass with the extra waxing it

h ad got . - E 1 6 SPINNING WHE L STORIES.

’ ’ d n t ul n I eclared I would dance, because Joe co d t ; i but he made me, say ng he could see me better ; so I ’ f t wo c f t ooted it till o lock, soon orget ing all my sorrow

s and my good re olutions as well . I wanted to show

as f Joe that I was much a avorite as ever, though ’ d for f i I lived like a widow a year. Young olks w ll

s l be giddy, and I hope these girl wi l take warning by T me and behave better when their time comes. here ’ ’ n t ofs may be any wolves to sober em, but trouble ome

s f f s c c f sort alway ollows ooli h a tions ; so be are ul, my ‘ ’ s dear , and behave with propriety when you come out,

c as you all it nowadays . G f randma held up a warning oreﬁnger at the girls,

s s s f m and hook her head impre ively, eeling that the oral ofher tale must be made clear before s h e went on .

s all But the lassies blu hed a little, and the lads looked i impatience, so the dear old lady ntroduced the wolves

c as qui kly as she could .

f- s off e About hal pa t two, Joe and I drove hom

of s with four ﬁne hams in the bottom the sleigh, ent

-c by the Major to our mothers . It was a bitter old h February night, with just light enoug to see the road , and splendid sleighing so we went along at a good

s . T pace, till we came to the great wood hey are all gone now, and the woollen mills stand there, but then

f of s for m they were a thick orest pine , and ore than f three miles the road led through them . In ormer days Indians had lurked there bears and foxes were s c s c till shot, and o ca ionally wolves were seen , when old weather drove them to seek food near the sheep-folds

- and barn yards . R D ’ S S OR 1 G AN MA T Y. 7

im i Well, we were sk m ng along pleasantly enough,

e fl of I rath r sleepy, and Joe very care u me, when , jus t as I was beginning to doze a bit with my head on

his f h im . Old arm I elt start Buck, the horse, gave a

in mi jump that woke me up, and a nute I knew what the

for f i of r f. t ouble was, rom beh nd us came the howl a wol ‘ ’ ’ s t n Ju the night to bri g em out, muttered Joe,

i th e i h is i us ng whip t ll Buck went at qu ckest trot, with hi s ears down and every Sign ofhurry an d worry

’ ’ fai of ? for d Are you a r d them I asked, I never ’ of i had a scare th s sort, though I d heard other people t ell ofthe ﬁercen es s ofthe brutes when hunger made them bold. ‘ ’ Not i un al a bit, only I w sh I had my g ong, said

k h is i Joe, loo ing over shoulder anx ously. ’ Pity I had n t brought mi ne I do so well with it ’ , I said, and I laughed as I remembered how I aimed

an s lf at Joe d hurt my e . ‘ ’ Are as i us ? di they ch ng I asked, stan ng up to

i for s t look back along the wh te road, we were ju on

of ds the edge the woo now. ’ n If it Should t wonder. I had a better horse would be a li vely race but Buck can’ t keep thi s pace ’ if f i n for long, and he ounders we are a ﬁx , I can t run, ’ ’ s and you can t ﬁght. Betsey, there more than one ; ’ ’ hold tight and try to count em . ’ Something i n Joe s voice told me plainer than ’ ds in n i wor that we were da ger, and I w shed we d w i i l of was i e a ted t l the rest our party came but I t r d,

s o and we had started alone . - EEL S OR ES 1 8 SPINNING WH T I .

“ c three Straining my eyes, I ould see black spots on

s th e the snow, and hear three howl as wolves came ’ f us . galloping a ter I was a brave girl, but I d never

s of f all tried thi kind thing be ore, and in a minute the wolfstories I ’ d ever heard came ﬂying through my ’ was a f S mind . I mort lly a eard, but I would n t how

s O it, and turned to Joe, trying to laugh as I aid nly ’ ’ T us 11 three as yet . ell me j t what to do, and I do it. ’11 Brave lass I must see to Buck or he be down, ’ for s ill s he badly scared . You wait t the rascal are

of f pretty close, then heave over one these con ounded ’ of hams to amuse em, while we make the most their ’ T s halt. hey smell this meat, and that what they are ’ f i h is s for Old a ter, said Joe, dr ving be t, the poor horse

' s tifl began to pant, and limp on his legs . ’ ’ ’ L for ve s ucky us we got em, ays I, bound to be ‘if ’ ’ d f cool and gay ; we had n t, they get resh meat ’ instead ofsmoked . “ Joe laughed, but a long howl close by made me dive for a ham ; for in the darkness ofthe woods the beasts had got closer, and now all I could see were Out several balls offire not many yards away. went the ham, and a snarling sound showed that the wolves were busy eating it. “ ‘ ’ ‘ All right " said Joe . Rest a bit, and have T ’11 fi another ready. hey soon nish that and want ’ for c . more . We must go easy, Bu k is nearly blown

“ u i n I prepared my amm nition, and, what seemed

s off i ﬁve minute , I heard the patter eet beh nd us , and

s O the ﬁery eyes were clo e by. ver went the second f i f mouth ul, and then the th rd, and the ourth ; but ’ GRANDMA S STORY. 1 9

e E i they seem d more ravenous than ever, and ach t me

were back sooner in greater numbers. “ We were nearly out ofthe wood s when the last

if c was gone , and Bu k had only had strength we should ’ have been safe . But it was plain to see that he could n t ’ for old keep up much longer, he was very , though he d h i been a ﬁne hors e i n is pr me . ‘ T i i . u in h s looks bad, l ttle Betsey Cover p the

Th e b f . i e ro es, and hold ast to me beasts w ll b gin to ’ ’ e T k snatch pres ntly, and I ll have to ﬁght em han ’ f’ ve . the powers , I my arms le t “ As he spoke, Joe pulled me close, and wrapped i f me up, then took the wh p, ready to rap the ﬁrst wol ’ hi t d i n that dared come near enough to be . We d t

a wait long ; up they raced, and began to le p and snarl l T in a way that made my heart stand stil , at ﬁrst . hen

e my t mper rose, and catching up the hot brick I had for f e my eet, I ﬁr d it with such good aim that one

h s i of s arp, black no e d sappeared with a yelp pain. ’ " T m Hit em again , Betsey ake the de ijohn and ’ ’ are i bang em well. We near ng Beaman s, and the ’ brut es will soon drop off.

i g for few It was a l vely scrimma e a minutes , as we

our hi i both warmed to work , Joe thras ng away w th h is whip on one side , and I on the other ﬂourishing the demijohn in whi ch we had carried some cider for the supper.

for in f of But it was soon over, the ury the ﬁght f Joe orgot the horse ; poor Buck made a sudden bolt, i w i upset the sle gh do n a bank , and, break ng loose, tore him back along the road with the wolves after . 20 SP - EEL S OR E INNING WH T I S.

’ for if Run, Betsey run your l e, and send Beaman s

’ ’ f s c " m for s olk ba k I done my leg broken. Never ’ . ll s i mind I crawl under the leigh, and be all r ght

ll Th e il ti you come . wolves w l take a good while to ’ ’ c pick poor Bu k s bones . f Just waiting to see Joe sa e, I ran as I never ran

f off be ore, and I was always light oot . How I did it ’ ’ for f I don t know, I d orgot to put on my moccasins ’ - i n (we did n t have snow boots, you know , my young s l day ", and there I was, tearing a ong that snowy road i n i my blue kid slippers like a crazy thing. It was n gh ’ il s f a m e, and my heart was mo t broke be ore I got there ; but I kept my eye on the light in Hetty’s w inder and

for u f tugged along, blessing her the g ide and com ort

Th e was ill that candle was . last bit down h , or I ’ could n t have done it ; for when I fell on the door step my voice was clean gone, and I could only lie and rap, rap, rap till they came ﬂying. I just got breath enough to gasp out and point Joe wolves the big woods go when my

f . senses ailed me, and I was carried in Here Madam Shirley leaned back in her chair quite u e for s h e s d up, had been acting the scene to a breath

i h an dker less audience, and lay ng about her with her

s o i ch ecks chief v gorously that her eyes snapped, her

Old were red, and her dear cap all awry . “ ” But J oe did they eat him ? cried the boys in

r g eat excitement, while the girls held to one another, h ﬂa t of and the poor little w eel lay , upset by the blows m n ll i n the imaginary de ijoh , dealt to an equa y magi ary

22 S I - EEL S OR ES PINN NG WH T I .

’ it is n t Well, well, much . Joe came and sat by l me, and, as we ta ked over our adventure, he cut that ’ ’ n true lover s knot between the letters . I did t seem to mind, and spun away till he pointed to it, saying, with the look that always made me meek as a lamb, ?’ May it stand so, my little Betsey “ ’ l I said Yes, Joe, and then wel , never mind that bit we were married in June, and I spun and wove i f f my wedding th ngs a terward . Dread ul slack, my ’

h n t . mot er thought, but I did care My wedding gown f i was white lutestring, ull trimmed with old lace . Ha r i over a cushion w th white roses, and the pearl necklace, if just as you see up there . Joe wore his un orm, and i i I tied up his hair w th a white sat n ribbon. He looked ” if . beaut ul, and so did I

of all At this artless bit vanity, the girls smiled, but agreed that grandma was right, as they looked at the portraits with fresh interest. o I call that a pretty good st ry, said Walt, with the air ofan accomplished critic . ’ f Specially the wol part . I wanted that longer, ff added Geo . “ for It was quite long enough me, my dear, and I ’ of for Wh Of n t . did hear the last it years y, one my wedding presents was four hams done up elegantly ’ hi f . w te paper, with posies on em, rom the Major He

" a oke f f loved j , and never orgot how well we ought with ’ n ew the pigs legs that night. Joe gave me a sleigh,

f- for the next Christmas, with two wol skin robes it, f l shot the beasts himsel , and I kept those rugs ti l the

of moths ate the last bit. He kept the leavings my RA D ’ S S OR 23 G N MA T Y.

l ’ w s l r . ippe s, and I have them stil Fetch em, Min e ” you know where they are . Grandma pointed to the tall secretary that stood in a

in f of corner, and M nie quickly took a box rom one the

d All s t many rawers . the head clus ered around grand f f ma, and the aded, ragged shoes went rom hand to i n - l hand, wh le questions rai ed upon the story teller ti l she bade them go to bed . Nothing but the promise ofmore tales would appease

i n f them ; then, with thanks and k sses , the you g olks

e i th e li troop d away, leav ng the old lady to put ttle

e hi i i in wh el to rights, and sit t nk ng over her g rlhood,

THE on i storm kept all night, and next morn ng the

ift r i dr s we e higher, the w nd stronger, and the snow f f T alling aster than ever. hrough the day the chi ldren roved about the great house, amusing themselves as best they could and, when evening came, they gath

for i ered around the ﬁre again, eager the prom sed story f m rom grand amma . ’ “ ve i I a l ttle cold, said the old lady, and am too

for i c E hoarse talk ng, my lears ; but Aunt linor has ’ looked up a parcel ofold tales that I ve told her at different times and which she has written down . You will like to hear h er reading better than my dull way of li i L tel ng them , and I can help M nnie and otty with

for i their work , I see they are bent on learn ng to spin . ’ Th e young folk were well pleased with grandma s

for l was f i proposal ; Aunt Ne l a avor te with all, being

f of lively and kind and ond children , and the only

f i s h e i maiden aunt in the am ly. Now, smil ngly pro d uced f f l a aded old port olio, and, turning over a ittle

l of s pi e manuscripts, aid in her pleasant way 26 S - EEL S R PINNING WH TO IES.

all c Here are sorts, pi ked up in my travels at home

i n ui of ou and abroad and order to s t all y , I have put of the names on slips paper into this basket, and each

can draw one in turn . Does that please my distin guis h ed audience ? ’ ffs Y es . w , yes Geo the oldest, let him dra ﬁrst,

of s f cried the flock, fluttering like a flight bird be ore

they settle . “ s c i Girl ome ﬁrst, answered the boy, w th a nod

toward the eldest girl cousin . L ft f l r w otty put in her hand and, a er some umb ing, d e ’ ” Ta bb s Ta ble-cloth out a paper on which was written, y . “ ” IS ? Sh e d for ff that a good one aske , Geo looked dis

appointed . h i More ﬁghting, thoug a g rl is still the heroine,

c for answered Aunt Nell, sear hing the manuscript. “ i l for I think two revolutions w l be enough you , ” General, added grandmamma, laughing . ” in ? Do we beat both asked the boy, brightening up at once . ” Yes . ’ ’ l for - Al . right, then I vote Dolly s Dish cloth, or whatever it is though I d on’ t see what it can possibly ” d o have to with war, he added . “ Ah, my dear, women have their part to play as well as men at such times, and do it bravely, though

’ one does not hear so much about their courage . I ve often wished some one would collect all that can be f in ound about these neglected heroines, and put it a

for l our book us to read, admire, and emu ate when ” turn comes . TABBY’ S TABLE-CLOTH 27

r n fu Sh e G a dma looked thought lly at the ﬁre as spoke, L s fl and otty aid, with her eye on the port o io Perhaps ’ ll for T Aunt Nell wi do it us . hen history won t be

s o can f f - dry, and we glori y our ore mothers as well as ” fathers . ’

11 ﬁn d . i I see what I can Now sp n away, Minnie, ” s it l s if and stil , boy , you can . ’ T f - hen, having settled grandma s oot stool, and turned

m l of up the la p, Aunt Nel read the tale

’ T BB S TABLE— CL H A Y OT .

ON 20th of 1 775 l the day March , , a litt e girl was

in of trudg g along a country road, with a basket eggs on

. Sh e in her arm seemed a great hurry, and looked anxi ously about her as s h e went ; for those were stir i T T ring t mes, and abitha arbell lived in a town that

Sh e took a famous part in the Revolution . was a rosy f d i - off f of ace , br ght eyed lass ourteen , ull vigor, courage ,

i fre and patr otism, and just then much excited by the quent rumors which reached Concord that the Bri tish were coming to destroy the stores sent there for safe

e n T k epi g while the enemy occupied Boston . abby w glowed ith wrath at the idea, and (metaphorically i u i speak ng"shook her ﬁst at a gust K ng George, being a i di e for stanch l ttle Rebel , ready to ﬁght and her coun

tr y rather than submit to tyranny ofany kind . In nearly every house something valuable was h id

den . Colonel Barrett had six barrels ofpowder Eben

- h of s ezer Hubbard , sixty eig t barrels ﬂour ; axes, tent , ’ and spades were at Daniel Gray s and Captain David - EE 28 SPINNING WH L STORIES.

w . Bro n had guns, cartridges, and musket balls Can non were hidden i n the woods ; ﬁre-arms were being ’ fc l c - manu a tured at Barrett s Mil s cartou h boxes, belts, ’ and holsters, at Reuben Brown s ; saltpetre at Josiah ’ Melvin s and much oatmeal was prepared at Captai n ’

T s . imothy Wheeler A morning gun was ﬁred, a guard of men ten patrolled the town at night, and the brave f o f s armers were making ready fr what they elt mu t come. There were Tories in the town who gave the enemy all the information they could gather therefore much c s en e aution was necessary in making plan , lest these

- mics . s s should betray them Pa words were adopted, s S f ecret ignals used, and messages sent rom house to

in of c house all sorts queer ways . Su h a message lay ’ i n T hidden under the eggs abby s basket, and the brave little girl was going on an important errand from her

G ms s uncle, Captain David Brown, to Deacon y Ho mer,

of who lived at the other end the town , by the South

h e Bri dge . S had been employed several times before i n f c - i e the same way, and had proved hersel qui k w tt d,

- - f . ow stout hearted, and light ooted N , as she trotted

c s i along in her scarlet loak and hood, she was wi h ng Sh e could still further distinguish herselfby some great act ofherois m for good Parson Emers on h ad patted her “ "” on the head and said, Well done, child when he ’ i n heard how she ran all the way to Captain Barrett s,

h im Lee T the night, to warn that Doctor , the ory, had been detected sendi ng information Ofcertain secret plans to the enemy. “ f I would do more than that, though it was a ear l ’ some run through the dark woods . Wou d n t those

- 30 SPINNING WHEEL STORIES.

o h e better fthem . S hurried away to Deacon H os ’ d i mer s, and did her erran , add ng thereto the news that

w u o strangers were in to n . We m st know more f ” ff . on them, said the Deacon Clap a di erent suit

f . . her, wi e, and send her with the eggs to Mrs Bliss of T We have all we want them, and abby can look well

s about her, while she rests and gossips over there . Blis

s f for is l mu t be looked a ter smartly, he a knave, and wil do us harm . T Away went abby in a blue cloak and hood, much ’ s T pleased with her mi sion ; and, coming to the ory s

f off O of house about noon, smelt a ar a savory dor roast i n g meat and baking pies .

S s f c - tepping o tly to the ba k door, she peeped through i a small w ndow, and saw Mrs . Bliss and her handmaid w cooking a ay in the big kitchen , too busy to heed the

s f of little py, who slipped around to the ront the house,

f s h e to take a general survey be ore she went in . All s aw conﬁrmed her suspicions for in the keeping-room

f i n th e a table was set orth great style, with silver tank

s a - h c ards, be t china, and the ﬁne damask t ble clot , whi h

for the housewi fe kept holidays . Still another peep through the lilac bus hes before the parlor windows s s s i howed her the two stranger clo eted with Mr. Bl ss , all n for talki g earnestly, but in too low a tone a word to reach even her sharp ears . “ ’ wi ll m it mis I know what they are at . I sure is ’ f l for chie , and I won t go back with only my wa k my ” T i c n pains, thought abby and marching nto the kit he , she pres ented her egg s with a civil message from Mad am

Hosmer. T BB ’ S T BLE cLOTH A Y A . 31

’ T i ve hey are m ghty welcome, child . I used a sight ’ for for my custards, and need more the ﬂip . We ve

’ c di c m ompany to nner unexpe ted, and I much put ”

b i . i a out, sa d Mrs Bl ss, who seemed to be concerned

i s i i n about someth ng beside the d nner, and her ﬂurry forgot to be s urprised at the unusual gift for the neigh

bors shunned them , and the poor woman had many ’ i i c f anx et es on her husband s a count, the amily being d T ivided, one brother a ory, and one a Rebel . ’ ? ’m i Can I help , ma am I a master hand at beat ng ’ ’ i an d n t eggs , Aunt Hitty says . I m t red, would mind ’ ” s if m T u itting a bit I not in the way, said abby, bo nd

s m i f s h e f to di cover so eth ng more be ore le t.

’ But you be in the way. We don t want any help, ’ ’ ’ s o d s t e in s s uth in be you better be pp along home, el e ’ i T - a sides eggs may git wh pped . ale be rers ain t wel ” e a u s come her , s id old Puah , the maid, a so r pinster, m i e O l who sy path zed with her mast r, and pen y declared she hoped the British would put down the Yankee

Rebels soon and sharply.

i was n of Mrs . Bl ss in the pantry, and heard nothi g this little passage ofarms ; for Tabby hotly resented ” of - the epithet tale bearer, though she knew that the men in the parlor were not the only spies on the i prem ses. “ When you are all drummed out oftown and this

s ou of hou e burnt to the ground, y may be glad my help, ” - - an d . I wish you may get it Good day, old crab apple,

answered saucy Tabby ; and catching up her basket, she marched out ofthe kitchen with her nose in the - 3 2 SPINNING WHEEL STORIES.

f ofth e l But as she passed the ront house, she cou d not res is t another look at the ﬁne d inner-table for in

few for f s those d ays had time or heart ea ting, and the

On e bes t napery and china seldom appeared . window

o O as st od pen, and the girl leaned in, something moved

s under the long cloth that wept the ﬂoor. It was not

for c the wind, the Mar h day was still and sunny, and ’ in s us a minute out popped a gray cat head, and p s came purring to meet the new-comer whose step had roused f her rom a nap . “ Where one tabby hides, another can . Can I dare to do it ? What would become ofme iffound out ? How wonderful it would be ifI could hear what these l men are plotting. I wi l

m an d A sound in the next roo decided her ; , thrust

s ing the basket among the bu hes, she leaped lightly in

s l l and vanished under the table, leaving pu s ca m y

f t h e - ill washing her ace on window s . ’ As soon as it was done Tabby s heart began to ﬂutter

for but it was too late to retreat, at that moment in

s s and bustled Mrs . Bli , the poor girl could only make f hersel as small as possible, quite hidden under the long f f S s f -fs olds that ell on all ide rom the wide, old a hioned ’ . Sh e f c table discovered nothing rom the women s hat, for ran -c - it on sage heese, egg nog, roast pork , and lam en t ati on s was over a burnt pie . By the time dinner

s T w as served, and the guest called in to eat it, abby i calm enough to have all her wits about her, and pr de

for s gave her courage to be ready the con equences, whatever they might be . For a time the hungry gentlemen were too busy eat ’ - TABBY S TABLE CLOTH. 33

in . i g to talk much ; but when Mrs Bl ss went out, and

ﬂi for s n Th e the p came in , they were ready bu i ess .

w T was windo was shut, whereat abby exulted that she

i i d r ns de ; the talkers ew closer together, and spoke so

c low that she could only cat h a sentence now and then , which caused her to pull her hair with vexation and

r o of they swore a good deal , to the g eat horr r the pious i f l ttle maiden curled up at their eet. But she heard enough to prove that she was right ; for these men were

E s Bern icre of Captain Brown and n ign D e , the British

army, come to learn where the supplies were stored and h f . l how well the town was de ended S e heard Mr . B iss “ ” Of c h is tell them that some the Rebels , as he alled

i h ad h e ne ghbors, sent him word that should not leave

i was in c f for if the town al ve, and he mu h ear his l e and

h e E i hi m property . S heard the ngl shmen tell that if he came with them they would protect him for they

of were armed, and three them together could surely

f offas ri get sa ely , no one knew the strangers had ar ved

but the slip ofa girl who showed them the way. Here “ ” i of i the sl p a g rl nodded her head savagely, and hoped ’ ff the speaker s ear still tingled with the bu et she gave it . i i Mr. Bl ss gladly consented to th s plan , and told them

l s L c he wou d how them the road to exington, whi h was a shorter way to Bos ton than through Weston and Sud

a . bury, the road they c me ’ T e ll ? E n h se people won t ﬁght, wi they asked nsig

Bern i cre De . T i here goes a man who w ll ﬁght you to the death,

s i i Tom an wered Mr. Bl ss, point ng to his brother , busy

in i a d stant ﬁeld. 34 SPINNING-WHEEL STORIES

Th e E s a nsign swore again, and gave a t mp that ’ h i s h T brought eavy heel down on poor abby s hand, as

f h Th e she leaned orward to catc every word . cruel blow nearly forced a cry from her but s h e bit her lips

s f and never tirred, though aint with pain . When she l l . s s was cou d listen again, Mr Bli tel ing all he knew

of can about the hiding places the powder, grain , and

s non the enemy wished to capture and de troy. He

ch for c could not tell mu , the se rets had been well kept ; but ifhe had known that our young Rebel was taking

ofh is notes words under his own table, he might have

been less ready to betray his neighbors . No one sus

ect ed s all T p a li tener, however, and abby could do was

s c of i to owl at three pairs muddy boots, and w sh she were a man that she might ﬁght the wearers of

them . Sh e very nearly had a chance to ﬁght or ﬂy ; for

p just as they were pre aring to leave the table, a sudden

h s d Ier. S e sneeze nearly undi thought she was lo t,

f e i n and hid her ace, ex p cting to be dragged out to f f o . stant death, perhaps by the wrath ul men war ’ ? E s What s that exclaimed the nsign , as a udden

s f f pau e ollowed that atal sound . f It came rom under the table, added Captain

f c of c Brown, and a hand li ted a orner the loth .

v h T A shi er went t rough abby, and she held her

bi n ban d breath , with her eye upon that g, brow but

m c for the next mo ent she ould have laughed with joy,

s Th e cat pu sy saved her. had come to doze on her

m s f war skirt , and when the cloth was raised, ancying s h e fed d was to be by her master, puss rose and walke ’ - TABBY S TABLE CLOTH. 35

in i e i out purr g loudly, tail erect, w th its whit tip wav ng

li of ke a ﬂag truce . ’ T th e n . an d is but old cat, gentleme A good beast, , ” f u for n f ort nately us , unable to report our co erence, said

. li h an of ffor h ad Mr B ss, wit air relie , he started guiltily

Of at the bare idea an eavesdropper. Sh e sneezed as ifshe were as great a snuff-taker as ” of an old woman whom we asked our way above here,

E i . laughed the ns gn, as they all rose “ is if And there she now , coming along as our grena i ft "” i d ers were a er her excla med the Captain , as the sound ofsteps and a waili ng voice came nearer and

nearer. T abby took a long breath, and vowed that she would beg or buy the dear old cat that had saved her from

T f in destruction . hen she orgot her own danger listen

in in g to the poor woman, who came crying that her

o neighbors said she must leave t wn at once, or they would tar and feather her for showing spies the road T ’ to a ory s house . “ for Well me I came and heard their plots, or I ” h t off i fl g be sent in like case, thought the g rl , ee ing

ls that the more peri she encountered, the greater hero i n e u she wo ld be . l i . s s f Mr Bli com orted the old sou , bidd ng her stay

i f th e fﬁ there t ll the neighbors orgot her, and o cers gave her some money to pay for the costly service she had T f f done them . hen they le t the room , and a ter some delay the three men set off but Tabby was compelled

in i i - l l to stay her h d ng p ace ti l the table was cleared, and

i e the women deep in gossip, as they washed d sh s in the 6 S N - EEL S OR E 3 PI NING WH T I S .

T i . f kitchen hen the little spy crept out so tly, and ra s

f h er ing the window with great care, ran away as ast as

' s tiﬂ limbs would carry her. ’ s h e c By the time rea hed the Deacon s, however, and

T s . told her tale, the orie were well on their way, Mr Bliss having provided them with horses that h is own

ﬂight might be the speedier.

So they escaped ; but the warning was given, and Tabby received great prais e for her hour under th e

’ Th e s - h s table . town people a tened their preparations , and had time to remove the mos t valuable stores to n eighboring towns ; to mount their cannon and drill their minute-men ; for thes e res olute farmers meant to

O s s h ow resist ppre ion , and the world knows well they did it when the hour came . Such an early s pring had not been known for years

1 9 of fu s win and by the th April r it tree were in bloom,

s s fi ter grain was up , and the tately elm that r nged the ri ver and overarched the village s treets w ere budding f s ast. It seemed a pity that such a lovely world hould be di sturbed by strife ; but liberty was dearer than f prosperity or peace, and the people leaped rom their

wh e s c for f beds n young Dr. Pre ott came, riding his li e, with th e message Paul Revere brought from Boston in the night Arm arm the British are coming Like an electric s park the news ran from house to d house, and men made rea y to ﬁght, while the brave

r s women bade them go , and did thei be t to guard the

e c . t treasur onﬁded to their keeping A little la er, word L came that the British were at exington , and blood had

3 8 S I - EEL S PINN NG WH TORIES.

s E ll his here, said brave Par on merson, sti among people,

for ready anything but surrender. ” “ L n i Nay, said a cautious incol man , it w ll not do ” fr be i n o us to g the war.

So f c i they reluctantly ell ba k to the town, the Br tish

e - following slowly, being w ary with their seven mile

march over the hi lls from Lexington . Coming to a lit

i of tle brown house perched on the h llside, one the

fc thirsty o ﬁ ers spied a well, with the bucket swing n

of R at the end the long pole. unning up the bank, he

n e i be~ was about to dri k , wh n a g rl, who was crouching bin d an s the well, sprang up, and with energetic ge ture,

in h is f i ﬂung the water ace, cry ng ’ That s the way we serve spies

f E Bern i cre — for Be ore nsign De it was he, acting as guide to the enemy could clear h is eyes and dry his

f Ta i i drenched ace, bby was gone over the h ll w th a

- laugh and a deﬁant gesture toward the red coats below.

f s In high eather at thi exploit, she darted about the

i of town , watching the Br tish at their work destruction . T d hey cut own and burnt the liberty pole, broke open

of s of sixty barrels flour, flung five hundred pound balls i ll - s u - nto the mi pond and well , and set the co rt house on

O d d iff of ﬁre . ther parties were ordere to erent quarters the town to rans ack houses and destroy all the s tores

f n they ou d . Captain Parsons was sent to take posses

n of h sio the Nort Bridge, and De Berniere led the way, for f s he had taken notes on his ormer vi it, and was a

. u good guide As they marched, a little scarlet ﬁg re i f i of went ﬂy ng on be ore them, and van shed at the turn th e T i u t. road . It was abby hasten ng home to warn her a n ’ B - TABBY S TA LE CLOTH . 3 9

u i s Q ick ch ld, whip on thi gown and cap and hurry i nto bed. These prying fellows will surely have pity ” S c s c i if a on a i k girl, and re pe t th s room no other, s id

Mrs r i T ni . B own , br skly helping abby into a short ght

n u gow and round cap, and tucking her well p when she

w for f - s was laid do n , between the plump eather bed were

i of h dden many muskets, the most precious their stores.

Th h ad f T was is been planned be orehand, and abby glad to res t and tell her tale while Aunty Brown put physic

o i - i b ttles and glasses on the table, set some ev l smell ng i herbs to s mmer on the hearth , and, compromising with

s her con cience, concocted a nice little story to tell the invaders .

e i t for T Pres ntly they came, and was well abby that i i the ens g n remained below to guard the doors wh le the men ransacked the house from garret to cellar for he might have recognized the saucy girl who had twice maltreated him . These are feathers lift the covers carefully or ’ ”

ll f s . you be hal smothered, they ﬂy about so, aid Mrs

s s ofc Brown , as the men came to ome cask artridges

ﬂi n ts hi fl and , w ch she had art ul y ripped up several pillows to conceal .

Quite deceived, the men gladly passed on , leaving the

s very things they mos t wanted to de troy. Coming to

bed - Of s valua the room , where more treasures the ame

in c s ble sort were hidden various nooks and orner , the

n s n i s dame held up her ﬁ ger, ayi g, with an anx ou glance toward Tabby “ ’ f . u Step s o tly, please You wo ld n t harm a poor,

s i Th e it is - a ck girl. doctor thinks small pox, and 0 S - EEL S OR ES 4 PINNING WH T I . f i l fs a right might k l her. I keep the chamber as re h s ’ can arbs s s i I with y , so I gue there s n t much danger ” ofcatching it .

Th e c s aw f men relu tantly looked in, a ﬂushed ace on

w for T was h the pillo ( abby red wit running, and her

c iff black eyes wild with ex itement", took a sn at the

w s in wormwood and mother ort, and with a ha ty glance to a clos et or two where s undry clothes concealed h id

s den door , hastily retired to report the danger and get

s away as soon as po sible. They would have been much disg usted at the trick played upon them ifth ey had s een the s ick girl ﬂy out ofbed and dance a jig ofjoy as they tramped away to ’ s lls s T for Barrett Mi . But oon abby had no heart mer

m s h e c - ri ent, as wat hed the minute men gather by the

d s aw s c n s bri ge, the Briti h mar h dow on the other ide, and when their ﬁrs t volley killed brave Isaac Davis

m of s h e c and Abner Hos er, Acton, heard Major Buttri k “ ’ f w-s i for s give the order, Fire, ello old ers God s ake, ﬁre "”

s s For a little while shots rang, smoke ro e, houts were

c s heard, and red and blue oats mingled in the truggle T . f c on the bridge hen the British ell ba k , leaving two

s T s u dead soldier behind them . he e were b ried where they fell ; and the bodies ofthe Acton men were s ent ’ c s s for home to their poor wives, Con ord ﬁr t martyrs liberty. N0 need to tell more ofthe story ofthat d ay ; all i d ch ldren know it, and many have ma e a pilgrimage to

s et E i s f see the old monument up where the ngl h ell,

i -Man n and the bronze M nute , standing on his gra ite ’ - TABBY S TABLE CLOTH . 4 1

pedestal to mark the s pot where th e brave Concord farmers ﬁred the Shot that made the old North Bridge

immortal.

us fl T h ow We m t ol ow abby, and tell she got her table

cloth. When the ﬁght was over, the dead buried, the

w for s ounded cared , and the pri oners exchanged , the

T i . Lee c ories were pun shed Dr. was onﬁned to his

own f of if f arm, on penalty being shot he le t it, and the property OfDaniel Bliss was conﬁscated by govern

. S i s c i ment ome th ng were sold at au tion, and Capta n T Brown bought the ﬁne cloth and gave it to abby, say in g heartily T i l ou here, my g rl, that be ongs to y , and you may

of for u c i well be proud it ; , thanks to your q i k w ts and

s a t eye and e rs , we were not taken unawares, but sen the ” - c red c oats back fas ter than they ame .

T was of fl dis And abby proud it, keeping it care u ly, playi ng it with immense satisfaction whenever s h e told

s of the tory, and spinning busily to make a set napkins

to go with it . It covered the table when her wedding

u e ch i of s pp r was spread, was used at the r stening her

for T i ri s ﬁrst boy, and many a hanksgiv ng and Ch tmas d of if inner through the happy years her married l e .

T i c of hen it was preserved by her daughters, as a rel ’ f was their mother s youth , and long a ter the old woman

- r c l c gone, the well wo n loth stil appeared on great o ca

s i for r f sion , till it grew too th n anything but ca e ul keep

in s r dl th e g, to illu trate the sto y so prou y told by grand

h l r f i f c i d en, who ound it hard to bel eve that the eeble old lad y ofninety could be the li vely lass wh o played i her little part in the Revolution with such spir t . - EE 4 2 SPINNING WH L STORIES.

’ 1861 T -c In , abby s table loth saw another war, and

. for made an honorable end When men were called , ” Concord responded Here " and sent a goodly n um ber, led by another brave Colonel Prescott . Barretts ,

m s Hos er , Melvins, Browns, and Wheelers stood shoulder

S ul f to ho der, as their grand athers stood that day to meet ” s the Briti h by the bridge . Mothers said, Go my son,

f s as bravely as be ore, and sisters and sweethearts miled with wet eyes as the boys in blue marched away again, E cheered on by another noble merson . More than one ’ ofT s s abby s de cendant went, some to ﬁght, some to nurse and for four long years the old town worked and waited, hoped and prayed, burying the dear dead boys

s s c sent home, nur ing tho e who brought ba k honorable

u s d wo nds, and ending more to man the breaches ma e by the awful battles that ﬁlled both North and South

i of with a w lderness graves . Th e women knit and sewed Sundays as well as week

s s all for day , to upply the c clothes ; the men emptied

c s f s their po ket reely, glad to give and the mini ter,

f c s s offh is a ter prea hing like a Chri tian oldier, took coat and packed boxes ofcomforts like a tender father.

l for More lint and bandages ca led , and I do believe ’ ” ve c Old we torn and pi ked up every rag in the town ,

i s sa d one bu y lady to another, as several sat together making comfort-bags in the third year ofthe long u s tr ggle .

I have cleared my garret ofnearly everything in it, ” l of and on y wish I had more to give, answered one the

c s patrioti Barrett mother . “ We can ’ t buy anything so soft and good as worn ’ - TABBY S TABLE CLOTH . 4 3 out h -c s eets and table loths . New ones wont do, or ’ ” d e of I cut up very one mine, said a newly married

l i for f e Whee er, sew ng dear li e, as she rememb red the

s i many cou ns gone to the war. “ I think I shall have to give our Revolutionary

- ’ t e . s ft i abl cloth It old enough, and so as s lk , and ’ I m sure my blessed grandmother would think that ’ ” n t u w - it could make a better end, spoke p hite headed Madam Hubbard ; for Tabby Tarbell had married one o r fthat numerous and worthy ace . ’ Oh n t u f s , you would cut p that amou cloth , would ” n you ? cried the you ger woman . “ ’ ’m l. Yes, I wil It s in rags, and when I gone no ’ one wi ll care for it. Folks don t seem to remember . ’ us e what the women did in those days, so it s no ’ ” n l of s th e keepi g re ics em, an wered old lady, who would have own ed herselfmis taken ifshe could have

f 1876 its looked orward to , when the town celebrated i h centenn al, and proudly ex ibited the little scissors

for d with which Mrs. Barrett cut paper cartri ges,

n of amo g other ancient trophies that earlier day. So the ancient cloth was carefully made in to a box ful ofthe ﬁnest lint and softest squares to lay on

s of wound , and sent to one the Concord women who u had gone as a n rse . ’ ” Here s a t reas ure as s h e m she said, came to it a ong

fro other comforts newly arrived m home . Just what I want for my brave Rebel and poor little Johnn y

Bullard . “ ” Th e brave Rebel was a Southern man who h ad fought well an d was badly wounded in many ways. - 44 SPINNING WHEEL STORIES. yet never complained ; and in the midst Ofgreat s uﬂeri n w as w s s o s g al ay courteou , patient, and cour ” a eous men c g , that the alled him our gentleman , and tried to s how h ow much they respected so gallant a

was E s - oe. f John Bullard an ngli h drummer boy, who

s had been through several battles, toutly drumming away in spite ofbullets and cannon-balls ; cheering

c -ﬁre h is c for s many a amp with voi e, he ang like a

c w as uc bla kbird, and always merry, always pl ky, and s o f i n h is great a avorite regiment, that all mourned “ for little Johnny when h is right arm was s hot off

was at Gettys burg. It thought he would die ; but

u s of s he pulled thro gh the wor t it, and was lowly

c struggling ba k to health , still trying to be gay, and f beginning to chirp eebly now and then , like a con

n vales ce t bird . “ for s Here, Johnny, is some splendid lint thi poor ’ of ft s m s s s for s arm, and some the so e t co pre e Carrol ’ s o ou wound . He is asleep , I ll begin with y , and ’ while I work I ll amus e you with the s tory ofthe old ” -c f table loth this lint came rom , said Nurse Hunt, as s h e s f s i tood by the bed where the thin , white ace m led

h er Of at , though the boy dreaded the hard quarter an hour he had to endure every day. k ’ ’ ’ Th an . n t ad for y, mum We ave a story a good ’ ’ m ’ ’ . s orn in bit I m arty thi , and think I ll be hup ’ by this day week , won t I

h w s u s s I Ope s o. No h t your eye and li ten ; then you wont mind the twinges I give you, gentle as I try ” n n i f to be, a swered the nurse, begi ning her pa n ul t ask.

- E 4 6 SPINNING WHEEL STORI S.

Let care to hear such words . us shake hands, and do our best to make North and South as good friends as ” E c ff ngland and Ameri a now are, said the nurse, o ering her hand . “ ’ ’ " ve f Me, too I got one and le t, and I give it ye ’

i . s w th all me art God ble s ye, sir, and a lively get

for of ting hup the two us cried Johnny, stretching w i across the narro space that d vided the beds, with a beaming face and true English readiness to forgive fl f a al en oe when he had proved a brave one .

Th e m three hands met in a war shake, and the act was a little lesson more eloquent than words to the lookers-ou for the spirit ofbrotherhood that should bind us all together worked the miracle oflinkin g these three by the frail threads Spun a century ago . ’ So Tabby s table-cloth did make a beautiful and us f en d as e ul at l t. s MY turn now, said Walt, they a sembled a ft i n - gain , a er a busy day spent snow balling, statue an d r f ll making, tumbling in the d i ts that sti con tinned to rise on all sides . “ for f Here is just the story you and Geof. You

for f r of are getting ready college, a ter yea s the best s chooling, and it will do you good to hear how hard m ” so e boys have had to work to get a little learning, s m a aid Grand a, glancing at the slip that W lt drew fr E om the basket which Aunt linor held out to him , an d from which Lotty had drawn the story of ’ Tabby s Table Cloth . “ T f his is a true tale , and the man became amous

r fo his wisdom, as well as much loved and honored for rt his vi ue , and interest in all good things , added E of Aunt linor, as she began to read the story

EL ’ S ED T ON I UCA I .

of n MANY years ago, a boy sixtee sat in a little room in an old farm -hous e up among the Con necticut - E 4 8 SPINNING WHE L STORIES.

ofod d hills, writing busily in a book made bits of

c r f o paper stit hed togethe , with a cover ormed ftwo

Th e of n . h is thi boards lid a blue chest was desk, the end ofa tallow candle stuck into a potato was his

m u of h is la p, a mixt re soot and vinegar ink, and a m ’ quill fro the gray goose his pen . A Webs ter s Spell ” “ ’ - r u d E ing book, Dilwo th s New G i e to the nglish ” “ ’ ” “ T Daboll s m ongue , Arithmetic, and the A erican

s c - Preceptor, tood on the himney piece over his head, ” w th e s m s m T ith A se bly Catechi , and New estament,

T s was in the place ofhonor. hi his library and n ow ’ ” ’ an d m s s then a borrowed Pilgri Progres , Fox s ” of s Book Martyr , or some stray volume , gladdened his

for s s s c heart he pa ionately loved book , and s oured the neighborhood for miles around to feed thi s s teadily in

E u v creasing hunger . very penny he co ld earn or sa e went to buy a s ong or a story from the ped dlers who

c b r f — u occasionally lim ed the hill to the solita y arm ho se .

n -s When others took a noo pell, he read under the trees

. hi s or by the ﬁre He carried a book in pocket , and s t udied as he went with the cows to and from the past

on ure, and sat late in his little room , ciphering an old

h is n slate , or puzzling young brain over some questio

s for which no one could an wer him .

f r w His athe had no patience ith him, called him a

f s s m r u t h e shi tle drea e , and threatened to b rn beloved

But f for b . ooks his mother de ended him, he was her youngest and the pride ofher heart ; so s h e let h im scribble all over her ﬂoors before s h e scrubbed them

s for us e d r up, dipped extra thick candle his , save eve y l m s crap ofpaper to swe l his little store , and ﬁr ly EL ’ ED I I S UCAT ON. 4 9

believed that he would turn out the great man ofthe

f r b u amily. His brothe s joked a out his q eer ways, but i n his sisters he found ﬁrm friends and tender com

fort ers for e So s all his wo s. he truggled along, working on the farm in summer and in a clock s hop

r c f of during the winte , with su h brie spells schooling l as he cou d get between whiles, improving even these poor opportunities so well that he was letter-writer for

ll u o a the yo ng pe ple in the neighborhood .

w r r Now, he was riting in his jou nal ve y slowly, but

r s t r u ve y well , haping his le te s with un sual grace and freed om for the wide snow-banks were his copy-books

h ad in winter, and on their white pages he learned to sweep s plendid c apitals or link syllables handsomely T together. his is what he wrote that night, with a s parkle in the blue eyes and a ﬁrm folding ofthe lips

b f s l that made the oyish ace re olute and man y.

I am in m own min d th at I et lea n in I s ee n ot s et y g r g . h ow but m i ll is s t on an d mot e h o es for t o make a , y w r g, h r p ” f l G we all s ch ola o me. So eas e od s h d o it . r , p ,

Then he shut the little book and put it carefully

w as if a ay in the blue chest, with pen and ink, they

r r were ve y precious things ; piously said his p ayers, u and was soon asleep nder the homespun coverlet,

r S s r d eaming plendid dream , while a great b ight star d w if looke in at the low windo , as waiting to show h im r the oad to fortune . An d God did please to help the patient lad ; only the next evening came an opportunity h e had never

im i d As h e O e d Far ag ne . sat playing v r the Hills an 4 ‘ - ao SPINNING WHEEL STORIES.

Away on the ﬁddle that he had himselfmade out of

- fm of maple wood, with a bow strung ro the tail the

fm s b f old ar hor e, a neigh or came in to talk over the all

n d . pork and cider, a tell the news

Ef far Eli you want ter go over the hills and away, , ’ s c man here the hance . I see a down to Woodtick who ’ ’ was askin efI knew any likely young chap who d like ’ ’ r He d to git scribers fo a pious book he wants to sell . pay for the job when the names is got and the books ’ ’ T s u calk lat ed give out . hat r ther in your line, boy, so I ’ d u ou n of your dad y wo ld spare y , as you ai t much a ’ ’ ” hand at s h uckin corn n or cartin pummace. “ ” " " u s Haw haw la ghed the big brothers, Ambro e S b T r Vitruvius and Junius olomon, as neigh or e ry

Spoke with a sly twinkle in his eye .

a i for But the sisters, Miranda and P mela, sm led joy, while the good mother stopped her busy wheel to listen Eli dl eagerly . laid down his ﬁd e and came to the

r - hearth where the othe s sat, with such a wide awake expression on his usually thoughtful face that it was plain that he liked the idea . “ ’11 iff ’11 I do it, ather let me, he said, looking wist f u ully at the ind strious man , who was shaving axe ’ for - f handles the winter wood chopping, a ter his day s work was over . ’ u fr m bb o o e . Wal, I can spare y a week, y It s not ’ ’ for ve h eerd 0 time the clock shop yet, and sence you ’ s thi , you won t do your chores right, so you may as wal see what you can make of “ ’ T ou I ll for hank y , sir ; give you all I get, to pay ” m Eli t t h e y time, began , glowing wi h pleasure at ’ 51 ELI S EDUCATION.

prospect ofseeing a little ofthe world for one ofhi s most cherished dreams was to cross the blue hills that

m h im an d ﬁn d . hem ed in , what lay beyond “ ’ ’ Guess I can aﬂord to give you all you ll make ” r f in this t ip, answered his ather, a tone that made

the brothers laugh again . “ ’ E ’ o Eli . B ys , don t pester very one has n t a call ’ ’ ’ fe i s fl lead in s of to rm n , and it wal to o ler the Provi ” s t rok dence when they come along, said the mother,

for Eli s ing the smooth, brown head at her knee ; alway f went to her ootstool with his sorrows and his joys .

SO i n it was settled, and next day the boy, his

- - S n off home spun and home made u day best, set to see

for his employer and secure the job . He got it, and u w three days trudged p and do n the steep roads, call

in r of . g at eve y house with a sample his book, the Rev ’ ” ’ Flavel s E John treatise on Keeping the Heart . li s f winning ace, modest manner, and earnest voice served h im for o well, and he got many names ; b oks were

s e carc in those days, and a pious work was a treasure to m any a good soul who found it difﬁcult to keep the

t rfu heart s rong and chee l in troublous times .

T n hen the books were to be delivered, and, a xious

s m l Eli to ave his s a l earnings, hired no horse to trans

r fm po t his load, but borrowed a stout , green shawl ro

h is c mother, and, with his pack on his ba k , marched

r t o b avely away ﬁnish his task . His wages were

e n ew - for r sp nt in a prayer book his mother, sma t

f- i for f f r handkerchie p ns the aith ul siste s, and a good

of for f store paper himsel . This trip was so successful that he was seized with - 6 2 SPINNING WHEEL STORIES. a strong desire to t ry a more ambitious and extended on e for these glimpses ofthe world showed h im how

s u much he had to learn , and how plea antly he co ld pick up knowledge in these ﬂights . “ ’ ’ a-brewd in n ow ? What be you over , boy Gettin ’ ’ ready for the clock shop ? It s mos t time for winter ’ w T ut t in ork, and erry says you do pretty wal at p t ” f f ogether, said the armer, a day or two a ter the ’ boy s return, as they sat at dinner, all helping them s elves from the large pewter platter heaped with pork an d vegetables . i h i ’ I was w s n I could go South with Gad Upson . ’ b He s een twice with clocks and notions, and wants a h im h im mate . Hoadley ﬁts out and pays a good if ’ l t s hare he does well . Could n t I go a ong ? I ha e that old shop, and I know I can do something better ” of than put together the insides cheap clocks .

Eli n spoke eagerly, and gave his mother an implori g w u look hich bro ght her to second the motion at once, d her consent having been alrea y won . Th e brothers stared as ifEli had proposed to go up

for S u s m fr off in a balloon, to them the o th ee ed a ther

f Th e f than A rica does nowadays . ather had evidently

n for u an d bee secretly prepared, he showed no s rprise, merely pa used a moment to look at his ambitious s on with a glance in which amusement and reproach were mingled . “ ’ ’ ’ h en s it s When a ﬁnds she s hatched a duck egg, ’ no use for her to cackle that d ucklin will take to the

off water in spite on her, and paddle , nobody knows

bo u of w . e o here Go ahead, y, and wh n y get enough

4 - EEL E 5 SPINNING WH STORI S.

’ O ue bed Finch will be comin along, I g ss likely, ’ ’ ’ and he ll read to you out uv Eli s book about keepin ’ ’ ’ ou ll r n f the heart, and y ﬁnd you gone ore you know ” u u S it, said J ni s olomon , in a tone that made pretty

u run Pam bl sh and away, while the rest laughed at

her confusion .

So it was settled, and when all was ready, the boy f came home to Show his equipment be ore he started .

— u A very modest outﬁt, only two tin tr nks slung

s a acro s the shoulders, ﬁlled with jewelry, combs, l ce,

c an d . essen es, small wares ’ s I hate to have ye go, son, but it better than to ’ ’ ’ a for be mopin to hum, gettin desper t books and rilin ’ ’ f fr . 11 w o ather We all be orkin ye, so be chipper and ’ f ' do wal . Keep steddy, and don t disgrace your olks

Th e L bo in ord bless ye, my dear y, and hold ye the holler ofhis hand Her own rough hand was on his head as his

mother spoke, with wet eyes, and the tall lad

i n kissed her tenderly, whispering, with a choke his throat “ ’ -b ll m Good y, mammy dear ; I reme ber .

T n hen he tramped away to joi his mate, turning now and then to nod and smile and show a ruddy f f of s i fm ace ull happine s, wh le the a ily watched h im out ofsight with mingled hopes and doubts and fears . but Mails were slow in those days, at length a letter came ; and here it is — a true Copy ofon e written by a boy in 1 820 ELrs EDUCATION. 55

mber ORF OLK VA. Dece 4th N , , . “ HON ORED PARENTS : I write to inform you I am

Our us i s f . sa e here and to work b iness proﬁtable, and

f r Tu of I am ast lea ning the Quirks and rns trade . f are r o Va . We going to the easte n shore , calculating

Th e to be gone six weeks . inhabitants are sociable

s f ff and ho pitable, and you need not ear I shall su er, for I ﬁnd many almost fathers and mothers among these good folks . “ T u aking our trunks, we travel thro gh the coun

of Off try, entering the houses the rich and poor, ering

o d an d our ofour our g o s, earning wages by the sweat

s ? L brow . How do you think we look ike two Awk

Tu r ? ward, Homespun , gging Yankee peddle s No , f . o that is " not the case By people breeding we are h treated wit politeness and gentility, and the low and

l r we . vu gar do not seek For my pa t, I enjoy travel

n s ling more tha I expected . Conver ation with new f olks , observing manners and customs, and seeing the world, does me great good . “ I never met a real gentleman till I came here . Their hospitality allows me to see and copy their ﬁne

of ways acting and speaking, and they put the most fl Bash u at e ase . Gad likes the maids and stays in the

m a kitchen most ti es . I get into the libraries and re d d when we put up nights, and the la ies are most kind

r to me eve ywhere . “ I ’ m ’ ’ l so tall they can t believe I m on y sixteen. ’ T our -f but hey are n t as pretty as rosy aced girls,

e s o are s l their ways are legant, and their clothe , tel

Pam . - 56 SPINNING WHEEL STORIES.

r When I think how kind you we e to let me come,

r d a I am full ofgratitude . I made some ve ses, one y,

fr as I waited in a hovel o the rain to hold up.

’ o con d uce t o m own an d a en t s ood T y p r g , Was wh y I left my h ome To make th ei cares an d bu d en s les s r r , d t r t o el t em s ome An y h p h . ’ Twas m own c oi ce t o ea n t em cas h y h r h , An d get t h emfree from d ebt ; Before t h at I am t wen t y-on e

It S all be d on e I bet . h , M y paren t s th ey h ave d on e for me Wh at I for t em can n e e d o h v r , So ifI s e e t em all I ma rv h y, Sure God wi ll e me t ou h l p hr gh . M C i efd eli t t erefo e s all be y h gh , h r , h To ea n t em all I can r h , Not on l n ow but en t at I y , wh h

At las t am my own man .

T S of hese are the genuine entiments your son, who returns thanks for the many favors you have heaped upon him, and hopes to repay you by his best E ndeavors . Accept this letter and the inclos ed small

n sum as a token Ofhis love a d respect . u fu Yo r duti l son, T ell the girls to write . f In reply to this, came a letter rom the anxious mother, which shows not only the tender, pious na

of of ture the good woman , but also how much need

n bo n for educatio the y had, and how well he was doi g hims elf ’ ELI S EDUCATION. 57

“ AFFECTIONATE SON We was very glad to receave

u f an ct ious yo r letter . I eal very about you this win

Y ou ter, and how you are a doing. cannot know a ’ r for is fur mother s conce n her boy wen he away. D o

h abbit T for u not git into bad s . ake the Bible yo r rule

u for ur and guide to vart e. I pray yo prosperity in all

S irit all t em orrall p and p things, and leave you in the care of f Him who gave you breath an d will keep you sa e .

l f h elt h We are all wel , and your ather enjoys his

better than last year. I visited Uncle Medad a spell m last week . I a provided with a horse and shay to

meat in E cow . b ride to Mr. en Welton took our and

Old n S r give us his horse . Captai tephen Ha rington

was m b Parn el exco municated las t Sab ath . y goes away

d r k Miran d to learn es s ma in soon . I mistrust y will - u as m take p with Pennel H kell ; he is likely, and co es fr i b n . equent . I w sh you had ee here a Christmas

c n r We had a large ompa y to dinne , and I got some

a Eli whe t flower and made a fine chicken pye . , I h O e p you attend meat in when you can . Do not trifle u away the holy day in vane pleas res, but live to the

r f o f of . glo y God, and in the ear your parents Father

S u s at sold the white colt . He was too pirity, and p

r s Amb ose and nigh broke his head . His no e is still

c s on bla k . Dear I miss you every time I set a plat

u u c m s uﬂi t ien t ? ter in yo r plac e . Is yo r lose war and Pu t your s t ockin round your throat ifsore . Do you gi t good cyder to drink ? Take the Pen n yryal ifyou feal

b r il Th e l e wim ly aft er a long spell Oft av . gir s s nd

. r o . love No more now . W ight s on ” AH RDE ER. Your mother , HANN GA N - SPINNING WHEEL STORIES.

— r Our i S. L . P . iddy Finch is ma ried pigs g ve us ” nine h un d erd pound ofprime pork .

fro t e Many such letters went to and that win r, and

Eli faithfully reported all his adventures . For he had m c in of h is any, and once or twi e was danger losing life .

On f m for one occasion , having parted ro his mate a u day or two, wishing to try his l ck alone, our young f m f f peddler ound hi sel , late in the a ternoon, approach

m s i n t h e S . g Dis al wamp A tempest aro e, adding to

f ur Th e s s the loneliness and terror o the ho . cypre es uprooted by the blast fell now and then acros s the ’ s h road , endangering the poor boy s head . A sluggi stream rolled through tangled j unipers and beds of reeds and the fen on either side was full ofugly

s creatures, lizard , snakes, and toads while owls, scared

a d . by the storm, ﬂew wildly bout and hooted ismally

of u Eli men Just at the height the t mult, saw three

s coming toward him, and gladly ha tened to meet them, hoping to have their company or learn ofthem where u he co ld ﬁnd a Shelter . But their bad faces daunted

a n d u him , he would have hurried by witho t speaking if u they had not stopped him , ro ghly demanding his u name and b sine s s .

Th e but f f tall stripling was brave, his youth ul ace

S h im but b o s c us s of howed to be a y , and the con io ne s a well-ﬁlled purs e in his pocket made him anxious to

s . S o s r e cape he an we ed brieﬂy, and tried to go on .

h im of u But two men held , in spite his str ggles, while t h e b o u third riﬂed his pockets, roke pen his tr nks, and ’ ELI S EDUCATION. 59

t ook all that was ofany value in the way ofwatches T f and jewelry. hen they le t him, with a cruel joke

off bo about a good journey, and made with their oty . It was the ﬁrst time poor Eli h ad met with such a

o mishap, and as he st od in the rain looking at his

f c wares scattered about the road, he elt in lined to fi f throw himsel nto the creek , and orget his woes there

among the frogs and snakes . But he had a stout

r e of hea t, and soon decided to make the b st it, since

c ul be nothing o d done to mend the matter . Gathering

a - up his bedraggled l ces, scattered scent bottles, and d irty buttons, pins, and needles , he trudged sadly

f in for h im on, eel g that this was indeed a Dismal

Swamp . “ ’ I told you we d better stick together, but you ’ ’ d be d re d ful m r t rav ellin off wante to so s a t , and go ’ ’ ’ n a alone in them out the way places . Might known ’ d et m you g overhauled so ers . I always did think you ’ ’ ” was Eli n ow m on t a gump, , and I sure , was all the

mfr Gad h im d fu co o t gave when they met, and the ire l

al t e was told .

What shall I do now ? asked the poor lad . My ’ ’ s notions are n t worth selling, and my money gone . ’ I ll have to pay Hoadley somehow . ’ ’ You d better foot it home and go to Choppin pun

for m kins the cows, or help your mar spin . I vow I ’ for never did see such a chap gettin into a mess ,

s r s uc colded Gad , who was a t ue Yankee, and made a

ces s ful n trader, eve in a small way . “ ’ ” 11 Eli to We sleep on it, said , gently, and went

bed r ve y low in his mind . - EEL 60 SPINNING WH STORIES.

fe w la Perhaps a tears wet his pillow as he y awake, and the prayers his mother taught him were whispered n S c of for omfr i the ilen e the night hope revived, c o t f came, and in the morning his serene ace and sensible plan proved to his irate friend that the “ gump had

fr a wise head and a manly heart, a te all .

m for n ew m Gad, it is just the ti e the al anacs, and ’ m Allen wants men to sell e . I thought it was small ’ f r u n t c business be ore, but begga s m st be hoosers , so ’ ’ ff for ob I m going right Offto o er the j round here . ’ l for if m s r n It wil do a start , and I ma t, Alle will give me a better chance maybe . ’ ’ a - 1 T s f . 1 hat a st rate plan Go ahead, and I say a i i for . s s n good word you Allen know me , and books ’ ’ u s s 11 if n your line, so I g e you do wal you keep out ” r i the mashes , answered Gad, with g eat good w ll, hav ing slept offhis v exation .

Th e for r s -f plan did go well, and weeks the o y aced ,

' gentle -voiced yo uth might have been s een mildly oﬂer

n ew m s ing the al anacs at doors and shop , and at street

r fu o u an d co ners, with a wist l lo k in his bl e ey es, a courtesy ofmanner that attracted many customers and l S earned many a dol ar. everal mates, envying his

a u s ﬁne handwriting and pitying his h rd l ck, took le sons

Ofh im h im f r in penmanship and paid airly, whe eat he

c u S eﬂt rejoi ed over the ho rs p at home , ﬂat on the

u s c kitchen ﬂoor, or ﬂo rishing plendid apitals on the s w- c no banks, when his nose was blue with old and his

s f-f hand hal rozen. When the season for the yellow-covered almanacs

v Eli of em was o er, , having won the conﬁdence his

- EL R ES 62 SPINNING WHE STO I .

r ve y cold, and poor Gad, taken with cramp, nearly Eli w drowned by clinging to his legs as he went do n . f d iﬂi cult Eli t o Freeing himsel with y, tried save his f riend but the current swept the helpless man away,

r li r f . E an or aid and he was lost Hu riedly dressing, , but found himselfregarded with s uspicion by those to whom he told his story for he was a stranger in the place and certain peddlers who had gone before h ad left a bad name behind them .

To h is r of horror, he was a rested, accused murder,

fr f if f o . o and would have been tried his li e, Mr Allen

f f a r Nor olk had not come to testi y to his good char cte , ’ b f and set him free . Poor Gad s ody was ound and ft ’ Eli buried, and a er a month s delay, set out again,

- for alone, heavy hearted, and very poor, all his own little savings had been consumed by various expenses . ’ Mr. Hoadley s money was untouched, but not increased, as he hoped to have it ; and rather than borrow a

of Eli f penny it, landed bare ooted . His boots were so

Old m an d S he threw the overboard, pent his last dollar for a cheap pair ofshoes to wear when he appeared

for t u at home, they were not s out eno gh to stand

So travel . , like Franklin with his rolls, the lad ate

r r t c acke s and cheese as he trudged hrough the city, and set out for the far-away farm -house among the hills .

Of A long journey, but a pleasant one, in spite his

for t h e troubles ; spring made world lovely, habit

w l all n in h is made a king no hardship, and he had see

f h im a a a wanderings passed be ore at will, like a p nor m fu of ll color and variety . ’ ELI S EDUCATION. 63

L t r h ad f et e s gone be ore, but it was a sad home

n Eli : comi g, and when all was told, said f ’11 ’ Now, ather, I go to work. I ve had my wish

e u and enjoy d it a sight ; and wo ld go again, but I

’ fe if el as I ought to work, as long as I can t pay for ” my time . ’ ’ T s r m oblee ed hat hea ty, son , and I g to ye . Hear ’ n what mother s got to say, and the do whichever you ” f fr n od pre er, answered the a mer, with a toward his

if fu ofs w e, who, with the girls, seemed ll ome pleasant

t o news which they longed tell . ’ I ve sold all the cloth we made last winter for a ’ f e good sum, and ather says you may hev the sp ndin ’ on t . It will be enough to pay your board down ’ e T to Uncl illotson s while you study with him , so ’ ’ ’ s for a t you kin be gettin ready college next ye r . ’ ’ ’ ’ ve s ot t n t d is a in t I my heart on , and you mus pp ” o f me and the girls, said the go d woman, with a ace full offa r of ith and p ide in her boy, in spite all

mishaps . “ Oh " ’ m , mammy, how good you be It don t see

d o as ifI ought to take it . But I want to go cried

Eli of , catching her round the neck in an ecstasy

boyish delight and gratitude .

r Here Mi anda and Pamela appeared, bringing their

f of a an d fm homely gi ts w rm hose, new shirts made ro

f u n wool and ﬂax grown by the ather, and sp n and wove f by the accomplished housewi e . A very happy youth was Eli when he again set off

r rs to the city, with his humble outﬁt and slende pu e,

f r loc ked f r though athe still doubt ul, and the brothe s - EEL S OR ES 64 SPINNING WH T I . were more sure than ever that Eli was a fool to prefer

un dry books to country work and f . f Eli A busy year ollowed, studying, as never boy

f is studied be ore , with the excellent min ter, who soon

s L grew proud ofhis be t pupil . ess preparation was needed in those days, and perhaps more love and industry went to the work ; for necessity is a stern

Of n if master, and poor boys te work wonders the spark

:>fgreatness is there . Eli had his wish in time , and went to college, mother and sisters making it pos s ible by the s ale of

for fm us their handiwork ; the girls were a o spinners, and the mother the best weaver in the country around . How willingly they toiled for Eli — rising early and

of sitting late, cheering their labor with loving talk ’ d a f f the ear l d s progress, and an un ailing aith in his l future s uccess . Many a ong ride did that good mother take to the city, miles away, with a great roll of h er cloth on the pillion behind to sell, that she ’ might pay her son s college bills . Many a coveted pleasure did the faithful sisters give up that they Eli h im might keep well clothed, or send some country dainty to cheer the studies which seemed to them

f c pain ully hard and mysteriously pre ious . Father u began to take pride in the gly duckling now, and

of r brothers to brag his g eat learning. Neighbors

m h is r u ca e in to hear letters, and when vacation b o ght h im s home, the lads and lasse regarded him with a

r for w ua ce tain awe his manners ere better, his lang ge

n ew f l d t h e purer, than theirs, and the li e he e reﬁned u i co ntry boy t ll he s eemed a gentleman . ’ ELI S EDUCATION . 65

Th e o sec nd year he yielded to temptation, and got

t . u f in o debt Being anxio s to do credit to his amily, ofwhom he was secretly a little ashamed about this

S time, he pent money on his clothes, conscious that

of he was a comely youth with a great love beauty, and a longing for all that cultivates and embellis hes if character and l e . An elegant gentleman astonished i f the h ll olk that season, by appearing at the little church in a suit such as the greatest rustic dandy

never imagined in his wildest dreams, the tall white

- hat with rolling brim, Marseilles vest with watch chain l f h and sea s estooned across it, the ﬁne blue coat wit

r s n s its b a s buttons, and the na keen trou ers strapped over boots so tight that it was torture to walk in

r - them . A med with a cane in the well gloved hand,

in f of an imposing brooch the rills the linen shirt,

Eli of sauntered across the green , the observed all

er of obs vers, proudly hoping that the blue eyes a certai n sweet Lucinda were ﬁxed admiringly upon

him .

Th e r f boys were the ﬁ st to recover rom the shock, and promptly resented the t ransformation oftheir

fr r o mer butt into a city beau, by jee ing openly and

r r of Th e affecting g eat sco n the envied splendor. poor

ff of jackdaw, somewhat abashed at the e ect his plumes ,

f r r tried to prove that he elt no supe io ity, by being

r ff f f ve y a able, which won the lasses, but ailed to so ten the hearts ofthe boys and when he secured the belle

of for T the village the hanksgiving drive and dance, the young men res olved th at pride should have a - 66 SPINNING WHEEL STORIES.

Eli L Arrayed in all his ﬁnery, drove pretty ucinda in a smart borrowed wagon to the tavern where the

s u of s dance wa held . F ll the air and graces he had f Eli learned at college, the once bash ul, awkward was

of the admired all eyes, as he pranced down the long

- contra dance in the agonizing boots, or played thread ing the needle without the leas t reluctance on the part ofthe blushing girls to pay the ﬁne ofa kiss when the players sung the old rhyme

’ Th e n eedle s eye n o on e can pas s Th e t h read t h at run s s o true It h as cau t man a et t las s gh y pr y , ” An d n ow it has caug ht you.

But his glory was short -lived ; for some enemy maliciously drew out the linchpin from the smart wagon, and as they were gayly driving homeward f b over the hills, the down all came, and out they oth ’ ofE t went, to the great damage li s city sui , and poor ’ Lu c in da s simple ﬁnery.

n Fortunately, no bones were broken, and picki g

s f them elves up, they sadly ooted it home, hoping the m mishap would re ain unknown . But the rogues took Eli care that should not escape , and the whole neigh borh ood laughed over the joke ; for the ﬁne hat was u c S n in r ined, and the ostly coat plit dow the back, the ignominious tumble . Great was the humiliation ofthe poor student ; for Lu u not only was he ridiculed, but cinda wo ld not f h im orgive , and the blue eyes smiled upon another ; w of h ad n f r w orst all, he to co ess his debts and bo ro ELrs EDUCATION. 67

b r money ofhis father to pay them. He meekly o e the stern rebuke that came with the hard-e arned dol

of lars, but the sight the tears his mother shed, even f w . hile she com orted him , ﬁlled him with remorse He

ba h is b went ck to ooks, in a homespun suit, a sadder

e f if and a wis r boy, and ell to work as resolved to wash

out past errors and regain the conﬁdence he had lost . All that winter the wheels turned and the loom

Of e jangled, that the rolls cloth might be increas d and

wa for never was the day too cold, the y too long, the t ’ good mo her s pious pilgrimage . T hat summer, a man came home to them , shabby f enough as to his clothes , but so wonder ully improved m f w in other ways, that not only did the wo en olk glo

w e f ith t nder pride , but ather and brothers looked at

an d was s him with respect , owned at last there ome i “ ” “ n Eli . for thing No vacation me, he said ; I must work to pay my debts ; and as I am not ofmuch ’ 11 t r m use here , I y my old plan , and peddle so e money

into my empty pockets . It was both comic and pathetic to see the shoulders that had worn the ﬁne broadcloth burdened with a

r' yoke, the hands that had worn kid gloves g asping f i the tin trunks, and the dapper eet trudg ng through

u d ew co - ut f r d st and in w hide boots. B the ace unde the old straw hat was a manlier one than that which

r the tall beaver crowned, and the hea t under the rough vest was far happier than when the gold chain

glittered above it . He did so well that when he

r c f retu ned to ollege his debts were paid, and the amily

fai in Eli e th r stored . - 6 8 SPINNING WHEEL STORIES.

That was an eventful year ; for one brother married,

off f f mort a and one went to seek his ortune, the ather g g f f Eli ing his farm to give these sons a air start in li e . was f f f to be a minister, and the armer le t his ortunes in the

of w f hands his i e, who, like many another good mother,

of of f was the making the great man the amily, and was d h im c . ontent with that knowle ge, leaving the glory

Th e Eli next year, graduated with honor, and went home, to be received with great rejoicing, just twenty

fr f . o one, and a ree man He had longed this time,

f r a and planned a happy, studious li e, prepa ing to pre ch

i a of But the gospel n a little parson ge his own . sud d en l r y all was changed joy turned to so row, hope to

Eli r for doubt, and was called to relinquish libe ty

own m of duty, to give up his drea s a home , to keep a roofover the heads ofthe d ear mother and the faithful f d u . r sisters His ather ied s ddenly, leaving ve y little for the women folk bes ides the independence that lay f f Th d in the skill o their own thri ty hands . e el er ff Eli brothers could not o er much help, and was the one to whom the poor souls turned in their hour of sorrow and anxiety . “ ’ s f us Go on, dear, and don t pe ter yoursel about ’ We can ﬁnd food and ﬁri n here as long as the old

a off farm is ours. I guess we can man ge to pay the ’ b - -b if could mortgage y and y . It don t seem as I turn ’ ft r i out, a er livin here ever sense I was ma r ed, and ’ ” poor father so fond on t .

Th e fe h er n Eli widow covered her ac with apro , and

b fu as h e e put his arms a out her, saying man lly, gav up all his fondest hopes for her d earer s ake 3

- 70 SPINNING WHEEL STORIES .

th e ear ffan d fr to d old mother, whose sta com o t he

Th e still was . sisters married well, the brothers m fu prospered, and at thirty, the school aster o nd a

b r L h ad no le mate than pretty ucinda, and soon some

of little pupils his very own to love and teach . There his yo uth ends but after the years ofteach

as ing he began to preach at l t, not in one pulpit, but

r ffu o n ow in many all ove the land, di sing go d thoughts as he had peddled small wares when a boy ; still learn

b u man ing as he went, still loving ooks and st dying fu kind, still patient, pious, duti l, and tender, a wise ’ fu E uca n and beauti l old man, till, at li s ed tio e nded. WH AT in the world have I chosen ? exclaimed ff Geo , as he drew out a manuscript in his turn and read

the queer name . “ r Th A sto y that will just suit you, I think . e hero

is d r an In ian , and a b ave one, as you will see . I learned the little tale from an old woman who lived in the val of ley the Connecticut, which the Indians called the ” L of ong River Pines . rt f E With this very sho pre ace, Aunt linor began t o r d s r of ea , in her best manner, the to y

WANDAH ONA .

LO G e N ago, when hostile Indians haunt d the great

fr r fr for o ests, and eve y settlement had its o t the pro

e Of of t ction the inhabitants, in one the towns on the

v Connecticut Ri er, lived Parson Bain and his little son

Th e f was and daughter. wi e and mother dead ; but

r of be an old se vant took care them, and did her st to

E s m ake Reube n and unice good children . Her dire t “ r Th e s threat , when they we e naughty, was, Indian - EEL S R E 7 2 SPINNING WH TO I S.

’ ” f if So will come and etch you , you don t behave . they

f of grew up in great ear the red men . Even the

m for f friendly Indians, who someti es came ood or powder, were regarded with suspicion by the people .

r w u N0 man went to wo k itho t his gun near by. On

S n u r undays, whe they tr dged to the ude meeting

us r ho e, all carried the trusty riﬂe on the shoulde ;

s and while the pa tor preached, a sentinel mounted i if guard at the door, to g ve warning canoes came

fa f down t h e river or a dark ce peered rom the wood .

On e mn v autu night, when the ﬁrst hea y rains were f d alling and a cold win whistled through the valley, a ’ m O knock ca e at the minister s door, and, pening it, he f r f - wh o ound an Indian boy, ragged, hung y, and oot sore, h for f . In e begged ood and shelter his broken way, f f told how he had allen ill , and been le t to die by ene h im f mies who had taken rom his own people, months before ; how he had wandered for days till almos t

for sinking ; and that he had come now to ask help, led s w by the hospitable light in the par onage windo .

S r of . end him away, maste , or harm will come it

S mur He is a py , and we shall all be scalped by the d ” ering Injuns who are waiting in the wood , said old E Becky, harshly ; while little unice hid in the old ser ’ m a n d — - u vant s a ple skirts, twelve year old Re ben laid

on - f if his hand his cross bow, ready to de end his sister need be . But the good man drew the poor lad in , saying, with his friendly smile Shall not a Christian be as hos pi~

s ? an d fed table as a godle s savage Come in, child, be ” you sorely need rest and s helter. ONAWANDAH. 73

Leaving his face to express the gratitude he had n o w frt ords to tell , the boy sat by the com o able ﬁre and fm f u ate like a a ished wol , while Becky m ttered her forebodings and the children eyed the dark youth at a

f S h is f u s . a e distance omething in pinched ace, wo nded

fo f of u e o t, and eyes ull d mb pain and patience, touch d

’ i r an d fu the little g rl s tender hea t , , yielding to a piti l

of impulse , she brought her own basin new milk and,

be setting it side the stranger, ran to hide behind her

f of ather, suddenly remembering that this was one the

s dreaded Indian . “ T T . l hat was well done, little daughter hou sha t

a love thine enemies, and share thy bre d with the needy. See , he is smiling that pleased him, and he wishes us ” to be his friends . E c But uni e ventured no more that night, and quaked in her little bed at the thought ofthe strange boy u sleeping on a blanket before the ﬁre below . Re ben f i r hid his ears better, and resolved to watch wh le othe s slept ; but was offas soon as his curly head tou ched

of war- o the pillow, and dreamed tomahawks and who ps

t ill morning .

d a r f Next y , neighbo s came to see the wai , and one

a s s and all dvi ed ending him away as soon as possible,

u s since he was do btle s a spy, as Becky said , and would

br u of m ing tro ble so e sort . “ n e Whe he is well, he may go whitherso ver he w h will ; but hile he is too lame to walk, weak wit w l hunger, and worn out with eariness, I wi l harbor

f ffr him . He cannot eign su e ing and starvation like is s s th I shall do my duty, and leave the con equence - 74 SPINNING WHEEL STORIES.

L d to the or , answered the parson , with such pious

r t h e s ﬁ mness that neighbors aid no more .

u On awan d ah But they kept a close watch pon ,

s but when he went among them, silent and submis ive,

of s with the proud air a captive prince, and sometime a ﬁerce ﬂash in his black eyes when the other lads m taunted him with his red skin . He was very la e for n weeks, and could o ly sit in the sun , weaving

for Eu pretty baskets nice, and shaping bows and

fr Th e n h is arrows o Reuben . children were soo f for w m was riends, ith the he always gentle, trying i n his soft language and expressive gestures to s how his good-will and gratitude ; for they defended h im

u m s f r against their r der play ate , and, ollowing thei f ’ ather s example, trusted and cherished the homeless u yo th . l When he was able to wa k, he taught the boy to

u of shoot and trap the wild creat res the wood, to ﬁnd f u f ﬁsh where others ailed, and to g ide himsel in the

To n s . wilder es by star and sun, wind and water Eunice he brought little offerings ofbark and feathers

m of b of s taught her to make occasins skin , elts shell , or pouches gay with porcupine quills and colored

for — grass . He would not work old Becky, who

h er u : plainly showed distr st, saying A brave does ’ u s not grind corn and bring wood that is sq aw work .

On awan d ah ﬁs h for will hunt and and ﬁght you , but ” of r u no more . And even the request the pa son co ld not win obedience in this, though the boy would have died for the good man . “ We can not tame an eagle as we can a barnyard ONAWANDAH. 7 5

im f . Let h of owl remember only kindness us , and so ” r foe f s t r we tu n a into a riend, said Parson Bain , ok S b w ing the leek, dark head, that always o ed before him, with a docile reverence shown to no other living creat ure . f Winter came, and the settlers ared hardly through

f av the long months, when the dri ts rose to the c es of

s f their low cabins, and the store , care ully harvested, f m ailed to supply even their si ple wants . But the ’ i f i for On awan m nister s am ly never lacked wild meat, dah proved himselfa better hunter t h an any man in the town and the boy ofs ixteen led the way on his

- r snow shoes when they went to t ack a bear to its den ,

for chase the deer miles, or shoot the wolves that d howle about their homes in the winter nights .

h e But never joined in their games, and sat apart

f as if when the young olk made merry, he scorned such childish pastimes and longed to be a man in all things. Why he stayed when he was well again, no

l l d for one cou d te l, unless he waite spring to make his But u E way to his own people . Re ben and unice rejoiced to keep h im for while he taught them many

r E things, he was their pupil also, lea ning nglish r f r ff apidly, and proving himsel a ve y a ectionate and

f s . devoted riend and ervant, in his own quiet way

of u s be Be good cheer, little da ghter I hall gone

an d On awan d ah u but three days , our brave will g ard ” i you well, said the parson, one Apr l morning, as he mounted his horse to visit a distant settlement, where the bitter winter had brought sickness and death t o u more than one ho s ehold . S - EEL S R PINNING WH TO IES.

Th e boy showed his white teeth in a bright smile b as he stood eside the children, while Becky croaked, with a Shake ofthe head ’ ’ I hope you may n t ﬁnd you ve warmed a viper m ” u s . in yo r bo o , master

Two if days later, it seemed as Becky was a true

con ﬁd in s h ad prophet, and that the g mini ter been

for On awan d ah h terribly deceived went away to unt, and that night the awful war-whoop woke the sleep

r u w ing village s, to ﬁnd their ho ses burning, hile the hidden Indians shot at them by the light ofthe ﬁres

us s I n fu kindled by d ky scout . terror and con sion the f f whites ﬂew to the ort ; and, while the men ought bravely, the women held blankets to catch arrows and l t f of . bu lets, or bound up the hur s their de enders

It was all over by daylight, and the red men sped

r h r away up the rive , wit several prisone s , and such f booty as they could plunder rom the deserted houses .

f of u Of r Not till all ear a ret rn their enemies was ove , did the poor people venture to leave the fort and seek m their ruined ho es . Then it was discovered that Becky ’ s s n and the par on childre were gone, and great was

for the bewailing, the good man was much beloved by all his ﬂo ck. Suddenly the smothered voice ofBecky was heard

of s t s d fu : by a party vi i or , calling ole lly

I am here, betwixt the beds . Pull me out, neigh ” for f f . bors , I am hal dead with right and smothering Th e old woman was quickly extricated from her

- hiding place , and with much energy declared that

Sh e n On a wan d ah d s h war- had see , i guised wit paint,

- 78 SPINNING WHEEL STORIES.

f h im. s be ore He mis ed his playmates, and asked but one question

Th e ? boy, the little squaw, where gone

u for His answer was a ro gh one, the men seized f al him and poured orth the t e, heaping reproaches

h im for c upon su h treachery and ingratitude . He bore it all in proud silence till they pointed to the f w poor ather, whose dumb sorro was more eloquent

r On awan d ah than all their w ath . looked at him , and the ﬁre died out ofhis eyes as ifquenched by the

S off tears he would not Shed . haking the hands that f held him, he went to his good riend, saying with passionate earnestness On awan d ah is n ot traitor " On awan d ah remem bers On awan d ah grateful You believe ?

Th o l e po r parson looked up at him , and cou d not doubt his truth ; for gen uine love and sorrow enno

fc bled the dark a e, and he had never known the boy

to lie .

u r I believe and tr st you still , but othe s will not . f Go, you are no longer sa e here , and I have no home ” oﬁer f to you , said the parson, sadly, eeling that he

for u n cared none, nless his childre were restored

to him . d h but On awan a has no fear . He goes he comes

a . gain to bring the boy, the little squaw

but m o Few words, they were so sole nly sp ken that the most unbelieving were impres sed ; for the youth

r f laid one hand on the g ay head bowed be ore him, an d f if l t h e li ted the other toward heaven, as cal ing

Great Spirit to hear his vow. ONAWANDAH. 7 9

A r n n d ele ti g murmur went through the crow , but

th e a d r boy p id no hee , as he tu ned away, and with s f f no arm but his hunting kni e and bow, no ood but

such as he could ﬁnd, no guide but the sun by day, n h f the stars by ight, plunged into the pat less orest

and was gone .

T h r hen the people drew a long breat , and mutte ed t o one another “ lad for He will never do it, yet he is a brave his ” years . “ O l ft off I n y a shi to get with a whole skin,

warr ou. T are n f ant y hese varlets as cunni g as oxes,

a e dded B cky , sourly .

Th e s parson alone believed and hoped , though week d an an d h is n . months went by, childre did not come

E far in Meantime, Reuben and unice were away h f t h e an Indian camp, resting as best t ey could, a ter

r T long jou ney that followed that dreadful night . heir c r for apto s were not cruel to them, Reuben was a

f an d s On awan d ah ul stout ellow, , thank to , co d hold hi s own with the boys who would have tormented him if E he had been feeble or cowardly. unice also was a

d for r an d r har y creature her yea s , when her ﬁ st fr f de r lf f ight and atigue were over, ma he se use ul in many ways among the squaws , who did not let the

’ s uﬁer u h d pretty child greatly tho g she was neglecte ,

e e b cause they knew no b tter. L f W m fof fort u i e in a igwa was not a li e ease , and h ately the children were ac customed to simple habits and t h e hardships that all endured in thos e early - 80 SPINNING WHEEL STORIES.

for r times . But they mourned home till thei young f aces were pathetic with the longing, and their pil lows ofdry leaves were often wet with tears in the

T c d u night . heir lothes grew ragge , their hair nkempt ,

Sc f their faces tanned by sun and wind . anty ood and expos ure to all weathers tried the strength oftheir

f ad bodies, and uncertainty as to their ate s dened their

S pirits ; yet they bore up bravely, and said their f fu f prayers aith lly, eeling sure that God would bring m f t them ho e to ather in His own good ime .

On e in day, w hen Reuben was snaring birds the

- for f of c wood, the Indians had no ear su h young

s — h e of children venturing to e cape, heard the cry a f quail , and ollowed it deeper and deeper into the f orest , till it ceased, and, with a sudden rustle ,

On a wan d ah f rose up rom the brakes, his ﬁnger on his lips to prevent any exclamation that might betray him to other ears and eyes . “ I come for you and little Laroka (the name he “ “ E ou gave unice, meaning Wild I take y ”

m . ho e . Not know me yet Go and wait . He Spoke low and fast but the joy in his face told

f h is how glad he was to ﬁnd the boy a ter long search ,

r c i f and Reuben clung to him, trying not to disg a e h msel

r by c ying like a girl , in his surprise and delight . Lying hidden in the tall brakes they talked in wh is

s i of of per , wh le one told the capture , and the other a

n of for f pla escape ; , though a riendly tribe, these In ’ On awan d ah s m s dians were not people, and they u t not

u w n be s spect that he kne the childre , else they might s eparated at once . ONAWANDAH. 81

L u h r T w e . ittle sq a betray me , You watch ell

n ot . her not to cry out, speak me any time When I

— — o f in . say come, we g ast the night Not ready ” yet .

T r n an d n hese were the orde s Reube received , , whe

c m i f he could o pose h msel , he went back to the wigwams , f d leaving his riend in the woo , while he told the good

n Eu for u ews to nice, and prepared her the part she m st

play.

u f- Fear had ta ght her sel control , and the poor child

off f r stood the test well, working her relie and apture by pounding corn on the stone mortar till her little

b e for hands were lister d, and her arms ached hours

aft r e ward. Not till the next day did On awan d ah make his ap

earance p , and then he came limping into the village,

e f r f w ary, lame, and hal sta ved, a ter his long wandering dl r . in the wilde ness He was kin y welcomed, and his

r b for r r sto y elieved he told only the ﬁ st pa t, and said

nothing ofhis life among the white men . He hardly glance d at the children when they were pointed out to

h im rs Eu by their capto , and scowled at poor nice, who

fr r an d Sh e o got her pa t in her joy, smiled as met the dark eyes that till now had always looked kindly at A fm her. touch ro Reuben warned her, and she was glad to hide her confusion by Shaking her long hair

f if fr of r . over her ace , as a aid the st anger

On awan d ah f of took no urther notice them , but

a u f seemed to be very l me with the old wo nd in his oot, which prevented his being obliged to hunt with the

r men . He was resting and slowly gathe ing strength 6 - 82 SPINNING WHEEL STORIES. for f the hard task he had set himsel , while he waited f m T for . a sa e ti e to save the children hey understood,

for E but the suspense proved too much little unice, and

Sh e a she pined with impatience to be gone . lost ppe r s On a tite and colo , and ca t such appealing glances at m iff wandah, that he could not see quite ind erent, and

f a gave her a so t word now and then , or did such cts

n rfm ofki dness as he could pe or unsuspected . When h Of m she lay awake at nig t thinking ho e, a cricket

t h e W would chirp outside igwam, and a hand slip in a

ff of -cu off for lea ull berries, or a bark p resh water f S l the everish little mouth . ometimes it was on y a

of re- caress or a whisper encouragement, that assured

c h the hildis heart, and sent her to sleep with a com fort able s Of ense love and protection, like a sheltering wing over a motherless bird . u Re ben stood it better, and entered heartily into the excitement Ofthe plot for he had grown tall and strong n f i these trying months, and elt that he must prove m f d f hi sel a man to sustain and e end his sister. Qui etl d a of y he put away each y a bit dried meat, a hand ful of a - as p rched corn , or a well sharpened arrowhead , provision for the journey ; while On awan d ah seemed to be amusing hims elfwith making moccasins an d a little vest Ofdeer-skin for an Indian child about the

O E age f unice .

m off At last, in the early autu n , all the men went on

- the war path, leaving only boys and women behind . ’ ’ T On awan d ah s b hen eyes began to kindle, and Reu en s f for fl for heart to beat ast, both e t that their time

h ad m escape co e . ONAW AH 83 AND .

n s S All was ready, and one moo le s night the ignal w A as given . cricket chirped shrilly outside the tent

dr A where the chil en slept with one old squaw . strong

out in ofﬁr- hand the sk beside their bed boughs, and two trembling creatures crept out to follow the t a ll

ﬁit t ed f m o shadow that noiselessly be ore the int , the

a Of d . i d rkness the woo Not a broken tw g, a careless

t r s ep, or a whispered word bet ayed them, and they vanished as swiftly and silently as hunted deer ﬂying for their lives.

T a On awan d ah rr Eu ill d wn they hurried on , ca ying f f nice, whose strength soon ailed, and Reuben man ully

u off sho ldering the hatchet and the pouch ood . At

r sunrise they hid in a thicket by a sp ing and rested,

— for f while waiting the riendly night to come again . T h f i f hen they pus ed on , and ear gave wings to the r eet, so that by another morning they were far enough away

S S to venture to travel more lowly and leep at night . Ifthe children had learned to love and trust the

Indian boy in happier times, they adored him now, and came to regard h im as an earthly Providence so faith ful br f f of f , ave, and tender was he, so orget ul himsel ,

SO bent on saving them . He never seemed to sleep,

m r f ate the poorest o sels, or went without any ood when

s n f let provi io ailed no danger daunt him , no hardship f m u wring complaint ro him , but went on thro gh the

f s wild ore t, led by guides invisible to them, till they b e egan to hop that home was near . T s . O wice he aved their lives nce, when he went

e off d u S in s arch oo , leaving Re ben to guard his ister,

n e r r a l o e the childre , b ing ve y hung y , ignor nt y ate s m 84 S -W EEL S OR ES PINNING H T I .

r poisonous berries which looked like wild cher ies, and

Th e were deliciously sweet . boy generou s ly gave

of E was r - most them to unice, and soon te ror stricken I ee d ill to her grow pale, and cold, and eathly . Not w knowing hat to do, he could only rub her hands and

for On awan d ah call wildly . Th e i name echoed through the s lent wood, and, t far Of n hough away, the keen ear the India heard it,

f h im m an d his ﬂeet eet brought back in ti e, his knowl edge ofwild roots and herbs made it pos sible to save the child when no other help was at hand . “ m. s Make ﬁre . Keep war I oon come , he said,

f Eu wh o a ter hearing the story and examining nice,

l f h im fu of con ﬁ cou d only li t her eyes to , ll childish dence and patience .

T h e off c hen was again, s ouring the woods like a

c for hound on the scent, sear hing everywhere the

u c t h s precious little herb that wo ld countera t e poi on.

h im u u h im a Any one watching wo ld have tho ght cr zy, u as he rushed hither and thither, tearing p the leaves, creeping on his hands and knees that it might not es h im fu w cape , and when he o nd it, springing up ith a

r b cry that sta tled the irds, and carried hope to poor

wh o r f in Reuben, was t ying to orget his own pain his

for Eu m u . anxiety nice, who he tho ght dying f Eat n . , eat, while I make dri k All sa e now, cried

On awan d ah m w , as he came leaping toward the ith his

fu l Of f hands l green leaves, and his dark ace shining with joy.

Th e for u boy was soon relieved, but ho rs they hung

g ffr w un con over the irl, who su e ed sadly, till she gre

86 SP I G- EEL S OR ES INN N WH T I .

of s watching the ﬂicker sunshine through the leave ,

s Of li tening to the babble a brook close by, or sleeping f u o . tranq illy, lulled by the murmur the pines Patient,

fu was u loving, and grate l, it a pleas re to serve her,

f fu On awan d ah and both the lads were aith l nurses .

for cooked birds her to eat , and made a pleasant drink

f -r O the wild aspberry leaves to quench her thirst .

Reuben snared rabbits, that she might have nourishing f for ood, and longed to shoot a deer provision , that u she might not s uffer hunger again on their jo rney. This boyis h desire led him deeper into the wood than

s for for ~ it was wi e him to go alone , it was near night f u f s all, and wild creatures ha nted the ore t in those

Th e On awan d ah s days . ﬁre, which kept con tantly

r u Eu bu ning, g arded their little camp where nice lay w u but Reuben, with no eapon but his bow and h nting

n f c k i e, was beyond this prote tion when he at last gave

u . Su up his vain hunt and t rned homeward ddenly,

of h im u the sound stealthy steps startled , but he co ld

u us u see nothing thro gh the d k at ﬁrst, and h rried on, fearing that some treacherous Indian was following

T s him . hen he remembered his si ter, and resolved

- c if u for not to betray her resting pla e he co ld help it,

r u ofOn awan d ah he had lea ned co rage , and longed to be as brave and generous as his dusky hero .

So s c s aw he pau ed to wat h and wait, and soon the

of s but gleam two ﬁery eye , not behind, above him, in T t “ d ” a tree . hen he knew hat it was an Indian evil, as they called a species Ofﬁerce animal that lurked in the thickets and sprang on its prey like a small

r tige . 8 ONAWANDAH . 7

“ If l On awan d ah I cou d only kill it alone , how proud

Of n for would be me , thought Reuben, burni g the

good Opinion ofhis friend . It would have been wiser to hurry on and give the

beast no time to Spring ; but the boy was over bold,

an d r n i , ﬁtting an a row to the stri g, aimed at the br ght - m eye ball and let ﬂy. A sharp snarl showed that so e

r ha m was done, and, rather daunted by the savage

ou u c s nd, Re ben raced away, meaning to come ba k

r next day fo the prize he hoped he had secured .

aft But soon he heard the creature bounding er him ,

for f and he uttered one ringing shout help, eeling too

t f r la e that he had been oolhardy. Fo tunately, he was

u On a wan d ah nearer camp than he tho ght . heard him ,

wa m e and s there in ti e to rec ive the beast, as , mad

of u S u . with the pain the wo nd, it prung at Re ben

T was for here no time words , and the boy could only watch in breathless interest and an xiety the ﬁght whi ch went on betwee n the brute and the

Indian . It was Sharp but Short ; for On awan d ah had his

f ul r kni e, and as soon as he co d get the snarling, st ug u f w it l . gling creat re do n , he killed with a ski ul stroke But not before it had torn and bitten h im more dan

erous l for g y than he knew ; the dusk hid the wounds,

n d t h i f m a excitemen kept m rom feeling the at ﬁrst .

n h im c h is Reube thanked heartily, and a cepted few words ofwarning with grateful docility ; then

r c Eu both hur ied ba k to nice, who till next day knew ’ o nothing fher brother s danger.

On awan d ah i ofh is as c made l ght scratches, he alled - E R 88 SPINNING WH EL STO IES.

m the , got their supper, and sent Reuben early to bed,

- for to morrow they were to start again .

E h is u S xcited by advent re, the boy lept lightly , and

c of On a waking in the night, saw by the ﬂi ker the ﬁre wandah binding up a deep wound in his breas t with

r wet moss and his own belt . A stiﬂed g oan betrayed

u uff but n how m ch he s ered when Reube went to him,

l s he would accept no he p, said it was nothing, and ent h im b d f u n back to e , pre erring to end re the pai in

m c i u . ste silen e, w th tr e Indian pride and courage

us f Next morning, they set out and p hed on as ast as ’ But Eunice s strength allowed . it was evident that

n awan d ah uff t u u O s ered much, ho gh he wo ld not rest,

b Of for ade the children to speak his wounds, and

f s if f pressed on with everish ha te, as he eared that his

out n i strength might not hold . Reube watched h m

u for f u anxio sly, there was a look in his ace that tro

h im m as bled the boy and ﬁlled with alar , as well with Eu u h i remorse and love . nice wo ld not let m carry f but u h im h her as be ore , tr dged bravely behind , thoug h er feet ached and her breath Often failed as she tried to keep up; and both children did all they could to

mf u f wh o co ort and s stain their riend, seemed glad to

ffor give his li e them .

d s if In three ay they reached the river, and, as m f Heaven helped the in their greatest need, ound a

f m r canoe , le t by so e hunte , near the shore . In they

f h ear sprang, and let the swi t current them along, Eunice kneeling in the bow l ike a l ittle ﬁgure—head of

u h is On awan Hope, Re ben steering with paddle , and

h f h is b s dah sitting with arms tig tly olded over rea t, as ONAWANDAH . 89

r f ifto control the sha p anguish o the neglected wound . w He kne that it was past help now, and only cared to

f out see the children sa e then , worn but happy, he was

proud to die , having paid his debt to the good parson , i and proved that he was not a liar nor a tra tor . u f u t Ho r a ter ho r hey ﬂoated down the great river,

' for s i n s of w looking eagerly g home , and hen at last f l t they entered the amiliar va ley, while the lit le girl

for r cried joy, and the boy paddled as he had neve

f On awan d ah done be ore, sat erect , with his haggard

d im . eyes ﬁxed on the distance, and sang his death

in - r song a clear, strong voice, though eve y breath

was pain , bent on dy ing like a brave , without com i f pla nt or ear . At last they saw the smoke from the cabins on the

hillside, and, hastily mooring the canoe, all sprang f out, eager to be at home a ter their long and perilous

f On a wandering. But as his oot touched the land, w f andah elt that he could do no more , and stretching

h is ar of arms toward the p sonage , the windows which glimmered as hospitably as t h ev h ad done when he

s a w of ﬁrst them, he said , with a pathetic sort triumph “ T e : O . in his broken voic G . I cannot ell the good

f On a n d a wa h f . ather, not lie , not orget He keep his m ” pro ise .

T r s if hen he dropped upon the g a s and lay as dead , u E f while Re ben , bidding unice keep watch , ran as ast as his tired legs could carry h im to tell the tale and

bring help .

Th e little girl did her part tenderly, carrying water

r in her hands to wet the white lips, tea ing up her - EEL R ES 90 SPINNING WH STO I . ragged skirt to lay fresh bandages on the wound t hat ’ f had been bleeding the brave boy s li e away, and, sit

b a r ting y him, gathered his he d into her a ms, begging h im f to wait till ather came . But poor On awan d ah had waited t oo long ; now he f could only look up into the dear, loving, little ace “ f : bent over him, and whisper wist ully Wild Rose will remember On awan d ah as the light went out of

for . his eyes, and his last breath was a smile her When the parson and his pe ople came hurrying up fu of r - l fu E c ll wonde , joy, and good wil , they o nd uni e

r d weeping bitte ly, and the In ian boy lying like a u yo ng warrior smiling at death . b ~ Ah, my neigh ors, the savage has taught us a les

f Let t r s son we never can orget . us imita e his vi tue , ” and do honor to his memory, said the pastor, as he held his little daughter close and looked down at the u f pathetic ﬁg re at his eet, whose silence was more eloquent than any words .

f r f All elt it, and even old Becky had a remo se ul sigh for the boy who had kept his word so well and f given back her darlings sa e . They buried h im where he lay ; and for years the lonely mound under the great oak was kept green by m . an d ur loving hands Wild roses bloomed there, the mur Ofthe Long River ofPines was a ﬁt l ullaby for f fu On awan d a aith l h . “ ’ ” TH T s ffas t r A the sort I like , said Geo , the s o y ’ e On awan d ah d nded ; was a trump, and I give a

d c f w good eal to know su h a ello , and go hunting With ’ aun t l him . Got any more like it, y ’ Perhaps ; but it is the girls turn now, and here is a quiet little story that teaches t h e same lesson in a

h of di fferent way. It contains a hint whic some you would better take and Aunt Elinor glanced around the circle with a smile t hat set her hearers on the alert to see who was to be hit . ’ ver ffw Hope it is n t y moral , said Geo , ith a boy ish dislike ofbeing preached at . ’ r s r It won t ha m you to li ten , and take the mo al to

h lad . s eart, my Wild hor es, gold mines, and sea

r . sc apes, are not the only things worth reading about Ifyou ever do halfso much good in the world as the ” in r S of people this sto y did , I hall be proud you,

s w red E fffo his e Aunt linor, so soberly that Geo lded m hands, and tried to look eekly impressed . ” Is it true ? asked Min . - SPINNING WHEEL STORIES.

‘ fan d t h e Yes . I heard Abby tell it hersel , saw ” s . ilk stocking, and the scar

l r That sounds very interesting. I do ike to hea

fu s about good clothes and aw l accident , cried the

f s l . girl, orgetting to spin , in her eagerne s to isten

u i of They all la ghed at her odd m xture tastes, and then heard the story of

LITTLE THINGS .

ABIGAIL sat reading Rasselas aloud to her father w us n n hile he shaved, pa ing now and the to explai a ’ word or correct the girl s pronunciation ; for this was

u Th e w . a lesson, as ell as a pleas re handsome man ,

n s - uf in his nanki dre sing gown, r ﬂed shirt, black small

f Old clothes, and silk stockings, stood be ore the tall, f u Of fm n of ashioned burea , looking ten ro the reﬂectio

own d f d h im h his rud y ace to the pale one besi e , wit

s of an expres ion tender pride , which plainly showed u how dear his yo ng daughter was to him .

b off Sh O t — Ab y was a slender girl ﬁ teen , in a l waisted

l n m gingham gown , with a mus i tucker, di ity apron , and morocco shoes on a pair ofsmall feet demurely

fr - - c . b rossed be o e her A lue eyed, brown haired little creature, with a broad brow, and a sweet mouth, evi d en t ly both intelligent and affectionate ; for she ’ r s f heartily enjoyed the sto y, and an wered her ather s approving glances with a fac e full ofthe loving rev fu erence so beauti l to see .

Sc n in 1 815 fr hools were not abu dant ; and, a te

a r d S le rning to ea , pell, sew, and cipher a little at some

N - EEL OR E 94 SPI NING WH ST I S.

DO not be in a hurry to leave your Happy Valley, my dear ; but help to keep it so by doing your part h of f well . T e happiness li e depends very much on little things and one can be brave and great and good while making small sacriﬁces and doing small duties faith f ” L f . ully and cheer ully, answered Mr yon , with the look ofone who practised what he preached .

Se But my little things are so stupid and easy . w ing, and learning to pickle and preserve , and going ’ n out to tea whe I don t want to, and helping mother, are none ofthem romantic or exciting duties and s ac riﬁc s I of e . fI could take care poor people, or be a

S f h colonel in a plendid uni orm, and march wit drums

u ﬁre- d run and tr mpets, or even a war en, and to save lives and property, and be loved and thanked and ” trusted, as you are, I should be contented, con t in ued u for Abby, kindling at the tho ght she con s id ered f of an d h her ather the noblest men, glowed wit pride when s h e saw him in his regimentals on great

r occasions, or when she helped him into the leathe n h im ff cap and coat, and gave the lantern , sta , and

ﬁre- f m canvas bags he used, as warden, long be ore stea

c engines, hook and ladder companies, and electri alarms were dreamed of. L b Mr . yon laughed as e washed his face at the

- queer, three cornered stand, and then sat down to h ave his hair tied in a queue by his daughter, who f prided hersel on doing this as well as a barber. “ ’ Ah, my girl, it s not the things that make the most noise and Show that are the bravest and the

s but c be t ; the everlasting patience, harity, and cour L LE T S ITT HING . 95

age needed to h ear our d aily trials like good Chris" ” i c for tians . And the sm le hanged to a sigh , the

c man of i u ex ellent knew the value these v rt es, and

r their arity . “ is S be a Yes, I know, sir ; but it so plendid to h ’ hero, and have the world ring wit one s glory, like

n L f r u Washi gton and a ayette, or Pe ry, H ll, and ” L w e r a r nce, said Abby, winding the black ibbon so energetically that it nearly broke ; for her head was full ofthe brave deeds performed in t h e wars of1 775

1 81 2 f e o r . and , the latter which she well rememb ed

E s — a y, my dear, easy remember that it was the faithful doing ofsmall things which ﬁtted these men

n . He to do the grand deeds well, whe the time came t oes are a not m de in a minute, and we never know

a l T wh t we may be cal ed upon to live through. rain

lfn ow fu r yourse to be skil l, prompt, cou ageous, and i u k nd ; then when the d ty or the danger comes, ‘ l you will be prepared for it . Keep your spind e ’ L r old ready, and the o d will send the ﬂax , as the

proverb says . f m t I will , ather, and reme ber the other saying tha

con s e‘ you like and live up to, Do right and leave the ’ uen ces q to God, answered Abby, with her arm about

ft a f his neck, and a so cheek gainst his, eeling that with h f such an example before her S e ought not to ail. ’ T i " . hat s my good g rl Come, now, begin at once ’ Here s a little thing to do, a very homely one, but

s efu u l, and some honor may be gained by doing it ’ e for if in n ew nic ly ; , you ll darn this bad rent my ’ s I ll r tocking, give you ﬁve dolla s. 96 S I I - EEL STOR ES P NN NG WH I .

L S . As he poke, Mr yon handed her a heavy silk “ ” - f stocking with a great barn door tear in the cal .

r Of He was rathe proud his handsome legs, and

m of ﬁn e dressed the with care, importing hose unusual nes s for state occasions ; being one ofthe old-time gen t lemen whose stat ely elegance add ed dignity to any scene . Abby groaned as she examined the hole torn by a

for w if nail , it was a very bad one, and she kne that

r not well done, the costly stocking would be uined .

h e t o r fe ad S hated da n , inﬁnitely pre rring to re , or

L of Old study atin with her brother, instead repairing d f amask , muslin gowns, and the amily hose . But s h e did it well, excelling her elder sister in this branch of — fu needle work so she could not re se, though the s acriﬁce oftime and taste would have been almost

for but f impossible any one ather . ’ s I ll try, sir, and you hall pay me with a kiss ; ” h for c ﬁve dollars is too muc su h a little thing, she

h im Sh e ut said, smiling at as p the stocking into the

r f capacious pocket whe e girls kept housewi e, scissors,

m - an d of ﬂa - thi ble, pin ball, a bit lovage or g root in

s those d ay . “ ’ ’ I m not so sure that you ll ﬁnd it an easy job ; b ’ but remem er Bruce and his spider, and don t be ‘ ’ ‘ oﬂ. conquered by the little thing. Now I must be ” ’ -b L Good y , my darling, and Mr . yon s dark eyes twinkled as he thought ofthe task he had set her ; for it seemed as ifnothing short ofa miracle could restore his damaged stocking. Abby forgot her heroics and ran to get his hat an d

- 98 SPINNING WHEEL STORIES.

- earned my money. I shall buy that work box I have

Th e c wanted so long . inlaid one, with ni e velvet beds for b the thim le, scissors, and bodkin , and a glass in

for - the cover, and a little drawer my silk reels . Father

w u . ill like that, and I shall be pro d to show it These agreeable thoughts were pass ing through Ab ’ by s mind as she went into the front yard for a breath

ofair f . T , a ter her long task was over ulips and hya c in t h s m were bloo ing there , and, peeping through the

of w f bars the gate, stood a little girl ist ully watching fu the gay blossoms and enjoying their per me . Now,

fn of Abby was o d her garden, and had been hurrying

for the early ﬂowers, that they might be ready her father’ s birthday nosegay so her ﬁrst impulse was to f for eign that she did not see the child, she did not

n want to give away a single tulip . But the mor ing

f in talk was resh her memory, and presently she thought Here is a little thing I can do ; and ashamed of

Sh e d of the selfish impulse, gathere several her finest ff flowers and o ered them , saying cordially “ m I think you would like these . Please take the , m and by and by when there are ore, you shall have ” prettier ones . “ Oh " for , thank you I did want some mamma .

Sh e be f is ill, and will so pleased , was the grate ul answer, given with a little courtesy, and a smile that f f made the wist ul ace a very happy one . “ ou b l s Do y live near y a ked Abby, seeing at once ’ from the child s Speech and manner that Sh e was both - fu Well bred and grate l . LITTLE THINGS. 99

r r . are E Just a ound the co ner We nglish , and

papa is dead . Mamma kept school in another place

i of t ll she was too ill, and now I take care her and the i ” ch ldren as well as I can .

Th e of fr little girl twelve, in her black ock, with a

f e far t oo for ac old and anxious her years, was so inno ’ cen tl Sh e r y pathetic as told the sad sto y, that Abby s

e t nder heart was touched, and an impetuous desire to do something at once made her exclaim “ ’ Wait a minute , and I ll send something bett er ’ r n t u than ﬂowe s . Would yo r mother like some wine

? fu all jelly I helped make it, and have a glass l my

own . “ "” b Indeed she would egan the child, blushing with pleasure ; for the poor lady needed just such i f ’ a o . del c cies, but thought only the children s wants

Waiting to hear no more , Abby ran in to get her

Offr e ing, and came back beaming with benevolent

’ AS far 11 it is not and you have that big basket, I

r if ? go with you and help ca ry the things, I may My l f mother wi l let me , and my ather will come and see ’ ’ I m if h im. you , sure , you d like to have He takes

of b care every ody, and is the best and wisest man in ” all the world . Lucy Mayhew accepted these kind Offers with child

e k r of ish conﬁdenc , thin ing the young lady a so t angel

- in a coal scuttle bonnet, and the two went chatting

f for h ad a e along, good riends at once Abby most eng g

r f fa won r ‘ ing manne s, and her cheer ul ce its way eve y

where . - EEL S OR ES 1 00 SPINNING WH T I .

Sh e f E s f ound the ngli h amily a very interesting one, for r the mother was a gentlewoman , and in sore st aits

— m now, being unable to use her accomplish ents any f f f longer, and ailing ast, with no riends to protect the four little children she must soon leave alone in a s trange land . “ Ifthe for in y were only cared , I could go peace ; but it breaks my heart to think ofthem in an asy w m ” lum, hen they need a ho e, said the poor lady, telling her greatest anxiety to this sympathetic young vis itor ; while Lucy regaled the noses ofthe eager little ones with delicious sniffs ofthe pink and blue hyacinths . T f ’11 ell ather all about it, and he know just what

r h im. d o. to He always does, and eve y one goes to ’ m b May he come and see you , ma a said Ab y, long

ak at . on oe ing to t e them all home .

f n He will be as welcome as an angel rom Heave , f f my child . I am ailing very ast, and help and com ” fr fl m o t are sorely needed, answered the grate u wo an, with wet eyes and a heart too full for many thanks . ’ “ f s Abby s eyes were ull al o, and promising to send f ” ather soon, she went away, little dreaming that the handful ofﬂowers and a few kind word s were the ﬁrst links in a chain ofevents that brought a blessing into her own home . ’ Sh e for f waited anxiously her ather s return , and f h er blushed with pleasure as he said, a ter examining morning’ s work “ fu d " u Wonder lly well done, my ear Yo r mother ’ f” s ays she could n t have done it better hersel .

2 - E 1 0 SPINNING WH EL STORIES.

T m l for hank you , sir It see s a great dea such a

m . d o s all job But I want it very much . May I tell ’ h ow f ? you I d like to spend it, ather cried Abby,

of beaming with the sweet delight helping others . m Yes , child co e and tell me . Something for ” n ew dr sister, I suspect or a book, perhaps . And, aw

h er . L ing to his knee, Mr yon waited with a face full of n h er con ﬁd n e be ignant interest in little e c s .

Sh e told her story eagerly and well, exclaiming as “ ’ : n ow I m she ended And , so glad, so very glad, I

for have this money, all my own , to spend those dear ’ ’ little things " I know you 11 help them but it s so nice to be able to do my part, and giving away is such ” a pleasure . ’

f . You are your ather s own daughter in that, child

r I must go and get my cont ibution ready, or I shall be f ” L le t out, said Mrs . yon, hastening away to add one more charity to the many which made her quiet life s r f beauti ul . “ e bo I will go and see our n igh r this evening, and you shall come with me . You see, my girl, that the ‘ ’ homely little job is likely to be a large and pleas

in . ant one, and you have earned your part it Do the duty that comes ﬁrst, and one never knows what beautiful experience it may bloss om into . Use s ou your earnings as you like, and God bles y , my ” dear. SO Abby had h er part in the happy days that came

s to the Mayhew , and enjoyed it more than a dozen work-boxes while her father was never tired ofShow of ing the handsome darn and telling the story it. LITTLE THINGS 1 03

Help and comfort were much needed around the

r for r o co ner ; ve y soon the p or lady died . But her conﬁdence in the new friends raised up to her was not

d a misplace ; and when all was over, and people sked, “ of i ? L What will become the ch ldren Mr . yon ans wered the sad question by leading the four little

r an d i o phans to his own house , keep ng them till good

u r homes were fo nd fo the three youngest. L - u ucy was heart broken , and cl ng to Abby in her

r if for sor ow, as nothing else could console her all she

0 a of had lost . N one had the heart to spe k sending

f t h e fu her away at present ; and, be ore long, grate l little creature h ad won a place for herselfwhich she never forfeited .

for of It was good Abby to have a care this sort, and hl her generous nature enjoyed it thoroug y, as she

t h e played elder sister in sweetest way . It was her ﬁrst real less on in the charity that made her after— life s o rich and beautiful ; but then she little dreamed how well she was to be repaid for her small Share in the

o to m go d work which proved be a blessing to the all. ’ S for t oon , preparations sis er Catharine s wedding

d a an d pro uced a ple sant bustle in the house, both the

e younger girls were as busy as b es, helping everywhere.

m k r r e r r Dress a e s ipp d and stitched upstai s, visito s gos

an d siped in the parlor, and cooks simmered scolded in the kitchen while notable Madam Lyon presided over

an d the household, keeping the peace gently bringing f ord er out o chaos . b f Ab y had a new sprigged muslin rock, with a white s Of i ash, and her ﬁrst pair s lk stockings, a present - EE 1 04 SPINNING WH L STORIES.

f m f of h ro her ather. A bunch pink roses gave t e

u n u ﬁnishing touch, and she t r ed p her hair with a tor

o - of t ise shell comb in honor the occasion . All the relations — and there were many ofthem

an d n came to the wedding, the hospitable mansio was w b f crowded ith old and young . A ﬁne reak ast was

of prepared, a line carriages ﬁlled the quiet street, and troops ofstately ladies and gentlemen came m arching

for L - f in the yons were a much honored amily.

Th e s m intere ting mo ent arrived at last, the minister O t pened his book, the lovely bride en ered with her f u u groom, and a solemn silence ell pon the r stling

was f crowd . Abby much excited, and elt that she

d s f c was about to i grace hersel by rying. Fortunately

would she stood near the door, and ﬁnding that a sob

m u of d s f co e at tho ght her ear si ter going away orever, she slipped out and ran ups tairs to hide her tears in

Sh e ut m the back bedroom, where was p to acco modate guests .

ffofm h er As she opened the door, a pu s oke made O w catch her breath, then run to throw pen the windo

u r f before she t rned to look fo the allen brand . A ﬁre

in m m f had been kindled this roo a short ti e be ore, and, ’ m u n f to Abby s dis ay, the s dde draught anned the smouldering sparks which had crept from a fallen log to the mop-board and thence around the wooden

- u u r c mantel piece . A s spicio s c a kling was heard, little

of f m c s tongues ﬂame darted ro the cra k , and the air

f of m was ull s oke . ’ s m u w s s ~ Abby s ﬁr t i p lse was to ﬂy do n tair , scream “ ” in g Fire " at the top ofh er voice ; her second was

- EE E 1 06 SPINNING WH L STORI S.

f an Lucy ound her very soon, having missed her d

or come to look f her the minute the service was over.

u f d Sh e M ch rightene , ran down again and tried to tell f L u . Mr. and Mrs . yon q ietly But her pale ace alarmed b f every one , and when Ab y came to hersel , she was ’ f f of in her ather s arms, being carried rom the scene ’ d of evastation to her mother s room, where a crowd anxious relatives received her like a conquering hero . “ ’ ﬁre- m Well done, my brave little warden I proud ofyou were the ﬁrst words she heard and they were

f r more reviving than the burnt eathe s under her nose, or the lavender-water plentifully sprinkled over her by

s her mother and ister.

c f ft With that hearty ommendation , her ather le her, f f to see that all was sa e , and Abby ound that another sort ofcourage was needed to support her through the next half-hour oftrial for her hands were badly

u n of l b r ed, and each the excellent re atives suggested a different remedy . "” S l f Flour them cried Aunt al y, anning her vio len tl y .

-oil - Goose and cotton batting, suggested Aunt

Patty .

as . Nothing so good lard , pronounced Aunt Nabby ” of I always use dry starch or a piece salt pork, u Lu added co sin cretia . ” T ’ Butter them " commanded grandma . hat s what I d id when my Jos eph fell into the boiler and came out with his bless ed little legs the color oflob ”

e. u . ster B tter them, Dolly LITTLE THINGS. 1 07

T b ’ hat settled the vexed question, and Ab y s hands u were well buttered , while a hearty la gh composed the Spirits ofthe agitated party ; for the contrast betwee n ’ r s S g andma words and her plendid appearance, as she sat erect in the big arm -chair issuing comm ands like a

in - r general, silver g ay satin and an imposing turban ,

r was ve y funny .

T ft L Old hen Abby was le to repose, with ucy and

s Nurse be ide her, while the rest went down to eat the

f off wedding east and see the happy pair in a chaise,

r u s d with the po tmantea lung un erneath , on their quiet

- o f honey mo n trip to Pom ret .

h us t le all f f When the was over, Abby ound hersel a heroine in her small circle ofadmiring friends and

b r if neigh o s, who praised and petted her as she had

f Sh e fr saved the city rom destruction . needed com o t very much for one hand was so se riously injured that f m it never entirely recovered ro the deep burn , which

r of ﬁn r- T cont acted two her ge tips . his was a great s orrow to the poor girl ; for Sh e could no longer play f t f on her piano , and was orced to con ent hersel with singing like a lark when all joined in the sweet old l f bal ads orgotten now .

s f S It was a mi ortune, but it had its happy ide ; for was t , during the long months when she par ially helpless, books were her solace, and she studied many things which other d uties or pleasures would “ ’ ” if h ad have crowded out, Abby s poor hand not

an for r been excuse such libe ty and indulgence . It

for did not make her selﬁsh, however, while regret

u f t o ting her selessness , she unexpectedly ound work - E L R E 1 08 SPINNING WH E ST O I S. do that made her own life happy by cheering that of another. Lucy proved to be a most intelligent child ; and when Abby asked what return she could make for all

’ the little girl s loving service during her trouble, she discovered th at help about les sons would be the favor L ’ most desired . ucy s too early cares had kept her

m r n ow s fro lea ning much , and that she had lei ure,

f s weak eyes orbade tudy, and she longed vainly to get on as her n ew friend did for Abby was her model in

— m all things, looked up to with ad iration, love, and wonder . “ ’ ve n Father, I been thi king that I might read ’ T Lucy s lessons to her and hear her recite . hen she ’ n t ut b would grieve abo eing backward , and I can be ’ as s eyes to her she is hand to me . I can t s ew or work

. ? now, but I can teach the little I know May I, sir

s m f a in a ked Abby, one orning, a ter re ding a paper the

S ecta tor p , and having a pleasant talk about it during

f- u the happy hal ho r. “ if A capital plan , daughter, you are sure you can To f keep on . begin and then ail would leave the child w s offfor or e the hope and disappointment . It will be

d a f f tiresome to go on y a ter day, so think well be ore ” ou s r h er f u y propo e it, answe ed ather, m ch pleased with the idea . ’ ca n will I If ll I do it, and I I get tired, I look f f at you and mother, always so aith ul to what you ” — m undertake , and reme ber my motto, cried Abby, anxious to follow the example set her in the daily life ofthese good parents .

- 1 1 0 SPINNING WHEEL STORIES. as much as the younger ones did the elaborate pigeon wings and pirouettes then in vogue . Among the older men was one whom Abby much

for fu admired ; he had o ght, travelled, and studied

of more than most men his age, and earned the honors Sh h e wore so modestly. e was never tired ofasking

h e him questions when they met, and never seemed

of Of tired giving long, interesting replies ; so they ten sat and talked while others danced, and Abby never guessed that he was studying her bright face and in noc ent heart as eagerly as she listened to his agreeable r conve sation and stirring adventures .

Sam Presently he came to the house with brother , ’ wh o for shared Abby s regard him ; and there, while

a re the young men amused themselves, or p id their s ect s of m p to the elders, one the was still watching

t r of the all girl with the c own brown hair, as she sat

f for by her ather, poured the tea Madam , laughed with f L her brother, or made bash ul ucy share their pleas fu ures ; always so busy, duti l , and winning, that the L ’ fu visitor pronounced Mr. yon s the most delight l

of house in Boston . He heard all the little tales ’ u f Sam L r Abby s yo th rom , and ucy added her t ibute with the eloquence ofa grateful heart ; he saw h ow loved and trusted she was, and he soon longed to know how she would answer the question he desired

c s s f to ask her. Having re eived permi ion rom Papa,

for in the decorous old style , he only waited an opportunity to discover ifcharming Abigail would consent to change her name from Lyon to Lamb ; if c and, as her lesson was to be quite omplete, a little LITTLE S THING . 1 1 1

thin g d ecided h er fate an d made a very h appy woman

ofthe good girl . ’ On a Abby s seventeenth birthday, there was to be f party in her honor, at the hospitable amily mansion,

f e to which all her riends were invit d ; and, when she

came down early to see that all was in order, she al rr found one impatient guest had ready a ived . It was not alone the consciousness that the new pin k taffeta gown and the wreath ofwhite roses were very becoming which mad e her blush so prettily as she thanked her friend for the ﬁne nosegay he

i n f brought her, but something his ace, though he only wished her many happy returns in a

off and then added, laughing, as the last button ﬂew w f the glove he was awk ardly trying to asten, “ It is evident that you did n ’ t sew on these but ’ ’ b . ve er S tons, Miss Ab y I obs ved that am s never c off m ome , and he says you always keep the in ” order. “ Let for me put one on you . It will take but a ’ ll u mfr moment, and you be so nco o table without ” s for h er it, aid Abby, glad to ﬁnd employment eyes . A minute afterward she was sorry she had offered ; for he accepted the little service with thanks, and st ood watching while she sat down at her work-table and began to sew. Sh e was very sensitive about her

of for hand, yet ashamed being so ; the scar was

r inside and the drawn ﬁnge s showed very little, as it

a f m Sh e is natural to h l close the . hoped he had

s . never een it, and tried to hide it as she worked - E R 1 1 2 SPINNING WHE L STO IES.

m us u But this, or so e new consciousness, made her ally nimble ﬁngers lose their skill, and she knotted the b silk, split the utton , and dropped her thimble, growing angry with herselffor being so silly and

ﬂurried getting so red and . “ ’ ’ I m f I m ou of a raid giving y a deal trouble, w said the gentleman, who was watching the hite hand with great interest . “ No it is I who am foolish about my burnt ” i n f n hands , answered Abby, her ra k, impetuous way. ” See " it if how ugly it is And she held out, as to

u ffor f p nish hersel the girlish eeling she despised . Th e answer to this little outb urst made her for get everything but the sweetest pleasure and s ur

for prise , kissing the scarred palm with tender respect, h er lover said “ To me it is the ﬁnest and the dearest hand in ’ r the world . I know the b ave story, and I ve seen

of the good this generous hand is never tired doing.

for . I want it my own Will you give it to me, dear ?” “ for Abby must have answered, Yes ; she wore a n ew u ring nder her glove that night, and danced as ifthere were wings on the heels ofher pink

Shoes .

u n Whether the b tton ever got sewed o or not, no one knows ; but t hat bit ofneedlework was even more success ful than the other small job ; for in due time u there was a second wedding, witho t a ﬁre, and Abby

of went away to a happy home her own, leaving sister Lucy to ﬁll her place and be the most loving

LARKS were singing in clear

- sky over Dinan , the hill sides were white with hos ts Ofblooming cherry

trees, and the valley golden with wil

Th e f low blossoms . gray tower o the good Duchess Anne was hun g with garlands ofivy and gay with tufts of

f wallﬂowers ragrant , and along the fosse the shadows deepened d aily the young leaves thickened on the interlacing branches overhead . Women sang while they beat their clothes by the pool ; wooden shoes clattered to and fro as the girls brought water from L fu St . the o ntain in Place ouis ; men, with their

s long hair, embroidered jackets, and baggy breeche , drank cider at the inn doors ; and the great Breton horses shook their high collars till the bells rang

g d a ain , as they passed along the roads that woun

be d s of c . tween wide ﬁel colza, bu kwheat, and clover 1 1 6 S — EEL R E PINNING WH STO I S.

Up at the chateau, which stood near the ruins of the ancient castle, the great banner streamed in the f wind, showing, as its olds blew out, the device and motto ofthe Beauman oirs — two clasped hands and “ 1 En tout chemi n the legend, In the court

r yard, hounds brayed, horses pranced, and se vants hurried about ; for the count was going to hun t the w n ild boar. Prese tly, away they went, with the merry

ofh of f l music orns, the clatter hoo s, and the b ithe ri of ng voices, till the pleasant clamor died away in the distant woods, where mistletoe clung to the great

c of oaks, and menhirs and dolmens, mysterious reli s the Druids, were to be seen . From one ofthe windows ofthe chateau-tower a ’ f f of — a boy s ace looked out, ull eager longing, ﬁne, s f w trong ace, but sullen now, ith black brows, dark, if restless eyes, and lips set, as rebellious thoughts were

a stirring in his mind . He watched the g y cavalcade

a r u dis ppea , ntil a sunny silence settled over the land c of s ape , broken only by the larks and the sound a ’ f girl s voice singing . As he listened, the rown smoothed ffm n itsel ro his brow, and his eye brightened whe it

- - rested on a blue gowned, white capped ﬁgure, sprink

of n ling webs li en , spread to bleach in the green meadow by the river Rance . If ’ll 2 I may not hunt, I away to Yvonne and take Sh a holiday. e can tell better tales than any in this

Of f weary book, the bane my li e

v As he spoke, the boy struck a olume that lay u t on the wide ledge, with a pet lant energy that sen

2 lwa s lo a on oun ced E on e. A y y l. Pr v

SP N - EEL I NING WH STORIES.

Had Father Nevin trusted to my honor, I would

looked n not have run away ; but he me in, like a mo k in a cell, and that I will not bear. Just one hour, off Yvonne, one little hour reedom, then I will go ” for - w back , else there will be no sport me to morro , u said the lad, recklessly p lling up the bluets that h im starred the grass about . if Ah, I were set to such a task, I would so gladly

r f for lea n it, that I might be a ﬁtter riend you, said

r oft h e the girl, reverently tu ning the pages book she could not read . “ 0 of N need that ; I like you as you are, and by

f for my aith, I doubt your great willingness, when I last played tutor and left you to spell out the pretty f OfSt . Coven t in legend and his little ﬁsh , I ound you f ” ast asleep with the blessed book upon the ﬂoor,

h is laughed Gaston, turning the tables on mentor, f with great satis action . “ Th e girl laughed also as she retorted, My tutor f should not have le t me to play with his dogs . I bore

n . my pena ce better than you, and did not run away ’ Come now, we ll be merry . Will you talk, or shall

of I sing, while you rest this hot head , and dream horse and hound and spearing the wild boar ?” added

Of Yvonne, smoothing the locks hair scattered on the if grass, with a touch as gentle as the hand were that of of a lady, and not that a peasant , rough with hard work . ’ S r m ince I may not play a man s pa t yet, a use me like a boy, with the old tales your mother used to tell, when we watched the fagots blaze in the winter nights . THE BANNER OF BEAUMANOIR. 1 1 9

n a It is lo g since I have he rd one, and I am never tired

of mat ch if hearing the deeds I mean to , not outdo, some day . Let n f me thi k a bit till I remember your avorites, and do you listen to the bees above there in the l m ” wi low, setting you a good exa ple, idle boy, said

S r for Yvonne, preading a coa se apron his head, while she sat beside him racking her brain for tales to beguile u this truant ho r. ’ f th e f Her ather was count s orester, and when the

h ad Si f countess died some xteen years be ore , leaving

-old d a month boy, goo dame Gillian had taken the r a motherless baby, and nu sed and re red him with her

f fu c little girl, so aith lly and tenderly that the ount

l f rv never cou d orget the loyal se ice . As babies, the two s lept in one cradle ; as children they played and

ar e l d bo f qu r l e together ; and as y and girl they de ended, o fr c m o ted, and amused each other. But time brought

f of inevitable changes, and both elt that the hour

r for i a sepa ation was near ; , wh le Yvonne went on le d

f a ing the peasant li e to which she was born , G ston

e e was rec iving the education b ﬁtting a young count . Th e h im chaplain taught to read and write, with

in a r an d t L of lessons s cred histo y, a li tle atin ; the forester he learned woodcraft ; and his father taught

of c s him horsemanship and the use arms, ac ompli h

all- a d ments considered import nt in those ays .

a for G ston cared nothing books, except such as told

al s of r r t e chival y but dearly loved athletic spo ts, and

S e o a fll at ixte n r de the most ﬁery horse without a , a d d a a m k h n le sword d irably, could ill a boar at the 0 S - EE 1 2 PINNING WH L STORIES.

a for ﬁrst shot, and longed rdently war, that he might

f - prove himsel a man . A brave, high spirited, generous

r in for boy, with a ve y tender spot his heart the good

wh o b n woman had ee a mother to him, and his little f - r oster siste , whose idol he was . For days he seemed

f u f s to orget these h mble riend , and led the gay, active fof but if li e his age and rank wounded in the chase, worried by the chaplain, disappointed in any plan , or

for n in disgrace any pra k, he turned instinctively to

m ofh e mft Da e Gillian and Yvonne, sure lp and co or fr o mind and body .

Companionship with him had reﬁned the girl, and given her glimpses ofa world into which Sh e could f never enter, yet where she could ollow with eager

fr of eyes and high hopes the o tunes this dear Gaston, u who was both her prince and brother. Her inﬂ ence

h im for of m over was great, she was a cal and patient b nature, as well as rave and prudent beyond her

in years . His will was law ; yet seeming to obey, s h e oft en for r , led him, and he thanked her the cou age with which she helped him to control his ﬁery temper

, and strong will . Now, as she glanced at him she saw

r that he was already growing more tranquil, unde

u of the soothing inﬂ ences the murmuring river, the

f of of so t ﬂicker the sunshine, and a blessed sense f reedom .

SO w ff , while she t isted her dista , she told the stir

of f ring tales warriors, saints, and airies, whom all fall f . o Breton peasants honor, love, and ear But best ’ Of own n d e was the tale Gaston s ancestor, Jea Beau “ ’ of e manoir, the hero Plo rmel, where, when sorely

- 1 22 SPINNING WHEEL STORIES.

- of school boy, daunted by the sight his tutor, while the rival ofthe Maid ofOrleans grew pale with dismay . “ if S for f I am lost he py me, my ather vowed I should not hunt again unless I did my task . He will

if as ? see me I run, and where can I hide till he has p t

of whispered Gaston, ashamed his panic, yet unwilling

of to pay the penalty his prank . But quick-witted Yvonne saved h im for lifting one

of of S end the long web linen , she howed a hollow n whence some great stone had bee removed, and

Gaston slipped into the green nest, over which the linen lay smoothly when replaced .

On r came the chaplain, glancing sha ply about him , u being ofan austere and s spicious nature . He saw nothing, however, but the peasant girl in her quaint

d fas cap and woo en sabots, singing to hersel she leaned

d Th e against a tree , with her earthen jug in her han .

oft h e mule paused in the light shadow willows, to crop

f of f a mouth ul grass be ore climbing the hill , and the

for chaplain seemed glad to rest a moment, the day was warm and the road dusty . me of Come hither, child, and give a draught t ” wa er, he called, and the girl ran to ﬁll her pitcher, offering it with a low revere n ce .

T " for hanks, daughter A ﬁne day the bleaching,

for . but over warm much travel Go to your work, child ; I will tarry a moment in the shad e before I ’ return to my hard task ofsharpenin g a dull youth s ” wit, said the old man when he had drunk ; and with a frowning glance at the room where he h ad left his THE BANNER or BEAUMANOIR. 1 23

r s e f p i oner, he dr w a breviary rom his pocket and began

r r w e - to ead, while the mule b o s d along the road side .

n Yvonne went to sprinkling the neglected line , wondering with mingled anxiety and girlish merriment Th how Gaston fared . e sun shone hotly on the d ry ’ r b - cloth, and as she app oached the oy s hiding place, a stir would have betrayed h im had the chaplain ’s if eyes been l ted . “ S ri l p nkle me quick y ; I am stiﬂing in this hole, whispered an imploring voice .

ri od Beauman oir D nk thy blo , , and the thirst will ” i u fa n pass, quoted Yvonne, tak ng a na ghty satis ctio

Of f in the ignominious captivity the wil ul boy . A long

was l sigh the on y answer he gave, and taking pity on

s h e him, made a little hollow in the linen where she

h is knew head lay, and poured in water till a choking

u Th e n s ound assured her Gaston had eno gh . chaplai d u looke p, but the girl coughed loudly, as she went to r d f t eﬁll her jug, with such a emure ace tha he sus

ect ed p nothing, and presently ambled away to seek h is refractory pupil . m Th e moment he disappeared , a s all earthquake

c for u seemed to take pla e under the linen, it ﬂew p

of o q violently, and a pair long legs waved j y y in the

s r w air as Ga ton bu st into a ringing laugh, hich

T r v c r . d Y onne e hoed hea tily hen, sp inging up, he sai , throwing back his wet hair and shaking his ﬁnger “ at : Y ou her dared not betray me, but you nearly

for d r n . ow ed me, wicked girl I cannot stop ven ’ gean ce now ; but I ll toss you into the river s ome ”

as ou can . day, and leave you to get out y 1 24 S - EEL E PINNING WH STORI S.

T off hen he was as quickly as he came , eager to reach his prison again before the chaplain came to n h im hear the unlearned lesson . Yvon e watched till he climbed safely in at the high window and d is ap eared of t p with a wave the hand , when she, too, wen

b r ack to her work, little dreaming what b ave parts both were to play in dangers and captivities ofwhich these youthful pranks and perils were but a fore

shadowing.

Two of 1 793 years later, in the month March, , the e insurrection broke out in Vend e, and Gaston had his wis h ; for the old count had been an ofﬁcer ofthe ’ s . king s hou ehold, and hastened to prove his loyalty ’ Yvonne s heart beat high with pride as she saw h er

f - r s f r oster b other ride gallantly away be ide his athe ,

n as t h e with a hu dred armed v sals behind them, and white banner ﬂuttering above their heads in the fresh

wind . Sh e longed to go with h im ; but her part was to

r me watch and wait, to hope and p ay, till the hour ca

in when she, like many another woman those days,

fas f could prove hersel brave as a man, and reely risk her life for those she loved . Four months later the heavy tidings reached them that the old count was killed and Gaston taken pris oner. Great was the lamentation among the old

n f men , women , and childre le t behind ; but they had

i for for of r l ttle time sorrow, a band the ma auding

Vendeans burned the chateau, and laid waste the

Abbey.

Now r , mothe , I must up and away to ﬁnd and

- E 1 26 SPINNING WH EL STORIES.

escape for the fort stood on a plateau ofprecipitous h rock washed on two sides by the sea . He ad heard ofthe massacre ofthe royalist emigrants who landed

ffor f there, and tried to prepare himsel a like ate,

Sombreuil hoping to die as bravely as young , who was shot with twenty others on what was afterward ” 1 h m d es Mart rs C a . named the p y His last words, “ when ordered by the executioner to kneel , were, I

for fr do it but one knee I bend my God, the other o ” my king. Day after day Gaston looked down from his narrow

window, past which the gulls ﬂew screaming, and i watched the ﬁshers at the r work, the women gath

- on ering sea weed the shore, and the white sails

of ﬂitting across the bay Quiberon . Bitterly did he f regret the wil ulness which brought him there, well knowing that ifhe had obeyed orders he would now ’ be free to ﬁnd his father s body and avenge h is d eath . “ Oh for of r of , one day libe ty, one hope escape, f d fu one riend to cheer this drea l solitude he cried , when weeks had passed and he seemed ut terly forgotten . As im he spoke, he shook the heavy b ars with if potent strength , then bent his head as to hide even from himselfthe few hot tears wrung from h im by captivity and despair. S d im for e tanding so, with eyes too seeing, som

s on thing bru hed against his hair, and a bird lit the l an d d n arrow ledge . He thought it was a gu l, pai

1 a Th e Field ofM rt yrs . THE BANNER OF BEAUMANOIR. 1 27

but ft r no heed ; in a moment a so coo sta ted him,

an d r looking up, he saw a white dove st uggling to

get in . "” Blanchette he cried, and the pretty creature ca ﬂew to his hand, pecking at his lips in the old

ressing way he knew so well . “ ” f f i d bleSS " My aith ul b r , God thee exclaimed the

poor lad, holding the dove close against his cheek to

m of — s o hide the tre bling his lip, touched, so glad was he to ﬁnd in his dreary prison even a dumb friend

and comfort er .

h er But Blanchette had part to play, and pres

ently ﬂuttered back to the window ledge, cooing loudly as she pecked at something underneath her

wing . Then Gaston remembered how he used to send

a r - mess g es to Yvonne by this ca rier dove, and with

a h of for t rill joy looked the token , hardly daring to

h O f e . " p that any would be ound Yes there, tied

c fu f of are lly among the white eathers , was a tiny roll

paper, with these words rudely written on it “ a . Be re dy help will come Y . Th e brave girl " the loyal heart " I might have m known she would keep her promise, and co e to s ave me and Gaston dropped on his knees in

gratitude . Blanchette meantime tripped about the cell on

f few m of her little rosy eet , ate a cru bs the hard

d i of s brea , d pped her beak in the jug water, dres ed

f r i l her eathe s da ntily, then ﬂew to the bars and ca led h him . He ad not hing to send back by this sure 1 28 S - EEL PINNING WH STORIES.

look of b messenger but a hair, and this e tied with

of the same thread, in place the note . Then kissing the bird he bade it go, watching the silver wings

in as ﬂash the sunshine it ﬂew away, carrying joy b with it and leaving hope ehind . After that the little courier came often un per ceived r fro for , ca rying letters to and ; Yvonne sent

of w bits paper, and Gaston rote his answers with u f ’ his blood and a q ill rom Blanchette s wing. He ’ thus learned how Yvonne was living in a ﬁs h er s but on for as the beach , and working his rescue well as E she dared . very day she might be seen gathering sea-weed on the rocks or twirling her distaffat the

of door the dilapidated hut, not as a young girl, but for f as an old woman ; she had stained her air skin, f f put on ragged clothes, and hidden her resh ace under the pent-house cap worn by the women of

Quiberon . Her neighbors thought her a poor soul f le t desolate by the war, and let her live unmolested .

So she worked on secretly and steadily, playing her h id in part well , and g her time till the long hempen

ad d rope was m e, the sharp ﬁle procured unsuspecte , f and a boat ready to receive the ugitives .

H r e plan was perilously simple, but the only one

u of possible ; for Gaston was well g arded, and out that lofty cell it seemed that no prisoner could escape without wings . A bird and a woman lent him those ’ wings , and his daring ﬂight was a nine days wonder

f On f of at the ort . ly a youth accustomed to eats agility and strength could have safely made that dangerous escape along the face ofthe cliffthat rose

1 30 SPINNING-WHEEL STORIES

r n impo ta t haul . Up came the stout rope, knotted here and there to add safety and strength to the hands and feet that were to climb down that ﬁ' ail

s f ladder, unle s some cruel ate dashed the poor boy

n c Th e dead upo the ro ks below. rope was made fast

a to an iron staple inside, the b rs were torn away, and Gaston crept through the narrow opening to perch on

d ﬂew the le ge without, while Blanchette down to tell

Yvonne he was coming .

Th e be moment the distant spark appeared, he f stirred himsel , set his teeth, and boldly began the dangerous descent . Rain blinded him, the wind beat him against the rock, bruising hands and knees, and the way seemed endless, as he climbed slowly down,

h of clinging wit the clutch a drowning man, and blessing Yvonne for the knots that kept h im from

u t h im fro slipping when the g s s blew to and . More than once he thought it was all over ; but th e good f rope held ast, and strength and courage nerved heart

On e St . and limbs. greater than Barbe upheld him,

n and he dropped at last, breathless and bleedi g, f beside the faith ul Yvonne .

T m for of here was no ti e words, only a grasp the

of hand, a sigh gratitude , and they were away to the boat that tossed on the wild water with a single rower h i in s place . l f h im u r o . It is our Hote . I ound looking fo y He ” off " is true as steel . In, in, and , or you are lost

e u whisp red Yvonne, ﬂinging a cloak abo t Gaston, thrusting a purse, a sword, and a ﬂask into his hand, and holding the boat while he leaped in . 1 1 THE BANNER or BEAUMANOIB. 3

ou in eril But you he cried ; I can not leave y p , ” after all you have dared and done for me . f N0 one suspects me I am sa e. Go to my

ll l f w s . mother she wi hide you , and I wi l ollo oon

for f u Waiting no urther speech, she p shed the boat off a n , and watched it v nish in the darkness ; the went

an f away to give th ks, and rest a ter her long work and

excitement.

r f i li con Gaston eached home sa ely, and Dame G l an

i of i for cealed him in the ru ns the Abbey, t ll anxiety

Yvonne drove h im out to seek and rescue in hi s turn.

Sh e d id r n r For not come, and when a retu ni g soldie

u h e bro ght word that S e had be n arrested in her ﬂight,

s n re but d is ui s and sent to Nantes , Ga to could not st, g

hi fas o ing msel a peasant, went to ﬁnd her, acc mpanied

f f Hoe" w l by aith ul , who loved Yvonne, and ou d gladly

for T k die her and his young master. heir hearts sun

Bouﬂla an when they discovered that she was in the y,

f c r old ortress, on e a royal residence, and now a p ison,

r h n f n ar c owded wit u ortunate and i nocent creatures,

on e u or rested the slightest pret xts, and g illotined

f i r ofmen drowned by the in amous Carr er . Hund eds

ffr r b and women were there , su e ing te ri ly, and among

m l w of the was Yvonne , brave stil , but ith no hope

es for few a d n l cape ; were s ve , and the on y by some

u s l cky accident . Like a si ter ofmercy Sh e went among

in ls the poor souls crowded together the great hal ,

r c s t o hung y, cold, si k , and de pairing, and they clung

ifs h e s r i n l her as were ome st ong, sweet sa t who cou d d m eliver the or teach them how to die . ft s of i l f h er n am was A er ome weeks th s terrible i e, e 2 S I - EEL S R E 1 3 PINN NG WH TO I S.

’ c for alled one morning, on the list that day s execution, f and she rose to join the sad procession setting orth . h W ich is it to be she asked, as she passed one of u f the men who g arded them, a rough ellow, whose f f ace was hal hidden by a shaggy beard . “ You will be drowned ; we h ave no time to waste on women was the brutal answer but as the words

h is s of passed lip , a slip paper was pressed into her hand, and these words breathed into her ear by a familiar voice I am here

of s avf It was Gaston, in the midst enemies, bent on ofh is f ing her at the risk li e, remembering all he owed

of Th e of her, and the motto his race . shock this dis cover y nearly betrayed them both , and turned her so white that the woman next her put her arm about her, saying sweetly

Courage, my sister ; it is soon over . f I ear nothing now cried Yvonne, and went on

an d to take her place in the cart , looking so serene happy that those about her thought her already fit for heaven . N0 need to repeat the dreadful history of the Noyad es it is enough to say that in the confusion of the moment Yvonne found Opportunity to read and d estroy the little paper, which said briefly “ u t h e n When you are fl ng into river, call my ame ”

al . and ﬂoat. I sh l be near

Sh e of understood, and being placed with a crowd wretched women on the old vessel which lay in t h e

r L e rive oire, she employed ev ry moment in loosening the rope that tied her hands. and keeping her eye on

1 34 SPINNING-WHEEL STORIES

as cook the venison they hoped to bring. It w night f d m all, and another day woul see the in Dinan, they hoped ; but the lads had consented to pause for the ’ for s h e girl s sake, was worn out with their rapid ﬂight .

T k of r hey were tal ing their adventures in high spi its,

’ when Gaston laid his hand on Hoel s mouth and pointed

n f An to a gree slope be ore them . early moon gave light enough to Show them a dark form moving quickly

C of into the oppice, and something like the antlers a f stag showed above the tall brakes be ore they vanished . S d lip around and rive him this way . I never miss ” s u - my aim, and we will p royally to night, whispered

us e ro Gaston, glad to the arms with which they had p vid ed s them elves .

e in Ho l slipped away, and presently a rustle the

u a of wood betrayed the cautio s appro ch the deer. But

off f could d d is a he was be ore a shot be ﬁre , and the p

f far s e pointed hunters ollowed long and , re olv d not to m - T h ow go back e pty handed . hey had to give it up, e r w ver, and were pa tially consoled by a rabbit, hich

e r fr Ho l ﬂung ove his shoulder, while Gaston, o getting

n an o m n of r caution, bega to sing old s ng the wo e B it tany love so well

uan d ous "t iez ca ifBe ran d ﬁls d e Breta n e Q v , pt , rt , g , ” Tous les fus eaux t ourn aien t aus s i d an s la campagn e.

fr for He got no u ther, the stanza was ﬁnished by a

e h ad f d n e voic that o ten joined in the balla , whe Dam n Gillian sang it to the children , as she spu

Ch aque femme apport e s on "ch eveau d e li n “ Ce fu o re an on M es s i re d u Gues clin . t v t r c , THE BANNER or BEAUMANOIB. 1 35

s r of d Both paused, thinking that ome spi it the woo

c m f mo ked the ; but a loud laugh, and a amiliar “ e Th e f Holo holo made Ho l cry, orester while Gaston das hed headlong into the thicket whence the s u f o nd came, there to ﬁnd the jolly orester, indeed, h wit a slain deer by his side, waiting to receive them with open arms .

I taught you to stalk the deer, and spear the boar

- t o fll u r . for not hunt your e ow creat res, my lo d But I

for d give you, it was well one , and I had a hard run to ” es e . cap , he said, still laughing

h ow ? But came you here cried both the youths , in grea t excitement ; for the good man was supposed be to dead, with his old master. “ l for S r A long ta e, which I have a ho t and happy ’

. 11 S w answer Come home to supper with me , and I ho d t ” you a sight that will gla den hear s and eyes, he answered, shouldering his load and leading the way to

a f a deserted hermit ge, which had served many a ugi

i for t ve a shelter . As they went, Gaston poured out h is r for m sto y, and told how Yvonne was waiting the in the wood . “ ” d s " Brave la and here is your reward , answered f the orester, pushing open the door and pointing to the

of f a ﬁgure a man, with a pale ace and band ged head ,

ﬁr lying asleep beside the e. u n It was the co nt, sorely wounded , but alive, tha ks fl h im to his devoted ol ower, who had saved when the

f of e ff ﬁght was over and a ter weeks conc alment, su er in h im far g, and anxiety, had brought so toward home . - SPDINING WHEEL STORIES.

Of No need to tell the happy meeting that night,

of for in nor the glad return ; , though the chateau was

u in t o r ins and lives were still danger, they all were gether, and the trials they had passed through only made the ties oflove and loyalty between high and low more true and tender. Good Dame Gillian housed

t o . them all, and nursed her master back health Yvonne and HO61 had a gay wedding in the course of h n w . c a time, and Gaston we t to the ars again A new

of teau rose on the ruins the old, and when the young lord took possession, he replaced the banner that was

off n lost with one air linen, spu and woven by the two f h f h im women who had been so ait ul to and his, but added a white dove above the clasped hands and gold

n ow en legend, never so true as ,

ou h lo au En t t c emin y t".

1 38 SPINNING-WHEEL STORIES

of I longed to ask what sort braces she wears , to keep her so straight . I mean to by and by ; she looks ’ as ifSh e would n t snub a body and Sally vainly tried to square her own round shoulders , bent with much por

for of ing over books, she was the bright girl the school .

Sh e of wears French corsets, course . Nothing else ” u gives one s ch a ﬁne ﬁgure, answered Maud, dropping the shawl to look with pride at her own was p-like waist and stiffback . Could n’ t move about so easily and gracefully if ’ w - Sh e s of she ore a strait jacket like you . not a bit f u a ashion plate , but a splendid woman , just nat ral and ’ f if u s hearty and sweet . I eel as I sho ld n t louch and ” muc if c u S poke so h I had her to bra e me p, cried ally,

us in her enth iastic way .

w s h e I kno one thing, girls, and that is , can wear ’ ” s an d we a jer ey have it set elegantly, and can t, said

c u l Kitty, laboring with her own , whi h wo ld wrink e

s of . and twi t, in spite many hidden pins

Y es f f , I looked at it all break ast time, and orgot

cu of ff if my second p co ee, so my head aches as it

S in would plit . Never saw anything fit so splendidly ” f s u my li e , an wered Nelly, t rning to the mirror, which reflected a fine as s ortment ofmany colored jers eys for

out in r f of all the girls were thei all suits, and not one ’ c O the new ja kets set like Miss rne s , the teacher who had arrived to take Mad ame’ s place while that excellent

m f r old lady was laid up with a rheu atic eve . ’ T n f hey are pretty and co venient, but I m a raid

s ofus u they will be a trial to ome . Ma d and Nelly

but ffan d look the best, they have to keep sti still , or ' J S OR THE IRLS OS . 1 39 ERSEY ; , G GH T

c . the wrinkles ome Kit has no peace in hers, and poor

bag i Cordy looks more like a meal than ever, wh le I

rf s e m r un r am a pe ect p ctacle, with y o d shoulde s and

e - s long thi n arms . A jers y on a bean pole de cribes me ” us fas d ie S but let be in the hion or , laughed ally, ex agg erat in g her own defects by poking her head forward u l f and blinking th ro gh her g asses in a unny way .

There was a laugh and then a pause, broken in a

of : moment by Maud, who said, in a tone apprehension ’ I do h Ope Miss Orne is n t full ofthe new notions abo ut clothes and food and exercise and rights and

of . a rubbish that sort Mamma hates such ide s, and so ” do I .

is f of I hope she ull good, wise notions about health and work and st udy . It is just what we need in this m s . a chool M da e is old and lets things go, and the oth er teachers only care to get through and have an easy i l t me . We ought to be a great dea better, brisker, and

’ s I m d for wi er than we are , and rea y a good stirring u if ll us S p any one wi give it to , declared ally , who was a very independ ent girl and had read as well as st udied much . “ You Massachusetts girls are always raving about

’ f- for sel culture , and ready queer new ways . I m con d tente with the old ones, and want to be let alone and

Off r ﬁnished easily, said Nelly, the p etty New Yorker .

S l in Well, I go with al y, and want to get all I can ’ of n the way health, learning, and ma ners while I m ’ m d s Or for here and I real gla Mi s ne has come, Ma ’ -f rimin f dame s old ashioned, niminy p y ways did ret me f d . O f out drea ully Miss rne is more like our olks West, 1 4 0 S - EEL IE PINNING WH STOR S.

’ ” r if sp y and strong and smart , see she is n t, said

of r Julia, with a decided nod her aubu n head . ’ T s c here she is now Girls, she running a tually trotting up the avenue not like a hen, but a boy b with her el ows down and her head up. Do come and ” " n see cried Kitty, dancing about at the wi dow as if w she longed to go and do like ise. All ran in time to see a tall young lady come up the f wide path at a good pace, looking as resh and blithe

of s h e as the goddess health , as smiled and nodded at m the , so like a girl that all returned her salute with equal cordiality. Sh e gives a new sort ofint erest to the old tread ’ ?” mill, does n t she said Nelly, as they scattered to

r of f their places at the st oke nine, eeling unusually f anxious to appear well be ore the new teacher. While they pull down their jers eys and take up their ’ S s books , we will brieﬂy state that Madame tein select boarding-school had for many years received six girls at l t m an d s m off O d . a ti e, ﬁni hed the in the style Plen y of French, German, music, painting, dancing, and de

- d s portment turned out well bre , accompli hed, and ami

for f s able young ladies, ready ashionable society, ea y

i . l ves, and entire dependence on other people Dainty

for of and delicate creatures usually, , as in most schools u but this sort, minds and manners were m ch cultivated,

c bodies rather neglected . Heads and ba ks ached , dys

e s ia m oorlies of p p was a common ail ent, and p all sorts aﬂ ict ed l n ot n the dear gir s, who ought to have know “ ” a s u l what nerves me nt, and ho ld have had no bott es in their closets holding wine and iron , cough mixtures,

1 42 S - EEL R PINNING WH STO IES.

of s h e ﬂash white teeth as spoke, and the clear, brigh t of But glance eyes both keen and kind . the most admiring glances were on the dark -blue jersey that

of showed such ﬁne curves the broad shoulders, round

waist, and plump arms, without a wrinkle to mar its s m f ooth per ection .

Girls are quick to see what is genuine, to respect

w fu fr hat is strong, and to love what is beauti l ; so be o e

O for that day was over, Miss rne had charmed them all ; they felt that she was not only able to teach but t o

help and amuse them . f A ter tea the other teachers went to their rooms, glad to be free fromthe chatter ofhalfa dozen lively tongues ;

Or m - but Miss ne re ained in the drawing room, and set

the girls to dancing till they were tired, then gathered them round the long table to do what they liked till - S f - prayer time . ome had novels, others did ancy work

or lounged, and all wondered what the new teacher d would o next .

Six of pairs curious eyes were ﬁxed upon her, as she

of sat sewing on some queer bits crash, and six lively f ancies vainly tried to guess what the articles were,

fr as k Sh e o no one was rude enough to . Presently

on of r m tried a pair mittens, and su veyed the with f satis action , saying as she caught Kitty staring with uncontrollable interest “ T beaut iﬁers hese are my , and I never like to be w m ithout the . “ ?” Are they to keep your hands white asked Maud, “ for who spent a good deal oftime in caring her own . I ’

- wear old kid gloves at n igh t aft er cold creaming mine . ’ JERSE S OR THE IRLS OS . Y ; , G GH T 1 4 3

for i I wear these ﬁve minutes night and morn ng,

for o af d a go d rub , ter ipping them in cold water. T u f f d hanks to these ro gh riends, I seldom eel the col , O get a good color, and keep well , answered Miss rne, polishing up her smooth cheek till it looked like a rosy apple . “ ’ d k . us I li e the color, but not the crash M t it be ” cold ? so rough, and with water asked Maud, who often privately rubbed her pale face with a bit ofred

r f for ﬂannel, ouge being orbidden except theatricals .

Best so ; but there are other ways to get a color. Run up and down the avenue three or four times ” r a day, eat no past y, and go to bed early, said Miss

Or out ne , whose sharp eye had spied the little weak

of nesses the girls, and whose kind heart longed to " help them at once .

It makes my back ache to run , and Madame says ” we are too old now . “ ’ for Never too old to care one s health , my dear.

run f Better now than lie on a so a by and by, with a ” back that never stops aching . ” Do you cure your headaches in that way ? asked N f elly, rubbing her orehead wearily . ’ I never have them an d Mi s s Orne s bright eyes

r f of for we e ull pity all pain . “ ?” What do you do to help it cried Nelly, who m ﬁr ly believed that it was inevitable .

b of f I give my rain plenty rest, air, and good ood .

I never know I have any nerves, except in the enjoy

for m ment they give me, I have learned how to use the . I was not brought up to believe that I was born an 1 44 - SPINNING WHEEL STORIES.

l f inva id, and was taught to understand the beauti ul

in machinery God gave me, and to keep it religiously ” r orde . Miss Orne spoke so seriously that there was a brief pause in which the girls were wishing t hat some one had taught them this les son and made them as strong an d lovely as their new teacher. Ifcrash mittens would make my jersey set like ’ ” c yours I d have a pair at on e , said Cordy, sadly

c eyeing the buttons on her own , whi h seemed in dan ger ofﬂying offiftheir plump wearer moved too u q ickly . “ w con fe Brisk runs are hat you want, and less c t ion er y, sleep, and lounging in easy chairs began

Or for Miss ne, all ready to prescribe these poor girls, the most important part ofwhose ed ucation had been so neglected . ? u Why, how did you know said Cordy, bl shing, as s h e bounced out ofher luxurious seat and whisked into her pocket the paper ofchocolate creams she was m seldo without . Her round eyes and artless surprise set the othe rs u S s h e to la ghing, and gave ally courage to ask what wanted, then and there . “ s O s u Mi s rne, I wi h you wo ld show us how to be s for are f trong and hearty, I do think girls a eeble

- - u n ow a s . r r set day We ce tainly need sti ring p, and

d o . I hope you will kindly it Please begin with me, then the others will s ee that I mean what I say .

s s O Mi rne looked up at the tall, overgrown girl f f r who stood be ore her, with broad orehead, nea

4 6 S - EEL S OR ES 1 PINNING WH T I .

toes without bending her knees . Sally got on t h e

s of of m in c be t all, being long li b, easy her lothes, and f f m ull o enthusias .

for Or Pretty well beginners, said Miss ne, as they “ u D - . O paused at last, ﬂ shed and merry that regularly

w few every day, and you ill soon gain a inches across

ch eSt n ew a the and fill out the jerseys with firm, el stic ” figures . “ L S f f of ike yours, added ally, with a ace ull such

r honest admi at ion that it could not offend .

S c eeing that she had made one onvert, and knowing u f that girls, like sheep, are s re to ollow a leader, Miss

O but for rne said no more then , waited the leaven to ’ Th e ofS work. others called it one ally s notions,

Sh e but were interested to see how would get on, and

fun n c h er had great , whe they went to bed, wat hing ’ faithful efforts to imitate her teacher s rapid and effec tive motions . ” Th e - " r wind mill is going cried Kitty, as seve al of m u the sat on the bed, la ghing at the long arms swinging about . “ T - hat is the hygienic elbow exercise, and that the ’ O c of s rne Qui kstep, a mixture the grasshopper s kip ’ ” - and the water bug s slide, added Julia, humming a ’

in m of f . tune ti e to the stamp the other s oot .

r mn as t ics We will call these the Je sey Jy , and spell the last with a J, my dear, said Nelly and the name was received with as much applause as the youn g ladies dared to give it at that hour. “ L if ’ f augh on, but see you don t all ollow my e m d of xa ple sooner or later, when I become a mo el ’ JERSE S OR THE RLS OS . 1 47 Y ; , GI GH T

r s t r b S as g ace , ength , and eauty, retorted ally, she

r m i tu ned the out and went to bed , t ngling all over with a delicious glow that sent the blood from her hot

f r head to warm her cold eet, and b ing her the sound, refreshing sleep she so much needed .

i b of n ew of Th s was the eginning a order things , for Miss Orne carried her energy into other matters b c d n esides gymnasti s , and no one dare oppose her whe “ s O Madame shut her ears to all complaint , saying, bey ’ ” r t her in eve y hing, and don t trouble me . Pitchers offresh milk took the place oftea and

ff c co ee ; ake and pie were rarely seen, but better

off bread, plain puddings, and plenty ruit .

l offf u Rooms were coo ed , eather beds sent p garret, h i Sun and t ck curta ins abolished . and air streamed

of u in, and great cans water appeared s ggestively at

r E doors in the mo ning. arlier hours were kept, and brisk walks taken by nearly all the girls ; for Miss

Or t w h ad ne bai ed her hook cleverly, and al ays some pleasant project to make the wintry expeditions in

it in T v g . here were games in the parlor instead of

s f - S novel , and ancy work in the evening ; horter lessons, and longer talks on the many useful subjects that are fr of best learned om the lips a true teacher. A c f ooking class was started, not to make ancy dishes ,

al but the plain, substantial ones l housewives Should

. S understand everal girls swept their own rooms, and liked it aft er they saw Miss Orne do hers in a becom

- r ing dust cap and these same pionee s, headed by Sally, o c b b ldly oasted on the hill , swung clu s in the coach h s b - ou e , and played tag in the owling alley rainy days. - E 1 4 8 SPINNING WHE L STORIES.

— It took time to work these much needed changes, but young people like novelty ; the old routine had

Or grown tiresome , and Miss ne made things so lively

b o s and pleasant it was impossi le t resi t her wishes .

S n u f ally did begi to straighten p, a ter a month or two ofregular training ; Maud outgrew both corsets and backache ; Nelly got a fresh color ; Kitty found her thin arms developing visible muscles ; and Julia f f t e considered hersel a Von Hillern, a ter walking n f miles without atigue .

fat r f of But dear, Co dy was the most success ul all ; and rejoiced greatly over the loss ofa few

Sh e - pounds when gave up over eating, long naps, and

' b E r of lazy ha its . xercise became a so t mania with

offfor her, and she was continually trudging a con s t it ut ion al , or trotting up and down the halls when bad weather prevented the daily tramp . It was the

of w w as desire her soul to gro thin, and such her O ardor that Miss rne had to check her sometimes, lest she should overdo the matter. “ All this is easy and pleasant now, because it is ” “ n ew , she said, and there is no one to criticise our

s ou simple, sensible way ; but when y go away I am afraid you will undo the good I have tried t o f do you . People will ridicule you, ashion will con d emn f u , and rivolous pleas res make our wholesome

n es m d f D see hard . Can you be stea ast, and keep on ?” We will cried all the girls ; but the older ones

of e looked a little anxious, as they thought going hom to introd uce the new ways alone .

S - EEL S PINNING WH TORIES .

I think white silk jerseys and pink or blue skirts would be lovely ; so pretty and so appropriate for the

for u . b s our i n J J . Clu , and so nice to do exercises .

O S h ow r Miss rne wants us to how well we go togethe , ” and ofcourse we want to please her ; said Nelly

as of taking the lead usual in matters taste . “ Of "” course cried all the girls, with an alacrity which plainly Showed how entirely the new friend had won their hearts . “ I would n ’ t have believed that six months could ff ’ f make such a di erence in one s ﬁgure and eelings, s s m f aid Maud , surveying her wai t with cal satis action,

but in rf though it was no longer slender, pe ect pro

ofh er u f portion to the rest yo th ul shape . “ ’ ’ I ve had to let out every dress, and it s a mercy ’ ’ m for u n t if on I going home, I sho ld be decent I kept ” t of at this rate ; and Julia ook a long breath, proud

of an d her broad chest, expanded by plenty exercise, loose clothing. ’ o I take mine in, and don t have to worry ab ut my ’ f m s o b o fa la . uttons ﬂying , Clara Peggotty I pleased ’ for m f I want to be training all the time, I not hal ” u u for thin enough yet, said Cordy, j mping p a trot round the room , that not a moment might be lost . “ S n for Come, ally, you ought to joi in the jubilee, w you have done onders, and will be as straight as a - ? Is ramrod in a little while . Why so sober to night it because our dear Mis s Orne leaves us to Sit with ” m s m s of Mada e ? a ked Nelly, i sing the gayest voice ’ f b f . the six, and observing her riend s trou led ace ’ JERSE S OR THE RLS OS . 1 51 Y ; , GI GH T

“ I ’ m making up my mind whether I ’ d better tell ’ a you something or not . Don t want to sc re the

u Or for servants, tro ble Madame, or vex Miss ne I ’ k w s he u of no wo ld n t believe a word it, though I saw ” own S u it with my eyes, answered ally, in s ch a mys t eri ous s tone that the girl with one voice cried, T u ell us, this min te I will and perhaps some ofyou can explain the ” matter .

S o S As she p ke, ally rose and stood on the rug with i u her hands behind her, looking rather w ld and q eer ; for in her short hair was a toss , her eyes shone large behind her round glasses, and her voice sank to a whisper as she mad e this startling announcement ’ I ve seen a ghost

e r A general shiver p rvaded the listene s , and Cordy f h f poked her head under the so a pillows wit a aint cry, while the rest i n voluntarily dre w nearer to one another.

? m of Where de anded Julia, the bravest the party.

oft h e On the top house .

r " S ? Good g acious When, ally What did it “ ’ o ? for fun l ok like Don t scare us , cried the

t r girls, undecided whether to take this star ling sto y in jest or earnest . “ L ’ t isten, and I ll tell you all abou it , answered S ally, holding up her ﬁnger impressively . u Night before last I sat till eleven , st dying.

r f Against the ules , I know ; but I orgot, and when I was through I opened my window to air the room . It 1 52 S - EEL PINNING WH STORIES.

t al t o was brigh moonlight , so I took a stroll ong the p of m the piazza, and co ing back with my eyes on the Sky I naturally saw the roofofthe main house from u ’ my wing I co ld n t have been asleep, could I ?

s l m s a u yet, I o e nly declare I w a white ﬁg re with a veil over its head roaming to an d fro as quietly as a

. c s f shadow I looked and looked, then I alled o tly, ” but it never answered , and suddenly it was gone . ? in s moth What did you do quavered Cordy, a f m ered voice ro under the pillow . “ r m Went st aight in , took y lamp and marched up

S of looked to the cupola. Not a ign any one, all and

u fo s r . the ﬂoor d ty, we never go there now, you know I ’ ’ n t u s S did like it, but j st aid, ally, go to bed it s an Optical illusion and serves you right for studying ’ ”

T s . against the rule . hat was the ﬁr t time ” c " ? Mer y on us Did you see it again cried Maud, ’ f getting hold ofJ ulia s strong arm or protection . ” Y es in — d , the bowling alley at midnight, whispere S ally . ’ s u Do hut the door, Kit, and don t kee p cl tching ’ ” r s n at me in that sca y way it very u pleasant, said u as Nelly, glancing nervo sly over her shoulder the six

- pa irs ofwide opened eyes were ﬁxed on Sally. “ S m I got up to hut y window last night, and saw d im but u a light in the alley . A one, bright eno gh to sho w me the s ame white thing going up and down , ’ f f r with the veil as be ore . I ll con ess I was ne vous

for is then , you know there a story that in old times the man who lived here wo uld n ’ t let his daughter

d Sh e marry the lover she wante , and pined away and

- 1 54 SPINNING WHEEL STORIES.

Perhaps it is one ofthe servants moon-struck or

- r k m a love lorn . My a loo s senti ent l, and is always singing : ’ I m waitin aiti n d arlin g, w g, g, M orn in n i t an d n oon g, gh ,

Oh meet me b t h e ri e , y v r l i n es th e mo n W h en s oft y s h o .

“ ’ s an d It not Myra ; I asked her, she turned pale

e of f at the m re idea going anywhere alone a ter dark, and said cook had seen a banshee gliding down the ’ L w for ady s Walk one night, hen she got up camphor,

- t h e f . d having ace ache I sai no more, not wanting to scare them ; ignorant people are so s upers ti ” t ious . S ally paused, and the girls all tried not to look ” u r scared or superstitious, but did not s cceed ve y well ?” What are you going to do asked Nelly, in a

f S l S respect ul tone, as Julia and a ly stood ide by side, like Horati us and Hermin ius waiting for a Spurius

Lart ius n to joi them . “ for Watch, like cats a mouse, and pounce as soon

b n as possi le . All promise to say nothing ; the we ’ if u n can t be laughed at it t r s out some silly thing, as w S it probably will , ans ered ally . “ "” m f We promise sole nly answered the girls, eel ing deeply impressed with the thrilling interest ofthe moment . “ ’ Very well ; now don t talk about it or think about it till we report, or no one will sleep a wink ,

S off if said ally, walking with her ally as coolly as , ’ JERSE S OR THE IRLS OST. 1 55 Y ; , G GH

i of u after fr ghtening them out their wits, they co ld f forget the matter at word o command .

Th e of c s uf oath silen e was well kept, but lessons fered for , and so did sleep, the excitement was great,

i r espec ally in the morning, when the watchers eported of the events the night, and in the evening, when they T took turns to go on guard . here was much whisking ofdressing- gowns up and down the corridor ofthe west wing, where our six roomed, as the girls ﬂew to as k rri lan c questions early each day, or scu ed to bed, g

fr e ing behind them o the bansh e as they went .

i O r M ss rne observed the whispe s, nods, and eager c f for on abulations, but said nothing, Madame had conﬁded to her that the young ladies were planning

f ffor So d f a arewell gi t her . she was blind and ea , and i s m led at the important airs ofher girlish admirers .

T f a S of hree or our days p ssed, and no ign the ghost

' Th e s O s coﬂed f appeared . bolde t penly at the alse alarm, t f and the mos timid began to recover from their right . Sally and Julia looked rather fooli s h as they an “ ” s wered r ft r n , no news , mo ning a er mo ni g, to the inqui ries which were rapidly losing the breathless

r r eage ness s o ﬂatte ing to the watchers . d d ’ S . GO an You reamed it, ally to sleep, don t do ” f d a h er it again, said Nelly , on the ﬁ th y, as she made evening call and fo und the girls yawning and cross for

of want rest.

Sh e t oo d mor has exercised much , and pro uced a

s ofth e u bid tate brain , la ghed Maud . ’ I just wish she would n t s care me out ofmy senses ” “ for l l nothing, grumbled Cordy ; I used to s eep ike - EEL R E SPINNING WH STO I S.

u r m f a dormo se, and now I d ea dread ully and wake up tired out . Come along, Kit, and let the old ghosts

r ff ca ry o these silly creatures . “ My regards to the Woman in White when you s ee ” d as f off her again, dear, ad ed Kitty, the our went to fu laugh at the whole thing, though they care lly locked their doors and took a peep out ofwindow before going to sleep. “ We may as well give it up and have a good rest . ’ ’ ” m n if d I wor out, and so are you , you own it, said

e f for Julia, throwing hers l down a nap before mid night. ’ n ot I m I shall give it up till satisﬁed . Sleep ’ 11 e a if away, I r ad awhile and c ll you anything comes,

d S u of answere ally, bound to prove the tr th her story if she waited all summer.

was off Julia soon , and the lonely watcher sat read ing till past eleven ; then put out h er light and went t o take a turn on t h e ﬂat roofofthe piazza that ran

for round the house , the night was mild and the stars

ur b companionable . As she t ned to come ack, her sharp eye caught sight ofsomething moving on the

- fr a t h e ft house top as be o e, and soon, cle r against so m of Sk e r gloo the y, appeared the whit ﬁgu e ﬂitting

n d fr to a o.

n S a r A long look, and the ally made ush at Julia, shaking her violen tly as she s aid in an excit ed whisper

rs Come she is there . Quick upstai to the cupola ; ” I have the candle and the key . ’ Carried away by the other s vehemence Julia mutely o fr r an d beyed, trembling, but a aid to esist ; noiseless as

1 58 SPINNING -WHEEL STORIES f . S and soon orgot it in sleep ally slept als o, feeling

s f - like a hero repo ing a ter a hard won battle . Sh e was up betimes and ready to receive her early of visitors with an air triumph, which silenced every jeer and convinced the most skeptical that she had

s something sensational to tell at la t . When the girls had perched themsel ves on any avail

offu w f able article rniture , they waited ith respect ul

S for eagerness, while ally retired to the hall a moment, and Julia rolled her eyes, with her ﬁnger on her lips, if m if looking as she could tell uch she dared . S ll but a y returned somewhat ﬂushed, very sober, and in a few dramatic words related the adventures ofthe

t h e f u v night , up to point where she le t J lia qui ering f ignominiously in the closet, and, like Horatius, aced the foe alone . “ d s I followe till the gho t entered a window. “ ” Which ? demanded ﬁve awestruck voices at once .

Th e last . O ?” urs whispered Kitty, pale as her collar, while

m-m Cordy, her roo ate, sat aghast . As it turned to shut the window t h e veil fell back ” i and I saw the face . Sally spoke n a whisper and

s u added, with a dden start, I see it now Every girl sprang or tumbled offh er perch as ifan

a electric shock had moved them, and st red about them “ ? ?” as Nelly cried wildly, Where oh, where “ ” There " and Sally pointed at t h e palest face in t h e h er own d h e room, while re dened with the mirth s was vainly trying to suppress . Cordy ’ JERSE S OR THE RLS OST. 1 59 Y ; , GI GH

A general shriek ofamazement and incredulity fol l S l s owed the question, while ally laughed til the tear ran down her cheeks at the dumb dismay ofthe inno cent ghost . As s oon as she could be heard she quickly ex “ plained : Yes, it was Cordy, walking in her sleep.

Sh e r l wore her white ﬂannel w apper, and a c oud round f her head , and took her exercise over the roo s at mid

’ i m r n ght , so that no time ight be lost . I don t wonde s h e f is tired in the morning, a ter such dangerous gymnastics as these . ’ But Sh e could n t vanish in that strange way off ” -t O u the house p without breaking her neck, said J lia,

much relieved , but still mystiﬁed . “ ’ Sh e n t f did ﬂy nor all, but went down the ladder

f r L of f le t by the painte s . ook at the soles her elt

r if ou an d f slippe s, y doubt me, see the red paint rom ’ f O the roo . We could n t pen the cupola windows, you

r remember, but this mo ning I took a stroll and looked

u an d s aw p how she did it asleep, though she never S would dare to do it awake . omnambulists do dread f ” S i ully dangerous things, you know, said ally, as fher experience ofthose peculiar people h ad been vast and

vari ed . “ ’ c ? r o How ould I It s ho rid to think f. Why

? r did you let me , Kit c ied Cordy , uncertain whether

t o be or s of proud a hamed her exploit . O “ of our S Never dreamed y doing such a illy thing,

d - an . S r never waked up leep walke s are always quiet, ’ an d ifI had seen you I d have been too scared to ’ - k w . bed no you I ll tie you to the post aft er this, 1 60 SPINNING -WHEEL STORIES

and not let you scare the whole house, answered Kitty, regarding it all as a ﬁne joke . ” in ? What did I do when I got asked Cordy, curi ous l y . “ Took offyour things and went to bed as ifglad ’ n t ou to get back. I did dare to wake y , and kept the fun f T u all to mysel till this morning . ho ght I ought t o have a good laugh for my pains since I did all the ” S s of work , answered ally, in high glee at the succes er fft h e or s . I did want to get as thin as I could before I went h ome, the boys plague me so ; and I suppose it wore I ’m upon me and set me to walking at night . very

n if sorry, and I never will agai I can help it . Please f ’ O orgive me, and don t tell any one but Miss rne it ” was f so silly, begged poor Cordy, tear ully . mf S All promised and co orted her, and praised ally,

a f and pl gued Julia, and had a delight ully noisy and exciting halfhour before the breakfast bell rang. Miss Orne wondered what made the young faces so

f u r gay and the laughter so req ent, as myste ious hints an d Signiﬁcant nods went on around the table but as soon as poss ible she was borne into the school-roomand told the thrilling tale .

r Her interest and su prise were very ﬂattering, and when the s ubject had been well discussed she promi s ed fu of r ad to prevent any rther escapades this so t, and vised Cordy to try the Banting method for the few re

o maining weeks fher stay. “ I ’ll try anything that will keep me from acting ” r f of a d ghost and making eve y one a raid me, s i Cordy,

- EE SPINNING WH L STORIES.

t b t happy hear s, oth helping you to be swee , wise, and fu m m use l wo en in the years to come . Dear girls, pro f ise me this, and I shall eel that our winter has not

s f of been wa ted, and that our spring is ull lovely ” for promise a splendid summer .

Sh e h er f f As spoke, with own beauti ul ace bright d O with hope and ten erness, Miss rne opened her arms and gathered them all in, to seal their promise with

r fu m g ate l kisses ore eloquent than words . L f ong a ter their school days were over, the six girls kept the white jerseys they wore at the breaking-up f f t i of . . es val , as relics the J J and long a ter they were

c far s s attered apart, they remembered the le sons which helped them t o be what their good friend hoped f healthy, happy, and use ul women . THINK we little ones ought to have a story all to ourselves now

of said one the smaller lads, as they - gathered round the ﬁre with unabated interest. “ ’ So ve t do I, and I got a little tale that will jus Th e s u f . it you, I ancy older boys and girls can go l if ’ ” and p ay games they don t care to hear, answered - f u E . A nt linor, producing the well worn port olio T if hanks, we will try a bit , and it is very namby

h ff of pam y we can run , said Geo , catching sight the E name ofthe ﬁrst chapter . Aunt linor smiled and began to read about

THE LITTLE HO SE IN THE G RDEN U A .

EARS . I . B

BROW b r ft was A N ear was the ﬁ st tenant ; in ac , it

u for h im d b ilt , and this is the way it happene A man and his wife were driving through the woods u p among the mountains, and hearing a queer sound looked about them till they spied two baby bears in a ree t . S I - EEL PINN NG WH STORIES.

Those must be the cubs ofthe old bear that was ” c killed last week, said Mr. Hit hcock, much interested all at once . “ Poor little things "how will they get on with‘ T f out their mother ? hey look hal scared to death, ” and cry like real babies , said the kind woman . T if ’ hey will starve we don t take care ofthem . I ’ll shake them down you catch them in your shawl ’ ” 11 for and we see what we can do them .

So Mr . Hitchcock climbed up the tree, to the great

of t wo n fu dismay the orpha s, who growled nny little

far c growls and crept as out on the bran h as they dared . S f ” hake easy, John , or they will all and be killed,

f h e for n e cried the wi e, holding out r shawl this w kind f f ofruit to all into. ft Down they came, one a er the other, and at ﬁrst were too frightened to ﬁght ; so Mr. Hitchcock got f them into the wagon sa ely bundled up, and Mrs . Hitchcock soothed their alarm by gentle pat t in gs and

en d motherly words, till they ceased to struggle, and d led con ﬁd in for down to sleep like two g puppies, they were not much bigger. f Mr. Hitchcock kept the hotel that stood at the oot of of u the king the mo ntains , and in summer the house was full ofpeople so he was glad ofany new

t h e r of attraction, and little bea s were the delight

Tom r many children . At ﬁrst, and Je ry trotted and f tumbled about like rolicsome puppies, and led easy

— d fed m w bi lives, pette , and ad ired , till they gre so g

h old u s and that, like other yo ng creatures, their prank

f fun made mischie as well as .

- 1 66 SPINNING WHEEL STORIES . soft beds for Jerry was a luxurious fellow and scorned f T the straw o his own den . his habit annoyed people

Of dl of much , and the poor bear ten came bun ing out m windows, with old gentle en whacking him with canes, f h im or ladies throwing water a ter .

On e evening, when there was a dance and every one f was busy down stairs, Jerry took a walk on the roo ,

for ak and being sleepy, looked about a cosey bed to t e

in T s f . wo o s a nap brother occupied one these room , ’ fr and both were Jerry s good iends, especially the f younger . Georgie was ast asleep, as his dancing days u had not yet beg n, and Charlie was waltzing away down stairs so Jerry crept into bed and nestled down beside his playmate, who was too sleepy to do anything

n h ad but roll over, thi king the big brother come to

an d By and by Charlie did come up, late tired, and f l having orgotten a lamp, undressed in the moon ight,

bo I observing nothing till a ut to step nto bed ; then , e u ﬁnding som thing rolled up in the clothes, tho ght it

of e n a joke the other boys, caught up a racket and b ga

c u e of to bang away at the suspi ious b ndle . A scen

f n f for r wild con usio ollowed , Jer y growled and clawed ’ n t e and could get out G orgie woke , and thinking his bed-fellow was his brother being abused by some fr on r f h im olicsome mate, held to Je ry, de ending

in ad bravely, till a rent the sheet allowed a shaggy he

So o i d to appear, close to his own that the po r ch l was ’ painfully reminded ofRed Riding Hood s fals e grand

e at mother. Charlie was spe chless with laughter this

r e bed discovery, and while Je ry bounc d about the THE LITTLE HOUSE IN THE GARDEN. 1 67

g f s narlin and hugging pillows as he tried to get ree,

err r m t iﬁed Geo g ie rushed down the hall screa ing, “ ” Th e wolf"the wolf" till he t ook refuge in his ’ o mother s ro m .

Out i - popped n ght capped heads, anxious voices cried, ” ﬁre u Is it ? and in a moment the ho se was astir . Th e panic might have been serious ifJerry had not

all w come g oping do n stairs, hotly pursued by Charlie

- n i in his night gow , st ll belaboring the poor beast, and “ " " howling, He was in my bed He scared George ’ ” I ll thrash him " Then the alarmed ladies and gentlemen laughed

an d c m l r grew al , whi e the boys all tu ned out and

hunted Jerry up stairs and down , till he was captured and ignominiously lugged away to be tied in the

barn .

T r a f hat p ank se led his ate, and he went to join his

in . for brother captivity Here they lived a year, and

went to housekeeping in a den in the bank , with a

for f trough their ood, and a high, knotted pole to

T r b . few clim on hey had many visitors, and lea ned a

but for tricks, were not happy bears they longed to

be f ree, and the older they grew, the more they sighed for f the great orest where they were born . Th e second summer something happened that part ed m f m l the orever. A ong the chi dren that year were d f Fre and Fan Howard, two jolly young persons o f f twelve and ourteen . O course the bears were very

mt eres t in i g, and Fred tried the r tempers by torment in m t g the , while Fan won their hear s with cake and ’ n s s Tom f r uts, candy and care se was Fred s avo ite, - EEL R E 1 68 SPINNING WH STO I S.

’ s Tom and Jerry was Fan . was very intelligent, and

f On e covered himsel with glory by various exploits .

off f was taking the boards which roo ed the den, so that the s un Should dry the dampness after a rain ; f m and he care ully replaced the at night . Any dog who approached the trough got his ears smartly r boxed, and meddlesome boys we e hugged till they

fo u s howled r mercy. He danced in a way to conv l e

b S the so erest, and Fred taught him to houlder arms in such a funny imitation ofa stout old soldier of the town that the children rolled on the grass in ﬁts of laughter when the cap was on, and the wooden gun ﬂouris hed at word ofcommand by the clumsy hero.

Jerry had no accomplishments , but his sweet tem f per made many riends . He let the doves eat with f him, the kittens rolic all over his broad back, and was never rough with the small people who timidly offered the buns he took so gently from their little h fu f ands . But he pined in captivity, re sed his ood,

in m of and lay his den all day, or cli bed to the top

off the pole and sat there looking to the cool, dark f orest, with such a pensive air that Fan said it made

b f as her heart ache to see him . Just e ore the se on

e . 0 u nded, Jerry disappeared N one co ld imagine how but the chain broke , gone he was, and never came ’ ’ s f T back, to Fan s sati action and om s great sorrow.

Mr c for h is . He mourned brother, and Hitchco k began to talk ofkilling him for it would not do to let

b r in b s e two ea s loose the neigh orhood, as they om

r times killed sheep and did much ha m .

0 P - EEL R 1 7 S INNING WH STO IES.

neighborhood to ﬁnd the runaway, lest he should

was alarm people or do some harm . It an easy mat

h im for n ter to trace , more tha one terriﬁed woman

a f had seen the big, brown be st sni ﬁng round her back premises after food a whole schoolful ofchildren had ’ been startled out oftheir wits by a bear s head at the window ; and one Old farmer was in a towering rage over the damage done to his bee-hives and garden patch “ ”

s t f . by the pe ky cri ter, a ore he took to the woods After a long tramp poor Tom was found rolled up

f f . in a sunny nook, resting a ter a glorious rolic He

u c fm went home without m ch reluctan e, but ro that

s c time it was hard to keep him . Bolts and bar , hains and ropes were oflittle us e ; for when the longing

off r came, he went, on one occasion ca rying the house on his back, like a snail, till he tipped it over and

. was u out broke loose Fred q ite worn with his pranks, and tried to sell or give h im away but nobody would u E buy or accept such a tro blesome pet . ven tender

Fan n f hearted gave him up, whe he rightened a little

i n child into a ﬁt and killed some sheep, his last holiday .

It was decided that he must be killed, and a party of m men, ar ed with guns, set out to carry the sentence

ff s into e ect. Fred went al o to see that all was prop ft erly done , and Fanny called a er him with tears in her eyes

“ — Sa for h im y good by me, and kill as kindly as you can . This time Tom had been gone a week and had evidently made up his mind to be a free bear ; for he SE THE RDE 1 THE LITTLE HOU IN GA N. 71 h ad wandered far into the deepest wood and made a h d en for himselfamong the rocks . Here t ey found him , but could not persuade him to come out, and no

t was an d bold Pu nam in the troop, to creep in con quer him there . ’ l l h im if s o Bul ets wi l reach we can t, blaze away,

off f m b . oys, and ﬁnish him We have ooled away ti e ” enough , and I want to get home to supper, said the

of u af lead er the h nt, ter many attempts had been

d Tom f made to l ure or rive rom his shelter . “ ” So of they blazed away, and growls pain proved f l But T m u that s ome o the bul ets had hit . o wo ld u not budge, and having used p their ammunition, the disappointed hunters went home resolving to bring T dogs next dav and ﬁnish the job . hey were spared

r for f the t ouble, however, when Fred looked rom his

r Tom window in the mo ning he saw that had returned , and ran down to welcome the rebel back . But one look at t h e poor beast showed him that he had only come home to die ; for he was covered with wounds an d bed of a lay moaning on his straw, looking as p

a f of rr thetic as a be r could , his shaggy coat ull bu s, his

a fll of he d and breast u shot, and one paw apparently broken . .

r Fanny c ied over him , and Fred was quite bowed

r down with remo se ; but nothing could be done, and s o ffr c o n, with a vain e o t to li k the hands that

r o Tom ift for st oked him, p or l ed his great paw a fa rewell shake, and died, with his great head on m ’ f if of . his aster s knee, in token orgiveness As to

for s m u atone their ee ing cruelty, Fanny h ng the - 1 72 SPINNING WHEEL STORIES.

Tom an little house with black while lay in state, d

s Fred, re isting all temptations to keep his ﬁne skin, “ buried h im like a warrior with his martial cloak

in s o around him, the green woods he loved well.

O S. II . B Y

THE next tenants ofthe little house were three riot

’ s for f ous lad , Fred s amily moved away, and the n ew comers took possession one ﬁne spring day with -m T great rejoicing over this ready ade plaything . hey

u f of w fu for were q eer ellows , eleven, t elve, and o rteen , having read the “ Boys’ Froissart ” and other warlike

r works, they were quite carried away by these sti ring tales, and each boy was a hero . Harry, the eldest, was

of u on r Henry Navarre, and wore a white pl me eve y

s . occa ion Ned was the Black Prince, and clanked in t in m T armor, while little Billy was Willia ell and

m c Willia Walla e by turns . ’ Tom s des ert ed mansion underwent astonishing

u n changes about this time . Bows and arrows h ng o

- in its walls ; battle axes, lances, and guns stood the

s m of corners ; helmets, hields, and all anner strange weapons adorned the rafters ; cannon peeped from its

- port holes ; a drawbridge swung over the moat . that soon surrounded it the ﬂags ofall nations waved from

f m u r its roo , and the s all ho se was by tu ns an armory, f ’ ’ a ort, a castle , a robber s cave, a warrior s tomb, a wig

warn t . , and the Bas ile Th e neighbors were both amused and scandalized by the pranks ofthese dramatic young pe rsons ; for

- 1 74 SPINNING WHEEL STORIES. for these interesting youths were much admired by f their mates, who eagerly manned the ences to behold

u u of the revels, when sco ts bro ght word a new play going on . Mrs . Morton believed in making boys happy

m al m r in at ho e, and so lowed the entire libe ty the f great garden , as it was sa er than river, streets, or ball m f ground, where a very ixed crowd was to be ound . f Here they were under her own eye, and the sa e , sweet tie between them still held fast 5 for she was never too

f f h er busy to bind up their wounds a ter a ray, wave f of handkerchie when cheers told victory, rummage

for in a of her stores costumes, or join their e ger study favorite heroes when rain put an end to their out -of door fun .

So the summer was a lively one, and though the

ff of vegetables su ered some damage, a good crop healthy, happy hours was harvested, and all were

Th e for satisﬁed . little house looked much the worse

ﬁrm the raids made upon it, but still stood with the stars and stripes waving over it, and peace seemed to reign one October afternoon as the boys lay under the trees eating apples and planning what to play next .

be of T Bobby wants to a knight the Round able .

h im fun We might take in and have with the rites, ” and make him keep a vigil and all that , proposed f William Wallace , anxious to admit his chosen riend to the inner circle ofthe brotherhood . ’ ’ d c bowl He s such a little chap he be s ared and . ’ ” for n c I dou t vote that, said the Black Pri e, rather f scorn ully, as he lay with his kingly legs in the air,

u o an d his royal mouth fll fapple . THE RD 1 THE LITTLE HOUSE IN GA EN . 75

” " r n r of rr al I do decla ed He y Nava e, ways gene “ t on s . , and amiable Bob is a plucky little chap, and i ’ will do anyth ng we put him to . He s poor and the ’ fl s other el ows look down on him , so that another rea

a h im b s on why we ought to t ke in and stand y him . ’ ’ ’ Let s h im if S r give a good trial, and he b ave, we ll ” h ave him. “ ’ ’ SO we will " Let s d o it now ; he s over there ’ e n t waiting to be asked in . does go poking his nose ’ ” e n t fl wher he is wanted, as some o ks do, cried Billy, who had Often been snubbed by the big boys in his

ffr f e o ts at knightly eats .

f for A whistle brought Bobby, with a beamn ace,

fun he burned to join the , but held back because he ’

was . not a gentleman s son A sturdy, honest little

s ul o r o was B bby, t ue as steel, brave as a lion , and

Old - r loyal as an time vassal to his young lo d, kind

Billy, who always told him all the plans, explained the

t r f mys e ies, and shared the goodies when easts were

spread . Now h e st ood leaning against one ofthe posts of t the little house whi her the boys had adjourned, and listened bashfully while Harry told h im what he must T do to join the heroes ofthe Round able . He did

fof but was for not understand hal it, ready any trial, and took the comical oath administered to him with

th e utmost solemnity.

Y ou for must stay here locked in some hours , and T ’ watch your armor. hat s the vigil young knights f ’ had to keep be ore they could ﬁght . You must n t

be ou a s ee scared at any noises y he r, or anything you , S G- EEL PINNIN WH STORIES.

for if or sing out help, even you stay here till dark. ’ c if a You ll be a oward you do, and never have sword . “ ’ ” I promise truly ; h Ope to die ifI don t " answered t h e Bobby, ﬁxing his blue eyes on speaker, and holding his curly head erect with the air Ofone ready to face any peril ; for the desire ofhis soul was to own a sword, like Billy, and clash it on warlike occasions .

T of hen a suit armor was piled up on the red box, which was by turns altar, table, tomb, and execution ’ n er s block . Banners were hu g over it, the place dark d f ene , two candles lighted, and a ter certain rites which f cannot be divulged, the little knight was le t to his vigil with the door locked .

Th e m f boys howled outside, s ote on the roo , ﬁred a cannon, and taunted the prisoner with derisive epithets h im to stir to wrath . But no cry answered them, no

of f hint weariness, ear, or anger betrayed him, and

ft f- of offun f a er a hal hour this sort , they le t him to

of r . the greater trial silence, solitude, and unce tainty

Th e f short a ternoon was soon gone, and the tea bell f rang be ore the vigil had lasted long enough . “ ’ ’ He won t know what time it is ; let s leave h imtill f a ter supper, and then march out with torches and h im f ’ bring in to a good eed . Mother won t mind, and fff Hetty likes to stu ellows, proposed Harry, and all

r Of r being hungry, the ﬁrst pa t the plan was ca ried out at once .

f u of But be ore tea was over, the nusual clang the ’ ﬁre bells drove all thought ofBobby out ofthe boys m n t o inds, as they raced away to the exciting sce e,

1 7 8 SPINNING -WHEEL STORIES

" ’ h i Yes, he would He promised, and he ll keep s u word like a tr e knight . It rained and was cold, and ’ . Oh no one knew where he was dear, I hope he is n t ” out of dead, cried Billy, tumbling bed and into his clothes as fast as he could .

Th e u others laughed, but dressed with unus al

S u peed, and ﬂew to the garden ho se, to ﬁnd the ft lock unbroken, and all as still inside as when they le

L s it . ooking very anxiou , Harry opened the door and T f all peeped in . here, at his post be ore the altar, lay the little knight fast asleep . Rain had soaked his

c clothes, the hilly night air made his lips and hands

of purple with cold, and the trials those long hours u left the ro nd cheeks rather pale . But he still u d g arded his arms, and at the ﬁrst soun was awake d f and ready to e end them, though somewhat shaky ff with sleep and sti ness .

Th e f penitent boys poured orth apologies, in which f ﬁre, remorse, and break ast were oddly mixed . Bobby f orgave them like a gentleman, only saying, with a ’d ’ll laugh and a shiver, Guess I better go home , ma u If ’ be worried abo t me . I d known being out all ’ ’ ’ r of d a night and getting wet was pa t the business, I T left Word and brought a blanket. Be I a Round able

? S r ? now hall I have a sword, and t ain with the rest ’ ’ d r for I id n t holler once, and was n t much sca ed , all ”

th e . the bells, and dark, and the rain “ ’ ’ i ou u You ve won your spurs, and we ll kn ght y j st ’ f as soon as we get time . You re a brave ellow, and ’ ’ I m proud to have you one ofmy men . Please don t ’ u s i an d say m ch about thi ; we ll make it all r ght, THE LITTLE HOUSE IN THE GARDEN. 1 79

’ w f s orr e re aw ully y, answered Harry, while Ned put h is h own jacket over the wet s oulders , and Billy f f ’ l beamed at him, eeling that his riend s exp oit outdid any ofhis own . Bobby marched away as proudly as ifhe alread v s aw r f the banne s waving over him, and elt the acco lad e that made him a true knight . But that happy

for moment was delayed some time, because the cold caught in that shower threatened a ﬁt ofSickness ; ’ and the boys play looked as ifit mi ght end in s ad earnest . f Harry and his brothers con essed all to mamma, listened with humility to her lecture on true knight

an d hood , did penance by serving Bobby like real

- - A r in . S brothe s arms , while he was ill soon as the

a hardy boy was all right gain , they took solemn coun

o sel t gether how they should reward him , and atone

for t r . heir ca elessness Many plans were discussed , but none seemed ﬁne enough for this occasion till Billy h ad a bright idea. ’ Let S buy Bob some hens . He wants some dread f f ully, and we ought to do something grand a ter treat ” ing him so badly, and nearly killing him . ’ ’ ’ Who s got an y money ? I have n t ; but it s a d ” goo idea, responded Ned , vainly groping in all his pockets for a cent to head the subscription with . “ u Mamma wo ld lend us some, and we could work ” for e to pay it, b gan Billy . ’ r rr h No, I ve a better plan, inte rupted Ha y wit

u t O e a. ac r ff a thority. We ought mak s iﬁce and su er for ur s uc o sin . We will have an a tion and sell our S - EE 1 80 PINNING WH L STORIES .

Th e arms. boys want them, and will pay well . My ?” lords and gentlemen, what say ye “ ” We will " responded the loyal subjects ofKing

Henry.

’ Winter is coming, and we can t use them, said l Bi ly, innocently. “ And by next spring we shall be too Old for such ” games, added Ned . ’ Tis " " well Ho call hither my men . Bring out ” of u u " the suits mail ; so nd the tr mpets, and set on u thundered Harry, striking an attit de, and issuing his commands with royal brevity . A funny scene ensued ; for while Billy ran to col

r lect the boys, Ned dismantled the armo y, and Hal dis

of m s ff posed the weapons in the o t e ective manner, on f trees, ences, and grass, where the bidders could ex T amine and choose at their ease . heir mates had

- always admired and coveted these war like treasures, for some were real, and others ingenious imitations so ’ they gladly came at sound Ofthe hunter s horn which was blown when Robin Hood wanted his merry men .

Off Harry was auctioneer, and rattled the most

of s of amazing medley nonsen e in praise the articles, which b e rapidly knocked down to the highest bidder.

Th e for competition was lively, the boys laughed so h much t ey hardly knew what they were doing, and made the rashest Offers but they all knew what the

for l money was to be used , so they paid their bil s

Off s - old handsomely, and marched with cro s bows,

us an d d guns, r ty swords, tin armor, quite contente wit h their bargains .

1 82 S - E PINNING WH EL STORIES.

an d of t every one, a pair stout legs that trot ed all day.

Sh e u of s rveyed her kingdom with cries delight, and “ s of t ot t a e took posse sion mine g at once, beginning

m of a housekeeping by a tu ble out the swing, a he der

fof into the red chest, and a pinch in the lea the table . But she won great praise from the boys by making

of light these mishaps, and came up smiling, with a

m on w bu p her bro , a scratch on her pug nose, and a

on on e fat out for bruise ﬁnger, and turned tea the gentlemen a s ifs h e had d one it all her life for the ta

r of ble was set, and all manne tiny cakes and rolls

o stood ready to welc me her. This was only the beginning oftea parties for very soon a ﬂock oflovely little friends came to play with

n Quee ie, and such pretty revels went on it seemed as iff s of airies had taken pos ession the small house . Dolls

t a- t in had picnics, ki tens went visiting, carts rattled up

a and down, g y balloons ﬂew about, pigmy soldiers tod d led of r round the paths in paper caps, and best all , osy

r little girls danced on the grass , picked the ﬂowe s , chased

r butte ﬂies, and sang as blithely as the birds . Queenie

f of took the lead in these rolics, and got into no end

of f scrapes by her love exploration, o ten leading her m f r - w s all riends into the strawbe ry bed, do n the road, ’ m r over the wall , or to so e neighbo s house, coolly de “ manding a dint a water and d in gerbed for all us ” ones .

r r Guards were set, ba s and locks put up, orde s given, u and punishments inﬂicted, but all in vain the da nt f less baby always managed to escape , and a ter anxious

d ﬂurries fu hunts and omestic , would be o nd up a tree, THE LIT LE O SE THE RDEN T H U IN GA . 1 83

u d b b c n er the big rhu ar leaves, in a hen house, or almly All s trolling to town without her hat . sorts ofpeople to took her drive at her request, and brought her back just as h er agitated relatives were ﬂying to the river in h i . O S e of despa r nce departed with a ﬂock sheep , and was returned so dirty no one knew her till she was

s c b . rub ed Another time, she passed the morning in - f f the pig pen , having allen over the ence ; and ﬁnding u pleasant society in a dozen yo ng piggies, stayed to m play with the till discovered among the straw, sur

f Of m rounded by her new riends, one who slept sweetly

in her arms . T

“ e . r must tie her up, said Mrs Morton , quite wo n

out with her pranks . ’ So r a strong co d was put round Queenie s waist, and fas tened to one Ofthe rings in the little house where

Tom . a u used to be chained At ﬁrst she r ged and t gged, ’ t t if n t hen submit ed, and played about as she did care

ai in but she l d plans her naughty little mind , and car

r of ied them out, to the great dismay Bessie, the maid . ” d ras s ers ua I want to tut , she said in her most p

sive tones . SO Bessie gave her the rusty scissors Sh e was allowed

n to use, and let her play make hay till her toy wago full was . d I want a int a water, pease, was the next request,

Sh e few and Bessie went in to get it . was delayed a

S Of moments , and when she came out no ign Queenie r Of off r emained but a pile yellow hair cut in a hu ry,

f s rs o t h e . S and the end cord lyboots was gone, scis o l and al . S - EEL S OR ES 1 84 PINNING WH T I .

T hen there was racing and calling, scolding and wailing, but no Queenie was to be seen anywhere on m the pre ises . Poor Bessie ran one way, Aunt Mor ton another, and Billy, who happened to be at home, poked into all the nooks and corners for the run away .

An hour passed, and things began to look serious, when Harry came in much excited, and laughing so he could hardly speak . Where d o you think that dreadful baby has turned ’ fu in up ? Over at Pat Floyd s . He o nd her the water

of pipes . You know a lot those big ones are lying in the back street ready to use as soon as the place is d ug . ’ n t Well, that little rascal crept in, and then could turn ’ t ills h e round , so she went on came out by Pat s house,

c h im Of Th e and nearly s ared out his wits . pipes were

bad h ad not joined, so she light and air, but I guess she

. S a hard road to travel uch a hot, dirty, tired baby ’ ou y never saw. Mrs. Floyd is washing her up . You d ” better go and get her, Bess .

Bess went and returned with naughty Queenie, look if w u Off of ing as rats had gna ed her c rls , and the sand the great desert had been ground into her hands an d

— t h e u knees, not to mention iron rust that r ined her

f of pretty pink rock, or the crown her hat rubbed to rags . ’ f ’d n t . I was righted You said Dod be all wound , s o Fo d I goed wite alon, and Mis y gived me a nice cold d tater, and a tootie, and the bid ord washed my hands ” Wifhis wed tun . ’ T of hat was Queenie s account the matter, but she

- EE SPINNING WH L STORIES.

Th e mammas looked on and helped about supper, and Bess sat in the tent like an old woman, and told

fr es m of f pleasant o tun , as she looked in the pal s the so t little hands the children showed her. T m hey had a char ing time, and all remembered it

for fun r well ; that night, when the was over, eve y one m in bed, and the world asleep, a great stor came on " w oﬂ the wind ble a gale and chimney tops ﬂew , blinds f banged, trees were broken , apples whisked rom the f boughs by the bushel, and much mischie was done . But

of " Th e worst all, the dear little house blew away f roo went in one direction, the boards in another, the

of poor horse lay heels up, and the rest the animals

n were scattered far and wide over the garde .

r Great was the lamentation next mo ning, when the

u Th e f children saw the r in . boys elt that it was past u h er mending, and gave it p while Queenie consoled s elffor the devastation ofher farm by the childish be

f of r lie that a crop new cats and dogs, cows and ho ses, would come up in the spring fromthe seed sowed broad cast by the storm . So that was the sad end ofthe little hous e in th e garden. f Let th e time or an other. little ’ o n ow ve r g to bed, they had their sto y, and please go ” cr w on, auntie, ied Min, hen all had listened with ’ more interest than they would confess to the children s tale . SO off r the small people trotted , much against thei

of w fr will, and this most obliging aunts dre o th

s l al another manuscript, aying, as she g anced at sever of i r r S her elder n eces, b ave in the new t inkets anta Claus had sent them

T r it his is a sto y with a moral to . , which the girls wi r d ll unde stand the boys can take naps while I rea , ’ ” for it won t interest them . If s it shows up the girls we shall like it, an wered ff f Geo , and composed himsel to hear and enjoy

DAIS ’ S JE EL-BO" AND HO H Y W , W S E

FILLED 1T.

' IT rf S us would be pe ectly plendid, and j t what I ’ l for s ee ca n w ong , but I don t how I go ith nothing S I I - EEL STOR E P NN NG WH I S.

u fm ﬁt to wear, said Daisy, looking p ro the letter in f f of her hand , with a ace ull girlish eagerness and anxiety.

r Mrs . Field set eve y fear at rest with a reassuring

m Of a r t s ile, as she quietly made one the s c iﬁces mo hers

w n for u fr think so small, he made the dear creat res o whom they live . “ s um You shall go, dear ; I have a little put by

T -ﬁ for an emergency. wenty ve dollars will do a good

an d deal , when tastes are simple we do our own dress ” aking . “ for But mother, that was your cloak . You need ’ SO it much I can t bear to have you give it up, said

n m - for sober little Ja e , the ho e girl, who never cared

S visiting like her gay elder ister.

u r H sh , dear ; I can do ve y well with a shawl over ’ ’ n my old sack . Do t say a word to spoil Daisy s

Sh e f r u pleasure . needs a change a te this d ll autumn, ” and must be neat and nice .

f n s h e Janey said no more, and ell to thi king what had to Offer Daisy ; for both took great pride in the

n m h er n pretty girl , who was the quee a ong you g friends .

re- t Daisy heard, but was so busy reading the let er

Sh e that took no notice then, though she recalled the words later. “ ll Come an d pass the holidays with us . We a L w want to see you, and aura begs you ill not dis ” n h er appoi t . ’ L r This was the invitation that came from au a s mother ; for the two gi rls had struck up a great friend

P - EEL IE 1 90 S INNING WH ST OR S.

m for V Her reception was a war one, all the aughns were intere s ted in the blooming little creature t hey

f bes t m had ound among the hills, and did their to ake

Th e her visit a pleasant one . ﬁrst day she was in a d fu of S elight l sort maze, things were so plendid, gay and new ; the second she felt awkward and coun t ri

ﬁed i h ad f , and w shed she not come. A letter rom her d id mother on Christmas morning her good, and gave

r t h s aﬂli d her co u age to bear e little trial that ct e her . “ My clot hes do look dowdy beside Laura’ s elegant

s me co tu s, though they did seem very nice at home ; ’ ’ ” n t h s f but my hair is red, and t at a com ort, she said

fas for to hersel , she dressed the party that evening . Sh e could n ot help smiling at the bonny ﬁgure Sh e s a w o t in the l ng mirror, and wishing mo her and Janey could see the wo rk Oftheir hands in all its glory for

h er the simple white dress was most becoming, and kind host had supplied her with lovely ﬂowers for b osom and bouquet .

But d Sh e r the smile ied as took up her one o nament, ld O . an antique necklace, given her by an aunt At home it was considered a very rare and beautiful

an d of thing, Daisy had been rather proud her rococo ’ L u of s chain till she saw a ra s collection trinket , the

c of c d a s variety and brillian y whi h zzled her eye , and woke a burning des ire t o pos s es s treas ures ofthe s ame

s m s sort . It was ome consolation to ﬁnd that the o t

s i f striking were not very expen ve , and a ter poring over

m s s the with deep interest, Dai y privately re olved to buy

u a T as many as her ﬁve dollars wo ld comp ss . hese new

s e ornaments could be worn during her visit, and rve ’ - DAISY S JEWEL BO"; How SHE FILLED IT . 1 91 as gifts when she went home ; SO the extravagance would not be SO great as it see med .

mfr h er as This purpos e co o ted , she put on the old

r nec kl ace, which looked ve y dingy beside the Rhine b st ones that flashed , the silver angles that clashed , i t s r r s r and t he g lded but erflies , pide s, ar ow , flowe s, and daggers that shone on the young girls whom she met T Sh e c ul that evening . heir fine dresses o d not hope Of s to imitate, but a pin and a pair bracelet were ifSh e possible, and she resolved to have them , had to i borrow money to get home w th. Her head was quite turned by this desire for the chea p trinkets which attract all feminine eyes now-a

m came days, and when , a ong the pretty things that

fo c to her r m the Christmas tree that night, she re eived

-box f lm a blue plush jewel , she elt that it was a ost

n a d uty to ﬁll it as soo as possible . ’ IS n t ? it a beauty I never had one, and it is just ” s i d d f what I wanted , aid Da sy, elighte ly li ting the r f ofs for an d t ay ull atin beds pretty things, pulling ’ r r out the little drawer unde neath, whe e the giver s

I told papa a work-box or a fan would be better ” b ut u bu L r he liked this and wo ld y it, explained au a, f who knew how useless it was to her riend . “ of f It was very kind him , and I pre er it to either ’ of v c those . I e nothing but my old hain and a Shabby ’ little pin to put in it now, but I ll ﬁll it in time , an r s swe ed Dai y, whose eyes seemed to behold the unbought treasures already reposin g on the dainty - EE 1 92 SPINNING WH L STORIES.

for r Real jewels are the best, my dear, thei worth Th and beauty are never lost . e tinsel girls wear n ow ” ff w w in is poor stu , and money is thro n a ay buying it, m u said Mrs . Vaughn, who overheard the and g essed t h e u r temptation which beset the little co nt y girl .

w r m Daisy looked conscious, but ans e ed, with a s ile , ’ c T Old u n t and a hand on her ne klace, his thing wo ld m ’ look well in y pretty box, so I ll leave it empty till ff m ” I can a ord so ething better . But that antique chain is worth many mock

m for dia onds ; it is genuine, and its age adds to its

u L of a c val e . overs such things would p y a good pri e ’ for u So d that and keep it careflly. on t be ashamed

Of - t h u s it, my dear, o gh this pretty throat need no ul ornament, added Mrs . Vaughn, hoping the girl wo d f not orget the little lesson she was trying to give her .

s but bed Dai y did not, when she went to , set the j ewel-box on the table where it would meet her eyes f the ﬁrst thing in the morning, and then ell asleep

Sh e bu trying to decide that would y no baubles, since there were better things to spend her money on . Nothing more was said ; but as the two girls went b a d a out the gay street on various ple sant erran s , ’ Dais y never could pass the jewellers windows witho ut stopping to gloat over the trays full ofenchanting m t . c al orna en s More than on e , when one, she went in

of c t t riﬂes to inquire the prices these mu h cove ed , and thei r cheapness made the temptation harder to resist .

r Offs n for Ce tain things had a sort a cinatio her, and

m h er see ed to haunt in an uncanny way, giving her no

m en peace till she would d ecide to buy the . A gold

- 1 94 SPINNING WHEEL STORIES.

There was nothing to be done but to return t h e

s m f f was ro e and go sadly ho e, eeling that ate very c ruel to snatch away this long-coveted happiness when

L - so nearly won . ike the milk maid who upset h er pail while planning which ribbons would become h er ’ s s Of c s ud best, poor Dai y dreams splendor ame to a d en for of s Sh e f end instead a golden ro e, was le t with u ut only ten cents, and not even a p rse to p it in .

Sh e s m went home angry, di appointed, and asha ed, but m u too proud to co plain , tho gh not able to keep

f for s ad ff f e the loss to hersel ; it was a a air, and her ac

Of ff s betrayed her in spite her e ort to be gay . I know you were staring at the French diamo n ds

r in that corne store . I never can get you by there w L ithout a regular tug, cried aura, when the tale d was very brieﬂy tol . “ ’ ’ I can t help it ; I m perfe ctly fas cinated by those f u u oolish things, and I know I sho ld have bo ght ’ m is s m so e so it well that I ve lo t my oney, per

s s s o hap , answered Dai y, looking innocently penitent f and so rankly disappointed that Mr. Vaughn said kindly :

SO for it is, now I have a chance to complete my

s u u SO Chri tmas present . I was not sure it wo ld s it I

u of gave it empty . Please use this in b ying some the ” f s ou ascinating thing y like so well . A bright ten -dollar gold piece was slipped into ’ s d was Dai y s han , and she obliged to keep it, in spite ofall her protestations that she could live witho ut

n i t h er tri kets, and did not need as ticket home was a u lready bought . Mrs . Va ghn added a nice little D ’ S JE EL-BO" How HE AISY W ; S FILLED IT . 1 95

r L u -c pu se, and a ra advised her to keep the lone ten ent

for - piece a good luck penny .

fr Now I can do it with a ee mind , and ﬁll my box ’ ”

. u s fun ? as Mr Va g hn wi hes me to . Won t it be

as Sh e s u - r ft r thought Daisy, kipped p stai s a e dinner,

of ft f m s r with a load care li ed ro her pi its .

L u s o a ra was taking a music lesson , her guest went

e w - f of to the s ing room to mend the acing her dress, which some one had stepped on while Sh e stood in

fal . was if that at crowd A seamstress there, sewing as

for a wager, and while Daisy stitched her braid she wondered ifthere was any need ofsuch haste for the

’ r ﬂew f h er young woman s ﬁnge s , a everish color was in

s s if cheek , and now and then she ighed as tired or

wo rried .

Let me i h if n t . help, you are a hurry, Miss W i e I f f o . can sew ast, and know something dressmaking ’ fr M d o rs . Please let me . I love to do anything

u s h e Va ghn , is so kind to me, said Daisy, when her

Off small job was done, lingering to make the er, though an r inte esting book was waiting in her room . T u s . hank you, I g e s I can get through by dark I

for do want to ﬁnish , my mother is sick, and needs ” me as well as the money, answered the needle

m r f i wo an, pausing to give the girl a g ate ul sm le, then t a f s itching way aster than ever . “ T s hen I mu t help . Give me that sleeve to sew

t r f an d up , and rest a li tle . You look d ead ully tired, ’ ” ve s . you been working all day, insi ted Daisy ’ T s if hat real kind , and it would be a great help, ” r s you eally like it, answered Miss White, with a igh SP N - EEL S R I NING WH TO IES.

of f relie as she handed over the sleeve , and saw how

fu s f heartily and help lly Dai y ell to work .

Of s for f cour e they talked, the riendly act opened t both hearts, and did bo h girls good . As the younger r of b listened to the little sto y love and la or, the gold piece burned in her pocket, and tinsel trinkets looked very poor beside the sacriﬁces so sweetly made by this good daughter for the feeble mother whose comfort and support she was .

’ Our but landlord has raised the rent, I can t move

for now, the cold and the worry would kill ma ; so ’m I tugging away to pay the extra money, else he ’m f n out . will tur us , I a raid ’ Why don t you tell Mrs . Vaughn ? Sh e helps d ” o . every one, and loves to it “ So s h e d s " Sh e a for oes, ble s her has done a de l

’ ’ ’ s for t us, and that why I can t ask more . I won beg if while I can work, but worry wears on me, and I ” break down what will become ofmother ?

Of for Poor Mary shook the tears out her eyes, day m but light was going, and she had no ti e to cry ; Daisy stopped to wonder how it would seem to be in “ ” f her place, tugging away day a ter day to keep a

of roofover mother. It made her heart ache to think f it , and sent her hand to her pocket with a joy ul sense of for - n ew power ; alms giving was a pleasure, and

Daisy felt very rich. ’ ’ “ - I ve had a present to day, and I d love dearly to u ’ share it with you ifyou wo ld n t mind . I shall only waste it, so do let me send it to your mother in any ” s a t imid but ver wa . hape you like , she said in , y earnest y

1 98 SP - EEL S OR ES INNING WH T I . f room, and saw her as she stood thought ully staring at

of in the two bits paper her hand . “ ’ u f s m if fu I sho ld n t eel a ha ed Mrs . Vaughn o nd

but I s ee me out in this, should never dare to let her

m s if s h e y bangles and pin , I got them . I know

m s s o for Sh e thinks the silly, e pecially me . said she ’ d m L In of hoped I set a good exa ple to aura, the way m i si plicity and industry . I liked that, and so w ll

- " mother. But then , my jewel box All empty, and

u Oh c w s ch a pretty thing. dear, I wish I ould be ise ” and silly at the same t ime .

s h few s Dai y sig ed, and took a more step , then

m u out u s s iled, p lled her p r e, and taking the ten “ a cent piece tossed it up, saying, Heads, M ry ; tails, ” s my elf. i t Up ﬂew the bright l t le coin, and down it came m with the goddess ofliberty upper os t . “ T I ’ll hat settles it ; she shall have the ten, and

Old for m lr a be content with the chain all y jewe y, s id Daisy aloud ; and looking much relieved she skipped

s s away, leaving the unsu pected ob erver to smile at her

s of c u an d girli h mode de iding the q estion , to rejoice

u u u . l over the genero s nat re nspoiled as yet Sh e watched her young gues t wit h n e w interes t d uring the next fe w days ; for certain ﬁne plans were

i n s for her mind, and every triﬂe helped the deci ion or

s again t . Mary White went smiling home that night to re joice with her feeble mother over the help that came u s o opport nely and so kindly . Daisy looked as ifher shopping ha d pros pered D S 'S JEWEL-BO" How SHE LLED AI Y ; FI IT . 1 99

wonderfully though the old necklace was the only orna ment she wore and those who s a w her happy fac e at

r - the me ry making thought that she needed no other.

Sh e c if f dan ed as her eet were as light as her heart, and enjoyed that party more than the ﬁrst ; for no

e s u s nvy poiled her pleas re, and a ecret content bright

ened all the world to her . But the next day s h e discovered that temptation

s r h er till had powe over her, and she nearly spoiled ﬁ rs t self-conquest by the fall whic h is very apt to come

ft um S h o w a er a tri ph, to how us hard it is to stand A l f l ol on s our . ast, even when sma l p y get in way

Sh e b s of c . roke the cla p the ne klace, and Mrs Vaughn directed her to a perso n who mended such

Th s . e things man examined it with intere t, and

i t s l all asked s history. Dai y very willing y told she i b r f . knew, inqui ing it was really valua le ’ ’ -ﬁv for e I d give twenty e dollars it any time . I v been trying to get one to gowith a pair ofearrings

Ofc r e I picked up , and this is just what I want . ou s ’ ” c ? c you don t are to sell it, miss he asked, glan ing ’ s s S f for at Dai y imple dress and rather excited ace,

his offer almost took her breath away . Sh e was not sufﬁciently worldly-wise to see that the

u for jeweller wanted it eno gh to give more it, and to

for T -ﬁve make a good bargain herself. wenty dollars

s c t eemed a vast sum , and she only paused to colle h er b f wits, e ore she answered eagerly ’ s hould ve s o Yes, I like to sell it ; I had it long ’ ’ Of i ut f Mrs t s o O fs . . I m tired it, and all a hion b Vaughn told me some people would e glad to get it, 200 SPINNING-WHEEL STORIES

i DO because it is genu ne . you really think it is worth ” twenty-ﬁve dollars ? “ ’ It s Old s , and I hall have to tinker it up ; but it matche s the earrings so well I am willing to pay a

fr c o . good pri e it Will you take the money now, ” s c ? s mi s, or think it over and all again a ked the man , ’ s c fu l f . s m more re pe t l y, a ter hearing Mrs Vaughn na e . “ ’ if Sir s v I ll take it now, you please, . I hall lea e t m own in a day or two, and may not have ti e to call ” s f- fu again , said Dai y, taking a hal regret l look at the

i an . cha n , as the m counted out the money

fs f Holding it a t, she went away eeling that this unexpe cted fortune was a reward for the good us e

c she had made ofher gold pie e . “ NOW bu m u m I can y so e really val able orna ent,

u s m s and wear it witho t being a ha ed . What hall it be ? NO tins el for me this time and she walked by the attractive shop window with an air Oflofty in

ff c for di eren e, she really was getting over her ﬁrst craze for that sort Ofthing . Feeling as ifs h e pos s ess ed the power to buy real d m s s ur s ia ond , Dai y t ned toward the great jeweller , paus in g now and then to look for s ome pretty gift for m own . Janey, bought with her oney “ What can I get for mother ? Sh e never will own

s h e s i s b that need anyth ng, and goes hab y so I can be

m of c s c . u s ni e I co ld get o e those ﬁne, thick sto king ,

— m s s but . her are all darn , they ight not ﬁt Flannel

’ is u fu but s . d oes se l , it is n t a pretty pre ent What Sh e need mos t

s s f fu of As Dai y topped be ore a great window, ll all

SP - EEL S OR E 202 INNING WH T I S.

SO ft d ue s in they went, and a er con ideration , the u t m t f cloak was bo gh and ordered ho e, bo h girls eel ing that it was a little ceremony full oflove and good ’ for was m will ; Mary s time oney, yet she gave it ’ s u f m Of bu gladly, and Dai y s p rse was le t e pty all t the

- u ic good l ck penny, wh h was to bring still greater

a u u c h ppiness in ns spe ted ways . Another secret was put away in the empty jewel ’ for box, and the cloak hidden in Daisy s trunk ; she f Sh of bus s les t elt y telling her little iness transaction ,

u s the Vaughns sho ld con ider her extravagant . But ’ t h e though t ofmot her s s urprise and pleas ure warmed

m d ofh er t h e her heart, and ade the last ays visit

- s h e S happiest . Being a mortal girl did give a igh as

bit of u she tied a black velvet ro nd her white throat,

Of c s m r instead the necklace, whi h ee ed really a t easure, now it was gone ; and she looked with great di s favor f d at the shabby little pin , worn where she had on ly

Sh e ut hoped to see the golden rose . p a real one in its

f fac place, and never knew that her own resh, happy e was as lovely ; for t h e thought ofthe two mothers made comfortable by her was better than all the pearls and diamonds that fell from the lips ofthe

fr good girl in the ai y tale . Let me help you pack your trunk ; I love to cram

’ ” In d n u things , and a ce on the lid when it won t sh t, s L f d a aid aura, joining her riend next y, just as she had got the cloak-box well hidden under a layer of clothes . “ ’ T I m r hank you, almost done, and ather like to ’ f m ow uss over my own things in y n way. You won t ’ - w SHE LLED 203 DAISY S JEWEL Box ; Ho FI IT . mind ifI give this pretty box Ofhandkerchiefs to i ? mother, w ll you , dear I have so many things, I

Th e us m ust go halves with some one . m lin apron ’ b n for u and box Ofbon o s are Janey, beca se she can t

a bot Old for wear the gloves, and this lovely j is too ” n ew s s w h her, said Daisy, surveying her po se sions it

r gi lish s atisfaction.

DO what you like with your own . Mamma has a Sh e box Ofpresents for your people . is packing it ’ i now, but I don t bel eve you can get it in ; your T trunk is s o much fuller than when you came . his ” u o s f m st g in a a e place , or your heart will break , an d L u - u aura took p the jewel box , adding with a la gh , “ ’ f " as she opened it, you have n t ﬁlled it a ter all ’ What did you d o with papa s gold piece ? “ ’ ’ ” Th . at s a secret I ll tell some day , but not yet ,

n i n said Daisy, divi g into her trunk to hide the color her cheeks . “ ’ Sly thing "I know you ve got silver spiders and

ﬁla ree u - t g racq ets, and Rhine s one moons and stars ’ f stowed away somewhere and won t con ess it. I wanted

’ t o box but ﬁll this , mamma said you d do it better f f ’ d yoursel , so I let it alone but I was a raid you think

s for d a I was a selﬁ h pig , to have a pin every y in the ” v ou L u month and ne er give y one , said a ra, as she looked at the single tarnished brooch rep osing on the “ ’ a n us W ? d s ti c hion . here s your chain she adde , f be ore Dais y could s peak . “ ’ ’ f m t of d n It is sa e enough . I ired it, and o t care f i s ee . s I never it again And Dai y packed away, an d laughed as she smoothed the white d ress in its 4 S - 20 PINNING WHEEL STORIES.

m for tray, re embering that it was paid by the sale o fthe old necklace .

’ Give it to me, then . I like it immensely ; it s so ’ fr Odd . o of ou I ll exchange anything mine y choose . ?” L Will you asked aura, who seemed bent on asking incon venient questions . “ I shall have to tell, or she will think me very

f f of ungrate ul , and Daisy elt a pang regret even ’ for L Off u then, aura s er was a genero s one . “ ‘ ‘ L W. SO ike G . , I cannot tell a lie I must fess

Old that I sold the thing, and spent the money for something I wanted very much , not jewelry, but ” something to give away . Daisy was spared further confessions by the entrance

OfMrs . Vaughn, with a box in her hand. “ for m . I have room so ething more Give me that, L u a ra, it will just ﬁt in and taking the little casket, t r she added, Mary White wants to y on your dress, ”

G0 at . dear . once ; I will help Daisy L aura went, and her mother stood looking down at the kn eeling girl with an expression ofaffectionate sat i s fact ion which would have puzzled Daisy, had she seen it . “ ? Has the visit been a pleasant one , my dear ’ Oh " u for , very I can t thank you eno gh the good

can Of d it has done me . I hope I pay a little the ebt ” m if n s next su mer, you come our way agai , cried Dai y, of looking up with a face full gratitude . “ We shall probably go to Europe for the summer. ” for i L t. aura is a good age it now, and we shall all enjoy How " S f splendid We hall miss you dread ully, but

- 206 SPINNING WHEEL STORIES.

t - coming to the end said, as she ook up the jewel box, unpacked with the other generous gifts ’ n t i n I have a thing to put it, but I shall value it because it taught me a lesson which I h Ope I never f See shall orget . what a pretty thing it is and open

of r for ing it, Daisy gave a cry su prise and joy, there L ’ u lay the golden rose, with aura s name and S b

of rosa on a slip paper. “ Th e " dear thing she knew I wanted it, and that ’ ’ ll is what she meant by secrets . I write and tell her ” m - ine to morrow . “ Here is something more, said Janey, who had been lifting the tray while her sister examined the long

r desi ed ﬂower . A pair Ofreal gold bangles shone before her delighted ’ u r b eyes, and a card in Mr . Va ghn s handw iting ore these words Handcuffs for the thiefwho stole t h e ” pocketbook . Daisy hardly had time to laugh gayly at the Old ’ gentleman s joke, when Janey cried out, as she opened ’ ” l r s " the litt e d awer, Here another

f . It was a note rom Mrs Vaughn, but all thought it

of for the greatest treasure the three, it said brieﬂy,

E R IS of D A DA Y, Mary told me some your secrets, f Eu and I ound out the others . Forgive me and go to

L u . rope with a ra, in May. Your visit was a little test f o . You stood it well, and we want to know more you

Th e box little is not quite empty, but the best jewels

f- a ou are the sel deni l, sweet charity, and good sense y u f put in yo rsel . “ u f Yo r riend, DAIS ’ S JE EL-BO" HOW SHE LLED IT 2 Y W ; FI . 07

Daisy could not speak, and her mother looked into

fu Of the box with eyes ll tender tears, while Janey c dan ed about them, clashing the bangles like a happy

l a f i . ittle bay dere, till her sister ound her voice aga n P ointing to a great, bright tear that shone on the

n blue velvet, she said, with her cheek agai st her moth ’ ’ : s er s I always wanted a real diamond, and there a bu ’m more precious one than any I could y. Now I ” s ure my jewel-box is full

- E SPINNING WH EL STORIES.

if ’ I intend to be spry, and you won t go and blab, ’ ” I ll tell you a plan I made last night . u u ’ G ess you can tr st me . I ve heard about a f’ ” s o . dozen plan now, and never told one em T f hey all ailed, so there was nothing to tell . But

n ot f f if for . this one is going to ail, I die it I eel that ’ m it s best to tell so e one , because it is really dan

if s h ould gerons and anything happen to me, as is ”

u u . very likely, it wo ld save time and tro ble ’ m f ’11 Don t see to eel anxious a mite . But I stand if f” u ou . ready to pick p the pieces, y come to grie ’ of Now, Chris, it s mean you to keep on making ’ fun when I m in dead earnest ; and this may be the ” for last thing you can do me . “ ’ Wait ti ll I get out my handkerchief; ifyou re ’ ’ ffe t in going to be a c I may want it . Granite s cheap up here just mention what you ’ d like on your tomb ’ ’ 11 s if stone and I see that it done, it takes my last ” cent . Th e big boy in the blue overalls spoke with such a comical drawl that the slender city lad could not

help laughing, and with a slap that nearly sent his

Off - neighbor his perch , Corny said good naturedly ’11 Come now, stop joking and lend a hand , and I ’ on do anything I can for you . I ve set my heart if shooting a wildcat, and I know I can I once get a ’ offfar good chance . Mother won t let me go enough , ’ of u ou . so co rse I don t do it, and then y all jeer at me ’ TO- r u I m mo row we are going p the mountain, and

r for set on t ying again , Abner says the big woods are ’ m r the place to ﬁnd the var int . Now you hold you ORN ’ S MO C Y CATA UNT . 21 1

’ t n ve o gue, and let me slip away when I think we hit ’ o f the right sp t . I m not a bit a raid , and while the ’ r t I ll t es go poking to the top, plunge in o the woods an d s ee what I can do . ’ Old uff All right . Better take B ; he ll bring you f home when you get lost, and keep puss rom clawing ’ of fun you. You won t like that part the as much i as you expect to, maybe, said Chr s, with a sly w of r n t inkle the eye, as he glanced at Co ny and the away to the vast forest that stretched far up the ’ mighty mountain s side .

' ’ Buﬂ No, I don t want any help, and will betray

f al al me by barking ; I pre er to go one . I sh l take s u of ome l nch and plenty shot, and have a glorious if ’ f a . time, even I don t meet that con ounded be st I will keep dashing in and out Ofthe woods as we

o w for g then no one ill miss me a while, and when ‘Oh ’ ’ they do you just say, , he s all right ; he ll ’ be i d an d along d rectly, and go ahea , let me ” alone .

r o Co ny spoke so c nﬁdently, and looked so pleased w ul ith his plan, that honest Chris co d not bear to tell h im how much danger he would run i n that

f r b pathless orest, where older hunte s than he had een lost . “ ’ f if Don t eel as I cared to tell any lies about it, ’ ’ ’ and I don t advise your goin but ifyou re mad for ’ c atamounts, I s pose I must humor you and say noth l . O be ing n y ar in mind, Abner and I will be along, ’ an d ifyou get into a s crape jest give a yell and we 11 ” come . - E 21 2 SPINNING WHE L STORIES.

’ 0 f of ve N ear that I tramped round all summer, and know my way like an Indian . Keep the girls ’ u quiet, and let me have a good lark . I ll turn p all ’ SO right by sundown ; don t worry . Not a word t o ’ ’ mother, mind, or she won t let me go . I ll make ” f fun things straight with her a ter the is over. T ’ but ’ m f hat ain t just square it s not y uneral, so ’ ’ r r I won t meddle . Hope you ll have ﬁ st rate spo t , ’ Of On e and bag a brace cats . thing you mind, don t get too nigh before you ﬁre ; and keep out ofsight of ” the critters as much as you can .

in Chris spoke a deep whisper, looking so excited and impressed by the reckless courage ofhis mate f f L that Corny elt himsel a eatherstocking, and wen t

Off f of to tea with his ﬁnger on his lips, ull boyish

r If faith in his own powe s . he had seen Chris dart

r behind the barn, and there roll upon the g ass in

s Of convul ions laughter, he would have been both surprised and hurt .

No deacon could have been more sober, however, than Chris when they met next morning, while the party ofsummer boarders at the old farm -house were in a pleasant bustle ofpreparation for the long ex

T r ect ed u . r p day on the mo ntain hree me y girls, a of b a i pair small boys, two amia le mamm s , Chr s and u Corny, made p the party, with Abner to drive the big S wagon drawn by Milk and Molasses, the yellow pan . ” " our o All aboard shouted young Nimr d, in a

off - u hurry to be , as the lunch basket was handed p, and the small boys packed in the most uncomfortable

r of m corners, reg a dless their ar s and legs.

- 214 SPINNING WHEEL STORIES.

Molasses tore up and down the rough road as ifthey enjoyed it . ’ About ten O clock they reached the foot ofthe u f mo ntain ; and a ter a short rest at the hotel, began

- the three mile ascent in high Spirits . Abner was to f it ollow later w h the wagon, to bring the party down ; u f so Chris was g ide, as he knew the way well, and o ten Th e came with people . girls and younger boys hurried

f Of Th . e s on, ull eagerness to reach the top ladie

of went more slowly, enjoying the grand beauty the

- scene, while Chris carried the lunch basket, and Corny

for lingered in the rear, waiting a good chance to “ ” plunge . Off f as He wanted to be be ore Abner came, he well knew that wise man and mighty hun ter would never let him go alone . “ ’ Th e s ee ll an d run very next path I , I dive in ; ’ f if Chris can t leave the rest to ollow, and I once get ’ ” rr a good start, they won t catch me in a hu y, thought

f s the boy, longing to be ree and alone in the wild wood h im that tempted on either hand . Just as he was tightening his belt to be ready for m . ad h i the run, Mrs Barker, the stout l y, called ; and

- being a well bred lad, he hastened at once to see what s h e f in wanted, eeling that he was the only gentleman the party. ’ a m er d Give me your arm, de r ; I getting v y tire , f ’ u and ear I can t hold out to the top, witho t a little ” help, said the poor lady, red and panting with the f e O . h at, and steepness the road ’ r r Ce tainly ma am, answered Co ny, obeying at ’ CORNY S CATAMOUNT. 21 5

c d f on e , and inwar ly resolving to deposit his air burden r f h i on the ﬁ st allen log they came to, and make s escape .

But Mrs. Barker got on bravely, with the support

Ofh is strong arm, and chatted away so delightfully

r ul al ifh i that Co ny wo d really have enjoyed the w k, s s r for c t oul had not been yea ning a amounts . He did

b t O aft O his es , but when they passed pening er pening

of into the green recesses the wood, and the granite b r r f oulde s g ew more and more plenti ul , his patience gave out, and he began to plan what he could say to

us e f. h a f exc himsel Chris was be ind, app rently dea

a i and blind to his c lls and implor ng glances, though he grinned cheerfully when poor Corny looked round b d as and eckone , well as he could, with a gun on one

r arm and a stout lady on the othe . ’ Th e r d hardest pa t is coming now, and we better ’ r s t . r S i e a moment He e a n ce rock, and the last

e ll spring we are likely to s e ti we get to the top.

h Mr B t e . s . Come on, Chris , and give us dipper arker ” d o u wants a drink , and so I, called the young h nter, driven to despair at last . i Up came Chris, and wh le he rummaged in the well

r d packed basket, Co ny slippe into the wood, leaving

a f the good l dy with her thanks hal spoken, sitting on

be a warm st one side a muddy little pool . A loud f laugh ollowed him , as he scrambled through the tall fern s and went pl unging down the steep mountain

S ide , eager to reach the lower woods . Let u him laugh it will be my t rn when I go home, ” w a u r ith ﬁne cat over my sho lder, thought Co ny, 1 - 2 6 SPINNING WHEEL STORIES.

off u tearing along, heedless alls, scratches, and br ised

knees .

for b At length he paused breath, and looked a out

h im w for ell satisﬁed, the spot was lonely and lovely u h eno gh to suit any hunter. T e tallest pines he ever saw sighed far overhead ; the ground was ankle deep

in - moss, and gay with scarlet bunch berries every fll - L a en log was veiled by sweet scented innea, green vines or nodding brakes ; while hidd en brooks sang

f Of f of musically, and the air was ull the so t ﬂutter

of S u of leaves, the whir wings, the o nd birds gossiping

f of f w h uman sweetly in the sa e shelter the orest, here f eet so seldom came . “ ’ l I ll rest a bit, and then go a ong down , keeping ” a out for u f look p ss by the way, thought Corny, eel

in f f for g sa e and ree, and very happy, he had his own f d way, at last, and a whole day to lead the li e he love . SO h is f he bathed hot ace, took a cool drink, and

of lay on the moss, staring up into the green gloom ’ ful of of the pines, bliss ly dreaming the joys a hunter s f h im f li e, till a peculiar cry startled to his eet, and m sent h i creeping warily toward the sound . Whether

of fox h ear it was a new kind bird, or a , or a , he did not f know, but ondly hoped it was a wildcat ; though he

s was well aware that the latter creature sleep by day,

and prowls by night . Abner said they purred and snarled and gave a mewing sort ofcry ; but which it

n ow f u was he could not tell, having un ort nately been f hal asleep .

On for f he went, looking up into the trees a urry b lo r c unch, behind every g , and in every o ky hole,

- 218 SPINNING WHEEL STORIES.

’11 dont want . I go slap down, and come out in the l w u va ley. Abner said any brook o ld show the way, and this rascal that led me into a scrape shall lead me ” f out, he said, as he ollowed the little stream that went tumbling over the stones, that increased as the

r ground sloped toward the deep ravine, where a wate

in fall shone like silver the sun . ’ if I ll take a bath the pool is big enough , and ’ ’ S n t if d that will set me up . hould wonder I got ’ poisoned a bit with some Ofthese vines I ve been tear

r fur ing through . My hands sma t like y, and I guess

f r the mosquitoes have about eaten my ace up . Neve ” of f n o saw such clouds stingers be ore, said Cor y, l oking f at his scratched hands, and rubbing his hot ace in

f for great discom ort, it was the gnat that drove the m lion mad, you reme ber. ’ f It was easy to say, I ll ollow the brook, but not so easy to do it for the frolicsome stream went head

v f long o er rocks, crept under allen logs, and now and then hid itselfSO cleverly that one had to look and

n fu w as s liste care lly to recover the trail . It long pa t

erf e noon when Corny came out near the wat all, so tir d and hungry that he heartily wished himselfback

wh o u among the party, had l nched well and were now probably driving gayly homeward to a good supper.

0 for N chance a bath appeared, so he washed his

f th e burning ace and took a rest, enjoying splendid view far over valley and intervale through the gap in the mountain range . He was desperately tired with these

Of r hours rough travel , and very hung y ; but would not d o for own it, and sat considering what to next, he saw OR ’ S A O C NY OAT M UNT . 21 9 b th e s un fr f T y that the a te noon was hal over. here was ime o fl t to g back the way he had come, and by o lowing the path down the bill he could reach the hotel an d et bed T g supper and a , or be driven home . hat s i was the wi e th ng to do, but his pride rebelled against ret urn ing empty-handed aft er all his plans and boasts r a ofg e t exploits. “ ’ h e r I won t go home, to laughed at by Ch is and ’ll if Abner. I shoot something, I stay all night . Who c r s for s ? a e hunger and mosquito bite Not I . Hun Th t hear s . e ers can more than that, I gue s next live ’ t i I ll o ﬁre h ng I see sh ot it, and make a and have a

ll . i o u ? jo y supper Now which way w ll I g , p or down r A pretty hard p ospect, either way. Th e Sight ofan eagle soaring above h im seemed to s an wer his question , and ﬁll him with new strength

T of and ardor. o shoot the king birds and take him

r home in t iumph would cover the hunter with glory .

S l be It hou d done And away he went, climbing, u f m t mbling, leaping ro rock to rock, toward the place

r l e . whe e the eagle had a ight d More cuts and bruises,

a Of r more v in shots, and all the reward his eager st ug gles was a single feather that ﬂoated down as the great

s e bird oar d serenely away, leaving the boy exhausted an d r of b u r disappointed in a wilde ness granite o lde s, with no Sign ofa path to Show the way out . As he leaned breathless and weary against the crag ’ h ad f l where he ond y hoped to ﬁnd the eagle s nest, he realized for the ﬁrst time what a fool-hardy thing he h had done . Here he was, alone, wit out a guide, in this

i r h e fo r w ld egion w re there was neither o d nor shelte , S - EE 220 PINNING WH L STORIES.

and night coming on . Utterly used up, he could not get home n ow ifhe had known the way and suddenly all the tales he had ever heard ofmen lost in the If mountains came into his head . he had not been weak with hunger he would have felt better able to

r bea it ; but his legs trembled under him , his head

of e f ached with the glare the sun, and a que r aintness came over h im now and then ; for the city lad was unused to such violent exercise , plucky as he was . “ Th e only thing to do now is to get down to the

i f an f . valley, I can , be ore dark Abner said there was

Old n cabin , where the hu ters used to sleep, somewhere

can for o round that way . I try it , and perhaps sho t b something on the way . May reak my bones, but I ’ f om can t sit and starve up here , and I was a ool to c e. ’ f I ll keep the eather anyway, to prove that I really ’ n saw an eagle that s better tha nothing.

’ Still bravely trying to aﬁect the indifference to d an ger and fatigue which hunters are always described as

os s es s m in d p g such a remarkable egree , Corny slung b the useless gun on his back and egan the steep descent, discovering n ew the perils he had been too eager to f ff . b see be ore He was a good clim er, but was sti with h r weariness, and his hands already sore wit sc atches

s f u for and poi on ; so he went slowly, eeling q ite unﬁt s m f uch hard work . Co ing to the ravine , he ound the

S only road was down its precipitous ide to the valley, S that looked so safe and pleas ant n ow. tunted pines

s s ur Oft h e o s grew in the ﬁ es rocks, and their strong r ot helped the clinging hands and feet as the boy painfully

m S an d f cli bed, lipped, swung along, earing every

2 S I - EEL 22 PINN NG WH STORIES.

d he could see was a narrow ledge where the tree stoo ,

f for and anxious to reach a sa er bed the night , he m f cli bed cautiously down to drop on the rock, so ull ofgratitude for safety that he could only lie quite

for of still a little while, thinking mother, and trying not to cry . f He was much shaken by the all, his ﬂesh bruised ,

for his clothes torn, and his spirit cowed hunger, weariness, pain, and danger, showed him what a very f f . eeble creature he was , a ter all He could do no

n f more till morning, and resig ed himsel to a night on the mountain side, glad to be there alive, though

TOO doubtful what daylight would show him . tired la to move, he y watching the western sky, where the w sun set gloriously behind the purple hills . All belo was wrapped in mist, and not a sound reached him

of Of w but the sigh the pine, and the murmur the ater fall .

- This is a ﬁrs t class scrape . What a fool I was

u of' blun d erin not to go back when I co ld, instead g w down here here no one can get at me, and as like as ’ not I can t get Out alone " Gun smashed in that con ’ fu f . o nded all, so I can t even ﬁre a shot to call help

Nothing to eat or drink, and very likely a day or so ’m if f . to spend here till I ound , I ever am Chris said, ‘ ’ if . Yell, you want us Much good that would do ’ ” " I ll . now try, though And getting up on his

r weary legs , Corny shouted till he was hoa se ; but

h im fr few ffr echo alone answered , and a te a e o ts

r he gave it up, t ying to accept the situation like a if on t h e bo man . As kind Nature took pity poor y, ’ CORNY S CATAMOUNT. 223

th e d ft r little le ge was so with lichens and thin g ass, an d r of he e and there grew a sprig checkerberry, sown

d S r d u by the win , helte e by the tree, and no rished by the moisture that trickled down the rock from some E hidden spring . agerly Corny ate the sweet leaves

of to stay the pangs hunger that gnawed him , and

n - ﬁ ished his meal with grass and pine needles, calling s f f him el a cal , and wishing his pasture were wider. Th e fellows we read about always come to griefin

e d or a place wher they can shoot a bir , catch a ﬁsh , ” s e for knock over ome handy b ast supper, he said,

fr talking to himself o company . Even the old ch ap lost in the bush in Australia had a savage with him

fat who dug a hole in a tree, and pulled out a nice ’ - u worm t o eat . I m not l cky enough even to ﬁnd a ’ fs w . sassa ra bush to che , or a bird s egg to suck My

o po r gun is broken, or I might bang away at a hawk, ’ for if and cook him supper, the bog did n t spoil my Oh " I ’ll matches as it did my lunch . , well pull ’ u thro gh , I guess, and when it s all over, it will be a ” jolly good story to tell . T f hen, hoping to orget his woes in sleep, he nestled

- i r of under the low grow ng b anches the pine, and lay u blinking drowsily at the twilight world o tside . A

Old f - dream came, and he saw the arm house in sad c f r on usion, caused by his absence , the women c ying, b d the men so er, all anxious, and all making rea y to

So come and look for him . vivid was it that he woke

s f him el by crying out, Here I am and nearly went

over the ledge , stretching out his arms to Abner. Th e start and the scare made it hard to go to sleep 24 S - EEL S OR ES 2 PINNING WH T I .

fu of again, and he sat looking at the solemn sky, ll

r sta s that seemed watching over him alone there, like ’ a poor, lost child on the great mountain s stony breast.

r f He had never seen the wo ld at that hour be ore, and it

d for made a eep impression on him it was a vast, wild

f of scene, ull gloomy shadows below, unknown dangers

ofu around, and a new sense tter littleness and help

w c lessness, hi h taught the boy human dependence upon f m ’ Heavenly love as no words, even ro his mother s ten

T of ff der lips, could have done . houghts the su ering his wilfulness had given her wrung a few penitent tears fr was S om him, which he not ashamed to hed, since

r l re only the kind stars saw them , and bette sti l, he s f for a olved to own the ault, to atone it, and to le rn m f m wisdo ro this lesson , which might yet prove to be a very bitter one . i f f s He elt better a ter this little breakdown, and pre ently his thoughts were turned from conscience to eat amounts again for sounds in the woods below led h im to believe that the much-desired animal was on the

f of prowl . His excited ancy painted dozens them not far s was away, waiting to be hot, and there he , cooped

on un up that narrow ledge, with a broken g , unable m f even to get a look at the . He elt that it was a just f f punishment, and a ter the ﬁrst regret tried to com ort himselfwith the fact that he was much s afer where he

f s for was than alone in the ore t at that hour, various nocturnal voices suggested restless an d dangerous neighbors. Presently his wakeful eyes saw lights twinkling far

OH of ra an d h e n ed on the opposite side the vine, imagi

S NI - EEL OR ES 226 PIN NG WH ST I .

r of s s it he must leap, at isk his bone , or ﬁnd some mean

f O c d . to swing own ten or twelve eet n e there, it was pretty certain that by following the rough road he u f wo ld come into the valley, rom whence he could

c un ex easily ﬁnd his way home . Mu h elated at this

ect ed ft p good or une, he took the strap that had slung his gun , the leathern belt about his waist, and the of strong cords his pouch, and knotting them together, made a rope long enough to let h im drop within t wo

f of T be f or three eet the stones below . his astened

m of ﬁr ly round the trunk the pine , and ﬁnished his preparations by tying his handkerchiefto one ofthe

for branches, that it might serve as a guide him, a

for of f signal others, and a trophy his grand all . Then putting a little Sprig ofthe evergreen tree in

c fu of his ja ket, with a grate l thought all it had done for foff f w him, he swung himsel and landed sa ely belo , not minding a few extra bumps after his late exploits at tumbling .

f fa Feeling like a prisoner set ree , he hurried as st as bare feet and stifflegs would carry h im along the bed of S of the stream , coming at last into the welcome helter f f the woods, which seemed more beauti ul than ever, a ter

of the bleak region granite in which he had been all night .

i f Anx ous to report himsel alive, and relieve his ’ be mother s anxiety, pressed on till he struck the path,

far and soon saw, not away, the old cabin Abner had

o u f Spoken f. J st be ore this happy moment he had

r f h e hea d a shot ﬁred somewhere in the orest , and as hurried toward the sound he saw an animal d art into iffr th e o . hut, as shelter ’ CORNY S CATAMOUNT. 227

r o d Whether it was a abbit, w o chuck or dog, he had . e d not se n, as a turn in the path prevente a clear view

h O in Old ff for and p g it was Bu looking him, he ran in, to ﬁnd himselfface to face with a catamount at las t.

T r e cor he e she was, the big, fierc cat, crouched in a r s n of ner, with fie y eye , growli g and spitting at sight u th e an enemy, but too badly wo nded to fight, as blood

fr m of that dripped o her neck, and the tremble her b lim s plainly showed . “ ’ ’ s " S Now my chance Don t care who hot her, ’ I ll if s kill her, and have her too, I pay my la t u dollar, tho ght Corny ; and catching up a stout bit of f f f timber allen rom the old roo , he struck one quick blow, which ﬁnished poor puss, who gave up the ghost ff with a savage snarl , and a vain e ort to pounce on him . This Splendid piece ofgood luck atoned for all the bo y had gone through, and only waiting to be sure

be was the ast quite dead and past clawing, he ﬂung

h is h his prize over shoulder, and with renewed strengt and spirit trudged along the woodland road toward

u r n home, pro dly imagining his t iumphal entry upo

of s r the scene suspen e and ala m . “ ’ Wish I did n t look so like a scare-crow ; but ’ r ad d ff t h e perhaps my ags will to the e ect . Won t u f girls la gh at my swelled ace, and scream at the

r cat . Poo mammy will mourn over me and coddle ’ d be e me up as ifI en to the wars . Hope some hous ’ ’ r far Offfor v is n t ve y , I don t belie e I can lug this ’ ” b far m r d a rute much ther, I so sta ve and sh ky. - 228 SPINNING WHEEL STORIES.

Just as he paused to take breath and shift h is

f lend burden rom one shoulder to the other, a shout f startled him, and a moment a ter, several men came

bursting through the wood, cheering like lunatics as

they approached . of It was Abner, Chris, and some the neighbors,

a f of s etting out gain on their search, a ter a night vain m wandering. Corny could have hugged the all and

cried like a girl ; but pride kept him steady, though his face Showed his joy as he nodded his hatless head with a cool “ Hullo "” b t h is Chris urs into ringing laugh, and danced a

of in wild sort jig round his mate, as the only way which he could ﬁtly express his relief; for he had been so bowed down with remorse at his imprudence in letting Corny go that no one could ﬁnd the heart

lad u to blame him, and all night the poor had r shed

h O in f up and down seeking, calling, p g, and earing, till

u d ila i he was about used p, and looked nearly as p d ated as Corny.

Th e tale was soon told, and received with the most

of an d ﬂattering signs interest, wonder, sympathy, a dmiration . “ ’ ’ Why in thunder did n t you tell me and I d a ’ wut h h avin off got up a hunt , not go stramashing s d id alone on a wild goo e chase like this . Never see ’ for such a chap as you be gittin inter scrapes, and ’ ’ ” of m out em too , I bound to own , growled Abner. “ T ’ w ?” hat is n t a ild goose, is it proudly de man d ed r Co ny, pointing to the cat, which now lay on

- SPINNING WHEEL ST ORIES.

’ ﬁrs t - ou You ve done rate, and now y want a good of u f meal vittles to set you p. Right about ace, m of neighbors and ho e we go, to the tune Hail lumb Co y . Th fr . e As Abner spoke, the procession set o th l ta l, jolly man, with the dead animal at his back, went

s n arm ﬁr t then Corny, trying not to lea on the Chris

but of put round him, very glad the support ; next the

f Old a ll good armers, all talking at once ; while B soberly brought up the rear, with his eye on the wild

n h e f cat, well k owing that would have a ﬁne east ff when the handsome Skin was O . t um In this order they reached home, and Corny ’ s for bled into his mother s arm , to be no more seen some hours . What went on in her room, no one

n f knows ; but whe at last the hero emerged, re reshed f by sleep and ood, clad in clean clothes , his wounds u - bound p, and plantain leaves dipped in cream spread f upon his a ﬂicted countenance, he received the praises and congratulations showered upon him very meekly . He made no more boasts ofskill and courage that

mm on su er, set out no more wild hunts, and gave up his own wishes so cheerfully that it was eviden t some

r thing had worked a helpful change in wilful Co ny. He liked to tell the story ofthat day and night when his friends were recounting adventures by sea and land but he never said much about the hours on d e the le ge, always owned that Chris shot the b ast, and usually ended by sagely advising his hearers to

m w Off let their others kno , when they went on a lark of T h im that kind . hose who knew and loved best ’ CORNY S CATAMOUNT. 231 obse rved that he was fonder than ever ofnibbling ’ leaves, that he did n t mind being laughed at for liking to wear a bit ofpine in his

Oft h e u buttonhole, and that the catamo nt so hardly won lay before his study table till the moths ate it up .

- 234 SPINNING WHEEL STORIES.

’ if ’ lunch . I d try sweetbreads and bacon , I did n t

n f h f hate to bur my ace and scent my clot es, rying. Birds are elegant ; let me see ifI can do larded ’

. O u fat f f. grouse N , I don t like to to ch that cold, stu

E Sh e d How mortiﬁed lla was , when had bir s on toast f w ’ and orgot to dra them . I should n t make such a

— blunder as that, I do hope . Potted pigeons the v " our ery thing Had that in last lesson, but the ’ ff- girls are all crazy about pu paste, so they won t try ’ ’ n Of fr pigeons . Why did t I think it at once o we ve ’ — got them in the house, and don t want them to day, " mamma being called away. All ready too ; so nice ‘ S f I do detest to pick and clean birds . immer rom ’ f ’ o . " one to three hours . Plenty time I ll do it ’ ” ll La " I do it , la, la

E for Sh e And away skipped dith in high spirits, did not love to cook, yet wished to stand well with the

m of r class, some me bers which were ve y ambitious, d and now and then succee ed with an elaborate dish ,

S more by good luck than kill . Six w plump birds were laid out on a platter, ith their legs folded in the most pathetic manner ; t hes e

O Edith bore away in triumph to the kitchen, and pen ing the book before her went to work energetically, resigning herselfto frying the pork and cutting up d w the onion , which she had overlooke hen hastily s ff reading the receipt . In time they were tu ed, the w legs tied down to the tails, the birds bro ned in the

- S of . stew pan, and put to immer with a pinch herbs “ f a u . I Now I c n clear p, and rest a bit I ever ’ have to work for a living I won t be a coo said THE OO I - L SS C K NG C A . 235

Ed S of s Sh e ith, with a igh wearine s as washed her

s s di he , wondering how there could be so many ; for no careles s Irish girl would have made a greater clutter over this small job than the young lad y who had not yet learned one ofthe most important things that a cook Should know.

Th e bell rang just as she got done, and was plan ni ng to lie and rest on the dining-room sofa till it was

i time to take up her p geons . “ ’ T m wh is ell whoever it is that I engaged, she

a wav . pered, as the maid p ssed, on her to the door ’ s u f Sh e It yo r cousin , miss, rom the country, and ’ ” h Of in ? as a trunk with her. course she s to come asked Maria, coming back in a moment . f m Oh " all . a , dear me I orgot about Patty Ma m s an in con aid y day this week, and this is the most f Of u Sh e v en ien t o . one the seven co rse, must come ’ ” GO in. and tell her I ll be there in a minute, E l answered dith , too wel bred not to give even an unwelcome guest a kindly greeting .

s off Whi king cap and apron, and taking a last look f at the birds, j ust beginning to send orth a savory

h er . steam, she went to meet cousin

ofS Patty was a rosy, country lass ixteen, plainly

e dress d and rather shy, but a sweet, sensible little

d f for a bo y, with a resh, rustic air which marked her

ﬁeld -ﬂower at once . ? How do you do, dear so sorry mamma is away ; f ’ called to a sick riend in a hurry . But I m here and d ’ gla to see you . I ve an engagement at two, and ’ you shall go with me . It s only a lunch close by, - 23 6 SPINNING WHEEL STORIES.

’ just a party ofgirls ; I ll tell you about it up ” stairs . E Chatting away, dith led Patty up to the pretty

m for roo ready her, and soon both were laughing over

of s of -c a lively account the exploit the cooking lass .

S i n m of m- h ad uddenly, the idst the crea pie which been

h of her great success, and nearly the deat all who fE ff partook thereo , dith paused, sni ed the air like a boun d an d c T b " , rying tragically, hey are urning ” They are burning " rushed down stairs as ifthe house was on ﬁre .

m f h er Much alar ed, Patty hurried a ter , guided to

n n f T the kitche by the sou d o lamentation . here she f E h - in ound dit hanging over a stew pan, with anguish

fc In as s h e her a e and despair her voice, breathlessly explained the cause ofher ﬂight . My pigeons " Are th ey burnt ? DO s mell an d tell me ? After all my trouble I shall be heart-broken f ” i they are spoilt . Both pretty nos es sniffed and sniffed again as t h e

e of h girls bent over the pan, regardl ss the steam whic

n was ruining their crimps an d reddening their os es .

u w S of h Rel ctantly, Patty o ned that a light ﬂavor scorc d id a air but r perv de the , suggested that a touch mo e

s ad f s easoning would conceal the act. “ ’ r ? I ll try it. Did you eve do any Do you love to cook ? Don ’ t you want to make something to

r ma for ca ry ? It would please the girls, and ke up m r Ed y bu nt mess, said ith, as she skimmed the broth an d added pepper an d salt with a lavish hand

- SPINNING WHEEL STORIES.

h ad m f Patty been kindly welco ed, and soon orgot w f her shyness in onder at the handsome dresses, grace ul f o . manners, and lively gossip the girls A pleasant,

r fr Of me ry set, all wearing the uni o m the class, dainty white aprons and coquettish caps with many-colored

- r t a . of ibbons, like s ge maid servants At the sound a S f ilver bell, each took her place be ore the covered d u ish which bore her name, and when Aug sta said, ” L off S adies, we will begin, went napkins , ilver covers, f white paper, or whatever hid the contribution rom

. of longing eyes A moment deep silence, while quick glances took in the prospect, and then a unanimous explosion oflaughter followed ; for six platters of u potted pigeons stood pon the board, with nothing but the ﬂowers to break the ludicrous monotony ofthe scene . How they laughed "for a time they could do noth u if ing else, beca se one tried to explain she broke d own and joined in the gale ofmerriment agai n quite

n h elplessly . O e or two got hysterical and cried as u Au well as laughed, and all made s ch a noise that ’ gusta s mamma peeped in to see what was the matter. Six agitated hands pointed to the comical sight on the if of t table, which looked as a ﬂight pot ed pigeons had a alighted there, and six breathless voices cried in ’ ’ chorus : Is n t it funny ? Don t tell " i t o Much amused, the good lady ret red enjoy the joke alone, while the exhausted girls wiped their eyes " an d . S began to talk, all at once uch a clatter but out ofit all Patty evolved the fact that each meant t o

s . urprise the rest, and they certainly had THE OO - L S 239 C KING C A S.

ri d ff- u a f i I t e pu paste, said Aug st , ann ng her hot

o r . S did I , cried the othe s d fi ” And it was a dea a lure . ” SO i . was m ne , echoed the voices ’ Then I thought I d do the other dish we h ad t h e

Just what I did .

e i all t r r Fe l ng sure you would y the past y, and perhaps get on better than I . “ ” E f d s xactly our case, and a resh laugh ende thi general confession . our n Now we must eat pigeons, as we have nothi g fm else, and it is against the rule to add ro outside

r stores. I p opose that we each pass our dish round ;

all of then we can criticise it, and so get some good out f ” this very unny lunch . ’ Augusta s plan was carried out and all being hungry af f n n u ter their unusual exertions, the girls ell upo the fr Th e o tunate birds like SO many famished creatures .

ﬁ r rst one went ve y well , but when the dishes were

u for passed again , each taster looked at it anxio sly ;

r fll none were ve y good, there was nothing to a back upon,

i c of f r and var ety is the spi e li e, as eve y one knows . ” Oh for S of , a lice bread, sighed one damsel . ’ ” n t of ? Why did we think it asked another .

I did, but we always have so much cake I thought ” fo u ta it was o lish to lay in rolls, exclaimed Aug s , r ather mortiﬁed at the neglect .

Six I expected to have to taste pies, and one ’ ” n t r does want bread with past y, you know. I - E 24 0 SP NNING WHE L STORIES.

’ AS Edith Spoke Sh e suddenly remembered Patty s

f S - biscuit, which had been le t on the ide table by their

fr modest maker, as there seemed to be no room o them . n ow E Rejoicing over the rather despised dish, dith ran as dl to get it, saying she set it in the mid e, with a ﬂourish “ ’ h My cousin s contribution . S e came so late we only had time for that So glad I took the liberty of bringing her and them . A murmur ofwelcome greeted the much-desired ad f dition to the east, which would have been a decided f u ailure witho t it, and the pretty plate went briskly

f i n . round, till nothing was le t but the painted roses it With this help the best ofthe potted pigeons were eaten, while a lively discussion went on about what they would have next time . “ Ifet us each tell our dish , and not change . We ’ Shall never learn ifwe don t keep to one thing till we

- do it well . I will choose mince pie, and bring a good if E one, it takes me all the week to do it, said dith, Sh e ul of heroically taking the hardest thing co d think , to encourage the others .

Fired by this noble example, each girl pledged her

f of sel to do or die, and a ﬁne list rich dishes was T made out by these ambitious young cooks . hen a

of s h er s u vote thanks to Patty was pa sed , bi c it unani mous l s uc s fu c y pronounced the mo t s ces l ontribution ,

s s and the vase pre ented to the delighted girl, who e blushes were nearly as deep as the color ofthe ﬂowers b ehind which she tried to hide them.

4 - EEL R E 2 2 SPINNING WH STO I S.

time, and she makes splendid pies . We only have ’ ” for mince then, as she thinks it s bad us, said Patty, fl of ul sympathy and good will . What are you to take to the lunch ?” asked ’ ’ Ed l d u r u fl ith s mother, smi ing at her a ghte s mo rn u

fa f of face, bent over the tal book ull dainty messes,

r h r that tempted the unwa y learner to e doom . “ O ff ’ f nly co ee . I can t make ancy things, but my ff w T co ee is al ays good . hey said they wanted it, so I ff ” O ered .

w for if I ill have my pills and powders ready, you all go on at this rate you will need a dose ofsome sort fr u E a te your l nch . Give your orders , dith, and de vote your mind to the task I wish you good luck

r . and good digestion, my dea s With that the mamma left the girls to cheer one

for another, and lay plans a daily lesson till the per f eet pie was made .

T d id for hey certainly their best, they began on m u Monday, and each orning thro gh the week went to the mighty task with daily increasing courage and

T r f for n skill . hey ce tainly needed the ormer, eve good-nat ured Nancy got tired ofhaving the young la ” s o t h e dies messing round much , and looked cross as girls appeared in the kitchen . Edith’s brothers laughed at the various failures d which appeared at table, and ear mamma was tired oftasting pastry and mince -meat in all stages of

s u progre sion . But the unda nted damsels kept on till

S t o aturday came, and a very superior pie stood ready . be offered for the inspection ofthe class . - THE COOKING CLASS. 24 3

E I never want to see another, said dith , as the

r h girls dressed together, wea y, but well satisﬁed wit their labor ; for the pie h ad been praised by all be ’ r f of ff holde s, and the ragrance Patty s co ee ﬁlled the

house, as it stood ready to be poured, hot and clear ,

i at . into the best s lver pot, the last moment f if ’ Well, I eel as I d lived in a spice mill this ’ e a - o are we k, or a p stry co k s kitchen and I am glad we ’ for done . Your brothers won t get any pie a long w i if h le I guess , it depends on you, laughed Patty, putting on the new ribbons her cousin h ad given her . ’ F r When lorence s brothe s were here last night, I

offun of heard those rascals making all sorts us, and

Alfsai d we ought to let them come to lunch . I s r t h e co ned idea, and made their mouths water telling ” b we a out the good things were going to have, said Ed ith , exulting over the severe remarks she had made u u to these gl ttonous yo ng men , who adored pie , yet

e f je red at un ortunate cooks .

F u - of d lorence, the l nch giver the week, had ma e her table pretty with a posy at each place, put the

r f necessary roll in each a tistically olded napkin, and

i f as u r hung the pr ze rom the g b rner, a la ge blue satin bag full ofthe most delicious bonbons money could T buy. here was some delay about beginning, as one distrac ted cook sent word that h er potato-puffs ’ fr So would n t m o . brown , and begged the to wait her they adjourned to the parlor, and talked till the h El ff ﬂushed , but triump ant la arrived with the pu s in

ﬁne order. S I - EEL S PINN NG WH TORIES.

all r When was ready, and the cove s raised, another

r m r su prise awaited the ; not a mer y one, like the last, i ff d but a very ser ous a air, which produced omestic

f On l war are in two houses at least. each dish ay a card bearing a new name for these carefully prepared “ Th - - delicacies . e mince pie was re christened Nigh t ” “ ” mare, veal cutlets Dyspepsia, escalloped lobster “ “ ” ff “ ” Fits, lemon sherbet Colic, co ee Palpitation ,

of f and so on, even to the pretty sack con ectionery T ” which was labelled oothache .

of Great was the indignation the insulted cooks, and “ ” of Th a general cry Who did it ? arose . e poor maid who waited on them declared with tears that not f a soul had been in, and she hersel only absent ﬁve - f minutes getting the ice water . Florence elt that her u g ests had been outraged, and promised to ﬁnd out the wretch , and punish him or her in the most terrible u manner. So the irate young ladies ate their l nch f f SO be ore it cooled, but orgot to criticise the dishes,

r T full were they ofwonder at this da ing deed . hey u w were j st beginning to calm do n, when a loud sneeze caused a general rush toward the sofa that stood in a ff of . l s u o recess the dining room A smal boy, nearly cat ed with suppressed laughter, and dust, was dragged ’ fort h and put on trial without a moment s delay .

r t e Florence was judge, the othe s jury, and h unhappy

r youth being penned in a corne , was ordered to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the

of truth, on penalty a sound whipping with the big Japanese war-fan that hung on the wall over h is head .

24 6 S I - EEL PINN NG WH STORIES. stand guard over you till you tell us who wrote and put those insulting cards here .

Florence let out the prisoner, and stood by

in r him while he ate, a surp isingly short time,

of r on w the best eve ything the table, well kno ing that such a rare chance would not soon be h is again . “ ’ Now of give me some that candy, and I ll tell, S demanded the young hylock, bound to make the best of his power while it lasted . ’ Did you ever see such a little torment ? I can t b ’ give the nice onbons, because we have n t decided ” who is to have them . ” few of Never mind . Pick out a and get rid him ,

t h e cried girls, hovering round their prey, and longing to Shake the truth out ofh im.

f of A hand ul sweeties were reluctantly bestowed, and the n all waited for the name ofthe evil-doer with breathless interest . “ ” n w Well, bega Phil, with exasperating slo ness, Alf f wrote the cards, and gave me hal a dollar to ’ ’ ” of n t ? put em round . Made a nice thing it, have I and before one ofthe girls could catch h im he had fm f of bolted ro the room, with one hand ull candy, the

of - f t h e other mince pie, and his ace shining with tri umph an t glee ofa small boy who has teased seven big f s o . girl , and got the better them

f e r d What went on just a ter that is not r co de , though

P e w boot ed hil p eped in at the indows, through the Th e r . slide , and beat a tattoo on the various doo s opportune arrival ofhis mother sent h im whooping - THE COOKING CLASS. 24 7

w i do n the street, and the d stressed damsels ﬁnished

t heir lunch with what appetite they could .

E h for dit got the prize, her pie was pronounced a a of o s grand success, and part ken so c piou ly that sev eral young ladies had reason to think it well named “ ” E Nightmare by the derisive Alfred . mboldened

e E by her succ ss, dith invited them all to her house on S u the next at rday, and suggested that she and her

s cou in provide the lunch, as they had some new

ff in - dishes to o er, not down the receipt book they had b een studying all winter. As the ardor of- the young cooks was somewhat f damped by various ailures, and the discovery that good cooking is an art not easily learned , anything i n the way ofnovelty was welcome ; and the girls

adl i t f of f gl y accepted the inv ta ion, eeling a sense relie

of rr at the thought not having any dish to wo y about, though not one ofthem owned that Sh e was tired of ” d fl messing, as the isrespect u boys called it . It was unanimously d ecided to wither with silent

r f Rex sco n the audacious Al red and his ally, , while Phil was to be snubbed by his sister till he had

d for of . T begge pardon his share the evil deed hen, ° having sweetened their tongues an d t empers with the n f delicious bonbo s , the girls departed , eeling that the

of next lunch would be an event unusual interest . Th e idea ofit originated in a dinner which Patty got one day, when Nancy, who wanted a holiday, was

f of unexpectedly called away to the uneral a cousin, f the ﬁ th relative who had died in a year, such was the ’ ’ in f E mortality the jovial old creature s amily . dith s S - EE 24 8 PINNING WH L STORIES.

a d mother was very busy with dressmaker, and gla ly

Off accepted the er the girls made to get dinner alone . “ f if No ancy dishes, you please ; the boys come

an d W in as hungry as hunters, ant a good solid meal ;

SO of get something wholesome and plain, and plenty ’ - s it, was the much relieved lady s only sugge tion, as she retired to the sewing-room and left the girls to keep house in their own way. “ E u Now, die , you be the mistress and give yo r ’

be . O orders, and I ll cook nly have things that go well together, not all baked or all boiled, because ’ w there is n t room enough on the range, you kno

of said Patty, putting on a big apron with an air

f for Sh e great satis action ; loved to cook, and was tired

Ofdoing nothing. ’ 11 I watch all you do, and learn so that the next

' OH h er time Nancy goes in a hurry, I can take place,

— a and not have to give the boys what they hate,

-u E a picked p dinner, answered dith, ple sed with her few part, yet a little mortiﬁed to ﬁnd how plain things she could make well . “ ?” What do the boys like asked Patty, longing

for r to please them , they all were ve y kind to her.

f t or Roast bee , and custard pudding, wi h two ?” three kinds ofvegetables . Can we do all that “ ’11 Yes, indeed . I make the pudding right away, and have it baked before the meat goes in . I can ” cook as many vegetables as you please, and soup too .

So n if the order was give and all went well , one might judge by the sounds ofmerriment in the

r d kitchen . Patty made her best gingerb ea , and

250 S N - EEL S OR ES PIN ING WH T I .

Out of f this, and the talk the ladies had a terward, E grew the lunch which dith proposed, and to the preparation ofwhich went much thought and care for

of f the girls meant to have many samples country are, T so that various tastes might be pleased . h e plan r g adually grew as they worked, and a little surprise was added, which was a great success . When Saturd ay came the younger boys were all

Offfor packed a holiday in the country, that the coast might be clear .

O f N hiding under so as in my house , no meddling if ” E with my dinner, you please, gentlemen , said dith,

s f off f as she saw the small brother sa ely , and ell to work with Patty and the maid to arrange the dining

m u f u S roo to s it the east abo t to be pread there .

AS fr f -a-d antique u niture is the ashion now ays , it was easy to collect all the old tables, chairs, china, and

s of ornaments in the house, and make a plea ant place the sunny room where a tall clock always stood ; and damask hangings a century Old added much to the

ff fr e ect . A massive mahogany table was set o th with

a all of ancient silver, glass, chin , and sorts queer old

- r— - salt cellars , peppe pots, pickle dishes, knives, and

- spoons. High backed chairs stood round it, and the guests we re received by a very pretty old lady in u - pl m colored satin, with a muslin pelerine , and a large u lace cap most becoming to the ros y face it surro nded .

fat c A wat h ticked in the wide belt, mitts covered the

u s u . pl mp hand , and a reticule h ng at the side Mad ’ am s u - da ghter, in a very short waisted pink silk gown, f n muslin apron , and rill, was even prettier tha her - THE COOKING CLASS. 251

for i ul mother, her dark, curly ha r hung on her sho ders,

d ca an a little p was stuck on the top, with long pink

r s treame s . Her mitts went to the elbow, and a pink

sash was tied in a large bow behind . Black satin

S s r f of s hoe cove ed her eet, and a necklace gold bead

was round her th roat . Great was the pleasure this little surprise gave

th e i g rls, and gay was the chatter that went on as r they we e welcomed by the hostesses, who constantly

fr r . fi o got their pa ts Madam r sked now and then, and “ Pretty Peggy was so anxious about dinner that she was not as devoted to her company as a well-bred

d u . young la y sho ld be But no one minded, and when

ell a the b rang, all gathered about the table e ger to see what the feast was to be.

L r d of adies, we have endeavo e to give you a taste ” s of off ome the good old dishes rather out ashion now, s aid Madam , standing at her place, with a napkin

r pinned over the pu ple dress, and a twinkle in the “ a -f blue eyes under the wide c p rills . We thought it would be well to introduce some ofthem to the class an d t o fm k r our a ily coo s, who either sco n the plain ’ d well T ishes, or don t know how to cook them . here is a variety, and we hope all will ﬁnd something to ” en joy . Peggy, uncover, and let us begin .

i for At ﬁrst the girls looked a little d sappointed, the dishes were not very new to them but when they t d “ f aste a real boiled dinner, and ound how good it was s a ur also baked bean , neither hard , gre sy, nor b nt ft k u a bee s ea , tender, j icy, and well ﬂavored ; pot toes,

t of s ma mealy in spi e the eason ; Indian pudding, de as 252 S - EEL R E PINNING WH STO I S. few r w h ow a mode n cooks kno to do it ; brown bre d, with home— made butter ; and pumpkin-pie that cut

of — like wedges vegetable gold, they changed their u minds, and began to eat with appetites that wo ld have destroyed their reputations as delicate young a if T a — n . e S l dies, they had bee seen in egg hell cups, election-cake and cream-cheese with fruit ended the

a Old dinner ; and as they sat dmiring the tiny spoons, an d - the crisp cake, the little cheeses like snow balls ,

E in dith said, reply to various compliments paid her . “ Let us give honor where honor is due. Patty

of h suggested this, and did most the cooking ; so t ank ’ - fu w . r her, and borro her receipt book It s ve y nny,

an d r ever so old , copied tried by her g andmother, and fl of for of u l directions making quantities nice things, f f u for com rom pie like this to a sa e, s re wash the ’ - - — n t plexion . May dew , rose leaves, and lavender, does that sound lovely?” “ Let r ffli d h me copy it, cried seve al girls a cte wit f w h ff con fec reckles, or sallo wit too much co ee and t ion er y . “ s a as Yes, indeed . But I was going to y, we have

- r of no prize to day, we have prepared a little souveni

- our f for of . old ashioned dinner each you Bring them , daughter ; I hope the ladies will pardon the h omeli

ff of ness ofthe o ering , and make use the hint that ” accompanies each .

AS E of dith spoke, with a comical mingling the merry girl and the stately old lad y she was trying to

rs n f m -b a h pe o ate, Patty brought ro the side o rd, w ere

- SPINNING WHEEL STORIES.

f f “ w d can orgive and orget as s eet gir shoul , though we do cook and have ideas ofour own beyond looking pretty and minding our older brothers . “ "” We will cried the chorus with one voice, and Florence added I als o propose that when we have learned to make ‘ ’ something beside kickshaws, as the boys call our f ancy dishes, we have a dinner like this, and invite those rascals to it ; which will be heaping coals ofﬁre f on their heads, and stopping their mouths orevermore ” f - rom making jokes about our cooking clas s. TR MP r " s i A , t amp, tramp that was the boy go ng r down stairs in a hu ry . " Bump, bump that was the bicycle being zigzagged

through the hall . Bang "that was the front door slamming behind

for both boys and bicycle, leaving the house quiet a i of t me, though the sound voices outside suggested

that a lively discuss ion was going on .

Th e f a rr r bicycle ever had re ched Pe yville, and aged

l was r a l summer . Now the town ve y like a once tranquil pool infested with the long-legged water bugs that go Skating over its surface in all directions ; for

s of r r fro wheel eve y kind da ted to and , startling

s r u horse , nning over small children, and pitching their

s M riders headlong in the livelie t manner . en left

i s a t r the r bu iness to see the l ds y new wheels, women grew ski lful in the binding ofwo unds and the mend

of m for ing sorely rent gar ents, gay girls begged rides, s on s tanding the little tep behind, and boys clamored for bicycles that they might join the army ofm artyrs to the last craze . - 256 SPINNING WHEEL STORIES.

Sidney West was the proud possessor ofthe best s w h i wheel in town, and di played his treasure it m mense satisfaction before the admiring eyes ofhis

n mates . He had learned to ride in a city ri k, and t f ﬂat ered himsel that he knew all there was to learn, except those feats which only professional gymnasts u f acq ire . He mounted with skil ul agility, rode with as much grace as the tread -mill movements ofthe legs permit, and managed to guide his tall steed without

c f Th e n mu h danger to himsel or others . occasio al

h is headers he took, and the bruises which kept manly limbs in a chronic state ofmourning he did not men

ff s tion but concealed his sti ne s heroically, and bound his younger brother to eternal Silence by the bribe of

on Ol occasional rides the d wheel .

r Hugh was a loyal lad, and regarded his big brothe as the most remarkable fellow in the world s o be for S ’ gave id s domineering ways, was a willing slave , a de

f f of voted admirer, and a aith ul imitator all the

u r of . masc line vi tues, airs, and graces this elder brother

n n a an d was O one poi t only did they dis gree , that Sid’ s refusal to give Hugh the old wheel when the new

h ad fn one came . Hugh o dly hoped it would be his, hints to that effect having been dropped when Sid

for wanted an errand done, and weeks the younger

an d u boy had waited labored patiently, s re that his reward would be the small bicycle on which he could proudly take his place as a member ofthe newly formed

b s et f in u fm h clu with them to orth , the bl e uni or , wit

r for ho ns blowing, badges glittering, and legs ﬂying, a

- r f r of long spin, to retu n a ter da k, a mysterious line

- 258 SPINNING WHEEL STORIES.

Therefore poor Hugh was in a desperate state of mind as he sat on the gate-post watching Sid make ’ r his pet s toilet, till eve y plated handle, rod, screw, i and axle shone like s lver . I know I could have ridden the Star ifyou ’ n t had let Joe have it . I do think it was right down

n of ou SO u u f mea y ; does A nt R th, and ather too,

— c w only he wont say so, be ause men al ays stand by ” r b one anothe , and snu boys .

T for his was strong language gentle Hugh, but he felt that he must vent his anguish i n some way or cr y like a girl ; and that disgrace must be avoided, ifh e f even ailed in respect to his elders. Sid f was whistling so tly as he oiled and rubbed, f but he was not eeling as easy as he looked, and heartily wished that he h ad not committed himselfto “ for Joe, it would have been pleasant to take the ” f - - little chap, as he called the ourteen year older,

w h r of n along it him , and do the hono s the ri k on this great occasion . Now it was too late ; so he

ff s u a ected a carele s air, and added insult to inj ry by ’ answering his brother s reproaches in the joking spirit which is peculiarly exasperating at such moments. “ ’ all Children should n t play with matches, nor sm ’ u boys with bicycles . I don t want to commit m rder, and I certainly Should ifI let you try to ride twenty miles when you can ’ t go one without nearly break ” Sid ing your neck, or your knees, and glanced with a smile at the neat darns which ornamented his ’ brother s trousers over those portion s ofhis long legs . 5 THE HARE AND THE T ORTOISE. 2 9

’ ’ How s a fellow going to learn ifhe is n t allowed to t ry ? Might as well tell me to keep away from the water till I can swim . You give me a chance and ’ s ee ifI can t rid e as well as some older fellows who have bee n pit ched round pretty lively before th ey d - dare to try a twenty mile spin, answered Hugh , clappin g both hands on his knees to hide the tell-tale darns . ’ If oe n t a old J does w nt it , you can use the wheel s till I decide what to do with it . I suppo e a man if ” has a right to sell hi s own property he likes, said Sid r h is t ribula , ather nettled at the allusion to own tion s in times pas t . “ ’ Ofcourse he has ; but ifhe s promised to give a of thing he ought to do it, and not sneak out the ’ bargai n after he s got lots ofwork done to pay for it . ’ Th at s what makes me mad ; for I believed you and

r depended on it, and it hu ts me more to have you ” deceive me than it would to lose ten bicycles ; and of Hugh choked a little at the thought, in spite his attempt to look sternly indignant . “ ’ o n t You are welc me to your opinion , but I would

b of cry a out it . Play with chaps your own size and ’ ’ f T th e if n banker . do t a ter men s property ake cars ,

bo you want to go so much , and stop thering me,

r Sid u reto ted , getting cross beca se he was in the ’ w n t own rong and would it . “ ’ ’ k " 0 You now I can t N money, and must n t ’ of f l borrow. What s the us e twitting a ellow ike ” that ? and Hugh with great difﬁcult y refrained from knocking offthe new helmet-hat which was close to 260 S I IN - EEL S P NN G WH TORIES. f his oot as Sid bent to inspect the shining hub ofthe cherished wheel . T S ake ancho, then ; you might arrive before the fun if r was all over, you ca ried wh ips and pins and

’ crackers enough to keep the old boy goin g ; you d ” be a nice Span . T his allusion to the useless donkey was cruel , but

on s of r Hugh held to the la t remnant his tempe , and made a wild proposal In the d espair ofthe moment .

“ ’ ’ f. See Don t be a donkey yoursel here, why can t ’ r ? d we ide and tie I ve trie this wheel, and got on ’ ’ . d o d tip top You be al ng to see to me, and we take

O i f . D S d " if turns , I want to go aw ully, and you ’ ” only will I won t say another word about Joe. But Sid u only b rst out laughing at the plan, in the most heartless manner. “ ’ No, thank you . I don t mean to walk a step when I can ride or lend my new wheel to a chap who an Old c hardly keep right side up on the one . It I ’ looks like a jolly plan to you, I dare say, but don t see it, young man . “ I hope I sha n t be a selﬁsh brute when I ’ m ’ — A s . . 1 eventeen I ll have a bicycle yet, , No , u’ ’ ll and then yo ll see how I lend it , like a gentleman, and not insult other fellows because they happen to ” be two or three years younger. “ ’ If Keep cool, my son, and don t call names . you ’ re d S s a such a smart lad, why on t you walk, ince wheel ’ on l ml an d horses and donkey fail . It s y twenty i es, ” — S of ou . nothing to peak , y know

SPI ING- EEL S OR ES NN WH T I .

Sid offf All right ; and springing up, was , orget

ting all about the lunch .

u - H gh, dodging behind the lilac bushes, heard what

ran passed, and the moment they were gone to the

m ofS gate to watch the out ight with longing eyes,

S then turned away, listlessly wondering how he hould Spend the holiday his brother was going to enjoy so

much .

u r At that moment Aunt R th hurried to the doo , waving the leathern pouch well stored with cake and ff sandwiches, cold co ee and pie . “ ’ ” Sid s f . " orgotten his bag Run, call, stop him

- she cried, trotting down the walk with her cap strings f O waving wildly in the resh ctober wind .

' t h in lﬂ n For an instant Hugh hesitated, g sullenly, ’ f Serves h imright . I won t run a ter him then his

of u kind heart got the better his bad h mor, and catch ing up the bag he raced down the road at his best ’ of S d pace, eager to heap coals ﬁre on id s proud hea , to say nothing ofhis own desire to see more ofthe riders . “ They will have to go slowly up the long hill, and ’ ” n I ll catch them the , he thought as he tore over t h e for d ground, he was a goo runner and prided himselfon h is strong legs .

un for Unfort ately his amiable intentions, the boys

S had taken a hort cut to avoid the hill, and were out ofsight down a lane where Hugh never dreamed they would dare to go , so mounted . et Well, they have done well to g over the hill at ’ ” this rate . Guess they won t keep it up long, panted E THE HARE AND THE TORTOIS . 263

i r of Hugh, stopp ng sho t when he saw no signs the

riders. f Th e road stretched invitingly be ore him , the race h hi s S r ad res tored pirits, and cu iosity to see what had

Of f u t o - become his riends l red him the hill top, where

n n for . temptatio sat waiti g him Up he trudged,

fe ﬁnding the r sh air, the sunny sky, the path strewn

off d with red and yellow leaves , and the sense ree om so pleas ant that when he reached the highest point f and saw the world all be ore him , as it were, a daring

u h is project seemed to ﬂash pon him, nearly taking f breath away with its mani old delights . “ ‘ ’ Sid ?— at said, Walk, and why not least to

L r f awton , and take the ca s rom there, as Bemis means ’ f to do . Would n t the old ellows be surprised to see

' ’ u ? s r n ow me turn p at the rink It qua ter past eight , an d the fun begins at three ; I co uld get there easy " u enough, and by Jupiter, I will Got l nch all here, -f If and money enough to pay this car are, I guess . ’ ’ n t I ll fr I have , go a little u ther and take a horse ” — car. " What a lark here goes, and with a whoop of i boy sh delight at breaking bounds, away went f Hugh down the long hill, like a colt escaped rom its pasture .

Th e r a of othe s were just ahe d , but the windings the r f h im oad hid them rom so all went on, unconscious ’ ’ of u h m each other s proximity . H gh s run gave i a

r an d d f for good sta t , he got over the groun amously

ﬁve or six miles then he went more slowly , thinking

h ad of r he plenty time to catch a ce tain train . But h ad L t h ad he no watch, and when he reached aw on he 26 S - E 4 PINNING WH EL STORIES. the pleasure ofsee i ng the cars go out at one end of the station as he hurried in at the other. ’ u u f I won t give it p, but j st go on and do it a oot . That will be something to brag ofwhen the other chaps ’ f ’ . for tell big stories I ll see how ast I can go, I m not tired, and can eat on the way. Much obliged to ” Si for c d a nice lun h .

An d r of chuckling ove this piece good luck, Hugh

out u for r set again , only pa sing a good d ink at the

- Th e town pump . thirteen miles did not seem very

of as long when he thought them, but he walked them f they appeared to grow longer and longer, till he elt ifh i as e must have travelled about ﬁfty . He was n

f u S good practice, and ort nately had on easy hoes but he was in such a hurry to make good time that he f allowed himsel no rest, and jogged on , up hill and

s u of for down, with the re ol te air one walking a wager.

T w h im bef Sid here we ill leave , and see what had allen ’ for i his adventures were more excit ng than Hugh s, t hough all seemed plain sailing when he started . At Lawton he had parted from his friend and gone

of a fm on alone, having laid in a store gingerbre d ro

’ baker s cart a , and paused to eat, drink, and rest by l

d r few f be a waysi e b ook . A miles urther passed a

t of l par y girls p aying lawn tennis, and as he slowly f ft rolled along regarding them rom his lo y perch, one suddenly excl aimed ’ s our S " h e Why, it neighbor, idney West How did come here and waving her racquet, Alice ran across

out the lawn to ﬁnd .

s n fr Very willing to stop and di play his ew uni o m ,

66 S N - EEL S OR ES 2 PIN ING WH T I .

f s Th e was retting about his long ab ence . boys had

s Old no mother, and Aunt Ruth was an ea y lady who m let them do as they liked, to their great content ent . As he neared his journey ’ s end our traveller ’ s spirits r f ose, and the blisters on his heels were orgotten in

f Sid S u the dramatic scene his ancy painted, when ho ld T ’ discover him at Uncle im s, or calmly seated at the

s rink . Whistling gayly, he was pa sing through a wooded bit Ofroad when the sound ofvoices made him

r f of look back to see a car iage ull girls approaching,

r escorted by a bicycle ride , whose long blue legs f looked strangely amiliar .

Anxious to keep his secret till the last moment, u also conscious that he was not in company trim, H gh d d of t ived into the woo , out sight, while the gay par y e went by, returning to the road as soon as they wer hidden by a bend . “ IfSid ’ had n t been so mean, I should have been ’ im f fun n f h o . with , and had some the I do t eel like forgiving h im i n a hurry for making me foot it lIke a tramp, while he is having such a splendid time . IfHugh could have known what was to happen very soon after he had muttered these words to h im s f be f of el , as wiped his hot ace, and took the last sip

ff s the co ee to quench his thir t, he would have been sorry f he uttered them, and have orgiven his brother every thing.

While he was slowly toiling up the last long hill,

Sid S was coasting down on the other ide, eager to dis u f s ofan play his co rage and skill be ore the girl , being age when boys begin to wish to please and astonis h R 2 THE HARE AND THE TO TOISE. 67

th e gentler creatures whom they have hitherto treated

ffe f s h i with indi rence or contempt . It was a ooli h t ng

to for ro i e do, the ad was rough, w th st ep banks on

e s Sid eith r side, and a harp turn at the end ; but r l d a u ol e gayly long, with an occasional b mp, till a ran ac r s r s n ake o s the oad, making the horse shy, the

s s c s ee girl ream , the rider turn to what was the mat

in s ter, and doing so lose his balance ju t when a large

o be . O Sid st ne needed to avoided ver went , down ra d t h e of n ttle wheel, up rose a cloud dust, and sudde of i s ilence fell upon the girls at sight th s disaster. They expected their gallant es cort would Spring up an d laugh over h is accident ; but when he remained

ﬂat hi s h ad a ft s om upon back, where he lighted a er a ers ault a al" , with the bicycle spread over him like p ,

t t o . hey were alarmed, and ﬂew the rescue f A cut on the orehead was bleeding, and the blow h ad for L a evidently stunned him a moment . uckily, h s ou e was near, and a man seeing the accident has t ened to offer more efﬁcient help than any the girls had

r f wit enough to give in the first flu ry, as all our only fla ed Sid f pp wildly at with their handkerchie s, and ex claimed excitedly, “ d o ? for r What shall we Is he dead ? Run wate . l Ca l somebody, quick . ’ ’ be a Si oft h um in Don t scat, g ls it takes a ght p to b ’ ’ reak a boy s head . He ain t hurt much kinder

’ az for u mas d ed a minute . I ll hist p this pesky hine d t ’ ’ ” an s e if a . him on his legs, he h in t damaged em

s e f c With the cheering words, the armer leared away t h e r i s u n , and propped the fallen rid er against a tree S - EEL R E 268 PINNING WH STO I S. which treatment had such a good effect that Sid was f i himsel in a moment, and much d sgusted to ﬁnd what a scrape he was in . T i his is nothing, a mere bump ; qu te right, thanks . ” Let us on al r go at once ; so sorry to a m you, ladies . b He egan his polite speech bravely, but ended with a f d n eeble smile and a clutch at the tree, su de ly turning sick and dizzy again . m ’ You co e along a me . I ll tinker you an d your ’ W fr . 0 ah o hirligig up, young man N use sayin go ead,

for the thing is broke, and you want to keep quiet a ’ . ll h im Old spell Drive along, gals, I see to ; and my ’ ’ woman can nuss h im better n a dozen ﬂut t erin young f ” things scat hal to death .

T f bad aking matters into his own hands, the armer boy and bicycle under his roofin ﬁve minutes ; an d

ff of with vain o ers help, many regrets, and promises to Tim let his Uncle know where he was, in case he did not arrive, the girls reluctantly drove away, leaving

S of e ad no ign the catastrophe exc pt the trampled ro , and a dead snake . Peace was hardly restored when Hugh came down

for the hill , little dreaming what had happened, and

s c as hi s r n the e ond time p sed brothe , who just the was

s f in f - lying on a o a the arm house, while a kind old

a r c s u woman do ned his brow with a large bla k plaster, g

e e for ge ting brown pap r steeped in vinegar, the various bruis es on his arms and legs . “ Some one killed the snake and made a great fuss ” u i about it, I sho ld say, thought Hugh, observ ng the ’ s of i u r s ig ns d sorder in the d st ; but, esi ting a boy s

2 0 S - EEL S R 7 PINNING WH TO IES.

’ would be sure to take Hugh s part, and exult over the

f of for h im down all the proud . Well that be avoided that comfortable mans ion ; for on the door-steps stood f Hugh , beaming with satis action as the clock struck one, proclaiming that he had done his twenty miles in s u a little le s than ﬁve ho rs . “ ‘ ’ ‘ for a Not bad a little chap, even though he is

u s donkey, chuckled the boy, d sting his shoe , wiping f f his red ace, and touching himsel up as well as he

d f r could, in or er to present as resh and unwea ied an

s b r n aspect as pos i le, when he bu st upon his asto ished ’ brother s sight .

In O h is he marched when the door pened, to ﬁnd uncle and two rosy cousins just sitting down to dinner.

w him c Al ays glad to see the lads, they gave a ordial

c for wel ome, and asked his brother. ’ ” ? r d Has n t he come yet cried Hugh, su prise , yet glad to be t h e ﬁrst on the ﬁeld .

of Nothing had been seen him , and Hugh at once

r ofh is told his tale, to the g eat delight jolly uncle, and

r of s u the admiring wonde Meg and May, the ro y yo ng

T m s cousins . hey all enjoyed the exploit i men ely, and at once insisted that the pedestrian s hould be re f cO ious l s reshed by a bath, a p mea , and a good re t in the be r b l big chair, where repeated his sto y y particu ar request.

r c ou s You dese ve a bicy le , and y hall have one, as sure as my name is Timothy West . I like pluck and ’ r perseve ance, and you ve got both ; so come on , my b Sid n d boy, and name the wheel you like est. ee s

t ou an d s l a li tle taking down, as y lads say, thi wil 2 THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE. 71

’ f m r h er m f t o . s give it him , I ancy I a younger b ot y el , ” an d I kn ow what their trials are .

r h As h is uncle made these agreeable emarks, Hug looked as ifhis trials were all over for h is face shone

n d s f with soap a atis action, his hunger was quenched

r f by a splendid dinner, his ti ed eet luxuriated in a

of r fu r of pair vast slippe s, and the bliss l ce tainty own ing a firs t-class bicycle filled his cup to overflow

r r an d ing . Words could ha dly express his g atitude, nothing but t h e hope ofmeeting Sid with this glo rio n s news would have torn him from the reposeful i Paradise where he longed to l nger. Pluck and

r r e e s pe seve anc , with cold cream on the blist red heel ,

ot d g him into his shoes again, and he ro e away

-c ar in a horse , as in a triumphal chariot, to ﬁnd his

o br ther . “ ’ ra f s I won t b g , but I do eel immen ely tickled at ’

i k. on in th s day s wor Wonder how he got . Did it

r two or three hou s, I suppose, and is parading round f ’ with thos e swell club ellows at the rink . I ll slip ’ if was n t of in and let him ﬁnd me, as I a bit proud ’ ’ ’ ve n t c fr what I done , and did are two pins o anybod y s praise . i n f With this plan his head , Hugh enjoyed the a ter n r for id oon ve y much ; keeping a sharp lookout S , even while astonishing feats were being performed f a r But be ore his dmi ing eyes. nowhere did he s ee h is brother ; for he was searching for a blue uniform an d a l Sid a helmet with certain badge on it, whi e

r d in r o in a bo rowe hat and coat sat a co ner l oking on, whenever a splitting head ache and the pain in h is - 272 SPINNING WHEEL s roams . bones allowed h im to see and enjoy the exploits in which he had hoped to join .

as Not until it was over did the brothers meet, they ’ n S f went out, and then the expressio on id s ace was so comical that Hugh laughed till the crowd about them

s . tared, wondering what the joke could be “ ” How in the world did y ou get here ? asked t h e l elder boy, giving his hat a sudden pu l to hide the plaster .

Walked, as you advised me to . Words cannot express the pleasure that answer gave

s as Hugh, or the exultation he vainly tried to repres , his eyes twinkled and a grin ofreal boyish fun shone b upon his sun urnt countenance . 1 You expect me to believe that, do you ,

Just as you please . I started to catch you with your bag, and when I missed you , thought I might as ’ well keep on . Got in about one, had dinner at uncle s, and been enjoying these high jinks ever since . ’ for . u ll Very well, a beginning Keep it p and you be a Rowell by and by. What do you suppose father

ou m ? will say to y , s all boy “ H u . e Not m ch Uncle will make that all right .

u u s . tho ght it was a pl cky thing to do, and so did the girl

n l u Whe did you get in asked H gh, rather nettled at ’ of u t h e Sid s want enthusiasm, tho gh it was eviden “ ’ was much impressed by the small boy s prank . f f I took it easy a ter Bemis le t me . Had a game ’ of m tennis at the Blanchards as I ca e along, dinner at f Got the club, and strolled up here with the ellows. ’ ” f u . a headache, and don t eel p to much

- 274 SPINNING WHEEL STORIES.

h fr how hard t at is, and am glad to keep him om it, ’ ’ ” for he s poor and can t afford a new one . ’ That answer was Hugh s only revenge for his own

an d Sid f u trials, elt it, tho gh he merely said, with a hearty slap on the shoulder, “ Glad to hear it . Uncle is a trump, and so are ’ ’ ou n a y . We ll take the last trai home, and I ll p y f ” your are . “ T . hank you Poor old man, you did get a bump, ’ ” ou ? m u off did n t y exclai ed H gh , as they took their bat s in the hall, and the patch appeared in all its gloomy length and breadth . “ Head will be all right in a day or two, but I u b s stove in my helmet, and gro nd a hole in oth knee of n ew ﬁt - of s my shorts . Had to borrow a out Bemi , ’ m an and leave y rags behind . We need n t mention y more than is neces sary to the girls ; I hate to be ” f Sid . ussed over, answered , trying to speak carelessly

m ‘ Hugh had to stop and have another laugh, re em bering the taunts his own mishaps had called fort h ;

Sid f . but he did not retaliate, and never orgot it

T r heir stay was a sho t one , and Hugh was the hero of u l the hour, quite eclipsing his brother, who us al y

r r took the ﬁ st place, but now ve y meekly played s e d cond ﬁd le, conscious that he was not an imposing

u in for ﬁg re, a coat much too big him, with a patch f on his orehead, a purple bruise on one cheek, and a general air ofdilapidation very trying to the usually uc spr e youth . f Tim When they le t, Uncle patted Hugh on the

— a b if head, li erty the boy would have resented THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE. 27 5 the delightful old gentleman h ad not followed it up r c s en ems it r of by s aying, with a e kles g y wo thy recor d, “ Choos e your bicycle, my boy, and send the bill ” T n rn t o Sid a in a e t o me . he tu ing he dded, ton “ r d t hat made the pale face e den suddenly, And do t h e you remember that the tortois e beat the hare in old fable we all know.

“ Th is as oft h e s t r s for our l a is at the l t o ie , ho id y o - rr w h ad ver, and to mo o we must go home . We have a s o splendid time , and thank you and auntie much, ” r Mi n f of dear g andma, said , expressing the eeling all b ﬁre the children, as they stood a out the when the bicycle tale ended. “ ’ ’ d d l n s s ll I m so gla , my ar i g , and plea e God we all r meet he e again next year, well and happy and ” r d for fun ad t a ms ea y more , answered the old l y, wi h r an d la f of l p ull loving ittle people .

r of k is Auntie dese ves a vote than s, and I r e to ” r ff was i r t p opose it, said Geo ; and it passed w th g ea applause . If Many thanks . the odds and ends in my port fi u e d ol o have given you pleas re or don you any goo , ” f d s are r n u Eli my on e t wishes g atiﬁed, a swered A nt

or mo n au . m" , l ghing, yet well pleased I tucked a ’ in as ou d id n t , we hide pills in jelly, and I hope y ” ﬁnd them hard t o swallow. 6 SP - EEL E 27 INNING WH STORI S.

Very easy and nice . I intend to look aft er l f f ittle things aith ully, and tell the girls how to make ” their jerseys ﬁt, said Min. ’ m - I going to ﬁll my jewel box as Daisy did, and l ” L earn to cook, added otty. “ ’ Eli for f is the boy me, and I won t orget to be ” m a h is kind to y small chap , s id Walt, stroking ’ r younge brother s head with unusual kindness . “ ’ ’ l m in I ll Wel , I rather mixed my heroes, but

of On awan d ah take the best Corny, , and the banner ” ' f for Geoﬁ ellow my share, cried . Th e little people proclaimed their favorites ; but as

a of all spoke together, only a comic l mixture doves,

- bears, babies, table cloths and blue hose reached the ear T - of . hen came the good night kisses, the patter Th e f f . departing eet, and silence ell upon the room

w was little heel still, the chairs stood empty, the

n out old portraits looked sadly dow , the ﬁre died , - an d the Spinn ing Wheel Stories were done.

it Pres s : J o n Wi s on Son Cambrld . Un ivers y h l , ﬁ

BY LO SA ' ' ’ UI M. ALCO I I

’ Min Alcott i: real a bm a ctor o bow e ly d f ﬁold a H. H.

L LE WO E M N. OLD-F S O ED ITT A N A HI N GIRL. L LE ME ’ N. o s n or s ITT j . E G OUS S I HT C IN . ROSE BLO IN OM . DER THE L L U N I ACS . ACK AND L J JI L.

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E THE BROW S . JOLL Y GOOD TIM S. N J O L L Y G OOD T I M ES AT M O R E G O O D TI M ES AT

SC OOL C M C . H . HA K ATA K LL GOOD lTH EIR CAN OE T RI P . JO Y TIM ES — D JOL LY G O O D T I M ES AT TO AY . H K OL L G OD S AC K MATAC . A J Y O U M M ER

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BY SUSAN COOLIDGE

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C LOVER . E IN THE HIG H VALL Y .

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