Title: Our Little Jewish Cousin
Author: Wade, Mary Hazelton Blanchard, 1860-1936
Language: English
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Our Little Jewish Cousin



THE

Little Cousin Series

(TRADE MARK)

    Each volume illustrated with six or more full page plates in
    tint. Cloth, 12mo, with decorative cover
    per volume, $1.00


LIST OF TITLES

By COL. F. A. POSTNIKOV, ISAAC TAYLOR HEADLAND, EDWARD C. BUTLER, AND
OTHERS

    =Our Little African Cousin=
    =Our Little Alaskan Cousin=
    =Our Little Arabian Cousin=
    =Our Little Argentine Cousin=
    =Our Little Armenian Cousin=
    =Our Little Australian Cousin=
    =Our Little Austrian Cousin=
    =Our Little Belgian Cousin=
    =Our Little Bohemian Cousin=
    =Our Little Boer Cousin=
    =Our Little Brazilian Cousin=
    =Our Little Bulgarian Cousin=
    =Our Little Canadian Cousin of the Maritime Provinces=
    =Our Little Chinese Cousin=
    =Our Little Cossack Cousin=
    =Our Little Cuban Cousin=
    =Our Little Czecho-Slovac Cousin=
    =Our Little Danish Cousin=
    =Our Little Dutch Cousin=
    =Our Little Egyptian Cousin=
    =Our Little English Cousin=
    =Our Little Eskimo Cousin=
    =Our Little Finnish Cousin=
    =Our Little French Cousin=
    =Our Little German Cousin=
    =Our Little Grecian Cousin=
    =Our Little Hawaiian Cousin=
    =Our Little Hindu Cousin=
    =Our Little Hungarian Cousin=
    =Our Little Indian Cousin=
    =Our Little Irish Cousin=
    =Our Little Italian Cousin=
    =Our Little Japanese Cousin=
    =Our Little Jewish Cousin=
    =Our Little Korean Cousin=
    =Our Little Malayan (Brown) Cousin=
    =Our Little Mexican Cousin=
    =Our Little Norwegian Cousin=
    =Our Little Panama Cousin=
    =Our Little Persian Cousin=
    =Our Little Philippine Cousin=
    =Our Little Polish Cousin=
    =Our Little Porto Rican Cousin=
    =Our Little Portuguese Cousin=
    =Our Little Quebec Cousin=
    =Our Little Roumanian Cousin=
    =Our Little Russian Cousin=
    =Our Little Scotch Cousin=
    =Our Little Servian Cousin=
    =Our Little Siamese Cousin=
    =Our Little Spanish Cousin=
    =Our Little Swedish Cousin=
    =Our Little Swiss Cousin=
    =Our Little Turkish Cousin=

    THE PAGE COMPANY
    53 Beacon Street        Boston, Mass.

[Illustration: ESTHER.]



    Our Little
    Jewish Cousin


    By
    Mary Hazelton Wade


    _Illustrated by_
    L. J. Bridgman


    [Illustration]


    Boston
    The Page Company
    _PUBLISHERS_



    _Copyright, 1904_
    BY L. C. PAGE & COMPANY
    (INCORPORATED)


    _All rights reserved_


    Published September, 1904
    Fourth Impression, June, 1908
    Fifth Impression, March, 1910
    Sixth Impression, February, 1912
    Seventh Impression, April, 1914
    Eighth Impression, April, 1917
    Ninth Impression, July, 1921


    THE COLONIAL PRESS
    C. H. SIMONDS CO., BOSTON, U. S. A.



Preface


IN whatever direction you may travel,--north, south, east, or west,--you
will doubtless meet some of your little black-eyed Jewish cousins. They
live among us here in America. They also dwell in the countries far away
across the wide ocean.

Why are they so scattered, you may ask. Is there no country which is
really theirs, and which is ruled over by some one they have chosen? Is
there not some place where they can gather together happily whenever
they please? The answer is always no.

They cannot say of this land or of that, "It is ours," for they are
homeless. Palestine, which was once theirs, is now in the hands of the
Turks. Jerusalem, the city they love best in the whole world, is in the
power of those who look with scorn upon the Jewish people.

For many centuries they have been scattered far and wide. Their children
learn to speak the language of the country where they happen to be born.
They play the games and dress in the fashion of that country.

What is it that keeps them Jews? It is their religion, and their
religion alone. It binds them as closely together now as it did in the
days when they worshipped in the great temple at Jerusalem, two thousand
years ago.

These Jewish cousins would say to us, "Our people have suffered greatly.
Yet they do not lose courage. Our parents tell us stories of the
glorious past, over and over again. They will not let us forget it, and
they teach us to hope for the time when Jerusalem will again be ours,
and a new temple, in which we shall be free to worship, will stand upon
the spot where the old one was destroyed."



Contents


    CHAPTER                            PAGE
       I. THE PLACE OF WAILING            1
      II. THE GAZELLE                    17
     III. THE FEAST OF THE PASSOVER      33
      IV. THE ORPHAN                     42
       V. THE JEWS OF LONG AGO           49
      VI. QUEER SIGHTS                   57
     VII. THE CAVE                       67
    VIII. THE SWEET SINGER OF ISRAEL     76



List of Illustrations


                                                     PAGE
    ESTHER                                      _Frontispiece_
    "IT WAS A DARK, DREARY COURT WITH STONE
        WALLS ON THREE SIDES OF IT"                    4
    LEVI AND HIS CAMEL                                26
    A WOMAN OF BETHLEHEM                              60
    A STREET IN JERUSALEM                             62
    A BEDOUIN                                         68



Our Little Jewish Cousin



CHAPTER I.

THE PLACE OF WAILING


"COME, Esther! Come, Solomon! I am waiting for you," cried a woman's
voice.

The two children were in the courtyard, but, when they heard their
mother calling, they ran into the house at once.

They knew why they were called, for it was Friday afternoon. Every week
at this time they went to the "Place of Wailing" with their parents to
weep over the troubles of their people and to think of the old days of
Jerusalem, before the Romans conquered the city.

"Esther, your hair needs brushing. Solomon, make your hands and face as
clean as possible," said their mother, as she looked at the children.

She loved them very dearly. She was proud of them, too. Solomon was a
bright, clever boy, quick in his studies, while Esther was really
beautiful. Her glossy black hair hung in long curls down her back. Her
black eyes were soft and loving. Her skin was of a pale olive tint, and
her cheeks were often flushed a delicate pink.

Her mother looked tenderly at her as she brushed the little girl's hair.

"Mamma, grandma says I look ever so much as you did when you were my
age," said Esther, as she trudged by her mother's side down the narrow
street.

"Yes, yes, my child, I have heard her say so. But never mind your looks
or mine now. Think of where we are going."

It was a hot walk. The sun was shining brightly. The street, the stone
houses, everything around shone dusty gray in colour. There were no
sidewalks. When a camel drew near with his load, or a horseman passed
by, Esther had to walk close to the walls of the houses for fear the
animals would rub against her.

She was born in this old city of Jerusalem. She had never been far away
from it, and knew little of the wide streets and broad sidewalks found
in many other cities.

She had sometimes heard her father and mother talk of their life in
Spain. They came from that country before Esther and her brother were
born. It was a long journey, but they had said, "We cannot be happy
anywhere except in Jerusalem. That alone is the home of our people."

Esther's father might have grown rich in Spain. He was a trader. He
understood his business well. But in Jerusalem it was harder for him to
get money.

What a strange name for the place where the family were going this
afternoon! But it well deserved to be called "The Place of Wailing." It
was a dark, dreary court with stone walls on three sides of it. Many
Jews were already there when Esther and her people arrived.

[Illustration: "IT WAS A DARK, DREARY COURT WITH STONE WALLS ON THREE
SIDES OF IT."]

Some of them were seated on the ground. They were weeping bitterly and
rocking their bodies to and fro. Others, with sad faces, were reading
from the Hebrew Bible. Still others were kissing the wall and bumping it
with their foreheads. Some parts of the rock had actually been worn
smooth by the lips of those who had come here week after week and year
after year. For they really believed it was a part of the old temple
wall.

Little Esther, with her glossy black curls, did just what she saw the
others do. The tears began to fall from her eyes as she went close up
to the wall and kissed the cold gray stone.

Did all of these people really feel as bad as they seemed to do?
Certainly. For they were grieving that Jerusalem was no longer great and
no longer theirs. It was now in the hands of the Turks, but, long before
they came, the Romans had taken the city from the Jews, after a long and
bitter fight.

Saturday is the Jewish Sabbath. It is their holy day, and the time when
they rest from work. On Friday afternoon they begin to prepare for the
Sabbath. Hundreds of the Jews in Jerusalem gather at the Place of
Wailing at that time. They not only weep and read from their Bible, but
they also pray to the Lord to take their country out of the hands of
their enemies and give it back to them.

As Esther walked home she looked up at the mosque of Omar. It is the
Turks' grandest place of worship in the city. Her father told her that
it stands on the very spot where Solomon's wonderful temple was built.

"That temple was the most beautiful one ever seen by men," said the Jew.
"Its brightness was enough to dazzle the eyes of those who looked upon
it. Its walls were plated with gold. The very gate was golden.

"A beautiful golden vine, with clusters of grapes as large as a man's
body, was draped over the gate. The floor was paved with gold. Golden
lilies were carved upon the pillars and mouldings.

"There was no door. But there was a reason for this. It was to show that
the heavens are always open. They are closed to no one."

"And now, papa, nothing is left of that beautiful building," said
Esther.

"Not one stone, my dear. But we Jews all hope the time will come when
it will be rebuilt."

"It was not the first temple which was destroyed by the Romans when they
took Jerusalem, was it?"

"Oh, no. The second temple had been standing in its place for hundreds
of years at that time. It was wonderfully beautiful, too. Herod the
Great spent vast sums of money on it. It was the wonder of every one who
looked upon it. But our enemies destroyed it, as you well know."

That evening, while Esther and her brother sat by their father's side,
he told them the story of the destruction of Jerusalem and of the brave
men and women who tried to save it.

The Jews had feared for some time that something dreadful would happen.
They had seen strange visions. While the feast of the Passover was
taking place, the great temple was filled with a light like that of
noonday. And this happened at the ninth hour of the night.

Something else quite as wonderful as this took place. The bronze door of
the Gate Beautiful opened of itself at the sixth hour of the night. Yet
this very gate was so heavy that twenty men could scarcely move it, even
when the great iron bolts had been drawn.

Esther looked up at her father with surprised eyes as he told of these
things. But when he spoke of seven chariots that drove across the sky,
and of the armies the frightened people saw in the clouds, she was still
more astonished.

"I should think our soldiers would have lost courage before they were
attacked," she exclaimed.

"Not so, Esther. But listen, my child, as I describe the mighty Roman
army that soon drew near Jerusalem. Multitudes of Syrians had joined
them, and these led the way as they came marching up the heights.

"Titus, the Roman general, followed the Syrians. The spearmen came with
him. Next came the legions with their terrible short swords and the
trumpets that filled the air with word of their approach.

"Every footman among the Romans was armed with a sword, a lance, and a
shield. Besides these, he carried with him a saw, axe, hook, pickaxe,
and enough food to last him for three days. The horsemen were also
furnished with everything they needed for battle or for a long siege.

"This great army steadily drew nearer and nearer. Do you think the brave
soldiers guarding our city trembled with fear as they looked forth from
the watch-towers and saw them?"

"Not so, father. A Jew fears nothing."

"You are quite right. But now, let us return to Jerusalem as she stood
then. A triple wall, thirty feet high, had been built around the city,
except where it was separated from the rest of the country by deep
ravines. One wall was quite enough to protect it in such places. Many
watch-towers had been set up around the city. It seemed impossible to
take it by surprise at any point.

"The temple stood on Mount Moriah in all its glory. But it was not a
temple alone. It was also a strong fortress."

"How could the Romans take the city, even if their numbers were so
great?" asked Solomon.

"They could never have won, except for one thing. Our people were not
wholly united. A party of them under the high priest, Ananus, felt there
was no hope. They believed it would be wisest to give up at once and
make peace.

"But the others said, 'No, we will fight to the end, and will drive our
enemies from the city.' If every one had felt from the first as these
did, all would have been well. It was too late when the different
parties agreed to work for one end.

"The Romans threw immense stones into the city. They cut down the trees
in all the country round, and made towers from which they hoped to fire
and destroy the buildings inside the walls.

"They succeeded, for they soon made an opening in the outer wall. Then
the second wall gave way before the mighty force. And all this time
those Romans, who were stationed across from the city on the Mount of
Olives, were throwing such huge stones from their great engines that the
houses and people inside Jerusalem were being destroyed, both by day and
by night.

"Worse still! they began to lack food and to suffer from starvation.
They could not hold out much longer. The time soon came when the last
wall was broken down and Titus marched through the streets of the city.

"It was very strange that it was the anniversary of the day when the
first temple was destroyed by the soldiers of Babylon.

"'It is on fire! The glorious temple is burning!' cried our people, as
they saw the flames. A Roman soldier had kindled the fire without the
knowledge of Titus, who had not wished to injure this wonder of the
whole world.

"Some of the priests threw themselves into the flames. Before it was
destroyed, Titus, with his captains, entered the holy place. The Roman
general cried, 'It is more beautiful than I even imagined. Its riches
are a perfect marvel.'

"The golden candlesticks and tables and cups, the sweet spices of which
the priests made incense, the precious stones, were laid at the feet of
the conqueror."

"What did he do with all this wealth?" asked Esther.

"He carried most of it back to Rome. But he rewarded the bravest of his
soldiers with crowns of gold and chains of silver.

"He had fought for many days before Jerusalem gave up. In that time the
country around us had been ruined. The forests had been cut down for the
making of engines of war. The herds of cattle had been killed to furnish
food for the army of Titus. The harvests had been gathered for the same
purpose. As for the people themselves, more than a million were killed
and the rest were made the slaves of the Romans."

"Don't feel bad, papa," said Esther, lovingly. "That was a very long
time ago."

"Yes, Esther, but our people have been scattered over the world ever
since then. We shall never be happy till we are once more the rulers of
this city."

"Mother told me a story, the other day," said Solomon, who had not
spoken for a long time. "It was about a family who lived here when Titus
appeared before our gates. I think she told it to make me brave."

"What is the story, Solomon?" asked his father.

"There was a brave man in our city. He was of noble blood and true to
his faith. He had a faithful wife and seven sons. You shall hear how
brave and true they were.

"The Roman army began the terrible siege. Before it was over, the brave
noble was killed, but his wife and children lived. After Titus entered
the city, he heard of this family. He ordered them to be brought before
him.

"As they stood in his presence he spoke to each in turn. He offered them
freedom if they would give up their faith and bow down before his gods.
But not one of them hesitated. They had not a single thought of giving
up their faith in the one living God. No, not for the sake of life.

"One by one they were led away to death. At last, only the youngest son
was left before the conqueror. Titus was moved to pity for the beautiful
boy. He really wished to save him. He said, 'My child, see! I will drop
my ring for the sake of the gods. If thou wilt pick it up, thy life
shall be spared.'

"The boy looked up at him firmly. He answered, 'It shall lie there where
you dropped it. I am afraid of no living man. I fear only the thought of
life without the One God.'"

"Of course, he followed his brothers. But what became of the mother?"
asked Esther.

"She begged to die with her sons. She said Abraham had built one altar
on which to sacrifice to God. She had built seven! And she spoke
truly."

"It is a noble story of noble people," said the children's father.
"There were many like them in that old time. Let us hope there are still
many in the world."



CHAPTER II.

THE GAZELLE


"SHALL I help?" asked Solomon.

"Yes, indeed. Take the seeds in the skirts of your coat and come along,"
was the answer.

Solomon and Esther were visiting some friends in a village near
Jerusalem. It was the month of December and the time to plant the crops
in Palestine.

"After we have scattered the grain," Solomon's friend Levi said, "the
camel shall help us plough the ground. Then the seed will take care of
itself."

It did not surprise Solomon to hear of a camel drawing a plough.

Levi's camel was as useful to him as horses are to farmers in America.
Solomon and Esther had been at their friend's many times when the
great, slow, clumsy animal helped his master about the farm and garden.

"He isn't handsome, but I love the dear old fellow," said Levi. "He is
more patient than most camels. I know he is slow beside some of his
fellows, but he cannot help that." Levi stroked the camel's head.

"There, see! He likes to have me notice him as well as my new pet."

The camel bent his head down toward his master, with a look that said as
plainly as words, "I love you, master, for you are kind to me."

"What is the new pet, Levi?" asked Solomon.

"When I get through my sowing, you may go into the house and call
Esther. Then you two shall see it together."

Solomon could hardly wait for Levi to finish his work. But at last the
seeds were all scattered.

"I won't go at the ploughing just yet. I am tired, and it is warm. We
will rest awhile. I know you are anxious to find out what I have to show
you. I got it for my wife, Rebecca."

Levi was a young man and had been married only a short time. He was very
fond of his pretty wife, and liked to have surprises for her. He led the
way to the house where Esther was talking with Rebecca.

"Solomon wishes to see our new pet," he said. "Have you told Esther
about it?"

"Not yet. We will all go together," answered the young Jewess.

They went out to the stable and Levi pointed to a bed of straw over in
the corner. There something lay curled up and sound asleep.

"It's a gazelle. Oh, what a beauty!" cried Esther. "It's only a baby
still."

"I never saw such a little one before," said Solomon. "May I take it up
in my arms?"

The gazelle waked up at the sound of voices. It opened its soft, dark
eyes with a frightened look.

"It is very shy," said Rebecca. "But we pet it so much it will soon get
over its fear. You children ought to see it run and frolic with me."

"Here, little one, come and eat," said the gazelle's mistress, in a low,
sweet voice.

It sprang up and started toward Rebecca. But, when it had come half-way,
it became frightened again at the sight of the visitors. The food looked
too tempting, however, and it came to Rebecca's side.

"I believe no other animal has as beautiful eyes as the gazelle. It is
certainly the most graceful of all creatures," said Levi.

"See how white its breast is!" said Esther. "The dear little thing!
Mayn't I hold it for just a minute?"

"Certainly, dear."

Rebecca was very fond of Esther and her brother. She loved to have them
visit her. She picked up the gazelle and put it in the little girl's lap
as soon as she had seated herself on a pile of straw.

Esther patted the gazelle tenderly. "It is better than any doll. I wish
I had one of my own. I should love it dearly."

"I cannot stop any longer now," said Levi. "My old camel is wondering
why I don't go to work. Are you coming with me, Solomon?"

"Of course I am," answered the boy, and the two started for the field.

"What shall we do with ourselves?" asked Rebecca, when she and Esther
had been left alone.

"Oh, I know what you would like," she went on. "We will go over into our
neighbour's orchard. He is gathering olives, and we will watch him."

"I would like that ever so much," answered her little visitor.

It took them only a few minutes to get to the olive orchard. The owner
and his sons were heating the branches with long sticks, and knocking
off the fruit to the ground. Two women were busily at work gathering the
olives in baskets. As soon as a basket was filled, it was carried away
and emptied, and then brought back to be filled again.

It was surprising how quickly the women gathered their loads. Then away
they would step with their baskets on their heads, walking as easily and
gracefully as though they were free of all burdens whatever.

"Come on and help us," they cried to Rebecca and Esther. "The more at
work the merrier we shall be. There are two empty baskets under that
tree."

The visitors were soon busy trying to see if they could fill their
baskets as quickly as the others did.

"I am not tempted to eat the olives," said Esther. "They are too bitter.
But I am very fond of them after they are pickled."

"So are we all," answered one of the women. "I don't know how we should
get along without olives and the oil we make from them."

"They say the Christians not only eat that unclean animal, the pig, but
they also use its fat for cooking, just as we use olive oil," said
Rebecca.

"Ugh! What a horrid idea. I should be afraid to eat anything in the
house of a Christian, for fear of being poisoned," cried Esther. "Mamma
has told me they sometimes die of diseases we Hebrews never have. It is
probably because they eat pork and use lard."

"No doubt of it, Esther," answered Rebecca. "It is a wise law of our
religion that forbids us to eat any food obtained from the hog."

"We must not stop to talk too much, though. See! our friends are getting
ahead of us."

Nothing more was said for some time.

"It is surprising how quickly we finished," said one of the women to
Rebecca, as the last basket was emptied. "It is because our friends gave
us so much help. Won't you come to the house with us now and have a
luncheon?"

"No, thank you," answered Rebecca. "It is nearly supper time, and I must
go home and do some cooking."

"I am anxious to see the dear little gazelle again," said Esther.

As she walked back to her friend's house Rebecca told her stories about
wild gazelles.

"They like to keep together," she said. "They are very fond of each
other's company. While they are feeding, one of them stands on guard to
see if any enemies are stealing upon them. If he hears a sound that
means danger, he gives the alarm and away the flock flees like the
wind."

"I have often heard father speak of being as fleet as a gazelle," said
Esther. "But what are its worst enemies?"

"The lion and the leopard, I suppose. Poor little creature! If a lion
takes it by surprise, there is little hope for its life. Its only chance
is in flight.

"There are times when less dangerous animals come upon a herd of
gazelles, and then they make a stand to defend themselves. They gather
in a close mass, with the mothers and little ones in the centre. The
males make a ring on the outside, pointing their horns toward the
enemy."

"Isn't it wonderful they should be so wise? How did you learn so much
about gazelles, Rebecca?"

"Levi told me. But I must hurry now to get supper. We are going to have
something nice."

Rebecca was a good cook. Although Esther was quite hungry from being
out-of-doors so much, it did not seem very long before a roast goose and
a dish of onions were steaming on the supper table.

"It is ready just in time, Levi," said his wife, as her husband and
Solomon came into the house.

"I am quite tired, but the smell of the supper is enough to make me
forget all about it. Tired as I was, though, I stopped to feed my
faithful camel."

"How old is he?" asked Solomon.

"My father had him before he was six months old, and that was twenty
years ago. I was a little fellow just toddling about then. So, you see,
the camel and I grew up together."

[Illustration: LEVI AND HIS CAMEL.]

"It is no wonder you love him, Levi," said Solomon. "I don't believe I
ever saw a baby camel."

"Isn't it hard work training a camel to obey you, and to kneel at your
command?"

"Father said he had to use a great deal of patience at first. The camel
kicked and fought and grumbled before he could be made to bend his
knees. Even now, he scolds a good deal about obeying, as you children
know."

"Esther and I saw a camp of Bedouins on our way here," said Solomon.
"They were tending a flock of beautiful sheep. One of the shepherds was
holding a new-born lamb in his bosom."

"Those fierce Bedouins are tender to their flocks, but cruel to men,"
said Levi. "You cannot trust them for a moment. They look down upon us
village people. But in our hearts we scorn them."

"They are dreadful thieves," said Rebecca. "When I was up in Jerusalem,
the other day, I heard a story about a Bedouin woman who went last
summer into a rich man's garden. The owner of the place was just coming
into the entrance when he met the woman with a basket of lettuce on her
head. She was a relation of one of his servants. He stopped and asked
her several questions about her errand there. She told him she had just
been to his place to try to sell her lettuce, but she could not do it,
as the garden contained all his family could use.

"The gentleman supposed she was telling the truth. What was his
surprise, then, when he found out after she was safe out of sight that
the woman had stolen every head of lettuce out of his garden!"

"It is just like the deceitful creatures," said Levi. "I dislike the
sight of them."

"Are you going to have much honey this year?" asked Solomon.

"Yes, I have several swarms of bees, and I hope they will do well."

"It won't be long before we shall have some fresh honey," said Rebecca.
"Then you children must pay us another visit, for I know you like sweet
things."

"I wish we didn't need to go home to-morrow. But mother said we mustn't
stay here any longer this time. By and by, though, there will be more
wild flowers to pick, and I had rather be here then. I love to get big
bunches of tulips and poppies and trim the house with them."

"How many red flowers we have here in Palestine!" said Rebecca.

She did not know that Christian travellers from other parts of the world
speak of them as the "Saviour's Blood Drops." They are sure to notice
the fields dotted with brilliant scarlet flowers.

"Do you want me to tell you a story of King Solomon?" asked Levi. "Your
speaking of the honey and the flowers put it into my mind."

"Of course we do," said both children.

"Very well, then. It is about the visit of the Queen of Sheba with her
generals and armies. As she approached, the great king received her
sitting on his throne in that wondrous palace of which you have heard so
much.

"'Is he as wise as people say?' the queen said to her attendants. 'I
will find this out for myself.'

"Now it happened that her subjects were noted for their skill in making
artificial flowers. Those who made it their business to study flowers
could not tell the difference between real ones and these imitation
ones, they were so perfect.

"The queen decided to test King Solomon's wisdom in this matter. She
ordered two beautiful wreaths to be prepared. One was to be made of
real flowers and the other of artificial ones. Taking the two wreaths in
her hands, she presented herself before the king.

"'Choose one of these for yourself,' she said.

"There seemed to be no choice as to which he would take, although he
looked at them closely. But his wise mind told him there must be some
difference. The birds and insects could tell him which one to take. He
looked out of a window and saw honey-bees in the garden below. Then he
knew what to do. He ordered the window to be opened. The breeze carried
the odour of the flowers out to the bees and they came flying into the
room.

"You can easily guess they alighted on the wreath of real flowers. The
artificial ones did not attract them in the least. Then Solomon spoke.

"'The bees have told me which wreath to choose,' he said."

"The Queen of Sheba found out that the king was truly wise, didn't she?"
said Solomon.

"Yes, Solomon, and you who are named for him should always remember what
the Queen of Sheba learned,--that there is one thing worth more than
riches or beauty."

"And that is wisdom," said Rebecca, softly.



CHAPTER III.

THE FEAST OF THE PASSOVER


IT was the first evening of the seven days set apart to celebrate the
deliverance of the Jews from their bondage in Egypt and their safe
passage to a new home of their own.

Solomon and Esther were dressed in their Sabbath clothes. So were their
father and mother. The house was trimmed as though for a wedding.

"Is the table ready?" Esther's mother asked the servant.

"Quite ready. Everything is in its place, I think," was the answer.

The children's father led the way, and the family gathered around the
table. There were lettuce and cress, unleavened bread, wine, and a meat
bone which was carefully covered with a fine cloth.

Solomon and his father began to chant. They rocked themselves to and fro
at the same time. This motion of their bodies was to express as well as
possible the words of the psalm, "All my bones shall praise thee."

When the chant was finished, the master of the house cut a slice from a
loaf of bread shaped like a crescent.

"These two pieces of bread," he said, solemnly, "are like the shores of
the Red Sea. But now, as I join them together again, it seems as though
we could see the waves sweeping over Pharaoh's host."

He then took one-half the loaf and, putting it in a napkin, tied it on
Solomon's shoulders. There it remained till the ceremony was over.
Everybody drank some wine, and then another chant was sung. After that,
they ate some lettuce and jam and chanted again.

Esther's father now took some bread, spread it with jam, wrapped it in
lettuce and wound cress around it. He gave some of it to each one to
eat. This was done in memory of the ten plagues of Egypt.

The service was not finished until every one had eaten eggs. This was a
sign of mourning that their temple had been destroyed.

Solomon and Esther understood the meaning of all that was done this
evening. They had been carefully taught the history of the "Chosen
People," as they liked to call themselves. But at this festival their
father once more repeated many of the stories of the olden time.

He said, "We do not celebrate this festival exactly as our forefathers
did. They always sacrificed a lamb. They were also careful to eat no
leavened food for the whole seven days. We follow the rule about
unleavened bread still, and we look upon the first and last days as
holy. You must never do labour of any kind on these two days."

Then he went on to tell the story of the first Passover, and how
Pharaoh, as the ruler of Egypt was called, wished to keep the Hebrews in
bondage. He was building two treasure-cities, and he needed great
numbers of workmen to make the bricks. He did not wish the Hebrews to
join his enemies or leave the country.

He was a stern ruler, and he made his slaves work very hard. Yet they
had many children. The Pharaoh did not like this. He feared they would
become too powerful. So he ordered that every new-born boy among them
should be killed.

It happened at this time that a little boy was born in a family where
there were already two children. This new baby was a boy, and was given
the name of Moses. The mother of the child was fearful lest he should be
discovered and killed by the cruel Pharaoh. She hid him as best she
could for three months. Then she thought: "The danger grows greater
every day. I must make some new plan to save him."

She placed the baby in a little cradle or ark, and carried him down to
the shore of the river, where she hid him in the reeds. She told her
daughter Miriam to stay near her brother and watch over him. Then she
went away.

A little while after this, who should come but the noble princess,
Pharaoh's daughter. She was going to bathe in the river. It was not long
before she spied the smiling baby in the bulrushes. She was so pleased
with the little fellow that she said, "I will adopt the child."

Then the little Miriam came to her side and told the princess she knew
of a good nurse. In this way it came about that Moses' own mother was
hired to take care of the baby.

As he grew up in the king's palace, his mother told Moses all about
himself and his people. He was very carefully taught, and soon showed
that he was "mighty in words and deeds."

It happened one day that Moses saw one of the overseers cruelly beating
an Israelite. He was so angry that he killed the overseer. Then he had
to flee to save his own life from the wrath of Pharaoh. He went into the
desert not far from the Red Sea, and there he stayed for forty years.

He became a shepherd. Once while he was tending his sheep, he saw a
strange sight. It was a burning bush. That in itself was nothing to
wonder at. But the strange part of it all was that the bush looked as
though it were in flames, yet it did not really burn up. It was a sign
from Heaven!

As Moses looked at the bush, he heard a voice. It cried, "Take off your
shoes, for you are standing on holy ground."

He listened in wonder as he next received a command from God to seek the
ruler of Egypt, who was now treating the people of Israel with great
cruelty. He must give the Pharaoh a message. It was this,--that God
commanded Moses to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt and into the
desert.

At first Moses feared to do this. But the Lord caused some miracles to
be performed before his eyes. Then he had faith, and became brave enough
to do as God commanded him.

He went with his brother Aaron to the ruler of Egypt. He told him that
he had received word from Heaven ordering him to lead the people of
Israel out into the desert to take part in a feast.

The cruel Pharaoh did not believe in God. He was angry with Moses and
refused to let the people go.

Moses now showed the power the Lord had given him. He lifted his rod and
commanded ten plagues to come down on the land of Egypt. This was to
punish the Pharaoh and force him to free the Israelites.

One by one the plagues fell upon the country. The waters were changed to
blood, and great numbers of frogs appeared upon the land. Besides these
creatures, there were swarms of lice, flies, and other pests.

The people of Egypt became sick. The land was covered with darkness. The
Pharaoh was frightened and promised to let the Israelites leave his
country. Then the darkness lifted and the plagues ceased. But as soon as
this happened, the Pharaoh broke his promise.

The troubles began again. Pharaoh made fresh promises, only to break
them again as soon as the plagues stopped.

At last, God sent an angel into Egypt to kill all the first-born of the
people. The Israelites, however, were not to be harmed. Moses told them
to smear their door-posts with the blood of a lamb.

The angel moved from house to house, doing as the Lord had directed. But
when he came to a door-post marked with the blood of a lamb, he passed
it by, and no one within was harmed.

Esther's father told the story that evening, as though the children had
never heard it before. Yet they had listened to it every year since they
could remember.

The blood of a lamb! Yes, the people in olden time had good reason to
sacrifice a lamb at the Passover.

It was well named the Passover, in memory of the angel's passing over
the homes of the Chosen People.



CHAPTER IV.

THE ORPHAN


"DEAR me! How my head aches," said Esther. "I do wish those dogs would
stop barking."

The little girl had been ill for two or three days. The hot days of
summer had brought on a fever. The doctor had said, "Keep the child
quiet. All she needs is rest. She has played too much in the sunshine."

But how could poor little Esther have quiet? The street dogs were noisy
enough in the daytime, but when night came, it seemed as though every
single one was wide awake and quarrelling with his neighbours.

"They have no home, and are almost obliged to fight, to get enough to
eat. I am sorry for them," said Esther's mother.

She felt more kindly to the dogs than most of the people in Jerusalem.
They would have been glad to have the city rid of the creatures.

These street dogs look very much like foxes. They have no homes of their
own and almost no friends. Those living in one part of the city are
always ready to carry on war against those of every other part.

"Let us take Esther up on the roof," said the little girl's father, one
evening. "It is such a hot night, she cannot rest in this close room."

Esther felt better almost as soon as she had been carried up and settled
on a soft couch. The roof of the stone house where she lived was flat.
Most of the houses around her were built in the same way. Many of the
neighbours spent their evenings on the roofs, and often moved from one
roof to another to make calls on each other.

Esther had been up there only a few minutes before she had a caller. It
was a little girl about her own age. She told Esther some news about one
of their playmates. She said:

"Only think of it! Miriam's father has just died. You know, Esther, her
mother died so long ago that she doesn't even remember her. What will
become of her now? There is no one in the world to take care of her."

Esther was very fond of Miriam, and her heart was full of pity.

She thought of her own comfortable home and then of the many Jews in the
city who were very, very poor. Perhaps Miriam would become a beggar! It
was a dreadful thought.

Just then Esther's mother came up on the roof. She was dressed in a
beautiful yellow robe. A rich girdle belted it in at the waist. She
wore large golden hoops in her ears, and a heavy chain around her neck.

"Mamma is as lovely as a queen," thought Esther. "I know papa isn't
rich. Still, he has enough and to spare, and we have many nice things. I
will ask him and mamma to adopt Miriam. Then I shall have a sister of my
own.

"Mamma, dear, I have just heard about Miriam, and now I want to ask you
something. Will you take her for your little daughter?"

The mother sat down beside the sick girl. Her face wore a gentle smile.

"My dear, I am glad the thought came to you. You are a sweet, loving
child. Do you know, your father and I have just been talking about this
very thing. There is nothing our Church praises more highly than the
adoption of an orphan. It is called 'A good work.' So we have decided
to add one more to our little family."

Esther clapped her hands with joy. "I know I shall get well at once,"
she cried. "The fever will go away, for I sha'n't have time to think of
it."

It was just as she had said. It seemed as though she began to get better
from that very moment. She had so much to do trying to entertain her new
sister, she did not think of herself.

Miriam was sad at first. She could not help remembering she was an
orphan. But her new father and mother were so kind to her, and Solomon
and his sister tried so hard to make her happy, she soon forgot to be
lonesome and sad.

One day a message came from Rebecca and Levi. They wished all the
children to come and visit them. Rebecca wrote:

"We have a new pet, and I know you will be fond of it. It is a
beautiful Syrian sheep. Its wool is a soft brown and yellow. Its tail is
very broad and flat. It is so tame, it follows me wherever I go.

"Besides," the letter went on, "we have quantities of fresh figs now,
and I know you children are very fond of them."

"May we go, mother? Please say 'yes,'" asked Esther.

"If your father is willing," was the answer. "I shall be very lonesome,
but it will do you all good to leave the city for awhile and visit our
kind friends."

That evening, Esther and Miriam ran to meet their father.

"I wish father had a little farm," said Esther, as the two girls walked
arm in arm down the street. "I should think it would be ever so much
easier than being a trader."

"I spoke about that once to my other father," said thoughtful little
Miriam. "He said that in the good old times our people were generally
shepherds or farmers. But nowadays they are almost all traders.

"It is because those who do not believe as we do have treated us so
cruelly. They have made it hard for us to hold land. We have been forced
to become traders. Our people are scattered all over the world. Father
said there is hardly a country without some of them."

"Let us ask papa to tell us stories of old times to-night," said Esther.
"There, I see his scarlet robe away down the street now."



CHAPTER V.

THE JEWS OF LONG AGO


"MAY we go to Levi's, papa dear?" asked Esther, when the evening meal
was over and the children were gathered with their parents on the
housetop. "Mamma said she was willing, but we must ask you."

"I think it would be very pleasant for you, and I know Levi and Rebecca
like to have you there. Yes, you may go."

"I knew you would say yes. And now we want to ask you something else.
Will you tell us some stories of long ago, before our city was
destroyed?"

"I suppose you would like best to hear about the children, Esther?"

"Of course, papa."

"They were very happy. Their parents were as wise and tender in caring
for them as they are to-day.

"When they were yet quite young, they began to study the books of wisdom
of our people. They went to school every day. There was one saying they
heard over and over again. It was this, 'Be not forgetful to entertain
strangers.'

"'Our houses are not for us alone,' their parents said, and taught them
this beautiful saying, 'Let thy house be wide open, and let the poor be
the children of the house.'

"There were many pilgrim feasts in those days. People came to Jerusalem
to worship in the temple and to take part in the sacred festivals. Yet
it is said that not one of these pilgrims ever felt the need of
entertainment. The houses were open for all.

"Only think of it! It was a common thing to walk along the street and
see curtains hanging in front of the doors. This was a sign that there
was still room for guests. Some people went so far as to say, 'There
should be four doors to every house. Then travellers could be welcomed
from every direction.'"

"What kind of houses did the people live in?" asked Solomon.

"There were small cottages where the poor lived, for there were some, of
course, who did not have much of this world's goods. Then there were the
houses of the middle class. These were built of brick or stone. And
besides these there were the elegant marble homes of the rich, built
around beautiful courtyards.

"The houses had flat roofs paved with stone or brick. They were made to
slant down a little, so as to let the rain-water run off through pipes
into the cistern below. These cisterns were needed in the old days just
as much as now, on account of the long months when no rain fell and the
country became so dry.

"A railing was built around each housetop. In this way it was made into
a comfortable resting-place for the family and their friends. It was
cool and quiet."

"We follow the same fashion," said Esther.

"Yes, but in the old times I suppose it was used even more than now. The
older people often went up there to pray. Meetings were sometimes held
there. It was also a good place to watch for the enemy.

"The rich people often had wide and costly stairs built up to the roof
from the street. You can imagine the boys and girls running over these
stairs in a game of chase or hide-and-seek."

"How did the people of two thousand years ago furnish their houses?"
asked Miriam.

"Very much as we do now. They had couches, chairs and tables, and there
were often many soft cushions for the head and arms. The people used
candlesticks and lamps, exactly as we do.

"But I promised to talk most about the children. They took part with
their parents in family prayer every night and morning. They washed and
prayed before every meal. After it, they gave thanks to God for his
kindness to them. As each Sabbath came around, the children looked
forward to it as though they were going to welcome a king. It was a time
of rest and joy.

"When the father came home on the eve of the holy day, he found the
house trimmed up as though for a feast. The Sabbath lamp was lighted.
The table was spread with the richest feast the family could afford.
Before doing anything else, the father blessed each child with the
blessing of Israel. The little ones felt that something beautiful and
holy was about to take place.

"They were quite willing to give up their play for the next day. They
would have something better."

"You have taught us all these things, papa," said Esther.

"I know it, my dear. But I tell them again so that you may see we have
not changed much since the old days.

"The children looked forward to the feast-days with joyful delight. It
is hard to say which they liked best."

"They must have loved the Feast of the Dedication," said Miriam.

"Why, Miriam?"

"On account of the many candles. It is so pleasant to watch a great
number of them burning at once."

"Yes, children always love lights and brightness. The first evening of
the feast, a candle was lighted for each one in the house. The second
evening, two were lighted, and so on to the eighth night."

"But the Feast of Esther brings more sport," said Solomon.

"You are just like every other boy, Solomon. You like noise and fun,"
said his father.

"But, think a moment, children. Must not the Feast of the Passover have
been the greatest one of all?"

"It was then that the father repeated the whole history of the Children
of Israel to his listening children. They loved to hear it. It seemed to
them as though they were really following the Chosen People in their
wanderings. They looked upon Moses receiving the commandments from
Heaven. As they shut their eyes, they saw in their minds the waters of
the Red Sea parting to let the Children of Israel pass across in safety.
Then, again coming together, the waves closed over their enemies and
destroyed them."

"Father, you tell us the stories as well as any one possibly could,"
said Solomon.

"I do my best, Solomon. But in the olden days the children were brought
nearer to heaven by their visits to the temple.

"Think of that glorious building and its walls shining with gold! It
seems as though I could see the throng of white-robed priests and hear
the blasts they sounded on their silver trumpets.

"Listen! A chant from the Psalms rings through the great building. It
sounds like heavenly voices." Esther's father closed his eyes and became
silent. The children were filled with awe as they sat quietly beside
him.

"I wish I could have lived in the long ago," thought Esther. "The temple
must have seemed like a part of heaven brought to earth."

"Now we will repeat the night prayer and go to rest," said the father.



CHAPTER VI.

QUEER SIGHTS


"WOULD you like to go shopping with me?" said Esther's mother, the next
afternoon. "I must buy some things you children will need to carry with
you on your visit."

Esther and Miriam jumped up from their play. They were always ready to
go shopping. They liked to see the pretty things in the shops.

Esther's mother had made herself ready for her walk by fastening a
bright red shawl over her head. She never wore a hat or a bonnet, as do
her American sisters.

"We will go to the market first," she told the children. "I wish to buy
some fruit."

It was quite a long walk, but there was so much to see on the way,
Esther and Miriam did not think of that.

"Do see that drove of donkeys," exclaimed their mother, after they had
entered one of the principal streets. "They are laden with goatskins
filled with water, I suppose. Listen, children! Their Arab driver is
calling to them."

"O-ar! o-ar! derak! derak!" sounded the driver's voice.

A small boy running down a byway mimicked the Arab.

"O-ar! o-ar! derak! derak!"

"See that solemn old camel," said Esther. "He is laden with stones. They
must be very heavy. Poor old fellow! I don't blame him for growling at
his master for trying to hurry him up."

"His growl rattles so, it seems to come from his inmost stomach," said
the mother, laughingly.

"Baksheesh! baksheesh!" yelled a beggar sitting cross-legged against the
wall of a house. The man was ragged and dirty. He held a tin pail before
him. Kind-hearted people had dropped money, fruit, and vegetables into
it as they passed by.

"There are many poor people of our own faith here in the city," said
Esther's mother, as they went on their way. "They really suffer for lack
of food. That man is a Turk. It may be that he is really as poor as he
looks, and needs all the help he can get. But it is quite possible he
has a comfortable home, and only begs because it is an easy way of
getting a living."

"Look, mamma, at that woman of Bethlehem," said Miriam. "I know her by
the dress."

Miriam pointed to the dark blue robe. Stripes of bright red, mixed with
gold, reached down the sides. The sleeves were large and long, and
trimmed in the same way. The woman's white veil hung down from a tall
cap.

"How heavy her cap must be," said Esther. "It is like a crown."

"All the coins she owns are sewed on her cap," answered the mother. "It
tells every one just how rich she is."

"I don't see how she does her work if she wears that robe all the time,"
said Miriam. "The sleeves are so large, I should think they must be in
the way."

"She probably ties them together behind her. I have been told that is
the way. She can use them as pockets."

"I don't see how men ever get used to carrying such big loads," said
Esther.

She pointed to two porters who were bent nearly double. Their loads were
strapped upon cushions fastened on their backs, and held in place by
straps around their heads.

[Illustration: A WOMAN OF BETHLEHEM.]

"Each of those men must have almost as much of a load as a camel
carries," said Esther's mother. "It seems almost impossible, but it is
true. It is a hard life, a very hard life."

While she was speaking they entered the market. The eyes of the little
girls were kept busy looking at the many different things of interest.

There were Arabs in charge of camels laden with melons, grapes and figs.
There were women selling vegetables, and at the same time taking care of
their babies. There were patient donkeys longing to be freed from their
loads of goods which their masters were trying to sell.

"Mamma, mamma!" whispered Esther. "There is a baby gazelle in the basket
on that woman's head. It is even smaller than the one I saw at
Rebecca's. I suppose she is trying to sell the little thing."

"Look at the woman beside her," said Miriam. "She looks very tired. I
suppose she has walked several miles from her own village with her
baskets of fruit. Her baby boy sits on her shoulders, crowing and
laughing at every one who passes by."

"Come, children. We will go now to some shops where I must buy things
not sold here," said Esther's mother.

She led the way out of the market and they entered a crowded street.
There were Turks in their flowing robes, Arabs, Armenians, Syrians, and
Jews. Almost all were gaily dressed, and many of them were handsome. The
Arabs were either barefooted, or else they wore red or yellow slippers.

"They lift their feet as though they were passing over a desert," said
Esther to Miriam, as they went by some Arabs.

[Illustration: A STREET IN JERUSALEM.]

"I should think they would suffer from the heat," answered her sister.
"Their heads look so big, I'm sure they have two or three caps under
their turbans."

"Perhaps they think the more clothing they wear, the better the heat
will be kept out," said their mother, who heard what they were talking
about.

"Here is the shop I was looking for. We will go in."

She led the way into a sort of cave cut into the soft rock. It was a
dark, dingy little place. There were shelves around the sides of it. In
the middle was a sort of counter, where the storekeeper sat with his
goods around him.

As Esther's mother entered, he slowly took his pipe from his mouth and
stopped his gossiping with a friend who sat outside on the pavement. He
was in no hurry, however. He acted more like a king on his throne than a
trader who had to sell cloth for a living.

"Yellow plush, is it?" he asked. "Ah! I have some beautiful, beautiful.
It is the very thing."

But his customer was not easily satisfied, and after she had finally
picked out the piece she wished, there was a long talk about the price.
Both were satisfied at last. The plush was cut off and wrapped up, and
the storekeeper was left to his own pleasure.

Esther's mother still had some errands to do, so they visited several
other stores. They were not all in caves, however, but most of them were
small and dark.

At last, everything needed was purchased and the lady and children
started homeward.

"Look at the sky," said Esther. "Isn't it beautiful to-night?"

The sun was almost setting. The clouds were turning a rosy red. They
were so bright that the city itself seemed to share in their glory.

"Jerusalem the Blessed!" said Miriam, in a low voice.

"There is papa. We are late about getting home and so is he," said
Esther. "Now we can have his company."

Her father had already seen his wife and the girls, and was smiling at
them.

It was a warm evening, yet he wore his fur-trimmed, round velvet hat
over the tight-fitting cap that never left his head in the daytime. A
long lock of hair hung down on each side of his face, as it always did
after he was dressed for the day.

"Bless you, my little ones," he said, as Esther and Miriam each seized a
hand. "Now tell me what you have seen while you were shopping."

The children chattered as they do everywhere in the world. They
described the market and the people, the camels and the shopkeepers.

"We were coming to your store when we found how late it was. Then we
thought it would be closed, and you on your way home. And so you were,"
said Esther, laughingly.

By the time the children had reached their own door, they were so tired
they thought only of bed and sleep. They were even too tired to care
about their supper.

"But you must not slight your night prayer," said their father, soberly.

Esther's and Miriam's eyes winked and blinked a good many times before
they got through the prayer.

"It never seemed so long before, except when I was sick," Esther told
her adopted sister, when they were at last stretched on their beds.
"And, do you know, Miriam," she added, sleepily, "I believe Solomon
doesn't always repeat it all. He says our people have so many prayers he
gets tired of them sometimes. Isn't that dreadful?"

But Miriam was already sound asleep, and did not answer.



CHAPTER VII.

THE CAVE


"WHICH way did you come?" asked Levi, as he helped the two little girls
down from the ass's back. Solomon had walked by their side all the way.

"We passed through the Jaffa gate and then took the shortest way down
here into the valley," said Esther.

Jerusalem is surrounded by walls. There are seven gates through which
the city may be entered or left. But the Jaffa and Damascus gates are
the ones most used.

"We saw a Bedouin riding a beautiful horse. He was in full dress, and
looked just elegant," said Solomon. "I should like to own a horse like
his."

"Tell me how he was dressed," said Rebecca.

"His long, wide cloak must have been quite new. I could tell, because
the yellow stripes looked so clean and bright. The shawl bound around
his head and hanging down over his shoulders was pure white," said
Miriam.

"His high red leather boots were the handsomest part of his dress. There
were tassels at the sides, of course," interrupted Solomon. "But his
sash! You ought to have seen the shining dagger and the pistol that were
stuck in it. My! the man looked as though he were ready to meet any one.

"His horse was a beauty, too. She was decked with red woollen tassels
that reached clear to the ground. She snorted and stepped off with the
spirit of a war-horse. You know the tassels are useful in keeping off
the flies. There are such swarms of them the poor beasts suffer very
much."

[Illustration: A BEDOUIN.]

"But come along, children, I know you want to have a romp under the
trees. You need not stay here talking any longer."

While Levi was speaking, Rebecca put her arm around Miriam's waist and
tried to make her feel at home. She had not been to Jerusalem since the
little orphan had come to live with Esther and Solomon.

"She is a sweet child," she thought. "Not as strong as Esther nor as
brave as Solomon. But she will be grateful for kindness. I feel sure of
that when I look into her eyes."

In a few minutes Rebecca and Levi were playing with their young company
as though they were children themselves.

"To-morrow we will have a little picnic, and I will take you to a cave
you have never visited," promised Levi, as his young visitors were
bidding him good night.

"It is a pleasant walk there, and not so far as to tire us," added
Rebecca.

The next morning was bright and clear. The breakfast was soon eaten,
after which, Esther and Miriam helped Rebecca clean up the house and
prepare the lunch they were to carry.

While they were waiting for Levi and Solomon to finish some farm work,
the little girls had a chance to pet the gazelle and the tame sheep of
which Rebecca had written them.

At last they were all ready to start. It was a pleasant walk, as Rebecca
had said, yet there were several rough and rather wild places to pass
through.

"Almost all the caves around here are made of limestone," said Levi. "It
is so soft that the rains wear great hollows in the rocks."

"Did you ever go to the cave of Adullam, Levi?" asked Solomon.

"Yes, once when I was a boy. It is beyond Bethlehem. I had heard father
speak of it. He told me that King David hid there with four hundred of
his followers."

"Four hundred! It must be a very big cave, then," said Esther.

"You would think so, if you once got inside. There is one hall that is
thirty-eight yards long. There are several passages leading into it.
Some are so low that one has to crawl through them on his hands and
knees. Others spread out into large chambers. Many of these chambers are
very beautiful. The water has trickled down the walls and worn the soft
limestone into the loveliest patterns."

"How could you see, Levi? wasn't it dark inside the cave?" asked
Solomon.

"Of course it was, but every one in the party carried a lighted torch or
candle. The torches gave light enough to show the beautiful ornaments."

"There is our own cave ahead of us," said Rebecca. "Of course I mean it
is the one we are to visit," she added, with a laugh.

All the children could see was a great mass of rocks on the side of a
hill. As they drew nearer, they spied a small hole near the ground.

"Must we crawl through that hole?" asked Esther, with a shiver.

"It is larger than you imagine," replied Levi. "Besides, you only have
to crawl a few feet. After that the way opens up quite suddenly. I will
go first with my torch. Then you can all follow."

"I'm afraid," Miriam whispered to Esther. She did not wish Solomon to
hear her. She feared he would make fun of her.

"Hold on to my hand and have courage. I will go ahead of you," was the
answer.

One by one, they passed through the opening.

"Isn't this fun!" cried Solomon as they all stood in the chamber worn
out of the rocks.

"It makes me feel queer to think of being underground," said Esther.

"Hark! What's that noise?" said Miriam, in a frightened voice.

"It's only a family of bats we have taken by surprise. They are not used
to callers," said Levi.

The bats were more frightened than Miriam. They flew about in a blind
way. Several times they almost brushed against the faces of Rebecca and
Levi, the tallest ones in the party.

"Ugh! I don't like bats," said Miriam. "I am going outside."

"Just wait a minute until I see if there are any pretty decorations on
the walls. Look! Here is just what I was searching for."

Levi held his torch up near the roof.

"Isn't it beautiful? How can Nature work in such a regular pattern?"
said Rebecca, half to herself.

"It is because she is the handmaiden of the Lord," replied Levi,
reverently.

After they had left the cave and were once more out in the bright
sunshine, the children were allowed to choose a place for the picnic
dinner. They had brought water for bathing the hands and face as well as
for drinking. Levi had told them before they started that there was no
well or spring near the place.

After they had washed and prayed, they were all ready to enjoy the nice
luncheon Rebecca had prepared.

"Tell us stories about King David, won't you, please Levi?" asked
Solomon. "When you spoke of the cave of Adullam this morning you said
David hid there with a great many of his followers. I suppose that made
me think of him now."

"I should like nothing better," said Levi, stretching himself out on
the ground. "But would you all like to hear about the 'Sweet Singer of
Israel'?"

"Indeed we would," sounded a chorus of voices.



CHAPTER VIII.

THE SWEET SINGER OF ISRAEL


"VERY well, then. Let us go back to the days of long ago, long, even,
before the destruction of our beloved city. Let us seek David on the
hillsides, tending his flocks with loving care.

"One day a visitor came to the house of Jesse, David's father. This
visitor was no other than the prophet Samuel. He had received a command
from the Lord telling him to take a vial of oil and seek the house of
Jesse.

"'There,' said the Lord, 'you will find the new king who is to succeed
Saul.'

"Samuel hastened to obey. When he reached Jesse's house, he asked to see
his sons. One by one passed before him till the eighth son, David,
appeared. Then the voice of the Lord again spoke to Samuel. It said:

"'Arise, anoint him, for this is he.'

"As soon as the prophet had anointed David with the oil, the young man
was filled with the spirit and power of God. At the same time, they left
King Saul, who did many foolish and bad deeds after this.

"But what of David? Did he go out into the world and declare himself the
future king of Israel? Not so. He continued to live his peaceful, quiet
life as a shepherd. He learned to sing, and play upon the harp. He now
showed himself indeed the 'Sweet Singer of Israel.'

"He began to show power in other ways, too. Many times the fierce lions
and savage bears came creeping upon his flocks. Many times David met and
overpowered them with the strength given to him by the Lord."

"It seems as though I can see him guarding his flocks," said Solomon, as
Levi stopped talking to rest for a moment. "His beautiful black eyes are
looking out into the night and watching for danger. He looks at his
sleeping sheep to see if all are safe. Then he hears the sound of foes
drawing near and springs to meet them."

"I like best to think of him with a tiny lamb in his arms," said Esther.
"He holds it lovingly against his breast, as though he would say, 'I
will save you from all harm, poor, helpless creature.'"

Levi now went on with his story.

"While David was still tending his flocks, King Saul was waging war upon
the Philistines, the bitter enemies of our people. They became more and
more daring, until at last they gathered on the side of a mountain right
here in Israel.

"Three of David's brothers were fighting in Saul's army and went out to
meet the Philistines. David often went to the camp to visit his
brothers. He happened to be there once when a Philistine giant marched
forth and dared any Israelite to fight with him.

"There was no one who felt able to say, 'I am not afraid; I accept your
challenge.'

"'No one,' did I say? At first, this was true, for every one in Saul's
army kept silent. But when David saw this, he felt the spirit of the
Lord stir within him. He arose, saying, 'I will meet you.'

"He was now led before Saul, and there, in the presence of the king, he
said he had faith that God would save him from harm, even from the hand
of the giant. At first, Saul thought:

"'It is of no use for this young shepherd to go out alone to meet the
giant. He will only lose his life.'

"But when he heard what David said, he changed his mind. He got out a
strong suit of armour, and even helped him to put it on. David was not
used to such things. The armour weighed him down so that he staggered
and almost fell. He said:

"'It would be better for me to carry only such weapons as I know. Let me
take my shepherd's staff and the sling I have used so often in meeting
the wild beasts.'

"He was allowed to do as he chose. He went forth to meet the giant with
nothing to help him save his staff and sling.

"And what did the giant, Goliath, say when he saw the young shepherd
draw near? He spoke in scornful words. But he suddenly became silent as
David sent a stone from his sling that passed through his forehead and
entered his brain. As soon as David saw the success of his shot, he
rushed to the giant's side, seized his sword, and cut off his head.

"The watching Philistines were filled with fear. They began to flee.
But Saul's army followed and overtook them and killed great numbers.

"All Israel now began to praise David. Saul, too, was filled with
delight. He declared he was willing David should marry his elder
daughter after a while.

"Now the king, as you know, often did wild and foolish things. This was,
perhaps, because he gave way to fits of bad temper. When he learned of
David's power to play and sing, he often asked the young shepherd to
quiet his angry feelings with the sweet music of his harp and voice.

"He was very fond of David in those days, but after a while he became
jealous when he heard the constant praises of the people. They said,
'Saul hath slain his thousands, but David his ten thousands.'

"His anger was now turned against the brave shepherd. At one time, he
threw his spear at David. It was when the lad was playing on his harp.
But Saul failed to do what his wicked heart desired. The Lord was
protecting the future king of Israel.

"Again he tried to kill David, and again he failed. Saul must have
thought that it was of no use, so now he sought to injure the young man
in a different way. He gave the daughter he had promised David to
another lover.

"But Saul soon found that his younger daughter loved David. He now said:

"'You may have Michal if you will first kill one hundred Philistines.'
He only said this because he hoped David would be killed by the enemy."

"I know what David did," exclaimed Solomon, who could keep still no
longer. "He went out and destroyed two hundred Philistines, instead of
one hundred."

"Yes," said Levi, "and he brought back the spoils and laid them at the
feet of Saul. The king was now obliged to have David for a son-in-law.
But he hated him as much as ever.

"So he told his son Jonathan and some of his attendants to kill him. Now
Jonathan, as you must know, loved David as a brother. He did all in his
power to make his father feel more kindly toward him. He had almost
succeeded, when Saul was seized with a new spirit of madness. All his
wicked feelings came back, and he hired some bad men to take David by
surprise when he was asleep, and kill him.

"Somehow or other, Michal heard of the plot. She warned David, and he
fled from the palace. But Michal did not stop here. She made the shape
of a man and placed it in David's bed. In this way the bad men who came
to kill him were deceived.

"I am rather tired, Rebecca," said Levi, when he had got this far in
his story. "Won't you go on and tell the children about David's flight?"

"Certainly," said his wife. In her sweet, clear voice she made a picture
of David hiding near Ramah. "But he was not safe, for Saul heard where
he was. He sent men there to take him prisoner. A strange thing happened
on their way. They were overcome by the spirit of the Lord, and they did
not dare seize David.

"When Saul was told how they had failed, he went himself in search of
David. But he, too, was overpowered by the spirit of the Lord. And what
do you think happened? Instead of harming him, he asked David to come
back to the palace.

"But David did not feel sure that Saul was a true friend. He thought it
would be the wisest thing for him to see Jonathan first and ask him to
find out how his father really felt.

"Jonathan was a true friend. It did not take him long to learn that Saul
was as much an enemy as ever. He must now let David know about it, and
prevent his return to the palace. He knew where David was hiding, but he
did not dare seek him out.

"Instead of that, he started from the palace to go shooting. He took a
boy with him. When he had come close to the place where his friend was
hidden, he began to shoot. He spoke to the boy from time to time. He
used such words as to let the listening David know that the king was no
more his friend than ever."

When Rebecca had got thus far, Miriam looked a little perplexed.

"I don't see how David could understand what he meant," she said.

"He had agreed with Jonathan that certain words should mean certain
things, my dear."

"Oh, I see now. Go on with the story, please."

Rebecca smiled pleasantly, and went on.

"David prepared to flee at once. But he had no arms or food. He must
have both.

"He went to the house of the High Priest. When he had entered, he told
him he had come with a message from the king. He asked for the sword of
Goliath, which was in the High Priest's keeping. He also asked for five
sacred loaves of shewbread, which no one dared to eat except the
priests.

"When these had been given him he hurried away. He had one adventure
after another. It was about this time that he hid in the cave of
Adullam. His brothers and a great many other Israelites joined him
there.

"While he was hiding in the cave of Adullam, the prophet of God came to
him, telling him to go into the land of Judah. He started at once to
obey the prophet's command. Saul heard where he was and followed him.
On his way, the king heard how David had been helped by the High Priest.
He was so angry that he ordered not only the High Priest to be killed,
but also his eighty-five helpers, and all the people of the town in
which he lived.

"The son of the High Priest managed to escape. He fled to David and told
him the sad story. You can imagine how bad David felt when he learned
what had happened through his own deceit. But his mind was kept busy
with plans to keep out of Saul's reach, for the king followed him from
place to place.

"One night while David was hiding in a cave, the king stopped to rest at
that very spot. Little did he dream who was so near him. While he lay
sleeping David crept to his side and cut off a piece of his cloak. He
might have killed Saul at this time, but he had too great a heart.

"The next day, just as the king was riding away in his chariot, David
appeared in the mouth of the cave. He held up the piece he had cut from
Saul's cloak. Then the king knew he had been in David's power. He saw
how generously he had been treated. He felt such shame that he
determined to do the young man no more harm. But his heart soon grew
wicked again and once more he began to persecute him.

"David again showed him how generous he was. He crept into Saul's tent
one night. The king's army was encamped all around him. Only a servant
went with David on this dangerous trip.

"No one saw them as they stole along. No one heard them as David stepped
to the side of the sleeping Saul and seized his spear and cup; then away
they sped till they reached the hilltop opposite the one where Saul had
taken his stand.

"David now cried out in a loud voice to wake the sleeping army. He
showed the cup and spear he had taken away from Saul's tent. Saul saw
that David had spared his life a second time. He was again filled with
gratitude.

"But David had learned not to trust him. He sought a home among the
Philistines and helped them in their wars. They treated him with great
kindness and their king became his true friend.

"Not long after this, the Philistines went out to battle against Saul.
David was not with them at this time. It was a sad day for the
Israelites. They were badly beaten and Saul's sons were killed. Yes,
even David's faithful friend Jonathan lost his life. Saul was overcome
with sorrow. He threw himself upon his sword and died by his own hand.

"When David heard the news he felt very sad. He mourned bitterly over
the death of Jonathan. But this could not be helped now, and there was
much work to do for his people.

"The Israelites were in a pitiful state. The Philistines had most of the
country in their power. A leader was needed. That leader was at hand. It
was David, the hero, the Sweet Singer.

"'How just he is!' said the people. 'How brave he is!' all cried.

"Not long after this he was crowned King of Israel. At first, he lived
in Hebron, but afterward he went to Jerusalem, where a beautiful palace
was built for him and his family. And now he went on and became great,
for the Lord God of hosts was with him."

Rebecca bowed her head as she said these words.

"Let us chant one of the psalms of David," said Levi. "It is a good way
to end our afternoon."

Rebecca began the words of the beautiful twenty-third psalm. The others
joined their voices with hers.


THE END.



Selections from The Page Company's Books for Young People



THE BLUE BONNET SERIES

  _Each large 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated, per volume_   $1.75


=A TEXAS BLUE BONNET=

By CAROLINE E. JACOBS.

"The book's heroine, Blue Bonnet, has the very finest kind of wholesome,
honest, lively girlishness."--_Chicago Inter-Ocean._


=BLUE BONNET'S RANCH PARTY=

By CAROLINE E. JACOBS AND EDYTH ELLENBECK READ.

"A healthy, natural atmosphere breathes from every chapter."--_Boston
Transcript._


=BLUE BONNET IN BOSTON=

By CAROLINE E. JACOBS AND LELA HORN RICHARDS.

"It is bound to become popular because of its wholesomeness and its many
human touches."--_Boston Globe._


=BLUE BONNET KEEPS HOUSE=

By CAROLINE E. JACOBS AND LELA HORN RICHARDS.

"It cannot fail to prove fascinating to girls in their teens."--_New
York Sun._


=BLUE BONNET--DÉBUTANTE=

By LELA HORN RICHARDS.

An interesting picture of the unfolding of life for Blue Bonnet.


=BLUE BONNET OF THE SEVEN STARS=

By LELA HORN RICHARDS.

"The author's intimate detail and charm of narration gives the reader an
interesting story of the heroine's war activities."--_Pittsburgh
Leader._



THE YOUNG PIONEER SERIES

By HARRISON ADAMS

    _Each 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated, per volume_      $1.65


=THE PIONEER BOYS OF THE OHIO;= OR, CLEARING THE WILDERNESS.

"Such books as this are an admirable means of stimulating among the
young Americans of to-day interest in the story of their pioneer
ancestors and the early days of the Republic."--_Boston Globe._


=THE PIONEER BOYS ON THE GREAT LAKES;= OR, ON THE TRAIL OF THE IROQUOIS.

"The recital of the daring deeds of the frontier is not only interesting
but instructive as well and shows the sterling type of character which
these days of self-reliance and trial produced."--_American Tourist,
Chicago._


=THE PIONEER BOYS OF THE MISSISSIPPI;= OR, THE HOMESTEAD IN THE
WILDERNESS.

"The story is told with spirit, and is full of adventure."--_New York
Sun._


=THE PIONEER BOYS OF THE MISSOURI;= OR, IN THE COUNTRY OF THE SIOUX.

"Vivid in style, vigorous in movement, full of dramatic situations, true
to historic perspective, this story is a capital one for
boys."--_Watchman Examiner, New York City._


=THE PIONEER BOYS OF THE YELLOWSTONE;= OR, LOST IN THE LAND OF WONDERS.

"There is plenty of lively adventure and action and the story is well
told."--_Duluth Herald, Duluth, Minn._


=THE PIONEER BOYS OF THE COLUMBIA;= OR, IN THE WILDERNESS OF THE GREAT
NORTHWEST.

"The story is full of spirited action and contains much valuable
historical information."--_Boston Herald._



THE HADLEY HALL SERIES

By LOUIS M. BREITENBACH

  _Each large 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated, per volume_   $1.65


=ALMA AT HADLEY HALL=

"The author is to be congratulated on having written such an appealing
book for girls."--_Detroit Free Press._


=ALMA'S SOPHOMORE YEAR=

"It cannot fail to appeal to the lovers of good things in girls'
books."--_Boston Herald._


=ALMA'S JUNIOR YEAR=

"The diverse characters in the boarding-school are strongly drawn, the
incidents are well developed and the action is never dull."--_The Boston
Herald._


=ALMA'S SENIOR YEAR=

"A healthy, natural atmosphere breathes from every chapter."--BOSTON
TRANSCRIPT.



THE GIRLS OF FRIENDLY TERRACE SERIES

By HARRIET LUMMIS SMITH

  _Each large 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated, per volume_   $1.65


=THE GIRLS OF FRIENDLY TERRACE=

"A book sure to please girl readers, for the author seems to understand
perfectly the girl character."--_Boston Globe._


=PEGGY RAYMOND'S VACATION=

"It is a wholesome, hearty story."--_Utica Observer._


=PEGGY RAYMOND'S SCHOOL DAYS=

The book is delightfully written, and contains lots of exciting
incidents.


=THE FRIENDLY TERRACE QUARTETTE=

These four lively girls found their opportunities to serve their
country. The story of their adventures will bring anew to every girl who
rends about them the realization of what she owes to her country.



FAMOUS LEADERS SERIES

By CHARLES H. L. JOHNSTON

  _Each large 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated, per volume_  $2.00


=FAMOUS CAVALRY LEADERS=

"More of such books should be written, books that acquaint young readers
with historical personages in a pleasant, informal way."--_New York
Sun._


=FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEFS=

"Mr. Johnston has done faithful work in this volume, and his relation of
battles, sieges and struggles of these famous Indians with the whites
for the possession of America is a worthy addition to United States
History."--_New York Marine Journal._


=FAMOUS SCOUTS=

"It is the kind of a book that will have a great fascination for boys
and young men."--_New London Day._


=FAMOUS PRIVATEERSMEN AND ADVENTURERS OF THE SEA=

"The tales are more than merely interesting; they are entrancing,
stirring the blood with thrilling force."--_Pittsburgh Post._


=FAMOUS FRONTIERSMEN AND HEROES OF THE BORDER=

"The accounts are not only authentic, but distinctly readable, making a
book of wide appeal to all who love the history of actual
adventure."--_Cleveland Leader._


=FAMOUS DISCOVERERS AND EXPLORERS OF AMERICA=

"The book is an epitome of some of the wildest and bravest adventures of
which the world has known."--_Brooklyn Daily Eagle._


=FAMOUS GENERALS OF THE GREAT WAR=

Who Led the United States and Her Allies to a Glorious Victory.

"The pages of this book have the charm of romance without its unreality.
The book illuminates, with life-like portraits, the history of the World
War."--_Rochester Post Express._



HILDEGARDE-MARGARET SERIES

By LAURA E. RICHARDS

Eleven Volumes

The Hildegarde-Margaret Series, beginning with "Queen Hildegarde" and
ending with "The Merryweathers," make one of the best and most popular
series of books for girls ever written.

  _Each large 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated, per volume_   $1.75
  _The eleven volumes boxed as a set_                           $19.25


LIST OF TITLES

    =QUEEN HILDEGARDE=
    =HILDEGARDE'S HOLIDAY=
    =HILDEGARDE'S HOME=
    =HILDEGARDE'S NEIGHBORS=
    =HILDEGARDE'S HARVEST=
    =THREE MARGARETS=
    =MARGARET MONTFORT=
    =PEGGY=
    =RITA=
    =FERNLEY HOUSE=
    =THE MERRYWEATHERS=



THE CAPTAIN JANUARY SERIES

By LAURA E. RICHARDS

    _Each one volume, 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated,
      per volume_                                           90 cents


=CAPTAIN JANUARY=

A charming idyl of New England coast life, whose success has been very
remarkable.

    SAME. _Illustrated Holiday Edition_      $1.35


=MELODY:= THE STORY OF A CHILD.


=MARIE=

A companion to "Melody" and "Captain January."


=ROSIN THE BEAU=

A sequel to "Melody" and "Marie."


=SNOW-WHITE;= OR, THE HOUSE IN THE WOOD.


=JIM OF HELLAS;= OR, IN DURANCE VILE, and a companion story, BETHESDA
POOL.


=NARCISSA=

And a companion story, IN VERONA, being two delightful short stories of
New England life.


="SOME SAY"=

And a companion story, NEIGHBORS IN CYRUS.


=NAUTILUS=

"'Nautilus' is by far the best product of the author's powers, and is
certain to achieve the wide success it so richly merits."


=ISLA HERON=

This interesting story is written in the author's usual charming
manner.



DELIGHTFUL BOOKS FOR LITTLE FOLKS

By LAURA E. RICHARDS


=THREE MINUTE STORIES=

    Cloth decorative, 12mo, with eight plates in full color and
      many text illustrations                                   $1.75

"Little ones will understand and delight in the stories and
poems."--_Indianapolis News._


=FIVE MINUTE STORIES=

    Cloth decorative, square 12mo, illustrated      $1.75

A charming collection of short stories and clever poems for children.


=MORE FIVE MINUTE STORIES=

    Cloth decorative, square 12mo, illustrated      $1.75

A noteworthy collection of short stories and poems for children, which
will prove as popular with mothers as with boys and girls.


=FIVE MICE IN A MOUSE TRAP=

    Cloth decorative, square 12mo, illustrated      $1.75

The story of their lives and other wonderful things related by the Man
in the Moon, done in the vernacular from the lunacular form by Laura E.
Richards.



A NEW BOOK FOR GIRLS

By LAURA E. RICHARDS


=HONOR BRIGHT=

    Cloth decorative, 12mo, illustrated      $1.75

No girl ever deserved more to have a series of stories written about her
than does HONOR BRIGHT, the newest heroine of a talented author who has
created many charming girls. Born of American parents who die in the far
East, Honor spends her school days at the Pension Madeline in Vevey,
Switzerland, surrounded by playmates of half a dozen nationalities. As
are all of Mrs. Richards' heroines, HONOR BRIGHT is the highest type of
the young girl of America, with all the independence of character which
is American to the core in young as in old.



THE BOYS' STORY OF THE RAILROAD SERIES

By BURTON E. STEVENSON

    _Each large 12mo, cloth decorative, illustrated, per volume_ $1.75


=THE YOUNG SECTION-HAND;= OR, THE ADVENTURES OF ALLEN WEST.

"The whole range of section railroading is covered in the
story."--_Chicago Post._


=THE YOUNG TRAIN DISPATCHER=

"A vivacious account of the varied and often hazardous nature of
railroad life."--_Congregationalist._


=THE YOUNG TRAIN MASTER=

"It is a book that can be unreservedly commended to anyone who loves a
good, wholesome, thrilling, informing yarn."--_Passaic News._


=THE YOUNG APPRENTICE;= OR, ALLAN WEST'S CHUM.

"The story is intensely interesting."--_Baltimore Sun._



BOY SCOUT STORIES

By BREWER CORCORAN

_Published with the approval of "The Boy Scouts of America."_

    _Each, one volume, 12mo, cloth decorative,
       illustrated, per volume_                        $1.75


=THE BOY SCOUTS OF KENDALLVILLE=

The story of a bright young factory worker who cannot enlist because he
has three dependents, but his knowledge of woodcraft and wig-wagging,
gained through Scout practice, enables him to foil a German plot to blow
up the munitions factory.


=THE BOY SCOUTS OF THE WOLF PATROL=

The boys of Gillfield who were not old enough to go to war found just as
many thrills at home, chasing a German spy.



THE CARITA SERIES

By LUCY M. BLANCHARD

    _Each, one volume, cloth decorative, 12mo, illustrated_      $1.65


=CARITA, AND HOW SHE BECAME A PATRIOTIC AMERICAN=

"One of the strongest points of the book is the fact that its characters
seem to be real people, doing the things that real people do. More than
that, they are wholesome, worth-while folks whose companionship inspires
a sane and pleasing view of life."--_Salt Lake Tribune, Salt Lake City._


=CARITA'S NEW WORLD=

"Wholesome and altogether fascinating; all this can be truly said of all
of Miss Blanchard's stories for girls. 'Carita's New World' has both of
these characteristics."--_Troy Record, Troy, N. Y._

"There is a fine originality about Carita that will make her adorable to
all girls."--_Oakland Tribune._



THE MERRYMAKERS SERIES

By HERSCHEL WILLIAMS

    _Each, one volume, 12mo, illustrated_      $1.65


=THE MERRYMAKERS IN NEW YORK=

"The book is bright and clever and gives an excellent picture of our
great metropolis. One can in his imagination see New York most
entertainingly through the eyes of the young Merrymakers."--_St.
Andrew's Cross, Philadelphia._


=THE MERRYMAKERS IN CHICAGO=

The Merrymakers who had such a splendid Christmas vacation in New York,
enjoy another rollicking good time,--a summer vacation in Chicago. While
brother Ned, the young newspaper reporter, "covers" the Republican
national convention in Chicago, Carl, the oldest of the four sightseeing
Merrymakers, decides that he wants to own a department store some day,
and incidentally learns all the steps he must take from being an errand
boy to a merchant magnate.



IDEAL BOOKS FOR GIRLS

    _Each, one volume, cloth decorative, 12mo_,      $1.10


=A LITTLE CANDY BOOK FOR A LITTLE GIRL=

By AMY L. WATERMAN.

"This is a peculiarly interesting little book, written in the simple,
vivacious style that makes these little manuals as delightful to read as
they are instructive."--_Nashville Tennessean and American._


=A LITTLE COOK-BOOK FOR A LITTLE GIRL=

By CAROLINE FRENCH BENTON.

This book explains how to cook so simply that no one can fail to
understand every word, even a complete novice.


=A LITTLE HOUSEKEEPING BOOK FOR A LITTLE GIRL=

By CAROLINE FRENCH BENTON.

A little girl, home from school on Saturday mornings, finds out how to
make helpful use of her spare time, and also how to take proper pride
and pleasure in good housework.


=A LITTLE SEWING BOOK FOR A LITTLE GIRL=

By LOUISE FRANCES CORNELL.

"It is comprehensive and practical, and yet revealingly instructive. It
takes a little girl who lives alone with her mother, and shows how her
mother taught her the art of sewing in its various branches. The
illustrations aid materially."--_Wilmington Every Evening._


=A LITTLE PRESERVING BOOK FOR A LITTLE GIRL=

By AMY L. WATERMAN.

In simple, clear wording, Mrs. Waterman explains every step of the
process of preserving or "canning" fruits and vegetables.


=A LITTLE GARDENING BOOK FOR A LITTLE GIRL=

By PETER MARTIN.

This little volume is an excellent guide for the young gardener. In
addition to truck gardening, the book gives valuable information on
flowers, the planning of the garden, selection of varieties, etc.

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Transcriber's Note:

Obvious punctuation errors repaired.





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