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Title: The Juvenile Scrap-book for 1849 - A Christmas and New Year's present for young people
Author: Various
Language: English
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THE JUVENILE SCRAP BOOK.
FOR MDCCCXLIX.
EDITED BY,
GRANDFATHER MERRYMAN.
[Illustration]
New York. D. Appleton & Company 200 Broadway
THE
JUVENILE SCRAP-BOOK
FOR
1849;
A
CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR’S PRESENT
FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
EDITED BY
GRANDFATHER MERRYMAN.
WITH TWENTY-EIGHT ENGRAVINGS ON STEEL.
NEW-YORK:
D. APPLETON & CO., 200 BROADWAY.
PHILADELPHIA:
GEO. S. APPLETON, 143 CHESNUT-STREET.
MDCCCXLIX.
ENTERED, according to act of Congress, in the year 1848, by D.
APPLETON & CO.,
In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court for the Southern
District of New-York.
PREFACE.
One day while sitting in my garden at my country-seat in New York State,
from which, by looking at the title, you will see I have a fine view
of the high bridge across the Harlem River, one of my favorite little
granddaughters came running to me, just as I had seated myself in my old
garden-seat, and earnestly begged me to again read her book to her. But,
as I thought she had heard those stories so often, I supposed she would
like to hear some new ones much better, so I related to her two or three.
With these, and with others that I told her during the holydays which she
was spending with me, she was so much pleased, that I thought my numerous
juvenile friends throughout the country would also like to possess them.
I have accordingly collected them into a volume, which my publishers
have made very attractive by the addition of twenty-eight beautiful
engravings; and it is now offered as a Christmas and New Year’s Present,
to amuse and instruct you, by your friend,
GRANDFATHER MERRYMAN.
PHILADELPHIA, December, 1848.
CONTENTS
PAGE
The Proud Girl 9
The Use of Punishments 17
Julian and his Rabbit 20
Queen Anne’s Physicians 25
Lizzie Carson 29
Cruelty to Animals 37
Deception Punished 40
Brothers and Sisters 43
The Geraldines 45
Faithful Fido 51
Generosity Rewarded 54
Danger of Coquetry 61
Pussy-hood 67
Harry and his Rabbits 69
The Shipwrecked on an Uninhabited Island 72
Hints on Reading 80
Scenes in the Life of a Roach 82
The Carter’s Helpmates 85
The Folly of being Vain 89
Orphan Wanderers 95
Anticipations and Realities 99
A Fox’s Tale of his Adventures 104
New Charades 119
Mary and her Little Goat 122
Confidence in an Indian 125
“The Spell of a Gentle Word” 129
Indian Children 133
The Boyhood of Washington 141
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
PAGE.
GRANDFATHER MERRYMAN Frontispiece.
THE PROUD GIRL (2 plates) 9
THE USE OF PUNISHMENTS 17
JULIAN AND HIS RABBIT 20
QUEEN ANNE’S PHYSICIANS 25
LIZZIE CARSON (2 plates) 29
CRUELTY TO ANIMALS 37
DECEPTION PUNISHED 40
BROTHERS AND SISTERS 43
THE GERALDINES 45
FAITHFUL FIDO 51
GENEROSITY REWARDED (2 plates) 54
DANGERS OF COQUETRY 61
HARRY AND HIS RABBITS 69
THE SHIPWRECKED (2 plates) 72
HINTS ON READING 80
THE CARTER’S HELPMATES 85
THE FOLLY OF BEING VAIN (2 plates) 89
ORPHAN WANDERERS 95
ANTICIPATIONS AND REALITIES 99
A FOX’S ADVENTURES (2 plates) 104
MARY AND HER GOAT 122
JUVENILE SCRAP-BOOK.
THE PROUD GIRL.
[Illustration]
“How I wish gran’pa was here!” exclaimed little Susan Fielding, one day
to her mother, who was busying herself about household affairs, and could
not devote as much of her time to her children, Susan and Robert, as
usual. Robert was about nine years old, and thought himself too much of a
little man to complain of any fancied neglect on his mother’s part; so he
amused himself by drawing horses and dogs on his new slate, a department
of the fine arts, for which, if he had no particular talent, he showed
at least a plentiful supply of industry. Susan was two years younger
than Robert, and having no female companion of her own age, to converse
with when her mother was engaged, really felt lonesome; and this is the
reason why she cried, perhaps, a little impatiently, “How I wish gran’pa
was here!”
Mrs. Fielding entered the room at this moment, and hearing Susan’s
earnest wish, inquired of her why she was so anxious to see her grandpapa
just then.
“Because, ma,” replied the little girl; “gran’pa always tells me such
nice stories when I ask him to, and I _do_ want some one to talk to me
just now.”
“Well, my dear,” replied her mother, soothingly, “you will soon have your
wish, for I saw your gran’pa coming up the lawn as I entered. He’ll be
here presently, but do not tease him the moment he comes in, for you know
he is very old, and must have time to rest after his walk.”
Susan clapped her hands for joy, and promised that she would be very
patient, but she could not conceal her anticipated pleasure. As for
Robert, as soon as he heard of his grandpapa’s being near the house,
his slate and pencil were dropped immediately, and running to the door
to meet him, his eyes fairly sparkled with delight as he cried lustily,
“Gran’pa’s coming! gran’pa’s coming!”
Old Mr. Fielding was as much delighted with the children as they were
with him, and when he seated himself in his easy chair, drawn from its
corner by the children, he kissed both affectionately, and placed one on
each knee, saying,
“Well, my children, have you been well since I saw you last?”
“Oh, yes, gran’pa,” said Susan, “but I wanted you to come here _so_ bad.
Ma has been busy all day, and could not talk to me, and Robert would talk
of nothing but dogs and horses, and you know, gran’pa, little girls don’t
care about such animals. But now you’re here, and you’ll tell us all
about the proud little girl you spoke of last week—that is when you rest
yourself, gran’pa,” exclaimed Susan, suddenly recollecting that she must
not tease him, as her mother desired.
The old gentleman smiled at his grandchild’s thoughtfulness, and after a
few moment’s spent in collecting his ideas, during which time Robert’s
slate lay quite neglected, and Susan tried to look very patient, he began
as follows:
“Caroline Ellis was the only child of parents who thought that indulging
her in every wish was all that was necessary to make her happy, which
idea, my dear children, is very erroneous, for little boys and girls are
not as well qualified to judge what is good for them as grown people
are. Caroline was delicate, and notwithstanding her father’s wealth,
she became paler and paler each day, until at last great fears were
entertained that her life would pay the forfeit of her parents’ pride,
for that was the sole cause of their daughter’s ill-health. Her mother
was not like yours, Susan; she taught her child to believe that it was
low and vulgar to play as other children do; but kept her always dressed
up in the parlor, except when she took her to balls and parties with
herself. The consequences were that she pined away, until, as I told you,
great fears were felt for her life.
“Country air was recommended by the physicians, and, accompanied by
her mother, she visited several watering places, but always dressed up
in beautiful silks and satins, so that it was impossible to go in the
fields or meadows, without soiling her expensive dresses. Although the
change of air did her a great deal of good, her health was by no means
re-established, and now the physicians told her mother that her child
must be allowed to skip and jump about with children of her own age—which
I forgot to say was twelve years—instead of promenading like an old
person.”
“What is promenading, gran’pa?” interrupted Susan.
“It is walking slowly, my child, the way vain little girls walk who think
more about fine clothes than the sweet little flowers my darling Susan
loves so well. However, her mamma was prevailed on to send her to the
country, alone, to the house of her uncle, who had four children; but
Caroline had never seen them, and it was hard to persuade her to go into
the ‘dull country,’ as she called it, and mingle with ‘vulgar country
people.’ But she discovered her error in time.
“At her uncle’s, she was treated with great kindness and attention by
her cousins, who did all that lay in their power to please her—fresh
bouquets of flowers were pulled for her daily, and although she would at
first scarcely open her lips to any one of them, their repeated acts of
kindness overcame her pride somewhat, and she would occasionally talk
with her cousin Ellen, who was nearly her own age; but sometimes she
would let her proud feelings overcome her, and exclaim to her cousin,
‘Ellen, how can you content yourself in this dull place?’ Ellen was too
much of a real little lady to notice the rudeness, which must have hurt
her feelings, for she was doing every thing in her power to make her
cousin happy.
“Caroline was too selfish to care for any one’s pleasure but her own,”
continued old Mr. Fielding, “she had never been taught that the way to be
happy is to try to make others so. Ellen had given up her own pleasures
to amuse her cousin in her own way; but she was beginning to get tired of
her constant complaints of dullness, for to her nothing could be more
charming than the sweet singing of the birds, and she had little time now
to listen to the music of nature.
“One morning Ellen and Caroline were walking, and Ellen proposed a visit
to a cottage down a long green lane, occupied by their old nurse, greatly
beloved by the whole family, who visited her almost every day in good
weather. Caroline consented, and when they arrived near the place, they
were surprised to hear the voices of children, as if in great glee. Ellen
was further surprised and delighted to discover that they were her own
brothers and sisters, who had arrived by another route, and were busily
engaged with agricultural implements in their hands. Charles and Mary had
rakes, raking the hay, Emma was gathering flowers, and calling to Charles
to come and see how sweet they looked, and little Eddie was trying to
make the hay into bundles. ‘See, sis, how nice I can make it!’ shouted
he, and his voice rang clear through the pure air, as he clasped the
sweet-scented hay in his little hands. Ellen could resist the temptation
no longer; she ran to join her little brother in his healthful exercise.
Caroline remained looking at them through the window, shocked at first
at the idea of her cousin Ellen joining in such rude and vulgar sports;
but in a few moments the rich perfume of the new-made hay tempted her to
mingle with her cousins. At first, she made sad work of it, and several
times was on the point of withdrawing from the party; but fortunately she
did not—and for two long hours these happy children laughed and played,
until the time arrived to go home to supper. Caroline’s cheeks were now
flushed with exercise—she felt like a new being, and conscious that her
cousins were right, and she wrong, she laid her head on Ellen’s lap, and
bursting out into tears, asked her forgiveness for her rudeness. But
Ellen had nothing to forgive—she was happy because she was the means of
breaking her cousin of a fashionable vice, and when next day they went
again, refreshed after a sound sleep, to ramble and run among the grass
and flowers, the cousins became better acquainted than they ever had been
before, and the healthy color soon returned permanently to Caroline’s
cheeks, and she became quite well, and her aunt prevailed on her to
remain during the whole summer with them, which she willingly did, for
she now loved her aunt and cousins dearly.
“When at last her time arrived to go home, she cried heartily at the
thought of parting, and promised to come again next summer, and every
letter sent by her afterwards told of her continued good health, and was
full of thanks to her country cousins for their persevering kindness to
her until her proud spirit was completely broken, and she was enabled to
become a happy child of nature, and no longer worthy of the title of the
PROUD GIRL.”
[Illustration]
Susan and Robert both thanked their grandpapa for telling them such a
nice story, and hoped that they would never become proud and despise any
body; and they felt thankful to God for giving them such a good mamma, to
lead them in the way to do right.
THE USE OF PUNISHMENTS.
[Illustration: NEW-YORK
D. APPLETON & CO. 200 BROADWAY.]
Frank had a little cousin Mary; when Mary was six years old, she was
brought to live at his father’s house. Frank soon grew fond of Mary
and played with her at whatever she liked; sometimes he was her horse;
sometimes she was his horse; sometimes he rolled her in his wheelbarrow,
and sometimes she made a cat’s cradle for him.
Though Mary and Frank were good-natured, yet they had faults. Frank was
sometimes impatient; and Mary was sometimes a little cross. Frank had not
been used to play with children younger and weaker than himself. When he
found that he was the strongest, he made use of his strength to force
Mary to do as he commanded her; and when he wanted any thing she had, he
would snatch it rudely from her hands. Once Frank took a ball from her in
this manner, and hurt her so much that she roared out with the pain.
Frank’s father, who was in the next room, heard her, and came to inquire
what was the matter. Mary stopped crying; and Frank, though he felt much
ashamed, told his father how he had hurt her.
Frank’s father was pleased with his honesty, in telling the truth, but he
ordered the children into different rooms, and they were not allowed to
play together any more that day.
The next morning, at breakfast, Frank’s father asked if they liked best
to be together, or to be separate.
“To be together,” answered Frank and Mary.
“Then, my children, take care and do not quarrel,” said Frank’s father,
“for whenever you quarrel, I shall end your dispute at once, by
separating you. You, Frank, know the use of punishment.”
“Yes, I know,” answered Frank, “that when I have done wrong, you give me
pain; you take away what I like; or hinder me from doing as I like.”
“Do you think,” asked his father, “that I like to give pain—for what
purpose do I punish you?”
“Not because you like to give me pain, but to hinder me from doing wrong
again.”
“How will punishment hinder you from doing wrong again?”
“You know, papa, I should be afraid to have the same punishment again,
if I were to do the same wrong action; and the pain, and the shame of
the punishment, make me remember them a long while. Whenever I think of
doing the wrong action again, for which I was punished, I recollect the
punishment, and then I determine not to do wrong again.”
“Is there any other use in punishments, do you think, Frank?”
“Yes, to prevent other people from doing wrong: when they see a person
who has done wrong punished, if they are sure they shall have the same
punishment, if they do the same wrong thing, they take care not to do
it.”
JULIAN AND HIS RABBIT.
One day little Susan Clare came to her mother, with the request that
she would tell her a short story. Her mother, after satisfying herself
that Susan had been industriously employed during the morning, promised
to comply with her request, and the following conversation took place
between them.
“What shall I tell you about, my little girl?” said Mrs. Clare; “do you
know the story of the grateful Julian?”
“No, mother,” was the reply.
“Well, you shall hear it,” said Mrs. Clare. “There once lived a very poor
man, who had one child six years old, whose name was Julian. This little
boy was the owner of but one thing in the wide world, and that was a
rabbit.”
“Ah, mother,” exclaimed Susan, “it is a pretty little animal—the rabbit.
I wish that I had one.”
[Illustration: NEW-YORK
D. APPLETON & CO. 200 BROADWAY.]
“My dear Susan,” replied her mother, “you have so many nice things to
make you happy, that you can do very well without a rabbit. You have
nice clothes, good food and drink, and a clean bed on which to lie down
at night. You have a pretty doll, a couple of pigeons, and a whole closet
full of books and playthings. Poor little Julian had nothing of all
these.”
“What!” said Susan, “had he not even good clothes to keep him warm?”
“Some old rags hastily patched together, were all he had to cover
himself.”
“And did he have no bed?”
“A little straw in the corner, upon the ground.”
“And nothing to eat or drink?” asked Susan.
“Oftentimes nothing to eat,” said Mrs. Clare; “or, when he was very
hungry, a morsel of dry brown bread with some water.”
“O, poor Julian!” exclaimed Susan. “If he were here, I would give him
every day half of my breakfast and of my luncheon.”
“Now hear the rest of my story,” said her mother. “Notwithstanding he was
so poor, Julian was contented, for his little rabbit made up for all his
privations, and it was indeed a charming animal. Its hair was as white as
snow glittering in the sunshine, and soft as silk. Its eyes were bright
as diamonds, and then it was so tame, so fond of its little master! When
his father gave him a bit of bread, Julian would go behind the hut, and
sit down upon the grass; and then he had but to call, ‘Jeannot, Jeannot;’
and instantly his rabbit would run to him, leap upon his arm, and take
from him the morsels of bread one by one in his mouth.”
“O, my dear mother,” Susan here exclaimed, “I must, indeed, I must have a
rabbit exactly like it.”
“But you might tame with equal ease your lamb and your pigeons,” answered
Mrs. Clare. “Believe me, my child, all animals are indued with gratitude,
and they all love us, when they see that we love them. But let me return
to little Julian. Although he had often to suffer hunger, cold, and
numerous other hardships and privations, he still kept a good heart,
because his little rabbit was to him every day a source of new pleasure.
“But at last a sad misfortune befell poor Julian; he became very sick.
His father, for want of money, could not take care of him, which his
sickness needed. So the poor little fellow lay stretched upon the damp
floor, enduring great pain, without any one to cure him.
“His little rabbit soon came to find him, and took a place by his side on
the straw. The little creature even looked at him so mournfully, that it
seemed as if he would say to him:—‘Ah, my poor master, how I pity you!’
And Julian regarded his rabbit with looks so forlorn, that he seemed
ready to reply: ‘Ah, my little rabbit; I shall soon have to leave you!’
“Fortunately there resided in the neighborhood a rich and benevolent man,
who chanced to hear of Julian’s sickness and his father’s poverty. He
immediately resolved to visit their hut, to learn if what he heard was
true, and to see what aid he could render. When this good man entered the
hut, and saw poor Julian sick, thin and pale, upon his bed of straw, he
could hardly refrain from shedding tears.
“‘My poor child,’ said he, ‘be consoled. I come to bring you assistance.’
“So, without more delay, this kind friend caused Julian to be carried to
his house, where a proper bed was prepared for him, and every care was
taken to restore him to health. The means employed for his cure were so
successful that, at the end of two weeks, he was able to return to his
father’s hut.
“During that time the rich man had also afforded some aid to the father,
and had presented little Julian with a whole new suit of clothes. So the
father and son found themselves happier than they had ever been before.
The little rabbit leaped up with joy on again beholding its dear Julian.
“The father now said to his son: ‘You see, my dear Julian, how happy
this gentleman has made us. What shall we do to show him our gratitude?’
“Julian reflected a moment; and then exclaimed, full of joy: ‘Oh! I will
go and carry him my little rabbit!’ ‘Yes, my child,’ said his father; ‘it
is the most valuable thing that you have; it is all your wealth; you can
do nothing better to prove to him your gratitude. Tell him, also, that
your father will work for him, without pay, one day every week.’
“Julian took his rabbit, and, although much attached to it, he went
nevertheless with a good deal of joy, to offer it to his benefactor. This
worthy man first heard all that he had to say, but then fondly embraced
him, and said: ‘It is well, my dear boy: we ought to be grateful towards
those who do us a kindness; I am content with your good will. Not only I
do not wish to deprive you of your rabbit, but I wish to do more for you
than I have yet done.’ To be brief, the good gentleman paid the expense
of Julian’s schooling, that he might have a good education; then he
employed the boy’s father so profitably, that both were soon above want.
“Julian grew up an intelligent and industrious lad. Every thing prospered
with him; and when the parents of other children wished to inspire their
children with gratitude, they used to tell them the story of Julian and
his little rabbit.”
QUEEN ANNE’S PHYSICIANS.
[Illustration]
Anne, who was Queen of England from 1702 to 1714, was not a woman of
strong mind, and among other whimsies, she had that of frequently
fancying herself indisposed, when no one else could discover that any
thing ailed her. One day, a fit of this sort seizing her, she sent in
all haste for her physician, who was then Dr. Radcliffe, founder of
the Radcliffe Library, Oxford. This functionary replied that he would
“be at St. James’ presently after.” But he not appearing so quickly
as was desired, a second and a third messenger were sent after him in
succession, whereat the Doctor, well acquainted with the princess (Anne
was then Princess of Denmark only), asseverated, in terms more energetic
than courtly, that “her highness had nothing but the vapors, that she was
in as good a state of health as any woman breathing, could she but give
into the belief of it.” This outrageous assertion so greatly offended
the princess, that Dr. Radcliffe was immediately superseded, and Dr.
Gibbons, his rival and antagonist, appointed in his place.
It was not until the mortal illness of her husband, Prince George, awoke
all the anxieties of the queen, that she consented once again to admit
her offending servant to her presence; but the prince’s physicians all
declaring that Dr. Radcliffe was the only person from whom help could
be hoped for, her majesty sent her own coach to bring him to court, and
was pleased to tell him that “no favors or rewards should be thought too
much, could he but remove the convulsions she was troubled with in the
cure of those that were racking the prince.” But it was too late—neither
had the Doctor yet learned to flatter. He assured her majesty that
nothing but death could release his Royal Highness from the pangs he
suffered, and gave her further to understand, that there was nothing in
the art of physic which could keep her consort in life more than six days
from that period. The prince died accordingly, to the deep grief of the
queen and her whole court.
The exact fulfillment of Radcliffe’s predictions as to the precise
moment when his patients would cease to exist, was a subject of
frequent surprise, and gave his contemporaries very exalted ideas of
his knowledge. The Duchess of Marlborough, applying to him to go to
Cambridge for the purpose of visiting her son, the Marquis of Blandford,
who had been improperly treated for the small-pox by the medical men
in attendance, Radcliffe replied, with more bitterness against his
blundering compeers, than sympathy for the suffering mother—“Madam, I
shall only put you to expense for no purpose, for you can do nothing for
his lordship now, but send down an undertaker to take care of a funeral,
for I can assure your grace that he is dead even by this time, and that
of a disease called doctor; but for which unfortunate malady he might
have recovered well enough.” Nor were his conjectures unfounded, as was
proved by the next messenger.
The death of Queen Anne was almost immediately followed by that of her
physician, and this last is said to have been hastened by the vexation
Dr. Radcliffe suffered from a report that he had refused to attend the
queen in her last illness. It appears that he had never been sent for by
the council and authorized attendants of her majesty, but that a message
had been sent by Mrs. Masham two hours only before the queen’s death.
Dr. Radcliffe had received constant reports of her majesty’s condition
from his friend Dr. Mead, and knew she was irrecoverable. “But had it not
been so, the Doctor, says our authority, could not have attended through
such an intimation.” By court etiquette it would seem that he could not,
but the common sense view of the case would be, that the mere knowing
her majesty to be ill was sufficient to warrant his attendance. Leaving
these knotty points, however, we return to the fact, which was, that
the Doctor’s life was so heavily embittered by threatening letters and
attacks of various kinds after the queen’s death, that he no longer durst
stir out of his house, and could have no peace within it. This preyed
upon his health, already declining, and, “to conclude, this great and
excellent man, who had made all manner of diseases fly before him, fell
a victim to the ingratitude of a thankless world, _and the fury of the
gout_, on the 1st of November, 1714, the Feast of All Saints: on that day
being numbered with the blessed spirits, among whom sits enthroned our
late sovereign lady, whose decease has been so injuriously and falsely
laid to his charge.”
LIZZIE CARSON.
[Illustration: Franklin, del. Davenport, sc.]
“Let me draw your chair nearer the window, dear mother; you will be
better able to see your knitting, while I can sketch off my pattern on
the pane.”
It was a childish and cheerful voice that woke the silence of that
little cottage, where mother and daughter had long sat absorbed in their
different employments, and it may be in melancholy thought. But Lizzie
Carson, though only fourteen, had learned the necessity of subduing
her sadness in the presence of her mother, that she might not add one
unnecessary pang to the already burdened heart of her beloved and only
parent.—My little readers will ask what grief can they have?—if the
mother is kind, and the daughter dutiful, and living in a cottage, which
must of course be in the country, among the birds and flowers—why should
they not be happy? Some of you, whose bright eyes are glancing over
these pages, a present among many others perhaps from a fond father,
can scarcely understand the many trials of the poverty-stricken and
fatherless child. The constant toiling for mere sustenance—the anxious
fear that illness may put a stop to their labors, and grim want stare
them yet more steadily in the face—these and a thousand other ills, the
pampered child of wealth can never know. Oh, if I could by any effort of
my pen induce some of you, dear children, to _think_ of these things—if
I could persuade you how much happier you would feel in giving from your
little stores, than in hoarding up all you receive, thereby engendering a
selfish disposition—if, I say, I could induce you to be generous to the
poor, I should think my time well spent in writing you this little story.
The mother of Lizzie Carson having received a good education from her
parents, all they had to give, accepted the situation of teacher in a
little village school, which she left to become the wife of John Carson,
a small farmer in the neighborhood. Upright and honest, he had yet too
little energy, owing to ill health, to succeed in the world, and year
after year saw them sliding back instead of becoming more independent.
At last, when almost every thing had been sold to pay the rent, distress
and anxiety did their work upon the enfeebled frame of the husband and
father, and his plain deal coffin was among the last articles borne from
the now desolate cottage.
[Illustration: NEW-YORK
D. APPLETON & CO. 200 BROADWAY.]
Lizzie was at this time in her twelfth year, and accustomed as she had
been from infancy to habits of self-denial, her manners were gentle
and serious beyond her years. Deeply grieved at the death of her kind
father, she yet strove hard to win back her mother to some degree of
cheerfulness; and consulted with her upon their future means of support.
It was at last decided that they should rent a room in a cottage not
many miles distant from their former residence, where the mother hoped,
by means of her needle, to keep themselves from want. But they were to
be yet further tried in affliction, for Mrs. Carson, after obtaining
work, was taken suddenly ill, and though able in a few weeks to get about
the house, the rheumatism had settled in her hands, utterly preventing
the use of her needle. Now was she to reap the reward of the religious
instruction so carefully bestowed upon her daughter, now was “the bread
cast upon the waters” returning “after many days,” for Lizzie’s noble
spirit rose to meet their stem necessities.
“I am young, dear mother, but I am strong, and with God’s blessing upon
my endeavors, will yet be able to support you. If I could obtain some
paper and pencils, I think I could draw patterns for embroidery, and the
storekeeper at the next town tells me they are quite in demand.”
Mrs. Carson drew her daughter to her bosom, inwardly blessing her;
and promised she should have the materials, if they could borrow the
requisite pence from their neighbor. This was obtained, and Lizzie soon
completed a number of patterns, which she carried to the neighboring
town, a distance of three miles. Here she was doomed to a disappointment,
for owing to the number of patterns in the store, the woman, though
kind-hearted and much interested in the appearance of the little girl,
could not afford to give her so large a sum as she had first promised.
Bearing up with what spirits she might, Lizzie turned her steps homeward,
after purchasing some few necessaries for her mother. But the way seemed
very long, and her little feet ached with traveling on the stones, so
that it was with a heavy heart that she greeted her mother on her return.
Still Lizzie Carson persevered, though her mother’s increased debility
made severe inroads in her little earnings; and the evening on which
we introduce them to our readers there was not a penny in the house,
and they were beside in debt to a neighbor. Had they not cause for sad
thoughts?
“I think, mother,” said Lizzie, after she had finished her drawing,
“I will take this to the store to-night, and then I can get you some
mixture. It distresses me so to hear you coughing when you should be
sleeping.”
“Is it not too far? I am afraid it will be dark before you get
back—beside there are some heavy clouds in the west.”
“Oh, I do not feel the least fear, and you know, mother, there is nothing
in the house to eat, and no money to buy with, unless I sell my patterns
to-night.”
The widow bowed her head upon her clasped hands, and remained silent a
few moments,—when she raised it, there was a holy calm upon her face as
she replied, “God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb; our prospects look
very dark now, my daughter, and we have no earthly friend to turn to, but
always remember, my beloved child, when I am no longer here to counsel
you, that ‘God will never forsake those who trust in Him.’”
Pondering upon her mother’s words, the little girl set out upon her
errand; but after walking some distance, the clouds, which had been long
lowering, broke into a storm—the vivid lightning blinding her eyes so
that she was obliged to cover them with her hands. Lizzie stopped and
looked around her, in hopes of seeing a place of shelter, but though she
could discern a farmhouse, it was at too great a distance to be reached
in such a pelting rain. The scene was indeed a fearful one for that
lonely child to gaze upon—the trees bending and creaking with the mighty
wind, the forked lightning wreathing around and above her, while the
crouching forms of the frightened cattle added terror to the picture.
“God will never forsake those who trust in him,” murmured the trembling
child, as she sunk on her knees beneath the shelter of a large elm. At
that instant came a flash so vivid that the whole heavens seemed in a
blaze, and the crashing thunder deafened her for the instant, then rolled
echoing away among the distant hills. Stunned and terrified, Lizzie
remained for some moments on her knees, her face buried in her lap; and
when she gazed once more around her, her heart had well nigh stopped its
beatings. Within a few feet of where she had been kneeling, a noble oak
was riven by the storm, and a nest of little birds lay dead among its
branches—beside a fence at a little distance was the stiffening body of a
fine horse—and still further to the right, flames were issuing from the
barn belonging to the farmhouse she had seen. All, all around breathed
the desolation of the tempest, save that little child, who, with upraised
hands and streaming eyes, again repeated, “God will never forsake those
who trust in him.”
The storm had done its worst—that last peal had broken up its fury, and
the sun was already struggling through the parting clouds, as Lizzie
Carson continued her memorable walk. By the time she reached the store,
all traces of it had disappeared, and her wet dress was almost dried. A
carriage was drawn up before the house, and a richly-dressed lady was
standing at the counter, while a benevolent-looking gentleman, apparently
her father, leaned upon his cane in the doorway. The storekeeper turned
to Lizzie with a smile, remarking, however, “I hope you have not brought
me any more patterns; my stock is so large, and the demand for them
decreasing.”
“Patterns for embroidery—I should like to look at some,” said the lady,
turning again to the counter.
“Will you please to look at mine, dear madam,” said Lizzie earnestly,
catching hold of her dress and reaching up one, which the lady took to
examine. “Indeed it will be a charity to buy of me, I have walked so far
through the storm, and my poor mother has no bread.”
“Walked through this storm! why child, were you not afraid?”
“My mother told me God would protect me, and he did,” replied Lizzie,
raising her pure innocent eyes to the lady’s face.
“Tell me of your mother, sweet child; she deserves assistance for
instilling such sentiments in her child.”
We must not make our story too long, suffice it that Lizzie and her
mother found kind and substantial friends in these strangers, through the
piety, industry, and filial obedience of this little girl.
M. G. W⸺.
CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.
[Illustration: NEW-YORK
D. APPLETON & CO. 200 BROADWAY.]
It is impossible to view the cheerfulness and happiness of animals
and birds without pleasure; the latter, especially, appear to enjoy
themselves during the fine weather, in spring and summer, with a degree
of hilarity which might be almost envied. It is astonishing how much man
might do to lessen the misery of those creatures which are either given
to him for food or use or for adding to his pleasure, if he were so
disposed. Instead of which he often exercises a degree of wanton tyranny
and cruelty over them, which cannot be too much deprecated, and for which
no doubt he will be one day held accountable. Animals are so capable of
showing gratitude and affection to those who have been kind to them, that
I never see them subjected to ill-treatment without feeling the utmost
abhorrence of those who are inflicting it. I know many persons who, like
myself, take a pleasure in seeing all the animals about them appear happy
and contented.
Cows will show their pleasure at seeing those who have been kind to
them, by moving their ears gently, and putting out their wet noses. My
old horse rests his head on the gate with great complacency when he sees
me coming, expecting to receive an apple or a piece of bread: I should
even be sorry to see my poultry and pigs get out of my way with any
symptoms of fear.
Let us take notice of the great variety of creatures which are made for
our use; some for labor, some for food, some for clothing, some for
pleasure. At the same time let us remember, that our right in these
creatures is not absolute; we hold them from God, and he can deprive us
of them whenever he sees fit, and whenever we abuse them:—and therefore
the Spirit of God has given us this rule: “The merciful man is merciful
to his beast.” And whoever abuses any of God’s creatures, or tortures
them, or destroys such as are neither hurtful when they are alive, nor of
use when they are killed, will have more to answer for than many usually
think.
I hope none of you, after reading what I have written above will kill
cats, or stone frogs or toads, as many naughty boys do; or rob birds of
their nests and little ones, as you see those children in the picture
are doing. No matter how much you may like to have the young birds, you
should not touch them. Just think how your parents would feel if some
giant, if there were such people, should come and carry you off and shut
you up in a cage. Your parents do not love you any more than the birds do
their little ones; then remember how they feel when you rob them.
DECEPTION PUNISHED.
There was an old woman who lived in the country, and who had two
daughters, the eldest of whom was fourteen years old, and the youngest
twelve. Their mother was often obliged to go to market to sell the
produce of her small farm, and to leave her baby to the care of Anna, her
eldest daughter. Anna was old enough to take care of the child, if she
had liked the trouble, but that was not the case. As soon as her mother
had gone, she placed the little creature in the cradle, and told Mary to
sit by it for a minute or two, and she would return directly; but she
seldom came back, till she heard old Dobbin trotting down the lane, and
then she ran in, and, if her sister had the baby on her lap, snatched it
up in her arms, so that her mother might think she had not left it.
[Illustration]
Little Mary never told tales of her sister, though her mother was
sometimes angry that she had not finished her task of knitting; and she
could not help it, for the baby often cried, and would not stay in the
cradle, and Mary was obliged to hold it on her lap all the time her
mother was away.
One morning, the good woman was making ready to go to market, and as she
had a great deal to do, she said that she should not return so soon as
usual. So she put some food for the baby by the fire, to keep it warm,
and told Anna to be careful to feed it if it cried, and to sing it to
sleep. But Anna had something to do that she liked better. So away she
went, and Mary hardly knew what to do; for the baby did nothing but cry.
It was crying when the naughty girl put it into the cradle, and left it,
but she did not trouble her head about the matter.
Poor Mary warmed the food, and then took the child upon her lap, and fed
it as well as she was able, and as she had seen her mother do. At last
it became quiet, and Mary began to sing lullaby with such a sweet little
voice, that it fell fast asleep.
I do not think you will be sorry to hear that Anna’s naughtiness was now
discovered. Her mother had forgotten something which she was to have
taken with her; so instead of staying longer than usual, she came back
half an hour sooner. She was much surprised to find Mary alone with the
baby. Anna was not to be found, though she called and inquired for her
all round the house; but she soon heard from her neighbors that this was
the way she always did. So her mother, as she was of no use to her, sent
her to a farmer’s house, where she could not play any of her tricks, but
was made to work very hard; and Mary, as she grew older, became every
year more useful, and lived very happy with her mother and the little
baby.
BROTHERS AND SISTERS.
[Illustration: NEW-YORK
D. APPLETON & CO. 200 BROADWAY.]
A gentleman of Marseilles, named Remonsat, shortly before his death,
desired that his numerous family might be assembled about his bed. As he
was now an old man, he had children who had been long married and who
now had children of their own. There were sons and daughters who were
married, and who had two daughters, and one son about nine years old, who
was so much of a cripple as to be obliged to walk with a crutch. The old
gentleman acknowledged the delight which his children had afforded him
by their affection and attachment, and especially for the tender love
which they bore to one another. “But,” continued he, “I have a secret to
disclose, which will remove one of you from this circle. So long as I
had any hopes of living I kept it from you, but I dare not violate your
rights in the division of the property which I leave you. One of you is
only an adopted child—the child of the nurse at whose breast my own child
died. Shall I name that child?” “No, no,” said they with one accord,
“let us all continue to be brothers and sisters.”
What a noble and beautiful example of disinterestedness! How often do
we sigh for opportunities of doing good, whilst we neglect the openings
of Providence in little things, which would frequently lead to the
accomplishment of most important usefulness! Dr. Johnson used to say, “He
who waits to do a great deal of good at once, will never do any.” How
many of my readers do you think would have acted towards their brothers
and sisters in the same way?
It is related by St. Jerome, that “the blessed apostle John, living at
Ephesus to extreme old age, was with difficulty carried to church in the
arms of his disciples, and being unable to make a long discourse, every
time they assembled, was wont to say nothing but this: ‘Little children,
love one another.’ At length, the disciples and brethren who attended,
tired of hearing so often the same thing, said, ‘Sir, why do you always
say this?’ Who then made this answer, worthy of himself: ‘Because it is
the Lord’s command; and if that alone be done, it is sufficient.’”
THE GERALDINES.
A NARRATIVE OF PERSECUTION BY HENRY THE EIGHTH.
[Illustration]
Among the many acts of severity practised against his nobles by Henry
VIII, few are more remarkable than the terrible persecution suffered
by Fitzgerald, Earl of Kildare, and his unhappy family. This nobleman,
whose second wife, Lady Elizabeth Grey, was a daughter of the Marquis of
Dorset, and first cousin to the king, was for some time favored at court,
and had been made Lord Deputy of Ireland; but the country being much
disturbed, he was summoned to answer for this before the king in council,
and proceeded to London, leaving his eldest son to administer the Irish
affairs in his absence.
But on reaching the court, Fitzgerald was committed to the Tower; and
his son, exasperated by a false report of his father’s being beheaded,
broke into open rebellion. Succeeding for a short time, but afterwards
reduced to difficulty, Thomas Fitzgerald received a promise of pardon;
and confiding in this, he surrendered himself to Lord Leonard Grey,
brother of his step-mother, the Countess of Kildare. His five uncles, who
had taken part with him in the rebellion, also submitted, and the whole
six were conveyed to London; but in spite of the remonstrances of Lord
Leonard Grey, who declared his honor pledged for their safety, they were
all hanged at Tyburn.
The Earl, worn down by these heavy sorrows, died in the Tower; an
attainder was issued against him (after his death), and his lands and
goods declared forfeited to the crown. Not content with this cruel
injustice, the king sought by all means to get into his power the young
heir of this unhappy house, Gerald Fitzgerald, then not more than twelve
years old; but his evil designs were frustrated by the zeal and affection
of the martyred earl’s foster-brother, a priest named Leverous, to whom
the boy had been confided for education. When this good man received
notice that the brother and uncles of his ward had been sent to England,
he became fearful for the young Gerald’s safety; the child was then lying
ill of the small-pox, but intrusting the care of his nursling to no arm
less zealous than his own, he wrapped him up warmly, and as carefully as
he could, and carried him by night to the house of his sister, where he
was nursed in concealment till quite recovered. But, justly judging that
the child would not be safe with any one known to be connected, however
humbly, with his own family, the good priest removed him successively
into the territories of two or three different Irish chieftains, by whom
he was sheltered for nearly twelve months; after this he contrived to
place the boy in the protection of his aunt, the Lady Eleanor, widow of
a chieftain named Macarty Reagh. Now this lady had been long sought in
marriage by O’Donnel, lord of Tyrconnel, whom she had hitherto refused;
but hoping to secure an efficient protector for her nephew, she now
consented to an immediate marriage, and taking Gerald with her to her new
home in Donegal, she hoped he would here remain in safety.
The devoted Leverous had refused to leave his charge even in care so
seemingly unexceptionable as this; and the king, having ordered a large
reward to be offered for the boy, O’Donnel was soon discovered by this
watchful guardian to be meditating the baseness of delivering the orphan
into Henry’s hands. Seeking the Lady Eleanor, Leverous unfolded this
intended villany, and causing Gerald to assume a sufficient disguise,
his aunt gave him what money she could gather in haste, and shipped
him at once with his tutor and another old servant of his father’s, in
a vessel bound to St. Malo, in Brittany. The safety of the boy thus
secured, she next sought her husband, and bidding him remember that her
interest in this child had been the sole cause of her marriage with him,
she declared that all future intercourse with a man who had so basely
broken his promise, and that for so mercenary a motive, was impossible,
and gathering her possessions together, she departed to her own country.
Gerald meanwhile had been well received by the King of France; but Sir
John Wallop, the English ambassador, having demanded him in the name of
King Henry, the French king took time to consider; and Leverous, fearing
the result, again bore his charge from the threatening danger, and took
refuge with him in Flanders, in the house of a cottager, whose daughter
waited upon Gerald with the utmost kindness. They had not been long here
before it was perceived that their every step was dogged by an Irish
servant of Sir John Wallop. The governor of Valenciennes, befriending the
orphan, threw this man into prison; but he was liberated by the generous
intercession of the youth whom he had sought to betray, and Gerald
reached the Emperor’s court at Brussels without farther molestation.
He was here again demanded by the English ambassador, but the Emperor
excused himself on the plea that Gerald’s youth sufficiently attested his
innocence, and sent him privately to the Bishop of Liege, with a pension
of one hundred crowns a month. Here he remained in comfort and safety for
six months, when Cardinal Pole, his mother’s kinsman, invited him into
Italy, and, allowing him an annuity, placed him first with the Bishop of
Verona, and afterwards with the Duke of Mantua; but would not admit him
to his own presence until he had first acquired the Italian language, an
extraordinary condition, the Cardinal’s English parentage considered.
This accomplished, however, the Cardinal summoned his young kinsman
to Rome, and had him instructed, under his own eye, in all the
accomplishments then required to constitute the finished gentleman. At
the age of nineteen, his generous patron permitted him to choose between
continuing his studies or traveling for adventures, as was then the
custom. Gerald chose the latter, and falling in with some knights of
Rhodes, he joined them in the fierce wars they were then waging against
“the Turks and miscreants.”
Returning to Rome laden with rich booty, “proud was the Cardinal to hear
of his exploits,” and proud also we may be sure was another priest; for
the faithful Leverous still clung to the fortunes of the child he had
saved. Soon after this “fighting with Turks and miscreants,” the Cardinal
having increased the pension of Gerald to £300 a year (a very large
income in those days), permitted him to enter the service of Cosmo, Duke
of Florence, with whom he remained three years as master of the horse; a
very honorable appointment.
His exile at length terminated by the death of Henry. Gerald Fitzgerald
proceeded to London, still accompanied by his attached Leverous.
Appearing at King Edward’s court, he saw the daughter of Sir Anthony
Brown at a ball, and afterwards marrying this lady, her family procured
the restitution of a part of his estates from the king, who also knighted
him. Under Mary he was restored to all the titles and honors of his
house, all which, and the prosperity of his middle life, was witnessed
by the happy Leverous, who died at a good old age under the roof of his
grateful pupil, by whom he was ever honored as a father. The Earl himself
lived till far into the reign of Elizabeth, closing his life peacefully
in the year 1585.
FAITHFUL FIDO.
[Illustration]
“What shall I do,” said a very little dog one day to his mother, “to show
my gratitude to our good master? I cannot draw, or carry burthens for him
like the horse; nor give him milk like the cow; nor lend him my covering
for his clothing, like the sheep; nor produce him eggs like the poultry;
nor catch rats and mice as well as the cat.
“I cannot divert him with singing like the linnets and canaries; nor can
I defend him against robbers like the great dog Towzer. I should not
be fit to be eaten, even if I were dead, as the hogs are. I am a poor
insignificant creature, not worth the cost of keeping; I don’t see that I
can do a single thing to entitle me to my master’s regard.” So saying the
poor little dog hung down his head.
“My dear child,” replied his mother, “though your abilities are but
small, your good will entitles you to regard. Love your master dearly,
and show him that you love him, and you will not fail to please him.”
The little dog was comforted, and the next time he saw his master, ran
to him, licked his feet, gamboled before him, and every now and then
stopped, wagging his tail, and looking at him in the most affectionate
manner. The master observed him.
“Ha! little Fido,” said he, “you are an honest, good-natured little
fellow!”—and stooped down to pat his head. Poor Fido was ready to go out
of his wits with joy.
Fido was now his master’s companion in his walks, playing and skipping
round him, and amusing him by a thousand sportive tricks. He took care
not to be troublesome by leaping on him with dirty paws, nor would he
follow him into the parlor unless invited. He also attempted to make
himself useful by a number of little services. He would drive away the
sparrows, as they were stealing the chickens’ meat; and would run and
bark with the utmost fury at the strange pigs, and other animals, which
offered to come into the yard.
He kept the poultry and pigs from straying, and particularly from doing
mischief in the garden. If his master pulled off his coat in the field to
help his work-men, Fido always sat by it, and would not suffer either man
or beast to touch it; for this faithful care of his master’s property, he
was esteemed very much.
He was soon able to render a more important service. One hot day after
dinner, his master was sleeping in a summer house, with Fido by his side;
the building was old, and the watchful dog perceived the walls shake, and
the pieces of mortar fall from the ceiling.
He saw the danger, and began barking, to awake his master; this was not
sufficient, so he jumped up and bit his finger. The master upon this
started up, and had just time to get out of the door, before the whole
building fell.
Fido, who was behind, got hurt by some rubbish which fell upon him; on
which his master had him taken care of, with the utmost tenderness, and
ever after acknowledged the little animal as the preserver of his life.
Thus his love and fidelity had their reward.
GENEROSITY REWARDED.
Mrs. Clifford being particularly satisfied with the attention that her
three children, Alfred, Robert, and Helen, had for some time past paid to
their lessons, and to the instructions of their masters, told them that
she would treat them with a charming walk in the wood, on the opposite
side of the river; and that if they would carry some bread or biscuit
with them, she thought they would have no difficulty in finding a house
where they might procure some milk. So instead of returning home to drink
tea, she would spend the whole afternoon and evening in rambling about
with them.
This was charming news for the young folks, who took care not to give her
the trouble of waiting for them, for they were all three ready at least
half an hour before the time she had appointed for their departure. The
moment Mrs. Clifford joined them in the hall, away they all went, with
joyful hearts and cheerful faces, through the field and down the long
lane, which led to the ferry.
[Illustration]
“This is very pleasant, mother,” said Alfred: “I think I should never be
tired of walking in the fields and woods; yet, I must own, I do long for
winter, that we may purchase the magic lantern we are to have. I think,
with the money grandpapa has given each of us, and what we had before in
our purses, we shall be able to have a very large one.”
“O dear!” exclaimed Helen, “how delightful it will be to see it as often
as we please, and to show it to our friends; and, mother, do you know
that Robert is to be the person to show it; for, he says, he can talk
just like the man who came to our house last year?”
“So I can,” answered Robert, “and I wish it were bought, that you might
hear what a long story I shall tell you about the sun and the moon; and
the King of Prussia and his huzzars; and the cat and the cook! I would
rather have a magic lantern, than any thing in the whole world!”
Chatting in this manner, and amusing themselves by looking at different
objects as they passed along, they found themselves at the ferry before
they expected it. The boat being just ready to put off, they stepped into
it, and seated themselves with several others, who were going over to the
other side of the river.
Their attention was very soon drawn to a poor woman, who, with an infant
on her knee, and a little boy and girl by her side, whom she frequently
kissed and pressed to her bosom, wept as if her heart would break. As
soon as they landed, Mrs. Clifford, stopping the woman, kindly inquired
into the cause of her distress; and was informed by her, that she had
lately lost her husband, who having been long in a state of ill health
and unable to work, had left her incumbered with several debts, which
she had not the means of paying; and that though she labored very hard,
and had discharged some of the small debts, a hard-hearted man, to whom
she owed six dollars, declaring he would not wait a day longer, had that
morning seized upon her furniture, and all her little property. He was
determined, he said, to have his money before six o’clock, or to turn her
and her children out to sleep in the high road, or where they thought fit.
She had been, she told Mrs. Clifford, to an uncle of her husband who
lived at the market town, begging him to take pity upon her and her
innocent children; “but madam,” added she, “he was deaf to my entreaties,
and turned me from his door; and I am now going home to see all my things
taken from me; and what will become of us this night, God alone can tell!”
Mrs. Clifford was extremely affected by this melancholy tale, and
walked with the poor woman to her cottage, where they really found two
ill-looking men taking down the bed, and packing up the furniture. The
woman began to wring her hands and cry bitterly; and the children, though
they did not understand what the men were going to do, clung to their
mother and would not move from her side.
Alfred, Robert, and Helen, were however old enough to understand
perfectly well the distress of the poor woman, and the misery and
wretchedness to which she and her helpless children were exposed; and
fortunately for her, their tender and compassionate hearts immediately
prompted them to endeavor to relieve her. The pleasure they had promised
themselves in purchasing a magic lantern, and in being in possession
of such an amusement for the long evenings of the approaching winter,
appeared to them very trifling, in comparison to the delight of snatching
this poor family out of the hands of the unfeeling people they had to
deal with; and leading their mamma into the little garden, they earnestly
entreated her to take the three dollars their grandpapa had given them,
as well as the contents of their purses, and employ the whole to relieve
the poor woman; and farther, they begged her, in the most pressing
manner, to make up the deficiency.
Mrs. Clifford was delighted with the idea, expressing the greatest
satisfaction at the resolution they had taken. She assured them that she
would make up the sum with the greatest pleasure, and that the proof they
now gave of their feeling and humanity made them dearer to her than ever;
adding, that she was certain twenty-four hours would not pass before they
were rewarded for their goodness.
The men were immediately stopped, the debt was discharged, and the
furniture replaced in proper order. The poor woman knew not how to
express her joy and gratitude. She scarcely knew what she was doing,
but, at length recollecting herself, she entreated Mrs. Clifford and her
children to be seated, and accept of such refreshment as she had to offer
them. Her little table was soon covered with a cloth as white as snow;
and fresh milk, eggs, butter, and a nice brown loaf were set before them,
of which they partook with great satisfaction.
[Illustration]
They did not quit this little family till a late hour, and could talk of
nothing on their way home but the pleasure they felt in the reflection
of having left them so happy; of how they had been delighted, when they
saw the two hard-hearted men walk out of the cottage, and how differently
the poor woman and her children would pass the night, to what they might
have expected. Alfred said, the good action they had done that afternoon,
would be the pleasantest thing they could have to talk of in the winter
evenings; and Robert was of opinion, that a visit now and then to the
cottage would afford prettier stories for him to repeat, than any thing
he could tell of the King of Prussia and his hussars. As for Helen, she
declared that her heart was so light, and she felt herself so happy and
joyful, that she could almost jump over the moon.
They retired to rest in this pleasant disposition; and they told their
mamma, the next morning, that they had never been so happy in their
lives; that they went to bed, thinking on the good they had done, and,
after thanking God, who had given them the means of doing it, they had
immediately fallen into a sweet sleep; that the moment they awoke, they
had found themselves in the same happy humor, pleased with themselves,
and with every body they saw. They were very well convinced that the
magic lantern could never have procured them one quarter of the pleasure
which they now felt, and which would be renewed every time they visited
the poor woman at the cottage, and whenever they recollected her story.
“I told you, my children,” said Mrs Clifford, “that four-and-twenty
hours would not pass before you would be rewarded; and you must now,
I am certain, be well convinced, that the heart-felt pleasure arising
from the reflection upon such an act of kindness and benevolence to a
fellow-creature in distress, is the greatest and most solid reward that
could possibly have been bestowed on you; far superior to, and more
lasting than any satisfaction you could have procured by laying out your
money in any other way.”
DANGER OF COQUETRY.
[Illustration]
It is no less strange than true, that, however intimate friends of the
same sex may be, there is ever a disposition to assume a certain air, as
it were, of patronage on one or the other part; and without any serious
intention of committing malicious injury, great mischief may ensue, from
the foolish belief of one that he or she could (if they would) alter the
fate of the other in peace or war, love or hate, business or idleness.
Christina Smith had, from her earliest youth, entertained a warm
affection for her old playmate and schoolmate, Katharine Wing. Both were
“lovely in their lives,” though very little resemblant in their separate
attractions. Christina was slender, moderately tall, with regular
features, but with a pallor of complexion, that, while it indicated
great delicacy and sensibility, intimated also to the beholder of her
charms, that she held them with but a slight tenure. Katharine, on the
contrary, was ruddy-cheeked, plump, and looked altogether like one that
could laugh the world to scorn—laugh at every body and every thing, and
being possessed of excellent health, ought to have an imperturbable good
temper. All this she, in reality, possessed, but in addition—as Nature
has ordained that perfection shall never centre in an individual—she had
a spirit of coquetry—innocent coquetry she imagined it to be—which cast a
shadow over her otherwise fair character and accomplishments.
Christina was, as every young lady of eighteen imagines herself to be,
in love and beloved. Alas! that time should tell us how cruelly deceived
and deceiving we are! Her lover was a young Irishman, “ardent as the
sun”—importunate with billet-doux, anxious for reunions—waiting with
eager impatience for the happy time when, his diploma and his majority
obtained, he might offer himself, body and soul, to his true love, who
equally doted on him.
As a matter of course, Katharine was well advised of all this most
momentous history—gave her opinion on every separate step of its
progress—was understood to be the confidante of her friend as it
advanced, and the bridesmaid when completed. Who would not have
anticipated a hearty co-operation from the playmate of infancy, the
companion of youth? Alas! the wild ambition of patronage is stronger than
friendship, the spirit of coquetry is superior to love!
“The course of true love never does run smooth.”
So sayeth Shakspeare, and so have all found it who have indulged in the
seducing, uncertain passion. A slight expostulation with the young man as
to his habits, which were somewhat irregular—as the habits of students in
this and in most countries generally are—produced a lovers’ quarrel, and
they parted with strong protestations _of the lips_ that they should meet
no more. No sooner had separation taken place, than cool reflection came
to both. Each most bitterly regretted what had been said in haste, but
neither was willing to be the first to say _peccavi_. In this emergency
Christina bethought her to call on her dear friend, consult her, and
derive what consolation she could from her advice and good wishes.
Accustomed to enter unhesitatingly into the house in which Katharine
lived with her aunt, she passed up stairs to her boudoir without alarming
any of the inmates or attendants, and sat down waiting for her approach.
Half an hour had elapsed, when her attention was arrested by the noise of
voices in earnest conversation on the stairs. Satisfied that one party
was her quondam lover, she hastily concealed herself behind the curtain
which veiled the balcony, and she had no sooner done so than she beheld
her dear friend Kate and her beloved John enter. Entertaining a sincere
esteem for, and having unlimited confidence in, her old companion, she
at first believed that, having heard of the dispute between them, she
had sent for her lover, and would eventually do so for herself, that she
might interpose her kind offices between them. But what was her horror
and dismay when she distinctly heard words of love on the one hand and
of encouragement on the other, interchanged between them! Grieved to the
heart, smitten as a “bruised reed” did she remain—motionless, though not
tearless, behind that curtain—till after having become the involuntary
witness of many endearments, sweet to the false-hearted, but bitter to
her, her former lover took his leave.
Pale as death, yet calm and steady in her gait, did Christina emerge from
behind the friendly shade, and appear before the astonished gaze of her
whom she had always called _friend_. One short moment they stood with
their eyes fixed on each other—the next, Katharine, stung by remorse,
and bowed down by shame, was at the feet of her whom she had so cruelly
deceived. “Forgive me, oh forgive me!” she most piteously exclaimed,
“indeed I meant no harm by what I said to him and allowed him to protest
to me—I merely meant to show you that I could wean the affections of any
young man from yourself or any other, without the slightest intention
of appropriating them to myself. I really believe that he yet sincerely
loves you—allow me to be the happy instrument to bring about such a
blessed result.”
“Never, no—no—never!” replied Christina. “You I can forgive—I thank God
for it!—but I can never forget. How could I ever wed with one who had, by
reason of a slight quarrel, declared his love to another, with vows and
endearments, though unwittingly to him, in my very presence? It may not,
cannot be—farewell, dear Kate! May you and he be happy! I pray God to
bless you both—I bear to neither of you any ill-will—farewell!”
Crushed to the dust, deeply, though too late, repentant, Katharine
long remained, till roused by the re-entrance of him for whom (in the
thoughtless, but dangerous spirit of coquetry) she had sacrificed her
dearest friend. Mutual criminations and recriminations took place, and
they parted with a hearty dislike for each other.
Christina, in the following year, engaged another of her friends to be
her bridesmaid, and now, with a young Kentuckian husband, resides in
the far west, blessed with a cheerful home, and with “two young babes,”
as she expressed herself in a letter to a female friend of ours, “so
exquisitely beautiful, that all Kentucky cannot show the like—little
angels in fact.”
Katharine still lives, changeable, discontented, coquettish, angry with
herself, and at times repentant, yet without any real change. She is
still beautiful, though an air of chagrin and peevishness has somewhat
marred the expression of her formerly laughing visage. There is no
apparent hope for her.
He, the fickle one, whom Christina so luckily avoided marrying, is now
a worthless drunkard, degraded in his own opinion and in the opinion of
others—utterly irreclaimable.
W. V. H.
PUSSY-HOOD.
Pussy with the large gray eyes,
In whose orb, a cunning lies
Deep as the blue in yonder skies;
Thou whose back outshines the sun,
Sable hairs all smoothed in one,
As if by loving hands ’twere done.
Wetting thy reluctant feet,
To gain a dainty piece of meat,
Knowing that stolen food is sweet.
Gazing with ensnaring glance,
On the pigeon’s swift advance,
Which by thy look thou dost entrance.
Oh, why pause with indecision,
When the young bird before thy vision
Beckons thee on to meals Elysian?
Hearest thou sounds beneath the floor?
Say, knowest thou those sounds of yore,
And mouse than pigeon lovest thou more?
Oh thou cat with many hairs,
And many lives, each life has snares,
Care[1] and dogs come unawares.
Bear thou many a sharpen’d claw,
Often dog, with strongest paw,
From thy clutch would fain withdraw.
Oh, those claws like pins shall steal,
Making wounds that will not heal—
Alas for those their power that feel.
And oh, those claws of thine oft dart
Into the most tender part,
For a treacherous thing thou art.
P.
[1] Care killed a cat.
HARRY AND HIS RABBITS.
[Illustration: _Little Harry feeding his Rabbits._
NEW-YORK
D. APPLETON & CO. 200 BROADWAY.]
The care with which a doe rabbit provides for its young is very
remarkable. She not only makes a nest of the softest hay, from which she
carefully munches out all the harder portions, but she actually strips
the fur or down off her own breast, to spread over the hay. At first she
covers up her young ones with the same materials, in order to keep them
warm, uncovering them only for the purpose of giving them suck. She is
also extremely careful in proportioning this covering to the severity of
the weather, and the tenderness or strength of her offspring, gradually
diminishing it as they grow more robust.
If rabbits are kept and raised apart from their mother, it is then
necessary that proper attention should be paid to them by the person who
undertakes to raise them. That is the reason why you see little Harry
feeding his rabbits. Little Harry is the only son of a poor woman who
lives in a small cottage at the end of a lane on a large farm in this
state belonging to a wealthy and thriving farmer. Although the farmer
is very kind to Harry’s mother, allowing her to have the use of the
cottage and an acre of ground free of rent, still the old woman has hard
work to live comfortably. Knowing the advantages to be derived from the
possession of a good education, she deprives herself of many comforts to
enable her to send her only child, Harry, to school. Many of my little
readers who peruse this, go to excellent schools, and never imagine that
there are many who are deprived of that great advantage. When they think
of this, and the opportunities they enjoy for improving themselves, they
should exert themselves to the utmost to do so.
Harry being anxious to learn every thing he could, so that he might one
day become a smart man, and be able to support his mother, never spent a
cent for himself, but carried all he got to his mother. Perhaps you may
think a poor little boy like him did not get many cents; but in this you
are mistaken, for Harry was up bright and early every morning, and would
often do little jobs for the farmers before he went to school. Then he
had rabbit houses at the end of his mother’s cottage, where he kept a
number of rabbits, which often had young ones; these he would take to
market and sell for a good price. He raised a good many poultry, which
brought in a good deal of money for the eggs and chickens. With these
and other little matters that he raised on their acre of ground, he was
enabled to collect enough money to pay for his schooling, and give his
mother many comforts.
I hope all my readers will join with me in wishing Harry’s efforts may
be successful, and that they may reap that reward which industry and
kindness to parents deserve.
W. P.
THE SHIPWRECKED ON AN UNINHABITED ISLAND.
In the year 1805, a large ship, on the voyage homeward from the East
Indies, was wrecked in a violent storm in the South Pacific Ocean,
about 500 miles from the Cape of Good Hope. The ship went to pieces in
the night, having struck on the rocky coast of an unknown island. When
daylight appeared, 37 persons only remained out of about 200, who had
been in the ship. These had been, for the most part, saved by seizing
hold of spars or pieces of wood when the ship’s timbers separated. A
woman and her two children got safe to shore on a hen-coop; indeed they
were wrecked so near the shore, that the fowls in the hen-coop were
found to be little worse for having been thrown into the sea. Part of a
regiment, which had been some time in India, was returning to England
in the ship, and some of the soldiers and their wives and children were
among those who were saved. The ship’s cook and the carpenter were also
saved, and some of the common sailors, but none of the officers of the
ship, or those belonging to the regiment, were among the survivors. Only
one of the many passengers had the good fortune to get to shore; and he
had saved his life by being a strong swimmer. His name and station were
unknown to the crew, but he had gained among them, during the voyage, the
name of _the Philosopher_.
[Illustration]
The first day which this small remainder of the ship’s crew passed on
the island, on which Providence had thrown them, was melancholy enough.
Most of them sat on the rocks or on the ground, and kept looking on the
sea from which they had so lately escaped. Some were bewailing the loss
of their relatives, some that of their money, and others that of their
ship’s provisions; they were cold, and wet, and comfortless, and yet
disposed to do nothing to better their condition.
Amidst this general idleness, the Philosopher, as he was called, was as
busy as a bee. Instead of sauntering about with a book, or gazing at the
clouds, as he had often done on board the ship, he was hurrying along
the shore in all directions, with such of the men as he could persuade
to move, and examining every little creek and bay about the part of the
island on which they were cast away. And he was well rewarded for his
trouble, for the sea threw upon the land all the lighter part of the
cargo of the lost ship; provisions in sufficient abundance, some boxes
of clothes, many chests of tea, some casks of flour, and large portions
of the timbers and ropes of the vessel. In a small sandy creek, about a
quarter of a mile distant from the wreck, one of the ship’s boats was
found, upside down, and in it, preserved by being covered down tightly
with a sail, were found a compass, a watch, and a few bottles of wine,
with some biscuit, which had probably been put in for the use of the
unfortunate persons who had ventured into the boat in the hope of
reaching the land. A few yards farther on was found the dead body of a
lady, one of the passengers from India, and by her side, wrapped closely
and very carefully in a Scotch plaid, a male child of about a year old,
which was first supposed to be dead also; but the Philosopher, fancying
he perceived signs of life in the little creature, hurried back with
the infant to the party who had refused to move, and gave it in charge
to the women, which soon made them busy, for in the midst of their own
misfortunes they were all anxious that the poor little child should live.
Before the day was over, many of the dead bodies were thrown ashore,
and all were decently buried. Many of the drowned persons had filled
their pockets with money, trinkets, and different valuables which they
possessed. The hope of sharing this booty soon spread activity among all
the other idlers, and the recovered property was pretty equally divided
among them all; the Philosopher alone refusing to receive any of the
money or valuables, and only reserving for his own use the compass, one
of the watches, some of the books, with the paper and other contents of
his writing-desk, which floated ashore after they had been on the island
nearly a week. The spirits of the whole party being a little revived,
they made fires, partook of an evening meal, and retired to rest in
sheltered places under the hills, much more cheerfully than might have
been expected in their situation.
It would be curious to relate the contrivances which the new inhabitants
of the island had recourse to for their own comfort. The island was of a
crescent shape, like most islands in the South Sea, and was five miles
across and six in length, with a large and beautiful harbor. There was
grass, and there were shrubs, and many beautiful and delicate trees, and
flocks of wild pigeons and other birds, and many butterflies and other
insects, but no quadrupeds of any kind.
Those who have read the adventures of Robinson Crusoe, know how much even
one man might do in a desolate island, with the help of the stores of a
ship, and with a gun and ammunition. Our shipwrecked people had many
advantages over him. Some of the sailors had been brought up farmers’
boys, three of the soldiers were Glasgow weavers, the carpenter and the
cook soon found plenty to do, and the women were tailors to the whole
settlement.
In six months from the time of their landing, corn and potatoes were
growing, hand-mills were working, women were spinning and teaching their
children the same, and there were two looms nearly made by the ship’s
carpenter, under the direction of the Glasgow weavers. Flowers were seen
at the doors of several of the huts, and some parts of the island were
inclosed with shrubs and trees. Women might be seen spinning and teaching
their children how to do the same. Within six months more, the population
of the island was increased by the birth of four children.
[Illustration]
Every man at first worked at every thing; and the same man dug his
ground, caught his wild-fowl, gathered the eggs from the nests in the
rocks, and repaired his house when necessary. In short, every man was
what we call a jack-of-all-trades, and as happens commonly in such cases,
hardly any was master of one. But when the first clothes which they had
got from the ship were almost worn out, and every man tried to patch and
mend his own, they began to think it would be better if one or two of the
party should take that business into their own hands, and it was then
given up to the women. When the looms were set to work, the two weavers
were chiefly employed in making a coarse kind of cloth from a sort of
hemp which grew on the island, from which, after it was steeped in water
and beaten with sticks, a strong thread could be spun. Of this cloth, of
various thicknesses, they helped the women to make coats and gowns, boots
and shoes, and stockings. They made hats of a strong flat rush which grew
on the sand-hills near the sea. This work took up so much of their time
that the land of the two weavers was overrun with weeds, and it was found
better for them to give up their farm to a neighbor, who should be paid
for the produce in boots, coats, and money. The carpenter also was but
a poor farmer, and his crop failed. So he gave up farming, and worked
away at building houses, and making tables, and chairs, and bedsteads,
receiving payment in potatoes, corn, wild-fowls, eggs, or sometimes in
money. In the course of two or three years, some were bakers only, some
poulterers, some potato merchants, and only about half of the company
were farmers; of which the consequence was the land was better tilled,
the corn better ground and baked, the fowls better fed, eggs more easily
to be had, the potatoes better, and the huts kept in better repair. Each
man had a trade of his own, and each knew his trade pretty well. Each
man was consequently better fed, clothed, and lodged, than when he worked
at every trade himself.
The individual whom we have mentioned as the Philosopher, was not an
idle man among all these working people. He was schoolmaster to all the
children, who were so fond of him, that he was seldom to be seen without
the strongest of them scrambling over the rocks or along the coast after
him. He measured out and divided the land which was each man’s portion.
He taught the rest of the men to select some of the roots with which
the island abounded; and to cultivate near their dwellings the graceful
trees which were natural to the soil. He made curious nets, which enabled
others to catch a constant supply of fish and of birds. He constructed
clocks of wood, which were found very useful in the different huts; and
he taught some of the bigger boys to make vessels of clay as well as
bricks, the latter of which made the foundation of the houses better
able to resist the storms that now and then swept across the island. He
also managed to make two or three musical instruments, on one or other
of which he would occasionally play in an evening, whilst the children,
and indeed often their fathers and mothers also, would dance on the grass
after the labors of the day. He was the only person in the island who
could keep an account of time; and he was of much use to the farmers
in advising them when to sow different seeds, and in what soils. In
short, there was no end to his contrivances. He also found time to make
a collection of all the different plants that grew on the island, from
some of which he prepared medicines for those who happened to be sick.
He made a survey of the whole of the island, and made drawings of it
and of the little town in which the shipwrecked people lived; cheering
them by saying they would some day look at them in England. He persuaded
every man and woman in the island to rest from work one day in seven;
on which day he used to have them collected together, and on the long
winter evenings, to read some prayers to them, and a chapter or two from
a Bible which had come ashore with some other books. He taught many of
the men and women to sing the hymns and ballads of their own country;
and contrived to make them so busy and so comfortable, that many of them
ceased to sigh for home; whilst their children, too, were growing up in
the peaceful island, ignorant of all that was doing in any other land
upon the globe, except what they learnt from the lessons and books of the
good Philosopher.
HINTS ON READING.
A proper and judicious system of reading is of the highest importance.
Two things are necessary in perusing the mental labors of others;—namely,
not to read too much, and to pay great attention to the nature of what
you do read. Many persons peruse books for the express and avowed purpose
of consuming time; and this class of readers forms by far the majority
of what are termed the “reading public.” Others, again, read with the
laudable anxiety of being made wiser; and when this object is not
attained, the disappointment may generally be attributed, either to the
habit of reading too much, or of paying insufficient attention to what
falls under their notice.
[Illustration]
It is recorded of Madame De Stäel Holstein, that before she was fifteen
years of age, she had “devoured” 600 novels in three months, so that
she must have read more than six a day, upon an average. Louis XVI,
during the five months and seven days of his imprisonment immediately
preceding his death, read 157 volumes, or one a day. If this species
of gluttony is pardonable in circumstances like those of Louis, it is
less so in those of a young lady of fourteen or fifteen. No one can have
time for reflection who reads at this rapid rate; and, whatever may be
thought, these devourers of books are guilty of abusing nature to an
extent, as much greater than those who overcharge their stomachs, as the
intellectual powers are higher than the animal propensities. Thousands
of young persons spend their time in perpetual reading, or rather in
devouring books. It is true, the food is light; but it occupies the
mental faculties for the time in fruitless efforts, and operates to
exclude food of a better quality.
The manners of a people are not to be found in the schools of learning,
or the palaces of greatness, where the national character is obscured or
obliterated by travel or instruction, by philosophy or vanity; nor is
public happiness to be estimated by the assemblies of the gay, or the
banquets of the rich. The great mass of nations is neither rich nor gay:
they whose aggregate constitutes the people, are found in the streets and
villages, in the shops and farms; and from them, collectively considered,
must the measure of general prosperity be taken.
W. P.
SCENES IN THE LIFE OF A ROACH.
WRITTEN AFTER SEVERAL INEFFECTUAL EFFORTS TO DRIVE ROACHES AWAY.
“I left my home some prey to track,
And promised my loved ones I soon would come back;
But when I returned—alack! alack!
I looked in vain for the well-known crack.”
Thus spake a poor Roach as he wandered alone,
And sad was his face, and mournful his tone;
For he thought on the home he never should see,
On Mrs. Roach and his loved family.
He remembered with grief that their larder was bare,
And young roaches he knew could not live upon air.
Ah! do you _human beings_ think what you’re about
When you fill up the cracks, and the old roaches out?
And poor Mrs. Roach sat sobbing at home,
Dreading that to her sposa some evil had come,
And the poor little young ones lay tumbling about,
Grieving much for their father who stayed so long out.
“At last,” quoth the eldest, “dear mother, I’ll go
And find if I can what keeps father so”—
And he started to go as he aye went before,
But gone was the crack they had used for a door!
Alas, human beings! do you know how you sin,
When you fill up the cracks, and the young roaches in?
Oh! then there was wailing within that dark hole,
For their grief was too deep to be under control,—
Said poor Mrs. Roach, “a widow I’ll be,
And who will provide for my dear family?”
Cheer up, little group! oh grieve not so sore!
If you’ll wait but a little there is comfort in store.
In the midst of their wailing a scraping they hear,
And lo! in their midst doth their sire appear.
“Cheer up, my dear wife, and ye children small,
For see, I have eaten my way through the wall!”
MORAL.
Good people, ’tis vain for you to stop up the holes,
For we roaches have _instinct_, if we have not got souls.
Here we’ve long been at home, and here we’ll remain,
And your _phosphorus_,[2] your _elder_,[2] and _wafers_,[2] are vain.
You may give up your efforts, your trouble and pother,
For when driven from one place, we will go to another:
If we weary your patience, your best plan, beyond doubt,
_Will be to move off_, ere we know that you’re out.
MARGARET R⸺.
[2] Various means for getting rid of roaches.
THE CARTER’S HELPMATES.
AN ANECDOTE OF KING GEORGE THE FOURTH.
[Illustration]
The minuter details of George IV’s life are not of a kind either to
interest or edify young people, but here is an anecdote of his boyhood
that will be certain of securing your sympathies.
The manners and appearance of George III and his family were entirely
simple and unostentatious, and the early youth of the young princes and
princesses was but very slightly different from that of other young
people of rank throughout the kingdom. It was the frequent habit of the
king to wander about the neighborhood of Windsor, altogether unattended,
and accompanied only by the young Prince of Wales, who was his almost
inseparable companion.
One morning they were pursuing their walk in their usual manner, when
they met a farm servant driving a covered cart towards Windsor; they had
passed him only by a few paces, when a sudden stoppage of the vehicle,
and the outcries of the driver, caused them to look around, and they then
perceived that the cart had got fast into a rut of the road, and the man
was vainly urging his horses to drag it out.
The prince sprang back, and with little thought of ceremony, began
applying his strength to the wheel, his majesty watching his efforts
for a moment in silence, but instantly after stepping forward himself
in the same service. Encouraged by this unlooked for help, the carter
flogged and bawled to his horses, while the royal shoulders heaved as
heartily at the wheel; and Hercules—moved no doubt by their ship-shape
mode of invoking his aid—gave them strength enough to accomplish what
they desired: the vehicle was extricated, and the driver, grateful to his
friends, swore roundly that they must take a draught of ale with him,
offering at the same time a seat in front of his cart to the next public
house.
This civil offer was not accepted; the King and Prince shook the dust of
their late labor from their plain clothing, and prepared to bid their
friend adieu; but first his majesty presented the fortunate carter with
a guinea, which the prince, holding to be no very worthy gift, instantly
amended by a couple from his own purse. The carter, lost in astonishment,
stood looking after these surprising helpmates (first making any thing
but graceful, though very sincere acknowledgments), and it was not until
they had got fairly out of his sight that he could bethink himself of
once more getting on with his team.
On arriving at the public house which he had destined as the place of
his rejected treat, and relating the wondrous occurrence that had taken
place, he was acquainted with the quality of his assistants; but he could
in no way be brought to believe the fact. Above all, he insisted that,
though the prince might be the prince, yet the king could not be the
king; for, he argued, why else did the first give him two guineas, when
the second, whom his informants would have to be the greater, gave him
only one! No, this was not “in his philosophy,” and he was convinced that
his friends were wrong.
The story, and especially the man’s obstinacy, was talked of till it
reached the king, whom it greatly amused. Some time after, his majesty
met the same man on the road, and thus accosted him:
“So, you think, my friend, that my present was not a king’s present,
though my son’s might do for a prince, hey? But remember that I must be
just before I am generous; the prince has only himself to think about,
but I have many who look up to me, as your children at home do to you,
for all they want—do not forget _that_, my friend; good morning, good
morning.” And the monarch once more left John Carter to his cogitations.
THE FOLLY OF BEING VAIN.
[Illustration]
Caroline was trifling away her time in the garden with a little
favorite spaniel, her constant companion, when she was sent for to her
music-master. But the servant called her no less than three times,
before she thought proper to go into the house. When the lesson was
finished, and the master gone, she turned to her mother, and asked her,
in a fretful and impatient tone of voice, how much longer she was to be
plagued with teachers—for she had had them a very long time, and she
really thought she now knew quite enough of every thing.
“That you have had them a very long while,” answered her mother, “I
perfectly agree with you; but that you have profited so much by their
instruction, as you seem to imagine, I am not so certain. I must,
however, acquaint you, my dear Caroline, that you will not be _plagued_
with them much longer. Your father says he has expended such large sums
upon your education that he is quite vexed with himself for having done
so, because he finds it impossible to be at an equal expense for your two
little sisters. I should therefore advise you, whilst he is so good as to
allow you to continue your lessons, to make the most of your time, that
it may not be said you have been learning so long to no purpose.”
Caroline appeared quite astonished at her mother’s manner of speaking.
The vain girl assured her that she knew every thing perfectly. She said,
that if her father wished to save the expense of masters for her sisters,
_she_ would undertake to make them quite as accomplished as she herself
was.
Some time after this conversation, she accompanied her mamma on a visit
to a particular friend, who resided in the country. As there were
several gentlemen and ladies at the same time in the house, Caroline
was extremely happy in the opportunity she thought it would give her of
surprising so large a party by her music and other accomplishments. It
was not very long before she gave them so many samples of her vanity and
self-conceit, as rendered her quite ridiculous in their eyes.
She was never in the least ashamed to contradict those who were older and
better instructed than herself. She would sit down to the harp, with the
utmost unconcern, and attempt to play a sonata which she had never seen
before, though at the same time she could not get through a little simple
air, without blundering half a dozen times.
There lived, at about the distance of a mile from Mrs. Melvin’s house,
a widow lady, with her daughter, a charming little girl, thirteen years
of age. So very limited was the fortune of this lady, that she had never
had it in her power to be at the smallest expense on account of her
daughter’s education. Indeed, her income was so narrow, that, without the
strictest economy in every respect, she could not have made it suffice
to procure them the necessaries of life. So she was obliged to content
herself with the little instruction she could give to her child. She
encouraged her, as much as possible, to exert herself, and to endeavor to
supply, by attention and perseverance, the want of a more able instructor.
When Caroline heard this talked of, she concluded immediately that Laura
must be a poor little ignorant thing, whom she would astonish by a
display of her accomplishments. The vain young lady enjoyed in idea the
wonder she would show, when she beheld her beautiful drawings, heard her
touch the keys of the piano, and speak French and Italian as well as her
own language. This she wished to persuade herself was the case, though
she knew no more of either of these languages than she did of all the
other things of which she was so vain and conceited.
She told Mrs. Melvin that she really pitied extremely the situation of
the poor unfortunate Laura, and wished, whilst she was so near, that
she could have an opportunity of seeing her frequently, as she would
give her some instruction, which would be of service to her. Mrs. Melvin
was extremely disgusted with the vanity of her friend’s daughter. But,
wishing to give her a severe mortification, which she thought would be of
more use to her than any lesson she had ever received, she told her that
she should pay Laura a visit the next morning.
The morning was very fine, and the whole company set forward immediately
after breakfast. They were soon in sight of a very neat but small house,
which they were informed belonged to the mother of Laura. A little white
gate opened into a garden in the front of it. The grounds were so neat,
and laid out with so much taste, that they all stopped to admire them,
for the flowers and shrubs were tied up with the utmost nicety, and not a
weed was to be seen in any part of the garden.
[Illustration]
“This is Laura’s care,” said Mrs. Melvin; “her mother cannot afford to
pay a gardener, but she hires a laborer now and then to turn up the
ground, and, with the help of their maid, Laura keeps this little
flower-garden in the order in which you see it. By inquiring of those
who understand the subject, instead of fancying herself perfect in all
things, she has gained so much information, that she is become a complete
florist.”
They were shown into a very neat parlor, which was ornamented with a
number of drawings. “Here,” said Mrs. Melvin, “you may again see the
fruits of Laura’s industry and perseverance. She has had no instruction
except the little her mother could give her, but she was determined
to succeed, and has done so, as you may perceive. These drawings are
executed with as much taste and judgment as could possibly be expected of
so young a person, even if she had had the advantage of having a master
to instruct her. The fringe on the window-curtains is entirely of her
making. The pretty border and landscape on that fire-screen are of her
cutting.”
Caroline began to fear she should not shine quite so much as she had
expected to do. When Laura came into the room, and was desired to sit
down at the piano, she was extremely mortified at hearing her play and
sing two or three pretty little songs, so well and so sweetly, that every
one present was delighted with her.
After they had amused themselves indoors, Laura’s mother invited them out
into the garden, where the extreme neatness and care exhibited by Laura
in its care was the theme of universal praise. One of the ladies of the
party spoke in such extremely high terms of the beauty of the flowers,
that Laura’s mother, who was now getting rather old and feeble, and was
obliged to walk with a cane, picked a pretty bouquet and begged her to
accept it.
Laura and her doings were so much the theme of praise from all, that
Caroline found there was little opportunity of making the display she had
expected to, and in fact felt her real inferiority, notwithstanding the
many masters she had had, to the humble Laura, that she did not enjoy
her visit near so much as she had anticipated to do. But her visit was
of great service and benefit to her, for ever after she tried really to
make good use of the instructions of her teachers; and it is therefore no
wonder she became a better and wiser girl, casting aside her excessive
vanity.
When my youthful readers attempt to show off, I think it will be of great
use to them if they will remember this story of the vain little girl.
THE ORPHAN WANDERERS.
[Illustration: NEW-YORK
D. APPLETON & CO. 200 BROADWAY.]
Gentle lady, good and happy,
Hear my simple tale, I pray;
’Tis the sad, sad truth, I tell you,
Send us not so soon away.
Once we had a home of plenty,
Once we knew a father’s care,
Once a mother’s fond affection
Breathed for us the nightly prayer.
Now we wander, lost, and lonely,
Over many a weary mile;
Gloomy night comes gathering round us,
But we find no mother’s smile.
Once there came a gloomy winter,
Trade was bad, and wages low,
Dark December rains were falling
Over heaps of melting snow.
One sad evening—never, never
Can that evening be forgot;
Something came, across our father,
Anger—grief—we knew not what.
From that time his mind seemed wandering,
And his manly look was gone;
Sometimes kind, and sometimes fretful,
Constant to one vice alone.
Constant to one guilty pleasure,
When those fatal doors were passed,
Shame was vanquished, conscience followed,
All our comforts went at last.
Long my mother bore in silence
Loss of plenty, loss of fame;
Though sometimes the gossip’s slander
Tinged her faded cheek with shame.
Little did we know that sorrow
Had such deep and deadly power,
Little dreamed her strength was failing—
Failing faster, hour by hour;
Till one awful moment told us
All the fatal truth at last;
To her restless bed she called us,
O’er my brow her fingers passed.
There were sighs, and words so broken,
Yet so fond, and full of love;
And her smiles—we ne’er forgot them,
Like an angel’s from above.
Thus she passed; and oh how lonely—
Worse than lonely we were left!
All too late, our wretched father
Seemed of every hope bereft.
Sometimes frantic, sometimes sullen,
Weeping like a fretful child,
Oftener to his haunts returning,
Lost and reckless, weak and wild.
Thus he died: we asked not whether
By the public way he fell;
Strangers brought him to our dwelling,
None the dreadful tale would tell.
Thus, kind lady, thus we wander
Over many a weary mile:
I could work—but little Martha,
Who would care for her the while?
Would your daughters, gentle lady,
Hear my little sister sing?
Small the pittance that we ask you,
Hunger is a fearful thing.
May you never know how bitter
Sorrow is, and want, and shame;
Gracious Heaven has made you happy,
May it keep you still the same!
M⸺ E⸺.
ANTICIPATIONS AND REALITIES.
[Illustration]
“A party of pleasure! oh, mamma, let us go,” said Rosamond. “We shall be
so happy, I am sure.”
“What! because it is a party of pleasure, my dear,” said her mother,
smiling.
“Do you know,” continued Rosamond, without listening to what her mother
said—“Do you know, mamma, that they are going in the boat, on the river;
and there are to be streamers flying, and music playing all the time? And
Mrs. Blisset, and Miss Blisset, and the master Blissets, will be here in
a few minutes. Will you go, mamma? may Godfrey and I go with you?”
“Yes, my dears.”
Scarcely had her mother added the word “yes,” than Rosamond uttered
a loud exclamation of joy, and ran to tell her brother Godfrey, and
returned, repeating as she capered about the room—
“Oh! we shall be so happy! so happy!”
“Moderate your transports, my dear Rosamond,” said her mother. “If you
expect so much happiness beforehand you may be disappointed.”
“Disappointed, mamma!—I thought people were always happy on parties of
pleasure; Miss Blisset told me so.”
“My dear, you had better _judge for yourself_, than to trust to what Miss
Blisset tells you, without knowing any thing of the matter yourself.”
“Mamma, if I know nothing of the matter, how can I judge? Why should I
not trust what Miss Blisset says?”
“Wait and you will know, my dear.”
“You said, mamma, do not raise your expectations. Is it not well to
expect to be happy?—to hope to be happy, makes me happy _now_. If I
thought I should be unhappy, it would make me unhappy now.”
“I do not wish you to think you shall be unhappy; I wish you to have
as much pleasure now as you can have, without being made unhappy by
disappointment. I wish you to attend to your own feelings, to find out
what makes you happy, and what makes you unhappy. You are going on a
party of pleasure, I beg you to observe whether you are happy or not;
observe what pleases and entertains you.”
Here the conversation was interrupted. A carriage came to the door, and
Rosamond exclaimed—
“Here they are—Mrs. Blisset, Miss Blisset, and her two brothers. I see
their heads in the coach; I will run and put on my hat.”
“I assure you, mamma,” continued she, as she was tying the string of her
hat, “I will remember to tell you whether I have been happy or not.”
Rosamond went with her mother, and Mrs. Blisset and her children, on this
party. The next morning, when Rosamond went into her mother’s room, her
mother reminded her of her promise.
“You promised to tell, my dear, whether you were as happy as you expected
to be.”
“I did, mamma. You must know, then, I was not happy all day yesterday;
that is to say, I was not nearly so happy as I thought I should have
been. I should have liked going in the boat, and seeing the streamers
flying, and hearing the music, and looking at the prospect, and walking
in the pretty island, and dining out of doors under the large shady
trees, if it had not been for other things, which were so disagreeable
that they spoiled all our pleasure.”
“What were those disagreeable things?”
“Mamma, they were _little_ things. Yet they were very disagreeable.
Little disputes—little quarrels between Miss Blisset and her brothers,
about every thing that was to be done. First, when he got into the boat,
the youngest boy wanted us to sit on one side, and Miss Blisset wanted us
to sit on the other side; now, mamma, you know we could not do both.
“But they went on disputing about this for half an hour; and Godfrey and
I were so ashamed, and so sorry, that we could not have any pleasure in
listening to the music or looking at the prospect. You were at the other
end of the boat, mamma, and you did not see and hear all this. Then we
came to the island, and then I thought we should be happy; but one of the
boys said, ‘Come this way, or you will see nothing.’ The other boy roared
out, ‘No, they must come my way;’ and Miss Blisset insisted on our going
her way.
“All the time we were walking, they went on disputing about which of
their ways was the best. Then they looked so discontented and so angry
with one another. I am sure they were not happy ten minutes together,
all day long; and I said to myself, ‘Is this a party of pleasure? how
much happier Godfrey and I are every day, even without going to this
pretty island, and without hearing this music, or seeing these fine
prospects—much happier, because we do not quarrel with one another about
every trifle.’”
“My dear,” said her mother, “I am glad you have had an opportunity of
seeing all this.”
“Mamma, instead of its being a party of pleasure, it was a party of
_pain_. Oh, mamma, I never wish to go on another party of pleasure. I
have done with parties of pleasure for ever,” concluded Rosamond.
“You know, my dear, I warned you not to raise your expectations too high,
lest you should be disappointed. You have found that unless people are
good-tempered, and obliging, and ready to please each other, they make
pain even of pleasure; therefore avoid quarrelsome people as much as you
can, and never imitate them; but do not declare against _all parties of
pleasure_, and decide against them for ever because _one_ happened not to
be so delightful as you had expected it to be.”
A FOX’S TALE OF HIS ADVENTURES.
TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN OF RUDOLPHI.
I was born in a retired spot, along with four brothers and sisters. Our
mother had made a nice soft bed of moss, in a hole which she had scooped
in the side of a steep bank; and a comfortable dwelling it was. As soon
as we were weaned, our parents supplied us with good food,—sometimes
young hares, partridges, and such dainty provisions. Occasionally we
had mice, which we did not relish quite so much; but our mother used to
say, that we must accustom ourselves to every thing, for the time might
perhaps come when we should be glad of even a mouse to make a meal of.
We grew apace, and as the den soon became too small for us, we tried
to escape out of our dwelling. But our parents strictly forbade this;
saying, that nothing but dangers awaited us; but that, as soon as we were
old enough, they would take us to a place of greater security.
[Illustration]
Alas! it happened to us as to many other children, who will not obey
their parents, but think themselves the wiser. Early one May morning,
the sun shone in so brightly at the mouth of our hole, that we longed to
know what it was to be outside; and, as soon as our parents had set out
upon their hunting excursion, to bring provision for us, we slipped out
softly, and jumped and tumbled about on the open sandy space in front of
our cave, enjoying ourselves much, and hastening in as soon as we thought
papa and mamma Fox would be coming back again.
We went on in this way for a long time, without being found out; but one
day, while we were chasing a mouse in front of the den, and tumbling head
over heels in great delight, we observed something looking at us through
the bushes, which we concluded must be the face of a man. We hurried back
into the den immediately, terribly frightened, and were right glad when
we neither saw nor heard any more of the creature; little guessing, that
from that moment our fate was decided. For, the very next morning, when
father and mother were gone out as usual, we heard footsteps and voices;
and, before we were aware, a savage, crooked-legged dog entered the den,
barking very loud. Our agony was extreme. We drew back into the farthest
corner of the den, barking as loud as we could: but this did not in the
least deter our enemy; for, encouraged by the men, he seized hold of the
foremost of us.
Despair will inspire the weakest with courage. We flew at our black foe,
and scratched him so much, that he was obliged to draw back. Now we
thought that the danger was over; but, alas! the greatest was to come,
and from an unexpected quarter. How could we guess that the dog was sent
into the den to find if we were still within, and where the cave ended!
For one of the hunters had laid himself down with his ear to the ground,
and listened as the dog barked; after which they began to dig a hole,
and we listened in deadly fear to the strokes of the spade and pickaxe,
as they came nearer to us. They had soon broken through; and, as all
resistance was vain, we could do nothing better than bury our heads deep
in the sand. Then a man stretched his arm down to us, drew one after
another by the tail, and struck each one upon the back of his head with a
club, so that he died immediately. I was the last, whom he pulled up with
a cruel shout. He had raised his staff for the deadly blow, when a man,
passing by, cried to him, “Hold! friend, just let me look at that little
animal.” He looked in my face, and then added, “I wish you would give me
that little Fox: I could make him useful!” “What!” replied my murderous
captor, “would you bring him up to steal your cocks and hens? He will be
true to his nature.” “No,” said the stranger, “I will make him useful to
me in my trade.” “Well, then, take him;” and the man held me, while the
other opened a great leathern pocket, into which I was popped; and thus
he carried me to his dwelling in the city.
“Look here,” said my new master to his wife, jokingly, “what a pretty,
sharp-nosed little dog I have met with!” as he drew me out of his pocket.
“He shall learn by and by to blow the bellows.” The man was a locksmith,
and had a wheel fixed to his bellows, in which a dog, by running round
set the bellows in motion. But a short time before my capture, the dog
had died; and the man was glad to have me, rather than a dog, for which
he would have to pay an annual tax. I had a small collar put on to which
a chain was fastened, and the other end secured to the dog-kennel. He
brought me food and water: I quenched my thirst, but I was too much
afraid and sorrowful to eat at first, until compelled by hunger. I was
kindly treated: the man would stop as he went to or returned from his
work, and stroke and feed me from his hand. “How goes it, little Foxy?”
he would say: “thou wilt soon be able to help me in my business.” After
a while he showed me the wheel, made me ascend into it, and taught me
how to run. I was glad to be in motion, after so long a confinement. I
soon understood my office, and took pleasure in the work. When he was not
smithying, I was allowed to rest; and then I amused myself by watching
him at his filing and hammering, making large and small locks and keys. I
could not complain of my treatment; for I was well fed, and always had my
plate of meat not far from the wheel. But yet two circumstances troubled
me. Liberty was not mine. Could I ever forget that I had once enjoyed
freedom? I longed for the woods, the mountains, the sunny knolls, where
my race wander so merrily about.
I had also an enemy in the person of a neighbor’s old, grizzly, red
tom-cat, an envious, spiteful, and greedy animal. He would sit for hours
in a gap of the wall, eyeing me with apparent indifference, as I went
round and round at my work; but, if my master turned his back, if but
for a moment, he was instantly down upon the spot, stole the best bits
out of my dish, and was back again as swift as a bird could fly. He also
plundered my master’s kitchen in various ways; and, as I was sometimes
allowed to run about at liberty in the house, I was suspected of the
thievery, and received the beating.
[Illustration]
I was even with my enemy at last, and, moreover, against his will, he
procured me my liberty, though but for a short time.
One day, when the master was absent, I felt very well and lively, and
jumped merrily about in my wheel, and blew the bellows till the sparks
began to fly. Then I sat down to enjoy my dinner. The cat came near, and
contrary to custom, began to converse with me:—“Fox, you are merry; I
wish I was so too: you seem happier in your work, than I in my sleepy
dreaming on the wall.” “Yes,” I replied, “that is quite true. You see
that I earn abundance of food by turning this wheel for my good master;
and I may leap and jump about in it to my heart’s content. Just come up
to me for once,” continued I, “and I will show you how merrily it runs.”
So the cat ascended, and we shook the wheel awhile, which pleased the old
fellow very well; then I invited him to sit down and eat; for I had a
nice leg-bone of mutton left, and he found it quite to his taste.
When he had done, the old cat said, “Fox, that thing pleaseth me. I
should like to learn thy trade, and then I can seek out a master. Wilt
thou teach me?” “With pleasure,” I answered: “only put on my collar, and
run on boldly in the wheel, you will learn quickly.” “Well, I will try,”
said the cat. But first we had to get the collar off my neck, and it cost
us some trouble. “Look!” said I: “this thing which hangs upon the collar
is called a lock, and that thing which hangs upon the nail there, is
called a key. Now, if you put the key into the hole in the lock, and turn
it round, the lock will slip off, and the collar will be unfastened; then
I can draw it off, and put it on you.” The cat fetched the key, and after
many trials, at last managed to put it into the lock properly. “Now,”
said I, “take the key between your teeth, and turn it round.” This he did
easily; and, when he had drawn the padlock out of the ring of the collar,
I trembled for joy. I quickly put the collar upon the cat, however, and
turned the key in the padlock. “There,” said I, “now take care to run
steadily, and you will find what a merry business it is. Good bye! cat;”
and then I sprang through the open window.
“Stop! stop!” cried the cat, terrified; and he tried to spring after
me, but found himself held back by the chain which was fastened to the
collar; and I heard how he tugged in vain, and mewed pitifully.
But whoever diggeth a ditch for another, is pretty certain to fall into
one himself. This proverb was verified in my case; for scarcely had I
gained the street, when I was observed by a dog; which chased me so
quickly, that I had but little hope of saving myself from his teeth. By
chance I took the direction of the market-place, in the middle of which
there was a wooden booth, where there were apes, and parrots swinging on
long sticks, outside, and a great brown bear kept guard at the entrance.
“Brother bear,” I cried, out of breath, “take me under thy protection!”
“Just jump in here,” said the bear kindly, and showed me the opening.
I did so, and was saved from my enemy; but, to my great astonishment
and terror, only to fall into the hands of more dreadful enemies. I
found myself in a large room, surrounded on every side by wild animals,
imprisoned in iron cages. I endeavored to make my escape, but in my
confusion could not find the way out. The master and his men hunted me
from one corner to another, till at last I was caught; and what did they
with me—can you imagine? I was thrown into the den of a mighty lion:
there I lay trembling in deadly fear, when the great king of beasts came
slowly up, smelled at me, and then laid himself down quietly as before.
When I found that he had no intention of taking away my life, I ventured
to approach him very modestly. “I’ll do thee no hurt,” murmured the
lion; “be without fear of me.” Then I took courage, seated myself near
him, licked his paws, and looked up quite fearlessly into his face. When
feeding time came, I had a bone thrown to me also. After our meal, I
entertained the lion with merry feats, leaping over him, laying myself
down before him, and inviting him to play.
Thus we went on from one day to another, and the lion began to take great
pleasure in me. After some time, the dens were placed in great wagons,
and conveyed to another town, where the people came in crowds, curious to
behold the lion and the Fox.
Though we lived in great harmony, yet, before long, my life became
tedious and sorrowful. “Lion,” said I one day, “we must try to obtain our
freedom.”
“Well said!” replied lion: “can I break these iron bars which keep us
within the den?” “That neither of us can do,” I rejoined; “but, where
strength is vain, cunning may succeed. Just let us try; I have a device
in my head.”
Now, the master of the menagerie had a tame peacock, which was allowed
to go about in perfect liberty; and to secure his assistance formed a
part of my plan. The servant whose office it was to feed the animals,
was accustomed to slip the bolt only of our den, without locking it.
This had not escaped my observation; and the knowledge I had picked up
in my servitude with the locksmith, I was able to turn to good account.
I therefore said one evening to the peacock, “Now, good friend, do me a
little favor, and push back the iron thing at the door.” He did so, and
the door opened instantly. “Now for it, lion,” said I, “break out: only
take me with you, and protect me.”
The lion had no sooner left the den, and felt that he had once more the
free use of his limbs, than he darted towards the entrance.
Almost terrified to death, every body fled out of his way, and the lion
and the fox were once more free in open air. But a few leaps, and we were
out of the town, and in the broad meadows. Whoever we met, instantly
betook themselves to flight; and in a short time we reached a dark,
thick forest, in whose shades we rested for the night. The lion wished
to remain here; for he felt quite at home under the deep shadow of the
great oak-trees: but I advised him to continue his flight. So, very early
in the morning, we left the forest, and hastened to a distant woody
mountain, which we reached the same day; and there, after devouring some
hares, reposed in quiet. But alas! our escape could not remain a secret,
nor could we doubt of being actively pursued.
In a few days, a crowd of hunters appeared; we were chased about, and
with difficulty saved ourselves by flight to another forest. There
neither were we suffered to remain in peace; for the number of our
pursuers was constantly increasing, and day and night we were driven
before them, from one place of refuge to another.
On the fifth night of our flight, we had lain down to rest on the
edge of a cliff, which overlooked a deep hollow place, surrounded by
trees; when we saw lights advancing through the wood, and I immediately
advised the lion to fly with all speed. “No,” he replied, “I will be
hunted no longer; if I must die, it shall be here!” We descried armed
men approaching, carrying torches; and in the midst there rode a young
man of beautiful countenance and majestic stature, and, by his side, a
large, noble-looking dog. When the party had reached the hollow; they
stopped, kindled a fire, seated themselves around it and began to eat.
The young man had dismounted, and was standing at a little distance,
leaning against the stem of a tree, when suddenly the dog uttered a sharp
bark; and the men alarmed, rose up hastily, and followed the animal, who
had evidently got scent of our track. With one mighty bound, the lion
sprung from the overhanging rock, alighting on his feet, just opposite
to the young man, who was no other than the son of the king. The king’s
son drew back for a moment, and raised a sharp sword, putting himself
in an attitude of defence. But the lion laid himself down in front of
him, stretched his paws out on the earth, and looked up into the face
of the prince, as much as to say, Let us be friends. At that moment the
attendants returned, and would have attacked the lion with sword and
lance, but the prince forbade, saying, “You shall do him no hurt, he has
placed himself under my protection.” He advanced fearlessly, laying his
hand upon the noble animal’s head. “Let us bind him at least,” cried one.
“It is unnecessary,” replied the prince, as he seated himself on the
ground near the lion: “he will follow me, I am sure, of his own accord.”
And so he did.
The king’s son laid himself down to rest, and slept peacefully; the lion
resting near him, while the attendants passed the night in anxious and
fearful watching around them. As soon as the prince awoke in the morning,
the whole party prepared for their return to the city; the lion following
willingly with Ossian, the faithful dog, side by side.
Then I pressed forth from my hiding-place; and, as I could not bear to be
separated from the lion, I hastened to join him, much to the astonishment
of all present. “Lo! here is another follower,” said the prince; “he also
shall receive protection.”
We traversed the forest, and before noon reached the capital city. News
of the wonderful affair went before us, so that young and old crowded
from all quarters to see the remarkable animals pass. When we arrived at
the palace, the prince commanded comfortable dwellings to be prepared
for us on each side of the principal gate; but every night the lion had
to lie at the door of the royal sleeping chamber, in order to keep guard
there. Besides these favors, we were well supplied with food, and daily
received proofs of our lord’s attachment.
It was not long before we both had an opportunity of rendering him a good
service for all his kindness. Some wicked men had plotted together to
murder the prince, and had hidden themselves in a thicket, intending to
lie in wait for him, when he should pass by on his daily walk. I happened
to spy these wretches in their hiding-place; and, suspecting them of evil
intentions, I told the lion, who agreed with me in opinion; and we both
went and concealed ourselves, very near the spot where I had seen the
villains. As soon as the prince approached, they started out with lifted
daggers; but, just as they thought themselves sure of their victim, out
broke the lion from the bushes, crushing them in his way. With one spring
he seized the foremost by the throat, then tore down the next; and before
the third could recover from his terror, he had caught him by the breast,
and shaken him so violently, that he fell breathless and insensible to
the ground. The guards hastened to the spot and secured the villains, who
received the punishment of their crime that very day. From that time, the
prince regarded us with more favor than ever, and never went out without
us for his attendants.
Thus we led a quiet, honorable life for some years; but at last the
period of our separation arrived. The king engaged in a war, and the
prince commanded his army which we accompanied to the field. When passing
through towns I rode upon the baggage wagons, but when traveling in the
country I scampered along over the fields. Lion fought bravely by the
side of his lord, and I rendered considerable service as a spy. But one
day, when I was out at a distance, the prince and his attendants fell
into an ambuscade of the enemy. He defended himself bravely; and the lion
broke through the opposing ranks, tearing down whoever came in his way.
The enemy were soon overpowered and put to flight, when, from behind a
tree, an arrow, aimed at the lion, pierced his heart: he sunk down at
the feet of his master, giving him a loving look, and died. The prince
was nearly inconsolable for the loss of the noble animal, and had him
interred with honors, and a marble pillar erected to mark his grave.
I also grieved much for my generous companion and protector, and looked
quite forlorn and unhappy. One day, therefore, the kind prince said to
me, “Good Fox, since thou hast lost thy friend, I think thy liberty would
be acceptable to thee.” I made signs that I would prefer to go. “Well,”
said he, “go. I thank thee for thy fidelity, and will command my subjects
to refrain from doing thee any harm.” And, in order to secure my safety,
he had a king’s crown marked upon my haunches, which you may yet see
plainly. Afterwards I departed, and sought out my place of birth, where I
have lived ever since in undisturbed tranquillity.
NEW CHARADES.
My first quite tall in Egypt grows,
Above it hovers my second,
My whole I’m sure each sportsman knows,
And when cooked quite dainty reckoned.
_Ans._ REED-BIRD.
My first, what is it? Scholars know,
My second’s all the muses,
My whole, a bark, in the south doth grow,
And in fever oft we use it.
QUININE.
My first we say when we address a lady,
My second’s a destructive insect,
My whole is the greatest thing that ever lived.
MAMMOTH.
My first is a score,
My second, if more
You wish to know, you will use;
My whole is a game
Of very good fame,
And when well played will not fail to amuse.
TWENTY QUESTIONS.
My first is part of a wheel,
My second is half of a trifle “light as air,”
And my whole is a commotion.
HUBBUB.
My first will make you think of smoke; my second of dust; my
whole an aspiring mortal.
CHIMNEY-SWEEP.
My first is nought but empty sound,
And yet we can’t converse without it;
My second, when on earth ’tis found,
Commands respect, though some may doubt it;
My whole’s the name of a living poet,
Both sweet, and simple in his lays,
His name I’m sure when you do know it,
You’ll one and all join in his praise.
WORDSWORTH.
It is hard to tell whether my first or second has kindled the
greater number of flames; my whole is the name of a celebrated
manufacturer of an article without which royalty could not
exist.
WARWICK THE KING MAKER.
MARY AND HER LITTLE GOAT.
Kids are little goats. Goats do not like to live in the streets and
houses, like the dogs and pigs. Goats love to run and jump about in the
country, and to gnaw the bark of trees. Goats give very thick, rich milk.
People cannot carry cows to sea in ships, so they take goats, which are
smaller than cows, and do not take up so much room in the ship. Without
goats, the people in ships would not have milk for their tea.
Mary, a little girl, who lived in a place where there are many goats,
taking a walk one day, found a little kid; its mother, the old goat, had
left it—it was almost dead.
Mary felt sorry for the poor little kid; she took it up, hugged it in her
arms, and carried it home with her. She begged her mother to let her keep
the kid for her own; her mother gave her leave.
[Illustration: NEW-YORK
D. APPLETON & CO. 200 BROADWAY.]
Mary got a basket full of clean straw, and laid it on the warm hearth,
for a bed for the kid. She warmed some milk, and held it to him to drink;
the kid drank it and licked Mary’s hand for more. Mary was delighted
when she saw him jump out of the basket, and run about the room;
presently he lay down again and took a comfortable nap.
The next day, Mary gave her kid a name; he was an excellent jumper, so
she called him CAPRIOLE. She showed him to all the family, and allowed
her little brothers and sisters to stroke and pat him. Capriole soon
followed Mary all about the house; trotted by her side into the yard; ran
races with her in the field; fed out of her hand; and was a great pet at
all times. Capriole soon grew troublesome; he thrust his nose into the
meal tub, and flour box; and sometimes got a blow for sipping the milk.
Capriole’s little horns soon began to appear, and a white beard sprouted
at the end of his chin; he grew bold enough to fight when he was angry,
and sometimes threw down Colin, Mary’s little brother, into the dirt.
Every body said, “Capriole is getting too saucy; he must be sent away, or
be taught to behave better.” Mary always took his part, and indulged him
very much. Capriole loved his little mistress dearly.
Near to Mary’s house, were some large fields, and some tall rocks; a
little further off was a high hill. One fine summer’s day, Mary had
finished her morning’s work, and wanted to play with her kid; she looked
about the house door, and could not see Capriole, she then ran to the
field, and called aloud “Capriole! Capriole!” No Capriole came. She went
on, and on, still calling her kid, but nothing was to be seen of him.
Her heart began to beat. “What can have become of him? Somebody must have
stolen him—perhaps the neighbor’s dogs have killed him. Oh my Capriole!
my dear Capriole! I shall never see you again.”
Mary began to cry, but she still went on, looking all round, calling
“Capriole! Capriole!”
After a while she heard the voice of Capriole—she looked up, and saw her
little goat standing on the edge of a high rock; she was afraid to call
him, lest he should jump down, and break his neck. There was no danger;
Capriole had run away from his mistress; he liked the fields and the
rocks better than he liked Mary. She waited for him, however, till she
was tired, and then went home and got her little brothers to go back
with her to the foot of the hill. They carried some bread and milk for
Capriole, but they could not persuade him back again; he had found a herd
of goats, and they were playing together.
Mary went home crying to her mother, and told how Capriole had served
her. “I’m sorry for you, my dear,” said her mother, “but take care, my
daughter, not to love _run-a-ways_ any more.”
CONFIDENCE IN AN INDIAN.
That part of the country round the thriving town of Utica, in the State
of New York, and through which a railroad now runs, was formerly called
Whitesborough, and there is now a small town joining Utica so called. The
first settler in that part of the country was a Mr. White, after whom the
place was named. At the time we speak of, there were numerous Indians
living in the neighborhood; with them he had several interviews, and
mutual promises of friendship were exchanged. He also smoked the pipe of
peace with them, to confirm the contract more solemnly.
Still the Indians were suspicious. “The white men,” said they, “are
deceitful, and we must have some proof of his sincerity.”
Accordingly, one evening, during Mr. White’s absence from home, three
Indians went to his house. At first, Mrs. White and her children were
much alarmed, but on perceiving one of the Indians to be Shen-an-do-ah,
whom they knew to be a mild, humane man, their fear was in some degree
quieted. On entering the house, they addressed Mrs. White, saying, “We
are come to ask you for your little daughter Jane, that we may take her
home with us to-night.”
Such a request might well startle the good woman; she knew not what
answer to give. To refuse might, she feared, excite their anger; to grant
their request might hazard the liberty or even the life of her child.
Lucidly at this moment, whilst the Indians were waiting for a reply, Mr.
White, the father of the child, came in. The request was repeated to
him, and he had sufficient presence of mind to grant it, instantly and
cheerfully.
The mother was overwhelmed with surprise, and felt all the horror that
can be conceived; but she was silent, for she knew it would be vain to
resist. The little girl was fetched, and delivered to the Indians, who
lived about ten or twelve miles off.
Shen-an-do-ah took the child by the hand, and led her away through the
woods, having first said to her father, “To-morrow, when the sun is high
in the heavens, we will bring her back.”
Mrs. White had often heard that the Indians were treacherous; and she
well knew they were cruel; she therefore looked upon her little daughter
as lost, and considered that she was given as a kind of sacrifice to
save the family.
Mr. White endeavored to comfort her, for he felt assured that his child
would be brought safely back the following morning. To the poor mother
the night was long and sleepless; her anxiety became greater as the
promised time approached. Already she imagined that the Indians would
keep their word, and indeed bring back their child, but she fully
believed that they would not bring her back alive. She watched the sun
with a beating heart, and just when it seemed at the highest point of the
heavens, she cried out to her husband, “there they are!”
Shen-an-do-ah and his companions were faithful to their promise; they now
came back with the little Jane, who, smiling with delight, was decked
out in all the finery that an Indian wigwam could furnish—necklaces of
shells, dyed feathers, and moccasins beautifully worked with porcupine
quills. She was delighted with her visit and with her presents.
The effect of Mr. White’s confidence was just what might be expected.
From this time the Indians were his friends; had he acted with timidity,
and refused to let his child visit them, they would have had no
confidence in him.
Shen-an-do-ah was an Oneida chief of some celebrity, having fought
on the side of the Americans in the Revolutionary war. He lived to be
a hundred years old, and though in his youth he was very wild, and
addicted to drunkenness, yet by the force of his own good sense, and the
benevolent exhortations of a Christian missionary, he lived a reformed
man for more than sixty years.[3] He was intrepid in war, but mild and
friendly in the time of peace. His vigilance once preserved the infant
settlements of the German flats (on the Mohawk) from being cruelly
massacred by a tribe of hostile Indians; his influence brought his own
tribe to assist the Americans, and his many friendly actions in their
behalf gained for him, among the Indian tribes, the appellation of the
“White man’s friend.”
To one who went to see him a short time before his death, he thus
expressed himself: “I am an aged hemlock—the winds of a hundred winters
have whistled through my branches—I am dead at the top. The generation to
which I belonged have passed away and left me. Why _I_ still live, the
Great Spirit alone knows! But I pray to him that I may have patience to
wait for my appointed time to die.”
[3] In 1775 Shen-an-do-ah was present at a treaty made in Albany. At
night he was excessively drunk, and in the morning he found himself in
the street, stripped of all his ornaments, and every article of clothing.
His pride revolted at his self-degradation, and he resolved never more to
deliver himself over to the power of “strong water.”
“THE SPELL OF A GENTLE WORD.”
BY MARGARET J. BURWELL.
’Twas night, and the cool and perfumed breeze,
Breath’d soft mid the boughs of the waving trees,
Or low to the wild wood-flowers it sigh’d,
While the tiny buds to its tones replied;
But when the gay music of fairy-glee,
In the clear, calm midnight rose merrily,
And a thousand glancing beings of air,
Like countless gems held their revels there,
It fled from the woods and the flowers away,
And stole to a silent room, where lay
A dying girl:—
Her mournful eyes
Look’d out from their tears on the dark’ning skies,
Where a single star in its glory shone,
Like a haughty heart, bereft and lone.
Round the marble brow waved the clust’ring hair,
And the tiny hands were clasp’d as in pray’r;
She spoke, and each low and trembling word
Was sad as the wail of the widow’d bird.
“Oh! sweet is the spell that the zephyr flings
As it sweeps o’er the wild harp’s silvery strings;
And soft is the murmur’d minstrelsy
Of the flashing waves on the summer sea;
And the rain drops breathe, as they near the earth,
A gladsome chorus of joy and mirth;
The blue-bells ring ever in tones of glee,
And a pleasant sound hath the humming bee;
And though strangely sad is the spirit’s sigh,
When the crimson clouds leave the evening sky,
Yet when sunbeams burst on the sleeping flowers,
With visions of streamlets and fragrant bowers,
With a flush of joy on their petals bright,
They ope with a chorus of wild delight.
The gem that gleams on the velvet vest,
That shelters each slumbering floweret’s breast,
And has whisper’d all night of its home on high,
Where its sisters dwell in the beaming sky,
Takes a sweeter tone when the dawning day
Bids it leave the earth on its heavenward way;
The dancing brook murmurs a joyous tale,
Of the leafy wood and mossy vale;
And have ye not heard, when the shades of night
Hung dark o’er the earth, and the stars were bright,
A soft, sweet tone like the violet’s song,
Or the lay of the waves as they glide along?
But no! it is sweeter than they, by far,
’Tis the spirit-strain of some wand’ring star.
But softer than music of star or sea,
Than dew drops’ murmur, or hum of the bee,
Than the tale of the brook, or the song of the bird,
Is the mystic spell of a gentle word;
It falls on the heart as a summer shower
On the fading leaves of the thirsting flower;
Like a beam of hope, with its cheering ray,
It lightens the gloom of life’s weary way;
And when the darkness of death draws near,
And the spirit shrinks from a nameless fear,
It tells the soul of a radiant shore,
Where sorrow and sighing are known no more.
But I am alone;—no loved one is nigh
To bend kindly o’er me and pray e’er I die:
I hear the clear song of the joyous bird,
But I listen in vain for _one_ gentle word.”
Then an aged man with his locks of snow,
Press’d an earnest kiss on her fever’d brow;
She had knelt with him oft at the hour of prayer,
In her childhood’s home, when the world seem’d fair,
And a thousand flow’rs on her path were shed;—
But now, when they all were faded and dead,
And her heart was sad, and her soul most drear,
And death hover’d o’er her, he only was near.
“My child!”—he said—“though none o’er thee may weep,
Fear not, for the angels a vigil shall keep
By thy lowly grave, and a requiem sing
For the bud that died in its blossoming.
Yon star that is shining so brightly above,
Would tell thee a tale of God’s merciful love;
For e’en as _it_ glows through the darkness of night,
_Thy_ spirit shall beam in the land of light;
Thy mother, my dear one, awaits thee on high,
She would welcome her child to her home in the sky.”
“My mother!” she murmur’d—a sweet smile play’d
Round the tiny mouth, while the cool breeze stray’d
’Mid the clustering curls on that low, pale brow,
And breath’d on the cheek of stainless snow;
But the dark eye was closed—the maiden ne’er stirred—
Her spirit had passed with that gentle word.
INDIAN CHILDREN.
The Indians have been frequently represented as almost devoid of natural
affection, or indeed of feeling altogether; but this is a mistake, which
probably arises from the great command over their feelings which they
are in the habit of exercising, particularly when in the presence of
strangers. Those persons who have had the best opportunities of knowing
the real character of the Indians have remarked, amongst many other good
traits, the great affection that they have for their children, and the
respect which young people pay, not only to their own parents, but to all
elderly people.
The children, both boys and girls, appear to be particularly under the
care of their mother; she teaches them how to make leggins, moccasins,
and many other things that have already been described; and if she be
a good mother, as many of these poor squaws are, she is particular in
keeping her daughters continually employed, so that they may have the
reputation of being industrious girls, which is a recommendation to the
young men to marry them.
Corporal punishment is very seldom resorted to for the correction of
children; but if they commit any fault, it is common for the mother to
blacken their faces and send them out of the lodge: when this is done,
they are not allowed to eat till it is washed off, and sometimes they are
kept a whole day in this situation, as a punishment for their misconduct.
There is a considerable difference in the manners and characters of
different tribes, some being brave, honorable, and generous, while others
are noted for their treacherous disposition and filthy habits. In many
tribes their families appear to be well regulated, and great pains are
taken by the chiefs and principal men to impress upon the minds of the
younger part of their respective nations what they conceive to be their
duty.
When the boys are six or seven years of age, a small bow and arrows are
put into their hands, and they are sent out to shoot birds around the
lodge or village: this they continue to do five or six years, and then
their father procures for them short guns, and they begin to hunt ducks,
geese, and small game. In the winter evenings their father will relate to
them the manner of approaching a deer, elk, or buffalo, and describe the
manner of setting traps for different animals: when he is able, he will
take them a hunting with him, and show them the tracks of wild beasts. To
all these instructions the boys pay the most earnest attention.
The Indians generally appear to be more afflicted at the loss of an
infant, or young child, than of a person who has arrived at mature years;
the latter, they think, can provide for himself in the country whither he
has gone, but the former is too young to provide for himself.
The men appear ashamed to show any signs of grief at the loss of any
relation, however dear he might have been to them; but the women do not
attempt to conceal their feelings; and on the loss of either husband or
child, they cut off their hair, disfigure their faces and limbs with
black paint, and even with cuts, and burn all their clothes excepting a
few miserable rags.
A striking display of the strong affection that an Indian feels for his
child occurred some years since in a town in Maine. One of the Kennebec
tribe, remarkable for his good conduct, had received a grant of land from
the State, and settled himself in a part of the country where several
families were already settled. Though by no means ill-treated, yet the
common prejudice against Indians prevented any sympathy with him; and
he felt this keenly, when, at the death of his only child, none of his
neighbors came near him to attend the funeral.
A few months afterwards he announced his intention of leaving the
village: he called on some of the inhabitants, and expressed himself in
the following manner:—“When white man’s child die,” said he, “Indian man
be sorry; he help bury him. When my child die, no one speak to me—I make
his grave alone—I can no live here.” He gave up his farm, _dug up the
body of his child_, and carried it with him two hundred miles, through
the forest, to join the Canadian Indians.
Not long after the first English settlers had established themselves in
Pennsylvania, during the winter a white man’s child strayed away from his
parent’s house; and after having in vain been sought in every direction
by the parents for a whole day and night, the father resolved to apply
for assistance to one of his Indian neighbors, with whom he had always
lived on friendly terms. He knew the superior facility with which the
Indians, who are in the habit of constantly roaming the woods, can detect
and distinguish objects of sight and sound.
Osamee, for that was the name of the friendly Indian, immediately went
to the house of the parents, and looking attentively round it, soon
discovered the little footsteps of a child, and the direction which they
had taken; and although the child’s father could hardly discover the
marks and signs by which he was guided, he followed the track with as
much apparent ease and confidence as an English traveler would a turnpike
road, and after tracing it for about three miles into the forest, he
found the poor child lying under a tree, crying bitterly, and almost
perishing with cold.
This little incident was the means of reconciling some of the white
people to the near settlement of the Indians, of whom they had been in
dread; but they now rather rejoiced in having such good neighbors; and it
would have been well for both parties if the good feelings shown by the
Indians to the first settlers in some hundreds of instances had met with
such a return as men calling themselves Christians were bound to make;
but, alas! it was far otherwise.
An anecdote which has been preserved, concerning an old Mohegan Indian
named Wa-nou, affords a striking example of the strong affection of a
father towards his only son.
During the frequent wars which took place between the Indians and the
white men, the former had defeated a party of English soldiers, and
put them to flight. The retreat being without order, a young English
officer, in attempting to escape, was pursued by two of the savages, and
finding an escape impracticable, he determined to sell his life as dear
as possible. He turned round to face his enemies, and a violent conflict
commenced, in which he must have soon fallen; but just as one of his
assailants was about to raise the fatal tomahawk over his head, an old
Indian threw himself between the combatants, and the red men instantly
retired with respect.
The old man took the young officer by the hand, dispelled his fears, and
led him through the forest to his wigwam, where he treated him with the
greatest kindness. He seemed to take pleasure in the youth’s company;
he was his constant companion; he taught him his language, and made the
rude arts of his countrymen familiar to him. They lived happily together,
though the thoughts of home would occasionally disturb the Englishman’s
tranquillity, and for awhile his countenance appeared sorrowful. At these
times Wa-nou would survey his young friend attentively, and while he
fixed his eyes upon him, the tears would start into them.
On the return of spring, hostilities were recommenced, and every warrior
appeared in arms. Wa-nou, whose strength was still sufficient to support
the toils of war, set out with the rest, accompanied by his prisoner. The
Indians having marched above two hundred miles, at length arrived within
sight of the English camp. Wa-nou observed the young man’s countenance
whilst he showed him the camp of his countrymen. “There are thy
brethren,” said he, “waiting to fight us. Listen to me. I have saved thy
life. I have taught thee to make a canoe, a bow and arrows; to hunt the
bear and the buffalo; to bring down the deer at full speed, and to outwit
even the cunning fox. What wast thou when I first led thee to my wigwam?
Thy hands were like those of a child; they served neither to support nor
to defend thee; thou wert ignorant, but from me thou hast learnt every
thing. Wilt thou be ungrateful, and raise up thine arm against the red
men?”
The young Englishman declared with much warmth, that he would rather lose
his own life than shed the blood of one of his Indian friends. The old
warrior seemed to be overcome by some painful recollection; he covered
his face with his hands, bowed down his head, and remained in that
posture for some time; then, making as it were a strong effort, he again
looked at the young man, and said to him in a tone mixed with tenderness
and grief, “Hast thou a father?”
“He was living,” said the young man, “when I left my country.”
“Oh, how fortunate he is still to have a son!” cried the Indian; and
then, after a minute’s silence, he added, “Knowest thou that I have been
a father, but I am no longer so? I saw my son fall in battle; he fought
bravely by my side; my son fell covered with wounds, and he died like a
man! but I revenged his death; yes, I _revenged_ it.”
Wa-nou pronounced these words with great vehemence; his whole frame
seemed agitated; his eyes lost their usual serenity, and his chest heaved
with deep sighs. By degrees he became more calm, and, turning towards the
east, where the sun had just risen, he said,—
“Young man, thou seest that glorious light—does it afford thee any
pleasure to behold it?”
“Yes,” replied the Englishman, “I never look upon the rising sun without
pleasure, or without feeling thankful to our great Father who created it.”
“I am glad that thou art happy, but there is no more pleasure for me,”
said Wa-nou. A moment after, he showed the young man a shrub that was in
full bloom.
“Seest thou that beautiful plant?” said he. “Hast thou any pleasure in
beholding it?”
“Yes, great pleasure,” replied the young man.
“To me, it can no longer give pleasure,” said the old man: and then,
after embracing the young Englishman with great affection, he concluded
with these words: “_Begone, hasten to thine own country, that thy father
may still have pleasure in beholding the rising sun and the flowers of
spring_.”
THE BOYHOOD OF WASHINGTON.
Some of the most interesting anecdotes of the early years of Washington,
are such as connect him with his mother, or were derived from her
narrations. She was a dignified and excellent woman, and is remembered
with respect and love, by all who had the honor of her acquaintance.
Her husband died while their children were young. So, she had the sole
care of their government and education. For this great charge she was
eminently qualified. She was often asked what course she had pursued,
in training up her illustrious son. And her reply was, “I only required
_obedience_, _diligence_, and _truth_.”
These were the simple rules by which Washington became good and great.
They were wrought in with the elements of his character, until his
_goodness became greatness_, and his _greatness, goodness_. Is there any
thing, in these three precepts of _obedience_, _diligence_, and _truth_,
which those who read this work are unwilling or careless to observe?
Washington, when a boy, was taught to be accurate in all his statements.
He told things exactly as they were, and repeated words just as they had
been spoken. If he had committed a fault, he did not try to conceal it,
or lay the blame upon others.
Whatever his errors were, and the best child in the world sometimes
does wrong, he always spoke of them to his mother, without disguise,
and without delay. This was the foundation of that noble frankness, and
contempt of deceit, which distinguished him through life, and made him
revered by all.
Once, from an indiscretion of his boyhood, a considerable loss was
incurred. He knew that it would interfere with favorite plans of his
mother, give pain to her feelings, and perhaps awaken her severe
displeasure. But he did not hesitate in his duty. He went immediately to
her, and made a full acknowledgment; and she said, “I had rather this
should have taken place, than my son should be guilty of a falsehood.”
She was careful not to injure him by indulgence, or luxurious food. She
required him to rise early, and never permitted him to be idle. Labors
were sometimes assigned him, which the children of wealthy parents might
have accounted severe. Thus he acquired strength, firmness of frame, and
disregard of hardship.
He was taught to have certain hours for certain employments, and to be
punctual. The systematic improvement of time, thus early taught, was of
immense service when the mighty concerns of a nation devolved on him.
Then he found leisure for the transaction of the smallest affairs, in the
midst of the most important and conflicting duties.
It was observed, by those who surrounded his person, that he neglected
nothing, and was never known to be in a hurry. He was remarkable for
neatness, yet spent but little time in arranging his dress.
His habits of early rising, and strict attention to order, gave him time
for every thing, so that the pressure of public business never rendered
him inattentive to private duty, domestic courtesy, or kind hospitality.
In winter, he rose two hours before day, and in summer was ready to enjoy
the freshness and beauty of the dawn.
Such benefits did a man, whom the world beheld with admiration, derive
from the counsels of a mother, who accustomed him to habits of early
rising, order, and industry. His obedience to her was cheerful and
unvarying. Even after he attained mature years, and a nation regarded him
as its deliverer and ruler, the expression of her slightest wish was a
law.
THE END.
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