THEBEACON SECOND READER

BYJAMES H. FASSETT

GINN AND COMPANYBOSTON - NEW YORK - CHICAGO - LONDONATLANTA - DALLAS - COLUMBUS - SAN FRANCISCO

COPYRIGHT, 1914, BY JAMES H. FASSETTALL RIGHTS RESERVED

PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA431. 1

The Athenĉum Press

GINN AND COMPANY - PROPRIETORS -BOSTON - U. S. A. 

PREFACE

In the "Beacon Second Reader" the author has chosen for his stories onlythose of recognized literary merit; and while it has been necessary torearrange and sometimes rewrite them for the purpose of simplification, yet he has endeavored to retain the spirit which has served to endearthese ancient tales to the children of all ages. The fairy story appealsparticularly to children who are in the second school year. It has beenproved by our ablest psychologists that at about this period ofdevelopment, children are especially susceptible to the stimulus of theold folklore. They are in fact passing through the stage whichcorresponds to the dawn of the human race, when demons, dragons, fairies, and hobgoblins were as firmly believed in as rivers andmountains. 

As a test of this theory the author asked hundreds of second-grade andthird-grade school children to recall the stories which they had readduring the preceding year, and to express their preferences. The choiceof more than ninety per cent proved to be either folklore stories, pureand simple, or such tales as contained the folklore element. To be sure, children like other stories, but they respond at once with sparklingeyes and animated voices when the fairy tale is suggested. How unwise, therefore, it is to neglect this powerful stimulus which lies ready atour hands! Even a pupil who is naturally slow will wade painfully andlaboriously through a fairy story, while he would throw down in disgustan account of the sprouting of the bean or the mining of coal. 

It can hardly be questioned, moreover, that the real culture which thechild derives from these literary classics is far greater than thatwhich he would gain from the "information" stories so common in theaverage second and third readers. 

CONTENTS

 PAGETHE SHIP _Old English Rhyme_ 13THE WOLF AND THE SEVEN YOUNG KIDS _William and Jacob Grimm_ 14THEY DIDN'T THINK _Phoebe Cary_ 22TOM THUMB _English Fairy Tale_ 24SUPPOSE _Alice Cary_ 34CINDERELLA _English Fairy Tale_ 36RAINDROPS _Ann Hawkshawe_ 43THE FOUR FRIENDS _William and Jacob Grimm_ 44LITTLE BIRDIE _Alfred Tennyson_ 54MOTHER FROST _William and Jacob Grimm_ 55IF EVER I SEE _Lydia Maria Child_ 65WHY THE BEAR'S TAIL IS SHORT _German Folk Tale_ 66RUMPELSTILTSKIN _William and Jacob Grimm_ 70BED IN SUMMER _Robert Louis Stevenson_ 81THE GOLDEN TOUCH _Greek Myth_ 82OVER IN THE MEADOW _Olive A. Wadsworth_ 89THE BELL OF ATRI _German Folk Tale_ 92THE BABY _Hugh Miller_ 96BRUCE AND THE SPIDER _Scottish Tradition_ 97THE WISE LITTLE PIG _Anonymous_ 100AN INDIAN STORY 102A GOOD PLAY _Robert Louis Stevenson_ 112DICK WHITTINGTON _English Folk Tale_ 113THE NEW MOON _Eliza Lee Follen_ 124BRIAR ROSE _William and Jacob Grimm_ 126ALL THINGS BEAUTIFUL _Mrs. C. F. Alexander_ 135THE BAKER BOYS AND THE BEES _German Folk Tale_ 136FALLING SNOW _Anonymous_ 142LITTLE GOODY TWO SHOES _Ascribed to Goldsmith_ 143ONE STEP AND THEN ANOTHER _Anonymous_ 157GOOD NIGHT AND GOOD MORNING _Lord Houghton_ 158DAVID AND GOLIATH _Adapted from the Bible_ 160PHONETIC TABLES 167

[Illustration]

THE SHOEMAKER AND THE ELVES--I

shoemaker beautiful to-morrow leatheralready bought sew enough

A shoemaker and his wife lived in a little house on the edge of a wood. 

They were very, very poor, and each day they grew poorer and poorer. 

At last there was nothing left in the house but leather for one pair ofshoes. 

"I will cut out this last pair of shoes, " the shoemaker said to hiswife. 

"To-morrow I will sew them and peg them. "

So he cut out the leather and left it on his bench. 

The next morning he went into his shop to make the shoes. 

What did he see!

A pair of shoes, all nicely made and ready to be sold. 

The stitches were so fine and the shoes so well made that they werequickly sold. 

With the money the poor shoemaker bought leather for two pairs of shoes. 

Then he said to his wife, "I will cut out the leather for two pairs ofshoes. 

To-morrow I will sew them and peg them. "

So he cut out the leather for the shoes and left it on his bench. 

The next morning when he went into his shop to make the shoes, what didhe find!

[Illustration]

Yes, there were two pairs of shoes already made. 

The work was so well done that those shoes were also sold very quickly. 

With the money the poor shoemaker bought enough leather for four pairsof shoes. 

Those he also cut out and left upon his bench. 

The next morning he found four pairs of beautiful shoes, all well made. 

And so it went on and on. Instead of being a very poor shoemaker, hebecame a very rich shoemaker. 

His shoes were so well made that even the queen herself wore them. 

[Illustration]

THE SHOEMAKER AND THE ELVES--II

At last the shoemaker said to his wife, "We must find out who makes theshoes. "

So one bright moonlight night they hid behind a curtain, where theycould watch the bench and not be seen. 

Just on the stroke of midnight, two little elves jumped through thewindow. 

They went skipping and dancing up to the bench. 

Sitting cross-legged they took up the leather and began to work. 

How their needles flew back and forth, back and forth!

How their little hammers beat rap-a-tap-tap, rap-a-tap-tap!

Almost before the shoemaker and his wife could think, the work was alldone. 

The tiny elves ran about, skipping and dancing, skipping and dancing. 

Then, whisk! quick as a wink, they were gone. 

The next morning the good shoemaker said to his wife, "What can we dofor those dear little elves?"

"I should like very much to make some clothes for them, " said his wife. "They were almost naked. "

"If you will make their coats, I will make them some shoes, " said theshoemaker. "Their little feet were bare. "

When the clothes and shoes were ready, they were put upon the bench. 

[Illustration]

The shoemaker and his wife again hid behind the curtain. 

Just as before, when the clock struck twelve, in jumped the tiny elves. 

They went skipping and dancing, skipping and dancing, to their work. 

They saw the little coats, the tiny stockings, and the neat littleshoes. 

They clapped their hands for joy. 

Then, slipping on their clothes, they skipped, hand in hand, out of thewindow. 

The shoemaker and his wife never saw the little elves again, but afterthat night, good luck seemed always to be with them. 

_English Folk Tale_

 THE SHIP

 laden move

 I saw a ship a-sailing, A-sailing on the sea; And, oh, it was all laden With pretty things for thee!

 There were comfits in the cabin, And apples in the hold; The sails were made of silk, And the masts were made of gold. 

 The four and twenty sailors That stood between the decks Were four and twenty white mice, With chains about their necks. 

 The captain was a duck, With a jacket on his back; And when the ship began to move, The captain said, "Quack! quack!"

 _Old English Rhyme_

[Illustration]

THE WOLF AND THE SEVEN YOUNG KIDS--I

quietly rough piece scissorslearned thought chalk youngest

There was once an old goat who had seven little kids. 

She loved them all as much as any mother ever loved her children. 

One day the old goat wished to go into the woods to get food for herkids. 

Before she started she called them all to her and said:

"Dear children, I am going into the woods. 

Now do not open the door while I am away. 

If the old wolf should get into our hut, he would eat you all up, andnot a hair would be left. 

You can easily tell him by his rough voice and his black feet. "

"Dear mother, " cried all the young kids, "we will be very careful not tolet the old wolf in. 

You need not think of us at all, for we shall be quite safe. "

So the old goat went on her way into the dark woods. 

She had not been gone long when there came a loud rap at the door, and avoice cried:

"Open the door, my dear children. I have something here for each ofyou. "

But the young kids knew by the rough voice that this was the old wolf. 

So one of them said, "We shall not open the door. Our mother's voice issoft and gentle. Your voice is rough. You are a wolf. "

The old wolf ran away to a shop, where he ate a piece of white chalk tomake his voice soft. 

Then he went back to the goat's hut and rapped at the door. 

He spoke in a soft voice and said, "Open the door for me, my dearchildren. I am your mother. "

But the oldest little goat thought of what his mother had said. 

"If you are our mother, put your foot on the window sill, that we maysee it. "

When the wolf had done this, all the little goats cried out, "No, youare not our mother. We shall not open the door. Our mother's feet, arewhite and yours are black. Go away; you are the wolf. "

[Illustration]

Then the wolf went to the miller's, and said to him, "Mr. Miller, putsome flour on my foot, for I have hurt it. "

The miller was so afraid of the wolf that he did as he was told. 

Then the wicked wolf went to the goat's house again and said, "Open thedoor, dear children, for I am your mother. "

"Show us your foot, " said the little kids. 

So the wolf put his one white foot on the window sill. 

When the little kids saw that it was white, they thought this was reallytheir mother, and they opened the door. 

In jumped the ugly old wolf, and all the little kids ran to hidethemselves. 

The first hid under the table, the second in the bed, the third in theoven, the fourth in the kitchen, the fifth in the cupboard, the sixthunder the washtub, and the seventh, who was the smallest of all, in thetall clock. 

The wolf quickly found and gobbled up all but the youngest, who was inthe clock. 

Then the wolf, who felt sleepy, went out and lay down on the greengrass. 

Soon he was fast asleep. 

THE WOLF AND THE SEVEN YOUNG KIDS--II

Not long after this the old goat came home from the woods. 

Ah, what did she see! The house door was wide open; the tables andchairs were upset. 

The washtub was broken in pieces, and the bed was tipped over. 

"Where are my dear children?" cried the poor goat. 

At last she heard a little voice crying, "Dear mother, here I am in thetall clock. "

The old goat helped the little goat out. 

Soon she learned how the wolf had eaten her dear children. 

Then she went out of the hut, and there on the grass lay the wolf soundasleep. 

As the goat looked at the wicked old wolf, she thought she saw somethingjumping about inside him. 

"Ah, " she said, "it may be that my poor children are still alive. "

So she sent the little kid into the house for a pair of scissors and aneedle and some thread. 

She quickly cut a hole in the side of the wicked old wolf. 

At the first snip of the scissors, one of the kids stuck out his head. 

As the old goat cut, more and more heads popped out. 

At last all six of the kids jumped out upon the grass. 

They went hopping and skipping about their mother. 

Then the old goat said to them, "Go and bring me some large stones fromthe brook. "

The seven little kids ran off to the brook and soon came back with sevenlarge stones. 

They put these stones inside the wicked old wolf. 

[Illustration]

The old goat sewed up the wolf's side so gently and quietly that he didnot wake up nor move. 

When at last the wicked wolf did wake up, the great stones inside himmade him feel very heavy. 

He was thirsty, too, so he walked down to the brook to drink. 

The stones were so heavy that they tipped him over the edge of the bankinto the deep water, and he was drowned. 

WILLIAM AND JACOB GRIMM

 THEY DIDN'T THINK

 danger folks seized

 Once a trap was baited With a piece of cheese; It tickled so a little mouse, It almost made him sneeze. An old rat said, "There's danger, Be careful where you go!" "Nonsense!" said the other, "I don't think you know!" So he walked in boldly-- Nobody in sight-- First he took a nibble, Then he took a bite; Close the trap together Snapped as quick as wink, Catching mousey fast there, 'Cause he didn't think. 

 Once there was a robin, Lived outside the door, Who wanted to go inside And hop upon the floor. "No, no, " said the mother, "You must stay with me; Little birds are safest Sitting in a tree. " "I don't care, " said Robin, And gave his tail a fling, "I don't think the old folks Know quite everything. " Down he flew, and kitty seized him Before he'd time to blink; "Oh, " he cried, "I'm sorry, But I didn't think. "

 PHOEBE CARY

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

TOM THUMB--I

thumb people suit reins foughtfrightened brought thistledown

In the days of King Arthur, there lived a wise man named Merlin. 

He knew all the fairies and where they lived. 

Even the fairy queen was a friend of his. 

Once, while he was traveling, night overtook him in a deep forest. 

He rapped at the door of a small cottage and asked for some food. 

Merlin looked so hungry and poor that the farmer and his wife took pityon him. 

They not only gave him a bowl of milk with some brown bread, but theysaid he might stay through the night. 

Merlin saw that, in spite of their pleasant cottage, both the farmer andhis wife were very sad. 

"Why are you sad?" asked Merlin. 

"You seem to have a good farm, a pleasant cottage, and many things tomake you happy. "

"Ah!" said the woman, "we are unhappy because we have no child. 

I should be the happiest woman in the world if I had a son. 

Why, even if he were no bigger than my husband's thumb, we should lovehim dearly. "

"That would be indeed a very strange kind of child, " said Merlin, "butI hope you may have your wish. "

Now Merlin was on his way to call on the queen of the fairies. 

When he came to her castle the next day, he told the fairy queen thewish of the farmer's wife. 

The queen of the fairies said, "The good woman shall have her wish. Iwill give her a son no larger than her husband's thumb. "

TOM THUMB--II

Soon after this the good farmer's wife had a son. He was, indeed, justthe size of his father's thumb. 

People came from far and wide to see the tiny boy. 

One day the fairy queen and some other fairies came to see him. 

The queen kissed the little boy and named him Tom Thumb. 

[Illustration]

Each of the other fairies made Tom a gift. 

He had a shirt made of silk from a spider's web, a coat of thistledown, a hat made from the leaf of an oak, tiny shoes made from a mouse's skin, and many other gifts besides. 

Tom never grew any larger than a man's thumb, but he could do manyclever tricks. 

One day his mother was mixing a pudding. 

Tom leaned over the edge of the bowl to see how it was made. 

He slipped, and in he went, head first. 

His mother did not see him fall, and kept stirring and stirring thepudding. 

Tom could not see nor hear, but he kicked and kicked inside the pudding. 

The pudding moved and tossed about. 

His mother was afraid. 

She did not know what to think. 

"There must be witches in it, " she said. 

She went to the window to throw the pudding out. 

Just then a poor beggar was passing by the house. 

"Here is a pudding you may have, if you like, " said Tom's mother. 

The beggar thanked her and put it into his basket. 

He had not gone very far, when Tom got his head out of the pudding andshouted in a shrill voice:

"Take me out! take me out!"

The poor beggar was so frightened that he dropped his basket, puddingand all, and ran off as fast as he could. 

Tom crawled out of the pudding, climbed out of the basket, and ran home. 

His mother washed him and put him to bed. 

TOM THUMB--III

Not long after this Tom's mother took him with her when she went to milkthe cow. 

That he might not get lost, she tied him to a wisp of hay. 

When Tom's mother was not looking, the cow took the wisp of hay into hermouth. 

She began to chew and chew. 

Tom began to jump about and shout. 

He frightened the cow so that she opened her great mouth and out Tomjumped. 

Then Tom's mother took him in her apron and ran with him to the house, but he was not hurt in the least. 

[Illustration]

One day Tom was in the field helping his father. 

"Let me drive the horse home, " said Tom "You drive the horse!" said hisfather. 

"How could you hold the reins?"

"I could stand in the horse's ear and tell him which way to go, " saidTom. 

So his father put him in the horse's ear, and he drove safely home. 

"Mother! mother!" cried Tom. 

But when Tom's mother came out, she could see no one. 

She began to be afraid. 

"Where are you, Tom?" she cried. 

"Here I am in the horse's ear. Please take me down, " said Tom. 

His mother lifted him gently down, kissed him, and gave him a blackberryfor his supper. 

Tom's father made him a whip out of a straw. 

Tom tried to drive the cows, but he fell into a deep ditch. 

There a great bird saw him and thought he was a mouse. 

The bird seized Tom in her claws and carried him toward her nest. 

As they were passing over the sea, Tom got away and fell into the water, where a great fish swallowed him at one mouthful. 

Soon after this the fish was caught, and it was such a big one that itwas sent at once to King Arthur. 

When the cook cut open the fish, out jumped Tom Thumb. Tom was broughtbefore the king, and his story was told. 

TOM THUMB--IV

The king grew very fond of Tom and his wise sayings. He took Tom withhim wherever he went. 

If it began to rain, Tom would creep into the king's pocket and sleepuntil the rain was over. 

The king had a new suit made for Tom, and gave him a needle for a sword. 

A mouse was trained for Tom to ride. 

The king and queen never tired of seeing him ride his queer little horseand bravely wave his sword. 

One day, as they were going hunting, a cat jumped out and caught Tom'smouse. 

[Illustration]

Tom drew his sword and tried to drive the cat away. 

The king ran to help poor Tom, but the little mouse was dead, and Tomwas scratched and bitten. 

Tom was put to bed, but he did not die. 

No indeed! he was soon well again, and fought many brave battles and didmany brave deeds to please the king. 

_English Fairy Tale_

[Illustration]

 SUPPOSE

 wouldn't pouring earnest lady

 Suppose, my little lady, Your doll should break her head, Could you make it whole by crying Till your eyes and nose are red? And wouldn't it be better far To treat it as a joke, And say you're glad 'twas Dolly's, And not your head that broke?

 Suppose you're dressed for walking, And the rain comes pouring down, Will it clear off any sooner Because you scold and frown? And wouldn't it be nicer For you to smile than pout, And so make sunshine in the house When there is none without?

 Suppose your task, my little man, Is very hard to get, Will it make it any easier For you to sit and fret? And wouldn't it be wiser Than waiting like a dunce, To go to work in earnest, And learn the thing at once?

 ALICE CARY

[Illustration]

CINDERELLA--I

Once upon a time there lived a maiden named Cinderella. 

Her mother was dead, and she had to work very, very hard in the kitchen. 

She had two older sisters, but they were cross to little Cinderella. 

They made her stay among the pots and the kettles and do all the hardwork about the house. 

Sometimes, to keep warm, she crept in among the cinders. 

That is why she was called Cinderella. 

One day the sisters came dancing into the house. "We have been invitedto the king's ball, " they cried. 

At length the day of the great ball came, and the two sisters rode awayin their fine silk dresses. 

Poor Cinderella, who had to stay behind, looked at her old raggedclothes, and burst into tears. 

"Alas, " she cried, "why should I always have to stay in the kitchenwhile my sisters dress in silks and satins?"

Hardly had she spoken when there stood before her a dear little old ladywith a golden wand in her hand. 

"My child, " she cried, "I am your fairy godmother, and you shall go tothe ball, too. 

First go into the garden, Cinderella, and bring to me the largestpumpkin you can find. "

When Cinderella had done this, the fairy waved her golden wand over theyellow pumpkin. 

In a flash, it was not a pumpkin at all, but a beautiful yellow coach. 

"Now bring me four white mice, two large ones and two small ones. "

In a moment Cinderella brought a trap full of mice into the room. 

The fairy waved her golden wand, and the two largest mice were turnedinto two snow-white horses. 

Two small mice became two men, one a coachman, the other a footman. 

"But how am I to go in these clothes?" said Cinderella. 

"Ah, let me see, " said the fairy, and she slowly waved her wand over themaiden's head. 

[Illustration]

Oh, what a change!

The rags tumbled to the floor. 

And, what do you think! in their place was a beautiful pink silk dress. 

The ugly shoes fell off. 

And, lo! a tiny pair of glass slippers were on Cinderella's little feet. 

"Now listen to what I say, " said the fairy godmother. "You must not stayafter the clock strikes twelve. 

At that time your coach will again be a pumpkin, the men will be mice, and you will have on your old ragged dress. "

Cinderella said she would not forget. 

Then she jumped into the coach, and away she drove to the king's ball. 

CINDERELLA--II

The king's son was charmed with Cinderella. 

She was so very beautiful that he would dance with her and with no oneelse. 

Cinderella had such a good time that she forgot about the clock. 

It began to strike twelve--one, two, three. 

Cinderella ran from the room. 

Down the steps of the palace she flew. 

She ran so fast that she lost one of her little glass slippers. 

The clock finished striking. 

Lo! the coach turned into a pumpkin. 

The horses and men turned into mice. 

Poor Cinderella had to walk home in her ragged clothes. 

The next morning the prince found Cinderella's little glass slipper onthe stairs. 

"There is only one maiden in all the world who can wear so tiny aslipper, " said the prince. "I will marry her and no other. "

The prince hunted far and wide for a maiden who could put it on. Manytried, but none could do it. 

At last he came to the house where Cinderella lived. The two oldersisters tried and tried to put the slipper on their large feet. 

While the prince was waiting, Cinderella came into the room. 

"Let me try it, " she said. 

"You!" cried the older sisters. "You could never put it on. "

"Let her try it, " said the prince. 

At once the little glass slipper was fitted to the tiny foot. 

[Illustration]

Then Cinderella stood up; her ragged clothes turned into a beautifulsilk dress, and there were two little slippers on her two little feet. 

Then the prince knew that Cinderella was the one he had danced with atthe ball, and taking her hand, he led her out to his coach. 

Soon they were married and lived happily ever after. 

_English Fairy Tale_

 RAINDROPS

 Oh, where do you come from, You little drops of rain, Pitter-patter, pitter-patter, Down the windowpane?

 Tell me, little raindrops, Is that the way you play? Pitter-patter, pitter-patter, All the rainy day?

 I sit here at the window; I've nothing else to do; Oh, I wish that I could play, This rainy day, with you!

 The little raindrops cannot speak, But "pitter-patter-pat" Means, "We can play on this side, Why can't you play on that?"

 ANN HAWKSHAWE

[Illustration]

THE FOUR FRIENDS--I

comb music giants chief

Once upon a time a man had a donkey. 

His donkey had worked for him many years. 

At last the donkey grew so old that he was no longer of any use forwork, and his master wished to get rid of him. 

The donkey, fearing he might be killed, ran away. 

He took the road to Bremen, where he had often heard the street bandplaying. 

He liked music, so he thought he might join the band. 

He had not gone far when he came upon an old dog. 

The dog was panting, as if he had been running a long way. 

"Why are you panting, my friend?" asked the donkey. 

"Ah, " said the dog, "I am too old for the hunt. My master wished to haveme killed. So I ran away. But how I am to find bread and meat, I do notknow. "

"Well, " said the donkey, "come with me. I am going to play in the bandat Bremen. I think you and I can easily earn a living by music. I canplay the lute, and you can play the kettledrum. "

The dog was quite willing, and so they be walked on. 

They had not gone far when they saw a cat sitting in a yard. 

He looked as sad as three days of rainy weather. 

"What's the matter with you, old Tom?" asked the donkey. 

"You would be sad, too, " said the cat, "if you were in my place; for nowthat I am getting old and cannot catch mice, they wish to drown me. Ihave run away, but how I am going to live, I do not know. "

"Come with us to Bremen, " said the donkey. "We are going to play in theband. 

I know you love music, as you sing so well at night. You too can jointhe band. "

"That is just what I should like to do, " said the cat. 

So the donkey, the dog, and the cat all walked on together. 

[Illustration]

After a time the three came to a farmyard. 

There on the gate sat a cock, crying "Cock-a-doodle-doo" with all hismight. 

"Why are you making so much noise?" asked the donkey. 

"Ah, " said the cock, "I find I must have my head cut off so that I mayserve as a dinner for Monday. I'm crowing as hard as I can while my headis still on. "

"Come with us, old Red Comb, " said the donkey. "We are going to Bremento join the band. You have a fine voice. You can join, too. "

"Ah, " said the cock, "that is just what I should like to do. "

And they all went on their way to Bremen. 

THE FOUR FRIENDS--II

At evening the four friends came to a wood, where they stopped for thenight. 

The donkey and the dog lay down under a large tree. 

The cat climbed up on one of the branches. 

The cock flew to the very top of the tree, where he felt quite safe. 

From his perch on the top of the tree the cock saw a light. 

Calling to his friends, he said, "We are not far from a house. I can seea light. "

"Let us go on, " said the donkey, "for it may be just the house for us. "

As they drew near, the light grew larger and brighter. 

At last they could see that it came from the window of a robber's house. 

The donkey, who was the tallest, went up and looked in. 

"What do you see, old Long Ears?" asked the cock. 

"What do I see?" answered the donkey. "Why, a table spread with plentyto eat and drink, and the robbers having their supper. "

"We should be there, too, if we had our rights, " said the cock. 

"Ah, yes, " said the donkey; "if we could only get inside. "

Then the four friends talked over what they had better do in order todrive the robbers out of the house. 

At last they hit upon a plan. 

The donkey stood upon his hind legs and placed his front feet on thewindow sill. 

[Illustration]

The dog then stood on the donkey's back

The cat climbed upon the dog, while the cock perched upon the cat'shead. 

The donkey gave a signal, and they began all at the same time, to maketheir loudest music. 

The donkey brayed, the dog barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed, all with such force that the windowpane shook and was almost broken. 

The robbers had never heard such a noise. 

They thought it must come from witches, or giants, or goblins, and theyall ran as fast as they could to the wood behind the house. 

Then our four friends rushed in and ate what the robbers had left uponthe table. 

It did not take long, for they acted as if they had been hungry for amonth. 

When the four had eaten, they put out the light, and each went to sleepin the spot which he liked the best. 

The donkey lay down in the yard. 

The dog lay behind the door. 

The cat curled himself in front of the fire, while the cock flew up on ahigh beam. 

They soon fell fast asleep. 

THE FOUR FRIENDS--III

When all was still and the light was out, the robber chief sent one ofhis bravest men back to the house. 

The man found the house quiet, so he went into the kitchen to strike alight. 

Seeing the great fiery eyes of the cat, he thought they were live coalsand held a match to them. 

Puss was so angry that he flew up and scratched the man's face. Thisgave the robber a great fright, and he ran for the door. 

As he went by, the dog sprang up and bit him in the leg. 

In the yard the robber ran into the donkey, who gave him a great kick. 

The cock on the beam was waked by the! noise, and cried, "Cock-a-doodle-doo!"

The man ran as fast as his legs could carry him back to the robberchief. 

"Ah!" he cried. "In that house is a wicked witch, who flew at me andscratched my face with her long nails. 

By the door stood a man with a knife, who cut me in the leg. 

[Illustration]

Out in the yard lay a great black giant, who struck me a blow with hiswooden club. 

Upon the roof sat the judge, who cried, 'What did he do? What did hedo?'

When I heard this I ran off as fast as I could. "

The robbers never went near the house again. 

The four friends liked the place so well that they would not leave it, and so far as I know, they are there to this day. 

WILLIAM AND JACOB GRIMM

 LITTLE BIRDIE

 What does little birdie say, In her nest at peep of day? Let me fly, says little birdie, Mother, let me fly away. Birdie, rest a little longer, Till the little wings are stronger. So she rests a little longer, Then she flies away. 

 What does little baby say, In her bed at peep of day? Baby says, like little birdie, Let me rise and fly away. Baby, sleep a little longer, Till the little limbs are stronger. If she sleeps a little longer, Baby too shall fly away. 

 ALFRED TENNYSON

[Illustration]

MOTHER FROST--I

broad daughters through heart

At the edge of a wood there was a great, clear, bubbling spring of coldwater. 

Near this spring lived a widow and her two daughters. 

One of them was very beautiful and a great help about the house, whilethe other was ugly and idle. 

The mother loved only the ugly one, for she was her own child. 

She cared so little for the other daughter that she made her do all thehard work. 

Every day the poor girl would sit beside the spring and spin and spin, until her fingers bled. 

One day, while she was washing the blood from her hands, the spindlefell into the spring and sank to the bottom. 

With tears in her eyes, she ran and told her stepmother what she haddone. 

The stepmother was angry and said, "You let the spindle fall into thespring. Now you must go and get it out. "

The maiden went back to the spring to look for the spindle. 

She leaned so far over the edge that her hand slipped, and down, down, she sank to the very bottom. 

All at once she found that she was in a beautiful field where many wildflowers grew. 

As she walked across the field, she came to a baker's oven full of newbread. 

The loaves cried to her, "Oh, pull us out! pull us out, or we shallburn!"

"Indeed I will!" cried the maiden. 

Stepping up, she pulled all the sweet brown loaves out of the oven. 

As she walked along, she came to a tree full of apples. 

The tree cried, "Shake me! shake me! my apples are all quite ripe!"

"Indeed I will!" cried the maiden. 

So she shook the tree again and again, until there was not an apple lefton its branches. 

Then she picked up the apples, one by one, and piled them in a greatheap. 

[Illustration]

When she had picked up all the apples, she walked on. 

At last she came to a small house. 

In the doorway sat an old woman who had such large teeth that the girlfelt afraid of her and turned to run away. 

Then the old woman cried, "What do you fear, my child? Come in and livehere with me. If you will do the work about the house, I will be verykind to you. Only take care to make my bed well. 

You must shake it and pound it so that the feathers will fly about. Thenthe children down on the earth will say that snowflakes are falling, forI am Mother Frost. "

The old woman spoke so kindly that she won the maiden's heart. 

"I will gladly work for you, " she said. 

The girl did her work well, and each day she shook up the bed until thefeathers flew about like snowflakes. 

She was very happy with Mother Frost, who never spoke an angry word. 

After the girl had stayed a long time with the kind old woman, she beganto feel homesick. 

She could not help it, though her life with Mother Frost had been sohappy. 

At length she said, "Dear Mother Frost, you have been very kind to me, but I should like to go home to my friends. "

"I am pleased to hear you say that you wish to go home, " said MotherFrost. "You have worked for me so well that I will show you the waymyself. "

She took the maiden by the hand and led her to a broad gateway. 

The gate was open, and as she went through a shower of gold fell overthe maiden. 

It clung to her clothes, so that she was dressed in gold from her headto her feet. 

"That is your pay for having worked so hard, " said the old woman. "Andhere is your spindle that fell into the spring. "

Then the gate was closed, and the maiden found herself once more in theworld. 

She was not far from her own home, and as she came into the farmyard, acock on the roof cried loudly:

"Cock-a-doodle-doo!

Our golden lady has come home, too. "

MOTHER FROST--II

When the stepmother saw the girl with her golden dress, she was kind toher. Then the maiden told how the gold had fallen upon her. 

The mother could hardly wait to have her own child try her luck in thesame way. 

This time she made the idle daughter go to the spring and spin. 

The lazy girl did not spin fast enough to make her fingers bleed. 

So she pricked her finger with a thorn until a few drops of bloodstained the spindle. 

At once she let it drop into the water, and sprang in after it herself. 

The ugly girl found herself in a beautiful field, just as her sisterhad. 

She walked along the same path until she came to the baker's oven. 

She heard the loaves cry, "Pull us out! pull us out, or we shall burn!"

[Illustration]

But the lazy girl said to the brown loaves, "I will not. I do not wantto soil my hands in your dirty oven. "

Then she walked on until she came to the apple tree. 

"Shake me! shake me!" it cried, "for my apples are quite ripe. "

"I will not, " said the girl, "for some of your apples might fall on myhead. "

As she spoke, she walked lazily on. 

At last the girl stood before the door of Mother Frost's house. 

She had no fear of Mother Frost's great teeth, but walked right up tothe old woman and offered to be her servant. 

For a whole day the girl was very busy, and did everything that she wastold to do. 

On the second day she began to be lazy, and on the third day she wasstill worse. 

She would not get up in the morning. 

The bed was never made, or shaken, so the feathers could fly about. 

At last Mother Frost grew tired of her and told her that she must goaway. 

This was what the lazy girl wanted, for she felt sure that now she wouldhave the golden shower. 

Mother Frost led her to the great gate, but she passed under it, akettle full of black pitch was upset over her. 

[Illustration]

"That is what you get for your work, " said the old woman, as she shutthe gate. 

The idle girl walked home, covered with pitch. 

When she went into the farmyard the cock on the roof cried out:

"Cock-a-doodle-doo!

Our sticky lady has come home, too. "

The pitch stuck so fast to the girl that, as long as she lived, it nevercame off. 

WILLIAM AND JACOB GRIMM

 IF EVER I SEE

 If ever I see, On bush or tree, Young birds in their pretty nest; I must not, in play, Steal the birds away, To grieve their mother's breast. 

 My mother, I know, Would sorrow so, Should I be stolen away; So I'll speak to the birds In my softest words, Nor hurt them in my play. 

 And when they can fly In the bright blue sky, They'll warble a song to me; And then if I'm sad It will make me glad To think they are happy and free. 

 LYDIA MARIA CHILD

[Illustration]

WHY THE BEAR'S TAIL IS SHORT

Did you ever go to a circus where there was a bear in a cage?

Did you notice how short his tail was?

I will tell you how the bear's tail came to be short. 

One very cold day in winter, a fox saw some men taking home a load offish. 

The fox jumped upon the wagon while the men were not looking. 

He threw off some of the best fish until he had enough for his dinner. 

Then Mr. Fox jumped from the wagon and began to eat the fish. 

While he was eating the fish, Mr. Bear came along. 

"Good morning, " said Mr. Bear, "you have had good luck fishing to-day. Those are very fine fish. How did you catch them?"

"They are fine fish, " said Mr. Fox. 

"If you will go fishing with me to-night, I will show you how to catcheven better fish than these. "

"I will go with you gladly, " said the bear. "I will bring my hook andline too. "

"You don't need a hook and line, " said the fox. 

"I always catch fish with my tail. You have a much longer tail than I, and can fish so much the better. "

At sunset the bear met the fox. 

They went across the frozen river until they came to a small hole inthe ice. 

"Now, Mr. Bear, " said the fox, "sit down here on the ice and put yourtail through the hole. You must keep still for a long while. That is thebest way to catch fish. 

Wait until a great many fish take hold of your tail. Then pull with allyour might. "

The bear sat very still for a long time. 

At last he began to feel cold and he moved a little. 

"Ow!" he cried, for his tail had begun freeze in the ice. 

"Is it not time to pull out the fish?" said the bear. 

"No, no, " cried the fox. 

"Wait until more fish have taken hold of your tail. You are very strong. You can wait a little longer. "

So the poor bear waited until it was almost morning. 

[Illustration]

Just then some dogs began to bark on the bank of the river. 

The bear was so afraid that he jumped up quickly and pulled with all hismight, but his tail was frozen fast in the ice. 

He pulled and pulled until at length the tail was broken short off. 

Mr. Fox ran away laughing and laughing at the trick he had played uponMr. Bear. 

Bears' tails have been short ever since. 

_German Folk Tale_

[Illustration]

RUMPELSTILTSKIN--I

glistened guess mourn chamber

Once upon a time there lived a miller who had a beautiful daughter. 

Now the miller had to visit the king's castle and, while there, hehappened to meet the king face to face. 

The king stopped and spoke to the miller. The miller, wishing the kingto think that he was very rich, told him that he had a daughter whocould spin straw into gold. 

"Ah, " said the king, "that is indeed a wonderful gift. To-morrow youmust bring your daughter to my castle, that she may spin some gold forme. "

Then the miller was afraid and wished he had not spoken, but he had todo as the king ordered. 

The next day he brought his daughter to the castle. 

Now it happened that the king loved gold above all things. So taking thepoor girl by the hand, he led her into one of the great rooms of thecastle. 

There, in the middle of the room, stood a spinning wheel, and near itwas a great heap of straw. 

The king turned to the miller's daughter, and said:

"There is your spinning wheel, and here is the straw. If you do not spinall of it into gold by morning, your head shall be cut off. "

Then the king left the room and locked the door behind him. 

The poor girl could only sit and weep, for she had not the least ideahow to spin straw into gold. 

While she was crying, the door flew open and a little old man steppedinto the room. 

He had bandy legs, a long red nose, and wore a tall, peaked cap. Bowinglow to the maiden he said:

"Good evening, my dear young lady. Why are you crying?"

"Alas, " said the girl, "the king has ordered me to spin all this strawinto gold, and I do not know how. "

Then the little man said, "What will you give me if I will spin it foryou?"

"This string of gold beads from my neck, " said the girl. 

The little man took the beads, and, sitting down, began to spin. 

Whir! whir! went the wheel; round and round it whirled. 

Lo, as the maiden looked, she saw the coarse straw turn into beautifulgolden threads. 

The little man kept so busily at work that soon all the straw was gone, and in its place lay a heap of the finest gold. 

The next morning the king unlocked the door. How his eyes sparkled atthe sight of the gold!

These riches made the king even more greedy than before. 

He led the maiden to a still larger chamber, which was full of straw. 

Turning to the trembling girl, he said, "There is your spinning wheel, and here is the straw. If you do not spin all of it into gold bymorning, your head shall be cut off. "

The maiden's eyes filled with tears at the sight of that huge heap ofstraw. Sitting down, she began to cry. 

All at once the door opened and in jumped the little old man. He tookoff his pointed cap and said to the miller's daughter, "What will yougive me if I help you again, and spin this straw into gold?"

"This ring from my finger, " said the maiden. 

The little man took the ring, and seating himself before the spinningwheel, began to spin. 

Whir! whir! went the wheel. Faster and faster it whirled. 

In the morning the straw had all been turned into finest gold. 

When the king opened the door, how his eyes glistened at the sight ofthe gold! Still, it only made him greedy for more, so taking the poorgirl by the hand, he led her to a much larger chamber. 

This was so full of straw that there was hardly room for her to sit atthe spinning wheel. 

Turning to the maiden, the king said:

"There is your spinning wheel, and here is the straw. If you do not spinall of it into gold by morning, your head shall be cut off. But if youdo spin the gold, I will marry you and make you my queen. "

"For, " thought the king, "though she is only a miller's daughter, yetshe can make me the richest king in the world. "

Hardly had the door closed behind the king, when the little old man camehopping and skipping into the room. 

Taking off his pointed cap, he said to the girl, "What will you give meif I will again spin this straw for you?"

"Ah!" said the maiden, "I have nothing more to give. "

"Then you must make me a promise, " said the little man. "You mustpromise to give me your first child, after you have become queen. "

[Illustration]

The poor girl saw no other way to save her life, so she gave her promiseto the little man. 

Then he sat down and began to spin. 

Whir! whir! went the wheel. Faster and faster he spun. 

Soon the great roomful of straw was all turned into gold. 

When the king opened the door the next morning, he saw the maidensitting beside a large heap of shining gold. 

The king kept his promise, and made the poor miller's daughter hisqueen. 

RUMPELSTILTSKIN--II

About a year later the queen had a lovely child, but she forgot allabout her promise. 

One day the little old man came hopping into the queen's room and said, "Now give me what you have promised. "

The queen was filled with terror, and offered the little man all theriches of the kingdom if he would leave her the child. 

"No, I do not care for riches; you must keep your promise. "

Then the queen began to mourn and to weep, until the little man had pityfor her. 

"I will give you three days, " he said, "and if, in that time, you canguess my name, you shall keep the child. "

The queen lay awake that night, thinking of all the names she had everheard. In the morning men were sent to every part of the kingdom to findstrange names. 

The next day the little man came again. The queen began to call off tohim all the names that she had found--Caspar, Melchior, and many, manyothers. 

At each one the little man shook his head, and said, "No, that is not myname. "

Then the queen had her men go from house to house through the town. Theytook down the name of every man, woman, and child. 

When the little man came again, the queen had a long list of names togive him. 

"Is your name Cowribs, or Sheepshanks, or Bandy legs?" she said to himat last. 

He answered to each one, "No, that is not my name. "

On the third day the queen's men began to come back from all parts ofthe kingdom. They had been far and wide to find new names. 

One of these men said, "I could not find any new names, but going bysome deep woods, I heard a fox wish good-night to a rabbit. 

[Illustration]

Soon I came upon a little house, in front of which a fire was burning. Around this fire danced a little man. He wore a pointed cap, and had along nose and bandy legs. As he went hopping and jumping about, first onone leg and then on the other, he sang:

 My baking and brewing I will do to-day, The queen's son to-morrow I will take away, No wise man can show the queen where to begin, For my name, to be sure, is Rumpelstiltskin. "

The queen clapped her hands for joy. She knew that at last she had foundthe name. 

She sent the servant away with a bag of gold, and waited for the queerlittle man to come to her. At sunset the little fellow came hopping andskipping up to the queen. 

"Now, O queen, " he said, "this is your last chance. Tell me my name. "

The queen asked, "Is your name Conrad?"

"No. "

"Henry?"

"No. "

"Then your name is Rumpelstiltskin. "

"The fairies have told you!" shouted the little man dancing about. 

He became so angry that, in his rage, he stamped his right foot into theground. 

This made him more angry still, and taking hold of his left foot withboth hands, he pulled so hard that he tore himself quite in two. 

WILLIAM AND JACOB GRIMM

[Illustration]

 BED IN SUMMER

 In winter I get up at night And dress by yellow candle-light. In summer, quite the other way, I have to go to bed by day. 

 I have to go to bed and see The birds still hopping on the tree, Or hear the grown-up people's feet Still going past me in the street. 

 And does it not seem hard to you, When all the sky is clear and blue, And I should like so much to play, To have to go to bed by day?

 ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON

[Illustration]

THE GOLDEN TOUCH--I

touch slightest creature statue

Many years ago there lived a king named Midas. 

King Midas had one little daughter, whose name was Marigold. 

King Midas was very, very rich. It was said that he had more gold thanany other king in the world. 

One room of his great castle was almost filled with yellow gold pieces. 

At last the king grew so fond of his gold that he loved it better thananything else in all the world. 

He even loved it better than his own little daughter, dear littlerosy-cheeked Marigold. His one great wish seemed to be for more and moregold. 

One day while he was in his gold room counting his money, a beautifulfairy boy stood before him. 

The boy's face shone with a wonderful light, and he had wings on his capand wings on his feet. In his hand he carried a strange-looking wand, and the wand also had wings. 

"Midas, you are the richest man in the world, " said the fairy. "There isno king who has so much gold as you. "

"That may be, " said the king. "As you see, I have this room full ofgold, but I should like much more; for gold is the best and the mostwonderful thing in the world. "

"Are you sure?" asked the fairy. 

"I am very sure, " answered the king. 

"If I should grant you one wish, " said the fairy, "would you ask formore gold?"

"If I could have but one wish, " said the king, "I would ask thateverything I touched should turn to beautiful yellow gold. "

"Your wish shall be granted, " said the fairy "At sunrise to-morrowmorning your slightest touch will turn everything into gold. But warnyou that your gift will not make you happy. "

"I will take the risk, " said the king. 

THE GOLDEN TOUCH--II

The next morning King Midas awoke very early. He was eager to see if thefairy's promise had come true. 

As soon as the sun arose he tried the gift by touching the bed lightlywith his hand. 

The bed turned to gold. 

[Illustration]

He touched the chair and table. 

Upon the instant they were turned to solid gold. 

The king was wild with joy. 

He ran around the room, touching everything he could see. His magic giftturned all to shining, yellow gold. 

The king soon felt hungry and went down to eat his breakfast. Now astrange thing happened. When he raised a glass of clear cold water todrink, it became solid gold. 

Not a drop of water could pass his lips. 

The bread turned to gold under his fingers. 

The meat was hard, and yellow, and shiny. 

Not a thing could he get to eat. 

All was gold, gold, gold. 

His little daughter came running in from the garden. 

Of all living creatures she was the dearest to him. 

He touched her hair with his lips. 

At once the little girl was changed to a golden statue. 

A great fear crept into the king's heart, sweeping all the joy out ofhis life. 

In his grief he called and called upon the fairy who had given him thegift of the golden touch. 

"O fairy, " he begged, "take away this horrible golden gift! Take all mylands. Take all my gold. Take everything, only give me back my littledaughter. "

[Illustration]

In a moment the beautiful fairy was standing before him. 

"Do you still think that gold is the greatest thing in the world?" askedthe fairy. 

"No! no!" cried the king. "I hate the very sight of the yellow stuff. "

"Are you sure that you no longer wish the golden touch?" asked thefairy. 

"I have learned my lesson, " said the king. "I no longer think gold thegreatest thing in the world. "

"Very well, " said the fairy, "take this pitcher to the spring in thegarden and fill it with water. Then sprinkle those things which you havetouched and turned to gold. "

The king took the pitcher and rushed to the spring. Running back, hefirst sprinkled the head of his dear little girl. Instantly she becamehis own darling Marigold again, and gave him a kiss. 

The king sprinkled the golden food, and to his great joy it turned backto real bread and real butter. 

Then he and his little daughter sat down to breakfast. How good the coldwater tasted. How eagerly the hungry king ate the bread and butter, themeat, and all the good food. 

The king hated his golden touch so much that he sprinkled even thechairs and the tables and everything else that the fairy's gift hadturned to gold. 

_Greek Myth_

[Illustration]

 OVER IN THE MEADOW

 Over in the meadow, In the sand, in the sun, Lived an old mother toad And her little toadie one. "Wink!" said the mother; "I wink, " said the one; So she winked and she blinked In the sand, in the sun. 

 Over in the meadow, Where the stream runs blue, Lived an old mother fish And her little fishes two. "Swim!" said the mother; "We swim, " said the two; So they swam and they leaped Where the stream runs blue. 

[Illustration]

 Over in the meadow, In a hole in a tree, Lived a mother bluebird And her little birdies three. "Sing!" said the mother; "We sing, " said the three; So they sang and were glad In the hole in the tree. 

[Illustration]

 Over in the meadow, In a snug beehive, Lived a mother honeybee And her little honeys five. "Buzz!" said the mother; "We buzz, " said the five; So they buzzed and they hummed In the snug beehive. 

[Illustration]

 Over in the meadow, Where the clear pools shine, Lived a green mother frog, And her little froggies nine. "Croak!" said the mother; "We croak, " said the nine; So they croaked and they splashed Where the clear pools shine. 

[Illustration]

 Over in the meadow, In a sly little den, Lived a gray mother spider And her little spiders ten. "Spin!" said the mother; "We spin, " said the ten; So they spun lace webs In their sly little den. 

 OLIVE A. WADSWORTH

[Illustration]

THE BELL OF ATRI

miser justice whose

Once upon a time a good and wise king ruled in the city of Atri. 

He wished all his people to be happy. 

In order that justice might be done to every one, he ordered a greatbell to be hung in a tower. 

Tied to the bell was a strong rope, so long that it reached nearly tothe ground. 

"I have placed the bell in the center of my city, " said the king, "sothat it will be near all the people. The rope I have made long, so thateven a little child can reach it. "

Then the king gave out this order:

"If there be any one among my people who feels that he has not beenjustly treated, let him ring this bell. 

Then, whether he be old or young, rich or poor, his story shall beheard. "

The bell of justice had hung in its place for many years. 

Many times it had been rung by the poor and needy, and justice had beendone. 

At length the old rope became worn with use and age. 

When it was taken down, another rope, long enough and strong enough, could not be found. So the king had to send away for one. 

"What if some one should need help while the rope is down?" cried thepeople. "We must find something to take its place. "

So one of the men cut a long grapevine and fastened it to the greatbell. 

It was in the springtime, and green shoots and leaves hung from thegrapevine rope. 

Near Atri, there lived a rich old soldier. 

This soldier owned a horse that had been with him through many battles. 

The horse had grown old and lame, and was no longer able to work. 

So his cruel master turned him out into the streets to get his living asbest he could. 

"If you cannot find enough to eat, then you may die, " said the miser;"you are of no use to me. "

The old horse went limping along; he grew thinner and thinner. 

At length he limped up to the tower where the bell of justice hung. 

His dim eyes saw the green shoots and the fresh leaves of thegrapevine. 

Thinking they were good to eat, he gave a pull at the vine. 

"Ding-dong! ding-dong!" said the great bell. The people came runningfrom all sides. 

"Who is calling for justice?" they cried. 

There stood the old horse, chewing on the grapevine. 

"Ding-dong! ding-dong!" rang the great bell. 

"Whose horse is this?" asked the judges, as they came running up. 

Then the story of the old horse was told. 

The judges sent for his cruel master. 

They ordered that he should build a warm barn, and that the faithfulhorse should have the best of hay and grain as long as he lived. 

The people shouted for joy at this act of justice, but the miser hunghis head in shame and led the old horse away. 

_German Folk Tale_

 THE BABY

 No shoes to hide her tiny toes, No stockings on her feet; Her little ankles white as snow, Or early blossoms sweet. 

 Her simple dress of sprinkled pink; Her tiny, dimpled chin; Her rosebud lips and bonny mouth With not one tooth between. 

 Her eyes so like her mother's own, Two gentle, liquid things; Her face is like an angel's face-- We're glad she has no wings. 

 HUGH MILLER

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

BRUCE AND THE SPIDER

Robert Bruce, King of Scotland, was hiding in a hut in the forest. Hisenemies were seeking him far and wide. 

Six times he had met them in battle, and six times he had failed. Hopeand courage were gone. 

Bruce had given up all as lost. He was about to run away from Scotland, and to leave the country in the hands of his enemies. 

Full of sorrow, he lay stretched on a pile of straw in the poorwoodchopper's hut. While he lay thinking, he noticed a spider spinningher web. 

The spider was trying to spin a thread from one beam of the cottage toanother. It was a long way between the beams, and Bruce saw how hard athing it was for her to do. 

"She can never do it, " thought the king. 

The little spider tried it once and failed She tried it twice andfailed. The king counted each time. At length she had tried it six timesand had failed each time. 

"She is like me, " thought the king. "I have tried six battles andfailed. She has tried six times to reach the beam and failed. "

Then starting up from the straw, he cried, "I will hang my fate uponthat little spider. 

If she swings the seventh time and fails, then I will give up all forlost. If she swings the seventh time and wins, I will call my mentogether once more for a battle with the enemy. "

The spider tried the seventh time, letting herself down upon her slenderthread. She swung out bravely. 

"Look! look!" shouted the king. "She has reached it. The thread hangsbetween the two beams. If the spider can do it, I can do it. "

Bruce got up from the straw with new strength and sent his men fromvillage to village, calling the people to arms. 

The brave soldiers answered his call and came trooping in. 

At length his army was ready to fight, and when the king led them in agreat battle against the enemy, this time, like the spider, Bruce won. 

_Scottish Tradition_

[Illustration]

 THE WISE LITTLE PIG

 Where are you going, you little pig? "I'm leaving my mother, I'm growing so big. " So big, young pig! So young, so big! What! leaving your mother, you foolish young pig?

 Where are you going, you little pig? "I've got a new spade, and I'm going to dig. " To dig, little pig! A little pig dig! Well, I never saw a pig with a spade, that could dig!

 Where are you going, you little pig? "I'm going to have a nice ride in a gig. " In a gig, little pig! What! a pig in a gig! Well, I never yet saw a pig ride in a gig!

 Where are you going, you little pig? "I'm going to the barber's to buy me a wig. " A wig, little pig! A pig in a wig! Why, whoever before saw a pig in a wig?

 Where are you going, you little pig? "I'm going to the ball to dance a fine jig. " A jig, little pig! A pig dance a jig! Well, I never before saw a pig dance a jig!

 ANONYMOUS

[Illustration]

AN INDIAN STORY--I

believe tomahawks signs tongue

Many years ago two boys lived on a farm in New England. 

It was so long ago that there were few white people in this country. 

The farms were scattered, and around them were great forests. 

The houses were made of logs, with strong, heavy doors. 

Far away in the woods lived many Indians. 

Sometimes the Indians would come down where the white people lived, andwould capture any white person whom they could find. 

They even dared to attack, and often burned, the scattered log cabins. 

The white prisoners would be taken to the Indian villages and would beheld there as captives. 

One cold winter morning the two brothers, John and William, were goingskating on the river. 

In order to reach the river, they had to pass through some woods. 

John, the older brother, started first. 

He threw his skates over his back and ran off whistling toward theriver. 

William, the younger brother, had to stay behind to fill with wood thehuge box beside the fireplace. 

Indians had not been seen near the farm for many years, so John was notin the least afraid. 

As he went through the woods toward the river two huge Indians, withpainted faces, jumped from behind the trees where they had been hiding. 

Before John could run he was caught, and his hands were tied behind hisback. 

Then they heard William shout as he ran down the path after his brother. 

John knew that the Indians might kill him if he warned his brother. 

But he was brave, and before they could stop him, he cried out, "Indians! Indians!"

The Indians were angry and struck at John with their tomahawks. 

But he was not afraid; he faced the Indians bravely. 

William heard the shout of warning, and ran like a deer back to the logcabin. 

The heavy door was shut with a slam, and John's father, with his rifle, waited for the Indian attack. 

But the two Indians did not dare attack the log cabin. 

Dragging John after them, they started up the river bank toward theirIndian town, many, many miles away. 

All day long they traveled, and at night they built a small fire. 

Over this fire they roasted a partridge which one of them had shot. Johnwas given his share of the bird and a handful of parched Indian corn. 

The Indians looked at John's skates, which still hung over his shoulder. 

They did not know what skates were. They thought they must be some ofthe white man's magic. 

On and on they traveled for many days, following an old Indian path. 

All through the long march John still carried his skates. 

At length they came to the Indian village. 

AN INDIAN STORY--II

The Indian houses were long huts covered with strips of birch bark. 

Four or five families lived in each of these houses. 

John was given to an Indian woman who had lost her own boy the yearbefore. 

John's Indian mother was good to him, and treated him as if he were herown son. 

One time the Indian boys thought they would test John's courage, so theyformed in two lines, while each boy held a stout stick. 

Then they ordered John to run down between the two long lines. 

They had their sticks all ready to beat him. 

They thought John would be afraid and so would do as they told him. 

But John was a strong lad, and jumping upon the first Indian boy, hetook his stick away from him. 

[Illustration]

Armed with this stick, John struck right and left at the heads of theboys until they were all glad to run away. 

The Indian men liked to see John's courage, and laughed long and loudwhen the Indian boys ran away. 

After this the boys were glad to have John play with them. 

With their bows and arrows they shot at a mark. 

They swam in the river and played games of tag, hide and seek, and ball. 

In the spring the Indian women planted the yellow corn. 

When the corn was up, the squaws went into the fields to hoe out theweeds. For a hoe they used a flat piece of stone tied to a woodenhandle. 

As John was a white boy the squaws tried to make him help hoe the corn. 

When John took the hoe, he hoed up the corn and left the weeds. 

The angry squaws made signs to him that he must not do so. 

Then John threw the hoe far from him. 

"Hoeing is fit for squaws, not for warriors, " he shouted. He had learnedthis from the Indian boys. 

The old men were pleased. They thought John would make a fine warrior. 

AN INDIAN STORY--III

John had lived with the Indians a year. 

He had learned to speak their tongue, but they did not trust him. 

Some of them were always with him, for they were afraid he would runaway. 

All this time John had kept his skates carefully hidden. 

One day the ice froze clear and smooth. John brought his skates down tothe river bank. 

Many of the Indians followed to see what he was going to do. 

They crowded around him on the ice. 

John thought he would play a trick on them. 

He strapped the skates upon the feet of an Indian boy. 

The boy tried to stand up, but his feet slipped out from under him, anddown he bumped upon the ice. 

How the Indians laughed!

They thought it was a great joke. 

Each of them in turn tried on the skates. 

How they sprawled and fell upon the ice!

What fun it was for the other Indians!

When they were tired of the sport they held out the skates to John andasked him to put them on. 

John strapped on the skates with great care. He was a good skater, buthe made believe that he could not skate at all. 

He fell down and bumped his head. 

He tripped over his toes and made great fun for the Indians. 

They did not see that each time he fell he was a little farther out onthe ice. 

All at once John jumped up. 

Away he flew, skating for his life. 

Down the river he went, swift as a bird. 

The Indians rushed after him, but he had too great a start. 

[Illustration]

The Indians were swift runners, but John, on his skates, was swifterstill. 

He knew that the river must flow toward the ocean, and that near theocean lived the white people. 

On and on he skated. 

Two days later he saw the smoke of a white man's cabin and knew that hewas safe. 

John soon found his father and mother. 

How glad they were to see him!

 A GOOD PLAY

 We built a ship upon the stairs, All made of the back-bedroom chairs, And filled it full of sofa pillows, To go a-sailing on the billows. 

 We took a saw and several nails, And water in the nursery pails; And Tom said, "Let us also take An apple and a slice of cake, "-- Which was enough for Tom and me To go a-sailing on, till tea. 

 We sailed along for days and days, And had the very best of plays; But Tom fell out and hurt his knee, So there was no one left but me. 

 ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON

[Illustration]

DICK WHITTINGTON--I

Dick Whittington was a poor little boy who lived in the country. 

His father and mother were both dead. 

Poor little Dick was always willing to work, but sometimes there was nowork for him to do, so he often had nothing to eat. 

Now Dick was a bright boy. 

He kept both ears open to hear what was said around him. 

He had heard many times about the great city of London. 

Men said that in this great city the people were rich. 

Dick had even heard that the streets were paved with gold. 

"How I should like to visit that great city, " thought Dick, "for I couldpick up gold from the streets!"

Dick had earned a little money, so one day he set out to walk to London. 

He walked and walked and walked, but London was a long way from hishome. 

At last a man with a wagon came along. He was a kind man, and he gaveDick a ride. 

"Where are you going?" asked Dick. 

"I'm going to London, " said the man. 

"You are very good to give me a ride. I am going there, too, " said Dick. 

It was dark when they reached London. 

That night Dick slept in a barn with the horses. 

The next morning he looked for the golden stones in the streets. 

He looked and looked, but he could find only dust and dirt. 

There were many, many people in London, and Dick thought that he couldsoon find something to do. 

He wandered around the streets, seeking for work. 

He asked many people, but no one wanted the poor little country boy. 

As Dick had no money for food, he soon became very, very hungry. 

At last he grew so weak that he fell down before the door of a greathouse. 

Here the cook found him and began to beat him with a stick. 

"Run away, you lazy boy!" she cried. 

Poor Dick tried to rise, but he was so faint from want of food that hecould not stand. 

Just then the owner of the house, Mr. Fitzwarren, came up. He took pityon the poor boy and ordered the cook to give him some food. 

Then he turned to Dick and said:

"If you wish to work, you may help the cook in the kitchen. You willfind a bed in the attic. "

Dick thanked Mr. Fitzwarren again and again for his kindness. 

The cook was very cross to Dick and whipped him almost every day. 

His bed in the attic was only a pile of old rags. 

He soon found that there were many rats and mice in the attic. 

They ran over his bed and made so much noise every night that he couldnot sleep. 

"I wish I had a cat, " thought Dick, "for she could eat up these rats andmice. "

[Illustration]

One day Dick earned a penny by blacking a man's shoes. 

"I will try to buy a cat with this penny, " thought Dick. 

So he started out and soon met a woman with a large cat. 

"Will you sell me that cat?" said Dick. "I will give you this penny forher. "

"You are a good boy, " said the woman, "and you may have the cat for apenny, for I know you will treat her kindly. "

That night Dick's bed was free from rats, and Miss Puss had a goodsupper. 

Dick began to love his cat dearly. 

DICK WHITTINGTON--II

Now Mr. Fitzwarren had many ships which sailed to distant lands. 

When a ship sailed Mr. Fitzwarren let every one in his house sendsomething on it. 

The things were sold, and when the ship came back, each person had themoney for what he had sent. 

One of the ships was ready to sail. 

Every one in the house except Dick had sent something. 

"What is Dick going to send in the ship?" said Mr. Fitzwarren. 

"Oh, that boy has nothing to send, " said the cross cook. 

"It is true, " said poor Dick; "I have nothing but my dear cat. "

"Well, then you must send your cat, " said Mr. Fitzwarren. 

How lonely poor Dick was without Puss!

[Illustration]

The cook made fun of him for sending a cat on the ship. 

At last Dick became so unhappy that he made up his mind to run away. 

He started early in the morning, before any one in the house was up. 

He had gone but a short way when he heard the sound of the six greatbells of Bow. 

As they rang, "Ding-dong, ding-dong!" they seemed to say:

 Turn back, Whittington, Lord Mayor of London. 

"It is strange that the bells should speak to me, " said Dick, "but if Iam to be Lord Mayor of London, I will gladly turn back. "

So he ran back to the house of Mr. Fitzwarren. 

"I hope they have not missed me, " said Dick, as he gently opened thedoor and stole softly in. 

DICK WHITTINGTON--III

Dick's cat was taken across the ocean. The ship sailed and sailed, untilat last it came to a distant country. 

Now the king and queen of this country were very rich. When the captainwas asked to show his goods before them he was very glad indeed to doso. 

The king and queen first gave the captain a great feast. 

Gold and silver dishes filled with food were brought in. 

[Illustration]

When these dishes were placed upon the table an army of rats came out. 

There were white rats, and black rats, and brown rats, and big rats, andlittle rats. 

At once they fell upon the food and ate it nearly all up. 

"Why do you let the rats do this?" asked the captain. 

"Alas, we cannot help ourselves, " said the king. "I would give half mykingdom to be rid of them. "

Then the captain thought of Dick Whittington's cat. 

"I have an animal which will rid you of them, " said the captain. 

"Pray bring it in at once, " said the queen. 

What fun Dick's cat had killing the rats and mice in the king's palace!

"We must buy that little animal, " said the queen. "I do not care howmuch she may cost. "

The captain could hardly carry all the jewels and gold that the kinggave him for the cat. 

Then the ship with Dick's money came back to London, and the captaintold the story to Mr. Fitzwarren. 

"We must take these jewels and all this gold at once to Mr. Whittington, " said the honest man. "He is no longer a poor boy, for thishas made him rich. "

[Illustration]

They found Dick in the kitchen blacking the stove. 

"Come with me at once into the parlor, " said Mr. Fitzwarren. 

Then the bags of gold and jewels were piled at Dick's feet. 

"See what your cat has brought you, " said Mr. Fitzwarren. "You are now arich man and may yet be Lord Mayor of London. "

And it is true that after Dick Whittington became a man, he was madeLord Mayor of London. 

_English Folk Tale_

[Illustration]

 THE NEW MOON

 Dear mother, how pretty The moon looks to-night! She was never so cunning before; Her two little horns Are so sharp and so bright, I hope she'll not grow any more. 

 If I were up there, With you and my friends, I'd rock in it nicely, you'd see; I'd sit in the middle And hold by both ends. Oh, what a bright cradle 'twould be!

 I would call to the stars To keep out of the way, Lest we should rock over their toes; And then I would rock Till the dawn of the day, And see where the pretty moon goes. 

 And there we would stay In the beautiful skies, And through the bright clouds we would roam; We would see the sun set, And see the sun rise, And on the next rainbow come home. 

 ELIZA LEE FOLLEN

[Illustration]

BRIAR ROSE--I

A long time ago there lived a king and queen who were very, very sadbecause they had no children. 

One day, when the queen was resting near a spring, a frog crept out ofthe water and said to her:

"You shall have your wish. Within a year you shall have a little girl. "

What the frog said came true. 

The queen had a little child who was so beautiful that the king gave aparty in her honor. 

He wished to invite all the wise women in the land, for these wise womencould grant fairy gifts to his little child. 

There were thirteen of them, but only twelve were invited, as the kinghad only twelve golden plates. 

After the dinner was over, the wise women in turn arose from the tableand named their fairy gifts to the little princess. 

The first gave to her goodness; the second, beauty; the third, riches;and so on, up to the last. 

Before the twelfth wise woman could speak, in walked the thirteenth. 

This woman was in a great rage because she had not been invited. 

She cried in a loud voice, "When the princess is fifteen years old sheshall prick her finger with a spindle and shall fall down dead. "

At these words every one turned pale with fright. 

The twelfth wise woman, who had not yet spoken, now came up and said:

"I could not stop this woman's evil words, I can only make them lessharsh. 

The king's child shall not die, but a deep sleep shall fall upon her, inwhich she shall stay one hundred years. "

BRIAR ROSE--II

The little princess was so beautiful, so kind; and so good that no onewho knew her could help loving her. 

As she grew older the king and queen began to feel very unhappy, forthey could not help thinking of what was to happen to their dear littledaughter. 

They ordered all the spindles in the kingdom to be burned. 

Now, as it happened, on the very day that the princess was fifteen yearsold the king and queen were away from home. 

The princess was quite alone in the castle, and she rain about over thepalace, looking in at rooms and halls, just as her fancy led her. 

At last she came to an old tower at the top of a winding stair. 

She saw a little door. 

In the lock was a rusty key. 

When she turned it, the door flew open. 

There, in a small room, sat an old woman with her spindle, spinningflax. 

"Good Morning, " said the princess. "Do tell me what that funny thing isthat jumps about so. "

And then she held out her hand to take the spindle. 

It came about just as the fairy had foretold. 

The princess pricked her finger with the spindle. 

At once she fell upon a bed which was near, and lay in a deep sleep asif dead. 

This sleep came not only upon the princess, but spread over the wholecastle. 

The king and queen, who had just come home, fell asleep, and all theirlords and ladies with them. 

The horses went to sleep in the stable; the dogs in the yard; the doveson the roof; the flies on the wall; yes, even the fire that burned inthe fireplace grew still and slept. 

The meat stopped roasting before the fire. 

The cook in the kitchen was just going to box the ears of the kitchenboy, but her hand dropped and she sank to sleep. 

Outside the castle the wind was still, and upon the trees not a leafstirred. 

In a short time there sprung up around the castle a hedge of thornbushes. 

Year by year the hedge grew higher and higher, until at last nothing ofthe castle could be seen above it, not even the roof, nor the chimneys, nor the flag on the tower. 

BRIAR ROSE--III

As years went by the story of the sleeping beauty was told all over thekingdom. 

Many kings' sons came and tried to get through the hedge of thorns, butthis they could not do. 

The sharp thorns seemed to have hands which held the young men fast. 

After many, many years a prince came from a far-off kingdom. 

He heard the story of the castle and its sleeping beauty. 

He knew what danger lay in the great hedge of thorn bushes. 

But the young prince was brave, and he was not to be turned back. 

"I am not afraid. I will go out and see this beautiful Briar Rose, " hesaid. 

It happened that the hundred years of the magic spell had just ended. 

The day had come when the sleeping princess was to wake up again. 

As the prince came to the hedge of thorn bushes, it was in full bloomand covered with beautiful red flowers. There, through the thorn bushes, lay a wide road. 

Soon the prince came to the gates of the castle. 

He found the horses and dogs lying asleep on the ground. 

The doves sat on the roof with their heads under their wings. 

He went into the castle. 

Even the flies on the wall still slept. 

Near the throne lay the king and queen, while all around were thesleeping lords and ladies. 

[Illustration]

The whole castle was so still that he could hear his heart beat. 

The prince went on from room to room until he came to the old tower. 

Going up the winding stair he saw the little door. 

A rusty key was in the lock, and the door was half open. 

There before him lay the sleeping princess. 

The prince bent down and gave her a kiss. 

As he did so the sleeping beauty opened her eyes. With her the wholecastle awoke. 

The king waked up, and the queen, and all the lords and ladies. 

The horses in the stable stood up and shook themselves. 

The dogs jumped about and wagged their tails. 

The doves on the roof lifted their heads and flew into the fields. 

The flies on the wall began to buzz. 

The fire in the kitchen began to burn. 

The meat began to roast. 

The cook boxed the ears of the kitchen boy, so that he ran off crying. 

The hedge of thorn bushes around the castle dried up and blew away. 

Then the prince married the beautiful princess, and they lived happilyever after. 

WILLIAM AND JACOB GRIMM

 ALL THINGS BEAUTIFUL

 All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful, The Lord God made them all. 

 Each little flower that opens, Each little bird that sings, He made their glowing colors, He made their tiny wings. 

 The cold wind in the winter, The pleasant summer sun, The ripe fruits in the garden, He made them every one. 

 He gave us eyes to see them, And lips that we might tell How great is God Almighty, Who hath made all things well. 

 MRS. C. F. ALEXANDER

[Illustration]

THE BAKER BOYS AND THE BEES--I

trouble Andernach guarded

Long years ago many cities had great stone walls around them. 

The walls were built to keep out enemies, for in those old days citiesoften went to war with one another. 

The city of Andernach had around it one of these great walls. 

There was only one gateway into the city, and this gateway was guardedby strong iron doors. 

Just behind the doors lived a gatekeeper, who did nothing but open andshut the gates. 

He watched them well. 

No one could come in who was not friendly to the city. 

The gates were not opened very often. Some days they were not opened atall. So the gatekeeper had much spare time. 

"I am very fond of honey, " thought he. "I think I will buy a few hivesof bees. I can place the hives on the top of the wall. There nobody willtrouble them. "

Soon there were rows of beehives on the top of the wall over the gate. 

It happened that, not far away, there was another walled city, namedLintz. 

The people of Lintz were the enemies of the people of Andernach. 

They were always watching each other, and fought when they could get achance. 

Now the people of Lintz planned to attack and capture the city ofAndernach. 

They called their wisest men together to see how the attack should bemade. 

Many plans were talked over. 

At length an old man said, "Men of Lintz, you know that the men ofAndernach are lazy. They like to lie late in their beds. If we attackthe city at sunrise, we shall capture it before they can get their eyesopen. "

This plan seemed wise to the people of Lintz, and in army was soon readyto march against the city of Andernach. 

One dark night the army crept softly toward the walls of the sleepingcity. 

THE BAKER BOYS AND THE BEES--II

The only people who rose early in Andernach were the bakers. They had tohave fresh bread ready for breakfast. 

After their work was done the bakers used to have a morning nap, but thebaker boys had to stay awake and watch the loaves of bread. 

Two of these boys, named Hans and Fritz, were fast friends and werealways together. 

One morning, just at sunrise, Hans said to Fritz, "Let us creep upon thewall over the gatekeeper's house. I think we can find some honey. Theold gatekeeper is asleep; he will not hear us. "

The two boys crept softly up the stairs. 

They soon reached the top of the wall. 

"Did you hear that noise?" whispered Fritz. 

"Yes, it must be the old gatekeeper, " said Hans, in a low voice. 

"No, it seems to come from over the wall, " said Fritz. 

The two boys crawled to the edge of the wall and carefully looked over. 

There stood the army of Lintz. 

A ladder was placed against the wall. 

The soldiers would soon mount over the gate into the city. 

What was to be done?

There was no time to wake the people. 

What could two boys do against an army?

In an instant Fritz thought of the beehives. 

Ah, the bees were awake if the people were not!

Each boy seized a hive and bore it carefully to the edge of the wall. 

Then with a strong push down tumbled hives, honey, and bees upon theheads of the enemy. 

Such buzzing, such stinging, such shouting as arose!

The boys ran down the stairs to the city hall. 

[Illustration]

The old bell ringer was aroused by the cries. 

Soon the wild clang of the bell awoke the people of Andernach. 

Armed men ran to the city gate, but the bees had done their work well. There was no need for soldiers. 

The army of Lintz was running away. 

Over the great gate the people of Andernach placed a statue of the twobaker boys whose quick wit had saved the city. 

_German Folk Tale_

 FALLING SNOW

 See the pretty snowflakes Falling from the sky; On the wall and housetops Soft and thick they lie. 

 On the window ledges, On the branches bare; Now how fast they gather, Filling all the air. 

 Look into the garden, Where the grass was green; Covered by the snowflakes, Not a blade is seen. 

 Now the bare black bushes All look soft and white, Every twig is laden, -- What a pretty sight!

 ANONYMOUS

LITTLE GOODY TWO SHOES

All the world must know that Two Shoes was not her real name. No; herfather's name was Meanwell, and he was for many years a well-to-dofarmer. 

While Margery (for that was her real name) was yet a little girl herfather became very poor. He was so poor that at last he and Margery'smother and Margery and her little brother were all turned out of doors. They did not have a roof to cover their heads. 

Margery's father felt so unhappy that at last he died, and only a fewdays later Margery's mother died, too. Poor little Margery and herbrother were left alone in the wide world. 

Their sorrow would have made you pity them, but it would have done yourheart good to see how fond they were of each other. They always wentabout hand in hand, and when you saw one you were sure to see the other. 

[Illustration]

Look at them in the picture. 

They were both very ragged, and though Tommy had two shoes, Margery hadbut one. They had nothing, poor little things, to live upon but whatkind people gave to them. Each night they lay on the hay in just such abarn as you see here. 

[Illustration]

LITTLE GOODY TWO SHOES--II

Mr. Smith was a very good man who lived in the town where little Margeryand Tommy were born. Although he was a poor man, he took the childrenhome to live with him. 

"They shall not want for food nor for a bed to sleep in while I live, "he said. 

Mr. Smith had a friend who was a very wealthy man. When he heard thestory about Margery and Tommy, this man gave Mr. Smith some money to buylittle Margery a new pair of shoes and Tommy a new suit of clothes. Canyou see Tommy in the picture wearing his new clothes?

[Illustration]

The gentleman who had given the money for Margery's new shoes andTommy's new clothes wished to take Tommy with him to London to make asailor of him. 

When the time came for Tommy to go, both children began to cry. Theykissed each other a hundred times. At last Tommy wiped away Margery'stears and said:

"Don't cry, little sister, for I will come home to you again and bringyou beautiful clothes and much money. "

That night Margery went to bed weeping for her dear little brother. Itwas the first time they had ever been parted. 

The next morning the shoemaker came in with Margery's new shoes. She putthem on in great glee and ran out to Mrs. Smith crying, "Two shoes, twoshoes. See goody two shoes!" This she did to all the people she met, sothat soon she was known far and wide as Goody Two Shoes. 

LITTLE GOODY TWO SHOES--III

Dear little Margery saw how good and wise Mr. Smith was. She thought itwas because he read so many books. 

Soon Margery wished, above all things, to learn to read. She wouldborrow books from the school children and sit down and read and read. Very soon she could read better than any of her playmates. 

Margery took such delight in her books that she wished everybody elsecould read, too, so she formed this plan of teaching very littlechildren how to read. 

First, she made letters out of bits of wood with her knife. She workedand worked until there were ten sets of the small letters:

 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

and six sets of the large letters:

 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

She then made the little tots spell words with her wooden letters. Takethe word "plum-pudding" (and who can think of a better one!); the firstlittle child picked up the letter p, the next l, the next u, the next m, and so on, until the whole word was spelled. 

If a child took up a wrong letter, he was to pay a fine or play no more. 

Each morning, with her basket full of wooden letters, Margery wentaround from house to house. The little children learned to read veryfast. 

Can you see Margery with her basket of letters in this picture?

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

The first house she came to was Farmer Wilson's. See, here it is. 

Margery stopped and ran up to the door. Tap, tap, tap. 

"Who is there?"

"Only little Goody Two Shoes, " said Margery, "come to teach Billy. "

"Is that you, little Goody?" said Mrs. Wilson. "I am glad to see you. "

Then out came the little boy. 

"How do, Doody Two Shoes, " said he, not being able to speak plainly. 

Margery took little Billy by the hand and led him to a quiet spot undera tree. Then she threw the letters on the ground all mixed up togetherlike this:

 z a y w b m p j f x c o q g e k v n i d h r i t u s

Billy picked them up, calling each one by its right name, and put themall in just their right places. They now looked like this:

 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Do you think you could have done as well as little Billy?

The next place Margery came to was Farmer Simpson's, and here it is. 

[Illustration]

"Bowwow, wow, " said the dog at the door. 

"Be still, sir, " said Mrs. Simpson. "Why do you bark at little TwoShoes? Come, Alice, here is Goody Two Shoes ready to teach you. "

Then out came the little one. 

"Well, Alice, " said Two Shoes, "have you learned your lesson?"

"Yes, indeed, I have, " said the little one, and taking the letters, sheformed them in this way:

 ba be bi bo bu da de di do du fa fe fi fo fu ha he hi ho hu

As she formed them she gave their exact sounds. 

The next place Margery came to was Gaffer Cook's house. Here a number ofpoor children all came around her at once. These children had been toher school longer than the first little tots, and could read words andlines. 

This is what Margery gave them to read:

"He that will thrive must rise by five. "

"Truth can be blamed, but cannot be shamed. "

"A friend in your need is a friend indeed. "

"A wise head makes a close mouth. "

"A lie stands upon one leg, but truth upon two. "

"A good boy will make a good man. "

"Honor your parents and the world will honor you. "

"Love your friends and your friends will love you. "

Did you ever read lines like these in your school reader?

LITTLE GOODY TWO SHOES--IV

At last Margery grew up and was given a real school to teach and a realschoolroom to teach in. She still used her little wooden letters, andmade the children fetch each one to spell the words. 

One day, as Margery was going home from school, she saw some bad boyswho had caught a young crow. She went over to them and gave them a pennyfor the poor little bird, and took him home. 

Margery called the crow Ralph, and under her care he grew into a veryfine bird indeed. She even taught him to speak and to pick out a few ofthe letters. 

Some time after this a poor lamb had lost his mother, and the farmer wasabout to kill him. Margery bought him and took him home with her to playwith the children. This lamb she called Will, and a pretty fellow hewas. Do look at him. See him run and play with the children. 

[Illustration]

The lamb was trained to carry home the books and the slates of thechildren who behaved well at school. See what a fine, strong fellow heis, and how he trudges along. 

[Illustration]

Margery also had a present of a little dog. His name was Jumper. Look athim sitting up and begging in the picture. 

Did you ever see a dog with such bright eyes? He almost seems able totalk. 

[Illustration]

Jumper, Jumper, Jumper! He was always playing and jumping about, andJumper was a good name for him. His place was just outside the door. Seehow he sits, the saucy fellow!

[Illustration]

LITTLE GOODY TWO SHOES--V

One day Jumper came whining into the schoolroom. He took hold ofMargery's dress and pulled and pulled. 

"What do you wish, dear Jumper?" asked Margery. 

But the dog only whined and pulled her toward the door. At last Margerywent outdoors to see what was the matter. 

Then Jumper left her and ran back into the schoolroom. He took hold ofthe dress of one of the little girls and tugged and tugged. At lengthshe too followed Jumper to the door. 

By this time all the children were on their feet and quickly followedthe teacher out of the schoolroom. 

They were none too soon. The last little girl had hardly passed the doorwhen, with a great crash, the roof fell in. 

All the children were safe, but what had become of Margery's dear booksand letters and other things?

Margery did not lose her school. A rich man who lived near ordered theschoolhouse to be rebuilt at his own expense. 

Another gentleman, Sir Charles Jones, having heard of Margery's goodsense, offered her a home if she would teach his daughter. In fact hefinally fell in love with Margery, and they were married in the greatchurch. And what do you think! On her wedding day, while the bells wereringing, Margery's brother Tommy came home. He had become the captain ofa great ship. He had sailed to many lands, and he brought her all kindsof presents. Do you think she deserved to be very happy?

She did not forget the children, you may be sure. A house in the villagewas fitted up as a school, and all the boys and girls were taught toread and write. 

_Ascribed to_ GOLDSMITH

 ONE STEP AND THEN ANOTHER

 One step and then another, And the longest walk is ended; One stitch and then another, And the largest rent is mended. 

 One brick upon another, And the highest wall is made; One flake upon another, And the deepest snow is laid. 

 ANONYMOUS

[Illustration]

 GOOD NIGHT AND GOOD MORNING

 curious neighed curtsied

 A fair little girl sat under a tree, Sewing as long as her eyes could see; Then smoothed her work and folded it right, And said, "Dear work, good night, good night!"

 Such a number of rooks came over her head, Crying "Caw, caw!" on their way to bed. She said, as she watched their curious flight, "Little black things, good night, good night!"

 The horses neighed, and the oxen lowed, The sheep's "bleat, bleat!" came over the road; All seeming to say, with a quiet delight, "Good little girl, good night, good night!"

 She did not say to the sun, "Good night!" Though she saw him there like a ball of light, For she knew he had God's time to keep All over the world, and never could sleep. 

 The tall pink foxglove bowed his head; The violets curtsied and went to bed; And good little Lucy tied up her hair, And said, on her knees, her favorite prayer. 

 And while on her pillow she softly lay, She knew nothing more till again it was day; And all things said to the beautiful sun, "Good morning, good morning! our work is begun. "

 LORD HOUGHTON

[Illustration]

DAVID AND GOLIATH--I

Philistines guarding Goliath

Long, long ago there lived, in the country of Israel a boy named David. 

He was a shepherd boy, and all day long he watched the quiet sheep asthey ate sweet grass on the hillside. 

Although David was only a boy, he was tall and strong and brave. 

When he knew he was in the right, he feared nothing. 

David's quiet life did not last long. 

There was a great war between the people of Israel and men called thePhilistines. 

All the strong men in David's town went to join the army of Israel. 

David could not go, as he had to tend the sheep, but his three olderbrothers went to the war. 

For a long time David's father heard nothing from his three oldest boys. 

At length he called David to him and said, "Take to your brothers a bagof this corn and these ten loaves of bread. Find out how your brothersare, and bring word to me. "

The next morning David rose very early, and taking the bag of corn andthe loaves of bread, he went to the camp where his brothers were. 

The camp of Israel was on the side of a high mountain. 

Across the valley from this mountain and on the side of another mountainwas the camp of the Philistines. 

After David had come to the camp and had found his brothers, shouts ofanger and fear came from the soldiers. 

David looked across the valley to the camp of the Philistines. 

There he saw a huge soldier dressed in shining armor. 

This giant soldier carried a great spear and shield. 

"Who is that man?" asked David. 

"Do you not know? That is Goliath, " said the soldiers. "Every day hecomes out and dares any man on our side to meet him in battle. "

"Does no one of our soldiers dare to meet him?" asked David. 

[Illustration]

"We have no man so strong as he in our whole army, " said the soldiers. 

The giant from the opposite hillside shouted with a loud voice, andagain dared the army of Israel to choose a man to meet him. 

David was a brave boy; he was stirred to anger at the sight of thisgreat giant. 

"Is not God on the side of our people?" he asked. "I will fight withthis man, even though he kill me. "

DAVID AND GOLIATH--II

The king of Israel heard of these brave words and sent for David to comebefore him. 

When he saw that David was only a boy, he said, "You are not able to goagainst this Philistine. You are only a boy, while he has fought in manybattles. "

Then David said to the king, "Once, when I was guarding my father'ssheep, I killed a lion and a bear without help from any one but theLord. He will help me fight this man. "

Then the king said, "Go, and the Lord be with you. "

The king fitted David with heavy armor and gave to him his own sword, but David said, "I am not used to this heavy armor; it will only hinderme. "

So he threw it off. 

Then David went to a brook near by and chose five smooth stones. 

[Illustration]

Armed with these five stones and his sling; he went bravely out to meetthe giant. 

When the giant saw that David was only a boy, he was angry and criedout:

"Do you dare fight with me? I will kill you, and will give your flesh tothe birds and the beasts. "

David looked at him without fear and said, "You come against me with asword and with a spear and with a shield, but I come to you in the nameof the Lord. This day will he give you into my hand. I will kill youand take your head from you, and I will give the bodies of thePhilistines to the birds and the beasts. "

When they came near to each other, David fitted one of the five stonesto his sling. 

He whirled the sling swiftly about his head. The stone flew straight toits mark. It struck the Philistine full in the forehead. The huge gianttook one step and, with a groan, fell to the earth. 

Then David, standing upon the giant, took his sword and cut off the headof his enemy. 

When the Philistines saw that their giant was dead, they were filledwith fear. 

They left their camp and tried to run away, but the army of Israelfollowed them and won a great victory. 

For this brave deed David was made a captain and was held in honor bythe king. 

_Adapted from the Bible_

PHONETIC TABLES

The following tables are planned to supplement those already developedin the "Beacon Primer" and in the "Beacon First Reader. "

The earlier tables are introduced in order that the teacher may havethem for rapid review work with her slower pupils, and also for thosepupils entering the class without any previous phonetic training. 

The strictly new matter, which includes the last ten pages, shouldreceive special emphasis and care in its development and drill. 

REVIEW OF THE VOWELS _a_, _e_, _i_, _o_, and _u_

fix jut fob jig lagrid tug kin van yetfog cab bog pod vexwed box mix wax cud

Yes Jug Kid Sit SixPug Jim Yell Red FoxKeg Dug Win Ned WillPuff Hug Bess Rub Vim

In the following words a blend of two consonants follows the vowel. 

felt tilt elm elk selfkilt sick rich loft linksilk lank test gilt dishlock limp tuft hilt nickgust bulk pelt lint dustland gush wilt belt sackpick hack lent sent mistsink bunt lash lend rushsash hush rust luck suchking dusk ring fond hulkdent sunk lack kick sankdesk bank hint welt wingback wink sulk bent wentlamp must rock pack handwind lump wick duck bunkpunt mock husk band muchbump mush bend jump mendhump pump bond musk damp

In the following words a blend of two consonants precedes the vowel. The vowel must be sounded with the preceding consonants. 

fled flog flag clip cliffgrit slip grin frog gripslat trot trill stiff slopspot blot prig sled stillsniff drip slap slab scanscud twit step spin bragspan crab stag glen dragslum stab crag trim skillskim slim glad crop dropsnuff skin skip scab snobskull snip bled stun twindress grab drill skiff fromswell drug twig grim snapscum bran stub snag stemplum sped spill prop slamdrum gruff snug tress snubsmell spell brim bless spun

The correct pronunciation of _wh_ is important. In reality the _h_ issounded before the _w_, and in the oldest English it was so written. This table combines the features of the two previous tables. 

wit chip flock crank theftwhit shut trick shock slingwhet shed shelf trunk trustwhig shop swift plank stingwhip shad frock swing freshwhiff chub strap smith twistwhen shun prick string trackwhist trash brick smack crashwhim chest crust stump stockwhich script scrub splash scrapwhisk spend shred struck blockship cramp grunt scamp frankchill smash print shrink throbchat twitch stack thump plucksprang spring drink thrush shrubsham switch check stretch brushchess snatch thank scratch spank

In the following words the vowel is long because of the final _e_. 

tide rote rite fade coregore lute five trade glidetone pole live plate worecope lobe tore crave drivetube lane hive spore pridewipe bide save globe stoveslate pore rave snipe snoremere flake cove stone spinestore stole cave flame blademute wide stale grove crimestake hone mete grape shaveskate mine wake smite grimespike more wave white stridebrake score slope drone spadespoke fume strife twine shapesnake wade slime strive whalestrike slave mode stripe blamestroke shine smile swore scrapesmoke shade shore shame throne

The following words illustrate the effect of final _e_ in lengtheningthe vowel otherwise short. Final _se_ usually has the sound of _ze_. 

cot cote slat slate glazerob robe trip tripe nosecut cute slid slide dozenot note grip gripe fusedot dote slop slope mazetub tube shin shine hosecon cone slim slime frozecub cube glad glade thesenod node snip snipe gazemet mete shot shote riseplat plate spin spine sizeflam flame plan plane wiseshad shade strip stripe hazemop mope grim grime rosewhit white twin twine dazesham shame prim prime thosescrap scrape plum plume close

Before _r_ the sounds of the vowels _a_, _e_, _i_, and _u_ are greatlymodified. These combinations occur so frequently that much drill isrequired. Final _e_ affects _ar_ as in _care_. 

stir serf mar jar furslur tart cart bur furlstar turf first curl girdjerk lard fern bird dartfirm scar card char sparhurl lark hurt part archturn blur purr pert spurhard barn darn carp herddark burn term hark yardstart shirt bark yarn harpsharp clerk skirt chirp parkspark shark mark spurt thirdparch smart churn perch harmcharm starch march mirth smirch

 * * * * *

tare scare dare pare rarefare snare hare ware glarebare spare mare stare share

In the words of this table _ea_ and _ee_ have the long sound of _e_. 

fear tear lean heap fleetthee east ease keep beefnear plea heed greet yearfreed dean team weed reamtease deed treat wean teachsheet yeast meet spree pleadsheaf mead steep sheer eavesgreed creak creek shear spearbreed agree sneer bleed speedbeach sheen green preen cheapsweep sheep reach street freezedream tweed fleece cream weavescreen peach gleam wheat streakbream leaves cleans crease teapotbeams please greedy Easter spleenbreeze gleans squeak beaver seasongrease sneeze wheeze sheath streamreason teacher sheaves scream beacon

In the words of this table _ai_ and _ay_ have the long sound of _a_. 

rail lain hail bail flailslay fray nail bait frailvain mail gray clay paiddray bray main wail prayraise saint stray snail faintstaid away paint faith traingayly spray chain plain maidstain strain waist braid draingrain praise strait twain claimsway sprain raisin afraid dainty

In the words of this table _oa_ and _oe_ have the long sound of _o_. 

oats soar floe roar coatcoax float oak goal soaproam hoed load loan soakwhoa loam boat goat moatcloak coarse foam roast toastgroan throat shoal croak coastloaves hoarse moan coach board

In the words of this table _ie_ and final _y_ take the long sound of_i_. 

fie hie sly cry shyvie sty pry why liedfried sky tied vied triedpried ally rely defy denyreply spry skies flies criedsupply spied plied dried comply

In the words of this table _ew_ and _ue_ are pronounced very nearly like_u_ long. 

hue due stew hew cuepew mew view ague jewelrescue sinew argue subdue valuemildew pewter renew steward ensue

In the words of this table _oi_ and _oy_ are pronounced alike. 

coy coil join loin toilsoil foist boil coin cloypoint broil joist hoist jointenjoy voice royal noise spoilmoist avoid choice annoy doilyemploy oyster anoint poison boiler

In the words of this table _au_ and _aw_ take the sound of _a_ in_all_. 

jaw claw haul Paul flawfaun yawn bawl thaw slawfault hawk daub Maud fraudfawn gauze vault brawl causedawn drawl pawn lawful crawlawful pauper straw brawn drawnpause awning lawyer spawn caucus

In the words of this table _ou_ and _ow_ are pronounced alike. 

gout rout scow pout scourtown trout scout down shoutprow cloud snout tower proudflour south scowl pouch mountstout spout aloud power boundcount about crowd pound crouchtowel couch sound blouse devoutfound growl frown grouse woundclown vowel drown sprout shroudflower round shower mound ground

In the following list of words _oo_ is pronounced like _u_ in _rude_. 

boot cool tool pool roofpoor root toot loop loonsoon food hoot boor roodnoon coop hoop hoof coonloom loose moor boon sloopproof stoop troop stool spoolboost noose sooth room boomcroon moon mood roost shootbroom doom goose scoop toothbloom brood gloom groom swoopswoon spoon moose choose groove

Review the sound of _qu_. 

quilt quid quill equip quitquell quite quiz quire quailqueer quote quest quick squiresquirt queen quince quake squintsquaw quack squirm square quaintsqueak squeal quench squeeze squirrel

REVIEW

sly card loft due earstir why cliff tied cuejaw turn curl hilt coilboil tube cloy clay naillute mail rose spar cragslay Paul flaw hoof haulfirm quill gore pray sankboot wore stew herd heapstun stem fried twin triedscow bless smile mew termtrout mere glean froze glidestore slave sheaf team morequite noise mode daub boomshore stoop mend score gauzesheet much chain stone grimegrunt hawk moon pawn sharkpump peach quick block quacksnake sound pouch queen marchsmash cramp stump smoke switchsky glare rely room tressskill doily gruff plied royalgayly tooth sloop scrap scaresnare ensue coast spurt priedcroak perch strife twain straitgrowl flower noose stripe gauzeawful power parch annoy smartstrive moose stride choice blamechurn loaves afraid starch throatsinew beaver rescue coarse oysterpraise poison teapot lawful sprainstruck breezy hoarse anoint squealscreen sprout groove choose squintscrape shower grouse twitch blousesupply stretch caucus dainty thronepauper shroud season reason squareauburn teacher subdue sprawl freezerawning mildew employ smirch pewtersqueeze squirrel preacher squirm comply

In the following list of words _c_ is soft before _e_ or _i_. 

cite ace ice cell centvice rice lace city sincenice trice dice farce fenceslice pace mice voice lanceprice trace grace pence mincetruce mace cease hence princeplace brace fleece dance thencespace twice peace glance chancesplice spruce choice quince whence

In the following list of words _g_ and _dg_ before _e_ and _i_ arepronounced like _j_. 

gin gist gill gem gibegerm tinge edge urge hugeserge judge singe ledge largebarge fudge lodge dodge ridgecringe lunge budge hedge badgesledge nudge wedge fringe rangebridge merge grudge trudge mangesmudge charge plunge dredge change

_K_ and _ck_ are sounded exactly alike. Their use is not so confusingfrom the point of view of sounding as from spelling. The use of the _ck_after a short vowel should be strongly emphasized by the teacher. 

nick dike flake fleck flickcake sock deck meek flockpack yoke slick shock poketrack hack dock snake neckstuck clack sleek strike crackfreak pluck truck stroke brakedrake shake black struck sneakspoke tweak broke smack shuck

 * * * * *

bake sake like beak stokeback sack lick beck stocktake slake pike Luke smoketack slack pick luck smockrake stake peak duke croakrack stack peck duck crocklake dike speak coke cloaklack Dick speck cock clock

_Tch_ generally has the same sound as _ch_. _Ch_ usually follows vowelshaving the long sound, while _tch_ usually follows vowels having theshort sound. 

each teach peach reach speechbleach screech leech breach beechcoach roach poach broach preachfetch stretch itch botch notchblotch catch sketch crutch pitchlatch batch snatch ditch matchhatch patch hutch twitch clutchswitch witch stitch scratch flitch

This table contains a further development of the two sounds of _th_. 

fifth tenth strength thud thillthing thump thick thank thatchthrob throne thrust thrash thrushthis thus these those thatthem than then the theethy bathe lathe seethe litheblithe withe clothe scathe thinebreathe soothe smooth thence sheathe

In the following list of words _ie_ has the sound of long _e_. 

field niece priest piece shieldgrief yield siege thief reliefbrief chief fiend shriek believe

In the following list of words _o_ has a sound midway between its soundin _for_ and in _fox_. 

cost moss song broth frostsoft toss long cloth stronglost loss tong froth loft

In the following list of words _a_ has the sound of short _o_. 

was wand swap what swampwad wash swan want wanderwan wasp swab watch washer

Two vowels together are often sounded separately. 

fuel poem giant quiet duelpoet idea gruel truant suetdiet real trial pliant dial

_Tion_ and _sion_ are pronounced _shun_. 

nation mention vision tension sessionration pension notion mission stationoption fraction motion passion action

REVIEW

fuel snail cede defy barefield stare skirt thief grueltrial mete roost away ledgemere deny grace quiet fencepaint quail dried share snorewhist niece spare judge braidyeast poem value growl crawlscowl goose giant Maud arguegroan moist yawn swore drawlmirth coach raisin squirt oysterannoy boiler strain choice swoonbroom gaudy priest gleans squawsneeze whisk quake rescue truantpoison prince renew crouch sproutdredge crease flower motion greedychance charm bridge mound believesupply nation notion squeak showerlawyer plunge square employ complyquench awning stream mildew sheaves

The following list contains words with the most common suffixes. 

jacket market velvet trumpetlocket basket ticket thicketsecret blanket bracket bucketgoblet musket rocket gimletcloset carpet racket hornetmantle camel model parcelravel panel saddle travelslumber chapel canter picklelumber cinder printer masterwhisper helper sister cornerbarber under lobster farmerscamper winter number tumblerblunder jester pitcher milkerfarther monster marble cycleuncle thimble jumble grumblestumble tingle tickle specklecandle nimble tumble ankletwinkle single dangle dimplecackle buckle magic picnichandle bundle frolic mimicsimple wrinkle merit arcticsolid limit habit infantstupid visit spirit distantrapid profit pulpit merchanttimid ashes classes servantkisses dishes dresses brusheslosses stitches bunches wishesglasses matches lunches pinchesfishes branches churches goblinsweeten cabin driven robinquicken satin harden pumpkinseven napkin beacon shortenbeckon reckon dragon blackensermon wagon lemon prisonseason melon lesson masonfifty angry ugly milkysixty sadly dainty rustyhungry pantry empty silkyfinely safely lately pagesmerely widely purely pricesnicely lonely closely wagesraces spices ages placesfaces cases cages stageslaces blazes closes rosesaxes gazes noses riseshateful sizes uses prizeswasteful helpful rival navalneedful spiteful final vitalcheerful thankful oval opalgraceful truthful local legalwakeful careful floral fatal

The following list contains words with the most common prefixes. 

awake abed afloat adornafraid aloud asleep alertafire ago amid adriftaway about agree alasalone across ablaze awardbecame again become apartbecause around begin alivebelong along untwist abuseunhitch awhile unjust betweenunhurt began depend befalldelay behave declare besidedemand before devote unbenddisplay unlock excite untruedisplace unfit explode unchaindisgust unclean expand exceedencamp decay discharge expectenrage depart dispute excelenjoy defend dismiss exposeinquire endure disturb excuseinclose enlarge forbid expressinform engrave forgive explainintent except forget requireinsist exchange forsake unwindinvite explore rebound behindinflame exclaim recess unfoldremark repeat recite replyrefer repair replace recallrenew regret release retainrejoice return reduce reportregard refresh restore remaincoachman huntsman seaman postmansalesman workman footman hackmanrailroad birthday foreman boatmaninkstand daylight fireplace teacupseaside seaweed sunbeam tiptoestairway necktie rainbow railwayseashore cobweb spyglass beehive

Usually the vowel followed by one consonant is given the long sound, whereas, when the consonant is doubled, the vowel usually has the shortsound, as illustrated in the following words. 

biter plater toper hopingbitter platter stopper hoppingdiner shiny tiny doteddinner shinny tinny dottedcuter hater poker offercutter hated paper widerholy hatter taper spiderholly riding favor diverbony ridding fever gallonbonny biting clover racerbogy bitting over ciderboggy caning halo labelMary canning solo yellowmarry planer polo jollymate planner flabby jellymatter ruder shabby makerrobed rudder ruddy takerrobbed loping tulip dummypining lopping cedar commonpinning baker tamer momenttuning shady liner silentstunning lady pacer rubyplaning tidy giddy bonnetplanning pony sudden penny

The following words illustrate silent _k_, _g_, _w_, _b_, _l_, _t_, and_gh_. 

knee kneel knelt knell knitknife knot knock knob knewknave knead know knack gnatgnaw gnu gnash gnarl gnomewry wren wrist wrote writewrap wring wrung wrong wrestwreck wrath wretch wreak wrenchwrithe wreath high sigh wrightthigh light fight tight sightknight right fright plight nightblight slight bright flight mightcaught naught taught daughter aughttightly brightly lightly lightning naughtyclimb comb crumb dumb lamblimb numb thumb debt doubtcombing calf half balm calmchalk stalk walk folks talkoften soften castle jostle rustlethistle whistle chestnut fasten listen