Transcriber's Note: Some of the text was printed in a much smaller type. This was indicated in this text version by surrounding the smaller textwith +plus signs+. [Illustration: The Children coaxing Mr. Appleton to tell where AuntFanny lived. ] THE LITTLE NIGHTCAP LETTERS. BY THE AUTHOR OF "NIGHTCAPS, " "NEW NIGHTCAPS, " "BABY NIGHTCAPS, " ETC. , ETC. NEW YORK: D. APPLETON & COMPANY, 90, 92 & 94 GRAND ST. LONDON: 16 LITTLE BRITAIN. 1869. ENTERED, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1860, by FANNY BARROW, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New York. Dedication. THESE LITTLE NIGHTCAP LETTERS ARE LOVINGLY DEDICATED TO MY DAUGHTER, "LITTLE ALICE. " CONTENTS. PAGE NIGHTCAP LETTER No. 2 FROM AUNT FANNY, 7 INTRODUCTION TO BELLA'S LETTERS, 45 THE NIGHTCAP LETTERS, HOW THEY CAME TO BE WRITTEN, 51 FIRST LETTER, 64 SECOND LETTER, 69 THE FIRST LETTER FROM CHARLESTON, 73 THIRD LETTER, 76 FOURTH LETTER, 94 FIFTH LETTER, 127 SIXTH LETTER, 159 THE RETURN, 174 NIGHTCAP LETTER No. 2 FROM AUNT FANNY. _You little darling:_ What _do_ you think happened the other day? why, a lady came to see me, bringing with her just about the dearest little Kitty that ever lived. Not a Kitty with whiskers, and four paws, and a fur coat, but a sweetlittle girl _named_ Kitty, with lovely blue eyes, a great many softbrown curls, and the same number of sweet rosy lips that you have. Howmany is _that, _ I should like to know? I had never seen the lady, or thelittle girl before, and of course I did not know their names untilafterwards. So I bowed, and smiled, and looked as pleasant as ever Icould. Then Kitty said in a sweet trembling voice--"_Is_ you Aunt Fanny?" I laughed a little bit, and answered, "Yes, dear. " What happened then? Why in a moment she ran up to me, climbed upon achair close by, --threw her arms around my neck, and gave me such aprecious little smothering hug, and so many sweet kisses, with her softface pressed with all her might upon my cheek, that I almost lost mybreath, and was perfectly astonished, as well as delighted. Then the little girl said: "Oh thank you, dear Aunt Fanny, _twenty-ten_times, for my Baby Nightcaps! I love them! I love you! I love you_dreadfully_!" Oh! how glad I was to hear that! I was glad"_twenty-ten_" times. It was sweeter to me, than a whole basket full ofsugar candies would be to you--and I kissed her on both her rounddimpled cheeks, and sat down, and took her on my lap, and hugged her tomy heart, and said--"what a darling! what a dear little thing!" Then I looked at the lady. She was laughing and blushing, and I waslaughing and blushing, and the little girl was laughing and blushing. Don't you think we three were having a very funny kind of time? _I_did. At last the lady said: "I hope you will excuse me for bringing Kitty tosee you; but she begged so hard for 'just one little look at AuntFanny, ' I could not bear to refuse her. I am afraid she has taken agreat deal more than 'one little look. ' I hope she has not kissed apiece out of your cheek?" At this, Kitty looked up in great alarm at my cheek--but seeing that itwas not bleeding, and had no hole in it, she patted it softly with herlittle tender dimpled hand, and said: "+Aunt Fanny, Aunt Fanny, +" in alittle speck of a whisper to herself a great many times. Then I said: "I am _so_ glad to know that you were pleased with BabyNightcaps. Would you like me to ask poor lame Charley's mother formore?" With a joyful little scream, she hugged me again, and kissed mycheek--_very softly_ this time, for fear of hurting me, and said: "Oh!Aunt Fanny! if you only will, I will give you a whole paper full of_perl_asses candy, and one of my new _handkerchickers_; and when you areold and blind, I will take you in my arms, and carry you up stairs, andput you in my lap _and teach you your letters_, and ask mamma to readthe Bible to you--all about Joseph, you know, and his wicked _bredders_;it will make you _ki_. " Wasn't she a cunning little thing? I could not help laughing, to thinkof such a little mite of a child, talking of taking me in her arms; andthen I could not help the tears coming, at her offer to have her ownmamma read the Bible to me--was it not sweet? _You_ would have done sotoo, wouldn't you? You see, it must have been Kitty's greatest pleasure, to have God's Holy Bible read to her; so she promised me, what shethought was the very best thing in the whole world. And so it is. You may be sure, that I told her, I would try to get the stories verysoon. Pretty soon Kitty and her mamma went away; but not before we had giveneach other one more real good kiss, and I had prayed in my heart thatGod would bless the precious little child, and guide me with my newbook, so that it would help Kitty and you to be good, obedient children, His precious little lambs here upon earth, and His bright, beautifulangels in Heaven. In the evening I put on my bonnet and shawl, and went to see lameCharley's mother. As I rang the bell, I heard such a quantity oflaughing voices, and so many little feet pattering, I was almostcertain, that at least twenty cousins must have come to town to helpthem have a good time: but when the door was opened, I saw they were allNightcap Children, rushing down stairs together. They had gone up towash their faces and hands and brush their hair, and were coming downall laughing and talking at once, so you may be sure it made a greatnoise. Bless their little chattering tongues, and pattering feet! You can'texpect children to be as grave and solemn as judges--of course not. I, for one, would not give a pin for a child that did not make anoise--that is--a pleasant noise. So they were jumping and tumbling down, when I entered, and in a momentthey were all about me crying. "How-de-do, Aunt Fanny? Come in, come in, mamma is in the parlor, and Charley is sitting in her lap--and theTREMENDOUS DOG is asleep on the rug--and we are not to have a Nightcapstory to-night--but something grand! splendid!" [Illustration: THE TREMENDOUS DOG!] "Somesing 'tonishing, " chimed in little Minnie--"_tome!_ _kick!_"--bywhich she meant me to "come quick"--and not to tell me to kickanybody--oh dear, no! So we all hurried along--and how I got into the room, without steppingupon some of their dear little toes, I am sure I don't know, but nobodyseemed to be hurt--and heads and toes came in all safe--and Charleylifted up his sweet pale face for a kiss, and his mother shook handswith me, and then we all sat down, and the boys said "hush, " and thegirls said "hush, " till it sounded so much like a room brimful of catssneezing, that I laughed; and that made the children laugh, and then ofcourse they had to jump up and down in their seats, and the girls had totwirl round and make cheeses, and this made the TREMENDOUS DOG laugh, which he did by wagging his tail, like a flag in a high wind, and givingtwo or three short barks, and it was just as good as going to Barnum'sMuseum, to see such a "happy family. " If you had asked _Barnum_ aboutit, he would have said it was ever so much better. At last I said: "Dear little Charley, I have put the stories told toyou, and Minnie, and the rest, into three Nightcap books. They havepleased the children very much. I know this, because I have received agreat many letters; such nice letters! telling me how the childrenlaughed and cried, and not one single word in any of them to say thatanybody put his mouth out of joint, yawning over the stories. Instead ofthat, they all want more; and this very day a sweet little girl came tosee me to ask for more. She was not like poor Oliver Twist, asking forfood for her body. Oh no! she was a plump, merry, rosy-cheeked darling, just like Minnie, and eat just as much good bread and milk as shewanted, and molasses candy, too--for she promised to give me ever somuch, if I would only give her another Nightcap book--and what is moreand better, she has promised to read the Bible to me, when I am old andblind. " "Did you ever!" shouted the children; "Aunt Fanny, old and blind! We'llread to you, too, the whole Bible, and all the books in the bookcasebeside! When are you going to be? Will you walk with a long black canelike old Granny Van Winkle? Do begin pretty soon, because we want to bekind to you, and read to you, too!" "Ah--no!" said the sweet voice of lame Charley. "Dear Aunt Fanny, we_don't_ want you to be old and blind; you shall have all mamma's prettystories without it. I am glad the children like them. _I_ think themlovely; my back does not hurt me near so much while she is telling them, and when I die, which I think will be very soon now, I hope the childrenwill think of me sometimes, and love my darling mamma, who has giventhem and me so many pleasant hours. This is my birthday, Aunt Fanny. Iam ten years old to-day. Perhaps it is my last birthday. See what mybrothers and sisters have given to me. " In the midst of a sad silence, (for the children were now quite still, and were looking at Charley, with their eyes full of love and tears, ) Iwent up to a table, at which he had pointed, and saw what looked like alarge tin box. It proved to be a splendid magic lantern! The childrenhad saved all their money for many months to be able to buy it, and thelittle mother told me, that when they came in a body that morning andgave it to Charley, with their dear love and many kisses, their facesglowing with pleasure, it was the sweetest sight in the world to see, and Charley thought he could never thank or love them enough, and thatvery morning he made this little prayer, and added it to his others: "Oh God, I am a poor little suffering child. Very often, I cannot helpcrying with pain. But many children suffer as much as I do, and have notone of my blessings; and Jesus, my Saviour, suffered far more. He wasinnocent and good, while we, for whom He suffered, are sometimes verynaughty. Please, God, to forgive me for being naughty, and bless andlove my dear brothers and sisters who are so kind to me, and pleasebless my darling mother, and if I die before another year, may we allmeet again in heaven, I pray, for Jesus' sake. Amen. " The tears came into my eyes as I listened to this little prayer--and Ibent my face down and kissed Charley's white forehead to hide them--andwhispered to him that I would tell it to the children outside in theworld, and perhaps this little prayer might be learned by some othersick child--and it would comfort them, and I would also give them thenew stories--at which he smiled and said: "Oh, yes, do!" and all therest said: "Do, Aunt Fanny; and stay to-night--and see the magiclantern--then you can tell them about that, too, you know; they'll be soglad, they won't know what to do. " So I staid; and pretty soon there was a great scampering, and bustling, and climbing up on chairs, to fasten a large sheet over the opening ofone of the doors, and then the grandest of the company--which consistedof Charley, the TREMENDOUS DOG, and myself--were put, with a great manypolite speeches, into the best places in front; and the rest shook, andjumped, and tumbled themselves into seats behind us--and all the lightswere put out, and everybody was in a perfect state of delightfulexpectation, as they shouted: "Here we are, mamma, with all our eyesstaring at the sheet ready for the show. " Then the little mother went into the next room with the magic lantern, and lighted a lamp inside, and placed it close to the sheet. In amoment, a large, bright circle of light appeared on the sheet--and in amoment more, we saw a splendid picture of Daniel in the Lions' Den; thelions with their fierce-looking mouths wide open, and their sharp clawsspread out as if they would snap up Daniel the very next instant--uponwhich the children raised such a shout that I thought my head was comingoff--and it was quite fortunate that the picture was changed to one ofMoses in the Bulrushes, which delighted the children beyond every thing;but when there came a picture of little Samuel praying--a low murmurof--"Oh! how lovely! what a good little Samuel! how I love him!"sounded softly through the room. There was one picture of a cross old school ma'am, with a great hooknose, and a long whip, looking so savage at three poor little childrenthat did not seem to know their lessons--that Minnie cried out: [Illustration: THE PICTURE IN THE MAGIC LANTERN. ] "Oh! see the poor chillens! they don't know their A, B, C. Ah! I sosorry for them!" and then all the children said: "Poor things! whydon't they run away--I would! Because she looks so cross! let's scratcha smile on her face with a pin, and _make_ her look pleasant. " But the best picture of all was Noah's Ark. First the ark came onalone--then a plank seemed to be put down--then came the greatelephants, lions, tigers, and bears, marching up the plank two and twointo the ark--and after them all the rest of the animals in the world, getting smaller and smaller, until little wee monkeys, and kittens, andmice, and robins, and grasshoppers, and blind beetles, and big spiders, and tumble-bugs, ran and hopped, and skipped, and crawled up the plankin such quantities, that it was quite a wonder they were not allsuffocated in such a crowd. But didn't the children clap their handsand cry: "Look! look!" when Noah and his wife, and his three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japhet, and their families, marched gravely past, lookingstraight before them, and went into the ark, and the ark sailed slowlyoff! It was perfect! they wished they could have gone into the ark, too, to put apples into the elephant's trunk, and play with the monkeys, andcount all the animals--George guessed there must have been at least athousand--while Annie thought a million went in. How many do you think, you dear little darling? The magic lantern was a great success, and Minnie said: "the magic_nightcat_ was the bestest of all. " After the show was over, I kissed everybody, and went home quite happyin the promise of my new stories--and you may be sure, you dear littlepoppet, that Kitty, and you, and all the darling children shall havethem as fast as the printer can print them. If you like them, just go toMr. Appleton's, and coax him to tell you where I live; and then run upto my house on your dear little feet, and give one real good kiss toyour loving Aunt Fanny. INTRODUCTION. ONE evening the little nightcap mother said: "Children, I have had amost charming present. It is a copy of some letters and stories thatwere written and told to your little friend, Bella Curtis. They are akind of baby stories, for children like Minnie. Do you think you shalllike them? Do _you_ Charley?" Then the children all shouted out "Certainly! Of course! the babystories are the best! no, not the best, but just as good as the _old_stories--yes, mamma, do read them. Letters! why that is somethingnew--how very nice. " "But I don't want to hear A--B--C, " cried little Minnie, who was justlearning her letters, and thought it very hard work--"I don't likeletters a bit. " How the children did laugh when they saw Minnie's long face, and heardher queer speech; but they soon explained to her, that these letterswere a new sort of delightful story--upon which she folded her littlefat hands and sat down quite comforted, that these letters had nothingto do with her A, B, C. And Charley said: "I love that dear little Bella, mamma, and I shall beso pleased to hear her letters. I thank her very much for sending themto you. " Then the children seated themselves, and puckered up their mouths--so asto keep all the little laughs in. They couldn't keep their eyes fromsparkling; but as that could be done without making a noise--it wasrather a help, as it showed how delighted they expected to be--and gavethe little mother such a happy look, that they came very near allrushing upon her to kiss her; but they managed to keep still, and thenew nightcap letters began as follows:-- THE NIGHTCAP LETTERS, HOW THEY CAME TO BE WRITTEN. BELLA'S mother was quite ill; and the doctor said she must go for awhileto the sweet, sunny South--far away from the cold March winds. Poor little Bella did not want her mother to go. When she heard of it, she began to cry, and climbed up into her mother's lap, and kissing hercheek said: "Stay with Bella, mamma, do please; Bella will take care ofyou, and make you well. " "But the doctor says I must go, my darling, " answered her mother. "Ifyou cry, it will make me worse, because I shall feel so miserable to seeyou crying; but you mean to be good, don't you? and when I get toCharleston, I will write you ever so many little letters one after theother, and you must tell papa what to say, and he will write theanswers. Won't that be nice? The postman will bring you your letters, and then you must pay him two cents apiece for every one of them, thinkof that! Dear me! how much money it will take! do you think you willhave money enough?" "My _pasense_, " exclaimed Bella; "what a heap of letters! Oh, how glad Iam! I'll buy every one, mamma! I'll go and count my money now!" So she ran to her drawer, and took out a little velvet purse. It lookedvery fat and heavy. Then she sat down on the carpet and opened it, andout tumbled ever so many bright pennies into her lap--quite enough toastonish the postman, and make him wish he could sell her six lettersat once. Bella clapped her hands and laughed, and thumped her heelsmerrily up and down, and made the pennies jingle in her lap sopleasantly, that it seemed as if they were singing a little song. The thought of the letters was such a comfort to Bella, that she saw hermother's trunks packed without crying a bit, though a poor little sighwould come out once in a while; but she told Edith, her elder sister, that she meant to behave in the "_goodest manner_, " and almost to seemglad that her dear mamma was going away, because that would help to makeher well. It would have delighted you to see little Bella "helping. " She ran allround the room, to find something to put in the trunks. She tucked alittle cake of soap into one corner, and half a dozen hair pins inanother; and then hunting in her funny little pocket, she found two gumdrops, which her Cousin George had given to her--these she did up in ascrap of paper, and very carefully stowed away under the fold of a pairof stockings. Well, at last the time came to say "good-bye, " and poor little Bellaclung to her mother, and the great sobs _would_ come, and no one couldblame her, for her mamma was crying too--and her little Bella's face wascovered with tears as well as kisses. But this dear mamma had to go--andthe steamship went swiftly away with her, and in a little while shecould no longer see the great city of New York, where her darling lived. Bella cried a long time, and did not want to go back into her mamma'sroom. At last she thought she would go. On the bed was a large paperparcel. Something was written on the paper, and she called her sister to"read the reading" to her. "Why! what's this?" exclaimed Edith. "'For my little Bella. ' How verystrange. " "Dear me, " cried Bella, giving a jump; "it must be for me--'spose Ilook? I want to look so much. " "Certainly, " said Edith. Then the paper was taken off by the littlegirl's dimpled fingers, and there was displayed a most beautifulbedstead, with a lovely baby tucked up in it, fast asleep! I only wish you could have seen the dimples on Bella's face then! andthe sparkles in her eyes! She softly lifted the baby up--and pop! herblue eyes opened as wide as possible--and she never cried a bit, butjust looked at Bella, not the least afraid of being among strangers. Then Bella laid her gently down, and the good little thing shut her eyesand went fast asleep again. "My pasense!" said Bella, "I'm _apprised_! What a dear baby! Is it forme?" "It must be, " said Edith; "but wait, here is a little letter pinned fastto her sleeve. Let's see what it says. " "A letter, " cried Bella; "must I pay two cents for it?" and she ran toget her little velvet purse. "You will not have to pay for this one, because the baby brought it--itis only the postman that wants two cents. " So Edith opened the letter, and Bella jumped up and down all the timeher sister was reading these loving words:-- FIRST LETTER. "DEAR DARLING BELLA: "Here is a present for you of this little bedstead, and the pretty dollbaby; who will go to sleep the moment you put her in bed. Don't cry anymore, my little kitten, and rosebud, and pearl, and dove. I will prayto our Heavenly Father to take care of us both, and before long you willbe clasped tight in the arms of your loving _mother_. " The little girl's lip trembled, as Edith finished the letter; but shelifted up the baby just then--and the blue eyes opened so suddenly, thatit set Bella laughing--and she said lovingly: "_Pessus keeter_, come tomamma, " and so the little mamma that couldn't say "precious creature"plain, forgot to cry. "Why! only see here!" exclaimed Edith, "here is another bundle under thebedstead! It must have come from the moon;" and drawing it out, shehanded it to Bella. "Oh! how 'lightful, " cried Bella. "Two bundles! I shall jump out of thewindow for joy. " And now the paper was eagerly taken off, and lo! and behold! there was amost beautiful pair of little brown gaiter boots. "With heels!" screamed Bella. "How grandy! like a big lady! look, Edith--heels!" "Did I ever!" said Edith, lifting up her hands, "you will tumble downstairs the very first time you wear them. " "Boots with heels!" and Bella began to try them on. Something stiffrattled inside--and she put in her hand and pulled out--another letter!It was almost too good to be true. But Edith soon read these kind words: SECOND LETTER. "_My little Darling_: "Here are a pair of boots for your dear little feet, with the heels onthem, that you wanted so much. "Be careful to go down stairs _very slowly_, for fear you might catchyour heels on the edge, and fall and hurt yourself. "Don't let your little heel, Bump your little head; That would hurt a deal, And make it very red. Then so bad 'twould feel, Like a lump of lead. First with careful zeal, Very gently tread; Do not jump or squeal, Precious little maid. But, when at your meal, Eating milk and bread, Sing a merry peal, Without any dread. Dance a little reel, Then skip up to bed. " "Oh, how nice, " cried Bella, when Edith had finished. "I like that. Itis so jingly and jangly. " "Why! how you talk!" said Edith, laughing. "It's poetry. " "Is it?" said Bella. "O--h!" She put both her precious letters in her drawer, and then played withher baby all the rest of the day. I believe the good little thing wentto sleep, and woke up again that day about fifty-nine times--maybesixty. [Illustration: A LETTER FOR MISS BELLA CURTIS! TWO CENTS!!] THE FIRST LETTER FROM CHARLESTON. ABOUT a week after this, there came such a tremendous ring at the bell, that both the fat cook and the waiter rushed to the door, and when itwas opened, there stood the postman! bawling out, "A letter for MissBella Curtis! Two cents!" How Miss Bella Curtis did scamper for her two cents to pay the postman!and how delighted she looked when he gave her the letter! The postmanthought there must at least be a gold watch inside of it, she seemed sopleased. Bella tore the envelope all to pieces in her hurry to open her letter;and then she fell over sideways from the little bench in her hurry tosit down--but at last she was settled as still as you could expect undersuch delightful circumstances--and Edith read this. THIRD LETTER. "+CHARLESTON, _March. _+ "DEAR DARLING BELLA: "Here I am all safe, sitting in a pleasant room, with the windowopened--listening to the singing of the pretty birds, and looking atthree little black picaninnies over the way, playing with a small whitedog. They throw a little stick as far as ever they can, and then thelittle dog rushes after it, in such a hurry, that you would think he wasgoing to leave his tail behind him; but he don't, because it is fastenedon so very tight. The next minute he trots back with the stick in hismouth, and hands it with his _mouth_, you know, very politely to thechildren, while they jump up and down, and squeal, because they are sopleased. "Now they have all scrambled heels over head into the yard, and shut thedog's tail in the gate; but he pulled it through, and so I can't seethem any more. "I hope the doll baby has been good, and the little heels on the bootshave behaved themselves. Good-bye, my darling. Pray to God every nightand morning for your loving "MOTHER. " Bella smiled, and patted one little hand with the other, and a sweetloving expression came into her eyes as the last words of the letter wasread to her, and she said: "Darling mamma. I love her. I want to go toHeaven with her. " The dear little child had been told that there would be no pain orcrying in Heaven, and so she knew it must be a very happy place. When her papa came home, Bella ran up to him with her letter, exclaiming: "Oh papa, see! see the letter mamma _writed_ to me!" "Is it possible! Why, what a big woman you are getting to be!" and hetook her upon his knee, and read the letter--out loud of course, forBella could have heard it fifty times with delight. "Ah! that is a beautiful letter, " said her papa; "you must answer it, you know. " "Oh yes, papa; and I want to, 'ight away now. " "Oh! do you? Well, here is a sheet of paper, and pen and ink. Put outyour tongue; dear me, how long it is! it looks in very good talkingorder. Now you talk, and I'll write, and see if we won't have a letter, for which mamma will give two cents, and all her old shoes, to thepostman. Come! _you_ must begin first. " Then Bella put her little curly head one side, and stared up at a cornerof the ceiling. She was thinking, you see. Presently she put her fingerin her mouth, as if to pull the words out--then she looked at herfather. Her father smiled, which made her take her finger out of hermouth, and shut her eyes--for she felt funny--and a little bashful. Yousee this was a very grave business--writing a letter that her mammawould have to pay two cents for--very serious business indeed. All at once her eyes rested on her dolly, fast asleep in her pretty bed;and then the words came right out--"Oh, dear mamma! I love my littlebaby, and the heels, and the bedstead, and--and--oh, papa! I love mammathe mostest. I gave my baby a piece of apple pie for her dinner. It wasmade of paper, just for fun, you know; not really apple pie. She hatespepper, it makes her tongue bite--mine too. She wants you to come homes--o bad--the bedstead wants you to come home, and I want the postman tobring me a letter, and you too--and--and--I don't know any more thisday. " "That is a beautiful letter, " said her father; "now sign your name justhere--and I will seal it up, and direct it on the outside, and send itto the post office. " So Bella made such a funny little scratch with the pen for her name, that it looked as if a fly had turned round and round, with ink on itslegs, and then the letter went off on its travels. The next day her cousin Stanny came to spend the day with Bella. Stannywas a dear little fellow, with light hair, and great blue eyes, andcheeks as fat as butter--they were so fat that the dimples had hard workto make holes in them. Bella loved Stanny, and she ran to kiss him, and show him her new baby, and the other things; and what do you think Stanny did when he saw thebaby in the bed? Why, he tilted up the bedstead, and out fell dolly flaton her nose! That was just like a boy--they will never do to be mothers, like little girls--because they play so roughly. "Oh Stanny, " cried Bella, picking up the dolly tenderly, "she's mostkillded. " "Why don't she cry then?" said Stanny. "'Cause she isn't a cry baby, " said Bella. "I mean to punch her and make her cry, " said Stanny. So he doubled up his fist and gave the dolly a great punch in thestomach--but the dear little thing just stared at him without winking, and never said a word. You see the truth was that she had no cryingplace made inside of her, as some of the babies have--and I for onethink it was quite an improvement, for who wants to hear a babysquealing like a pig--you don't, do you? you little kitten! Bella did not like to have her baby treated in this manner--and it wasvery fortunate that their grandmamma came in the room just then, withtwo large slices of bread, with the most delightful currant jellyspread all over them, and gave one to each of the children, or perhapsBella might have turned into a cry-baby--and that would have made youand me very sorry. Pretty soon a lady came in--whom the children called Cousin Caroline, and said: "Oh! here is Stanny; why, where did you come from, littleboy?" "I come from Brooklyn. What you got your hat on for, Cousin Caroline?Say. " "Because I am going to see old Mrs. Badger, up the street. " "Are you? Which do you like best, Mrs. Badger, up the street, orgrandmamma?" "Why, Stanny! I like grandmamma a great deal the best. " "But, why for?" said Stanny. "Why, because she is my aunt, " said Cousin Caroline. "Your aunt!" cried Stanny, in a tone of severe reproof. "Oh, CousinCaroline, aren't you ashamed to call my grandma an _ant!_ a little uglyblack thing, crawling on the ground. She isn't an ant, now! she's a biggrandma. " You may be sure that Cousin Caroline and grandma laughed at this longspeech--and then Stanny and Bella laughed--and they all thought it was avery funny idea--to make a little black ant out of a big grandma. The rest of the day Bella played she was the mother and Stanny thegrandfather; and except he wanted to whip poor dolly very often, becausehe said she was naughty, they got along pretty well; and upon the wholethey both had a very pleasant day. FOURTH LETTER. "A LETTER for Miss Bella Curtis, " said the postman; "two cents. " Oh, what delightful words those were. Bella began quite to love thepostman; and she asked him if he wouldn't please to take _three_cents--which astonished him so much, that I do believe nobody had everthought of saying so to him before. The little girl pulled off the envelope with trembling eagerness, andEdith read this: "DEAR, DARLING BELLA: "I was so delighted with your letter that I kissed every word once, andthe dear little scratch, that meant your name, about a dozen times. Yesterday was Sunday, and I went to church. Just in front of me sat adear little girl so like you, that I wanted to lift her over the back ofthe pew and kiss her. She was such a little thing, that she did not knowhow to sit still. She had on a pair of worsted sleeves, and the veryfirst thing she did, was to poke all the fingers of one little handthrough the ruffle round the other, just as you do with your sleeves. Then she smiled at me, and I smiled at her; then she spread out herlittle pocket handkerchief, and found a small hole in the corner, aboutas big as a three-cent piece. She stuck her finger through that, andheld it up, and danced it up and down; then she dusted the pew with it, which made it rather dirty. She was such a little bit of a thing thatyou could hardly expect her to sit quite still; but this that I am goingto tell you now, was really naughty. "There was a boy in the pew just in front. She gave him three prettyhard taps on the back of his head, and when he looked round, shepretended to be asleep. What a girl! "When we came out I shook hands with her, and said: 'I have a littlegirl at home in the North, her name is Bella; what is your name?' "'My name is Bella, too, ' she said. Wasn't that wonderful? "As I walked home, I saw such a sweet little white girl, carried in thearms of a great black woman, whose head looked like an immensebutterfly, fastened on her shoulders; for she had a handkerchief on it, of all the colors of the rainbow, and it was spread out on either sidelike wings. "The sweet little child seemed to love her black nurse dearly, for as Iwalked behind, I saw her press her tender, lovely, pink and white cheek, close against the dusky face of her nurse, and I heard her say in asweet lisping tone: 'Oh, Binah, I love you. When I go to Heaven, I willtake you with me. Oh, B-i-n-a-h!' she said this last word just like thecooing of a little dove. "'Bress de darlin' chile, ' said Binah. 'I am gwine back _now_, littlemissis. Ole Binah hab to go to Heben fust, and wait dere for littledarlin' missis. ' "You see Binah meant by 'gwine back now, ' that she was old. When peopleare old, they say, they are going 'down hill, ' but Binah said, 'goingback. ' You are climbing _up_ the hill of life, my dear little Bella;and I pray that God will lead you in the right path, and then the hillboth up and down will end in a happy home in Heaven. "Dear me! what a long letter. Give my best love to papa and sister; andkiss yourself on your dear little cheek if you can, for your loving "MOTHER. " Here is Bella's answer: "DARLING MAMMA, "I was so glad to get your letter! What a naughty little girl that wasin the church! She behaved twice as bad as me. I speak out loudsometimes, not very often; only sometimes. I had a partyyesterday--Minnie, and Lilly, and Jeannie; and we had tea out of my cupsand saucers that Cousin Caroline gave me--real tea--and one orange thatpapa brought home--it was all pulled to pieces, and we eat it all up. "We played with my paper dolls; and one of them, Miss Hattie Smith, knocked down a little table and _broke_ one of my glass candle_stickers_, that Cousin Caroline gave me. "Really, and truly, I FOUND it broke; but we made believe that she brokeit because she is so ugly. "Dolly has been very naughty. She fighted with sister's Kitty, and Kittytore all the lace off her cap. Kitty slapped her first. Then sisterEdith told dolly and Kitty about 'dogs delight to bark and bite, ' anddolly was so sorry, and Kitty too; and they never mean to do so anymore--never--sister Edith mended the cap, and she is good now--next timepapa brings me candy, I will give her a big piece--only pretend, youknow--for her mouth can't open like mine, it is all shut up tight--whata pity! Oh mamma! I want to see you so much, I don't know what to do. Why can't the postman bring you home? Oh mamma, I can't wait anylonger. " Here poor little Bella began to cry; and her papa thought her letter waslong enough, and that the little thing was tired, as well as grieved. So he folded up the letter, and took Bella upon his knee, and kissedher, and wiped away her tears, and said: "My darling little pet, wouldyou like to hear a story that I know?" "Oh yes, papa, " said Bella, lifting her head from his breast, andsmiling: though a great tear still trembled on her long lashes, "I lovea story. " "And I love you, " said her papa; "so here it is. " PAPA'S STORY. THE DINNER PARTY. "Once upon a time, there lived a little girl, named Edith. She was adear good little puss, and that was the reason everybody loved her. Don't you think it was a very good reason?" "Yes, papa, " said Bella; and she squeezed her soft cheek lovinglyagainst him, and he gave her a little hug; and then they went on againquite comfortable with the story. "Well, one day her papa said to her mamma, 'My dear, I shall not be hometo-day to dinner; but what shall I order for yours?' "'Well, dear, ' she answered, 'I think one beef-steak, and some greenpeas, and potatoes, will do for Edith and me; and the cook shall make apoor man's pudding, with raisins in it; that will be a very nice littledinner. ' "'If I see any thing very nice, I will send that too. ' "'Very well. ' Then Edith's papa kissed all the family. It did not takehim very long, for he had only Edith and her mamma for a family at thattime; and then he went away. "Pretty soon after, Edith said: 'Mamma, will you please to let me gonext door, and play with Annie, and Mary?' "'Yes, dear, ' answered her mother; 'but do not forget to come home atfive o'clock to dinner. ' "Edith promised to come, and then skipped joyfully off--with her bestdoll, Miss Polly Dolly Adeline, and two big apples to play 'party' with, and in a few minutes her mother thought there must be at least twentychildren next door, instead of three; for they were having such a goodtime that they made noise enough to frighten the crows into fits, if anycrows happened that way. [Illustration: WHO SHOULD COME IN BUT THE FAT COOK, WITH A GREAT GOOSE. ] "As her mother was sitting at her sewing, some one knocked at thedoor, and who should come in, but the fat cook, with a great goose, fatter than she was; who cried out: 'Only see what a big goost, mum; andonly you and Miss Edith to eat it; besides a beef-steak to brile, andpeas and potatoes. ' "'Dear me, ' said her mistress, 'we could not eat a quarter of thatgoose. Save it for to-morrow, Mrs. Jellybag. Only cook the beef-steakand vegetables; and make a poor man's pudding, with raisins, fordessert; that will do nicely. ' So the fat cook put the fat goosecarefully away in the refrigerator; then she shelled enough peas for asmall dish, and peeled about a dozen potatoes, and prepared the raisinsfor the pudding, and had them all nicely done in time. "When five o'clock came, the bell rang for dinner, and Edith's motherwent down, and took her seat at the table. "Just then she heard a whole chorus of merry little voices, and to hergreat surprise, in marched Edith, and seven little girls after her! Theywere all nearly of the same size, with their hair braided in two tailsapiece, as fine as you please. "'Why, Edith!!' exclaimed her mother. "'Yes, mamma, ' said Edith, 'I told them to come in and get some dinner, and some nice poor man's pudding, with raisins in it; they are Annie'sand Mary's cousins. They are real nice, and we are having such fun!' "You see Edith had no idea that her mother would not like her bringingthe little girls in to dine with her; she did not _mean_ to do wrong;and her eyes glittered so brightly with pleasure at having so manyfriends, that her mamma burst out laughing; and then Edith and all thechildren giggled in such a funny way, that I do believe if the Mayor ofNew York could have seen their happy faces, he would have given his bestwig, to have such pleasant people at _his_ dinner parties. "And now the children began to stare at the beef-steak with hungry eyes;and Edith's mother thought it grew smaller and smaller, and was afraidif she gave each one a piece, they would swallow the whole of it at oncelike a pill. Dear me! how she did wish the goose had been cooked; butthere was no help for it now: so seven extra plates were set, likebuttons round the table, and seven extra knives and forks were laidacross like button holes, and seven extra _goblins_ (as little Edithcalled the 'goblets') stared down at the plates, and seven extra chairswere rattled up and scratched up to the table, by the childrenthemselves, because the waiting-maid was almost crazy with so muchcompany; and down they sat in a prodigious hurry, and the dinner began. "Such a famous dinner as it was! Perfectly delicious. If there had onlybeen a little more of it. But never mind, the knives and forks rattledmerrily, and the children laughed, and the two long braids of hair oneach head flew right and left so fast, that the flies couldn't get nearthe table to taste of a thing, and were almost distracted when they sawevery single crumb eaten up, and the plates nearly scraped into holes. "Here is the portrait of the cook as she looked when the waiter broughtthe beef-steak dish. [Illustration] "But when the poor man's pudding came in, smoking like a Turk, andspeckled in every direction with great black raisins, oh! then was thetime for bright looks! and when one little girl clapped her hands, andexclaimed, 'My! that looks good!' all the rest laughed, and whiskedtheir heads round so, that it was quite fortunate their braids were fastat one end, or they would have been shaken off up the chimney, and outof the door, and nobody knows where else. "The best thing was, that there was plenty of pudding, and the childrenthought it was the very nicest they had ever eaten, particularly as themaid brought to each one the bowl of powdered sugar--so that they might_help themselves_ to as much as they liked--_that_ made a greatdifference, I can tell you! and they showered down the sugar in grandstyle--they put it on good and thick, just as much sugar as pudding, andthat was what made it so very nice; besides, Edith had whispered to hermamma to give the company '_all the raisinest parts!!_ because that wasthe way to be polite to company, ' and so her mother did--and they had agrand time picking out the raisins to eat by themselves--and the littlespoons went so fast, chopping at the pudding, and clicking on theplates, that Edith's mother said it sounded like little stone-cutters atwork--at which they grew perfectly red in their faces laughing atthemselves. "Didn't they have a fine time? I think so--and I laughed verymuch--oh!--I mean, Edith's papa laughed, when he came home and heardabout the grand dinner-party, all out of one small beef-steak, and apoor man's pudding. There! how do you like that story?" "Oh, papa! _I_ know, " exclaimed Bella, laughing, and patting his cheek. "I found you out! it was sister Edith! wasn't it? Dear me! what a funnygirl! Did you ever!" "Yes, it was her, and she was a funny girl--and you are a littledarling--and now, kiss papa, and run off to bed. " FIFTH LETTER. "A LETTER for Miss Bella Curtis; two cents!" bawled the postman. He was in a hurry this time, and Bella had to run so fast for the money, that it was quite a wonder that she did not get thin after it--only shelaughed, too, just as much--and perhaps that may be the reason. She began to feel as if she was quite a big woman, to be giving thepostman so much business to do; and she carried her new letter in greatstate to her sister, and listened to the reading of it with all herheart and both her ears. It began thus:-- "+SAVANNAH. + "DEAR, DARLING BELLA: "I was perfectly delighted with your funny little letter, telling me allthe news about your party, and dolly, and Kitty. "I am now in Savannah. It is a most beautiful city, and the people in itare very good and kind. The evening before I left Charleston, a ladycame to see me, bringing with her a dear little boy who looked andacted just like Stanny. I told him the story of 'Little Red Ridinghood, 'and I thought his eyes would pop out of his head when the wolf eat herup. You see, I growled and snapped my teeth, just like a wolf. "Then I drew him a picture of the wolf in a bob-tailed coat, talking toLittle Red Ridinghood in the wood; and I made him a paper fly-cage, anda paper windmill. [Illustration] "He looked at them very much pleased, and said: 'But--say--I don't knowwhich to give to my little brother. ' "I laughed, for I saw that he wanted them all himself, and yet loved hislittle brother so much that he wanted to give them to him, so I said:'If you will kiss me and call me "Aunt Fanny, " I will make some for him, too. ' "Then he put his arms round my neck, and kissed me so hard, that it madehis dear little nose quite flat for a moment, and said: 'Thank you, Mrs. Aunt Fanny;' and I made him another picture, and cage, andwindmill, and then he was delighted. "There are two beautiful little children in this house, who are twins, because they came into this world at the very same time. They are eachsix years old--a boy and a girl. "I asked Richard where he came from? He said: 'Why, don't you know?Sally and I were dug up from under a cotton tree. ' Wasn't that funny? "Then his mamma said: 'Richard, sing "Morning's ruddy beams, in theEastern sky, "' and he shouted out-- "'Morning's _ready_ beams Eascum eascum skri, ' then stopped, and giving one eye a queer little twist, said: 'How does_that_ suit you?' In the afternoon the children went to a party, andRichard brought home an orange for his mother, and said: 'I'm going tosave this for your Christmas present, ' which sounded very funny asChristmas was eight months off. "The next morning we had flannel cakes for breakfast. Really, and truly, they are made of eggs, milk, and flour; but just for fun I pretended tobe astonished, and exclaimed: 'Flannel Cakes! Dear me! who ever heard ofsuch a thing? Why, Richard, what _are_ they made of? Flannel?' "'Why, no, you goose, ' said Richard, 'they are made of _flannel flour_. ' "I could not help laughing when he called me a goose; but his mothersaid he was very naughty; and then he ran and hid his head in her dressand began to cry. You see, he was a little bit of a boy--and did notmean to be impolite--and I think myself, I would have been a goose, if I_had_ really and truly believed the cakes were made of flannel; don'tyou, you little darling? "I have a very curious snake-skin to show you when I return. Edward, Richard's big brother, found it in the woods, and made it a present tome. A snake! What a present! and to think of a snake wanting to wriggleout of his skin! You wouldn't do such a thing, would you? "Yesterday a beautiful little mulatto girl came to see me, and broughtme, from her mistress, a basket full of splendid flowers. She was aboutfive years old. A great black man with his head covered with white woolcame with her to take care of her, because she was so little. He lookedas if he had been out in a snowstorm without his hat; but really hishead was white because he was so old. His name was Jeringo. 'Well, little one, ' said I, 'what is your name?' "'My name Georgia, and I can tell you a story. It is about Blue Man'sBeard. ' "'Oh, ' said I, 'I would like to hear that very much indeed. ' "Then she put one little fat hand over the other, drew a long breath, and began: 'Blue Man's Beard, he dreffel cross, I tell you; and he sayto he _sister_, "Now, don't you go in de rooms; you hear?" and she say, "No, neber;" but she tell story, and go; and oh, my! she drop de key, and de key he cum all over wid blood, and she try, try, try, to wipe umoff. But he no cum off--and Blue Man's Beard, he say: "If you don't cumdown I gib you popping. " Den her brother he cum and tote her off to hehome, and make a big fire, and burn Blue Man's Beard all up in de fire. ' "'Oh, ' said I, 'how glad I am! Aren't you glad?' "'Ah, no, ' she replied, 'I don't want any body to be burn up--make 'emhurt:' which answer made me feel quite ashamed, because I was more cruelthan she; then I gave Georgia some money, and sent her home quite happy. What do you think of that story? Don't the little mulatto girl talkqueerly? All the black people talk so. "The other night I felt quite ill, and the dear friend with whom I amstaying sent Hannah, a black girl, up to me with a tub of warm water tobathe my feet. She dropped a little bobbing courtesy, and said: 'Pleasemissis, you ain't berry well, I'se want to wash you foot. ' "'Oh dear, no, Hannah, I cannot let you bathe my feet; I always do thatfor myself. ' "'Oh _do_, please missis; I ain't got noting to do. I _like_ to washum. ' "'But, Hannah, I shall feel very funny to have you poking at my toes. ' "'Now missis, _do_, ' said Hannah, in a coaxing tone; 'I'll do um fustrate. ' "Her eyes looked so big, and she made such a queer face at me, that Iturned round to laugh; when I looked back she was standing at the longglass making courtesies to herself; then she turned round, and twistedher head till I thought she would crack it off--and stared at her backand made some more courtesies--and I had to laugh out loud, and shelooked quite ashamed. "Then I said: 'Hannah, do you really want to bathe my feet?' "''Strue as you live, missis. ' "'Would you like me to read to you?' "'Oh do, missis! tank you. ' "'Well, then, you may, and I will read Little Susy's Six Birthdays toyou. ' "That seemed to be a most delightful idea--and she pulled off my bootsand stockings in a great hurry, and lifted my feet into the water, andpassed her hands so gently over my ankles that it really seemed to do megood; but when she poked between my toes, she tickled me so dreadfullythat I squealed, and laughed, and came very near upsetting the tub ofwater. "But she liked the book very much, and her great black eyes were full oflove and gratitude as she thanked me; and I thanked her, and gave her apenny; but she liked my _thanking her_ better than the penny. "I have bought you a pretty little green parasol; and I love you, oh! sodearly! you precious little roly-poly tweedle-de diamond-darling! Whatdo you think of that for a love name? you sweet little humpy-dumpytweedle-dum rosebud robin! there's another; from your loving "MOTHER. " How Bella laughed at the love-names, and how happy they made her, ismore than I can describe; but she cuddled up to Edith, and whispered: "Dear _little_ mamma, " and that was all she said. The next day was Sunday. Bella was old enough to go to church, and shebehaved very well. Just before they went in, her father said: "Bella, there will be acollection taken up to-day, and here is a nice new penny for you to putin the plate. " "What plate, papa?" "Why, the plate for the money that is given to the poor. You will seesix of them on the table just under the pulpit. " Bella had never put any money in the plate before, and she was quitepleased. When they were seated in their pew in the middle aisle, a little bit ofa boy wanted to come in, because his papa's pew was quite crowded. Hisname was Eddie; and he knew Bella very well. So in he came, and the twochildren sat next the door. Presently, Bella whispered: "Look, Eddie, look at my new penny. I amgoing to put it in the plate for the poor peoples. " "Why, I've got a penny, too, most as bright as yours; but where is theplate?" They looked all over the church, and at last spied the plates on thetable. "When will we put it in?" said Bella. "Why, now; let's go now, " said Eddie. "Why, of course, " said Bella. Then, before her father could stop her, she opened the pew door, andstepped out with Eddie, and hand in hand the two little children marchedgravely up the aisle, to the table under the pulpit; and standing ontiptoe, put their bright pennies into the plate; and then hand in handgravely marched back. [A] They did not know that they were doing what would make everybody look atthem in astonishment. No, indeed! they were in a hurry to help the poorpeople; and I think everybody in the church understood it, and lookedwith loving eyes upon the little ones. The next day Bella told her papa what to say, and he wrote her motherthis letter: "DEAR, DARLING MAMMA: "Yesterday I gave the poor peoples a penny in church. So did Eddie. Wewent together and put it in the plate. Aren't you glad, the poor peopleshave so much money? I am. "Sister Edith showed me such a 'lightful play. She did put me on theend of the sofa, and I go backward and forward, backward and forward, and she sings: 'Grandmamma's sick, And is going to die, And nothing will cure her But a TURN-over pie;' and then I go tumbledy over backward on the sofa so nice! Don't you wishyou could play it? "Georgia told the story the wrong way; it was Blue Beard's _wife_, nothis sister. Of course it was! She is a funny girl. I wish she would comeand play with me. "O dear, darling mamma! when will you come? I want you so bad. I hopeyou are most well this day. Can you bring me a kitten? Please do; andput it in a piece of paper, and tie it up tight, so it won't get out. Miss Hattie's head is most torn off; but I don't care, 'cause she's onlymade of paper, and she is so ugly. I have painted her all over with redspots--and now she looks just like a leopard--I call her a_pig_-leopard--don't tell anybody. "How funny for Hannah to tickle your toes! My toes make me squeal, too, when they are washed; and--and--I don't know any more, papa. " So this letter was finished--and Bella's mother thought this and theothers were lovely letters--and I should not be surprised if she keepsthem as long as she lives. FOOTNOTE: [A] A fact. SIXTH LETTER. "A LETTER for Miss Bella Curtis, " shouted the postman; "four cents. " Itwas quite a thick letter this time, and Bella had to pay twice two centsfor it. How much was that? If you will give me a kiss I will tellyou--two and two make four. But, dear me! she was just as glad to get it--and I do believe if shehad had four dollars she would have given every speck of it for oneletter. Why, certainly! A letter from your MOTHER?--_you_ would do so, too. Of course you would, you sweet little Ba-be-bi-bo-BOO!!! So it was taken to Edith, and if you had been an hundred years old, youwould have felt quite young again--only to have watched Bella's eyeswhile the letter was read--diamonds don't sparkle half as much, and Ifor one would rather have had her bright eyes to look at, than a wholebushel of diamonds, each as big as my head. The delightful letter commenced thus: "+CHARLESTON. + "DEAR, DARLING BELLA: "I have your sweet little letter, and I am so much obliged to you fortelling papa such nice things to write to me, that I have sent you along, long answer in return, which I hope will please you. "I left Savannah yesterday. When I was leaving, I kissed little Richard, and said: 'Good-bye, Richard; don't forget Aunt Fanny. ' [Illustration: GOOD-BYE, RICHARD, DON'T FORGET AUNT FANNY. ] "'I forgot you already, ' he shouted. Then I kissed Sallie, thetwin-girl, and she said so sweetly: 'Aunt Fanny, can you remember whereBella lives? If you can find her house, go and tell her I am coming tosee her--next day before to-morrow. ' "Wasn't it funny that she should think I had been so long away fromyou, my little darling, that I had forgotten where you lived? "Do you remember a story I once read to you, about 'Good Little Henry, 'in a book called 'Nightcaps'? Well, strange to say, I know this Henry, and love him very much. He is now almost a young man, and just as goodas ever; yes! better than ever, for he is the comfort and joy of hisfather and mother. Only think, dear Bella! that from a good and lovelylittle child he has grown better and lovelier every year, till now he isalmost a man. God loves Henry; and He has helped him to be good, and Hewill love you and help you to be good, if you will ask Him. "I tell you all this now, because in looking over my writing-desk amoment ago, I came upon an amusing story Henry wrote to me, about somelittle cousins of his. " Of course you would like to know what he wrote, and here it is: "One day my dear Aunt Sarah was sitting up-stairs with the children, when the front door bell rang, and the servant came up and said: 'Mr. Robinson wants to see you, ma'am. ' So aunt put on her best collar, and alittle lace cap, and down she went. "'My!' said Loulou, 'I should like to see him, too. ' "'So should I, ' said Bolton, whose pet name is 'Pepper. ' "'Dear me! I, too, ' cried Anna, whose pet name is 'Tot. ' "'And me! me! me!' said little Walter, jumping up and down. "So Loulou, in a great state of delight, rushed up to the washstand andwashed her face and hands; then she took Pepper and scrubbed himwell--rubbing his nose almost off to get his face dry--and dressed himin all his best Sunday clothes, and told him to sit down in his littlechair, perfectly stiff and straight, till the rest were ready; and downlittle Pepper sat, and hardly dared to wink, for fear of getting hisclothes tumbled. "Then she took little Tot, and polished her face, and brushed her hairas hard as she could, and Tot never cried the least bit, when Loulouaccidentally turned the brush round and gave her a thump with the backof it; but just sat down by Pepper when her dressing was over, and keptas still and looked as grave as if she were in church. "And now Loulou took dear little Walter in hands, and made him as fineas you please; and then they all marched down stairs on tip-toe, trembling with expectation. "They opened the parlor door and entered very softly, and stared withall their eyes. But where was he? "There was nobody there but their mamma, and a very quiet-lookinggentleman in a plain black coat, and a pair of spectacles, set on thevery end of his nose, who appeared to be showing her some curious coins. [Illustration: ROBINSON CRUSOE. ] "The children stood perfectly still for a moment. They seemed to bestruck dumb. Then Loulou exclaimed: "'Why, _mamma_, we have come down on purpose to see ROBINSON CRUSOE!!all dressed in fur, with his monkeys and parrots, and Man Friday. Where_is_ he, mamma? where _has_ he gone?' and they looked again in everycorner of the room. "How her mamma did laugh! and how Mr. Robinson did laugh! when theyfound that the children thought that Robinson Crusoe had come to seethem; but Loulou and the rest of the dear little children weredreadfully disappointed. Wasn't that a pity? "And now I have a great secret to tell you; I am so much better, and Iwant to see you s--o much, that I mean to return home in the steamshipwhich leaves on Saturday. This is Thursday--you will get this longletter next Monday--and on Tuesday have ready at least a hundred kisses, and fifty squeezes for your loving "MAMMA. " THE RETURN. "OH!" screamed Bella, joyfully, "mamma coming home? Oh! oh! oh!" and shecommenced to dance about the room, and laugh, and sing so many littlesongs, that Edith thought there must be a musical snuff-box inside ofher; particularly as she stopped to give two funny little sneezes, andthen went on again. She could hardly sit still a moment all the rest ofthe day; and she begged to be put to bed earlier than usual, so that the"next day might come faster. " Sure enough! the next day a carriage drove up to the door. It wasraining, and Bella had to stay in the room for fear she would takecold. She fastened her face to the window, and trembling with eagerness, saw the coachman open the door. A _gentleman_ got out--Bella's facelooked as if somebody had thrown a pail of cold water in it--but, thenext moment, the gentleman handed out her mamma, her very own mamma! andthen in an ecstasy of delight, the little girl rushed to the door, andthen it was worth more than all Barnum's Museum to see the meeting. Ibelieve I can't tell it--I cannot write it well enough; but all you dearlittle children know how glad you are to see your kind mothers afterthey have been away from you; and you can _feel_ this, much better thanI can write it. And so ended the Little Nightcap Letters; and though Bella cherishedthem as her dearest treasures, and means to keep them, she says, toshow to her children; yet, she would rather have her own "real, true"mamma to kiss, and love, and keep close to; and she never means to partwith her again, if she can help it. That is just the way you feel, isn't it, you little darling? THE END. * * * * * Transcriber's Note: Obvious punctation errors repaired.