All About Johnnie Jones [Illustration: Johnnie Jones] _All About_ JOHNNIE JONES BY Carolyn Verhoeff ILLUSTRATED BY Diantha W. Horne SEVENTH EDITION * * * * * _Published by_ Milton Bradley Company SPRINGFIELD :: MASSACHUSETTS Copyright, 1907, by MILTON BRADLEY COMPANY SPRINGFIELD, MASS. In Loving Memory _of_ _The_ Beautiful Life _of One_ Little Child =Meldrum Adams Hartwell= (1891-1896) These Stories are Dedicated _to_ All Little Children * * * * * These stories have been written with but one object, to give pleasure to little children, while helping them to realize, in so far as they are able, the highest ideals of childhood. CAROLYN VERHOEFF * * * * * INTRODUCTION It gives me sincere pleasure to introduce to mothers and kindergartnersa pioneer writer in the unexplored field of simple, realistic storiesfor little children. Miss Verhoeff is a trained kindergartner who has brought to herprofession a college training as well as a true devotion to children. It was in one of the free kindergartens situated in the less fortunatelocalities of Louisville that the stories of Johnnie Jones came intobeing, and grew in response to the demand of the little ones forstories about real children. In the beautiful world of fairy-lore we have a rich and splendidlyexploited field of immortal literature. The old, old stories offairies and elves, of giants and dwarfs, of genii, princes, and knightswith their wonder-working wands, rings and swords, will never growthreadbare; while the spiritual, artistic and literary value of thesestories in the life of child-imagination can never be overestimated. Enchanting and valuable as they are, however, they should not blind usto the need for standard realistic stories of equal literary and poeticmerit. A child needs not only the touch of the wonder-working wand whichtransports him to a land of fascinating unrealities, but also theartistic story which reflects the every-day experiences of real life;artistic in that it touches these daily experiences with an idealismrevealing the significance and beauty of that which the jaded taste ofthe adult designates as "commonplace. " That all children crave the storywhich is, or might be, true is evidenced by the expression of theirfaces when their inevitable question, "is it really true?" or "did itreally happen?" is answered in the affirmative. Perhaps some of us can recall the pleasure derived from old-fashionedschool readers of an earlier day. With all their faults they at leastdid not overlook the value of standard realistic stories. In thesereaders was found the very moral story of the boy who won the daybecause of his forethought in providing an extra piece of whipcord. There was also "Meddlesome Matty, " and the honest office-boy, the heroiclad of Holland, and the story of the newly liberated prisoner who boughta cage full of captive birds and set them free. These and many othersstill persist in memory, and point with unerring aim to standards ofhuman behavior under conditions which are both possible and probable. In spite of their imperfections and stern morality these stories werevaluable because they recited the fundamental events of human and animalexistence, in relations which revealed the inevitable law of cause andeffect, and the ethical and poetic significance of man's relation toall life. As soon as children begin to realize the distinction between theworld of make-believe and the world of actuality, or, as one small boyexpressed it, "what I can see with my eyes shut, and what I can see whenI open them, " they are fascinated with stories of real life, of "whenFather was a little boy, " or "when Mother was a little girl, " or "whenyou were a tiny baby. " This demand of the child for realistic storiesis the expression of a real want which should be satisfied with goodliterature. Before children are enabled by their experience to discriminate betweenthe imaginary and the actual world, they make no distinction between thestory of real life and the fairy tale. During this early period a storyrelating the most ordinary events of every-day life is accepted in thesame spirit, and may provoke as much or as little wonder, as the storydealing with the most marvelous happenings of the supernatural world. For to the child at this stage of development it is no more wonderfulthat trees and animals should converse in the language of men than thata little boy should do so. Until children learn that, as a matter offact, plants and animals do not participate in all of the humanactivities, they regard as perfectly natural stories in which suchparticipation is taken for granted. On the other hand a realistic storyrepresenting some of the most universal aspects of human existence mayprovoke surprise as the child discovers that his own experiences arecommon to many other lives and homes. This was evidenced by the remarkof a small boy who, at the end of a story relating the necessarysequence of activities common to the countless thousands of heroicmothers, washing and ironing the family linen, waggishly shook hisfinger at the narrator, and with a beaming smile, said: "Now you knowthat it is _my_ Ma and Tootsie you are telling about!" John had notdiscovered the fact that the story which reflected the daily service ofhis beloved mother reflected equally well the service of thousands ofother mothers. He saw only the personal experience in the common realityand recognized it with joy. When through similar stories of daily life achild learns to know that his experiences constitute the common lot, hisfirst feeling of surprise gives place to a greater joy, and sympathy isborn. The stories of Johnnie Jones were not premeditated but grew in responseto daily requests for "more about Johnnie Jones. " They are the record ofa most ordinary little boy, good as can be to-day, forgetting to obeyto-morrow; a life history in which many other little lives are reflectedin the old, old process of helping the child to adapt himself to thestandards of society. The ideal has been to deal with the ordinary events of daily life in amanner which will reveal their normal values to the child. There is thefriendly policeman who finds the lost boy; the heroic fireman who comesto the rescue of the burning home; the little neighbor who would notplay "fair;" the little boy who had to learn to roll his hoop, and tocare for the typical baby brother who pulled his hair; there are theanimals who entered into the joys and sorrows of the Jonesfamily, --altogether, very real animals, children, and "grown-ups, "learning in common the lessons of social life. The moral throughout is very pointed, and may be considered too obviousby many kindergartners, who do not feel the need of such insistence intheir work. Mothers, however, with normal four-year-old boys who arelikely to follow the music down the street and get lost, or who areequally liable to fall in the pond because they forget to obey Father, will find a strange necessity for pointing the moral in no uncertaintone. The stories are so arranged that they may be read singly or as a serial. I am sure the author will feel more than repaid if this littlecollection paves the way for more and better standard stories ofreality, that our little children may not only revel in the events of adelightfully impossible world, but may also feel the thrill of heroismand poetry bound up in the common service of mother and father, ofservants and neighbors, and find the threads of gold which may be woveninto the warp and woof of daily intercourse with other little childrenwho possess a common stock of privileges and duties, joys and sorrows. PATTY SMITH HILL. Louisville, Kentucky. * * * * * CONTENTS Page Johnnie Jones and the Cookie 21 When Johnnie Jones Was Lost 26 Mother's Story of the Princess and Her Pigeon 33 Johnnie Jones and the Squirrel 43 Johnnie Jones and the Peach Preserves 49 How the Children Helped Tom and Sarah 56 Johnnie Jones's Story of the Stars 63 Johnnie Jones and Jack 67 Stiggins 82 When Johnnie Jones Was a Santa Claus 87 An Original Valentine 97 When Johnnie Jones Was a Cry-Baby 105 Johnnie Jones and the Man Who Cried "Wolf" Too Often 113 Johnnie Jones's Birthday Party 119 Mother's Story of the Spring: The Sleeping Beauty 127 Johnnie Jones and the Butterfly 134 Mr. And Mrs. Bird and the Baby Birds 142 The Coming of Little Brother 151 Little Brother and Johnnie Jones 156 Elizabeth With the Children 161 Johnnie Jones and the Hoop-Rolling Club 168 The Fire at Johnnie Jones's House 175 Johnnie Jones and Fanny 182 Fanny and Little Brother 188 When Johnnie Jones Learned to Swim 193 * * * * * INDEX OF ILLUSTRATIONS Johnnie Jones Max wagged his tail and began to trot home-- Such a merry time as the children had! Each child came up and shook Jack's paw-- When he spread his wings and flew away-- Then Johnnie Jones was the proudest, happiest little boy-- The little brown pony would eat out of their hands * * * * * Johnnie Jones and the Cookie One day, when Johnnie Jones was a wee little boy, only three years old, Mother came home from down town. Johnnie Jones ran to meet her. "Motherdear, didn't you bring me something?" he asked. "Yes, indeed, " answered Mother, and she gave him something tied up in apaper bag. "Be careful, " she told him, "or it will break. " So Johnnie Jones was careful as he untied the string and opened the bag. When he saw what was inside he was glad he had not broken it, for it wasa round yellow cookie with a hole in the centre. "Thank you, Mother, " said Johnnie Jones, and he rolled on his back andkicked up his heels, which meant that he was happy. Then he sat up andbegan to eat his cookie. It was very good, and tasted as if it hadmolasses in it, Johnnie Jones said. But by and by, after he had beentaking a great many bites, there wasn't any of the cookie left in hishand, because he had eaten it, every bit. Johnnie Jones looked at hishand where the cookie had been, and then he began to cry. "Oh, dear me, " exclaimed Mother, "what is troubling my little boy?" "I want my cookie, " cried Johnnie Jones. "Where is your cookie?" asked Mother. "I ate it, " said Johnnie Jones. "If you have eaten it, then it is all gone, " Mother told him. "But I want it! I want my cookie!" wailed Johnnie Jones. "To-morrow I'll buy you another just like it, " Mother promised. "I don't want another just like it, I want my own cookie with a hole inthe middle, " and the tears came faster and faster. "But, little boy, " Mother said, "nobody in all the world, nor Father norMother nor Johnnie Jones, can eat a cookie and yet have it. " Johnnie Jones continued to cry, so Mother brought him some brown paper, a pair of scissors, and a pencil. "See here, dear, " she said, "I can't give you the cookie you ate, butyou may make a picture that will look very much like it. " Then Johnnie Jones ceased crying, and Mother showed him how to fold andcut the paper until it was like the cookie, with a hole in the centre. They pasted it on cardboard and placed it upon the mantel. "Thank you, Mother, " said Johnnie Jones, "but I don't like it so well asmy real cookie because I can't eat it. " "If you could eat it, " Mother answered, "it would soon be gone, so thepicture is better unless you are hungry. " And Johnnie Jones thought so too. After that day he never again cried for a cookie when he had eaten it, nor for a toy when he had destroyed it, because he had discovered thatcrying could never bring back what was gone. * * * * * When Johnnie Jones Was Lost Johnnie Jones was lost, completely lost. He looked up the street, helooked down the street, and then he looked across the street, but notone of the houses was his home. Johnnie Jones did not like being lost. He had not seen his mother for a very long time, not since she had lefthim in the yard at play after they had returned from market. He had beenswinging on the front gate, when, suddenly, he heard the sound of music, and saw several people running down the street. "Everyone must have forgotten to tell me that there was a circus, " hesaid to himself. "I think I had better go see. " Now Johnnie Jones was never allowed to leave the yard unless an olderperson was with him, but he did not think of that, as he opened the gateand ran out on the street to follow the gathering crowd. When he reached the first corner everyone was hurrying on to the next, and Johnnie Jones hurried on, too. Of course, however, he could not runas fast as older people, and very soon he was passed by the crowd. Then, when he could no longer hear the music, he looked about him and knewthat he was lost. He was sorry that he had gone away from home. He thought it must beabout lunch time and he was very hungry. Then he remembered that thiswas the day Mother had promised to take him to the park. He would havecried, had he not been a brave little lad, and had he not known that aboy almost four is too old to cry, unless he is actually hurt. He sat down on the curbstone, and wished and wished that some one wouldcome to find him. After a while he saw a policeman coming towards him from across thestreet. He was a very tall policeman, but Johnnie Jones decided to speakto him. His mother had often told him that policemen always take care ofpeople, and help them whenever they can. So he tipped his hat politely, and said, "Please, Mr. Policeman, will you find me? Because I'm lost. " The policeman smiled down at Johnnie Jones until Johnnie Jones smiled upat the policeman and forgot what a little boy he was. Then the officerlifted him up in his strong arms, and asked him his name. Johnnie Jonescould tell him his name, but he could not tell him which way he had comefrom home, so they decided to go to the nearest drug-store and find thenumber of the house. The policeman began to tell him stories about his own little boy whosename was Johnnie Green, and Johnnie Jones was so interested that heforgot to be tired. Just before they reached the drug-store JohnnieJones heard a dog barking. He looked around, and there was the verydog that lived next door to him and played with him every day. "Oh!" he said, "I know that dog! He is Max, and he can find the wayhome. " "You'll take me home, won't you, Max?" he asked the dog, who wasso glad to see his little neighbor that he was trying his best to kisshim on the face. "All right, " the big policeman said, "but I'll come too, so I shall knowwhere you live if you are ever lost again. " [Illustration: Max wagged his tail and began to trot home--] Max wagged his tail and began to trot home. Johnnie Jones trotted afterMax, and the policeman after Johnnie Jones. It was not very long beforethey could see the house, and there was Mother standing at the gate, looking up the street, and down the street, and across the street, forher little boy. When she saw him she ran to meet him and clasped him inher arms. "Mother dear, " said Johnnie Jones, "I was lost, and the policeman foundme, and then Max found us both, and I shall never again go to see acircus by myself. " Mother told him that the band of music he had heard did not belong toa circus, but was the Citizen's Band on its way to the park, and that, since so much time had passed while Johnnie Jones was lost, it was toolate for him to go to the park that day. Of course the little boy wassorry to miss the treat, but he was very glad to be at home once more. Mother shook hands with the policeman, and thanked him for being kindto her boy. As soon as he had gone, she and Johnnie Jones went intothe house for their lunch, and, afterwards, the little fellow was sotired that he fell asleep in Mother's lap and dreamed that he was atall policeman finding lost boys. * * * * * Mother's Story of the Princess and Her Pigeon "Mother, " asked Johnnie Jones, "what is a carrier pigeon?" "A pigeon which is trained to carry messages from one place to another, "Mother answered. "In the olden times, as there were no trains, orsteamboats, or postmen, or telegraph offices, people would very oftentake pigeons with them when they started off on a long journey. As soonas they reached their journey's end they would write a letter to thefamily so far away, tie it to a pigeon, and release him. Then the pigeonwould fly away home with the message. " "Once, in that olden time, there lived a beautiful princess whom herfather and mother, the king and queen, decided to send away on a visitto her grandmother. They gave her a milk-white pony to ride, and sentmany servants to take care of her. Now this princess had a pet pigeonwhich she loved very dearly, and which she insisted upon taking withher, though the queen was afraid it might prove troublesome on so longa journey. The princess knew it would be a comfort to her, however, soshe was allowed to tie it to her saddle before she bade her parentsgood-by, and started off. "The princess had never been away from home before, and was very muchinterested in everything she saw. She and her companions had to travelthrough a great forest, and only the guides knew the way. One nighteveryone was lying fast asleep on the ground in the thick woods, exceptthe princess, who was wide awake in her tent. At last she wearied oflying there alone, so she rose, dressed herself, and went out into thewoods, carrying the pigeon in her arms. "The moon was shining as bright as day, and the little girl went fora walk. She was thinking of the father and mother at home, and did notnotice very carefully the direction in which she was wandering. Aftera while she grew tired and turned back. Then she became frightenedbecause she could not see her tent, and could not remember which wayshe had come. She called for her servants, but could make no one hearher. She ran this way and that in the forest, but seemed only to gofurther and further away from the camp. At last, very tired, she laydown on the ground and cried herself to sleep. "Next morning when the servants awoke they were very much alarmed todiscover that the princess had left her tent. They spent several daysseeking her in the forest, but not a trace of her could they find. Thenthey went back to inform the king and queen, who were sad indeed tohear such news. The king himself rode off to search in the forest, buteven he could not find the little maid. "Meanwhile the princess had been wandering further and further away intothe great forest, with the pigeon tied to her arm. Fortunately, she hadbrought with her a small basket full of lunch, which had been left byher bed in case she should be hungry during the night. That was soongone, however, and then she had a hard time finding enough to eat. Buthere and there she discovered wild berries, she drank water from theclear, cold springs, and at night she found a comfortable, fragrant bedunder the pine trees, or in places where the grass was long and soft. Sometimes wild animals came out, and looked at the little girl, but theydid not harm her. "At last, the third day, she came to a large palace in the woods. Oh!how happy she was. A prince met her at the door, invited her in, andgave her delicious food and beautiful clothes. When she was rested afterher long journey, she told the prince who she was, and the reason forher being alone in the forest, and begged him to send her home. Theprince was sorry for the little princess, but he was lonely in such alarge palace, so he asked her to live there with him. He was very kindto her, but the princess wanted only to go home to be with her fatherand mother. "'Your palace is larger and more beautiful than my father's house, ' shetold him, 'but I love my own home best, and I want to go back this veryday. ' "The prince was sorrowful when he heard what the little girl said; but, hoping she might learn to care for his palace after a while, he gave hera beautiful room filled with lovely things, and did everything he couldthink of to make her happy. "The little princess did try to be happy, but it was not possible. Everyevening she watched the birds fly back to their nests and she wishedthat she, too, had wings and could fly away home. The pigeon was ashomesick as she. He would not eat, and pulled at the cord all the time, trying to free himself. Finally the little princess decided to let himfly away. 'Perhaps he can find his way home, ' she thought; 'anyway Ishall let him try. ' "She wrote a letter to her father and mother, telling them where shewas, tied it under the pigeon's wing, and set him free. He flapped hiswings joyfully and flew out of the window high up in the air. Round andround he circled, until in his own way he learned that the west was tothe right of him, the east to the left, the north was back of him, andthe south straight ahead. Then he started off like an arrow shot from abow, for home was there in the south. "The little princess was more homesick than ever, left all alone. "Meantime the pigeon flew very swiftly, sometimes as fast as a train cango. No one can tell you how he knew the way, but he flew straight backthrough the woods, and after a while reached the pigeon house justoutside the palace gate. Some of the servants who saw him fly in withthe note, caught him and carried him to the king. The king and queenread the letter with great joy when they saw it had been written bytheir little daughter, and all the people in the palace were happy toknow that the princess was safe and well. "The pigeon flew back to the pigeon house. 'Coo, coo, coo, ' he said toall the other pigeons, 'home is the best place in the world. ' "The king ordered the fastest horses in the land, and he and the queenrode off at once to find their little daughter. One day she saw themcoming. She clapped her hands with joy and ran to meet them. The kingand queen were as happy as she, and after they had greeted her, and badethe prince good-by, they all three rode away home. The princess sat infront of her father on his horse, because he could not bear to have herout of his arms. After travelling back through the forest they reachedthe palace at last. "'Home is the best place in the world, ' said the happy little princess. "'Home is the best place in the world, ' cooed the happy little pigeon. " Johnnie Jones lay back in Mother's arms. "I think so too, " he said, "I like Grandma's house and Auntie's house, but home is best of all. " * * * * * Johnnie Jones and the Squirrel "Come, " said Mother, "leave your toys now, and bathe your face andhands, for it is time to go down town to buy your winter coat. " "Oh! Mother, I don't want to go down town, " answered Johnnie Jones, "because I think Sammy Smith is coming over to play with my new enginethis afternoon. " "But what will you do when the weather grows cold and you have no warmcoat to wear? I shall be too busy to go with you to-morrow. " "It's so warm to-day, Mother, I don't think it will grow cold very soon, and anyway, I don't want to go down town. " Mother answered: "I know it will be cold soon, perhaps to-morrow, forthe wind is beginning to blow from the north. Come as soon as you can, I have much to do and can't wait for you very long. " Then Johnnie Jones behaved like a silly little boy, although he was fouryears old, quite old enough to know better. He fussed and fumed untilMother said: "I am sorry, but I can't wait any longer. " She went on downtown and left Johnnie Jones. Sammy Smith did not come over to play after all, because he had goneshopping with his mother. Johnnie Jones soon grew tired of playing aloneand wished he had not been so foolish. That night the north wind blew and blew, so that, next morning, itwas very cold when Johnnie Jones awoke. Of course he could not go tokindergarten nor out to play, because he had no heavy coat to wear. Hebegged his mother to wrap him in a shawl, and take him down town in thecarriage, but she was too busy. So poor little Johnnie Jones had to stayin the house all day. That evening when it was time for his story, Mother said: "I shall haveto tell you the story of the foolish squirrel, because you reminded meof him to-day. " This is the story. Once upon a time, there lived in the woods a little squirrel whose namewas Silver. All summer long he played about with the other squirrels andhad a very good time indeed. Then, by and by, the days began to growshorter and cooler. The trees began to drop their brightly coloredleaves and their nuts, and the soft green grass turned brown. The wiseold mother squirrels knew what these things meant, and they said to allthe young ones: "Winter is coming, so hurry away, You have no longer time to play. Gather the nuts with all your might Before the ground with snow is white. When winter comes there's naught to eat Except the roots and nuts so sweet, Which you must gather in the fall. So frisk away and store them all. " The squirrels, large and small, went to work. They found holes in thetrees and old logs in which to hide their winter provisions, and theyscampered away to find their favorite food. All except little Silver. He said to himself: "Humph! I don't believewinter is coming so very soon, and besides, I'd rather just play, andeat the nuts, than work as these other squirrels are doing. " So he played as he had all summer long, and he kept so warm friskingabout in the sunshine that he did not realize how short and cold thedays were growing. At last winter really came. Oh! how cold it was then. Silver said:"Perhaps I had better begin gathering some nuts for winter. " But veryfew nuts could he find, not nearly enough to store away. The othersquirrels, and the people who lived near the woods, had been workingwhile he was playing, and had gathered in the harvest. Poor little Silver did not know what to do. Winter was here and he hadno provisions. He went to all the other squirrels and begged for some oftheir nuts. They only said: "You were playing while we were working, nowyou must work while we rest and eat. " Then Silver was sorry he had not obeyed the wise old squirrels and hetold himself that, next year, he would surely begin early to prepare forwinter. But there might not have been a "next year" for Silver, if alittle boy had not found him in the woods and taken him home to keep andfeed until the spring-time. * * * * * Johnnie Jones and the Peach Preserves Everyone knows that people prepare for winter during the summer andfall. (Bees and squirrels and caterpillars do, too. ) Almost everybodylays in the coal and kindling wood for the winter fires while theweather is still warm, and buys warm clothing before it is time towear it. In the summer, farmers cut the long grass, and after it has been driedby the sun, store it in the barns for the cows and horses to eat in thewinter. In the summer and the autumn, people do not eat all the berries, and grapes, and pears and peaches; some they make into preserves andjelly for the winter. Mrs. Jones could make delicious preserves. She enjoyed making it andJohnnie Jones liked to help her. He could really help a great dealbecause he was a careful little boy. Every member of the Jones familyliked peach preserves better than any other kind, therefore Motherusually made enough of it to fill many jars. This year, however, she hadbeen so busy that she did not start her preserving very early, and whenshe was ready to begin, she found it was too late to buy many goodpeaches. She bought a few, though, and preserved them with JohnnieJones's help. When the preserves was made. Mother had enough to fill four glass jars. "Not very much, " she told Johnnie Jones, "but there is one jar forFather, one for you and one for me, and then one more for company. " Sheleft the jars on the kitchen table while she went upstairs to change herdress. Johnnie Jones ran out into the yard to play. He saw Sammy Smith, Elizabeth, and Ned across the street, and called them. "I want to showyou something, " he said. When they came, he led them to the kitchen and showed them thepreserves. "I should like to have some of it, " said Ned, --"may I?" "We made it to use in the winter, " Johnnie Jones explained, "when thereisn't any fresh fruit. " "I'd like some now on a piece of bread. " Ned insisted. "You said one jar of preserves was yours; give us each a taste, " beggedSammy Smith. "I don't think Mother meant that I might eat it whenever I wanted it, "Johnnie Jones answered. "But perhaps she wouldn't care if we should eachtake a taste, " he added. Now Johnnie Jones knew he was not allowed to eat between meals, but thepreserves did have an attractive appearance, and he thought that justone taste would not matter. The top of the jar had not yet been sealed, so it came off very easily. Johnnie Jones gave a piece of bread, with a very little of thepreserves, to each child, and took some for himself. "It is good!" Ned exclaimed. "Give us some more, Johnnie Jones, yourmother won't care. " Johnnie Jones was afraid Mother would care, but he liked the preservesvery much, and besides, he enjoyed giving it to the children, so he gavethem each a little more and again took some for himself. It was curiousthat the more they had the more they wanted, and after each one had beengiven "just a little more, " several times, the large jar was nearlyempty. "We may as well finish it, " said Ned, So they did. Then the childrenwent home and left Johnnie Jones alone in the kitchen with the emptyjar. Johnnie Jones was unable to eat his supper that evening. Mother askedhim what was the matter, and he told her. She was very sorry. "Oh! little son, " she said, "all your life I have been able to trustyou, and I did not think you would touch the preserves, when I left thejars on the table. Say you are sorry, dear, and that such a thing shallnever happen again. For wouldn't it be dreadful if I should be obligedto lock up everything I can't let you have?" Johnnie Jones was very sorry indeed, but he answered: "You said that onejar was mine. " "So I did, " Mother answered; "but I had no idea that you would want touse it all at one time, or between meals, or before the winter-time. Since you have had all your share to-day, you will, of course, expect nomore next winter, when Father and I have ours. " Just then, Johnnie Jones thought he would never wish for peach preservesagain, for he had eaten too much and felt uncomfortable; but probably hechanged his mind in the winter, and regretted that his share was allgone. Sammy Smith, Elizabeth and Ned came to see Mrs. Jones next day, told herthey were sorry they had begged for the preserves, and asked her toexcuse them, which of course she did. Mother was glad to find that it would be unnecessary to lock upforbidden things after all, for Johnnie Jones liked to have her trusthim, and showed her that she could. * * * * * How the Children Helped Tom and Sarah Most of the houses on Park street, where the Jones family lived, werelarge and pretty, but there was one house that was very small and ugly. It had been unoccupied for a long time, when one day, Sarah and TomWatson, with their father and mother, moved in. The little brother andsister were such agreeable children, that they were soon known and lovedby all their small neighbors. One morning, when Johnnie Jones was passing the ugly little house, hesaw Sarah and Tom standing at the gate with an unhappy expression ontheir faces, usually so bright. Johnnie Jones stopped and asked themwhat was the trouble. "We don't know what to do, " answered Tom. "A friend of Father's promisedto send him a load of coal to-day. It may come any minute and Fatheris too busy to put it into the coal-house. Mother can't attend to itbecause she must finish some sewing for a lady, so there is no one butSarah and me. We are afraid we can't put it all away before night, andif it isn't locked up in the coal-house this evening, something mayhappen to it while we are asleep, and then we shouldn't have any coalto keep us warm in the winter. " "Why don't you hire a man to put it away for you?" asked Johnnie Jones. "We haven't money enough, " Tom answered. "I'd better go home and ask my mother what to do. She'll know, " saidJohnnie Jones. "Well, " Mother said, when she had heard of the children's difficulty, "Sarah and Tom need friends to help them, so why don't you, in youroveralls, and Ned, Susie, and the other children in theirs, take yourwagons and wheelbarrows, and spend the afternoon helping with the coal?A dozen pairs of hands, even if they are small, can accomplish a greatdeal of work. " Mother sent her hired man to see that the coal-house was ready for thecoal, while Johnnie Jones hurried off to collect the children. The boys and girls dressed in their overalls hastened to the small brownhouse. There they found Sarah and Tom as busy as bees, and very happy towelcome the children gathered to help them. Such a merry time as theyhad! Some of the children played that they were strong horses, and drewthe wagons, which the others loaded at the gate and unloaded at thecoal-house door. Very soon the play drivers looked like real driversof coal-carts for they were covered with coal-soot from their heads totheir feet. All of the children, too, worked quite as hard as any realhorses, or any real men, and after a while, before dark, the load ofcoal was safe in the coal-house. Then the children ran home for amuch-needed bath. Meantime Mrs. Watson had been sewing all the day long, and in theevening, when it was time to go home, she felt very tired. All day shehad worried about the coal, wondering how she could attend to it thatnight. She knew that her children would try to help, but she did notexpect very much from them because their hands were so small. As shewalked home she thought, and thought, trying to decide what was bestto do. At last she came near the ugly little house, and then she was greatlysurprised, for Sarah and Tom, neat and clean, were swinging on the gate, the pavement was nicely swept, and there was no sign of any coal. [Illustration: Such a merry time as the children had!] "Didn't the coal come?" she asked the children. "Yes, " they answered joyfully, "and it is in the coal-house. " She could scarcely believe them, but they said: "Come and see. " When she saw that the coal was really there, locked away for the winterin the shed, she was almost too surprised and pleased to speak. At last she asked the delighted children whether the fairies had come totheir aid. "No, " they answered, "but all the children in theneighborhood did, and we had such a good time that it was almost thesame as giving a party. " "The children were very kind, " Mrs. Watson said, when she had heard allabout the happy afternoon. "We could not have managed the coal withouttheir assistance, and some day we must try to help them. " * * * * * Johnnie Jones's Story of the Stars The stars were just beginning to show themselves in the dark blue sky, when Mother and Johnnie Jones sat down by the window to watch forFather. Mother and Johnnie Jones loved the stars. Almost every eveningthey sat and looked up at them. Sometimes they tried to count them, butthey never could, because there were so very many. Often, too, theycould see the bright, round moon. Johnnie Jones said that a queer, fatlittle man lived in the moon, who winked and bowed whenever little boyslooked at him. To be polite, Johnnie Jones always returned the winks andbows. But this night there was no moon, just the little stars wereappearing, and twinkling as fast as they could. "Mother, " said Johnnie Jones, "I'll tell you a story all my own, aboutthe shining stars. " "I'd like very much to hear it, " Mother answered. "Once upon a time, oh! such a very long time ago that it must have beenbefore you were born, Mother dear, all the stars fell down from the sky. I think it was the wind that blew and blew until they became loose. Theyfell down whirling and twirling just like the snow flakes, except thatthey weren't cold and white, but all bright and shining. They were sobeautiful that the people looked out of their windows and wished thestars would never stop raining down from the sky. " "Is that all the story?" asked Mother, much interested. "No, there is another part, " said Johnnie Jones. "When all the stars hadfallen down to the ground, what do you suppose they really were?" "I can't imagine, " Mother answered. "Why, Mother, they were beautiful little flowers all different colors. Some were red, some were yellow, and some were purple violets. Theybegan to grow, and nobody gathered any, for they were so pretty there onthe ground. " "But, " asked Mother, "when it was night time again, what did the poorpeople do without any stars to shine in the sky?" "Don't you see, " Johnnie Jones explained, "when the stars fell down theyleft little holes in the sky, and the light behind shone through andseemed just like the stars. " "I think that is a beautiful story, " and Mother thanked him with a kiss, before they ran down-stairs to meet Father coming home. * * * * * Johnnie Jones and Jack One day, when Johnnie Jones was playing in his front yard, he heard theyelping of a dog. He ran to the gate, and saw, lying in the street, apoor little puppy which had been hurt by a wagon, or perhaps, anautomobile. "You may come home with me, you poor little thing, " Johnnie Jones toldthe dog. "My mother will rub salve on you and make you well. Come on. " But the poor little puppy couldn't walk. Johnnie Jones picked him up, and attempted to carry him to the house. The puppy was so heavy, however, that Johnnie Jones was obliged to put him down and take him upagain, three times, before he reached the side door. He called to Motherto come down. "But, little son, " she said, "we can't keep a strange dog. We shall haveto let him run away. " "Oh, Mother, he's hurt, and I am sure he's hungry, so don't you think weshall have to keep him?" Of course, as soon as Mother understood that the puppy was hurt, sheknew that it would be necessary to keep him, at least until he was wellagain. She examined the little fellow and found that he was not badlyinjured, but was merely bruised and frightened. She and Johnnie Jonesbathed and bandaged the poor little body, and when the puppy seemed tofeel more comfortable, gave him a bowl of milk. He could not say "Thankyou, " but he wagged his tail, and kissed their hands, which meant "Thankyou, " so they agreed that he was a polite little dog, "But where shall we keep him?" asked Mother. "I can't allow him in thehouse, he would gnaw the legs of the chairs and tables; all puppies dowhen they are cutting their teeth. " "Perhaps Father and I can build a doghouse, " Johnnie Jones answered, andwhen Father came home they talked it over. "Well, " Father decided, "If the grocery man will give us a large box, wecan line it, fill it with straw, and I'll cut a door in one end. Thatshould make an excellent house for Mr. Doggie. " Johnnie Jones ran to the grocery-store as fast as he could run, andasked the grocery man to send down a large box. As soon as it came, Father cut the door, Johnnie Jones arranged the straw, and there was thehouse all ready for the dog. Johnnie Jones named him Jack. Jack soon became well and strong, andbecause he was such a good dog, and because his owner could not befound, he was allowed to remain at Johnnie Jones's house. He wasn't apuppy very long. He grew and grew, until he was too large for his box, and had to sleep in the front hall of the Jones's house. He and JohnnieJones loved each other dearly, and were almost always together. Motherused to say that they reminded her of Mary and her lamb, except thatJack was as black as coal. You remember how Mary's lamb followed her to school one day, which wasagainst the rule? Well, it was necessary to keep Jack in the closetevery morning, until after Johnnie Jones had gone to kindergarten, because he always wanted to go with him. One morning the door was notfastened securely, and Jack was able to push it open. Then, before anyone saw him, he ran out the gate, and followed Johnnie Jones. The littleboy did not see him and did not know that Jack was just behind him as heentered the kindergarten room, until the children began to laugh and heturned around to see what was the matter. There stood Jack, wagging histail with all his might. The children begged Miss Page, the teacher, to let Jack spend themorning in kindergarten, and she said that she would try him. She wasafraid, however, that he would not know how to behave. Johnnie Jones wasa trifle late that morning, and the children were all ready to march tothe circle. Jack followed his master as he marched to his place, andthen sat down on the floor beside the little boy's chair. Miss Page asked the children which one of them would like to stand inthe centre of the circle and shake hands with the others, in turn, asthey sang the good-morning song. "Let Jack, " said Johnnie Jones, "he can shake hands as well as anybody, and he is a visitor to-day. " Miss Page consented, and Johnnie Jones called Jack to the circle andoffered him his hand. Jack at once gave him his paw. One by one thechildren came and shook Jack's paw. Everyone considered it great fun, and Jack enjoyed it also, though he could not laugh as the children did. [Illustration: Each child came up and shook Jack's paw--] As soon as all the good-mornings had been sung, Miss Page started agame of ball. Now there was nothing that Jack liked better than playingwith a ball, so he ran out on the circle barking, and jumped up onthe boy who had the ball in his hand. The boy became frightened, notunderstanding what Jack wanted, and let the ball fall and roll away. Jack rushed after it, knocking down chairs and tables, spilling theblocks out of their boxes, and tearing paper chains to bits. At last hecaught the ball in his mouth, brought it to Johnnie Jones, and began tojump and bark, begging the little boy to throw it. Miss Page said that she was sorry, but Jack would have to go home. "He is a very good dog, " she said, "but he does not behave well inkindergarten. " At that moment Sam, the hired man, came into the room. Mrs. Jones hadmissed Jack and sent Sam to find him. Jack was having a pleasant timeand did not want to go home, but he knew how to obey, and, when JohnnieJones commanded him to "go home, " he turned slowly and walked out ofthe room. So you see, Jack was turned out by the teacher, just as was Mary's lamb. One bright day, when the ground was covered with snow, Father tookJohnnie Jones for a ride on his sled. They had been around the blockonly twice when the clock struck two, and then it was time for Fatherto go to his office. "Oh! dear, " said Johnnie Jones, "now I'll have no one to pull my sled. I wish Jack could. " "Perhaps he can, " Father answered. "When I come home to-night I'll makesome sort of a harness for him, and then to-morrow we shall see what hecan do. " That evening, with rope, straps, and Johnnie Jones's reins Father madea very good harness, and the next day he hitched Jack to the sled. Atfirst Jack could not imagine what Father and Johnnie Jones wished him todo. He allowed himself to be hitched to the sled, but every time JohnnieJones sat upon it, and said "Get up, " Jack would jump about, and offwould roll Johnnie Jones into the snow. Then Jack would bark as muchas to say, "What are you trying to do, anyway?" At last, after many trials, Father managed to hold Jack quiet untilJohnnie Jones was seated firmly on the sled, clasping a side with eachhand. Then Father, still keeping a tight hold of Jack, ran with him tothe corner and back several times. At last Jack began to understand whatwas expected of him. The next day they tried again, and it was not longbefore Johnnie Jones could drive the big dog without Father's help. After a while Jack would even pull Johnnie Jones's sled to kindergarteneach morning, and then draw the empty sled home, after Johnnie Jones hadgone into the house. He certainly was a clever dog. It was no wonderJohnnie Jones loved him. In the winter-time there was an excellent place for coasting in the parkvery near Johnnie Jones's house. There was a long, straight hill, andat the foot of it a long, straight pond, so that, with a good start, achild could coast from the top of the hill to the end of the pond. Thatis, of course, when there was snow and the pond was frozen over at thesame time. One afternoon Johnnie Jones started out with his sled and Jack ran alongbeside him. "Don't try to coast across the pond to-day, " called Father. "When I waspassing I noticed that the ice was broken in several places. " "Then I'll coast on the other side of the hill, " Johnnie Jones answered. When he reached the park, however, he found two of the children coastingacross the pond as usual. One of them, whose name was Ned, asked JohnnieJones: "What's the matter with everybody to-day? Where are the otherchildren?" "I suppose their fathers wouldn't let them come, " answered JohnnieJones; "and you shouldn't coast across the pond. My father just told methat it isn't safe, because the ice is beginning to break. " "Oh! it is perfectly safe, " Ned replied, "because we have been over itseveral times. The coasting is better fun to-day than ever before, andthere are no children to block the way. Come and try it. " "I wish I might, " Johnnie Jones answered. He sat on his sled and watchedthe older boys coast safely across, and run gaily back, waving theirhands to him. "Perhaps my father was mistaken. " he said after a while. "I think I'lltry it just once. " "There is one tolerably large hole, " Ned warned him, "but it is on oneside, and if you are careful you won't fall in. " "I'll be careful, " answered Johnnie Jones; "you sit here and watch me. " He placed himself flat on his sled, and Ned gave him a push. JohnnieJones was not quite five years old then, two years younger than Ned, andhe could not guide his sled very well. When it went near the big hole, he could not turn it away. Then splash! Both Johnnie Jones and the sledplunged into the icy cold water. The water was not very deep, but as Johnnie Jones struck it headforemost, and as the sled was on top of him, he might have found sometrouble in forcing his way out, had it not been for Jack. That faithfulfriend was close beside his little master, and in just a few seconds haddrawn him out of the water. As soon as Ned and Sammy Smith saw what had happened, they hurried tothe house and told Mr. Jones. He ran all the way to the pond, picked upthe little wet, cold boy, and carried him home as quickly as possible. Jack was wet and cold too, but he ran around so fast that he soon grewwarm, then he crawled under the kitchen stove, where he stopped until hewas dry. But Johnnie Jones had to go to bed, for several days, with avery bad cold. He was sorry he had been disobedient, and asked Father please to excusehim that time. Father said he would not punish him, but that he wassorry to think his little boy did not trust his father. "I do, Father, " Johnnie Jones answered, "and after this I'll obey you, instead of minding little boys. " "Grown people generally know best, " Father said. After that, of course, Mother, Father and Johnnie Jones loved good oldJack more than ever, and were glad they had kept him when he first cameto them a puppy, hurt and hungry. * * * * * Stiggins Johnnie Jones's Aunt Jean owned a dog. His name was Stiggins, justStiggins, for dogs need only one name, instead of the two or three thatpeople have. Aunt Jean was accustomed to go to Lake Chautauqua everysummer, far away from home. Stiggins liked to go with her, and wasalways afraid that he might be left behind, as had happened, once ortwice. So, as soon as he saw Aunt Jean begin to make her preparations, he would spend all his time either following her about, or lying on hertrunk. Each time she started to pack she would first have to drive Stigginsinto the yard. If she turned away, just for a few minutes, there hewould be again, lying in a tray upon her best dresses, or her prettiesthats. Aunt Jean would scold and scold, but scolding was of no use. At last, when the day came on which they were to begin their journey, and the trunks had been locked and sent away, Stiggins would run to thestable, jump into the carriage, and there he would stay until he and thefamily had reached the station. But when it was time to board the train, Stiggins was most unhappy. Hewas forced to ride in the baggage car, all alone, and Stiggins likedcompany. He wished to ride in the sleeping car with Aunt Jean. Of coursehe could not, because he was only a dog, which was something thatStiggins had never quite understood. He would whimper, and run away, when the coachman attempted to lead him to his proper place, so usually, Aunt Jean had to take him, and to tie him, herself. Stiggins disliked the long ride on the train and boat, but he was justthe happiest dog in the world when at last he reached Chautauqua. Whenonce he was there he had many fine times, bathing in the Lake, going offon long walks and drives with the family, and playing with the dogs. The house in which Aunt Jean lived was very near the lake, and Stigginsliked to lie on the front porch and watch the children at play by thewater's edge. One day, Harry and Sally were there with a small sail-boatattached to a string, which Harry held, as the boat sailed out on thewater. Suddenly the string broke, and then there was nothing with whichto draw the boat to land. The children were quite small and did not know what to do. They asked abig boy to wade out and return the boat to them, but he was a lazy boyand told them to throw stones beyond the boat to make it come back ofitself. They tried his plan, but were not strong enough to throw thestones very far, and the boat only floated further away. All this time Stiggins had been lying on the porch watching thechildren. I am not sure whether he thought they were throwing stonesfor him to swim after, or whether he saw they were in trouble and wishedto help them, but this is what he did. Without a word from anyone, hejumped up, trotted down to the water and waded in. The children and thebig boy wondered what he meant to do. Stiggins himself seemed to knowvery well. He swam straight to the boat, caught it in his mouth, broughtit to land, and dropped it at the children's feet. Then he trotted backto the porch. Harry and Sally thought that Stiggins was the kindest and most politedog they had ever seen, and the big boy was ashamed, because he thoughtthat a dog had been kinder and more polite than he. This story is as true as true can be. I know, because Aunt Jean saw thewhole affair and she told me about it herself. * * * * * When Johnnie Jones was a Santa Claus "I should think it would be exciting to be Santa Claus, " said JohnnieJones, "and fill children's stockings when they are asleep in bed. Ishould like very well to be his helper some time. " "You may be, " Mother answered; "anyone who really wishes to be Santa'sassistant, may be. " Johnnie Jones was surprised. "Well, I didn't know that, " he said. "Please tell me how. " "Whenever people give Christmas presents to those they love, they are asort of Santa Claus, " Mother told him. "But this year you may be a realSanta Claus, if you like, with a real pack of toys, and you may fillsome real stockings belonging to some real children, this comingChristmas Eve. " "Oh! Mother dear, tell me all about it, quick as a wink, " begged JohnnieJones, clapping his hands with delight. "I thought you would be pleased, " Mother answered. "Father knows of alarge house in which ever so many children live who have never hung uptheir stockings. I suppose no one has thought to tell Santa Claus aboutthem, and their fathers and mothers are very poor. Father and I wantto make them have a bright, happy Christmas this year, and he has toldthem, each one, to be sure to hang up stockings on Christmas Eve for aSanta Claus to fill. If you like, you may be that Santa, and Father andI will be your assistants, and we'll go, all three of us, to the houseat night when the children are fast asleep. " Johnnie Jones skipped joyfully about the room. "Shall we go in a sleighwith bells and reindeer?" he asked. "We'll go in a sleigh if there is snow, " Mother promised, "but I amafraid we shall have to use horses, and pretend they are reindeer. " Johnnie Jones was greatly excited. He asked Mother every question hecould think of, and wished it were Christmas Eve that very minute. Mother told him be should be glad they still had several days beforeChristmas in which to make their preparations. That same afternoon they went shopping. Johnnie Jones was allowed toselect the toys for the children, and he chose enough drums and horses, wagons and cars, dolls and play-houses, dishes and tables, to fill fourvery large boxes. Next, they ordered the candy, pounds and pounds of it, and a big tree with ever so many candles for it. Last of all, theybought warm coats and shoes. The next three days was a busy time for Johnnie Jones. After he hadfinished his gifts for the family, he went to work on the decorationsfor the tree. He made yards and yards of brightly colored paper chains, and many cornucopias. Every evening before his bed-time Mother andFather helped him. At last the day before Christmas came. When Johnnie Jones awoke in themorning he was very much pleased to find the ground covered with snow. It was hard to wait until night, but he was busy all day, and the timepasses quickly when one is busy. After a very early supper Father, Mother and Johnnie Jones dressedthemselves in their warmest clothing and heaviest wraps. By the timethey were ready, there was the sleigh, drawn by two strong horseswearing many bells, standing before the house. It was quite a whilebefore the toys, and candy, and ornaments, were safely packed in thesleigh, but at last all was in readiness, and away they went. After a long, beautiful ride over the hard snow, with the moon and starsshining up in the sky, they reached the big house. "Are all the children asleep?" Father asked two men who were waiting forthem at the door. The men answered yes, and Father whispered to Johnnie Jones: "We must bevery quiet, Santa Claus, that we may not waken anybody. " They tiptoed carefully into the first room where several children wereasleep in their beds. "I see the stockings, " whispered Johnnie Jones eagerly. "Give me mysack. " Father placed the heavy sack on the floor, and the little Santa andMother filled the stockings with candy and nuts, oranges and tiny toys. As soon as Father had set up the tree in an empty room, he came back tohelp. It was the best kind of fun, but they had to be very quiet inorder not to waken the children. Once Johnnie Jones couldn't helplaughing aloud when a ridiculous old Jack popped out of the box in hishand. The laugh awoke a little boy, who sat up in bed and called out, "Hello! Is that you, Santa Claus?" They had to leave the room until hefell asleep again. When all the stockings had been filled, the tree decorated, and thepresents arranged under it, Father locked the door of that room so thatno one should peep in before it was time. Little Santa Claus was sotired that he went to sleep in Father's arms on the way home, and whenhe was being carried to bed awoke only long enough to hang his ownstocking by the fire-place. The next morning he opened his eyes very early, as is the custom ofchildren on Christmas Day. He looked for his stocking, first of all, wondering if Santa had filled it. Of course he had, with all the thingsthat little boys like best. Johnnie Jones was so happy over his presents, that he could scarcelytake time to dress. At last Mother reminded him of those other childrenwaiting so anxiously for their first Christmas tree. Johnnie Joneslaid down his new toys immediately, and dressed himself as quickly aspossible. Directly after breakfast they returned to the big house, thistime on the street car. Before they turned the corner on their way to the house, they heard thevoices of the children, who were full of joy over the presents found intheir stockings. Father went at once to the room he had locked up thenight before, and lighted the candles on the tree. When all was ready heopened the door, and Johnnie Jones invited the children to enter. They stood very quietly about the tree, not saying a word at first. Itwas so beautiful, and so different from anything they had ever seen, that it made them feel shy. But when Father called the children in turn, and Johnnie Jones gave to every one a warm coat, a new pair of shoes, and a splendid toy, they found their tongues, and made such a noise asyou never heard. They had to dress themselves in the coats and shoes, and they had toshow each other their toys. Some of them had to turn somersaults, andall of them had to make a great noise just to express their joy. But happiest of all those happy children was little Johnnie Jones. All too soon, Father, Mother and Johnnie Jones had to leave, so thatthey might reach Grandmother's house in time for dinner. When they wereagain on the car, the little boy began to talk of the good time they hadhad. "I'd like to be a Santa Claus every year, " he said. "Then save your pennies, " Mother answered, "until next Christmas comes. " * * * * * An Original Valentine Tom and Sarah were the little boy and girl who lived in the small brownhouse near the home of Johnnie Jones. It was the evening before St. Valentine's day and the brother and sister were sitting by the fire, talking together. "I do wish we had some valentines to send, " said Tom. "If we only hadsome gilt or colored paper and some pictures, we could make them, but wehaven't anything at all. " "I am sorry, " their mother told them. "The children have been so kind toyou this winter. You remember how they helped you with the coal? I wishwe could send them each a very beautiful valentine to thank them, but Iam afraid I can't spare the money to buy even one. " Sarah had been as quiet as a little mouse while Tom and Mother werespeaking. Then suddenly she said: "I know what we can do!" "What?" asked Tom. Sarah began to dance about the room. "It will be such fun!" she said. "Please tell me, " begged Tom. "Don't you see, " Sarah explained; "we can't buy valentines, and we can'tmake valentines, so we shall just have to be valentines!" "Now how in the world can we be valentines?" Tom asked her. "We'll dress in our Sunday clothes, " she answered. "We'll cut hearts outof paper and pin them all over us. Then we'll ask Mother to pin a paperenvelope on each of us, and address it to one of the children. When weare ready we'll ring the door bell of that child's house, and when heopens the door, we'll speak mottoes, and all sorts of rhymes. Won't thechildren laugh?" "All right!" said Tom. "Only, I would rather not be a valentine myself. You be one and I will send you. We'll pretend you are the doll valentinewe saw down town the other day, the one that danced when the man woundher up, and spoke the verse. " "Well!" Sarah assented, "and you must wind me up and I'll dance littleSally Waters. " They spent the rest of the evening thinking of rhymes. Their mothertaught them all she could remember, and Sarah repeated them over andover again so that she should not forget. The next morning they went to school, but as soon as they had reachedhome and eaten their lunch they began their preparations. No one in thewhole world ever saw a sweeter valentine than Sarah, when she was readyin her bright red dress and short snow-white coat, decorated with paperhearts. Then her mother cut and folded some wrapping paper into a bigenvelope, and placed it about Sarah's little body. Of course her feethad to be left free so that she could walk, and her head, so that shecould breathe. "Let's go to Johnnie Jones's house first, " Tom said. So his mother addressed the envelope to Master Johnnie Jones, and thechildren started off. Johnnie Jones was at home that afternoon, feeling very sad. He hadfallen into the pond several days before, and the icy bath had given himsuch a cold that he had to stay indoors. He could see the other childrenrunning about from house to house sending their valentines, and hewanted to run about and send some too. To be sure he had received everso many, but he was tired of looking at them and hearing the mottoesread, and he wished very much that some one would come in to play withhim. Mother had just said: "I am afraid no one will come to-day, dear, because all the children are busy with their valentines, " when the doorbell rang. As soon as Maggie had opened the door she called up to Johnnie Jones:"There's a beautiful valentine down here for you. I'll bring it up. Tomsent it. I caught him at the door, so I'll bring him up, too. " Johnnie Jones ran to the head of the staircase as fast as he could run. How he did laugh when Maggie placed Sarah before him, and showed him theaddress on the envelope. "It's a doll valentine, " Tom explained, "and it has a phonograph in it. I'll wind it up. " He knelt down and pretended to turn a crank. Then Sarah, who had notsmiled or spoken a word before, said: "If you love me as I love you, No knife can cut our love in two. " Tom turned the crank again, and this time she danced. "Let me wind it, " begged Johnnie Jones, who was very much pleased. Hedid, and the valentine said: "Roses red and violets blue, Sugar is sweet and so are you. " Mother joined the children in the hall, and was delighted with thevalentine, which each one wound up until it had said all the rhymes thatSarah knew, and had danced until she was tired. Then the doll changedinto a little girl for a while, and she had some milk and cookies withthe other children. "We shall have to go now, " Tom said at last, looking out of the window. "The other children have gone into their houses and I must send themeach a valentine. " So Mother made a new envelope and addressed it to Miss Elizabeth Elkins. "Thank you for my valentine, " said Johnnie Jones. "It's the loveliestone I have had all day, only I wish I could keep it as I can theothers. " All the children who received the little Valentine in turn, made exactlythe same remark, so Tom and Sarah were very happy over the success oftheir plan. * * * * * When Johnnie Jones was a Cry-Baby All his life Johnnie Jones had been a bright, happy little fellow whoseldom cried even when he was hurt. Therefore, everyone who knew him wassurprised when suddenly, just before he was five years old, he became acry-baby. The trouble began with some of the older boys in the neighborhood. There were three of them who were several years older than JohnnieJones, and a year older than the other children. Lately these big boyshad commenced to tease the smaller ones, and especially Johnnie Jones. They did not intend to be unkind, but would often make him cry byrolling him off his sled, pelting him with snowballs, or calling himnicknames. Of course, there was no reason for crying, since, although the boys wererather rough, they never really hurt Johnnie Jones. Indeed, they lovedhim, and were only in fun when they teased him. If Johnnie Jones hadbeen brave enough to laugh at them he would soon have been left inpeace; but as he always cried instead, the boys began to call him"crybaby. " Johnnie Jones soon formed the bad habit of crying about every littlething that did not please him, until at last it was difficult to livewith him. His father and mother were greatly distressed, and tried inevery way to help Johnnie Jones. They told him that they were ashamed tohave a cry-baby for a son, but that only made him cry more than ever. Finally Mother said that something must be done, for Johnnie Jones hadreached the point where he was almost always crying. He would come homecrying from kindergarten, he would come in from play with tears in hiseyes, and worst of all, every few minutes, he would find some excuse forcrying at home. "I think he must be ill, " Mother said to Father, one day, "and I am soworried that I shall take him to the doctor. " Father agreed, so in the afternoon, Mother and Johnnie Jones paid Dr. Smith a visit in his office. Dr. Smith was a great friend of Johnnie Jones's and was sorry to hear ofthe crying spells. He examined the little boy very carefully, but couldfind nothing wrong with him. Then he said that he was sure Johnnie Joneswas not ill, and that he cried so often just because he had formed a badhabit. "It is a very disagreeable habit, " he continued, "and I know you want toovercome it, so I'll write you a prescription for some medicine. Doctorsusually do not prescribe for people unless they are ill, but I think ifyou take a spoonful of this medicine every time you cry, you will soonbe cured of the habit. You try it, anyway. " He gave the prescription to Mother, who, after thanking him, left theoffice with Johnnie Jones. On the way home they stopped at thedrug-store and bought the medicine, which mother took into the housewith her, while Johnnie Jones ran out to play. There wasn't a child in that neighborhood who was not fond of JohnnieJones, but since he had become a cry-baby none of them cared to playwith him, because he would often spoil the best game by stopping to cry. No one enjoys playing with a tearful boy or girl. All the children were playing in the snow when Johnnie Jones joinedthem. They had built a snow fort, which half of the children were tryingto destroy with snowballs, and which half were defending. They werehaving the merriest sort of a time. Occasionally some one would bestruck by a ball, but he would just laugh and send back another, for itwas all in fun. Johnnie Jones began to play, too, and was enjoying himself very much, when unfortunately a stray ball struck his cheek. It did hurt, but notnearly enough to cry about, for all the balls were soft. Johnnie Jones, however, began to cry, called the children "unkind, " which was foolish, and ran away home. As soon as he entered the house, Mother gave him some of the medicine. Never was anyone more surprised than Johnnie Jones, when he tasted it!The only other medicine he had ever taken had been sweet, but this wasdreadfully bitter. He had no sooner swallowed it than he began to cryagain. Mother immediately poured more of it from the bottle. "I won't take any more, " Johnnie Jones, said between his sobs, "it isbad medicine. " "Yes, indeed, " Mother told him, "you must take it every time you cry, just as the doctor said, because we can't continue to have a cry-baby inthe house. You must take another dose now unless you can stop cryingwithout it. " "I'll stop, " said Johnnie Jones, and he did. Mother poured some of the medicine into another bottle to send to MissPage at kindergarten, and then placed the rest on the mantel whereJohnnie Jones could see it. It was remarkable how quickly the little boy was cured of his bad habit. After he had taken but three doses of the bitter medicine he learnedto stop and think when anything failed to please him. Then, instead ofallowing himself to cry, he would often manage to laugh, which was muchmore sensible, and much pleasanter for the people near him. Soon hebegan to realize what a foolish little boy he had been, and at last hemade up his mind to be, instead of a cry-baby, a big, brave boy. Andthat is what he was, all the rest of his life, bright and sweet andbrave, so that everyone loved to be with him, grown folks as well asthe children. * * * * * Johnnie Jones and the Man Who Cried "Wolf" too Often Some time passed by before people began to realize that Johnnie Joneswas no longer a cry-baby. On that account he had a very unpleasantexperience one day. The children were playing horse on the sidewalk, and Johnnie Jones asone of the horses, was being driven by Sammy Smith. All went well untilthey reached a rough place in the pavement. Here Johnnie Jones trippedand fell, scraping his leg against a sharp stone, and straining andbruising his arm quite badly. It happened so quickly that none of thechildren saw that he was hurt, and so did not pity him when he began tocry. They were so accustomed to hear him cry over every little trouble, that they thought nothing of his crying then. If they had known he wasreally hurt, they would have been kind and helped him up. As it was, they merely told him not to be such a cry-baby and ran off and left him. Just then Father came by on his way home, and when he saw Johnnie Jonesleaning against the fence, crying, he thought, too, that the little boyhad become a cry-baby again. If he had seen Johnnie Jones fall, he wouldhave picked him up and carried him home in his arms; but not knowingthat the little boy was really hurt, he took hold of his hand, andwalked home with him. Johnnie Jones was trying his best not to cry, butI think the bravest boy in the world might not have been able to keepback the tears, with such a sore leg and arm. As they entered the house, Mother said: "Oh little son! crying again?" When she had heard of the accident, she told Johnnie Jones that shewas sorry, and would try to help him after lunch. But as soon as shesaw that he could eat nothing at all, she asked Father to carry himupstairs, where she examined the injured leg and arm. When she foundthem so badly scraped and bruised, she was greatly distressed. "You poor little boy!" she exclaimed, "No one realized that you werereally in pain. " After she had bathed and bandaged the leg and arm, and made JohnnieJones comfortable, she brought his lunch up to him, and while he waseating, told him this story: Once, a long, long time ago, there lived a man whose name has beenforgotten. He lived with other men and their families out in the pasturelands, and there he tended the sheep. Now a great many wolves lived nearby, which often tried to steal into the fold and carry off the sheep. Everyone kept a close watch for these wolves, and when any person sawone he would cry out, "wolf! wolf!" so that all the others might cometo help him destroy it, and save the sheep. But this first man of whomI told you, liked to call "wolf!" when there was no wolf there, justto frighten or disturb the others. Sometimes he would waken the men atnight by his foolish cry, and they would come running out only to findhe had given a false alarm. At last these men grew weary of answeringhis calls. Besides, as there had been no wolves about for some littletime, they were feeling quite safe. One night, when the foolish man was keeping watch over his sheep, he sawin the distance an entire pack of wolves coming steadily toward thefold. Instantly he raised a loud cry, "WOLF! WOLF!" and waited for help. But no help came. The men heard his cry. But as they did not believe the wolves werereally there, they remained in their beds. One man alone could notdefend himself and his sheep against a pack of hungry wolves. So, nextmorning, he was found badly injured, and the sheep were gone. Everyonewas sorry for the man, but all knew he could blame only himself. He hadcried "wolf!" too often, when there was no wolf there, and so he was notbelieved when the wolf came at last. "Johnnie Jones, " said Mother, when she had finished the story, "you havecried so often when there was no reason for crying, that this one timewhen you cried because you were really hurt, no one believed you. I amvery sorry for you, little son, but don't you see that it was no one'sfault but your own?" * * * * * Johnnie Jones's Birthday Party A few days before Johnnie Jones's fifth birthday, Mother asked him whathe would like to have for a birthday present. "A party, " he answered immediately, "and I want to invite all thechildren who live on this street. " "Very well, " Mother said, "we'll write the invitations now, on your ownnote paper. " Johnnie Jones gave her a joyful hug, and ran to his desk for the paper. Mother wrote upon every sheet: "Johnnie Jones will be very glad to haveyou come to his birthday party, Saturday afternoon, from three untilfive o'clock. " She addressed an envelope to each one of his playmates, and Johnnie Jones stamped, sealed and mailed the invitations as soon asthey were written. Next day the postman brought the answers. The children accepted with agreat deal of pleasure. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday seemed very long days to impatientJohnnie Jones. "I sometimes think, " he said to Mother, "that Saturday isn't coming thisweek. " But, when he awoke one morning, Saturday had come at last, and the partywas to be that very day. While Mother was helping him to dress in his party clothes, she said:"Remember to make everyone glad that he came to your party, and to playwhatever the children wish, even if they do not choose your favoritegames. " He promised to remember, and as soon as he was dressed, ran to thewindow to watch for his guests. He did not have long to wait before theybegan to arrive. As soon as the children had removed their hats and coats, Johnnie Jonesled them to a long kindergarten table, which Mother had borrowed. Eachchild sat down in a small red chair, and made a necklace of coloredbeads, which was soon finished and tied about his neck. When all the children had arrived and all the necklaces were finished, the boys and girls gathered in the long hall, where Johnnie Jones'sroller coaster was ready for them. Each child had three rides, andenjoyed them all, for the hall was unusually long, and with a goodstart, one could go to the end of it, almost as fast as the lightningflashes. Of course, Johnnie Jones had his three rides after the others, becausehe was the host, and the children his guests. "Now we may go to the parlor for our games, " he said as he led thechildren down the front stairway. The parlor was large, so there was room enough for the children to runfreely about. They played "Drop the Handkerchief, " and "Blind-Man'sBuff, " and "Going to Jerusalem, " until they were tired and ready for amore quiet game. Johnnie Jones let the others choose the games, and hewatched that every child had a chance to play. After the children had rested a moment, Mother invited them to marchup-stairs again, for the "real" party. Johnnie Jones's auntie played thepiano for them, and the children formed in line and marched to the roomin which they had made the necklaces. The same kindergarten table was there, and in the same place, but no onewould ever have known it, for it had been covered with a white tablecloth, and on it were vases of lovely pink roses, and dishes full ofpink and white peppermint candy. Exactly in the centre was a largebirthday cake with five pink candles, and every one of them lighted. At each place was a dish of ice cream in the form of a pink and whiteflower, though no flower ever had so sweet a taste. At each place there was something else. There was a tiny automobiledelivery wagon, with a queer little doll chauffeur, and inside it werebundles of candy. These were to be taken home, Mother said, and no onewas to open the bundles at the party. Of course no one did. Besides allof these things, there were two paper bon-bons for each child, one toopen at the party, and one to take home. The children were hungry after their games, and for a while they werevery quiet. When they had finished their ice cream, however, and hadeaten a piece of the birthday cake, with good wishes for Johnnie Jones, they began to pull the bon-bons apart. Then there was noise enough, forthe bon-bons cracked and popped, and that made the children laugh. All, that is, except one small girl who was afraid. She was sitting nextto Johnnie Jones, and she asked him to open his bon-bon without pullingit apart. Johnnie Jones liked to hear the popping sound, and he couldnot help thinking that Susie was foolish to object to it, but heremembered that he must make everyone happy at his party, so he did ashis little neighbor asked. Five o'clock came all too soon, and then it was time for the childrento return to their homes. When they were ready in their coats and hats, they bade Mother and Johnnie Jones good-by. "Thank you for the good timewe have had, " they said, as they turned their happy faces homeward, wearing the necklaces and carrying the bon-bons and automobiles. When everyone had gone, Mother held tired, happy little Johnnie Jones onher lap. "Did you enjoy your party?" she asked him. "Yes, Mother dear, " he answered. "I had a good time, and all thechildren had a good time, and it was a beautiful party. " "It was a beautiful party, " Mother agreed, "and I'll tell you why. Itwas because both you and I did all in our power to make our companyhappy. I am very glad, " she added, "that Johnnie Jones is my little boyand that he has enjoyed his birthday. " * * * * * The Sleeping Beauty In the early spring Mother would always tell this story to JohnnieJones. Once upon a time there lived the most beautiful princess in the wholeworld. She was so sweet that everyone loved her, --all the grown people, all the children, and even all the animals. She wore such lovely dressesthat everyone who was permitted to see their beauty was filled with joy, and she had a new one every day. She lived in the most beautiful home in the whole world. The ceiling wasmade of blue sky, the carpet of soft green grass, and the walls wereformed by lofty trees with their branches interlaced. Everywhere wereflowers of different colors, red and yellow and purple. I can't tell youhow lovely it was, or how happy the king, the queen and the beautifulprincess were who lived there. One day the princess decided to make for herself a dress as white assnow, trimmed with shining pearls and sparkling diamonds. If the queenhad known her intention, she would have forbidden the princess to toucha needle. I will tell you why. When the princess was a tiny baby, the king and queen had forgotten toask one old fairy lady to the christening. As it happened, she wasn't agood old fairy lady. Perhaps that is why she was forgotten. She came tothe christening without an invitation, which was very rude, and madeherself most disagreeable while she was there. She told the king andqueen that because they had forgotten her, the princess should one dayprick herself with a needle and immediately go to sleep, and that sheshould never awake unless the splendid prince should chance to find her. Now the princess did not know of this, and she forgot to tell her motherthat she intended to make the dress. That was the cause of all thetrouble. The princess cut and sewed, and sewed and cut, until the dress wasfinished. Then she laid aside her old gown, of red and brown, anddressed herself in the new one. She was just about to replace the needlein the workbasket, before showing herself to her mother, when, suddenly, she pricked her finger. Immediately she sank back on her bed fast asleep. At that very instantthe king and queen fell asleep, too. So did the animals, but the birdsflew away. Even the little flies, who had been buzzing on the walls, went fast asleep. Then it was very still everywhere, because no one wasstirring to make a noise. Even the trees were quiet, for their leaveshad all dropped off, and they seemed to be sleeping too. They slept a long, long time. Then, the most splendid prince in all the world approached the palacegate. This prince had wonderful golden hair, and he was clothed entirelyin shining gold. He rode in a chariot so bright that it could be seenfor many miles. His horses were swift and he travelled fast, on hisjourney throughout the world. When at last he reached the princess's house, he regarded it withwonder. "How very quiet, " he murmured. "Can it be that anyone lives in thisgloomy place?" He stepped out of his chariot and tiptoed in, through the open door. Hestepped so softly that no one could have heard him, but he shone sobrightly that he made the whole house light. The splendid prince saw that everybody and everything was fast asleep. In their rooms he found the king and queen. At last he came to the room where lying upon her bed was the princess. Very lovely she was, in her dress as white as snow trimmed with pearlsand diamonds. The prince leaned over to see her better, and he made thediamonds sparkle so brilliantly that if you had been there you wouldhave needed to close your eyes. "This is the most beautiful princess in all the world, " said the prince. "I wish she would waken. " Then he kissed her. Immediately the beautiful princess opened her eyes and looked at theprince. At that same moment the king and queen awoke from their sleep. So did the animals, and all the flowers, and the little buds on thetrees. The flies began to buzz about on the walls, and the birds cameflying back, singing their sweetest songs. The princess was very happy to be awake again. She attired herself in alovely dress, indeed the loveliest one that she possessed. It was brightgreen, with jewels as clear as the rain drops. Then the king and queenordered a marriage feast, and the beautiful princess married thesplendid prince. * * * * * Johnnie Jones and the Butterfly "Be careful! Don't step on that caterpillar, " said Mother. "Why not?" asked Johnnie Jones. "It's such an ugly caterpillar. " "It can't help being ugly, " Mother answered, "and besides some day itwill be a beautiful butterfly. " "Really?" Johnnie Jones asked, much surprised. Then Mother told him astory about a caterpillar and a butterfly. Once upon a time, a little caterpillar was crawling slowly up a tree. "Oh! dear, " he said to himself, "I wish I had wings like the birds, andcould fly away to the top of a tree, instead of having to crawl slowlyabout. " A beautiful butterfly was resting a moment near by and heard what thelittle caterpillar said, "How would you like to be a beautiful butterflysuch as I am, " she asked him, "and go flying about all day, sippinghoney from the flowers?" "I should like it very much indeed, " he answered, "but you see I am onlyan ugly little caterpillar who can do nothing but crawl, and I have tobe very careful to avoid being stepped upon. " "I'll tell you a lovely secret, " Whispered the butterfly. "Next summer you will surely be As beautiful as I, "Because my gauzy wings you see, Are very, very new. A caterpillar once was I And crawled about like you. " The ugly little caterpillar did not believe the beautiful butterfly. Hejust laughed. "Oh!" said the lovely butterfly, "All that I say is true. But you can't stay there very long, There's work for you to do. "To the very top of this big tree You must begin to go, Because all little crawling things, They are so very slow. "There you must even change your skin Till it becomes dark brown. And you must spin a rope of silk To tie you tightly down. "You will sleep through the long cold winter, When the icy winds do blow. You will sleep through the long cold winter, When everywhere there's snow. "But by and by, in the spring-time, How happy you will be! For you will wake and find yourself A butterfly like me! "Then work on, crawling little thing, " Whispered the butterfly, "For winter's coming very fast, And so good-by, good-by. " The little caterpillar thought: "How could I possibly turn into abutterfly? I have seen other caterpillars tie themselves to twigs, butthey always seemed very foolish to me. " However, that little caterpillar wanted more than anything else in theworld to become a butterfly, so he decided to try. He crawled slowlyup the tree until he found a branch that suited him exactly. Then heselected a twig and spun about it a soft resting place of silk. He spuna soft silken loop, too, with which he tied himself to the twig. Very soon he lost all his bright color, and became as brown as the twigitself. If you had seen him, you would probably have thought he wasnothing but a small brown leaf. When the cold, snowy days came, thelittle caterpillar knew nothing whatever about them, for he was fastasleep. At last, after a long, long winter, there began to be signs of spring. Soon, soft warm little rain drops began to fall on the chrysalis (forthat is what we call the sleeping caterpillar), whispering: "Spring iscoming and it's time to awake!" Soon, soft warm little sunbeams began todance on the chrysalis, whispering: "Spring is almost here, it is timeto awake!" Soon soft, warm little breezes began to blow the chrysalisabout, whispering: "Spring is here, and it is time to awake!" Then, at last, the little caterpillar did awake. He slowly broke awayhis old dried skin and the silk fastenings which he had spun so manymonths before, and he crawled out in the sunshine, wet and still drowsyafter his long sleep. After a while he became warm and dry, and wideawake in the bright sunlight, and then, suddenly, he felt that he hadwings! He looked in a rain-drop mirror, and there he saw himself abeautiful butterfly. Don't you think he must have been very proud and happy, as he spread hiswings and flew away to sip the honey from the flowers, and to play withall the other butterflies, knowing that he would never again have tocrawl about on the ground? "Oh! Mother dear, " said Johnnie Jones, "let's take this caterpillarhome, so I can watch it turn into a butterfly. " Mother considered his idea a good one, so they carried the caterpillarhome on a twig, with many leaves from the tree towards which it had beencrawling. When they reached the house they placed twigs, leaves andcaterpillar in a glass jar, with netting over the top. "We shall have to give it fresh leaves every day, " Mother said, "untilit has eaten enough and goes to sleep. We can watch it carefully throughthis glass jar. " Johnnie Jones knelt down beside the jar and whispered: "Ugly littlecaterpillar, if you will tie yourself to that branch, and change yourskin, and go to sleep, next spring you will wake a beautiful butterfly. " [Illustration: When he spread his wings and flew away--] Johnnie Jones was sure the caterpillar heard what he said, becauseit went to sleep just as it was told. All winter long the little boywatched it, and one day, in the early spring, really saw it come outa gorgeous butterfly. When it spread its bright wings and flew away, I wonder which was happier, the butterfly or Johnnie Jones. * * * * * Mr. And Mrs. Bird and the Baby Birds "Listen to that bird!" exclaimed Johnnie Jones. "That is Mr. Bird, " Mother answered. "I shall have to tell you a storyabout him and Mrs. Bird and their children. " Once upon a time Mr. Bird felt so happy and gay that he could scarcelybe quiet a single moment. It was spring-time again and he sang beautifulsongs to Mrs. Bird, about the sunshine and soft, sweet air, and aboutthe little home they would make in the old elm tree. Mrs. Bird wouldlisten for a while to his song and then they would both fly away to findthe twigs and straws with which to build the nest. Very hard indeed thelittle birds worked, for each straw had to be carefully woven, in andout and out and in, so that the nest should be quite firm and round. As soon as the nest was ready, pretty little Mrs. Bird laid four lovelyblue eggs in it. She knew, and Mr. Bird knew, that there were four babybirds asleep in the eggs, and so they were happier than ever before. But now Mrs. Bird had to sit on the nest all the day long, to keep theeggs warm. Of course, Mr. Bird had to feed her. He would fly all overthe park, finding good things to eat, and carry them back to drop intoMrs. Bird's mouth. When she was no longer hungry, Mr. Bird would hop toa branch near by, and sing to her. You may think that Mrs. Bird grew tired of sitting there on the nest dayafter day. You may think Mr. Bird became tired of feeding Mrs. Bird, andof singing to her, day after day. But neither one seemed to grow tiredat all. They just watched and waited, as the days went by. After a while the little baby birds began to wake up, and one day Mrs. Bird heard a queer scratching sound that made her very glad. The babieswere beginning to break open the shell! Peck! Peck! Peck! Soon a littlehead came out of the shell. Crack! Crack! Crack! and there was a littlebird in the nest for Mr. And Mrs. Bird to love and take care of. By the time the first pieces of shell had been thrown from the nest, another little bird had broken through. Then came another, and still onemore, until there were four baby birds in the nest, all crying as loudas they could, "Peep! Peep! Peep! please give us something to eat. " Then both Mr. And Mrs. Bird had to fly away to seek their own breakfast, and to bring some to the children. You never saw such hungry babies!They kept their parents busy all the day long, bringing them food. Theyweren't very polite to each other, either, those baby birds. They wouldcrowd and push, and almost send each other out of the nest, trying toget every morsel, instead of each waiting his own turn to be fed. Butthen, they were only birds and did not know any better. Day after day, they were fed by their parents. Night after night, theywere kept warm under Mrs. Bird's wings. No wonder those baby birds soongrew big and strong. They were ever so much prettier when they grew bigenough to wear feathers. Soon, one little bird felt so strong, that he said he wanted to flyaway, too, and see what the ground and other trees were like. "Not to-day, " Mrs. Bird told him. "Wait until your wings are a wee bitstronger, and then I'll teach you to fly. " When both Mr. And Mrs. Bird had flown away, this same little bird saidto his brothers: "It seems quite easy to fly; all you need to do is toflap your wings. I think I'll try it alone. " "You had better not!" the others told him. "Yes, I will, " the little bird said. He hopped to the edge of the nest, and began to flap his wings. He didnot quite dare to raise his feet, though, for he felt rather timid whenhe looked down and saw how far away the ground seemed to be. But heflapped his wings so vigorously, pretending to fly, that he lost hisbalance and fell. He was not hurt, for the grass was tall and soft, buthe was greatly frightened, and cried out for his mother. Mrs. Bird was too far away to hear him, but a little girl did. Shepicked him up very gently, and ran to show him to her father. "Look at this cunning little bird which I have found! May I keep it formine?" she asked him. "No, " said her father. "See, it is only a baby bird, which has fallenfrom its nest, and is crying for its mother. Show me where you found it;perhaps I can reach the nest if we can discover it among the leaves. " The little girl pointed out the tree to her father. He placed a ladderagainst it, and, climbing up, was able to drop the little bird into itshome. In a few days Mr. And Mrs. Bird were ready to teach all their babiesto fly. "Come on, " they said, "spread your wings, jump into the air, and flyjust a little way, to that other limb of the tree. " Three of the little birds obeyed at once, and reached the resting placein safety. But the fourth little bird was afraid to try, because he hadfallen before. "Don't be a coward, " urged his father and mother. "You fell beforebecause your wings were not strong enough to bear you up, but now youwill have no trouble. " The little bird wouldn't budge. The parent birds knew it was time for him to learn, so they pushed thefoolish little fellow out of the nest, and watched him spread his wings, and flutter to the ground. There he found more courage, and after awhile he flew up to join his brothers on the tree. "I was sitting at my window, " Mother told Johnnie Jones, "and saw it allhappen. Of course I can't understand the language of birds, and I am notsure I have repeated exactly what the parent birds said to the babies, or what the babies said to each other, but only what they seemed to say. Anyway, everything happened as I have told you. " "Soon the babies could fly nearly as well and as far as the old birds, and after that the little nest was left quite empty, rocked by the windin the old tree top. " * * * * * The Coming of Little Brother Almost all of the children who attended the kindergarten where JohnnieJones spent his mornings, had a baby brother or sister at home. Theyspoke of "their babies" so often and enjoyed so much making presents totake them, that Johnnie Jones wished for a baby at his house, and talkedto Mother about it. One night, Mother said she had a secret to tell him. He was glad, for heliked to have secrets with Mother, who told him a great many, because hecould keep them so well. "It is the most beautiful secret in all the world, " Mother said. "Spring-time is coming very fast, and next month, when the trees and theflowers wake up because winter is over and gone, a dear little baby iscoming to live with us. " "Oh! Mother dear, I am so glad!" said Johnnie Jones. "But why does thebaby wait so long? I want him this very day. " "Dear, " Mother answered, "the baby is still fast asleep, just as thelittle flower buds are, and we must watch and wait until he comes. Itwill not be very long, little son, and then how happy we'll be, you andFather and I!" "At first the baby will be too small and helpless to play, and will needhis big brother to take care of him so that he may grow tall and strong. Then, by and by, he will be able to run about and talk, and play withyou. But always, always, he will need you to help him, and teach him, and care for him. " After that evening, when Mother had whispered the beautiful secret tohim, Johnnie Jones would ask her each day: "Will our baby wake up andcome tomorrow?" But Mother could not tell him, so they just waited, andmade ready, day after day. At last one bright, warm morning when Johnnie Jones awoke, he saw Fatherbending down over his bed with such a happy face that he asked at once:"Has our baby waked up and come?" "Yes, " Father answered, "there is a Little Brother in Mother's room, andshe says she can't wait any longer to show him to you. " Johnnie Jones was very much excited and, as soon as possible, he tiptoedinto Mother's room. Father had asked him to be very quiet. "Come here, dear, " Mother said, "I have been waiting such a long timefor you. " She drew him down beside her, and showed him a tiny baby boyno larger than a doll. As Johnnie Jones leaned down to see, the Little Brother opened his eyeswide, and looked at him. Johnnie Jones was too happy to say a word. Hesat down close to the bed, and Father placed the baby in his arms. Johnnie Jones held him very carefully, so that he might not hurt him orlet him fall. "He is your Little Brother, " Mother said softly, "your Little Brother tolove and take care of all your life. You will always remember that, won't you?" And Johnnie Jones always did. * * * * * Little Brother and Johnnie Jones Little brother was a merry baby with a smile for everyone. Soon he wasold enough to be on the floor with Johnnie Jones, and to build houses ofblocks, and play with the toys. He learned to walk very early, when hewas less than a year old. Then indeed, he kept the family busy, guardinghim from harm. One day he found the sharp scissors, which Johnnie Jones had to takeaway very quickly before he could cut himself. Another day he tried toeat a paper of pins, and Johnnie Jones had to run very fast to reach himin time. That one baby kept Father and Mother, Johnnie Jones and Maggie, all busy, because he was too young to know that some things aredangerous for babies to have. Sometimes, because he was too little to know any better, he objected tohaving the scissors, or knives, or cookies, taken away. Then what do yousuppose he would do? He would run straight to Johnnie Jones and pull hishair! He always seemed to feel happier after that. It hurts to have one's hair pulled, but Johnnie Jones seldom cried orwas cross with the baby. He would just laugh and run away when he sawhim coming for his hair. Besides, that bad habit did not last long, andyou may be sure that Johnnie Jones was glad when it was broken! The first word the baby learned to say after "Mama" was "Buddy, " and hemeant Johnnie Jones. He knew when it was time for the big boy to comehome from kindergarten, and he would stand at the window watching forhim. As soon as he saw him coming he would wave his hand, and run to thesteps to meet him. Then they would have a romp. Their favorite game was"I Spy. " One day they were playing "I Spy, " and Little Brother was hiding. Usually it was very easy to find him, because his favorite hiding placewas the nearest corner. But this time he wasn't there when Johnnie Joneslooked, nor anywhere in the room or hall. "Where can he be?" Johnnie Jones asked Mother. She came to help him. They called the baby but heard no answer. Thenthey began to be worried and looked in every room. Suddenly they heard agreat splash in the bath-tub. They ran into the bathroom, and there theyfound the baby. Little Brother had forgotten he was playing "I Spy. " He had wanderedinto the bath-room, and climbing on a chair dropped the soap into thetub which was full of water. Then, very soon, he dropped himself in, too! That was the splash the others had heard. Mother and Johnnie Jones lifted him out, wet as he could be, and verymuch frightened. "You dear little rascal!" exclaimed Johnnie Jones. "Didn't you know youcouldn't swim?" "It certainly is a good thing, " Mother said, "that he has a big brotherto take care of him. " * * * * * Elizabeth with the Children One day Elizabeth came over to spend the afternoon with Johnnie Jones, who was very glad to see her. "Let's play horse, " suggested Johnnie Jones. "I have a new pair of reinswith bells on them. " "No, I don't want to play horse, " Elizabeth said. "I want to play "ISpy, " and I want to hide. You must find me. " "All right!" answered Johnnie Jones. But as soon as it was Johnnie Jones's turn to hide, and Elizabeth's tofind him, she decided that she would rather play fire-engine. "I'll bethe fireman and put out the fire with your real little hose, and you bethe horse and engine, " she said. "All right, " Johnnie Jones answered again. After they had extinguished several fires, Elizabeth said: "Now we'llplay grocery-store, and I'll be the man who keeps it. We'll borrow someapples and potatoes from the cook, and you come to buy them. " "No, " said Johnnie Jones this time, "I'll be the grocery man, and youthe lady who comes to buy. " "I won't play if I mayn't be the storekeeper, " threatened Elizabeth. "But that's not fair, " said Johnnie Jones. "You have chosen every game, and have taken the best part in each one for yourself. Now it is my turnto choose. " "I'll go home if you won't let me be the grocery man, " Elizabeth toldhim. "No, " he answered, "because that's not a fair way to play. " Then Elizabeth left him. She did not go home, however, but just nextdoor to Katherine's house. She found Katherine and Mary at home, playingwith their dolls. As soon as the little girls saw Elizabeth, they said: "You can't playwith us unless you play the right way. You can't be Mother all thetime. " "Well, if you won't let me play my way, I won't play at all, " saidElizabeth, and ran on until she came to Sarah's house. Sarah, Tom and Ned were jumping rope, and they called out to Elizabeth:"You can't play with us unless you will turn the rope part of the time. " "I don't like to turn, I like to jump, " Elizabeth complained. But whenshe realized that she would not be allowed to jump until she firstturned the rope for the others, she left these children too, and wentnext door to visit Sammy Smith. That little boy and Susie were playing with a big wagon. They askedElizabeth to play with them, and because they were courteous littlechildren, and she was their visitor, they permitted her to take thefirst ride, and pretended that they were two strong horses hitched toher carriage. When they were tired, they told Elizabeth that it wastime for her to become a horse and let one of them ride. "No, " said Elizabeth, "I like to ride better than to pull the wagon. " "We won't let you ride any longer, " they answered, "because it's yourturn to play that you are a horse. " "Then I'll go home, " she said, and this time she did. "What is the matter?" asked her mother. "The children won't play the way I want them to, and I don't like themany more because I think they are unkind, " she answered. "I wish I couldgo to fairy-land and be a princess, or else that I were a grown-uplady. " "Even grown-up ladies and princesses cannot always have their own way, "her mother said. Elizabeth stood at the window and looked out across the street. Most ofthe children had gathered there in front of Johnnie Jones's house, andwere jumping rope. Elizabeth could hear them counting, and laughing, andtalking. She began to feel very lonely. At last she put on her hat againand ran back to join the children. "If you will let me play with you, " she said, "I'll play anything youlike. " "All right!" they answered, "and sometimes we'll play what you like. " "And I won't always ask for the best part any more, " she said. "You may have the part you like when it is your turn to choose, " theytold her. "I'll turn the rope now, " Elizabeth added. "You turn until some one trips, " the others answered. Elizabeth spent the remainder of the afternoon with the children, whowere glad to have her because she played fair. Elizabeth herself wasvery happy. She was even glad that she wasn't a princess or a grown-uplady; glad that she was just a little girl who had learned to play withother children. * * * * * Johnnie Jones and the Hoop-Rolling Club One day, all the children of the neighborhood decided to form ahoop-rolling club. Each child was to buy a hoop and decorate it withbells and ribbons. Then, every Saturday morning, all of them were to goto the park and have a procession. They were to try their best to turnsquare corners, to roll their hoops in a straight line, and to keep themfrom falling down. No matter where they rolled them, up hill or downhill, over smooth ground or rough, they were not to let the hoops fall. The one who could do all these things the best was to be the captain andlead the procession wherever he wished. He could go swiftly or slowly, just as he liked, and all the rest were to follow in the same manner. The captain was to remain captain only so long as he could roll his hoopbetter than anyone else in the club. The children were delighted with their plan, and ran to the shop to buythe hoops. All except poor little Johnnie Jones! He was not quite as old as theothers, and he could not manage a hoop. He had tried to roll onebelonging to Sammy Smith, one day, but he had been unable to prevent itsfalling down every time he struck it. Of course he wanted to join theclub, and he asked Mother what she thought he had better do. Mother went with him to the grocery-store, and bought a small hoop, muchsmaller than Sammy Smith's. Then she told Johnnie Jones that no onecould teach him to roll it. "You must just try and try until yousucceed, little boy, " she said. Johnnie Jones tried, all the way home, but he was as unsuccessful withthe new hoop as he had been with Sammy Smith's old one. The otherchildren watched him, but they did not know how to help him, much asthey wished to do so. One big boy was rude enough to laugh at him, which hurt his feelings so much that he went out into his back yard topractise. There he tried, and tried again, until he was very tired. Every day while the other children were decorating their hoops or wereplaying together, Johnnie Jones would practise all alone in the backyard, where no one could see him. He tried so hard that at last hesucceeded in rolling his hoop from the porch to the gate without lettingit fall a single time. He was greatly encouraged then, but he had tocontinue practising, because he could not even yet guide the hoop verywell, and he could not turn corners at all. When Saturday came, he went to the park to watch the first procession. It was a very pretty sight, for the hoops had been decorated with brightribbons, and with bells which made a merry tinkling sound. Ned was thecaptain, as he was the oldest and could manage his hoop most skilfully. He led the children through the park, stopping now and then for breath. Whenever anyone dropped his hoop, he had to go to the end of the line, for that was the rule of the club. All the next week Johnnie Jones worked very hard, learning to guide hishoop in a straight line, and to turn corners. He went to the park topractise now, so that he might have more room. Mother watched him every day, and after a while she told him that he hadbecome quite skilful enough to join the club. Then he was very happy, and began to decorate his hoop with the bright pink ribbon and shiningbrass bells which Mother had bought for him. The next Saturday morning, Johnnie Jones took his hoop with him when hewent to the park with the other children, all of whom were glad to hearthat he had learned to roll it. "But you had better be last in the procession, " they told him, "because, most likely, you can't manage it very well yet. " They did not know how hard he had worked. When the procession started off, Johnnie Jones kept up with the otherchildren. Not once did he let his hoop fall, and he made it go sostraight, and turned such square corners, that, presently, the childrennoticed how well he was doing. "Well, look at little Johnnie Jones!" they said. "He can roll his hoopbetter than anyone here, even better than Ned!" After they had watched him for a while, they decided he must be theircaptain, until Ned, or one of the other children had learned to dobetter than he. Then Johnnie Jones was the proudest, happiest little boy in the wholeworld, as he led the procession through the park. [Illustration: Then Johnnie Jones was the proudest, happiest littleboy--] * * * * * The Fire at Johnnie Jones's House One night, while Father was away from home on a business trip, Motherand Johnnie Jones and Little Brother were fast asleep in their beds. Jack had been asleep too, down-stairs in the front hall, but now he waswide awake. He stood up, put back his ears, and sniffed the air. Then heran quickly up the stairs to Johnnie Jones's room, stood outside hisdoor, and whined, That did not waken anyone, so he barked. Johnnie Jones woke up and heard him. So did mother, who was in the nextroom. "Please lie still, Mother, " said Johnnie Jones. "I'll see what isthe matter. " He was trying to help Mother all he could while Father wasaway. He opened the door, and cried out: "Oh, Mother, the hall is full ofsmoke!" Mother came to the door. She saw that smoke was pouring out from thehall below. "I am afraid the house is on fire, " she said. "You must bevery brave and help me. Put on your wrapper and slippers and run up toMaggie's room, and tell her and Kathie to come down here. " Johnnie Jones was a bit frightened, but without another word he ran upthose long, dark steps, and aroused the two girls. It was brave of thelittle boy. Meanwhile Mother had given the fire alarm through the telephone, slippedon her wrapper, and bundled the baby in a blanket. When the others hadcome down to her room, she closed the door into the hall. "It would be dangerous to go downstairs, " she said; "we must just waithere at the window until the firemen bring us a ladder. " "Oh, Mother!" Johnnie Jones said, "do you think they'll come soon?" "Listen!" Mother answered. Then Johnnie Jones heard a sound that made him clap his hands with joy. CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! Galloping down the street came the splendid bigfire-horses drawing the hook-and-ladder. CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! Down thestreet came the fire-engine, the hose carriage, and the salvage corpswagon. Quick as a flash the firemen saw Mother and the children at the window!Quicker than you can think, they had two long ladders placed against thetwo window sills. Then two strong firemen climbed up. One of them helpedMother and the baby to reach the ground, the other looked after JohnnieJones. Maggie and Kathie did not wait to be helped, they stepped down theladder faster than one would have thought possible, and reached theground first of all. Jack did not know how to use a ladder, so he was thrown out of thewindow by one fireman, and caught in a blanket by two others. He wasn'thurt in the least, though Johnnie Jones had been worried for fear hemight be, but ran straight to his little master. "If it had not been for Jack's telling us there was a fire, we mightnot have been able to leave the house so quickly, " said Mother, as shecaressed the dog. Elizabeth's mother, who lived across the street, asked Mrs. Jones andthe children to come into her house. They went, and stood at the windowwatching the fire until it was out. It was a beautiful sight, for the flames flashed out of the thick smokeand made the whole neighborhood bright. Poor Mother felt too sad atseeing her home burn to enjoy the beauty of the fire, but as it was thevery first fire he had ever seen, Johnnie Jones did enjoy it, althoughhe was sorry, too. "Never mind, Mother dear, " he said, trying to comfort her. "Father willbuild us a new house if this one burns down. " All this time the brave firemen were working to extinguish the fire. They had unhitched the horses, and tied them, at a safe distance fromthe house. Some of them had fixed the hose to the engine and werepumping great streams of water onto the flames. Others were inside thehouse fighting the fire; and the salvage men were trying to save thefurniture and pictures and curtains. Soon the flames became lower, and lower, until at last they died away, and the fire was out. Then the horses were hitched again to the engine, and hose carriage, and the other wagons. The whistle in the engine wasblown, and all went back to the engine houses where they belonged. Notas they had come, in a swift gallop, but slowly, for now men and horseswere tired. Soon the neighborhood was quiet again, and everyone returned to bed. TheJones's passed the rest of the night in Elizabeth's house. Next morning, they drove to Grandmother's home to visit her until theycould go into the country to spend the summer. When Father came home he was very much grieved to find his home so badlyburned, but he felt very grateful to Jack for arousing the family, andhe was very thankful to the brave firemen and good horses, for coming soquickly and doing their work so well. He was distressed that he had notbeen at home, to save Mother from worry and care, but he was glad tohear that Johnnie Jones had been a help and comfort to her, and hadbehaved as a manly boy should. * * * * * Johnnie Jones and Fanny Johnnie Jones enjoyed the country because he could be out of doors allthe day long, and because there were so many interesting things to do. This summer he liked it even better than ever before, for Little Brotherwas old enough to run about and play with him, in the soft grass underthe trees. Then there was Fanny. Fanny was a small brown pony which lived in the country all the yearround, and which had belonged to Johnnie Jones ever since he was a tinyboy only two years old. The little pony and the little boy loved eachother, and spent a great deal of their time together. Each morning, directly after breakfast, Johnnie Jones and Little Brother would go downto the field where Fanny and the horses lived, taking with them an appleor some sugar. "Here, Fanny! Here, Fanny!" they would call. As soon as she heard their voices, the little brown pony would comerunning to them and eat out of their hands, always being very carefulnot to nip their fingers. Then she would poke her nose into JohnnieJones's pockets to see if there were anything hidden away, that was goodto eat. She was so sweet tempered and gentle that she would let thechildren do anything with her that pleased them, and often romped withJohnnie Jones like a big dog. About nine o'clock, Sam, the hired man, would hitch Fanny to a smallcart, and Johnnie Jones would take Mother, or Maggie, and LittleBrother, for a drive. Johnnie Jones could both drive and ride so verywell that he was often allowed to go out with Fanny quite alone. One morning, after he had taken the others home, he started to thevillage shop to buy some butter. On the road he met a boy named Charley, who asked to go with him. "All right! Jump in, " Johnnie Jones told him, glad to have company. "Let me drive?" Charley asked. So Johnnie Jones changed places with him, and gave him the reins. [Illustration: The little brown pony would eat out of their hands] Charley was older than Johnnie Jones and considered himself a muchbetter driver, but he did not know and love horses in the same way thatJohnnie Jones did, though he had always lived in the country. "Watch me!" he said. "I'll show you how to make a pony run. " Before Johnnie Jones could stop him, he seized the whip and with it gaveFanny a sharp cut. The little pony had never before been whipped, andwas so surprised and hurt, that she began to run as fast as ever shecould. Bump! Bump! She dragged the cart over rocks and stones so fastthat the little boys were almost thrown out on the road. Johnnie Jones was just as surprised as Fanny. "Give me that whip, " he said to Charley. "I don't allow anyone to use iton my pony. You've hurt her and made her run away. Give me the reins. Iwill never again let you drive. " "Leave me alone, " Charley answered. "I'll teach her a good lesson. " He struck Fanny once more, and then began pulling on the reins with allhis might, hurting the pony's tender mouth, and making her toss her headand even kick. Johnnie Jones was very angry and commanded Charley to give him thereins. Charley was beginning to be frightened, so he obeyed. "Whoa! Fanny, don't be afraid, " Johnnie Jones said to the little pony, as he took the reins and held them loosely in his hands. As soon as Fanny heard the voice of her little master, she stoppedrunning, and soon stood still. Then Johnnie Jones jumped out of the cartand began to pat her. Fanny was very much ashamed of herself, and rubbedher nose against his sleeve, as if to say: "I am sorry, Johnnie Jones, but that boy surprised me. I'll never act so again. " Johnnie Jones drove on to the shop and then back home, but he was soangry with Charley that he would not let him ride any further. "I don't like you any more, " he told him. And I do not blame Johnnie Jones, do you? For I could not like a boy whowould be so cowardly and unkind as to hurt an animal. * * * * * Fanny and Little Brother One day, Elizabeth came with her mother to spend the day in the countrywith Mrs. Jones and the little boys. The children had enjoyed themselvesvery much, playing all the morning. Just before lunch they ran down tothe field where Fanny and Tim, the carriage horse, were, to pick somewild flowers for the table. Little Brother was with them, and while theothers were gathering the flowers, he toddled away, and lay down in thetall grass. The two mothers were sitting under the trees near the house. From wherethey sat they could see the children in the field. "Aren't you afraid to let the children play there where the horses are?"Elizabeth's mother asked Mrs. Jones. "No indeed, " she answered. "Tim and Fanny love them too well to hurtthem. " But just then Tim and Fanny began to play "Tag, " as they often did, forthey were great friends. Fanny pretended to bite Tim, and came gallopingup the field as fast as ever she could. She did not see Little Brother, lying directly in front of her, hidden by the tall grass. On she came, galloping rapidly towards him. Mother saw her, and was so frightened she could hardly stand, for shethought the baby would be trampled down by the pony. She started to run, but of course she could not run as fast as Fanny, and besides, she wasmuch further away. Fanny rushed on until she was within a few feet of the baby. Then shesaw him! She tried to stop, but was moving too rapidly. Being a wiselittle pony, she saw there was but one thing to do, and she did it. Shejumped and landed on the other side of the baby without touching him, though her foot just did miss his head. Mother caught Little Brother up in her arms, and examined him carefully. She could scarcely believe he had escaped without any injury, and wasvery happy indeed, when she found that such was the case. "I don't believe any other pony would have had so much sense, " she said. That evening, when Father had heard of Little Brother's narrow escape, he told Mother and Johnnie Jones about an experience he had had when ababy. His father had owned a wise old horse whose name was Charley. One dayCharley was eating the grass in the yard, and Johnnie Jones's father, who was then only a baby three years old, was lying on the ground, playing with the leaves After a while old Charley had eaten all thegrass near by, except the very long delicious blades underneath thebaby. He couldn't ask the little boy to move away, because he couldn'ttalk. So, very carefully, he took hold of the baby's dress with histeeth, lifted him up, and set him down on the other side of the yard. He did not even frighten him, but the mother, who was looking out of thewindow, was very much frightened, until she saw that the baby had notbeen harmed. Mother and Johnnie Jones agreed that Charley had shown almost as muchsense as Fanny, but that it wasn't very safe to leave little childrenalone when there were horses and ponies about. * * * * * When Johnnie Jones Learned to Swim One summer, when Johnnie Jones was six, he and the other members of thefamily spent a month in the woods. They lived in a small log house whichwas close to a beautiful lake, and almost completely surrounded bytrees. Johnnie Jones enjoyed the life there immensely. He learned torow a light boat on the water, and every day he went for a long walkthrough the woods, meeting many birds and small wild animals on theway. Sometimes, in the distance, he caught a glimpse of the beautiful, graceful deer, which were too timid to permit him to come very nearthem. Just in front of the house was a wooden dock where Johnnie Jones likedto play, but where he was never allowed to go alone as the water aboutit was very deep. "Teach me to swim, " he said to his father. "Then Ishall be able to play wherever I please. " Father had been intending to give Johnnie Jones lessons in swimming andwas only waiting for a warm, sunshiny day. Such a day came very soon, and, about twelve o'clock, he and Johnnie Jones, dressed in theirbathing suits, went in the water. The little boy considered bathinggreat fun as long as he remained close to shore where the water wasshallow but he did not like it so well when Father carried him out tothe raft, where the water was so deep that it reached the shoulders ofthe grown people standing in it. "Now, son, " Mr. Jones said, "I want you to stand on the raft, and jumpwhen I count three. I will catch you in my arms, let you go down underthe water, and bring you up again. Remember to hold your breath, so thatyou will not take any of the water into your nose or mouth. Perhaps youhad better keep one hand over your face for fear you might forget andtry to breathe before you reach the surface. Now jump, I am quite readyto catch you. " Johnnie Jones stood on the raft and looked down at the water. He did notwant to jump into it, but neither did he want to disappoint his father. Besides he wished very much to learn to swim. "Will you be certain to catch me?" he asked Father. "I promise you I will, " he answered. Johnnie Jones knew that Father always kept his promise, so, after amoment or two, he said he was ready. "One, two, three, jump!" said Father. And Johnnie Jones obeyed. As soon as he touched the water he felt Father's strong arms abouthim, and then he did not mind going down, down, into it. In a secondhe came to the surface again, of course dripping wet, but withouthaving swallowed any water, as he had remembered to hold his breath. After the first plunge, he enjoyed taking others, and jumped into thewater as many times as Father would catch him. Next day they went inbathing again, and Father carried Johnnie Jones out to the raft asbefore. But when the little boy was ready to jump, Father said: "To-day, I shall not catch you when you first touch the water; I shall wait untilyou come to the surface by yourself, and then I shall hold you up. " After he had jumped into the water, Johnnie Jones was surprised to findthat he came up again just as quickly as when Father's arms had beenunder him. Then while Father held him he lay flat on the water andpaddled himself about with his hands and feet. In a few days the little boy learned to swim a short distance, quitealone, although he was not allowed to go into the water unless an olderperson were with him. One day, before Johnnie Jones had learned to swim very well, he had anexciting experience. He was on the dock with his uncle, and a very highwind was blowing the water into waves, which dashed against the dockwith a roaring sound. Indeed the waves were so noisy, that when JohnnieJones suddenly slipped and fell off the dock, his uncle, whose back wasturned, did not hear the splash. However, a boatman at the boat-house saw Johnnie Jones fall, and he ranas fast as possible, towards the dock. Meantime Johnnie Jones sank down into the water, and came up to thesurface again. The brave little fellow remembered what to do. He closedhis mouth, and holding one hand over his nose, he paddled with theother, until he was able to grasp the dock, against which the wind wasblowing him. He held on bravely, never opening his mouth to cry, nortaking his hand from his face. In less than a minute, though it seemed much longer to Johnnie Jones, his uncle and the boatman had drawn him from the water. He was not inthe least harmed by his unexpected bath because he had remembered, evenwhile he was falling, the proper thing to do. Mother stripped off his wet clothing, and after she had rubbed him untilhe was all in a glow, she wrapped him in blankets so that he should nottake cold. Johnnie Jones went to sleep. When he awoke he felt very well, and wasglad when he heard Father say: "You were a brave boy and I am proud ofyou. " Johnnie Jones's uncle was sorry he had been so careless as to turn hisback when the wind was blowing such a gale, and promised that it shouldnever happen again. Johnnie Jones was more careful, too, and had no further trouble in thewater. Every day, Father gave him a swimming lesson, and before the timecame to return to the city, Johnnie Jones felt very much at home in thewater. He could swim very well, and could float, lying flat on his back, but another summer passed before he had quite learned to dive.