IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) I 1.0 I.I ';: Ilia 12.5 It li£ IIIIIM 2.0 1.8 1.25 1.4 1.6 ^ 6" ► V] <^ /a /j '^A e: e. •>. :> '> '/ /A Photographic Sciencbs Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 1 4580 (716) 872-4503 ^ ? , W^s ^ CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical IVIicroreproductions Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques 1980 Technical and Bibliographic Notas/Notes tachnlques at bibliographiquas The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. □ n n n n n Coloured covers/ Couverture de couleur Covers damaged/ Couverture endommag^e Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture restaurde et/ou pellicul6e Cover title missing/ Le titre de couverture manque Coloured maps/ Cartes g^ographiques en couleur Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur Bound with other material/ Reli6 avec d'autres documents rrTI Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ La reliure serr^e peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distortion le long de la marge intdrieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the tex Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajout^es lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, mais, lorsque cela 6tait possible, ces pages n'ont pas 6t6 filmdes. Additional comments:/ Commentaires suppl6mentaires; L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a 6t6 possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-Atre uniques du point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la m^thode normale de filmage sont indiqu6s ci-dessous. □ Coloured pages/ Pages de couleur □ Pages damaged/ Pages endommag^es IT~V Pages restored and/or laminated/ Pages restauries et/ou pellicul6es Pages discoloured, stained or foxe( Pages d^color^es, tachet^es ou piqu^es Pages detached/ Pages ddtachdes Showthrough/ Transparence Quality of prir Quality in6gale de I'impression rr^ Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ FTJ Pages detached/ I I Showthrough/ I I Quality of print varies/ I I Includes supplementary material/ D D Comprend du materiel supplementaire Only edition available/ Seule Edition disponible Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image/ Les pages totalement ou partiellement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure, etc., ont 6t6 filmdes d nouveau de fa^on d obtenir la meilleure image possible. □ This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked beSow/ Ce document est filmd au taux de reduction indlqud ci-dessous. 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X 30X V 12X 16X 20X 24X 28X 32X f The copy filmed here has been reproduced thanks to the generosity of: Thomas Fiiher Rare Book Library, University of Toronto Library L'exemplaire film6 fut reproduit grAce A la gAnArositA de: Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, University of Toronto Library The images appearing here are the best quality possible considering the condition and legibility of the original copy and in keeping with the filming contract specifications. Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All othi.fr original copies are filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impression. Les images suivantes ont 6t6 reproduites avec le plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et de la netteti de l'exemplaire filmA, et en conformity avec les conditions du contrat de filmage. Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en papier est imprimde sont filmds en commen^ant par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la dernidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second plat, selon le cas. Tous les autres exempiaires originaux sont film6s en commenpant par la premidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la dernidre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol — ♦> (meaning "CON- TINUED "), or the symbol V (meaning "END"), whichever applies. Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: 1 2 3 Un des symboles suivants apparaftra sur la dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbole —^ signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbole V signifie "FIN". Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre film^s d des taux de reduction diff^rents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul clich6, il est filmd A partir de Tangle sup6rieur gaurhe, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. 32X 1 2 3 4 5 6 \, THE FAIRY SCHOOL OF CASTLE FRANK. 1', 5Y THE 5?\ME T^UTHOR THE MOTHER OF ST. NICHOLAS (SANTA CLAUS) A story of "duty and peril " relating to the early days of Christianity, and is for old and young. Parents enjoy reading, even in fiction, about the self-sacrificing mother of the benevolent saint, who, as Santa Clans, made their child-home happy on Chrismas morning. It is a capital book, sustaining the interest and raising the better self. CLOTH, 35 CENTS. '1 I >■! i' «* frnm .^ ( KolUN i>V iWWW.V. KKANK. THE FAIRY SCHOOL OF CASTLE FRANK. nt ' GRANT BALFOUR, (^se-<^. AUTHOR OF "tub MOTHER OK BT. NltHOI,AS." TORONTO r THE POOLE PRINTING COMPANY, LIMITED, PUBLISHERS. •?/'C» Entered, accordinr to Act of tha Parliament of Canada, In the year one thousand eight hundred and ninety-nine by A. Balfour Cramt, in the office of the Minister of Agriculture. K • \ es v 1. I I ■iff Hon. G. W. Ross, LL.D., Premier of Ontario, says: — ** I have read this little story by Grant Balfour, which I can cheer- fully recommend to the children of Ontario. It is both interesting and instructive, and contains a useful moral lesson." Ih /■J i -i*^. .'. -< : .( tarn T" THE FAIRY SCHOOL OF CASTLE FRANK. CHAPTER I. ROMANTIC ROBIN. ' I've found at last the hiding place Whure the fairy people dwell, And to will the BecHets of their race I liold the long-sought spell. Havergai. One hundred years ago, in the great land of Canada, there lived a boy whose name was Robin. His home was in the prand old woods, with wapitis, wolves and bears. It was near the edge of a deep ravine that opened out on the east by a slow winding river flowing into one of the great blue lakes. And the name of his home, though built of wood, was Castle Frank. The castle was well-furnished, for Rob- in's father was a great man. The best .f"< THE FAIRY SCHOOL rooms had comfori-'ible carpets and carved oak furniture, while on the walls were in- teresting pictures, representing people of high rank, and battles on sea and land. In one room there was a fine arrangement of nmskets, pistols and swords, together with Indian spears and bows and arrows. In another room there was a library, contain- ing books of religion and science, histories and tales of adventure, and story-books for children. With the weapons and stories the boj beguiled away many a pleasant hour. But there was something more pleasant than guns and spears and stories. Outside the castle, in little houses built of wood, with doors and windows of netted wire, were a number of pets, as foxes, rabbits and squirrels. To these Robin was greatly devoted, he fed them regularly with his own hand, and kept their dwellings sweet and clean. In a grassy enclosure where 1 1 (!.' OF CASTLE FRANK. 7 their little cotes stood, he let them have liberty every day, watching over them care- fully, that no harm should come from sav- age beasts or birds of prey. He had also other pets — a white pony, big dogs and lit- tle ones, and beautiful birds — hich he loved much and tended faithfully. So that among all these companions Robin passed much of his time very happily, even more so than when accompanying friendly Indians shooting game in the wild woods miles away, or fishing from a canoe in Lake Ontario. A boy that is truly kind to animals will love men and, of course, boys. This quality and what was brave and honest shone plain- ly in his clear, blue eyes, as they shine in all kinds of eyes that have them. Un- spoiled by city dainties, and clad in the grey shooting suit which he usually wore, he looked strong, active and healthy. Yet Kobin had at times a dreamy, meditative 1'^ ;' III \ *j i ■0'-: 1 I ■"71 \ i '^ 8 THE FAIRY SCHOOL look. Away from the stir and hum and engagement of city life, he dwelt in a kind of fairy-land, where flowers and trees and solitary paths called forth quiet question- ings and aroused reflcetion, gilded by mys- tery and imagination. The tales of Indian life, and the stories of mighty giants and magic-working fairies, told and read in the quaint castle in the evenings, cultivated the growth of his imaginative mind. So that, mingled with his natural brijjhtness and activity, there were moods that occasion- allv carried him under the shade of some elm or maple tree, to sit and see pictures of wonderful creatures in the beauty and mel- ancholy of nature all around. For this rea- son his loving mother called him Inahan- dang, a dreamer of dreams. jC >i ipp OF CASTLE FRANK. 9 CHAPTER IL * FAIRYLAND. With the woodland fairies I can talk, I can list their silver lays ; Oh ! pleiisant in a lonely walk la the company of fays. Havngal, The ravine adjoining the castle was a mysterious looking place, dark with dense underwood, the haunt of wild beasts and the home of numberless birds, now sending forth awful cries and inspiring songs, then silent as the grave. A tortuous difficult pathway in the hollow extended along its length, while one or two animal tracks in the neighborhood crossed it from side to side. A few grassy spaces here and there slightly relieved the gloom, while a small stream of water moved slowly along its base, now forming into pools where little fishes leaped, then gradually unwinding it- self and stealing softly on under a wealth of branches and green leaves. I; I ,)/, waKaMff^ M H : >) T V Ji h 10 THE FAIRY SCHOOL Down to that stream Kobin wandered alone one beautiful afternoon in June. lie followed its course as best he could till he found it turning into a deep, dark, eddy- ing pool beside and partly under the steep- est slope of the ravine. The opening un- derneath the projecting bank, though large, was almost concealed by overnanging branches. Robin crawled out on a strong beech branch, brushed aside the leaves and peered in. It seemed as if it were a water- gateway into the heart of the great ridge, and had a weird misty look. Robin said to hi 7iself, " Wouldn't it be fine if I got a real ptep at some of those brownies and fairies I hear so much about! "Wouldn't mother stare when I got home and told her!" He therefore waited and imagined and watched, until he got quite excited at the thought of seeing something wonder- ful. But no, nothing came, and he was dis- appointed, although he only half believed OF CASTLE FRANK. 11 that anything strange might really appear. Ilis excitement cooled down, and then after a time he yawned, feeling weary; yet, re- taining a lingering hope, he stretched him- self comfortably across two or three adjoin- ing branches, his face downwards, with one arm and one leg dangling below, and finally fell asleep. It was not a very becoming or a very wise act in that riskful, dismal hollow ; yet, are not men themselves but thoughtless boys in bigger shape? While thus under the blissful spell of Morpheus, Robin heard a noise that made his heart throb with expectation. He pushed aside the leaves and looked in. There, sure enough, something was coming out that was not common. Nearer it came on the surface of the pool. What could it be? A beautiful little ship, with white sails spread, and manned by Mississagua sailors dressed in vivid red. The gallant ship sailed round the pool most gracefully, il ■ " » l< ( ' n tt THE FAIRY SCHOOL and Tlobin's ryos lookod down and followed it with intense interest. When this was done three times all sails were taken down, then a silver anehor was thrown out, and the ship stood still. Two Indian sailors stepped forward from the rest, seized some- thing, swung their arms to and fro for a moment, and then flung a long ladder of yellow silken ropes right over an overhang- ing branch a short distance away from Robin's head. After a brief pause, a beautiful little lady in white, with a golden crown upon her head, ascended the ladder and stood erect among the leaves of the branch. Then the captain of the ship took off his peaked hat and called for a cheer for their good Queen Celeste of happy and beautiful Fairyland. And the sailors cheered Her Majesty mightily. Robin thought her the prettiest creature he had ever seen, and when she smiled upon him sweetly, he pjt mmmm OF CASTLE FRANK. 13 his hand to his cap politely and smiled his best in return. " Art thou the dreamer of dreams ?" en- quired the Queen with a merry but dignified look. " I am," answered Robin wnth a blush, and wondering what was going to happen. " Art thou he that I have heard so much of in my hidden realm?" " I don't know," said Robin modestly. " Art thou he that hast so much inter- est in my people?" " I am," replied Robin, feeling relieved. " Art thou Robin of Castle Frank who lovest all animals?" " I am, your Majesty," answered Robin happily, and at last managing to address a queen as he ought. "Wilt thou come with me, and I will show thee wonderful things?" "I shall, your Gracious Majesty, with great pleasure." 14 THE FAIRY SCHOOL ' ^ The Queen then raised a jewelled sceptre in her right hand, the captain of the ship saw it and flashed a signal inward towards the cavern, when by-and-bye a silver canoe shot out with an Indian chief at the stem, and halted underneath the bran-jh upon which Robin rested. The boy was delighted, and without a moment's hesita- tion he clasped the branch firmly with both hands and let himself drop as gently as pos- sible into the boat below. lie was hardly seated, witb the oars in his hands, when the white ship passed by, all sails spread, and Queen Celeste sitting upon a golden throne on deck. Robin followed. There was dark- ness as he entered, and he felt bewildered and even eerie. But it was only for a mo- ment, for the white ship ahead became aglow with many brilliant colored stars, and, with the silver boat behind, it glided into a land whose beauty and marvellous- ness no pen can describe. OP C VS'^I F FRANK. 15 The sky was of entrancing azure, lit up by twelve mellow suns, making perpetual flay; the fields were like rich velvet car- ])ota of green; and the rivers, winding in fantastic shapes, widening into blue lakes and forming dashing cascades, were pure as crystal. There were also plains of gold (hist, fine as flour, where butterflies enriched their tender wings ; great forests, where birds of gay plumage built peculiar nests and sang in choirs most glorious songs ; high hills, with rocks of red ruby and blue lazidi, on which gilded reptiles basked and whittled; lovely valleys full of fragrance and of luscious fruits; cool grottoes, and sombre ravines; picturesque villages; busy towns, and majestic castles. All the animals could speak and sing and dance, and every one was a pet. Nay more, they were useful. Squirrels ran messages, and calculated like schoolboys; foxes drew out plans as architects; tigers i'ifl I -l 16 THE FAIRY SCHOOL ) I /, ! drove wnpgons pulled by zebras; and lions built bridfjoa, which prcttv parrots wreathed with flowers. Children played and laup;hed every- where, dressed in the quaintest and prettiest styles. Kone ever quarrelled, except in fun, as kittens do. Tlicre was no time to see all that could be seen, so Robin was wafted over a fart of this wonderful land in a crimson silk bal- loon, with Queen Celeste at his side, point- ing out what was most interesting, till his eyes were almost sore with gazing and gaz- ing. Then they descended into a field of gor- geous flowers, among a number of animal pets that were leaping, racing, resting and talking. Robin was charmed and amazed. " Oh," said he, " if I could only get mine to speak like that I should be happy, and what is it I would not teach them to do?" The Queen was deliglitcd because her guest was delighted. OF CASTLE FRANK. 17 Then Robin turned to her and said with a smile full of entreaty: '' Will your Majesty not aid nic? Please help me, at least with my pretty black squirrels 1 love so much." " It shall bo done," said the Quoen, with a gracious smile, and she raised her sceptre and touched his forehead. " I3ut thou art hungry," she added, " and thou must not leave my land without tast- ing of my delicacies." As Celeste said this she plucked a great flower full of nectar, and handed it to ^.im to eat. Robin did so, and the cfTect and odor were so delightfully soothing that he fell into a deep sleep. Queen Celeste then gave orders, through, a glossy black squirrel, to have Robin con- veyed with great gentleness to another part of her dominions. Lix brownie giants ap- peared promptly with a flying machine shaped like a Bird of Paradise. They placed 18 THE FAIRY SCHOOL him inside its body, on u bed of down and poftcst silk, as if he iia ' » OF CASTLE FRANK. 19 saw his black squirrels around, warning eufli other not to disturb their master. lie was overjoyed to hear that they had re- ceived the gift of speech, and in his heart he praised the Fairy Queen for h«r kind- ness and marvellous skill. But he could not understand how she managed to trans- fer him to where he /as. It seemed only a moment before when he was talking to her among the flowers of Fairyland, and now ho was among bis pets in the garden of Castle Frank. so THE FAIRY SCHOOL CHAPTER III. THE STRANGE SCHOOL CLASS. Full many a beauteous lesson, too, Their rosy lips can teach ; Great men would wonder if they knew How well the fairies preach. Havergal, One day in June, when the sky was as blue as it is in Italy, and when all the trees and shrubs were dressed in bright green, there was a curious sight in the Fairy Gar- den of Castle Frank. Under the .hade of a big apple-tree, and upon a long school-like seat, there sat twelve little jet-black squir- rels. They were but half-grown creatures, the offspring of different parents. They sat upon their haunches, all in a row, with their forefeet raised as hands, holding tiny slates. Right in front of them stood Robin, givirjg them a question in arithmetic to answer. iiMiiliMiiJli — --^M OF CASTLE FRANK. 21 J i I - '' llow many walnuts are 2 and 4 and •' Not half enough for them anyway," said a tame grey parrot, sitting on a branch above the class. The little squirrels shook their tails and tittered and said " tut — tut — tut — ," but the teacher looked up and gently said — "You are not one of the class; please keep quiet, Chattie " (which was the pan'ot's name). ," I am above their class anyway," replied Chattie. " Please do not take away their atten- tion," said the teacher patiently. " Yes, the friskies need all their atten- tion. It is the first rule of gt ^ in ^ on. It was the first thing that helped me to speak anyway." And here Chattie stopped, be- lieving that she had said a wise thing (which indeed was true), and that it was ^e-i 22 THE FAIRY SCHOOL prudent to stop now for fear of offending her master. " Put up your slates, all that have got the answer down," requested the teacher. Every slate went up except one. Ex- amining them, Robin saw that four had the correct answer, seven were wrong and one was unfiiiished. The teacher com- mended the successful pupils, helped those that were mistaken, and worked out the sum for the pupil that had stuck. This took a long time, for Robin wished everyone to understand before going fur- ther. He then made a sign to Chattie to give the signal for dismissal of the class. Chattie did so, giving a loud shrill whistle, ending in a long cat-like yell that filled the woods and made the friskies and Robin laugh outright; which greatly pleased the parrot, for she loved to talk and make a noise and be well thought of. The signal over, the squirrels marched away to their BgggHMU *«iMM OF CASTLE FRANK. 23 aeveral homes, laid aside their slatei and went out to play. " You do not believe much in cram/' said Chattie, as the pupils marched away. " Mother says that ' cramming makes the figures blurred and weak ; education makes them bright and strong.' " "Ah," replied Chattie, "but laziness makes no figure at all." Robin smiled and asked her to come home with him to tea. Chattie was his constant companion, and she flew down upon his shoulder and rubbed her head af- fectionately against his soft, ruddy cheek. " I suspect you have a cheat in the class," said the parrot. " I hope not," replied Robin trustfully, and he walked into the castle to partake of tea with his mother, who was alone, his father being far away on government busi- ness. ', 24 THE FAIRY SCHOOL Jvobiii's mother was nuich interested in the pr(i<>ress of the s(iuirrel-dass, not only as a ])Ieasure and discipline for tlie pupils tlieniselves, Imt as helping to train her darlinn- boy in patience and kindness. These little creatures sometimes found their les- sons irksome, and being naturally frisky they would suddenly leap from their seat and chase each other over a score of trees, while Kobin entreated and waited patiently for their return; but they were gradually getting interested in their lessons and trained to attention and submission, out of love for their teacher. Robin's mother also wished her boy to learn the value of thoroughness. If he could observe that a pupil that thoroughly understood the les- sons would be able to do them alone, whereas one that copied from others would fail when left alone, it would stimulate thoroughness where he himself was a learner. OF CASTLE FRANK. 85 When Robin entered the room his mo- ther was already seated and waiting him. " Good evening, mother dear," he said, and he went forward and kissed her. He loved his mother much, and well he might. AVe do not love people for what they promise or give us, but for the heart that lies be- hind. Bad people may give much for their own ends, but we do not trust or love them. Robin's mo:her had a tenderness of heart that warmed and enhanced the beauty of her face, so much so that her servants and the poorest felt quite at home in her pres- ence. She had also refinement and intelli- gence, giving her a dignity that kept even the rudest from being familiar and disre- spectful. The Indians of the district called her Ininatig, the maple tree, because they thought her so sweet and beautiful. Dur- ing tea there was much conversation about Robin's father, and when it was over his mother said— 26 , THE FAIRY SCHOOL " I have a gift for your best pupil, and soiiu'thin^ for all of them, when vacation comes." " What are the gifts, mother?" Robiu asked eagerly. " A big whit« tov-horse for the first, a doll for the second, a looking-glass for the third, a tall hat for the fourth, then a trum- pet, a small sword, a little ship, and so on, getting less and less in value according to the pupil's merit." Robin was delighted. Next morning the twelve young friskies were in their places as usual, and it was such a pretty picture to look at the row of glossy black bodies, with a silk ribbon around each neck to distinguish one black pupil from another. Number one wore a red ribbon, number two a white, number three a blue, and so on, each a different color down to the last, who wore a modest black. OF CASTLE FRANK. 27 When the teacher announced that prizes were to be given when the school session was over, there was nnicli gladness, with many promises of attention and diligence for the time to come. Proceeding to work, he asked — " If you divide 24 nuts among 12 good friskies, how many are left? " " They're all left if they're bad," said Chattie. Red, White, and Blue were correct, each having a big round O on their slates. So was number four, called Silver Ribbon. Several of the others were incorrect. Black Ribbon wrote down that he thought the parrot was right, but that after all he wasn't sure if the nuts were bad. He had a big head, a loving heart, and open honest brown eyes, and when the teacher saw what was written down he laughed and took him up in his arms and kissed him. * inrrjjy i I 88 THE FAIRY SCHOOL *• My siiDplo pet," said Robin, " yon have as Rood a iicad as the others, bnt you have not Ixcii so long in the chiss; and, besides, vonr nianinia is a poor, siek widow and unable to help you with your lessons." Silver liibbon (whose constant position for a certain reason was against the apple- tree) was the oftenest correct of all the class; but though very frolicsome and good- looking, she had a strange sly look about lier face, very different from. Black Kib- bon's. Chattie was pleased to hear her master sympathise with Black Ribbon, and desir- ing that no one might overlook his remark, she very distinctly said — " Failure does not always mean a faulty head." She had quite a liking for Black Rib- bon, and well she might: he was a splen- did climber of trees, and a magnificent leaper from branch to brancli, his beet OF CASTLE FRANK. 89 frats being performed too whether the others were looking on or not. He wna also civil and kind to everyone, and was most helpful to his sick mother at liomc. For these reasons, Chattie had lately taken his arithmetic in hand, but she was a great joker, and sometimes led the simple-minded little fellow astray. She was very sorry for his liel])less mother, and therefore she visited lu^r every day, prepared her meals, chatted with her, made her bed and swei)t the honse with her tail. Indeed widow Black Ribbon's final recovery was due to Chattie's careful nursing, rather than to Dr. Beaver's baths and poplar pills. T 'III 30 THE FAIKV SlUUUL CIIAPTEU IV. THE ADVICE UE HUCJ-GKII'PY, TUB AEFECTIUNATE. The class was just finishing when Hug grippy, the chief of tlie Chippewa bears, ajjpcarcd upon the scene, lie iiad conic on a friendly visit, and to get a breakfast of ripe raspberries and honey that llobin had promised him for saving the white pony, Plumpy, from the horns of a huge elk. lie had indulged in a recent meal evidently, for his ribs bulged out so much and so comically that Chattic shrieked with laughter and cried out — " There is more nourishment in fasting sometimes than in eating over much." Hug-grippv himself laughed, although had he been thin-skinned he would not, but he was good-natured, and looking up he merely remarked that Miss Chattie 1' OF CASTLE FRANK. 31 up][)oure(i to him to be uttering a contra- diction in some way or other. For his en- tertainniont the teacher gave the claiW an- other ¥ '• ! m ■i ■■ ,3 ■. ■ ! 3G THE FAIRY SCHOOL all carried her home shoulder high, singing and dancing merrily. Her mother, a kind, thin, old squirrel, with soft, black, melt- ing eyes, was quite excited as she received her victorious daughter with a good big hug and many kisses. But her father, who was a stout, gruff-toned squirrel, though not unkind, was suspicious. " I can't understand," said he, " why a girl that never docs anything but play — never studies at home — should be the very head of a class of clever boys and girls. There is no special gift in our family to ex- plain it: I fear there is something wrong." And, sad to say, her father's honest sus- picion was too well founded. The explana- tion is this. One day shortly after the class was formed, and when the other squirrels had all gone home from play, either to study or help their parents. Silver Ribbon re- mained stealthily behind to amuse herself as best she could. Hearing a soft noise in OF CASTLE FRANK. 37 tlie tree upon whose branches she was leap- ing and running, she turned quickly round and saw a large, dark snake with gloaming, piercing eyes. She was frightened and was about to run away, which she could easily have done, as the reptile was not very near, but it spoke at once, and in a soft, attrac- tive, motherly voice persuaded her to stay a minute. " Do you wish to be at the head of your class, dear? " enquired the snake. " I do indeed," answered Silver Ribbon, " it is a great honor." " You can easily secure it," said the snake. "Without labor and trouble?" enquired the squirrel. " Yes, if you do what I tell you." "What shall I do?" asked the squirrel. "What is your position in the class at present?" the reptile asked- THE FAIRY SCHOOL "I am second, but I have reached it mainly by a cunning copying from the other slates, and I fear I can't keep that up long." " You suffer slightly from a weak spine, don't you?" enquired the snake in a sym- pathetic tone. « I do," said Silver Kibbon. " "Well, dear, take my advice, and -when the class meets again go to your teacher in a very modest manner and make a graceful curtsey. Tell him that though you would not in the least mind being at the. lower end of the class, yet because of your weak back he might favor you by allowing you the support of the shade tree opposite the 4th place. This will win him, for his mother has taught him to love modesty and to be kind. Having- secured that place for the remainder of the session, watch what the three pupils above you jot down on their slates, and copy all their answers if they OF CASTLE FRANK. 89 be different. When the teacher comes to examine the slates, beginning with num- ber one, and mentions who is correct, you will know which answer to rub out, which you can easily do without being suspected. Do as I tell you, and you will be as often successful as any one of the three best pu- pils above you is correct. Be clever, be cunning, there is no harm in wrong-doing, and you will get honor and reward without any trouble, with plenty of time to go about idle and amuse yourself. Glide along through life as I do, dear, as smoothly and as pleasantly as you can, taking everything and giving nothing." Although Silver Ribbon could not quite shake off her dread of the snake, and there- fore kept her former safe distance, yet the advice was ingenious and charming. She at once agreed to take it, and having thanked the cunning reptile, she hurriedly scampered home. 40 THE FAIRY SCHOOL "I shall have you as a choice mouthful yet, and, through you, all the rest of your niriihle pretty crowd," said the snake, wlieu Silver Rihbon was gone. The rep- tile was an active specimen of the great boa-constrictor tribe, thirty feet long. It had taken a trip from the s\inny South to the North, deceiving and doing mujch mis- chief on the way. Its advice was the secret of Silver Ribbon's succeaB. OP CASTLE FRANK. 41 CHAPTER VT. THE MODEST MEDALLIST. I In the previous chapter we turned aside and went a long way back — back nearly as far as the formation of the class — to ex- plain how Silver Ril)bon had come to be the most successful pupil, at least so far as to win the preliminary silver medal. We come forward now to where we left off, at the reference to two or three days' rest from study. That rest passed away very quickly. Then came the final tug-of-war, the day of special examination which was to reveal who was really the best scholar. All the pupils were in the garden on a Friday morning at 9 o'clock prompt. Their black fur was beautiful and glossy — nicely washed and brushed for the occasion — and their silken ribbons were neatly tied and dean. Silver Ribbon looked exceedingly •«?tlS 42 THE FAIRY SCHOOL well, an\ OF CASTLE FRANK. 47 lifted him upon the back of his white toy horse. Getting confused, the little black rider sat upon the horse's neck and held it by the ears. Ilobin went in front and pulled, while all the pupils marched be- hind in pairs, singing merrily as they tripped along. Bruin brought up the rear with all the presents on his big, broad back. Golden Ribbon was drawn to the castle and duly presented to Robin's mother, who praised and kissed him, while she presented him with a gilt-edged picture book full of wonderful stories. When Golden Ribbon was drawn home to his own door they all parted from him with much hand-shaking but with silence, because his mother was sick. Entering the door and going over to her bedside he said — " Mother, dear, I am first, and here is a great, beautiful picture book, and there is a big, toy horse at the door." 48 THE FAIRY SCHOOL " My darling boy," said his mamma, rais- ing her head and opening her eyes wide wlien she saw the medal and golden band around his neck, " I can scarcely believe it, but you deserve it, for you have been a hard, honest worker, as well as most loving and attentive to me," and she kissed him tenderly. Then laying her head upon the pillow she wept with joy. That night Silver Ribbon sobbed herself to sleep upon her mamma's neck. Her mo- ther did not punish her, for she knew that she had pain enough. She tried indeed to comfort her by saying that every one would forgive her if .she would begin and do bet- ter for the future, for she was very grieved for her deceitful little child. lit .M 1 1 *; ■ ' «^'iii OF CASTLE FRANK. 49 CHAPTER VII. THE FIGHT IN THE RAVINE. When mornine^ came, Silver Ribbon heard all the others at play with Golden Ribbon's horse, and she ventured out. But on seeing the crowd she was still so ashamed that she slipped quietly past, and went right into the wood. Going down the edge of the deep ravine she wandered she knew not and cared not where, till she came to the winding stream at the bottom. Seeing Bruin taking a drink she passed softly down the bank, and coming to a grassy spot she sat down, feeling very un- happy. She watched for awhile the little fishes as they darted to and fro, envying their happiness. But hearing a gliding movement in the grass behind her, what was her horror when on turning round she saw the big 50 THE FAIRY SCHOOL snake a few feet away, its head raised, its neck arched, and its cunning eyes shining with fiendish glee. Poor Silver Ribbon would have run away, but she could not; she was too near and was fascinated. " Aha," said the hideous reptile with a hiss, *' I have got you now." Although Chattie was a funny bird and straightforward, still she had a liking for Silver Ribbon, and when with her quick eyes she saw the poor sad thing wandering aimlessly down the ravine, she followed secretly from tree to tree to watch over her. Noticing the rise of the horrid snake's head, she flew back like an arrow to Castle Frank to tell of Silver Ribbon's dauii-er. Robin seized a short loaded gun and ran after the parrot as fast as he could. The brushwood was very thick but he pressed on, and as he drew near the spot he heard roars and groans and hissing. Getting out i ( vi •- OF CASTLE FRANK. 91 into the open, he saw the snake and Hug- grippy fighting desperately. The reptile was coiled around the bear's body, its head was raised, its mouth wide open, and its glittering eyes were looking straight into Bruin's face. It was gripping Ilug-grippy dreadfully : he was in agony and was losing breath. Kneeling down upon one knee, Robin raised his gun ; but being scarcely near enough, it was dangerous to fire — he might shoot the bear. Running right up, without realizing his danger, he went dose behind the combatants. Not noticing the serpent's tail in the grass he trod upon it, when round his ankle it swept, and in an instant he was thrown upon his face and stunned. Bruin, though fighting bravely, was los- ing the battle. Chattie was circling wildly in the air and screaming. Everything seemed to be lost «', -f J: ' ■m ''It :i II 62 THE FAIRY SCHOOL Suddenly Robin woke up, drew a hunt- ing knife from his belt and slashed the ser- pent's tail, setting himself free. The rep- tile turned its arched head towards him, showed its tiger-like fangs and hissed as from a pipe of steam. Robin jumped back a little and picked up his gun. Placing it to his shoulder, he took rapid aim within a few feet of the serpent's head — bang wont fire and smoke and bullet — snake and bear tumbled down together and rolled upon the grass. The unusual sometimes hap- pens, a boy had done the work of the brav- est man. The huge, dark monster was shot through the head, and its long, scaly body twisted and quivered in death. Hug-grippy, slowly disentangling him- self, went down to the brook all in a trem- ble, and freely drank of the water. He rested for a little in the cooling stream and rose up refreshed. Coming forward to Bobin, he licked hig extended hand in un- I I OF CASTLE FRANK. 53 spoken thankfulness. As a member of a kindness class he had come to the aid of Silver Ribbon just in time to break the spell, yet he himself would have perished but for the timely aid of a brave, true boy. " Hurrah for my beloved young master, and for dear old Hug-grippy," shrieked Chattie in hysteric happiness. " Don't mention me," said Bruin softly, with a smile broad and funny. "Nor me," said Robin modestly; "it is du» to us all," added he with a sweet be- coming smile. And the young soldier-teacher, with Chattie on his shoulder and Hug-grippy by his side carrying the gun, went home with glad and exultant heart to the quaint castle. Silver Ribbon became completely changed, working honestly and well ; and from that time forward she was respected and loyed. f '■ 1 ■•» . ! :i f; ■ ( 64 THE FAIRY SCHOOL The awful conflict was never forgotten by the many pets of Castle Frank: they talked over it now and again all their lives, and thoy thought how good and great was the young master, who went through such trouble and danger for the benefit of crea- tures 80 much his inferior. " I guess," said Red Ribbon on a certain occasion, " Master Robin understands that we have feelings as well as human people." Chattie, who could quote Scripture, some- times more appropriately than greater par- rots, chimed in — " A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast." " Dearie me," said Green Ribbon, " I never knew there was a text for us before." OF CASTLE FRANK. 55 CHAPER VIIL robin's book. When Robin went to school in a great city, he saw children trilling with their lessons, copying from the workers, and cheating their teachers. They succeeded for a time, but when the day of searching trial came, he saw them fail. When Robin became a young man, he saw many who, carrying up the craft and ignorance of earlier days, were utterly broken down in the great business of the world. Impressed with the ruin that lies in shunning true and ennobling labor, he wrote a little book, and the title was — •Men That Cheat Themselves.** IJ 'V. !1 ciiAFTirrs. " I lia\i' a riiiiiiiiiL: |iliiii. ■/■//( l-'iiiri/ Sr/(()(i/ (if < iist/i l'nnik.\ I'lU/r 05, • ) ' THE SNOW-WHITE FOX. There was once a lion with a bushy mane, whose name was Muffler. lie lived in a country, called Antartika, where the iiills were high, the valleys lew, the forests thick, and the watera broad and deep. It was a fertile land, where grass and fruits and flowers grew in abundance. It was also a rich, rich country, full of precious stones lying on the ground, shining in the beds of the rivers, and glittering on the face of the mountains. Antartika was indeed a beauti- ful land. But no people lived there, nothing but birds and beasts and fishes, and a wonderful race of tailless apes that died out long ago. And Muffler, the lion, was king. On a certain day, a law-court day. Muffler Bat on a diamond rock, and at his back was 58 THE SNOW-WHITE FOX. -''4 i a rock of ruby blazing in the sun. On his head was a crown of laurel powdered with gold-dust and pearls. Beside him stood Old Primeval the ape, his faithful adviser, wear- ing on his neck a wreath of white poplar leaves dusted with silver, and holding in his hand a club inlaid with shining emeralds. On each side of the king and behind him were many young lions looking respectful and brave. Some distance in front was a crowd of all kinds of beasts, such as tigers, panthers, bears, wild-boars, wolves, hyenas, foxes, wild-cats, and even deer, sheep and goats, while the trees around were covered with birds of brilliant plumage. And they were all very quiet, because they were ex- pecting something. " Who is next?" enquired the king. "Crafticus, come forward," cried old Primeval. There was a movement among the beasts as of someone pushing his way, and then i ■ THE S^V7W-WHITE TOT. 59 there came out from among tliem a snow- white fox with a bushy tail, lie walked forward with bowed head till he stood be- fore the great Muffler, who looked down at him sternly and haughtily. " Stan^ up," commanded the king. Crafticus stood on his hind legs, and his eyes blinked because of the light from the ruby, which made him look as if covered with blood. " State the charge," said the king turn- ing to his counsellor. " Crafticus," said Primeval solemnly, " you are charged with wilfully slaying Awkwardibus, the king's gander, last night up beside Lake Snow among the Topaz Hills. What have }X>u got to say in self- defence?" " I did not know that the gander was the king's," replied the fox in a humble tone. " Crafticus, you must have known, know- ing that the king's ganders and geese are ^;' If ifi 60 THE SNOW-WHITE FOX. .i4':ii I liVl : ^- II ■3 If green, while all the others are gray, black, and white," and the counsellor thought he had promptly caught the fox, and that the king would be highly pleased. But Crafticus replied — " There was a storm up there last night, and the gander was covered with snow — in my eyes he was white" Old Primeval looked perplexed and an- noyed. But king Muffler laughed and his mane shook. " Crafticus is clever," said he. " I know something myself about the case, nevertheless call for witnesses." " There is but one witness, O king, and that is the gander's widow." " Call her," said the king. " Stupidify, come to the front," cried the counsellor. The green goose waddled up before the king, flapped her wings, cackled, and screamed hysterically. w ^^^ fmmn THE SNOW-WHITE FOX. 61 " Be silent, you idiot, don't you see the king?" Primeval shouted between her cries. " Where?" replied the goose, looking around her confused. " There," said Primeval emphatically, pointing his emerald club at Muffler's nose. • " Oh yes, I think I see him," cried the goose through her tears. " But I thought the king was like my lovely husband. Oh dear me," and she cried bitterly. King Muffler cast his eyes down towards her with pity and contempt. * ' Stupidify, " said Primeval gravely, ** was there a fall of snow last night?" "What? What?" enquired the goose. " Are you deaf, you silly creature?" cried Primeval angrily. " Was there not a fall of snow last night?" He wanted to frighten her into saying there was, for he thought the king admired the fox and wished him to escape. 62 THE SNOW-WHITE FOX. " Be patient, be patient," said king Muf- fler, " my counsellor's conduct should be dignified. Be gentle with the poor widow." " Pardon me, O king," replied Primeval bowing low. Then turning to the goose he enquired, " Are you deaf, dear?" " Yes, sir," answered she, and receiving such sympathy she screamed loudly; which was rather annoying to Muffler's ears, for they jerked as if wasps were at their tips. When the goose quieted down. Primeval asked: "You don't think of course there was any snow last night, my dear?" He wanted to coax her to say there wasn't, for he now thought the king was in her favor. " I don't remember," answered Stupi- dify; and Primeval scratched his head in disgust, while the king gave a muffled laugh. "O king Muffler," said Primeval, «I can proceed no further, for the green goose ^ ■i f ' 1 TUB SNOW-WHITE FOX. 63 \ u is no us« as a witness. Is the explanation given by Crafticus satisfactory? Does he go free?" " No," replied the king, " his explanation is cunning, but untrue. I went to the top of the Topaz Mountain last night to get nearer the ear of the man in the moon, in order to invite him down to see me and my country. He did not seem to hear me, al- though I roared and shouted at him all night, and during the time I was there not a flake of snow fell. Therefore my judg- ment is that Crafticus did know that Awk- wardibus the gander was mine, for it was green and nothing else all the time. Craf- ticus, I do therefore sentence you to leave your wife and children, with all the rest of the Craftikites, and to stay with widow Stupidify in my barn and its near surround- ings, and to provide food and comfort for her as long as she lives." f. r'^M 64 THE aNOW-WHITE FOX. This was a deep humiliation, and Crafti- cus howled with shame and disgust. When he moved away from the ki;ig's presence with the fat goose waddling by his side, all the hyenas laughed and laughed. And this was so vexing to him that he slyly turned his head toward Stupidify and showed her all his teeth in anger. So they walked away in the direction of the king's bam, which was to be their home when they were not out in search of food. \i That night before the goose came in, Crafticus thought and thought how he could get rid of Stupidify. At last he rose up and sniffed through the dried grass in search of Furrier, the black cat. Furrier was asleep; but Crafticus nipped his left ear gently, and he awoke with a yawn and stretched out his claws. "What do you want?" said he, lookiftg np. f ' ^ 11 ''tiiji THE WHITE-SNOW FOX. 66 " I wish you to help me to get rid of that hateful goose, dear Purrier." " I am afraid of the king," replied the cat. " You needn't, you will be quite safe. I have a cunning plan, but I need your help, and I will reward you well." Crafticus then told his plan, and Purrier agreed and went out to meet the goose, while the fox lay down in a low broad box, as if fast asleep. ♦ ***»» " Hail, Stupidify, lovely fat goose," cried Purrier, when he met her and saw her by the light of the moon. *' Joy be with you, dear sooty cat." "Has Crafticus provided any food for you to-day?" " Not a single speck, and I have been searching till now and have scarcely got any — this place is new to me, as you know." 66 THE SNOW-WHITE FOX. " Oh my poor dear goose, how sorry I am. )f And hearinjsj this she sat down and screamed. " Arise and assert your rights," said Fur- rier, " and I will help you. Let us go to- gether to Crafticus, and if he be as care- less about your bed as about your food, you just scream and scream till you get what you want." So they went along side by side, and when they entered the barn and looked into the box, Crafticus appeared to be in a deep sleep, but he was only pretending. Furrier leaped in softly and lay beside him. " Oh this is cold," said he. Then he went to the other side and lay down. " Oh, this is cold also," and he rose up shivering. Then he poked his paw under the fox and whispered — "Ha, ha, this is warm. The selfish fellow — it is just like him to choose THE SNOW-WHITE POX. 67 the warmrst spot. Come and judge for yourself, poor neglected Stupidify." The goose jumped in clumsily and fell on her fat breast. Then she poked her beak under Crafticus and found it to be as the cat had said. It never struck her that the heat came from the fox's own body. " N^ow, demand your rights," said Fur- rier, " demand a share of the comfortable spot," and he went away and lay down among the dried grass. " I want my rights," cried the goose, in the fox's ear. " What?" said Crafticus, rubbing his eyes. " I want my rights, I want you to move." " You have got your rights and double your rights. You can rest on either side of me and I have only the centre." " I want my share of the warm part." " How can the centre be warmer than the sides?" 68 THE SNOW-WHITE FOX. " Let nie try," said tlio goose. " All ri^lit, hut it k vt'ry (Il^^tu^bing," roplit'd tlu* fox, ami lie rose up and let the goose sit d^wn. " It is just as I felt with my beak, it is tlie wannest spot, and you can't deny it. A'ow, 1 want my share of it." " You won't get it, your request is ab- surd," and he pushed her aside. Then ho lay down and buried his eyes in his tail, as if trying to sleep. Stupidify looked as if she might give in. " Demand your rights," cried Furrier, in a shrill menacing voice; "the king is on your side," he added, with an emphatic yell. " I want my rights," cried the goose, en- couraged to quarrelsomeness, and she bit Craft icus on the ear. " Stupidify," said the fox, slowly raising his head, " you are breaking my rest. Don't you know that I have to run in the king's THE SNOW-WHITE VOX. 69 chamois chase to-morrow, ami that I need all the sleep I can got?" " The kiii^ is my friend," answered the goose with a chuckle and a stubborn look. " Do let me alone," rejoined the fox, as he buried his face again in his tail. But it was no use. " I want my rights, I want my righia," screamed the goose, and slie went on de- manding them or scolding and hissing every now and then till midnight. At last Crafticus arose and said — " I can't stand this any longer. I can't get any sleep, and I shall be quite unfit for the king's chase." Then turning to the goose he cried — " Wretch, you have provoked me to kill you, and you have yourself to blame"; and having said this, he seized Stupidify by the neck and killed her. Furrier now sprang from his bed and leaped into the box beside Crafticus, and they had a right royal feast together. They 70 THE SNOW-WHITE FOX. I 'A ■■ \ « chatted and laughed, and Furrier told what he said to the goose when he met her avd walked with her towards the barn. " You have done well, Furrier, and I'll never forget you." " Oh, my part was nothing," replied he, " it was your own wise head that planned the whole trick. And when your case comes again before the king, I am sure it can't be broken." " Thank you sincerely," rejoined Crafti- cus. " I shall now get back to my dear, sorrowing wife and children." ******* Two days afterwards, the fox stood again before the king. " Crafticus," said the counsellor, with a grave face, " you are charged this time with wilfully killing Stupidify, the king's fat goose. !N'ow what have you to saj for yourself?" THE SNOW-WHITE FOX. 71 Then Crafticus told the whole story of his proTocatiou iu ji persuasive, modest manner, and he finished by saying — " Purrier, if I mistake not, was present at the time, and, if so, he will be able to support every word I have spoken." " Call for the black cat," commanded the king. " Purrier, to the front," cried Primeval. With a few fine springs the cat was in his place and on his hind legs before the king. But his eyes were closed because of the glare of light from the ruby and the dia- mond. "Tell king Muffler all you know about Stupidify's treatment of Crafticua." Purrier did so and added — " I was so sorry and indignant after the selfish goose sat down in the poor fox's warm place that I called out to him — * De- mand your rights, the king ia on your side.' *" •igl^>i.tM.- 80 THE SONG-SPARROW. 11 I at "Listen, Richard," said his little mate suddenly, and of course in her own tongue, " listen, listen." She called him " Rich- ard," but if he were in a cage people would call him " Dickie." Richard stopped in the middle of his song, and bending down his head, while turning his right eye toward a pretty cot- tage close by, he listened attentively and with great delight. " Jenny," remarked he to his tiny wife, when the cottage song was done, " Master George is at the open window, the beautiful day has stirred his heart, and he has sung happily and well." " Yes," said Jenny, " this must be Satur- day, for his tone is unusually bright and happy."' " It is always happy," answered Richard. " True," said Jenny, " but it is happier to-dav." " Well, be it so, we won't differ, de t \ !•* yy THE SONG-SPARROW. 81 > " That is right, dear husband, we mu«t show a good example to our children;" and the mother-sparrow nestled her little ones lovingly. " There is only one thing that makes mo anxious in this glad world," remarked Rich- ard as he looked down from the bush to the comfortable nest in the grass. "What is it husband?" " I am afraid of that snake I saw gliding outside and round the fence yesterday." " Ah, yes," replied the little mother, " it makes my flesh creep to think of it; but I hope it won't venture into the garden." "I trust net," said Eichard; "but if I were a man, and if I had a gun, I should make short work of it." " Aren't guns wonderful things, hus- band? How they blow out fire and smoke, and what a deafening noise they make!" " They are indeed wonderful, Jenny ; but aren't they fearful? Do you remem- n' / y /A Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14S80 (716) 872-4503 iV CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques 1980 li r. 84 THE 80NG-SPABB0W. " The snake is coming," shouted Richard. But Jenny did not move, she only kept flat and shuddered. " Come from the nest, and we will mis- lead the reptile," cried Richard. Then both birds flew around and at and over the snake, doing their utmost to be- wilder it; but it was no use — the cunning creature glided on — it knew its helpless prey was near; and the poor parents were fnmtic^ as it raised its head and looked around. *•»&#**•** . " Mother," said George, as he looked into the garden through the open window, " what can be wrong with our song-spar- rows?" His mother came forward, an seeing the birds fluttering about excitedly, she said — "Run, George, there is a cat or some other enemy at the aest." \ THE SONG-SPARROW. 85 f r- Without a moment's delay the lad seized a cane, and running along the garden-walk and jumping over flower-beds and bus-lies, he came to the scene of the disturbance. He knew well where the nest was, and look- ing to that spot he was horrified to see the snake bending over it with arched neck and head, preparing to devour the helpless young song-sparrows. Si)ringing fearlessly forward like a hound, George smote the snake on the head, and that one blow was enough. But grasping its tail he jerked it back from the nest, and stamped upon its head, to make sure that the life was gone. Then lifting it across his cane he went to the fence, and flung it over in indignant disgust. Oh, how the parent song-sparrows re- joiced. The mother flew to the nest to examine and fondle her young, while the father-bird went up on the twig of a white . ^ 1 jLL- ^ ^r 86 THE SONG-SPARROW. rose-bush and sang a rapturous song of deli- verance, " Ever since then the male sparrow has shown his gratitude to George in a truly wonderful manner. When he goes into the garden the sparrow will fly to him, some- times alighting on his head, at other times on his shoulder, all the while pouring out a tumultuous song of praise and gratitude." " How is it, Richard," said Jenny one day, " that nearly all these great creatures called mankind look upon us as if we had very little understanding in our head? Is it because we are so little and wear fea- thers?" " Oh, no, it is because our language is dif- ferent. In fact, they really think we do not speak at all, and it seems to them that where there is no speech there is little or no thought '^ ^ ■:•■ ;■■■ THE SONQ-SPARROW. 87 «/• **Wliat language does Master George speak, Bichard)" " English, dear, a beautiful language when well spoken and especially when well sung." " And what language do we speak, Kich- ard?" Sloping his head a little to the side, Rich- ard thought for a moment and then replied with a funny twinkle in his eye — " Our language is Song-Sparrowish." " Dear me," said Jenny, " it must be greater than English, whf n it needs such a big word. But Master George understands it, doesn't he?" " He does indeed, he does, because he is well acquainted with us. I overheard him say the other day that he understDod our ways well, and that our musical language and gratitude were to him a great delight." 88 THE SONQ-SPARROW. r.i.i : u; "Here he comes," exclaimed Jenny. " See, he opens the garden-gate. I do love to see his winsome, cheerful face." "And he is both brave and kind," an- swered Richard, clearing his throat and preparing to deliver an eloquent speech in Song-Sparro wish . " Now raise your song of gratitude, dear, and sing your very best." The above little story is founded on a fact recorded in the * Courier Journal. *A SONG-SPARROW'S GRATITUDE. It is a rare occu.Tence for animals in a wild state to select man for a companion and friend, yet well-authenticated instances where this has been done are a matter of record. The fc Jowing incident is vouched THE 80NG-8PARBOW. for by a young lady who is a close and ac- curate observer: "Last week my brother, a lad of 12, killed a snake which was just in the act of robbing a song-sparrow's rest. Ever since then the male sparrow has shown his grati- tude to George in a truly wonderful man- ner. When he goes into the garden the sparrow will fly to him, sometimes alight- ing on his head, at other times on his shoul- der, all the while pouring out a tumultu- ous song of praise and gratitude. It will accompany him about the garden, nevei' leaving him until he reaches the garden gate. George, as you know, is a quiet boy who loves animals, and this may account in a degree for the sparrow's extraordinary actions." — Courier JoumdL