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A WONDBR WBB OP" STORIES ray MAWfrAKKT KIULBY CHARLTON CAHOLINB AUaUSTA KKASKl>i. MONTKKAIv : K. B. OKAK'l'ON c'<: SONS Publish liws. ■.ntcrc.l ncc.r.ling to Act of IMiIinment of C':iim.ln, i:i the ycnr eighteen Inin.lrcl an^l ninHy-two, by K. K. (JuMToS & Sons, in tlie OiTice of the Minister of Ai;iicuhurc. Witness*' I'rltilini,' Kmisi-, Montrcnl. fi 1^ li P REFAC K. The stories in this book we cheerfully .U'ive to the hoys and girls far and near, in the hope that they may he as cordially received. ■Remenihering, as we do, in our childhood days, the eagerness with which we read of everything connected w'th the wontlerful fairies, we trust that all who read these tales may derive some of the pleasure that, in writing them, has been given to your friends. Till- AUTHORS. •I c N rn N IS. Faynicy Bnmifs IVoiidcrful Adventures in the Moon (M. R. C.) Jot (C. A. F.) . Captain Pcppcf, the Valiant Knight of the /jturentians (M. R. C.) The lilfs Song fC. A. I'.) ...... The Hneniy Unmasked (M. R. C.) A Moonlight Frolic in December (C. .1. F.) Page. I 61 103 141 165 1B3 / /. A L' s r R A r I O -V ,v. Frcii Jin, is liimscif in s/nnij^v a»///>,ii:v . . . • A niii'iln-r of S/>riUs came riinnini^ liowii the ladder The Man in the Moon /'/e'w several qiiiek notes on his horn At the side of the lake stood the lari;est ,!;oose Farmer llrowii had A great shout of anger drowned his roiee "Held on ! cling to yonr boat!" called out /Its Majesty . A very strange bee ,..••■• The Queen rose slowly into the air . . • • • The sea is free to all . ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Pensero a/oat ..■■■•' The u'ater-s/>rites entertain Peusero The motley crowd iu their boisterous f^'-'^''i3 thing very important." '^SkS)'^^'^ " kcally, John, I am astonished at you ! As thouuh thev were a hit dilTert nt from other folks. I suppose the next thing ) ou will tell me, is, that they can si)eak." " \\',.ll XV. A] vvifr I rinn't SUV US thev Call i\n that) but vt>u know AnviixrrRiis ix run moon. well enough that in all the country around there is no finer flock than mine." And back to the barn-yard went Farmer Brown in high dudgeon with his wife. Mt is no use telling Molly anything about them; she won't see how clever they are. Ah, they have settled down ! I suppose they got tired of making s.) much noise. Hut I don't see IIop-And-Co-C^ne ; where can he be?" No sooner had Farmer P>rown uttered these words, than the geese commenced to cackle as hard as ever. " Well, now, tell me they don't understand what one is saying. Look here, what's all this noise about, and what have you done with Hop- And-Go-()ne?" Then up started old m\y Cray, the leader of the flock, and slowly waddling up to Farmer Brown, closed one eye, and ga/.ing knowingly at him, winked. Overcome with amazement. Farmer Brown toppled over into the pig-sty, much to the pigs' consternation. "Bless my heart! Well I never! Oh, if Molly could only have seen that wink I " "John, John, where are you; why don't you come to dinner?" "Come to dinner, indeed! I am too overcome with all these doings to want any dinner," muttered Farmer Hrown, as he lay in the pig-sty, while the pigs, with their inquisitive n;itiire, i)oked their cold snouts into his face, as much as to say, " What are you doing here ? " «' Now, I wouldn't wonder if John has gone to the pond with those geese. I declare, I am tired of all this fuss. I have a great mind to— yes, I'll do it to-night; but 1 wonder what the pigs are grunting about?" and away ran Molly to see. "Oh, deary me! John, what ever is the matter? Have you got a sunstroke? y\lack-a-day, am 1 to be left a widow with all these pigs and geese on my hands?" Loudly cackled the geese, and still more loudly grunted the pigs, while Molly's shrill voice rose above the clamour as she endeavoured to rouse Farmer Brown. At last he gently opened his eyes, and in a faint voice saitl, " Molly, where am I ? " "Where are you!" indignantly answered Molly. "You are in the pig-sty, that's where you are; and 111 have you to know, John Brown, that I will not put up with this work any longer. To think ol you choosing the pig-sty to go to sleep in, and frightening me half to -()ndcrful thing happened. I assure you that xvc have the "— '' I don't want to hear anything more about wonderful things. I suppose it is those geese again." Daylight faded gently into twilight, and then came the moon, flooding the wholJ place with her bright light, and, peeping through the half- closed blinds of Farmer Hrown's bedroom, shone on his face as he lay in peaceful slumber. The old clock on the stairs struck twelve as Molly stole (juietly down and looked out. Not a sound was to be heard; every- thmg slumbered save the crickets, whose cheery whirr, whirr, sounded in the fields, and from the pond near by the frogs were holding high carnival. Molly softly closed the door, and made her way to the barn, mut- tering, as she went, " Yes, Til wring their necks-every one of them." " No, you won't," shrieked a chorus of shrill voices. Round turned Mrs. banner Brown in great fright at these words; and what do you think she saw ? Why, a number of cpieer little crea- tures, tumbling and dancing about in high glee. " No vou won't," they shrieked again, making all sorts of horrible grimaces at her. just then some of them opened the barn-door, and out waiUlK'd the geese, cackling at a great r.ite. "Fall into rank" shoutetl one of the little creatures, and iinnu'diately the tlock fornicd into rank. " To i^oose, to ooose," was the next order, and then the whole Hock rose into the air with their stran-e riders. Then away ran Mrs. I'arnier I'.rown to the house, screaniin;; : "John, John, the ^eese have j^onc I " Up jumped i'armer T.rown and popped his head out of tln' wintlow, and the first thin.ij;- he siw was his beloved i;eese tloatin-' upwanls. "Oh, where an' \')U .uoini; ? " he siirieked in terror. "To the moon, I'armer Urown," answered thi' little creatures; "and when we i^ct there we'll hnd IIop-And-Co-One " Farmer Frown and Molly continued to i^aze till they were lost to view. And then with many tears his wife toUl him about the dreadful deed she had intended to do, and how it had been frustrated by the little creatures. Fut he, poor man, was too overcome at the loss of his geese to pay much attention to her, antl merely said, " Vou see now what wonderful geese they arc ; the only hope I have is that they may come back, for they must have been to the moon before if IIop-And-(.o- One is already there." CHAPTER II. STRANGE THINGS HAri'EN. ]ini round, jolly face of the sun was just peeping over the hill uhen Parmer Brown hurried off to the barn- yard, next morning, anxious to see if the geese had returned. lUit alas! there was no sign of them, and he felt very lonely and sad all day, and often looked up into the sky to see if there were any traee of them. Towards evening, as he was sitting on the fence lost in thought, he suddenly heard a Unid cackle. Up he jumped at the welcome sound, and there nght before him was old Billy (iray, with one of the sprites on his back. .. Hvening to you, Farmer Brown." said the sprite in a shnll voice, .-.^nd so you have been very lonely without your geese, have you. .in\-ii\rrKiis i\ iiif. .loox. "Yes, very lonely," ansuerecl Farmer P>rown, bowing low; "but if you have need of them it is n.^t for me to murmur." uAh! ah!" chuckled the little creature. "Well answered, and now you shall be rewarded. To-night at twelve o'clock come to the barn- yard ; buL. mind you, come alone, bring not your wife, for she has nearly been the death of our gallant stxxls." So saying, the rider and Old HiUy ^'Hiv disappeared. As the clock struck twehe, b'armer F.rown crept ciuietly out of the house. Pit-a-pat, pit-a-pat, went lu. heart with IV^ar, and if it had not been for the thou.^iU of seeing his beloved geese he would have run back to the house. When he reached the barn-yard he saw no signs of them, and I.egan to think that after all nothing would happen. Sud- denly he looked up at the moon. And oh, what do you think he saw! Why, a beautiful ladder, which gradually lengthened till it reached the place' where he stood. It was made of thick ropes of silk the seven colours of the rainbow. The next thing he saw was a number of the little sprites running helter-skelter down the ladder, and call.ng out, " Halloo. Farmer Brown, here we are again, and you are to come with us and make the acquaintance of the Man in the Moon." And with, .//)/7i.\/rA7:.s- /.\- /■///■: J/oo.v. tliat they surrounded liim, and before he knew where he was had him on the ladder pusli- ine;- hnn up as fast as they could. On and on they went till he couKl just faintly see his home far below. At last they reached the toj) of the huUler, and Farmer l',rown founil himself on the s%-' ed;' ""'^^''-^ -f" rare beauty and (raK.ance peeped ai P^^T^,'fK.:;-;,r^^^ ''""' ''^ ''"'^ passed by. '■^"""■'- I'>'>^vn\ (Var vanished as he nax.d with ''"'"''''""'" "" ''"■ i'ian> beautiful thin-s. " ' "'■^"'' ^'"'^'.^''l it \vas half s.. luauliful here. ^'"' ''"'"I''*' '•'■''•^^ •"•'• "l^^^'vs sayinn ,l was a barren, 'Inary phiee. and nobodv could liw in it Hut I wis '"'■' ''""' "'■ '""'^'"^ ^'> »'- '-"-^ ''n«l liuHvin^ that I could see n.u.n- ^Z ""' "'"'■>^- ^"^'' ' -^ -"•••• Vour Maicty, that 1 have seen vou lookniL;- at nic sonn linn s," Anii'XrcRi-.s IX rim moox. \\\ with " No doubt," answered tlu: Man in the Moon, noddin]^ and sniiiini;' at him. " l^ut see ! here come m\ h_t;ht-l>earers." .As hi' spoke', tiure appcaretl a lloek of hinfs of hrilhaiit phnnat^e, so hrilhant as to (hi/./,le the eye, " 'I lu'V are \er\' beautiful," nuuinured I'"armer lirown, w ondi'rinj; what he meant b\ ealhni; thiui htj^ht-bearers. Ju-^t tiien their path throu'di the woods was brounht abru|)tl\' to ,in end b\ an inuni'nsi- mountain towerini; thousands of feet al)()\e them, and tiiieki)' eo\ ered witli trees and biusiuxood. " ( )h dear!" thoiii^ht i'arnur Hrown, "how t\er are we i^oini; to ehmb the mountain wiien I ean't excn see a path." " Don't be alarmed, we are not i;oini; to ehmb it, but pas- thious^h it," said the Man in thi' Nbion, as he noticed the troubled look on I'.irmer lirown's face. " Sei' ! " and he pointed to a lari;e .irehed opening in ihi' side of the mountain, Ihen, taking a horn whi#^ fxv^V APVEiVrURhS fN THE MOON. 15 let iiic warn you on no account to sjjcak ; no matter wliat you sec, preserve silenee." Passint^' throuj^li the archeil way, they entered a small stone chamber with a couple of seats rouj^hly hewn from the rock. I'rom this a tlij^dit of stone steps led tlow n into a dark abyss. (iropinj;- his way, I'armer Hrown followed the rest through what seemed a narrt)w passage with many windings, and then there burst upon his \ iew a xision of wonder- ful enchantment and loxeliness. A broad and lofty passage paved with the softest of green moss ; while hom the walls and roof hung strange fantastic stalactites sparklmg and glowing with many a beautiful colour, and oxer all was shed a soft, mellow light, not unlike the light of the moon, and as the WDiidering I'yes of barmer lirowii draid< in the scene, he saw that this light ( ,inu' from the birds who lined eillui- side of the way. 'iheir whole breast seemed to be a li\ing Hame of light. In his surprise and wonderment I'arnur Hrow n forgot the warning he h;id reci7:x/r/^/:S /\ rill-, moox. over or make a dive ; ()Ui;h ! the thought was enoug-h." Still he did not like to refuse when k,e was asked to step ahoartl. At first the turtle nin\ed steadil\' through the water, l)Ut ere the niitldle of the lake was reached it show eil sij^ns of restlessness, and j)resentl)- it I)e_L;an to ])Iuni;e about so violently that I'arnier Hrown could scarce hanj^' on. "Oh dear! oh dear! I shall he drowned! I know I shall; oh j)Iease Mr. Sailor help me ! oh ! oh ! " and tlow n he rolled on his face as the turtle ^i;a\e another Hop. "What are \-ou rollint^ .about like that for?" cried the sprite with a chuckle, " c.in't xou sit steatl\ ? \()u see how \()u are frij.i;hteninj^r the tiM'lle, I wouldn t be suiprised if he maile for the bottom ; ah, he is ^oing ! hold on ! " And sure enouj^h, tlow ii went the turtle to the bottom of the lake, where, after (piietly swimmin_t!^ about he rose again with his rider ; but alas ! no I'armer Hrown was xisible. Down at the bottom he la\' with his feet held fast l)y a monstrous fish, who slowly anil carefull)- swallowed him ; then rising to the surface this monstrous fish swam to the island and gently deposited I'armer Hrown on the short', amidst shouts of laughti:r fi'om the sprites, who it •imbiitjiaiiu \ni'iiXT[nanies the army, and as we were rather short of geese I borrowed yours, knowing they were to be relied upon." " It is a great honour, Your Majesty, and may I ask in what way you make use of them ? " Wait till we go to the camp, and then you will sec. Now, Flying Jack, you must take Farmer Brown safely across the lake. Jump on, I'armer Brown, and hold on t(J his neck, for he goes like the wind. We will follow n our boat s." I On jumped Farmer Bro\\n, not at all frighte ned, for he knew 1 wou Id play him no tricks. like the turtle. Swift and straigh t, as an I arrow speeds from the bow , did Flying Jack bear Farmer Brown across B the lake. So c elightful w; IS the motion, that he felt loath to get off. ■ The Man in the Moon and his retinue soon joined him. and the y started ^ for the camp. m y\s they ne; u-ed the o Litskirt^ ■; they were obserxed by the scntin els, J nho immediatel)' shouted : " His Majesty comes, a nd with him F\u-mer ■ l^rown ! " Why, they know mv name; already ! " ( )h, yes, and the\- w i 11 expect a S|)eech from you. ADVENTURES IN THE MOON. 23 :.'4 .inrii.Mi^Riis /\ rill: moox. A speech ! \\'li>', I never made a speech in my h'fe ! " Time \()U commenced, then," was the smiHmj aiiswei". " Hut what think \()ii ()l m\ ai"m\- i Maijniliceiit, \(Uir Maiest\- ; it seems to he a ureal one N'es. it is a lar-^e arnu', and \et m\ warriors ai'e not all li ere, as til e\- ai\' (loinu diit\ elsew In re ; hut lure comes m\ ( leiural ; allow me t(t introduce sou — I'armer I'row n — (leneral (juickese." " 'Iruly an appropriate name," thoui^ht harmer I'rown, ;is iu' jooki'd at the little lii;ui-e, cl.id in a complete' suit of armour of rich workm.in- ;,hip, and who^e bright eyes twinkled and dantxd about at a ijrt'at rate. Would \ our Majesty like to re\ iew tlu' army ? " \ es, (leneral, I think I would. W'e will show I' ;u-mer I^row n hat kind of an army we ha\i\" .Vcconlini;!)- they were ])ut throuj^h manieiixre alti man(ru\re, whidi they e.vccutcd with uonderfid ski V WW larnur lirown-, unpractised eye saw dial tin \ were m a hii;h stall' of efticiency. and looked with admiration upon the s|)lend()ur of their e(|uipmenls. liach company was clad in different st.vles of armour; some carrieil short swords, others clubs ; then besiiles ll use wi If the archers, dressed in dark ureen. After tl u^ review' was cn.tled the Mai llllllWIIiWillllllll APi-ii.yrcMiis rx riii-. moon. the Moon made a short speech, in which he praised the mm for their soldicr-hUe appearance and execution. Inunediately at the ch)se of his address came cries of "A speecli from I'armer Brown." " \()u see, ! toKl \ou they would expect an adchx'ss iVom sou." .. ()h, ! !)(K "* ^ "^"' ^':U^^l>' ^" excuse me, 1 really cant do it." .. ()ii, \is \ou can; say anythini; >(»u like; th. \ will not be satisfied till you speak to tlu m ; just listen Ik.w they are callini;- \ on ! " "Dear! dear! Well, 1 suppose 1 shall have to try, but how shall I commence?" 'ihen he remembered in a va,i;ui' sort of way that the speakers he had heard always be-an with " Mr. Chairman, i.adus and (;entlemen." " That's the correct thini;, no doubt. So 1 had better be^dn that way." liowin^ to the Man in the Nb>on, hi' said: "Mr. Chairman," then turning to the army, " Ladies and (.entlenun. 1 "—but he was intir- ruptcd by a roar of JaUKhter. "What's the matter?" he asked in a bewildered way. turning to tin- Man in tlu' Moon. Hut His Majesty was lau^hini; as well as t!u' ivst, and couKl hardly answer him ; at last he gasped out : " Don't you see there are no ladies present ? L'(i AI)l/:\ J CK/iS /.\ Till, MOON. \ "Oh — ah, yes — )cs — iiow stupid of inc ! " Then he hcj^an as^ain. "Mr. — Lad — I iiuan — oh, what do I iiicaii ? Oh, now I h;i\c i^ot it. I'cllou-citizens, I Iiojjc you are Ceilin,!; (|uite will, and 1 am nuieh ()I)l'"i;ed, I am sure, for tlie _!^real attmtion with whieh \()u ari' hsteiiin^- to me." ('I'liere, tliat is a htth' better ; I do Inliexe I shall lueome a speaker after all.) This was said in an undertone, as he p.iused awhile to stead\ himself ai^ainst a rock, for his knees thre.itiiied to i^ixe wa\,', while tin ptrspiration rolled down his face. ".As I was sayinj^r Iji^ss my he.art, w h.it was I s.iyin.i; ? " and in Ir.mtie desjiair lu' ran his hn^crs throuj^h his hair till it stood on end. just then a ha|)py thouj^dit struck him. He had onee le.unt a piece of poetr\ ; win not (ii\e it to them ; everybody was fond ol poetry. So cl-Airinj; his xoice he began : Cduaid-, tow, U.N, all (if mmi, 'l"iai(iprs, iiiiitiirs, cvci)' (inc. What the rest \< ;is will wwx \w known, for he i^ot no fun. er, for a i;reat sh,uit of an,!^er drowneil his voitr, ,ind ,i do/in little ehibs .x\\k\ spears wire flung at him, and if it had not been lor the presence of \-\-- Man m tl'c Moon nuthrng wouKl have saved him hom lluir fury. J I .\ll]'l:.\7l'RI.S l\ 'inn MOON. 27 1 attain. ,i;ot It. n imu'h listt'iiinL;' ccoiiu' a 1 awhile \c way, •^ — hicss ran liis thou milt \c it to began : Li cr, lor lbs .iMtl Hint' of ■ir fury. ADVRNTURliS IN T/f/i MOOX. I\) )!• I'aniKr Drown was so oxcrcoinc at this uncxpcictcd cndint,^ of his pocli-y thai his knees gave way entirely, and lie sank in a helpless state; to (iie i^rovnid. The an<;ry .Ir.niour of voices was instantly hnshed at tlie sound of a liinnpe't, which His Majesty commanded to be blown. As soon as (lu^etne.-; u as restored, he addressed his army, assurin,^ them that J'arrur i^.,,wp. was de^pix hurt at the was- they had received his poetry, " f'T vou oiiH-ht to have known, m\ brave soldiers, tliat his kind and sympathetic nature was (|uite incapable of imaginin- for a moment that >(.u wrre cowards and traitors. I am ashamed of y,,u for having treated 'tin in such a way; now show that you bear no ill-will by giving hiu) Ihree cheers." This they immediately did, and by the time they were fMiished, j-armer Hrown, who had heard what His Majesty had said, had hastilv risen and in great excitement assured them that he h;id never inlend.d anything personal, but it was the onlv piece of poetry he knew, "And, indeed, I think )ou are the bravest, grandest army that exists," " ^^'^"•" ^•''^' I'"' ^'•"' i" II"' Moon. •• I tinnk larmer Hrown deserves to Ik- rewarded after .,ii tins rough inalmcnt. HrniK f<"Hi ih loi AnviiXTURiis i.\ run moox. 2!) " {,)uack, ([uack," was lu'aid, and there appeared he fore the dehj^hted eves of Fanner Ih-own an inunc nse tl( ek of :^eese, and in the iront rank were his own. ^■es, there tluv were, every one of thini, e\en to Ilop-And-C.o-One, all looking- so proud and happ\ . 'I'hev ad\ anted with ir.easureil waddle to him, whereujion '"arnier lirown f< II to sirokmt; tliem with much pleasure, while tlu\ (piaeked merrily away, Memm,L;l\ as much ilcHj^hted at the meetin;,; as he was. " Now vou will M'e tlu' u>e wt' make of the Hoik in time of war." And His Majest)' said somelhins.; t<« the Ciiieral, who ealh d out, " I lu' Scout's l)i\ision, make re.idy ! " At this eommand a nmnlier of w.irriors aiUanced and statioiuil themselves eai h behind a j^oosi'. Mien tame th.e order, " To i^oosc I to ,l;-oosc ! and away ! " (Juitk as a Hash each little rider jumped on his goose, and was soon soaring aloft, with 1' lying Jack leading. " These art oiu" scouts, who go before the army and bring news ol the enemy's movements ; from their lofty position iluy are out of tln' reach of the enemy, and can watch what is going on without danger." " Wonderful I wonderful ! ' was all I'armer Brown could say. ■m J CIIAI'II-R V AnriixrrRiis in the moon. :u A council was i ninicdiatcly called, an d it was finallv decided to abandon their present tactics anc do this," saic 1 the Man i \ attack the enemy m the re Ht ar. n the Moon, turning to l-armer \\i 11 have to sea le the Ice Mountain ; it will l)e 11 S( rown, )mewhat toilsome, o we but OIKH," when magnificeni th lot) is ir;,incd the slitle down on the other side is dare sa)' now peoi )ie below seem to 'J-o m tor a '^ooi f< Indeed, \'our Majesty, I am not muc that you are (juite fond of sliding d deal of that sort of thing, h of a hand at steerins tht fact, I havi' ne\tr attem ptetl it since the time I upset Molly, and- 1 in )Ut perhai)s I am tiring you with my convers going I never know when to stop. " Not at all, |)ray continue ; your con " Well, t'.ieli," sai( ation. Molly says when I get versation is truly delightful." 1 l-armer Brown, (juite pleased at such a compli ment, OlU' fme, bright night Molly and I started to go sliding uul as the hill was crow i() and make a t K as lim r.rown was i\Qi\, she said she hoped 1 would steer straight and not lonkev of mvself, which 1 sincerely hoped I wouldn't, then th a SI )len/7:-.\/Y-A7f.V /.\- Tim .UOOA li ; I ' ' ""," *'■'■ •^"■••"«"' """ •"'"'"-■ ^ .^- -Hi such . a.„„„.,t,„„ ue I- -.^ -a,-o,ll..„- and s,.,„ ,„.. „.,„ ,,.,„„ ,h,. ,,,„„, sav,,,.. „ .he ::r, ^ :^''v- '"''■-•■ ■- --y.- .-;,,,:; j: •inyulinr, and s,,m,|„„lv i„|d „„. ^l,,. i,,,, , , ■ '/7™' '''7^' ■''-'--'--' -Id, ,nu she. .,,,,,dn-, '"'"- '"'" ' ;■""'•' ""'^'' " ":■■ .\. las,, ,„K. „i,h,, as , lav JuiL.. iKinJ 'il<^'(l to listen to the: ;,;•;" -^^-'>- ■•■ ^'- -- <- or ...-ts. -,„... „. ...y thin, so soon as cvcnniy- can,, started A,,- Jut ho,„,. , ,.,.„.... ' '^ player, hut I just stood beneath 1 me. ! \vaH nol nuich of a i< '" \vnuh)w and played I i one or two ADVHNTURILS IX Till: M00\. 33 simple tunes, somewhat of the melancholy kind, to let her sc. hou badly I \v little song : as feeling, and then in a very slow and sad voice I sang thi^ Oh Molly, iiic ! " Bravo ! bravo ! been a Why, barmer Brown, you should have b poet," cried His Majesty in great glee. " 1 think the song kind of touched her as well as the banjo playing, for we made it up that night, lU.t. oh! Vour Majesty, what is that shining yonder ? " " That is the Ice Mountain we have to climb." "It is very sleep, Vour Majesty." "Ves, it is steep; but be not alarmed, our pionec,.. will make the ascent easy. See 1 they are at work already." jr-irnicr B-n>wn Un^kvd and saw a nmnber of the sprib'S busily engaged in cutting steps up the side of the mountain, and so (pnckly 34 ADVENrURF.S IX THE MOO. did they work that the army were soon en gain the summit. Mere each was ^rjven a piece of board. " Now." said Mis Majesty, as he seated himself on his board and bade Farmer Hrown do h'kewise, " hold on firmly, and just let yourseh' -o. Are you ready ? " " Ves," u-asped I'armer Hrown, who couldn't help f\,clin^ a little frightened as .^ he looked down the glistening- sitle of the' mountain. " All ri-ht ! start us, cried the Man in the Moon. It was easy enough to start His Majesty, but Farmer Brown recjuired a vast deal of shoving from a number of sprites before he could be started; but he soon^^j^ overtook the .Man in the M *^ ' ADVENTURES IN THE MOON. 35 1' //I and shot i)ast him at a tremendous rate, with his moutl: wide open and his eyes starint;- wildly. " Hold on ! elini;- to your board ! " ealled out His Majesty. " Bles^ my heart, I should think so ! " called back Farmer Brown. " Well, how did you like it ? " asked the Man in the Moon, as they reached the l)ottom. " Glorious ! Your Majesty. Never experienced anythin<< like it ! So smooth and swift ; not a jar or a shake." " Considerably better slidini;- than you have on your planet, eh I " " Our planet is not to be compared to this, Your Majesty, everything is so beautiful here." " It is, so far as you have seen ; but alas ! all parts of my domain are not so beautiful ; in fact, there are places where no one could live ; but I uill tell you more later, for I see one of the scouts coming this way." The scout brought word that they were now close to the enemy's camp, who were totally unaware of their approach. Urictly ciijoincd as they moved forward to the attack. r>ilencc wah Before ascenc liuLr the hill which hid them from the enemy— who were ;.'« ADVENTURES IN THE MOON. nicr Brown through r"-''"' " ' r''' '"''^^-^'^'^ ''-^ ■" ^'- ^^-" sent fi. ti;:;^ his ^^'--nors, and uh.spcred to them to remain .vith In,- the i.attlc, and take every eare of him. ' 'icn turning- to I '"a my ■y will take must leave you, as . "■'"^■'' '^'■••^^■•^' '^^' -^^^'^l^ "These are tuo of "--t cxpuKuced uar.ors, called Scpubbs and Squihhles • the^ you MUo the company they beion^- to. And now I ' ' J'H' attack is about to connnence ; " and wavin, his hand. His Majesty '^^"■ru'd forward to speak to his (;eneral ■" ^ ■^M^^-^'^ N^;?^ of his tlirough ) of my vili take you, as Majesty A CHAPTHR VI. THI' I!.\TTl.i:. I'AR and shrill sounded the l)Ui;les for the charoe, and with a cry of " Long live the Man in the Moon," they rusheil down the hill, the archers leai'lng. Though taken by surprise, tin Ceneral «-f nuccn ^ Venus' army (juickly formed his men into a solid !^;K^15j| phalanx and awaited the onslaught. WM!^ Showers of arrows now began to fall, fast and furious, between the iw armies, but as His Majesty's drew near, their archers fell back and allowed the spearmen to advance. Tliese came fi)rward at the double cpuck, their long, slender spears f.)rming a glittering hue of steel. Faster and faster sped the arrows from the bows of tin enemy as the spearmen advanced. ISut on they came, with so fierce a rush that the fSi as ADVIiNTURHS IN Tllli MOOX. m archers were swept aside. (irash ! — steel has met steel, but the st)licl phalanx remains unbroken. A^^ain and a^ain ditl (ieneral (Juickeye lead his men to ■ the charge, but each time the enemy's ranks remained unbroken. I'inding' it impossible to force his way through, (Ieneral Ouickeye commanded the retreat to be sounded, for lie saw he must try other tactics. When the retreat sounded, Squibbs and Squil)bles had fairly to drag Farnier Brown back, for by this time he was worked up to the highest state of excitement. " A retreat, you dogs I " panteil he, in great wrath. " Not a bit of me will retreat while 1 ha\e a leg to stand on. it is a shame to run away I " Hut we are not running away ; we will charge again. See, they are alri'ad\ forming." " Dear ! dear ! Well, it is a (|ueer way to fight, I must say, running awa)' and then back .igain." Suddenly the bands of His Majesty's army struck n[) a blast of such martial music that it sent the blood tingling through l-armer P.i'own.'s \'eiP-S. -luid !!Kide him Ioiil' foi' tlie tiuhtinu' tu recommence. SiH i';ll ADVENTURES IN THE MOON. 39 " What are \vc waiting for ? the men arc all ready. Why don't we charge ? " "Have patience. Really, Farmer Brown, you surprise me!" chuckled S(|uil)l)s. " I had no idea you would make such a valiant warrior. \()ur geese seem to be imbued with the same lively spirit as yourself; look uj) yonder and see what a dance they are having." Farmer Brown glanced up and saw the whole corps of geese over the enemy, rising ami falling in time to the music. " Bless my heart ! whatever are they going to do ? " " They are waiting for the signal to dash down upon the enemy. The scouts are armed with long s!)ears ; these they will thrust with great cpiickness among tlu' enemy, and then, when they are thrown into confusion, we will charge." Just then the music changed into a piercing wail, and down dashed the corps of geese with shrill cackles, and, to the dismay of the enemy, they found themselves attackeil from above. riu-own into wild disorder, they broke their ranks and lied, hotly piusued by His Majesty's army. Several time> did the ( kneral who commanded (Jueen \enus' army succeeil m rallying his num, but they lis were as often routctl. Hut lie cndcavourccl to make one stand more, and the soKliers, animated by his j^^allant conduct, took up their position on a slight eminence, and once more faced their ailversaries. I'armer Brown and the two warriors were amonj^" the f()remf)st of tlieir |)ursuers as they turned a bend in the valley, round which the enemy had \anished from \ iew. " Hack ! back ! l"armer Brown," cried Squibbs and S(|uibblcs, as soon as they saw the position occupieil by the enemy. " We must wait for the rest to come U]), or we will be cut to pieces." Bui with a shriek of " \Am^ live His Majesty," he darted towards the enemy, bramlishing his sj)ear. Upon seein^^ this, the two war- riors followi'tl, resolving to die with him rather than be false to their trust." " Seize that tall warrior and the otiier two, We will keep them as hostages," calleil out the (ieni'ral The three were s()0!i overpowered and made piisoners ami marched off. just as the cries of " To the ris( ue I to the rescue oi Farmer Brown ! " fell uj)on their ears. r|)('\ were hu!rie she does ; but at the same time, just as surely as the earth travels round the sun. so does the moon. So we are, you see. two sister planets, travelling round the same sun. Do you understand?" .. I_l_think so-you say our earth is a planet and y..ur moon is a planet, and together we journey round— round—ahem ! the— " Sun." "Exactly! round the sun; but wait a bit. I don't see how if your moon journeys round our earth she goes round the sun also." " Mow stupid you are, Farmer Brown. Why, it is just as plam as plain can l)e " " Well, explain it to him," interrupted S(|uibb!es. "Oh. come now, I can't stop to answer such foolish (piestions. or 1 will never get through. 1 repeat they both journey round the sun. who pulls them with great force towards himself—" fti| i' 48 j i ' 1 ' ADVliNTo^ES IN TH,i MoON. " "'^'■"' ' ^l-^ar ! you rfont say so Wh » \, ~ ■■ I--.-.r,ncr Brown ! if y„„ ,, ,. ' ' '" ''"'=^ ^"^ P"" then with ? " '"I "•"- "- '- .u„ .h.,; „,„ri„z;,"";^"^" ""««- I wii, ">uid .Misucr such a ,,uc.stin„ as that > " ' ^"" ""'"^ ""^I^^Jy ^.Kiu::i, ' •;';i,r'i,:r':r";7';,™::-: , '-- -- ....... ^^'" try and net interrupt you ao-ai„/- ' ' ''"'^ '""^'"^'^'' ^nd I " ^f^' inills," continued SoniMw - -"^^b as he ,,„,,s thj r^ ;r;: i-"'-"^^^^^^^^^ ■,.•....,.,.. ""•"" • ^" •■>l«. Ihc ,„„„„ ,,u||, ,,„, '•","'■ ''^ ' '"I'l y-«.. pulls the "' "■^' -■•". causes he,. „'„:"; ' ■^" '"^ ^^'^ «-"- -■'«"' -"> -.e of the sa,„e si.e h ,, T'' " ""■ "'""" ■•'"" "- "■••'y ''>' '!-• earth; |,„t „,e pull „f , ^ "'" '""' "'^' """-r ■^'^""K as that of the earth, an I if it ,' '"" " """" "'™ '"^^ as """^- - '>••'■•'' as he pulls the , :'" '"" "■■" '"■ """^ "-. earth eanirs i„i,„e„ee an., .,ra, .rs auay .;i't;;.,;,; ."""" ^""" -'-""»- the H"-e S.|uil,hs pause,! and loot-,,,] ., ,• ' ""■' "■- "ore the ,00. of on- t J ' Tr "■"""■ ""'- ^ce hv ADVENTURES IN THE MOON. 40 " I think you have had enough about astronomy for the present. I will tell you more later." Farmer Brown breathed a sigh of intense relief and nodded his head. "Bless my heart!" he said to himself, "supposing he should (jues- tion me about that pulling business ; I can't for the life of me answer one question. Eh I what is it," he said, suddenly starting up, as one of the guards poked him with a spear. "Oh, yes, to be sure, the sun pulls the earth; no, I mean tlie earth pulls the moon— " " What is the man talking about," cried the guard in astonishment. " Here, I say, wake up ; it's time to march." " Ay ! ay ! to be sure ; to be sure. I thought you wanted to know something about " " You have no right to think at ^1 ; you have just to listen and obey orders." CHAPTER Vir. QUEEN VENUS AND HI-R FUCilTIVI.: ARMV LOSE THEIR WAV AM) CDMIi 1() A WEIRD AM) AWFUL I'LACIi IN THE MOON. OW singular," said Squibblcs, after they had been marching- for a long time, but it is certainly growing- dark, and it must be near morning." " Your are right, Squibbles, it is growing darker, and look at the scenery we are passing through, it has been gradually becoming more and more rugged. See ! " and Scjuibbs pointed to a lofty range of mountains, upon whose summits and sides not a tree or shrub could be seen. " Never before did I see aught so desolate in all our wanderings over the moon. What if we should have lost our way, and are coming to that AnVEN'jrhtliS IN THE MOON. 51 dreadful place of which . have heard somewhat from our wise men. They say that nothin- lives there, and that the mountains send forth fire." By this time they had reached the mountains, and were passmg through a gorge. ..Bless my heart, you don't say so!" cried Farmer Brown m great fright. " Yes, and that day and night last a fortnight." "Had you not better go and inform Her Majesty?" " And get my head cut off for interfering I " "1 thii^." said Sciu.bbles, in his g- . . way, "that it is our duty to inform Queen Venus of the danger that you think threatens us, even if we have to lose our heads for it." Suddenly the <..der to halt was given as they came out of the gorge, and found themselves in a vast, desolate, rough plain, with ranges of ru-oed hills and towering cone-shaped mountains rising on all sides. Not a*\ree. bush or blade of grass was visible, while a deadly stillness pervaded the place. '1 he almospher. was charged with sulphurous vapor which rose from the various cone-shaped mountains. The heat was r>'i ADVENTURES IN THE MOON. intolerable. Hastily consultinj^ with her officers, Queen Venus was advised by them to send for the three prisoners. " For ^'()ur Majesty may learn somewhat from them concerning this dreadful |)lace, whether it will be advisable to continue on our way or to turn i)ack." So the three were brought before Her Majesty and questioned, uhereujion S(|uibbs related all he knew, and that undoubtedly they were now in that part of the moon, and to penetrate farther would be certain death. Scarcely had he finished speaking when a dense darkness settled down, and the ground began to work violently beneath their feet. And the next moment a flame of fire shot forth from one of the distant mountain peak.^ while at the same instan.t a noise like furious cannonading rt nt the air, and from the sky there rained what looked like balls of fire. I'ortunately but few fell where they were. As soon as darkness had fallen, Squibbs and Squibbles had placed themselves one on each side of l-armer Brown, and taken firm hold of him, resolved to be tiue to the trust imposetl on them by their king. ii APVIiNTUKES IN THE MOON. h'.\ " Don't Stir ; keep where you are ! " said Squibbs, as Farmer Brown showed signs of restlessness as he felt the ^^voumX shake beneath his feet. As the flame of fire shot from the mountain and lit up the darkness, Squibbs saw a large opening in a rock near them, and shouted as loud as he could, for the noise of the caimonading was tremendous. " Your Majesty, I see a large opening in the rock close to us. If you can follow me I will lead the way to it." "We will take advantage of the next Hash and follow y.u. ()l)tain shelter for us, and you and your companions are free," answereil the Queen. Before anyone had been hurt by the flying missiles. Scpiibbs had led them safely into an enormous cave ; here they couUl breathe more freely, as the heat was not so great, and they were free from the balls of fire which kept raining fast and furious over the plain, which was now lit up for miles around by flames of fire bursting forth from not only one mountain, but from dozens of others. It was a weird and awful sight, and brave warriors though they were, they trembled as they gazed upon it. •« I would that we were safe in our own beautiful Venus. Never i I 54 ADVH.XTCRliS /X THE MOOS. a,nain w I iinaclr tlic cloiiiains of the Man in the Moui I am sorely afraid we will all ihe in this chwulful phi' v , unless ue can find the ,i,^<>ri^ro l)\- whieh we entereil And the ( )ueen lo(>ked so mournful and sad as she uttered these words, that j-armer Hrow n jumped up ami declared he would j4() and si'arcli for the openini;', and was startinj;^ out of the ca\e when Scjuibhs and S(|uil)l)les drayj^ed him hack. \'ou foolish earth-man, don't \'ou see low th esi' nails o f fiR arc tluinderinjj^ down ; wait till they sto|), and Sipiibbles anil I will ^o with you. I am ahaid, Ndur .M.ij^.sty," contiiuieil Sipiihbs. " that ni!.;ht has set in, ami as it Lists for a fortnij^ht wi' will ha\e great diflieulty in dis- coxerinj; the way out, hut as soon as these meteorites cease falling we will go and do our best to find the opening." After what seemed a wearisome waiting the meteorites at last stopped, md the three went lorth into the d ness. Ihev groped their way along for s(.me ilistanee. Sudilenly Sipiibbs cried out " Oh my fiet, my feet, help ! lu'lp ! i'armer Hrow While S(piibl)les at the same moment called out : — I am drowning, help I hcl|) ! Farmer Urown." Hless my heart, you don't say sol Ugh' what is this I Hot AD\-ii.\Tnou positions of higii tru->l at my court, ai: narry you to two nai(.!^ .u)r/:X7('/ervice you have rendered us, for we should have all l)een lost but for your fortunate finding of this wonderful rock and " Pray pardon me, \()ur Majesty," interrupted Farmer Brown, hurriedly, " but— you see— there's Molly." " Molly ! who is she ? " " Why, she's my wife, anil 1 don't think she would like the idea of my stayinj.;- in Venus." The gueen thouglit for a moment, and then she said, " We will send for Molly, and 1 will make you my I'rime Minister." m ^^ ''»iM' JOT. ground. o PART I. SAD IK)USi:. LITTLE boy named Jot lived in a gloomy mansion, which stood by itself in a .great silent garden. This mansion was called Sad House. The trees spread their branches so that the sunbeams never reached the rank ::rass nor drooi)ing flowers. jot never played in this garden, for, strange t.. .ay, he never went cut of doors. When it rained, he sometimes stood, li,s face pressed again.t a window pane, and watched the drops pla-hing againM the leaves and the little streams of water trickling from the branches to llie Tut had an uncle who ua. most of the time away, and when le u as at home he used to sigh and groan so, that the little boy 64 JOT. ■ * i would Ko away to another part of the house, because ,t made hn. so sorrowful to hear his uncle n.oan as he rocked hintself back and forth like one in pain. When the uncle came honre he always went straight ,o a certain windo>v, which was in a far corner of the great draw.ng- roon, and opened it. A very large bu,«ble-bec would inuned.ately fly in and buzz angrily about his head, nraking a great noise, wh.le the miserable man tren,bled and wept. Jot would steal sofdy from the roon,, trcntbhng also, and wondering why his uncle feared the bee, and why he would always make so much haste I., let in an insect who was certain to tnake hi.nself so disagreeable. Indeetl, there were tunes when neither J..t n,>r his uncle had a life to live with the c. duct of th,s JOT. 65 bcc, whose buzzing- would almost become a roar. Altlioui;h jot did not, so to say, understantl a word that the bee uttered, still it was impossible to mark the tone in which he buzzed and not feel sure that his language was awfully bad ; in fact, it must have been so bail, that it was a very good thing that Jot did not know bee-language. He- was such a large bee too — many times the size of an ordinary bee, and belonged to no hi\e nor swarm. A very strange bee, with vagrant, un-bec-like habits. One warm day, Jot felt lonelier than usual. He sat in an immense room, which was very grand, but dark and chill. It was all velvet and gold, but nothing shone, for the sunlight did not reach it. The little boy opened a window to see if any brightness could get in to cheer the grand place, which was so dismal in its finery. He leaned out far, which he had never done before. Perhaps for the first time he wished, in a dim way, to be out in the open air. It was very warm and still in the garden. Presently his ear caught a sound, an echo— a very, very faint echo— of rippling laughter. It gave to Jot a great happiness of nloon.i. rind melancholy, to hear that and silence ; lau gl^ ter, tor i>«. wa^ so tired even the old servant who waited on him was silent, GG JOT. 11 ' " for he was ikaf and duml). Hi' looked out in every diretiion, into the trees (lor this was an U[)jjer winchn\), down into the silent drives antl walks, hut he saw nothini;-. The sun was ht)t, and inseets were lunnniini.': ahout the s\\i)osed that it could lead to anything bii.ul'l i ''^'^ 'i"^^' ''" tlio^iKli^ l'^'^^ "'^ '^" thin^^s, he would like to reach the Hat ro(.f and see what all the merriment was about. Jot had never felt the smallest inclination to K" '^^'t '^^ the t JOT. 07 housc-dooi- ; until tlii-< moment he li;ul never dreamt of doini;- anythin;^ else than wandering- eontentetlly from room to room, or up and down the lont;- corridors and .galleries. Hut now his Mood stirred at the sound of frolic and play. You see he was fdled with wonder and ])l(.'asure, for he hatl ne\er seen \n\ jo\ nus faces, noi had he ever looked on other children at play. He walked faster than was lis wont to the door which o])ened on the narrow ami steep stair. He was iK.'t .ifraid, for he had ne\er kr>own anythin;j;- to he afraid of, so he did not pause at all. hut climbed in haste from step to stcj). At the top theri' was ;i trap-door like an okl-fashioned cellar-way in a kitchen lloor. lie pushed it up, with his hands first and then with his little shoulders, and i;ot out and stood on the r»»of. It always seems odd to be on the roof of a house. No matter how larj^e it is, one feels unsafe unless one is used to it. it is so stran^a; to have a floor under your feet and no walls nor ceilinj;. In any case, Jot would have fell ([ueerly, especially as lie was not useil to beini,^ out-doors; 1)U< you mav fancy that he had very gooil reason on this occasion, for he tound him.-,elf suirounded by what I can only call a mob— yes, a mob of tiny creatures I (J8 /('/: !■■£ ? The)' ucri, not people, for they had win^s, and their faces were as (laiiU\- am! beautiful as sweet-pea blossoms. Incletd, jot thouj^ht directly of (lowers, and felt as tliouiL^h he ueri' in tlu' garden at which he had so often looketl, through the wiiidow, when lh<' wind made the blossoms boisterous. Thex- bounded up and down as liohtlv as thistle- down, tirclini; i-ounil him, mountini^' in the' air ■cIom' to his chubby, wondirin^ face. ( )ne .di^htiil on his shoulder and ])eered round (uriously into his c)'es, holdiuL; on first t.p his ^:\\■ .tnd llu'n to a lock of his turl\ hair. 'I'his one had i^Kaimni; golden trisses, and w.is clad in a i^arb of },;()ssamer so fnie, that it seemed more like mist with the sun shiniiij^- on it than an\thin;^ that i stand on. She inmudialely walked out on the extended arm as lar as his elbow, pi{;kinj,( her steps c.ari'fully o\er tl^ wrinkles m his siceM'. I'rom her p( n h on his ( Ibow hi looked .it him ij^airt for a I ?1 yor. 69 minute. Then suddenly facinj; the eiowd of little ereatures who jostled eaeh other below, she elapped her hands and win^s, whieh made the little boy think of a humminj^-bird, for her motions were so i|uiek that one eould only liken her to a bird ;ether : — " To his coii/irirs he is Icin, I.ct us make a merry din, i'"or tlie tall' sh.all be toinpleti; W'lii-n the persons ,ali shall nicel, /ind llu' liiiiouciiicnt enact, %_ Sjiells and uia^'ii \ f?.*' that wc have rvcv known, an JOT. d it is about the Uncle, and the Yellow Jon(|uille, which is axeiij^ed by the P>unible Bee. We were passing this ^^•;iy ,)h^ years and years as^o — when it was only bci^nnnin_L,f, and although we were bound for the Land of luichantnient, where roses bloom all the year round and Christmas comes every week, where figs are already candied when they grow, anil the very roadside pebbles are sugar-i)lums, yet we delayeil to learn the story of the I'ncle, the Bumble Bee, and the Vc:llow loncjuille, and as we felt sure that you would sometime find a wav to break the wicked spell of the ik'e, and finish the Story for us," said the fairy, " we have waited and waited for you to come and make an end of it." " 'I'd come and inal No for these branches were very slight th( birds alighting on them mai Suddenly an idea seemed t le them sway and ([uiver. () s trik c Ins, ant! si)rea(lmg her K ossamer wing s. s he flew out ove r the garden. Her bright companions joinec JOT. her, and fluttering in the air hke a great throng of butterflies, they appeared to liold a eouneil. Jot stood waiting, for he was certain that they were going to help him. Presently they returned, flocking about him again, and Iris, who had ;.-.i iv, n very grave and important, as well as mysterious, spoke to iiim : " Return here to-morrow at -rrise. Come prepared for a journey. Go now, for we have much work on hand, and must not parley longer." So saying, off she flew, and followed by the whole fairy train, descended to the garden below. Jot rubbed his eyes and peered over the parapet that surrounded the flat roof, but in vain. 'i"he long grass and weeds hid them from view. He couUi only see the grass stirring like sea waves, and tall hollyhocks and gt)lden rods bending seemingly of their own accord — such sights as we often see and wonder at when no wind is blowing. Then he went away down the crooked stairway, saying to himself: " Yes, I will certainly be here to-morrow at sunrise." PART II. TIIM TRANSl'ARIvNT I'ALACIi. ILXT mdrnini;-, just ns the sun rose ami i)aintcd the eastern sky the sweetest pink, Jot lifted the trap-door once more and stood on the Hat roof. The fairies were in a great excitement as well as awfully tired, as they well mij^ht be, for they had worked all night weaving an immense net of grass and leaves, which was spread out on the roof. Iris explained to Jot that he was to stand on this green net, which would be lifted by all the company, who would then spread their wings and carry him with them to the ground. " Once there," she said, " you have only to wander al)road and look everywhere for a golden-hearted jonquille. This fellow " (pointing to a stout little fairy) "is going with you. He is called I)affy-I)own-I)illy, V i Pi JOT. and he thinks that he is rchitcd to tlic N'cllow JoiKiuillc. That I cannot tell, but he w.ints to tj;(), and he may be useful to )'ou. If you want to mail any letters on your journey, he can fly up to the birds' nests and deposit them. \'ou must be sure to write," she said ; " it will all be part of the Story. ( )r if }()U have anything- very interesting to tell, you may telegraph." "How shall 1 telegraph?" asked jot. "Oh," replied Iris, "don't sou know that? \'ou just write what )dU want on a leaf, ami go to the top of a pine tree and wait for a high wind to carry it for nou. Sometimes the wiiul is long of coming, and sometimes it blows the wrong way," she continued thoughtfully, " and it may be better, on tlu- whole, to post it. I ha\e more than forty tek'grams now on hand waiting for a cyclone, for they are impor- tant, and must go l)\' a stiff bneze or not at all. < )h, Jot," ami she clasped her hands, as she was fond of doing, " what you ha\'e missed by being shut so long into that cruel, dark house I Science has been making such strides t " " Where will my letters go afti r they .'ne deposited in the birds' nests?" " r• ( )nicc ' ri'l'li- d his • " the svHtcp.i is very JOT. complete. Once in the Dead Letter Ottiee they are At Rest, ami you trouble no more about them. lUit now you must w\\\Vc haste, the sun is ^ettini;" hii;h." All the fairies Hew to their posts, seizini;-. each one, hold of the edt^e of thr net. 'I'hev were h()t-temi)ereil little eri'aturcs, ami tlu're was a i;-ood deal of (|uarrellin;< as they jostled each other. Wlu'ii all was ready to start, they were hindered by the froward conduct of Dafty- Down-Dilly, who said that he was a travtllcr as will as Jot. and that he had a iii;ht to lie carried down on the screen ml. This was umeasonable, as he could lly, and indeed ouv;ht to have helped to bear the net. The otlu'rs were very \ndi;^nant, and they all dropped their hold ;md ran back anil forth scolding violently. The npn.ir might have lasted imlil noon if Iris had not seized Daffy by one leg, and dragging him to the edge of the roof, tossed him over. Of course, as ln' could (ly, lU) harm was done. " To carry ////// down I " she crietl, returning to her post. " Ilim ! " cri((l all the indignant fairies. '!"hey were ready to start when they s.iid this, but they -dl dr(>p|)ed the net auaiii and looked at one another in consternation. It was (piite 1.0 I.I 1.25 llJia Ilia ^ 1^ 112.2 |36 1.4 12.0 1.6 MICROCOPY RESOLUTION TEST CHART NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS STANDARD REFERENCE MATERIAL lOlOa (ANSI and ISO TEST CHART No 21 80 JOT. \\% a few minutes before Jot understood what the trouble was. You see, it was against all custom for the fairies to speak in prose, and now they had uttered just one word, " //////," and you cannot by any stretch call one word poeiry. As soon as Jot understood their difticulty, he said : — " llim, ]{)• a liiiil), Tlif)- tlra<4!^c(l to tlio brim, Antl cast n\crl(oai(l in a luinishmcnt i^rim." This delighletl them, antl they repeated it over sexcral times, clapping tlieir hands. TluMi for the third time all was read), and up they rose. Jot standing in the nuMdle of the net. lie felt very gay going through the air in this manner, and was almost sorry when they reached the ground. lie was sorry also to take leave of his little friends, especially of Iris, who was beginning to weep, when she was startled by a scream from some of the others, who had just found Daffy stretched on the ground under a rosebush. Mis eyes were shut, and the fairies began to wring their hands and sob. Hut Iris, who knew Daffy well, went right uj! to h.!!!!. and tiikintr a (liorn from the roRcbushj shc said : JOT. 81 'II " There is nothing hke a little blood-letting in a case like this," and proceeded to prick his fat cheek. Hut the thorn had scarcely touched him, when up he bounded rubbing his face and screaming in verse that he was killed. It took some time to get him (piieted. All the fairies were very kind to him, although, as Jot could not help thinking, he did not deserve it, as he had given them so much trouble in the beginning, and had only i)retended to be dead to frighten them. But after a while all the good-byes were said, and Jot found himself walking along die highway, Daffy following close at his heels. They went a l(jng way in silence, for Jot was thinking about this enterprise which he had undertaken. It took pretty hard thinking too, and he had to wrinkle his forehead and nod a good deal. Once he spoke out aloud and said, "Oh, why did my uncle throw the golden-hearted flower away?" Then Daffy wagged his head knowingly, in a very self-righteous way, and said : — " 'Tis a sill lo plucl^ a lli)wcr, Growing; iti its leafy howcr, And to cast tliat flowci- away, Sorrow briiifja a later day." Soon after this, they saw a bank where strawberries grew. Dafty : I 82 i jor. flew at once to the feast, and I)e<^^an picking- the berries and stuffing them into his mouth. Some that were not as red as the rest he threw away. The prett)- stra\vl)erry l)h)ssoms were on the same stalks with the berries, ami soon the ground was covered with torn flowers and crushed berries. Then Dafty, who had eaten too many, became very cross, ai'd threw himself down among the plants and rolled peevishly about. Jot waited until he had stopi)ed fretting, and then said, " I thought yon would not pluck flowers, nor throw them away." " Strawberry blossoms are difterent," replied Daffy, angrily, without trying to make a rhyme, for he was in such a bail humour, that he was cjuite reckless. This might have got him into trouble, so Jot fmished it for him : — " .Slrauljcny l)lossnms aio (liHcroiit quite l'"i()iii ImkIs that can never he eaten, .■\iul tlie berries, tlicy arc such a heautiful sii;ht, Adapteil so well to he hitteii." But nasty little Daffy did not say " 'I'liank you." On the contrary, iic seenud ofiended that ]^<\ had noticed his conduct in the strawberry J or. 8:< plot, and after whimpcrinp: and sulkino- a little longer, he said that he was' goin^- l)ack to Sad House, and off he went up the road, nuitterini; and grun-il)lint;'. Jot was alone now, and he felt sorry that Daffy was .<;one away, for any company seemed better than none. lie could not help wishin^^ that Iris herself were with him, {or she had seemed so wise and helpful. Thinkino- of her as he walked alont;-, he at leni;th came to a shady nook in a wood, and then he lay down to sleep. It was jveninj,^ when he awoke. He stretched and rubbed his eyes, and then, to liis i^reat surprise, he saw a very (lueer-looking- Hrownic seated on a log watchini,^ him. When Jot sat up. the Brownie seemed very much frightened. He trembled and held on tightly to the U)g. Jot spoke in a friendly tone and held out his hand, for he was a very polite little boy, but the lirownie just peered into the haml to see what it held, and finding it to be empty, he looked up at Jot and shook his head. " Do not be afraid." said Jot. " I am not afraiil of you. Let us be friends, and perhaps you can tell me something that 1 want to know, I am looking everywhere for a jonipiille with a golden heart. Can you tell- " H4 JOT. He stopped, because the Brownie was laughing so much that his eyes went out of sight, and he had to hold his sides, while his cheeks were swollen like l)alloons. When at last he could speak, he said : " I beg your pardon, but I have seen that Jont|uille, and I am laughing because I helped her to hide it." " Helped whom to hide it?" asked Jot. " Oh, the Lady who lives in the lYansparent Palace," replied the rSrownie. " You see, I am her woodman, and when she heard that someone was searching for the Yellow Joncpiillc, she took it out of her garden into the Palace, and " (here the Brownie went into explosions of laughter again) " the Palace is transparent, and it could be seen from the outside, no matter where we put it. I nearly died laughing while we dragged it roiuid from room to room ; but we got it hidden at last," and the Brownie laughed afresh at the thought t)f it. " Tell me where and how you hid it, ' said Jot. But the little brown man put on a very cunning look and shook his head. " That is a secret," he said. " I am fond of puzzles," said Jot. *' Let me try to guess this one. JOT. m Tell me where the Transparent l>ah.ee is. and I u .11 ^o and search lor the hidden Icnquille, and when I fail to find it, I wdl con.e back here and tell you where there is a bank covered with the hrst r.pe straw- '"' The Brownie becan.e excited over this, and canu. close to j.>t, quite forgetting his fears. " ( Juite ripe ? •' said he, " and big ones ^ •• ^ .. Yes," replied Jot. " but 1 will not tell you any uK.re untd I cnnc back— without the Jontpiille." -'Ah,- said the Brownie, "but y might come back w,th ,t, and what would become of my situation then ? " ..Well, it would not matter." said Jot. "would it. for I suppose you can't be paid a great deal for just being a wo.Kbnan ? " .. I am not paid anvthing," replied the Brownie, " but ,hen. 1 have the situation, you see," and he nodded his head kn<.wn.gly. .. I have no situation," said Jot. "Are not vou sorry for uk' . Could you not get me one as woodn.an too? The work uu.st be too heavy for you to do alone." The Brownie considered for awhile. , ..t --, . t- ,,;,rh<-" hi' ^'lid " :ind then WC "\ou better come home with me tu-nignt, w -.i..!, H(j JOT. Wll Ko uj) together to the Palace in the niornini,r, and see if she likes your looks. y\re you stupid ? " he asked, (juite suddenly. " The Lady n-on't employ anyone who is eleNer. I am the most stupid creature that she ever saw ; she often says so, and therefore I suit her." " Well, I have been called stupid (piite lately," said Jot, thinkino- of Iris, "and I know very little, so perhaps I would do nicely, and I would he great company for you, besides." " So you will," cried the lirownie, and they set ^ii together to the queer little home, x\hich ^^•as in an enormous hollou- stump. It was very cosy and nice inside, being lined with moss and decorated with lichens, bright stones, and a fungus or two. on which the Brownie had drawn pictures. One of his pictures was, he explained, the Lady, and although you could see that it was not well done, still yon felt at once that the Lady was not a pleasant person, and that a better picture would only have made her disagreeableness more distinct, lie also had a tame tree-frog which sang in a cage. Over the door- way he had fastened a horse-shoe for luck. " ^\'hy is it lucky ? " asked Jot. " Ikcause it is so well fastened up," said the Hrownie. <' It is JOT. 87 of I very heavy, and if it came down on one's head it would be very """ueuas very kind and eivil as a host, and insisted, afte- they had eaten their supper of nuts and roots, on sleeping in the cellar, ;;.vuig up his bed of squirrel skins to Jot. Jot lay awake very long thinking, which made him sleep long m the morning. He slept until the sun was high, and might not have awakened then only that the groaning of the Brownie disturbed hun. " Oh," moaned the poor little man, " I am so ill, I am so ill. I have so man- ■ ains all at once." " It is rheumatism," said Jot, going to him, " and you have caught it by sleeping in th ■ cellar. It is too bad. 1 will carry you to your cwn bed, and then I will make a hot drink for you." .. And you will have to go to the '1 .uisparent I'alaee alone," groaned the Brownie, " and tell her that 1 am ill, or 1 will lose my situation." This lot readily undertook to do, and as soon as tlv.: Brown.e was nuule comfortable he set out. The Brownie had told him where to go to fin > Jot was careful not to show any more wonder at anything she said, 90 JOT. ii 1^' and she soon cni;ai;ccl him to he her ser\it()r. I lis principal duty, she exphiined, would be to catch flies on the edge of the forest, where the}' buzzed about in the sunlight. He ch(l not forget the Brownie's mi'ssage, but when he began to explain the matter, he was interrui)tetl by a hea\y sigh, anil the Lady, who was not listening, anil did not care about other people's rheumatism, said : " 1 ha\e a secret which I must tell to you ere you enter into my service. It is this: There is a word, one baleful word, which you must not utter whilst you are within these glassy walls. Once utter that word here, and )ou bring disaster, and shame, and ruin on me, and on yourself— death ! {"or— I— will— kill— you I " She fairly hissed out her last words, and Jot's blood ran cold. As soon as he could speak, he asked if it would not be better to tell him this perilous word, that he might be sure of avoiding it. "I'ooll" .shrieked the Lady, "to su|)pose that 1 myself dare utter it!" I here seemed nothing to gain by conversing with his new mistress, so he promised to be back in the evening with as many (lies as he could catch, ;ind off lir stiirted. JOT. !»1 "C.Lt f^t one:, said the Lady, in a hungry, pathetic voice, as he left her. lie found the Hrownie still in his scjuinel-skin bed. but recoverini;- rapidly from his rheuniatism. lie listened with eyes like saucers to Jot's story, and seemed particularly interested in the lly-catchiuK part ..f the narrati\e. "She's Koinj; a-fishini;-," he said, knouiuKly: '>ut Jot did not think that \ery likely. That afternoon they went together and cau^lit a ^''-^it many \\w> in a nioscpiito net which the Brownie had. These Jot carried to the i.a fi'^tli''- :"'cl make the most I ..J, r.iUnv. Harb '-v.-nintr Jot carried the result of the day's sport to that 02 JOT. stran.q-c, iinrcal-Iookint; Palace, every \isit hoping- that he iiii^ht hnt;er and east his eyes ahout him amonost the transparent walls, and perhaps espy the yellow flower of his (piest. 15ut each time he was dismissed in the same fierce haste, and if \\v tlisoi)eyi(l orders and looked behind, he saw, always, the Lad\'s wicked eyes fixed on him waiting for him to disappear. So he he-an to consider it" there were not a better way of attainini; his ilesire. "Ol fly-catchinj; there is no end," ihou-ht he, "I must try some other way. " \w\\ III PART 111. SliAM AM) SUCCUSS. Ill- r.rownic was very sorry when Jot told him one evenini;- tliat he meant to leave him and live close to the Transparent Palace, hravini,^ the lady's anKcr. He grew very down-hearted, although of course he was obliged to own that jot was never likely to obtain even a \kv\) at the hidden jon(iuille, if things went on in their ]. resent way. He loved jots company, the evinings in the hollow stumj) had bi'en so cheerful, and chasing tlies all day just suited him, although it made him neglect his duties as woodman sadly. Win n he knew that jot was determined on leaving him, he sat clasjnng his sharp little knees and rocking back and forth, while the tears ran down his ch« eks. m- P .' 94 yo7\ " The worst of it is, Jot," he said, " that I have no keepsake for you. ^'ou may have my pictures," he addetl, sadly. " No," said Jot, " they would be too inconvenient to carry about, thankino- you all the same ; but if you want to give me a keepsake, you ha\e something- better than that, and the best of it is, that after giving it to me, you would still have it. We would each have it, and so would be constantly reminded of each other." The Brownie got e.xcited at once, as '.vas his wont when at all interested. " Is it a riddle. Jot ? " he asked. Jot nodded his head. " (aiess it," he said. The Brownie knitted his brow and shut his eyes, and was still for several moments. 'I'hen he brightened up with a )ump, " My tree- frog ! " he shouted. lUit that was not it, and lot explained to him that the frog \v(»uld also be Iroublesonu' to cjum)' with him, ;md that in parting with it the Brownie would be losing instead of keeping it ; that, in short, tlu' tree- frog dill not nil tin bill. .S,, the little man tried again: "Half my ccllar-fuii of nul^ ? '"' he said. ./('/■ 95 " No," rci)liccl Jot, " that also you would lose in the i^ivinij:." " I would still \yd\c the other half," said the l^rownie. " Hut this is not to be half a Kift." said Jot. " 1 want you to give me the whole of it, and when you have given it, \()U will still have it." Hut the l^.rownie could not guess, he was not given to deep thinking and it tired him. lie began to nod and grow sleepy from mental exertion, so Jot hastened to startle him into wide-awakeness by answering his riddle himself. " Give me the secret of the hiding-place of the Yellow Jomiuille," he said, " you will have it still, and I will also have it and keep it to remember you by." The Hrownie was frightened at this. " I dare m)t," said he, whimpering, " I would lose my situation, for sure." " Hut you nuist have lost it already," answered Jot, " for you have not made a single faggot for ever so long." This uvmW the woodman cry more, for he had cpiile forgotten his own work through being so hai)py willi Jot. The little buy now tried 96 JOT. \ \ to comfort him, and, as it was i^ctting late, they set out toi^ethcr to carry to tlie Transparent Palace what Jot said would be their last catch of flies. On the way Jot triicl very much to persuachj him to t;ive up the secret, pointint; out that, havini;- lost his post already, throui^h neglect- in,i;- his work, it could not matter what his disa<,rreeal)le mistress thou<;ht of him, but the little man fretted, and was very miserable, mixing his lament for the lost situation with tearful leave-taking of his friend, and Jot was just despairing of bringing him to himself sufficiently to get the secret fiom him, when the Brownie suddenly clapped his hands, and, with the tears still on his ([ueer little face, bent himself nearly double with laughter. He choked and rolled and for a good many minutes could make no response to Jot's (luestions. When at last he could speak, he just gas])e(l out : " Are you hungry ? " and then went into fresh explosions of merri- ment, lot was glad to see his friend so cheerful once mort\ but he was grc'atly puzzled to know the reason for so much mirth. lie replied wonderingly : " It is not time to be hungry yet. I shall be hungry before bed-time," JOT. 97 "And where will you look for something to eat,'" fairly screamed the Brownie, holding- his sides again. "I am sure I do not know," said Jot, "in the Lady's larder perhaps." As he said this, he thought that something rustled beside hun, but when he looked, nothing was to be seen. But it ivcn grooving too dark to sec ivcll. The Brownie now tried to stop laughing and speak seriously. " Jot," said he, " he huugyy. I must not tell you what you want to know,' but it is like a riddle, and you must t^nd the answer your „wn self. P>e hungry, and go t(. the larder and tuul there sonu't)iing that you think is the greatest delicacy m the world. Cuess what it is ? " and he showed signs of laughing again. "Ice cream ? " said Jot. " No t " " Plum cake ? " " No I " " A frosted birthday cake ? " " NO-O-O 1 " lu !i! 98 JOT. 14- " Well, said Jot, " I don't know \\hat more to say, unless I l)egin again, and sa)' more ice cream, or twice as much cake, or two birthday cakes." " No, no, none of them," screamed the Brownie, in the greatest excitement. " (iuess the thing; of all others that mortals like to eat. ^'ou like it so much, that the children have to spend their play-time outdoors in luaking it. lispecially after rain," he added, thoughtfully. " The children make it ! " said Jot. " Children cannot cook, they don't make anything except mud-pies." At this the Brownie fairly shrieked with excitement. "Oh," he cried, "mud-pies! And don't you love mud-pies? I ha\e seen rows of chiklren making them, and looking as if they loved them." "Don't you love to eat a mud-pie. Jot?" he continued, anxiously, seeing that Jot was looking very much astonished. Again Jot heard a rustling' noise that seemed to follow them, but the tlusk was now deepening. They were very near now to the Palace, .'ind tliroiipli tile sli;idov\s thev I'ould '^ee i*^ <''leamin<'' ft ;'" 'uade !o<^ nervous. JOT. 99 "Stop your laughing, Brownie," he said, impatiently, "and tell me what you mean by this mud-pie nonsense. I have never played out- doors, and so have never made mud-pies. Where do y..u want me to look for this one ? " The Brownie stood up on his long, pointed toes, and makmg a trumpet of his two hands, he said, in a shrill whisper: •' Look for a mud-pie in the Lady's larder, and find a seeret worth knowing in that p " But the poor little woodman could not finish that last word, for a cruel white hand was fiislened tightly round his wizened throat, and a U,ng. gleaming arm held him up in the air. The Lady had him u. her grip! The Lady of the Transparent Lalaee, white with fury, foammg at the m