J UL IANA H O R AT I A EW I N G

’
S WO R K S
VOLUME TH REE

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O L D F AS H I O N E D F AI RY TAL E S

B RO T H E R S OF P IT Y

AN D O T H ER TAL ES O F
B EA ST S AN D ME N
J UL IA N A HO RA TIA EWIN G S ’
WO RK S
l i b rary QEh it io n

—
O L D FAS H I O N E D
F AI R Y TAL E S

O TH E R S O F P I TY

AN D O T H ER TAL E S O F
B EAS T S AN D ME N

J U LIA N A H O RATIA EWIN G

Au t b o r qf f a cka n a
p es
“
D a ddy D a r w i n
’
s D o v ec o t
'

I L LU STR ATED BY

A . W . B AY E S AN D GO R D O N B RO WN E

B O STO N
LITTLE, B R O WN , AN D C O MPAN Y
 K n o ws t t h o
’
u no t thl e p
i t t le a t h
h F b
Th a t wi n d s a b o u t t e e r n y rae

h d t b i E lfl a n d
Th a t i s t e r o a o o n n e ,

W h ere t h o u a n d I t h i s n i gh t m a u n g a e .

TH E R H Y ME R
TH O S .
.

P R E F AC E
t tl f th i s s tory b o k m i b
p o ss ly
s u g ge
s t
AS h i o ay
-
t e e O

th a t t h e t a l e s a r e Old fa i ry t a l e s told r sh: s m s a f e i t e e

w e ll to e xp l a i n th a t thi s i s n o t s o .

x
E cep f t o r t h e u s e o f c o mmon p p ro e rt i e s of

F a i ry D r a m a a n d a s c r u p u l o u s
,
e nd e a v o u r t o c o n

o r m to tr d t on i lo l olo r d d e t a i l t h e
f a i i n c a c u a n ,

s tor i e s a r e a ll n e w.
vi P RE F AC E

Th e y h a v e a pp e a r e d a t i nt e rv a l s d u ri n g s o m e
y e a r s p a s t i n A U N T J U D Y s MAGAZ INE FOR YO U N G
’

PE OP L E a n d w e r e wri tt e n i n c o n form i ty t o c e rt a i n
,
”

th e ori es r e s p e c t i n g s to r i e s Of th i s k i n d w i th o n ly two
,

Of wh i c h s h a ll t h e k i ndly r e a d e r o f pr e fa c e s b e

tro u b l e d .

F i r s t th a t th e r e a r e i d e a s a n d ty p e s o c c u rri n g i n
, ,

t h e myth s o f a l l c o u n tri e s wh i c h a r e c o mmo n

,

pro p e rti e s to u s e wh i c h do e s not la y t h e t e ll e r Of

,

fa i ry t a l e s Op e n to t h e c h a r g e Of p l a gi a r i s m Su c h
.

a s t h e i d e a O f t h e w e a k o u tw i tt i n g t h e s tron g ; t h e

fa i l u r e o f ma n to c ho o s e w i s e ly wh e n h e m a y h a v e
h i s w i s h ; or t h e d e s i r e o f s p r i t e s to e x c h a n g e th e i r
c a r e l e ss a n d u n fe tt e r e d e x i s t e n c e fo r t h e p a i n s a n d

e n a lt i e s Of h u m a n i ty if th e y ma y th e r e b y s h a r e in
p ,

t h e hop e s o f t h e h u m a n s o u l .

S e c ondly th a t i n th e s e ho u s e hold s tor i e s ! t h e

,

mod e l s fo r wh i c h w e r e ori gi n a lly or a l tr a d i t i on ) t h e ,

th i ng mo s t to b e a vo i d e d i s a d i s c u r s i ve or d e s c ri p t i v e
s tyl e Of wri t i n g Bre vi ty a n d e p i gr a m m u s t e v e r b e
.

s o u l Of th e i r wi t a n d th e y s ho u ld b e wri tt e n a s t a l e s
,

th a t a r e told .

Th e d e gr e e i n wh i c h i f a t a l ,
l t h e follow i n g t a l e s
,

fulfil th e s e c ond i t i on s n u r s e ry c r i t i c s m u s t d e c i d e
,
.

Th e r e a r e Old e r c ri t i c s b e for e who m fa i ry t a l e s ,

a s s u c h n e e d e x c u s e e v e n i f th e y do not m e e t w i th
, ,

po si t i v e d i s a pp rob a ti on .

On th i s s c or e I c a n only s a y th a t fo r m y s e l f I , ,

b e l i e v e th e m to b e b e yond a l ln e e d Of d e fe n ce
 P REF ACE vi i

mo s t va l u a b l e l i t e r a t u r e fo r t h e yo u n g I do not .

b e l i e v e th a t wond e r t a l e s c on fu s e c h i ldr e n s i d e a s
’
-

O f tr u th If th e r e a r e yo u n g i nt e ll e c t s s o i m p e r fe c t
.

a s to b e i n c a p a b l e o f d i s t i n g u i s h i n g b e tw e e n fa n c y

a n d fa l s e hood i t i s s u r e ly mo s t d e s i r a b l e to d e v e lop
,

i n th e m t h e pow e r to do s o ; b u t a s a r u l e i n c h i ld , ,

hood we a p p r e c i a t e th e d i s ti n c t i on w i th a vi v a c i ty
wh i c h a s e ld e r s o u r c a r e c lo gge d m e mor i e s fa i l to
, ,
-

r e c a ll .

Mor e ove r fa i ry t a l e s h a ve p o s i t i ve u s e s i n e d u c a
t i on wh i c h no c r a mmi n g o f fa c t s a n d no m e r e ly
, ,

do m e s t i c fi c t i on c a n s e rv e .

L i k e Prov e rb s a n d P a r a b l e s th e y d e a l wi th fir s t
,

pri n c i pl e s u nd e r t h e s i mpl e s t form s Th e y c onv e y .

k nowl e d ge o f t h e world s hr e wd l e ss on s Of vi rt u e a n d
,

vi c e o f c ommon s e n s e a n d s e n s e o f h u mo u r o f t h e
, ,

s e e mly a n d t h e a b s u rd Of p l e a s u r e a n d p a i n s u c c e ss
, ,

a n d fa i l u r e i n n a rr a t i v e s wh e r e t h e plot mov e s
,

b ri sk ly a n d dr a m a t i c a lly fro m a b e gi nn i n g to a n e n d .

Th e y tr e a t not o f t h e c orn e r Of a n u r s e ry or a p l a y
,

g ro u nd b u t o f t h e world a t l a r g e
,
a n d l i fe i n p e r
,

s p e c t i ve ; o f fo r c e s v i s i b l e a n d i nv i s i b l e ; o f L i fe ,

D e a th a n d Immort a l i ty
, .

For c a u s e s Ob vi o u s to th e s t u d e nt Of e a rly myth s ,

th e y fo s t e r s ymp a thy w i th n a t u r e a n d no c l a ss o f ,

c h i ld l i t e r a t u r e h a s don e s o m u c h to i n c u l c a t e t h e
-

lov e o f a n i ma l s .

Th e y c u lt i va t e th e Im a gi n a t i on th a t gr e a t gift ,

wh ich t ime an d e xpe ri e n c e l e a d o n e mor e a n d mo r e

vi i i P RE F AC E

to va l u e —h a ndm a i d o f F a i th o f Ho e d
, p a n, p
, e r

h a p s mo s t Of a ll o f C h a ri ty !
,

I t i s tr u e th a t s om e o f t h e Ol d fa i ry t a l e s do not
t e a c h t h e h i gh a n d u s e fu l l e ss on s th a t mo s t Of th e m
do ; a n d th a t th e y u n qu e s t i on a b ly d e a l now a n d
a g a i n w i th p h a s e s o f g rown u p l i fe a n d w i th c r i m e s
-
,

a n d c a t a s tro p h e s , th a t s e e m u n s u i t a b l e fo r n u r s e ry
e nt e rt a i nm e nt .

A s to t h e l a tt e r q u e s t i on i t m u s t b e r e m e mb e r e d
,

th a t t e b r v ty Of t e n a rr a t i v e
h e i h — wh e th e r i t b e
a lov e s tory or a ro b b e r s tory d e p ri v e s It Of a ll
h a rm ; a p o i nt wh i c h wri t e r s Of mod e rn fa i ry t a l e s do
not a lw a y s r e a l i z e fo r th e i r gu i d a n c e .

Th e wr i t e r Of t h e follow i n g t a l e s h a s e nd e a vo u r e d
to b e a r th i s p r i n c i pl e i n m i nd a n d i t i s ho p e d th a t t h e
,

mor a l s a n d i t i s Of t h e e ss e n c e Of fa i ry t a l e s to
-

h a v e a mor a l o f al lo f th e m a r e b e yond r e p ro a ch .

For t h e r e s t th e y a r e c ommi tt e d to t h e i nd u l ge n c e
o f t h e g e ntl e r e a d e r .

Ha n s And e r s e n p e rh a p s t h e gr e a t e s t wri t e r o f
,

mod e rn fa i ry t a l e s wa s c ont e nt to s a y
,

FAI RY T ALE NE V E R D IE S
 C O N TE N TS
P AGE

G OOD L U CK Is B E TTE R TH AN G OLD

TH E H I LLMAN AN D TH E H OUS E WIF E
TH E N E C K . A L E GE N D OF A L AK E
TH E N I ! IN MI S CH IE F
TH E C OB B LE R AN D TH E G H OS TS
TH E L AI R D AN D TH E MAN OE P E ACE
TH E O GR E C OU R TI N G
TH E MAGI CI AN s G IF TS
’

TH E WI D OWS AN D TH E S TRAN GE R S
K I N D WI LLI AM AN D TH E WATE R S P R I TE
MUR D OCH S RATH
’

TH E L ITTLE D AR NER

TH E F I D D LE R IN TH E FAIR Y R I N G
I WON T ’ ”

TH E MAGIC J AR
TH E FI Rs T WIE E s WE D D IN G R I N G
’

TH E MAGI C I AN TUR N E D MI S CH I E F MAK E R

K N AV E AN D F OOL
 OL D F AS H I O N E D
F AI R Y TAL ES

G OO D LU C K IS B ETT ER T HAN G OL D
H E R E wa s on c e
up on a ti me a
c h i ld who h a d
Good L u c k fo r
h i s g od fa th e r .

“
I am not
”
Fort u n e , sa id
Good L u c k to th e p a r e nt s ; “
I
h a ve no gift s to b e s tow b u t wh e n
,

e v e r h e n e e d s h e lp I w i ll b e a t

h a nd .

N oth i n g c o u ld b e b e tt e r ,

s a i d t h e Old c o u pl e Th e y w e r e
.

d e l i ght e d B u t wh a t pl e a s e s t h e
.

fa th e r Oft e n fa i l s to s a t i s fy t h e s on
mor e ove r e ve ry ma n th i n ks th a t h e d e s e rv e s j u s t a
,

l i ttl e more th a n h e h a s go t a n d do e s not re c k on i t

,

to t h e p u rpo s e i f h i s fa th e r h a d l e ss .

Ma ny a o n e wo u ld b e th a nk fu l to h a ve a s goo d
2 GOOD L UCK IS B E TTE R TH AN GO DL

r e a s on s fo r c ont e ntme n t a s h e h a d who h a d Good

L u c k fo r h i s go d fa th e r .

If h e fe ll Go o d L u c k po pp e d s om e th i n g s o ft i n
,

t h e wa y to b r e a k h i s fa ll ; if h e fo u ght Good L u c k ,

d i r e c t e d h i s b low s or tri p p e d u p h i s a dv e r s a ry ; i f
,

h e go t i n to a s c r a p e Good L u c k h e l p e d h i m o u t o f
,

i t ; a n d if e v e r M i s fort u n e m e t h i m Good L u c k ,

c ontr i v e d to h u s tl e h e r on t h e p a thw a y t i ll h i s god s o n

o t s a fe ly b y
g .

In g a m e s Of h a z a rd t h e god fa th e r p l a y e d ov e r h i s
s ho u ld e r In m a tt e r s o f c ho i c e h e c ho s e fo r h i m
. .

And wh e n t h e la d b e ga n to work o n h i s fa th e r s fa rm ’

t h e fa rm e r b e ga n to g e t r i c h For no b i rd or fi e ld
.

mo u s e to u c h e d a s e e d th a t h i s s on h a d s own a n d ,

e v e r y p l a nt h e pl a nt e d throv e wh e n Good L u c k

s m i l e d on i t .

Th e b o y wa s not fond Of wor k b u t wh e n h e d i d ,

g o i nto t h e fi e ld s Good L u c k fo llow e d h i m

,
.

“
Yo u r c hri s t e n i n g d a y wa s a b l e ss e d d a y fo r u s
-

al l s a i d t h e Ol d fa rm e r .

He h a s n e v e r gi v e n m e S O m u c h a s a l u c k y S ix
”
p e n c e m u tt e re d Good L u c k s god s on
,
’
.

I a m not Fort u n e I m a k e no pr e s e nt s said ,

th e g od fa th e r .

Wh e n we a r e d i s c ont e nt e d i t i s Oft e n e r to p l e a s e
o u r n e i ghb o u r s th a n o u r s e lv e s I t wa s b e c a u s e t h e
.

oth e r b oy s h a d s a i d Si mon t h e s ho e m a k e r s s on
,
’
,

h a s a n a ld e rm a n fo r h i s g od fa th e r He g a v e h i m a .

s i lv e r s poon w i th t h e Apo s tl e P e t e r fo r t h e h a ndl e ;

 GOOD L UOK IS B E TTE R TH AN GO D L 3

b ut thy god fa th e r i s mor e pow e rfu l th a n a n y a ld e r

ma n th a t Good L u c k s god s on c omp l a i n e d ’

He h a s n e v e r gi v e n me s o m u c h a s a b e nt S i xp e n c e .

By a n d b y t h e Old fa rm e r d i e d a n d h i s s on gr e w ,

up ,
a n d h a d t h e l a r g e s t fa rm i n t h e c o u ntry Th e .

oth e r b oy s gr e w u p a l s o a n d a s th e y loo k e d ov e r t h e
,

fa r m e r s b o u nd a ry w a ll th e y wo u ld s a y
’
-
, ,

Good morni n g N e i ghb o u r Th a t i s c e rt a in ly a

, .

fi n e fa rm o f yo u r s Yo u r c a ttl e thri v e w i tho u t lo ss

. .

Yo u r c rop s grow i n th e r a i n a n d a r e r e a p e d wi th t h e
s u n sh i n e Mi s c h a n c e n e v e r c om e s yo u r ro a d Wh a t
. .

y o u h a v e wor k e d fo r y o u e n j oy S u c h s u c c e ss wo u ld
.

t u rn t h e h e a d s Of p oor fol k l i k e u s At t h e s a m e .

t i m e o n e wo u ld th i n k a m a n n e e d h a rdly wor k fo r
h i s l i vi n g a t a l l who h a s Good L u c k fo r h i s go d
”
fa th e r .

Th a t i s v e ry tru e tho u ght th e fa rm e r

”
, M a ny .

a m a n i s pro s p e ro u s a n d r e a p s wh a t h e s ow s who
, ,

h a d no m or e th a n t h e c l e r k a n d t h e s e x ton fo r go ss i p s
a t h i s c hr i s t e n i n g .

Wh a t i s th e m a tt e r God son ? a sk e d Good ,

L u c k who wa s wi th h i m i n t h e fi eld
, .

”
I w a nt to b e ri c h s a i d t h e fa rm e r
,
.

Yo u w i ll not h a v e to w a i t lon g ”
re p li e d th e ,

g od fa th e r I n e v e ry fi e ld y o u s ow i n e v e ry flo c,
k
y o u r e a r th e r e i s i n c r e a s e w i tho u t a b a t e m e nt Yo u r .

w e a lth i s a lr e a dy t e n fold gre a te r th a n yo u r fa th e r s ” ’

.

Ay e a y e ,
”
,r e pl i e d th e fa rm e r Good w a ge s
.
“

fo r good wor k B u t m a ny a yo u n g ma n h a s gold a t

.
4 GOOD L UCK IS B E TTE R TH AN GO D L

h is comm a nd who n e e d n e ve r t u rn a s od a n d non e o f ,

t h e Good P e o p l e c a m e to h i s c hr i s t e n i n g Fort u n a .

t u s s P u r s e now or e ve n a s a c k or two o f gold

’
,

P e a c e ! c ri e d t h e god fa th e r
”
I h a ve s a i d
“

”
th a t I gi v e no gi ft s .

Tho u gh h e h a d not Fort u n a t u s s P u r s e th e ’

,

fa rm e r h a d now mon e y a n d to s p a r e a n d wh e n t h e ,

h a rve s t wa s ga th e r e d i n h e b o u ght a fi n e s u i t Of
,

c loth e s a n d too k h i s b e s t hor s e a n d w e nt to t h e roy a l

,

c i ty to s e e t h e s i ght s .

Th e pomp a n d sp l e ndo u r th e fe s t i vi ti e s a n d fi n e
,

c loth e s d a zz l e d h i m .

Th i s i s a g a y l i fe wh i c h th e s e yo u n g c o u rti e r s
”
le a d said h e
,
A m a n h a s nothi n g to do b u t to
.

e n j oy h i m s e l f
”
.

”
If h e h a s pl e nty o f gold i n h i s po c k e t sa i d a ,

b y s t a nd e r .

By a n d b y th e Pr i n c e ss p a ss e d i n h e r c a rri a ge .

Sh e wa s t h e Ki n g s only d a u ght e r Sh e h a d h a i r
’
.

m a d e Of s u n s h i n e a n d h e r e y e s w e r e s t a r s
,
.

Wh a t a n e xqu i si te c r e a t u r e l c ri e d t h e fa rm e r .

Wh a t wo u ld not o n e gi ve to po ss e ss h e r ?
Sh e h a s a s m a n y s u i tor s a s h a i r s on h e r h e a d ,

re p l i e d th e b y s t a nd e r Sh e w a nt s to m a rry t h e
.
“

Pri n c e o f Moon sh i n e b u t h e only dr e ss e s i n s i lve r

, ,

a n d t h e Ki n g th i n ks h e m i ght find a r i c h e r s on

in l-
aw .Th e Pri n c e ss w i ll go to th e h i gh e s t
b i dd e r .

“
And I h a ve Good L u c k fo r my god fa th e r a n d ,
 GOOD L UCK I S B E TTE R TH AN GOL D 5

”
am not e ve n a t c o u rt ! c ri e d th e fa rm e r ; a n d h e
p u t s p u r s to h i s hor s,e a n d rod e hom e .

Good L u c k wa s t a k i n g c a re o f th e fa rm .

Li s t e n God fa th e r ! c ri e d th e yo u n g ma n
,
”
I .

a m i n lov e w i th t h e Ki n g s d a u ght e r a n d w a nt h e r
’
,

”
to wi fe .

It i s not a n e a s y m a tt e r r e pl i e d Good L u c k
“
, ,

b u t I w i ll do wh a t I c a n fo r y o u Sa y th a t b y
.

g ood l u c k y o u s a v e d t h e Pr i n c e ss s ’
l i fe or p e rh a
,
p s
b e tte r th e Ki n g s fo r th e y s a y h e i s s e lfi s h
’

T u s h ! c ri e d t h e fa rm e r . Th e Ki n g i s c ov e
t o u s a n d w a nt s a r i c h s on i n l
,
- -
aw .

“
A wi s e m a n ma y b ri n g w e a lth to a ki n gdom
”
wi th h i s h e a d if not wi th h i s h a nd s s a i d Good
, ,

Lu c k ,
“
a n d I c a n S how y o u a d i s tri c t wh e r e t h e

e a rth only w a nt s m i n i n g to b e flood e d w i th w e a lth ,

b e s i d e s th e r e a r e a tho u s a nd op p ort u n i ti e s th a t c a n
b e t u rn e d to a cc o u nt a n d i nfl u e n c e By wi t s a n d
.

work a n d wi th Good L u c k to h e l p h i m m a ny a
, ,

poore r ma n th a n yo u h a s ri s e n to gr e a tn e ss ”
.

”
Wi t s a n d wor k ! c ri e d th e i nd i gn a nt god s on .

Yo u s p e a k w e ll tr u ly ! A h i llm a n wo u ld h a ve
m a d e a b e tte r god fa th e r G i ve me a s mu c h gold
.

a s w i ll fill t h e thr e e m e a l b i n s -
,
a n d y o u ma y k e e p
”
t h e r e s t o f yo u r h e lp fo r tho s e who w a nt i t .

No w a t th i s mom e nt b y Good L u c k s tood D a m e

F ort u n e Sh e l i k e s h a nd s om e yo un g me n a n d th e r e
.
,

wa s s om e l i ttl e j e a lo u s y b e tw e e n h e r a n d t h e go d
fa th e r ; s o s h e s mi l e d a t t h e q u a rr e l .
6 GOOD L UCK IS B E TTE R TH AN GO D L

Yo u wo u ld r a th e r h a ve h a d me fo r yo u r go ss i p ?
sa id sh e .

I f y o u wo u ld gi v e me thr e e w i s h e s I wo u ld
“
, ,
“
r e p l i e d t h e fa rm e r b oldly , a n d I wo u ld tro u b l e yo u
”
no mor e .

“
Wi ll yo u m a k e h i m ov e r to me ? s a i d D a m e
Fort u n e to th e god fa th e r .

”
I f h e w i sh e s i t r e pl i e d Good L u c k
“
,
B u t if .

h e a c c e pt s yo u r gi ft s h e h a s no fu rth e r c l a i m on m e ”
.

”
N o r on me e i th e r s a i d th e D a m e
, Ha r k ye .
,

yo u n g ma n y o u mort a l s a r e a p t to m a k e a hob b l e
,

Of yo u r thr e e w i s h e s a n d y o u ma y e n d w i th a s a u s a e
, g
”
a t yo u r no s e l i k e yo u r b e tt e r s
, .

I h a v e tho u ght Of i t t o o o ft e n re pl i e d th e
,

fa rm e r , a n d I k now wh a t I w a nt For my fir s t
.

”
wi sh I d e si r e i mp e ri sh ab l e b e a u ty .

“ ”
It i s yo u r s s a i d D a m e Fort u n e s mi l i n g a s
, ,

s h e loo k e d a t h i m .

Th e fa c e o f a pr i n c e a n d th e m a nn e r s Of a c lown
”
a r e p oor p a rtn e r s s a i d th e fa rm e r
, My s e c ond
.

w i s h i s fo r s u i t ab l e l e a rni ng a n d c o u rtly m a nn e r s ,

whi c h c a nnot b e ga i n e d a t t h e p lo u gh t a i l ” -
.

”
“
Yo u h a ve th e m i n p e r fe c ti on s a i d th e D a m e
, ,

a s t h e yo u n g ma n th a n k e d h e r b y a g r a c e fu l b o w .

”
Th i rdly s a i d h e
, I d e m a nd a s tor e o f g old
,
“

th a t I c a n n e v e r e xh a u s t .

I w i ll l e a d y o u to i t s a i d D a m e Fort u n e ; a n d
,

t h e yo u n g ma n wa s s o e a ge r to follow h e r th a t h e di d

not e v e n loo k b a c k to b i d fa r e we ll to h i s god fa th e r .

8 GOOD L UCA !S B E TTE A TH AN C OL D

h im th a t th e r e is a lo o s e s ton e a b ove th e r hw a y
a c
”
th a t i s t o t e i in g
‘
to fa ll ? s a i d th e y . And Go o d
L u c k c ove r e d h i s fa c e w i th h i s m a ntl e a s t h e Pri n c e

drov e thro u gh .

J u s t a s th e y w e r e p a ss i n g o u t Of th e ga t e w a y th e
s to n e fe ll o n to th e Pri n c e s h e a d He wore a c a sq u e
’
.

o f u re ol d b u t h i s n e c k wa s b rok e n
p g , .

We t h a v e a ll th i s e xp e n s e fo r noth i n g
can
’
,

s a i d t h e Ki n g : s o h e m a rri e d h i s d a u ghte r to t h e
Pri n c e o f Mo o n s hi n e If o n e c a n t ge t gold o n e mu s t
.
’

b e c ont e nt w i th s i lv e r .

”
Wi ll yo u c om e to th e fu n e ra l ? a sk e d D a m e
Fort u n e Of t h e god fa th e r .

“
No t I ,r e p l i e d Good L u c k I h a d no h a nd
.

i n th i s m a tt e r ”
.

Th e r a i n c a m e down i n torr e nt s Th e b l a c k .

fe a th e r s on t h e r a v e n s b a c ks loo k e d a s i f th e y h a d
’

b e e n Oi l e d .

Caw ! c aw s a i d th e y It wa s a n u nl u c k y
.

end .

H ow e ve r , th e fu n e r a l wa s a ve ry m a gn i fi c e nt one,

fo r th e r e wa s no s ti nt of
g old .
 THE HILLMA N AN D TH E HO US EWI F E

T
w e ll k n o wn th a t t h e Go o d
is
P e o p l e c a n n o t a b i d e m e a n n e ss .

Th e y l i k e t o b e l ib e r a lly d e a lt
w i th wh e n th e y b e g o r b o r ro w o f
th e h u m a n r a c e ; a n d on th e
,

oth e r h a n d t o th o s e who c o m e t o
,

th e m i n n e e d th e y a r e i n v a ri a b ly
,

n e ro u s
g e .

N o w th e r e on c e l i v e d a c e rt a i n
Ho u s e wi fe wh o h a d a S h a r p e ye
to h e r own i nt e r e s t s i n t e m p or a l m a tt e r s a n d g a ve ,

a lm s o f wh a t s h e h a d no u s e fo r fo r t h e go o d o f h e r
,

s o u l O n e d a y a H i llm a n k n o c k e d a t h e r d o or
. . .

”
C a n y o u l e n d u s a s a u c e p a n g ood M o th e r ?,

said h e Th e r e s a w e dd i n g i n th e h i ll a n d a llt h e
.
’
,

pot s a r e i n u s e ”
.

I s h e to h a v e o n e ? a sk e d t h e s e rv a nt l a ss who

h a d o p e n e d t h e do o r
Aye to b e s u r e
, a n sw e r e d
,
t h e Ho u s e w i fe .

On e m u s t b e n e i ghb o u rly ”
.

B u t wh e n t h e m ai d wa s t a k i n g a s a u c e p a n from t h e
sh e l f s h e pi n c h e d h e r a r m a n d wh i sp e r e d sh a rp ly
, ,

No t th a t yo u s l u t ! Ge t t h e Ol
, d o n e o u t o f th e
10 TH E H I LLMAN AN D TH E H O US E WI F E

c u pb o a rd . l e a ks a n d t h e Hi ll m e n a r e s o n e a t a n d
It , ,

s u c h n i mb l e w o r k e r s th a t th e y a r e s u r e t o m e n d i t
,

b e fo r e t h e y s e n d i t h o m e SO o n e o b l i ge s t h e G o o d
.

P e o p l e a n d s a ve s S i xp e n c e i n ti n k e r i n g B u t yo u ll
,
.
’

n e v e r l e a rn t o b e n o t a b l e wh i l s t yo u r h e a d i s o n yo u r
s ho u ld e rs .
”

Th u s r e p ro a c h e d t h e m a i d fe t c h e d th e s a u c e p a n
, ,

whi c h h a d b e e n l a i d b y ti ll t h e t i n k e r s n e xt ma t a n d ’
,

v e i t t o t h e dw a r f wh o th a n k e d h e r a n d w e n t a w a y
g a , , .

In d u e t i m e t h e s a u c e p a n wa s r e t u rn e d a n d a s t h e , ,

Ho u s e w i fe h a d for e s e e n i t wa s n e a tly m e n d e d a n d
,

r e a dy fo r u s e .

At s u p p e r ti me t h e m a i d fi ll e d t h e p a n wi th mi lk
-
,

a n d s e t i t o n t h e fi r e fo r t h e c h i ldr e n s s u pp e r B ut
’
.

i n a fe w m i n u t e s t h e m i lk wa s s o b u r n t a n d s m o k e d
th a t n o o n e c o u ld t o u c h i t a n d e v e n t h e p i g s r e fu s e d
,

t h e w a s h i n to wh i c h i t wa s th r ow n .

Ah go od fo r n othi n g h u ssy
,
- -
c r i e d th e H o u se

wife a s sh e r e fi ll e d th e p a n h e rs e l f y o u wo u ld r u i n
, ,

t h e r i c h e s t w i th yo u r c a r e l e s s n e s s Th e r e s a whol e ’
.

q u a r t o f go o d m i l k w a s t e d a t o n c e 1
An d th a t s two pen ce c r i e d a vo i c e wh i c h s e e m e d
’ ”
,

t o c o m e fr o m t h e c h i m n e y i n a wh i n i n g to n e l i k e, ,

s o m e n a tt e ri n g d i s c onte n te d Old b o dy go i n g ove r h e r

,

g r i e v a n c e s .

Th e H o u s e w ife h a d not l e ft th e s a u c e p a n fo r t wo
mi n u t e s wh e n th e mi l k b o i l e d ove r a n d i t wa s a ll
, ,

b u rn t a n d s m ok e d a s b e for e .

Th e p a n m u s t b e d i rty m u tt e r e d th e good,
 TH E HI LLMAN AN D TH E H O US E WI F E 11

W OIn a n ,
i n g r e a t v e x a t i o n ; a n d th e r e a r e t wo fu ll
”
ua t r t s O f m i lk a s g o od a s thr o w n t o th e d o s
g .

c c An d th a t s fo u r pen c e , a dd e d t h e vo i c e i n t h e
’

c him y ne

A f t e r a th o r o u g h c l e a n i n g t,
h e s a u c e
p a n w a s o n c e

mo f e fi ll e d a n d s e t o n t h e fi r e b
,
u t w i th no b e tt e r

s u c ce s s Th e m i lk wa s h o p e l e s sly s p o i lt a n d t h e
.
,

h o us e w ife s h e d t e a r s Of ve x a t i o n a t t h e w a st e c r yi n g , ,

N
N e v e r b e f o r e d i d s u c h a th i n
g b e fa ll m e s i n ce I

k e pt h o u s e ! Thr e e q u a rt s o f n e w m i l k b u r n t fo r

one m
‘
e a l !
c An d th a t s s i xpen c e c ri e d t h e vo i c e fr om t h e
! ’
,

m
Ch i f n e y . Yo u di dn ’
t s a ve th e ti n k e r i n g a ft er al
l,

M o t h e r !

W i th
wh i c h t h e H i ll m a n h i m s e l f c a m e t u m b l i n
g
do vV n t h e c h i mn e y a n ,d w e n t O ff l a u
g h i n
g thro u
g h
h
t e door .

B u t th e n c e forw a rd t h e s a u c e p a n wa s a s good a s
any oth e r .
 THE N E C K

A L E GE N D OF A L AK E

N a ce rt a i n l a k e
th e r e on c e li ve d
a N e c k or W a t e r
,

S p r i t e who d e
,

si re d a b ove a ll
th i n gs to ob t a i n
,

a hu ma n so u l .

No w wh e n t h e
su n shon e thi s
N e c k ro s e up

and sat u po n

th e w a v e s and

p l a y e d u p on h i s

h a r p An d h e
.

p l a y e d s o s w e e tly

th a t th e wi n d s s t a ye d to l i s t e n to h im, an d th e su n

l i n ge r e d i n h i s s e tti n g a n d th e moon ro s e b e for e h e r

,

ti me An d t h e s tr a i n wa s i n pr a s i e o f i mmort l ty a i .

F u rth e rmor e o u t o f th e l a k e th e re ro s e a g r e a t
,

r o c k wh e r e o n dw e lt a n a ge d h e rm t i w,
h o b y r s on
e a
,

o f h i s l o n e l i n e s s wa s a ffli c t e d w i th a s p i r i t O f m e l a n
 TH E N E CK 13

ch o l
y s o th a t wh e n t h e fit wa s on h i m h e wa s c o n ,

s t a n tl y t e m p t e d to throw h i m s e l f i n to t h e w a t e r fo r ,

h i s l ife wa s b u rd e n s om e to h i m B u t o n e d a y wh e n
.
,

th i s g l o omy m a d n e ss h a d d ri v e n h i m to t h e e d g e o f
t h e r o c k to c a st h i m s e l f dow n t h e N e c k r o s e a t t h e
,

s a m e mo m e n t a n d s i tt i n g u p o n a w a ve b e g a n to
, ,

pl a y An d t h e s t r a i n wa s i n p r a i s e Of i mmo r t a l i ty
. .

An d t h e m e lody w e nt s tr a i ght t o t h e h e a r t Of t h e
h e rmi t a s a s u nb e a m go e s i n to a d a r k c a v e a n d i t ,

d i sp e ll e d h i s gl o om a n d h e th o u ght a llt o b e a s w e ll
,

w i th h i m a s b e fore i t h a d s e e m e d ill An d h e c a l le d .

to th e N e c k a n d s a i d Wh a t i s th a t wh i c h tho u
,

do s t p l a y my s on ? ,

And th e N e c k a n sw e r e d I t i s i n pr a i s e Of i m
,

”
mort a l i ty .

Th e n s a i d t h e h e rmi t I b e g th a t tho u wi lt p l a y
,

fr e q u e ntly b e n e a th th i s ro c k ; fo r I a m a n a g e d a n d
s ol i t a ry ma n a n d b y r e a s on Of my l o n e l i n e ss l i fe
, ,

b e c o m e s a b u rd e n to m e a n d I a m t e m p t e d to throw
,

i t a w a y B u t b y th i s gr a c i o u s s tr a i n t h e e v i l h a s b e e n
.

d i sp e ll e d Wh e r e for e I b e g th e e to c o m e Oft e n a n d
.

to p l a y a s lo n g a s i s c onv e n i e nt An d y e t I c a n n ot .

Offe r th e e a n y r e w a rd fo r I a m p oor a n d w i th o u t
,

”
po ss e ssi on s .

Th e n th e N e c k r e p l i e d Th e r e a r e tr e a s u r e s
,

b e low t h e w a t e r a s a b ov e a n d I d e s i re no e a rthly
,
‘

ri c h e s B u t i f tho u c a n s t t e ll m e how I ma y g a i n a
.

h u m a n s o u l I wi ll pl a y on ti ll tho u sh a lt b id me
,
”
c e a se .
 14 TH E N E CK

An d t h e h e r mi t s a i d I m u s t c o n s i d e r t h e m a tt e r
, .

B ut I w i ll r e t u rn t o m o rr o w a t th i s t i m e a n d a n sw e r
-

th e e .

Th e n xt d a y h e r e t u rn e d a s h e h a d s a i d a n d
th e ne ,

t h e N e c k wa s w a i t i n g i m p a t i e n tly o n t h e l a k e a n d ,

h e c ri e d Wh a t n e ws my fa th e r ?
, ,

An d t h e h e r m i t s a i d If th a t a t a n y t i m e s o m e
“
,

h u m a n b e i n g w i ll fr e e ly gi ve h i s l ife fo r th e e th o u ,

w i lt g a i n a h u m a n s o u l B u t th o u a l s o m u s t di e t h e
.

”
s e l fs a m e d a y .

Th e sh o rt l i fe fo r t h e lon g o n e ! c rie d th e

N e c k ; a n d h e p l a ye d a m e lody s o fu ll Of h a pp i n e ss
th a t t h e b l o o d d a n c e d thro u gh t h e h e r mi t s v e i n s ’

a s i f h e w e r e a b o y a ga i n B u t t h e n e xt d a y wh e n h e
.

c a m e a s u s u a l t h e N e c k c a ll e d to h i m a n d s a i d My ,

fa th e r I h a v e b e e n th i n k i n g
,
Th o u a r t a ge d a n d
.

fe e b l e a n d a t t h e mo s t th e r e a r e b u t fe w d a y s o f l i fe
,

r e m a i n i n g to th e e M o r e o v e r b y r e a s o n o f thy lo n e
.
,

li n e s s e v e n th e s e a r e a b u r d e n S u r e ly th e r e i s n on e
.

m o r e fit th a n tho u to b e t h e m e a n s o f p r o c u r i n g m e
a hu ma n sou l Wh e r e for e I b e g o f th e e le t u s d i e
.
,

”
to da y
-
.

B u t th e h e rmi t c ri e d o u t a n gri ly Wr e t c h ! IS
,

thi s thy g r a ti t u d e ? Wo u ld s t tho u m u r d e r m e ? ”

“
N a y Ol d ma n,
”
re p li e d th e N e c k
,
tho u s h a lt
,
“

p a r t e a s i ly w i th thy l i ttl e f a
g
—
e n d o f l i fe I l y
c a n
p a.

u p o n my h a r p a str a i n o f s u c h s u r a ss i n s a d n e ss
p g
th a t n o h u m a n h e a rt th a t h e a r s i t b u t m u s t b r e a k .

And y e t th e p a i n o f th a t h e a rtb re a k s h a ll b e s u c h
 16 TH E N E CK

s o rry a l s o th a t a s I a m s i c k u n to d e a th m y l ife w i ll
, ,

n o lo n g e r a v a i l th e e B u t wh e n I a m d e a d d o tho u
.
,

t a k e a llth a t b e lo n g s to me a n d d r e ss thy s e l f i n my
,

ro b e a n d go o u t i n to th e w o rld a n d do wo r ks Of
, ,

m e rc y a n d p e r c h a n c e s ome o n e whom tho u h a s t

,

b e n e fi t e d w i ll b e fo u n d w i ll i n g to d i e w i th th e e th a t ,
”
tho u m a y s t Ob t a i n a s o u l .

”
N o w i nd e e d I th a n k th e e ! c ri e d t h e N e c k .

B u t y e t o n e word mor e — Wh a t a r e th e s e wor ks

Of wh i c h tho u s p e a k e s t ?

Th e c orp or a l wor ks Of m e r c y a r e s e v e n g a sp e d ,

t h e h e r m i t r a i s i n g h i m s e l f on h i s a r m
,
To fe e d .

t h e h u n gry a n d gi v e t h e th i r s ty dr i nk to vi s i t t h e si c k , ,

to r e d e e m c a p ti ve s to c loth e t h e n a k e d to s h e lte r
, ,

t h e s tr a n ge r a n d t h e ho u s e l e ss to vi s i t t h e w i dow ,

a n d fa th e rl e ss a n d to b u ry t h e d e a d Th e n e ve n a s
”
.
,

h e s po k e t h e l a s t word s t h e h e rm i t d i e d
‘
And t h e .

N e c k c loth e d h i m s e l f i n h i s rob e a n d not to d e l a y , ,

i n follow i n g t h e d i r e c t i on s gi v e n to h i m h e b u ri e d ,

t h e h e r m i t w i th p i o u s c a r e a n d p l a nt e d flow e r s u p on
,

h i s gr a v e Aft e r wh i c h h e w e nt forth i nto t h e world

. .

N o w fo r thr e e h u ndr e d y e a r s di d t h e N e c k go
a b o u t do i n t s f m r y d h r i ty tow rds m
g a c o e c a n c a a e n .

An d a mon gs t t h e h u n gry a n d t h e n a k e d a n d t h e, ,

S ic k a n d th e oor d t h t i v s th r w r t
, p a n , e c a p e e e e e n o ,

a fe w who s e e m e d to b e w e a ry O f th i s l i fe o f m a ny

s orr o w s B u t wh e n h e h a d fe d t h e h u n gry a n d
.
,

c loth e d t h e n a k e d a n d r e l i e v e d t h e s i c k a n d m a d e
, ,

t h e poor r i c h a n d s e t t h e c a ti ve fr e e l ife wa s too

, p ,
 TH E N E CK 17

d e a r to a llo f th e m to b e gi ve n u p Th e r e for e h e .

b e too k h i m s e l f to t h e mo s t m i s e r a b l e a mon g s t
me n a n d o ffe ri n g noth i n g b u t a n e a s y d e a th in a
,

g ood c a u se h e ho p e d to fi n d s om e a e d a n d w a nt
, g
worn c r e a t u r e who wo u ld do h i m th e ki ndn e ss h e
d e s i r e d B u t o f tho s e who m u s t loo k forw a rd to t h e
.

fe w e s t d a y s a n d to t h e mo s t m i s e ry th e r e wa s not o n e
b u t l i k e th e fa b l e d wood c u tt e r c ho s e to tr u d ge
, ,

o u t to th e e n d h i s m i s e r a b l e s p a n .

SO wh e n thr e e h u ndr e d y e a r s w e r e p a s t t h e N e c k s
’
,

h e a rt fa i l e d h i m a n d h e s a i d All th i s a v a i l s noth i n g
, , .

Wh e r e for e I wi ll r e t u rn to t h e l a k e a n d th e r e a b i d e ,

wh a t s h a ll b e fa ll An d th i s h e a c c ord i n gly d i d
.
”
.

No w o n e e v e n i n g th e r e c a m e a t e m p e s t do wn
from t h e h i ll s a n d th e r e wa s a s u dd e n squ a ll on
,

th e l a ke . And a c e rt a i n yo u n g m a n i n a b o a t u p on
t h e l a k e wa s ov e rt a k e n b y t h e s torm And a s h e .

s tru gg l e d h a rd a n d i t s e e m e d a s if e v e ry mom e nt
,

m us t b e h i s l a s t a yo u n g m a i d who wa s h i s sw e e t
,

h e a rt c a me down to th e shor e a n d c ri e d a lo u d i n ,

h e r a gony ,
Al a s th a t h i s yo u n g l i fe s h o u ld b e c u t
,

”
s hort th u s !
”
Tro u b l e not thy s e l f s a i d th e N e c k ; th i s l i fe
,

i s s o s ho rt a n d s o u n c e rt a i n th a t i f h e w e r e r e s c u e d
,

to d a y h e mi ght b e t a k e n from th e e to m orro w -

.

Only i n e t e rn i ty i s l o v e s e c u r e Wh e r e for e b e p a t i e nt
.
,

a n d tho u s h a lt s oon follo w h i m .

”
And who a r t tho u th a t mo c k e s t my s orrow ?
c ri e d th e m a i d e n .
 18 TH E N E CK

On e wh o h a s w a t c h e d t h e p a ss i n g m i s fort u n e s
O f m a n y g e n e r a t i o n s b e fo r e th i n e re pl i e d th e N e c k ”
, .

An d wh e n t h e m a i d e n look e d a n d s a w o n e l i k e a ,

l i ttl e Old m a n wri n gi n g o u t h i s b e a rd i n to t h e l a k e ,

s h e kn e w i t wa s a N e c k a n d c ri e d
, N o w s u r e ly ,

th o u a r t a N e c k a n d th e y s a y Wh e n N e c ks p l a y
, , ,

t h e w i n d s w i s ht ; wh e r e for e I b e g o f th e e to p l a y
’

u p on thy h a r p a n d i t m a y b e th a t t h e s torm w i ll l u ll
, ,

”
a n d my b e lov e d w i ll b e s a v e d .

B u t th e N e c k a n sw e r e d I t i s not worth wh i l e
, .

And wh e n t h e m a i d e n c o u ld n o t p e rs u a d e h i m ,

s h e fe ll u p o n h e r fa c e i n b i tt e r g r i e f a n d c r i e d , ,

Oh my B e lov e d ! Wo u ld GOD I c o u ld di e fo r
“
,

th e e
“
And ye t tho u wo u ld s t not i f tho u c o u ld s t ,

s ai d th e N e c k .

If i t b e i n thy pow e r to p rov e me p rov e m e

c ri e d th e m a i d e n ; fo r i nd e e d h e i s t h e o n ly s t a y
“

o f a g e d p a r e nt s a n d h e i s yo u n g a n d u n p r e a r e d
, p
fo r d e a th .Mor e ove r h i s l i fe i s d e a r e r to me th a n
m y own .

Th e n th e N e c k r e l a t e d h i s own s tory a n d s a i d , ,

I f tho u w i lt do th i s fo r m e wh i c h non e y e t h a s ,

don e who m I h a v e b e n e fi t e d I wi ll p l a y u p on m y ,

h a rp a n d if th e w i n d s wi sht tho u m u s t di e th i s e a s y
, ,

d e a th ; b u t i f I fa i l i n m y p a rt I sh a ll not e xp e c t ,

th i n e to b e fu l fi ll e d And we m u s t b oth a b i d e wh a t
.

sh a ll b e fa ll e v e n a s oth e r s
,
An d to th i s th e m a i d e n
.
”

c on s e nt e d mo s t w i ll i n gly Only Sh e s a i d
. DO th i s ,
 TH E N E CK 19

fo r m e , I b e g Of th e e . L e t h im ome s o n e a r th a t I
c

ma y j u s t s e e h i s fa c e b e for e I di e
”
And i t wa s s o
.

a gr e e d .

Th e n t h e a ge d N e c k dr e w forth h i s h a rp a n d
”

b e g a n to p l a y And a s h e pl a ye d th e wi nd s t a y e d
.
,

a s o n e who p a u s e s to h e a rk e n w i th c l e ft l i s a nd
p ,

t h e l a k e ro s e a n d fe ll ge n tly l i k e t h e b o s o m O f a gi r l
,

mov e d b y s om e p l a i n t i v e s on g a n d t h e s u n b u r s t ,

forth a s if to s e e who m a d e s u c h s w e e t m u s i c And .

s o thro u gh thi s h a pp y c h a n ge t h e yo u n g m a n go t
s a fe to l a nd Th e n th e N e c k t u rn e d to t h e m a i d e n
.

a n d sa id D o s t tho u hold to thy promi s e ? And

“ ”
,

s h e b ow e d h e r h e a d .

In t h e lo n g l i fe b e thy r e c om p e n s e ! c ri e d th e
“ ”

N e c k fe rv e ntly a n d t a k i n g h i s h a r p a g a i n h e p o u r e d
, ,

h i s wh o l e s p i r i t i n to t h e s tr a i n And a s h e p l a ye d
.
,

i t s e e m e d a s i f t h e n i ght w i nd mo a n e d a mon g p i n e
'

t r e e s b u t i t wa s m or e mo u r n fu l And i t wa s a s t h e
,
.

w a i l o f a m oth e r fo r h e r o n ly s on a n d y e t fu ll e r Of ,

r i e f O r li k e a D e a d Ma r c h w r u n from t h e h e a rt
g .
g
Of a
g r e a t m u si c i a n lo a d i n g t h e a i r w i th s o rr o w

a n d yet a l lth e s e w e r e a s noth i n g to i t fo r s a d n e ss .

An d wh e n t h e m a i d e n h e a rd i t i t wa s mor e th a n s h e
,

c o u ld b e a r a n d h e r h e a r t b ro k e
,
a s th e N e c k h a d
,

s a i d Th e n t h e yo u n g m a n sp r a n g to shor e a n d
.
,

wh e n s h e c o u ld s e e h i s fa c e c l e a rly h e r s o u l p a ss e d , ,

a n d h e r b ody fe ll l i k e a s n a pp e d flow e r to t h e e a rth .

N OW wh e n t h e yo u n g m a n k n e w wh a t wa s b e
fa ll e n h e fe ll u p on t h e N e c k to k i ll h i m who s a i d
, , ,
20 TH E N E CK

Tho u m a ye s t sp a r e thy s e l f th i s tro u b l e fo r i n a ,

fe w mom e nt s I s h a ll b e d e a d B u t do tho u t a k e my
.

rob e a n d my h a rp a nd tho u s h a lt b e a fa mo u s
,

m u si c i a n .

N o w e v e n a s t h e N e c k S po k e t h e s u n s a n k a n d ,

h e fe ll u p on h i s fa c e And wh e n t h e yo u n g m a n
.

l ifte d t h e rob e b e hold th e r e wa s n oth i n g u n d e r i t

,

bu t t h e h a rp a c ro ss wh i c h th e r e s w e p t s u c h a w i ld
,

a n d p i t e o u s c hord th a t a l lt h e s tr i n g s b u r s t a s if w i th
u n u tt e r a b l e g r i e f .

Th e n th e yo u n g ma n life d th e b ody Of h i s sw e e t
h e a rt i n h i s a rm s a n d c a rri e d h e r hom e a n d s h e
, ,

wa s b u ri e d w i th m a ny t e a r s .

An d i n d u e t i m e h e p u t fr e sh s tr i n g s to th e h a rp ,

wh i c h tho u gh i t wa s not a s wh e n i t wa s i n th e h a nd s
,

o f t h e N e c k y e t i t m a d e mo s t e xq u i s i t e m u s i c
, . And
t h e yo u n g m a n b ec a m e a fa mo u s m u s i c i a n . For
o u t o f s u ffe ri n om s s on
g c e g .

F u rth e rmor e h e o c c u p i e d h i m s e l f i n good wor ks

,

u nt i l th a t h i s t i m e a l s o c a m e .

And i n E t e rn i ty Lov e wa s m a d e s e c u r e .
 THE N I! IN M I S C HIE F
C E RTA IN l a k e i n G e rm a ny wa s
o n c e t h e home Of a N i x wh o b e c a m e
,

t i r e d Of t h e monoto n y Of l ife u n d e r
w a t e r a n d w i s h e d to go i n to t h e
,

u p p e r world a n d a m u s e h i m s e l f .

Hi s fr i e n d s a n d r e l a t i on s a ll tr i e d
to d i ss u a d e h i m . B e wi se
“
, sa id
th e y ,
a n d r e m a i n wh e r e y o u a r e

s a fe s e e i n g th a t n o b u si n e ss s u mmo n s
,

y o u fro m t h e l a k e . F e w O f o u r

k i n dr e d h a ve h a d d e a l i n gs w i th t h e
h u m a n ra c e w i tho u t s u ffe ri n g from
th e i r c u ri o si ty or c l u m si n e ss ; a n d ,

do th e m wh a t good y o u ma y i n t h e lo n g r u n yo u wi ll
,

r e a p nothi n g b u t i n gr a ti t u d e From how m a n y

.

w a te r s h a ve th e y not a lr e a dy b a n i sh e d u s ? Wh e r e fore
e t w e ll a lon e a n d s t a y wh e r e yo u a r e
”
l , .

B u t th i s c o u n s e l d i d not p l e a s e t h e N i x !a s ,

i nd e e d th e r e i s no r e a s on to s u p po s e th a t a d vi c e i s
,
“

mor e p a l a t a b l e u nd e r w a t e r th a n on dry l a nd )
a n d h e only s a i d I sh a ll not e xp e c t gr a t i t u d e fo r
“
, ,

I h a ve no i nt e nt i on Of c on fe rri n g b e n e fit s ; b u t I w i s h
22 TH E NI! IN M I S CH I E F

to a m u s e my s e l f Th e D w a r fs a n d Ko b o ld s p l a y
.

wh a t p r a n k s th e y p l e a s e on m e n a n d w o m e n a n d ,

th e y do not a lw a y s h a v e t h e wo rs t Of i t Wh e n I .

h e a r Of th e i r a dv e n t u r e s t h e s ol e s Of my fe e t t i n gl e
, .

Th i s i s a s i gn o f tr a v e ll i n g a n d a m I to b e d e b a rr e d
,

from fu n b e c a u s e I l i v e i n a l a k e i n s t e a d o f a h i ll ?
Hi s fr i e nds r e p e a t e d th e i r w a r n i n g s b u t to n o ,

p u rp o s e . T h e N i x r e m a i n e d u n c o n vi n c e d a n d sp e n t ,

h i s t i m e i n dr e a mi n g Of t h e c l e v e r tr i c ks b y wh i c h h e
sho u ld o u tw i t t h e h u m a n r a c e a n d t h e fa m e h e ,

wo u ld th e r e b y a c qu i r e o n h i s r e t u rn to t h e l a k e .

M i s c h i e f s e ldom l a c k s o p p ort u n i ty a n d shortly

'

a ft e r th i s i t h a pp e n e d th a t a y o u n g g i r l c a m e down to

t h e l a k e fo r w a t e r to w a s h w i th ; a n d d i pp i n g h e r
a i l j u s t a b ov e t h e N i x s h e a d i n a mo m e n t h e
’
p ,

j u m p e d i n a n d wa s b ro u ght s a fe to l a nd Th e
,
.

m a i d wa s B e ss th e w a sh e rwom a n s d a u ght e r ; a n d
,
’

a s S h e h a d h a d o n e g ood s c old i n g th a t morn i n g fo r

ov e r s l e e p i n g h e r s e l f a n d a n oth e r a b o u t noon fo r
daw
,

dl i n g wi th h e r work s h e took u p t h e p a i l a n d s e t
,

Off ho m e w i tho u t d e l a y .

B u t tho u gh s h e h e ld i t s t e a d i ly e no u gh t h e b u c k e t ,

sh o o k a n d t h e w a t e r s pi ll e d h i th e r a n d th i th e r
,
.

Th i n k i n g th a t h e r ri ght a r m m i ght b e ti r e d s h e ,

m ov e d t h e w e i ght to h e r l e ft b u t w i th no b e tt e r ,

s u c c e ss fo r th e w a t e r s ti ll s pi ll e d a t e ve ry s t e p
,
.

O n e wo u ld th i n k th e r e w e r e fi s h e s i n t h e p a i l
“
,

s a i d B e ss a s Sh e s e t i t down B u t th e r e wa s n oth i n g
,
'

to b e s e e n b u t a thi n r e d w a te r worm wri ggl i n g a t th e -

24 TH E N I! IN MI S C H I EF

s e a s on e d h e r c om p l a i nt s w i th a h e a rty s l a p An d .

loo k wh a t s h e c a ll s a p a i l fu l o f w a t e r ! a dd e d t h e ”

m oth e r w i th a s e c ond b low

, .

L a t e i n t h e morn i n g s u nl u c k y a lld a y tho u ght

’ ”
,

o or B e ss a nd a s h er moth er u ff d h h
p , , c e e r S e ,

s c r e a m e d t i ll th e ho u s e r a n g w i th t h e no i s e ; fo r s h e
h a d g ood l u n g s a n d kn e w th a t i t i s w e ll to c r y o u t
,

b e for e o n e g e t s too m u c h h u rt .

M e a nwh i l e t h e N i x tho u ght s h e wa s e nd u ri n g

a on i e s a n d c o u ld h a rdly c ont a i n h lS m i s c h i e vo u s
g ,

g l e e ; a n d wh e n t h e wom a n b a d e h e r w a rm s om e
“

w a t e r q u i c k ly fo r t h e w a sh h e wa s i n no wa y
”
,

d i s t u rb e d fo r h e h a d n e v e r s e e n b o i l i n g w a t e r a n d
, ,

only a n ti c i p a t e d fr e s h s p ort a s h e s l i pp e d from t h e

p a i l i nto t h e k e ttl e .

N o w c r i e d t h e moth e r S h a r p ly
,
s e e i f yo u c a n ,

l ift th a t Wi tho u t s lo ppi n g yo u r c loth e s ”

.

Ay e a y e l a u gh e d t h e N i x
,
”
, s e e i f y o u c a n my , ,

d e a r ! a n d a s p o o r B e ss s e i z e d i t i n h e r s t u rdy r e d
h a nd s h e b e g a n to d a n c e a s b e for e B u t th e k e ttl e .

h ad a l i d wh i c h t h e p a i l h a d n o t
,
Mor e ov e r B e ss .

wa s a s tr o n g str a ppi n g l a ss a n d s t i m u l a t e d b y t h e
, , ,

r e m e mb r a n c e o f h e r moth e r s s l a p s wi th a vi goro u s ’
,

e ffort s h e s e t t h e k e ttl e o n t h e fi r e I s h a ll b e g l a d .

wh e n I m s a fe ly i n b e d s h e m u tt e r e d
’ ”
,
E v e ryth i n g .

g o e s wron g to d a y
”
-
.

I t i s w a rm i n h e r e s a i d th e N i x to h i m s e l f
“
, ,

a ft e r a wh i l e ; i n fa c t
“ — s t u ffy B u t o n e m u s t .

p ya s om e th i n g fo r a frol i c a n d i t t i c k le
,
s my e a r s to
 TH E N I! IN MIS CHIEF 25

h e a r th a t Old wom a n r a ti n g h e r d a u ght e r fo r my

pr a nk s G i ve me ti me a n d Opp ort u n i ty a n d I ll
.
,
’

s e t t h e whol e s t u p i d r a c e b y t h e e a r s Th e r e s h e
.

g o e s a g a i n I t i s worth e nd u r i n g a l i ttl e d i s c om fort ,

tho u gh i t c e rt a i nly i s w a rm a n d I fa n c y i t grows

,
”
w a rm e r .

By d e gr e e s t h e b ottom o f t h e k e ttl e gre w q u i t e

hot a n d b u rnt th e N i x s o th a t h e h a d to j u mp u p
, ,

a n d down i n t h e w a t e r to k e e p h i m s e l f c ool Th e .

no i s e Of thi s m a d e th e wom a n thi n k th a t th e k e ttl e

wa s b o i l i n g a n d s h e b e ga n to s c old h er d a u ght e r
,

a s b e for e s ho u t i n g
, ,
Ar e yo u c om i n g wi th th a t t u b
to n i ght or not ? Th e w a t e r i s hot a lr e a dy
-
”
.

Th i s t i m e th e N i x l a u gh e d ! a s th e y s a y ) on t h e
oth e r si d e Of h i s mo u th ; fo r th e w a t e r h a d now
b e c om e a s hot a s t h e b ottom Of t h e k e ttl e a n d h e ,

s c r e a m e d a t th e top o f h i s s hri ll ti ny vo i c e w i th p a i n .

Ho w t h e k e ttl e si n gs to n i ght s a i d B e ss a n d
‘F
-
,

”
how i t r a i n s ! s h e a dd e d For a t th a t mom e nt a
.

tr e m e ndo u s s torm b u r s t a ro u nd th e ho u s e a n d th e ,

r a i n po u r e d down i n s h e e t s Of w a t e r a s if i t m e a nt
,

to w a sh e v e ryth i n g i nto t h e l a k e Th e k e ttl e now

.

r e a lly b o i l e d a n d t h e lid d a n c e d u p a n d down wi th

,

t h e fr a nt i c l e a p i n g a n d j u mp i n g o f t h e a g on i z e d N i x ,

who p u ffe d a n d b l e w ti ll h i s b r e a th c a m e o u t o f th e
s p o u t i n c lo u d s o f s t e a m .

If yo u r e y e s w e r e a s s h a rp a s yo u r e a r s yo u d
’

”
s e e th a t t h e w a t e r i s b o i l i n g ov e r , s n a pp e d t h e
wom a n ; a n d gi vi n g h e r d a u ght e r a p a s si n g p u sh ,
 26 THE NI! IN MIS CHIEF

sh e h u rri e d to th e fir e pl a c e a n d l ift e d th e k e ttl e

,

on to th e gro u nd .

B u t no s oon e r h a d S h e s e t i t down th a n t h e l
, id
fle w Off a n d o u t j u mp e d a l i ttl e m a n w i th g r e e n
,

t e e th a n d a t a ll gr e e n h a t who r a n o u t Of th e door
,

wri ngi n g h i s h a nd s a n d c ryi ng

“
Thr e e h u ndr e d a n d thr e e y e a r s h a v e I l i v e d i n
t h e w a t e r o f th i s l a k e a n d I n e v e r k n e w i t b o i l
,

”
b e for e !
A s h e c ro ss e d th e thr e s hold a c l a p o f th u nd e r b ro k e
wi th wh a t s o u nd e d l i k e a p e a l Of l a u ght e r from m a ny
vo i c e s a n d th e n th e s torm c e a s e d a s s u dd e nly a s i t
,

h a d b e gun .

Th e wom a n now s a w how m a tt e r s s tood a n d di d

,

not fa i l n e x t morn in g to fa s t e n a n old hor s e s ho e

to t h e door o f h er ho u s e And s e e i n g th a t S h e h a d
.

b e h a v e d u n j u s tly to h e r d a u ght e r s h e b o u ght h e r

,

t h e g a y e s t s e t o f p i n k r ib b on s th a t w e r e to b e fo u nd
a t t h e n e x t fa i r
.

I t i s on r e c ord th a t B e ss ! who c a r e d l i ttl e fo r S l a p s

a n d s h a rp s p e e c h e s ) tho u ght th i s t h e b e s t b a r g a i n

sh e h a d e ve r ma de . B u t wh e th e r t h e N i x wa s
e q u a lly w e ll s a t i s fi e d i s not k now n .
 THE C O B BL ER AN D THE G HOST S
ON G a go th e r e l i v e d a
c ob b l e r who h a d v e ry
p oor W i t s
, b u t b y s tr i c t

i nd u s try h e c o u ld e a rn
e no u g h to k e e p hi m s e lf
a n d h i s w i dow e d moth e r

i n c om fort .

In th i s m a nn e r h e h a d
l i v e d fo r m a ny y e a r s i n
p e a c e a n d pro s p e ri ty ,

wh e n a d i s t a nt r e l a ti v e d i e d who l e ft h i m a c e rt a i n
s u m o f mon e y .Thi s s o e l a t e d th e c ob b l e r th a t h e
c o u ld th i n k Of noth i n g e l s e a n d h i s only t a l k wa s
,

Of t h e b e s t wa y o f s p e nd i n t h e l y
g e g a c .

Hi s moth e r a dvi s e d h i m to l a y i t b y a g a i n s t a r a i ny

da y .

For s a i d s h e
, we h a v e l i v e d lon g i n m u c h
,
“

c om fort a s we a r e a n d h a v e n e e d Of noth i n g ; b u t
,

wh e n yo u grow old or i f i t s ho u ld p l e a s e H e a v e n
,

th a t yo u b e c om e d i s a b l e d yo u w i ll th e n b e gl a d o f
,

yo u r s a vi n gs ”
.

B u t to th i s t h e c ob b l e r wo u l d n o t l i s t e n No .
,
28 TH E COB B LE R AN D TH E GH OS TS

said h e, s a v e th e mon e y i t m a y b e s tol e n

i f we ,

b u t i f we s p e n d i t w e ll we s h a ll h a v e t h e u s e o f wh a t
,

we b u y a n d ma y s e ll i t a ga i n i f we a r e s o m i n d e d
”
.
,

H e th e n p ro p o s e d o n e p u r c h a s e a ft e r a n oth e r a n d ,

e a c h wa s mor e fo ol i s h th a n t h e r e s t Wh e n th i s h a d
.

g o n e on fo r s om e t i m e o n e mor n i n , g h e e x c l a i m e d :

I h a v e i t a t l a s t We w i ll b u y t h e ho u s e It c a n n ot .

b e s tol e n or lo s t a n d wh e n i t i s o u r s we S h a ll b a v e no
’

r e nt to p a y a n d I sh a ll not h a v e to wor k s o h a rd
,
”
.

He w i ll n e v e r h i t on a w i s e r p l a n th a n th a t ,

tho u ght th e w i do w; i t i s not to b e e xp e c t e d ”

SO.

s h e fu lly c on s e n t e d to th i s a rr a n g e m e nt wh i c h wa s ,

d u ly c a rri e d o u t ; a n d th e b a r ga i n l e ft t h e c ob b l e r
w i th a fe w s h i ll i n g s whi c h h e t i e d u p i n a b a g a n d
,

t i n h i s po c k e t h a v i n g fir s t c h a n g e d th e m i nto
p u ,

th a t th e y m i ght m a k e mor e no i s e wh e n h e
p e n ce ,

j i n gl e d t h e b a g a s h e w a lk e d down th e s tr e e t .

Pr e s e ntly h e s a i d : It i s not fit th a t a ma n who

l i v e s i n h i s own ho u s e a n d h a s r e a dy mon e y i n h i s
,

po c k e t too s ho u ld Sp e nd th e whole d a y i n l a b o u ri n g
,

wi th h i s h a nd s Si n c e b y good l u c k I c a n r e a d i t
.
,

wo u ld b e w e ll th a t I s ho u ld b orrow a b oo k from th e
p ro f e ss or f,
o r s t u dy i s a n o c c u p a t i on s u i t a b l e to my
pr e s e nt po s i ti on ”
.

A c c ord i n gly h e w e nt to th e pro fe ss or whom h e

, ,

fo u nd s e a t e d i n h i s l i b r a ry a n d pr e fe rr e d h i s r e q u e s t
,
.

Wh a t b ook do yo u w a nt ? a sk e d th e pro fe ss or .

Th e c ob b l e r s tood a n d s c r a t c h e d h i s h e a d tho u ght

fu lly Th e pro fe ss or tho u ght th a t h e wa s tryi ng t o
.
 TH E C OB B LE R AN D TH E GH OS TS 29

r e c a ll t h e n a m e Of t h e wor k ; b u t i n r e a li ty h e wa s
s a yi n g to h i m s e l f H o w m u c h a dd i ti o n a l kn o wl e d g e
o n e r e q u i r e s if h e h a s r i s e n e v e r s o l i ttl e i n l ife No w ,

i f I d i d b u t k n ow wh e r e i t i s p ro p e r to b e gi n i n a c a s e
fu ll o f b oo ks l i k e th i s ! Sho u ld o n e t a k e t h e fi r s t on
t h e top S h e l f or t h e b ottom s h e l f to t h e l e ft or to t h e
, , ,

r i ght ?
At l a s t h e r e s olv e d to Choo s e th e b oo k n e a r e s t to
h i m ; s o dr a w i n g i t o u t fro m t h e r e s t h e a n s w e r e d
,

“
Thi s o n e i f i t p l e a s e y o u l e a rn e d s i r
, , Th e .
”

pro fe ss or l e nt i t to h i m a n d h e too k i t hom e a n d

,

b e g a n to r e a d .

I t wa s a s i t h a pp e n e d a b oo k a b o u t gho s t s a n d
, ,

a pp a r i t i on s ; a n d t h e c ob b l e r s m i n d wa s s oon s o fu ll
’

o f th e s e m a rv e l s th a t h e c o u ld t a lk Of noth i n g e l s e ,

a n d h a rdly d i d a s tro k e Of wor k fo r r e a d i n g a n d

pond e ri n g ov e r wh a t h e r e a d H e c o u ld fi n d non e o f
.

h i s n e i ghb o u r s who h a d s e e n a gho s t tho u gh mo s t ,

h a d h e a rd o f s u c h th i n g s a n d m a n y b e l i e v e d i n th e m
, .

L i v e a n d l e a rn tho u ght th e c ob b l e r ;
,
”
he re
i s fa m e a s w e ll a s w e a lth If I c o u ld b u t s e e a gho s t
.

”
th e r e wo u ld b e no mor e to d e s i r e And wi th th i s
.

i nt e nt h e s a ll i e d forth l a t e o n e n i ght to t h e c h u r c h
ya rd .

M e a nwh i l e a th i e f ! who h a d h e a rd t h e j i n gl e Of h i s
mon e y —b a g ) r e s olv e d to profit b y t h e c ob b l e r s wh i m ; ’

s o wr a pp i n g h i m s e l f i n a sh e e t h e l a i d w a i t fo r h i m
,

i n a fi e ld th a t h e m u s t c ro ss to r e a c h t h e c h u r c h .

Wh e n th e cob b l e r sa w th e whi t e figu r e , h e m a de

30 TH E C OB B LE R AN D TH E GH OS TS

s u r e th a t h e h a d now s e e n a gho s t a n d a lr e a dy fe lt ,

r o u d Of h i s o wn a c qu a i n t a nc e a s a re ma r k a b l e
p ,

c h a ra c te r . M e a nwh i l e t h e th i e f s to o d qu i t e s t i ll a n d
, ,

t h e c o b b l e r w a lk e d b o ldly u p to h i m e x p e c t i n g th a t ,

t h e p h a n tom wo u ld e i th e r v a n i s h or p rov e S O i m

a l p a b l e th a t h e c o u ld p a ss thro u gh i t a s thr o u gh a
p
m i s t o f wh i c h h e h a d r e a d m a n y not a b l e i n s t a n c e s
,

i n t h e pro fe ss or s b ook
’
He s o o n fo u nd o u t h i s mi s
.

t a k e how e v e r fo r t h e s u p p o s e d gho s t g r a pp l e d h i m
, , ,

a n d w i tho u t lo ss o f t i m e r e l i e v e d h i m Of h i s mo n e y

b a g Th e c o b b l e r ! who wa s not w a n t i n g i n c o u r a g e )
.
,

fa s t e n e d a s t i ghtly on to t h e s h e e t wh i c h h e s t i ll ,

h e ld w i th d e s p e r a t e firm n e ss wh e n t h e th i e f h a d
s l i p p e d thro u gh h i s fin ge r s ; a n d a ft e r w a i ti n g i n
v a i n fo r fu rth e r m a rv e l s h e c a rri e d t h e s h e e t h o m e
,

to h i s moth e r a n d n a rr a t e d h i s e n c o u nt e r wi th th e
,

g h o st .

Al a c k a d a y ! th a t I s ho u ld h a v e a s on wi th s o
- -

l i ttl e wi t c r i e d t h e Ol d wom a n ; i t wa s no gho s t ,

b u t a th i e f who i s now m a k i n g m e rry w i th a l

,
lt h e
m o n e y we p o ss e ss e d ”
.

We h a v e h i s S h e e t r e p l i e d h e r s on ; a n d th a t
,

i s d u e s ol e ly to m y d e t e rm i n a t i on Ho w c o u ld I h a v e
.

a c t e d b e tt e r ?

Yo u s ho u ld h a v e g r a s p e d t h e ma n not t h e ,

sh e e t s a i d t h e w i dow a n d p u mm e ll e d h i m ti ll h e
”
, ,

c ri e d o u t a n d dro p p e d t h e mon e y b a g -
.

“
L i v e a n d l e a rn s a i d t h e c ob b l e r Th e n e xt
, .

n i ght h e w e nt o u t a s b e for e a n d thi s ti m e r e a c h e d th e

,
 32 TH E C OB B LE R AN D TH E GH OS TS

Wh a t i s b l a c k e r th a n s oot ? s a i d t h e c ob b l e r ; ”

a n d t a k i n g t h e s a c k h e s hook i t o u t o v e r t h e p i e c e s
,

O f l i n e n t i ll n o t a thr e a d Of wh i t e wa s t o b e s e e n ,
.

A ft e r wh i c h h e w e nt hom e a n d b o a s t e d Of h i s go od ,

d e e ds .

Th e w i dow now s a w th a t s h e m u s t b e mor e c a r e fu l

a s to wh a t s h e s a i d ; s o a ft e r w e i h i n t h e m a tt e r fo r
g g,

s om e ti m e S h e s u gg e s t e d to t h e c o b b l e r th a t t h e ne x t
,

n i ght h e s ho u ld w a t c h fo r gho s t s a t ho m e ; fo r
“

th e y a r e to b e s e e n s a i d S h e a s we ll wh e n o n e i s
,
”
,

i n b e d a s i n t h e fi e ld s ”
.

Th e r e y o u a r e r i ght s a i d th e c ob b l e r fo r I
”
, ,

h a v e th i s d a y r e a d o f a gho s t th a t a p p e a r e d to a ma n
i n h i s own ho u s e Th e c a n dl e s b u r n t b l u e a n d wh e n
.
,

h e h a d c a ll e d thri c e u pon t h e a p p a r i t i on h e b e c a m e
”
s e n s e l e ss.

“
Th a t wa s h i s m i s t a k e s a i d th e old wom a n
”
, .

He s ho u ld h a v e t u rn e d a d e a f e a r a n d e v e n p r e ,

t e nd e d to s l u mb e r ; b u t i t i s not e v e ry o n e who h a s
c o u r a g e fo r th i s I f o n e c o u ld r e a lly fa ll a s l e e p i n t h e
.

fa c e o f t h e a pp a ri ti on th e r e wo u ld b e tr u e b r a v e ry
”
.
,
“
L e a v e th a t to m e s a i d th e c ob b l e r And th e
,
.

w i dow w e nt Off c h u c k l i n g to h e r s e l f If h e c om e s ,

to a n y m i s c h a n c e b y hold i n g h i s ton gu e a n d g o i n g to
s l e e p i lll u c k h a s go t h i m b y th e le g a n d c o u n s e l
,
-
,

w a s t e d on h i m ”
.

A s s oon a s h i s moth e r wa s i n b e d th e c ob b l e r ,

p pr e a r e d fo r h i s w a t c h F i r s t h e go t .to g e th er al l
th e ca ndl e s i n th e ho u s e , a n d s t u c k th e m h e r e an d
 TH E C OB B LE R AN D TH E GH OS TS 33

th e r e a b o u t t h e k i t c h e n a n d s a t down to w a t c h ti ll
,

th e y s ho u ld b u rn b l u e A ft e r w a i t i n g s om e ti m e
.
,

d u r i n g wh i c h t h e c a n dl e s o n ly g u tt e r e d w i th t h e
d r a u ghts t h e c o b b l e r d e c i d e d t o go to r e s t fo r a wh i l e
, .

I t i s too e a r ly y e t h e tho u ght ; I s h a ll s e e

” “
,

”
n oth i n g t i ll m i d n i ght .

Ve ry s oo n how e v e r h e fe ll a s l e e p ; b u t tow a rd s
, ,

morn i n g h e a wok e a n d i n t h e di m l i ght p e r c e i ve d

,

a fi g u r e i n wh i t e a t h i s b e d s i d e I t wa s a b l a c ks m i th
.

who l i v e d n e a r a n d h e h a d r u n i n i n h i s n i ght sh i rt
,
-

w i tho u t s o m u c h a s s l i p p e r s o n h i s fe e t .

“
Th e gho s t a t l a s t tho u ght t h e c ob b l e r a n d , ,

r e m e mb e r i n g h i s moth e r s a dvi c e h e t u rn e d ov e r a n d
’
,

shu t h i s e ye s .

N e i gh b o u r ! n e i g h b o u r ! c r i e d t h e b l a c ks m i th
”
,

yo u r ho u s e i s on fi r e
“
An Old b i rd i s not to b e c a u ght w i th c h a ff ,

c h u c k l e d t h e c o b b l e r to h i m s e l f ; a n d h e p u ll e d t h e

b e d c loth e s ov e r h i s h e a d
-
.

N e i gh b o u r ! ro a r e d th e b l a c ks mi th s n a t c h i n g
”
,

a t t h e q u i lt to dr a g i t Off a r e y o u ma d ?
,
Th e
ho u s e i s b u rni n g ov e r yo u r h e a d Ge t u p fo r yo u r .

l ife ! ”

I h a v e t h e c o u r a g e o f a ge n e r a l a n d mor e , ,

tho u ght t h e c ob b l e r ; a n d hold i n g ti ghtly on to t h e

c loth e s h e p r e t e nd e d t o s n or e .

”
If y o u w i ll b u rn b u rn ! c r i e d t h e b l a c ks m i th
“
,

”
a n g ri ly b u t I m e a n to s a v e my b on e s wi th
“
,

whi ch h e ra n Off .
34 TH E C OB B LE R AN D TH E GH OS TS

And b u rnt t h e c ob b l e r u ndo u b t e dly wo u ld h a v e

b e e n h a d not h i s moth e r s c ri e s a t l a s t c onvi n c e d h i m
,
’

th a t t h e c a ndl e s h a d s e t fi r e to h i s ho u s e wh i c h wa s
,

wr a pp e d i n fl a m e s Wi th s om e d i ffi c u lty h e e s c a p e d
.

wi th h i s l ife b u t Of a llh e p o ss e ss e d noth i n g r e m a i n e d

,

to h i m b u t h i s tool s a n d a fe w a rti c l e s Of fu rni t u r e

th a t t h e w i dow h a d s a v e d .

A s h e wa s now a ga i n r e d u c e d to p ov e rty h e wa s
,

ob l i ge d to work a s d i l i ge n tly a s i n form e r y e a r s ,

a n d p a ss e d t h e r e s t o f h i s d a y s i n t h e s a m e p e a c e

a n d pro s p e r i ty wh i c h h e h a d b e for e e n j oy e d .
THE LAIR D AN D THE MAN OF P EA C E

N t h e Hi ghl a nd s o f
Sc otl a nd th e r e on c e
l i ve d L a i rd o f
a

B ro c k b u rn wh0,

wo u ld not b el i e v e
i n fa i ri e s Altho u gh
.

h i s s i x th c o u s i n on t h e moth e r s ’

si d e a s h e r e t u rn e d o n e n i ght
,

from a w e dd i n g h a d s e e n t h e,

Me n o f P e a c e h u nt i n g on th e
s i d e s o f B e n Mu i c h B h u i dr e ss e d ,

i n g r e e n a n d w i th s i lv e r mo u nt e d
,
-

b r i dl e s to th e i r hor s e s wh i c h j i n gl e d a s th e y rod e ;
a n d tho u gh Rory t h e fiddl e r h a v i n g g on e to p l a y a t

a c hr i s t e n i n d i d n e v e r c om e hom e b u t c ro ss i n a
g , g
h i ll n e a r B ro c k b u r n i n a m i s t wa s s e d u c e d i nto a
S h i a n or fa i ry t u rr e t wh e r e a s a l
,
I
, , l d e c e nt b od i e s
w e ll b e l i e v e h e i s pl a yi n g s ti ll i n s p i t e I s a y o f
, , ,

t h e w i s e s a w s a n d e x p e r i e n c e Of a l l h i s n e i gh b o u r s ,

B r o c k b u r n r e m a i n e d o b s t i n a t e ly i n c r e d u lo u s .

N o t th a t h e b or e a n y i l lw i ll to t h e Good P e o p l e
-
,

or s po k e u n c i vi lly o f th e m ; i nd e e d h e a lw a y s di s
i c n a m e fo r fa i ry t o we r s , wh i c h b y d a y,
S h z a n , a Ga e l
'

a re not

to b e to l d fro m mo u n t a i n c ra g s .
36 TH E LAIRD AND TH E MAN OF P E ACE

a vow e d a n y fe e l i n
g O f d i s r e s p e c t tow a rd s th em i f
th e y e xi s t e d s a yi n g th a t h e wa s a m a n Of p e a c e
,

h i m s e l f a n d a nxi o u s to l i v e p e a c e a b ly w i th wh a t e v e r
,

n e i ghb o u r s h e h a d b u t th a t t i ll h e h a d s e e n o n e o f
,

th e D a o i n e S h i h e c o u ld not b e l i e v e i n th e m
I
.

N o w o n e a ft e rnoon b e tw e e n H a llowm a s a n d Yu l e
, ,

i t c h a n c e d th a t t h e L a i rd b e i n g o u t on t h e h i ll s ,

loo ki n g fo r s om e c a ttl e go t p a rt e d from h i s me n a nd

,

do gs a n d wa s ov e rt a k e n b y a m i s t i n wh i c h fa mi l i a r , ,

a s t h e c o u ntry wa s to h i m h e lo s t h i s wa y ,
.

In v a i n h e r a i s e d h i s vo i c e h i gh a n d l i s t e n e d l ow , ,

no s o u nd Of ma n or b e a s t c a m e b a c k to h i m thro u gh
t h e th i c k e n i n g v a po u r .

Th e n n i ght fe ll a n d d a r k n e ss wa s a dd e d to th e
,

fo g s o th a t B r o c k b u r n n e e d e d to s o u nd e v e ry s t e p
,

w i th h i s Ta n g b e for e h e too k i t
1
.

S u dd e n ly l i ght foot s t e p s p a tt e r e d b e s i d e h i m ,

th e n Som e th i n g r u b b e d a ga i n s t h i m th e n It r a n ,

b e tw e e n h i s l e g s Th e d e l i ght e d L a i rd m a d e s u r e
.

th a t h i s fa vo u ri t e c oll i e h a d fo u nd h i m on c e mor e .

”
Wow J o c k m a n ! h e c ri e d ; b u t y e n e e dn a
, ,

throw m e on my fa c e Wh a t s go t y e t h e ni ght th a t.
’
,

o u s ho u ld lo s e yo u r wa b i t m i s t ?
y y i n a

To th i s a vo i c e from t h e l e v e l o f h i s e lb ow r e pl i e d ,

i n p i p i n g b u t p a tron i z i n ton s
g e

N e v e r di d I lo s e my wa y i n a m i s t s i n c e t h e n i ght
th a t F i nn c ro ss e d ov e r to Ir e l a nd i n th e D a wn Of
p
D a o z m S h z ! r o n o u n c e d D h e m er S h ae)
’
Me n
’ ’

o f P e ace .

2
R a ng a th i c k
s t ic k .
 TH E LAIR D AN D TH E MAN OF P E ACE 37

Hi s tory L a i rd ! I m w e e l a c q u a i n t w i th e v e ry
Eh ,
’
.

b i t p a th on t h e h i ll s i d e th e s e h u ndr e d s Of y e a r s a n d
-
,

lg u i d e y e s a fe h a m e n e v e r fe a r !
”
Il
’
,

Th e h a i r s on B r o c k b u r n s h e a d s tood on e n d t i ll ’

th e y l ift e d h i s b ro a d b onn e t a n d a d a mp c h i ll b ro k e ,

o u t ov e r h i m th a t wa s not t h e fo g B u t fo r a l lth a t .
, ,

h e s to u tly r e si s t e d t h e e v i d e n c e o f h i s s e n s e s a n d ,

only fe lt a b o u t h i m fo r th e c oll i e s h e a d to p a t ’
,

c ry i n g

B a r k J o c k my m a nni e b a r k Th e n I llr e c o g
, ,
’

n i z e yo u r vo i c e y e k e n I t s n o c a nny to h e a r y e
, .
’

s p e a k l i k e a C hri s ti a n my we e do ggi e ”
, .

I m n a e yo u r do ggi e I m a Ma n o f P e a c e wa s
’ ’
, ,

t h e r e p ly D i n n a m i s c a ll yo u r b e tt e r s B r o c k b u r n
.
,

why w i ll y e not c r e d i t o u r e x i s t e n c e m a n ? ,

Se e in s
’
s a i d t h e L a i r d s t u b b ornly ; ,

b u t th e m i s t s ow e r th i c k fo r s e e i n th e n i ght ye
’ ’
,

”
k en .

T u rn ro u n to yo u r l e ft ma n a n d y e ll s e e s a i d
’
, ,
’
,

t h e D w ar f a n d c a t c h i n g B r o c k b u r n b y t h e a r m
, ,

h e tw i s t e d h i m s w i ftly ro u nd thr e e t i m e s wh e n a ,

s u dd e n b l a z e Of l i ght po u r e d thro u gh th e mi s t a n d ,

r e v e a l e d a c r a g o f th e mo u nt a i n w e ll k nown to th e
L a i rd a n d wh i c h h e now s a w to b e a ki nd Of t u rr e t
, ,

or tow e r .

Li ght s shon e ga i ly thro u gh t h e c r e vi c e s or w i ndow s

o f th e S h i a h a n d s o u nd s Of r e v e lry c a m e forth a mon g
, ,

wh i c h fiddl i n g wa s c on s p i c u o u s Th e t u n e p l a y e d a t .

th a t mom e nt wa s D e lvyn si d e -
.
38 TH E LAIRD AN D TH E MAN OF P E ACE

Bl i nd e d b y t h e l i ght a n d a m a z e d a t wh a t h e s a w
, ,

t h e L a i rd s t a gge r e d a n d wa s S i l e nt , .

“
Ke e p to yo u r fe e t ma n — k e e p to yo u r fe e t !
,
”

s a i d t h e D w a rf l a u gh i n g I do u b t y e r e fo u
, .
’
,

B r o c k b u rn
Im
’
n ae s a i d th e L a i rd s lowly h i s r u n g
fo u , , ,

g r a s p e d firmly i n h i s h a nd a n d h i s b o n n e t s e t b a c k ,

from i s fa c e wh i c h wa s d e a dly p a l e
h ,
B ut — man .
/

—i s yo n Ro ry I d k now h i s fiddl e i n a tho u s a n d ”

’
.

A sk no q u e s ti on s a n d ye ll b e t e llt no l e e s s a i d
,
” ’
,

t h e D w a rf Th e n s t e ppi ng u p to th e door Of th e
.

S h i a n h e s tood s o th a t t h e l i ght from w i th i n fe ll

,

fu ll u pon h i m a n d th e a s ton i sh e d L a i rd s a w a t i n y
,

b u t w e ll p roporti on e d m a n w i th d e l i c a t e fe a t u r e s
-
, ,

a n d g old e n h a i r flow i n g ov e r h i s S ho u ld e r s H e wor e .

a c lo a k o f g r e e n c l o th l i n e d w i th d a i s i e s a n d h a d
, ,

si lv e r sho e s Hi s b e a u tifu l fa c e q u i v e r e d w i th a m u s e
.

m e nt a n d h e c ri e d tri u mph a ntly D y e s e e me ?

, ,
’

d y e s e e me noo B r o c k b u r n ?
’
,

Aye a y e ,
”
s a i d th e L a i rd ;
, a n d s e e in s b e
’

Th e n ro u n wi y e sho u t e d th e Ma n o f P e a c e ;
’ ’

a n d on c e mor e s ei z i n g th e L a i rd b y t h e a r m he ,

t u rn e d h i m swi ftly ro u nd th i s t i m e to th e ri ght ,

a n d a t t h e th i rd t u rn th e l i ght v a n i s h e d a n d Bro c k ,

b u rn a n d t h e Ma n o f P e a c e w e r e on c e mor e a lo n e
to g e th e r i n th e mi s t .

Aw e e l B r o c k b u r n s a i d t h e Ma n Of P e a c e I ll
, , ,
’

a lloo y e r e c a nd i d a n d h a v e a c onv i n c i b l e m i nd Im
’ ’
.
,
40 TH E L AI R D AND TH E MAN OF P E ACE

Ma n yo u r e d a ft s a i d th e D wa rf c ont e mp
,
’
,
”
,

t u o u sl y; th a t s wh a t a i l s’
y e .

Th e L a i rd now r e s olv e d to b e p ru d e nt b u t t h e ,

i n c onv e n i e n c e Of h i s b u rd e n wa s s o gr e a t th a t a ft e r a
wh i l e h e r e s olv e d to r i s k t h e d i s p l e a s u r e o f th e Ma n
O f P e a c e o n c e mor e a n d g e ntly s l i pp e d a th i rd s ton e
,

to t h e g ro u nd .

”
Th i rd t i m e s l u c k y h e tho u ght B u t t h e
’
,
.
‘

prov e rb fa i l e d h i m fo r th e D w a rf t u rn e d a s b e for e
, ,

”
sho u ti ng : Wh a t s yon ?
“ ’

I t ll b e my n e w b ro gu e s th a t y e h e a r b u mp i n
’ I ’

u pon t h e m u c kl e s t a n e s s a i d th e L a i rd , .

Ye r e fo u B r o c k b u r n I t e llt ye s o Ye r e fo u
’
, ,
.
’

g rowl e d t h e M a n Of P e a c e a n g r i ly a n d t h e L
, a i rd ,

d a r e d not dro p a n y mor e o f th e D w a r f s gi ft s A ft e r ’

.

a wh i l e h i s c om p a n i on s g ood h u mo u r s e e m e d to
’

r e t u rn a n d h e b e c a m e t a lk a t i v e a n d ge n e ro u s
,
.

—
I m i nd yo u r g r e a t g r a nd fa th e r w e e l B r o c k b u r n , .

H e wa s a h a m e l y m a n I f o u nd h i s s h.e e p fo r h i m
o n e n i c ht on th i s v e rr a h i ll si d e M a i r b y tok e n -
.
,

y e ll find yo u r b e a s ti e s a t h a m e a n d th e me n a n d t h e
’
,

do g s for e b y e ”
.

Th e L a i rd th a n k e d h i m h e a rti ly a n d a ft e r a wh i l e ,

t h e D w a r f b e c a m e mor e l i b e r a l s p i r i t e d s t i ll -
.

Ye s e no h a v e to s a y th a t y e v e b e e n wi th t h e ’

D a o i n e S h i a n d a r e no t h e b e tt e r fo r i t h e said ”
’

.
,

I m th i nk i n g I l l g r a nt y e thr e e wu sh e s B ut
’ ’
.

c hoo s e w i s e ly m a n a n d d i nn a throw th em a w a y
, ,
I .

1
B ro g u e s s h o es .
 TH E L AIR D AND TH E MAN OF P E ACE 41

h ae my fe a r s th a t y e r e no wi tho u t a b e e i n yo u r
’

b onn e t B r o c k b u rn
,
.

In c e n s e d b y th i s i n s i n u a t i on t h e L a i rd d e fen d e d ,

h i s own s a g a c i ty a t s o m e l e n g th a n d r e tort e d on h i s ,

c om p a n i on w i th do u b t s o f t h e pow e r o f t h e D a o i n e

S h i to gr a nt w i sh e s .

“
Th e p roo f o f t h e p u dd i n g s i n t h e e a ti n g O t ” ’ ’
,

s a i d t h e Ma n o f P e a c e W u s h a w a y B r o c k b u rn
.
“
, ,

a n d ma k t h e n u t a s h a rd to c r a c k a s y e w i ll
”
.

Th e L a i rd a t on c e b e ga n to c a s t a b o u t i n h i s m i n d
fo r thr e e w i s h e s s u ffi c i e ntly c om p r e h e n s i v e to s e c u r e
h i s l i fe lon g p ro s p e ri ty ; b u t t h e mor e h e b e a t h i s
b r a i n s t h e l e ss c o u ld h e s a ti s fy h i m s e l f .

Ho w m a ny m i l e s h e w a n d e r e d th u s t h e D w a r f ,

k e e p i n g s il e n tly b e s i d e h i m h e n e v e r k n e w b e for e , ,

h e s a nk e xh a u s t e d on t h e gro u n d s a yi n g ,

I m th i n k i n g ma n th a t if y e c o u ld b ri n g h a m e
’
, ,

to me i n p l a c e o f b r i n gi n g m e h a m e I d mi sdo u b t
, ,
’

yo u r p ow e r s n a e m a i r I t s a fa r c r y to Loc h Au e
.
’
,
I

”
y e k en a,
n d i t s a w e a ry lon
’
g ro a d to B r o c k b u rn .

I s th i s yo u r w u sh ? a s k e d th e Ma n o f P e a c e .

”
Thi s i s my w u sh s a i d th e L a i rd s tri ki n g h i s
, ,

r u n g u p on th e gro u nd .

Th e word s h a d s c a r c e ly p a ss e d h i s l i p s wh e n th e
whol e hom e s t e a d Of B ro c k b u rn ho u s e a n d fa rm ,

b ui ld i n g s wa s p l a nt e d u p on t h e b l e a k h i ll s i d e
,
-
.

Th e a s ton i sh e d L a i rd now b e ga n to b e w a i l t h e
r a s h wi sh wh i c h h a d r e mov e d h i s hom e from th e
1
It
’
s a fa r cr
y t o L o ch Au e .
”
S c o tc h P r oo e r é.
42 TH E LAIR D AND THE MAN OF P E ACE

sh e lt e r e d a n d fe rti l e v a ll e y wh e r e i t o r i gn a lly s tood

'

to t h e b a rr e n si d e Of a b l e a k mo u nt a i n .

Th e Ma n O f P e a c e how e v e r wo u ld not t a k e a n y
, ,

h i nt s a s to u ndo i ng h i s wor k Of h i s own a c c ord All .

h e s a i d wa s ,

If y e w u s h i t a w a y s o i t ll b e B u t th e n y e ll
’ ’
, .

only h a v e o n e w u sh l e ft Ye v e s m a ll d i s c r e t i on t h e
.
’

”
n i c ht B ro c k b u r n I m fe a r e d
, ,
’
.

To l e a v e th e s t e a d i n g in s i c a sp ot i s no to b e
tho u ght o n s i gh e d th e L a i rd a s h e sp e n t h i s s e c o n d
”
, ,

w i sh i n u ndo i n g h i s fir s t B u t h e c a nn i ly a dd e d th e
.

p rov i s i,on
And y e ma y t a k m e wi i t ’
.

Th e word s w e r e no s oon e r s p o k e n th a n th e hom e

s t e a d wa s b a c k i n i t s p l a c e a n d B r o c k b u rn h i m s e l f
,

wa s lyi n g i n h i s own b e d J o c k h i s fa vo u ri t e c oll i e

, , ,

b a rk i n g a n d l i c k i n g h i s fa c e b y t u rn s fo r j oy .

Wh i sht Wh i sht J o c k
, ,
s a i d th e L a i rd Ye .

wo u l dn a b a r k wh e n I b e gg e d Of y e S O y e m a y h a u d ,

yo u r p e a c e noo .

And p u sh i n g th e c oll i e from h i m h e s a t u p i n ,

b e d a n d loo k e d a n x i o u s ly b u t v a i nly ro u nd t h e c h a m
b e r fo r t h e Ma n Of P e a c e .

“
L i e do u n l i e do u n
,
”
c ri e d t h e gu d e w i fe from
,

b e si de h im . Ye re s u r e ly o u t O yo u r wu t s Bro c k
’ ’
,

b u rn Wo u ld y e ga n g s tr a v a gi n g a b o u t t h e c o u ntry
.

a ga i n t h e n i c ht ?
“
Wh e r e i s h e ? c ri e d th e L a i rd .

Th e r e s not a s o u l h e r e b u t yo u r l a w fu l w ife
’
 TH E L AI RD AN D TH E MAN OF P E ACE 43

and yo u r a i n d e a r do ggi e Wa s th e r e a e b ody th a t

.

y e e x p e c t ed ? a sk e d h i s w ife .

Th e Ma n O P e a c e wom a n ! c r i e d B r o c k b u r n
’
, .

I ve a n e O my wu s h e s to ge t a n d I m a u n h a e t ”
’ ’ ’
.
,

Th e m a n s ma d ’
wa s th e gu d e wife s c omm e nt ’
.

Ye v e s u r e ly forgott e n yo u r s e l B ro c k b u rn Ye
’
, .

n e v e r b e l i e v e d i n th e D a o i n e S h i b e for e .

S e e in s
’
s a i d t h e L a i rd I fo r .

th e r e d w i th a Ma n 0 P e a c e t h e n i c ht on t h e h i ll
’
g a ,

a n d I w u sh I j u s t s a w h im a ga i n
”
.

As th e L a i rd sp o k e t h e w i ndow Of th e c h a mb e r
’

wa s lit u p from w i tho u t a n d th e Ma n o f P e a c e

,

a pp e a r e d s i tt i n g on t h e w i ndow l e d g e i n h i s d a i s y
-

l i n e d c lo a k h i s fe e t h a n gi n g down i nto t h e room

, ,

t h e s i lv e r s ho e s g l i tt e r i n g a s th e y d a n g l e d
I m h e r e B ro c k b u r n h e c ri e d
“ ’
,
B u t eh .
,

m a n Ye v e h a d yo u r l a s t w u sh
’
.

And e v e n a s th e s t u p e fi e d L a i rd ga z e d th e l i ght ,

s lowly d i e d a w a y a n d th e Ma n o f P e a c e v a ni sh e d a l s o
,
.

On t h e follow i n g morni n g t h e L a i rd wa s ro u s e d
from s l e e p b y lo u d c ri e s o f s u rpri s e a n d a dm i r a ti on
,
.

Th e good w i fe h a d b e e n s ti rri n g fo r s om e ho u r s ,

a n d i n e m p ty i n g t h e po c k e t s o f h e r g ood m a n s c o a t
’

S h e h a d fo u nd thr e e h u g e c a i rn gorm s O f e xq u i s i t e

ti nt a n d l u s tre B r o c k b u r n th u s d i s c ov e r e d th e
.

va l u e o f th e gift s h a l f o f wh i c h h e h a d thrown a w a y
,
.

B u t no s u b s e q u e nt v i s i t s to t h e h i ll s i d e l e d to -

th e i r r e c ov e ry M a ny a ti me d i d th e L a i rd b r i n g
.

hom e a h e a vy po c k e t fu l o f s ton e s a t th e thrifty ,

44 TH E L AI RD AN D TH E MAN OF P E ACE

u de wife b i dd i n g , b u t
th e y only rov d o b e th e
’
g s p e t
c ommo n s ton e s O f t h e mo u n t a i n s i d e -
Th e S h i a n
.

c o u ld n e v e r b e d i s t i n g u i s h e d from a n y oth e r c r a g ,

a n d t h e D a o i n e S h i w e r e v i s i b l e no mor e
‘

Ye t i t i s s a i d th a t t h e L a i rd O f B r o c k b u r n p ro s
e r e d a n d throv e th e r e a ft e r i n a c r e s t a ll a n d s t e a d
p , , ,

i n g a s tho s e s e ldo m p ro sp e r who h a v e not t h e good

,

word Of t h e P e opl e Of P e a c e .
 TH E O GR E C O URT IN G

W !
d a y s wh e n o gr e s w e r e s t i ll
N
t h e t e rror Of c e rt a i n di s

tr i c t s,
th e r e wa s o n e who
h a d lon g k e p t a whol e
n e i ghb o u rhood i n f e a r
w i tho u t a n y o n e d a r i ng to di s !

p u t e h i s tyr a nny .

By th e ft s a n d e x a c ti on s b y
,

h e a vy r a n s om s from me r
c h a nt s too Old an d to u gh to
b e e a t e n i n o n e wa y a n d
,

a noth e r t h e Ogr e h a d b e c om e
,

v e ry ri c h ; a n d a ltho u gh tho s e who kn e w c o u ld t e ll

o f h u ge c e ll a r s fu l l o f gold a n d j e w e l s a n d ya rd s
,

a n d b a rn s g ro a n i n g w i th t h e w e i ght o f s tol e n g ood s ,

t h e ri c h e r h e gr e w t h e mor e a nxi o u s a n d c o v e t o u s
h e b e c a me . Mor e ov e r d a y b y d a y h e a dd e d to h i s
, ,

s tor e s ; fo r tho u gh ! l i k e mo s t o gr e s ) h e wa s a s s t u p i d
a s h e wa s s tron g no o n e h a d e v e r b e e n fo u nd
, by
,

for c e or fr a u d to ge t t h e b e tt e r o f h i m
,
.

Wh a t h e too k from th e p e o p l e wa s not th e i r

h e a vi e s t gri e v a n c e E v e n to b e k i ll e d a n d e a t e n
.

b y h i m wa s not t h e c h a n c e th e y tho u ght o f mo s t .

46 TH E O GR E C O UR TI N G

A ma n can n c e ; a n d i f h e i s a s a i lor a sh a rk
di e b u t o ,

m a y e a t h i m wh i c h i s not s o m u c h b e tt e r th a n b e i n g
,

d e vo u r e d b y a n o gr e N O th a t wa s not t h e wo r s t
.
, .

Th e wor s t wa s th i s h e wo u ld k e e p g e tt i n g m a rri e d .

And a s h e l i k e d l i ttl e wi v e s a ll th e short wom e n ,

l i v e d i n fe a r a n d dr e a d And a s h i s wi v e s a lw a y s
.

d i e d v e ry s oon h e wa s c on s t a ntly c o u rti n g fr e sh on e s

,
.

S om e s a i d h e a t e h i s w i v e s ; s om e s a i d h e tor
m en t e d a n d oth e r s th a t h e only wor k e d th e m to
, ,

d e a th E v e ryb ody kn e w i t wa s not a d e s i ra b l e

.

m a t c h a n d y e t th e r e wa s not a fa th e r who d a r e
,

r e fu s e h i s d a u ght e r i f Sh e w e r e a sk e d fo r Th e Ogr e .

o n ly c a re d fo r two th i n g s i n a wom a n h e lik e d —

h e r to b e l i ttl e a n d a g ood ho u s e w i fe
, .

N o w i t wa s wh e n th e O gr e h a d j u s t lo s t h i s t we nty
fo u rth wi fe ! w i thi n th e me mory Of m en ) th a t th e s e
two qu a l i ti e s w e r e e mi n e ntly u ni t e d in th e p e r s on Of
t h e s m a ll e s t a n d mo s t not a b l e wom a n Of t h e d i s tr i c t ,

t h e d a u ght e r Of a c e rt a i n p oor fa rm e r He wa s s o .

p oor th a t h e c o u ld not a fford p rop e rly to dow e r h i s

d a u ght e r who h a d in c on s e qu e n c e r e m a i n e d s i n gl e
,

b e yo nd h e r fir s t yo u th E v e ryb ody fe lt s u r e th a t
.

M a n a gi n g Molly m u s t now b e m a rri e d to th e Og r e .

Th e t a ll g i rl s s tr e t c h e d th e m s e lv e s ti ll th e y look e d
l i k e m a yp o le s a n d s a i d
, Poor thi n g !
,
Th e ”

s l a tt e rn s go ssi p e d from ho u s e to ho u s e t h e h e e l s Of ,

th e i r sh o e s c l a c k i n g a s th e y w e n t a n d c ri e d th a t th i s
,

wa s wh a t c a m e O f b e i n g too thri fty .

An d s u r e e no u gh i n d u e t i m e th e gi a nt w i dow e r
, ,
48 TH E O GR E C 0 UR TIN G

D on t m e nti on ’
s a i d Molly
i t , s ir , Th e fe w e r .

r a t s t h e mor e c orn Ho w do y o n c oo k th e m ?
.

“
N o t o n e Of a l l t h e e x tr a v a g a n t h u ssi e s I h a v e
h a d a s w i v e s e v e r c ook e d th e m a t a l l s a i d t h e Og r e : ,

a n d h e tho u ght to h i m s e l f Su c h a s te w o u t o f ra t s
,

”
Wh a t fr u ga l i ty ! Wh a t a ho u s e wi fe !
Wh e n h e b ro a c h e d th e wi n e h e wa s no l e ss ,

l e a s e d fo r i t wa s o f t h e b e s t
p ,
.

“
Thi s a t a n y r a t e m u s t h a v e c o s t yo u a gr e a t
, ,

d e a l n e i ghb o u r s a i d h e dri n ki ng th e fa rm e r s
,
”
, ,
’

h e a lth a s Molly l e ft t h e room .

I don t k now th a t rott e n a pp l e s c o u ld b e b e tt e r

’

u se d s a i d th e fa rm e r ; b u t I l e a ve a l l th a t to
“
,

Molly D O yo u b r e w a t hom e ?
.

We gi v e OW rott e n a p p l e s to th e p i gs growl e d
’
,

t h e Og r e B u t th i n g s w i ll b e b e tt e r ord e r e d wh e n
.

”
s h e i s my w ife .

Th e Ogr e wa s now i n gr e a t h a s t e to c on c l u d e th e
m a t c h a n d a sk e d wh a t dowry th e fa rm e r wo u ld
,

g i v e h i s d a u ght e r .

I s ho u ld n e v e r dr e a m o f gi vi n g a dowry w i th
“

Molly s a i d t h e fa rm e r b oldly
”
, Who e v e r ge t s
, .

h e r ge t s dowry e no u gh
, On t h e c ontr a ry I sh a ll
.
,

e x p e c t a good ro u nd s u m from t h e m a n wh o d e p r i v e s

me o f h e r O u r w e a lth i e s t fa rm e r i s j u s t w i dow e d
'

.
,

a n d th e r e for e s u r e to b e i n a h u rry fo r m a rr i a ge He .

h a s a n e y e to t h e m a i n c h a n c e a n d wo u ld not gr u d g e ,

to p a y w e ll fo r s u c h a w ife I l lw a rr a nt
’
.
,

I a m no c h u rl my s e l f s a i d th e Ogr e who wa s
”
, ,
 TH E O GRE C O UR TI N G 49

a n xi o u s to s e c u r e h i s thri fty b ri d e a t a n y p ri c e ; a n d
h e n a m e d a l a rg e s u m Of mon e y th i n k i n g We , ,

sh a ll l i ve on r a t s h e n c e forw a rd a n d th e b e e f a n d ,

m u tton w i ll s oon c ov e r t h e dowry

“
D o u b l e th a t a n d w e ll s e e s a i d th e fa rm e r
,
’
, ,

s to u tly .

B u t th e Ogr e b e c a m e a n gry a n d c r i e d : Wh a t ,

a r e y o u th i nk i n g Of m a n ? ,
Who i s to h i nd e r my
c a rry i n g yo u r l a ss Off w i tho u t wi th yo u r l e a ve or ‘
,

b y yo u r l e a v e dowry or non e ?
’
,

Ho w l i ttl e yo u k now h e r ! ”
s a i d th e fa rm e r .

Sh e i s s o firm th a t s h e wo u ld b e c u t to p i e c e s s oon e r
th a n gi v e yo u a n y b e n e fit Of h er thri ft u nl e ss yo u ,

d e a lt fa i rly i n th e m a tt e r ”
.

“
We ll w e ll s a i d t h e Ogr e le t u s m e e t e a c h
, , ,

oth e r And h e n a m e d a s u m l a rge r th a n h e a t

fir s t propo s e d a n d l e ss th a n th e fa rm e r h a d a sk e d
,
.

Th i s th e fa rm e r a gr e e d to a s i t wa s e no u gh to m a k e
,

h i m p ro sp e ro u s fo r l ife .

Bri n g i t i n a s a c k to morr ow morni n g s a i d -

,

h e to t h e Ogr e a n d th e n y o u c a n s p e a k to Molly ;
,

sh e s gon e to b e d now
’
.

Th e n e xt morn i n g a c c ord i n gly th e Ogr e a p p e a r e d

, , ,

c a rryi n g t h e dowry i n a s a c k a n d Molly c a m e to ,

m ee t h i m .

“
Th e r e a r e two th i ng s s a i d Sh e I wo u ld a sk , ,

o f a n y lov e r Of m i n e : a n e w fa rmho u s e b u i lt a s ,

I S ho u ld d i r e c t w i th a vi e w to e c onomy ; a n d a
,

fe a th e r b e d Of fr e s h goo s e fe a th e r s fill e d wh e n th e
-
,
50 TH E O GRE C O UR TI N G

old wom a n p l u c ks h e r ge e s e If I don t s l e e p w e ll .

’
,
”
I c a nnot wor k w e ll .

“
Th a t i s b e tt e r th a n a ski ng fo r fin e ry tho u ght ”
,

t h e Og r e ; a n d a ft e r a llt h e ho u s e w i ll b e my o wn ”
.

SO to s a v e t h e e xp e n s e o f l a b o u r h e b ui lt i t h im s e l f
, , ,

a n d wor k e d h a rd d a y a ft e r d a y u nd e r Molly s ’
, ,

ord e r s ti ll wi nt e r c a m e Th e n i t wa s fini sh e d
,
. .

N o w fo r th e fe a th e r b e d
”
s a i d Molly-
,
Il l .
“ ’

s e w u p t h e t i c k i n g a n d wh e n t h e Ol
, d wom a n p l u c ks
e t yo u k now
”
h e r ge e se I l ll
’
.
,

Wh e n i t s now s th e y s a y th e Old wom a n u p yond e r

,

i s pl u c ki n g h e r g e e s e a n d s o a t th e fir s t s now s torm
,

Molly s e nt fo r t h e Ogr e .

N o w yo u s e e th e fe a th e r s fa ll i n g sa id sh e so , ,
”
fill th e b e d .

Ho w a m I to c a t c h th e m ? c r i e d th e Ogr e .

S t u p i d ! don t y o u s e e th e m lyi n g th e r e i n a
’

”
h e a p ? c ri e d Molly ; g e t a s hov e l a n d s e t to ,

”
wor k .

Th e Ogr e a c c ord i n gly c a rri e d i n shov e l fu l s o f

s now to t h e b e d b u t a s i t m e lt e d a s fa s t a s h e p u t
,

i t i n h i s l a b o u r n e v e r s e e m e d don e
,
Tow a rd s n i ght .

t h e room go t s o c old th a t t h e s now wo u ld n o t m e lt ,

a n d now t h e b e d wa s s oon fill e d .

Molly h a s t i ly c ov e r e d i t w i th s h e e t s a n d b l a n k e t s ,

a n d sa i d : Pr a y r e s t h e r e to n i ght a n d t e ll m e
“
-
,

if t h e b e d i s not c om fort i t s e l f To morrow we .

-

”
w i ll b e m a rri e d .

So th e t i r e d Ogr e l a y dow n o n t h e b e d h e h a d
 TH E OGR E CO UR TI N G 51

fill e d , do wh a t h e wo u ld h e c o u ld not ge t w a rm
b ut, , .

Th e sh e e t s m u s t b e d a mp s a i d h e a n d i n t h e
”
, ,

morni n g h e wo k e w i th s u c h horrib l e p a i n s i n h i s
b on e s th a t h e c o u ld h a rdly mov e a n d h a l f t h e b e d
,

h a d m e lt e d a w a y It s no u s e ”
h e gro a n e d
“ ’
.
, ,

s h e s a v e ry m a n a gi n g wom a n b u t to s l e e p on
’
,

s u c h a b e d wo u ld b e th e d e a th Of me ”
And h e .

w e nt Off hom e a s qu i c k ly a s h e c o u ld b e for e M a n a g

,

i n g Molly c o u ld c a ll u p on h im to b e m a rri e d ; fo r
s h e wa s s o m a n a gi n g th a t h e wa s mor e th a n h a l f

a fr a i d o f h e r a lr e a dy .

Wh e n Molly fo u n d th a t h e h a d gon e s h e s e nt ,

t h e fa rm e r a ft e r h i m .

“
Wh a t do e s h e w a nt ? c ri e d th e Ogr e wh e n
”
,

th e y told h i m th e fa rm e r wa s a t t h e door .

“
He s a y s th e b ri d e i s w a i ti n g fo r yo u wa s th e ,

r e ply .

”
T e ll h i m I m too ill to b e m a rri e d s a i d t h e
’
,

Og r e .

B u t t h e m e ss e n ge r s oon r e t u rn e d
He s a y s s h e w a nt s to know wh a t yo u w i ll gi v e
h e r to m a k e u p fo r t h e d i s a ppo i ntm e nt .

Sh e s go t t h e dowry a n d t h e fa rm a n d th e
“ ’
, ,

fe a th e r — ro n d r wh t mor do
” “
b ed g
, a e t h e O g e ; a e e s
s h e w a nt ?

B u t a ga i n t h e m e ss e n ge r r e t u rn e d
’
e —
Sh e s a y s yo u v e p r e ss e d t h e fe a th r b e d fla t ,

”
a n d s h e w a nt s s om e mor e g oo s e fe a th e r s .

Th e r e a r e ge e s e e no u gh i n th e ya rd ye ll e d ,
52 TH E OGR E C O UR TI N O

t h e Og re. L e t h i m dr i v e th e m hom e ; a n d i f h e
h a s a noth e r w o rd t o s a y p u t h i m down to ro a s t
”
, .

Th e fa rm e r who ov e rh e a rd th i s ord e r lo s t no
, ,

ti m e i n t a ki n g h i s l e a v e a n d a s h e p a ss e d thro u gh
,

t h e y a rd h e drov e hom e a s fi n e a flo c k Of g e e s e a s
o u w i ll s e e on a c ommon
y .

I t i s s a i d th a t t h e Ogr e n e v e r r e c ov e r e d from
t h e e ffe c t s o f s l e e p i n g on t h e Old wom a n s goo s e
’

fe a th e r s a n d wa s l e ss p ow e r fu l th a n b e for e
, .

A s fo r M a n a gi n g Molly b e i n g now w e ll dow e r e d

, ,

s h e h a d no l a c k Of Offe r s o f m a rr i a e a n d wa s s oon
g,

m a t e d to h e r mi nd .
 THE MAG I C IAN S ’
G I FT S
T H E R E wa s on c e
a kin g in who s e
dom i n i on s l i v e d
no l e ss th a n thr e e
m a gi c i a n s .

When th e
k i n g s e ld e s t s on
’

wa s c hr i s t e n e d
,

t h e k i n g i nvi t e d
t h e thr e e ma
g i c i a n s to t h e

c hr i s t e n i n g fe a s t ,

a n d to m a k e t h e c ompl i m e nt t h e r e a t e r h e a sk e d
g ,

o n e Of th e m to s t a nd od fa th er B u t th e oth er
g .

two who w e r e not a sk e d t o b e g od fa th e r s w e r e s o

, ,

a n g ry a t wh a t th e y h e ld to b e a s l i ht th a t th e y o n ly
g ,

w a i t e d to s e e how th e y mi ght b e s t r e v e n ge th e m
s e lv e s u pon th e i n fa nt pri n c e .

Wh e n th e mom e nt c a m e fo r pr e s e nt i ng th e
c hr i s t e n i n
ggift s,t h e g od fa th e r m a g i c i a n a dv a n c ed

to th e c r a dl e a n d s a i d My gi ft i s th i s : Wh a t e v e r
,

h e w i s h e s fo r h e s h a ll h a v e .And only I who gi v e

54 THE MAGI CI AN S GI F TS
’

sh a ll b e a b l e to r e c a ll th i s gi ft For h e p e r c e i v e d .

t h e j e a lo u s y o f t h e oth e r m a gi c i a n s a n d k n e w th a t , ,

if p o ssi b l e th e y wo u ld u ndo wh a t h e d i d
,
B u t th e .

s e c ond m a gi c i a n m u tt e r e d i n h i s b e a rd And y e t ,
”
I w i ll c h a n ge i t to a c u r s e And c omi ng u p to th e
.

c r a dl e ,
h e sa id Th e w i sh e s th a t h e h a s th u s Ob
,
“

t a i n e d h e s h a ll not b e a b l e to r e vok e or c h a n g e
”
.

Th e n t h e thi rd m a gi c i a n gr u mb l e d b e n e a th h i s
b l a c k rob e If h e w e r e v e ry w i s e a n d p r u d e nt h e
,

mi ght y e t b e h a pp y B u t I w i ll s e c u r e h i s p u ni sh
.

m e nt .
”
S o h e a l s o dr e w n e a r to t h e c r a dl e a n d s a i d , ,

For my p a rt I gi v e h i m a h a s ty t e mp e r
,
”
.

A ft e r wh i c h th e t wo d i ss a ti s fi e d m a gi c i a n s wi th
,

dr e w to ge th e r s a yi n g Sho u ld we p e rmi t o u r s e lve s

, ,

to b e s l i ght e d fo r noth i n g ?
B u t th e k i n g a n d h i s c o u rt i e r s w e r e not a t a lld i s
t u rb ed .

My s on h a s only to b e s u r e o f wh a t h e w a nt s ,

s a i d t h e ki n g a n d th e n
,
“
I s u ppo s e h e w i ll not
, ,

d e si r e to r e c a ll h i s w i sh e s ”
.

And th e c o u rti e r s a dd e d If a p ri n c e ma y not

,

h a v e a h a s ty t e m p e r who ma y we sho u ld l i k e to
, ,

”
know ?
And e v e ryb ody l a u gh e d e x c e p t t h e god fa th e r ,

m a gi c i a n who w e nt o u t Si gh i ng a n d sh a k i n g h i s
,

h e a d a n d wa s s e e n no mor e
, .

Wh i l s t t h e ki n g s s on wa s y e t a c h i ld th e gi ft
’
,

o f th e g od fa th e r m a g i c i a n b e g a n to t a k e e ffe c t .

Th e r e wa s noth i n g s o r a r e a n d pr e c i o u s th a t h e c o u ld
56 TH E MAGI CIAN S ’
GI F TS

dr e a m e d th a t I w e nt b y t h e n a rrow e s t Of s e v e n
ro a d s to s e e k wh a t yo u a r e loo k i n g fo r a n d wa s
‘

”
s u c c e ss fu l .

Wh e n t h e k i n g r e t u rn e d hom e h e a sk e d h i s ,

c o u rt i e r s,
Wh e r e a r e th e r e s e v e n r o a d s lyi n g n e a r
to e a c h oth e r s o m e b ro a d a n d s o m e n a rrow ?
,
”

And o n e o f th e m r e p l i e d Tw en ty o n e m i l e s t o
,
-

t h e w e s t Of t h e p a l a c e i s a fo u r c r o ss r o a d wh e r e -
,

thr e e fi e ld p a th s a l so d i v e rg e
-
”
.

To th i s pl a c e t h e k i n g m a d e h i s wa y a n d t a k i n g ,

t h e n a rrow e s t O f t h e fi e l d p a th s w e n t o n a n d o n
-
,

t i ll i t le d h i m s tr a i ght i nto a c a v e wh e r e a n Old ,

wom a n s a t ov e r a fi r e .

D o e s a m a gi c i a n l i v e h e r e ? a sk e d th e k i ng .

N O o n e l i v e s h e r e b u t my s e l f s a i d t h e Old
”
,

wom a n .
“
B u t a s I a m a w i s e wom a n I ma y b e
a b l e to h e l p y o u i f y o u n e e d i t
”
.

Th e ki n g th e n told h e r O f h i s p e r p l e x i ti e s a n d how ,

h e wa s d e si ro u s o f fi nd i n g t h e m a gi c i a n to p e r s u a d e ,

h i m to r e c a ll h i s gi ft .

He c o u ld not r e c a ll th e oth e r gi ft s ”
s a i d th e ,

wi s e wom a n . Th e r e for e i t i s b e tt e r th a t th e p ri n c e
sho u ld b e t a u ght to u s e h i s p ow e r p r u d e ntly a n d to
c ontrol h i s t e m p e r .And sin c e a llth e p e r s o n s c a p a b l e
o f u idin h i m h a v e d i s a p e a r e d I w i ll r e t u rn w i th
g g p ,

y o u a n d t a k e c h a r g e O f h i m my s e l f O v e r me h e
.

wi ll h a v e no pow e r ”
.

To th i s th e ki n g c on s e nt e d a n d th e y r e t u rn e d,

toge th e r to th e p a l a c e wh e r e th e wi s e woma n b e
,
 THE MAGI CIANS ’
GI F TS 57

ca m e gu a rd i a n to th e pri n c e a n d sh e fu lfill e d h e r
,

d u ti e s s o w e ll th a t h e b e c a m e m u c h mor e d i s c r e e t a n d
s e l f c ontroll e d Only a t t im e s h i s vi ol e nt t e mp e r
-
.

o t t h e b e tt e r o f h im a n d l e d h i m to w i s h wh a t h e
g ,

a ft e rw a rd s v a i nly r e g r e tt e d .

Th u s a llw e nt w e ll ti ll th e pri n c e b e c a m e a ma n ,

wh e n tho u gh h e h a d gr e a t a ffe c ti on fo r h er h e fe lt
, ,

a s h a m e d o f h a vi n g a n Ol d wom a n fo r h i s c o u n s e llor ,

a n d h e sa id ,
I c e rt a i nly w i s h th a t I h a d a fa i th fu l
”
a n d d i s c r e e t a dv i s e r o f my own a e a n d s e x
g .

On th a t v e ry d a y a yo u n g nob l e m a n Offe r e d
h i m s e l f a s c omp a n i on to th e pri n c e a n d a s h e wa s ,

a yo un g ma n o f gr e a t a b i l i ty h e wa s a c c e pt e d
,

wh e r e u pon th e old wom a n too k h er d e p a rt u r e a n d ,

wa s n e v e r s e e n a ga i n .

Th e yo u n g nob l e m a n p e r form e d h i s p a rt s o w e ll
th a t t h e p ri n c e b e c a m e d e e ply a tta c h e d to h im a n d ,

s u b mi tt e d i n e v e ry wa y to h i s c o u n s e l s B u t a t l a s t .

a d a y c a m e wh e n b e i n g i n a r a ge th e a dv i c e o f h i s
, ,

fri e nd i rri t a t e d h i m a n d h e c ri e d h a s t i ly
,
Wi ll yo u ,

dri v e me ma d wi th yo u r lon g s e rmon s ? I wi sh yo u

”
would hold yo u r ton gu e fo r e v e r On wh i c h t h e.

yo u ng nob l e ma n b e c a me d u mb a n d s o r e m a i n e d ,
.

For h e wa s not a s t h e w i s e woma n h a d b e e n in

, ,

d e p e nd e nt Of th e pri n c e s pow e r ’
.

Th e pri n c e s gri e f a n d r e mor s e kn e w n o b o u nd s

’
.

Am I not u nd e r a c u r s e ? s a i d h e ”
Tr u ly I .

o u ght to b e ca s t o u t from h u ma n s o c i e ty a n d s e nt ,

to l i ve wi th w i ld b e a s t s in a wi ld ern es s I o n ly b rin g .
58 TH E MAGI CI AN S ’
GI F TS

e vi l u pon tho s e I love b e s t i nd e e d th e r e i s no ho p e ,

fo r m e u nl e ss I c a n find my god fa th e r a n d m a k e h i m ,
”
r e c a ll th i s fa t a l gi ft .

S O t h e p r i n c e mo u nt e d h i s hor s e a n d a c c om p a n i e d
, ,

b y h i s d u mb fr i e nd who s t i ll r e m a i n e d fa i th ful to
,

h im h e s e t forth to fi n d t h e m a gi c i a n
,
Th e y too k .

no follow e r s e x c e pt t h e p ri n c e s do g a nob l e ho un d
,
’
, ,

who wa s s o qu i c k Of h e a ri n g th a t h e u n d e r s tood a ll
th a t wa s s a i d to h i m a n d wa s n e x t to t h e yo u ng
, ,

nob l e m a n t h e wi s e s t p e r s on a t c o u rt
, .

M a r k w e ll my d o g s ai d t h e p ri n c e to h i m
,
”
, ,

we s t a y nowh e r e t i ll we fi n d m y god fa th e r a n d ,

wh e n we find h i m we go no fu rth e r I r e ly on yo u r .

s a ga c i ty to h e l p u s ”
.

Th e d o g l i c k e d t h e p ri n c e s h a nd a n d th e n trott e d
’
,

s o r e s ol u t e ly down a c e rt a i n ro a d th a t th e two
fri e nd s a llow e d h i m to l e a d th e m a n d follow e d c lo s e
b e h i nd .

Th e y tra v e ll e d i n thi s wa y to t h e e d ge o f th e ki ng s ’

domi ni on s only h a lt i n g fo r n e e d fu l r e s t a n d r e fr e s h
,

m e nt At l a s t th e do g le d th e m thro u gh a wood a n d
.
,

tow a rd s e v e ni ng th e y fo u nd th e m s e lv e s i n t h e d e p th s
o f t h e for e s t w i th no S i n o f a n s h e lt e r fo r t h e n i ght
, g y .

Pr e s e ntly th e y h e a rd a l i ttl e b e ll s u c h a s i s r u n g fo r
,

p r a y e r a
,
n d t h e d o g r a n down a s i d e p a th a n d ed
l
th e m s tr a i ght to a ki nd o f grotto a t th e door o f ,

whi c h s tood a n a ge d h e rmi t .

D o e s a m a gi c i a n l i v e h e r e ? a sk e d th e pri n c e
”
.

NO o n e l i v e s h e r e b u t my s e l f s a i d th e h e rmi t
”
, ,
 TH E MAGI CI AN S ’
GI F TS 59

b ut I am d,
Ol h a v e m e d i t a t e d m u c h My
and .

a dv i c e i s a t yo u r s e rv i c e i f y o u n e e d i t .

Th e p ri n c e th e n r e l a t e d h i s h i s tory a n d how h e ,

wa s now s e e k i n g th e m a gi c i a n god fa th e r to r i d h i m ,

s e l f Of h i s gi ft .

An d y e t th a t w i ll not c u r e yo u r t e mp e r s a i d ,

t h e h e rm i t . I t w e r e b e tt e r th a t yo u e mploy e d
yo u r s e l f i n l e a rni n g to c ontrol th a t a n d to u s e yo u r ,

pow e r p ru d e n tly ”
.

”
N O no , r e pl i e d t h e pri n c e ; I mu s t find th e
,

m a gi c i a n ”
.

An d wh e n t h e h e rm i t p r e ss e d h i s a dvi c e h e c r i e d , ,

Provok e m e n o t good fa th e r or I m a y b e b a s e
, ,

e no u gh to w i s h yo u il l; a n d t h e e vi l I do I c a nnot
‘

”
u ndo .

And h e d e p a rt e d follow e d b y h i s fri e nd a n d

, ,

c a ll i n g h i s d o g B u t th e d o g s e a t e d h i m s e l f a t th e
.

h e rmi t s fe e t a n d wo u ld not move A ga i n a n d a ga i n

’
, .

t h e p r i n c e c a ll e d h i m b u t h e only wh i n e d a n d w a gge d
,

h i s t a i l a n d r e fu s e d to mov e
,
C o a x i n g a n d s c oldi n g
.

w e r e b oth i n v a i n a n d wh e n a t l a s t th e pri n c e tri e d

,

to dra g h i m Off b y for c e th e do g growl e d ,

.

B a s e b r u t e c ri e d t h e pri n c e fli n gi n g h i m from ,

h i m i n a tr a n s p ort o f r a ge Ho w h a v e I b e e n s o
.

d e c e i v e d i n yo u ? I wi s h yo u w e r e h a n ge d ! And ”

e v e n a s h e s p o k e t h e do g v a n i sh e d a n d a s t h e p r i n c e ,

t u r n e d h i s h e a d h e s a w t h e p oor b e a s t s b ody d a n ’

g gl i n from a tr e e a b ov e h i m T h e s i g ht .ov e rwh e lm e d

h i m a n d h e b e g a n b i tt e rly to l a m e nt h i s c r u e lty
, .
60 TH E MAGI CI AN S ’
GIF TS

”
Wi ll no o n e h a n g me a l s o h e c ri e d a n d r id
, ,

th e world Of s u c h a mon s t e r ?
I t i s e a s i e r to d i e r e p e nt i n g th a n to l i v e a m e nd
in g ,
s a i d t h e h e rm i t ; y e t i s th e l a tt e r c o u r s e t h e
b e tt e r o n e. Wh e r e for e a b i d e wi th me my s on a n d , ,

l e a rn i n s ol i t u d e tho s e l e ss on s o f s e l f gove rnm e nt -

w i tho u t wh i c h no ma n i s fi t to r u l e oth e r s ”
.

I t i s i m p o ss ib l e s a i d t h e p ri n c e Th e s e fi t s
‘ ”
.
,

o f p a ss i on a r e a s a m a dn e ss th a t c o m e s u p o n m e ,

a n d th e y a r e b e yo n d c u r e . I t only r e m a i n s t o fi n d
my god fa th e r th a t h e m a y m a k e m e l e ss b a n e fu l
,

to oth e r s b y t a ki n g a w a y th e p ow e r I a b u s e And .

r a i si n g th e b ody o f th e do g t e nd e rly i n hi s a rm s h e ,

l a i d i t b e for e h i m on h i s hor s e a n d rod e a w a y th e

, ,

d u mb nob l e m a n follow i n g h i m .

Th e y now e nt e r e d th e domi ni on s Of a noth e r k i n g ,

a n d i n d u e t i m e a rri v e d a t t h e c a p i t a l Th e p r i n c e
.

p r e s e nt e d h i m s e l f to t h e k i n g a n d a sk e d i f h e h a d
,

a m a gi c i a n i n h i s k i n gdom .

N o t to my knowl e d g e r e p l i e d th e k i n g
”
, B ut .

I h a v e a r e m a rk a b ly w i s e d a u ght e r a n d if yo u w a nt
,

c o u n s e l s h e m a y b e a b l e to h e l p y o u
”
.

Th e p ri n c e ss a c c ord i n gly wa s s e nt fo r a n d s h e ,

wa s s o b e a u t i fu l a s w e ll a s w i tty th a t t h e p r i n c e
, ,

fe ll i n lov e w i th h e r a n d b e gg e d th e k i n g to g i v e
,

h e r to h i m to w i fe . Th e k i n g o f c o u r s e wa s u n a b l e
, ,

to r e fu s e wh a t t h e p ri n c e w i sh e d a n d t h e w e dd in g
,

wa s c e l e b r a t e d w i tho u t d e l a y ; a n d b y th e a dvi c e o f
h i s w i fe t h e pri n c e pl a c e d th e b ody o f h i s fa i th fu l
 TH E MAGI C I AN S ’
GI F TS 61

do g in a g l a ss c o ffin a n d k e t i t n e a r h i m th a t h e
p
, ,

mi ght c on s t a ntly b e r e mi nd e d o f th e e vi l r e s u lt s o f
g i v i n g wa y to h i s an er
g .

For a t i m e a llw e nt w e ll At fir s t t h e pri n c e n e v e r

.

s a i d a h a r s h word to h i s w i fe ; b u t b y a n d b y fa m i l i
a r i t y m a d e h i m l e ss c a r e fu l a n d o n e d a y Sh e s a i d
,

s om e th i n g th a t o ffe nd e d h i m a n d h e fe ll i nto a vi o ,

l e nt r a ge AS h e w e nt s tormi n g u p a n d down t h e
.
,

p r i n c e ss wr u n g h e r h a nd s a n d c ri e d ,
Ah my , ,

d e a r h u sb a nd I b e g Of yo u to b e c a r e fu l wh a t yo u
,

s a y to me . Yo u s a y y o u lov e d yo u r do g a n d y e t ,

y o u k now wh e re h e lie s
”
.

I k now th a t I wi s h y o u w e r e w i th h im w i th
“
,

yo u r pr a t i n g c ri e d t h e pri n c e i n a fu ry ; a n d t h e ,

word s w e r e s c a rc e ly o u t o f h i s mo u th wh e n t h e
pri n c e ss v a ni sh e d from h i s s i d e a n d wh e n h e r a n ,

to t h e gl a ss c o ffin th e r e S h e la y p a l e a n d l i fe l e ss
, , ,

w i th h e r h e a d u pon th e b ody o f th e ho u nd .

Th e pr i n c e wa s now b e s i d e h i m s e l f w i th r e m or s e
a n d m i s e ry a n d wh e n t h e d u mb nob l e m a n m a d e
,

si gn s th a t th e y sho u ld p u r su e th e i r s e a rc h fo r t h e
m a gi c i a n h e only c ri e d TOO l a t e too l a t e
, ,

B u t a ft e r a wh i l e h e s a i d I w i ll r e t u rn to t h e
,

h e rm i t a n d p a ss th e r e s t o f my m i s e r a b l e l i fe i n
,

s ol i t u d e a n d p e n a n c e An d yo u d e a r fri e nd go
“

.
, ,

b a c k to my fa th e r
”
.

B u t t h e d u mb nob l e m a n s hoo k h i s h e a d a n d c o u ld ,

not b e p e r s u a d e d to l e a ve t h e p ri n c e Th e n th e y .

t oo k t h e gl a ss c o ffin o n th e i r s ho u l de r s , a n d on foot ,
 62 TH E MAGI CI AN S ’
GI F TS

and w e e p i n g a s th e y w e nt th e y r e tr a c e d th e i r s t e p s
,

to t h e for e s t .

F o r s o m e t i m e t h e p r i n c e r e m a i n e d w i th t h e h e rm i t ,

a n d s u b m i tt e d h i m s e l f to h i s d i r e c t i on Th e n t h e .

h e rm i t b a d e h i m r e t u rn to h i s fa th e r a n d h e ob e y e d , .

E v e ry d a y t h e pri n c e s tood b y t h e gl a ss c o ffin a n d ,

b e a t h i s b r e a s t a n d c ri e d B e hold m u rd e r e r th e
, , ,

fr u i t s o f a n g e r ! And h e tri e d h a rd to o ve r c om e
”

t h e v i ol e n c e o f h i s t e m p e r Wh e n h e lo s t h e a rt h e
.

r e m e mb e r e d a s a yi n g o f t h e h e rmi t : P a ti e n c e h a d
fa r to go b u t s h e wa s c rown e d a t l a s t
, And a ft e r .

a wh i l e t h e pri n c e b e c a m e a s g e ntl e a s h e h a d b e for e

b e e n v i ol e nt . And th e k i n g a n d a ll t h e c o u rt r e
o i c e d a t t h e c h a n e ; b u t t h e pr i n c e r e m a i n e d s a d
j g
a t h e a rt th i n ki n g o f t h e pr i n c e ss
, .

On e d a y h e wa s s i tt i n g a lon e wh e n a ma n a p ,

p r o a c h e d h im dr e ss
,
e d i n a lon g b l a c k ro b e .

Good d a y god s on s a i d h e
-
,
”
, .

Who c a ll s m e god s on ? s a i d th e pri n c e .

Th e m a gi c i a n y o u h a v e s o lon g s o u ght s a i d th e
”
,

g od f a th e r
. I h a v e c o m e to r e c l a i m my gi ft
”
.

Wh a t c ru e lty le d yo u to b e s tow i t u p on me ? ”

a sk e d t h e pr i n c e .

“
Th e k i n g yo u r fa th e r wo u ld h a v e b e e n d i s
, ,

s a t i s fi e d wi th a n y ord i n a ry p r e s e nt from m e s a i d ”
,

t h e m a gi c i a n for ge tt i n g th a t t h e r e s pon s ib i l i t i e s
“
,

o f c omm o n g ift s a n d v e ry l i m i t e d p ow e r a r e mor e

, ,

th a n e no u gh fo r mo s t me n to d e a l wi th B u t I h a v e .

not n e gl e c t e d yo u I wa s th e wi s e wom a n who

.
 TH E WI D OW S AN D THE S T RA N G E R S

N d a y s o f yore th e r e w e re on c e
,

two poor Old wi dow s who

l i v e d in t h e s a me h a ml e t a n d
u nd e r t h e s a m e roo f . B ut
tho u gh th e c ott a ge s j oi n e d
and o n e roo f c ov e re d th e m ,

th e y h a d e a c h a s e p a ra te
dw e ll i n g ; a n d a ltho u gh th e y
w e r e a l i k e i n a ge a n d c i rc u m
s t a n c e s y e t i n oth e r r e sp e c t s
,

th e y w e re v e ry d i ffe r e n t For
.

o n e d a m e wa s c ov e to u s tho u gh s h e h a d l i ttl e to s a v e
, ,

a n d t h e oth e r wa s l i b e r a l ,
tho u gh s h e h a d l i ttl e to
g i v e
.

N o w on t h e ri s i n g g ro u nd Opp o s i t e to th e wi dow s
’
,

c ott a e s s tood a mon a s t e ry wh e r e a fe w p i o u s a n d

g ,

c h a ri t a b l e b r e thr e n s p e nt th e i r t i m e i n p r a y e r l a b o u r
, ,

a n d g o od wor ks . An d wi th t h e a l m s o f th e s e mo n k s ,

a n d t h e k i n d n e ss o f n e i g hb o u r s ,
a n d b e c a u s e th e i r

w a n t s w e r e fe w t h e old wo m e n dw e lt i n c omfort
, ,

a n d h a d d a i ly b r e a d a n d l
, a y w a rm a t n i ght .

On e e v e ni n g wh e n th e c ov e t o u s o l
, d w i dow wa s
 TH E WI D O WS AN D TH E S TR AN GE R S 65

h a vi n g s u p p e r th e r e c a m e a kn o c k a t h e r door
, .

B e for e s h e o p e n e d i t s h e h a s ti ly p u t a wa y th e r e
ma in s o i h e r me a l .

“
For s a i d s h e
,
i t i s a s tormy n i ght a n d t e n
, ,

t o o n e s o m e b e l a t e d v a ga b o nd w a n t s sh e lt e r ; a n d

wh e n th e r e a r e vi c t u a l s on th e t a b l e e ve ry fool m u s t
”
b e a sk e d to s u p .

B u t wh e n s h e Op e n e d t h e door a m o n k c a m e i n ,

who h a d h i s c o wl p u ll e d o ve r h i s h e a d to sh e lt e r
h i m fr o m t h e s t o r m Th e w i dow wa s m u c h di s
.

c o n c e rt e d a t h a v i n g k e p t o n e O f t h e b roth e rhood

w a i t i n g a n d l o u dly a p olo gi z e d b u t th e m o n k s to pp e d
, ,

h e r s a yin g
, , I fe a r I c u t short yo u r e v e n i n g m e a l ,

my d a u ght e r .

N o w i n t h e n a m e Of i l ll u c k how c a m e h e to
-
,

e ss th a t ? tho ht w dow a s w i th a n x i o u s
”
g u u
g t h e i ,

c i v i l i ty s h e pr e ss e d t h e mo n k t o t a k e s om e s u p p e r

a ft e r h i s w a l k ; fo r t h e g o o d wo m a n a lw a y s fe lt
h o s p i t a b ly i n c l i n e d t o w a rd s a n y o n e who wa s l i k e ly
to re t u rn h e r k i nd n e ss s e v e n fo ld .

Th e b roth e r how e v e r r e fu s e d to s u p ; a n d a s h e
, ,

s e a t e d hi m s e l f t h e w i dow loo k e d sh a rp ly thro u gh h e r

s p e c t a c l e s to s e e if S h e c o u ld g a th e r fro m a n y d i s
t e n t i o n Of t h e fo ld s o f h i s fr o c k wh e th e r a l o a f a ,

b ottl e Of c ord i a l or a n e w w i n t e r s c lo a k w e r e m o s t
,
’

l i k e ly to c rown t h e vi s i t N o u n d u e prot u b e ra n c e
.

b e i n g v i si b l e a b o u t t h e monk s p e r s o n s h e t u rn e d
’
,

h e r e y e s to h i s fa c e a n d fo u n d th a t h e r vi si tor wa s
,

o n e o f t h e b roth e rhood whom s h e h a d n o t s e e n b e fo r e .

66 TH E WI D O WS AN D TH E S TR AN GE R S

An d not only wa s h i s fa c e u n fa m i l i a r i t wa s u tt e rly ,

u n l i k e t h e k i n dly b u t ro u g h c o u n t e n a n c e s O f h e r

c h a ri t a b l e p a t r o n s N o n e th a t s h e h a d e v e r s e e n
.

b o a s t e d t h e nob l e b e a u ty t h e c h i s e ll e d a n d r e fi n e d
,

fe a t u r e s o f t h e mon k b e for e h e r And s h e c o u ld not

.

b u t n ot i c e th a t a ltho u gh only o n e r u shl i ght i ll u

,

mi n e d h e r room a n d th o u gh t h e mon k s c owl w e n t

,
’

fa r to sh a d e h i m e v e n fr o m th a t y e t h i s fa c e wa s l
, it
u p a s if b y l i ght fro m w i th i n s o th a t h i s c l e a r s k i n
,

s e e m e d a l m o s t tr a n s p a r e n t In short h e r c u ri osi ty
.
,

m u s t h a v e b e e n gr e a tly s t i rr e d h a d not gr e e d m a d e
,

h e r mor e a n xi o u s to l e a rn wh a t h e h a d b ro u ght th a n
who h e wa s .

I t s a t e rrib l e ni ght q u oth t h e monk a t l e n g th

’ ”
.
, ,

S u c h t e mp e s t w i th o u t only gi v e s p o i nt t o t h e
i ndoor c o m fort s o f t h e w e a lthy ; b u t i t c h i ll s t h e
v e ry m a rrow o f t h e p oor a n d d e s ti t u t e ”
.

“
Ay e i nd e e d s niffe d t h e w i dow w i th a sh i v e r
, ,
.

If i t w e r e not fo r t h e c h a r i ty o f good C hr i st i a n s ,

wh a t wo u ld p oor fol k do fo r c omfort on s u c h a n

e v e ni n g a s th i s ?
”

I t wa s th a t v e ry tho u ght my d a u ght e r

,
s a i d th e ,

mon k w i th a s u dd e n e a rn e s tn e ss on h i s shi ni n g fa c e
, ,

th a t b ro u ght me forth e v e n now thro u gh th e storm

to yo u r c ott a ge .
”

He a v e n r e w a rd yo u c r i e d t h e wi dow fe rv e ntly ,
.

He a v e n do e s r e w a rd t h e c h a r i t a b l e l r e p li e d th e
mon k . To no tru th do t h e S c ri p t u r e s b e a r s u c h
c on s t a nt a n d u nb ro k e n w i tn e ss ; e v e n a s i t i s wr i tt e n :
 TH E WI D O WS AN D TH E S TR AN GE R S 67

‘
He th a t h a th p i ty u pon t h e p oor l e n d e th u n to
t h e Lord ; a n d l o o k wh a t h e l a y e th o u t i t s h a ll b e
,

a i d h im a g a i n
’
p .

Wh a t a b l e ss e d th i n g i t m u s t b e to b e a b l e to do
g ood !
”
s i g h e d t h e wi do w
p i o u s ly w i s h i,
n
g i n h er

h e a rt th a t th e holy ma n wo u ld not d e l a y to e a rn h i s
r e c omp e n s e .

“
My d a u ght e r s a i d t h e monk , th a t b l e ssi ng ,

i s not w i thh e ld from y o u I t i s to a s k yo u r h e l p

.

fo r tho s e i n gr e a t e r n e e d th a n yo u r s e l f th a t I a m
”
c om e to n i ght -
And forthwi th t h e good b roth e r
.

b e g a n to t e ll how two s tr a n ge r s h a d s o u ght sh e lt e r

a t t h e mon a s t e ry Th e i r ho u s e h a d b e e n s tr u c k
.

b y l i ghtn i n g a n d b u rnt w i th a l
,
li t c o n t a i n e d ; a n d
th e y th e m s e lv e s a g e d p oor a n d fri e ndl e ss w e r e
, , , ,

e x o s e d to t h e fu ry o f t h e s torm u r ho u s e i s
“
p O .

a p oor o n e c ont i n u e d t h e m o n k
,
Th e s tr a n g e r s .
’

lod gi ng room wa s a lr e a dy fu ll a n d we a r e q u i t e
-
,

w i tho u t t h e m e a n s o f m a k i n g th e s e p oor s o u l s c o m
fo r t a b l e Yo u a t l e a s t h a ve a s o u n d roo f o ve r
yo u r h e a d a n d i f yo u c a n sp a re o n e o r two thi n gs
,

fo r t h e n i ght th e y sh a ll b e r e s tor e d to y o u to morro w

,
-
,

wh e n s om e o f o u r gu e s t s d e p a rt ”
.

Th e w i do w c o u ld h a rdly c on c e a l h e r v e x a t i on
a n d d i s a pp o i ntm e nt N o w d e a r h e a rt holy fa
.
, ,

th e r c r i e d sh e i s th e r e not a r i c h b ody i n th e
,
“

p l a c,e th a t y o u c om e fo r c h a r i ty to a poor O ld w i dow

l i k e me th a t a m i n a c a s e r a th e r to b orrow my s e l f
,

”
t h a n to l e nd to oth e r s ?
 68 TH E WI D O WS AN D TH E S TR AN GE R S

C a n yo u sp a r e u s a b l a n k e t ? s a i d th e m o n k
”
.

Th e s e p o o r s tr a n g e r s h a v e b e e n o u t i n t h e s t o rm ,

”
r e m e mb e r .

Th e wi dow s t a rt e d Wh a t m e ddl i n g b u s yb o dy
.

told h i m th a t t h e B a ron e ss g a v e me a n e w b l a n k e t
”
a t Mi c h a e l ma s ? tho u ght s h e ; b u t a t l a st v e r y ,

u n w i ll i n ly S h e w e nt to a n i n n e r r o o m t o fe t c h a
g ,

b l a n k e t from h e r b e d .

“
Th e y sh a n t h a ve t h e n e w o n e th a t s fla t
’
,
’
,

m u tt e r e d t h e w i dow ; a n d s h e dr e w o ut t h e Old o n e
a n d b e g a n to fold i t u p B u t tho u gh s h e h a d m a d e
.

m u c h o f i t s thi n n e ss a n d i n s u ffi c i e n c y t o th e B a ro n e ss ,

s h e wa s s o ow e r fu lly a ffe c t e d a t r t i w i th i t
p p a n
g ,

t h a t a lli t s good qu a l i ti e s c a m e s tro n gly to h e r mi nd .

I t s a v e ry s u i t a b l e s i z e s a i d s h e to h e r s e l f
’ ”
, ,

a n d e a s y fo r my p o o r Ol d a r m s to s h a k e or fold .

Wi th c a r e fu l u s a ge i t wo u ld l a s t fo r y e a r s y e t ; b u t
,

who k now s how two w a n d e ri n g b o d i e s th a t h a v e

b e e n tr a mp i n g m i l e s thro u gh t h e s t o rm m a y k i c k
a b o u t i n th e i r s l e e p ? And who know s i f th e y r e ’

d e c e n t fol k a t a ll; l i k e ly e no u gh th e y r e two h e d g e’

b i rd s who h a v e i m p o s e d a p i t i fu l t a l e o n th e g ood
,

fa th e r s a n d n e v e r S l e p t u n d e r a n yth i n g fi n e r th a n a
,

”
sho c k o f s tr a w i n th e i r l i v e s .

Th e mor e t h e good wo m a n tho u ght o f th i s t h e ,

mor e s u r e sh e fe lt th a t s u c h wa s th e c a s e a n d th e ,

“
l e ss w i ll i n g s h e b e c a m e to l e n d h e r b l a n k e t to a
c o u p l e o f good fo r noth i n g tr a mp s A s u dd e n i d e a
- -
”
.

de cide d h e r . Te n to o n e th e y b ri n g fe v e r w i th
 THE WI DO WS AND TH E S TRANGERS

th e m ! sh e c r i e d ; a n d d e a r know s I s a w e no u gh
~

o od b e dd i n g b u rnt a ft e r t h e b l a c k fe v e r thr ee
g ,

ye a r s a go ! It wo u ld b e a S i n a n d a S h a m e to b u rn
a g ood b l a n k e t l i k e th i s And r e p e a ti n g a s i n
” “
.

a n d a sh a m e wi th gr e a t for c e th e w i dow r e s tor e d

,

t h e b l a n k e t to i t s p l a c e .

Th e c ov e rl e t s not worth m u c h
’ ”
s h e tho u ht ;
g ,

b u t m y goodm a n b o u ght i t t h e y e a r a ft e r we w e r e
ma rri e d a n d i f a n yth i n g h a p p e n e d to i t I sho u ld
,

n e v e r for gi v e m y s e l f Th e Old s h a wl i s good e no u gh

.

”
fo r tr a mp s S a yi n g wh i c h s h e too k a r a gg e d o l
. d
sh a wl from a p e g a n d b e ga n t o fold i t u p B u t
, .

e v e n a s s h e b r u s h e d a n d fold e d s h e b e ru d e d
g g
,

t h e fa d e d r a g .

I t s a v e s my b e tt e r o n e on a b a d d a y ”
Sh e ,

s i gh e d ; b u t I s u p p o s e t h e fa th e r m u s t h a v e
s om e th i n g .

And a c c ord i n gly sh e too k i t to th e mon k s a yi n g , ,

I t s not s o good a s i t h a s b e e n b u t th e r e s w a rmth

’ ’
,

i n i t y e t a n d i t c o s t a pr e tty p e nny wh e n n e w ”
‘

, .

And i s thi s a ll th a t yo u c a n sp a r e to th e p oor

ho u s e l e ss s tr a n ge r s ? a sk e d th e mon k .

Ay e i nd e e d good fa th e r s a i d sh e
, , , a n d th a t ,

wi ll c o s t m e m a n y a twi n ge o f rh e u m a t i c s Fol k
“

a t my a g e c a n t l i e c old a t n i ght fo r noth i n g

’ ”
.

”
Th e s e poor s tr a n ge r s s a i d th e monk a r e a s
, ,

a ge d a s yo u r s e l f a n d h a v e lo s t e v e ryth i n
”
, g .

B ut as al l h e s a i d h a d no e ffe c t i n mov i n g t h e
w i dow s c omp a ssi on h e d e p a r t e d a n d k no c k e d a t
’
, ,
70 TH E WID OWS AND TH E S TR AN GER S

th e door o f h e r n e i ghb o u r He r e h e told t h e s a m e

.

t a l e whi c h me t w i th a v e ry d i ffe r e nt h e a ri n g Th i s
,
.

w i dow wa s o n e o f tho s e l ib e r a l s o u l s who s e p o s

s e ss i on s a lw a y s m a k e th e m fe e l u n e a s y u nl e ss th e y
a r e b e ing a c c e p t e d , or u s e d or b orrow e d b y s om e
,

o n e e l se . Sh e b l e ss e d h e r s e l f th a t th a nk s to t h e
,

B a ron e ss Sh e h a d a n e w b l a n k e t fi t to l e n d to t h e
,

ki n g h i m s e l f a n d only d e s i r e d to know w i th wh a t e l s e
,

s h e c o u ld s e rv e t h e p oor s tr a n g e r s a n d r e q u i t e t h e

c h a r i t i e s Of t h e b roth e rhood .

Th e mon k c on fe ss e d th a t a l lt h e s l e nd e r s to c k o f
ho u s e hold good s i n th e mon a s t e ry wa s i n u s e a n d ,

o n e a ft e r a n oth e r h e a c c e pt e d t h e lo a n o f a lmo s t

e v e ryth i n t h e w i dow h a d A s sh e a v e t h e th i n s
g .
g g
h e p u t th e m o u t thro u gh t h e door s a yi n g th a t h e ,

h a d a m e ss e n ge r o u t s i d e ; a n d h a v i ng p rom i s e d th a t
al l sho u ld b e d u ly r e s tor e d on t h e morrow h e d e ,

p a rt e d, l e a v i n g t h e w i dow w i th l i ttl e e l s e th a n a n

Ol d c h a i r i n wh i c h sh e wa s to p a ss t h e n i ght .

Wh e n th e mon k h a d gon e t h e s torm r a ge d wi th

,

g r e a t e r fu ry th a n b e for e ,
a n d a t l a s t o n e t e rr i b l e

fl a sh Of l i ghtni n g s tr u c k th e w i dow s ho u s e a n d ’
,

tho u gh i t di d not h u rt th e Old wom e n i t s e t fi r e ,

to t h e roo f a n d b oth c ott a g e s w e r e s oon a b l a z e

,
.

N o w a s t h e t e rr i fi e d old c r e a t u r e s hob b l e d o u t i nto

t h e s torm th e y m e t t h e mon k who c ry i n g
, , , , C om e
to t h e mon a s t e ry ! s e i z e d a n a r m o f e a c h a n d
”
,

h u rri e d th e m u p t h e h i ll To s u c h good p u rpo s e

.

di d h e h e l p th e m th a t th e y s e e m e d to fly a n d
, ,
72 TH E WI D O WS AN D TH E S TR AN GE R S

wh e re th e mo n k s to o d m a ki n g a v a s t a u r e ol e a b o u t
,

h i m i n t h e d a r k n e ss o f t h e n i ght I n t h e b r i ght l i ght

.
,

h i s c o u n t e n a n c e a pp e a r e d s t e m a n d a w fu l i n i t s
b e a u ty a n d wh e n t h e fla s h wa s p a s t t h e monk h a d
, ,

v a n i sh e d a lso .

F u rth e r m or e wh e n t h e wi dow s s o u ght s h e lt e r

i n t h e m o n a s t e ry th e y fo u nd th a t t h e b roth e rhood
,

kn e w nothi ng Of th e i r s tra n ge v i s i tor .

 KIN D WILL IAM AN D TH E WAT E R
S PR I T E

HE R E on c e l i v e d
a poor w e a v e r
who s e w ife d i e d
a fe w y e a r s a ft e r

t h e i r m a rri a ge .

H e wa s now a lon e i n t h e
world e x c e p t fo r th e i r c h i ld ,

who wa s a v e ry qu i c k a n d
i nd u s tr i o u s l i ttl e l ad , an d ,

mor e ov e r o f su c h a n Ob lig
,

i n g d i s p o si t i on th a t h e ga i n e d t h e ni c k n a m e o f
Ki nd Wi ll i a m .

On h i s s e v e nth b i rthd a y h i s fa th e r g a v e h i m a
l i ttl e n e t wi th a lon g h a ndl e a n d wi th th i s Ki nd
,

Will i a m b e too k h i m s e l f to a sh a llow p a rt Of t h e

r i ve r to fi sh A ft e r w a nd e r i ng on fo r s om e t i m e
.
,

h e fo u nd a qu i e t pool d a mm e d i n b y s ton e s a n d ,

h e r e h e d i pp e d fo r t h e m i nnow s th a t d a rt e d a b o ut
i n t h e c l e a r b rown w a t e r . At t h e fir s t a n d s e c ond
c a s t s h e c a u ght noth i n g ,b u t wi th th e th ir d h e
74 K IND WILL IAM AN D TH E WATE R S P R I TE

l a n d e d n o l e ss th a n tw e n ty o n e l i ttl e fi sh e s a n d s u c h
-
,

m i n n ow s h e h a d n e v e r s e e n fo r a s th e y l e a p e d a n d
,

s tr u ggl e d i n t h e n e t th e y shon e w i th a lt e rn a t e t i n ts
o f g r e e n a n d g old .

He wa s g a z i n g a t th e m w i th wond e r a n d d e l i ght ,

wh e n a voi c e b e hi nd h im c ri e d i n p i t e o u s t o n e s ,

Oh my l i ttl e s i s t e r s ! Oh my l i ttl e s i s t e r s !
”
, ,

Ki n d W i ll i a m t u rn e d ro u n d a n d s a w S i tt in g ; on
, ,

a ro c k th a t s tood o u t o f t h e s tr e a m a yo u n g gi rl ,

w e e p i n g b i tt e rly Sh e h a d a v e ry p r e tty fa c e a n d
.
,

a b u n d a n t y e llow h a i r o f m a rv e ll o u s l e n g th a n d Of ,

s u c h u n c omm on b r i ghtn e ss th a t e v e n i n th e sh a d e
i t shon e l i k e go ld .Sh e wa s dr e ss e d i n gr a ss gr e e n ,

a n d from h er k n e e s downw a rd s s h e wa s h i dd e n b y

t h e c l um p s o f fe rn a n d r u sh e s th a t g r e w b y t h e

s tre a m .

“
Wh a t a i l s yo u my l i ttl e l a ss ? s a i d Ki nd
,
”

Wi ll i a m .

B u t t h e m a i d only w e p t mor e b i tt e rly a n d wri n g ,

in g h e r h a n d s r e p e a t e d
, ,Oh my l i ttl e s i s t e r s
“
,
l

Oh my l i ttl e s i s t e r s !
, pr e s e ntly a dd i ng i n t h e s a m e
ton e Th e l i ttl e fi sh e s ! Oh t h e l i ttl e fi sh e s !
,
“
,
”

D ry yo u r e y e s a n d I w i ll gi ve y o u h a l f o f th e m
, ,

s a i d t h e goo d n a t u r e d c h i ld ;
-
a n d i f yo u h a v e
“

no n e t yo u sh a ll fi sh w i th m e th i s a ft e rnoon ”
.

B u t a t th i s p ro p o s a l t h e m a i d s s ob s r e do u b l e d ’
,

a n d Sh e
p r a y e d a n d b e gg e d w i th fr a nt i c e a g e r n e ss
th a t h e wo u ld throw t h e fi sh b a c k i n to th e ri ve r .

For s ome t im e Ki d Wi ll i a m wo u ld not c on s e nt to

n
 K IND WI LLI AM AN D TH E WATE R S P R I TE 75

throw a w a y h i s p ri z e b u t a t l a s t h e yi e ld e d to h e r
,

e x c e ss i v e g r i e f a n d e m p t i e d t h e n e t i nto t h e p ool
, ,

wh e r e th e gl i tt e r i n g fish e s w e r e s oon lo s t to s igh t

u nd e r t h e s a nd a n d p e b b l e s .

Th e gi rl now l a u gh e d a n d c l a p p e d h e r h a nd s .

Th i s good d e e d yo u sh a ll n e v e r r u e Ki nd ,

Wi ll i a m s a i d s h e
,
”
a n d e v e n now i t sh a ll r e a y
, p
u thr e e fold H o w m a n y fi sh di d yo u c a t c h ?
y o .

Tw e n ty o n e s a i d Ki nd W i ll i a m not w i tho u t
-
”
, ,

r e gr e t i n h i s to n e .

Th e m a i d a t on c e b e ga n to p u ll h a i r s o u t o f h e r
h e a d a n d di d not s to p t i ll Sh e h a d c o u nt e d si x ty
,

thr e e a n d l a i d th e m to ge th e r i n h e r fin ge r s Sh e
, .

th e n b e ga n to w i nd t h e lo c k u p i nto a c u rl a n d i t ,

too k fa r lon ge r to w i n d th a n th e si xty thr e e h a i r s -

h a d t a k e n to p u ll Ho w lon g h e r h a i r r e a lly wa s
.

Ki nd Wi ll i a m n e v e r c o u ld t e ll fo r a ft e r i t r e a c h e d
,

h e r k n e e s h e lo s t s i ght o f i t a mon g t h e fe rn ; b u t h e
b e ga n to s u s p e c t th a t s h e wa s no tr u e v i ll a ge m a i d ,

b u t a w a t e r s p ri t e a n d h e h e a rt i ly w i s h e d h i m s e l f
,

s a fe a t hom e .

N o w s a i d s h e wh e n t h e lo c k wa s wo u nd wi ll
”
, , ,

y o u p rom i s e m e thr e e th i n
g s ?

If I c a n do s o w i tho u t s i n s a i d Ki nd Wi ll i a m
, .

F i r s t s h e c onti n u e d hold i n g o u t th e lo c k o f
”
, ,

h ai r wi ll yo u k e e p th i s c a r e fu lly a n d n e v e r gi v e i t
, ,

”
a wa y ? I t w i ll b e fo r yo u r own g ood .

”
On e n e v e r gi v e s a w a y gi ft s s a i d Ki nd Wi lli a m
, .

”
I promi s e th a t .
76 K IN D WI LL I AM AN D TH E WATE R S P R I TE

Th e s e c ond th i n g i s to sp a r e wh a t y o u h a ve
s p a r e d F i sh u p t h e r i v e r a n d down t h e ri v e r a t
.

yo u r w i ll b u t sw e a r n e ve r to c a s t n e t i n th i s p ool
,
”
a ga i n .

On e s ho u ld not do k i ndn e ss b y h a lv e s said

“
,

Ki nd Wi ll i a m I promi s e th a t a l s o
. .

Th i rdly yo u m u s t n e v e r t e ll wh a t yo u ha v e now
,

s e e n a n d h e a rd ti ll thri c e s e ve n ye a r s h a ve p a ss ed .

An d now c om e h i th e r my c h i ld a n d gi v e me yo u r
, ,
‘

l i ttl e fin ge r th a t I ma y s e e i f yo u c a n k e e p a s e c r e t
,
”
.

B u t b y th i s t im e Ki nd Wi ll i a m s h a i r s w e r e
’

s t a nd in g on e n d a n d h e ga v e th e l a s t prom i s e mor e
,

from fe a r th a n from a n y oth e r mot i v e a n d s e i z e d ,

h i s n e t to go .

No h u rry no h u rry s a i d th e m a i d e n ! a n d th e
, ,

word s s o u nd e d l ik e t h e ri p p li ng Of a b roo k ov e r
p eb b l e s ) Th e n b e nd i n g tow a rd s h i m wi th a s tr a nge
.
,

smi l e sh e a dd e d Yo u a r e a fr a i d th a t I sh a ll pi n c h
, ,

too h a rd my p r e tty b o y We ll gi ve me a fa re w e ll
, .
,

ki ss b e for e yo u go .

I k i ss non e b u t t h e m i ll e r s l a ss s a i d Ki nd
’
,

Wi ll i a m s t u rd i ly ; fo r s h e wa s h i s l i ttl e s w e e th e a rt
, .

B e si d e s h e wa s a fr a i d th a t th e wa t e r w i t c h wo u ld
,

e n c h a n t h i m a n d dr a w h i m down At h i s a n sw e r
.

s h e l a u h e d t i ll t h e e c ho e s r a n b t K i nd W i ll i m
g g u , a

sh u dd e r e d to h e a r th a t th e e c ho e s s e e m e d to c o m e
from t h e r i v e r i n s t e a d Of from t h e h i ll s ; a n d th ey
r a ng i n h i s c ars lik e a d i s t a nt torr e nt l e a p i ng ov e r
ro cks .
 K IND WI LL I AM AN D TH E WATE R S P R I TE 77

Th e n l i s t e n to my s on g s a i d t h e w a t e r s p ri t e
,
.

Wi th wh i c h s h e dr e w s om e o f h e r gold e n h a i r s
ove r h e r a r m a n d t u n i n g th e m a s i f th e y h a d b e e n
,

t h e s tr i n gs o f a h a rp s h e b e ga n to s i n g
,

Warp of w o o ll e n an d wo o f Of go ld
Wh e n s e ven a d n se ve n an d s e ve n a re to ld .

B ut wh e n Ki nd Wi ll i a m h e a rd th a t th e r i v e r wa s
r u nn i n g w i th th e c a d e n c e Of t h e t u n e h e c o u ld b e a r ,

i t no lon ge r a n d too k to h i s h e e l s
,
Wh e n h e h a d .

r u n a fe w y a rd s h e h e a rd a s p l a s h a s if a s a lmon h a d ,

j u mp e d a n d on look i n g b a c k h e fo u nd th a t t h e
,

y e llow h a i r e d m a i d e n wa s g on e
-
.

Ki nd Wi ll i a m wa s tru s tworthy a s w e ll a s Ob l i gin g ,

a n d h e k e p t h i s word H e s a i d noth i n g o f h i s a d
.

v e ntu r e He p u t th e y e llow lo c k i n to a n Old c h i n a

.

t e a p ot th a t h a d s tood u nto u c h e d on th e m a n t e l p i e c e
fo r y e a r s . And fi sh i n g u p t h e ri v e r a n d down t h e
ri v e r h e n e v e r a ga i n c a s t n e t i nto th e h a u nt e d p ool .

And in c o u r s e o f time th e whol e a ffa i r p a ss e d from

h i s mi nd .

Fo u rt e e n ye a r s w e nt b y a n d Ki nd Wi ll i a m wa s
,

Ki nd Wi ll i a m s t i ll H e wa s a s Ob l i gi n g a s e ve r a n d
. ,

s t i ll lov e d t h e mi ll e r s d a u ght e r who fo r h e r p a r t

’
, , ,

h a d not forgott e n h e r Ol d pl a ym a t e B u t t h e m i ll e r s
’
.

m e mory wa s not s o good fo r t h e fo u rt e e n ye a r s h a d

,

b e e n pro s p e ro u s on e s w i th h i m a n d h e wa s ri c h , ,

wh e re a s th ey h a d o n l y b ro u ght b a d t ra d e a n d
78 K IN D WI LL I AM AN D TH E WATE R S P R I TE

p o v e rty t o t h e w e a v e r a n d h i s s on So t h e lov e r s .

w e r e n o t a ll o w e d e v e n to s p e a k t o e a c h oth e r .

O n e e v e n i n g Ki nd W i ll i a m w a n d e r e d b y t h e r i v e r
s i d e l a m e n ti n g h i s h a r d fa t e I t wa s h i s tw e n ty fi r s t
.
-

b i r thd a y a,
n d h e m i g ht not e v e n r e c e i v e t h e g ood
wi s h e s Of t h e d a y fr om h i s old p la ym a t e It wa s j u s t .

r o w i n g d u sk a t i m e wn e n p r u d e n t b od i e s h u r ry
g ,

h o m e fr o m t h e n e i ghb o u r hood o f fa i ry ri n gs sp ri t e ,

h a u n t e d s tr e a m s a n d t h e l i k e a n d Ki nd Wi ll i a m
, ,

wa s b e gi n ni n g to qu i c k e n h i s p a c e wh e n a vo i c e ,

from b e h i n d h i m s a n g

Wa rp o f w o o ll e n and w o o f o f g o ld ;
Wh e n s e ve n a n d s e ve n a d e ve
n a s n re to ld .

Ki nd Wi ll i a m fe lt s u r e th a t h e h a d h e a rd thi s b e for e ,

tho u gh h e c o u ld not r e c a ll wh e n or wh e r e ; b u t
s u sp e c ti n g th a t i t wa s no mort a l vo i c e th a t s a ng ,

h e h u rr i e d hom e w i tho u t loo k i n g b e h i nd h i m .

B e for e h e r e a c h e d t h e ho u s e h e r e m e mb e r e d a ll ,

a n d a l s o th a t on th i s v e ry d a y h i s prom i s e o f s e c r e c y

e xp i r e d .

M e a n wh i l e t h e Old w e a v e r h a d b e e n s a dly pr e
p a r i n
g t h e l o om to w e a v e a s m a ll s t o c k o f y a r n ,

whi c h h e h a d r e c e i v e d i n p a ym e nt fo r s om e work .

H e h a d s e t u p t h e w a rp a n d wa s a b o u t to fi l
,
lt h e
sh u ttl e wh e n h i s s on c a m e i n a n d told t h e s tory
, ,

a n d r e p e a t e d t h e w a t e r s p r i t e s s on g
’
.

”
Wh e r e i s th e lo c k o f h a i r my s on ? a s k e d th e
,

Ol
d ma n .
80 K IN D WI LL I AM AN D TH E WATE R S P R I TE

a y e a r a n d a d a y Ki nd Wi ll i a m m a rr i e d h i s sw e e t
h e a rt a n d a s mon e y s ti c ks to mon e y i n th e e n d h e
, ,

a dd e d t h e Ol d m i ll e r s r i c h e s to h i s own
’
.

Mor e ov e r th e r e i s e ve ry r e a s on to b e li e v e th a t
h e a n d h i s w ife l i v e d h a pp i ly to t h e e n d o f th e i r d a y s
.

And wh a t b e c a m e o f th e w a te r s pri t e ?
Th a t yo u m u s t a sk s om e b ody e l s e fo r I do not
,

k now .
 MUR D O C H S RA TH
’ I

H E R E wa s
not a n i c e r b o y
in a l lIr e l a nd th a n P a t a n d ,

c l e ve r a t h i s tra d e too i f ,

only h e d h a d o n e ’
.

B u t from h i s c ra dl e h e
l e a rn e d noth i n g ! s m a ll b l a m e to
h i m w i th no o n e to t e a c h h i m
S O wh e n h e c a m e to y e a r s o f d i s

c r e t i on h e e a rn e d h i s l i v i n g b y
,

r u nn i n g m e ss a ge s fo r h i s n e i gh
b o u r s ; a n d P a t c o u ld a lw a y s b e
tr u s t e d to m a k e t h e b e s t o f a b a d b a rga i n a n d b ri n g ,

b ack al lt h e c h a n ge fo r h e wa s t h e s o u l o f hon e s ty
,

a n d good n a t u r e .

It s no wond e r th e n th a t h e wa s b e lov e d b y e v e ry
’

one , a n d go t a s m u c h wor k a s h e c o u ld do a n d if ,

t h e p a y h a d b u t fitt e d t h e wor k h e d h a v e b e e n
’
,

mi ghty c om fort a b l e ; b u t a s i t wa s wh a t h e go t ,

wo u ldn t h a v e k e pt h i m i n sho e l e a th e r b u t fo r
’
-
,

m a ki n g b oth e nd s m e e t b y w e a ri n g h i s sho e s i n h i s
po c k e t e x c e p t wh e n h e wa s i n t h e town a n d ob l i ge d
, ,

I
R th o ki d f m t
a n O d d p t m h f
o a -s u r r o u n e S d by o uc a vo u r e
I ri s h fa i ri e s . Th e di t c h is l
g e n e r aly o v e rgr o wn wi t h fu rz e
b us h es .
82 M UR D OCH S ’
R ATH

to look g e nt e e l fo r t h e r dit
c e o f th e pla c e h e ca me
from .

W e ll ,
a l
l wa s go i n g on aso u ld b e
p e a c e a b e a l
s c ,

ti ll o n e m a r k e t d a y wh e n b u s i n e ss ! o r i t m a y h a v e
-
,

b e e n p l e a s u r e ) d e t a i n e d h i m t i ll t h e h e e l Of t h e
e v e n i n g a n d b y n i ght fa ll wh e n h e b e ga n to m a k e
, ,

t h e ro a d s hort i n good e a rn e s t h e wa s s o flu s t e r e d , ,

r e h e a r si n g h i s m e ss a ge s to m a k e s u r e h e d fo r go t t e fi ’

noth i n g th a t h e n e v e r b e tho u ght h i m to l e a v e Off

,

h i s b ro gu e s b u t tr a m p e d on j u s t a s i f S h o e l e a th e r
,
-

w e r e m a d e to b e k no c k e d to b i t s on t h e k i n g s hi gh ’

wa y .

And th i s wa s wh a t h e wa s a ft e r s a yi ng
A do z e n h a n ks o f gr e y y a rn fo r Mi s tr e ss
”
M u rp hy .

“
Thr e e gro ss Of b ri ght b u tton s fo r th e t a i lor .

Ha l f a n o u n c e o f thro a t dro p s fo r F a th e r Andr e w ,

a n d a n o u n c e o f s n u ff fo r h i s h o u s e k e e p e r a n d s o on
”
.
,

For th e s e w e r e wh a t h e w e nt to t h e town to fe t c h ,

a n d h e wa s a fr a i d l e s t o n e Of t h e lot m i ght h a v e

s l ipp e d h i s m e m ory .

N o w e v e ryb ody k now s th e r e a r e two w a y s hom e

from t h e town ; a n d th a t s not m e a ni n g t h e r i ght ’

wa y a n d t h e wron g wa y wh i c h m y g ra ndmoth e r ,

! r e s t h e r s o u l ! ) s a i d th e r e wa s to e v e ry pl a c e b u t
o n e th a t i t s n o t e nt e e l to n a m e ! Th e r e c o u ld
’
g .

o n ly b e a wron g wa y th er e s h e s a i d ) Th e two wa y s ,
.

home from t h e town w e r e t h e h i ghw a y a n d th e ,

wa y b y M u rdo ch s Ra th ’
.
 MUR D OCH S ’
RATH 83

M u rdo c h s R a th wa s a pl e a s a nt e no u gh s p ot i n
’

t h e d a yt i m e b u t not m a n y p e r s on s c a r e d to g o b y
,

i t wh e n t h e s u n wa s down And i n a ll th e ye a r s
.

P a t wa s g o i n g b a c kw a rd s a n d forw a rd s h e n e v e r ,

on c e c a m e hom e e x c e p t b y t h e h i gh ro a d t i ll th i s
u nl u c k y e v e n i n g wh e n j u s t a t th e p l a c e wh e r e
, ,

t h e two ro a d s p a rt h e go t a s o n e m a y s a y i nto a
, , ,

s ort o f c o n fu s i o n .

“ ”
H a lt ! s a y s h e to him s e l f ! fo r h i s own u n c l e
h a d b e e n a s o ld i e r a n d P a t kn e w t h e word o f c o m
,

m a nd ) . Th e l e ft h a n d t u rn i s t h e r i ght o n e
“ ”
,

s a ys h e a n d h e wa s g o i n g down t h e h i gh ro a d a s
,

s tr a i ght a s h e c o u ld go wh e n s u dd e nly h e b e tho u ght

,

him s e lf . And wh a t a m I doi n g ? h e s a y s Th i s .

wa s my l e ft h a n d go i n g to town a n d how i n t h e ,

n a m e Of fo rt u n e c o u ld i t b e my l e ft go i n g b a c k ,

c o n s i d e r i n g th a t I ve t u rn e d ro u nd ? I t s w e ll th a t I
’ ’

”
lo o k e d i n to i t i n ti m e And w i th th a t h e w e nt Off
.

a s fa s t down t h e oth e r ro a d a s h e s t a rt e d down th i s .

B u t how fa r h e w a l k e d h e n e v e r c o u ld t e ll b e for e ,

al l o f a s u dd e n t h e moon shon e o u t a s b r i ght a s

d a y a n d P a t fo u nd h i m s e l f i n M u rdo c h s R a th
’
.
,

An d th i s wa s t h e s m a ll e s t p a rt Of t h e wond e r ;
fo r t h e R a th wa s fu ll o f fa i ri e s .

Wh e n P a t go t i n th e y w e r e d a n c i n g ro u nd a n d
ro u nd ti ll h i s fe e t t i n gl e d to look a t th e m b e in g ,

a g ood d a n c e r h i m s e l f And a s h e s a t on t h e s i d e
.

o f t h e R a th a n d s n a p p e d h i s fin g e r s to m a r k t h e
,

t i me t h e d a n c i n g s topp e d a n d a l i ttl e ma n c om e s
, ,
84 MUR D OCH S ’
R ATH

u
p ,
in a b lack h a t and g rae e n coa t w i th wh ,
i t e

s to c k i ng s a n d r e d sho e s o n h i s fe e t
,
.

”
“
Won t yo u t a k e a t u rn w i th u s P a t ? s a y s h e
’
, ,

b o w i n g t i ll h e n e a rly to u c h e d t h e gro u nd An d .
,

i n d e e d h e h a d not fa r to go fo r h e wa s b a r e ly t wo
, ,

fe e t h i gh .

D o n t s a y i t tw i c e s i r sa ys P a t I t s my s e l f
’ ’
.
, ,

w i ll b e p ro u d to foot th e floor wi d y e ; a n d b e fo r e
o u c o u ld look ro u nd th e r e wa s P a t i n t h e c i r c l e
y ,

d a n c i n g a w a y fo r b a re l i fe .

At fir s t h i s fe e t fe lt l i k e fe a th e r s fo r l i ghtn e ss a n d ,

i t s e e m e d a s i f h e c o u ld h a v e go n e o n fo r e v e r .

B u t a t l a s t h e gr e w t i r e d a n d wo u ld h a v e l i k e d to
,

s top b u t t h e fa i ri e s wo u ld not a n d s o th e y d a n c e d
, ,

on a n d on P a t tri e d to th in k Of s om e th i ng g o o d
.

to s a y th a t h e mi ght fr e e h i m s e l f from t h e s p e ll b u t
, ,

al lh e c o u ld th i n k Of wa s :
A do z e n h a n ks o f gr e y y a rn fo r M i ssi s M u r phy .

Thr e e g ro ss o f b ri ght b u tto n s fo r t h e t a i l o r ”

.

H a l f a n o u n c e o f thro a t dro p s fo r F a th e r A n dr e w ,

a n d a n o u n c e o f s n uff fo r h i s ho u s e k e e e r a n d so
p ,

on .

And i t s e e m e d to P a t th a t t h e moon wa s o n t h e
o n e S i d e O f t h e R a th wh e n th e y b e a n to d a n c e
g ,

a n d on t h e oth e r s i d e wh e n th e y l e ft o ff ; b u t h e

c o u ld not b e s u r e a ft e r a l lth a t go i n g ro u n d On e .

thi ng wa s p l a i n e no u gh He d a n c e d e v e ry b i t o f
.

l e a th e r Off t h e s o l e s o f h i s fe e t a n d th e y w e r e b l i s t e r e d
,

so th a t h e c o u ld h a rdly s t a nd ; b u t a llth e l i ttl e fol k

 MUR D OCH ’
S RATH 85

d i d wa s to s t a nd a n d hold th e i r s i d e s wi th l a u ghin g at

h im .

At l a s t who s p o k e b e for e s te p p e d u p to
th e o ne

h im a n d D on t b r e a k yo u r h e a rt a b o u t i t
’
,

Pat s a y s h e ; I lll e nd yo u my own s ho e s t i ll t h e

,
’

morn i n g fo r yo u s e e m to b e a good n a t u r e d s ort

,
-

o f a boy .

We ll P a t loo k e d a t th e fa i ry m a n s sho e s th a t
,
’
,

w e r e t h e S i z e o f a b a b y s a n d h e look e d a t h i s own
’
,

fe e t ; b u t not w i sh i n g to b e u n c i vi l Th a n k ye ,

k i ndly s i r s a y s h e
”
, ,
And i f yo u r hono u r llb e
.
’

o od e no u h to u t th e m on fo r m e m a yb e y o u won t
’
g g p ,

”
S p o i l t h e sh a p e For h e tho u ght to h i m s e l f Sm a ll
.
,

b l a m e to me i f t h e l i ttl e ge ntl e m a n c a n t g e t th e m to
’

fit .
”

Wi th th a t h e s a t down on t h e Si d e o f th e R a th ,

a n d t h e fa i ry ma n p u t on t h e s ho e s fo r h i m and ,

no s oon e r did th e y to u c h Pa t s fe e t th a n th e y b e c a me ’
,

a lto ge th e r a c onv e n i e nt s i z e a n d fitt e d h i m l i k e ,

wa x An d mor e th a n th a t wh e n h e s tood u p h e
.
, , ,

d i dn t fe e l h i s b l i s t e r s a t a ll
’
.

“
Bri ng e m b a c k to th e R a th a t s u nri s e P a t
’
, ,

”
my b o y s a y s th e l i ttl e ma n
, .

And a s P a t wa s c l i mb i ng ov e r th e d i t c h Loo k ,

ro u nd P a t s a y s h e And wh e n P a t loo k e d ro u n d
,
”
,
.
,

th e r e w e r e j e w e l s a n d p e a rl s lyi ng a t t h e root s o f t h e
fu r z e b u s h e s on t h e d i t c h a s th i c k a s p e a s
-
,
.

Wi ll yo u h e l p yo u r s e l f or t a k e wh a t s gi v e n y e ,
’
,

P a t ? s a y s t h e fa iry ma n .
 86 M URD OCH S ’
R ATH

v e r l e a rn m a nn e r s ? s a y s P a t
Di d I e Wo u ld .

y o u h a v e m e h e l p m y s e l f b e fo r e c o m a n y ?
p I l
l t a k e
’

wh a t yo u r h o n o u r p l e a s e s to gi v e m e a n d b e th a n k ,

”
fu l .

Th e fa i ry ma n p i c k e d lot o f y e llow fu r z e b lo sa -

s o m s fr o m t h e b u s h e s a n d fi ll e d P a t s p o c k e ts
,
’
.

“
Ke e p e m fo r love P a t me
’
sa ys h e
, , .

P a t wo u ld h a v e l i k e d s o m e o f t h e j e w e l s b u t h e ,

t t h f r z e—
b l ss o m s b f lov e
p u e u o y o r

Good e v e n in g to yo u r h o n o u r s a y s h e , .

An d wh e r e a r e y o u go i n g P a t d e a r ? ”
sa ys , ,

t h e fa i ry m a n .

I m go i n g ho m e s a y s P a t And i f t h e fa i ry
’
.
,

ma n d i dn t k now wh e r e th a t wa s s m a ll b l a m e t o
’
,

h im .

Ju s t e t me
l d u s t th e m s ho e s fo r y e P a t s a y s , ,

t h e fa i ry m a n . An d a s P a t l ift e d u p e a c h fo o t h e
b r e a th e d on i t , a n d d u s t e d i t w i th t h e t a i l o f h i s

g r e e n c o a t .

Hom e ! s a y s h e a n d wh e n h e le t go P a t wa s
”
, ,

a t h i s own door s t e b e for e h e c o u ld loo k ro u nd

p ,

a n d h i s p a r c e l s s a fe a n d s o u nd w i th h i m .

N e x t m orn i n g h e wa s u p w i th t h e s u n a n d c a rr i e d ,

t h e fa i ry m a n s s ho e s b a c k to t h e R a th As h e
’
.

c a m e u p t h e l i ttl e m a n loo k e d ov e r t h e d i t c h
, .

Th e top o f t h e morn i n g to yo u r hono u r s a y s ”

,

Pat ; h e r e s yo u r s ho e s ’ ”
.

Yo u r e a n hon e s t b o y P a t s a y s t h e l i ttl e g e n
’
, ,

e ma n I t s i n c onv e n i e n c e d I a m w i tho u t th e m
“
tl
’
.
,
88 MURD OCH ’
S R ATH

b ro u ght ho me my fi n g e r s m u s t a ll b e th u mb s
,
.

S o h e d r o v e h i s h a n d i n to t h e b u s h e s a n d if h e ,

d i dn t g e t p l e n ty i t w a s n t fo r w a n t Of gr a s p i n g
’
,
’
.

Wh e n h e go t u p i n t h e m orn i n g h e w e nt s t r a i ght ,

to th e j e we l s B u t not a s to n e o f t h e lot wa s mor e

.

r e c i o u s th a n r o a d s i d e p e b b l e s o u ght n o t to
“
p I .

”
l o o k ti ll I c o me fr om t h e R a th s a i d h e It s , .
“ ’

b e st to d o l i k e P a t a l lthr o u gh
”
.

B u t h e m a d e u p h i s m i nd not to r e t u rn t h e fa i ry
m a n s sho e s
’
.

Wh o know s t h e vi rt u e th a t s i n th e m ? h e s a i d ’
.

SO h e m a d e a s m a ll p a i r o f r e d l e a th e r s ho e s a s ,

l i k e th e m a s c o u ld b e a n d h e b l a c k e d t h e o th e r s
,

u p o n h i s fe e t th a t t h e fa i r i e s m i ght not k n o w th e m
, ,

a n d a t s u n r i s e h e w e nt to t h e R a th .

Th e fa i ry m a n wa s l o o k i n g ov e r t h e d i t c h a s ,

b e for e .

Good morni ng to yo u s a i d h e , .

Th e t o p Of t h e mo r n i n g to yo u s i r s ai d th e , ,

c ob b l e r ; h e r e s yo u r S ho e s
’
An d h e h a nd e d h i m
.

t h e p a i r th a t h e h a d m a d e w i th a fa c e a s gr a v e ,

as a jud e
g .

Th e fa i ry m a n loo k e d a t th e m b u t h e s a i d noth i n g , ,

tho u gh h e di d not p u t th e m on .

H a v e y o u loo k e d a t t h e th i n gs yo u go t l a s t
n i ght ? s a y s h e
”
.

Il lnot d e c e i v e y o u s i r s a y s t h e c ob b l e r
’
, , I .

c a m e Off a s s oon a s I wa s u S orr p p I too k

p a e e .

a t th e m
”
.
 M URD OCH S ’
R ATH 89

Be s u r e to l o o k wh e n yo u g e t b a c k s a y s t h e ,
”

fa i ry m a n An d j u s t a s t h e c o b b l e r wa s g e tt i n g ov e r
.

t h e d i t c h to go h o m e h e s a y s , ,

If my e y e s d o n t d e c e i v e m e s a y s h e th e r e s
’ ’
, ,

t h e l e a s t t a s t e i n l i fe O f d i rt o n y o u r l e ft s ho e Let .

me d u s t i t w i th t h e t a i l Of m y c o a t ”
.

Th a t m e a n s hom e i n a twi nkl i n g tho u ght t h e

”
,

c o b b l e r a n d h e h e ld u p h i s foot
,
.

Th e fa i ry m a n d u s t e d i t a n d m u tt e r e d s om e th i n g
,

t h e c o b b l e r d i d not h e a r Th e n Su r e sa ys h e
”
.
, , ,

i t s t h e d i rty p a s t u r e s th a t yo u v e c om e thro u gh
“ ’ ’
,

”
fo r t h e oth e r s ho e s a s b a d
’
.

SO t h e c o b b l e r h e ld u p h i s r i ght foot a n d t h e fa i ry ,

m a n r u b b e d th a t w i th t h e t a i l o f h i s g r e e n c o a t .

Wh e n a llwa s don e th e c ob b l e r s fe e t s e e m e d to ’

t i n gl e a n d th e n to i t c h a n d th e n to s m a rt a n d th e n
, , ,

to b u rn And a t l a s t h e b e ga n to d a n c e a n d h e
.
,

d a n c e d a llro u nd t h e R a th ! t h e fa i ry m a n l a u gh i ng
a n d hold i n g h i s s i d e s ) a n d th e n ro u nd a n d ro u nd
,
‘

a ga i n And h e d a n c e d t i ll h e c ri e d o u t w i th w e a r i n e ss
.

a n d tr i e d to s h a k e t h e s ho e s Off B u t th e y s t u c k
.

fa s t a n d t h e fa i ri e s drov e h i m ov e r t h e d i t c h a n d
, ,

th r o u gh t h e pri c k ly fu r z e b u sh e s a n d h e d a n c e d
-
,

a wa y . Wh e r e h e d a n c e d to I c a n not t e ll yo u,
.

Wh e th e r h e e ve r go t r i d o f t h e fa i ry s ho e s I do not ,

k now Th e j e w e l s n e v e r w e r e mor e th a n w a y s i d e
.

p e b b l e s a n d th e y w e r e s w e pt o u t wh e n h i s c a b i n
,

wa s c l e a n e d wh i c h wa s not too s oon yo u ma y b e ,

s u re .
90 M URD OCH S ’
RATH

Allth i s h a p p e n e d lon g a go ; th e re a r e tho s e

b ut
who s a y th a t t h e c ove to u s c ob b l e r d a n c e s s ti ll ,

b e tw e e n s u n s e t a n d s u nri s e ro u nd M u rdo c h s ’
,

R a th .
92 TH E L I TTL E D AR N E R

obe d i e n t u s e d o ft e n to q u ot e t h e wi d o w s l i ttl e gi rl to
,
’

th e i r t r o u b l e s o m e b ra t s a n d s a y Why don t yo u
, ,
’

h e l p yo u r moth e r a s t h e wi dow s d a u ght e r h e l p s ’

”
h er ?
Th u s i t c a m e a b o u t th a t t h e h e l p l e ss u s e l e ss , ,

u nt i dy l i ttl e g i r l s h a t e d t h e v e ry n a m e O f t h e wi d o w s
’

d a u ght e r b e c a u s e th e y w e r e a lw a y s b e i n g told o f
,

h e r u s e fu l n e ss a n d n e a tn e ss .

N o w t h e w i dow s c h i ld Oft e n e a rn e d a fe w p e n c e
’

b y h e rd i n g s h e e p or p i g s fo r t h e fa rm e r s Or b y ,

d a rni n g s to c ki n g s fo r th e i r w i v e s a n d a s s h e c o u ld
,

b e tr u s t e d p e opl e w e r e v e ry g l a d to e mp loy h e r
, .

On e d a y s h e wa s k e e p i n g w a t c h ov e r fi ve l i ttl e p i g s
i n a fi e ld a n d not to w a s t e t i m e wa s d a rn i n g a p a i r
, , ,

o f s to c k i n g s a s w e ll wh e n s om e o f t h e l i ttl e gi rl s who
,

h a d a s p i t e a g a i n s t h e r r e s olv e d to pl a y h e r a tr i c k .

N e a r t h e fi e ld wh e r e t h e l i ttl e m a i d a n d t h e p i g s
w e r e th e r e wa s a wood i nto wh i c h a llc h i ldr e n w e r e
,

s tri c tly forb i dd e n to go For i n t h e d e p th s o f t h e

.

wood th e r e l i v e d a t e rrib l e Ogr e a n d Ogr e ss who ,

k i d n a p p e d a llc h i ldr e n who s tr a y e d n e a r th e i r dw e ll

in g . E v e ry morni n g t h e Og r e thr e w a b i g b l a c k
b a g ov e r h i s s ho u ld e r a n d s t a lk e d thro u gh t h e
,

for e s t m a k i n g t h e gro u nd sh a k e a s h e w a l k e d
,
If .

h e fo u nd a n y tr u a nt c h i ldr e n h e po pp e d th e m i n to
h i s b a g a n d wh e n h e go t ho m e h i s w i fe c oo k e d th e m
,

fo r s u p p e r .

Th e t r i c k p l a y e d u p on t h e w i dow s d a u ght e r wa s ’

thi s F i v e l i ttl e gi rl s c a me u p to t h e fi e ld wh e r e
.
 TH E L I TTLE D AR N E R 93

sh e wa s
h e rd i n g t h e fi ve l i ttl e p i g s a n d e a c h c h a si n g
,

a pig th e y drove th e m i nto t h e Ogr e s wood In

,
’
.

v a i n t h e l i ttl e m a i d c a ll e d to h e r flo c k ; t h e p i g s
r a n i n a fr i ght e n e d troo p i nto t h e wood a n d sh e ,

r a n a ft e r th e m . Wh e n t h e fi ve l i ttl e gi rl s s a w th a t
s h e h a d go t th e m to g e th e r a g a i n th e y r a n i n to
,

c h a s e th e m a w a y on c e mor e a n d s o th e y w e r e a l
, l
i n t h e wood to g e th e r wh e n t h e gro u nd s hoo k u nd e r
,

th e m u p s e tti n g t h e s i x l i ttl e gi rl s a n d t h e fi ve
,

l i ttl e p i g s ; a s t h e y roll e d ov e r t h e Ogr e p i c k e d th e m

up ,
a n d p u t th e m o n e a ft e r a noth e r i nto h i s b a g .

Wh e n th e y w e r e j olti n g a b o u t w i th t h e pi g s i n t h e
p o k e a s t h e O g r e s trod e hom e w a rd s t h e fi v e s p i t e fu l
,

c h i ldr e n w e r e a s s orry a s y o u p l e a s e ; a n d a s th e

p i g s w e r e a lw a y s fi ght i n g a n d s tr u ggl i n g to ge t to t h e
t o p th e y d i d not e s c a p e w i tho u t s om e s c r a t c h e s
, .

And th e i r s c r e a m s a n d t h e squ e a l i n g o f t h e l i ttl e

,

p i g s m a d e s u c h a no i s e th a t t h e Ogr e s w ife h e a rd ’

i t a m i l e a n d a h a l f a w a y i n t h e d e p th s o f t h e wood ;
a n d s h e l i g ht e d a fi r e u nd e r t h e C o p p e r a n d fill e d ,

i t w i th w a t e r r e a dy to c oo k wh a t e v e r h e r h u sb a n d
,

b ro u ght hom e .

A s fo r t h e w i dow s l i ttl e d a u ght e r sh e p u ll e d h e r

’

n e e dl e b oo k from h e r p o c k e t a n d e v e ry now a n d
-
,

th e n s h e p u s h e d a n e e dl e thro u gh t h e s a c k t h a t , '

i t m i ght fa ll on t h e gro u nd a n d s e rv e a s a g u i d e i f
,

s h e s ho u ld e v e r h a v e t h e c h a n c e o f find i n g h e r

wa y hom e a g a i n .

Wh e n th e Ogre a rri ve d h e e mpti e d th e s a c k a n d

, ,
94 TH E L I TTL E D AR NE R

sen t th e s ix l i ttl e g i r ls and th e fi ve l i ttl e i

p g s al
l
s p r a wl i n g o n t o t h e floor s a yi ng , ,

Th e s e wi ll l a s t u s s om e t i m e C oo k t h e fa tt e s t .
,

a n d p u t t h e r e s t i n to t h e c e ll a r And wh i l s t yo u g e t .

d i n n e r r e a d y I w i ll t a k e a noth e r s troll w i th t h e b a g
, .

”
L u c k s e ld o m c om e s si n g ly .

Wh e n h e h a d gon e t h e Ogr e ss loo k e d ove r t h e

,

c h i ldr e n an d p i c k e d o u t t h e w i dow s d a u ght e r

,
’
,

s a yi n g ,

“
Yo u loo k t h e mo s t good h u mo u r e d And t h e -
.

b e s t t e m p e r e d a lw a y s m a k e t h e b e s t e a t i n g
-
”
.

So s h e s e t h e r dow n on a s tool b y t h e fi r e t i ll t h e
w a t e r Sho u ld b o i l a n d lo c k e d t h e oth e r s u p i n t h e
,

c e ll a r .

T e a r s won t p u t t h e fi r e o u t tho u ght th e l i ttl e

’ ”
,

m a i d SO i n s t e a d o f c ry i n g sh e p u ll e d o u t t h e Old
.

s to c k i n g a n d w e nt on w i th h e r d a rn in g Wh e n t h e
, .

Ogr e ss c a m e b a c k from t h e c e ll a r S h e w e nt u p to h e r
a n d l o o k e d a t h e r work .

Ho w yo u d a rn ! ”
s h e c ri e d N o w th a t s a .
’

s ort Of th i n g I h a t e An d th e Og r e do e s w e a r s u c h
.

b i g hol e s i n h i s s to c k i n g s a n d h i s fe e t a r e s o l a r g e
, ,

th a t tho u gh my h a nd i s not a sm a ll o n e I c a nnot

, ,

fil lo u t t h e h e e l w i th my fi s t a n d th e n who s to d a rn ,
’

i t n e a tly I s ho u ld l i k e to k now ?
If I h a d a b a s i n b i g e no u gh to fill o u t t h e h e e l ,

I th i nk I c o u ld do i t ”
s a i d t h e l i ttl e m a i d
, .

Th e Og r e ss sc r a t c h e d h e r b i g e a r tho u ght fu lly fo r

a m i n u t e a n d th e n s h e s a i d
, ,
96 TH E L I TTL E D AR N E R

s a i d th e O g r e ss . And m e a nwh i l e I l
lS h a r p e n t h e
’

k n ife .

So t r s h e h a d t a k e n b a c k t h e c ryi n g c hi ld
af e ,

a n d h a d w a t c h e d t h e l i ttl e gi rl wh o n o w d a r n e d ,

a w a y a s s k i l fu lly a s e v e r t h e Og r e ss t o o k dow n a
,

h u g e k n ife from t h e w a ll a n d b e g a n t o sh a rp e n ,

i t o n a g r i n dsto n e i n a c orn e r Of th e k i t c h e n As .

s h e s h a r p e n e d t h e k n i fe sh e
g l a n c e d from t i m e t o
,

t i m e a t t h e l i ttl e m a i d a n d s oon p e r c e i ve d th a t
,

s h e h a d on c e mor e c e a s e d work i n g .

“
Wh y don t yo u go on d a rn i ng ? a sk e d th e
’

Ogr e ss .

“
Al a s ! d e a r moth e r s a i d th e c h i ld ,
wh e n I ,

h e a r y o u sh a r p e n i n g th a t t e rr ib l e k n ife my h a nd s
tr e mb l e s o th a t I c a n n ot thr e a d my n e e dl e ”
.

We ll i t wi ll do now growl e d t h e Ogr e ss fe e l i n g

, , ,

t h e e d g e Of t h e b l a d e w i th h e r horny fi n g e r ; a n d ,

h a vi n g s e e n t h e d a r n i n g n e e dl e o n c e m o r e a t wo r k
-
,

s h e w e n t to fe t c h u p o n e O f t h e c h i ldr e n As sh e .

w e nt s h e h u m m e d wh a t c ookm a i d s si n g
,

Di y,ll d i ll y d u c k l i n g , co me and be k i ll e d ! ”

B u t it s o u nd e d l i k e t h e wh e e zi n g a n d gro a ni n g o f
a h e a vy old door u p o n i t s r u s ty h i n g e s .

Wh e n S h e c a m e i n wi th t h e c h i ld i n o n e h a nd
, ,

a n d t h e h u g e k n ife i n t h e oth e r s h e w e n t u to t h
p e ,

l i ttl e d a rn e r to loo k a t h e r wor k Th e h e e l o f th e .

Ogr e s s to c k i n g wa s e x q u i s i t e l y m e nd e d a l
’
l b ut ,
 TH E L I TTLE D AR NER 97

s e v e n thr e a d s ; b u t t h e l i ttl e m a i d s a t i dl e wi th h e r
h a n ds b e fo r e h e r .

“
Why don t y o u go on d a rn i n g ? a sk e d t h e
’ ”

Ogr e ss .

“
Al a s ! d e a r moth e r wa s t h e r e p ly , wh e n I,

th i n k o f my l i ttl e p l a ym a t e a b o u t to d i e t h e t e a r s ,

b l i n d my e y e s s o th a t I c a n n o t s e e wh a t s t i t c h e s
,

I t a ke .Wh e r e for e I b e g o f yo u d e a r moth e r to , ,

c oo k o n e o f t h e l i ttl e p i g s i n s t e a d th a t I ma y b e,

a b l e to go on w i th mv work a n d th a t a
, p a i r o f
s to c k i n g s m a y b e r e a dy to morrow morn i n g wh e n
-

t h e Ogr e w i ll a s k fo r th e m ; s o my p l a ym a t e s l i fe
’

w i ll b e s p a r e d a n d yo u r h e a d wi ll not b e p u t i nto
,

”
a po k e .

At fir s t th e Ogr e ss wo u ld not h e a r Of s u c h a th i n g ,

b u t a t l a s t s h e c on s e nt e d a n d m a d e a s t e w o f o n e
,

o f t h e l i ttl e p i g s i n s t e a d Of c oo k i n g t h e l i ttl e gi rl .

B u t s u pp o s i n g t h e O gr e g o e s to c o u nt t h e
c h i ldr e n s a i d s h e ; h e w i ll find o n e too m a ny
” ”
, .

Th e n le t h e r go d e a r m o th e r s a i d th e w i dow s
,
”
,
’

d a u ght e r ; s h e w i ll fi n d h e r wa y ho m e a n d y o u ,

wi ll n e v e r b e b l a m e d .

B u t s h e m u st s t i r t h e s t e w w i th h e r for e fi n g e r
fir s t s a i d t h e Ogr e ss th a t i t m a y h a v e a h u m a n
, ,

fl a vo u r ”
.

SO t h e l i ttl e gi rl h a d to s t i r t h e hot s t e w w i th h e r
fin ge r wh i c h s c a ld e d i t b a dly ; a n d th e n s h e wa s s e t
,

a t l i b e rty a n d r a n hom e a s h a rd a s s h e c o u ld ; a n d
,

a s th e l i ttl e m a i d s n e e dl e s s ar k l e d h e r e a n d th e r e
’

p
 98 TH E L I TTL E D AR NE R

on th e p a th s h e h a d no d i ffic u lty i n find i n g h e r wa y

,
.

Th e Og r e wa s q u i t e c o n t e nt e d w i th h i s d i nn e r
-
,

a n d t h e Og r e ss go t g r e a t p r a i s e fo r t h e wa y i n wh i c h

s h e h a d d a r n e d h i s s to c k i n g s Th u s i t w e n t o n fo r
.

fo u r d a y s m o r e A s t h e wi d o w s l i ttl e g i rl wo u ld n t
’ ’
.

wo rk i f h e r c omp a n i on s w e r e k i ll e d t h e Og r e ss ,

c o o k e d t h e p i s o n e a ft e r a noth e r a n d t h e c h i ldr e n
g ,

w e r e a lls e n t a w a y wi th b u rn t fo r e fi n g e r s .

Wh e n th e fifth h a d b e e n di s m i ss e d a n d a ll th e ,

p ig s we r e e a t e n t h e Ogr e ss s a i d
,

TO morrow y o u w i ll h a v e to b e s t e w e d a n d
-
,

now I w i sh I h a d k e p t o n e o f t h e oth e r s th a t I mi ght

h a v e s a v e d y o u a lto ge th e r to wor k fo r m e How e v e r .
,

th e r e i s o n e c om fo rt t h e s to c k i n g s a r e fin i sh e d
,
”
.

B u t m e a nwh i l e t h e oth e r c h i ldr e n h a d go t s a fe ly

hom e a n d h a d told th e i r t a l e And a ll t h e m e n
, .

O f t h e pl a c e s e t o ff a t o n c e to a tt a c k t h e O r e a n d
g ,

r e l e a s e t h e wi dow s c hi ld G u i d e d b y t h e n e e d l e s
’
.
,

th e y a rri v e d j u s t a s t h e Ogr e ss wa s sh a rp e ni n g t h e
b i g k n ife fo r t h e l a s t t i m e .

SO th e y k i ll e d t h e Ogr e a n d h i s w i fe a n d took t h e
,

i nd u s tri o u s l i ttl e m a i d b a c k t o h e r m oth e r .

Th e oth e r l i ttl e gi rl s w e r e now v e r y r e p e n t a nt ;

a n d wh e n th e i r fin e r s w e r e w e ll th ey al l l e a rn e d
g ,

to d a rn s toc k i n gs a t on c e .

And a s th e r e wa s now no d a n ge r a b o u t g o i n g i n to
t h e wood i t wa s no lon g e r forb i dd e n
,
And thi s .

b e i n g t h e c a s e t h e c h i ldr e n w e r e m u c h l e ss a nxi o u s to
,

pl a y th e re th a n forme rly .
1 00 TH E F I D D E R L IN TH E F AI R Y R I N G

h e di d to ea rn mon e y h e sq u a n d e r e d no o n e
th e ,

kn e w An d a s to t h e sh e e p p a th ov e r t h e down s
.
,

i t s t a n d s to r e a s o n th a t t h e h i ghw a y i s b e tt e r tr a v e l
l i n g a ft e r s u n s e t fo r t h e oth e r i s no s u c h v e ry S hort
,

c u t ; a n d h a s a b i g fa i ry r i n g s o n e a r i t th a t a b u tt e r ,

wo m a n mi ght b r u sh i t wi th t h e e d ge o f h e r m a r k e t
c lo a k a s s h e t u rn e d t h e b row Of t h e h i ll
,
.

B u t t h e fa rm e r s s o n wo u ld go h i s own wa y a n d
’
,

th a t wa s wi th L i m p i n g Ti m a n d a c ro ss t h e down s, .

S O th e y s t a rt e d a n d t h e fiddl e r h a d h i s fiddl e
,

i n h i s h a nd a n d a b u ndl e o f m a r k e t i n g s u nd e r
,

h i s a r m a n d h e s a n g s n a t c h e s o f s tr a n g e s on g s t h e
, ,

l i k e o f wh i c h t h e la d h a d n e v e r h e a rd b e for e And .

t h e moon dr e w o u t th e i r s h a dow s ov e r t h e s hort

g r a ss t i ll th e y w e r e a s lon g a s t h e
g r e a t s to n e s o f
S ton e h e n g e .

At l a s t th e y t u rn e d t h e h i ll a n d th e fa i ry r i ng ,

loo k e d d a r k u n d e r t h e moon a n d t h e fa rm e r s s on ,
’

b l e ss e d h i m s e l f th a t th e y w e r e p a ss i n g i t q u i e tly ,

wh e n L i mp i ng Ti m s u dd e nly p u ll e d h i s c lo a k fro m
h i s b a c k a n d h a nd i n g i t to h i s c omp a n i on c ri e d
, , ,

H old th i s fo r a mo me nt w i ll y o u ? I m w a nt e d
,
’
.

Th e y r e c a ll i n g fo r me
’ ”
.

“
I h e a r noth i n g ”
s a i d t h e fa rm e r s s on B u t
,
’
.

b e for e h e h a d go t t h e word s o u t o f h i s mo u th t h e ,

fiddl e r h a d c omp l e t e ly d i s a pp e a r e d He sho u t e d .

a lo u d b u t i n v a i n a n d h a d b e u n to th i n k o f o
, , g p r

c e e di n g on h i s wa wh n h fi dd l vo i r i d
’
y e t, e er s c e c e ,

”
C a t c h ! a n d th e r e c a m e flyi n g a t h im from t h e
 THE F I D D L ER I N TH E F AIR Y RIN G 10 1

d i r e c t i on o f t h e fa i ry ri n g t h e b u ndl e o f m a r k e ti ng s
,

wh i c h t h e fiddl e r h a d b e e n c a rryi ng .

”
I t s i n my wa y h e th e n h e a rd t h e fidd l e r c r y
“ ’
, .

Ah th i s i s d a n c i n g ! C om e i n my la d c om e i n !
, , ,

B u t t h e fa rm e r s s on wa s not tot a lly w i tho u t

’

p r u d e nc e a n d h e too k
, g ood c a r e to k e e p a t a s a fe

d i s t a n c e fro m t h e fa i ry ri n g .

C om e b a c k Ti m ! C om e b a c k ! h e sho u t e d
,
”
,

an d ,
r e c e i vi n g no a n sw e r h e a d j u r e d h i s fr i e nd to
,

b r e a k t h e b ond s th a t w i thh e ld h i m a n d r e t u rn to ,

t h e r i ght wa y a s w i s e ly a s o n e m a n c a n c o u n s e l
,

a noth e r .

A ft e r t a l ki n g fo r s om e t i m e to no p u rpo s e h e ,

a g a i n h e a rd h i s fr i e nd s vo i c e c ry i n g T a k e c a re
’
, ,

o f i t fo r m e Th e mon e y d a n c e s o u t o f m y p o c k e t ”
.

And th e r e w i th th e fi dd le r s p u r s e wa s h u rl e d to h i s
’

fe e t wh e r e i t fe ll w i th a h e a vy c h i n k i n g o f gold w i th i n
,
.

H e p i c k e d i t u p a n d r e n e w e d h i s w a rn i n g s a n d
,

e ntr e a t i e s b u t i n v a i n ; a n d a ft e r w a i t i n g fo r a lon g
, ,

t i m e h e m a d e t h e b e s t Of h i s wa y hom e a lon e ho p i ng
, ,

th a t t h e fiddl e r wo u ld follow a n d c om e to r e c l a i m ,

h i s prop e rty .

Th e fiddl e r n e v e r c a m e And wh e n a t l a s t th e r e
.

wa s a fu ss a b o u t h i s d i s a p p e a r a n c e t h e fa rm e r s ,
’

s on who h a d b u t a p oor s p i ri t b e ga n to b e a fr a i d
, ,

to t e ll t h e tru th Of t h e m a tt e r Who k now s b u t .

th e y ma y a c c u s e me o f th e ft ? s a i d h e So h e h i d .

t h e c lo a k a n d t h e b u ndl e a n d t h e mon e y b a g i n
, ,
-

t h e g a rd e n .
1 02 TH E F I DD E R I N L TH E F AI R Y R I N G

B ut wh e n thr e e month s p a ss e d a n d s ti ll t h e ,

fiddl e r di d not r e t u rn i t wa s wh i s p e r e d th a t t h e
,

fa r m e r s s on h a d b e e n h i s l a s t c om p a n i on ; a n d t h e
’

p l a c e wa s s e a r c h e d a n d th e y fo u nd t h e c lo a k
, an d ,

t h e b u ndl e a n d t h e mon e y b a g a n d t h e l
,
-
a d wa s ,

t a k e n to p ri son .

N o w wh e n i t wa s too l a t e h e p l u c k e d u p a s p i r i t
, , ,

a n d told t h e tr u th ; b u t n o o n e b e l i e v e d h i m a n d i t
'

wa s s a i d th a t h e h a d m u rd e r e d t h e fiddl e r fo r t h e
s a k e o f h i s mo n e y a n d go o d s An d h e wa s t a k e n .

b e for e t h e j u d ge fo u nd gu i lty a n d s e nt e n c e d to
, ,

d e a th .

Fort u n a t e ly h i s Old moth e r wa s a Wi s e Wo m a n

,
.

An d wh e n Sh e h e a rd th a t h e wa s c o n d e m n e d s h e ,

s a i d Only follow m y d i r e c t i on s a n d we m a y s a v e
, ,
”
y o u y e t ; fo r I g u e ss how i t i s .

SO sh e w e nt to th e j u d g e a n d b e gge d fo r h e r s on
,

thr e e fa vo u r s b e for e h i s d e a th .

”
I w i ll gr a nt th e m s a i d t h e j u d ge i f yo u do
“
, ,

”
not a s k fo r h i s l ife .

Th e fir s t s a i d th e Old wom a n
”
,
i s th a t h e m a y , ,

c hoo s e t h e p l a c e wh e r e t h e g a ll o w s s h a ll b e e r e c t e d ;

t h e s e c ond th a t h e m a y fix t h e ho u r o f h i s e x e c u t i o n ;
,

a n d t h e th i rd fa vo u r i s th a t y o u w i ll not fa i l t o b e
,

p r e s e nt ”
.

I gr a n t a l l thr e e s a i d t h e j u d ge B u t wh e n
, .

h e l e a r n e d th a t t h e c ri mi n a l h a d c ho s e n a c e rt a i n
hi ll on t h e down s fo r th e p l a c e o f e x e c u t i on a n d ,

a n ho u r b e for e m i dni ht fo r t h e t i m e h e s e nt to b e
g g ,
 1 04 TH E F I D D LE R IN TH E F AI R Y R IN G

fa c e s , b r o w n wi th e r e d l i k e t h e k n o t s o n gn a rl e d
and ,

t r e e s i n h e d g e b o tt o m s a n d th e y squ i n t e d ho r r i b ly ;
,

b u t i n s p i t e o f th e i r s e e m i n g a g e th e y fle w r o u n d
, ,

a n d r o u n d l i k e c h i ldr e n .

Mr Sh e r i ff ! Mr Sh e r i ff ! c ri e d t h e j u d g e
. .
”
,

c o m e a n d s e e th e d a nc ing An d h e a r t h e m u si c
.
,

too wh i c h i s s o l i v e ly th a t i t m a k e s t h e s o l e s o f my
,

fe e t t i c k l e
”
.

Th e r e i s no m u s i c my Lord J u dg e s a i d t h e
, ,

sh e ri ff r u nn i n g down t h e h i ll
, .I t i s t h e w i nd wh i s
tl i n g ov e r t h e gr a ss th a t yo u r lord sh i p h e a r s ”
.

B u t wh e n t h e s h e ri ff h a d p u t h i s foot b y t h e j u d g e s ’

foot h e s a w a n d h e a rd t h e s a m e a n d h e c ri e d o u t
, , ,

“
Q u i c k G a,
ol e r a n d
, c o m e down ! I s ho u l d li k e
y o u t o b e w i t n e ss to th i s m a tt e r And .
y o u m a y t a k e

m y a r m G a ol e r fo r t h e m u s i c m a k e s m e fe e l u n
, ,

ste a dy ”
.

Th e r e i s no m u si c S i r s a i d t h e g a ol e r ; b u t
, ,

yo u r wor sh i p d o u b tl e ss h e a rs t h e c r e a k i n g Of t h e
g a llow s ”
.

B u t n o s oon e r h a d t h e g a ol e r s fe e t t o u c h e d t h e
’

fa i r y ri n g th a n h e s a w a n d h e a rd l i k e t h e r e s t a n d
, ,

h e c a ll e d l u s t i ly t o t h e c h a p l a i n to c o m e a n d s to p
t h e u nh a llow e d m e a s u r e .

I t i s a d e l u s i on o f t h e E v i l On e sa i d th e
“
,

p a r s on ; th e r e i s not a s o u nd i n t h e a i r b u t t h e
d i s t a n t c ro a k i n g Of s o m e fro g s ”
B u t wh e n h e too
.

t o u c h e d t h e ri n g h e p e r c e i v e d h i s mi s t a k e
,
.

At th i s mo m e n t t h e m oon s hon e o u t a n d i n t h e ,
 TH E F I D D ER I N L TH E F AIR Y R IN G 105

mi ddl e Of t h e r i n g th e y s a w L i mp i n g Ti m t h e fi ddl e r ,

p l a y i n g t i ll g r e a t dro p s s tood o u t on h i s for e h e a d ,

a n d d a n c i n g a s m a dly a s h e pl a y e d .

”
Ah y o u ra s c a l
,
! c ri e d th e j u d ge Is th i s .

wh e r e yo u v e b e e n a ll th e t i m e a n d a b e tt e r ma n
’
,

th a n yo u a s g ood a s h a n ge d fo r y o u ? B u t y o u
”
s h a ll c om e hom e now .

S a y i n g wh i c h h e r a n i n a n d s e i z e d t h e fiddl e r
, ,

b y t h e a r m b u t L i m p i n g Ti m r e s i s t e d s o s to u tly
,

th a t t h e sh e ri ff h a d to go to t h e j u d g e s a ss i s t a n c e ’
,

a n d e v e n th e n t h e fa i r i e s s o p i n c h e d a n d h i n d e r e d

th e m th a t t h e s h e r i ff wa s ob l i ge d to c a ll u p on t h e
g a ol e r to p u t h i s a rm s a b o u t h i s w a i s t who p e r ,

s u a d e d t h e Ch a p l a i n to a dd h i s s tr e n g th to t h e s tr i n g .

B u t a s il ll u c k wo u ld h a v e i t j u s t a s th e y w e r e g e tt i n g
,

Off o n e O f t h e fa i r i e s p i c k e d u p L i m p i n g T i m s
’
,

fiddl e wh i c h h a d fa ll e n i n t h e s c u ffl e a n d b e g a n to
, ,

p l a y . A n d a s h e b e a n to p l a y e v e ry o n e b e g a n to
g ,

d a n c e t h e fiddl e r a n d t h e j u d ge a n d t h e sh e r i ff
, , ,

a n d t h e g a ol e r a n d e v e n t h e c h a pl a i n
, .

H a n gm a n ! h a n gm a n sc r e a m e d th e j u d ge ,

a s h e l i ft e d fir s t o n e l e
g a n d th e n t h e oth e r to t h e

t u n e c om e down a n d c a t c h hold Of h i s r e v e r e n c e
, ,

th e c ha pl a i n Th e p r i s on e r i s p a rdon e d a n d h e c a n ,

la y hold too .

Th e h a n g m a n k n e w t h e j u d ge s vo i c e a n d r a n ’
,

tow a rd s i t ; b u t a s th e y w e r e now q u i t e w i th i n t h e
ri n g h e c o u ld s e e noth i n g e i th e r Of h i m or h i s c o m
,

p a ni on s .
1 06 THE L
F ID D ER IN TH E FAI R Y RIN G

Th e fa rm e r s s on follow e d a n d w a rn i n g th e h a n g
’
,
!

m a n not to to u c h t h e r i n g h e d i r e c t e d h i m to s tr e t c h
,

h i s h a nd s forw a rd s i n ho p e s o f c a t c h i ng hold o f s om e
o ne . In a fe w m i n u t e s t h e w i nd b l e w t h e c h a pl a i n s ’

ca ss o c k a g a i n s t t h e h a n g m a n s fin g e r s a n d h e c a u ght
’
,

t h e p a r s on ro u nd t h e w a i s t Th e fa rm e r s s on th e n
.
’

s e i z e d h i m i n l i k e fa sh i on a n d e a c h hold i ng firmly
,

b y t h e ot h e r t h e fiddl e r t h e j u d g e t h e s h e r i ff t h e
, , , ,

g a ol e r t h e p a r s on
,
t h e h,
a n g m a n a n d t h e fa rm e r s,
’

s on a llgo t s a fe lv o u t o f t h e c h a rm e d c i r c l e .

Oh y o u s c o u ndr e l
,
c r i e d t h e j u d ge to t h e
fiddl e r ; I h a v e a v e ry good mi nd to h a ng yo u u p
'

on t h e g a llow s wi tho u t fu rth e r a do .

B u t t h e fiddl e r only loo k e d l i k e o n e po ss e ss e d a n d ,

u pb r a i d e d t h e fa rm e r s s on fo r not h a vi n g t h e p a t i e n c e
’

to w a i t thr e e mi n u t e s fo r hi m .

”
Thr e e m i nu t e s ! c ri e d h e ; why yo u ve b e e n ,
’

”
h er e thr e e month s a n d a da y .

Thi s th e fiddl e r wo u ld not b e l i e v e a n d a s h e ,

s e e m e d i n e ve ry wa y b e si d e hi m s e l f th e y le d h i m ,

hom e s ti ll u pb ra i d i n g h i s c omp a ni on a n d c ryi ng

,
‘

c ont i n u a lly fo r h i s fiddl e .

Hi s n e i ghb o u r s w a t c h e d h i m c lo s e ly b u t o n e d a y ,

h e e sc a p e d from th e i r c a r e a n d w a nd e r e d a w a y
ove r t h e h i ll s to s e e k h i s fiddl e a n d c a m e b a c k no ,

mor e .

Hi s d e a d b ody wa s fo u nd u pon t h e down s fa c e ,

downwa rd s wi th t h e fiddl e i n h i s a rm s S om e s a i d
, .

h e h a d r e a lly fo un d t h e fiddl e wh e r e h e h a d l e ft i t ,
 I W ON T ’

ON T C A RE s o th e y
’

say — fe ll i nto a oo s
g e

p ond ; a n d
“
I won t i s ’

a pt to c om e to no b e tt e r
a n en d . At l e a s t m y g r a n d
,

moth e r t e ll s m e th a t wa s
how t h e Mi ll e r h a d to qu i t h i s
n a t i v e town a n d l e a v e t h e t i p
,

o f h i s no s e b e h i nd h i m .

It a l l c a m e Of h i s b e i n g a l
low e d to sa y I won t wh e n ’

h e wa s q u i t e a l i ttl e b o y Hi s .

moth e r tho u ght h e loo k e d p r e tty

wh e n h e wa s p o u t i n g a n d th a t
,

w i l fu ln e ss g a v e h i m a n a i r
wh i c h d i s t i n gu i sh e d h i m from oth e r p e o p l e s Ch i l ’

dr e n An d wh e n s h e fo u nd o u t th a t h i s low e r lip
.

wa s b e c o mi n g s o b i g th a t i t S p o i lt h i s b e a u ty a n d ,

th a t h i s w i l fu ln e ss ga i n e d h i s wa y twi c e a n d s to o d
i n h i s wa y e i ght t i m e s o u t o f t e n i t wa s too l a t e to
,

a lt e r h i m.

Th e n s h e s ai d , D e a r e s t Ab i n a d a b do b e mor e
,

”
Ob l i i n !
g g
 u
I WON ’
T n
1 09

And h e r e pl i e d ! a s s h e h a d t a u ght h i m ) I wo n t ,
’
.
”

H e a lw a y s too k wh a t h e c o u ld g e t a n d wo u ld ,

n e i th e r gi v e nor gi v e u p to oth e r p e o p l e Th i s .
,

h e tho u ght wa s t h e wa y to g e t mor e o u t o f l i fe th a n

on e s n e i ghb o u r s
’
.

Amon g s t oth e r th i n g s h e m a d e a p o i nt Of t a k i n g
,

t h e m i ddl e o f t h e foot p a th .

“
Wi ll y o u a llow m e to p a ss y o u s i r ? I a m — ,

i n a h u rry s a i d a vo i c e b e h i n d h i m o n e d a y
”
, .

I won t s a i d Ab i n a d a b ; on wh i c h a p o or
“ ’ ”
,

w a sh e r wom a n wi th h e r b a s k e t s c r a mb l e d down
-
, ,

i nto t h e ro a d a n d Ab i n a d a b c h u c k l e d
, .

N e x t d a y h e wa s w a l k i n g a s b e for e .

Wi ll y o u a llow m e to p a ss yo u s i r ? I a m i n ,

a h u rry s a i d a vo i c e b e h i n d h i m
,
.

“
I wo n t
”
s a i d Ab i n a d a b On wh i c h h e wa s
’
,
.

k n o c k e d i nto t h e d i t c h ; a n d t h e B a ro n w a lk e d on ,

a n d l e ft h i m to g e t o u t o f t h e mu d o n wh i c h e v e r .

s id e h e l i k e d .

He q u a rr e ll e d w i th h i s fr i e nd s t i ll h e h a d non e
le ft a n d h e qu a rr e ll e d wi th t h e t r a d e s m e n o f t h e
, ‘

town ti ll th e r e wa s only o n e who wo u ld s e rve h i m ,

an d th i s m a n o ffe n d e d h i m a t l a s t .

l S how y o u who s m a s t e r ! s a i d t h e Mi ll e r
“ ”
Il
’ ’
.

I won t p a y a p e n n v o f vo u r b i ll not a p e n n y
’ ”
.

Si r s a i d t h e tr a d e s m a n
,
my gi vi n g y o u ,

o ffe n c e now i s no j u s t r e a s o n why y o u sh o u ld r e fu s e

to p a y fo r wh a t yo u h a v e h a d a n d b e e n s a t i s fi e d
w i th I mu s t b e g yo u to p a y me a t on c e
.
”
.
1 10
u
I WON ’
T n

I wo n t s a i d t h e M i ll e r a n d wh a t I s a y I
’
,
”
,

m e a n I won t ; I t e ll yo u I won t
.
’ ”
,
’
.

S o t h e tr a d e s m a n s u mmon e d h i m b e for e t h e
J u s t i c e a n d t h e J u s t i c e c ond e mn e d h i m to p a y th e
,

b i ll a n d t h e c o s t s o f t h e s u i t .

I won t s a i d t h e M i ll e r
” ’
.
,

S o th e y p u t h i m i n p ri s on a n d i n pri s on h e wo u ld,

h a ve r e m a i n e d if h i s moth e r h a d not p a i d t h e mon e y

,

to Ob t a i n h i s r e l e a s e B y a n d b y s h e d i e d a n d l e ft
.
,

h i m h e r b l e ssi n g a n d s om e v e ry g ood a dvi c e wh i c h ,

! a s i s s om e t i m e s t h e c a s e w i th b e q u e s t s ) wo u ld h a v e
b e e n m or e u s e fu l i f i t h a d c om e e a rl ier .

Th e Mi ll e r s moth e r h a d t a k e n a g r e a t d e a l Of
’

tro u b l e Off h i s h a nd s wh i c h now fe ll i nto th e m .

Sh e too k i n a l l t h e s m a ll b a g s Of gr i s t wh i c h t h e
c o un try fol k b ro u ght to b e gro u nd a n d k e pt a c c o u nt
-
,

o f th e m a n d s o k e c i v i lly to t h e c u s tom e r s b i d
, p g a n ,

l i ttl e B u t th e s e s m a ll m a tt e r s i rri t a t e d th e Mi ll e r
. .

I m a y b e t h e s l a v e Of a l lt h e old wom e n i n t h e
“
c o u ntry s i d e ; s a i d h e b u t I won t th e y sh a ll ’
,

s e e th a t I won t
” ’
.

S O h e p u t u p a not i c e to s a y th a t h e wo u ld only
r e c e i ve gri s t a t a c e rt a i n ho u r on c e rt a i n d a y s .

N o w b u t a th i rd o f t h e old wom e n c o u ld r e a d t h e
,

n ot i c e ,a n d th e y d i d not a tt e nd to i t Pe opl e c a me .

a s b e for e ; b u t t h e M i ll e r lo c k e d t h e door o f t h e
m i ll a n d s a t i n t h e c o u nt i n g ho u s e a n d c h u c k l e d -
.

My go od fr i e nd s a i d h i s n e i ghb o u r s
”
, y o u ,
“

c a n t do b u s i n e ss i n th i s wa a ma n l i v e s b y t ra d e
’
If
‘

y .
,
1 12 “
I WON ’
T n

Wa s th e r e e ve r s u c h a b r u t e ? ri e d Wo u ld he c .

a n y m a n o f s p i r i t hold h i s ho m e a t t h e wh i m O f a

l a n dlord ? I lln e v e r r e nt a noth e r ho u s e a s lo n g a s

’

I l i ve
”
.

B u t y o u m u s t l i v e s om e wh e r e s a i d h i s fri e nd s , .

I won t s a i d t h e M i ll e r
” ’
.
,

H e wa s no l o n ge r a yo u n g ma n a n d t h e n e w ,

t e na n t pitie d h i m .

“
Th e p oor old fe llow i s o u t o f h i s s e n s e s ”
he ,

s a i d And h e le t h i m s l e e p i n o n e o f h i s b a rn s On e
. .

o f t h e m i ll c a t s fo u nd o u t th a t th e r e wa s a n e w w a rm

b e d i n th i s b a rn a n d s h e c a m e a n d l i v e d th e r e too
, ,

a n d k e p t a w a y t h e mi c e .

On e n i ght how e v e r Mr s P u ss y d i s t u rb e d t h e
, , .

Mi ll e r s r es t Sh e wa s i n a n d o u t o f th e w i ndow
’
.

c on s t a ntly a n d m e ow e d horr i b ly i nto t h e b a r g a i n

,
.

It s e e m s a m a n c a n t e v e n s l e e p i n p e a c e
’ ”
,

s a i d th e Mi ll e r If th i s h a pp e n s a ga i n yo u ll go
.
“
,
’

i nto t h e m i ll r a c e to s i n g to t h e fi s h e s
-
”
.

Th e n e xt n i ght t h e c a t wa s s t i ll on t h e a l e rt a n d ,

t h e follow i n g morn i n g t h e M i ll e r t i e d a s ton e ro u nd

h e r n e c k a n d thr e w h e r i nto t h e w a t e r
, .

Oh s p a r e t h e poor th i n g th e r e s a good s o u l
’
, , ,

s a i d a b y s t a nd e r .

“
I won t ”
s a i d th e M i ll e r
’
,
I told h e r wh a t .

wo u ld h a pp e n ”
.

Wh e n h i s b a c k wa s t u rn e d how e v e r th e b vs t a n de r , ,

g o t P u ss y o u t a n d to o k h e r hom e w i th h i m
, .

N o w t h e c a t wa s a w a y t h e mi c e co u ld pl a y ; a n d ,
 “
I WON ’
T 1 13

th e y p l a y e d h i d e a n d s e e k ove r th e M i ll e r s
- -
’

n i ght c a p .

I t c a m e to s u c h a p a ss th a t th e r e wa s no r e s t to b e
h ad
I won t ’
g o to
d e c l a r e I won t s a i d t h e
b ed , I ’
,
”

M i ll e r So h e s a t u p a lln i ght i n a n a rm c h a i r a n d
.
,

thr e w e v e ryth i n g h e c o u ld la y h i s h a n d s on a t t h e
c orn e r s wh e r e h e h e a rd t h e m i c e s c u ffli n t i ll t h
g e ,

pl a c e wa s to p s y t u rvy -
.

Tow a rd s morn i n g h e lit a c a ndl e a n d dre ss e d

hi m s e l f H e wa s i n a t e rrib l e h u mo u r ; a n d wh e n
.

h e b e ga n to s h a v e h i s h a nd s hoo k a n d h e c u t h i m
,

s e l f Th e dra u ght s m a d e t h e fl a m e o f th e c a ndl e

.

u n s t e a dy too a n d t h e s h a dow o f t h e m il l e r s no s e ’
,

! wh i c h wa s a l a rg e o n e ) fe ll i n u n c e rt a i n S h a p e s
u p on h i s c h e e ks a n d i nt e r fe r e d w i th t h e p ro g r e ss o f
,

t h e r a z or At fir s t h e tho u ght h e wo u ld w a i t t i ll
.

d a yl i ght Th e n h i s t e m p e r go t t h e b e tt e r o f h i m
. .

”
I won t h e sa i d I won t ; why s ho u ld I ?
“ ” ’ “ ’
, ,

SO h e b e g a n a g a i n He h e ld on b y h i s no s e to
.

s t e a dy h i s c h e e ks a nd h e g a v e i t s u c h a s p i t e fu l
,

p i n c h th a t t h e t e a r s c a m e i nto h i s e y e s .

“
M a tt e r s h a v e c om e to a p r e tty p a ss wh e n a ,

m a n s own no s e i s to s t a nd i n h i s l i ght s a i d h e
’
,
”
.

By a n d b y a gu s t o f Wi nd c a m e thro u gh t h e .

wi ndow Up fl a r e d t h e c a ndl e a n d t h e sh a dow o f

.
,

t h e m i ll e r s no s e d a n c e d h a l f ov e r h i s fa c e a n d t h e
’
,

r a z or g a sh e d h i s c h i n .

Tr a n s port e d wi th fu ry h e s tr u c k a t i t b e for e h e ,
1 14 “
I WON ’
T ”

c o u ld th i n k wh a t h e wa s do i n g Th e r a z or wa s .

v e ry sh a rp a n d t h e t i p o f th e Mi ll e r s no s e c a m e
,
’

o ff a s c l e a n a s h i s wh i sk e r s .

Wh e n d a yl i ght c a me a n d h e s a w hi m s e l f i n t h e
,

g l a ss h e r e s olv e d to l e a v e t h e pl a c e
,
.

I won t s t a y h e r e to b e a l a u gh i n g s to c k s a i d h e
’
-
.
,

A s h e tr u d ge d o u t on to t h e h i ghwa y w i th h i s ,

b u ndl e on h i s b a c k t h e B a ron me t h i m a n d p i t i e d
,

h im . H e d i s m o u nt e d from h i s hor s e a n d l e a d i n g ,

i t u p to t h e Mi ll e r h e s a i d , ,

“
Fri e nd yo u a r e e ld e rly to b e go i ng fa r a foot
, .

I w i ll l e nd y o u my m a r e to t a k e y o u to yo u r d e s t i n a
t i on Wh e n yo u a r e th e r e k not t h e r e i n s a n d throw
.
,

th e m on h er sho u ld e r s a yi ng Home ! Sh e wi ll
‘

, ,
’

th e n r e t u rn to me B u t m a r k o n e thi n g
. s h e i s not ,

u s e d to wh i p or s p u r H u mo u r h e r a n d S h e w i ll
.
,

c a rry y o u w e ll a n d s a fe ly .

Th e Mi ll e r mo u nt e d w i ll i n gly e no u gh a n d s e t ,

forw a rd At fir s t th e m a r e wa s a l i ttl e r e s ti ve
. .

Th e M i ll e r h a d no s p u r s on b u t i n s p i t e o f t h e , ,

B a ron s w a rn i n g h e ki c k e d h e r w i th h i s h e e l s
’
, On .

th i s s h e d a n c e d t i ll t h e Mi ll e r s h a t a n d b u ndl e
,
’

fle w ri ght a n d l e ft a n d h e wa s v e ry n e a r to follow
,

i n g th e m .

Ah yo u vi xe n ! h e c ri e d
,
”
Yo u th i n k I l l .
’

h u mo ur yo u a s th e B a ron do e s B u t I won t no .
’
,

y o u sh a ll s e e th a t I won t And gri pp i ng h i s ’

w a l ki ng s t i c k firmly i n h i s ha nd h e b e l a b o u r e d t h e
-
,

B aro n s ma r e a s i f i t h a d b e e n a don k ey
’
.
 TH E MAG I C J AR
HER E wa s on c e a
yo u n g fe llow whom
fort u n e h a d b l e ss e d
wi th a good moth e r ,

a c l e ve r h e a d and a ,

s tron g b ody B u t b e
.

yond th i s s h e h a d not
m u c h fa vo u r e d h i m ;
a n d tho u gh a b l e a n d w i ll i n g to work ,

h e h a d Oft e n l i ttl e to do a n d l e ss ,

to e a t B u t h i s moth e r h a d t a u ght
.

h i m to b e c o n t e nt e d w i th h i s o wn lot a n d to fe e d
,

fo r oth e r s . Mor e ov e r from h e r h e i nh e ri t e d a gr e a t

,

love fo r flow e r s .

On e d a y wh e n h i s p o c k e t s w e r e e m p t i e s t a fa i r
, ,

wa s h e ld i n t h e n e i ghb o u ri n g t o w n a n d h e m u s t
,

n e e d s go a s w e ll a s t h e r e s t tho u gh h e h a d n o mon e y
,

to S p e nd B u t h e s t u c k a b u tt e r c u p i n h i s c a p fo r
.
,

wh i c h h e h a d noth i n g to p a y a n d s trod e a long a s

,

m e rri ly a s t h e m o s t.

Tow a rd s e ve n i n g s om e o f t h e m e rrym a k e r s b e c a m e
ri oto u s ; a n d a p a rty o f th e m fe ll u p o n a n Old J e w
who wa s k e e p i ng a s t a ll o f g l a ss a n d c hi n a a n d wo u ld
,
 TH E MAGI C J AR 1 17

s m a sh s to c k N o w a s t h e J e w s t o o d b e for e h i s
h is .

b ooth b e s e e c h i n g th e m to s p a r e h i s p ro p e rty u p ,

c a m e t h e s tro n g yo u n g m a n w i th t h e flow e r s t i ll u n
,

w i th e r e d i n h i s c a p a n d h e took t h e Old J e w s p a rt
,
’

a n d d e fe nd e d h i m For fro m c h i ldhood h i s moth e r

.

h a d t a u ght h i m to fe e l fo r oth e r s .

S O t h o s e who wo u ld h a v e i l l —tr e a t e d t h e Old J e w

now m ov e d Off a n d t h e yo u n g ma n s t a ve d w i th h i m
,

t i ll h e h a d p a c k e d u p h i s w a r e s .

Th e n t h e J e w t u rn e d tow a rd s h i m a n d s a i d My ,

s on h e who d e l i v e r s t h e o p p r e ss e d a n d h a s r e s p e c t
, ,

u n to t h e a g e d h a s n e e d Of no r e w a rd fo r t h e b l e ss
, ,

i n g o f H i m th a t b l e ss e th i s a b o u t h i m N e v e rth e l e ss .
,

th a t I m a y not s e e m u n gr a t e fu l c hoo s e I pr a y th e e
, , ,

o n e o f th e s e c h i n a j a r s ; a n d t a k e i t to th e e fo r th i n e

own If tho u sh a lt c hoo s e w e ll i t m a y b e o f m or e

.
,

u s e to th e e th a n pr e s e ntly a pp e a r s
”
.

Th e r e u p on t h e yo u n g m a n e x a m i n e d t h e j a r s ,

wh i c h w e r e h i ghly orn a m e nt e d w i th m a ny fi gu r e s
a n d d e v i c e s ; b u t h e c ho s e o n e th a t wa s c om p a r a

t i ve ly p l a i n ; only i t h a d a b u n c h o f flow e r s p a i nt e d
on t h e front ro u nd wh i c h wa s a p r e tty d e vi c e i n s p ot s
,

or c i r c l e s o f gold .

Th e n s a i d t h e J e w My s on why h a ve y o u, ,

c ho s e n th i s wh n th r oth r s s o m u ch
j a r e
,
e e a r e e

fin e r ?
Th e yo u n g m a n s a i d B e c a u s e t h e flow e r s pl e a s e
,

me a n d I h a v e a lov e fo r flow e r s
, .

Th e n s a i d t h e J e w Ha p py i s h e who s e t a s t e s
,
1 18 TH E MAGI C J AR

a re s i mp l e ! Mor e ov e r h e r e i n i s a r a r e w i s dom a n d
, ,

tho u h a s t ga i n e d th a t wh i c h i s t h e m o s t va l u a b l e o f
my p o ss e ss i on s .Th i s j a r h a s p ro p e rt i e s wh i c h I
wi ll fu rth e r e xp l a i n to th e e It wa s g i v e n to m e
.

b y a w i s e wom a n s u b j e c t to th i s c o n d i t i on th a t I
, ,

mu s t e x p o s e i t fo r s a l e from s u nr i s e to s u n s e t a t t h e
y e a rly fa i r Wh e n I u n d e r s tood th i s I took c o u n s e l
.

wi th my s e l f how I s ho u ld p r e s e rve i t ; a n d I b o u ght

oth e r c h i n a j a r s o f m or e a p p a r e nt v a l u e a n d I ,

m a rk e d th e m a llwi th t h e s a m e p ri c e For I s a i d .

wi th i n my s e l f Th e r e i s no m a n who do e s not d e s i r e
,

to ge t a s m u c h a s h e c a n fo r h i s mon e y th e r e for e ,

from i t s c ontra s t w i th th e s e oth e r s my j a r i s s a fe

’
, .

And i t wa s e ve n s o ; fo r tr u ly m a ny h a ve d e s i r e d to
,

b u y t h e j a r b e c a u s e o f t h e d e l i c a t e b e a u ty o f t h e
flowe r s i f I wo u ld h a v e s old i t fo r l e ss th a n oth e r s
,

”
wh i c h s e e m e d mor e v a l u a b l e .

M a ny t i m e s i t h a s b e e n a lmo s t gon e b u t wh e n ,

I h a v e s hown t h e oth e r s a t t h e s a m e p r i c e my ,

c u s tom e r s h a v e r e v i l e d me s a y i n g
,
Do g o f a Je w
, ,

do s t tho u a s k a s m u c h fo r th i s a s fo r th e s e oth e r s
wh i c h a r e m a n i fe s tly worth do u b l e ? a n d th e y h a v e
e i th e r d e p a rt e d c u r s i n m e a n d t a k i n g noth i n g ; or
, g ,

th e y h a v e b o u ght o n e o f t h e mor e ri c hly d e c or a t e d

j a r s a t t h e s a m e pri c e For v e ri ly i n mo s t me n t h e
.

S p i r i t Of c ov e to u s n e ss i s s tron ge r th a n t h e lov e o f

b e a u ty a n d th e y r a th e r d e s i r e to g e t m u c h fo r th e i r
,

mon e y th a n to Ob t a i n th a t wh ic h i s s u i t a b l e a n d
,

”
c onv e n i e nt .
1 20 THE MAGIC J AR

All c a me a b o u t a s t h e J e w h a d prom i s e d A s h e .

h a d tw e lv e gold p i e c e s a d a y t h e y o u n g m a n now
,

w a nt e d fo r noth i ng b e s i d e s wh i c h h e h a d fr e s h
,

flow e r s on h i s t a b l e a llt h e y e a r ro u nd .

N o w i t i s w e ll s a i d , Thy b u si n e ss i s my b u s i n e ss ,

a n d t h e b u s i n e ss Of a l l b e si d e ; fo r e v e ry m a n s ’

a ffa i r s a r e h i s n e i ghb o u r s p ro p e rty ; Th u s i t c a m e

’

a b o u t th a t a l ltho s e who l i v e d n e a r t h e yo u n g m an
w e r e p e rp l e xe d th a t h e h a d s u c h b e a u t i fu l flow e r s
in a l ls e a s on s ; a n d e s t e e m e d i t a s a n i n j u ry to th e m
s e lve s th a t h e sho u ld h a ve th e m a n d gi v e no e x
pl a n a t i on a s to wh e n c e th e y c a m e .

At l a s t i t c a m e to t h e e a r s o f t h e ki n g a n d h e a l s o
,

wa s d i s t u rb e d . For h e wa s c u ri o u s a n d fond o f
,

pryi n g i nto s m a ll m a tt e r s ; a t a st e wh i c h i llb e c om e s

tho s e Of h i gh p o si t i on B u t t h e k i n g h a d no c h i ld
.

to s u c c e e d h i m ; a n d h e wa s a lw a y s s u s p e c t i n g tho s e
a b o u t h i m o f p lott i n g to Ob t a i n t h e c rown a n d th u s ,

h e c a m e to b e fo r e v e r p ry i n g i n to t h e a ffa i r s o f h i s
su b j e c t s
.

N o w wh e n h e h e a rd Of t h e yo u n g ma n who h a d
flow e r s o n h i s t a b l e a llt h e y e a r ro u nd h e d e s i r e d
,

o n e o f h i s Offi c e r s to o a n d q u e s t i on h i m a s to how
g
h e ob t a i n e d th e m . B u t t h e yo u n g m a n c ontri v e d to
e v a d e h i s q u e s t i on s a n d t h e m a tt e r r e s t e d fo r a wh i l e
, .

Th e n t h e k i n g s e nt a noth e r m e ss e n g e r w i th ord e r s
,

to p r e ss t h e yo u ng ma n m or e c lo s e ly ; a n d b e c a u s e
t h e yo u n g m a n d i s d a i n e d to t e ll a l ie h e s aid
, I,

g e t t h e flow e r s from yon c h i n a

j a r
”
.
 TH E MAGI C J AR 12 1

Th e n t h e m e ss e n ge r r e t u rn e d a n d s a i d to th e
,

k i n g Th e yo u n g m a n s a y s th a t h e ge t s t h e flow e r s
,

from a c e rt a i n c h i n a j a r wh i c h s t a nd s i n h i s room
”
.

Th e n s a i d t h e k i n g Bri n g t h e c ont e nt s o f th e
,
“

”
r h i th e r to m e And h m ss n r r t rn d d
j a . t e e e g e e u e a n

b ro u ght t h e to a d .

B u t wh e n t h e k i n g l a i d hold u pon t h e to a d i t ,

s p a t i n h i s fa c e ; a n d h e wa s po i s on e d a n d d i e d .

Th e n t h e to a d s a t u pon t h e k i n g s mo u th a n d ’
,

wo u ld not b e e nt i c e d a w a y And e v e ry o n e fe a r e d
.

to to u c h i t b e c a u s e i t s p a t po i s on And th e y c a ll e d
.

t h e w i s e m e n o f t h e c o u n c i l ; a n d th e y p e r for m e d
c e rt a i n r i t e s to c h a rm a w a y t h e to a d a n d ye t i t ,

wo u ld not go .

B u t a ft e r thr e e d a y s t h e m a s t e r o f t h e to a d c a m e
,

to t h e p a l a c e a n d w i tho u t s a y i n g who h e wa s h e
, ,

d e s i r e d to b e p e rmi tt e d to try a n d ge t t h e to a d from

t h e c orps e o f t h e k i n g .

And wh e n h e wa s t a k e n i nto th e k i n g s c h a mb e r ’
,

h e s t o od a n d b e c k on e d to t h e to a d s a y i n g ,
Th e ,
“

p e r s on Of t h e k i n g a n d t h e b od i e s o f th e d e a d a r e
,

”
s a c r e d wh e r e for e c om e a w a y
, .

And t h e to a d c ra wl e d from t h e k i n g s fa c e a n d ’

c a m e to h i m a n d d i d not s p i t a t h i m ; a n d h e p u t
,

i t b a c k i nto t h e j a r .

Th e n s a i d t h e w i s e me n Th e r e i s no o n e s o fit
,

to s u c c e e d to t h e k i n gdom a s th i s ma n i s ; b oth
fo r w i s dom o f s p e e c h a n d fo r t h e pow e r Of c omm a nd .

And wh a t th e y s a i d pl e a s e d t h e p e opl e ; a n d th e
1 22 TH E MAGI C J AR

yo u ng ma n was m a d e k i n g And i n d u e t i m e h e
.

m a rri e d a n a mi a b l e a n d t a l e nt e d p ri n c e ss a n d h a d ,

c h i ldr e n And h e r u l e d t h e k i n gdom w e ll a n d wi s e ly

.
,

a n d wa s b e lov e d t i ll h i s d e a th .

N o w wh e n a ft e r t h e l a p s e Of m a ny y e a r s h e d i e d
, , ,

th e r e wa s gr e a t gri e f a mo n g t h e p e o p l e a n d h i s b ody,

wa s l a i d o u t i n h i s own room a n d t h e p e o p l e w e r e
,

p e rm i tt e d to c om e a n d loo k u pon h i s fa c e fo r t h e

l a st time .

And a mon g t h e c rowd th e r e a p p e a r e d a n a g e d J e w .

And h e di d n o t w e e p a s did t h e oth e r s ; b u t h e

c a m e a n d s tood b y t h e b i e r a n d g a z e d u p on t h e
,

fa c e o f t h e d e a d k i n g i n s i l e n c e And a ft e r a wh i l e
.

h e e xc l a i me d a n d sa i d
,

Oh wond e r fu l s p e c t a c l e
,
A ma n a n d not c o v ,

e to u s
. A r u l e r a n d n o t o p p r e ssi ve C ont e nt e d i n
,
.

pove rty a n d mod e r a t e i n w e a lth E l e c t o f t h e

,
.

p pe o l e, a n d b e lov e d to t h e en d !

And wh e n h e h a d s a i d th i s h e a ga i n b e c a m e s i l e nt
,

a n d s tood a s o n e a s ton i s h e d .

And no o n e kn e w wh e n h e c a m e i n nor p e r c e i ve d ,

wh e n h e d e p a rt e d .

B u t wh e n th e y c a m e to s e a r c h fo r t h e c h i n a j a r i t ,

wa s gon e a n d c o u ld n e v e r a ft e rw a rd s b e fo u nd
,
.
124 TH E F IRS T WIF E ’
S WE D D I N G - R I N G

t i m e h e t u r n éd h i s st e p s ho m e ward s He wa s s o .

m u c h Ch a n ge d b y a g e a n d tr a v e ll i n g th a t o nly h i s
m o th e r wo u ld h a v e k n o wn h i m a g a i n b u t h e h a d ,

t h e r i n g t i e d s a fe a n d fa s t r o u nd h i s n e c k On e .

n i ght,
how e v e r h e wa s too fa r fro m sh e lt e r to g e t
,

a b e d s o h e s l e p t u nd e r a h e d g e a n d wh e n h e w o k e
, ,

i n t h e mor n i n g t h e s t r i n g wa s u n t i e d a n d t h e r i n g
wa s go n e . H e s p e n t a whol e d a y i n s e a r c h i n g fo r
i t b u t i n v a i n ; a n d a t l a s t h e r e s olv e d t o p ro c e e d a n d
,

e x p l a i n t h e m a tt e r to h i s fa th e r .

Th e Old m a n wa s ov e r j o y e d t o s e e h i m a n d fu lly ,

b e l i e v e d h i s t a l e b u t w i th t h e s e c ond w ife i t wa s
,

oth e rwi s e Sh e wa s gr e a tly d i sp l e a s e d to th i n k

.

th a t h e r c h i ld wa s not now to b e th e s ol e h e i r o f h i s
fa th e r s good s ; a n d sh e s o p e s t e r e d a n d wor k e d
’

u p on t h e o l d m a n b y a rt fu l a n d m a l i c i o u s s p e e c h e s ,

th a t h e c o n s e nt e d t Os e nd a w a y t h e n e w c o m e r t i ll
h e sh o u ld h a v e fo u nd t h e fir s t w ife s w e dd i n g ri n g
’
-
.

I s t h e hom e s t e a d I h a v e t a k e n s u c h c a r e o f ,

s h e c ri e d ,
to go to th e fir s t va gr a nt who c o m e s
i n w i th a b ro wn fa c e a n d a r a gg e d c o a t p r e t e n d i n g ,

th a t h e i s yo u r s on ?
So t h e s old i e r wa s s e nt a b o u t h i s b u s i n e ss ; b u t
h i s fa th e r fo ll o w e d h i m to t h e g a t e a n d s l i pp e d ,

so m e mo n e y i nto h i s h a nd s a yi n g , GOD s p e e d
,

y o u b a c k a g a i n w i th t h e r i n
g
I t wa s S u nd a y m orn i n g a n d t h e b e ll s w e r e r i n g
,

i n g fo r s e rvi c e a s h e t u rn e d s a dly a w a y .

” “
D i ng dong ! r a n g th e b e ll s
, d i ng dong !
, ,
 TH E F I R S T WI F E ’
S WE D D I N G .
R IN G 1 25

Why do y o u n o om e to c h u r c h l i k e oth e r s ? Why

t c

a r e y o u not dr e ss e d i n yo u r S u nd a y c loth e s an d ,

wh e r e for e do yo u h e a ve s u c h dol e fu l si gh s wh i l s t ,

we r i n g m e rr i ly ? D i n g do n g ! d i n g d o n g, ,

I s th e r e not a c a u s e ? ”
r e p l i e d t h e s old i e r .

Th i s d a y I a m t u rn e d o u t o f hom e a n d h e r i t a g e
’

tho u gh i nd e e d I a m t h e tr u e h e i r ”
.

N e v e rth e l e ss we S h a ll r i n g fo r yo u r r e t u rn ,

s a i d th e b e ll s .

A s h e w e nt t h e s u n s hon e on th e gr e e n fi e ld s
, ,

a n d i n t h e s old i e r s e y e s a n d s a i d S e e how b r i ghtly

’
, ,

I s h i n e ! B u t y o u c omr a d e why i s yo u r fa c e s o
, ,

”
c lo u dy ?

I s th e r e not good r e a s on ? re plie d h e Th i s .

d a y I a m t u rn e d o u t o f hom e a n d h e r i t a g e a n d y e t ,

I a m t h e tr u e h e i r
”
.

N e v e rth e l e ss I s h a ll s h i n e on yo u r r e t u r n
“
,

s a i d th e s u n .

Alon g t h e ro a d th e h a wthorn h e d ge s w e r e wh i t e
w i th b lo ss om . H e yd a y th e y c ri e d wh o i s th i s ,

th a t c om e s t r i mp tr a mp w i th a fa c e a s lo n g a s a
,

o
p p l a-
r tr e e ? C h e e r u p fr i e nd ! I t i s s p r i n g ! s w e e t
,

sp r i n g ! All i s now fu ll Of hop e a n d j oy a n d why ,

”
s ho u ld y o u loo k s o s o u r ?
“
Ma y I not b e e x c u s e d ? s a i d t h e s old i e r
”
.

Thi s da y I a m t u rn e d o u t o f hom e a n d h e ri t a ge ,

a n d y e t I a m t h e tr u e h e i r
”
.

N e v e rth e l e ss we sh a ll b l o ss om wh e n yo u r e t u rn
, ,

sa i d t h e h e d ge s .
 1 26 TH E FIRS T WI F E ’
S WE D D I N G - RI N G

Wh e n h e h a d w a n d e r e d fo r thr e e d a y s a n d thr e e
n i ght s a llh e h a d wa s S p e n t a n d th e r e wa s no sh e lt e r
, ,

t o b e s e e n b u t a d a rk gloomy fo r e s t wh i c h s t r e t c h e d ,

b e fo r e h i m J u s t th e n h e s a w a s m a ll w e a z e n e d
.
,

Ol d w o m a n Wh o wa s try i n g to l i ft a b u ndl e o f s t i c ks
,

o n to h e r b a c k .

Th a t i s too h e a vy fo r yo u go od moth e r s a i d , ,

t h e s o ld i e r ; a n d h e r a i s e d a n d a d j u s t e d i t fo r h e r .

“
Ha v e y o u j u s t c om e h e r e ? ”
m u tt e r e d t h e O l d
c ro n e ; th e n t h e b e s t th a n ks I c a n gi ve y o u i s
“

to b i d yo u ge t a w a y a s fa s t a s y o u c a n ”
.

”
I n e v e r r e tr e a t e d y e t d a m e s a i d t h e s old i e r
, , ,

a n d on h e w e nt .

Pr e s e n tly h e me t wi th a gi a nt who wa s s troll i n g ,

a lon b t h d f t h wood k o k i n t h o s
g y e e
g e O e n c g e c ,
n e

o ff t e to p s o f t e fi r tr e e s w th
h h i h i s fi n e r —n a ils H
g
-
.

wa s a n i l lfa vo u r e d look i n g mo n s t e r b u t h e s a i d
-
, ,

c i v i lly e no u gh Yo u loo k i n w a n t o f e m p loy m e n t

, ,

c omr a d e Wi ll y o u t a k e s e rvi c e wi th m e ?
.

I m u s t fir s t know two th i n g s a n sw e r e d t h e
”
,

s o ld i e r ; m y wor k a n d my w a ge s
“
.

Yo u r work s a i d t h e gi a n t i s to c u t a p a th
”
, ,
“

thro u gh th i s wood to t h e oth e r S i d e B u t th e n yo u .

s h a ll h a v e a y e a r a n d a d a y to do i t i n If y o u do i t .

wi th i n t h e ti m e yo u Wi ll fi n d a t t h e oth e r e n d a
,

m a gp i e s n e s t i n wh i c h i s t h e r i n g o f wh i c h yo u a r e
’
,

i n se a rch Th e n e s t a l s o c o n t a i n s t h e c rown j e w e l s
.

wh i c h h a v e b e e n s tol e n a n d i f y o u t a k e th e s e to t h e
,

ki ng yo u wi ll n e e d no fu rth e r r e w a rd B u t on th e
, .
,
 1 28 TH E FIRS T WI F E ’
S WE D D I N G - R I N G

”
Th e t r e e s a r e v e r y h a rd s a i d h e, .

”
S O th e y a lw a y s s a y , r e p l i e d t h e gi a nt ;
h a ve a lw a ys h a d i dl e s e rv a nt s ”
.

I w i ll n o t b e c a ll e d i dl e a s e c ond t i m e ”
th o u ght ,

t h e s o ld i e r a n d n e xt d a y h e w e n t e a rly a n d w o r k e d
,

h i s u tmost . B u t t h e r e s u lt wa s v e ry sm a ll An d .

wh e n h e c a m e hom e look i n g w e a ry a n d d i s a p po i n t e d
, ,

h e c o u ld n o t fa i l to p e r c e i v e th a t th i s g a v e g r e a t
s a t i s fa c t i on to t h e g i a nt .

M a tt e r s h a d gon e on th u s fo r s om e t i me wh e n ,

o n e mo rnin a s h e w e nt to wor k h e fo u nd t h e l i ttl e

g
, ,

Ol d wo m a n g a th e ri n g s t i c ks a s b e for e .

Li st e n sa i d sh e
, . He sh a ll not tr e a t yo u a s
“

h e h a s tr e a t e d oth e r s . C o u nt s e v e nty t o t h e l e ft
from wh e r e y o u a r e wor k i n g a n d b e gi n a ga i n ,
B ut .

do not le t h i m k now th a t y o u h a ve m a d e a fr e s h
s t a rt An d do a l i ttl e a t t h e Old pl a c e from t im e to
.

”
t i m e a s a b l i nd
, .

And b e fo r e h e c o u ld th a n k h e r th e Old wom a n ,

wa s go n e Wi th o u t m or e a do how e v e r h e c o u nt ed
.
, ,

s e v e nty from t h e Old p l a c e a n d h i t t h e s e v e nt i e th

,

tr e e s u c h a b l o w wi th h i s a xe th a t i t c a m e c r a sh i n g
,

down th e n a n d th e r e An d h e fo u nd th a t o n e
.
,

a ft e r a n o th e r t h e tr e e s y i e ld e d to h i s b low s a s if
, ,

th e y w e r e to u c hwood H e d i d a good d a y s work

.
’
,

g a v e a fe w s trok e s i n t h e Old s p ot a n d c a m e hom e

, ,

t a k i n g c a r e to loo k a s gloomy a s b e for e .

D a y b y d a y h e go t d e e p e r a n d d e e p e r i nto t h e
Wood th e t re e s fa ll i n g b efo re h i m l i k e dry e ld e r tw i gs ;
,
 TH E F IR S T WI F E ’
S WE D D I N G -
RI N G 1 29

and now t h e h a rd e s t p a r t o f h i s wor k wa s w a lk i n g

b a c kw a rd s a n d fo rw a rd s to t h e gi a n t s hom e fo r t h e
’
,

fo r e s t s e e m e d a lm o s t i n t e r m i n a b l e
,
B u t on t h e .

thr e e h u ndr e d a n d s i xty si xth d a y from h i s fir s t

-

m e e t i n g w i th t h e gi a n t t h e s old i e r c u t fa i r ly thro u gh
,

o n to a n o p e n p l a i n a n d a s t h e l i ght s tr e a m e d i n
, a ,

m a gp i e fle w a w a y a n d on s e a r c h i n g h e r n e s t t h e
, ,

s o ld i e r fo u n d h i s moth e r s w e ddi n g ri n g H e a l s o
’
-
.

fo u n d m a ny p r e c i o u s s to n e s o f pr i c e l e ss v a l u e wh i c h ,

w e r e e vi d e ntly t h e lo s t c rown j e w e l s And a s h i s .

t e rm o f s e rvi c e w i th t h e gi a nt wa s now e nd e d h e ,

d i d not tro u b l e h i m s e l f t o r e t u rn b u t w i th t h e r i n g
,

a n d t h e j e w e l s i n h i s po c k e t s e t Off to find h i s wa y

to t h e c a p i t a l .

H e s oon fe ll i n w i th a g ood h u mo u r e d fe llow who -

show e d h i m t h e wa y an d p o i n t e d o u t e v e ryth i ng o f
i nt e r e s t on t h e ro a d A s th e y dr e w n e a r o n e Of
.
,

t h e roy a l c a rr i a g e s wa s dr i v i n g o u t o f t h e c i ty g a t e s ,

i n wh i c h s a t thr e e b e a u t i fu l l a d i e s who w e r e t h e ki n g s
’

d a u ght e r s.

Th e two e ld e s t a r e e n ga ge d to m a rry two n e i gh

b o u r i n g p ri n c e s s a i d t h e c o mp a n i on
”
.
,

“
And who m i s t h e yo u n ge s t to ma rry ? a sk e d ”

t h e s old i e r fo r s h e i s b y fa r t h e m o s t b e a u t ifu l
“
, .

”
S h e w i ll n e v e r m a rry a n sw e r e d h i s c o m p a n i o n
, ,

fo r s h e i s p l e d ge d to t h e m a n who sh a ll fi n d t h e
c rown j e w e l s a n d c u t a p a th thro u gh t h e s ton e
,

wood for e s t th a t b ord e r s th e ki n g s dom a i n s And ’

.

th a t i s mu c h a s i f sh e w e r e promi s e d to th e man wh o
1 30 TH E F IRS T WI F E ’
S WE D D I N G - RIN G

s h o u ld fe t c h
d o wn th e m o o n fo r h e r to p l a y w i th .

Fo r t h e j e w e l s a r e lo s t b e y o n d r e c a ll a n d t h e w o o d ,

i s a n e n c h a nt e d for e s t .

N e v e r th e l e ss s h e s h a ll b e we d w i th my m oth e r s
’

ri n g tho u ght t h e s old i e r B u t h e k e p t h i s own

”
,
.

c o u n se l a n d o n ly w a i t e d t i ll h e h a d s m a rt e n e d
,

h i m s e l f up b e for e h e s o u ght a n a u d i e n c e o f t h e k i n g
, .

Hi s c l a i m to t h e p ri n c e ss wa s fu lly p rov e d ; t h e
k i n g h e a p e d hono u r s a n d r i c h e s u p o n h i m ; a n d h e
m a d e h i m s e l f s o a c c e p t a b l e to h i s b r i d e e l e c t th a t ,

t h e w e dd i n g wa s fix e d fo r a n e a rly d a y .

Ma y I b ri n g m y Old fa th e r m a d a m ? h e a sk e d ,

o f t h e pri n c e ss .

Th a t yo u c e rt a i nly ma y s a i d s h e A good
, .

s on m a k e s a good h u sb a nd ”
.

A s h e e nt e r e d h i s n a t i ve v i ll a ge th e h e d g e s w e r e
i n b lo ss om t h e s u n s hon e a n d t h e b e ll s r a n g fo r
, ,

h i s r e t u rn .

Hi s s t e p moth e r now w e l c om e d h i m a n d wa s v e ry ,

a nx i o u s to go to c o u rt a l s o B u t h e r h u sb a n d s a i d
.
,

NO Yo u took s u c h good c a r e Of t h e hom e s t e a d

.

i t i s b u t fit yo u sho u ld loo k to i t wh i l s t I a m a w a y .

A s to t h e gi a nt wh e n h e fo u nd th a t h e h a d b e e n
,

o u twi tt e d h e w e n t o ff a n d wa s n e v e r mor e h e a rd o f
, ,

i n tho s e p a rt s B u t t h e s old i e r too k h i s w ife i nto t h e

.

c i ty a n d c a r e d fo r h e r to th e d a Of h r d a th
, y e e .
1 32 TH E MAGICIAN TURN ED MIS CH IE F MAK ER
-

Th e n Ve n ge a n c e w a v e d t h e w a nd a n d s a i d A s ,

y o u h a v e do u b t e d m e d i s tr e ss e a c h oth e r ;
, a n d so

d e p a rt e d .

By a n d b y h e c a m e to a noth e r vi ll a ge a n d told ,

t h e news .B u t h e r e t h e v i ll a ge r s w e r e fu ll Of d e l i ght ,

a n d m a d e a fe a s t a n d p u t t h e b l i nd b e g g a r i n t h e
,

p l a c e o f hono u r ; who wh ,
e n h e d e p a rt e d s a i d ,
A s,

y o u h a v e don e b y m e d e,a l w i th e a c h oth e r a lw a y s

l’

a n d w e nt on to t h e n e xt v i ll a g e .

In th i s p l a c e h e wa s r e c e i v e d w i th e v e n w a rm e r
we l c o m e ; a n d wh e n th e fe a s t wa s ov e r t h e p e o p l e ,

b ro u ght h i m to t h e b ri d ge wh i c h l e d o u t Of t h e

vill a g e ; a n d ga v e h i m a gu i d e d o g to h e l p h i m on
”
-

h i s wa y .

Th e n t h e b l i nd b e gga r w a v e d th e w a nd on c e mor e
an d s a i d ,

Tho s e who a r e s o good to s tr a n g e r s m u s t n e e d s

b e good to e a c h oth e r B u t th a t noth i n g m a y b e
.

w a nt i n g to th e p e a c e o f thi s p l a c e I gr a nt to t h e
,

b e a s t s a n d b i rd s i n i t th a t th e y m a y u nd e r s t a nd t h e
l a n gu a ge o f m e n ”
.

Th e n h e b rok e t h e w a nd i n pi e c e s a n d thr e w i t
,

i nto t h e s tr e a m . And wh e n t h e p e o pl e t u rn e d th e i r
h e a d s b a c k a ga i n from w a t c h i n g t h e b i t s a s th e y
flo a t e d a w a y t h e b l i nd b e gg a r wa s g on e
,
.

M e a nwhile t h e m a gi c i a n wa s wi ld w i th r a ge a t
t h e lo ss o f h i s w a n d fo r a l,
lh i s p l e a s u r e wa s to do
h a rm a n d h ur t B u t wh e n h e c a m e to h i m s e l f h e
.

s a i d : On e c a n do a good d e a l o f h a rm w i th h i s
 THE MAGICIAN TUR N ED MIS CH IEF MAKE R 1 33

ton gu e I w i ll t u rn m i s c h i e f m a k e r ; a n d wh e n
.
-

t h e p l a c e i s too hot to hold me I c a n e s c a p e i n wh a t

,
”
form I pl e a s e .

Th e n h e c a m e to t h e firs t vi ll a g e wh e r e Ve n g e a n c e
,

h a d g on e b e for e a n d h e r e h e l i v e d fo r a y e a r a n d a
,

d a y i n v a ri o u s d i s g u i s e s ; a n d h e m a d e mor e m i s e ry
w i th h i s ton gu e th a n h e h a d e ve r a c c om p l i sh e d i n
a n y oth e r y e a r w i th h i s m a gi c w a nd For e ve ry o n e.

d i s tr u s t e d h i s n e i ghb o u r a n d wa s r e a dy to b e l i e v e
,

il lo f h i m . S O p a r e nt s d i s own e d th e i r Ch i ldr e n a n d ,

h u sb a nd s a n d wi ve s p a rt e d a n d lov e r s b rok e fa i th ;
,

a n d s e rv a nt s a n d m a s t e r s d i s a g r e e d ; a n d Ol d fri e nd s
b e c a m e b i tt e r e n e m i e s t i ll a t l a s t t h e p l a c e wa s
,

i ntol e r a b l e e v e n to t h e m a gi c i a n a n d h e c h a n ge d
,

h i m s e l f i nto a c o c k c h a fe r a n d fle w to t h e n e x t
,

vi ll a g e wh e r e Ve nge a n c e h a d gon e b e for e

, .

He r e a l s o h e dw e lt fo r a ye a r a n d a d a y a n d th e n ,

h e l e ft i t b e c a u s e h e c o u ld do no h a rm For tho s e .

who lov e d e a c h oth e r tr u s t e d e a c h oth e r a n d th e ,

m a g i c i a n m a d e m i s c h i e f i n v a i n In o n e Of h i s
!
.

d i sgu i s e s h e wa s d e t e c t e d a n d only e s c a p e d wi th hi s
,

l i fe from t h e e nr a ge d vi ll a ge r s b y c h a n gi n g h i m s e l f
i nto a c o c k c h a fe r a n d flyi n g on to t h e n e x t pl a c e ,

wh e re Ve n ge a n c e h a d gon e b e for e .

In th i s v i ll a ge h e m a d e l e ss m i s c h i e f th a n i n t h e
fir s t a n d mor e th a n i n th e s e c ond And h e e xe r
,
.

c i se d a l lh i s a r t a n d c h a n ge d h i s d i s gu i s e s c on s t a ntly ;
,

b u t t h e do g s k n e w h i m u nd e r a l l .

On e do g t h e old e s t d o g i n t h e pl a c e wa s k e e p
 1 34 TH E MAGI CIAN TUR N E D MI S CH I EF M AK E R
-

in g w a t c h ove r t h e m i ll e r s ho u s e wh e n h e s a w t h e
’
,

m a gi c i a n a p pro a c h i n g i n t h e d i sgu i s e o f a n Ol
, d
wo m a n .

”
D O y o u s e e th a t Ol d wi t c h ? s a i d h e to t h e
sp a rrow s who w e r e p i c ki n g u p s tra y b i t s o f g r a i n i n
,

t h e y a rd Wi th h e r e vi l ton gu e s h e i s p a rt i n g m y
.

m a s t e r s d a u ght e r a n d t h e fin e s t yo u n g fe llow i n t h e
’

c o u n try s i d e -
Sh e p u t s l i e s a n d tr u th to g e th e r wi th
.
,

mor e ski ll th a n yo u p a t c h mo ss a n d fe a th e r s to b u i ld
n e s t s And wh e n sh e i s a sk e d wh e r e sh e h e a rd thi s
.

or th a t s h e s a y s A l i ttl e b i rd told me s o
, ,
.
’

We n e v e r told h e r s a i d t h e s p a r r ro ws i n di g
”
,

n a n tl y , a n d if w e h a d yo u r s tr e n g th M a s t e r ,

Ke e p e r s h e sho u ld not m a l i gn u s lon g

,

I b e l i e v e y o u a r e r i ght ! s a i d M a s t e r Ke e p e r
“ ”
.

Of wh a t a v a i l i s i t th a t we h a v e l e a rn e d t h e l an
/

g gu a e o f m e n i f w e do,
not h e l p th e m to t h e u tmo s t

o f o u r p ow e r s Sh e sh a ll torm e nt my yo u n g m i s tr e ss
.

”
no m or e .

S a yi n g wh i c h h e fle w u pon t h e d i s gu i s e d m a gi c i a n
a s h e e nt e r e d t h e a t e a n d wo u ld h a v e tor n h i m
g ,

l imb from l i mb b u t th a t t h e mi s c h i e f m a k e r c h a n g e d
,
-

h i m s e l f a s b e for e i nto a c o c k c h a fe r a n d fle w h a s t i ly
,

from t h e vi ll a ge .

And th u s h e m i ght do u b tl e ss h a ve e s c a p e d to do
y e t fu rth e r h a rm h a d not thr,
e e c o c k s p a rrow s
-
ov e r
t a k e n h im j u s t b e for e h e c ro ss e d t h e b ri d g e .

From thr e e si d e s th e y h e mm e d h i m i n c ryi ng ,

Wh i c h o f u s told y o u ? Wh i c h o f u s told yo u ?
 KNAV E AN D F OOL
F O OL a n d a Kn a v e
on c e s e t u p ho u s e to
g e th e r : wh i c h s how s
wh a t a fool t h e F0 0 1
wa s .

Th e Kn a v e wa s d e
l ight e d wi th t h e a gr e e
m e nt ; an d t h e Fool tho u ght
h i m s e l f mo s t fort u n a t e to h a v e
m e t wi th a c o m p a n i o n who
wo u ld s u p p ly h i s l a c k o f
m oth e r wi t
-
.

A s n e i th e r o f th e m l i k e d work t h e Kn a ve p ro p o s e d
,

th a t th e y sho u ld l i v e u p on th e i r j o i n t s a vi n g s a s
l o n g a s th e s e sho u ld l a s t ; a n d to a vo i d d i sp u t e s
, ,

th a t th e y sho u ld u s e th e Fool s sh a r e t i ll i t c a m e
’

to a n e n d a n d th e n b e gi n u p o n t h e Kn a v e s s to c k i n g
,
’
.

So fo r a short t i m e th e y l i v e d i n g r e a t c o m fo rt
, ,

a t t h e Fo o l s e x e n s e a n d w e r e v e ry ood omp ny
’
p c a ;
, g
fo r e a s y t i m e s m a k e e a s y t e mp e r s .

Ju s t wh e n t h e s to r e wa s e xha u s t e d t h e K n a v e
,

c a me r u n n in t t h F ol w i th m ty b ag and
g o e o a n e
p
 K N AV E AN D F OOL 1 37

a wry fa c e c ryi n g ,
D e a r fri e nd wh a t s h a ll we
, ,

do ? Thi s b a g wh i c h I h a d s a fe ly b u ri e d u nd e r a
,

g oo s e b e rry b u sh h a s b e e n t a ke n u
-
, b
p y s om e th i e f ,

an d al l my mon e y s tol e n My s a vi n g s w e r e twi c e

.

a s l a r g e a s yo u r s ; b u t now th a t th e y a r e go n e a n d ,

I c a n no lon g e r p e r form my s h a r e o f t h e b a r ga i n ,

”
I fe a r o u r p a rtn e r s h i p m u s t b e d i ss olv e d .

“
N o t s o d e a r fr i e nd
,
”
s a i d t h e FOOl wh o wa s
, ,
'

ve ry go od n a t u r e d
-
we h a v e s h a r e d g o o d l u c k t o
th e r a n d now we w i ll s h a r e pov e rty B ut as
g e ,
.

noth i n g i s l e ft I fe a r we m u s t s e e k wor k
,
.

Yo u S p e a k v e ry w i s e ly s a i d t h e Kn a v e
”
And
,
.

”
wh a t fo r i n s t a n c e c a n yo u do ?
, ,

V e ry l i ttl e s a i d t h e F0 0 1 ; b u t th a t l i ttl e I do
”
,

SO ,
”
do I s a i d t h e Kn a ve N o w c a n yo u
.

plo u gh or s ow or fe e d c a ttl e or p l a nt c ro p s ?
, , ,

F a rmi n g i s not my b u si n e ss s a i d t h e Fool

”
,
.

No r mi n e s a i d t h e Kn a v e ; b u t no do u b t
” “
,

y o u a r e a h a nd i c r a ft s m a n A r e y o u c
. l e ve r a t c a r

p e n t r y ,
m a s o n s wor k ’
t a i lor i n g or
,
s ho e m a ki ng ?
,

I do not do u b t th a t I s ho u ld h a v e b e e n h a d I
l e a rn e d t h e tr a d e s s a i d t h e Fool ,
b u t I n e ve r
,

wa s b o u nd a p p r e nt i c e ”
.

”
It i s t h e s a m e w i th m y s e l f s a i d t h e Kn a ve ;
,

b u t yo u ma y h a v e fin e r t a l e nt s C a n y o u p a i nt
.
,

or p l a y t h e fi ddl e ?
I n e v e r tr i e d ”
s a i d t h e P o o l; s o I don t k now ’
.
,

u s t my c a s e a i d th e Kn a v e And now
”
J s , . ,
1 38 K N AV E AN D F O OL

s i n c e we c a n t find wor k I p ropo s e th a t we tr a ve l

’
,

t i ll wor k fi n d s u s .

Th e two c omr a d e s a c c ord i n gly s e t forth a n d th e y ,

w e nt on a n d on t i ll th e y c a m e to t h e foot Of a h i ll
, ,

wh e r e a m e r c h a ntm a n wa s s t a nd i n g b y h i s w a gon ,

wh i c h h a d b ro k e n down .

Yo u s e e m two s tron g m e n s a i d h e a s th e y
, ,

a dv a n c e d ; if y o u w i ll c a rry th i s c h e s t o f v a l u a b l e s
u p to t h e top Of t h e h i ll a n d down to t h e b ottom
,

on t h e oth e r s i d e wh e r e th e r e i s a n i n n I wi ll gi ve
, ,

”
y o u two g old p i e c e s fo r yo u r tro u b l e .

Th e Kn a v e a n d t h e FOO1 c on s e nt e d to th i s s a yi n g , ,

Wor k h a s fo u nd u s a t l a s t ; a n d th e y l ift e d t h e b o x
on to th e i r sho u ld e r s .

T u rn a n d t u rn a b o u t s a i d th e Kn a ve ; b u t
, ,

t h e b e s t t u rn b e tw e e n fr i e nd s i s a g ood t u rn ; s o
I w i ll l e a d t h e wa y u p h i ll wh i c h i s t h e h a rd e s t
-
,

k i nd o f tr a v e ll i n g a n d y o u sh a ll go fir s t down h i ll
,
-
,

”
t h e e a s y h a l f o f o u r j o u rn e y .

Th e Fool tho u gh t th i s propo s a l a ve ry ge n e ro u s

one , a n d not k now i n g th a t t h e low e r e n d o f th e i r
,

b u rd e n wa s t h e h e a vy o n e h e c a rr i e d i t a l , lt h e wa y .

Wh e n th e y go t to t h e i n n th e m e r c h a nt g a ve e a c h
,

O f th e m a
g old p i e c e a n d , a s t h e
, a c c ommod a t i on wa s

g ood ,th e y r e m a i n e d wh e r e th e y w e r e t i ll th e i r mon e y

wa s s p e nt A ft e r th i s th e y l i v e d th e r e a wh i l e on
.
,

c r e d i t ; a n d wh e n th a t wa s e xh a u s t e d th e y ro s e o n e ,

morn i n g wh i l s t t h e l a ndlord wa s s t i ll i n b e d a n d ,

p u r s u e d th e i r j o u rn e y l e a vi n g old s c or e s b e h i nd
,

th e m .
 14 0 K N AV E AN D F O O L

we m u s t wor k a s we s u pp e d b y t u rn s ; a n d a s I
, ,

b e g a n l a s t t i m e y o u s h a ll b e gi n th i s
, A ft e r y o u
.

h a ve wor k e d a wh i l e I wi ll t a k e t h e h a mm e r from
, .

y o u a n
,
d do a s m u c h my s e l f wh i l s t y o u r e s t Th e n .

y o u s h a ll t a k e i t u p g a a i n a ,n d s o on t i ll t h e h e a p i s

fin i sh e d .

I t i s not e v e ry o n e who i s a s j u s t a s y o u sa id
“
,

t h e FOO1 ; a n d t a k i n g u p t h e h a mm e r h e s e t to ,

wor k w i th a w i ll .

Th e Kn a v e too k c a r e to l e t h i m go on t i ll h e h a d

b ro k e n a th i rd o f t h e s ton e s a n d th e n h e d i d a s ,

g ood a s h a r e h i m s e l f ; a f t e r wh i c h t h e F O O 1 b e
g a n
a g a i n a n d fin i s h e d t h e h e a p
, .

By th i s m e a n s t h e F0 0 1 di d twi c e a s m u c h wor k
a s t h e K n a v e a n d y e t h e c o u ld not c om p l a i n
, .

AS th e y mov e d on a ga i n t h e Fool p e r c e i v e d th a t
,

t h e Kn a v e wa s t a k i n g t h e c a n a n d t h e s poon w i th
h im .

I s orry to s e e y o u do th a t fri e nd s a i d h e
am , , .

It s a v e ry s m a ll th e ft
’
s a i d t h e Kn a ve
,
Th e .

c a n c a nnot h a v e c o s t mor e th a n S i x p e n c e wh e n n e w
”
.
,
“
Th a t wa s not wh a t I m e a nt s a i d t h e F0 0 1
”
,

s o m u c h a s th a t I fe a r t h e own e r w i ll find i t o u t .

H e w i ll only th i n k t h e th i n g s h a v e b e e n s tol e n
b y s om e v a gr a nt s a i d t h e Kn a ve
,
wh i c h i n ,

d e e d th e y wo u ld b e i f we l e ft th e m B u t a s yo u s e e m
, .

to h a v e a t e nd e r c on s c i e n c e I w i ll k e e p th e m my
,

se lf ”
.

A ft e r a wh ile th e y me t wi th a fa rm e r who Offe r e d ,

 K NAV E AN D F OO L 14 1

to gi ve th e m s u p p e r a n d a n i ght s lod gi n g i f th e y ’
,

wo u ld s c a r e t h e b i rd s from a fi e ld o f c orn fo r h i m t i ll
su nse t .

I w i ll go i nto t h e o u tly i n g fi e ld s s a i d t h e Kn a ve
”
, ,

a n d a s I s e e t h e b i rd s c o m i n g I w i ll t u r n th e m ,

b ack . Yo u d e a r fr i e nd r e m a i n i n t h e c orn a n d
, , ,

s c a r e a w a y t h e fe w th a t m a y e s c a p e m e .

B u t wh i l s t t h e F0 0 1 c l a pp e d a n d sho u t e d t i ll h e
wa s t i r e d t h e Kn a v e w e n t t o t h e oth e r s i d e o f t h e
,

h e d ge a n d la y dow n fo r a n a p
,
.

A s th e y s a t to g e th e r a t s u pp e r t h e Fool s a i d , ,

D e a r fr i e nd th i s i s l a b ori o u s wo r k I p ro p o s e th a t
, .

we a s k t h e fa rm e r t o le t u s t e nd sh e e p i n s t e a d , .

Th a t i s a v e ry d i ffe r e nt a ffa i r On e l i e s on t h e h i ll
.

Th e b i rd s do not s t e a l sh e e p ; a n d a l
f

s ide a l ld a y . l
th i s S ho u t i n g a n d c l a pp i n g i s s a v e d .
”

Th e Kn a v e v e ry w i ll i n gly a g r e e d a n d n e x t m orn ,

In g t h e two fr i e nd s drov e a flo c k o f s h e e p o n to t h e

down s Th e sh e e p a t o n c e b e ga n to n ib b l e t h e do g
.
,

s a t w i th h i s ton g u e o u t p a nt i n g a n d t h e K n a v e a n d
, ,

F0 0 1 l a y dow n on th e i r b a c k s a n d c ov e r e d t h e i r
,

fa c e s w i th th e i r h a t s to sh i e ld th e m fr o m t h e s u n .

Th u s th e y la y t i ll e v e n i n g wh e n t h e s u n b e i n g
, ,

down th e y u n c ov e r e d th e i r fa c e s a n d fo u n d th a t t h e
, ,

s h e e p h a d a lls tr a y e d a w a y a n d t h e d o g a ft e r th e m
,
.

“
Th e only p l a n fo r u s i s to go s e p a r a t e w a y s i n
s e a r c h Of t h e flo c k s a i d t h e Kn a v e ; o n ly le t u s
,
” “

a gr e e to m e e t h e r e a g a i n Th e y a c c o r d i n g ly s t a rt e d
”
.

i n oppo s i t e di r e c t i on s ; b u t wh en t h e F0 0 1 wa s fa i rly
142 K NAV E AN D F OO L

Off, th e Kn a v e r e t u rn e d to h i s pl a c e , and l
ay down
as b e fo r e .

By a n d b y t h e d o g b ro u ght t h e s h e e p b a c k ; s o
th a t wh e n t h e Fool r e t u rn e d t h e Kn a v e go t t h e
, ,

c r e d i t o f h a v i n g fo u n d th e m ; fo r t h e d o g s c or n e d to

e x p l a i n h i s p a rt i n t h e m a tt e r .

A s th e y s a t to g e th e r a t s u pp e r t h e F0 0 1 s a i d , ,

Th e work i s n o t s o e a s y a s I tho u ght C o u ld we .

not fi n d a b e tt e r tr a d e y e t ?
C a n yo u b e g ?
”
s a i d t h e Kn a v e A b e gga r s .
’

tr a d e i s b oth e a s y a n d p rofit a b l e N oth i n g i s r e .

q u i r e d b u t w a lk i n g a n d t a lk i n g Th e n o n e w a lk s
.

a t h i s own p a c e fo r th e r e i s no h u rry a n d no m a s t e r
, , ,

a n d t h e s a m e t a l e do e s fo r e v e ry door : And th a t ,

al lm a y b e fa i r a n d e qu a l y o u s h a ll b e g a t t h e front
,

door wh i l s t I a s k i n a l m s a t t h e b a c k
,
.

To th i s t h e FOO1 gl a dly a gr e e d ; a n d a s h e wa s
a s l e a n a s a h u nt e d c a t c h a r i t a b l e p e o p l e g a v e h i m
,

a p e nny or two fro m t i m e to t i m e M e a nwh i l e t h e

.
,

Kn a ve w e nt ro u n d to t h e b a c k ya rd wh e r e h e p i c k e d ,

u p a fowl or t u r k e y or a nyth i n th t h o ld l
‘

, , g a e c u a y
h i s h a nd s u p on .

Wh e n h e r e t u rn e d to t h e Fool h e wo u ld s a y , ,

S e e wh a t h a s b e e n gi v e n to m e w h i l s t y o u h a v e
,

only go t a fe w p e n c e ”
.

At l a s t th i s m a d e t h e FOO1 d i s c ont e nt e d a n d h e ,

s a i d I sho u ld l i k e now to e x c h a n ge w i th y o u I
,
“
.

w i ll go to t h e b a c k door s a n d y o u to t h e front
,
”
.

Th e Kn a v e c on s e nt e d a n d a t t h e n e x t ho u s e t h e
,
14 4 K N AV E AN D F OO L

I s i n c e r e ly r e p e n t Ar e we not p a rtn e r s i n g ood l u c k

.

a n d il l? I wa s wro n g d e a r fri e nd ; a n d i n tok e n o f

, ,

my p e n i t e n c e t h e go o s e s h a ll b e yo u r s a lo n e
, An d .

h e r e a r e a fe w p l u m s wi th wh i c h y o u m a y r e fr e s h
yo u r s e l f b y t h e w a y s i d e A s fo r me I w i ll h a s t e n o n
.
,

to t h e n e xt fa r m a n d s e e if I c a n b e g a b ottl e o f w i n e
,

to w a sh d o wn t h e d i n n e r a n d dri n k to o u r good ,

fe llow s h i p .
”
An d b e fo r e t h e FOO1 c o u ld t h a n k h i m ,

t h e K n a v e wa s Off l i k e t h e w i nd .

By a n d b y t h e fa rm e r a n d h i s me n c a m e u p a n d ,

fo u nd t h e Fo o l e a t i n g t h e p l u m s w i th t h e g oo s e on ,

t h e g r a ss b e s i d e h i m .

Th e y h u rri e d h i m Off to t h e j u s ti c e wh e r e h i s own ,

s tory me t w i th no c r e d i t Th e w o m a n o f t h e n e xt .

fa rm c a m e u p a l s o a n d r e c o gn i z e d h i m fo r t h e m a n
,

who h a d b e gge d a t h e r do o r t h e d a y s h e lost a h a m

a n d t wo n e w l o a v e s I n v a i n h e s a i d th a t th e s e th i n g s
.

a l s o h a d b e e n g i v e n to h i s fr i e n d Th e fr i e n d n e v e r .

a pp e a r e d ; a n d t h e poor Fool wa s wh i p p e d a n d p u t

i n t h e s to c ks .

T o w a rd s e v e n i n g t h e Kn a v e h u rri e d u p to t h e
vi ll a g e gr e e n wh e r e h i s fri e nd s a t do i ng p e n a n c e fo r
,

t h e th e ft .

My d e a r fri e nd s a i d h e wh a t do I s e e ? Is
, , ,

s u c h c r u e lty p o ssib l e ? B u t I h e a r th a t t h e j u s t i c e i s
n o t a b ov e a b r ib e a n d we m u s t a t a n y c o s t o b t a i n
,

y o u r r e l e a s e I a m go i n g a t o n c e to p a wn m y own
.

b o o ts a n d c lo a k a n d e v e ryth i n g a b o u t m e th a t I c a n
,

s p a r e a n d if y o u h a v e a nyth i ng to a dd th i s i s no t i m e
, ,
”
to h e s ita t e .
 K N AV E AN D F OO L 145

Th e poor Fool b e gge d h i s fri e nd to dra w Off h i s

b oot s a n d to t a k e h i s h a t a n d c o a t a s w e ll a n d to
, ,

ma k e a lls p e e d on h i s c h a ri t a b l e e rr a nd .

Th e Kn a v e too k a l lth a t h e c o u ld g e t a n d l e a vi n g
, ,

h i s fr i e nd s i tt i n g i n t h e s to c k s i n h i s s h i rt s l e e v e s h e
-
,

d i s a p p e a r e d a s s wi ftly a s o n e c o u ld w i s h a ma n to
c a rry a r e pri e v e .

For tho s e good fol ks to whom e v e ryth i ng m u s t

b e e x pl a i n e d i n fu ll i t m a y b e a dd e d th a t t h e Kn a ve
,

d i d not c om e b a c k a n d th a t h e k e p t t h e c loth e s
,
.

It wa s v e ry h a rd on t h e Fool ; b u t wh a t c a n o n e
e x p e c t i f h e k e e p s c om p a ny w i th a Kn a v e ?

TH E E N D .
 P R E F AC E .

“
F a th e r H e d g e ho g and h i s N e i g h b or s , an d

we r e b oth
”
“
Toot s and B oot s , s te d b y
s u gg e

F e dor F l i n z e r s c l e ve r p i c t u re s ; b u t Toot s
’ “

”
wa s a l s o a re a l p e rs on
“
. I n h i s l a tt e r d a y s

h e wa s a n honora ry m e mb e r o f t h e R o y a l E n

g i n e e r ’
s M e s s a t Ald e r s hot a nd , on o c c,as ion ,

di ne d a t ta b l e .

Th e H e n s o f H e n c a s t le i s n o t m i n e It .

i s a fr e e t ra n s l a t i on from t h e Ge r m a n o f V i c to r

Bl u th gen by Ma j or Y e a tm a n B i g g s R A t o
,
-
, . .
,

who m I a m i n d e b t e d fo r p e rm i ss i on to i n c l u d e
i t i n my v ol u m e a s a n e c e s s a ry p r e l u d e t o
,

Th e s tory too k my fa n c y g r e a tl y b u t
”
Flaps .
,

t h e e n d i n g s e e m e d t o me i mp e rfe c t a n d u n s a t i s

fa c t ory e s p e c i a ll y i n r e fe r e n c e t o s o c h a rm i n g
,

a c h a ra c t e r a s t h e o l d wa t c h -d o g a n d I wr o t e ,

”
Fl
a ps as a seq uel .

J H E . .
 B R O TH E R S OF P ITY

Wh o du g h i s gr a ve ? ”

as as a

Wh o ma de h i s s h r o u d ? ”

”
I, s ai d t h e B e e tl
e,

Wi t h my t h r e a d a n d n e e dl
e,

I ma d e h i s sh ro ud .
” —D t/fea z o Co c k R o b i n .

T mu s t b e mu c h e a s i e r t o p l a y a t th i n g s wh e n th e re
a r e mo re o f o u th a n wh e n th e r e i s o n l y o n e
y .

Th e re i s o n ly o n e o f me a n d N u r s e d o e s n o t c a re
,

a b o ut p l ay i n g a t th i n g s S o me t i me s I try t o p e r
.

sua d e h e r ; bu t i f s h e i s i n a g o o d t e mp e r s h e s a ys
s h e h as g o t a b o n e i n h e r l e g a n d if s h e i s n t s h e
’
,

s ays th a t wh e n l i tt l e b o ys c a n t a mu s e t h e m s e l ve s it s
‘
’ ’

a s u r e a n d c e rt a i n s ig n t h e y v e w o rri t s
’ ” “
g o t t h e ,

a n d t h e s o o n e r th e y a r e p u t t o b e d wi th a Gr e g o ry s
’

p o wd e r t
“
h e b e tt e r f o r t h e m s e l v e s a n d e v e ry o ne

e lse
”
.

G o dfa th e r G i lp i n c a n p la y d e l ig htfu ll y wh e n h e h as
t i me a n d h e b e l i e ve s i n fa n c y th i n g s o n ly h e i s s o
, ,

ve ry b usy w i th h i s b o o ks B u t e ve n wh e n h e i s
.

r e a d i n g h e w i l l le t y o u p u t h i m i n t h e g a me H e .

d o e s n t mi n d p r e t e n d i n g t o b e a fa n c y p e r s o n if h e
’

h as n t t o d o a n yth i n g a n d if I do s p e a k t o h i m h e
’
,

al w a y s r e me mb e r s wh o h e i s Th a t i s wh y I lik e .

5
 B R O TH E RS OF P I TY
6 .

l i
p y g
a n i n h i s s tu dy b e tt e r th a n i n t h e n u r s e ry An d .

N u r s e a lw ays says H e s saf e e n o u g h w i th t h e o ld

“ ’
,

n tl e m a n a l l w d th r as h as
”
g e ,
s o I m ’
o e t o g o e e m u c

I l ike .

G o d fa th e r G ilp i n le ts me p lay w i th t h e b o o ks b e ,

c aus e I a l w ays t a k e c a r e o f th e m B e s i d e s th e re i s .
,

n o th i n
g e l s e t o p l ay w i th e x c e p t t
,
h e w i n d o w c u rt a i n s -
,

fo r t h e c h a i r s a r e a lw a ys fu ll S o I s it o n t h e flo o r
.
,

a n d s o me t i me s I bu i ld w i th t h e b o o ks p a rt i c ul a rl
! y
S t o n e h e n g e ) a n d s o me t i me s I m ak e p e o p l e o f th e m
, ,

a n d c al lth e m by t h e n a me s o n th e i r b a c ks a n d t h e ,

o n e s i n o th e r la n g uag e s we c a l l fo r e i g n e r s a n d Go d ,

fat h e r G i l p i n t e ll s me wh a t c o u n tr ie s th e y b e l o n g t o .

An d s o me t i me s I lie o n my fa c e a n d r e a d ! fo r I
c o u ld r e a d wh e n I wa s fo u r ye a r s o l d) a n d Go d ,

fa th e r G i l p i n t e lls me t h e h a rd wo rd s Th e o n l y .

ru l e h e ma k e s i s th a t I mus t g e t a l l t h e b o o ks o u t
,

o f o n e s h e l f s o th a t th e y a r e e a s i l y p u t a w a y a g a i n
,
.

I m a y h a v e a n y S h e l f I l i k e b u t I mu s t n o t mi x t h e
,

s h e l ve s u p .

I al w ays t o o k c a re o f t h e b o o ks a n d n e ve r h a d ,

a n y a c c i d e n t w i th a n y o f th e m t i ll t h e d ay I dr o pp e d

J e re my Tayl o r s S e r mo n s’
I t m a d e me ve ry
.
”

mi s e r a b l e b e c a u s e I k n e w th a t G o d fa th e r G i l
, p i n

c o u ld n e v e r tr us t me s o mu c h a g a i n .

H o w e v e r i f i t h a d n o t h app e n e d I s h o u ld n o t
, ,

h a ve k n o w n a n y th i n g a b o u t t h e B r o th e rs o f Pi ty ;
so , p e rh a p s ! as M r s J a m e s
. G o d f a th ,
e r G i l p i n s
’

h o us e k e e p e r s a ys) A ll s fo r t h e b e s t a n d I t s
, ,
“ ’
,
” “ ’

a n il lwi n d th a t b l o w s n o b o dy g o o d .

I t h app e n e d o n a S u n d ay I r e me mb e r a n d i t wa s
, ,

th e d a y a f t e r t h e d a y o n wh i c h I h a d h a d t h e s h e l f
8 B R O TH E R S OF P I TY .

an d o r n a m e t e d w i th g o ld w i th a p i c t u r e o f a ma n
n ,

i a b l a c k g o w n a n d a r o u n d b l a c k c a p a n d a wh i t e
n

c o ll a r i n t h e b e g i n n i n g ; a n d th e r e w as a l i s t o f a ll

t h e s e r m o n s w i th th e i r n a m e s a n d t h e t e x t s I re ad .

i t thr o ug h t o s e e wh i c h s o u n d e d t h e m o s t i n t e r e s t i g
, n ,

a d I did
n n t c a r e mu c h fo r a n y Of th e m H o w e ve r
’
.
,

t h e l as t bu t o e w as c a ll e d A Fu n e r a l S e r mo n “
n
,

r e a c h e d a t t h e Obs e qu i e s Of t h e R i g ht H o n o r ab l e t h e
p
C o u n t e ss o f Ca r b e ry ; a n d I w o n d e r e d wh a t Ob s e
”

u i e s w e r e a n d wh o t h e C o u n t e ss o f C a r b e ry w as
q , ,

a n d I th o ug ht I w o uld p r e a c h th a t s e r m o n a n d try
to find out .

Th e r e w as a v e ry l o g t e x t a d i t w as n o t a ve ry
n ,
n

e asy o n e I t w as : F o r we mus t n e e d s di e a n d
“
.
,

ar e as wa t e r s p i lt o t h e g r o u d wh i c h c a
n ot be n ,
nn

g a th e re d u
p aga i n : e i th e r dno th Go d r e s e c t a n
p y
p e r s on
y e t d o th H e d e v i s e m e a s th a t H i s ba n i s h e d n

b e o t e x p e ll e d f r o m h i m
”
n .

Th e s e r mo w as t a y e as i e r th a t h e t e x t a d
n n
’
n n ,
n

h a l f t h e s s w e r e l i k e f s wh i c h m a d e i t r a th e r h a rd
’ ’

to
p r e a c h ,
a n d th e r e w as L a t i m i x e d p w i th i t n u
,

wh i c h I h a d t o sk i p I h a d p r e a c h e d t wo p ag e s
.

wh e n I g o t i n t o t h e m i ddl e o f a l o g s e t e c e o f n n n ,

wh i c h p a rt w as th i s : E v e ry tr i fl i n g a c c i d e n t d i s
“

c o mp o s e s us ; a n d as t h e fa c e o f w a t e r s waf t i n g i n a

s t o rm s o wri k l e s i t s e l f th a t i t m ak e s u p o i t s fo re
n ,
n

h e a d fu rro w s d e e p a n d h o ll o w l i k e a g r av e s o d o o u r
gre a t a n d l i tt l e c a r e s a n d t r ifle s fi rs t m ak e t h e wri n k l e s
d a g e a n d th e n th e y d i g a g r av e fo us
”
o f Ol ,
r .

I k n e w t h e m e a n i n g o f t h e w o rd s wr i k l e s
“
and n

ol d age .
”
G o d fa th e r G i l p i n s fo r e h e a d h a d u n u s u ’

a ll y d e e p fu rr o ws and a l mo s t a g a i n s t my wi ll I
.
 B R O TH E R S OF P I TY .
9

tu rn e d s o qu i c k l y t o l o o k— i f h i s wr i n k l e s w e re a t a ll
l i k e t h e g r a ve s i n t h e c h u rc hya rd th a t Tayl o r s ,
’

S e r mo n s i n i t s h e avy b i n d i n g S l i p p e d fr o m t h e
“ ”
, ,

p pu l i t a n d fe ll t o t h e
g r o u n d .

An d G o d fa th e r G i l p i n w o k e u p a n d ! qu i t e fo rg e t
,

t i n g th a t h e w as r e a ll y t h e o ld g e n tl e m a n i n t h e p e w
w i th t h e k n o c k e r) sa i d D e a r m e d e a r me ! i s th a t
,
“
,

J e r e my Ta yl o r th a t y o u a r e k n o c k i n g ab o u t l i k e a
fo o tba ll ? My d e a r c h i ld I c a n t l e n d yo u my b o o ks
,
’

t o p l ay w i th if y o u dr o p th e m o n t o t h e fl o o r .

I t o o k i t u p i n my a r ms a n d c a rr i e d i t s o rr o w fu ll y
t o G o d f a th e r G i l p i n . H e wa s v e ry k i n d a n d sa i d ,

i t wa s n o t h u rt a n d I mig ht g o o n p l ayi n g w i th t h e
,

o th e r s bu t I c o u ld s e e h i m s tro k i n g i t s b ro w n
l e a th e r a n d g o ld ba c k a s if i t h a d b e e n
,
b ru i s e d
an d w a n t e d c o mfo rt i n g a n d I w as fa r t o o s o rry ab o u t
,

i t t o g o o n p r e a c h i n g e v e n i f I h a d h a d a n y th i n g t o
,

p r e a c h .

I p i c k e d u p t h e s ma ll e s t b o o k I c o u ld s e e i n t h e
c o g re g at io n a n d s a t d o w n a n d p re te n d e d t o re a d
n ,
.

Th e r e w e r e p i c t u re s i n i t bu t I t u r n e d o ve r a g r e a t
,

m a ny o n e af t e r t h e o th e r b e fo r e I c o u ld s e e a n y o f
, ,

th e m my e y e s w e r e s o fu ll o f t e a r s o f mo r t i fi c a t i o n
,

a n d re g re t .Th e fi r s t p i c t u r e I sa w wh e n my t e a r s
h a d dri e d u p e n o ug h t o le t me s e e w as a ve ry c u ri o us
o n e in de e d .I t w as a p i c t u r e o f t wo me n c a rryi n g
wh a t l o o k e d l i k e a n o th e r m a n c o ve re d w i th a b l u e
qu i lt o n a s o rt o f a b i e r Bu t t h e fu n n y p a rt ab o u t
,
.

i t w as t h e dr e ss o f t h e me n Th e y w e r e wr ap p e d u p
.

i n b l a c k c l o aks a n d h a d m asks o v e r th e i r fa c e s a n d
, ,

u n d e r n e a th t h e p i c t ii r e w as wr i tt e n
“
lz del
'

F r a t el l
,
a

M s er i co r a za ''
B r o t h e rs o f P i ty
”
'

.
IO B R O TH E R S OF P I TY .

I do k n o w wh e t h e r t h e a c c i d e n t t o J e re my
not

Tayl o r h a d ma d e G o d fa th e r G i l p i n t o o a n x i o u s
ab o u t h i s b o o ks t o s l e e p b u t I fo u n d th a t h e wa s
,

k e e p i g a w a k e a n d afte r a b i t h e s a i d t o me Wh a t
n , ,
“

a r e yo u st a ri n g s o h a rd a n d s o qu i e t ly a t l i tt l e ,

hT
”
o use ?

I l o o k e d a t t h e ba c k o f t h e b o o k a n d i t wa s ,

c a ll e d R e l i g i o us Ord e r s s o I sa i d It s c a l l e d
“ “ ’
,

‘
R e l ig i o us Ord e r s b u t t h e p i c tu re I m l o o k i n g a t
,
’ ’

h as g o t t wo m e n dre ss e d i n b l a c k w i th th e i r f a c e s ,

c o ve r e d a l lb u t th e i r e ye s a n d th e y a r e c a rryi n g a h
,

o th e r m a n w i th s o me th i n g bl u e o v e r h i m
”
.

ta M s er i co r di a s a i d G o dfa t h e r
” '

F r a tel li del ,

Gilp i n .

“
Wh o a r e t h e y a n d wh a t a r e th e y d o i n g ? I
,
”

a sk e d An d wh y a r e t h e i r f a c e s c o ve r e d ? ”
.

“
Th e y b e l o n g t o a b o dy o f me n w as G o d fa th e r ,
”

G i l p i n s r e p l y wh o b i n d th e ms e lve s t o b e r e a dy i n
’
,
“

th e i r t u r n t o d o c e rt a i n o ffi c e s o f me r c y p i ty a n d , ,

c o mp ass i o n t o t h e s i c k t h e d yi n g a n d t h e d e a d
, , .

Th e b r o th e rh o o d i s s i x h u n dr e d ye a r s Old a n d s t i l l ,

e xi s t s . Th e me n wh o b e l o n g t o i t r e c e i ve n o p a y ,

a n d th e y e q u a l ly r e j e c t t h e r e w a rd o f p u b l i c p r a i s e ,

fo r th e y wo r k w i th c o v e r e d fa c e s a n d a r e n o t k n o w n,

e ve n t o e a c h o th e r R i c h me n a n d p o o r me n n o b l e
.
,

me n a n d w o r k i n g me n me n o f l e tt e r s a n d t h e i g n o
,

ra n t a ll b e l o n g t o i t a n d e a c h t a k e s h i s t u r n wh e n
, ,

i t c o me s r o u n d t o n u r s e t h e s i c k c a r ry t h e d yi n g t o ,

h o s p i t a l a n d bu ry t h e d e a d
,
.

I s th a t a d e a d ma n u n d e r t h e b l u e c o v e r l e t ? I
a s k e d wi th a we .

I su pp o s e s o s a i d G odfa t h e r G i lp i n
“
.
,
I 2 B R O TH E RS OF P I TY .

fr i e n d s . w as a p o o r h a l f s t a r ve d o ld th i n g fo r
It -
,

t h e p e o p l e i t b e l o n g e d t o h a d l e ft i t a n d I us e d t o ,

s e e i t s l i n k i n g u p t o t h e ba c k d o o r a n d l o o k i n g a t

Tabby wh o w as ve ry fa t a n d sl e e k a n d a t t h e
, ,

s c r ap s o n t h e u n w as h e d d i s h e s a ft e r d i n n e r Mr s . .

J o n e s k i c k e d i t o u t e v e ry t i me a n d wh a t h app e n e d ,

t o i t b e fo r e I f o u n d i t l y i n g dr agg l e d a n d d e a d a t t h e
b o tto m o f t h e H a h a wi th t h e t o p o f a k e ttl e s t i ll
-
,

fas t e n e d t o i t s s c r aggy t ai l I n e ve r k n e w a n d i t c o s t
, ,

m e b i tt e r t e a r s t o g u e ss I t c o s t me s o me h a rd
.

w o rk t o o t o d ig t h e g r ave fo r my s p a d e w as s o
, , ,

ve ry s m a ll .

I d o n t th i n k Mr s J o n e s w o u l d h a ve c a r e d t o b e
’
.

a B ro th e r o f P i ty fo r s h e w as ve ry a n g ry w i th me
,

fo r bu ry i n g th a t c a t b e c aus e i t w as su c h a wr e t c h e d
,

o n e a n d s o th i n a n d d i rt y a n d l o o k e d s o u g l y a n d
, ,

s me lt s o n as ty Bu t th a t w as jus t wh y I w a n t e d t o
.

g ive i t a g o o d fu n e r a l a n d why I p i c k e d my c ri ms o n
,

l i l y a n d p u t i t i n t h e g r av e b e c aus e i t s e e me d s o sa d
,

t h e p o o r th i n g s h o u ld b e l i k e th a t wh e n i t mi g ht
h ave b e e n c l e a n a n d fl uffy a n d fa t a n d c o mfo rt ab l e
, ,

l i k e Tabby i f i t h a d h a d a h o me a n d p e o ple t o l o o k
,

aft e r i t .

I t w as r e m e mb e r i n g ab o u t t h e c a t th a t ma d e me
th i n k th a t th e r e w e re n o B ro th e r s o f P i ty ! n o t e ve n
i n Tus c a n y fo r I ask e d G o d fa th e r G i l p i n ) t o bu ry
,

b e as t s a n d b i rd s a n d fi s h e s wh e n th e y h ave n o
'

fr i e n d s t o g o t o th e i r fu n e r a l s An d th a t w as h o w
.

i t wa s th a t I s e ttl e d t o b e a B r o th e r Of P i ty w i th o u t
wa i t i n g t i ll I g r e w u p a n d c o u ld c a rry me n .

I h a d a s h i ll i n g Of my o wn a n d wi th S i x p e n c e o f
,

it I b o u g h t a y a rd a n d a h a l f o f b l a c k c a l i c o a t t h e
 B R O TH E R S OF P I TY . 1 3

po s t o th e e s h o p
-
,
an d Mr s J o n e s
. m a d e me a cl
o ak

o ut o f it ; and w i th t h e o th e r S i x p e n c e I b o u g ht a
mask — fo r th e y s e ll t o ys th e r e t o o I t wa s n o t a
'

r ig ht s o rt o f mask bu t I c o u ld n o t m ak e Mr s J o n e s
, .

u n d e r s t a n d ab o u t a h o o d w i th t wo e y e h o l e s i n i t -
,

a d I d i d n o t l i k e t o s h o w h e r t h e p i c t u re
n fo r i f s h e ,

h a d s e e n th a t I w a n t e d t o p lay a t bu ryi n g p e o p l e ,

p e rh a p s s h e w o u l d not h a v e m a d e m e t h e c l o ak .

S h e m a d e i t v e ry w e ll a n d i t c a m e d o w n t o my
,

a k l e s a n d I c o u ld h i d e my s p a d e u n d e r i t Th e
n ,
.

w o r s t Of t h e m a sk w as th a t i t w as a fu n n y o n e w i th ,

a b ig n o s e ; bu t i t h i d my fa c e a ll t h e s a me a n d ,

wh e n y o u g e t i n s i d e a m ask y o u c a n fe e l qu i t e
g r ave wh a t e ve r i t s p a i n t e d l i k e
’
.

I h a d n e v e r h a d s o h appy a su mme r b e fo r e as t h e
o n e wh e n I w as a B r o th e r o f P i t y I h e a rd N u r s e
.

sayi n g t o Mr s J o n e s th a t th e re wa s n o t e ll i n g
.
“

wh a t w o u ld k e e p c h i ldr e n o u t o f m i s c h i e f fo r ,
”

th a t I n e ve r s e e me d t o b e t i r e d o f th a t o ld b l a c k
“

n d th a t r i d i c u l o us fa c e
”
ra a
g .

Bu t i t w as n o t t h e dr e ss i n g u p th a t p le as e d me-

d ay aft e r d ay i t w as t h e c h a n c e o f fi n d i n g d e a d
,

b o d i e s w i th n o f ri e n d s t o bu ry th e m G o i n g o u t i s .

qu i t e a n e w th i n g wh e n yo u h a ve s o me th i n g t o l o o k
fo r ; a n d G o d fa th e r G i l p i n says h e f e lt j us t t h e
sa me i n t h e d ays wh e n h e us e d t o c o ll e c t i n s e c t s .

I fo u n d a g o o d m a n y c o rp s e s o f o n e s o rt a n d
a n o th e r : b i rd s a n d m i c e a n d f r o g s a n d b e e tl e s a n d

s o me t i me s b i gg e r b o d i e s—s u c h as k i tt e n s a n d d o g s
,

Th e s t a n d o f my o ld w o o d e n h o r s e m a d e a c a pi t al
th i n g t o d r ag th e m o n fo r a ll t h e wh e e ls we r e t h e re
, ,

a n d I h a d a p i e c e o f b l u e c o t t o n v e l ve t t o p u t o n t h e
-
1 4 B R O TH E R S OF P I TY .

to p , b u t th e d ay
f o u n d a d e a d mo l e I d i d n o t c o v e r
I
h im .I p u t h i m o u t s id e a n d h e l o o k e d l ik e b l ac k
,

ve l v e t l yi n g o n b l u e ve l ve t I t s e e me d qu i t e a p i ty
.

t o p u t h i m i t o t h e d i rty g r o u n d w i th s u c h a l o ve l y
n
,

c o at

O n e d ay I wa s c o mi n g b a c k f r o m bu ry i n g a mo us e ,

a n d I sa w a flyi n g w a t c h ma n b e e tl e l yi g q u i t e
“ ”
n

s t i ff a d d e a d as I th o ug ht w i th h i s l e gs s tre t c h e d
n , ,

o t a n d n o f ri e n d s ; s o I p u t h i m o n t h e
u ,
bie r at
o c e a n d p u t t h e b l u e v e l v e t o v e r h i m a n d dr e w
n , ,

h i m t o t h e p l a c e wh e r e t h e m o us e s g r av e w as
’
.

Wh e n I t o o k t h e p a ll o ff a n d f e lt h i m a d t u r e d ,
n n

h i m o ve r a n d o v e r h e w as s t i ll qu i t e r i g i d s o I f e lt
, ,

su re h e w as d e a d a n d b e g a n t o d ig h i s g r a v e ; bu t
,

wh e n I h a d fi n i s h e d a n d w e n t ba c k t o t h e b i e r t h e ,

fly i n g w a t c h ma n w as jus t c r e e p i n g o ve r t h e wh e e l .

H e h a d o l y p r e t e n d e d t o b e d e a d a n d h a d g i ve n
n ,

me a ll th a t tr o ub l e fo r n o th i g n .

Wh e n fi r s t I b e c a me a B r o th e r o f P i ty I th o ught I ,

w o u ld h ave a g r ave ya rd t o bu ry a ll t h e c r e a t u r e s i n,

b u t af t e rw a rd s I c h a n g e d my mi n d a d s e ttl e d t o n

b u ry th e m a ll n e a r wh e r e ve r I f o u n d th e m Bu t I .

g o t s o m e b i t s o f wh i t e w o o d a n d fas t e n e d th e m
,

a c r o ss e a c h o th e r w i th b i t s o f w i r e a d s o m a r k e d ,
n

e v e ry g r av e .

A t l as t th e r e w e re l o t s o f th e m d o tt e d ab o u t t h e
fi e ld s a n d wo o d s I k n e w I r e me mb e r e d t o wh o m
.

mo s t o f th e m b e l o n g e d a d e ve n i f I h a d f o rg o tt e
,
n n,

i t m a d e a v e ry g o o d g a m e t o p r e t e d t o b e a s tr a g e r
,
n n

i n t h e n e i g h b o rh o o d a n d th e n t o p r e t e d t o b e s o m e
,
n

b o dy e l s e t a l k i g t o mys e l f a n d say i n g Wh e re ve r
,
n , ,
“

o u s e e th o s e l i ttl e r av s s m r r t r h s
y g e o e p o o c e a u e a

b e e n b u ri e d b y t h e B ro t h e rs o f P i ty .
”
 1 6 B R O THE R S OF P I TY .

t
s o ny g r o u nd h a l f o n t h e s t o n e s a n d h a lf
,
o n th e

g r ass w as ,
a d e a d r o b i n r e d b r e a st I l o v e-
r o b i ns .

ve ry mu c h a n d i t wa s n o t b e c a u s e I w a n t e d o n e t o
,

d i e bu t b e c aus e I th o u g ht th a t i f o n e di d d i e I
, ,

s h o u ld s o l i k e t o bu r y h i m th a t I h a d w i s h e d t o ,

fi n d a d e a d r o b i n e ve r s i n c e I b e c a me a B r o th e r
o f P i ty I t wa s r a th e r l a t e bu t i t wa n t e d n e a rl y a n
.
,

h o u r t o my usu al b e dti me s o I th o u g ht I w o ul d g o ,

h o me a t o n c e fo r my dre ss a n d s p a d e a n d b i e r a nd ,

fo r s o me r o s e s F o r I h a d r e s o lv e d t o bu ry th i s ! my
.

fi r s t r o b i n r e d b r e a s t) i n a g r a ve l i n e d w i th r o s e l e av e s
- -
,

an d to
g i v e h i m a wr e a th o f fo r e t me
g o t s - -
n .

J u s t as I w as g o i g I h e a rd a l o u d b uzz ab o ve my
n

h e a d a n d s o me th i g h i t m e i n t h e fa c e I t wa s a
,
n .

b e e tl e wh i rr i n g ab o u t i n t h e a i r a d as I t u r e d t o
, ,
n n

l e ave p o o r R o b i n t h e b e e tl e sa t d o wn o h i m o t h e n ,
n

mi ddl e o f h i s r e d b r e as t a n d by s t i ll h e a r i g t h e ,
n

buzz i g I f o u n d th a t a n o th e r b e e tl e w as wh i rl i n g a d
n , n

wh i rri n g jus t ab o ve my h e a d i n t h e a ir I l i k e .

b e e tl e s ! e s p e c i a ll y t h e fly i g w a t c h me ) a d th e s e n n ,
n

o n e s w e r e b l a c k t o o ; s o I sa i d fo r fu Yo u ve g o t ’
, ,
n,

o n y o u r b l a c k th i n gs a d i f y o u ll t ak e c a r e o f t h e
’
n

b o dy t i ll I g e t my sp a d e y o u s h all b e B ro th e r s o f
P i ty .
”

I r a n h o me a n d I n e e d n o t h av e g o n e i n d o o r s a t
,

al l fo r I k e e p my c l o ak a d my s p a d e a n d t h e b i e r
,
n

i n t h e s umm e rh o us e bu t t h e b i t s o f w o o d w e r e i n
,

t h e n u r s e ry c u p b o a rd s o af t e r I h a d g o t s o m e g o o d
, ,

r o s e s a n d w as qu i t e r e a dy I r a n u p s t ai rs a n d th e re
, , , ,

t o my g r e a t v e xa t i o n N u r s e m e t me a n d sa i d I wa s
, ,

t o go t o b e d .

I t o g h u ht
it w as v e ry h a rd b e c a u s e ,
it h ad b e e n a
 B R O TH E RS OF P I TY . 1 7

ve ry h o t d a y, a n d I h a d h a d t o g o a w a l k i n t h e h e a t
o f th e s u n a l o ng th e o ld c o a c h i n g-r o a d wi th N u r s e ,
and it s e e me d s o p ro vo k i n g n o w i t wa s c o o l a n d t h e
,

mo o n wa s r i s i n g th a t I s h o ul d h a v e t o g o t o b e d
, ,

e s p e c i ally as N u r s e wa s s e n d i n g me th e r e e a r l i e r th a n

u su a l ,
b e c a u s e s h e wa n te d t o g o o u t h e r s e lf a n d I ,

kn e w i t .

I tr i e d t o g o t o sl e e p b u t I c o ul d n t E ve ry t i me
’
.
,

I Op e n e d my e y e s t h e mo o n l ig ht wa s mo r e a n d mo r e
l i k e d ay l ig ht thr o u g h t h e wh i t e bl i n d A t l a s t I
.

al mo s t th o ug ht I mus t h ave r e a l ly b e e n t o s le e p
wi th o u t k n o w i n g i t a n d th a t i t mu s t b e mo r n i n g S o
, .

I g o t o u t o f b e d a n d we n t t o th e win do w a n d
,

p p e e e d bu t i t w as s t i ll m o o n l i g ht —o n l y mo o n l i ht
g
as b ri g ht a s d ay—a n d I sa w N u r s e a n d t wo o f t h e
ma i d s jus t g o i n g thr o u g h t h e u pp e r g a t e i n t o t h e
p a r k
.

I n o n e mo me n t I m a d e u p my m i n d . N urse h ad
o n l y p u t me t o b e d t o g e t me o u t o f t h e w ay I di d
.

n o t me a n t o tr o ub l e h e r ,
bu t I w as d e t e r mi n e d n o t
to l o s e t h e c h a n c e o f b e i n g B r o th e r o f P i ty t o a

ro b i n r e d b r e a s t
-
.

I dr e ss e d mys e l f a s w e ll a s I c o u ld g o t o u t u n o b
,

s e rv e d ,
a n d mad e my w ay t o t h e su mm e r h o u s e -
.

Th i n g s l o o k a l i ttl e p a l e r by m o o n l ig ht o th e rw i s e I
,

c o u ld s e e qu i t e w e l l . I p u t o n my c l o ak t o o k my
,

S p a d e a n d t h e h a n dl e o f t h e b i e r i n my r i g ht h a n d ,

a n d h o ld i n g t h e m ask o v e r my fa c e wi th my l e f t I ,

ma d e my wa y t o t h e qu a rry fi e ld .

I t wa s a l o v e l y n i g ht a n d as I s tr o ll e d a l o n g I
,

t h o u g ht w i th mys e l f t h a t t h e g r o u n d wh e r e R o b i n
l w a s t o o st o n y fo r my s p a d e a n d th a t I mus t mo ve
a
y ,

2
1 8 B R O TH E R S OF P I TY .

h im a l i ttl e l o we r wh e re s o me s o f t e a rth b o rd e r e d
,

o n e s i d e o f t h e q u a rry .

I w as a s c e rt a i n a s I h a d e v e r b e e n o f a n y th i n g
th a t I d id n o t th i n k ab o u t t h i s t i ll th e n bu t wh e n I ,

g o t t o t h e q u a rr y t h e b o d y w as g o n e f r o m t h e p l a c e

wh e re I h a d fo u n d i t a n d wh e n I l o o k e d l o w e r o n ,

t h e b i t o f s o f t e a rth th e r e l a y Ro b i n jus t i n t h e
,

p l a c e wh e r e I w a s s e tt l i n
g i n m
y m i n d th a t I w o u ld
b u ry h i m .

I c o u ld n o t b e l i e v e my e y e s thr o u g h t h e h o l e s i n
my m ask s o I p u ll e d i t o ff b u t th e r e wa s n o d o ub t
, ,

ab o u t t h e f a c t Th e re h e l ay a n d r o u n d h i m wh e n
.
,

I l o o k e d c l o s e r I sa w a r i d g e l i k e a r a mp a rt o f
,

e a rth wh i c h f r a me d h i m n e a tl y a n d e v e n l y
,
as i f h e
,

w e r e alr e a d y h a l f w ay i n t o h i s g r ave .

Th e m o o n l i g ht wa s a s c l e a r as d ay th e r e w as n o ,

mi s t ak e as t o wh a t I s a w a n d wh i l s t I w as l o o k i n g
,

t h e b o d y o f t h e b i rd b e g a n t o s i n k by l i ttl e j e r ks as ,

i f s o me o n e w e r e p u ll i n g i t f r o m b e l o w Wh e n fi r s t
.

i t mo v e d I th o u g h th a t p o o r R o b i n c o u ld n o t b e d e a d
af t e r a l l a n d th a t h e was c omi n g to l i fe ag a i n l i k e
,

t h e fl y i n g w a t c h m a n b u t I s o o n sa w th a t h e w as n o t
, ,

a n d th a t s o me o n e w as p u ll i n g h i m d o w n i n t o a
g r av e
.

Wh e n I fe lt qu i t e su re o f th i s wh e n I h a d r ubb e d
,

my e y e s t o c l e a r th e m a n d p u ll e d u p t h e l as h e s t o
,

s e e i f I wa s a w ak e I w as s o h o rr i b l y f r i g ht e n e d th a t
, ,

w i th my m ask i n o n e h a n d a n d t h e S p a d e a n d t h e
h a n dl e o f my b i e r i n t h e o th e r I r a n h o me a s fa s t a s
,

my l e g s w o u ld c a rry me le a xi n g t h e r o s e s a n d t h e
,

c r o ss a n d t h e b l u e v e lv e t p a l l b e h i n d me i n t h e
-

quarry .
20 B R O TII E R S OF P I TY .

mu s t h ave Ja c k t h e G i a n t k i l l e r s c l o a k o f d a rk ’
g o t -

n e ss fo r h i dr e ss s o th a t y o u d i d n o t s e e h i m
s , .

“
Th e r e w as n o b o dy th e re I e a r n e s tl y a n s w e re d ,
”
,

s h ak i g my m ask as I th o ug ht o f t h e s t i ll l o n e l y
n ,

m o o n l i g ht N o th i g bu t t wo b e e tl e s a n d I sa i d if
.
“
n ,

th e y w o u ld t ak e c a re o f h i m th e y mi g ht b e B ro th e r s
o f P i ty
”
.

Th e y t o o k y o u a t yo u r w o rd mi o fr a tello Tak e , .

o ff y o u r m ask wh i c h a l i ttl e d i s tr a c t s me a n d I w i l l
, ,

t e ll y o u wh o bu r i e d C o c k R o b i n .
”

I k n e w wh e n G o d fa th e r G i l p i n w as r e a ll y t e ll i g n

me th i g s —w i th o u t th i n k i g o f s o me th i g e l s e I
n n n ,

me a n —a d I l i s t e e d w i th a ll my e a r s
n n .

“
Th e b e e tl e s wh o m y o u v e ry p r o p e rl y a d mi tt e d
i n t o y o u r b r o th e rh o o d sa i d my g o d fa th e r w e re “
, ,

bu ryi g b e e tl e s o r s e x t o n b e e t le s fi as th e y a e s o m e
n ,
i
r

t i me s c a ll e d Th e y b u ry a n i m a l s o f a ll s i z e s i a
. n

su rp r i s i gl y s h o rt sp a c e o f t i me If t wo o f th e m
n .

c a n n o t c o n d u c t t h e fu n e r a l th e y su mmo n o th e r s ,
.

Th e y c a rry t h e b o d i e s if e c e ssa ry t o su i t ab l e ,
n ,

g r o u d Wi th th e i r fl a t h e a d s ! fo r t h e s e x t o n b e e tl e
n .

d o e s n o t c a rry a s h o ve l as y o u d o ) th e y d i g tr e c h n

b e l o w tr e n c h a ll r o u n d t h e b o d y th e y a r e c o mmi tt i g n

t o t h e e a rth af t e r wh i c h t h e y c r e e p u d e i t a n d p u l
,
l n r

it do w a d th e
n, s h o ve l a w ay o c e m o re a d s o o n
n n n ,
n

t i ll i t i s d e e p e n o ug h i n a n d th e th e y p us h t h e ,
n

e a rth o v e r i t a d tr e a d i t a n d p a t i t n e a tl y d o w
”
n n .

“
Th e n w as i t t h e b e e tl e s wh o w e r e bu ryi g t h e n

r o b i re d b re as t ? I g as p e d
n - ”
.

I sus p e c t s o sa i d G o d fa th e r G i l p i Bu t we
“
n.
,

wi ll g o a n d s e e .
”

*N ec r o h o r u s
p h a me t o r , 67°C .
 B R O TH E R S OF P I TY . 21

He ac t ua ll y k n o c k e d a b o o k d o w n i n h i s h u rry t o
g e t h i s h a t a,
n d wh e n I h e l e d h i m t o
p p i c k i t u p a nd ,

sa i d Wh y g o d fa th e r yo u re as ba d as I w as ab o u t
,
“
, ,
’

Taylo r s S e r mo n s h e sa i d I a m a n Old fo o l my
’
,
’
,
“
,

d e a r I u s e d t o b e v e ry f o n d o f i n s e c t s b e f o r e I s e t
.

e d do wn to t h e wo r k I m a t n o w a n d i t qu i t e
’
tl ,

e x c i t e s m e t o go o u t i n t o t h e fi e ld s aga i n
”
.

I n e v e r h a d a n i c e r w a l k fo r h e s h o w e d me l o t s o f
,

th i n g s I h a d n e ve r n o t i c e d b e f o r e we g o t t o t h e ,

qua rry fi e ld ; a n d th e n I t o o k h i m s tr a i g ht t o t h e
p l a c e wh e r e t h e b i t o f s o f t e a rth wa s a n d th e r e w as ,

n o th i n g t o b e s e e n a n d t h e e a rth w as qu i t e s mo o th
,

a n d t i dy . Bu t wh e n h e p o k e d w i t h h i s s t i c k t h e
g r o u n d w as v e ry s o f t a n d af t e r h e h a d
, p o k e d a l i ttl e

we sa w s o m e n u t b ro wn fe a th e r s a n d we k n e w i t
-
,

w as R o b i n s g r ave’
.

An d I sa i d “
,
D o n t p o k e a n y mo r e p l e a s e I
’
,
.

w a n t e d t o bu ry h i m w i th ro s e l e ave s bu t t h e b e e t l e s
-
,

w e r e dre ss e d i n b l a c k a n d I ga v e th e m l e a ve a n d I
, ,

th i n k I llp u t a c r o ss o ve r h i m b e c aus e I d o n t th i n k
’
,
’

i t s u n tr u e t o S h o w th a t h e w as bu r i e d by t h e B ro th
’

e r s o f P i ty
”
.

G o d fa th e r G i l p i n qu i t e ag re e d w i th me a n d we ,

m a d e a n i c e m o un d ! fo r I h a d b r o u g ht my s p a d e ) ,

a n d pu t th e b e st k i n d o f c r o ss a n d af t e rw a rd s I ,

ma d e a wr e a th o f fo rg e t me n o t s t o h a n g o n i t
- -
.

H e w as t h e o n l y r o b i n r e d b r e as t I h av e f o u n d
-

s i n c e I b e c a me a B ro th e r o f P i ty a n d th a t w as h o w ,

i t w as th a t i t w as n o t I wh o bu ri e d h i m af t e r a ll .

Ma n y o f t h e w a l ks th a t N u r s e l ik e s t o t ak e I d o n o t
c a r e ab o u t bu t o n e p l a c e s h e l i k e s t o g o t o es p e
, ,

c i al l o n S u n d ay I l i k e t o o th a t i s t h e c h u r c h a r d
y , , y .
 2 2 B R O TH E R S OF P I TY .

I w as a lw ays fo n d o f i t It i s s o ve ry n i c e t o r e a d
.

t h e t o mbs t o n e s a n d fa n c y wh a t t h e p e o p l e w e r e l i k e
, ,

p a rt i c u l a rl y t h e o n e s wh o l i v e d l o n
g ga o i n 1 6 0 0 a n d ,

s o m e th i n g w i t h b e au t i fu ll y s h a p e d s i x e s a n d c a p i t a l
,
-

l e tt e r s o n th e i r g r ave s F o r th e y mus t h a ve dre ss e d

.

qu i t e d i ffe r e n tl y f ro m us a n d p e rh ap s th e y k n e w
,

C h a rl e s t h e fi rs t a n d Ol i ve r C ro mwe ll .

D ig g o ry t h e g r a v e d i gg e r n e v e r t alks mu c h bu t I ,

l i k e t o w a t c h h i m I th i n k h e i s r a th e r d e a f fo r
.
,

wh e n I ask e d h i m if h e th o ug ht i f h e w e n t o n l o n g ,

e n o ug h ,
h e c o u ld d ig h i ms e l f thr o u g h t o t h e o th e r
s i d e o f t h e w o rl d h e o n l y sa i d H e y ? a n d c h u c k e d
,
”

u p a g r e a t s h o v e l ful o f e a rth Bu t p e rh ap s i t wa s
.
,

b e c aus e h e w as s o d e e p d o w n th a t h e c o u ld n o t h e a r .

N o w wh e n h e i s qu i t e o u t o f s i g ht a n d c h u c k s
, ,

t h e e a rth u p l i k e th a t i t m ak e s m e th i n k o f t h e s e x
,
‘

t o n b e e tl e s ; fo r G o d fa th e r G i l p i n says th e y dri v e
th e i r fl a t h e a d s s tr a i g ht d o w n a n d th e n l i f t th e m ,

wi th a s h a rp j e rk a n d thro w t h e e a rth u p s o
, .

I s a i d t o D i g g o ry o n e d ay D o n t y o u w i s h yo u r ’
,

h e a d w as fl a t i n s t e a d o f b e i n g as i t i s s o th a t y o u
, ,

c o u ld S h o v e l w i th i t i n s t e a d o f h av i n g t o h av e a

sp ad e ? ”

H e w as n t s o d e e p d o w n th a t t i me a n d h e h e a r d
’
,

me a n d p u t h i s h e a d u p o u t o f t h e g r av e a n d r e s t e d
,

o n h is sp ade Bu t h e o n l y s c r a t c h e d h i s h e a d a n d
.

s t a re d a n d sa i d Yo u b e a n u n c o mmo n qu e e r
, ,

yo u n g g e n tl e ma n t o b e su re a n d th e n w e n t o n dig
, ,

i n g a ain A n d I w as af r a i d h e w as a n r s o I
g g .
g y ,

d a r e n t ask h i m a n y mOr e
’
.

I d a r e n t o f c o u r s e ask h i m i f h e i s a B r o th e r o f
’

P i ty b u t I th i n k h e d e s e rve s t o b e fo r wo r k h o us e
, ,
 B R O TH E RS OF P I TY .
2
3

b u r i als at an y r a t e ; fo r if y o u h ave o n ly t h e P o rt e r
a n d S i ll y B i ll y a t y o u r fu n e r a l I d o n t th i n k
’
, y o u c an

c a ll th a t h a v i n g f r i e n d s .

I h av e t ak e n t h e b e e tl e s fo r my b r o th e r s o f c o u r s e , .

G o dfa th e r G i l p i n says I s h o u ld fi n d fa r mo re b o d i e s
th a n I d o i f th e y w e re n o t bu ryi n g a ll a l o n g I .

o f t e n w i s h I c o u l d u n d e r s t a n d th e m wh e n th e y h u m ,

a n d th a t th e y k n e w me .

I w o n d e r if e i th e r th e y o r D i g g o r y k n o w th a t th e y
b e l o n g t o t h e o rd e r o f F r a tellz della M s er i eo r di a a n d
' '

th a t I b e l o n g t o i t t o o
B u t o f c o u r s e i t w o u ld n o t b e r i g ht t o ask th e m ,

e v e n i f e i th e r o f th e m w o u ld a n s w e r me fo r i f we ,

w e re k n o w n e ve n t o e a c h o th e r we s h o u ld n o t
“
, ,
”

re a lly a n d tr u l y b e B r o th e r s o f P i ty .

N GTE —B u r yi n g b e e t le s are t o t h e fu l
las s ki llf u la s th ey are

de s c r ib e d i n t h i s t a le . Wi t h a due res p
fo r t h e g r a c e s o f
e ct

a r t , I h a v e n o t e m b o di e d t h e fa c t t h a t t h e y fe e d o n t h e c a r c a s e s

wh i c h t h e y b u r y Th e la s t t h i n g t h a t t h e b u r y i n g b e e t le d o e s ,
.

k
aft e r t i dy i n g t h e g ra v e , i s t o m a e a s m a l lh ol e a n d g o d o wn

h i ms e l
f, h a v i n g p r e vi o u s l
y b u r i ed h i s p artn e r wi t h t h e ir p rey .

He r e t h e e g g s are ai d
l an d a r v ae h a t c h e d
th e l an d fe d .
2 4 F A TH E ! ? H E D GE H OG

FAT H E R H E D G E H OG AN D H IS N E IG H
B OR S .

C H APTE R I .

HEa r e o f a l a rg e fa mi l y i s n o l ig ht m a tt e r a s
c ,

e v e r yb o d y k o w s An d th a t y e a r I h a d a n
n .

u usua ll y l a rg e fa mi ly N o l e ss th a n s e ve n yo u n g
n .

u rc h i s fo r Mr s H e d g e h o g a n d mys e l f t o t ak e c a re
n

o f a n d s t a rt i n l i fe a d th e r e w as n o t a p r i c k l y p a r e n t
n

on th i s s i d e o f t h e b ro o k o r w i th i n thr e e fi e ld s ,

b e yo n d wh o h a d mo r e th a n fo u r
,
.

My fa th e r s b r o th e r h a d s i x o n e ye a r I k n o w I t
’
,
.

wa s t h e su mm e r th a t I mys e l f w as b o r n I can .

re me mb e r h e a ri n g my fa th e r a n d mo th e r t a l k ab o u t
i t b e fo r e I c o u l d s e e As th e s e s i x c o us i n s w e re d i s
.

c uss e d i n a t o n e o f i t e r e s t a n d r e s p e c t wh i c h
n

s e e m e d t o b e a r s o me wh a t d i s p a r ag i n gl y o n me a n d
my b ro th e r a n d s i s t e r s ! th e r e w e r e o n l y fo u r o f u s ) ,

I w as r a th e r g l a d t o l e a r n th a t th e y a l s o h a d b e e n

b o r n b l i n d My fa th e r us e d t o g o a n d s e e th e m a n d
.
,

re p o rt th e i r p ro g re ss t o my mo th e r o n h is re tu r n .

Th e y c a s e e t o d ayn -
.
”

Th e y h a ve c u rl e d th e ms e lv e s u p Eve ry o e o f . n

th e m S i x b e au t i fu l l i ttl e ball s ; as ro u n d a s c r ab
.

a p p l e s a n d as safe as bu rr s
I tri e d t o c u rl mys e l f u p bu t I c o u ld o n l y g e t my
,

c o a t a l i ttl e w ay o v e r m n o se I c r i e d w i th v e xa
y
ti o n .Bu t o n e s h o u l d n o t l o s e h e a rt t o o e a s i ly .

Wi th p a ti e n c e a n d p e r s e ve r a n c e mo s t th i n g s c a n b e
 AJ V D H I S N E I GH B OR S .
25

b ro u g h t u t a n d I c o ul d s o o n b o th s e e a n d c u rl
ab o ,

mys e l f i n t o a b a ll I t wa s ab o u t t h i s t i me th a t my
.

fa th e r h u rr i e d h o me o n e d ay t o ss i g t h e l e a ve s a t ,
n

le a st thre e i n c h e s o ve r h i s h e a d a s h e b u s tle d
al
o ng .

“
Wh a t i n th e h e dg e d o yo u th in k h as h app e n e d
to th e s ixsa i d h e
?
”
.

Oh d o n t t e l l me ! c r i e d my mo th e r ;
“ ”
I am so
’ “
,

n e rv o us
! W
. h i c h s h e w as a n d r a th e r fo o l i s h as
,

we ll wh i c h us e d t o rr i t a t e my fa th e r wh o wa s h a s t y
,
i ,

t e mp e r e d a s I a m mys e l f ) .

“
Th e y ve b e e n t ak e by g ip s i e s a n d fli t t e d sa i d
n ,

Wh a t d o y o u me a n b y i n q u i r e d my
mo th e r .

“
A s tr i n g i s t i e d ro u n d a h i n d le g o f e a c h a n d -
,

th e y a r e t e th e re d i n t h e g r as s b e h i n d t h e t e n t jus t ,

as t h e d o n k e y i s t e th e re d S o th e y w i ll r e ma i n t i ll
.

th e y g r o w fa t a n d th e n th e y wi ll b e c o o k e d
,
.
”

“
Wi l l t h e d o n k e y b e c o o k e d wh e n h e i s fa t ?
ask e d my mo th e r .

I s me ll va l e r i a n s a i d my fa th e r o n wh i c h s h e
“
,

u t o u t h e r n o s e a n d h e r a n a t i t w i th h i s p r i c k l e s
p ,
.

H e a lw ay s d i d th i s wh e n h e w as a n n o y e d w i th a y n

m e mb e r o f h i s fa m i l y ; a n d th o u g h we k n e w wh a t
w as c o mi g we a r e a ll s o fo n d o f va l e r i a n we c o u ld
n , ,

n e ve r r e s i s t t h e t e mp t a t i o n t o s n iff j u s t o n t h e ,

c h a n c e o f th e r e b e i n g s o m e a b o u t .

I h a d l o n g w a n t e d t o s e e my c o u s i n s a n d I n o w ,

b egg e d my f a th e r t o l e t me g o wi th h i m t h e n e x t

t i me h e w e n t t o V i s i t t h e m Bu t h e wa s ra th e r c ro s s
.

t h a t mo r n i n g a n d h e r a n a t me h i s b a c k u p
,
.
2 6 F A TH E ) ? H E B GE H OG

S o y o u wa n t t o g a d ab o u t a n d b e k i d n ap p e d a n d
fli t t e d t o o , d o y o u Jus t le t me
B t wh e n I sa w h i m c o m i g I r o ll e d mys e l f u p a s
u n ,

ti ght as a w o o d l o us e a d as my e a r s w e r e i n s i d e I
-
,
n

r e a ll y d i d n o t h e a r wh a t e l s e h e sa i d B u t I wa s .

n o t a wh i t l e ss r e s o lv e d t o s e e my c o us i n s .

O e d ay my fa th e r bus tl e d h o me
n .

U p o n my wh i e sa i d h e th e y l ive o n t h e fa t
n ,
”
,
“
,

o f th e l a d S c r a p s o f a ll k i d s a pp l e s a n d a
n . n , ,

d i s h o f b r e a d a d mi l k u n d e r th e i r ve ry n o s e s I
n .

sa t i n s i d e a g o r s e bus h o n t h e ba n k a n d w a t c h e d ,

th e m t i ll my m o u th w a t e r e d .

Th e n e x t d ay h e r e p o rt e d
Th e y v e c o o k e d o n e — i n c l ay Th e re a r e o n ly
’
.

fi ve no w .
”

An d x t d ay
th e ne
“
Th e y ve c o o k e d a n o th e r
’
. No w th e r e a re o nl
y

Th e re w o n t b e a c o us i l e f t i f I w a i t mu c h
’
n

o n ge r th o ug ht I
”
l , .

O n t h e m o rr o w th e r e w e r e o l y thr e e n .

My mo th e r b e ga n t o c y My p o o r d e a r n i e c e s
r .
“

a d n e ph e w s ! sa i d s h e ! th o u g h s h e h a d n eve r s e e n
”
n

th e m) Wh a t a w o rld th i s i s !
.
“ ”

We mus t t ak e i t as we e a t e g gs sa i d my fa th e r , ,

wi th th a t a i r o f w i s d o m wh i c h n a t u r a ll y b e l o n g s t o
t h e sayi gs o f t h e h e a d o f t h e fa mi l y t h e s h e ll w i th
“
n
,

t h e yo l k An d th e y h a ve c e rt a i n l y h a d e x c e ll e n t
.

vi c t u a l s .

N e x t mo r n i n g h e w e n t o ff a s u sual a n d I c r e p t ,

s t e a lth i l y a f t e r h i m Wi th h i s s p i n e s l a i d fla t t o h i s
.

s i d e s a n d h i s l e g s we ll u n d e r h i m h e r a n a t a
, g d
o o ,
28 F A TH E ! ? H E B GE H OG

Wa te r Ra t—a t t i me s re c a ll s th e m H e r h a i r wa s t h e
c o l o r o f r i p e b l a c kb e rr i e s i n a h o t h e d g e —v e ry r i p e
.

o n e s wit h t h e b l o o m o n
,
S h e m o v e d l i k e a s n ak e
. .

I h av e s e e n my fa th e r c h a s e a s ak e mo r e th a n o n c e n ,

a n d I h a v e s e e n a g o o d m a n y me n a n d w o m e i n my n

t i me S o me o f th e m w a l k l i k e my fa th e r th e y b u s tl e
.
,

a l o g a n d k i c k u p t h e l e av e s as h e d o e s ; a n d s o me
n

o f th e m m o v e qu i c k l y a n d y e t s o f tl y as s n ak e s g o , .

Th e g i p sy g i r l mo v e d s o a d wh e r e v e r s h e w e n t
,
n

t h e g i p sy m a n s e y e s w e n t af t e r h e r
’
.

S u dd e l y h e t u r n e d th e m o n m e
n Fo r a n i n s t a n t .

I w as p a r a lys e d a d s t o o d s t i ll
n I c o u ld h e a r my
.

fa th e r bus tl i g d o w n t h e ba n k i a fe w m i u t e s h e
n n n

w o ul d b e at h o me wh e r e my b ro th e r a n d s i s te r s
,

w e r e safe a n d s o u d wh i l s t I w as a l o n e a d ab o u t
n ,
n

t o r e a p t h e r e w a rd o f my d i s o b e d i e n c e i n t h e fa t e o f
wh i c h h e h a d w a r n e d me —t o b e t ak e n by g i p s i e s
,

a nd fi itte d .

No th i n
g ,
m y d e a r c h i l dr e n — m y s e v e n d e ar c hil

dr e n —i s mo r e fa t al i n a n e me rg e n c y th a n i n d e c i s i o n .

I w as h a l f d i s p o s e d t o h u rry af t e r my fa th e r a n d h a l f ,

r e s o l ve d t o c u rl mys e l f i n t o a ba ll I h a d o n e f o o t .

o u t a n d h al f my b a c k r o u n d e d wh e n t h e g i p sy m a n
,

i n n e d m e t o t h e g r o u n d w i th a s t i c k a n d t h e g i p sy
p ,

g i rl s tr o d e u
p I .c o u ld n o t wr i th e m s e l
y f a wa
y f r o m x

t h e s t i c k bu t I g az e d b e s e e c h i g l y a t t h e g i p sy g i rl
,
n

a n d squ e a l e d fo r my l i f e

L e t t h e p o o r l i ttl e b r u t e g o Bas i l s h e sa i d
”
, , ,

lau g h i n g We ve thr e e fli t t e d s t i ll
’ ”
. .

Le t it go c r i e d t h e y o u g m a n s c o r n fu lly a n d
n ,

wi t h a n o th e r p o k e wh i c h I th o ug ht h a d c r us h e d me
,

to b i t s th o u g h I w as s t i l la b l e t o c r y a l
,
o ud .
 AN D H I S N E I GH B OR S .
29

Th e g i p sy g i rl t u r n e d h e r ba c k a n d w e n t a w ay w i th
o n e m o v e m e n t a n d w i th o u t s p e ak i n g .

S yb i l ! c ri e d t h e m a n ; bu t s h e d i d lo o k
“ ”
no t
ro u n d .

S yb i l I say ! ,

S h e w as b re ak i n g s t i c ks fo r t h e fi r e s l o wl y a c r o ss
h e r k n e e bu t s h e m a d e n o a n s w e r
, H e to o k h i s .

s t i c k o u t o f my ba c k a n d w e n t af t e r h e r , .

h e sa i d thr o w i n g h i m s e l f d o w n
“ ’ ”
I ve l e t it go , ,

ag a i n a n d a g o o d d i n n e r h as g o n e w i th i t Bu t
,
“
.

y o u c a n d o wh a t
y o u l i k e w i th m e —a n d s m a ll th a n ks
”
I g e t fo r i t .

I c a n do a n y th i g w i th y o u bu t k e e p yo u o u t o f
n

m i s c h i e f s h e a s we r e d fi x i g h e r e y e s s t e a d i l y o
,
”
n ,
n n

h im . H e sa t u p a d b e ga t o thr o w s t o e s a i mi g
n n n ,
n

th e m a t my thre e c o us i s n .

“
Tak e m e fo r g o o d a d a ll i s t e a d o f t o r me n t i g
n ,
n n

m e a d y o u w i ll h e sa i d
”
,
n .
,
“
Wi ll y o g ive u p J e mmy a d h i s g a n g ? s h e
u n
”

a sk e d bu t as h e h e s i t a t e d fo r a i n s t a t s h e t o ss e d n n

t h e c u rl s ba c k f r o m h e r fa c e a d m o v e d a w ay say n ,

fo r a ll yo u r t a l k 1 An d y e t fo r
“
ing ,
N o t yo u
yo u r sak e ! w o u ld g ive u p,

H e b o u d e d t o h i s f e e t bu t s h e h a d p u t t h e b o n
n ,

fi r e b e tw e e th e m a d b e f o r e h e c o u ld g e t r o u d i t
n ,
n n ,

s h e w as o t h e o th e r s i d e o f a t i lt e d c a rt wh e r e
n ,

a n o th e r w o m a i n a c r i m s o n c l o ak sa t d o i g s o me
n, ,
n

t h i g t o a d i rty p a c k o f c a rd s
n .

I did o t l i k e t o s e e t h e g i p sy m a
n o n h i s fe e t n

ag ai a n d h a v i n g s o me wh a t r e c o v e r e d b r e a th
n, I ,

s c r a mb l e d d o w t h e ba n k a d g o t h o m e as qu i c k l y n
n
—
as t h e s t i ffn e ss a d s o r e n e ss o f my sk i n w o u ld a l l
n ow .
 3 0 F A TH E ! ? H E B GE H O G

I ve r sa w my c o us i n s ag ai a d i t w as lo n g
ne n, n

b e fo r e I sa w a n y mo re g ip s i e s fo r th a t d ay s a dve n ’

tu r e ga v e m e a s h o c k t o wh i c h my c h i ldr e n o we t h e
e x c e e d i g c a r e a n d p r u d e n c e th a t I d i s p l ay i n t h e
n

c h o i c e o f o u r s u mme r h o me s a n d w i n t e r r e tr e a t s a d ,
n

i n r e p r e ss i g e v e ry t e d e n c y t o a w a n d e r i g d i s p o s i
n n n

t i o n a mo n g t h e m e mb e r s o f my fa mi l y .

C H APTE R II .

TH AT su mm e —
r I me a n t h e su mme r wh e n I h a d
—
s e ve n we h a d t h e mo s t c h a r mi n g h o me i mag i n ab l e .

I t w as i n a w o o d a n d o th a t s i d e o f t h e w o o d wh i c h
,
n

i s fa rth e s t fr o m h o us e s a n d h i g h r o a d s H e r e i t w as .

b o u n d e d by a b ro o k a n d b e y o n d th i s l ay a fi n e p a s
,

t u re fi e ld .

Th e re a r e fi e ld s a n d fi e ld s I n e ve r w i s h t o k n o w .

a b e tt e r fi e ld th a th i s o n e I s e ld o m g o o u t mu c h
n .

al l t h e e v e i n g bu t i f bus i n e ss s h o u ld t ak e o n e
n ,

a l o n g t h e h e d g e i n t h e h e a t o f t h e s u n th e r e a r e as ,

ju i c y a n d r e f r e s h i g c r abs t o b e p i c k e d u p u n d e r a
n

tr e e ab o u t h a l f w ay d o w n t h e s o u th s i d e as t h e
-
,

h i r s t i e s t c r e a t u r e c o u ld d e s i r e
‘
.

A d wh e n t h e g l a r e a n d dr o u g ht o f m i dd ay h av e
n

g i ve n p l a c e t o t h e mi ld tw i l i g ht o f e ve i g a n d t h e n n ,

g r a s s i s r e f r e s h i g l y d a mp e d w i th d e w a n d s c e t s
n ,
n

a r e s tr o g a n d t h e e a rth y i e ld s k i dl y t o t h e n o s e
n ,
n ,

wh a t b e e tl e s a d lo b w o r ms r e w a rd o e s r o u t i g !
n -
n
’
n

I a m c o v i c e d th a t t h e fa tt e s t a d s t u p i d e s t slu g s
n n n

th a t l iv e l i v e , e a r t h e b ro o k
n I n e ve r k n e w o n e .
3 2 FA THE ! ? HE B 0 5 11 0 0

oa ks s h e l t e r e d us b e h i n d a n d we h a d a c h a r mi n g
,

o u tl o o k o v e r t h e b r o o k i n f r o n t b e tw e e n a n a rl e d
g ,

a ld e r a n d a yo u n g syc amo r e wh o s e e mb r a c i n g ,

b r a n c h e s w e re t h e l i n t e l o f o u r d o o rw ay .

No . I c h o s e th i s p a rt i c u l a r s p o t i n th i s p a rt i c u l a r
w o o d b e c a u s e I h a d r e as o n t o b e l i e ve i t t o b e a
,

s o me wh a t e gl e c t e d b i t o f wh a t me n c a ll p ro p e rty
n
”

—b e c au s e t h e b r a mb l e bus h e s w e e u n b ro k e n t h e
,

r ,

fa ll e n l e a v e s u n tro dd e t h e h ya c i n th s a n d r agg e d
n ,

r o b i s u n g a th e r e d by h u ma n fe e t a n d h a n d s —b e
n ,

c aus e t h e o l d f e r n f r o n d s fa d e d b e l o w t h e fr e s h g r e e n
-

l u m e s — b e c aus e t h e v i o l e t s r i e n e d s e e d — b e c aus e
p , p ,

t h e tr e e s w e r e u n m a r k e d by w o o d m e n a n d o v e r p o p
ul a t e d w i th b i rd s a d t h e w a t e r r a t sa t u
n i n t h e s u n
p
-
,

w i th c r o ss e d p a w s a n d w i th o u t a th o u g ht o f d a n g e r ,

—b e c aus e i s h o rt n o b i rd s n e s t i n g fe r n d igg i g
,
n ,
’
-
,
-
n ,

fl o w e r ; p i c k i g le a fmo u ld w a n t i n g v e r mi n h u n ti n g
n , ,
-

c r e a t u r e s e v e r c a me h i th e r t o r e p l e i s h th e i r f e r n e n

ri e s ga rd e n s c ag e s m a rk e t s a n d mus e u ms
, , , ,
.

My fe e l i n g s m a y th e r e fo r e b e i mag i e d wh e n I n

w as ro us e d fro m a n af t e r n o o n n a p o n e w a r m s u m
me r s d ay by t h e v o i c e s o f me n a d w o me n S e ve r al
’
n .

p o ss i b i l i t i e s c a m e i n to m y m i d and I i m p anrt e d,

th e m t o my w i fe .

Th e y m a y b e k e e p e r s .

Th e y m a y b e p o a c h e r s .

Th e y ma y b e b o ys b i rd s n e s t i n g ’
-
.

Th e y m a y b e s tr e e t s e ll e r s o f f e r n s mo ss a n d
-
, .

s o f o rth .

Th e y may b e c o l l e c to r s o f sp e c i me n s .

— —
Th e y ma y b e p i c n i c e r s p e o p l e wh o b ri n g sa lt
-

t w i s t e d u p i n a b i t o f p ap e r w i t h t h e m a n d l e a ve i t ,
 AN D H I S N E I GH B OR S . 33

b e h i n d wh e n th e y g o a wa y . Do n t ’
l
e t th e c h i l dre n
to u c h it !
“ —
Th e y ma y b e a n d t h i s i s t h e w o r s t th a t c o u ld
a n —
h pp e me n c o l le c t i n g fro g s , t o a d s , n e w ts , s n a i l s ,
a nd l zog s fo r t h e L o n d o n ma r k e ts
zea g el
’
We mu s t .

k e e p v e ry q u i e t Th e y w i l l g o a wa y a t su n s e t
.
”
.

I wa s q u i t e wr o n g , a n d wh e n I h e a rd t h e sl o w
wh e e ls o f a r t I k n e wi t Th e y we re n o n e o f th e s e
ca .

th i n g s a n d th e y did n o t g o a way Th e y w e re
, .

tr a ve l l i n g t i n k e r s a n d th e y s e ttl e d d o wn a n d ma d e
,

th e ms e l ve s a t h o me wi th i n fi f ty y a rd s o f mi n e .

My n e rv e s h a ve n e ve r b e e n s tr o n g s i n c e th a t d a y
u n d e r t h e fu r z e bus h My fi r s t i mpu ls e w as t o r o l l
.

mys e l f u p s o t i g htl y th a t I g o t t h e c r a mp wh i ls t ,

e v e ry s p i n e o n my b a c k s t o o d s t iff w i th fr i g ht Bu t .

a ft e r a t i me I r e c o v e r e d mys e l f a n d t o o k c o u n s e l ,

wi th Mr s H e dg e h o g
. .

“
Two t h i n g s s a i d s h e a r e mo s t i mp o r ta n
,
”
,
t

We mus t k e e p t h e c h i ldr e n f ro m g a dd i n g a n d we ,

mu s t ma k e th e m h o l d th e i r t o n g u e s .

“
Th e y n e ve r c a n b e s o fo o l i s h as t o w i s h t o qu i t
y o u r s i d e m y, cle a r i n t h e c
,
i r c u mst a n c e s
”
s a id I ,
.

B u t I wa s mi s t a k e n .

I k n o w n o th i n g mo r e a n n o y i n g t o a fa th e r wh o
h a s l e a r n e d t h e d a n g e r o f i n d i s c r e e t c u ri o s i ty i n h i s
o u th th a n t o fi n d h i s s o n s a pp a r e n tl y qu i t e u n i n flu
y ,

e n c e d b y h i s v a l u ab l e e x p e r i e n c e .

“
Wh a t a r e t i n k e r s l i k e ? wa s t h e fi r s t th i n g ”

s a i d by e a c h o n e o f t h e s e v e n o n t h e s u b j e c t .

“
Th e y a r e a s e t o f p e o p l e I r e p l i e d i n a v o i c e
”
, ,

as s o u r a s a g r e e n c r a b wh o i f th e y h e a r u s t a l k i n g
'
“
, ,

o r c a t c h u s w a l k i n g ab r o a d wi l lk i l l yo u r mo t h e r a n d
,
 34 F A TH E R H E D GE H O G

me , an d t e mp e r u p t wo b i t s o f c l ay a n d ro l lu s u p i n
th e m . Th e n th e y wi ll p u t u s i n t o a fi r e t o b a k e a n d ,

wh e n t h e c lay t u r n s r e d th e y w i ll t ak e us o u t Th e .

c l ay w i ll fa l l o ff a n d o u r c o a t s w i th i t Wh a t r e
m a i n s th e y w i ll e a t —a s we e a t s n a i l s
.

Yo u s e ve n .

w i ll b e fli t t e d Th a t i s y o u w i ll b e p e gg e d t o t h e
.
,

g ro u n d t i ll y o u g ro w b ig ! I .th o u g ht i t w e ll n o t to

me n t i o n t h e b r e a d a n d m i l k ) Th e n th e y w i ll k i l l
.
“

a n d bak e a n d e a t n t h e sa me fas h i o n
”
y o u i .

I th i n k th i s f r i g ht e n e d t h e c h i ldr e n 5 bu t th e y w o u ld
t a l k a b o u t t h e t i n k e r s th o u g h th e y d a r e d n o t g o n e a r
,

th e m .

“
Th e b e s t th i n g y o u c a n d o sa i d Mr s H e d g e h o g ,
.
,

i s t o t e ll th e m a s t o ry t o k e e p th e m qu i e t Yo u c a n .

m o d u l a t e yo u r o wn v o i c e a n d s t o p i f y o u h e a r t h e
,

ti n k e rs .
”

H e r e u p o n I t o ld th e m t h e s t o ry ! a v e r y o ld o n e )
o f t h e he d e ho
g g w h o r a n a r a c e w i th a h a r e o n ,

o p p o s i t e s i d e s o f a h e d e fo r t h e w a e r o f a l o u i s
g , g
d o r a n d a b o ttl e o f b r a n d y I t wa s a g r e a t fav o r i t e
’
.

w i th th e m .

Th e mo r alo f t h e t a l e my d e a r c h i ldr e n
!

“
,
I wa s ,

w o n t t o say i s th a t o u r re s p e c t e d a n c e s t o r s h e a d
,
“
,
’

sav e d h i s h e e l s wh i c h i s n e ve r t h e c a s e w i th g i ddy
,

p a t e d c r e a t u re s l i k e t h e h a r e ”
.

“
P e rh ap s i t wa s a ve ry yo u n g h a re s a i d Mr s ,
,

H e d g e h o g wh o i s a mi a b l e a n d d o e s n o t l i k e t o
, ,

b l a me a n y o n e if i t c a n b e avo i d e d .

I d o n t th i n k i t c a n h av e b e e n a very y o u n g h a r e
“ ’
,

s ai d I o r th e h e d e ho w ul d h av a t
“
o e e e n h im
, g g
i n s t e a d o f o u t wi tt i n g h i m As i t wa s h e p l a c e d h i m
.
,

se l f a n d Mr s H e dg e h o g a t o p p o s i t e e n d s o f t h e
.
 36 F A TH E ! ? H E B GE H O G

s h o u ld b e h a rd e r ; s o I ma d e o ne or t wo r
c a e fu l

o n e s by mys e l f a n d t o ld ,,
h er al
l th e ne ws on my
r e t u rn .

C H AP TE R II I .

TH E a n i m a l Ma s o I h av e h e a rd m n,
y u n cle

wh o w as a l e a r n e d h e d g e h o g say Th e a n i mal , ,
“

ma i s a d i u r a l a n i m a l 5 h e c o me s o u t a n d f e e d s i n
n n

t h e d ay t i me Bu t a s e c o n d c o us i n wh o h a d tr a v
-
”
.
,

el le d as fa r a s C o v e n t G a rd e a n d wh o l i v e d fo r n,

m a n y y e a r s i n a L o d o n k i t c h e n t o ld me th a t h e
n ,

th o u g ht my u n c l e w as wro n g a d th a t ma n c o me s ,
n

o u t a d f e e d s a t n i g ht
n H e sa i d h e k n e w o f a t l e as t
.

o e h o us e i n wh i c h t h e c r i c k e t s a n d b l a c k b e e tl e s
n

n e ve r
g o t a qu i e t k i t c h e n t o th e ms e lve s t i l l i t was
n e a r l mo r n i n
y g .

Bu t I th i n k my u c l e w as ri ght ab o u t m e n i t h e
n n

c o u t ry
n I a m su r e t h e t i k e r a d h i s fa m i l y s l e p t
. n n

a t ight H e a n d h i s w i fe w e re o u t a g re a t d e a l
n .

d u r i g t h e d ay Th e y w e n t a w ay f ro m t h e w o o d a n d
n .

l e f t t h e c h i ldre w i th a n o ld w o m a n wh o w as t h e
n ,

t i n k e r s mo th e r A t o n e t i me th e y w e r e a w ay fo r
’
.

s e v e r a l d ays a n d ab o u t my usua l t i me fo r go i n g o u t
,

t h e c h i ldr e n w e r e as l e e p a n d t h e o l d w o m a n us e d
,

t o s i t o v e r t h e c a mp fi r e w i th h e r h e a d o n h e r h a n d s .

“
Th e l a g uag e o f m e n my d e a r
n I o bs e rve d t o
, ,
”

Mr s H e d g e h o g
. i s qu i t e d i ffe r e n t t o o u r s e v e n i n
,
“
,

e n e r a l t o e 5 bu t nI assu r e y o u th a t wh e n I fi r s t
g
h e a rd t h e t i k e r s mo th e r I c o u ld h ave w ag e r e d a
n
’
,

l o u i s d o r a n d a b o t t l e o f b r a n dy th at I h e a rd h e dg e
’
 AN D H I S N E I GH B OR S .
37

h o g s wh i n i n g t o e a c h o th e r I n f a c t I w as ab o u t t o
.
,

re mo n s tr a t e w i th th e m fo r th e i r i mp r u d e n c e wh e n I ,

fo u n d o u t th a t i t w as t h e o l d w o m a n wh o w as mo a n
i n g a n d mu tt e ri n g t o h e r s e l f .
”

Wh a t i s t h e ma tt e r w i th h e r ? ask e d Mr s H e dg e
”
.

I wa s u ri o u s t o k n o w mys e l f sa i d I a n d f ro m
c ,
”
,
“

wh a t I h a ve o ve rh e a rd I th i k I c a n i fo r m y o u S h e
,
n n .

i s t h e t i n k e r s mo th e r a n d j u d g i n g f r o m wh a t h e sa i d
’
,

t h e o th e r n i g ht wa s n o t by a n y me a n s i d u l g e n t t o
,
n

h i m wh e n h e w as a c h i ld S h e i s h a r s h e n o ug h t o
.

h i s y o u n g b r a t s n o w ; bu t i t a p p e a r s th a t s h e w as
d e vo t e d t o a n o ld e r s o o n e o f t h e c h i ldr e n o f h i s
n,

fi r s t w i fe ; a n d th a t i t i s fo r t h e l o ss o f th i s g r a n d
c h i ld th a t s h e v e x e s h e r s e l f
”
.

Is h e de a d ?
”

N 0 my d e a r bu t
, ,

H a s h e b e e n fl i tt e d
S o m e th i n g o f th e ki n d , I fe a r . He h as b e e n
ta k e n t o p ri s o n .
”

“
D e ar de ar ,
sa i d Mr s H e d g e h o g ; wh a t a .

tri alt o a mo th e r s f e e l i n g s ! Wi ll th e y bak e h i m ?

’

I th i n k n o t sa i d I I fa n c y th a t h e i s t e th e r e d
” “
.
,

u p as a p u n i s h me n t fo r t ak i n g wh a t d i d n o t b e l o n g

t o h i m 5 a n d t h e g r a n d mo th e r s g r i e va n c e s e e m s t o b e
’

th a t s h e b e l i e ve s h e w as u n jus tl y c o n vi c t e d S h e .

th i n ks t h e r e a l ro bb e r w as a g i p sy Jus t as i f I we r e .

t ak e n a n d my sk i n n a i l e d t o t h e k e e p e r s d o o r fo r
,
’

p h e asa n t s e gs wh i c h I h a d n e v e r h a d t h e
g
’
p le asu r e

o f e atin g
”
.

Mrs H e d g e h o g w as n o w dyi n g o f c u ri o s i ty S h e
. .

s a i d s h e th o u g h t t h e c h i ldr e n s s i n e s we r e s tr o n
’

p g
38 F A TH E R H E D GE H OG

eno ug h yth i n g th a t w as l i k e ly t o h a p p e n t o
fo r an

th e m 5 a n d s o t h e n e x t fre s h d amp e ve n i n g we s e n t
,

t h e s e v e n u r c h i s d o w n t o t h e bu rd o c ks t o p i c k
n

s a i l s a n d c r e p t c au t i o us l y t o w a rd t h e t i n k e r s e n
n ,
’

c a mp m e n t t o s e e wh a t we c o u ld s e e An d th e r e b y .
,

t h e s m o u ld e r i n g e mb e r s o f a b o n fi r e s at th e o ld ,

wo m a mo a n i n g as I h a d d e s c r i b e d h e r wi th h e r
n , ,

e lbo ws o h e r k n e e s ro c ki g a n d n ursi n g h e r he ad
n ,
n ,

fro m wh i c h h e r l o n g h a i r wa s l o o p e d a n d fe l l lik e ,

g r ay r a g s a b o u t h e r w i th e r e d fi n g e r s
,
.

“
I d o n t l i k e h e r l o o ks
’
s n o rt e d Mr s H e dg e h o g
,
”
. .

An d h o w d i s g us t i n g l y t h e y h a ve tr a mp l e d t h e
g r ass .
”

“
I t i s qu i t e tr u e s a i d I 5 i t w i ll n o t re c o ve r
,
“

i t s e l f th i s su mm e r I w i s h th e y h a d l e f t u s o u r wo o d
.

t o o u r s e l ve s
”
.

A t th i s m o me n t Mr s H e dg e h o g l a i d h e r fi ve to e s
.

on m i n e t o a ttr a c t my a tt e n t i o n a n d wh i s p e r e d
, , ,

I s i t a g i p sy a n d l i f t i g my n o s e i n t h e d i r e c
n

t i o n o f t h e rus tl i n g b rus hwo o d I sa w S yb i l Th e r e ,

.

w as n o mi s t ak i n g h e r th o ug h h e r c h e e ks l o o k e d
,

h o ll o w e r a d h e r e ye s l a rg e r th a n wh e n I s a w h e r
n

la st .

“
G o o d e ve n i n g mo th e r s h e s a i d , ,
.

Th e o ld w o m a r a i s e d h e r g au n t fa c e w i th a s t a rt
n ,

a n d c ri e d fi e r c e l y B e g o n e w i th y o u ! B e g o n e !
“ ”
,

a d th e n b e n t i t a g a i n u p o
n h e r h a n d s mu tt e r i g
n ,
n ,

“
Th e r e a r e p l e t y o f h e d g e s a n d d i t c h e s t o o g o o d
n

fo r y o u r l o t w i th o u t th e i r c o mi n g t o w o rr i t u s i n o u r
,

wo o d .
”

Th e g ip sy g i rl k n e lt q u i e tl y b y t h e fi r e a n d s tir r e d ,

up t h e e mb e r s .
 40 F A TH E R H E D GE H OG
'

Yo u u ld n t k e e p h i m o u t o f p ri s o n tau n t e d
co
’
,

th e o l d wo ma n .

I c o u ld n t k e e p h i m o u t o f mi s c h i e f sa i d t h e
“ ’

g i rl sa dl y a n d th e n w i th a su dd e n fl as h o f a n g e r
, , ,

s h e c l as p e d h e r h a n d s ab o v e h e r h e a d a n d c r i e d A “
,

b l a c k c u rs e o n J e mmy a n d h i s g a n g !
“
A b l a c k c u r s e o n th e m a s l e t s t h e i n n o c e n t g o t o
p r i s o n i n th e i r s t e a d T h e y c o m e s th e r
. e th e m s e l ve s

i n t h e e n d a n d l o n g ma y i t h o ld th e m !
, wa s t h e
re p l y .

S yb i l mo ve d s w i f tl y t o t h e o l d w o ma n s s i d e
’
.

I h e a rd y o u w as i n tro ubl e m o th e r a b o u t C hr i s , ,

t i a n 5 bu t y o u d o n t th i n k ’

T/ zn é l s c re a me d t h e o ld w o ma n s h a k i n g h e r
”
'

z ,

fi s t s wh i l s t t h e g i rl i n t e rr u p t e d h e r
,
“
H us h mo th e r h us h ! t e ll me n o w t e l l me a ll
, , , ,

b u t n o t s o lo ud a n d k n e e l i n g w i th h e r ba c k t o us
”
, ,

s h e sa i d s o me th i n g mo r e i n a l o w v o i c e t o wh i c h t h e ,

ol d w o m a n r e p l i e d i n a wh i n e s o m u c h mo d e r a t e d ,

th a t th o ug h Mr s H e dg e h o g a d I s tr a i n e d o u r e a r s
. n ,

a n d c r e p t as n e a r t h e g r o u p as we d a r e d we c o u ld ,

n o t c a t c h a w o rd .

O l y af t e r a wh i l e S yb i l r o s e u p a n d w a l k e d ba c k
n ,

s l o wly t o t h e fi e tw i s t i g t h e l o n g l o c k o f h e r h a i r
r ,
n

as b e fo r e a n d say i n g
,
I t u r s h i m r o u d my fi n
,
n n

e r mo th e r as fa r as Ma t g o e s
g , ,

S o y o u th i n ks sa i d t h e o ld c ro n e Bu t h e
“ ”

—e ve n if y o u w o u ld S yb i l S t a n l e y ! Oh
,

n e ve r w i l l ,

C hr i s t i a n my c h i ld my c h i ld !
, ,
”

Th e g i p sy g i rl s t o o d s t i ll l i k e a y o u n g p o pl a r tre e ,
-

i n t h e d e a d c a l m b e fo r e th u n d e r ; a n d th e r e fe l la
sil e n c e i n wh i c h I d a r e d n o t h a ve mo ve d my s e l f o r
, ,
 AN D H I S N E I GH B OR S .
4 1

a lol w e d Mr s H e dg e h o g t o mo ve thre e s t e p s thro u g h

.
,

t h e s o f t e s t g r ass fo r f e a r o f b e i g h e a rd
,
n .

Th e n S yb i l sa i d a b r up tl y I ve n e ve r r i g htl y ,
’

h e a rd ab o u t C hr i s ti a n mo th e r Wh a t w as i t m a d e
, .

u th i n k s o mu c h mo r e o f h i m th a n h i ks b u t
y o
y o u t n a o

t h e o th e r s

C H APTE R IV .

MY s o n s ’
fi rs t
w i fe d i e d af t e r C hri s t i a n wa s
b o r n sa i d t h e o ld w o m a n
,
”
I ve a s h a r p t o n g u e a s
.
“ ’
,

y o u k n o w S yb i l S t a n l e y a n d I m d o ub t fu l i f s h e w as
, ,
’

t o o h ap p y wh i l e s h e l i v e d 5 bu t wh e n s h e w as g o n e I

k n e w s h e d b e e n a g o o d u n a n d I ve a lw ays sp o k e n
’ ’
,
’

o f h e r a c c o rd i n g l y .

“
Yo u r e t o o yo u n g t o r e me mb e r th a t ye a r 5 i t w as
’

a ye a r o f s l a c k tr a d e a n d h a rd t i me s a ll o ve r Fa r .

me r f o l k g r u d g e d y o u fo u rp e n c e t o m e n d t h e k e ttl e
-
,

a n d as t o b r o k e n v i c t ua l s th e r e w as n t as mu c h w e n t
’
,

i n a t t h e f r o n t d o o r t o f e e d t h e fa mi l y a s t h e s e r va n t s ,

wou l d h av e thro w n o u t a t t h e ba c k d o o r a n o th e r
y e a r t o f e e d t h e p i gs .

“
Wh e n o n e g e t s o ld my d aug ht e r a n d s i t s o ve r
, ,

t h e fi r e a t n i g ht a n d th i n ks i n s t e a d o f tr a mp i n g a ll
,

d a y a n d s l e e p i n g h e avy af t e r i t as o n e d o e s wh e n ,

o n e i s y o u n
g
— th i n gs c o m e s ba c k 5 th i n s c o me s
g
b a c k I say as th e y says g h o s t s d o e s
, ,
.

An d wh e n we c a mp s n e a r tr e e s w i th l o n g b r a n c h e s ,

li k e th e m o v e r th e r e th a t w ave s i n t h e w i n d a n d
,

c o n fus e s y o u r e y e s a mo n g t h e s mo k e I s o me t i me s ,

t h i n k I s e e s h e r f a c e a s i t wa s b e fo r e s h e d i e d wi th
, ,
 4 2 F A TH E R H E B GE B O G

a p i n che d l o o k a c ro ss t h e n o s e Th a t i s C hr is t i a n s .
’

mo th e r my s o n s fi r s t w i fe 5 a n d i t c o me s ba c k t o m e
’
,

th a t I b e l i e v e s s h e s t a rve d h e r s e l f t o le t h i m h a ve
mo r e ; fo r h e s a m a n w i th a su rl y t e m p e r l i k e my
’
,

o wn i s my s o n G e o rg e
,
H e g r u mb l e d w o r s e th a n
.

t h e c h i ldr e n wh e n h e w as h u n g ry a n d b e c aus e s h e ,

w as s o s l o w i n g e tti n g s tro n g e n o ug h t o s t a n d o n
h e r l e g s a n d c a rry t h e bask e t Yo u s e e h e d i d n t
’
.

h o ld h i s t o n gu e wh e n th i n gs w e r e ba d t o b e a r as
“

s h e c o u ld . Me n d o e s n t my d aug ht e r ’
,
.
”

I kn o w I kn o w sai d t h e g i rl
“ ”
, , .

I th i n ks I w as j e a l o us o f h e r mu tt e r e d t h e o ld
“
,

w o ma n 5 i t c o me s b a c k t o m e th a t I b e g r u d g e d h e r
“
’

ma k i n g s o mu c h o f my s o n bu t I k n o w s n o w th a t ,

s h e w as a d n d I s e aks o f h e r a c c o rd i n g l y
’
g o o un a p ,
.

S h e f r e tt e d h e r s e l f ab o u t g e tt i n g s tr o n g e n o ug h t o
c a rry t h e c h i ld t o b e c hr i s t e n e d wh i l e we h a d t h e ,

c o n v e n i e n c e o f a p a r s o n n e a r a t h a n d a n d I w as n t
’

g o i n
g t o o b l i g e h e r ; bu t t h e d ay af t e r s h e d i e d t h e ,

c h i ld w as a i l i n g a n d th i n k i n g i t m i g ht r e qu i r e t h e
,

b e n e fi t o f a bu r i a l s e rvi c e as w e ll as h e r s e l f I
-
,

wr a pp e d i t u p a n d ma d e mys e l f d e c e n t a n d t o o k my
, ,

w ay t o t h e vi ll ag e I w as h a l f wa y u p t h e s tre e t
.
,
-
,

wh e n I me t a yo u n g g e n t l e w o m a n i n a g r ay dre ss
c o mi n g o u t o f a c o tt ag e .

G o o d d a y my p r e tty la dy says I
-
,
C o u ld y o u ,
’
.

s h o w a n o ld Wo m a n t h e re s i d e n c e o f t h e c l e rgym a n
th a t w o u ld d o t h e p o o r t i n k e r s t h e k i n d n e ss o f c hri s
t e n i n g a s i c k c h i ld wh o s e m o th e r l i e s d e a d i n a t i lt e d
c a rt a t t h e m e e t i n g o f t h e f o u r r o a d s
“
I m t h e c l e rgy ma n s w i f e says s h e wi th t h e
‘ ’ ’ ’
, ,

co l o r i n h e r fa c e a n d I m s u r e my h u sb a n d wil l
‘ ’
,

c h ri s t e n t h e b ab y e t me
Do l it ’
p o o r . s ee .
44 F A TH E R H E D GE H OG

I c o mes t o th a t my d aug ht e r I c o me s t o th at
, ,
‘

th o ug h i t s h a rd t o S p e ak o f I h a t e mys e l f w o r s e
’
.

th a n I h a t e s t h e p o l i c e wh e n I th i n ks o f i t Bu t t e . n

p o u n ds — p i e c e s o f g o ld m y d au g ht e r wh e n h a l f
—
, ,

p e n c e w e r e h a rd t o c o m e b y a n d s m a ll e x p e c t a t i o n

th a t h e w o u ld o u tl ive h i s mo th e r by m a y d ays— a n d n

a f e e l i n g ag a i n s t h i m th e n fo r h e r sak e th o ugh I , ,

th i n ks d iffe re n tl y n o w
Yo u s o ld h i m t o t h e c l e rgy f o l ks sa i d S yb i l !

-
.

Te n p i e c e s o f g o ld ! Yo u n e ve r f e lt t h e p a i n s
o f s t a rv a t i o n my d au g ht e r—n o r p e rh a p s th o s e o f
,

j e a l o usy wh i c h a r e w o r s e Th e yo u g c l e rgy w o m a n
,
. n

h a d n o c h i ldre n o wh i c h s c o r e s h e f r e tte d h e r s e l f 5
,
n

a n d m us t h av e f r e tt e d h a rd b e fo r e s h e b e gg e d t h e
,

r t n k e r s c h i ld o u t o f t h e wo o d s
’ ”
p o o i .

“
Wh a t d i d Ti n k e r G e o rg e say ? ask e d t h e g i rl ”
.

H e us e d a g o o d d e a l o f ba d l a g uag e a n d sa i d n ,

I m i g ht as e a s i l y h av e g o t tw e n ty p o u d s as t e if I n n,

h a d n o t b e e n as b ig a fo o l a s t h e c h i ld s m o th e r h e r ’

s e l f Me n a r e s tr a g e c re a t u r e s my d au g ht e r
. n ,
.
”

S o y o u l e f t C hr i s t i a n w i th th e m
I d i d my d aug ht e r
,
I l e f t h i m i n t h e a r ms o f
.

t h e y o u n g c l e rg ywo m a n w i th t h e p o l i t e s t o f w o rd s o n

b o th s i d e s a n d a g o o d d e a l o f r e l ig i o us c o n v e rsa ti o
,
n

fr o m t h e p a r s o n wh i c h I d o e s ,
o t d o ub t wa s w e ll n

me a n t i f i t w as s o me wh a t t e d i o us
”
.
,
“
An d th e n —mo th e r
An d th e n we mo ve d t o Ba bu ry wh e re my s o n n ,

t o o k h i s s e c o n d w i f e h a vi n g ma d e h e r a c qua i t a n c e
,
n

i n a n a l e h o u s e 5 a n d th e n my d aug ht e r I b e g i s t o , ,
n

k n o w t h a t C hr i s t i a n s mo th e r h a d b e e n a g o o d n u
’ ’ ”
.

Ge o rg e i s n t as h a ppy w i th th i s o n e t h e n
’
,
 AN D H AS N E I GH B OR S
”
.
45

Me n ri o us c re a t u re s my d a u g ht e r as y o u
a re c u , ,

wi ll d i s c o ve r fo r yo u r o wn p a rt w i th o u t a n y i n s t r u c
t io n s fro m me H e tr e a t s h e r fa r b e tt e r th a n t h e
.

o t h e r b e c a u s e s h e tr e a t s h i m s o m u c h w o r s e
, B ut .

b e tw e e n th e m t h e v s o o n p u t me a o n e s i d e a n d wh e n
- -
,

I sa t l o n g e v e n i n gs a l o n e s o m e t i me s i n a w o o d as i t
, ,

mi g ht b e t h i s wh e r e t h e b r a n c h e s w ave s a n d ma k e s
a c o n fu s i o n o f t h e s h a d o w s —a n d s o m e t i me s o n t h e
,

e d g e o f a H a m s h i r e h e a th wh e r e we c a m s a o o d
p p g
d e a l a n d t h e l ig ht i s as s l o w i n dy i n g o u t o f t h e
,

b o tt o m o f t h e sky a s h e a n d s h e a r e i n c o mi n g h o me ,

a n d t h e b i t s o f w a t e r l o o ks as i f p e o p l e h a d dr o w n d e d

th e ms e lve s i n th e m—wh e n I sa t a l o n e I say mi n d

—
, ,

in
g t h e fi r e a n d t h e c h il dr e n I w o n d e r e d i f C hr i s
t i a n h a d l i ve d t i ll I wa s a ll bu t m a d w i th w o n d e ri n g
,

a n d c o mi n
g n o n e a r e r t o k n o wi n
g .

H i s m o th e r w as a g o o d d au g ht e r t o y o u I
’
,

th i n ks 5 a n d if y o u h a d n t s o ld h i m—s o ld yo u r o wn
‘ ’

fl e s h a n d b l o o d—fo r t e n g o ld e n s o ve r e ig n s t o t h e
c l e rgy w o ma n h e mig ht h av e b e e n a g o o d s o n t o
yo u r o ld a g e .

“
A t l as t I c o u ld b e a r i d l e n e ss a n d t h e lo n e c o m
‘

p a ny o f m
y o w n th o u g ht s n o l o n er
g m y d,
a u g ht e r ,

a n d I s e t s o fi t o tr a v e l o n my o wn a c c o u n t t ak i n g ,

m o n e y at b a c k d o o r s a n d l i vi n g o n b r o k e n me a t s I
,

b e gg e d i n t o t h e b a rg a i n a n d w o rk i n g a t n i g ht s i n
,

s t e a d o f th i n k i n g I k n o w s a fe w a rt s my d aug hte r
.
, ,

o f o n e s o rt a n d a n o th e r a n d I p u t s a w a y mo s t o f
,

wh a t I t ak e s a n d c h a n g e s i t wh e n t h e c o p p e r c o me s
,

t o s i l v e r a n d Me s i l
,
ver co mes t o g o l d .

I w o n d e r vo u n e ve r w e n t t o s e e i f h e w as al i ve ,

s a i d S yb i l .
 46 F A TH E E H E B GE B O G

I di d , my d aug ht e r I w e n t s e v e r a l t i me s u n d e r
.

va r ious d s s e me n t s wh i c h a r e n o d iffi c u lty t o th o s e

i gu i ,

wh o k n o w h o w t o a d o p t th e m a n d w i th s e rva n t s j e w ,
’

el n d c h i ldr e n s t o ys I h a d s i g ht o f h i m mo r e th a n
’
r a
y ,

o n ce a n d e a c h t i me m a d e me w i l d e r t o e t h i m
, g
b ac k .

“
An d y o u n e ve r t r i e d ? ”

Th e mo n e y wa s n o t r e a d y On e mu s t a c t h o n .

o rab l m
y y ,
d au g ht e r I c o u ld n t
.
p i c k u p m y o w n
’

r a n d s o n a s i f h e d b e e n a s tr ay h e n o r a fe w c l o th e s
’
g ,

o ff t h e l i n e I t t o o k me fi ve y e a r s t o sav e th o s e t e n
.

p o u n ds F i v
. e l o n g mi s e r a b l e
y e a r s ”
.

“
Mi s e r a b l e ! c ri e d t h e g i p sy g i rl fl i n g i n g h e r
”
,

h a i r ba c k f r o m h e r e ye s Mi s e r a bl e ! H ap p y y o u
.
“
,

me a n 5 t o o h a p py ! I t i s wh e n o n e c a n d o n o th ~

in g
Sh e s t o p p e d as i f t a l k i n g c h o k e d h e r a n d t h e o ld
, ,

wo ma wh o s e e me d t o p a y l i ttl e a tt e n t i o n t o a n y o n e
n,

b u t h e rs e l f we n t o n
,

I t w as wh e n i t w as all but s a ve d a n d I h a g s
“
,
n

ab o u t th a t c o u n try mak i n g u p my p l a n s th a t h e
, ,

c o me s t o m e h i ms e l f as I s i t s o n t h e o u t sk i rt s o f a
,

wo o d b e y o n d t h e v i ll a g e i n n o m a n n e r o f d i sg u i s e
,

m e n t bu t j u st a s I s i t s h e r e
,
.
”

H e c a me t o y o u ? s a i d S yb i l
“ ”
.

H e c o me s t o me my d au g ht e r 5 dr e ss e d l i k e a n y
,

yo u g n o b le ma n o f e ig ht ye a r s o ld bu t ba r e h e a d e d
n ,

a d ba r e fo o t e d h a v i n g h i s c a p i n o n e h a n d a n d h i s
n , ,

b o o t s a n d s t o c k i g s i n t h e o th e r
n .

G o o d mo r n i n g o ld g ip sy w o m a n says h e
‘
,
I ,
’
.
‘

h e a rd t h e r e wa s a n o l d g i p sy w o ma n i n t h e w o o d 5 s o
I c a me t o s e e N u r s e s a i d i f I we n t a b o u t i n t h e
.
48 F A TH E R H E D GE H OG

g i v e m e yo u r s t o o l u c h r a th e r s i t o n t h e
,
fo r I d m
’

g r ass 5 a n d i f y o u p l e as e I s h o u ld l i k e y o u t o t e l l
, ,

m e a ll ab o u t l i v i g i n w o o d s a d m ak i g fi r e s a n d
n ,
n n ,

h a n g i g k e ttl e s o n s t i c ks a n d g o i g ab o u t t h e c o u n
n ,
n

t ry a n d s l e e p i g o u t o f d o o r s
’
n .

D i d y o u t e ll h i m t h e tr u t h o r m ak e u p a t a l e fo r ,

h im ?
”
ask e d S yb i l .

“
Pa rtl y o e a d p a rtl y t h e o th e r my d au g ht e r
n n , .

Bu t wh e n p e r s o n s s e t s th e i r m i n d s o h a n y th i n g th e y ,

s e e s t h e tru th i a m a n n e r a c c o d i g t o th e i r o wn
n r n

th o ug ht s wh i c h i s o f i t s e lf as g o o d as a m a d e u p t a l e
,
-
.

H e asks n u mb e rl e ss qu e s t i o n s t o wh i c h I m ak e s
su i t a b l e r e p l i e s Th e m th a t l ive s o u t o f d o o r s —c a n
,

th e y g e t u p as e a rl y as th e y l i k e s w i th o u t b e i g ,
n

c a ll e d ? h e asks .

D o e s g ip s i e s g o t o b e d i n th e i r c l o th e s ?
D o e s th e y s o me t i me s fo rg e t th e i r pr aye r s w i th ,

n o t r e u l a rl dr e ss i a n d u n dr e ss i g
g y n
g n

D i d I e v e r s l e e p o n h e a th e r ?
'

D o e s we e ve r tr av e l by m o o n l ig ht
D o I s e e t h e s u n r i s e e v e ry m o r i g ? n n

D i d I e v e r m e e t a h i g hw ay m a n ?
D o e s I b e l i e ve i gh o s t s n

C a n I r e a ll y t e ll f o rt u n e s ?
I t ak e s h i s s h a p e l y l i ttl e h a d —as b r o w n as y o u r n

o wn my d au g ht e r fo r h i s mo th e r l i k e mys e l f w as a
, , , ,

p u r e R o m a n a n d l o o k e d d o w n u p o n by h e r p e o p l e i n
,

c o n s e q u e n c e fo r m a rry i n g my s o wh o i s o f mi x e d n,

b l o o d ! my h usba n d b e i n g i n fa mi l y as i n e v e ry o th e r ,

r e sp e c t u n d e s e rv i g o f t h e s l ig ht e s t me t i o n )
,
n n .

L e t m e t e ll y o u y o u r fo rt u n e my n o b l e l i ttl e
“ ‘
,

g e n tl e me n I ,
says
’
T h e l i n e s o f l i fe a r e c r o ss e d
.
‘
 AN D H I S N E I GH B OR S .
49

ea rly w i th th o s e o f tr a ve l l i n g F a r w i ll y o u w a n d e r
.
,

a n d m a n y th i n g s w i l l o u see S t o n e h o us e s a n d
y .

h o u s e s o f b r i c k w i ll n o t d e t a i n y o u I n t h e b ig .

h o us e w i th t h e b lu e r o o f a n d t h e g r e e n c a rp e t w e r e
,

u b o rn an d in th e b i h us w i th t h b l u r f nd
y o , g o e e e o o a

t h e g r e e n c a r p e t w i ll y o u d i e Th e b ig h o us e i s .

d e l i c a t e l y p e rfu me d my n o b l e l i ttl e g e n tl e m a n e sp e
, ,

c ial l i n t h e mo n th o f Ma a t wh i c h t i m e th e r e i s
y y5
a l s o a n abu n d a n c e o f mus i c a n d t h e s i n g e r s s i t s ,

o v e rh e a d G i ve t h e o ld g i p sy w o ma n a s i g ht o f yo u r
.

c o me l y f e e t my l i ttl e g e n tl e m a n by t h e s o l e s o f
, ,

wh i c h i t i s n o t d iffi c ul t t o s e e th a t y o u w e re b o r n t o
w an de r .
’

“
Wi th th i s a n d s i mi l a r j a w I e n t e rt a i n e d h i m my ,

d au g ht e r a n d h i s e ye s l o o k s u p a t me o u t o f h i s fa c e
,

t i ll I fe e l s as i f t h e d e a d h a d c o m e ba c k ; bu t h e h a d
a w ay w i th h i m b e s i d e s wh i c h f r ig ht e n e d m e fo r I ,

k n e w th a t i t c a me f ro m l ivi n g w i th g e n tl e fo l k .

Ar e y o u mig hty l e a r n e d my d e a r ? says I , .

Ar e y o u w e ll i n s tr u c t e d i n b o o ks a n d s c h o o l i n g ? ’

I c a n say t h e E n g l i s h H i s t o ry i n ve r s e
’
he ,

s ays ,
a n d I d o c o mp o u n d a dd i t i o n 5 a n d I k n o w my

C a t e c h i s m a n d l o t s o f hymn s Wo u ld y o u l i k e t o
, .

h e a r me
I f y o u p l e as e my l i ttl e g e n tl e m a n I says
’
.
, ,

Wh a t s h a ll I say ? h e asks ’
I kn o w al l t h e .
‘

E n g l i s h H i s t o ry o n l y I a m n o t a lw ays qu i t e su r e h o w
,

t h e k i n g s c o me 5 bu t i f y o u k n o w t h e k i n g s a n d c a n
jus t g iv e me t h e n a m e I k n o w t h e ve r s e s qu i te we ll
,
.

An d I k n o w t h e Ca t e c h i s m p e r fe c tl y b u t p e rh ap s ,

u d o n t k o w t h e qu e s t i o n s w i th o u t t h e b o o k T h
’
o e
y n .

hy mn s o f c o u r s e y o u d o n t wa n t a b o o k fo r a n d l
,
’
,

k n o w th e m b e s t o f a l l .
’
5 0 F A TH E E H E B GE H OG

I a l e a r n e d mys e lf says I a n d I o n ly
m no t
’ ‘

k o w o f t wo k i g s —t h e k i g o f E n g l a n d —wh o fo r
, , ,

n n n ,

th a t m a tt e r i s a qu e e n a n d a v e ry g o o d w o ma n th e y
, , ,

s a y i f o n e c o u ld c o me a t h e r —a d t h e k i n o f t h e n
, g
i
g p s i e s w h,
o i s as b i g a b l a c k g ua rd as y o u c o ul d
d e s i re t o k n o w a n d by n o me a n s e n ti tl e d t o c a l l
,

h i ms e l f k i n g th o ug h h e g e t s a lo t o f mo n e y by i t
, ,

wh i c h h e s p e d s i n t h e p ub l i c h o us e As r e g a rd s
n -
.

t h e o th e r th i n g my d e a r I c e rt a i n l y d o e s n o t k o w
, ,
n

t h e qu e s t i o s w i th o u t t h e b o o k n o r i n d e e d s h o u ld I
n , , ,

k n o w th e m w i th t h e b o o k wh i c h i s n e i th e r h e r e ,

n o r th e r e 5 s o i f t h e h y m s r e qu i r e n o l e a r n i n g o n n

my p a rt I g i v e s t h e p r e f e r e n c e t o th e m .
’

I l i k e Me”: b e s t mys e l f h e says ; a n d h e p u t s

’
,

h i s h a t a n d h i s s h o e s a n d s to c k i n g s o n t h e g ro u d n ,

a n d s t a n d s u p a n d f o ld s h i s h a n d s b e h i n d h i s ba c k ,

a n d r e p e a t s a l a rg e n u mb e r o f r e l i i o us v e r s e s w i th
g ,
,

t h e sa m e r e a d i n e ss w i th wh i c h t h e yo u ng c l e rgy ma n
s p e a ks o u t o f a b o o k .

“
I t p a rt ly w e n t a g a i n s t me my d au g ht e r fo r I a m , ,

n o t r e l i i o us mys e l f a n d h e w as a lw ays t o o f o d of n
g ,

h o ly w o rd s wh i c h I th i n ks b ri n g s i lllu c k Bu t h i s
,
-
.

/
vo i c e wa s as s w e e t as a thr us h th a t s i t s s i n g i g i n a n

th o r n bus h a n d b e tw e e n th a t a n d a s o me th i n g i t h e
-
,
n

ve r s e s wh i c h h a d a t e n d e n c y t o m ake yo u fe e l u m
c o mfo rt ab l e I f e e l s mo r e d i s t u r b e d th a n I c a r e s t o
,

s h o w Bu t o h my d aug ht e r h o w I l o ve s h i m
.
, ,
“ ‘
Th e b l e ss i g o f a n o ld g i p sy w o m a n o n y o u r
n

o u g h e ad says Fa i r b h sk i es u n de
’ ‘
y n I ,
e t e .
r

wh i c h y o u w a d e r s a n d s h a dy t h e s p o t s i wh i c h
n n

o u re s t s
y
Ma y t h e w a t e r b e c l e a r a n d t h e wo o d dry wh e re
y o u c a mp s
 AN B HIS N E I GHB OR S .

5 I

Ma y e ve ry r o a d
tr e a d s h av e t u rf by t h e
y o u

way s i d e a n d t h e p a t t e r a n o f a f r i e n d o n t h e le ft
*
.
’

Wh a t i s t h e p a t t e r a n h e asks .

I t i s a s e c r e t I says l o o k i n g s o m e wh a t s t e r n l y
’
, ,

a t h i m Th e r o a d s k e e p s i t a n d t h e h e d g e s k e e p s
.
‘
,

it
I c an ke e p i t ,
’
he says b o ldl y P i c h ,
n my fi n g e r,
and try m e !
As h e s p e aks h e h o ld s o u t h i s l i ttl e fi n g e r a n d I ,

i n c he s it m d aug ht r t i ll t h l r d i s t f h i
p y ,
e e c o o ,
e o u o s

l i p s th o ug h h e k e e p s th e m s e t fo r I d e l i g ht s t o s e e
, ,

t h e n o b l e n e ss a n d t h e e n d u r a n c e o f h i m So I .

e x p l a i n s t h e p a tt e r a n t o h i m a n d s h o w s h i m o u r s ,

w i th t wo b i t s o f h a wth o r n l a i d c ro ss w i s e fo r I d o e s ,

n o t r e a rd h i m a s a s tr a n e r a n d I s e e s t h a t h e c a n
g g ,

k e e p h i s l i p s s h u t wh e n i t i s r e qu i r e d .

H e w as p r a c t i s i n g t h e p a t t e r a n a t my fe e t wh e n ,

I h e a r s t h e c r y o f C hr i s t i a n ! a n d I c a n n o t e x l ai n
p
t o y o u t h e c h i ll th a t c a me o v e r my h e a rt a t t h e
so un d .

“
Tro ub l e a n d a g e a n d t h e l o n e c o mp a n y o f yo u r
o wn th o u g ht s my d au g ht e r h as a t e n d e n c y t o c o n
, ,

fus e y o u 5 a n d I a m n o t by an y me a n s r i g htl y c e rt a i n
a t ti me s ab o u t th i n g s I s e e s a n d h e a r s I s e e s .

C hr i s t i a n s mo th e r wh e n I k n o w s s h e c a n t b e th e r e
’ ’
,

a n d th o u g h I b e l i e v e s n o w th a t o n l y o n e p e r s o n w as

c a ll i n g t h e c h i ld y e t w i th t h e e c h o th a t c o me s f r o m
, ,

t h e qua rry a n d w i th w o r s e th a n tw e n ty e c h o e s i n my
,

o wn mi n d i t s e e m s t o me th a t t h e w o o d i s fu ll o f
,

vo i c e s c a ll i n g h i m .

I n my fo o l i s h n e ss my d au g ht e r I s i t s l i k e a s t o n e
, , ,

P tt m th g ip y t ai l !
a e n e s r .
5 2 F A TH E R H E D GE H O G

and he r i n gs t o h i s fe e t a n d s n a t c h e s u p h i s th i n gs
Sp ,

a n d says G o o d b y o ld g i p sy w o m a n a n d th a n k
‘ -
, , ,

o u v e ry m u c h s h o u ld l i k e to s t ay w i th
’

y I .
y ou h e ,

says bu t n u r s e i s c a ll i n g me a n d mo th e r d o e s g e t
,
‘
,

s o f r i g ht e n e d i f I a m l o n g a w ay a n d s h e d o e s n t ’
‘

k n o w wh e r e Bu t I s h a ll c o me ba c k
. .
’

I n e ve r qu i t e k n o w s my d aug ht e r wh e th e r i t w as
“
, ,

t h e e c h o th a t r e p e a t e d h i s w o rd s o r wh e t h e r i t w as ,

my o wn v o i c e I h e a r s as I s tr e t c h e s my o ld a r m ,
s
a f t e r h i m c ry i n g ,
C o me ba c k ! ,

Bu t h e r u n s o ff s h o u t i n g C o mi n g c o mi n g ! ,
‘
,
’

An d t h e w o o d d e af e n s me i t i s s o fu ll o f v o i c e s .

C/ Co mmg /Co mi ng !
,

—
z r z s t za n l
' '

An d I th i n k s I h as s o me k i n d o f a fi t my
‘
,

d au g ht e r fo r wh e n I w a k e s t h e w o o d i s as s t i ll as
, ,

d e a th a n d h e i s g o n e as dr e a m s g o e s
, ,
.
’

C H APTE R V .

I R E AL L Y fe e l fo r t h e t i n k e r mo th e r -
,
wh i s p e r e d
Mr s . H e dg e h o g .

“
fe e l fo r h e r mys e l f wa s my r e p ly
I Th e , .

c a r e s o f a fa mi l y a r e h e avy e n o u g h wh e n th e y o n l y

l as t fo r t h e s e as o n a n d o n e s l e e p s th e m o ff i n a
,

w t r s p Wh e
i e
n n a
’
n — as i n t h e c as e o f me n —th e y
.

l as t fo r a l i f e t i me a n d y o u n e ve r g e t mo r e th a n
,

o n e n i g ht s r e s t a t a t i m e th e y mus t b e a l mo s t u n e
’
n
,

d u r ab l e As t o p ro l o n g i g o e s a n x i e t i e s f r o m o e s
. n n
’
n
’

o wn fa m i l i e s t o t h e fa m i l i e s o f e a c h o f o n e s c h i l
’

—
dre n n o p a re n t i n h i s s e n s e s
 54 F A TH E R H E D GE H OG

— and e sp e c i a ll y t h e yo u n g c l e rgy wo ma n —h a d b e e n
ve ry g o o d t o h i m 5 bu t fo r wh i c h h e w o u ld p ro bab l
y
h av e r u n a w ay l o g b e fo re B u t wh a t i s b re d i t h e
n . n

b o n e c o me s o u t i n t h e fl e s h H e d o e s p r e tty w e ll wi th
.

t h e l e a r n i n g a n d h e h e a r s w i th t h e c o n fi n e me n t o f
,

s c h o o l th o ug h i t i s w o r s e th a n th a t o f t h e c l e rgy h o us e
,
-
.

Bu t wh e n a r u mo r h as c r e p t o u t th a t h e i s n o t t h e
s o n o f t h e c l e rgy ma n o r o f t h e c l e r ywo ma n
n a d n
g ,

h e i s t au n t e d w i th b e i g a g i p sy a n d a vag r a n t h e
n ,

l ays h i s ba re h a n d s o n th o s e n e a r e s t t o h i m my ,

d aug ht e r a n d c o me s a w ay o n h i s b a r e fe e t
, .

H o w d id h e fi n d y o u mo th e r ? ,
”

H e h as n o fi x e d i n t e n t i o n s b e yo n d r u n n i n g a w ay ,

my d au g h t e r ; bu t a s h e i s s i tt i n g i n a h e d g e t o b a n
d ag e o n e o f h i s fe e t w i th h i s h a n d k e rc h i e f h e s e e s ,

o u r p a t t e r a n a n d h e g o e s o n k e e p i n g i t by t h e l e f t
, , ,

a n d see s i t ag a i n a n d s o fo l l o w s i t a n d c o me s
, ,

h o me .
”

Yo u me a n th at h e c a me t o y o u ?
I d o my d e a r
, F o r h o me i s n o t a h o us e th a t
.

n e v e r m o ve s fr o m o n e l a c e b u i l t o f s t o n e o r b ric k
p , ,

a n d w i th a fr o n t d o o r fo r t h e e n te e l a n d a b ac k d o o r
g
fo r t h e c o mmo n p e o p l e If i t wa s p r i s o n s w o u ld
.
,

b e h o me s . B u t h o me my d au g ht e r i s wh e r e p e r s o n s
, ,

i s wh o m y o u b e l o n g s t o a n d i t ma y b e u n d e r a h e d g e
,

t o d ay a n d i n a fa i r t o mo rr o w
- -
”
.

Mo th e r s a i d S yb i l wh a t d i d y o u d o a b o u t t h e
,
”
,

te n po u n d s
“
I wi ll t e l l y o u my d aug h t e r
,
I wa s o bl i g e d t o.

wa i t l o n g e r th a n w as ag r e e ab l e t o me b e fo r e p r o c e e d
i n g t o th a t n e i g h b o rh o o d fo r t h e p o l ,
i c e wa s s e a r c h
i n g e ve ry wh e r e a n d i t w o u l d b e we a r i s o me t o r e la te
,
 AN B H I S N E I GH B OR S .

55

to yo u wi t h wh a t d i ffi c ulty C hri s t i a n wa s c o n c e a l e d .

My p la n s h a d b e e n l o n g ma d e as y o u k n o w ,
.

Cl e r yfo l
g k
,
m y d aug ht e r w i th a t e,
d i o us n e ss o f
j a w wh i c h m ak e s th e m a s Op p r e ss ive t o l i s te n l o n g
t o as h o us e s i s t o r e s t l o n g i n h as th e i r g o o d p o i n t s ,

l i k e o th e r p e r s o n s 5 th e y s h o w s k i n d n e ss t o th o s e
wh o a r e i n tr o ub l e a n d th e y s p e n d s th e i r mo n e y v e ry
,

f r e e l y o n t h e p o o r Th i s i s w e l l k n o w n e ve n b y
.
-
,

th o s e wh o h as n o l i k i n g fo r p a r s o n s a n d I h a ve mo re ,

th a n o n c e Obs e rv e d th a t p e rs o n s wh o g o e s s tr a ig ht
t o t h e p ub l i c h o us e wh e n th e y h a s mo n e y i n th e i r
-

p o c k e t s, g o e s s tr a i g ht t o t h e p a r s o n wh e n th e i r
p o c k e t s i s e m p ty .

I t i s a l s o w e ll k n o w n my d aug ht e r th a t wh e n , ,

t h e c l e rg y m a n c o ll e c t s m o n e y af t e r s p e ak i n g i n h i s

c h u r c h h e d o e s n t t ak e i t fo r h i s o wn u s e as i s t h e
’
, ,

c us t o m w i th o th e r p e o p l e su c h as Pu n c h a n d Ju dy
,

me n o r s i n g e r s o r f o rt u n e t e ll e r s 5 a t t h e s a me t i me
, ,

h e i s as p l e as e d w i th a g o o d c o ll e c t i o n as i f i t w e r e fo r
h i s o wn u s e 5 a n d i f s o me r i c h p e r s o n c o n tr i bu t e s a
s o ve r e i g n fo r t h e s i c k a n d p o o r i t i s t o h i m as i t ,

w o u ld b e t o y o u my d au g ht e r if y o u r h a n d w as
, ,

c r o ss e d w i th g o ld by s o m e n o b l e g e n tl e m a n wh o h a d

b e e n c ro ss e d i n l o ve .

I e x p la i n th i s my cle a r th a t y o u ma y u n d e r s t a n d
“
, ,

h o w i t wa s th a t I h a d p l a n n e d t o p a y b a c k t h e c l e rgy

p p e o l ’
e s t e n
p o u n d s i n c h u rc h wh i c h w o ul,
d b e a s

g o o d a s p ay i n
g i t i n t o th e i r h a n d s wi th t h e a d va n ,

t ag e Of s e c r e c y fo r mys e l f O n t h e S a t u rd a y I dri ve s
.

i n t o t h e l i ttl e m a r k e t i n a d o n k e y c a rt w i th g r e e n s -
,

an d o n S u n d ay mo r n i n g I g o e s t o c h u r c h i n a v e ry
r e p e c t ab l e d i sgu i s e me n t a n d t h e s e xt o n p uts me i n
s
,
 5 6 F A TH E R H E B GE H OG

a p e w w i th s o me w o me n Of i n fi rm mi n d i n w o rk h o u s e
dre ss e s fo r wh i c h my d aug ht e r I h a d mu c h t o d o
, , ,

to r e s tr a i n mys e l f f r o m k n o c k i n g h i m d o w n Bu t I .

d o e s 5 a n d I b e h a v e s mys e l f thr o ug h t h e s e rvi c e

wi th t h e u t mo s t c a r e fo l l o w i n g t h e m o ve me n t s Of t h e
,

g e n t e e l e r p o rt i o n o f t h e c o m p a n y th o s e i n t h e, p e w
w i th me h a vi n g n o ma n n e r s a t a ll 5 o n e Of th e m
s t a n d i n g mo s t Of t h e t i me a n d g i gg l i n g o ve r t h e
p e w -
ba c k a n,
d a n o th e r s i tt i n
g i n t h e c o r n e r a nd

we e p i g i n t o h e r la p
n .

“
Bu t w i th t h e e x c e p ti o n Of g e tt i n g u p a n d s i tti n g
d o w a n d h o ld i n g a b o o k Op e n as e a r t o t h e mi ddl e
n, n

a s I c o u ld g u e ss I p ays l i ttl e a tt e n t i o
,
my d aug ht e r n , ,

fo r a ll my th o u g ht s i s t ak e n u p w i th w a i t i g fo r t h e n

c o ll e c t i o n t o b e g i n a n d w i th try i g t o k e e p my e y e s
,
n

fr o m t h e c l e rgy wo ma n s fa c e wh i c h I c a n s e e qu i t e
’
,

c l e a rl y th o u g h s h e i s a t s o me d i s t a n c e f r o m me
, .

“
D i d s h e l o o k v e ry wi ld mo th e r as i f s h e f e lt
, ,

be side he rse lf
S h e l o o k e d v e ry b a d my d au g ht e r a n d g r ay
“
, , ,

wh i c h w as n o t w i th a g e I t e ll s y o u th a t I tri e d o t
. n

t o l o o k a t h e r 5 a n d b y a n d b y t h e c o ll e c t i o n b e g i n s
- -
.

I t s e e m s h o u r s t o me my d aug ht e r wh i l s t t h e
“
, ,

mo n e y i s c h i n k i n g a n d t h e c l e rg y m a n i s s p e ak i g n ,

a n d t h e t e n p i e c e s Of g o ld i s g e tt i g s o h o t i n m y n

h a n d s I fa n c i e s th e y bu r n s me a n d s ti ll n o t o n e Of
, ,

t h e c o ll e c t i n g me n c o me s n e a r o u r p e w .

“
A t las t o n e b y o n e th e y b e g i n s t o g o p a s t me
, ,

a n d g o u p t o t h e c l e rg y ma n wh o i s w a i t i n g fo r th e m

a t t h e u pp e r e n d a n d t h e n I p e r c e i v e s th a t th e y
,

re g a rd s u s a s t o o p o o r t o p a y o u r w ay l i k e t h e r e s t ,

a n d t h a t t h e pl a t e s w i ll n e v e r b e p u t i n t o o u r p e w a t
5 8 F A TH E R H E B GE H O G

th e no b i l i ty a d g e n try th o ug h qu i c k a n d p o l i t e i n a
n ,

ma tt e r Of Ob l i g i n g t h e p o o r su c h as th i s o n e ,
wh e n ,
-

th e y s i t s as p Ok n e e s t o a d m i i s t e r jus t i c e l o s e s b o th
*
n
,

th e i r g o o d s e n s e a n d th e i r g o o d m a n n e r s as c o m
p l e t e ly as an
y O f t h e p o l i c e .

“
Bu t i t c o me s t o me a l s o th a t b e i g su c h a r e a l n

o e — su c h a
n no u t a n d O u t e r —h i s p o l i t e e ss m a
-
b e n
y
-

s o g r e a t th a t h e m a y l o o k a o th e r w ay r a th e r th a n n ,

e e a d n r t o s e e wh a t t h e p o o r w o r k h o us e c o m
p p p y
-
,

p a n y w o m an
p u t s i t o n t h e p l a t e A d I a m r.i g ht n ,

my d au g ht e r fo r h e l o o ks a w ay a n d I l ays t h e t e n
, ,

o ld e n s o ve r e ig s i n t h e l a t e a d h e g i v e s a l i ttl e
n
g n
p ,

s mil e a n d a l i ttl e b o w a d go e s s l o wl y a d s tu mb
,
n n

l i n gl y t o t h e u pp e r e n d wh e r e t h e c l e rgy m a n i s s t i ll
,

S p e ak i n g v e r s e s .

“
A d th e my d aught e r my h a n d s wh i c h m a d e
n n, , ,

t h e g o ld s o v e r e i g n s s o h o t t u r n s v e ry c o ld a n d I g e t s
, ,

u p a n d g o e s o u t O f t h e c h u r c h w i th as m u c h r e s p e c t

fu l n e ss a d qu i e t as I a m ab l e
n .

“
An d I tri e s n o t t o l o o k a t h e r fa c e as I t u r n s t o
s h u t t h e d o o r bu t I w as u n ab l e t o k e e p my s e l f f ro m
,

d o i g s o a n d as i t l o o k e d th e n I c a n s e e i t o w my
n ,
n ,

cl e a r ,
a n d I k n o w I s h a ll r e m e mb e r i t t i ll I d i e I .

th i n ks s o me h o w th a t s h e w as p r ayi n g th o ug h i t w as ,

n o t a p r ay i a rt o f t h e s e r v i c e a d w h e I l ks
g p
n ,
o o n n

t o t h e u p p e r e n d I s e e s th a t t h e e ye s o f t h e y o u n g
c l e r gy m a n h e r h usba n d i s fi x e d o n h e r as m i n e i s , .

“
An d Of a ll t h e w o rd s wh i c h h e p r e a c h e d th at
d ay a n d t h e v e r s e s h e s p o k e w i th s o mu c h r e a d i e ss n ,

I c o u ld n o t r e p e a t o n e t o y o u my d aug ht e r t o sav e , ,

my l i fe e x c e p t t h e w o rd s h e w as s ay i g j u s t th e n
,
n ,

gip y w d f
”
P k o n e es, s or m gi t t or a s ra e .
 AN D H I S N E I GH B OAS .
59

an d th e y r e ma i n s i n my e a r s a s h e r fa c e re ma i n s
b e fo r e my e y e s
Go d i s n o t u n r i g ht e o us th a t H e w i l l fo rg e t y o u r
,

wo rk a n d l a b o r wh i c h p ro c e e d e th Of l o ve
, .
’

C H AP TE R VI .

WE a r e a ll c r e a t u re s o f h ab i t S O my l e a r n e d
.

u n c l e D r a e n y C o e d wh o w as a We l s h h e d g e h o g
, , ,

u s e d t o say . Wh i c h w as why a n a n c e s t o r Of my o wn ,

wh o a c t e d as t u r n s p i t i n t h e k i t c h e O f a fa r mh o us e n

i n Y o r ks h i r e qu i t e aba n d o n e d t h e fa mi l y c us t o m Of
,

w al k i n g o u t i t h e c o o l Of t h e e ve n i n g a n d d e c l a re d
n ,

th a t h e c o u ld n t t ak e t wo s t e p s i n c o mf o rt e x c e p t i
’
n

a c i r c l e a n d i n f ro n t o f a k i t c h e n fi r e a t r o as ti g
,
n

h e at ”

U n c l e D r a e n y C o e d w as r i g ht a n d I mus t a dd ,

th a t I d o ub t i f i n a ll h i s e xp e ri e n c e o r amo n g t h e
, ,

s tr a n g e tr a d i ti o n s Of h i s mo s t e c c e n tr i c a n c e s t o r s h e ,

c o ul d fi n d a n i n s t a n c e Of c h a g e Of h ab i t s s o u e x
n n

e c t e d s o c o mp l e t e I m a y say s o h e a dl o n g as wh e n
p , , ,

ve r y qu i e t p e o p le w i th a n a l mo s t su rl y a tt a c h m e n t t o
,

h o me b re ak t h e b o u n d s Of t h e d o me s ti c c i rc l e a d
, ,
n

t ak e t o g a dd i n g g o ss i p i n g a n d e x c i t e me n t
, ,
.

P e rh ap s i t i s b e c aus e th e y fi d th a t th e i r fe ll o w
n

c r e a t u r e s a r e n i c e r th a n th e y h ave b e e n w o n t t o
a ll o w th e m t o b e a n d th a t o th e r p e o p l e s a ffa i r s a r e
’
,

q u i te a s i n t e re s t i n g as th e i r o wn .

P e rh a p s —bu t wh a t i s t h e g o o d o f try i n g t o e xp l a i n
i n fa t ua t i o n s
60 F A TH E E H E B GE H OG

Why d o we a ll l o ve val e ri a n I c a n o n ly r e c o rd
t h a t h av i n g s e t u p e v e ry p r i c k l e o n o u r ba c k s
,

a g a i s t i n tr u d e r s i n t o
n o u r wo o d we n o w dr e a d e d
,

n o th i g mo r e th a n th a t o u r n e i g h b o r s s h o u ld f o r sak e
n

us a n d w i s h ed fo r n o th i n b e tt e r th a n fo r f r e s h
, g
a rr i vals .

I n Ol d d ays wh e n my e x c e ll e n t p a rt n e r a n d I us e d
,

t o t ak e o u r e v e n i g s tr o ll u p t h e fi e ld we w e r e w o t
n ,
n

t o r e g a rd i t qu i t e as a g r i e va n c e i f a c o u s m wh o ,

l ive d a t t h e fa r e n d Of t h e h e d g e c a me o u t a n d ,

c aug ht us a n d d e t a i n e d us fo r a g o ss i p Bu t n o w I .

c o u ld h a rdl y s e ttl e t o my mi dd ay n a p fo r th i n k i g o f n

t h e t i n k e r m o th e r ; a n d as t o Mr s H e d g e h o g s h e
-
.
,

almo s t a n n o ye d m e by h e r a n x i e ty t o s e e C hr i s t i a n .

H o w e v e r c u r i o s i t y i s t h e f o i b l e Of h e r s e x a d I
, ,
n

a c c o mp a n i e d h e r d a i l y t o t h e e n c a mp me n t w i th o u t
a mu r mu r .

Th e s e v e n u r c h i n s we s e n t d o w n t o t h e bu rd o c ks
t o pi c k s n a i l s .

I t wa s n o t ma n y d ays af t e r th a t o n wh i c h we h e a rd
d t i n k e r mo th e r r e l a t e C hr i s t i a n s h i s t o ry th a t
’
t h e Ol -
,

we w e r e s t o pp e d o n o u r w ay t o t h e c o r n e r wh e r e we
u su a l ly c o n c e a l e d o u r s e l v e s by h e a r i n g s tr a n g e v o i c e s
,

fr o m t h e w i d i n g p a thw ay ab o v e u s
n .

I t s a y o u n g ma n sa i d I
“ ’ ”
.
,

I t s C hr i s t i a n ! c r i e d Mr s H e d g e h o g
“ ’ ”
. .

I fe e l su r e i t i s n o t sai d I 5 bu t i f y o u w i ll
,
” “

k e e p q u i e t I w i ll c r e e p a l i ttl e fo r wa rd a n d s e e
,
.
”

I a m a lw ays i n t h e r i g ht as I m ak e a p o i n t o f ,

re mi n d i n g Mr s H e d g e h o g wh e n e v e r we d i s p u te ; a n d
I w as r ig ht o n th i s o c c as i o n .

Th e la d wh o s p o k e w as a y o u g g e tl e me n o f n n
62 FA THE E H E B GE H O G .

tats we a ll th e m H e us e d t o s i t w i th h i s p a i n t b o x
c .
-

i my w i n d o w a n d C hr i s t i a n us e d t o s i t o u t s i d e t h e
n ,

w i n d o w o n t h e e d g e d a g l i g h i s l e g s a d d e s c ib
, ,
n n ,
n r

i g s c e n e s o u t o f h i s h e a d fo r Wa t s o
n t o dr a w n .

Wa t s o n us e d t o say I w i s h I c o u ld p a i t w i th my ,
‘
n

b rus h a s th a t fe ll o w p a i t s w i th h i s t o n gu e a d n - n

wh e t h e v i g e tt s w e r e a d m i r e d I ve h e a rd h i m
n n e ,
’

say i n h i s dry w ay I c o p i e d th e m f rom C hri s t i a n s

, ,
‘ ’

p ain ti g 5 a n d t h e fe l l o w s us e d t o s t a r e fo r y o u
’
n s
,

k o w h e c o u ld t dr a w a l i n e A d wh e n
n n
’
Bu t I . n

say G e rtr u d e fo r H e av e s sak e d o t d e vo u r

, ,
n
’
,
n
’

e v e ry th i g I say w i th th o s e
n r e a t p i t i fu l e ye s o f
g
yo u r s I a m a r e g u l a r b r u t e t o t a l k ab o u t h i m
. .
”

N O Te d I t m ak e s m e s o h a pp y t o h e a
“
,
o ,
n . r

u a d t o k o w th a t u k n o w h o w g o o d h e r e a ll y
y o ,
n
y o n

wa s a n d h o w mu c h h e mus t h a v e b e e a g g r ava t e d
,
n

b e fo re
F o g o o d e ss sak e d o n t c r y C hri s t i a n w as a
’ ’
r n .
,

ve ry g o o d f e ll o w a c a p i t a l f e ll o w ,
I e v e r th o u g ht . n

I c o u ld h a v e g o t o s o w e ll w i th a n y o e wh o w as
n n

I m e a wh o w as t—w e ll Of c o u r s e I me a n wh o w as
’
n n ,

re a ll y a g i p sy I d o n t b l a me h i m a b i t fo r r e s e n t i g
’
. n

b e i g bu ll i e d ab o u t h i s p a r e t s
n I o l y b l a m e mys e l f n . n

fo r no t l o o k i n g b e tt e r af t e r h i m Bu t y o u k n o w th a t .

w e ll e n o u g h—yo u k n o w i t s b e c aus e I e v e r c a n fo r ’
n

g i v e mys e l f fo r h avi g ma n ag e d s o ba d ly wh e n y o u n

p t h i m i my c a r e th a t I a m ba c k i n g y o u thr o ug h
u n ,

th i s m a d e xp e d i t i o th o ug h I d o t a p p ro ve o f i t n, n
’

o e b it
n a n d th o u g h I k n o w J o h n w i ll b l a m e me

a w fu ll y .

!
“
I t s t h e
’
c l e r g y w o m a n wh i s p e r e d M rs H e d e
g ,
.

h o g e x c i t e dl y a d I mus t a n d w i l l s e e h e r
,
n .
 AN D HI S N E I GH B OR S . 63

Wh e n i t c o me s t o th i s wi th Mr s H e dg e h o g 5 s e x .
,

th e re i s n o th i n g fo r i t b u t t o le t t h e d e a r c r e a tu re s
h a ve th e i r o wn w ay a n d t a k e t h e c o n s e qu e n c e s
, .

S h e p u s h e d h e r n o s e s tr a ig ht thr o u g h t h e l o w e r
b r a n c h e s Of a n a r bu t us i n wh i c h we w e r e c o n c e a l e d ,

a n d I mys e l f ma n a g e d t o e t a n e a r e r s i ht O f O u r
g g -

n e w n e i hb o rs
g .

As we c r e p t fo rw a rd t h e c l e rgy w o man g o t u p fro m

,

wh e r e s h e wa s k n e e l i n g a mo n g s t t h e fl o we r s a n d ,

l a i d h e r h a n d o n t h e yo u n g g e n tl e ma n s a r m I ’
.

n o t i c e d i t b e c a us e I h a d n e v e r s e e n s u c h a wh i t e
h a n d b e fo re 5 S yb i l s p aws w e re n e a rl y a s d a r k a s my
’

o wn .
)
“
J o h n w i ll b la me n o o n e i f we fi n d C hri s ti a n ,

s h e s ai d Yo u a r e v e ry v e ry g o o d C o us i n Te d
“
.
, , ,

t o c o me w i th m e a n d h e l p me wh e n y o u d o n o t
b el i e v e i n my dr e a m B u t y o u mus t s ay i t i s Od d
.

ab o u t t h e fl o we r s An d y o u h a ve n t to l d me y e t
.
’

wh a t th e y a r e .
”

I t i s t h e b u lb o u s r o o t e d fu mi t o ry s a i d t h e y o u n g
-
,

ma n p u ll i n g a p i e c e a t r a n d o m i n t h e r e c kl e ss w ay
,

i n wh i ch me n d o d i s fi g u r e fo r e s t flo we r b e d s
“
It -
.

i s n t s tr i c tl y i n d i g e n o u s b u t i t i s n a t u r al i z e d i n ma n y
’
,

p l a c e s a nd y o u mus t h a v e s e e n i t b e fo r e
,
th o ug h ,

u fa n c y y o u h av e n t
’ ”
y o .

I h av e s e e n i t o n c e b e fo r e s h e sa i d e a r n e s tl y
”
,

all i n d e l i c a t e g l au c o u s g r e e n mass e s s tu dd e d wi th
-
,

u r l n d wh i t e l i k e th e s e 5 bu t i t w as i n m dr e a m
p p e a , y .

I n e ve r s a w i t o th e rw i s e th o ug h I k n o w y o u d o n t
’
,

b e l i e ve me
”
.

“
D e a r G e rtr u de I ll b e l i e ve a n ythi n g y o u l i k e t o
,
’

te l lme if y o u l ,
l c o me h o me I m s u re I h ave do n e
’
.
’
64 F A TH E E H E B GE H OG

ve ry wro n g Yo u k n o w I m a l w a ys h a rd u p b u t
.
’
,

I de cl a r e I d g i v e a h u n dr e d p o u n d s i f y o u d c o me
’ ’

h o me w i th me a t o n c e I d o n t b e l i e ve th e re s a
.
’ ’

i
g p sy w i th i n

G o o d da y my p re t ty yo u n g g e n t l e ma n L e t t h e
-
, .

p o o r i
g p sy -
g i r l t e ll y o u y o u r f o rt u n e
”
.

H e tu r n e d r o u n d a n d sa w S yb i l s t a n d i n g a t h i s
e l bo w ,
h e r e ye s fl a s h i n g a n d h e r wh i t e t e e th g l e a m
i n g i n a b r o a d s mi l e . H e s t o o d s p e e c hl e ss i n sud de n
s u rp ri s e 5 b u t t h e c l e rgy w o m a n wh o wa s n o t su r
,

p r i s e d, c a m e fo rw a rd w i th h e r wh i t e h a n d s s tr e t c h e d

s o e x p r e ss i v e ly t o w a rd s S yb i l s b r o w n o n e s th a t t h e
’
,

g pi sy
-
g i r l a ll b u t t o o k th e m i n h e r o wn

Pl e as e k i n d ly t e l l me —do y o u k n o wa n yt h i n g Of
.

a y o u n g g i p sy n a me d C hr i s t i a n
,

Th e c l e rgy wo ma n s p o k e w i th s u c h ve h e me n c e th a t
S yb i l a n s w e r e d d i r e c t l y I k n o w h i s g r a n d mo th e r
“ ”

—a n d th e n s u dd e n l y s t o pp e d h e r s e lf
,

Bu t as s h e s p o k e s h e h a d tu r n e d h e r h e a d w i th a n
,

e x p r e ss i v e g e s t u r e i n t h e d i r e c t i o n O f t h e e n c a mp

me n t a n d w i th o u t wa i t i n g fo r mo r e t h e c le rg y w o m a n
, ,

r a n d o wn t h e p a th c a ll i n g o n h e r c o u s i n t o fo l l o w h e r
, .

C H AP TE R V II .

MY a n c e sto r s a rti fi c e wa s ve ry s u c c e ss fu l wh e n
’

t h e r a c e wa s r u n o n t wo s i d e s Of a h e d g e b a c k w a rd s ,

a n d f o r wa rd s 5 b u t i f a l o u i s d o r a n d a b o ttl e Of
’

b r a n d y h a d d e p e n d e d o n my r e a c h i n g t h e t i n k e r
mo t h e r b e fo re t h e c l e rg yw o ma n I s h o u l d h a ve l
,
o st
 66 F A TH E E H E D GE H O G

hi m—th a t th e y co me s t o ta u n t me and my g r ay
h ai rs
Sh e wru n g g r ay l o c ks w i th a p a ss i o n a t e g e s t u r e
h er
as s h e sp o ke
,
a d th e n dro pp e d h e r e l b o w s o n h e r
n

k n e e s a n d h e r h e a d up o n h e r h a d s n .

Th e c l e rgy w o m a n h a d b e e n s t a d i n g v e ry s t i ll n ,

w i th h e r t wo wh i t e h a n d s fo ld e d b e fo r e h e r a n d h e r ,

e y e s th a t h a d d a r k c i r c l e s r o u n d th e m wh i c h m a d e
,

th e m l o o k l a rg e fi x e d u p o n t h e t i n k e r mo th e r as s he
,
-

m u tt e r e d 5 bu t wh e s h e c e as e d m u tt e r i g t h e c l e rgy
n n

w o m a n u n l o c k e d h e r h a n d s a d w i th o n e m o ve me n t ,
n

t o o k Off h e r h a t H e r h a i r wa s s mo o thl y dr a w n o ve r
.

t h e r o u n d n e ss o f h e r h e a d a n d ga th e r e d i n a k o t ,
n

a t t h e ba c k o f h e r n e c k a n d t h e b ro w n Of i t w as a ll
,

s tre ak e d w i th g r ay S h e thre w h e r h a t o n t o t h e
.

g r ass a n d mo v i n g s w i f tl y t o t h e Old w o m a n s s i d e
,
’
,

s h e k n e lt by h e r as we h a d s e e n S yb i l k n e e l s p e ak
, ,

i n g v e ry c l e a rl y a n d t o u c h i n g t h e t i n k e r m o th e r s
’
-

h an d .

C hr i s t i a n s g r a d mo th e r — y o u a r e h i s g r a n d
’
n

mo th e r a r e y o u n o t ?—y o u mus t b e mu c h mu c h
,
-
,

O ld e r th a n m e bu t l o o k a t my h a i r
,
Am I l i k e l y t o .

t au n t a n y o n e w i th h avi n g g ro w n g r ay o r w i th b e i n g
mi s e r ab l e ? I t t ak e s a g o o d d e a l Of p a i n g o o d ,

m o th e r t o m a k e y o u g h a i r as wh i t e as mi n e
”
n .
,

S O i t s h o u ld m u tt e r e d t h e O ld w o m a n
“ ”
,
s o it ,

s h o u ld I t i s a p l aguy w o rld I say as i t i s ; bu t

.
, ,

i t w o u ld b e p l aguy p as t a y b e a r i n g fo r t h e p o o r i f
n ,

th e m th a t h as e ve ry th i n g c o u ld d o jus t as th e y l i k e s
a n d n e ve r f e e l o a c h e s n o r p a i s af t e r wa rd s
n An d n .

th e re s a ma n y fi n e g e n tle fo l k th i n ks th e y c a n ti ll
’
,

th e y fe e l s th e d iffe r e n c e
 AN B H IS N E I GH B OE S 67

Wh a t s t e n p o u n d t o me ? says y o u
’
I w an t s
’
.

th e p r e tty bab y w i th t h e d a r k e y e s a n d t h e l o g n

las h e s says y o u
,
’
.

‘
Th e m i t b e l o g s t o I S p o o r th e y d s e l l a n y th i n g
n ,
’
,
’

says y o u .

I w a n t s a s o n y o u says 5 a d h avi g t h e a d
’ ‘
,
n n

va n t ag e s Of g o ld a d s i l ve r I c a n buy o e n ,
n .
’

Yo u c a ll s h i m by a n a me Of y o u r o wn c h o o s i g n ,

a n d p u t s yo u r o w n a me a t t h e e d Of th a t
n H is n .

h a n d s a r e s o me th i n g d a rk fo r t h e s o n Of su c h a d e l i
c a t e wh i t e l a d y m o th e r bu t th e y c a n b e c o v e r e d w i th
-
,

t h e k i d g l o v e s Of g e n t i l i ty .

“
Yo u buy s fi n e c l o th e s fo r h i m a n d n u r s e s a n d ,

t u t o r s a n d s c h o o l s fo r h i m .

“
Yo u t e a c h e s h i m t h e s p e e c h Of g e n tl e fo l k a n d ,

t h e a i r s Of g e n tl e fo l k a n d t h e l e a r n i g o f g e n tl e f o l k
,
n .

“
Yo u c r a m s h i s h e a d w i th r e l i g i o n wh i c h i s a ,

th i n g I d o e s n t h o ld w i th a n d w i th h o l y w o rd s wh i c h
’
, ,

I th i ks b r i n g s il
n ll u c k -
.

“
Yo u h as t h e a d va n t a g e s Of s i l v e r a d g o ld t o n ,

m ak e a fi n e g e n tl e m a Of h i m bu t t h e b l o o d th a t n ,

fl i e s t o h i s fa c e wh e n h e h e a r s t h e w o rd s o f i n su lt i s
g ip sy b l o o d a n d h e c o m e s b a c k t o t h e w o o d s vh e r e
,

h e w as b o r n .

L e t m e b e my d au g ht e r I say I w i ll s p e ak
“
, ,

! H e av e n ke e p m
y h e ad c o o l i t s g o o d fo r su c h as -

th e m t o h e a r t h e tr u t h o n c e i n a w ay S h e s a d a i ty .
’
n

fi n e l a d y a n d s h e t aug ht h i m m a n y fi e th i n gs
,
n ,

b e s i d e s r e l ig i o n wh i c h I s e t s my fa c e aga i n s t Te ll
—
.
,

h er sh e o o t k m i g ht y g o o d c a r e o f h i m H a lh a ! th e

ol d t i n k e r w o m a n h a d o n l y o e c h a n c e Of t e a c h i n g
-
n

h im a n yth i n g—b u t S h e t a ug l z fil m Me p atter a n ‘

z
 68 F A TH E E H E D GE H OG

Th e l rg yw o ma n h a d n e ve r mo ve d e x c e p t th a t
c e ,

wh e n t h e t i n k e r mo th e r s h o o k Off h e r h a n d s h e
-

l o c k e d h e r wh i t e fi n g e r s i n f ro n t o f h e r as b e fo re ,

a n d h e r e y e s w a n d e r e d fr o m t h e Ol d w o ma n s fa c e
’
,

a n d l o o k e d b e y o n d i t as if s h e w e r e d o i n g wh a t I
,

h ave Of t e n d o n e a n d c o u n t i n g t h e b i t s Of b l u e s k y
,

wh i c h s h o w thro ug h t h e o a k l e a ve s b e fo re th e y g r o w
-

th i c k Bu t s h e mus t h a ve b e e n p ay i n g a tt e n t i o n a ll
.

t h e sa me fo r s h e s p o k e v e ry e a r n e s tl y
,
.

“
G o o d mo th e r l i s t e n t o me If I b o u g h t h i m
, .
,

y o u s o ld h i m .P e rh a p s I d id wr o n g t o t e mp t y o u

rh a s I d i d wr o n g to h O e to buy fo r mys e l f wh a t
p e p p
Go d wa s n o t p l e a s e d t o g i v e me . I wa s v e ry y o u n g ,

a n d o n e m ak e s ma n y mi st a k e s wh e n o ne i s y o u n g .

I th o u g h t I wa s c h i ld l e ss a n d u n h ap p y b u t I k n o w ,

n o w th a t o n ly th o s e a r e c h i l d l e s s wh o h a ve h a d
c h i l dr e n a n d l o s t th e m .

“
D O y o u k n o w th a t i n a l lt h e y e a r s my s o n wa s
w ith me I d o n o t th i n k th e re wa s a d ay wh e n I d i d
,

n o t th i n k Of o I us e d t o w d e r i f o u r e r e tt e d
y u o n y g
h i m a n d I l iv e d i n dre a d Of y o u r g e tt i n g h i m b a c k ;
,

a n d wh e n h e r a n a w ay I k n e w y o u h a d I n e ve r
ag re e d w i th t h e l a wye r s p l a n s —my h usb a n d w i l l t e ll
.
,
’

y o u s o — I a lw ays w a n te d t o fi n d y o u t o s p e a k t o yo u

mys e l f . I k n e w wh a t y o u mu s t f e e l a n d I th o u g ht I
,

s h o u ld l ik e y o u t o k n o w th a t I k n e w i t .

“
N i g ht af t e r n i g ht I l ay a w a k e a n d th o u g ht wh a t
I wo u ld say t o y o u wh e n we me t . I th o u g ht I w o u ld
t e ll y o u th a t I c o u ld qu i t e u n d e rsta n d th a t o u r w ays
mi g ht b e c o me i r ks o me t o C hr i s t i a n i f h e i n h e r i t e d a
,

lo v e fo r o u td o o r l i f e a n d fo r mo vi n g f r o m p l a c e t o
,

l I th o u ht I w o u ld say th a t p e rh a p s I wa s wr o n g
p a c e .
g
 F A TH E R H E D GE H OG
7 0

my h e a rt w as as h e avy as yo u r s wh a t p ro fi t s h o ul d
, I
h ave i n i t ?
i i n n m
’
o e —
C hr s t a s g r a d th r y o u a r e h i s g r a n d
mo th e r I k n o w a n d h a v e t h e b e tt e r r i g ht t o h i m—i f
o u c a n n o t a g r e e t o my p l a n s —if
, ,

y y o u w o n t l e t m e
’

h e l p y o u ab o u t h i m—i f y o u h i d e h i m fro m me a n d ,

I m us t l i v e o u t my l ife a n d n e v e r s e e h i s d e a r f a c e
ag a i n —s p are m e t h e h o p e Of s e e i n g i t wh e n th i s l ife
i s o ve r
If I did my b e s t fo r y o u r g r a n d s o n —a n d y o u
.

k n o w I d i d—Oh ! fo r t h e l o ve o f C hr i s t o u r o n l y ,

R e fug e d o n o t s t a n d b e tw e e n h i m a n d t h e Fa th e r
,

Of us a ll !

I f y o u h a ve f e lt wh a t h e mus t s u ffe r i f h e i s
“

p o o r a n d if
, y o u k n o w s o w e ll h o w l i tt l e i t m a ke s

su r e o f h app i n e ss t o b e ri c h—i f i n a l o n g l i fe y o u
h ave f o u n d o u t h o w h a rd i t i s t o b e g o o d a n d h o w ,

a e i —
r r t s t o b e h appy i f y o u k n o w wh a t i t i s t o l o ve
i
a n d lo se to h o p e a n d t o b e d i sap p o i n t e d i n o n e s ’

h o p i n g—le t h i m b e r e l ig i o us g o o d m o th e r !
,

If y o u c a r e fo r C hr i s t i a n l e av e h i m t h e o n l y
,

s tr e n g th th a t i s s tro n g e n o u g h t o h o ld us ba c k f ro m
s i n a n d t o d o i n s t e a d Of o
”
, j y .

Th e t i n k e r mo th e r l i f t e d h e r h e a d 5 b u t b e fo r e s h e
-

c o u ld say a w o rd t h e yo u n g g e n tl e m a n bu r s t i n t o
,

i n d ig n a n t s p e e c h .

G e rtr u d e I c a n b e a r i t n o l o n g e r N o t e ve n fo r
,
.

n o t e v e n fo r t h e c h a n c e o f g e tt i n C hr i s t i a
y ou , g n

bac k I t s e mp ty s w ag g e r t o say th a t I w i s h t o Go d
.
’

I d t h e c h a n c e o f g i v i n g my l i f e t o g e t h i m ba c k fo r
’

y ou Bu
. t y o u m us t c o m e h o m e now I ve b i tt e n
.
’

my lip t hr o u g h i n h o l d i n g my t o n g u e b u t I wo n t s e e
’
,
 AN B H IS N E I GH B OR S . 7 I

you k n e e l a n o th e r mi n u t e a t t h e f e e t Of th a t s u l k
y
Ol d g i p sy h ag .

Wh i l s t h e w as s p e ak i g t h e t i n k e r mo th e r h a d n -

r i s e t o h e r f e e t a d wh e n s h e s t o o d qu i te u p rig ht
n ,
n

s h e w s m u c h t a ll e r th a
a I h a d th o ug ht n Th e y o u n g .

ge tl e ma h a d mo ve d t o t ak e h i s c o us i n by t h e h a n d
n n ,

b u t t h e Old w o m a n w av e d h i m ba c k .

S tay wh e r e y o u a r e y o u n g g e n tl e m a n ,
s h e sa i d , .

Th i s i s o ma tt e r fo r b o ys t o m ix a n d me ddl e i n
n .

S yb i l my d aug ht e r—S yb i l I say ! C o me a n d s t a n d

, ,

n e a r m e fo r I e t s c o fus e d a t t i m e s a n d I fe a r s I
, g n ,

m a y o t e x p l a i mys e l f t o t h e n o b l e g e n tl e w o ma n
n n

w i th a ll t h e r e s p e c t th a t I c o u ld w i s h S h e says a .

g re a t d e a l th a t i s ve ry tr u e m y d au g ht e r a n d s h e , ,

h as n o v u l ga r i n s o l e n c e i n h e r m a n n e r s Of s p e ak i n g .

I th i n ks I s h a ll l e t h e r d o as h e says i f we c a n g e t ,

C hr i s t i a n o u t wh i c h p e rh ap s i f s h e i s c o us i n t o a y
, ,
n

Of t h e Jus t i c i a ry s h e ma b e ab l e t o do
y ,
.

“
Th e p o o r t i n k e r fo l k r e t u r n s y o u t h e d e e p e s t Of
-

O b l i g a t i o n s my g e n tl e l a dy I f s h e ll l e t me s e e h i m
’
.
,

wh e n I wa t s t o i t w i ll b e b e s t my d au g hte r 5 fo r I
n , ,

th i n ks I a m fa i l i n g a n d I s h o u ld n t l i k e t o l e a v e h i m
‘

,
’

w i th G e o rg e a n d th a t dru n k e n s l u t .

I th i n ks I a m fa i l i n g I s a y Tr o ub l e a n d a g e
“
.
,

a d th e
n l o n e c o mp a n y Of yo u r o w th o ug ht s my n ,

n o b l e g e n tl e w o m a h as a t e d e n c y t o c o fus e y o u
n, n n ,

th o ug h I w as a lw ays h ig hl y e s t e e me d fo r t h e fa c i l i ty ’

o f my s p e e c h e s p e c i a ll y i ,
t h e t e ll i n g o f f o rt u n e s
n .

L e t t h e p o o r g p sy l o o k i t o y o u r wh i t e h a n d my
i n ,

p r e tt y l a d y Th e l i e s Of l i f e a r e s o m e wh a t b r o k e n
. n

w i th tro ub l e b u t th e y j o i n s i n p e a c e Th e re s a
,
.
’

d a rk y o u n g g e n tl e ma n wi th a gr e a t i n flu e n c e o n yo u r
7 2 F A TH E E H E D GE H OG

h ap p i n e ss a n d I s e e s g r a n d c h i l dre n g a t h e re d a t yo u r
,

k nees .

“
Wh a t d i d t h e la dy s n a t c h a w ay h e r h a n d fo r my ,

d a ug ht e r ? I me a n s n o Offe n c e S h e s h a ll h ave .

C hri s t i a n I h ave t o ld h e r s o Te ll h i m t o g e t
. .

r e a dy a n d g o b e fo re h i s fa th e r g e t s b a c k H e s a .
’

ba d u n i s my s o n G e o rg e a n d I k n o ws n o w th a t s h e
’
,

w as fa r t o o g o o d fo r h i m .

“
C o me a l i ttl e n e a re r my d e a r th a t I ma y t o u c h , ,

y o u . I s e e s y o u r f a c e s o Oft e n wh e n I k n o w s
y o u ,

c a n t b e th e r e th a t i t p l e as e s me t o b e ab l e t o f e e l
’
,

y o u . I w a s af r a i d y o u b o r e m e i l
l w i ll f o r s e ll i ng -

C hri s t i a n 5 bu t I b o u g ht h i m b a c k my d e a r I b o u ght , ,

h i m ba c k Tak e h i m a way w i th y o u my d e a r fo r I
.
, ,

a m fa i l i n g a n d I s h o u ld n t l i k e t o l e a v e h i m w i th
’
,

G e o rg e Yo u r e ye s l o o ks ve ry h o l l o w a n d yo u r h a i r
.

i s g r ay N o t th a t I b e g r u d g e s y o u r ma k i n g s o mu c h
.

O f my s o n bu t h e tr e a t s y o u il
,
l h e tr e a t s y o u v e ry i l l , .

D o n t c ry my d e a r i t c o me s t o a n e n d a t l a s t th o u g h
’
, , ,

I th i n ks s o me t i me s th a t a ll t h e me n i n t h e wo rld p u t
t o g e th e r i s n o t w o rth t h e lo ve we w a ste s u p o n o n e .

Yo u h e a r wh a t I s a y S yb i l ? An d th a t r a s c a l B l a c k
, ,

B a s i l i s t h e w o r s t Of a ba d lo t
, .

H o ld y o u r j a w mo th e r sa i d S yb i l s h a rp ly 5 a n d
“ ”
, ,

s h e a dd e d B e p l e a s e d t o e x c u s e h e r my l a dy : s h e
“
, ,

i s Ol d a n d g e t s c o n fus e d a t t i me s a n d s h e th i n ks y o u ,

a r e C hr i s t i a n s m o th e r wh o i s d e a d
’
.
,

Th e Old w o ma n wa s bu r s t i n g o u t a g a i n wh e n S yb i l ,

r a i s e d h e r h a n d a n d we a ll p ri c k e d o u r e a r s a t a
,

s o u n d o f n o i sy q u a rr e ll i n g th a t c a me n e a r e r .

“
I t s G e o rg e a n d h i s w i f e
’
sa i d S yb i l “
Mo th e r ,
”
.
,

e fo lks h a d b e t t e r g o l go to th e i n n
’
th e g e n t l Il .
74 F A TH E R H E D GE II OG

Sh e s o bb e d fo r a mi n u t e a d th e n r a i s i n g h e r ,
n

h a d s u dd e n l y ab o ve h e r h e a d s h e c r i e d A c u rs e “
n , ,

o n Bl ac k bu t S yb i l s e i z e d h e r by t h e wri s t s o
s u dd e l y th a t i t c h e c k e d h e r w o rd s
n ,
.

D o n t c u r s e h i m mo th e r sa i d t h e g i p sy g i rl
’ ”

—I ll s e e wh a t I c a n d o I me a n t t o a d
, , ,

’
l
’
and I l .
,
n

I ve c o m e t o s a y g o o d b y I ve b r o ug ht a p a c k e t O f
’ ’
-
.

t e a fo r y o u ; s e e th a t y o u k e e p i t t o y o u r s e l f Go o d .

”
b y mo th e r
,
.

G o o d e ve n i n g my d aught e r ,
.

I sa i d g o o d b y Yo u d o n t h o l d w i th r e l i g i o
’
-
.
n,

”
do yo u ?
I d o e s n o t s o fa r my d aught e r 5 th o u g h I th i n k
, ,

t h e yo u n g c l e rg y w o m a n s p e aks v e ry c o n vi n c i n g l y
abo ut it
”
.

D o n t yo u th i n k th a t th e re ma y b e a b e tt e r w o rld
’
,

mo th e r fo r th e m th a t tr i e s t o d o r i g ht th o ug h th i n gs
, ,

g o e s a g a i n s t th e m h e r e ?
”

I th i n k th e r e mig ht v e ry e as i l y b e a b e tt e r w o rld
“
,

my d e a r bu t I n e v e r w as i n s tr u c t e d a b o u t i t
, .
”

Yo u d o n t b e l i e ve i n p r ay e r s d o y o u m o th e r !
’

, ,
”

Th a t I d o e s n o t my d aug ht e r C hri s t i a n sa i d
,
.

l o t s o f e m a n d y o u s e e s wh a t i t c o me s t o
’
, .
”

I t s n o t u n l u c k y t o say Go d b l e ss y o u
“ ’ ‘ ’
is it , ,

I w a n t e d y o u t o say i t b e f o r e I g o .

“
N O my d a u g ht e r I d o e s n t Obj e c t t o th a t fo r I
’
, , ,

r e g a rd s i t as a n Ol d fas h i o n e d c o mp l i m e n t mo r e i n
-
,

t h e n a t u re o f g o o d m a n n e r s th a n Of h o l y w o rd s
”
.

“
Go d b l e s s o u mo th e r ,
.
”
5

Go d b l e s s y o u my d au g ht e r , .

S yb i l t u r n e d r o u n d a n d w a l k e d s t e a d i l y a w ay .

Th e l a s t g l i mp s e I h a d Of h e r w as wh e n s h e t u r n e d
 AN B H IS N E I GH E OE S .
75

o nce mo r e , an d h a i r f ro m h e r fa c e t o l o o k at
p u t th e
th e Ol
d w o ma n 5 bu t t h e t i n k e r m o th e r d id n o t s e e -

h e r , fo r s h e w as mu tt e r i n g w i th h e r h e a d u p o n h e r

han ds
a r e ma rkab l e su mme r—th a t su mme r wh e n
.

I t wa s
I h a d s e v e n a n d wh e n we t o o k s o mu c h i n t e r e s t i n
,

o u r n e ig h b o r s .

I m ak e a p o i n t o f n e v e r d i s t u r b i g mys e l f ab o u t n

t h e e v e n t s o f byg o n e s e as o n s A t t h e sa me t i me t o
.
,

re a r a fa mi l y o f s e ve u rc h i n s i s n o t a th i g d o n e b y
n n

h e d g e h o g p a re n t s e ve ry ye a r a n d t h e c a r e e r s Of th a t
-
,

fa mi l y a r e ve ry c l e a rl y i mp r e ss e d u p o n my m e mo ry .

N u mb e r o e c a m e t o a sa d e d
n n .

Wh a t o n t h e fa c e Of t h e w o o d m a d e h i m th i k Ol n

p h e a s a nt s e
’
gg s I c a n n o t c o n c e ive I m su r e I n e ve r .
’

sa i d a n yth i n g ab o u t th e m ! I t w as wh i l s t h e w as
s c r amb l i g a l o g t h e e d g e Of t h e c o v e rt th a t h e me t
n n
,

t h e Fo x a n d v e ry p r o p e rl y r o ll e d h i m s e l f i t o a ba ll
, n .

Th e F o x s o s e w as as l o g a s h i s o w a n d h e r o ll e d
’
n n n,

my p o o r s o n o ve r a n d o v e r w i th i t t i l lh e r o ll e d h i m ,

i t o t h e s tre a m
n Th e y o u g u r c h i n s s w i m l i k e fi s h e s
. n
,

bu t jus t as h e w as s c r a mb l i g t o s h o r e t h e F o x n
,

c au g ht h i m by t h e w a i s t c o a t a n d k i ll e d h i m I do .

h a t e s lyn e ss
N u mb e r s t wo a n d thr e e we r e fli t t e d I t o ld th e m .

s o bu t y o u n g p e o p l e w i ll o th e i r w w ay T h
g o n ey .

h a d e x c e ll e n t v i c t u als .

N u mb e r f o u r ! my e ld e s t d au g h t e r) s e ttl e d v e r y
c o mfo rt ab l y i n l i f e a n d h a d a fa m i l y Of thr e e Sh e .

mi g ht h av e s e n t th e m d o w n t o t h e bu rd o c ks t o p i c k
s n a i l s qu i t e w e ll bu t s h e w o u ld t a k e th e m o u t w a l l
, :

i n g w i th h e r i n s t e a d Th e y w e r e p i c k e d u p ! all fo u r
.
7 6 F A TH E E H E B GE H O G

o f th e m) by t wo lo n g le gg e d I r i s h b o ys wh o p u t th e m
-
,

i n t o a bask e t a n d t o o k th e m h o me I d o n o t th i n k .

t h e y o u n g g e n tl e me n me a n t a n y h a r m fo r th e y p r o ,

vi d e d p l e n t y Of f o o d a n d t o o k th e m t o b e d w i th
,

th e m Th e y s e t my d au g ht e r a t l ib e rty n e x t d ay
.
,

a n d s h e s p o k e ve ry h a n d s o me l y o f t h e y o u n g e n tl e
g
me n a n d sa i d th e y h a d c u r e d t h e sk i n s w i th sa lt
,

e tr e a n d we re s tu f fi n th e m wh e n s h e l e ft Bu t t h e
p , g .

subj e ct wa s a lw ays a n a wk w a rd o n e .

N u mb e r fi ve i s s t i ll l i vi n g H e i s t h e be s t h an d
.

a t a fi g ht w i th a s n a k e th a t I k n o w .

N u mb e r s s i x a n d s e v e n w e n t t o C o ve n t G a rd e n i n
a h amp e r Th e y say b l a c k b e e tl e s a r e e x c e ll e n t
.
-

e a ti n g .

Th e wh o l e s e v e n h a d a n a rr o w e s c a p e w i th th e i r
l i v e s jus t aft e r S yb i l l e f t us Th e y o ve r-a t e th e m .

s e l ve s o u s n a i l s a n d Mr s H e dg e h o g h a d to s t ay a t
,
.

h o me a n d n u r s e th e m I k e p t my e y e o n o u r n e ig h
.
!

b o r s a n d b r o u g ht h e r t h e n e w s .

“
C hri s t i a n h a s c o me h o me I sa i d o n e d ay , , .

Th e Q u e e n h as g i v e n h i m a p a rd o n .
”

“
Th e n h e d i d t ak e t h e p h e asa n t s e gg s ? s a id ’

Mr s H e d g e h o g
. .

“
C e rt a i n l y n o t s a i d I , In t h e fi rs t p l ac e i t
.

w as n t e ggs a n d i n t h e s e c o n d p l a c e i t w as B l a c k
’
,

B as i l wh o t o o k wh a t e ve r i t w as a n d h e h as c o n fe ss e d ,
”
to it .

“
C hri s t i a n d i d n t d o i t h o w i s i t th a t h e
Th e n if ’
,

h as b e e n fo rg ive n ? sa i d Mr s H e d ge h o g
”
. .

I c an t te l l yo u sai d I 5 bu t s o i t i s An d h e
“ ’
, .

i s a t th i s mo m e n t w i th t h e c l e rgy w o ma n a n d t h e
t i n k e mo th e r
r- .
 7 8 TOO TS AN B B OO TS .

TO O T S AN D B O O TS .

AN U N F I N I S H E D TAL E .

C H AP TE R I .

Y n a me i s To o t s Why I h av e n o t t h e sl ig ht e s t
Bu t I su pp o s e ve ry fe w p e o p l e —c a t s o r
.
,

i de a .

o th e rw i s e — a r e c o n su lt e d ab o u t th e i r o wn n a me s If .

th e y w e r e th e s e w o u ld p e rh ap s b e as a r u l e mo re
, , ,

a pp r o p r i a t e .

Wh a t qua l i t i e s Of mi n d o r b o dy my n a me w as s u p
p o s e d t o i l l us tr a t,
e I h av e n o t t o t h i s h o u r a n o t i o n .

I d i s t i n c tl y r e m e mb e r t h e s t ag e o f my k i tt e n h o o d ,

wh e n I th o ug ht th a t To o t s w as t h e E n g l i s h fo r c r e a m .

“
To o t s ! TOot s my yo u n g m i s tr e ss us e d t o say ,

i n t h e m o s t su gg e s t i ve t o n e s c r e e p i n g af t e r me as I
,

w o u ld c r e e p af t e r a m o us e w i th a s a u c e rfu l o f th a t
,

d e l i c i o us l i qu i d i n h e r h a n d .

“
To o t s i s fi r s t r a t e s t uff I u s e d t o thi n k a n d I
-
, ,

p u rr e d a c c o rd i n g l y fo r I n e v e r w as a n u n g r a t e fu l c a t
, .

Th i s w as i n t h e d i n i n g r o o m a n d i n t h e m o r n i n g
-
, .

L a t e r i n t h e d ay To o t s w as s e rve d i n t h e dr a w
“ ”
,

i n g ro o m
-
. I t w as b e tw e e n th e s e t wo p e r i o d s I ,

re me mb e r th a t o n e d ay I fo u n d mys e l f i n t h e l a rd e r
, .

Why I w e n t th e r e p uzz l e d me a t t h e t i m e ; fo r if
,

th e re i s a n y th i n g I h a t e i t i s a c h i ll a n d th e re w as ,

a h o rr i d dr a u g ht thr o u g h a w i n d o w p i e r c e d w i th t i n y
 TO O TS AN D B O O TS .
79

h o le s wh i c h s e e me d t o le t i n a s e p a r a t e b l as t fo r
,

e v e r y h a i r Of o n e s fu r I fo ll o w e d t h e c o o k i t i s
’
.
,

tru e 5 bu t I d i d n o t fo ll o w t h e c o o k a s a ru le —n e t
’

fo r i n s t a n c e wh e n s h e w e n t o u t t o t h e c o a lh o l
,
e in -

t h e ya rd I h a d s l i pp e d i n u n d e r h e r dr e ss
. I wa s .

b e h i n d t h e p o t a to t ub wh e n s h e w e n t o u t s h u tt i n g
-
,

t h e d o o r af t e r h e r F o r s o m e mys t e r i o us r e a s o n l
.

fe lt o n t h e t i p c l a w o f e x p e c t a t i o n My n o s e tw i t c h e d
-
.

w i th ag r e e ab l e s e n sa t i o n s An i n w a rd vo i c e s e e me d
.

t o mu r mu r To o ls ! R e ga rdl e ss Of t h e dr aug ht s I
, ,

s p r a n g o n t o t h e s h e l f c l o s e u n d e r t h e w i n d o w An d .

th e re w as su c h a d i s h Of c r e a m ! Th e sau c e r s i n
wh i c h o n e g o t i t a t b r e akfas t di d n o t h o ld a tw e n
t i e t h p a rt o f wh a t th i s b r i mm i n g p a n c o n t a i n e d As .

t o t h e fi v e O c l o c k c h i n a i n wh i c h vi s i t o r s g i ve y o u a
’
,

te p d t e as p o o n fu l w th b t s O O d t a l av s
i i i f l e e e i n i t — I -

r i n n e d a t t h e th o u ht as I dr e w i n t o n u e fu ll af t e r
g g g
-

t o n g u e fu ll o f t h e th i c k ye ll o w c r e a m
-
.

A t th i s m o m e n t I h e a rd my yo u n g mi s tre ss s vo i c e ’

i n t h e d i s t a n t p assag e s .

To o t s To o t s sa i d s h e
-
, .

I ve g o t p l e n ty u rr d f t h a d
”
“ ’
p e I
, li i n
g my e t o ,

S p e ak ,
by a g re a t e ffo rt .

“
To o t s To o t s ! s h e mi o we d o n fo r s h e w as n t
,
”
,
’

m u c h qu i c k e r w i tt e d th a n t h e r e s t o f h e r r a c e
-
.

N O th a n k y o u th o u g ht I 5 a n d if y o u w a n t
“ “
, ,

fi ve O c l o c k t o o t s fo r y o u r s e l f I a dv i s e y o u t o c o m e
’
,

h e re fo r i t I th o ug ht th i s bu t s p e ak I r e a ll y c o u ld
n o t —I w as t o o busy l a pp i n g
.
,

I t w as d e l i c i o us s t u ff ! Bu t wh e n t h e d i s h w as
ab o u t thr e e p a rt s e mp ty I b e ga n t o fe e l as if I h a d
-
,

h a d a g o o d d e a l a n d t o wi s h I h a d mo re ap pe t i t e fo r
,
80 TOO TS AN B B O OTS .

th e re st a s h a me t o l e ave i t th o u g h I th o ug ht
It
’
s , , ,

wh e n a fe w mo r e lap s w i l l e mp ty t h e d i s h Fo r I .
”

c o me O f a n a n c i e n t a n d r o ug h t o n g u e d c a t fa m i l y -

wh o a lw ays l i c k th e i r p l a tt e r s c l e a SO I s e t to n .

wo rk a g a i n th o ug h t h e dr au g ht w as mo s t a n n o yi n g
, ,

a n d f r o z e t h e c r e a m t o bu tt e r o n m wh i sk e r s
y .

I w as p o l i s h i n g t h e g l a z e d e a rth e n w a r e w i th t h e

fa mi l y sk i ll wh e n I b e c a me c o n s c i o us th a t t h e h o us e
,

w as r e s o u n d i g t o t h e c r y Of To o t s !
n
“

“
To o t s To o t s ! squ e ak e d t h e h o u s e ma i d i n t h e
, ,

s e rv a n t s h a ll
’
.

“
To o t s To o t s
, g r o wl e d t h e e ld e rl y bu tl e r i n ,

t h e p a n try .

To o t s To o t s c o c k a To o t s ! ye ll e d th a t i n t o le r
, ,
- -

ab l e c r e a t u r e t h e Ma c a w
, .

To o t s To o t s ! s n a p p e d t h e c o o k
, .

Mi o w sa i d I 5 fo r I h a d fi n i s h e d t h e c r e a m a n d
,
”
,

c o u ld s p e ak n o w th o u h I c o n f e ss I d i d n o t f e e l
g ,

e qua l t o a n y g re a t e x e rt i o n .

Th e c o o k Op e n e d t h e d o o r S h e f o u n d .m e — sh e

d i d n o t fi n d t h e c r e a m wh i c h s h e h a d l e ft i n t h e d i s h
,

re a dy fo r wh i pp i n g .

P e rh a p s i t w as b e c a u s e s h e h a d n o c r e a m t o wh ip ,

th a t s h e tr i e d t o wh i p me C e r t a i n l y d u r i n g t h e n e x t
.
,

h a l f h o u r I h a d r e a s o n t o b e mu c h c o n fus e d a s t o
,

t h e m e a n i n g o f t h e wo rd To o ts I n t h e s o ft v o i c e
”
.

o f my mi s tr e ss i t h a d al w ays s e e me d t o me t o m e a n

c r e a m 5 n o w i t s e e me d t o me a n k i c ks b l o w s fla p , ,

p gi
n d i s h c l -
o th s w a s h le a t,
h e r s a n d d us t e r s
~

p o k e r s , ,

c a r p e t b r o o m s a n d e v e ry i n s tr u me n t Of t o rt u r e w i th
,

wh i c h a p o o r c a t c o u ld b e c h as e d f ro m g a rre t t o
ce l lar . I a m p re tty n i mb l e a n d th o ug h I n e v e r f e lt
,
82 TOO TS AN D B OO TS .

t o w n On e h as s o ma n y c alls if o n e o n c e b e g i n s t o
.
,

subs c r i b e t o th i n g s 5 a n d I a m p a rt i c u l a rl y fo n d o f
p a rtr i d g e .

Bu t wh e n a fe w mo n th s l at e r t h e ve ry w o rd s
, ,

wh i c h t h e l e a n t ab b y h a d s p o k e n p ass e d b e tw e e n t h e
b u tl e r a n d t h e c o o k i n r e f e r e n c e t o o u r o wn h o us e h o ld ,

a n d I l e a r n e d th a t t h e fa m i l y w e re go i n g t o l e ave
“

t o w n I f e lt a p a n g o f c o n s c i e n c e a n d w i s h e d I h a d
, ,

subs c ri b e d t h e m e rry th o ug ht o r e v e n t h e b r e as t
-

b o n e —th e re w as v e ry l i ttl e o n i t —t o t h e D e s e rt e d
,

Ca t s Fu n d
’
.

Bu t i t w as my yo u n g m i s tr e ss wh o t o ld me ! w i th
r e g r e t s a n d c a r e ss e s wh i c h i n t h e c i rc u ms t a n c e s
,

w e r e m e r e mo c k e ry) th a t I wa s t o b e l e f t b e h i n d .

I h av e a p a rt i c u l a rl y p l a c i d t e mp e r a n d c a n a d a p t ,

mys e l f p r e tty c o mfo rt ab l y t o t h e u p s a n d d o w n s o f

l i f e ; bu t th i s n e w s m a d e my t a i l s t a n d o n e n d .

“
P o o r d e a r To o t s sai d my mi s tr e ss k i ss i n g my ,

n o se ,
a n d t i c k l i n g m e g e n tl y u n d e r t h e e a r as i f s h e ,

we r e sayi n g t h e p r e tt i e s t th i n gs p o ss i b l e I am so
“

s o rry ! I d o n t k n o w wiza l we a r e t o d o w i th y o u !
’

Bu t we a r e g o i n g ab ro a d a n d we ca n t t ak e y o u yo u
,
’
,

d e a r Old th i n g ! We ve su c h h e ap s Of l ugg ag e a n d
’
,

su c h l o t s Of s e rva n t s a n d n o e n d Of th i n g s th a t mu s t
,

Bu t n t Be a r t o Mi n k o f u l e ft b e hin d
’

g o ! I ca y o
“
NO ,
”
sa i d I i n d ig n a n tl y 5 th a t s j us t i t a n d t h e ’
,

p p e o l e a t n u m b e r t e n a nd n u mb e r f o u rt e e n
,
a nd ,

n u m b e r tw e n t y fi ve c o u ld n t b e a r t o th i n k Wh a t w o u ld
’
-
,

b e c o me o f th e i r c a t s s o th e y w e n t a w ay a n d d i d n t
,
’

th i n k ab o u t i t T h e y c o u ld n t b e a r t o s e e th e m d i e
.
’
,

s o th e y d i d n t g i v e th e m a d o s e o f qu i c k p o i s o n bu t
’
,

l e ft t h e m t o di e o f s t a rva t i o n wh e n th e y w e r e n t ,
’
 TO O TS AN B B O O TS . 83

th e r e t o s e e Y o u r e a h e a rtl e ss s e l fi s h r a c e y o u
.
’
, ,

h u ma n b e i n g s a n d I sus p e c t th a t Mr s Tabby i s n o t
, .

t h e o n l y s h abby l o o k i n g tr u e h e a rt e d s o u l wh o h as
-
,
-
,

t o p e s t e r p e o p l e fo r subs c r i p t i o n s t o p a t c h u p t h e
d re a ry e n d Of e x i s t e n c e fo r d e s e rt e d p e t s wh e n ,

c a r e ss i n g d ays a r e o v e r . Fu ff !
An d I ju mp e d s tr a i g ht o u t Of h e r a r ms a n d ,

wh i sk e d thr o ug h t h e d i n i n g r o o m w i n d o w F o r
-
.

s o me t i m e I s tr o ll e d th o ug ht fu ll y a l o g t h e t o p Of n

t h e a r e a r a i l i gs n . I r a th e r h o p e d I m i g ht s e e Mr s .

Tabby I w o n d e re d h o w h e r subs c r i p t i o n l i s t w as
.

tt f e lt a ll t h e d i ffe r e n c e b e tw e e a l a d y s ’

g e i n
g o n. I n

i n t e r e s t i n a R e d u c e d G e n tl e wo m e n s B e n e v o l e n t
’

I n s t i t u t i o n o r a P o o r A n n u i t a n t s H o m e wh e n s h e
’
,

i s w e ll a n d w e a lth y a n d t h e sa me l a dy s i n t e r e s t
’

wh e n s o me t u r n Of Mi sf o rt u n e s wh e e l h as l e f t h e r
’

“
d e p e n d e n t o n h e r o wn e x e rt i o n s . I t s e e m e d th a t
”

I w as t o b e l e f t d e p e n d e n t o n my o wn e x e rt i o n s
a n d m y th o ugh t s t u r n e d n a t u r a ll y t o Mr s Tabby .

a n d t h e D e s e rt e d Ca t s Fu n d
’
.

Bu t n o t a s ig n Of t h e go o d c re a t u re ! A t th i s
mo me n t a h a n s o m c a b r a ttl e d u p a n d a g e n t l e m a n ,

t u t a n d r a n g o u r f r o n t d o o r b e ll As h e go t o u t
-
o o
g .

Of t h e c a b ,
I ju m p e d d o w n f r o m t h e r a i l i n gs a n d ,

ubb d a a i s t h i s l e g s — h e h a d v e ry l o n g l e gs
r e g n .

H a ll o a To o t s i s th a t y o u ? sa i d h e i n a k i n dl y
”
,

vo i c e wh i c h h a d a lw ays h a d a ttr ac t i o n s fo r m e a n d
, ,

wh i c h i n my p r e s e n t m o o d w as p a rti c u l a rl y g r a t e fu l .

H i s h a t w as s e t w e ll O n t h e ba c k o f h i s h e a d a n d I ,

c o u ld c l e a rl y s e e t h e f r i e n dl y e x p r e ss i o n o f h i s

c o u n t e n a n c e . S u dd e n l y h e t i lt e d i t o v e r h i s n o s e ,

h
w ic I h h a v e O b s e rv e d th a t h e i s a
p t t o d o wh e n
84 TOO TS AN B B O O TS .

s tru c k by a n e w i d e a To o t s ! sai d h e ab ru p tl y
.
,
“
wh a t a r e th e y g o i n g t o d o w i th y o u ?
B l e ss i n g s O n th i s k i n d Of f r i e n d ! say I t h e f ri e n d
wh o w i ll e n c u mb e r h i ms e l f w i th t h e r e s p o n s i b il i ty Of
th i n k i n g wh a t s t o b e c o me o f y o u wh e n y o u a r e
’
,

d o w n i n t h e w o rld Th o s e t e n d e r h e a rt e d s o u l s wh o
.
-

c a n t b e a r t o th i n k o f y o u r mi sf o rt u n e s a r e a m u c h
’

mo r e n u me r o us p a rt Of o n e s a c qua i n t a n c e ’
.

A r a y o f h o p e b e g a n t o d a w n u p o n me P e rh ap s .

a n e w a n d e ve n mo re l uxu ri o us h o me w as t o b e
Offe r e d fo r my a c c e p t a n c e I n wh at f o o l i s h p a n i c
.

h a d I b e g u n t o i d e n ti fy mys e l f w i th t h e n e e dy c l ass e s
Of s o c i e t y ? A c a t Of my s trip e s a n d s tyl e ! On c e
mo r e I th o u g ht Of b e n e v o l e n t i n s t i t u t i o n s f r o m a
a tr o n izin g o i n t Of v i e w Bu t I w o u ld b e a p a tr o n
p p .
,

a n d a g e n e r o us o n e Th e s h o c k l z cm d o n e s o m u c h !
’
.

An d t h e n e x t t i me Mr s Tabby c a ll e d I w o u ld p i ck
.

out a l
ot o f my Bes t b a rt er f or Me F zm zl .

Me a n wh i l e w e n t bac k t o t h e r a i l i n gs a n d fro m
,
I ,

th e s e t o o k a flyi n g l e ap a n d p e r c h e d my s e l f o n t h e
,

n tl e m a n s s h o u ld e r u ld h a rdl y h av m a a d
’

g e I c o . e n
g e

i t fr o m t h e g ro u n d h e h a d su c h v e ry l o n g l e gs
,
.

I th i n k b y t h e b y th a t I h av e me n t i o n e d th i s
,
- -
,

b e fo r e I d o n o t w i s h t o r e p e a t mys e l f o r t o dw e ll
.
,

o n m
y g r i e v a n ce th o ug h i,
f h i s l e g s h a d b e e n s h o rt e r
, ,

h i s r i d i n g b o o t s w o u ld n o t h ave b e e n s o l o n g a n d I
-
,

mi g ht a t th i s mo m e n t k n o w wh a t b e c a m e o f bu t
I m us t n o t f o r e s t a ll my s t o ry .

I ju mp e d o n t o t h e g e n tl e m a n s s h o u ld e r
’
In .

d o i n g s o I k n o c k e d h i s h a t o ve r o n e e y e Bu t I
, .

h a ve s e e n i t s o s i n c e th e n a n d h e m a d e n o c o mp l a i n t
, .

Th e m a n s e rva n t Op e n e d t h e d o o r a n d we we n t i n to
-
,

t h e h o u s e to ge th e r .
86 TO O TS AN B B OO TS .

co u ld n t s e e t h e h a i rs) a d p u rr i n h i s e a r a n d ru b
’
n ,

my l o g wh i sk e r s aga i s t h i s s h o rt o n e s
n n .

Bu t i t w as o t t i ll h e w as c o mfo rt ab l y e s t ab l i s h e d
n

i n a n a r m c h a i r by t h e dr a w i n g r o o m fi r e r o u d
- -
,
n

wh i c h t h e r e s t Of t h e fa mi l y w e re a l s o s e a t e d th a t ,

t h e c h a r m b e ga n t o w o rk .

H o w d e v o t e d To o t s i s t o y o u ! u rr ”
p e d t h e

l ad i e s af t e r a n i n e ffe c t ua l e ffo rt o n my p a rt t o s h a re
,

th e a rm c h air -
.

Y o u re a ve ry fo o l i s h To o t s sa i d t h e g e n tl e man
’
, .

! I w as ba c k o h i s s h
n o u ld e r by th i s t i me
) .

“
To o t s yo u ve d e s e rt e d me sa i d my yo u n g mi s
’
,

tr e ss . I m qu i t e j e a l o us
“ ’
s h e a dd e d ,
”
.

To o t s y o u b r u t e !
,
c r i e d t h e g e tl e m a n s e i z i n
”
g n ,

me i n b o th h a n d s Wh e r e s y o u r g o o d t as t e a n d
“ ’
.
,

y o u r g r a t i t u d e ? G O t o y o u r m i s tr e ss s i a nd he ,
r,
”

thr e w me i n to h e r la p Bu t I s p r a g ba c k t o h i s . n

s h o u ld e r w i th o n e l e ap .

It s r e al l y mo s t e x tr a o rd i n a ry sa i d o e la dy
“ ’
,
n .

An d To o t s n e v e r g o e s t o s tr a n g e r s a s a ru l e ,

a dd e d my mi s tr e ss .

Ev e ryb o d y i s p r o u d o f b e i n g excep t i o n a ll y favo r e d .

I t w as th i s l a s t s tr o k e I a m c o n v i n c e d th a t ru bb e d ,

h i m t h e r i g ht w ay A g r a t i fi e d b l a d n e ss p e rva d e d
. n

h is c o u n te n an c e H e m a d e n o fu rth e r a tt e mp t s t o
.

d i s l o d ge me a n d I s e ttl e d mys e l f i n t o t h e a n g l e s o f
,

h i s s h o u ld e r a n d affe c t e d t o g o t o s l e e p .

“
Wh a t a r e y o u g o i g t o d o w i th h i m ? h e ask e dn
”
,

c r o ss i g o n e l o n g l
n e g o v e r t h e o th e r w i th a c o n vu l s i v e

ab ru p t n e ss ve ry tryi g t o my ba l a n c e a n d t o t h en ,

s tre g th o f t h e a r m c h ai r
n -
.

B o th t h e l a d i e s b e g a n t o mew Th e y we re s o s o rry .
 To o TS AN B B OO TS . 87

to l e a ve b e h i n d bu t i t w as q u i te i mp o ss i b l e t o
me ,

t ak e me Th e y c o u ld t b e a r t o th i n k o f my b e i n g
. n
’

u n h a pp y a n d d i d n t k n o w wh e r e i n t h e w o rld t o fi n d
’
,

me a h o me .

I w i s h y o w o u ld t ak e h i m ! sa i d my mi s tre ss
“ ”
u .

I l i s t e n e d b r e at h le ss l y fo r t h e g e n tl e m a n s r e p l y
’
.

P e t s a r e n o t i n t h e l e as t i my l i n e h e sa i d n ,
”
.

I a m a ba c h e l o r y o u k n o w o f ve ry t i dy h ab i t s
,
I , .

d i s l i k e tr o ub l e a d h a v e a r o o t e d Obj e c t i o n t o
,
n

e n c u mb r a n c e s
”
.

“
We h e a r y o u h ave a p e t mo us e th o u g h sa i d my , ,

m i s tr e ss H e l au g h e d a w k w a rdl y
. .

“
My d e a r y o u g l a dy I n e v e r sa i d th a t my p r a e
n ,

t i c e a lw ays squa r e d w i th my p ri n c i p l e s H e lp l e ss .

a d tr o ub l e s o m e c r e a t u r e s h a v e s o m e t i m e s a n i n s i n
n

u a t i n g w ay w i th th e m wh i c h fo r m s a n a dd i t i o n a l
,

re as o n fo r a v o i d i g th e m e s p e c i a ll y if o n e i s w e ak
n ,

mi n d e d An d
.

“
An d y o u la o e a p e t mo us e ?
z

H e sa t su dd e l y u p r i g ht w i th a n o th e r j e rk wh i c h
n ,

n e a rl y s h o t m e i n t o t h e fi r e p l a c e a d sa i d ,
n
“
l t e ll y o u a b o u t i t fo r u p o n my w o rd I w i s h
’
I l ,

o u c o u ld s e e t h e l i ttl e b e gg a r I t w as o n e af t e r n o o n
y .

wh e n I c a me i n f r o m r i d i n g th a t I f o u n d a mo us e ,

s i tt i g O t h e fe n d e r I c o u ld o n l y s e e h i s b a c k
n n .
,

w i th t h e t a i l tw i t c h i g a d I n o t i c e d th a t a p i e c e
n ,
n

h a d b e e b i tt e o u t o f h i s l e f t e a r Th e l i ttl e wre tc h
n n .

mus t h ave h e a rd m e qu i t e w e ll bu t h e s a t o n as i f ,

th e p l ac e b e l o ge d t o h i m n .

Yo u r e p r e tty c o o l ! I sai d ; a n d b e i n g r a th e r
‘ ’ ’

t h e r e v e r s e mys e l f I thr e w t h e Q u e e n s R e g u l a t i o n s
’
,

a t h i m a n d h e d i s a pp e a re d
,
Bu t i t b o th e r e d me fo r .
,
88 TOO TS AN D B OO TS .

I h a t e mi c e i n o n e s qu a rt e r s Yo u n e ve r k n o w wh a t
’
.

mi s c h i e f th e y m ay n t b e d o i n g Yo u p u t v a l u abl e
’
.

p pa e r s c a r e fu ll y a w ay a n d t h e n e x t t ime
, y o u g to
o

t h e c u p b o a rd th e y a r e r e d u c e d t o s hr e d s
, Th e l i ttl e .

b r u t e s t ak e t h e l i n i n g o f y o u r s l i p p e r s t o l i n e th e i r
n e s ts . Th e y k e e p y o u a w ak e a t ni g ht—i n s h o rt ,

th e y a r e d e t e s t ab l e Bu t I a m n o t fo n d Of k i ll i n g
.

th i n g s mys e lf th o u g h I ve a s o rt Of a c o n s c i e n c e
,
’

ab o u t k n o wi n g h o w i t s d o n e I d o n t l i k e le a vi h g
’
.
’

n e c e ss a ry e x e c u t i o n s t o s e rva n t s As t o mi c e y o u .
,

k n o w—p o i s o n i n g i s o u t Of t h e qu e s t i o n On sa n i t a ry ,

r o un d s Ca t c h e m a l ive tr a s re like a l
’
g
-
p
-
a p o i c e

m a n wh o c a t c h e s a p i c k p o c k e t—a l l t h e tr o ub l e Of
.

t h e p r o s e c u t i o n i s t o c o m e 5 a n d as t o t h e tr a p s w i th
s p ri n gs a n d s p i k e s —my m a n s e t o n e i n my b e dro o m
\

o n c e a n d i n t h e m i ddl e Of t h e n i g ht t h e mo us e w as
,

c au g ht F o r n e a rl y a n h o u r I d o ub t i f I w as m u c h
.
,

t h e h a p p i e r O f t h e t wo E v e ry mo me n t I th o ug ht
.

t h e p o o r wr e t c h w o u ld s t o p s c r e a m i n g fo r I h a d ,

o rd e r e d t h e tr a p i n t h e b e l i e f th a t d e a th w as i n s t a n

tan eo u s A t l as t I j u mp e d u p a n d p u t t h e wh o l e
.
,

c o n c e r n i n t o my t ub a n d h e l d i t u n d e r w a t e r Th e .

o r b e as t w as d e a d i n s i x s e c o n d s A a t h m
’

p o c c e .
-

a l i v e tr ap a n d a t ub Of w a t e r i s t h e mo s t m e r c i fu l
d e a th I fa n c y ; bu t I a m r a th e r i n favo r Of l e tt i n g
,

o n e a n i m a l k i ll a n o th e r I t s e e ms m o r e n a t u r a l a n d
.
,

f a i r er T .h e y h a v e a r u n fo r th e i r l i v e s s o t o s e ak
p ,
.

An d wh o d i d y o u g e t t o k i ll y o u r m o us e ? ”

We ll I k n o w a yo u n g s t e r wh o h as a t e rri e r
, .

Th e y a r e a p e rf e c t p ai r As l i k e as t wo p e as a n d .
,

e qua ll y k ee n ab o u t s p o rt — th e y w o u ld g o tw e n ty mi l e s

t o c h a s e a bl u e b o t t l e r o u n d a n a tt i c s o o n e r t h a n n o t ,
g o TOO TS AN D B OO TS .

Th e la d i e s s e e me d h ig hl y d e l ig ht e d w i t h th i s a n e c
d o te b u t fo r my o wn p a rt I fe lt fe ve r i s h t o t h e t ip s
, , ,

Of my c l a w s as I th o u g ht Of t h e m i s e r a b l e c r e a t u r e
,

wh o h a d usu rp e d t h e p la c e I w i s h e d t o fi ll a n d wh o ,

mig ht b e t h e me a n s o f my h av i n g t o fal l ba c k af t e r
a ll o n t h e D e s e rt e d Ca t s Fu n d Wh a t bu n g l i n g ’
.

p uss h ad h i m u n de r h e r p aws a d a ll o w e d
,
h
n i m t o

e s c a p e w i th a t o r n e a r a n d t h e w a r i n e ss Of e xp e r i

e nce ? L e t me bu t o n c e c a t c h s i g ht Of th a t tw i t c h i n g
t a il
A t th i s mo me n t t h e g e n tl e m a n g o t up s tre t c h e d ,

h is lo ng
B u t I w i ll n o t a l l u d e t o th e m ! I t a n n o ys me a s
mu c h as t h e th o ug ht Of th a t bu g l i g c a t o r o f n n ,

N i pp e r s bau l k e d a tt e mp t H e pu t u p h is h an d s a n d
’
.

l i f t e d m e f r o m h i s s h o u ld e r a d my h e a rt sa k a s h e,
n n

s a i d If I a m to c a t c h my tra i n I f e a r I mus t s a y
,
“
,

g o o d b y
-
.

I b e l i e v e th a t i n th i s h o p e l e ss c r i s i s my fu r as
, ,

usu a l wa s i n my favo r H e r ubb e d h i s c h e e k ag a i n s t

.

mi n e b e fo r e p u tt i n g me d o w n a n d th e n sa i d ,
An d ,
“

yo u v e n o t t o ld me aft e r a ll wh e r e p o o r To o t s i s
’

r e a lly g o i n g .
”

“
We h ave n o t fo u n d a h o me fo r h i m y e t I assu re ,

y ou ,
”
sa i d m y m i s tr e ss O u r. w as h e r w o m a n w an ts -

h i m a n d s h e i s a m o s t k i d h e a rt e d a d r e s p e c t ab l e
, n -
n

p e r s o bu
n, t s h e h as g o t n i e c h i ldr e
n n a d ,
n
“
N i n e c h i ldr e n ! e j ac u l at e d
”
my fr i e n d My
p o o r T o o t s th e r e .w i ll n o t b e a n i n c h O f th a t m a
g n i fi ~

c e n t t a i l o f y o u r s l e f t a t t h e e n d Of a w e e k Wh a t .

c r u e lt y t o a n i m a l s ! U p o n my w o rd I d a l mo s t ’
,

ra t h e r t a k e To o t s my s e l f th a n t h i n k o f h i m w i th a
,
 TOO TS AN D B OO TS .

was h e r wo ma n-
w i th n in e c h i l dr e n . E h , To o t s ! w o u ld
ike t o
”
y ou l co me ?
I w as o n t h e c a rp e t r ubb i n g a g a i n s t h i s —y e s lo n g
/
, ,

o r s h o rt t h e y we r e Hi s a n d h e w as k i n d t o m e
, ,

r ubb i n g I say ag a i n s t h i s l e gs I c o u ld g e t n o
, ,
.

i mp e t us fo r a S p r i n g bu t I s c r a mb l e d s tr a i g ht u p h i m
,

as o n e w o u ld s c r a mb l e u p a tr e e ! my g r a n d mo th e r
w as a b i rd c a t c h e r o f t h e fi r s t t a l e n t a n d I i n h e r i t
-
,

h e r c l a w s) a n d u tt e r e d o n e p i t i fu l m e w
,
.

Th e g e n tl e ma n g av e a s h o rt l aug h a n d t o o k me ,

i n t o h i s a r ms .

“
Oh Ho w g o o d o f y o u ! J o n e s s h a ll g e t a h a m
,
!

e r c r i e d t h e l adie s Bu t h e sh o o k h i s he ad
p ,
. .

“
Thr e e O f t h e f o u rt e e n p a r c e l s I ve g o t t o p i c k u p ’

a t t h e s t a t i o n a r e h a mp e r s I w o u ld n t h ave a n o th e r
,
.
’

o n m y m i n d fo r a f o rt u n e I f To o t s c o m e s a t a ll h e .
,
.

mus t c o me l i k e a C hr i s t i a n a n d l o o k af t e r h i m s e l f .

I w i ll n o t dw e ll o n o u r d e p a rt u r e I t w as a sa dl y .

fl u rr i e d o n e fo r a c a t Of my t e mp e r a me n t Th e
,
.

l a d i e s s a w us Off a n d as my y o u n g m i s tr e ss c o v e re d
,

me w i th fa r e w e ll k i ss e s I f e lt a n u n qu e s t i o n ab l e ,

p a n
g o f r e g r e t Bu t o n e h as t o r e p r e ss o n e s a f
. f ec
’

t i o n s a n d c o n s i d e r o n e s p r o s p e c t s i n l if e i f o n e d o e s
,
’
,

n o t w a n t t o c o m e u o n t h e D e s e rt e d Ca t s F u n d !
’
p
My m as t e r p u t h i s h a t o n t h e ba c k o f h i s h e a d o n
t h e s t e p s a n d k n o c k e d i t Off i n s h o u t i n g thr o u g h a
,

h o l e i n t h e r o o f o f t h e c a b th a t we w e r e t o drive l i k e
t h e w i n d as we w e r e l a t e
,
A t t h e l as t m o me n t s e ve r a l
.

th i n g s w e r e thr o w n i n aft e r us A p a rc e l Of b o o ks .

h e h a d l e n t t h e yo u n g l a dy a n d a p a i r o f b o o t s h e h a d ,

l e f t b e h i n d o n s o me f o r me r o c c as i o n Th e b o o ks .

we re ve ry n e a tl y p a c k e d a n d a ddr e ss e d b u t t h e , ,
9 2 TOO TS AN B B OO TS .

b o o t s c a me l i k e C hr i s t i a n s a n d l o o k e d af t e r th e m
“
,

s e lve s An d thr o u g h a ll I c l u n g fas t a n d b l e ss e d

,

t h e i h e r i t e d v i g o r Of my g r a n d mo th e r s c l a w s
’
n .

A t t h e p a rc e l s Offi c e I c e rt a i l y r i sk e d n i e l ive s
,
n n

a mo n g t h e fo u rt e e n p a rc e l s wh i c h w e re dr agg e d a d n

p i t c h e d a nd
,
t u r n e d o v e r i n e v e ry d i r e c t i o 5 bu t n

th o ug h h e p a i d me n o o th e r a tt e ti o n my mas t e r n ,

n e v e r fo r o t t o t ba c k a h a d t o h e l m e wh e n w e
g p u p n

mo v e d o n E v e n t u a ll y we f o u n d o u r s e l ve s a l
. o ne i n ,

a v e ry c o mf o rt ab l e c a rr i a g e a n d I su pp o s e t h e f o u r
.
,

t e e n p a c kag e s w e r e saf e t o o th a n ks t o t h e d e s p e r a t e
,

s tr ug g l e s o f fi ve p o rt e r s wh o w e n t Off c l u t c h i n g
,

th e i r p a w s as i f th e y w e r e sa t i s fi e d w i th t h e r e sul t .

Aft e r i n c o mmo d i n g me fo r s o me t i me by r us tl i g n

n e w s p a p e r s a n d m ak i n s as m o d i c s tr u l e s t o fi nd
, g p gg
a p o s t u r e th a t su i t e d h i m my ma s t e r f o u n d o n e a t
,

l as t a n d fe ll a s l e e p a n d I c r e p t u p t o t h e ve l ve t c o l
,

l ar o f h is
g r e a t c o a t a n d fo ll o w e d h i s e x a m l e
-
p .

C H APTE R I II .

I LI K E l ivi n g wi th b a c h e l o r s Th e y h a ve c o mfo rt .

a b l e c h ai rs a n d k e e p g o o d fi re s Th e y d o n t p u t ’
.
,

wa t e r i n t o t h e t e a p o t : th e y c a ll t h e m a n s e rva n t a n d
- -

s e n d fo r mo re t e a Th e y d o n t giv e yo u a t abl e
.
’

s p o o n fu l o f c r e a m fi dg e t i g a n d l o o k i g ro u n d t o
,
n n

s e e i f a yb o d y e l s e w a n t s i t : o n e Of th e m t u r n s t h e
n

j g p
u -
u s i d e d o w n i t o y o u r sau c e r a n d b e fo r e a n o th e r
- n ,

c a n l ay h o ld Of i t a n d s a y H a ll o a ! Th e mi l k s a l l
’

—
,

h a ve g e n e r a ll y h a d t i me t o l
”
ap i t u
g o ne , y o u p
u n d e r t h e t a bl e .
94 TO O TS AN B B O O TS .

Th e g ht b e fo r e l as t I p o s i t i v e l y dre a me d th a t I
ni ,

wa s d e s e rt e d I fa n c i e d th a t I w as c h as e d a l o n g a
.

h o us e t o p a n d fe ll f ro m t h e gu tt e r D o w n — d o w n
, .

bu t I w o k e u p o n t h e b e a r sk i n b e f o r e t h e fi r e a s -
,

o u r m a n s e r va n t w as b r i n i n g i n c a n dl e s
-
g .

I t m a d e m e wo n d e r h o w Mr s Tabby w as g e tt i g . n

on . I h ad e v e r d o n e a n y th i n g fu rth e r i n th a t m a t
n

t e r 5 bu t r e a ll y wh e n O e s l i f e g o e s i n a c e rt a i n
’
n

g ro o ve a d e ve ry th i g o n e c a n w i s h fo r i s p r o vi d e d
,
n n

i abu d a n c e o e n e v e r s e e ms t o h a v e t i me fo r th e s e
n n ,
n

th i g s I t i s w o n d e rfu l h o w e e rg e t i c s o me p h i l a n
n . n

t h Op i c p e o p l e a r e
r I d a r e say th e y l i k e t h e fuss
.
! I .

ca n t e d u r e fuss
’
n An d M s Tabby s a pp e a r a n c e r
’

—e x c e ll e n t c r e a t u re —w o u ld p r o bab l y m ak e h e r fe e l
.

il la t e as e i
- -
ba c h e l o r qua rt e r s i f we c o u ld c h a g e
n ,
n

p l a c e s H e r fu r. i s r e a ll y a l mo s t m a gy a d s h e h as n ,
n

n o th i
g t o s p enak o f i t h e w ay o f a t a i l Bu t s h eni s .

a w o rth y s o u l A d s o me d ay wh e t h e Ca p t a i n n n

w i th o u t mu c h l ug g age —o r
.
,

a d I a r e go i g t o t o w
n n n

i f s h e s h o u ld h ap p e n t o b e c o ll e c t i g i t h e c o u try n n n ,

I w i ll c e rt a i n l y l o o k up a fe w of my wo r s t Bo es n

f or Me F una
’
.

I r e all y h e s i t a t e t o ap p r o a c h t h e subj e c t Of my o n e
s o u r c e Of d i s c o n t e n t I t s e e ms s tr a n ge th a t th e r e .

s h o u ld b e a n y c ro o k i n a lo t s o s m o o th as o u r s .

P l e n ty t o e a t a n d dri n k h a n d s o m e c o a t s n o e n c u m , ,

b a ce s
r n a n d a t e m p e r a m e n t n a t u r a ll y i n c l i n e d —a t

l e as t i n my c as e —t o w a rd s t ak i n g l i fe e asy An d
,

.
,

y et as ,
I l ay s tr e t c h e d fu ll l e n g th d o w n o n e o f mv -

m as t e r s k n e e s t h e o th e r n ig ht b e f o r e a d e l i c i o us fi r e
’
, ,

a nd aft e r s u c h a sau c e r fu l o f c r e a my t e a wh i c h h e

co ul d n o t dri n k h i ms e l f—I k e p t wa k i n g u p wi th
 TOO TS AN B B OO TS .
95

u n c o mf o r t a b l e st a rt s fa n c y i n g I w o n t h e e dg e
sa

fe n d e r—b u t I
,

Of th e wi ll t e ll th e ma t t e r i n p r o p e r
o rd e r.

I t u r n e d r o u n d t o g e t my b a c k t o i t b u t I th o u g ht ,

Of i t a l l t h e s a me 5 a n d a s e ve ry h a i r Of my m o u s
t a c h e s t wi t c h e d w i th t h e ve x a t i o n Of my th o u g ht s I ,

Ob s e r v e d th a t my m a s t e r wa s p ull i n a n d b i t i n a t
g g
h i s a n d g l a ri n g a t t h e fi r e a s i f l
, ze e x p e c t e d t o s e e

h o w e ve r I d o n o t tro ub l e mys e l f a b o ut t h e c ru mple s

,

i n k i s r o s e l e av e s
-
. H e i s b i g e n o u g h t o t ak e c a r e Of
h i ms e l f My o wn g ri e va n c e I w i ll st a t e p la i n ly a n d
.

a t o n c e I t ma y b e a r e l i e f t o my mi n d wh i c h I
.
,

s o me t i me s f e a r w i ll b e u n h i n g e d by dw e ll i n g o n t h e
t h o u g ht Of—bu t t o b e g i n .

I t w i ll e as i l y b e u n d e r s t o o d t h a t a ft e r my a rr iv a l
a t my n e w h o me I w a i t e d a n x i o usly fo r t h e a pp e a r
,

a n c e Of t h e m o us e 5 b u t i t wi ll h a rd ly b e c r e d i t e d b y

an
y o n e wh o k n o w s m e o r wh o k n e w m
, y g r a nd

mo th e r th a t I sa w i t a n d let i t es cap e me
,
I t w as .

s e a t e d o n t h e su g a r b as i n j u s t a s t h e C a p t a i n h a d
-
,

d e s c ri b e d i t Th e t o r n e a r t h e j e rk i n g t a i l t h e
b rig h t e ye s—a llw e re th e re
.
,

If th i s s t o ry fa l ls i n t o t h e p a ws Of a n y y o u n g c a t
wh o w i s h e s t o a v o i d t h e mo r t i fi c a t i o n s wh i c h h a ve
e mb i tt e r e d my f a vo r e d e x i st e n c e l e t me w a r n h i m t o
,

r e me mb e r th a t a c r e a t u re wh o h a s l ive d o n f ri e n dl y
t e r ms wi th h u ma n b e i n g s c a n n o t b e j u dg e d b y c o m
mo n r ul e s . Ma n y a mo u s e s e y e a s b r ig h t as th i s
’

o n e h a d I se e n ,
b u t h i t h e rt o n e v e r o n e th a t d i d n o t

p a r a ly z e b e f o r e my o wn

—
.

He o ok e
l d t m I lo o ke d a t h im H i s t a il
—
a e .

k d m i n e re s o n d e d O r wh i s k e r s t w i c h ed
j e r e p . u t
 9 6 TOO TS AN B B O O TS .

j oy fi ll e d my b ra i n to i n to x ic a t io n —I r
c e pt —I
c o r u c h e d —I s p r a n g
H e wa s n o t s p e ll b o u n d —h e d i d n o t e v e n r u n
-

a way . Wi th a c o o l tw i n k l e Of th a t h a t e fu l e y e a n d ,

o n e tw i t c h o f t h e r a g g e d e a r h e j u s t o v e r ba l a n c e d ,

t h e s i lve r su g a r p o t a n d dr o pp e d t o t h e g r o u n d t h e
-
,

b a s i n a n d sug a r fa ll i n g o n t h e t o p Of h i m wi th a
c r as h wh i c h m a d e me s t a rt a g a i n s t my w il l I th i n k .

th a t s t a rt jus t b a u l k e d t h e l ig ht n i n g fl a s h o f my ;

,
—
s e c o n d l e a p a n d h e w as g o n e abs o l u t e ly g o n e TO .

a dd i n s u lt t o i n j u ry my m ast e r r a n i n fr o m h i s b e d
,

r o o m a n d s h o u te d S t e a l i n g To o t s ? c o n fo u n d y o u
,

y o u’
v e k n o c ke d do wn m
y s u g a r p o t a n d thr e w b o th
-
,
”

h i s h a i r b r us h e s a t me
-

I s t e a l —a n d wo rs e s t i ll I k n o c k d o wn a n y th i n g
.

, , ,

wh o h a ve w alk e d a mo n g thr e e d o z e n wi n e g l ass e s o n -

,

a s h e lf i n t h e b u t l e r s p a n try w i th o u t ma k i n g th e m
’
,

j i n g l e ! B u t I mu s t b e c a l m fo r th e r e i s mo r e t o t e ll
, .

Th e mo u s e n e ve r r e t u r n e d I t wa s s o me th i n g b u t
.
,

i t wa s n o t e n o u g h My p r i d e h a d b e e n d e e p l y h u rt
.
,

a n d i t d e m a n d e d r e ve n e A t l a s t I f e lt i t a l m s t
g . o a

g r i e va n c e th a t I d i d r e i g n su r e me i n t h e C a t a i n s
p p
’

qu a rt e r s th a t t h e mo us e d i d n o t c o me b a c k—a n d le t
,

me c a t c h h i m .

B e s i d e s o u r i n d o o r m a n my ma ste r h a d a n Iri s h
-
,

g r o o m ,
a nd t h e g r o o m h a d a p l a c e ! s o m e th i n g
b e t w e e n a s a dd l e r o o m a n d a s c u ll e ry) wh e r e k e s a i d
-

he k e p t wh a t t h e ma s t e r r e qu i re d b u t wh e re t h e
”
, ,

ma s t e r s a i d Te r e n c e k e p t wh a t wa s n o t wa n t e d a n d
, ,

lo s t wh a t wa s .

Th e re c e rt a i n ly we re t o my k n o wl e dg e fifte e n
, ,

e p ty
m D a
y a n d M a r t i n s b l a c k’
i n
g
—b o t t l e s i n o n e c o r
 9 8 TOO TS AN D B OO TS .

Wh e n I say th a t I h a ve e ve n ri sk e d we t fe e t o n a
d a mp af t e r o o t o g e t th e r e —e ve ry c a t w i ll u n d e r
,

n n,

s t a n d h o w w i ld m us t h a v e b e e n t h e i fa t ua t i o n ! n

I tr i e d t o r e as o n mys e l f o u t o f i t To o t s I .
“
,

w o u ld say y o u ba n i s h e d h i m f ro m yo u r mas t e r s
,
’

ro o m a d y o u h ave p ro bab l y ba n i s h e d h i m f ro m
,
n

Te r e n c e s ’
Wh y p u rsu e t h e m a tt e r fa rth e r ? S O
.

p i t i fu l a O bjn e c t i s u n w o rt h y o f y o u r r e v e n
g e .
”

V e ry tr u e I w o u ld r e p l y t o mys e l f bu t I wan t
“ ” “
, ,

a t u r n i n t h e a i r I ll jus t s t e p d o w n as fa r as t h e
.
’

sa ddl e ro o m o n c e mo r e a n d m ak e mys e l f fi n a ll y c o m
-
,

fo r t a b l e b y l o o k i n g b e h i n d t h e Ol d b a rre l I d o t
’
. n

th i n k I w e n t qu i t e r o u n d i t .

Th e re i s n o d e l us i o n s o s tr o n g wh e n i t b e s e t s y o u
i t s r e su lt s —as t h e h Op e o f
,

o r s o c o m p l e t e a fa i l u r e i n

g e tt i n
g r e l i e f f r o m a n i n fa t ua t i o n by i n d u l i n
g g i t o c e n

mo r e . I t g r o w s w o r s e e v e ry t i me .

O e d ay I w as s t e a l i g a w ay as usua l wh e n I
n n ,

c aug ht m y m as t e r s e y e w i th a p e c u l i a r e x p r e ss i o
’
in n

it. H e w as g a w i g h i s m o us t a c h e s t o o
n n I a m v e ry .

f o d Of h i m a n d I r a n ba c k t o t h e c h a i r a n d l o o k e d
n ,

u p a n d m e w e d fo r I w a n t e d t o k n o w wh a t wa s t h e
,

m a tt e r .

“
Yo u re a c u ri o us c a t To o t s s a i d h e ; bu t I
’
, ,

su p p o s e yo u r e o l y l i k e t h e r e s t o f t h e w o rld I d i d
’
n .

th i n k y o u d i d c a r e a l i ttl e b i t fo r me I t s o n l y t h e .
’

c re am i s i t o l
,
d f e ll o w ? As a c o mp a n i o n y o u p r e
, ,

fe r Te r e c e ? E h ? We ll o ff w i th y o u !
n ,

B u t I n e e d h a rdl y say th a t I wo u ld n o t l e a v e h i m .

I t wa s n o w a n t Of l o v e fo r h i m th a t l e d me t o t h e

s a d dl e r o o m-
I w as n o t bas e e o u g h t o f o rg e t th a t
. n

h e h a d b e e n my fr i e n d i n n e e d e ve n if h e h a d b e e n ,
 TOO TS AN B B OO TS .
99

ess
l a mi a b le to me S in c e . All th a t e ve n i n g I l ay on

h is b re a s t a n d s l e p t B u i I dr ea med of Me mo u s e !
.

Th e n e x t m o r n i g h e w e n t o u t r i d i n g
n .

H e w i l l n o t mi ss me n o w th o u g ht I I wi l l
”
.
,

d e v o t e t h e mo r n i n g t o h u n t i n g thr o u g h th a t wr e t c h e d
r o o m i n c h by i n c h o r t h e las t t i me I t wi ll s a t i sfy
,
.

me th a t t h e mo us e i s n o t th e r e a n d i t r e a l l y i s a d u ty
,

t o try a n d c o n v i n c e mys e l f o f th i s th a t I m a y b e ,

c u r e d o f a n i n fa t u a t i o n wh i c h c aus e s a n n o y a n c e t o

s o e x c e ll e n t a m a s t e r
”
.

I h u rr i e d Off as r ap i dl y a s b e fi t t e d t h e v i g o r Of t h e
r e s o l u t i o n a n d wh e n I g o t i n to t h e sa ddl e r o o m I
,
-

s a w t h e mo u s e An d wh e n t h e mo u s e s a w me h e
.

fle d l i k e t h e w i n d .

I c o n fe ss th a t I s h o u l d h ave l o s t h i m th e n b u t ,

th a t a h o le o n wh i c h h e h a d re c k o n e d w as s t o p p e d
u p a n d h e h a d t o tu rn
,
.

Wh a t a c h a s e i t w as N e ve r di d I me e t h i s e qua l
fo r au d a c i ty a n d fi e e t n e s s Bu t I k n ew t h e h o l e s as
.

we ll a s h e d i d a n d c u t h i m Off a t e ve ry o n e
,
Ro u n d .

a d r o u d we
n n n —
w e t b e h i n d t h e ba rre l o ve r t h e ,

c o r n c h e st a n d th e n h e m a d e fo r t h e mi ddl e o f t h e
-
,

ro o m .

N o w a mo n g st a ll t h e r ubb i s h wh i c h Te r e n c e h a d
,

c o l l e c t e d ab o u t h i m th e r e w e r e m a n y Ol
, d a rt i c l e s Of
c l o th i g b e l o n g i n g t o t h e Ca p t a i n
n i n c l u d i g a p ai r ,
n

o f l o n g r i d i n g b o o t s wh i c h h a d b e e n ga th e r i n
-
m il
, g
d e w a n d s t iffe n i n g o u t o f S h a p e i n th e i r p r e s e n t
,

p o s i t i o n e v e r S i n c e I c a me O n e Of th e s e w as l
. y i n
g
o n t h e fl o o r ; a n d j u s t a s I w as a l l bu t u p o n t h e
mo u s e h e d a r t e d i n t o t h e b o o t
, .

A q u ive r o f d e l ig h t r a n t hro u g h me Wi t h a llh i s .

I OO TOO TS AN D B OO TS .

un w o n t e d sag a c i ty Mas t e r Mo u s e h a d ru n st r a ig h t
,

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s h o u ld e rs I p l u n g e d i n af t e r my p r e y .

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p a i n fu l fa c t i s th a t I c o u ld n o t q u i t e
g e t t o t h e bot

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to m .
,

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m as t e r s l e g s h a d bu t b e e n t wo i n c h e s s h o rt e r ! I
’

s h o u ld h ave c l a w e d i n t o t h e r e mo t e s t c o r n e r o f t h e
fo o t AS i t w as I p us h e d I s tru g gl e d I S h o o k I
.
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w o rri e d t h e wre t c h e d b o o t—bu t al l i n va i n .

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my h e a d fo r a g as p Of f r e s h a i r An d th e r e wa s t h e
.

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, ,

a ll o ve r t h e p l a c e i n c o n vu l s i o n s Of u n s e e ml y me rri
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,

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.

i n my l uxu r i o us l o t—th a t I c a n n o t s e e t h e l as t o f
th a t m o us e .

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,
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m i su d e r s t a n d s my a tt a c h me n t t o t h e s a ddl e r o o m
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thre w t h e sk e t c h t o me a n d sa i d Th e re To o t s
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l o o k a t th a t a n d y o u w i ll s e e wh a t b e c a me o f yo u r
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fr i e n d ! ”

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,

t h e s a k e o f th o s e wh o m i t ma y i n fo r m I do n o t .

u n d e rs t a n d i c t r e m s l f
p u s y e
 TOO TS AN D B O O TS .
IOI

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I s i t fo r h o u r s by t h e m o u th Of t h e o n e wh e r e h e
w e n t i n a n d n e ve r c a me ba c k N o t t h e fai n t e s t .

s qu e ak f r o m i t s r e c e ss e s h as e v e r s t i rr e d t h e s e n s i

t i ve h a i r s Of my w a t c h fu l e a r H e mus t b e s t a rvi g
. n ,

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,

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p r i c k i n
g h i s r a gg e d e a r O c.e I h a d a nt e rr i b l e v i s i o n

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,

t h e c o rn e r .

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. .

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d ay Te r e n c e w i l lS h ak e o u t h i s sk e l e to n .

I t g r o w s v e ry c o l d Th i s p l a c e i s fu ll Of d r a u g h ts
.
,

a n d t h e fl o o r i s d a mp .

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l o n g w i th o u t a mo v e o r a n i bb l e .

An d i t i s t e a t i me
-
. I th i n k I s h a ll j o i n t h e Cap t a i n .
 10 2 TH E HE N S OE H E N CAS TL E .

TH E H E N S O F H E N C AS TL E .

! Tr a n s la t e d fr o m t h e Ge r m a n of V I C TOR B L UTH GE N .
)

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h o t, .

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u p o n t h e fa r mya rd th a t i t w as a l mo s t u b e a r ab l e n ,

a n d th e r e w as n o t a v e s t i g e o f g r ass o r a g r e e n
n
y
th i n g t o r e l i e v e t h e e y e o r c as t a l i ttl e s h a d e .

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b y t h e h e a t t h e l e as t b i t i t h e wo rld fo r th e y h a d
n ,

l e n ty Of t i me i n wh i c h t o d o z e a d th e y w e r e f o
n d
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n

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c e c o
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fo u n d C e r t a i n lv t h e h o tt e s t p l a c e th a t af t e r n o o n
.

by fa r w as t h e ya rd i n wh i c h th e y r e p o s e d
, .

Th e r e w e re ve O th
fi f e m — a c o c k a n d fo u r h e n s .

Two Of t h e h e n s w e r e r e n o wn e d thr o ug h o u t t h e wh o l e
vi ll ag e fo r th e y w o r e t uf t s O f f e a th e r s o n th e i r h e a d s
,

i n s t e a d Of t h e us ua l r e d c o mbs ; a n d t h e c o c k w as
ve ry p r o u d o f h a v i n g su c h d i s t i n g u i s h e d l o o k i n g
-

w ive s .

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,

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. n

s h a rp ba ttl e s wi th c e rt a i n yo u g c o c ks i n t h e n e i g h
n

b o r h o o d wh o m c u r i o s i ty ab o u t t h e t uf t e d f o r e i g n e r s
,

h a d a ttr a c t e d t o t h e ya rd Th e c o n s e qu e n c e o f
.

t h e s e t ri u mp h s wa s t h a t h e h e l d u n d i s p u t e d d o mi n i o n
104 TH E H E N S OF H E N CAS TL E .

Yo u a n t m e a n me by th a t s t o ry sai d t h e t u ft e d
c
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,

one ,
fo r I h av e o l y l a i d o n e s o ft s h e ll e d e g g i n my
“
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wh o l e l i fe S O th e r e Bu t d o t e l l me h o w yo u r i n
.

t e r e s t i g s t o ry e d s
n n — I a m s o a n x i o us t o h e a r t h e e n d .
”

Yo u k n o w th a t b e s t yo u r s e lf r e t o rt e d t h e o th e r ,
”
.

N o w I m s u r e d e a r Fa th e r C o c k y o u c o u ld t e l l
’
, ,

us s o me th i n g re all y a mus i n g i f y o u w o u ld b e S O
k i n d sa i d t h e s e c o n d c o mmo n h e n wh o w as s t an d
,
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,

in g n e a r h i m Th o s e t wo m ak e o n e s life a
.
’

bu rth e n wi th th e i r e ve rlas t i n g wr a n g l i n g a n d b i c k
,

e ri n g
”
.

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H us h sa i d t h e c o c k wh o wa s s t a n d i n g mo t i o n
,

l e ss w i th o n e le g i n t h e a i r a n a tt i t u d e h e Of t e n ,

assu me d wh e n a n y ve ry h a rd th i n k i n g h a d t o b e
d o e 5 I w as jus t tryi n g t o r e c o l le c t o n e
n .
”

Af t e r a p a us e h e sa i d i n a s o l e mn vo i c e
,
I wi l l
te ll y o u t h e t e rr i b l e t a l e o f t h e t ro ubl e s o f Th e ‘

H e n s Of
O c e u p o n a t i m e —i t wa s t h e v i lla g e f a i r w e e k
n

wh e n as y o u k n o w e v e ry o n e e a t s a n d dri n ks as
, ,

mu c h as h e p o ss i b l y c a a n d c o n s e qu e n t ly a
n,
g re a t

m a n y a n i m a l s a r e k i ll e d —t h e fa r me r s c o o k c a me
’

i n t o t h e fo wl a r d a n d a f t e r c a r e fu ll y l o o k i n o v e r ll
y , g a

t h e c h i c k e n s r e m a r k e d th a t s e v e n o f th e m w o u ld b e
,

tw i s t i n g me rr i l y o t h e S p i t n e x t mo r n i n g On h e a r
n .

i n g th i s a ll t h e f o wl s w e r e p l u g e d i n t o t h e d e e p e s t
,
n

d e sp a i r fo r n o o n e f e l t su r e th a t h e w o u ld n o t b e Of
,

t h e s e ve n a n d n o o n e c o u ld gu e ss h o w t h e v i c t i ms
,

wo u ld b e c h o s e n Two y o u n g c o c k e re l s i n th e i r
.
,

d e e p p e rp l e x i ty a t l a s t w e n t t o t h e ya rd d o g F l a p s
,
-
,

b y n a me wh o wa s a v e ry g r e a t fr i e n d Of t h e i r s a n d
, ,

t o h i m t h e y c a c kl e d o u t t h e i r wo e s .
 TH E H E N S OF H E N CAS TL E .
10 5

Wh y d o y o u s t e p h e r e ? a sk e d F l a p s . If y o u
had u c k a t a ll y o u w o ul d ru n a w ay
a n y pl
’
.

Ah —
P e rh ap s S O bu t wh o
h as e n o u g h c o u r ag e
fo r su c h a d e s p e r a t e s t e p ? s i g h e d t h e yo u n g c o c k
’

e re l s . Wh y y o u y o u r s e l f a r e n o mo r e c o u r ag e o us
,

th a n we e l s e why d o y o u s t o p h e r e c h a i n e d u p a ll
,

d a y a d a ll o w th o s e t i r e s o me c h i ldr e n t o c o me a n d
,
n

te as e y o u
r e p l i e d t h e d o g I e a r n a g o o d l i ve l i ,
‘

h o o d by p u tti n g u p w i th t h e s e s ma ll d i s c o mfo rt s a n d ,

b e s i d e s th a t I a m n o t g o i g t o b e s e t twi s t i n g o n a
,
n

s p i t H o we ve r i f y o u p a rt i c u l a rl y w i s h i t we c a g o
.
, ,
n

a w ay s o me wh e re t o g e th e r ; bu t i f we d o I ma y as ,

w e l l t e l l y o u a t o n c e th a t y o u w i ll h a ve t o fe e d m e
,
.
’

“
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, ,
o

th e ms e l ve s a t o c e t o t h e h e n ro o s t w i th t h e c o u r ag e
n

o f y o u n g l i o n s ; a n d af t e r a S h o rt bu t a i m a t e d d i s n

c u s s i o n p e r sua d e d t h e wh o l e o f t h e c o c ks a n d h e s
,
n

t o r u n a w ay a n d t o t ak e F l ap s a s p r o t e c t o r o f t h e
c o mmu n i t y .

“
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,
r

t h e n ig ht a s us u a l a n d as s o o n as t h e c o a s t s e e me d
,

c l e a r h e w e n t t o t h e h e n h o us e p us h e d b a c k t h e s l i d
, ,

i n g d o o r w i th h i s n o s e a n d le t th e m al l o u t ,
.

Th e n h e a n d t h e wh o l e c o mp a n y s t o l e a w ay as
qu i e tl y as p o ss i bl e thro u g h t h e y a rd g a t e a w ay o u t -

i n to t h e Op e n c o u n try .

“
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, ,
n

n i g ht p e r f e c tl y h a pp y i n th e i r fr e e d o m a n d f e e d i g
, ,
n

th e ms e l ve s f ro m t h e s h e a ve s o f c o r n th a t s to o d i n t h e
s t ub b l e fi e l ds -
.

“
Wh e n e ve r F l a p s fe lt h u n g ry t h e h e n s l a i d h im a ,
10 6 TH E H E N S OF l E N CAS / TL E .

co u p l e Of e gg s o r S O wh i c h h e fo u n d fa r n i c e r th a n
b a rl e y m e a l a n d d o g b i s c u i t
- -
.

“
Wh e n th e y p ass e d thr o u g h th i n l y p o p ula t e d p l a c e s -

wh e r e th e y w e r e n o t l i k e l y t o b e Obs e rv e d th e y ,

ma r c h e d g a i l y fo rw a rd 5 bu t wh e n e v e r th e r e w as a
c h a c e Of d a n g e r th e y o n l y tr a v e l e d by n i ght
n , .

Me a n wh i l e t h e c o o k w e n t e a rl y i t h e m o r n i g t o
“
n n

k i ll t h e c h i c k e n s 5 bu t o n fi d i g t h e wh o l e p l a c e as
n n

em p t y as Mo th e r H ubba rd s c u p b o a rd s h e f e l li n t o
’
,

a v i o l e t fi t o f h ys t e r i c s a n d t h e k i t c h e n m a i d a d
n ,
-
n

pgi b o
-
y h a d t o p u t h e r u n de r th e
p u m p a n d w o r k i t ,

h a rd fo r a qu a rte r o f a n h o u r b e f o r e th e y c o u ld
re vi ve h e r .

Af t e r s o me d ays j o u r n e yi n g t h e w a n d e re rs
’
,

a rr i v e d a t a l a rg e d e s o l a t e l o o k i n g h e a th i n t h e mid
-
,

dl e Of wh i c h s t o o d a n Old w e a th e r b e a t e n h o us e -

a pp a r e n tl y u n i n h ab i t e d F l ap s w as s e n t fo rw a rd t o
.

e xa mi e i t a n d h e s e a r c h e d f r o m ga rr e t t o c e ll a r
n ,

wi th o u t fi n d i g a tr a c e o f a h u m a n b e i n g Th e fo wl s
n .

th e n e x a mi n e d t h e n e ig h b o rh o o d fo r t wo Wh o l e d ays
a d n i g ht s w i th a l i k e r e su lt a n d s o th e y d e t e r mi e d
n ,
n

t o t ak e u p th e i r ab o d e i n t h e dw e ll i n g .

I n th e y tr o o p e d a n d s e t th e ms e l ve s t o w o r k t
,
o

t u r n i t i n t o a s tro n g c as tl e w e ll fo rt i fi e d aga i s t a ll
,
n

d a ge r n Th e y s t o p p e d u p t h e h o l e s a n d c r a c ks
.

wi t h t uf t s Of g r ass a n d p i l e d a w a ll o f b ig a n d l i ttl e
,

S t o n e s r ig ht r o u n d t h e h o us e Wh e n t h e re p ai rs .

we r e c o mp l e t e d th e y c a ll e d i t H e c a s t l e n .

Du ri n g t h e au t u mn s o me Of t h e fo wl s ve n t u re d
f th i n t o t h e c o r nfi e l
or d s th a t l ay n e a r t h e h a u n ts Of
me a n d c o l l e c t e d a s t o re Of g r a i n t o S u p p l y th e m
n,

wi t h f o o d d u r i n g t h e w i n t e r Th e y k e p t i t o n t h e .
10 8 TH E H E N S OF H E N CAS TL E .

r a t e a n d i n th i s S ig ht t h e w i s e a n d fa r s e e i n g Old
,
-

h e n s d i s c e r n e d t h e p ro bab i l i ty o f fu t u r e tro ub l e s .

H o ll o th e r e ! th a t s o u r c o r n th e y c r i e d ; y o u
’ ’ ‘
,

mu s n t s t e a l i t
’
O f c o u r s e y o u m a y h a ve a fe w
.

g r a i n s i n t h e d e p th O f w i n t e r t o k e e p
y o u fro m s t a r v

i n g ; bu t r e m e mb e r wh e n s p r i n g c o me s aga i n th i s
, ,

s o rt o f th i n g mus t s t o p a n d y o u mus t g o a w a y a n d
,

n e v e r c o me h e r e a n m r ’
y o e .

P i e p sa i d t h e m i c e a n d v a n i s h e d
’
.
, ,

Th e t wo h e n s t o ld t h e r e s t wh a t h a d h app e n e d ,

b u t n o b o d y tr o ub l e d th e m s e l v e s ab o u t su c h a n i n s i g
n i fi c a n t m a tt e r a n d s o me sa i d th a t t h e
, p o o r O ld
th i n g s ma d e mo u n t a i n s o u t Of mo l e h i ll s A n y h o w .
,

i n t wo d ays e v e ryb o d y i n c l u d i n g t h e w i s e h e n s th e m
,

s e l ve s h a d f o rg o tt e n a ll ab o u t i t L a t e r o n th a t
,
.
,

w i n t e r t h e mi c e h a d s e v e n yo u n g o n e s —s e ve n su c h
,

sk i n n y thr e a d l i mb e d h e a dy e ye d l i ttl e b e as t s th a t
,
-
,
-

n o o n e n o t i c e d th e i r a rr i va l .

“
V e ry s o o n af t e r a l m o s t b e fo r e a n y h e n h a d t i me
,

t o l o o k r o u n d o r th i n k b e h o ld ! mi c e w e r e squ e ak i n g
,

i n e ve ry c o r n e r a n d th e r e w e r e h o l e s b e h i n d e v e ry
,

w ai n s c o a t p l an k a n d r a fte r
, ,
.

“
A ye a r p ass e d a w ay a n d wh e n w i n t e r r e t u r n e d
,

a ga i n t h e mi c e c a me a n d t o o k t h e st o r e d c o r n a w ay

i n su c h qua n t i t i e s th a t e v e ry b o d y sa w n o n e w o u ld b e
l e ft t o s o w i n t h e s p ri n g .

Ma tt e rs h a d c o me t o a c r i s i s 5 man y a n d a n x i o us
d i s c u ss i o n s w e r e h e ld a mo n g s t t h e fo w ls fo r g o o d ,

c o u n s e l w as a th i n g m u c h s o u g ht af t e r a t H e n c a St l e .

“
A t fi r s t th e y t o o k v e ry e n e rg e t i c me asu r e s a n d ,

ma n y a mo us e f e ll a v i c t i m t o a w e ll a i me d p e c k f r o m -

a c o c k s b e ak 5 bu t a l as ! t h e mi c e t o o k e n e r e t i c
’

g
 TH E HE N S OF H E N C AS TL E . 10
9

me asu r e s a l s o a d r e s i s t e d t o t h e d e a th S O th a t
,
n ,

ma y a fo wl s le g wa s b i tt e n t o t h e b o n e
n
’
Mu c h h a d .

b e e n sa i d a n d mu c h w as d o n e bu t t h e mi c e w e r e
, ,

mo r e n u m e r o us th a n b e fo r e .

“
Th e c o mmo w e a lth th e n d e c i d e d o n s e n d i n g
n

thr e e e x pe r i e n c e d c o c ks o u t i t o t h e w o rld t o t y n ,
r

a n d fi d s o me m e a n s fo r g e tt i g r i d O f t h e p l a g u e o f
n n

mi c e .

“
Th e ks j o u r n e ye d fo r o n e wh o l e d ay w i th o u t
coc

fi n d i n g a n y th i n g t o h e l p th e m i th e i r tr o ub l e but n ,

t o w a rd s e ve n i n g th e y c a m e t o a w i ld r o c ky m o u n t a i n ,

S ide ,
fu ll o f c av e s a d c l e f t s a n d m a d e u p th e i r
n ,

m i n d s t o s t ay th e r e fo r t h e n i g h t 5 s o th e y c r e p t i n t o
a h o l e u n d e r a l e dg e o f ro c k p u t t h e i r h e a d s u n d e r
,

th e i r w i gs a n d w e n t t o S l e e p
n , .

I n t h e m i ddl e Of t h e n i g ht th e y w e r e r o us e d b y
“

t h e s o u d o f fl a p p i g w i g s f o ll o w e d b y a wh i s p e r
n n n ,

ing v o ic e sayi g wh i s t— i s h wh i c h s o o n b r o k e o u t
n
‘ ’

Wh o o —h o o ! wh o o —h o o
, , ,

i n to a l o u d Th e y
p pp
o e d th e i r h e a d s o u t O f t h e h o l e t o s e e wh a t w as
t h e m a tt e r a n d th e y p c e i ve d a g r e a t o wls i tt i n g o n
,

a s t u mp fl a i i t s w i n s u d d w d r l l i n
pp g n
g p a o n a n o n
g ,

i t s g r e a t r o u n d e ye s ab o u t wh i c h g l a r e d l i k e r e d h o t
,
-

c o al s i n i t s h e a d

Mi c e h e r e ! Mi c e h e r e ! Wh o o —h OO ! i t
.

s hri e k e d .

“
On h e a r i n g th i s t h e c o c ks n u d g e d o n e a n o th er ,

a n d sa i d We a r e i n l u c k s w ay a t l as t Th e n a s
,
‘ ’
.
’

t h e o wls t i ll c o n t i n u e d t o c a ll fo r m i c e o n e Of th e m ,

p l u c k e d u
p c o u r ag e a d a ddr e ss e d i t : n If y o u w i l l
o n l y c o me w i th us S i r o u s h a ll h av e a s m a n y mi c e
y , ,

a wh o l e h o us e fu ll i f y o u l i ke
’
as y o u c a n e a t -m -
.
,
1 10 TH E H E N S OF H E N CAS TLE ’
.

Wh o ma y y o u b e ? h i ss e d t h e o wl a n d g l a r e d
’
,

wi th i t s fi e ry e y e s i n t o t h e c l e ft .

We c o me f ro m H e n c a s t le wh e re th e r e a r e ,

h u n dre d s o f mi c e wh o d e vo u r o u r c o r n d ay a n d n ig ht ’

—
, .

Wh o h o o ! I llc o me I llc o me s c re a me d t h e
‘
o
’
,
’
,
’

o wl s n a pp i n g i t s b e ak w i th p l e a s u r e
,
.

I n t h e g r ay o f t h e d a w n t h e fo w l s s a t o n th e
“

ro o f tr e e l i s t e n i n g t o Ma r k t h e w a t c h ma n wh o s t o o d
-
, ,

o n t h e t o p o f h i s c h i mn e y a n d c r i e d
,

Wh a t do I see ?
H e re c o me t h e th re e !
An d wi t h t h e m, I r e c k o n ,
A b ir d wit h n o n e c k o n ’
.

Th e r e u p o n t h e o wl an d thr e e me ss e n g e r s
th e
fle w u p w i th a r us h t o t h e t o p o f t h e c a s tl e .

Ha ! h a I s me ll mi c e s hr i e k e d t h e n e w c o me r
’
, ,

a n d d as h e d thr o u g h a h o l e i n t h e r o o f f r o m wh e n c e

i t s h o rt ly r e a p p e a r e d w i th a mo us e i n i t s c l a w s .

“
Th i s S ig ht fi l l e d a llt h e fo wl s w i th j o y ; a n d as
th e y s a t o n t h e e d g e o f t h e r o o f i n a r o w th e y ,

n u d g e d e a c h o th e r a n d r e ma r k e d
,

Th i s h as i n d e e d b e e n a h appy v e n tu r e .
’

F o r a fe w d ays e v e ry th i n g w e n t as s mo o thl y a s

p o ss i b l e b u t a f t e r a t i me t h e mi c e b e g a n t o fi n d o u t
,

th a t t h e o wl c o u ld o n l y s e e r e a ll y w e ll a t n i g ht th a t ,

i t sa w ba dl y by d ay a n d h a rdl y a t a ll wh e n t h e mi d
,

d ay s u n w as s h i n i n g thro ug h t h e w i n d o w i n to t h e
l o f t S O th e y o n l y c a me o u t a t n o o n a n d th e n
.
,

dr ag g e d e n o ug h c o r n a w ay i n t o the i r h o l e s t o l a s t
th e m t i ll t h e fo ll o w i n g d a y .

O n e n ig ht t h e o wld i d n o t c a t c h a s i n g l e mo u s e ,
 1 1 2 TH E H E N S OF H E N CAS TL E .

e ye s I w i ll h ave a n d d o g s e ye s t o o ! a d w i th th a t
,
’ ’
n

i t S w o o p e d d o w n u p o n F l a p s h e a d 5 bu t t h e o l
’
d do g
s e i z e d t h e b i rd b e tw e e n h i s t e e th a n d k i ll e d i t th o ug h ,

n o t b e f o r e o n e o f h i s o wn e y e s h a d b e e n s c r a t c h e d

out i n t h e str ug g l e .

N O m a tt e r sa i d F l a p s 5 I ve d o n e my d u ty a t
’ ‘ ’
, ,

a n
y r a t e a n d I d o n t k n o w wh y I s h o u ld w a n t m o r e
,
’

th a o n e e y e t o s e e w i th 5 a n d s o sayi n g h e w e t
n
’
, n

bac k t o h i s p o s t .

“
Th e f o wl s m a d e a g r e a t fe a s t wh i c h l as t e d t h e ,

wh o l e d ay t o c e l e b r a t e t h e o wl s d e a th
,
’
.

“
Bu t t h e mi c e re ma i n e d i n t h e c as tl e a n d c o n ,

t i u e d t o i c r e as e a n d mu lt i p l y
n n S O t h e thr e e w i s e .

c o c ks h a d t o g o f o rth o n a s e c o n d v o ya g e O f d i s

c o ve ry i n o rd e r t o try a n d fi n d a r e me d y ag a i n s t t h e
,

i n tr u d e r s .

“
Th e y fle w o n fo r a n i g ht a n d a d ay w i th o u t a y n

r e su lt ; bu t t o w a rd s mo r n i n g o n t h e s e c o n d d a y , ,

th e y a l ig ht e d t o r e s t i n a th i c k w o o d a n d th e re i ,
‘

,
n

o n e o f t h e fo r e s t g l a d e s jus t a s t h e s u n w as r i s i g
,
n ,

th e y sa w a r e d c o a t e d a n i ma l w a t c h i n g a mo us e h o l e
- -
.

I t w as a fo x wh o h a d c o me o u t t o fi d s o me th i g
,
n n

fo r b r e akfas t Th e y s o o n sa w h i m c a t c h a mo us e
.

a n d e a t it a n d th e n
,
h e a rd h i m say H e ave n b e ,
‘

p r a i s e d fo r s m a ll me r c i e s ! I ve m a n a g e d t o s e c u r
’
e

a l ig ht b re a kfas t a t las t th o ug h I ve b e e n h u n t i n g ,
’

a ll i g ht i n va i n
n .
’

D O y o u h e a r th a t sa i d o n e o f t h e me ss e g e rs n .

‘
H e c o n s i d e r s h i ms e l f v e ry l u c ky t o h av e c a ug ht a
S i n g l e mo us e Th a t s t h e s o rt o f a n i m a l we wa n t
’ ’
. .

S O t h e c c k c a ll e d d o w n f r o m t h e tr e e I say !
‘
o

b e l o w t h e re ! Mr Mo u s e e a t e r ! y o u c a n h a ve a wh o le
.
-
 TH E H E N S OE H E N CAS TL E . 1 1
3

l o f t fu ll Of su c h l o n g t a i l e d v e r mi n as th a t i f y o u
- -
,

w i ll c o me w i th us Bu t y o u mus t fi r s t s o l e m ly s w e a r
. n

th a t y o u w i ll n e ve r e a t e ggs i s t e a d Of mi c e n .
’

N o th i n g o n e a rth S h a ll e v e r t e mp t m e t o t o u c h
I s w e a r i t mo s t s o l e m n l y sa i d t h e fo x
’
an e gg .
, ,

s t a ri g u p i n t o t h e tre e
n Bu t wh e c e d o y o u c o me . n ,

my w o rthy m as t e r s
We l ive a t H e c a s t le b u t n o o n e k o ws wh e re n ,
n

th a t i s e x c e p t t h e m i c e wh o e a t us o u t o f h o us e ,

a n d h o me
’
.

Yo u d o n t s a y S O sa i d t h e fo x f r o m b e l o w l i c k
‘ ’ ’
, ,

i g h i s l ip s
n A d a r e th e r e m a y mo r e su c h h a n d
n n

s o me m ag i fi c e t b i rd s as y o u a r e a t H e c a s t le
,
n n ,
n

Wh y Of c o u r s e t h e wh o l e p l a c e i s fu ll o f th e m
‘
, ,
.
’

Th e I llc o m e w i th y o u sa i d t h e fo x l o w e r i g
n
’
,
’
,
n

h i s e ye s l e s t t h e c o c ks s h o u ld d i s c e r
,
th e hu g y n n r

l o o k i th e m n A d if th e r e a r e a th o usa d m i c e i
.
‘
n n n

t h e l o f t th e y s h a ll a ll s o o l i c k t h e d us t A h ! y o u n

—
.

—
,

d o t k n o w wh a t d e l i c i o us d a t s su h
n
’
i n i e c m i c e a re .
’

“
Th i s t i me t h e f o wl s h a d t o w a i t t i ll e ve i n g n

b e fo r e th e y h e a rd Ma rk t h e w a tc h ma n c r o w i g f ro m , ,
n

h i s c h i m n e y a n d c a ll i g f o rth ,
n

H e re c o me s t h e t h r e e !
B u t wh a t d o I s ee ?
Wh y , th e fr i e n d t h a t t h e y b r i n g
’
Is a e gg e d t h i n g
fo u r -l .

Wh e n t h e fo x g o t t o t h e o u t e r w a ll h e s n iffe d ,

ab o u t u n e as i l y a n d sa i d
I s me ll a d o g a n d I a m n o t f o n d o f t h e r a c e , ,

n o r d o th e y as a r u l e l ik e me
.

’
.

Yo u n e e d n o t b e a l a r me d r e p l i e d t h e c o c k s
“ ‘ ’
,

8
1 1 4 TH E HE NS OF H E N CAS TL E .

‘
th e re i s o n ly o ne Of u r f r i e n d Mr
th e m e e—
h r o .

—
F l ap s a n d h e i s a lw ays s t a t i o n e d o u t s i d e t h e c as tl e 5
,

b e s i d e s h e i s jus t a s g l a d as we a r e th at y o u h a ve
,

c o m e t o k i ll t h e mi c e
’
.

“
Bu t i n s p i t e Of th i s assu r a n c e t h e fo x d id n o t a t ,

al ll i k e t h e i d e a Of g o i n g i n p as t F l a p s wh o s t o o d a t ,

t h e d o o r S h o w i n g h i s t e e th a n d w i th t h e h a i r d o w n
, ,

h i s ba c k s t a n d i n g o n e n d ; bu t a t l a s t c a t c h i n g s i g ht ,

O f a n u mb e r o f p l u mp y o u n g c h i c k e n s l o o k i n o ut
g
a t a win do w R e yn a rd c o u ld r e s i s t n o l o n g e r a n d
, ,

w i th h i s mo u th w a t e r i n g i n a n x i e ty t o b e a mo n g
th e m h e s l i pp e d p as t F l a p s l i k e l ig ht n i n g a n d s c a m
, ,

e r e d u i n to t h e l o ft O n c e th e r e h e b e h av e d s o
p p .
,

affab l y t o t h e f o wl s a n d e sp e c i a ll y t o s o me Of t h e
,

O ld e s t a n d mo s t i n fl u e n t i a l h e n s th a t v e ry s o o n ,

e v e ry o n e l o o k e d o n h i m a s th e i r f r i e n d i n t i me O f

n e e d a n d th e i r e n th u s i a s m w as b r o ug ht t o a c l i m ax
,

wh e n th e y sa w h i m c a t c h f o u r mi c e i n h a l f as ma n y
mi n u t e s .

I n t h e d e a d o f t h e n ig ht wh e n a ll w e r e as l e e p
“
, ,

R e y n a rd c re p t u p t o wh e r e t h e fo wl s ro o s t e d a n d fi n d ,

i n g o u t wh e r e t h e y o u n g e s t a n d fa tt e s t w e r e p e r c h e d ,

h e s n a p p e d Off t h e h e a d s o f a c o u p l e b e fo r e th e y h a d
e v e n t i m e t o fl u tt e r a f e a th e r H e th e n c a rr i e d th e m.

t o t h e w i n d o w o p e n e d i t v e ry g e n tl y dr o p p e d t h e
, ,

d e a d b o d i e s o u t o n t o t h e g ro u n d b e n e a th a n d th e n ,

s p e d a w ay d o w n t o t h e h o us e d o o r a n d b o lt e d i t -
.

“
Wh e n h e h a d d o n e th i s h e r e t u r n e d t o t h e Old ,

h e n s a n d w o k e th e m by g ro a n i n g i n su c h a h e a rt
b r o k e n m a n n e r th a t a l l t h e fo wl s c r o wd e d r o u n d
,

h i m t o k n o w wh a t wa s a mi ss .

c rie d h e i t h a s b e e n my s a d ki t t o
‘
,
 6 TH E H E N S OF H E N CAS TL E
'

1 1 .

th a t t h e d o o r w as t o b e k e p t b o lt e d i n o rd e r th a t h e ,

mig ht b e o b l ig e d e i th e r t o l e a ve t h e p l a c e o r t o
s t a rv e .

“
Th e y w e r e a ll t a l k i n g a t o n c e a n d s o e ag e rly , ,

th a t n o o n e n o t i c e d t h e d o g c o me u p b e h i n d t h e m .

H e g ave o n e s p r i n g a n d s e i z e d t h e fo x by t h e thr o a t .

Th e a tt a c k w as qu i t e u n e xp e c t e d bu t t h e fo x fo ug ht , ,

wri th e d a n d wri ggl e d l i k e a n e e l a n d jus t as h e w as

, ,

b e i n g b o r n e d o w n h e ma d e o n e d e s p e r a t e s n a p a n d
, ,

b i t Off t h e d o g s e a r c l o s e t o t h e h e a d
’
.

“ ‘
We ll my e a r i s d o n e fo r bu t s o i s th i s b l o o d
, ,

th i r s ty vi ll i an sa i d F l ap s l o o k i n g d o w n a t t h e fo x
,
’
, ,

wh i c h l ay d e a d a t h i s f e e t 5 a n d a s fo r y o u y o u ,

p a c k O f u n r a t e fu l f o o l s o n e e a r i s qu i t e e n o u g h t o
g ,

l i s te n t o yo u w i th H e re h ave I b e e n yo u r fa i th fu l
.

c o mr a d e fo r a ll th e s e y e a r s a n d y e t y o u b e l i e v e th a t
,

I h av e t u r n e d mu rd e r e r i n my Ol d a g e o n t h e wo rd
Of th i s r o g u e wh o d i d t h e e vi l d e e d h i ms e l f l as t
,

n i ht
’
g .

N o w th a t t h e p a n i c wa s o v e r t h e fo w ls f e lt h e a r
,

t il y as h a m e d O f th e m s e lv e s fo r h avi n g b e e n d e c e i v e d

by t h e fo x a n d d o n e F l a p s s u c h g re a t i n j us t i c e S o
,
.

th e y al l a sk e d h i s p a rd o n a n d t h e fe as t wh i c h th e y
,

h e ld t o c e l e b r a t e th e i r d e l ive r a n c e f r o m t h e fo x w as
e v e n mo r e m a g n i fi c e n t th a n t h e l a s t a n d i t w e n t O n ,

fo r t wo wh o l e d ays .

H e n c a stl e w as en f et e fo r a t i m e bu t i t wa s a v e ry ,

s h o rt t i me F o r t h e mi c e w e r e n o l e ss g l a d th a n t h e
.

fo wl s th a t th e i r e n e my w as d e a d 5 a n d n o w th a t b o th
h e a n d t h e o wlh a d d i sa pp e a r e d th e y c a me o u t fe a r
,

l e ss l y a t a ll h o u r s o f t h e d ay a n d live d a life q u i te
, .

fre e fr o m t ro u b l e a n d c a re .
 TH E H E N S OF H E N C AS TL E . 1 1 7

“
No t so fo wl s Wh a t wa s t o b e d o n e w i th t h e
th e .

e ve r i n c r e a s i n g c o l o n y o f c o r n s t e a l e r s ?
- Th e mo r e
-

t h e f o wl s me d i t a t e d t h e mo r e t h e mi c e squ e a k e d a n d
,

p l a y e d ab o u t a n d t h e mo r e c o r n th e y dr a g e d a w a
, g y
i n t o th e i r h o l e s Th e r e w as e ve n a ru mo r t h a t s o me
.

o n e m e ddl e d w i th t h e e gg s .

“
Th e re w as n o th i g fo r i t bu t t o d e s p a tc h t h e
n

thr e e me ss e n g e r s a th i rd t i me w i th d i re c t i o n s t o b e ,

mo r e vi g i l a n t a n d c a r e fu l th a n b e f o r e A w ay th e y .

fle w fa rth e r th a n e v e r
,
Th e fi r s t c h a n c e Of h e l p
.

th a t a r o s e wa s f ro m a c o u p le o f c a t s a n d a k i t e wh o ,

s e e me d l i k e l y t o p e rfo r m t h e r e qu i r e d w o rk bu t t h e ,

c o c ks d e c l i e d t o a c c e p t th e i r a id fe e l i g th a t t h e
n ,
n

H e n c a s t le h a d su ffe r e d t o o mu c h al r e a d y f r o m t wo
wi g e d a n d fo u r l e gg e d p ro t e c t o r s
n -
.

A t l e n g th t h e me ss e g e r s r e a c h e d a b i t o f w a s te
n

g ro u n d c l o s e t o a vi ll ag e a n d th e re th e y s a w a n ,

e x tr e me l y r i m y l o o k i n g g i p sy S i tt i n
-
o n a ba nk
g g .

H e k n o c k e d t h e a s h e s o u t o f h i s b l ac k p ip e a n d ,

mu tt e r e d I ve t h e l u c k Of a d o g ! H e r e a m I w i th
,
’

a lo t Of t h e b e s t mo us e tr ap s i n t h e w o rld a n d I -
,

h ave n t s o ld o n e th i s b l e ss e d d ay
’

“ ‘
H e r e s l u c k ! s a i d t h e w i s e b i rd s
’ ’
Th a t i s .
‘

e xa c tl y t h e m a n fo r us ; h e i s n e i th e r t wo wi n e d n o r -
g
fo u r l e gg e d s o h e w i ll b e qu i t e safe
-
, .
’

“
Th e y fl e w d o w n a t o n c e t o t h e r a t c a t c h e r a n d
m a d e th e i r p r o p o s i t i o n H e l aug h e d s o f tl y a n d
.

p l e asa n tl y t o h i ms e l f a n d a c c e t e d th e i r i n v i t a t i o n
p ,

w i th o u t a y d e mu r a n d s t a rt e d a t o n c e wi th a lig ht
n ,

s t e p a n d l i g ht e r h e a rt fo r H e n c a s t le .

“
Two d ays aft e r th i s t h e f o w ls h e a rd Ma r k t h e
,

wa t c h ma n c ro wi n g a wa y l u s t i l y fro m h i s c h i m n e y p o t :
,
-
1 18 TH E HE NS OF H E N C AS TL E

Wh a t do I see ?
H e re c o me th e th ree !
An d t h e b la c k b e a s t t h e y b r i n g
Has n o t a i la n d n o wi n g
’
.

B u t, a dd e d t h e s e n t i n e l i n l e ss Offi c i a l la n g uag e
’
,
‘
h e c a rr i e s a bu n dl e Of th i n g s th a t l o o k l i k e l i ttl e
h o us e s ma d e o f w i re .
’

“
Th e g ip sy wa s a t o n c e t ak e n u p t o t h e l o f t a n d ,

h avi n g lu c k i l y a fe w s c r a p s o f s tro n g s m e ll i n g b a cO n
, ,
-

l e f t o ve r fr o m h i s las t n i g ht s su p p e r h e s tru c k a
’
,

l ig ht a n d ma n ag e d t o mak e a s m a ll fi r e i n t h e l o g n

d i sus e d g ra t e w i th s o me b i t s o f dry g r ass a n d c h i p s .

H e th e n fr i zz l e d s o me ba c o n a n d ba i t e d h i s tr a p s ,

a n d i n l e ss th a n t e mi n u t e s h e h a d fi ll e d th e m a ll
n ,

fo r t h e mi c e h a d n e ve r s me lt su c h a d e l i c i o us th i n g
as f ri e d b a c o n b e fo re a n d b e s i d e s th e y w e r e n e w t o
, ,

t h e w i l e s o f ma n .

“
Th e fo wl s w e re w i ld w i th d e l i g ht a n d i th e i r ,
n

th a n kfu l n e ss th e y b e th o u g ht th e m Of a s p e c i a l m a rk
Of fav o r a n d e v e ry h e n c a me c lu c k i n g u p t o h i m
,

a n d l a i d a n e gg a t h i s f e e t .

F o r a b o u t a w e e k t h e g ip sy d i d n o th i g b u t n

c a t c h mi c e a n d e a t e gg s 5 bu t a ll th i n gs mus t h ave a n

e n d a n d t h e b a c o n r a n o u t jus t wh e n t h e g i p sy h a d
, ,

c o me t o t h e c o n cl us i o n th a t h e w as h e a rt i l y S i c k o f

e gg d i e t
-
.B e i n g a ma n Of a c t i o h e p u t o u t h i s h a d
n, n

s u dd e n l y a n d c au g ht t h e fa tt e s t a n d n i c e s t y o u g n

c h i c k e n wi th i n r e a c h a n d p r o mp tl y wr u n g i t s n e c k
, .

Oh wh a t a r o w th e r e w as i n t h e h e n r o o s t ! Th e
,

c o c ks b e g a n t o c ro w l o u d e n o u g h t o S p l i t th e i r

t hro a t s a n d t h e h e n s t o fly a b o u t a n d c a c k l e
, Th e .

ma n wa s n e a rly d e afe n e d a n d y e ll e d o u t a t t h e t o p
,
120

r fo r th e y b e g a n t o s e e ve ry c le a rl y th a t i t w as
te s,
qu i t e h o p e l e ss t o try a n d g e t r i d o f t h e mi c e .

“
P o o r Old Flap s t o o w as v e ry i ll A g o o d ma n y
, , .

d ays e la p s e d b e fo r e h e c o u ld g e t ab o u t a n d fo r ,

y e a r s h e w a l k e d la me o n h i s i n ju r e d le g .

“
O n e mo r n i n g as t h e f o wl s w e r e l i s tl e ss l y wa n
d e ri n g ab o u t w o n d e r i n g wh a t w as t o h a pp e n n e x t
, ,

Ma rk t h e w a t c h ma n w as h e a rd c ro w i n g a w ay i n a
, ,

ve ry e x c i t e d m a n n e r

‘
Wh a t do I see ?
Twe n t y an d th ree 1

Wh a t d o y o u s e e ? c r i e d th e y a ll i n a g r e at
’

fr ig ht . Tw e n ty a n d thre e wh a t ? ’

An a r my Of s o ld i e r s dr e ss e d i n s mo c k f r o c ks .

Th e y a r e a rme d w i th p i t c h fo rks a n d t h e b l a c k g i p sy
,

i s th e i r g e n e r a l ’
.

“
Th e fo wl s fle w u p l i k e a c l o u d t o t h e r o o f a n d ,

s u re e n o u g h th e y s a w t h e r a t c a t c h e r c o mi n g a c r o ss
-

t h e h e a th wi th a c r o wd o f v i ll a g e r s t o wa rd s t h e
c a s tl e .

“
Wh e n th e y b r o k e t h e d o l e ful n e w s t o Fla p s h e ,

s a i d Th a t s c o u n dre l Of a ma n h as b e tr aye d o u r
,
‘

h i d i n g p l a c e a n d we mu s t w a n d e r fo rth ag a i n Ge t
-
, .

r e a d y a n d k e e p u p yo u r S p i r i t s a n d r e me mb e r th a t
, ,

i n a n y c a s e we S h o ul d n o t h av e b e e n ab l e t o s t ay
h e r e mu c h l o n g e r o n a c c o u n t Of t h e mi c e
, .
’

S o t h e h e n s fi ll e d th e i r c r o p s as fu ll a s p o ss ib l e ,

a n d e s c a p e d w i th Fla p s o u t a t t h e ba c k d o o r .

Wh e n t h e c o u n try fo l k g o t t o t h e h o us e th e y
-
,

fo u n d n o th i n g i n i t bu t a s m a ll h e a p o f c o r n 5 S O th e y
fe ll u p o n t h e g i p sy a n d h a l f k i ll e d h i m fo r h av i n g
 THE H E N S OF H E N C AS TL E
’
. 121

b r o ug ht th e m o n a fo o l s e rr a n d Th e n th e y d ivi d e d
’
.

wh a t l i ttl e c o r n th e re w as l e ft a n d w e n t a w ay
, .

AS t o t h e mi c e th e y w e r e le f t t o wh i s tl e fo r
th e i r fo o d .

S O e n d s t h e t al e o f t h e H e n s o f H e n c a s tl e .

An d a ve ry fi n e t ale i t i s t o o ,
”
sai d o n e Of t h e
,

S tr a n g e r h e n s wh o h a d b e e n as l e e
-
a ll t h e t i m e and
p ,

w o k e u p w i th a ju mp . I t w as d e e p l y i n t e r e s t i n g .

Th e thr e s h e r s h a pp e n e d t o h ave s t o p p e d t o r e s t fo r
a mo me n t o r s h e w o u ld n e ve r h a ve w o k e a t a ll
, .

Of c o u r s e i t w as ! s a i d t h e c o c k fu ll o f d i g n i ty ;
“ ”
,

a n d h e s h o o k h i s f e a th e r s s tr a i ht
g .

Bu t wh a t b e c a me o f t h e fo wls aft e rw a rd s ? ”

ask e d o n e o f t h e c o m mo n h e n s .

I n e v e r t e ll a h e n a s e c r e t sai d t h e c o c k ; a n d
“ ”
,

h e s tru tt e d Off t o h u n t fo r w o r ms .
I22 F LAP S

F L AP S .

“ ”
A S E Q U E L TO TH E H E N S OF H E N OAS TL E .

N D wh a t b e c a m e F l a p s a ft e r th e y a ll l e ft
o f
H e n c a s tle ? We ll h e le d h i s c o mp a n y o n
,

a d o n bu t th e y c o u l
n ,
d fi n d n o su i t ab l e p l a c e t o s e t
tl e i n ; a n d wh e n t h e fo wl s r e c o v e r e d f r o m th e i r

fr ight th e y b e g a n t o th i n k th a t th e y h a d aba n d o n e d
,

t h e c as t l e t o o h as t i l y a n d —
,
to l a y t h e bla me o n F l a p s

Ma rk h i ms e lf sa i d th a t p o ss ib l y h e might h a v e
o v e r e s t i ma t e d t h e n u mb e r Of t h e i n va d gr s
-
Th e r e
.

m ig ht n o t h av e b e e n tw e n ty thr e e bu t r e a ll y F l a p s
-
,

w as i n su c h a h u rry fo r t h e n e w s a n d o n e mus t say

,

s o me th i g wh e n i t i s o n e s d u ty t o m ak e a r e p o rt
n
’
.

Th e thr e e w i s e c o c ks o bj e c t e d t o s p e ak o f th e m
s e l ve s Or th e i r s e rv i c e s b u t th e y h a d h a d s o m e
,

e x p e r i e n c e o n b e h a l f O f t h e c o mmu n i t y i n t i me s o f

d a n g e r a n d i n th e i r Op i n i o n th e re h a d b e e n a p a n i c
, ,

a n d th e h as t y a c t i o n t ak e n by F l a p s w as i n ju d i c i o u s

a d r e g r e t abl e
n .

Th e Ol d e s t h e n Of H e n c a s t le S h o o k h e r fe a th e r s t o
s h o w h o w mu c h F l ap s w as i n t h e wro n g a n d th e n ,

p u f
f e d th e m o u t to S h o w h o w m u c h s h e w as i t h
n e

rig ht ; a n d af t e r c l e a ri g h e r thro a t a l mo s t as if S h e
n

w e r e g o i g t o c r o w S h e Ob s e rv e d ve ry s hr i ll y th a t
n ,

sh e d i d t c a r e wh o c o tr a d i c t e d h e r wh e n S h e sa i d
n
’
n

t h a t t h e c o mmo n s e n s e o f t h e Mo th e r o f a Fa m i l y
 FL AP S . i 23

wa s e n o ug h to te ll l
z er th a t a n Ol
d d o g , wh o h a d lo st
a n e ye a n d a n e a r a n d a e g , wa s
l no fi t p r o t e c t o r fo r
t h e fe mi n i n e and th e yo u n g and th e i n e xp e ri e n c e d ”
.

Th e c hief co c k wa s f r e e Of h i s Op i n i o n s as
n o t SO

t h e c h i e f h e n b u t h e g r u mb l e d a n d s c o l d e d ab o u t
,

e v e ry th i n g ,
by wh i c h o n e ma y m ak e ma tt e r s a mp ly
u n p l e asa n t w i th o ut c o mmi tt i n g o n e s e lf o r i n c u rr i n g
r e sp o n s i b i l i ty .

A n o th e r o f t h e h e n s ma d e a p o i n t o f h a vi n g n o
Op i n i o n . S h e s a i d th a t wa s h e r w ay s h e tru st e d ,

e v e ry b o d y a l i k e a n d b o re h e r S h a r e o f s u ffe ri n g ,

wh i c h wa s s e ld o m s m a ll w i th o u t a mu r mu r B u t
, .

h e r g o o d w i s h e s we r e a lw a ys a t a n y o n e s s e rvi c e a n d
’
,

s h e w o u l d s a y th a t s h e s i n c e r e ly h o p e d th a t a s a d

i n jus t i c e h a d n o t b e e n d o n e t o t h e r e d— h ai re d g e n tl e
ma n w i th t h e s i n g u l a r ly a g r e e a b l e ma n n e r s wh o ,

w o u ld h a ve b e e n g a t e k e e p e r o f H e n c a s t le a t t h i s
mo me n t i f i t h a d n o t b e e n fo r F l a p s .

P o o r Fl a p s ! We l l mi g h t h e say O n e e a r i s ,

e n o u g h t o l i s t e n t o y o u wi t h k r a t l
'

y o u p a c, o f u n
g e fu

fo o ls ! ”

H e wa s b e g i n n i n g t o fi n d o u t th a t a s a r u l e t h e , ,

H e l p l e ss h a ve a n i c e wa y w i th th e m o f fl i n g i n g a ll
th e i r c a r e s u p o n t h e H e l p fu l a n d r e s e rvi n g th e i r o wn
,

e n e r g i e s t o p i c k h o l e s i n wh a t i s d o n e i n th e i r b e h a l f 5

a n d th a t th e y a r e a p t t o fl o u r i s h i n g o o d h e al th a n d ,

p o o r s p i r i t s l
,
o n g a f t e r s u c h f r i e n d s a s Fl a p s h av e

b e e n w o rn o u t b i t by b i t i n th e i r s e rvi c e
, ,
.

“
F i r s t a n e y e th e n a n e a r th e n a le g t h e Old
, ,
”
,

d o g g r o wl e d t o h i ms e lf 5 a n d th e r e s n o t a fo wl
“ ’

wi t h a fe a th e r o u t o f h i m Bu t I ve do n e my d u ty
.
’

a n d that s e n o ugh
’ ”
.
r24 FL AP S .

Ma t te r s we n t fro m b a d t o wo rs e . Th e h e n s h a d
no co rn a n d Fla p s g o t n o e gg s a n d t h e p ro s p e c t Of
, ,

e i th e r h o me o r fo o d s e e me d ve ry r e mo te On e .

e v e n i n g i t wa s v e ry r a i n y t h e fo w ls r o o s t e d i n a wa l ,

n u t t r e e fo r s h e lt e r a n d Fl a p s fe l la s l e e p a t t h e fo o t
-
,

o f it .

“
C o u l d a n yt h i n g b e mo re a g g r a va t i n g t h a n t h a t
c r e a t u r e s i n d i ffe r e n c e ? s a id H e n NO 2 H e re
’ ”
.

we s i t we t t o t h e sk i n a n d t h e r e h e lie s a s leep !
, ,

De a r me ! I re me mb e r o n e Of my n e c k fe a t he r s g o t
a wry o n c e a t d e a r Ol ,
e ! t h e p e n c i ll i n g h as
d H e n c a s tl
b e e n a g o o d d e a l a d mi r e d i n my t i me th o u g h I s a y ,

i t t h a t S h o u l d n t) a n d t h e R e d h a i r e d G e n t l e ma n
’
-
,

n o t i c e d i t i n a mo me n t I r e me mb e r h e p u t h i s fa c e
.

a s c l o s e t o mi n e a s I a m t o yo u b u t i n t h e mo s t ,

g e n tl e m a n ly m a n n e r a n d mu r mu r e d s o s o ft l
y
E x c u s e me —
,

th e re s j u st o n e o f t h o s e lo ve ly litt le
’

fe a t h e r s t h e l e a s t b i t i n t h e wo rl d
I b e l i e ve i t wa s a c t u a ll y b e t we e n h i s l i p s wh e n ,

we we re i n t e r ru p te d a n d I h a d t o p u t i t ti dy mys e lf
,
.

B u t we mig h t a l lb e p l u c k e d a s b a r e a s p o o r y o u n g
S c r a t c h fo o t b e fo r e Fl a p s wo u l d th i n k o f s mo o th i n g
us d o wn J u s t h e a r h o w h e s n o r e s A h i t s a
.
’

try i n g w o rl d b u t I n e ve r c o mp la i n
,
”
.

I d o th o u g h s a i d t h e c h i e f h e n I m no t o ne
“ ’
.
, ,

t o p u t u p w i th n e g l e c t H i th e r e a r e y o u a s le e p ? ”
.
,

An d s c ra tc h i n g a b i t o f t h e r o u g h b a r k Off t h e wa ln u t
tre e s h e le t i t dro p o n t o Fl a p s n o s e
,
’
.

I m a wa k e s a i d Fl a p s 5 wh a t s t h e ma tte r ?
“ ’ ” ’
,

I n e ve r k n e w a n y o n e s n o r e wh e n h e wa s a wa k e
b e fo re ”
s aid th e h e n ; a n d a l
, lt h e yo u n g c o c k e r e l s ,

ch u c k l
e d.
 12 6 F L AF S .

All th a t e ve n i n g fa r i n t o t h e n ig ht i t r a i e d
and n

a d r a i e d a n d t h e f o wl s c u ddl e d c l o s e t o e a c h o th e r
n n ,

t o k e e p w a r m a n d Fla p s d i d n o t r e t u r n
,
In th e .

s m a ll h o u r s o f t h e mo r n i n g t h e r a i n c e a s e d a n d t h e ,

r a i n c l o u d s dr i f te d a w ay a n d t h e n igh t s k y fa d e d a n d
-
,
’

fa d e d t i ll i t w as d a w n .

C o c k a do o d l e do o
- -
s a i d Ma rk a n d a ll t h e
-
,

fo wl s w o k e u p .

“
Wh a t d o y o u s e e a n d h e a r f ro m t h e tre e t o p de a -
,
r

Ma r k ? sai d th e y
”
I s F l ap s c o mi n g ?
.

No t a t h in g ca n I see

Fr o m t h e t o p o f t h e t r e e ,
B ut a lo n g , wi n d i n g l
ane

Th a t i s s lo pp y wi t h rai n ;

re p l i e d Ma rk An d t h e fo w ls h u ddl e d t o g e th e r a g a i n
.
,

and
p u t th e i r h e a d s ba c k u n d e r th e i r w i n s
g .

Pa l e r a n d p a l e r g r e w t h e g r ay sky a n d a t las t i t ,

wa s b r o k e n w i th g o ld e n ba r s a n d a t t h e fi r s t r e d ,

s tr e ak th a t c au g ht fi r e b e h i n d th e m Ma r k c r o w e d ,

l o u d e r th a n b e fo r e a n d a ll t h e h e n s Of H e n c a s t le
,

ro us e d u p fo r g o o d .

“
Wh a t d o yo u s e e a n d h e a r f ro m t h e tre e t o p -

d e a r Ma r k ? th e y i n qu i r e d
”
I s F l ap s c o mi n g ?
.
“

No t a so un d do I h e a r,
An d I v e r y mu c h fe a r
Th a t F la p s , o u t Of s p i t e ,
H a s de s e r t e d us q u it e 5

re p l i e d Ma rk An d t h e fo wl s s a i d n o th i n g fo r th e y
.
,

we r e by n o m e a n s a t e as e i n th e i r c o n s c i e n c e s .

Th e i r de l ig h t wa s p r o p o rt i o n a t e l y g r e a t wh e n a ,
 F L AP S r2 7

fe w mi n u t e s la t e r, th e s e n ti n e l sa n
g o ut fr o m h i s

p o st
He re me s F la p s , like t h e ma i l
co

An d h e s wa v i n g h i s t a i l”
'

We ll d e a r d ea r F l ap s
, ,
t h e y a ll c a c k l e d a s h e
c a me tr o tt i n g u p W h e r e i s o u r n e w h o me a n d wh a t
, ,

i s i t l ik e ?
”

“
Wi l l th e re b e p le n ty t o e a t ? ask e d t h e c o c k s ”

w i th o n e c ro w .

P l e ty r e p l i e d F l a p s
n ,
”
.

S h a ll we b e saf e f r o m mi c e o wl s w i ld b e a s t s , , ,

a n d w i ld me n ? c rie d t h e h e s n .

Yo u w i ll a n s we r e d Flap s
,
”
.

I S t fa r d e a r F l ap s
”
i ,
?

It i s v e ry n e a r sa i d Flap s ; bu t I ma y as w e ll
,

—
te ll y o u t h e tr u th a t o n c e i t s a fa rmya rd ’
.
”

Oh sa i d a ll t h e fo wl s .

We ma y b e r o as t e d o r h a v e o u r h e a d s c h o p p e d
,

o ff wh i mp e r e d t h e yo u n g c o c k e re l s .

We ll S c r a t c h fo o t w as r o as t e d a t H e n c a s t le
, ,

sa i d F l p s ; a n d h e w as n t o u r o l y l o ss O e
a
“ ’
n . n

ca t h ave e ve ryth i n g i n th i s wo rld ; a n d I assu r e

’
n

o u if o u c o u ld s e e t h e p o u ltry ya rd —S O dry u n d e r -
y , y
fo o t n i c e l y w i r e d i n fro m ma r au d e r s 5 t h e m o s t
,

c h a r mi g n e s t s
n w i th fr e s h h ay i th e m ; dri k i g
,
n n n

tro u g h s 5 a n d th e n a t r e g u l a r i t e rva l s su c h a b u n d n ,
~

a c e o f c o r n m as h e d p o t a t o e s a n d b o n e s th a t my
n , ,

ow n mo u th w a t e r e d a t — a r e s e rv e d o u t
“
Th a t s o u n d s g o o d sa i d t h e y o u g c o c k e r e l s
,
n .

A h e m ! a h e m sa i d t h e c h i e f c o c k Did yo u
—
.

h
s e e a y t i g v y e ma
n n e r r r k a b l e we r e t h e s p e c i me n s
 I 2 8 F L AP S .

of my ra c e mu c h su p e ri o r in s tr e n g th and go o d
l o o ks ?
My d e a r k sa i d F l ap s ; th e re i s n o t a t a il
co c
“

o r a c o mb o r a h a c k l e t o t o u c h Y u ll k ’
y o u o b e c o c .

o f t h e w a l k i n n o t i me
”
.

“
A h e m ! a h e m ! sai d t h e c h i e f c o c k mo d e s tl y
”
.

I h av e a l w ays h a d a s o rt Of fa t a l i ty th a t w ay .

P r ay my d e a r s d o t l o o k s o f o o l i s h a d d e p l o r ab l e
, ,
n
’
n
,

bu t g e t t h e yo u n g p e o p l e t o g e th e r a n d le t us m ak e a ,

s t a rt Mr F l a p s i s a p e r s o n o f s tro n g c o mmo n
. .

s e n s e a qua l i ty fo r wh i c h I mys e l f h av e a lw ays b e e n

,

r e ma r kab l e a n d I th o ro ug hl y e n d o r s e a n d su p p o rt
,

h i s e x c e ll e t a d v i c e o f wh i c h I a m t h e b e s t j u d g e
n , .

I h a ve v e ry mu c h r e g r e tt e d o f l a t e t o Obs e rve a t e n
d e e y i n th i s fam i l y ! I say a t e n d e n c y fo r I h o p e i t
n ,

s n o fu rth e r u n d e rv a l u e Mr F l a s n d e ve n
g o e ) t o p a .
,

! I h a rdl y l i k e t o a ll u d e t o su c h r e p re h e n s i b l e a d n

d i sgu s t i n g absu rd i ty) t o r e c all t h e me mo ry o f a vu l

g a r r e d—h a i r e d i m p o s t o r w h o ga i n e d a b r i e f e tr a n c e
,
n

i n t o o u r fa mi l y c i rc l e I am o t c o n su lt e d as I
. n

s h o u ld b e i th e s e fl u c t ua t i o s o f Op i i o n bu t th e r e
n n n ,

a r e o c c as i o n s wh e i t i s n e c e ssa ry th a t t h e h e a d o f a
n

fa mi l y s h o u l d e x e r c i s e h i s d i s c r e t i o a n d h i s au th o r i ty n ,

an d so ,
t o S p e ak p u t d o w n h i s c l a w
,
I p u t d o wn .

my c l a w We a r e g o i g t o Mr F l ap s fa r m ya rd
. n .
? -
.

C o c k a d o o dl e d o o C o c k a d o o dl e d o o
- - - - - -

N o w wh e n t h e h e a d o f a fa mi l y says Co c k a “ -
,

d o o dl e d o o -
th e re i s o th i n g mo re t o b e sai d S O
n .

t o t h e fa r m ya rd t h e wh o l e l
-
o t o f th e m w e t and n ,

w e r e th e re b e fo r e t h e s u n g o t o n e g o ld e n h ai r o f h i s
h e a d o ve r t h e ro o f o f t h e b ig b a rn .

An d o n ly Ma rk as th e y a llc r o wd e d i n t o th e i r n e w
,
1
3 9 F L AP S .

w o n t sa i d Da i sy i n d i g n a n tl y
He
’
He s t h e .
’

d o g Da dd y p r o m i s e d m e a n d t h e fa r me r c o mi n
g
out a t th a t m i n u t e s h e r a n u p t o h i m c ryi n g
, ,

Da dd y ! I s n t th i s my d o g ? ’ ”

B l e ss t h e c h i ld n o ! s a i d t h e fa rme r ; i t s a
,
” “ ’

n i c e l i ttl e p u p I m g o i n g t o g i v e th e e Wh e r e d i d
’
.

th a t d i r t y o ld b ru t e c o me f ro m
H e w o u ld w as h sa i d l i ttl e Da i sy h o ld i n g ve ry
“ ”
, ,

fas t t o F l ap s c o a t ’
.

F i n e w as h i n g t o o ! sa i d t h e d a i ry ma i d
“ ”
.

h i s h a i r s a ll lu g s
’
.

I c o u ld c o mb th e m sa i d D a i sy
“
.
,

H e s n o bu t g o t o n e e y e sa i d t h e s w i n e h e rd
’
.
,

H a w ! h a w ! h aw !
”

H e s e e s me w i th t h e o th e r sa i d Da i sy H e s “ ’
, ,

l o o k i n g u p a t me n o w .

An d o n e o f h i s e a r s g o n e ! c r i e d t h e d a i ry l ass
“ ”
.

”
He ! h e ! h e !
P e rh a p s I c o u ld mak e h i m a c a p sa i d D a i sy , ,

as I d i d wh e n my d o ll l o s t h e r wi g It h a d p i n k .

r i bb o n s a n d l o o k e d v e ry n i c e .

Why h e s l a me o f a le g gu ffa w e d t h e t wo
,
’
,

fa r m i g me n n -
S e e m i ssy h e h i rp l e s o n thr e e
.
, , .

“
I c a n t r u n v e ry fas t sa i d Da i sy a n d wh e n
’ ” “
, ,

d e n o u g h t o p e rh a p s h i s le g w i ll b e w e ll
”
I m ol
’
.
,

Wh y y o u d o n t w a n t th 1 s o ld th i n g fo r a p la yfe l
,
’

lo w c h i ld ?
,
s a i d t h e fa r me r
”
.

“
I do I do ! w e p t Da i sy .

Bu t why i n t h e n a me o f wh i ms a n d wh a ms i e s
,

B e c aus e I l o ve h i m sai d Da i sy ,
”
.

Wh e n i t c o me s t o th i s w i th t h e h e a rt a rgu me n t i s ,

w a ste d o n t h e h e a d 5 bu t t h e fa rme r we n t o n
 F L AP S .
1 3 I

Wh y he
’
s s e ful n o r o r n a me n t a l H e s
nei th e r u .
’

b e e n a g o o d d o g i n h i s d ay I d a r e say ; bu t n o w ,

A t th i s mo me n t F l ap s thre w h i s h e a d u p i n t h e a i r
a n d s n i ffe d a n d h i s o n e e y e g l a r e d a n d h e s e t h i s
, ,

t e e th a n d g r o w l e d .

H e s me l t t h e g ip sy a d t h e g i p sy s b l a c k p i p e
’
,
n ,

a n d e v e ry h a i r s t o o d o n e n d wi th r a g e .

Th e d o g s ma d ! c r i e d t h e s w i n e h e rd s e i z i n g a
’ ”
,

p i t c h f o r k .

“
Yo u r e a fo o l s a i d t h e fa rme r ! wh o w a s n t)
’

,
’
.

Th e re s s o me o n e b e h i d th a t h ays t a c k a n d t h e
’
n ,

d w a t c h d o g s ba c k i s u p S e e ! th e r e h e r u n s ;
’
Ol -
.

a n d as I m a S i n n e r i t s th a t b l a c k r a s c a l wh o w as
’ ’
,

lo i t e r i n g r o u d t h e d ay my r i c ks w e r e fi r e d a n d
n ou
, y ,

la d s le t h i m S l ip Off af t e r h i m fo r I fa c y I s e e
.
,
n

s mo k e An d t h e fa r me r fle w t o h i s h ays t a c ks
”
. .

H u n g ry a n d t i r e d as h e w as F l a p s w o u ld h ave ,

p u r su e d h i s Old e e my bu t Da i sy w o u ld n o t l
n e t h im ,

o S h e t o o k h i m by t h e e a r a d l e d h im i n d o o r s t o n
g .

b re akfas t i s t e a d S h e h a d a l a rg e bas i n o f b r e a d
n .

a n d mi l k
-
a d s h e d i v i d e d th i s i t o t wo p o rt i o n s a n d
,
n n ,

g av e o n e t o F l a p s a n d k e p t t h e o th e r h e r s e l f A d . n

as s h e says s h e l o ve s F l ap s I l e av e y o u t o g u e ss wh o ,

o t mo s t b r e a d a n d mi l k
g
- -
.

Th a t w as h o w t h e g ip sy c a me t o l ive fo r a t i me i n
t h e c o u n ty g a o l wh e r e h e m a d e mo u s e tr a p s r a t h e r
,

n ic e l
y fo r th e
g o o d o f t h e r a t e p ay e r s -
.

An d th a t w as h o w F l a p s wh o h a d c a r e d s o w e l l ,

fo r o th e r s w as w e ll c a r e d fo r h i ms e l f a n d l
,
-
iv e d ,

h a pp i l y t o t h e e n d o f h i s d ays .

as as a: l
a l

Wh y ,
it
’
s i n p ri n t ! s a i d Fat h e r C o c k ; “
and I
I
3 2 F L AP S .

s ai d a s p l a i n a s a n y c o c k c o u l d c ro w th a t i t wa s a ,

s e c re t N o w wh o le t i t o u t ?
.
\ ,
”

“
D o n t t a l k t o me ab o u t s e c re ts s a i d t h e fa i r
’
,

fo re ig n e r 5 I n e ve r tr o u b l e my h e a d a b o u t s u c h
th i n g s.
”

S o me p e o p l e a r e ve ry fo n d o f dr a wi n g a tt e n t i o n

t o th e i r h e a d s s a i d t h e c o mmo n h e n 5 a n d i f o th e r
” “
,

l d d t th i n k mo r e Of a r n n atu ral lo o ki n
’
p pe o e i n g e a t u g
-

c h i g n o n th a n o f a l l t h e d o m e s t i c v i rt u e s p u t t o g e t h e r ,

th e y mig h t h a ve th e i r c o n fi d e n c e s re sp e c te d ”
.

It s a l
’
lve ry we ll s a i d F a th e r C o c k b u t yo u r e
,
” “
,
’

la l i k e Th e re s n o t a h e n c a n k n o w a s e c re t w i th
’
al .

o u t g o i n g a n d t e ll i n g i t
”
.

We ll c o me l sa i d a l i ttle B a n t a m h e n wh o h a d
,
”
,

n e wl y a rr ive d 5 wh i c h e ve r h e n t o l d i t t h e c o c k mu st
“
,

h a ve t o l d i t fi r s t .
”

“
Wh a t s th a t ri d ic u l o u s n o n s e n s e y o u re t a lk i n g ?
’ ’

c ri e d t h e c o c k 5 a n d h e r a n a t h e r a n d p e e k e d h e r

we l lw i th h i s b e a k .

c ri e d t h e B a n t a m
“ ”
Oh ! Oh ! Oh ! .

D a b d ab dab pe c ke d t h e c o c k
, , , .

“
N o w! h a s a n yb o d y e l s e g o t a n y th i n g t o s a y o n
t h e s u bj e c t ?
”

B u t n o b o dy h a d S O h e fle w u p o n t o t h e wa l
. land ,

c ri e d C o c k a d o o d l e do
- - -
 °f
J uli a n a Ho r a t i a E w i n g
N EW L IB R AR Y E D I TI O N

A i fo r m e di t i o n o f t h e w o r ks o f J u l i a n a H o r a t i a
un

E w i n g , i n e l e v e n I z m o v o l u m e s , h a n d s o m e ly p r i n t e d
a n d a ttr a c tive l b o u n d i n d e r a t d l o th w i t h n u
y c o e c ,

m e r o u s i ll u st r a t i o n s b y R a n d o l p h C a l d e c o tt , G e o r g e
C ru i ksh a n k a n d o th e r a r t i s t s , a n d a L i fe o f th e Au th o r
,

b y h e r s i s t e r Ma r g a r e t F G a tt y
, P ric e ,
.
p e r .

v o l u m e An y v o l u m e s u p p l i e d s e p a r a t e l y
. .

I . J a c k a n a p e s ; Th e S t o r y o f a S h o r t L i fe ; a n d
J u l i a n a H E wi n g a n d h e r B o o k s
. .

II D a d d y D a r w i n s D o v e c o t e : Me l c h i o r s
’ ’
.

D re a m a n d Oth e r Ta l e s
,
.

II I . O ld F a s h i o n e d F a i r y T a l e s ; B r o t h e r s o f
-

P i t y a n d O t h e r Ta l e s o f B e a s t s a n d Me n .

IV . A G r e a t E m e r g e n c y a n d O t h e r Ta le s,
.

V . Mr s O v e r t h e w a y s R e m e m b r a n c e s
.
’
.

V I . L o b L i e b y t h e F i r e ; Th e B ro w n i e s a n d ,

O t h e r Ta l e s .

V II . A F la t I r o n fo r a F a r t h i n g .

V III . S i x t o S i x t e e n : a S t o r y fo r Gi r ls .

I! .
J a n o f t h e W i n d m i ll .

! . W e a n d t h e W o r l d : a B o o k fo r B o y s .

! I . Ma r y s Me a d o w S n a p -D r a g o n s D a n d e lio n
’

, ,

C l o c k s a n d O th e r S t o ri e s
, .

Th o s e wh o s t u d y h e r wr i t i n g s c a r e fu lly wi llfe e lt h a t s o m e o f t h e i r
r e a t e s t wo r t h l
i e s i n t h e wo n d e rf u l c o n v e r s a t i o n a n d h i h fi n i s h t h a t
g g
t h e y d is pl ay . TO o t h e r r e a d e r s t h e c h i e f v a lu e o f t h e b o o k s wi llb e
p p ie
i n t h e h i gh u r o s e o f t h e i r t e a ch i n g a n d t h e c o n s c io u s n e s s t h a t J u l
e n t a s a d i r e c t g ift fr o m Go d , a n d n e v e r u s e d i t o t h e r wi s e
h e ld h e r t a l
th a n t o H is gl F r o m 7 u lia n a H o r a t i a E wi n g a n a k e r B o o k s
’
o ry . .

We p
Wi s h t h a t s u c h s t o r i e s c o u ld b e la c e d i n t h e h a n d s o f y o u n g
p p
eo l e i n s t e a d o f t h e n o n s e n s e t o o O ft e n ub lis h e dp Mr s E wi n g wr i t e s
. .

b e c a u s e s h e e n j o y s i t , a n d h a s s o m e t h i n g t o s a y wo r t h s a y i n g .

Wo m a n s y o u r n a l
’
.

L I TT L E , B R O WN , 59 C O i s b er s , B o s t o n
P ukl
3
.
,