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"Oh, no! keep them for yourselves," said the Colonel; "your big people all had enough last night, and I kept these out for you, knowing how fond you and Maggie were of them." Bessie thanked and kissed him, and ran off, giving her prize to Starr to carry for her. "There's a way by which I can take you back quicker, if y...
"Starr," she said, "I'm going to give you a piece of my banana, 'cause you're so very kind and good to me." "Thank you kindly, miss," said the man; "but I never eat them, not if a shipful was before me." "Don't you like them?" asked the little girl. "No, miss."
"Oh! I like them better than any thing,--I mean better than any thing else to eat," said Bessie; "and I was very much pleased when the Colonel gave me these, 'cause I didn't have one since I came to Chalecoo." "Then I am glad, too, miss," said Starr, who in the city had often been sent by his master to buy bananas to i...
"So, you're there, are you?" he said, sternly. "What wickedness are you up to now, I'd like to know?" Dolly made no answer, but sat with her eyes fixed upon Bessie, or rather upon the tempting bunch of bananas she held in her small hands. The girl was half lying, half sitting upon the ground, her head and shoulders res...
Still Dolly took no notice of him. Instead of running away, or cowering in fear of punishment, as she generally did when any grown person came near her, she remained crouched, without moving, upon the ground. "Gi' me one," she said to Bessie. "Did I ever hear such impudence!" exclaimed Starr, roused out of his usual st...
"Please wait a minute, Starr." "I say, gi' me one," said Dolly again; "I aint eat nothin' to-day nor yesterday, and Lem's gone away." It was, indeed, a bold thing for Dolly to ask any thing of one whom she had injured so much; but she was ravenous with hunger, and having no shame, she had no thought save how she might ...
Perhaps strong, healthy children, who can enjoy whatever is set before them, can have little idea what a piece of self-denial this was to Bessie. She was a delicate child, with a slight appetite which needed some coaxing, and, as she had said to Starr, if there was any one thing which she liked particularly, it was a f...
"Have you hurt yourself, Dolly?" asked Bessie, gently. Dolly made no answer, but stretched out her hand again for the fruit. Bessie went a little nearer, and timidly placed it in her hand. "That's not the way," she said, as the girl greedily bit into the close, tough skin. "You must peel it. I will show you."
Dolly held fast to the banana for a moment, as if she feared Bessie was about to take it back; then, with a wondering look into the sweet, pitiful little face, gave it up. [Illustration: Bessie among the Mountains. p. 196.] "Now, don't you be waiting on her, Miss Bessie," said Starr; "you've done more than enough alrea...
"Does something hurt you?" she asked, as the girl moaned again when she moved. "Yes, I hurts all over," answered Dolly. "Did you fall down?" "No, I didn't," mumbled Dolly, with her mouth full.
"Then how did you hurt yourself so much?" "Dunno," said Dolly, sullenly. But she did know; she knew right well that those terrible racking pains came from that night spent in the Ice Glen. She had a feeling as if Bessie must know it too. "Now just you and that man clear out. I came here first," she muttered. "Don't fre...
"Humph," said Dolly, in a tone as if she could not believe this. "Don't you think I am?" said Bessie. "I knows better," was the answer she received. "But I am, Dolly, really. I am very sorry for you, 'cause you have that pain, and 'cause you don't have any one to love you, and take care of you, and teach you. Wouldn't ...
"If you're so sorry, give me another of them," said Dolly again, looking at the bananas with a greedy eye. She had never tasted any thing so delicious in her life, and the one which Bessie had given only made her more anxious for a second. Bessie gave a little sigh. "I would if they were mine," she said; "but they are ...
Starr's patience was at an end; and, lifting his little charge in his arms, he plunged through the opening in the bushes. "Miss Bessie," he said, "you ought to let that girl alone; she's not fit for you to care for, and it's all kindness thrown away." Bessie looked very grave and thoughtful. "Starr," she said, presentl...
Starr was silenced: he had not another word to say. When Bessie reached her playfellows, the fire was burning famously; but they had waited to husk the corn till she should come to have her share in that pleasure. "But where is your banana?" asked Maggie, when her sister divided the Colonel's gift. "It is gone," answer...
"Oh!" said Maggie, "why, didn't you wait to eat it with the rest of us? But never mind, you shall have half of mine." "Let's husk the corn now," said Harry; "we'll have the bananas by and by." The ears were soon stripped of their green dress and silken tassels, and laid round the fire to roast. Then Bessie told Maggie ...
"Did you?" said Maggie. "That was very good of you, 'cause you're so fond of them. Who did you give it to?" "To Dolly," answered Bessie. "To Dolly! that bad thing!" exclaimed Maggie; "where _did_ you see her?" Bessie told how she and Starr had found Dolly, and of what had passed, ending with,--
"I would have given her another banana if any of them had been mine, Maggie; and I thought you would have given her yours too, to show her you wanted to be kind to her, if you only knew about it." "So I would," said Maggie, "and I wouldn't have cared if you had given it to her. I will let you do just what you choose wi...
"I don't think she could very well," said Bessie. "It hurts her so to move; and her speaking sounds like mine when I have the croup. Starr said he thought she looked very sick. She's just over behind those bushes, and some one could go and take care of us. I think she would be sure we are sorry for her if we took it to...
[Illustration] XI. "_GOOD FOR EVIL._" DOLLY was found lying in the same spot, and almost in the same position, in which Bessie and Starr had left her; but now she was half asleep.
Thinking she might receive the children's kindness in a better spirit, if there was no older person to look on, Mr. Bradford helped his little daughters through the screening bushes, and then drew back a few steps where he might still watch them, and hear all that passed, but where Dolly could not see him. At the rustl...
"Dolly," said Bessie, "will you believe now that we are sorry for you, and want to be kind to you?" "I s'pose so," answered Dolly, gruffly, as if she were still half unwilling or unable to believe that they meant what they said. They stood in silence, watching the half-famished creature as she eat her fruit, then Bessi...
"No, I shan't neither, I aint goin' to stir," she answered snappishly, with one quick, suspicious glance at the children, and another towards the trunk of the old tree against which she leaned. "I've got a right here, if I've a mind to stay. 'Taint your ground nor Porter's neither." "Oh, no!" said Bessie, "I did not me...
"What for? I s'pose you think I wouldn't bother you then." "I hope you wouldn't," said Bessie; "but I was not thinking about that. It was only 'cause I am so sorry that you don't have a nice home and plenty to eat, and people to love you. But, Dolly, you know Jesus loves you." "No, he don't neither," was the answer. "B...
"I say," said Dolly, "I could ha' plagued you last Sunday if I'd had a mind to. The old dog wasn't there." "No: Buffer was sick last Sunday afternoon," answered Bessie. "Did you come by our Sunday bower?" "I came by the place where you go of Sundays," said Dolly; "but I didn't do nothin', 'cause I had a mind to hear yo...
"Dunno," said Dolly; "I like to hear you sing. Jesus is God, aint he?" "Yes," said Bessie, coming closer to the poor girl, and drawing Maggie with her. "He is God's Son, and he came away from his heaven to die for us, so we could go there, and live with him, if we would only love him and do what he tells us. And heaven...
"Jesus won't mind about rags if you only have a heart that loves him," she said. "He loves you just as much in your rags, as he loves some other little girl who is dressed nicely." "How do you know he loves me?" asked Dolly. "'Cause the Bible says so," said Maggie; "so it must be true, 'cause the Bible is God's word. A...
Maggie was rather disturbed at this question, and did not know how to answer it; but Bessie, seeing her trouble, spoke for her. "Why, no, Dolly," she said, "I'm 'fraid we don't love you very much; you know you couldn't 'spect us to: but we wanted to be kind to you, and to make you know we wanted to forgive you for trou...
"I don't believe very much that he did," she said. "Mr. Porter thinks maybe the pedler-man took it, 'cause he went to Farmer Todd's house, and after he was gone some spoons were lost; and they think he stole them, so maybe he has my cup too." "I didn't mean that," answered Dolly, slowly. "I meant 'twant Lem spiled your...
"I guess we'll have to go now," said Maggie. "Will you come next Sunday and hear Mrs. Rush tell about Jesus and how he loved you?" said Bessie. "Or papa and mamma would tell you about it if you liked. They can do it a great deal better than we can." "No," said Dolly, "I don't want to hear big folks. I don't mind your s...
"I like music," said Dolly. "Lem whistles fustrate." "Yes, we know it," said Maggie. "Once we heard him when we couldn't see him, and we asked Mr. Porter who it was, and he told us it was Lem; and we listened as long as we could hear him: it sounded so sweet and clear. I never heard any one whistle like that." "Yes," s...
So they stood, these two "ministering children," and sang; their young voices rising sweet and clear amid the solemn stillness of the grand old woods; for very still it was. As the first notes arose, the friends whom they had left, hushed laughter and merry talk that they might not lose one of the sweet sounds. They on...
"Yes," said Bessie. "You do want to go there; don't you, Dolly?" "'Taint no use wantin," said Dolly. "I'll never get there, nor Lem neither. Sing some more." "We'll sing 'Rest for the weary,' 'cause she said she was so tired," said Maggie. When they were through, Mr. Bradford stepped from behind the bushes which had hi...
Dolly started when she saw him, and the old look, half guilty, half defiant, came back to her eyes. But she soon found she need not be afraid; for, bending over her, he said, kindly,-- "My poor girl, you are in great pain, I fear. How did you hurt yourself?" "Didn't hurt myself," grumbled Dolly, still suspicious, and s...
"I shan't go home," said Dolly, passionately, and with another quick glance over her shoulder. Mr. Bradford did not insist, though he meant she should obey him, but said, kindly,-- "Are you still hungry? Would you like some roasted corn?" Dolly muttered something which might be either no or yes, falling back into her o...
"Shall we bring it to her, papa?" asked Bessie. Mr. Bradford said no; for he had been rather startled when he found Dolly was ill, not hurt, as he had first supposed; and he was not willing his little daughters should come near her again, till he was sure what ailed her. He told the children to bid Dolly good-by, which...
Mamma and grandmamma, Colonel and Mrs. Rush, had all arrived when our little girls came back to the fire; and the corn was nicely roasted, waiting to be eaten. So the merry, happy party gathered round to enjoy it. Dolly was not forgotten; for Maggie and Bessie picked out a couple of nice, brown ears, and Starr was sent...
These cries brought the Colonel, with Mrs. Stanton and Starr, to see if they could be of any assistance; and Colonel Rush, finding there was difficulty in moving Dolly, proposed that his camp chair should be brought, and the sick girl carried home in that. No sooner said than done. Starr was sent for the chair, and whe...
"S'pose I might as well tell," muttered Dolly, as if speaking to herself; "he'll just come back and get it, and I'd liever she'd have it. I say," she added, in a louder tone, "I want to speak to the little gals' pa." "Well?" said Mr. Bradford, coming nearer. "You won't say Lem took it, will you?" asked Dolly. "I would ...
"Well, then, you just may be sure he didn't take it, and I didn't neither; 'twas the pedler, and I seen where he put it. He didn't know I was behind the bushes, but I seen him. That's why I stayed about, so as to scare him off if he came; but Lem didn't know nothin' about it. I guess I'll tell where he put it, 'cause t...
[Illustration] XII. _UNCLE RUTHVEN'S WORK._ DOLLY, quite tired out with pain, had sunk into a restless sleep; and Mr. and Mrs. Stanton were sitting on the rocks outside the door, waiting till Mr. Bradford should return, when a sweet, clear whistle, like a bird-call, rang through the wood. It was repeated again, and yet...
But Mr. Stanton's voice stopped him. "Do not run off again," he said, kindly; "your sister is very sick, and lying here in the house. Come and see her." Lem stood a moment, half doubtful; then rushed past the gentleman into the house. He came out again presently, his eyes wide open with astonishment and alarm. "What yo...
"We found her lying upon the rocks, unable to move," said Mr. Stanton, not heeding the angry tone, "and so brought her here in this chair. We have sent to Mrs. Porter for some things to make a bed for her, but no bed can be kept fit for her unless it is quite dry; and I fear this roof of yours is not water-tight. I won...
"They'll say I didn't come by it fair, and won't give me no straw," he said at last, thrusting the money back upon Mr. Stanton. The gentleman knew this was only too likely, and too well deserved; and, taking a pencil and slip of paper from his pocket-book, he wrote a few words, and handed the paper to Lem. Lem could ne...
"I think so," replied her husband; "any way, I thought I would try it. It may give me some hold upon him." In less time than could have been thought possible by one who knew the distance he had to go, Lem was back; but a good deal had been done in the mean time. Mr. Bradford had returned with Starr and John Porter, bri...
"Now we will go to work," said Mr. Stanton to Lem; and he told him to follow him deeper into the woods, where he soon cut down a dozen or so of tall, slender saplings, and bade Lem strip them of their leaves and branches. When these were finished, some long strips of birch bark were cut by Mr. Stanton, while Lem stood ...
"Are you the fellow they tell about that's hunted lions and tigers and wild beasts?" asked Lem, gazing with new interest at the gentleman. "I am the man," said Mr. Stanton. "And never got ate up?" questioned Lem, eagerly. "I am here to answer for that, though I have been pretty near it once or twice. Should you like to...
"Wouldn't I, though! I s'pose you couldn't tell a feller now?" "Not now," said Mr. Stanton, "we have done the best we can for the roof, and I must go home; but I shall come over again this afternoon to see Dolly, and I will tell you the story of a tiger hunt then. But"--looking about him,--"this is not a very nice plac...
"I didn't take little Shiny-hair's cup, now, I didn't; and I wish you wouldn't think it." "I do not think it, Lem. The cup is found, and I do not believe you took it." "Don't you, now?" said Lem, looking up; "well, I thought may be you didn't when you gi' me the money for the straw." "I am glad to know that I may trust...
Mr. Bradford, Mrs. Stanton, and the Porters had long since gone away, leaving Mr. Stanton to finish the roof. He walked slowly homeward, wondering if he had that morning really gained any hold on these wretched children; or if, as so many others had proved, his pains had all been labor thrown away. When he reached the ...
"Well," said Mr. Bradford, "suppose you let me hear what you would like it to be." "Papa, I would like it to be my cup; but if it was, I would be _too_ surprised and _too_ glad for any thing, and I try not to think too much about it." Mr. Bradford put his hand into his pocket, and, pulling out the beloved cup, held it ...
"And she said she was sorry about the gardens," said Bessie; "maybe it was her sorriness that made her tell where my cup was. Oh, my dear, dear cup! I am so glad it has come back." And now the cup must have a good washing in the spring; after which, Bessie took a long drink from it. Not that she was in the least thirst...
"She's awful sick, aint she?" said Lem, as he stood beside the two gentlemen, and saw with what grave faces they watched his sister. "She is very sick, Lem," said Mr. Bradford; "too sick to be left here alone with you. I must go and see if I can find some one to come and take care of her to-night;" and, after saying a ...
The gentleman let it pass, however. Lem's help was not of much account at the best; and his object just now was to gain a hold on the boy, and interest him. Teaching, advice, or reproof might come by and by, when he had made Lem feel he meant to be a friend to him. Nevertheless, Lem had not the least idea that he had n...
"Oh, them!" said Lem, "them's nothing but Doll's pots. She made 'em at odd times, always had a knack that way; and them things growin' in 'em is marygools, I guess. She picked up a paper with some seeds in it, on the road one day, and nothin' would serve her but to plant 'em. So she made the pots for 'em and stuck 'em ...
XIII. _A RIDE ON THE SHEAVES._ MR. BRADFORD had gone in search of Mr. Porter; but when he reached the Lake House, he did not find him there; for this was harvest time, and the old man, still strong and hearty, was out in the fields, helping his sons and hired men to mow and carry in the grain. The whole flock of little...
Upon an overturned sheaf, sat mammy, her baby on her knee, the little one crowing and laughing, and shaking her dimpled hands, each of which grasped half a dozen ears of wheat, a new and wonderful plaything to baby's eyes, as they bobbed their heads up and down with the motion. Near by, where the wheat still lay as it ...
Mr. Porter shook his head. "I don't know of a soul that would be willing to go. 'Taint a place where one would care to pass the night, with the chance, too, of Owen coming home." "If good pay could induce any one to do it, that shall not be wanting," said Mr. Bradford. "Is there no one in the village who would do it fo...
"I do say so," replied Mr. Bradford; "but what are we to do for to-night?" Maggie and Bessie heard no more; for just then John Porter gave the word to his oxen, and they started off, leaving papa and Mr. Porter still talking. What a pleasant ride that was: out of the field where the bars had been let down; past other f...
"Maggie," said Bessie, presently, "won't it be dreadful if papa can't get any one to take care of poor sick Dolly to-night?" "Yes," said Maggie: "I wonder what she will do." "If I was big, and mamma would let me, I'd go myself," said Bessie. "Would you?" said Maggie; "well, I am afraid I wouldn't: so it's better that I...
They were both silent for a moment or two. John Porter was walking at his oxen's heads, out of hearing, if the children lowered their voices. "Bessie," said Maggie, in a whisper, "John Porter might do it, mightn't he? He is big and strong enough." "Yes," answered Bessie, "and he heard what papa said too; but he didn't ...
"I'll try, and see if I can make him compassioned of poor Dolly. John," she said, in a louder tone, "you are very glad you are well and strong; are you not?" "Surely," said John. "And you wouldn't like to be sick at all, would you, John?" "Not one bit," said John. "I'd scarce know myself, for I never was sick in my lif...
"Then I s'pose you feel very thankful for it, and as if you'd like to help make sick people as well as you are; don't you?" said Bessie. "Guess I wouldn't make much hand at that," answered John. "But you are big and strong, John." "Yes, I'm big and strong enough; but it takes more than that to make a good nurse. If it ...
"Oh yes they would, John," said Maggie, eagerly; "if I was sick and had no one to take care of me, and you came to do it, I'd thank you ever so much." "Well, I'll do it when you come to that pass," said John, without the least idea what the little girls were driving at. "He don't seem to understand yet," whispered Magg...
"As fond as most folks, I guess," said John. "'Gee, there! gee, Whitefoot!" Bessie waited till they had passed through the gate of the orchard, then began again. "John, if there was a chance to do as you would be done by, and you did not think of it, would you like some one to tell you of it?" John looked round at her ...
"If there's any thing you want me to do for you, out with it. It's no good beating about the bush. You know I always like to do for you what I can." "Yes: you are very good to us," said Bessie; "but it was not us: it was Dolly. Don't you think it would be doing as you would be done by to go and take care of her to-nigh...
"I don't think he is coaxed a bit," she whispered; "he is very hard-hearted." "No," said Maggie: "I don't believe he is the kind to be coaxed." "Then I'll have to be a little strict with him, and show him it's his duty," said Bessie, in the same tone. "Yes, to let him see he ought to do it, whether he likes it or not,"...
"John," said Bessie, folding her little hands gravely in her lap, and trying to look sternly at the young man, "perhaps you don't know that if we know we ought to do a thing and don't do it, our Father is not very pleased with us." "May be so," said John; "but I don't feel it's _my_ duty to go and take care of Dolly." ...
Bessie was in despair, but she thought she would try a little more severity. "John," she said, "when you are poor and ragged, and sick and bad, I hope some one will have pity of you, and go take care of you." "I hope so too; but I don't feel there's any call on me to go and look after that thieving beggar, nor for you ...
But John was only amused at her displeasure, and laughed aloud again. Neither of the children spoke till they reached the barn, when John came to the side of the cart and lifted them down. "Well, you are just two of the funniest, forgivingest little things," he said, as he put Bessie on her feet. Bessie deigned no answ...
"Are you going back with me?" asked John, when he was ready to start for the harvest-field again. "No," Bessie answered, rather shortly. "Why, you're not offended with me, are you?" said John, "and all along of that ragamuffin up there." "We're displeased with you," said Bessie. "It's right to be displeased with people...
John answered with another "ha-ha." "Well, no," he said; "I don't think I'm ready for repentance in that line yet. I hope I'll never do any thing worse than refusing to take care of a sick beggar." "I hope so too," said Bessie, reprovingly. "That's quite worse enough," and she and Maggie walked out of the farmyard, and...
Neither of the little girls turned their heads, but walked straight on in the most dignified silence, followed by the sound of John's merriment. "That's a little too much," said Maggie, when they were beyond hearing; "idea of papa or Uncle Ruthven staying all night in that dirty place!" Bessie did not like the idea eit...
"Pooh! no," said Maggie; "they've sense enough to think it out for themselves if they ought to go: but I don't think John Porter is very sensible; do you?" "I guess I won't say he's unsensible just now," said Bessie. "I'm 'fraid I feel 'most too mad." "What difference does that make?" asked Maggie. "'Cause mamma said, ...
"I'm never, never going to be pleased with John Porter again," said Maggie, shaking her head very decidedly. "Oh! there's Mrs. Porter going to feed the chickens; let's go help her." The chickens had been fed and had gone to roost, and the little girls had been with Dolly and Fanny to the pasture to see the cows milked,...
"She must be looked after to-night," said Mr. Stanton. "Lem does not know what to do for her, and is frightened half out of his senses at the thought of being alone with her. It would be cruel to leave them." "Yes," said Maggie, indignantly; "we were trying to make John Porter see it was his duty to go and take care of...
"Oh! 'cause he's such a big, strong fellow," said Maggie, "so we thought it was his duty; but he would not be put in mind of it." "Well," said Uncle Ruthven, "there is another big, strong fellow whom you have put in mind of _his_ duty. He had an inkling of it before, but I must say he was not very willing to see it." "...
"Oh, Uncle Ruthven!" said Maggie, "we never meant you." "Perhaps not, Maggie; but the shoe fits, so I think I must put it on." "Is there no one we could find to do it if they were well paid?" said his wife, pleadingly. "I expect to be well paid, love," he said in a low tone and with another smile. "I shall have all the...
Little Bessie was standing at Mrs. Stanton's knee, twisting one over another her aunt's soft, white fingers, and as her uncle spoke she looked up brightly. "We know what he means, don't we, dear Aunt Bessie? He means the cup of cold water given in Jesus' name shall have its reward. I think Uncle Ruthven is taking up a ...
But Aunt Bessie only smiled and kissed her, and Uncle Ruthven said,-- "I shall borrow the Colonel's camp chair with his permission, and take some candles and a book, so I shall do very well on this fine, still night." "And I shall keep awake all night and think about you, Uncle Ruthven," said Maggie; "so if you feel lo...
The little girls stood beside Aunt Bessie and watched him as he walked away, and Bessie, taking Mrs. Stanton's hand in hers, laid her cheek upon it in her own caressing way, and said,-- "Aunt Bessie, I think we'll _all_ have to try to bear Dolly's burden to-night." "It's too bad!" exclaimed Maggie; "it's an awful burde...
Now we know Maggie had said she "_never, never_ meant to be pleased with John again;" but when he called to them, and said he had a treat for them the next day, she somehow found herself, she did not quite know how, talking away to him, and begging to know what it was, as if she had never been displeased with him in he...
"Yes, I s'pose I will," said Maggie; "and I believe I'm rather glad of it. I don't feel very nice when I keep displeased with people, and John is real good to us, if he wouldn't go stay with Dolly. Are you going to stay awake all night, and think about Uncle Ruthven?" "I'd like to," said Bessie; "but I'm 'fraid I can't...
Maggie climbed on her uncle's knee, put her arms about his neck and her lips very close to his ear, and whispered,-- "_Please_ don't tell any one, Uncle Ruthven; but I am afraid I did go to sleep for a few minutes last night. I didn't mean to, but I did." [Illustration] [Illustration]
XIV. _BLACKBERRYING._ "MAMMA, mamma, mamma!" cried Maggie and Bessie, dancing into the room with sparkling eyes and glowing cheeks. "What is it, Sunbeams?" asked mamma.
"Oh! a blackberry party, mamma,--such a splendid blackberry party!--and we are all to go if you will let us. John is going to take us; and Dolly and Fanny are going, and Jane, too, if you would like to have her. Can we go, can we? Oh, say yes, mamma!" "And please don't say I am too little, mamma," said Bessie. "John wi...
The blackberries were "thick as hops" when they came upon them,--some still green, some red or half ripe, others as black as ink; and these the children knew were what they must pick. The fingers of large and small were soon at work, but Maggie and Bessie did not find it quite as great fun as they expected. "Ou, ou!" e...
Maggie and Bessie had not bargained for the thorns, and felt somehow as if they had been rather imposed upon; but they picked away more carefully. Now and then a berry found its way into a small mouth instead of into the pails, and very ripe and juicy it tasted. By and by Bessie gave a little sigh and said,-- "Maggie, ...
"I guess about five hundred,--maybe it's a thousand," said Bessie. "Can you count them?" "Let's sit down there in the shade and do it," said Maggie. "One, two, three, four,--there's seventeen, Bessie. That's a pretty good many." "Is it 'most a thousand, Maggie?" "No," said Maggie, "I'm afraid it will take about fifty m...
"Seventeen from a thousand," said Bob, "why it will take--nine hundred--and--and--eighty-three. You haven't the beginning of a thousand there yet." "Have I enough to make a pot of jam?" asked Bessie, wistfully, looking into her pail. "Your mother said she would make me a pot of my own if I brought enough berries." "A s...
"Me blackberry pick Missy Bess, all give." "Oh! no, Hafed," said Bessie. "I thank you very much, but it wouldn't be fair to take your berries." "Please, missy, make Hafed feel good," he answered, holding his basket behind him when Bessie would have poured the berries back. "Me much find; bring, too, some Missy Mag--" b...
So the kind nurse opened the paper containing the biscuits, and spread it on the flat stone on which the children sat; next she pulled two broad mullein leaves, and put a handful of berries on each, and then having produced the drinking cup she always carried when the children went on an expedition, she asked John wher...
"What does foreigner mean?" asked Bessie. "It means to come out of another country. Hafed is a foreigner, and that little French boy who was so polite to us on board the steamboat was a foreigner, and so is Carl." Carl was Uncle Ruthven's Swedish servant. "Are not Harry and Fred home-made boys, Maggie?"
"Yes; but, of course, I don't mean them: they're our brothers; but, of example, don't you think Hafed is a great deal nicer and politer than Bob?" "Oh, yes! Bob laughed at me 'cause I had only a few berries; and Hafed did not laugh a bit, but gave me his." "Midget and Bess," came in Fred's clear tones from a little dis...
"Yes, and Harry too," said Maggie. "I did not mean to pass any remarks of them." There were indeed lots of blackberries in the spot to which Fred had called them; and, screened from the rays of the sun, they picked them with comfort; besides which, many a large berry which they did not pick themselves found its way int...
"I shall have to take the poor creature back," he said. "It would never do to take it up home, for Buffer would tear it to pieces; and, besides, they'll be worrying about it down there; so I'd better go at once. You can find your way home from here, Fan; take that right-hand path, and it will bring you out just below O...
She was quieter than she had been through the night, but was, if any thing, more ill. She moaned incessantly, and Lem said, was all the time begging for something, he could not make out what. Mrs. Stanton laid her soft, cool hand on the girl's burning forehead. Dolly seemed to like the touch, and looking up into the la...
"Poor Dolly," said the lady in a gentle, pitying tone. "What is it she wants?" asked Lem. "She says she wants to be an angel." "Want to be an angel," moaned Dolly again. "Somebody loves the angels--up in His place--not tired there--rest for the weary; that's tired folks--that's me. I'm so tired--want to be an angel."
"Dolly," said Mrs. Stanton, not knowing if the girl could understand her, yet hoping that she might even now speak a word in season, "Dolly, you may be an angel some day if you will come to Jesus. He wants you to come and love Him. He wants you to be a good girl so that He may take you to His heaven, where there will b...
"Yes, He does, Dolly. He is here now. You cannot see Him; but He sees you, and is sorry for you. Shall we ask Him to make you fit for heaven?" "Yes," said Dolly. "Dear Jesus," said the lady, "we ask Thee to give this little girl a new, clean heart, and to make her fit to live with Thee"-- "To be an angel," put in Dolly...