[Illustration: Cover]

[Illustration: CARL RESCUING THE DOVE FROM THE HAWK]

THE

BIG NIGHTCAP LETTERS;

BEING THE

FIFTH BOOK OF THE SERIES. 

 BY THE AUTHOR OF THE SIX NIGHTCAP BOOKS, "AUNT FANNY'S STORIES, " ETC. , ETC. 

 NEW YORK D. APPLETON & COMPANY, 443 & 445 BROADWAY. LONDON: 16 LITTLE BRITAIN. 1861. 

 ENTERED, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1860, by FANNY BARROW, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New York. 

 TO

 ----, AND ----, YOU KNOW WHO;

 THIS BOOK IS MOST LOVINGLY

 =Dedicated=. 

PREFACE. 

IT has always been my favorite theory, that the goodness and beauty of atruly Christian life in children could be taught quite as effectually bycombining the gay with the grave, as by being altogether grave; for Ichanced to remember that I invariably omitted all the latter portions ofthe story-books bestowed upon me when a child; and I have reason tobelieve that human nature is pretty much the same now as then. 

In each of these little stories, it has been my single aim to inculcatea desire in children to _do_ good, to _be_ good, and to seek prayerfulassistance from the One source of all goodness--their Father in Heaven. 

And now one word about the sixth book of this series. Trembling with adeep responsibility, I have ventured to write a fairy story, (thatenchanted ground for the little ones, ) through the whole of which Itrust this thread of my theory has run _unbroken_. It is the last of ourlittle friend, Lame Charley; and if the dear children who have made hisNightcaps theirs, will bear him, and me for his sake, in affectionateremembrance, it will gladden the heart of their loving

 AUNT FANNY. 

CONTENTS. 

 PAGE

 FIRST LETTER TO CHARLEY. THE LITTLE WHITE ANGEL, 9

 SECOND LETTER TO HARRY. HEEDLESS HARRY, 30

 THIRD LETTER TO ANNA. POOR RICH LITTLE EVA, 73

 FOURTH LETTER TO GEORGE. ILL TEMPER, 108

 FIFTH LETTER TO CLARA. THE ROSE CROWN, 140

 SIXTH LETTER TO JOHNNY. THE HUNT FOR A STEAMBOAT, 161

*** The stories written for the SEVEN NIGHTCAP CHILDREN remaining, willbe found in "Little Nightcap Letters. "

BIG NIGHTCAP LETTERS. 

THE FIRST LETTER. 

INTRODUCTION. 

ONE evening, when all the children, after the usual frolic with Crocusthe cat and the TREMENDOUS DOG, had settled themselves for their"nightcaps, " (their meaning of which word, of course, you all know, ) thelittle mother cleared her throat, and paused, for she was feeling for aletter that was in her pocket. 

"Something particularly good is coming to-night, " whispered George toAnna. 

"What makes you think so?"

"Don't you see how bright her eyes are? See! now she is hugging Charley, and kissing him;" and unable to resist this loving exhibition, he rushedfrom his seat to hug and kiss Charley, too, and ask him if he felt quitecomfortable. 

Charley thanked him with a loving look, and George went back to hisseat, all in a glow. 

"Children, " said the little mother, "I received to-day a letter fromAunt Fanny! She says you have given her so many delightful stories, shethinks it is quite time to give you some in return. "

[Illustration: THE FRIGHTENED OLD BACHELOR. ]

"Did you ever!" exclaimed the children, eagerly. "What a perfect bird ofan Aunt Fanny! How perfectly delightful!"

"She wishes me to ask how you would like her to send you each a story, that you would know had been written especially for you?"

"Oh! oh! oh! what a capital idea!" cried all the children, clappingtheir hands at such a rate, that an old bachelor opposite opened thewindow and looked out with a spy-glass, to see where the fire was; andnearly frightened a lamplighter into fits, who was just at that verymoment lighting a lamp at his door. 

This most delightful announcement made the children chatter so fast, that Charley became nearly sick, laughing at what they said; for Georgeagain called Aunt Fanny a "perfect bird!" and Harry improved it byexclaiming that she was a perfect _cat_ bird! which, of course, meantsomething very complimentary. 

"Won't she write stories like a _mice_!" cried Johnny. 

"And won't mamma read the writing like a precious kitten!" said Clara. 

"Well, I never knew kittens could read writing before, " laughed Harry. 

"But, mamma, " said Anna, "the letter looks very thick; is the firststory in it?"

"Yes, " said the little mother. "I will read what Aunt Fanny says--shesays--

"And now, dear children, what do you think? Do you remember the storyof the 'Doctor' in the first Nightcap book? Well, that very doctor isnow a young lady; and she has written a story on purpose for our dearlittle Charley. I think it is very charming; and I have sent it for thevery first one, because I well know this will best please his lovingbrothers and sisters. Sarah, (the _real_ name of the 'doctor, ' youknow, ) has tried to write what would most gratify Charley's sweet andtender nature. " Here the little mother stopped, and kissed her lame boy, and the children murmured, "dear, dear Charley. " Then she read on--

"You will perceive that Sarah has endeavored to imitate the beautifulGerman style. Here is her story. Give Charley a kiss for us both beforeyou begin. "

And in almost breathless silence the mother read the title--

"THE LITTLE WHITE ANGEL. 

"Some children stood in a group before the door of the villageschool-house one lovely summer evening. 

"They were all talking pleasantly together, from Kline, the son of therich and proud Hoffmeister, to little blue-eyed Carl, the only child ofthe poor baker. 

"It is very true that Kline wore a velvet jacket, richly embroidered, while Carl's coat was old, and his wooden shoes were rough enough, inall conscience; but what of that? If they were good friends, whatdifference did _that_ make, I should like to know? Wait till childrenbecome grown people, for pity's sake, before you expect them to measureeach other's worth by what they possess or wear!

"'The new schoolmaster, Meinherr Friedrich, comes to-morrow, ' said Otto. 'I am so glad. I was weary of that old Master Hoffman, with his crookedproblems and hard lessons. '

"'So was I, truly, ' cried Kline, who, although a good merry boy, hatedhis books as he did medicine. 

"'Ah, thou didst always like play better than work, my Kline, ' said Max, 'and so do I. Meinherr Friedrich will be wise if he keep me and theeapart during school hours; but come, see which can get home first--one, two, three!' and away they all scampered, laughing and shouting as onlyschoolboys can. 

"The following day, the boys were all standing around the schoolhouse, when the door opened, and Master Friedrich himself, appeared, and criedin a cheery, hearty voice, 'Welcome, my children. '

"'Welcome, master, ' cried they. 

"And now they entered and took their seats, and were quite still whilethe good master read a short chapter in the Book of Books; and thenreverently kneeling, prayed that the dear Jesus would guide him in histeachings, and bless them, and send His Holy Spirit to watch over themall. 

"School began; the thumb-worn books were brought out--the lazy boysbegan to sigh and frown, and wish impatiently for the recess, and wonderwhy Latin dictionaries were ever invented; when, as if by magic, theyfound themselves listening to the pleasant voice of Master Friedrich, and actually understanding their lessons, so clear and simple were hisexplanations; and the time for recess came, to their great astonishment, long before they had expected. 

"When the studies were over, the master drew from his desk a box; andwhilst the children gathered around, he opened it and drew out charminglittle pink-and-white seashells, pretty pictures, and many otherbeautiful things, which he gave to the children, with loving words. 

"But the most lovely thing of all, was a little porcelain statuette ofan angel. She stood, so fair, so pure--with her small white hands foldedupon her breast, and her eyes uplifted, that the children gazedenchanted. 

"'Oh the dear angel! the beautiful angel!' cried they all. 'Wilt thounot give it to me, Master Friedrich?'

"But the good master smiled, and said--'The little angel is too lovelyto be given to any boy who is not good and true of heart. We shallpresently see who shall deserve her. He who brings me, to-morrow, thebrightest thing on earth, shall have the angel. '

"At this the children looked at each other, as if wondering what thegood master might mean; but he said no more, and they went homethoughtful. 

"The next day, after the lessons (which had now become so pleasant) werefinished, the children clustered around the master to show him what theyhad brought. 

"Some of the smaller ones had picked up sparkling stones on the road, and as they held them in the sunlight, were sure they must be somethingbright and precious. 

"Some had polished up a shilling, until it shone like a little crown. Heinrich brought a watch-crystal, which his father had given him, andwhich he considered a wonder of transparent brightness; and Kline, therich Hoffmeister's son, had brought a paste buckle, made to imitatediamonds, than which, in his opinion, nothing could be brighter. 

"All these things were laid on the schoolmaster's desk, side by side. The shillings shone away famously, the pebbles and watch-crystal didtheir best, but Kline's buckle was the bravest of all. 

"'Ah! mine's the brightest!' shouted Kline, clapping his hands. 

"'But where is little Carl?' said Master Friedrich. 'He ran out justnow. '

"All eyes were turned to the door, when presently, in rushed Carl, breathless. In his hands, held up lovingly against his neck, was a poorlittle snow-white dove. Some crimson drops upon the downy breast, showedthat it was wounded. 

"'Oh! master!' cried Carl, 'I was looking for something bright, when Icame upon this poor little white dove. A cruel hawk had wounded it, andI caught it quickly, and ran here. Oh! I fear it will die!'

"Even as he spoke, the dove's soft eyes grew filmy; it nestled closer inCarl's neck, gave a faint cry, and died. 

"Carl sank on his knees beside the master's desk, and from his eyesthere fell upon the white dove's poor broken wing, two tears, large andbright. 

"The master took the poor dead dove from his hands, and laid it tenderlydown on the desk with the bright things; then raising Carl, he softlysaid--

"'My children, there is no brighter gem on earth, than a _tender, pitying tear_. '

"The boys were silent for a moment, for they felt that the master haddecided that Carl had rightly won the angel, and then Kline cried out--

"'Nay, master, thou didst not fairly explain to us. I pray thee give usyet another trial. '

"'Yes, dear master, ' said Max 'give us one more trial. '

"'What sayest thou Carl?' said Master Friedrich. 

"'Yes, dear master, ' answered the generous boy. 

"The good master smiled thoughtfully, and his eyes rested for a moment, lovingly, upon Carl; then glancing round, he said--'He who brings me theloveliest thing on earth to-morrow, shall have the angel. '

"The children clapped their hands, and departed satisfied. 

"After school, the next day, Kline was the first to run up to MasterFriedrich, and lay upon his desk what he considered the loveliest thingin the whole world--his new soldier cap, with the long scarlet feather, and bright golden tassel. Max came next, and placed beside the cap asmall silver watch, his last birthday gift, with a bright steel chainattached. Otto brought a great picture-book, just sent him by hisgodmother; Rudolph a tiny marble vase, richly sculptured; and so on, until a still more motley collection than before lay upon MasterFriedrich's desk. 

"Then little Carl stepped modestly up, and placed in the master's handa pure white lily. The rich perfume filled the room; and bending overthe flower, and inhaling the delicious fragrance, the master softlysaid--'My children, the blessed Word of God says--Consider the lilies ofthe field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin, and yet Isay unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed likeone of these. Carl has rightly chosen. '

"But murmurs arose; the children were not satisfied; and again theyasked for another trial. And as before, good Master Friedrich inquired--

"'What sayest thou, Carl?' and he answered as before, with generoushaste, 'Yes, dear master. '

"'Now this is the last time, ' said the master. 'He who brings me the_best_ thing on earth shall have the angel. '

"'The very best thing on earth is plum cake!' cried Kline, on the thirdday, as he walked up to the desk, bearing a large cake, richly frosted, with a wreath of sugar roses round the edge. This he placed triumphantlybefore the master, sure of the prize. 

"'Nay, thou art wrong this time, Kline, ' said Max. 'I asked my fatherwhat was the very best thing on earth, and he laughed, and gave me thisgolden guilder; the prize is mine. '

"'Ah! but _my_ father said that the very best was a good glass ofRhenish wine, ' cried Otto, 'and I have brought a bottle of it thirtyyears old; the prize is surely mine. '

"So they went on till all had placed their offering before the master. 

"'And thou, Carl?' said he. 'What hast thou brought which thou thinkestthe best on earth?'

"A crimson flush rose to the little boy's forehead, and coming softlyforward, he took from his breast a _small, worn Testament_, pressed itto his lips, and then reverently laid it down with the rest as he said, in a sweet, low voice--

"'My mother, dear master, says that God's precious Testament is farbefore all other possessions. '

"''Tis thine, my Carl!' cried the master, snatching the boy to hisbreast. 'The white angel is thine! for there is nothing in the wide, wide world half so precious as the blessed words of Jesus;' and heplaced the angel in the hands of the trembling boy. 

"Kline knit his brows, and gazed with anger and disappointment at thelittle Carl; and the rest, seeing him do this, felt themselvesaggrieved; but suddenly the cloud cleared from Kline's face, and rushingforward, he caught Carl in his arms, crying--'Forgive me, dear Carl! nowI am right glad thou hast won the prize!'

"Ah! the blessed effect of a bright example! Quickly joining hands, thechildren danced joyfully around the little Carl, who stood in the midst, the white angel pressed to his breast, his fair hair falling in curlson his shoulders, and his blue eyes full of holy tears. 

"The good Master Friedrich also wept for joy, and prayed, from the depthof his pure and simple heart, that Jesus would bless this lesson to thechildren's everlasting good. He had turned away that none might perceivehis tears. 

"But One in heaven saw them, Master Friedrich. "

The story was finished, but no one spoke, for the tears were softlyfalling from Charley's eyes; and the rest of the children, with quivering lips, were gazing in his face. At last he said, in a lowvoice--"What a lovely story! and how sweet and good little Carl was!Dear mamma! we will all try to be generous and good, as he was; and weall know what a precious book the Bible is. I love Carl; and I thankAunt Fanny and Miss Sarah with all my heart, for writing this beautifulstory about him. "

And now all the children, with subdued and tender glances, kissed theirdear mother and Charley, and went quietly to bed, thinking of the dearlittle Carl, and wishing softly to each other, that their mother hadthought of asking _them_ to find the "brightest and loveliest and bestthing on earth, " for they hoped they should have done just as the dearCarl did. 

THE SECOND LETTER. 

HEEDLESS HARRY. 

_For Harry. _

DEAR HARRY:--I have happened upon an odd story of a heedless namesake ofyours, and as you are a dear head-over-heels little fellow, I think youwill be both amused and instructed by reading it; or at any rate, youwill resolve never to cut any thing like the very extraordinary capersthe other Harry did, either in the vegetable or travelling line. Once, when you were a very little fellow and were visiting at a cousin's housein the country, you busied yourself all one morning, pulling upradishes, eating the roots, and then setting the tops back in the earth, and when the gardener came to gather some for tea, he found them allwilted and flat to the ground. Do you remember how you had to run forit, when he caught sight of you laughing at him? and how his having therheumatism in his knee, so that he could not move fast, was all thatsaved you from a good thrashing? _I_ do. So here is the story, andhoping it will be very serviceable in helping you to "mend your ways, " Iam your loving

 AUNT FANNY. 

"HEEDLESS HARRY. 

"'Oh! how I do hate to write exercises!' exclaimed Harry, one Mondayafternoon in the summer time; 'what's the use? they are abominable!' andhe stamped his foot and threw down his pen, clapped his hat on his head, and rushed out of the front door. 

"No wonder he was called 'heedless' Harry; for he was so thoughtless, that he never stopped one moment to reflect, when he set about doing anything, whether or not it would get him into trouble; and consequently hewas always in some scrape or other. He was old enough, certainly, toknow better, and pleasant enough, in other respects, to be liked verymuch by all who knew him. He was full of fun, perfectly fearless, andbore an accidental scratch or tumble like a man. But, dear me! what aheedless, careless little scamp! That very morning, before school began, his mother had sent him into the garden to gather vegetables. He cut thecarrots so that they would stand up on end, and with great onions beganknocking them down, as if they were tenpins; then he had a game ofjack-straws with some small slender beans, and ended the vegetablebusiness by stringing a dozen red peppers and tying them round the cat'sneck, making her sneeze her head nearly off; for the poor thing went'tchitz! tchitz! tchitz!' for a quarter of an hour. 

"When he was tired of laughing at her, he marched away to skip stonesin the brook, and ended by slipping on the bank and tumbling into thewater, and treating himself to a very thorough ducking. 

"Harry lived with his parents on a large pleasant farm, about twentymiles from the city of New York. He had never been in New York; and thisafternoon, at which my story commences, when he rushed to the frontdoor, he put his hand in his pockets and said to himself: 'I've a greatmind to run away! I know I shall catch it to-morrow, about that oldexercise, and I can't write it. I won't! now!'

"He walked to the fence, and climbing up, looked over into a neighbor'smeadow. 

"A beautiful white horse was quietly grazing, and lazily switching theflies off his back with his long and silken tail. 

"'Halloo!' exclaimed heedless Harry, 'there's Lightfoot! Jolly! what achance to go off on my travels! I'll catch him. There! now he isdrinking out of the brook. I'll go and jump on his back. '

"As usual, the little scapegrace had entirely forgotten that the horsewas very swift and spirited, and also that he did not belong to him orhis parents. So Harry, with one bound, jumped the fence, paying no kindof attention to a great thorn which tore down the leg of his pantaloonsfor half a yard, ran up to Lightfoot, caught him with one hand by hisflowing mane, placed the other on his back, and tried to mount him. 

"Horses are animals, but they are not stupid or fools for all that. SoLightfoot, while he kept his nose in the brook, had been quietlywatching Harry out of the corner of his eye; and when the younggentleman tried to jump on his back, the horse gave a quick little startto one side, and a knowing flourish with his tail, which sent Mr. Harryplump into the brook for the second time that day, and then Lightfootscampered off with a neigh which sounded remarkably like a horse laugh. 

"The angry boy scrambled up the low bank like a lame grasshopper, andscreamed out, 'You hateful old thing! I _will_ get on your back! see ifI don't!' So he cut a stout branch from a tree, stripped it, made itwhistle through the air, and with a spiteful chuckle advanced once moreupon Lightfoot. 

"The horse gave another neigh. Harry approached him softly, hiding thewhip behind him, smoothed his neck, and patted his side, and then, witha sudden spring, leaped upon his back. 

"Lightfoot stood perfectly still. Then Harry clucked his tongue againsthis palate to coax him to go. 

"But the horse pretended not to hear him. 'Get up! Get up!' cried Harry. 'Come now, get up, I tell you. '

"Lightfoot went on eating, as if there was nobody within a mile of him. 

"Harry became more and more impatient; he thumped the horse with hisknees, and drummed with his heels, and finding that did no good, heraised the switch, to strike him. 

"Lightfoot was a 'cute' Yankee horse, he wasn't 'raised' in Vermont fornothing; so when he caught sight of the switch, he ducked his head, andoff went Harry like a flash of lightning, and found himself sprawling onthe grass. 

"You would think that was enough; and that Harry, after all thesegymnastics, would go home like a boy that had some sense pounded intohim by all these hard knocks. Not at all. Up he sprang, ran toLightfoot, and jumped for the third time upon his back. 

"'Get up! Get up! you goose!' he cried. This time the horse heard him, without any doubt; he gave a nourish with his long tail, cleared thefence with a bound, and rushed down the road like an arrow shot from abow. 

"And now our young friend would gladly have dismounted, but that waseasier thought of than done. To get off a horse in full gallop may notbe difficult, if you are not particular whether you come down on yourheels or your head. Harry reflected, that though possibly his head mightbe harder than the stones in the road, and the stones would be hurt themost, yet there was rather a chance that the stones might crack his headinstead, so he concluded to hold on if he could. 

"On dashed Lightfoot for miles and miles, with Harry clinging for dearlife to his neck and mane. At last they approached a large town, andLightfoot stopped of his own accord at a public house. 

"Out came the landlord, staring with surprise, and lifted Harry off, half-dead with fatigue and fright, while the hostler led the horse tothe stable. 

"After the heedless boy had washed his face and brushed his clothes, hefelt better, but desperately hungry; there was no fun in that; so heconcluded to hunt up a dinner. 

"When he entered the dining-room, the people looked at him from head tofoot. Of course this was because they were admiring him, he thought; sohe drew himself up, and putting on an air of dignity, as if he was agentleman on his travels, he said: 'I want my dinner. Bring me abeefsteak, some potatoes, and an apple-dumpling. '

"At these words the landlord advanced, put his hand on Harry's shoulder, and said: 'Who are you?'

"Harry preferred eating to talking just then, so he answered: 'Give me abeefsteak directly. When I have eaten my dinner I will tell you myhistory. '

"'Um! we'll see--tell it to me this instant, or you may get your dinneras you can, like a gipsy under a fence--but you won't have any here. '

"'I will have it, ' cried Harry, in a rage. 

"'You shan't!' said the landlord. 

"'I will!' cried Harry. 

"'John, ' said the landlord to the waiter, 'I forbid your bringing anydinner to this impertinent little scamp. '

"'Impertinent yourself!' screamed Harry, nearly beside himself withpassion; and he seized a glass to throw it in the landlord's face. 

"At this riotous noise, some more servants and the landlady rushed intothe room; and the latter screaming out, 'You little wretch!' andsnatching up a broomstick, rushed full tilt at Harry, who, concludingthat it was best not to wait for the fight, jumped over the table, darted out of the door, and flew up the street. 

"He ran for a long time, as if a mad dog were after him, until he hadgained the outskirts of the town, and stopping, breathless andexhausted, began to reflect upon his situation. 

"We always make remarkably wise reflections when we are suffering fromour misconduct. Harry began to think he had been acting very like adonkey, and would very willingly have returned home, and taken tostudying his hated lessons. 

"Night was now approaching; the twilight deepened and darkened; and itwas only by the stars which came peeping out one by one, that he couldsee his way. A strange feeling of dread and loneliness came over him, and he was rejoiced at last to see dimly before him a large barn. Jumping the fence, he went up and tried the door; fortunately it wasopen, and our heedless friend was glad enough to throw himself down on aheap of fragrant hay, and spite of his hunger, was soon in a dreamlesssleep. 

"The dismal screech (for it isn't crowing) of one of those long-leggedShanghai roosters, awoke him just as the dawn was streaking the sky; andshaking the hay from his dress, Harry went out into the road again. 

"He was walking along, wondering whether he should ever see home again. A market-wagon came up behind him, and he turned to inquire his way. 

"'Where do you come from?' said the market man. Harry told him. 'Blessmy wig!' said the man, 'you can't get home to-day, no how you can fixit. Come with me. I'm going to York to sell my sass, and to-morrow Iwill take you half-way home. '

"'Jolly! that's a good fellow, ' cried Harry, brightening up, 'and you'llbe a better fellow yet, if you'll give me one of these rosy-cheekedapples; I'm hungry enough to swallow the horse and wagon. '

"'Massy sakes! air you? Well, eat one out each basket. 'Twon't make anydifference; they don't count apples. '

"So the heedless boy went into the apple-eating business with all histeeth; and before he had made a finish of it, they had crossed theJersey City ferry, and rumbled into the streets leading to WashingtonMarket, where the market man speedily disposed of his fruit andvegetables, which he called 'sass. ' When he had concluded this business, he took Harry down into one of the cellars, where he ordered a nicebreakfast, and strange to say, Harry had some inside room left, for hedid his part in clearing the plates in fine style. 

"After that, they went to a public house, where the good market man leftHarry, as he had some business in a distant part of the city; but hecharged the boy on no account to leave the house till he returned. Harrypromised he would not. 

"When he was gone, Harry put his nose out of the window. The day wasclear and beautiful, and at the end of the street he could see thewater. 

"'Dear me, ' said Harry to himself, 'what's the harm of going to look atthe water. It's a real ocean. I've never seen the ocean. I'll just takeone peep and come back. '

"Down he went to the edge of the pier, and sat upon the end, to starearound him. A steamboat coming quickly alongside, one of the waves shemade flew up in Harry's face, and splashed him from top to toe. Hejumped up in such a particular hurry, that a sailor on a large ship onthe other side, burst out laughing, saying, 'Are you afraid, Mr. SugarCandy?'

"'Afraid! I!' cried Harry, indignantly, and turning round suddenly, hisfoot tripped against a stone, and he tumbled over backwards into thewater. 

"Harry opened his mouth to bawl, but instead of that, had it well filledwith salt water. The sailor ran faster than a lamplighter, jumped in thewater, caught Harry by the collar, and dragged him on shore, and sethim down in the sun to dry. 

"While Harry was drying, the sailor asked him all manner of questions, and soon had his whole history. Then the cunning fellow invited him todinner; and heedless Harry, delighted to get on board a great ship, wentwith him, never thinking again of the kind, generous market man. 

"And now, boys, and girls too, read for your benefit what happened next. The old sailor was commissioned to find one or two cabin boys for hisship, which sailed that very evening, as soon as the tide served. Harrywas strong and quick--Harry was fearless--Harry had run away fromhome--Harry wanted to see the world--Harry was the boy, the very dandy, for a cabin boy; so the sailor proposed that Harry should continue histravels in his company. 

"'Where are you going?' said our young friend. 

"'To Senegal, ' said the sailor. 

"'And what sort of a place is Senegal?'

"'Senegal, ' answered the sailor, 'is a most magnificent country, wherethe rivers are made of milk, and the mountains of sugar. The rain iscomposed of lemonade, and the birds fall down from the trees all stuffedand roasted, ready to eat, from morning till night. The trees arecovered with sugar-plums; and all the streams are full of goldfishes, which come when you whistle to them. They are real gold, and used formoney by the inhabitants!'

"'But--do they ever _write exercises there_?' asked Harry, with acunning twinkle in his eye. 

"'NEVER!' cried the sailor, who saw what the trouble was with the sillyboy. 'The king of this delightful country has expressly forbidden it. Hehas burned down all the colleges and blown up all the schools. '

"'Jolly!' cried Harry, snapping his fingers, 'that's the country for me!I'll go with you, sure pop!'

"You perceive that heedless Harry did not use very elegant language, butas a true historian, I must tell you of persons, places, and things justas they are, and I hope your good sense will teach you to avoid all suchvulgarities. 

"The sailor, taking advantage at once of Harry's delight in his accountof Senegal, carried him to the captain, and making an awkward bow, said:'Captain, here is a new hand. '

"'Good!' cried the captain. 'He looks strong. I hope he won't die ofweariness and fatigue, like the other ones. '

"At these words, Harry began to feel rather uncomfortable. 'What!' saidhe to the sailor, as they left the cabin, 'do boys have to work on boardyour ship?'

"'Sartain, for sure; all the time, ' said the sailor, laughing. 

"'I want to go away, ' cried Harry, already disgusted with the maritimeservice. 

"'What's that you say?' shouted the sailor, with a mocking air. 'Youforget, my fine friend, that I gave you a dinner; pay me for it. '

"Harry shook his pockets, they were empty. 'If you can't pay, you muststay, ' cried the sailor, and just then the ship left the harbor. 

"The heedless boy burst into tears. Alas! sorrow and repentance came toolate! It was only now that he remembered his father and mother, probablymade ill with grief at his disappearance; and the worry the good marketman must be in, thinking the boy to whom he had been so kind was lost, perhaps murdered, in the great and wicked city. 

"In the midst of these doleful lamentations, the sailor came up andpulled Harry by the ear. 

"'Come, you sniffling booby! go to work, ' he said. 

"Harry looked at him in astonishment. 

"'My eyes! do you think you can eat and drink for nothing? Come, takethis broom; do you hear?'

"Our dismal friend took the broom, and would liked to have broken itover the head of the brutal sailor, but he was not strong enough. 

"'Will you go to sweeping or not?' cried the sailor, swearing in themost terrible manner. 

"'I don't want to sweep, ' said Harry. 

"'Don't want to?'

"'No!' Harry, perfectly red with anger, threw down the broom, andcrossed his arms. 

"'Oh! that's the way you behave, is it?' said the sailor. 'Come to me, Susan. '

"With that he caught up a knotted rope's end, and gave Harry half adozen blows over his shoulders. You see blows from Susan were givenrather more frequently on board ship than sugar plums. 'Now, my dearfriend, ' said the sailor, 'this is only the beginning of your fun. Now, you know what will happen if you are idle. Susan is my wife, and my nameis Jack Bowsprit; so take care of Susan and Jack, and pick up the broomand sweep the deck, if you don't want some more of our delicateattentions. '

"Poor Harry began, to sweep with a trembling lip, his heart swellingwith rage and misery: then he had to wash the decks, and after that toscrape the carrots and peel the potatoes, and then he was rewarded byhaving a piece of salt pork given him for his supper, and eating it withthe sailors. 

"Harry was in despair. When supper was over he came up and sat on thedeck to think. Tears came thick and fast as his misconduct and itsmiserable consequences rose up in his mind. He knelt down for the firsttime since he had left home, and prayed his Heavenly Father to forgivehim, and promised that if he only was permitted to see his dear parentsagain, he would indeed be an obedient, thoughtful boy: he would try tobe so from that moment. 

"Meanwhile, a fair, keen breeze rose, and continued for many days, andthe ship sailed swiftly on to her destination. In a month more theybeheld Senegal. Entering the river, they soon came to Saint Louis, wherethey landed. 

"You can imagine how rejoiced Harry was to set foot once more upon thefirm earth--not with the permission of the captain, though: for fearingthey might keep him on the ship all the time, in the dusk of the eveninghe slid down a rope that was hanging over the side, and, scrambling onshore without being seen, made the best possible use of his heels. 

"Liberty is a very fine thing; but some other things are wanted besidesto make it perfect--dinner, for instance, and a house containing acomfortable bed to sleep in. 

"Harry was not much afraid at first at finding himself in a savagecountry, alone and unprotected. To the heedless, whatever is new ischarming. 

"It was now bright moonlight, serene and still. Harry, exhausted andtired with his flight, lay down on the luxuriant grass. 

"At home, lying down in such a bed would have given him so severe a coldin his head, that he would have nearly sneezed and snuffled it off. Notso in Senegal. Still there were other inconveniences, for Harry had notrested for five minutes, when he heard a stealthy footstep; his heartbegan to beat. He had learned in his Geography that Senegal was full ofwild beasts, as well as the sugar plums the treacherous sailor talkedabout. He began to wish he had staid in the ship; but if he returned, there was Jack Bowsprit, and there was SUSAN as sure as a gun. It is nodoubt very disagreeable to be devoured by wild beasts; but then again itis very painful to be beaten by a Susan. Harry was sure of the beatingif he returned, and he was not quite sure of being eaten up if heremained; so he concluded to stay. 

"While he was cogitating all these things, he heard again the samestealthy tread; and, in a moment, he saw in the bright moonlight ajackal, about the size of a big dog. 

"Our heedless Harry was without weapons of defence, but he was by nomeans without courage. Up he sprang, seized a large stone, and flung itat the jackal; at almost the same instant the wild beast leaped at himand bit his leg. 

"Both gave a howl of pain at the same moment. Happily, Harry was notmuch hurt; while the jackal, with another cry, lay dead at his feet. 

"Harry gazed at his fallen enemy, his heart beating with excitement; hecould not help thinking that if any thing a quarter as bad had happenedto him at home, his kind mother could not have found caresses andcourt-plaster enough to console him; and here he was, alone, andwounded. He went to a stream near by, and washed and tied up his leg aswell as he could; and then he began to think how he could pass the nightwithout danger. To rest on the bosom of the earth was not safe; anotherjackal might come after the first to help him pick the bones. To be surehe might regain the ship--but SUSAN!! At last he concluded he wouldleave the earth, and climb a tree. After much toil, and terriblescratching and scrambling, he managed to get into an immense tree, andsettling himself in a fork like an arm-chair, he fell into a troubledsleep. 

[Illustration: THE ANACONDA THAT HARRY KILLED. ]

"The first rays of the sun awoke our hero. Just as he was about todescend from the tree, he heard a slight noise above. He looked up, andthere he saw (oh! oh! what I hope you may never see except in aMenagerie or Barnum's Museum) an enormous boa constrictor, at leastfifty feet long, suspended from the top boughs of the tree, twistingabout. With a fierce and horrible hiss, which froze the blood in Harry'sveins, he twisted, and turned, and looked at the terrified boy. 

"Harry screamed aloud. He had read of this dreadful monster, how hethought nothing of swallowing a bull whole for his breakfast; and, ofcourse, our young friend would be only a side dish--a mere trifle. Theboa advanced towards him with another dreadful hiss, which seemed tosay--'Here's a nice little mouthful! wait for me. '

"But Harry was determined to make one desperate attempt to postpone thefeast. He slid down the trunk of the tree like lightning, and when hestood on the ground he did not stop to ascertain which way the windblew, but ran like a rail car, under full steam, panting and screamingvery much as they do. 

"All at once he stopped short, for a terrible roaring, like an immensepeal of thunder, shook the earth. What was it? Oh, mercy! it was a greatlion who was just waking up. 

[Illustration: THE LION. ]

"What was the luckless, heedless boy to do? Between the lion and the boaconstrictor, Harry was certainly lost. Whichever was to eat him, it wascertain he would make a breakfast for one of them; for on turning hishead, he saw, to his increased horror, that the monstrous snake hadfollowed him; and at the same moment an enormous lion appeared running, making bounds as high as the arch of a bridge. 

"Harry threw himself on his knees. For one moment he was a prey to themost agonizing despair. Then he clasped his hands together, and imploredfor pardon for all his faults; and then rising, with a white andterror-stricken face, he endeavored to await with fortitude the comingof his cruel fate. 

"But now a very remarkable thing happened. Harry, nearly petrified withamazement, saw the lion and boa advance with savage fierceness upon eachother!

"Oh! then he thanked God in his heart! He carefully crept to one side, and watched, with an eagle-like glance, what would happen next. 

"With a wild roar and savage bound, the lion sprang upon the serpent, and tried to tear him in pieces, while the boa, hissing like a thousandgeese, twisted himself, fold after fold, round the body of his enemy, crushing him, squeezing him, and rolling over till his bones cracked. The angry roar changed into a cry of despair and frenzy. Soon that crybecame weaker and weaker, fainter and fainter, then ceasedaltogether--the lion was dead. 

"The monstrous serpent, without waiting to lay the table, or call formustard, licked his prey all over, and then swallowed him whole. 

"You will ask, perhaps, why Harry did not run away. He had two excellentreasons. The first was, he did not know where in this part of the worldto run; he might find a tiger at the very next turn; and the second, that he was too frightened to move. 

"So Harry stood by and witnessed this ruthless, shocking spectacle, tothe end, his heart beating as if it would leap out of his breast; andwhen the boa had finished his frightful meal, the poor little fellowobserved that the monster was so gorged, he could scarcely move, andthat in a few moments more he was fast asleep. 

"'There is one good thing, ' he said to himself, 'the awful thing don'tcare to breakfast twice, so I am safe for the present. '

"As the boa seemed perfectly helpless, he conceived a splendid but boldidea, for he was by no means a timid child. 

"He approached and stamped upon the tail of the reptile, who remainedimmovable; then he made a cord of a vine that was growing near, with arunning knot at the end, and slipping this round the boa's neck, anddrawing it with all his might, he strangled the serpent. 

"Hardly had he concluded this brilliant achievement, when he heard thegalloping of horses. Terrified and trembling, he waited half in hope andhalf in fear for what was to come, when in a few moments, to his greatjoy, he beheld some officers of the marine service, whom he was surewere Americans, approaching him. 

"What was their astonishment at seeing a little boy standing, pale, andwith eyes wild and distended with excitement, over the dead body of anenormous snake. 

"'Good gracious!' exclaimed the one who appeared to be the captain, 'what on earth are you doing with that amiable creature?'

"Harry, with his eyes full of tears, simply told his history. 

"The officers were very much affected. They belonged to an American shipof war that was just about returning home. 

"'Would you like to go back with us?' said the captain, kindly. 

"'Oh, Captain!' cried Harry, 'gladly will I go with you, but--'

"'But what?' asked the captain. 

"'I want you to promise me that I shan't be beaten by Susan. '

"'What on earth do you mean?' cried the captain, as he and the restburst into a laugh. 

"Harry explained how Jack Bowsprit used to beat him with a rope's end, which he called his wife, Susan, and how he hated Susan worse thanpoison. 

"They all laughed again at this, and the captain promised that Susanshould be thrown overboard as far as he was concerned, and that heshould be taken safely home. 

"So Harry went with the officers, who treated him as if he was theirson; and after a prosperous voyage, he arrived safely at New York; andmoney was given him to get home. 

"That very evening Harry stood once more before his sorrowing, almostbroken-hearted parents. What did they do? They did not utter one word ofreproach; they just opened their arms, and the boy flung himself upontheir breasts; and amid tears and blessings all was forgiven. But notforgotten. Oh, no! for Harry, once so heedless, tried his utmost tocorrect his faults, and with God's help, he _succeeded_; and now he isso steady, industrious, and obedient, that it is almost impossible tobelieve that he ever was called

 HEEDLESS HARRY. "

 * * * * *

There was many a roguish, laughing look cast at Harry as this strangestory was being read; and when it was finished, George exclaimed, eagerly--"Oh, mamma! what a pity Aunt Fanny did not know about Harry, and the old black cook, and the dishcloth! Wouldn't she have laughed?"

"Tell us about it, Harry, do! do!" cried all the brothers and sisters. 

The children knew the story as well as Harry, but they delighted towatch the sparkle of his eyes, and his animated gestures, for to tellthe truth, he _did_ enjoy mischief beyond words to describe. 

"Well, " cried Harry, jumping up, "you see I _would_ go down in thekitchen and teaze the cook; and she could never touch me with thebroomstick, because I ran full tilt; and she was very fat, you know, always trod on her dress, and sometimes came down flat on her nose. 

"Well, one day she said--'If you come in the kitchen again, I'll pin thedishcloth fast to your jacket!' I _came right back_. 'PIN IT!' said I, 'that's all I want. ' So she pinned it, and I stood very, _very_ stilltill it was done. Then I made one jump in the air, and gave onetremendous shout, and put _square_ up stairs for mother's room, the cookafter me; but I ran fastest, she was so fat. I got in the room first, tore off the dishcloth--her best dishcloth--bran new, and threw it intothe very middle of the fire; and she had the pleasure of seeing the lastof her new dishcloth blazing up the chimney. So that's what a cook getswhen she pins her dishcloth on a boy. "

The children clapped their hands, and screamed with laughter at thisstory; and they laughed still harder, when Harry put on a comical, half-provoked look, and added, "But you know mother made me take thevery money I was going to buy a new ball with, and buy a yard of crashto make another dishcloth for the cook; that crashed _me_, so I don'tthink I shall burn any more for the present. "

And now the children, bidding each other "good night, " went skipping anddancing to bed, delighted with the evening's entertainment, wonderingwho would have the next story from Aunt Fanny. 

THE THIRD LETTER. 

POOR RICH LITTLE EVA. 

_For Anna. _

DEAR ANNA:--I have lately been reading a book full of pure and beautifulthoughts, called "Vernon Grove, " and the other evening I becameacquainted with the authoress. She is a most lovely lady, dignified andgraceful; and I had a very delightful conversation with her about books. 

In Vernon Grove there is a short story about a dear little girl, whichstory interested me so much, that I asked permission of the authoress tocopy it out for you. Here it is, somewhat enlarged and altered, but themain parts just as she wrote it. I know, dear Anna, it is exactly such atender, sweet story, as will most gratify your affectionate heart; so itis yours, with a kiss from your loving

 AUNT FANNY. 

"POOR RICH LITTLE EVA. 

"On a curtained bed, in a darkened chamber in the city of Charleston, not many years ago, lay a beautiful lady, pale--almost dying; but, oh!how happy, for her earnest prayer had been answered, and God had atlast given her the blessing of a child, and the little tender life waseven now nestling soft as a rose-leaf in her bosom. 

"It was late in the sweet spring-time, which in that southern country isso beautiful. A hushed and joyous stillness reigned in the house, butevery lip was smiling, from the good old black cook, who was 'so gradmissis ben got her heart's desire, ' to the funny little fellow with hiswool standing up in kinks all over his head, who ran of errands, and whoevinced his delight by walking on his kinky head all about the yard. 

"Never was baby more welcomed. A daughter, too, just what her parentsdesired--a darling girl to be a companion for her mother all day long. 

"The nursery was now the most interesting and delightful room in thehouse. Though evidences of boundless wealth and exquisite taste were inevery part, until the baby came, it was only a grand, silent, gloomymansion; for no young pure voice had awakened the echoes in the statelyhalls--no little pattering feet made there delicious heart-music. 

"But _now_ what a magic change! How friends flocked to see the wonderfulnursery which the expectant mother had been so happy in preparing; howthey peeped into the bureau drawers, and admired the piles of rare laceand snowy lawn, which were to enfold the delicate limbs of this favoredchild. 

"And then the surprising and splendid toys in gold and silver! thebeautiful pictures already hung upon the walls, painted by skilfulartists, telling stories that she would understand almost from infancy, of 'Little Red Riding Hood, ' 'The Lamented Babes in the Wood, ' and'Little Mary and her pretty pet Lamb, who _would_ go to school withher. ' Ah! what a beautiful world was to be opened to the sight and mindof that sweet spring flower. 

"Every day the good doctor came to see the mother and the little baby, and every day the mother grew stronger; and the greatest delight of bothparents was to look at their new child, and softly kiss its tendercheek, and feel the velvet touch of its precious little hands. 

"Then, very soon, it grew so knowing, and showed such surprisingquickness, far beyond (the _parents_ thought) of any baby ever seen orread of since the beginning of the world. Of course it was very red atfirst, but then the red was such a beautiful shade. It hadn't the leastspeck of hair; but what of that? There was a lovely expression abouteven the _back_ of its head; really quite intellectual. 

"Very soon, it would start at an unexpected noise or touch, and ifdinner did not come at the very moment it was wanted, little Eva (forthat was her sweet name) could cry in a manner to astonish you; butthen, such an excellent cry! so loud and strong, that it was certain shehad splendid lungs. And what more could a mother's heart desire? Andher precious treasure was watched and guarded night and day by amother's love, stronger than death. 

"But what is this? The good doctor watches little Eva as she grows, andalways when he looks at her, a sad, strange expression comes over hisface; and one day, when going down stairs, he paused, and turned to goback, but did not, for he said aloud to himself: 'Not yet; they cannotbear it yet; and perhaps, after all, I may be in the wrong. '

"They were both so happy--that young father and mother! How they pitiedall the poor married people who had no children!

"But the next day after this the good doctor decided not to withholdthe communication, whatever it might be, from Eva's father and mother. As soon as he entered the room, he said abruptly: 'Nurse, bring me thechild. ' He stood by a window, and threw wide open the darkened blinds. The little Eva was brought to him just from her morning toilette, fresh, sweet, and pure as a rain-brightened flower; her long embroidered dresssweeping the carpet, and soft lace nestling about her tiny arms. 

"'Oh, dear doctor!' exclaimed the young mother, 'do not take the babythere! That bright glare of light has dazzled even my strong eyes; andhow can her feeble sight endure it?'

"'It is necessary, madam, ' replied the doctor. He seemed to be a crossold fellow, but beneath his gruff manner was hidden a great, kind heart. 

"He took the child, and having sent the nurse away, turned from themother, who lay anxiously watching him. He gazed fixedly at little Eva, while he exposed her beautiful and tender eyes to the bright glare ofthe morning sun. His brow was contracted into a great heavy frown, and ashort but deep sigh escaped him; but he never took his eyes from herface: then he forced the lids, with their long silken fringes, far awayfrom the ball of the eye, and little Eva was now screaming with the paincaused by this rough and cruel treatment. Alas! a deeper shade ofanxiety crossed the doctor's face, and the hard and unfeeling man, asthe weeping mother thought him, drew the infant tenderly to his breast, and murmured in a low tone, '_Poor little thing! poor little helplessthing!_' and gave her back to her nurse, and went away without sayinganother word. 

"That same evening the doctor came again. It was very unusual for him tocome after dark, and his great creaking boots and rough manner wouldhave broken in upon a very pretty group. 

"But he went softly up stairs, and looked in the room, unseen himself. There was the happy mother wrapped in a cashmere, and half-buried in animmense arm-chair, with a sweet motherly look upon her face, watchingher darling. 

"Close to his wife, Eva's father sat, holding her in his arms; and, wonderful to tell, for a _man_, holding her quite comfortably; for hehad lulled her to sleep with a lullaby of his own composition, thelanguage of which was utterly unknown to the rest of the company. He waslearning to talk 'baby talk, ' and was really getting on very well, andjust now he was looking extremely proud and happy at his success insoothing the little one. 

"Opposite to these happy parents sat Mr. Vernon, a noble-lookinggentleman, and his wife, a beautiful lady, uncle and aunt to the baby;and, in the distance, was the faithful black nurse, old Dinah, fastasleep, and quite as happy, in her own opinion, as the rest of theparty. 

"Presently the father laid the baby tenderly down in her beautifulcradle, and while gently rocking her, said softly: 'I wonder what thebaby was thinking about while I sang to her?'

"'She looked so wonderfully wise, ' said the mother. 

"'Did you ever come across that lovely little poem--"What is the littleone thinking about?"' said Mr. Vernon. 'I can only remember the lastpart of it, though my little daughter has often read it to me, ' and herecited, in a sweet, low voice, this exquisite little fragment:

 "What is the little one thinking about? What does she think of her mother's eyes? What does she think of her mother's hair? What, of the cradle roof that flies Forward and backward through the air? What does she think of her mother's breast, Round and beautiful, smooth and white, Seeking it ever with fresh delight-- Cup of her life, and couch of her rest? What does she think, when her quick embrace Presses her hand, and buries her face Deep, where the heart-throbs sink and swell With a tender love she can never tell, Though she murmurs the words Of all the birds, Words she had learned to murmur well? Now she thinks she'll go to sleep! I can see the shadow creep Over her eyes in soft eclipse Over her brow, and over her lips. Out to her little finger-tips! Softly sinking--down she goes! Down--she--goes!--down--she--goes! See! she is hushed in sweet repose. "

"As the doctor gazed on this lovely scene, and heard the beautifullytouching words so fitly spoken, instead of smiling, he frowned andsighed, for his heart was troubled. 

"Coming forward, he grumbled out, 'A family party, I see. '

"'Yes, ' said the father, rising and smiling; 'and no one but yourselfwould find a welcome. '

"'So much the better, ' growled the doctor. 'Nurse, light the gas. '

"'We have not lit it yet, ' said the young mother, pointing to the twowax lights in a distant corner, 'because they tell me the eyes ofinfants are very weak and tender. '

"The doctor took no notice of this, only nodded to the nurse; and she, standing in mortal fear that he would cut her head off immediately ifshe hesitated, obeyed his order. 

"The mother looked at her little child, who was still peacefullysleeping, and then shaded her eyes with her hand from the sudden blazeof light, thinking that though the doctor seemed very cruel, he must bedoing what was right. Poor young mother!

"'I only need this last test before I tell you what it means, ' said thedoctor. 'Here, give me the child. '

"The father tenderly laid the little Eva in his arms, though quite at aloss to imagine what experiment was to be tried. The light was certainlytoo strong to be let suddenly into a darkened room, he thought; but thedoctor knew best. It was strange that only the noble-looking gentleman, Mr. Vernon, seemed to divine the meaning of the rough but kind-heartedman, but he knew only too well; he was _sadly sure_. I will tell youwhy, presently. 

"And now the tender head of the sleeping child lay helplessly againstthe physician's rough coat, encircled by his arm. 

"Suddenly he dashed some cold water, that stood near, into her face. 

"Little Eva awoke, and opened her dark blue eyes immediately under thebright stream of light. She did not cry; she did not shrink; calmly shelooked up, never flinching, never winking as she lay. 

"The doctor raised her nearer and nearer to the flame; he turned thescrews, and let out each burner to its fullest capacity, and passed hishands rapidly to and fro close to the child's eyes, then turning towardsthe wondering, panic-stricken group, who were slowly beginning tounderstand the meaning of that fearful pantomime, he laid her once morein her father's arms, and looking in his face, said, in a rough, brokenvoice, while a great tear trembled in his eye--'God help littleEva, --SHE IS BLIND. '

"The doctor went away that night with the sorrowful wail of the poorparents smiting his heart. 

"He came again and again, but nevermore in that house did he open thedoor upon a group so smilingly happy, as that which greeted him on thefatal night, when he told them the dreadful truth, that their childwould never see their faces, for she was blind. 

"And now I will tell you about Mr. Vernon. When he was quite a youngman, rich, handsome, and surrounded with friends, he was taken ill witha dreadful fever, which left him totally blind. For a long, long time hemurmured at God's will, and refused to believe there was any thing leftworth living for; but God's ways are not our ways, and in His own goodtime He so softened the wilful heart of the blind man, so that he becamenot only resigned, but happy. 

"After a few years, God gave him a beautiful wife, who loved him morebecause of the affliction which made him so dependent upon her lovingcare; and oh! how I hope that all who are reading this true story willhave a tender pity for those upon whom God has caused outward darknessto fall. They cannot see the sunshine, or the beautiful flowers--letthem _feel_ the warm sunshine of a loving heart. 

"In due course of time Mr. Vernon had two lovely children, the elder apretty little maiden, with deep blue eyes, and dark, wavy hair, whosesweet name was Ruth. The dear little girl was six years old before theother darling came to gladden his parents' heart, and having nocompanions but her blind father and gentle mother, she grew to be quitea dignified little woman. None so proud and happy as Ruth, when she wasguiding her blind father; none knew better all his favorite walks in andaround the beautiful country place where they lived; and her gentle, patient ways made her the very darling of his heart. 

"In a few years there was another little being in the world, to whosehappiness Ruth was necessary; and that was her poor blind cousin, Eva, and though Ruth's parents missed her sadly, they would often give uptheir darling, and send or take her into the city, to visit and comfortand amuse Eva. 

"Ruth understood Eva better than any one else, because she had been herdear blind father's constant companion; and Eva loved her with all herheart; she knew her step; she would hear it before any one else did, and the color would rush in her face, and she would wait with beatingheart till the door opened, and then she would rush to her, throw herarms round her neck, and cry, 'Oh, dear Ruth! darling Ruth!' and kissher twenty times, and Ruth would kiss Eva just as many, and then theywould sit down close together, and have such a nice, happy talk! forRuth had to tell all about the chickens, and Dandy, the pony, who lovedsugar so dearly; and how she had hemmed six pocket-handkerchiefs for herdear father, and most wore a hole in her little thimble; and how herlittle baby brother had scrabbled off with old Dobbin's bran-bag, justas the poor old horse was going to eat his dinner, and poked his owndear little head in it, and when he pulled it out, the bran was all overhis face, making him look as if he was covered with freckles; whichfunny caper made Eva laugh like 'any thing. '

"And when the talking was over, Ruth read to little Eva, for all toyswere useless to the blind child; but her books were doubly dear, andRuth was never tired of reading to her; so while she staid, Eva was ashappy as it was possible to be. 

"One day the good doctor brought a celebrated occulist to see Eva. Anocculist is a physician who cures diseases of the eyes, and devotes hiswhole time and talent to that precious and delicate part of the humanframe. 

"The occulist examined her eyes very carefully, and then said: 'After afew years I can perform an operation on Eva's eyes that _may_ give hersight; but it will be a very painful one, and perhaps I may not succeed. If this dear little child were mine, I would almost rather let herremain blind than give her such terrible pain, which may end indisappointment. '

"But oh! what a blessed hope! her parents _would not_ see the dark side;they dwelt upon the happiness it would be for little Eva to see; and oneday her father took her upon his knee, and, fondly kissing her, said:'Eva, my darling, would you like to see the beautiful sunlight and sweetflowers?'

"'O papa! yes! yes! but, most of all, I want to see you and mamma, andRuth and Dinah. '

"'Well, my darling, if you can make up your mind to endure a terriblepain, when you are older we will have the operation tried. It will onlylast a moment, dear Eva, and then just think! you will see the wholebeautiful world! and know all of us by our faces, as you now do by oursteps and voices; you will see the birds flying in the air; the moonsailing slowly in the heavens, the little twinkling stars, and therippling water, and we shall be so happy! so happy! I will not tell youwhen to have it done; I will wait till _you_ are ready, my darling. '

[Illustration: EVA PRAYING FOR STRENGTH TO SAY THE WORDS. ]

"Then Eva thought long of it, and had many an earnest conversation uponthe subject with her little cousin Ruth; and one day she said: 'Ruth, will you promise me, _true for true_, that you will come and hold myhand when they operate upon my eyes?'

"'I promise you, _true for true_, ' said Ruth. 

"And so the matter was settled. 

"Time passed on; and Eva was now eleven years old, and Ruth nine. 

"Then Eva made a great resolution, and going to her father, she said:'_Father, I am ready_ NOW. '

"They were simple words; but poor little Eva had prayed to God, fornights and nights, and many times in the day, to give her strength tosay them, and God had heard her prayer; for though her father turneddeadly pale at the words, the low sweet voice of the child did nottremble. 

"And now the good doctor came, all his roughness gone, and he held thatlittle head, with its glossy waves of hair, to keep it steady, but ittrembled far less than he did; for he had watched Eva from her infancy, and dearly loved her, and he was intensely interested in the result ofthe experiment about to be performed. 

"Near Eva stood her mother and her brave and faithful cousin Ruth, holding her hand, as she had promised '_true for true_, ' and telling herto take courage, for all would be well. 

"'Patience, ' said the operator, softly; 'a pang, and half the sufferingwill be over. '

"The little hand which held Ruth's was clasped more tightly, and a groansmote on the listeners' ears. The room reeled--a faintness came over theheroic child; but she was soon herself again. 

"'Would you not rather wait a day or two for the other eye to beoperated upon?' said the kind physician. 'A week hence, or a month, willanswer. '

"'Oh! no, ' answered Eva, with quiet self-possession, 'let it be doneto-day; let it be done NOW. I do not think I could bear the suspense, and it would _please my father_ to know that it was over. '

"Love sustained her. Another sigh--another groan, and it was finished. 

"Then came the bandages, the darkened room, the stillness, the repose, for one whose nerves had been so shaken; but often those little cousinlyhands were clasped together in a pressure which spoke more love thanmany words. 

"Her father hardly ever left the house, and her mother wept often, forshe loved her child in her blindness as much as a mother _could_ love, and had never wished her to go through so much suffering--sufferingwhich might be fruitless; and she waited for the result with tremblinganxiety. 

"A _look_ from a physician has often more weight than many words spoken;and Ruth, who read the good doctor's face with the keenness of a child'sperception, was the first to see an expression of hope shining upon it. When the day came for the bandages to be removed, Eva's father andmother were so dreadfully agitated, that they had to leave the room. Trembling, they stood outside in the hall, waiting for the happy orwretched tidings. 

"But Ruth--brave little Ruth--held Eva's hand as before. Those littleclasped hands gave each other courage, for Ruth needed it as much asEva, and her heartbeats could almost be heard in the silence. What astudy her sweet little face was, as the emotions of love, pity, fear, and hope, crossed it, as shadowy clouds flit across the sky!

"Slowly, cautiously, the bandages were removed, and at last the endcame, and the little girl saw upon the physician's face a broad, cheerful, happy smile. Ruth was a heroine, and had great self-control;but now control became impossible. She thought not of consequences--sheonly thought of the unceasing prayer which had been breathed by thathousehold for many weeks--she only saw that that prayer had beengranted. 

"'SHE WILL SEE! she will see!!' she almost screamed. 'Eva! Eva! love!darling! do you hear?'

"The physician gave her a stern look of rebuke, but it was too late;Little Eva had fainted. 

"'_Ruth is right_, ' said he to the father and mother, who had rushed inat this blessed announcement, 'but she has been too abrupt. Her cousinand herself are wonderful little women in times of trial and danger; butneither of them are equal to a sudden joy. '

"It was a long time before Eva got well, and was permitted to use hernew and precious gift of sight; but then the amazement and delight withwhich she ran from one thing to another--the joy with which she gazedupon the faces of her parents and Ruth, no one of us, who have alwaysseen, can ever know or appreciate. 

"And old Binah said, as she hugged her darling to her faithful breast, 'God bress de good massa dat gib de sight to my little missis. It don'tmake no sort of difference to she, case old Binah _black_. Dear, no!she lub her just de same when she see _dat_! don't you, little missis?'

"'Why, _of course_ I do, ' answered little Eva, and she kissed good oldBinah, and ran off with Ruth to look at some flowers. Oh, that precioussight! how dear it was, to her!

"And now she is no longer _poor_ rich little Eva. "

 * * * * *

The children had listened to the story of Eva, with eager, breathlessattention; and when Ruth screamed out, "She will see! she will see!"they very nearly screamed, too, so rejoiced were they that the blindnesshad been removed; and the dear little girl had not suffered so much fornothing. 

"It must be so terrible to be blind, " said Anna; "don't you rememberwhen we went to see the exhibition of the blind children at the Academyof Music, the tears were rolling down mamma's face nearly the wholetime, and we all felt so sorry, that we came home quite unhappy?"

"Dear me, " cried Harry, "I do wish there was no such affliction; whymust there be, mamma?"

"God knows best, dear Harry, " answered the little mother. "If He didnot, for His own wise purpose, permit us to know trouble and sorrow inthis world, we would never desire that blessed rest and peace hereafter, which he promises to all those who put their trust in him. "

"Yes, God must know best, " said Clara, in a low voice; "for dear Charleyhas had more suffering and sorrow than any of us, and yet he loves Him, and wants to go to heaven. "

"When Charley was very little, " said the mother, "I found him cryingbitterly one day. 'Why, what is the matter, my darling?' I said. 

"'Oh mamma!' he sobbed, 'I am so afraid there won't be room enough inheaven for me! Do you think such a poor, lame child can get there?'

"I took him in my arms, and kissed and comforted him, and told him thatJesus looked at the heart, not at the weak, crooked body; and that thebetter and purer his life was, the greater would be his welcome to Hishouse Beautiful, when life had ended here. "

All the children looked at Charley, with their eyes full of love; and intheir prayers that night, they entreated that Jesus would remember theirdear little brother's life-long suffering, and give him a place close toHim in heaven. 

THE FOURTH LETTER. 

ILL TEMPER. 

_For George. _

"DEAR GEORGE:--You know you are now nearly seventeen years old, andquite a patriarch in the Nightcap family; and I am rejoiced that I cansay with truth, that you have been, and are, a most excellent elderbrother, unselfish, sweet-tempered, and always setting a good example. "

"Dear me, " interrupted George, laughing and blushing very much, "I donot deserve such high praise;" but here the expression of his facechanged, his lip began to tremble, and running up to his mother, hekissed her, and said--"Whatever I am that is good, you, dear mother, have made me. "

"With God's help and blessing, my dear son, " said his mother, returningthe kiss; and then she went on reading. 

"When you were a little fellow, of not quite seven years, you had thescarlet fever, and were very ill; and perhaps you remember how cross youwere for a long time after. "

"Oh, yes, " exclaimed George; "mother used to say somebody else must havejumped into my skin, for, certainly, I was not the same George. "

"I have written a story about this change in temper, and how a cure waseffected. _You_ became sweet-tempered again, as soon as you got quitewell; but Arthur, in my story, required a lesson and some punishment, ashe became cross without scarlet fever, rhyme, or reason. I hope you willlet me know if you think I have invented a good plan to cure across-patch. You know I am a great believer in our always trying firstupon _ourselves_, what we propose to '_do to others_, ' as the very bestway of finding out if we would like the same '_done to us_. '"

"Why, that's the 'golden rule!'" cried little Minnie; and now thechildren settled themselves, and eagerly listened to the followingstory:

ILL TEMPER. 

"When Arthur was about seven years old, he was one of the very best boysto be found in a long summer's day. In the morning he would spring outof bed with a bright smile, wash and dress himself quickly, with thehelp of Mary, his kind nurse, say his prayers slowly and reverently, (ah! _that_ was the secret of his goodness!) and then all day long hewould be so obliging and good-tempered, that no one could help lovinghim that knew him; and so they didn't try to help it, for everybodyloved him dearly. 

"But, alas! I have heard the doctors say, (and of course _they_ mustknow, ) that once in every seven years the whole body is renewed, flesh, bones, blood, nerves, muscles; and I grieve to have to relate, that inArthur's case the change seemed to include his spirit-part also; thatis, his good temper and loving ways marched out of him, and some verybad substitutes marched in, as I shall proceed to relate. 

"One morning Arthur awoke at his usual hour, but not with his usualsmile. His face was all puckered up like a frozen apple. He flounderedabout the bed, and bumped his head against the head-board, and was justas cross as forty bears. 

"Of course every thing went wrong; he put his stockings on wrongsideout, tied his shoes in a hard knot, pulled on his pantaloons with theback part before, and drew his arms through his jacket upside down. Didyou ever hear of such a piece of work?

"When Mary came to brush his hair and wash his face, he screamed out, stamping his foot at her--'Do stop! Stop! I tell you! You brush me ashard as ever you can! I wish you would leave me alone, you ugly oldthing!'

"Oh, dear, dear, what a sad boy! He puts me in mind of that othernaughty boy who scolded his nurse in a piece of poetry. This is it:

 "'Oh _why_ must my face be washed so clean, And scrubbed and scoured for Sunday? When you know very well, as you've always seen, 'Twill be dirty again on Monday. 

 "'My hair is stiff with the hateful soap, That behind my ears is dripping; My smarting eyes, I'm afraid to ope, And my lips the suds are sipping. 

 "'They're down my throat, and they're up my nose, And to choke me you seem to be trying, That I'll shut my mouth, you needn't suppose, For how can I keep from crying?

 "'And you rub as hard as ever you can, And your hands are hard, to my sorrow; No woman shall wash me, when I'm a man, And I wish I was one to-morrow. '

"But at last Arthur went sulking down to breakfast, _forgetting to sayhis prayers_; and taking his seat at the table, whined out, the veryfirst thing--'Just look at this piece of toast; it is all burnt, and ashard as a stone. I won't have it!' Then he tasted his coffee, andexclaimed--'Pooh! what coffee! perfect slops!'

"His mother was grieved to see him acting so naughtily, and said, gently--'I am sorry, Arthur, you are not pleased; will you have an egg?'

"Arthur cracked an egg with his teaspoon, looked at it, threw it down, and turning up his nose with disdain, said--'Eggs! Brickbats you mean!they have been boiling all night. '

"This exhibition of ill temper distressed his mother exceedingly, butshe did not say any thing to him then; being a woman of excellent sense, she formed a plan in her mind which she hoped would effect a cure. 

"Arthur was an only child. His parents were rich, and they preferredthat he should be educated at home; they feared his learning evil aswell as good at a large school. Hitherto this plan had been verysuccessful, for Arthur was as studious and obedient as his tutors couldpossibly wish; and this sudden and sad change made all around himunhappy. I will give you a history of one of these miserable days. 

"On this morning, his tutor arrived, as usual, at nine o'clock; andcommenced by giving his pupil a lesson in penmanship. There was anominous scowl on Arthur's face. He twitched his copy-book before him, pretended he could not find a good pen, scratched and blotted the paperfrom top to bottom, and so, when the lesson was finished, the page wasa sight to behold. 

"'You have not tried to write well, ' said his master, mildly. 

"'My pen was abominable, and the paper was greasy, ' said Arthur, sulkily. 

"'A bad workman always pretends that his _tools_ are to blame, ' said themaster. 

"'Oh, dear me! you are never satisfied! If I write too lightly, you sayit looks as if a spider had scampered over the paper with inky legs; ifI bear on harder, you ask me how much horse power I have put on to makesuch heavy strokes. I don't know what to do! I don't! You are alwaysgrumbling. '

"'Oh, no! not always, for here are a great many pages on which I havewritten, "Very well; very well, indeed. "'

"'That was only by chance, ' said Arthur. 

"'But if these chances do not always occur, whose fault is it?'

"'Oh, mine! I suppose you mean to say, ' answered Arthur, pettishly. 

"'Well, my dear boy, only look at your writing to-day. It resembles acompany of soldiers, each of whom carries his musket to suit himself, this one to the right, that to the left, a third horizontally, a fourthperpendicularly, and all the rest of the letters with broken backs andcrooked legs. Just look at it!'

"'Oh, dear! you are always mocking me, ' whined Arthur. 'One would thinkI did it all on purpose. Oh, dear me!'

"At last this lesson came to an end; but the others were no better, andthe poor master went away with his temper sorely tried, sadlyremembering the happy and good little Arthur of the year before. 

"In the afternoon, his mother said, in a pleasant tone, 'Come, dearArthur, come and take a walk with me; it is such a lovely day; therobins are singing in the trees; and look, how fast the delicate whiteclouds are sailing through the air! Come, dear. '

"'It isn't pleasant! and I can't _bear_ robins, ' said Arthur. 

"His mother sighed and went alone. 

"Left at home, Arthur tried to amuse himself. He got out his puzzle, ordissected map of the United States; but as ill-tempered people arenever patient or gentle, in a very little while he had cracked SouthCarolina nearly in two, snapped off the top of Maryland, broken New Yorkinto three pieces, and made mince-meat of the Union generally, which wasa very shocking thing to do, even on a dissected map; and then, thecross boy ended by throwing all the States into the black coal-scuttle. 

"After this he tried to read; but nothing seemed to amuse him. From'Robinson Crusoe' he went to the 'Rollo Books, ' and from those to'Nightcaps, ' and declared they were all stupid alike, 'a perfect pack ofnonsense!'

"As a last resource, he called Jumbo, his big cat, who was so fond ofArthur, that he would let him do just what he pleased with him, thatis, as long as his little master was kind; but to-day he pinched hisears, and pulled his tail, and twitched his whiskers at such a rate, that poor Jumbo puckered up his face like a pudding-bag, and squalledlike a first-class opera singer. 

"'The bad old thing!' exclaimed Arthur. 'I declare, he ought to bedrowned! I'll never play with him again. Scat! scat! get out!' and offscampered poor Jumbo, and hid himself behind the kitchen door. 

"All this time you are wondering his mother did not punish him. Wait alittle. Just read to the end, and then tell me what you think of hermode of punishment. I shall wish very much to know if you approve ofit. 

"One evening, after Arthur had gone to bed, his father and mother had along consultation with each other about the best way of curing Arthur'sill temper; and they agreed upon a plan his mother had thought of duringthe day. 

"The next morning came, when the trial was to be made. Every onereceived his or her instructions from Arthur's mother, and were quiteready to begin the new mode of punishment. 

"But, for a wonder, on this particular morning Arthur awoke feeling verypleasant and amiable. Never mind, he was to receive his lesson all thesame. 

"While Mary was helping him to dress, she seemed very snappish andimpatient. 

[Illustration: ARTHUR'S MOTHER TELLING HER PLAN. ]

"'Do, for goodness sake, keep still, Master Arthur!' she said; 'you arealways fidgeting and fussing. '

"'_I?_' said Arthur, laughing. 'Why, I've been as still as a mouse!'

"Mary was silent for a moment, but presently she exclaimed--'Howcarelessly you have washed your hands, your shirt is all wet. I haveshown you how to wash without splashing a hundred times. You worry mylife out!'

"'I _tried_ to do as you told me, ' said Arthur, with a little sigh. 

"'Oh, fiddlesticks! don't tell _me_! You are a terrible boy!' and Marybounced out of the room, banging the door behind her. 

"Arthur went down to breakfast, and ran up to his mother to tell herabout Mary. 'I think _she_ was "terrible, "' he said. 'What could be thematter with her, mamma?'

"'Perhaps she was indulging in ILL TEMPER, ' answered his mother, significantly. 

"When they sat down to breakfast there was no toast. 

"'I should like a piece of toast, ' said Arthur. 

"His mother rang a little bell, and the cook came in. She looked firstat the mistress, with a peculiar smile, and then she looked at Arthur. 

"'Margaret, ' said he, 'there is no toast. '

"'I know it, Master Arthur; it was too brown; and you are so hard tosuit, that I did not dare to serve it. '

"'_I_ hard to suit?' cried Arthur, who seemed to have forgotten what anaughty boy he had been. '_I_ hard to suit? Not at all. If the toast_is_ a little too brown, I don't mind it. Give it to me, Margaret. '

"'I threw it away, ' said the cook. 

"'Oh, well, I'm in no hurry; I will wait while you make me anotherpiece. '

"'My fire has gone out, ' said the cook. 

"'Well, you can re-light it, can't you?'

"'Do you think I have nothing to do but to wait upon you?' cried thecook. 'You know nothing ever suits you; and you always speak rudely tome;' and she flounced out of the room. 

"'How _can_ she say so, mamma?' cried Arthur. '_I_ speak rudely to her?Why, I was as polite as ever I could be. It is too bad!'

"'Servants find it very hard to attend upon you, Arthur. They areaccustomed to polite treatment from the rest of us. '

"'Well--but mamma--to accuse me to-day, when it was _she_ who'--

"'Was indulging in ILL-TEMPER, ' interrupted his mother. 

"_Arthur understood_, and was silent. 

"The hour for his grammar lesson had now arrived. The tutor bowed toArthur's mother, smiled, and commenced:

"'Do you _know_ your lessons, my young friend?'

"'I have studied them, sir. '

"'Do you _know_ them? It is of little consequence that you have studiedthem, if you do not know them. '

"'I believe I do, sir. '

"'Well, let us see--begin. '

"'In the _tenses_, ' began Arthur a little embarrassed, 'we shoulddistinguish the _moods_ and the verbs. '

"'Nonsense! you should have said, "In the _verbs_ we should distinguishthe moods and the tenses. "'

"'Yes, sir, that is what I _meant_ to say; I knew that, but my tongueslipped. '

"'Your tongue slips very often. Continue'--

"Arthur, still more embarrassed, said--'We should also distinguish the_moods_ and the persons. '

"'You must be demented! What have the moods to do in that sentence?Perhaps you are expecting a visit from the man in the moon, and thatmakes you talk such nonsense. The grammar says--"We should distinguishthe _numbers_ and the persons. " Your tongue does nothing but slip; youdo not know your lesson. '

"'Excuse me, sir; I do know it. '

"'You are not respectful, Master Arthur, ' said the teacher in a cold, severe tone. 

"'But, sir'--

"'When a boy knows his lesson he does not make such abominable blundersin reciting. '

"'But, sir, you troubled me; you put me out. '

"'_I_ trouble you? A very singular excuse, and a very poor one. Come, let me look at your composition. '

"But here matters became worse and worse. The master 'pshawed, ' andfrowned, and grumbled to himself. 'No application! no thought! badspelling! bad grammar! a perfect mass of faults!'

"Arthur grew red and pale by turns, as his teacher wrote right acrossthe page in large letters: 'A composition so badly done, that it isimpossible to correct it. '

"Then he rose coldly, looking very grim, took his hat, and addressingArthur's mother, said--'Madam, I cannot consent to teach your son anylonger; I have so little success, that I feel I have no right to thevery liberal salary you have accorded me. Another, perhaps, will dobetter. '

"'Oh, sir! no! pray, don't go!' exclaimed Arthur; 'I will try to dobetter! indeed, I will! upon my word and honor I will. I love you, sir!'

"A pleasant light suddenly came into the teacher's eyes, and a softsmile passed like lightning over his lips. 

"'Do, please, give me your hand, sir, ' said Arthur, 'and promise me thatyou will continue to teach me. '

"His broad, black eyebrows immediately contracted into a great frown;and he said gruffly--'Very well, I will try you once more, ' and left theroom. 

"For a few moments there was silence; then a distressed expression cameover Arthur's face, as he said--'Mamma, my teacher was very--(he was ata loss for a word) very _singular_ with me to-day--don't you think so, mamma?'

"'What do you mean by _singular_?'

"'Why, not as he usually is--not at all. '

"'His reproofs seemed perfectly just to me; you were not perfect in yourlessons. '

"'Well, mamma, I do not deny that; but at all other times he has been sokind and patient, and never treated me with such unexpected severity. '

"'Ah!' said his mother, 'I am afraid, then, that this morning he wasindulging in ILL TEMPER. '

"Arthur hung his head, and was silent: his conscience was busywhispering to him, and the rest of the morning passed painfully; butafter luncheon, he prepared for a walk with joy, for the day was lovely, and the air exhilarating. 

"But all at once the sky became overcast, and very soon after the rainfell in torrents. 

"'Oh, dear me, how tiresome!' cried Arthur, 'just when I am going totake a walk; it is perfectly hateful. '

"'God sends the rain, ' said his mother, gently. 

"Arthur hung his head again without answering. What could he say, indeed? But with his new resolution strong in his mind, he determinedto bear this disappointment with patience; and he called Jumbo to playwith him. 

"But the cat, usually so quick to come purring to his knee, remainedjust where he was, as if he had been suddenly struck deaf, and dumb, andblind. Arthur went to him, and tried to take him in his arms; but hehissed at his playmate, and scampered away with his back and tail highin the air, and hid under the sofa. 

"'Ah me!' sighed Arthur, 'I suppose Jumbo is like the rest; he isindulging in ILL TEMPER, too. '

"'Not quite that, ' observed his mother; 'but animals have _memories_. '

"'I think you had better say that they are spiteful, mamma. '

"'Perhaps they are, my son; but they have no reason, while _we_ arecapable of controlling our impatience, and governing our passions, if weask God to help us. '

"Upon this Arthur fairly broke down; and, bursting into tears, sobbedout--'Oh, dear mamma, I understand the lesson I have received from everyone to-day. Do believe that I will try with all my strength to conquermy ill temper: I promise you. Do, please mamma, forgive me. '

"His mother wound her loving arms around her son, and tenderly kissedhim, and said--'I forgive you, my dear child, with all my heart, and wewill both pray to our Heavenly Father to send down His Holy Spirit toguide and direct your efforts to do right. You have borne yourdisappointments to-day with patience and resignation; and I feel thatyou will soon be the good, sweet-tempered boy, you were a year ago. '

"Arthur kept his promise, and whenever he was tempted to give a crossanswer, or get in a passion, he was sure to remember in time thecelebrated day when everybody, by his mother's instructions, attemptedhis cure, by showing him, in their own persons, the unlovelyconsequences of indulging in

 ILL TEMPER. "

 * * * * *

"What a nice story!" exclaimed the children, "and what a good way ofcuring Arthur--better than a hundred whippings. When we do any thingbad, mamma, you must punish us Aunt Fanny's way. Couldn't you punish usfor something now?"

The little mother laughed at this comical request, and said--"I can'tthink of any thing just now to punish you for; and I hope you don't wantto do any thing naughty on purpose. "

"O dear, no!" cried the children, but George, with a good-humoredtwinkle in his eye, added--"At any rate, mamma, the next time Harry putssalt into the sugar-bowl, and makes me spoil my coffee, I intend to putpowdered sugar into the salt-cellar for him to sprinkle over his stewedoysters. "

"Oh, do!" cried all the children; "only think of oysters and sugar!perfectly dreadful!"

"'Well, ' said Harry, laughing, 'I shall have to buy a snuff-box, then, and keep it in my pocket full of salt. '

"'But don't forget yourself, ' said Anna, 'and politely offer a pinch ofit to the first old lady you meet; she might think you meant to play atrick upon her, you know. '

"'What an idea!' cried Harry; 'I wouldn't do such a thing; I shouldthink it would make her sneeze worse than any snuff. Wouldn't it?'

"'The best way to find that out, ' said George, with a roguish smile, 'would be to take a good pinch yourself. '

"While this conversation had been going on, little Johnny haddisappeared in the pantry; and now, at this very moment, he came out, screaming: 'Oh! my nose hurts! my nose hurts!' and ran to his mother. 

"It seems that, anxious to find out what kind of snuff salt would make, he had privately walked into the pantry, and had snuffed and poked quitea quantity into his poor little nose, and now it smarted as if twentyhornets had stung him at once; and he jumped up and down with the pain. 

"They had a great time soaking his nose in warm water, and felt verysorry for him, though they could not, for their lives, help laughingwhen George said that Johnny had salted and pickled his nose so well, that it would keep in the hottest weather; at any rate, it would lasthim as long as he lived; which comforted Johnny very much, for hethought that it might have to be cut off to get the salt out. 

"After this they bid everybody good night, and went to bed, and Johnnysaid he felt 'pretty _compertuffle_. ' His mother had told him that 'goodlittle Henry, ' of whom you have read, always said 'compertuffle' for'comfortable, ' and Johnny thought it was just the right word to expresshis feelings. "

THE FIFTH LETTER. 

THE ROSE CROWN. 

_For Clara. _

DEAR, TENDER-HEARTED LITTLE CLARA:--In the olden time, there was abeautiful superstition in Germany, that on Christmas eve our Saviour, just as he was when a little child here below, comes at midnight in atthe door, and fills all those children's shoes with gifts, who havefollowed His example of goodness and obedience. You know that _you_hang up your _stockings_, and Santa Claus comes down the chimney; butthe little German children believe that they are far more blessed. It isa beautiful idea, for it brings Him, who for our sakes became a littlechild on earth, more closely and lovingly to the children's hearts. Theygrow up sure of His love and sympathy, from infancy to old age. 

I have asked Sarah ("the doctor") to write me another story after theGerman fashion, on purpose for you. She has given me this "Rose Crown;"and the story turns upon the sweet and solemn belief of the Germanchildren. 

You will perceive that the little Gottfried in the story thought of thiswith such intensity, and with such perfect faith in its truth, as tocause him to walk in his sleep, like a somnambulist. No doubt your dearmother can tell you many strange and extraordinary stories ofsomnambulists, who do the most wonderful and startling things while inthis kind of trance state, of which they are utterly unconscious whenthey awake. 

I hope this story will please my dear little Clara; it is called

THE ROSE CROWN. 

"It was Christmas eve, and a cold winter's day. The flakes of snow fellsoftly and thickly, and had already covered the earth with a whitecloak. 

"At one of the windows of the large house that stands on the top of thehill, where the purple violets first peep out in the spring-time, stoodthe little Gottfried and his sister Marie. 

"'Only look, dear Marie, ' said Gottfried, 'how fast the snow falls! Whatlarge flakes! They look like little milk-white doves. '

"'It is the Mother Holle shaking her feather-beds, ' cried Marie, laughing; and looking up towards the sky, and beckoning with her hand, she sang--

 "'Mother Holle, Good wife Holle, Fill the meadows fair and full: Stay not, pause not, Shake away, Make the snow fall fast to-day. '

"'Oh! I can sing a prettier song than thine, ' said Gottfried. 'Listen, now. The good wife Katarine taught it to me;' and he sang--

 "'See the snow-flakes, Merry snow-flakes! How they fall from yonder sky, Coming lightly, coming sprightly, Dancing downwards, from on high. Faint or tire, will they never, Wheeling round and round forever. Surely nothing do I know, Half so merry as the snow; Half so merry, merry, merry, As the dancing, glancing snow. 

 "'See the snow-flakes, Solemn snow-flakes! How they whiten, melt and die. In what cold and shroud-like masses O'er the buried earth they lie. Lie as though the frozen plain Ne'er would bloom with flowers again. Surely nothing do I know, Half so solemn as the snow, Half so solemn, solemn, solemn, As the falling, melting snow. '

"'Ah! thy song is sad, brother, ' said little Marie: 'it makes me sigh. '

"As she spoke, a little boy, poorly clad, was seen coming up the avenue;and Gottfried exclaimed--'Here comes Heinrich!' and running out of theroom, he presently returned, leading by the hand Heinrich, the littlefaggot-maker, whose mother, a poor but pious widow, lived in a hut justout of the village. 

"'Why, Heinrich, where hast thou been this cold day?' asked Marie. 

"'Taking my faggots to Herr Kaufferman's, ' said the poor boy. 'But oh, Gottfried, they have there the most beautiful Christmas Tree!' and thenHeinrich paused and sighed. 

"'And to-night the dear Christkindchen, or Holy Child, will bring thempresents, ' said Gottfried. 'I hope he will fill _thy_ shoes full. '[A]

"'Alas! the Christ-child never comes to me, ' said Heinrich. 

"'What! hast thou never heard how he comes at midnight, bearing alighted taper and a crown of white roses, and gives presents to allthe good children?'

[Illustration: THE BAD BOY TAUNTING HEINRICH. ]

"'My mother has told me of this, ' said Heinrich, 'and I have waited andwatched, but he _never_ comes! He never _will_ come. It was onlyyesterday that I met Hans, the butcher's son, and he mocked me, andsnapped his fingers in my face, and said--"Thou art so poor, that thyshoes will never have any thing in them;" and I was so angry, and wantedto strike him, but my mother said I must never fight or quarrel with anyone, and I went away from him; but it is hard to be poor, ' and here hebegan to cry. 

"'Ah! yes, it is sad, dear Heinrich; but do not weep; here, wipe thineeyes with my new pocket-handkerchief. Come, now, be happy; and I willpray to the Christ-child, and beg him to come this very night to thee. '

"At this the little faggot-maker's face brightened, and soon after hewent away. 

"In the evening, the children had their supper, and soon after theystood by the knee of their kind mother, and sang this hymn:

 "Jesus, our Shepherd! we ask for thy blessing, Through the long hours of this dreary night; Let us not know (thy kind favor possessing) Danger or sorrow, till morning is bright. 

 "Jesus, our Saviour! oh! grant thy protection, To thy dear arms we have trustingly come; Oh, Lamb of God! make secure our election, Guard us, and keep us, and call us thine own. 

 "Jesus, our Crown! Oh, thou Heavenly Glory! Humbly we kneel, and entreat thee to love, Bless and receive us, as in Bible story, Till we shall come to thy mansion above. "

"When they had finished the hymn, they reverently repeated theirprayers; and then, each bidding the other good night and sweet dreams, went to their white-curtained beds. 

"Later at night, their mother came to see that they were warm. Gottfriedwas still awake; he was troubled about little Heinrich; and he told hismother how the poor boy had grieved because the Christ-child never cameto him. 'I have prayed to Him, dear mother; do you think He will hearme?' said the tender-hearted boy. 

"'Yes, dear child, ' said the mother, 'dost thou not remember what thehymn says?

 "'And when, dear Jesus, I kneel down, Morning and night to prayer, Something there is within my heart, Which tells me THOU ART THERE. "

"'He works sometimes through _human_ hands; and now look thou, my littleGottfried, ' continued his mother, kissing him, 'I will make this night awreath of white roses for thee, and fasten a purse about the stems, withsome golden guilders within, and thou shalt take it to Heinrichto-morrow morning. '

"'Ah, thou dearest mother!' cried Gottfried, joyfully, and the lovingkisses were pressed upon her cheek. 'The dear Jesus has heard mealready;' and kneeling in the bed, he poured out his grateful thanks;and then lying down, he soon fell asleep, with a bright flush ofhappiness upon his face. 

 * * * * *

"The snow had ceased to fall, and it was late, but still in the widow'scottage the fitful fire-light (for candles there were none) showed herbending over some work. By her side on the hearth crouched the littleHeinrich. 

"'Go to bed, dear child, ' said his mother; 'it is too late for thee. '

"'Ah, dear mother! let me wait for thee, ' answered the boy; 'it is socold and dark in our little room above. ' He was silent for a moment, gazing into the fire in a wishful manner; then he said--'Mother, dostthou think the Christ-child will indeed hear Gottfried's prayer, andcome to me and thee?'

"'I hope he will, my Heinrich, ' said the sad mother, smiling faintly. 

"'Ah, but mother, dost thou not _know_ it?'

"The fire burned low, and the poor woman could no longer see. She put upthe coarse sewing with a sigh, and resting her hand tenderly on herboy's head, sat quite still. 

"Not a sound was heard. The light in the room was dim, and gloom hadsettled upon the hearts of both mother and child. 

"Hark! what was that?

"A low tap sounded at the door, and then it slowly opened; and to theastonished gaze of the two sitting by the hearth, there appeared thefigure of a little child. A snow-white robe draped his slender limbs. Inone hand he bore a lighted taper, and in the other a most beautifulwreath of white roses. His dark blue eyes shone with an unearthlylustre, as it appeared to the amazed and bewildered Heinrich, and hisgolden curls floated upon his shoulders. 

"'Oh! mother! mother!' whispered Heinrich, almost breathless, 'it is theChrist-child in very truth come to me at last. His face is likeGottfried's--only far more beautiful;' and mother and son sank on theirknees. 

"Slowly the little form advanced towards them, paused before Heinrich, lightly placed the rose crown upon his head, and then, the sweet lipsparting in a faint, tender smile, it waved its little hand towards him, and disappeared from their sight. 

"When they could speak, the mother and son bowed their heads in thankfulprayer, then lifted their brimming eyes to each other. 

"'Truly thou hast been wondrously rewarded, my Heinrich, ' said the poorwidow; 'give the beautiful crown to me, that I may see what the dearChrist-child has brought to thee. '

"She stirred the fire, and put on some light wood to make a blaze, andthen Heinrich lifted the crown from his head. As he did so--oh! wonder!there fell from it a silken purse, and through the deep crimson networkthey could see the yellow gleam of gold. 

 * * * * *

"With the early blush of morning little Gottfried awoke, and the firstthing he did was to run smilingly to the door to find his shoes. Therethey were, in good truth, crammed to the very top with presents. Marie, too, awoke at the moment, and from each little white bed there arosedelighted exclamations and merry shouts of joy. 

"Now their mother entered, and said--'A merry Christmas to you, mychildren. '

"With joyful kisses they welcomed her, and breathlessly showed her theirgifts; then Gottfried exclaimed--'Oh! mother! I have had such apleasant dream; I dreamed that the dear Christ-child went to Heinrichwith the wreath, and gave it to him. '

"'Well, thou shalt take it thyself this morning, dear child, when thouhast eaten thy breakfast. '

"But what was this? Where could the wreath be? The good mother, faithfulto her promise had made it the evening before, and had laid it on thetable in the parlor, but it was not to be found. 

"This loss put the little Gottfried in such distress, that his motherpromised quickly to make another; and she was just preparing to hastenout to purchase the roses, when Heinrich ran in, his mother following;and, scarcely pausing for breath, the boy told the wonderful thing thathad happened to them in the night. 

"With a sudden understanding of the strange and beautiful story, Gottfried's mother took Heinrich's mother aside, and whispered to herhow the rose crown had mysteriously disappeared from the house in thenight. 

"The two mothers gazed into each other's faces, and then looked withlove and wonder at the little unconscious Gottfried. Tender tears andsmiles struggled in their faces, for they knew in a moment that it washe who had risen in his sleep, had taken the rose crown to Heinrich, andhad laid his head upon his pillow again without waking. 

"When they gently and tenderly told the strange tale to the wonderingchildren, Heinrich, bursting into tears, threw his arms passionatelyround Gottfried's neck, and sobbed out--'Oh! Gottfried! how thou musthave loved me to have done this thing, even while sleeping;' and thegrateful boy never forgot it. He kept his crown of roses as his dearesttreasure, though they soon became withered and brown; and Gottfried andHeinrich were always friends, though one was rich and the other poor;and each mother loved and blessed the child of the other even as herown. "

 [NOTE. --This story was suggested by reading about Christmas in Germany, in Bayard Taylor's "Views Afoot. "]

 * * * * *

"A--h!" sighed the children, when the story was finished; "this is thebest of all! How those two German boys must have loved each other everafter. "

"Gottfried must have been almost as good as Charley, " said Clara, with aglance full of love towards her brother. The little girl, with hersweet, sensitive nature, and gentle, caressing ways, seemed closer toCharley than the rest, though he loved all his brothers and sisters withhis whole heart; but Clara was softer and tenderer, and murmured out herlove in such a dove-like way, that, next to his mother, the sick boyliked to have her smooth his hair, and hold his hand, and kneel by hisside in prayer; and the rest of the children knew this, and lovinglygave Clara "her place. " Not a shade of envy, that black and wickedpassion, ever entered their hearts; for, as I have many times written, this was the home of LOVE. 

FOOTNOTE:

[A] In Germany, they fill the children's shoes instead of theirstockings. 

THE SIXTH LETTER. 

THE HUNT FOR A STEAMBOAT. 

_To Johnny. _

DEAR LITTLE JOHNNY:--I have heard such a cunning little story about twolittle children that live in New York, that I have written it out foryou; I shall begin it, "Once upon a time"--the way you like best. Hereit is:

THE HUNT FOR A STEAMBOAT. 

"Once upon a time little Harry was playing in the parlor, and his kindmother was reading. Presently the door opened, and a lady entered, holding by the hand the dearest little bit of a girl you ever saw, aboutthree years old, with such sweet blue eyes and soft curling hair, thatshe looked almost like a fairy. 

"Harry's mother was very glad to see the lady; she kissed her and littleNannie, and made them sit on the very best sofa, and Harry kissedNannie, and everybody seemed very much pleased. 

"After saying what a very fine day it was, just as all the grown peopledo when they begin to talk, Nannie's mamma began to tell Harry's mammasomething very wonderful, when, all at once, they saw Harry's eyesopened about as big round as a pair of saucers, and a dozen ears seemedto have sprouted out all over his head; and he was listening to thewonderful story with every one of them. 

"Harry's mamma thought that would never do, and she said--'My son, Nannie's mamma and I want to talk secrets, and it is not right for sucha little boy as you to hear them; so take the dear little girl out ofthe room, and show her every thing she wants to see. Mind, dear! _showher every thing_. '

"So Harry took Nannie's hand, and led her out of the room. He felt quitebashful at first, and when he got into the hall and had shut the door, he dropped her hand; and then the two children stood and looked at eachother like two pussy cats on a fence; only they looked a great dealprettier, because, you know, neither of them had any fierce whiskers orlong claws. Not they, indeed! I suppose Harry will have whiskers one ofthese days, if he lives to be a man; but Nannie will never have any, because if she Jives a thousand years she will never be a great, roughman, but a beautiful little woman, which is a great comfort to think of. 

"At last Harry said--'Say, Nannie, what do you want to see?'

"'I want to tee a 'teamboat. '

"'A steamboat!' exclaimed Harry. 

"'Ess, a 'teamboat--big one!' said little Nannie. 

"Harry looked puzzled; but he took her hand again, and led her verycarefully up the long flight of stairs, and into every room on thesecond floor. They looked under the beds and into the band-boxes, openedall the bureau drawers and wardrobe doors, peered down into thebath-tub, and almost tumbled in, and couldn't find a steamboat. Thenthey went up stairs again, and all over the rooms in the third story--nosteamboat there. 

"Then they went up stairs again, and all over the rooms in the top ofthe house, opened all the cook's bundles, the waiter's boxes, thechambermaid's trunk, and the laundress's umbrella; but not a singlesteamboat was to be seen. 

"What was poor Harry to do?

"He _must_ mind his mamma; and Nannie kept saying--'I want to tee a'teamboat. '

"All of a sudden Harry spied a globe of the world in one corner of theattic, and he cried out--'Here, Nannie, let's look on this world and seeif we can find one. '

[Illustration]

"So down they nestled close together, and turned the world round andround, but, strange to tell, there was not a single steamboat sailing onit. It was really too bad. 

"They came down stairs again, and then a bright thought struckHarry--'Oh, yes!' he exclaimed, 'I know where a steamboat is. Dear me!certainly! Come, Nannie, hurry. '

"Down they went to the hall, and Harry put on his cap, and opened thefront door, and the children went out. Hand in hand they trotted merrilyalong, both delighted to think that at last they were on the track of asteamboat. 

"After walking a long way, they came to a rough board fence, and Harrypeeped through a knot-hole to see what was inside. He looked so long, that Nannie cried impatiently--'Let me see the 'teamboat. '

"'No, it isn't, ' said Harry; 'it's some boys playing ball. Come andlook. '

"Nannie went close to the fence, and stood on the very tips of herlittle toes, but the knot-hole was too high; so Harry lifted her withall his strength, and she had a fine time seeing the boys playing ball. 

"As he let her come down rather suddenly, she caught her frock in asplinter of wood in the fence, and it was torn from top to bottom. 'Oh, my!' said Nannie, looking at her dress, 'what a _gate_ hole; oh, my!'

"'Oh, never mind it, ' cried Harry, 'that's nothing;' and he laughed somerrily, that Nannie thought to tear dresses was great fun, and laughedtoo. 

"On they went, hand in hand, and every fence they came to where therewere no houses, they peeped through and searched for the steamboat; andthey scrambled and fell against so many rough boards, that Nannie'spretty little new hat that her kind grandmamma had just given her, wasall bent and torn and twisted, till from a nice little round hat, itcame to be a queer-looking, five-cornered one, with one end of ribbonover her nose, and another sticking out behind; and the beautiful lacecap inside was only fit for the rag-bag. Did you ever hear any thinglike it?

"Well, the dear little things wandered on, Harry knowing that he wasminding his mamma, like a good boy. He was very happy; because, youknow, children that are obedient and good are never any thing else. Ofcourse not. 

"And little Nannie's lovely blue eyes were very busy looking all overthe world for the steamboat. 

"At last they came to an open space--I believe, in Seventy-secondstreet, where the Central Park is; and a very amiable-looking policeman, who fortunately at that time was wide awake, happened to look that way. 

"He was very much astonished when he saw such little creatures allalone; and Nannie, looking as if she had been in the wars; but, in spiteof her torn dress, looking like just what she was--the tender little petof a household, watched over, and loved, and cared for night and day;and Harry, too, it was plain to see, with his bright eyes and manlybearing, was of gentle birth and breeding. 

"So the policeman walked up to them, and said--'I suppose this is TomThumb and his wife out for a walk. '

"'No, it isn't, ' said Harry; 'my name is Harry. '

"'And what is yours, little lady?'

"'My name 'ittle Nannie. '

"'Where did you come from?'

"'Home, ' said Harry. 

"'Where is home?'

"'Why, in Thirty-second street, to be sure; don't you know?'

"'Did you run away?' said the policeman. 

"'No, ' said Harry, and his eyes blazed with indignation, 'I'm mindingmamma; she told me to show Nannie every thing, and Nannie wanted to seea steamboat, and I'm finding one for her now!'

"At this the policeman laughed, and then he looked so kindly at thechildren, that I suspect he had a dozen children of his own at hishouse, and that made him love every other little child. Why, bless yourdear little heart, I love all the little children in the whole world, because I love you so dearly. 

[Illustration: THE STEAMBOAT HARRY AND EMMA WERE LOOKING FOR. ]

"Then the policeman said--'Well, Harry, you are a long way from home;and I think you had better put off the steamboat-hunting business tillsome other day. Your mother may think you and Nannie are a little tooyoung to travel about the world by yourselves. Come; I will go backwith you. '

"It was very fortunate he did, for though Harry knew very well whatstreet he lived in, he did not know how to get to it; and it would havebeen a sad thing for the dear little creatures if they had been lost. But now the good policeman took Nannie in his arms, because she wasgetting very tired, and Harry by the hand, and they all got into arailroad car, and before long were at the house. 

"But oh! what a distracted house! For when Nannie's mother had finishedthe wonderful secret, and wanted to leave, the children were not to befound. They searched the house; they examined the bath-tubs andwash-tubs; they went out into the garden and down into the cellar, butthey were not to be found; and then the weeping, terrified mothers wentout into the street, and asked everybody they met, if they had seen thechildren. 

[Illustration]

"The waiter, who was just setting the table for dinner, rushed round thecorner, brandishing the carving-knife like a pistol, and frightened afashionable young gentleman out of all his five wits, for he thought itwas a crazy man, trying to kill him; and when he turned round he wasscared again, for there was the laundress, who had started out with awet shirt in her hands, which she was just starching; there _she_ was, waving it about in the wind, like a flag of distress, and crying as hardas she could. 

[Illustration]

"Then the waiter dropped the carving-knife, and flew up the street, while the fat cook, who had left a pudding half-made in the kitchen, ranafter him, dropping her pudding-stick, and wheezing dreadfully; andaway in the distance, they saw the chambermaid, with the broomstick inher hand, and her hair all about her ears. She looked so like a witch, from grief and fright, that as she disappeared, the people looking afterher were sure she had mounted the broomstick the very next moment, andhad flown over the tops of the houses. 

"Dear me! what a terrible time it was! But you see they all loved Harryso much, that they were almost crazy, and that made them cut up allthese didoes. 

"All came back lamenting, for no children had been found; and thedistressed mothers were just writing a note to send to thepolice-office, to order the whole city to be searched, when--a quickring at the bell--Could it be? Out they all rushed, mothers, cook, waiter, chambermaid, laundress, the cat, and the dog. The door wasopened, and, oh, joyful sight! there stood the children and thepoliceman, all laughing together. 

"No wonder they all screamed and cried, and laughed and talked, all in abunch. Nobody cared a pin for Nannie's torn dress and five-corneredbonnet, when the darling child was safe, and hugged tight to hermother's breast; and Harry and his mother had a grand kissing time too. Why, dear me! they almost wanted to kiss the good policeman, they wereso glad; not quite, though; but they gave him what he thought was quiteastonishing--something that came out of a purse, and shone like gold;and between you and me, it _was_ gold. 

"And Harry's mother was not the least angry with him, when she heardthat he was such a good boy, and was only minding his mamma when he wentall over the world with Nannie to find a steamboat: no, indeed! Shekissed him again. But let me tell you as a great secret, that she wasvery careful after that to tell Harry to look for steamboats, or anything else little girls or he might want to see, _inside_ of the house;and although it is many months since this happened, I know that Harryand Nannie have not been steamboat-hunting since; but they are bothgood, lovely children, and both mind their mammas. "

"Oh, dear!" exclaimed Johnny, "_my_ story is tip-top! I wish you wouldread it right over again, mamma. "

"Yes, mamma, do!" cried all the rest. "It is _so_ interesting. Dearlittle Nannie, she's a darling!"

"I wonder if her grandmother gave her a new hat, " said Minnie. "_I_would, if _I_ was her grandmother. "

The children laughed at the idea of Minnie's being a grandmother, andHarry said--"Come, sit on my lap, grandmother, and let me see if youknow your letters yet. " Minnie did not like this much, but as Harrycalled her his "dear little pet" the next moment, she forgave himimmediately. 

"But Aunt Fanny has written something else in this letter, " said themother. "Shall I read it, or repeat the story?"

"Oh! read all the letter _this time_, " cried the children, "and thestory again to-morrow night. "

The little mother read on. 

"And now, my dear children, I have sent you six stories; and if any onewill count the boots and shoes in the first Nightcap book, they willfind that there are the surprising number of thirteen of you!--a baker'sdozen. 

"Let me see how many are left. 

"Minnie and Willie, and Bennie and Lillie, and dear little Fanny, my_namesake, and Katie and Pet_. I think I will write to this dear littleband collectively, and the stories shall make the 'Little NightcapLetters;' and the little darlings shall have them all to themselves. "

"Oh, yes! yes! yes! that will be a grand plan!" cried the children. "Didyou ever hear of such a sensible Aunt Fanny? She makes it just as welike it. "

"If you like this plan, " Aunt Fanny goes on to say, "then the 'BigNightcap Letters' are finished with this story sent to Johnny; and thatyou will all grow wiser, and better, and fatter over them, is the lovingwish of your

 "AUNT FANNY. "

And so the Big Nightcap Letters were ended; and the children went off tobed good, thankful, and content, and rose the next day good, thankful, and content. 

Pray Heaven, dear little reader, you may always do the same. 

THE END. 

Important New Juveniles, PUBLISHED BY

D. APPLETON & CO. , 346 & 348 BROADWAY. 

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Transcriber's Notes:

Obvious punctuation errors repaired. 

Page 7, Table of Contents, the first letter actually begins on page 9. The original read 8. 

Page 7, Table of Contents, "ILLTEMPER" changed to "ILL TEMPER" (GEORGE. ILL TEMPER)

Page 7, Table of Contents, "106" changed to "108" for the Fourth Letter

Page 103, the text changes a character's name from "Dinah" to "Binah. "This was retained as in another of this series, the character's name isindeed Binah there. 

Page 127, "embarrased" changed to "embarrassed" (still more embarrassed)

Page 146, "Christ-kindcherr" changed to "Christkindchen" (the dearChristkindchen)