,transcriber's note3 ,unusual and inconsistent spelling is as printed4 ,new original cover art included with this e,book is granted to the public domain4 ,illustration3 ,,nannie4 ,a ,,day ,,in ,,the ,,country ,,and ,,other ,,stories ,,from ,,the ,,pansy ,illustration ,,boston ,d4 ,,lothrop ,,and ,,company ,,franklin ,,and ,,hawley ,,streets ,copyright by ,d4 ,,lothrop ,,and ,,company #ahhe ,,contents4 ,a ,,day ,,in ,,the ,,country4 ,,why ,,madge ,,changed ,,her ,,mind4 ,,nannie',s ,,lesson4 ,,foolish ,,children4 ,,some ,,curious ,,fishes4 ,,time ,,enough4 ,a ,,cup ,,of ,,cold ,,water4 ,,on ,,nantucket ,,wharf4 ,,lily ,,day4 ,,the ,,greenlander4 ,,some ,,young ,,heroes4 ,,the ,,secret ,,of ,,it4 ,,the ,,true ,,way ,,to ,,be ,,happy4 ,,the ,,king ,,of ,,the ,,white ,,lily4 ,a ,,day ,,in ,,the ,,country ,,and ,,other ,,stories ,a ,,day ,,in ,,the ,,country4 ,,they were on their way to ,sabbath-school that pleasant ,september morning4 ,maggie and ,lottie ,barnes1 ,delia and ,sallie ,shaw4 ,they lived in the city of ,boston4 ,because they lived in a large city1 do not go and make a picture in your mind of four little ladies with new fall suits of silk or velvet1 or soft cashmere1 and new hats with nodding plumes or flying ribbons1 and trim boots1 very high1 and trim gloves very long1 and many buttons everywhere1 because that will not be at all a true picture4 ,their dresses were all faded and worn4 ,maggie wore an old black shawl of her mother's1 that trailed a little on the ground4 ,delia considered herself royally arrayed in a rusty old black velvet sack much too large for her1 while ,lottie had no protection front the cool autumn air but a soiled and faded blue silk handkerchief spread over her shoulders1 her hat1 in spite of being loaded down with purple ribbon and red roses1 went sailing off her head with every gust of wind that came along1 because it had no rubber on it4 ,then poor ,sallie had on low shoes much too large for her4 ,they would keep getting down at the heel and coming off as she clattered along1 and she had often to stoop over and adjust them4 ,with these hindrances of hat and shoes of course they could not1 you see1 go on in a very orderly manner4 ,they were discussing something in very loud tones4 ,nobody had ever told them it was rude to talk loud in the streets4 ,they were bemoaning the fact that all the girls they knew except themselves1 had been to the country to spend a few days4 ,i wanted to go so much1 little ,sallie said1 tugging at her shoe as she spoke2 ,i wanted to see some flowers growing4 ,i should think we might have gone as well as the rest1 said ,delia4 ,i think it's mean to skip us4 ,the money give out1 said ,lottie1 clutching at her hat to prevent its escape4 ,money is the matter with most everything1 ,maggie said1 drawing her shawl closer about her with a grown-up air1 and a grown-up sigh4 ,the money of which the children talked was ,the ,fresh ,air ,fund1 a sum of money that good men and women raised to give poor children who live in the great city a chance to go into the country for a few days1 and breathe the sweet air1 run on the grass1 pick flowers1 and drink fresh milk1 all about which they knew nothing4 ,this ,mission ,school was very large1 but nearly all had been to the country2 some for two whole weeks4 ,by some means these little girls had been overlooked4 ,mrs4 ,eastman1 their teacher1 had been absent from her class for six weeks1 and all were glad to see her pleasant face in the teacher's chair this morning4 ,now ,i suppose you must first tell me what a fine time you had in the country1 she said but as our class is so large1 we shall not be able to hear a story from each one4 ,let all who had a good time in the country raise their hands4 ,the hands went up instantly--all except four4 ,they sat together1 so ,mrs4 ,eastman had no trouble in seeing their hands were not raised1 and that they did not wear the bright look of the other children4 ,what is the matter here8 she asked kindly4 ,no hands up this end of the class8 ,maggie1 ,lottie1 how is it8 ,did you not like the country8 ,we never went to no country1 the little girls responded in a chorus4 ,after ,mrs4 ,eastman had inquired all about it1 and heard how much they wished to go1 and said how sorry she was that it had happened so1 she wrote down very carefully their names1 and just where they lived4 ,then she asked them if they had ever told ,jesus about it4 ,no1 we never did1 they said4 ,well1 my dear little girls1 she said1 don't you know when you have trouble1 there is where you must take it8 ,you must tell ,jesus to-night how much you want to go to the country1 and ask him to send you4 ,you know it would not be a good thing for you to go for a long visit1 now that your schools have opened1 but if you could go for one day1 would you not like it8 ,oh1 yes1 yes6 they all answered again4 ,well you ask him1 and then wait and see what he will do4 ,it was almost as good as going to the country to have such loving eyes look into theirs1 and say1 ,my dear little girls6 ,they all promised to do as she wished them to4 ,i don't see how it'll be done1 ,maggie said1 on the way home1 when the money is all gone2 but teacher said ,jesus could do hard things4 ,monday was a long day1 because these little girls were expecting something to happen4 ,for had not teacher said1 ,ask ,jesus1 and see what he will do for you8 ,sun enough1 great news was waiting them when they got home4 ,maggie and ,lottie came running over to ,mrs4 ,shaw's all out of breath4 ,look at that6 said ,maggie1 holding out a note written on rose tinted paper1 in letters almost as plain as print4 ,look at that6 said ,sallie1 holding up the mate to it4 ,teacher's been to our house1 said ,maggie4 ,and teacher's been to our house6 ,sallie responded triumphantly4 ,these notes from ,teacher were invitations for the little girls to spend the day with her at her country home on ,saturday4 ,they were to take the seven o'clock train at the ,old ,colony station1 and ride about fifteen miles1 and there ,mrs4 ,eastman would be waiting with her carriage4 ,think of that6 ,a carriage waiting for them6 ,the day came at last4 ,great had been the preparations all the week2 each ,sunday dress had been made as nice as washing1 ironing and mending could make it4 ,and they were all at the-depot by half-past six1 in a high state of excitement4 ,the day was perfect4 ,they enjoyed every minute of the ride in the cars4 ,the conductor had orders to leave them at a certain station4 ,no sooner had they stepped from the cars1 than they saw the smiling face of their teacher4 ,they were soon seated in a handsome carriage and rolling over a smooth road4 ,the air was sweet and pure1 the birds sang1 the squirrels skipped about in the trees1 and the golden ,october sunshine made the world beautiful that morning4 ,so you told ,jesus about it1 did you8 ,mrs4 ,eastman asked4 ,yes'm1 we did1 said little ,sallie4 ,we told him ,sunday night1 and he 'tended to it the first thing ,monday morning4 ,illustration3 ,,making ,,wreaths ,,for ,,their ,,hats4 ,,why ,,madge ,,changed ,,her ,,mind4 ,,grandma',s room was the very handsomest one in the house4 ,madge and ,nellie thought it was the pleasantest at least4 ,a bay window overlooked the street1 where busy people came and went2 two other large windows1 that were doors as well1 opened on to a piazza1 and that piazza was a delightfully cool place to sit1 on warm days4 ,grandma's large chair was out there most of the time in summer4 ,then she had to take but a few steps and she was in the flower garden4 ,in winter the plants were in the conservatory1 of course1 and a glass door from grandma's room opened into that too4 ,between her pretty bedroom and the large room were folding doors4 ,there were soft carpets and lace curtains1 pictures1 great easy-chairs1 and everything for use and comfort and prettiness that could be thought of1 for everybody in the house thought nothing was too fine and nice for grandma1 and that was just as it should be4 ,it was a bright ,september morning1 but cool enough for grandma to have a fire snapping on her brass andirons in the fireplace4 ,some people dread to grow old1 because they are so foolish as to think that young folks have all the good looks2 but that is a great mistake4 ,grandma made just as pretty a picture in her black dress1 white cap1 and soft mull handkerchief folded about her neck1 with her red knitting work in her lap1 and the fire shining on her silver hair1 as ,madge and ,nellie did over in the window in blue dresses1 though their heads were brown and curly1 and their cheeks round1 and smooth1 and rosy4 ,they were busy with pencil and paper1 making out a list of little girls who were to be invited to their birthday party4 ,it happened that both birthdays came in ,september1 and so they could be celebrated together4 ,shall we invite ,minnie ,dale8 asked ,nellie4 ,no2 of course not1 ,madge answered with a curl of her pretty lip4 ,why not8 said ,nellie4 ,she's the best girl in school1 and she's pretty too4 ,well1 it won't do1 ,madge declared1 with the air and tone of a much older young lady than ten4 ,she doesn't belong4 ,belong to what8 ,she belongs to our day-school and our ,sunday-school4 ,oh1 what a little stupid you are1 laughed ,madge4 ,she doesn't belong to our set1 of course4 ,do you know where she lives8 ,she lives in that little bit of a brown house way down on ,cedar street1 just about as big as our smoke house4 ,does she8 said her sister4 ,why1 ,i thought she was as good as any of us4 ,she always wears pretty dresses1 and she acts--well1 sort o' stylish4 ,you mustn't say sort o'1 said ,madge4 ,you mean she has pretty manners2 that's what they call it4 ,oh1 yes2 she's nice enough1 but what do you suppose ,elsie ,melbourne1 and ,clara ,haines1 and ,lina ,vedder would say to meeting a girl here who lives in such a hut as that1 no matter how she looks and acts8 ,sure enough6 ,nellie answered4 ,it would not do1 would it8 ,grandma arose just then and went to the bureau4 ,she brought out a small rosewood box1 and sitting down again by the fire1 unlocked it4 ,this drew the children's attention4 ,they always liked to get a peep into grandma's treasures4 ,she had so many curious and pretty things1 and told such nice stories about them4 ,so they came over to her1 and this was just what she wished them to do4 ,do you want to see my old home8 ,grandma said as she brought out a drawing and handed it to them4 ,why1 grandma1 what do you mean8 they both said at once4 ,why1 this is a log house6 ,madge said4 ,and it's such a little bit of a house6 said ,nellie4 ,now1 grandma1 you truly didn't ever live there8 ,i truly did6 grandma answered4 ,and a prettier home1 or a happier one you never saw4 ,when ,i was married1 ,i went with your grandfather to live in this little house4 ,it stood among the trees1 and there was a brook not far away that went racketing over the stones4 ,we used to take long walks in summer1 after tea2 in summer evenings following up that little brook4 ,sometimes it ran through green meadows1 and then it wound and twisted itself around the hills and on into the dark1 cool woods4 ,there were moss-covered stones in it1 and ferns and violets grew on its banks3 such a pretty place as you never saw1 my dears6 ,but how could you live in such a very little house8 ,oh6 ,plenty of room1 said grandma4 ,you wouldn't believe it to look at it1 but in that house we had a parlor1 bedroom1 dining-room and kitchen4 ,when we bought it1 it had but one large room with a shed at the back4 ,so we set to work to make a nice place of it4 ,first of all your grandfather made the old shed into the neatest little kitchen with a corner cupboard4 ,he whitewashed it and set up our stove1 and ,i put our new dishes in the cupboard1 and it was as pretty as a little girl's playhouse4 ,the large room was a bare rough place1 but we made it white and pure with lime1 and ,i made a curtain out of some pretty chintz calico1 and pat it across one side of the room1 and that was my bedroom2 you see your grandma invented curtains between rooms1 which are now so fashionable1 long ago4 ,well1 when we had our carpet down1 and our pictures up1 our books on the shelf1 and our round table with a sage-green cloth over it1 a bright fire snapping in the great old fireplace1 an old armchair one side of the fire and my sewing rocker on the other1 ,i say1 there was no neater1 prettier place in the whole world4 ,but grandma1 where were your parlor and dining-room8 ,my child1 the parlor and dining-room were all in one4 ,the end of the room next the kitchen was the dining-room3 when meal time came it was a dining-room1 and when meals were over we just cleared off the table1 turned down the leaves1 set it back against the wall and put a spread on it1 and the room was a parlor again2 don't you see8 ,were you just as happy as you are in this handsome house8 asked ,madge1 casting her eyes over the beautiful room4 ,some of the happiest years of my life were spent in this dear humble home1 grandma said as she replaced the picture in the box with a last loving look at it4 ,just think1 said wise ,nellie1 looking thoughtfully into the fire1 if grandma was a little girl now she couldn't come to our party because she lived in a log house4 ,there is somebody greater than grandma you would shut out if ,he were here1 grandma said2 the ,lord ,jesus himself had no fine house4 ,he said the foxes and the birds had houses1 but he had none4 ,they went back to their work of making out a list4 ,madge1 ,nellie said pretty soon1 ,i guess ,jesus won't be pleased with such a party as we are getting up4 ,if you don't care1 ,i mean to ask mamma to let me have my party by myself some day1 and ,i'll invite ,minnie ,dale and that lame girl1 and that ,jessie ,moore in our class that wears calico dresses4 ,nellie ,bryant1 said ,madge1 don't you suppose ,i want to please ,jesus too1 instead of ,elsie ,melbourne1 or ,clara ,vedder1 or any of them8 ,i never thought how it would seem to him2 we'll ask ,minnie ,dale and everybody else mamma thinks best4 ,if grandma lived in a poor little house once1 who knows but ,minnie ,dale will live in a grander house than any of us some day8 ,yes2 and just think1 ,nellie answered1 if papa should lose his money like ,mr4 ,strong1 and we have to go into a little bit of a house1 wouldn't it seem dreadful to have the girls leave us out when they made parties1 and we would be the very same girls we always were1 too8 ,,nannie',s ,,lesson4 ,,little ,nannie ,greyson was sitting on her front piazza one bright ,june morning1 when everything around was fresh and bright1 but ,nannie herself was blind to all this beauty by which she was surrounded1 for she had just received a new book1 and was already deep in its pages4 ,nannie was a very pretty little girl about nine years old4 ,she had a fair skin1 large blue eyes and golden hair1 not long1 but falling to her neck in short1 pretty curls4 ,any one looking at her that ,june morning would immediately pronounce her very nice and lovable indeed4 ,the front door behind her is standing open1 and presently a lady comes through the wide hall1 and stands behind the little girl4 ,she looks down at her without speaking1 and the little girl finally becoming aware of her presence looks up into her face with a smile which makes her if anything1 more sweet and lovable4 ,o6 ,mamma1 she exclaims1 my book is so nice4 ,and drawing a deep sigh of satisfaction she prepares to return to it4 ,but her mamma is speaking1 and she stops to listen1 although very reluctantly1 ,i am sorry to say4 ,nannie1 her mamma says1 ,i want you to come and amuse ,herbie while ,i am busy in the kitchen4 ,herbie was ,nannie's two-year-old brother1 and a lively little fellow to take care of4 ,minnie threw down her book1 and when she looked up1 you would scarcely have recognized her as the same sweet little girl who looked so happy a few moments before4 ,an angry frown had settled on the smooth forehead over the blue eyes2 there was a fretful expression on her lips1 and she was entirely transformed from the bright1 pretty little girl whose mouth had been all smiles1 to a peevish child with a pout on her lips which was not at all becoming4 ,o1 mamma1 must ,i leave my book to take care of that tiresome baby8 ,it seems to me ,i never sit down to read but you want me to do something for you4 ,she knew she must go1 though1 and she got up slowly1 going through the hall1 up the staircase1 and into the nursery at the head of the stairs1 pouting and cross4 ,she knew that her mamma was deeply grieved1 and she knew also that she never would have called her from her book had it not been necessary4 ,illustration3 ,,herbie4 ,but still she pouted1 while ,herbie tried in his baby fashion to comfort her1 for he saw something was wrong4 ,she could not resist his baby coaxing very long1 and her ill-humor soon vanished1 and they had a merry game of romps4 ,two or three hours afterward while playing with a little friend on the back piazza1 she tore a bad hole in her dress4 ,running up-stairs to find mamma1 she found her after a little search in the nursery seated by the window1 in her rocking-chair with a book in her hand1 a very unusual thing for ,nannie's mamma1 and ,herbie at her feet1 busily engaged with his toys4 ,nannie hastened up to her1 saying3 ,o1 mamma1 just see what ,i have done2 won't you please mend it 'quick4' ,her mamma1 instead of looking up with her bright smile and ready consent1 threw down her book impatiently1 exclaiming1 as she did so3 ,oh dear1 ,nannie1 must ,i leave my nice book just to mend that tear8 ,it seems to me ,i never sit down to read1 but you want me to do something for you4 ,nannie's eyes filled with tears1 for she recognized her own words1 and knew that mamma meant to rebuke her in this way4 ,she raised her eyes to her mamma's face1 as if asking for pardon1 and as her mamma stretched out her arms1 she sprang into them1 sobbing her confession there4 ,nannie had learned a lesson1 and one that she never forgot4 ,,foolish ,,children4 ,,mrs4 ,,topknot is having trouble in her family to-night4 ,two weeks ago she was very happy when twelve soft1 downy darlings gathered under her wings4 ,she is not so happy now1 because some of them have been naughty4 ,it was just after dinner1 when mamma ,topknot was taking a nap1 that they took it into their heads4 ,whitey began it4 ,she was a proud little thing1 all white1 with not a black feather about her4 ,she thought she was the prettiest and smartest of the whole brood4 ,our feathers are all out now1 ,whitey said4 ,we're growing up4 ,let's take a little walk by ourselves4 ,that's so1 said ,blackey1 we'll do just that thing4 ,come on1 right off1 while mother's asleep2 we'll get back before ever she wakes4 ,won't it be fun8 whispered ,speckle4 ,come on1 all of you1 and don't make a bit of noise4 ,i'm not going to stir a single step1 little ,dove declared4 ,i'm going to stay close by my mother4 ,then every little chick looked up in astonishment1 to think that gentle little ,dovie would dare to speak her mind so plainly4 ,she's afraid6 said ,spot4 ,she's afraid a big grasshopper will carry her off4 ,i am afraid to disobey my mother1 ,dovie chirped out sweetly4 ,she said we were never to go anywhere without her till she gave us leave4 ,come on1 right off1 everybody who wants to go1 said ,blackey1 marching off1 calling out as he looked behind him3 ,i know where there are some big strawberries6 ,i know where there's a great black dog1 piped little ,gray4 ,i'm not going4 ,nor ,i1 said ,brownie4 ,so away went the naughty nine chickens1 and the three little good ones stayed at home4 ,they had a splendid time1 for ,bobby brought his apron full of chickweed and threw it on the barn floor4 ,they could get little bits of it1 even with their small bills4 ,illustration3 ,,mamma ,,topknot ,,and ,,her ,,family4 ,when mamma ,topknot awoke1 she looked about for her children4 ,only three to be found6 ,where could the others be8 ,she looked all about and called1 but they did not come4 ,supper time came1 and still they had not arrived4 ,cluck6 ,cluck6 ,cluck6 went mother ,topknot about the barnyard1 as if she would go wild4 ,where could they be8 ,if she could only squeeze herself through the hole under the fence by which they got out1 she would go in search of them4 ,the supper was nearly all eaten up by the other old hens before she knew what they were about4 ,she managed to save only enough for the three little chicks who had stayed at home4 ,just as it began to grow dark1 when their mother had given them up1 and had settled down with a sad heart to take care of what children she had left1 they came4 ,they hopped through the fence one after another1 till they all stood before her1 a guilty little huddle4 ,just a minute before1 mamma ,topknot had thought she would give all her feathers if she could only see them alive once more1 and now just as soon as she had them1 she fell to scolding them4 ,oh1 how she scolded6 ,and such a hubbub as there was4 ,speckle stood off by herself and actually talked back4 ,two or three of the others tried to tell how it wasn't their fault1 they never would have thought of such a thing4 ,then they all talked at once and told how hungry they were and said they never would run away again4 ,gray and ,brownie stuck their heads from under their mother's feathers to see how things were going1 while little ,dove got up on her mother's back and tried to help scold4 ,blackey scud around behind his mother as soon as he came in and poked his head up under her wing as if he thought he could make her believe he never had been away4 ,after they had all cried and said they were sorry1 mother ,topknot began to pity them1 they looked so cold and tired1 and so she forgave them and cuddled them all under her wings once more4 ,of course they had to go to bed without any supper1 but that taught them a good lesson4 ,they never did run away again4 ,that was not the only reason1 though--the going without their supper4 ,they had a fearful time4 ,they told about it next day4 ,the great black dog chased them1 a cat almost got one of them1 and a boy threw stones at them4 ,,some ,,curious ,,fishes4 ,i ,,don',t suppose you think there are any fishes that can either walk or live any time out of water4 ,yet there are4 ,the gurnard is one of the most important of the walking fish4 ,m4 ,deslongchamp had an artificial fish-pond on the shores of ,normandy1 in which several of these creatures were4 ,when he waded in the pond1 he could easily see all their movements4 ,on one occasion1 when he was watching them in this way1 he saw them close their fins against their sides1 and walk along the ground by means of six slender legs1 three on each pectoral fin4 ,by these they can walk very fast4 ,the square-browed malthe can also walk1 and can live out of water4 ,sometimes it spends two or three days creeping over the land4 ,the reason that all fishes cannot stay out of water is because they are so made that they have to breathe air through water4 ,all fishes are this way1 but some can carry water in their gills both for breathing and drinking purposes for several days4 ,the grouper fish is very queer in that it will swallow such curious things1 which you would not think it could possibly digest4 ,one was caught on the coast of ,queensland which1 when opened1 was found to have in its stomach two broken bottles1 a quart pot1 a preserved milk-tin1 seven crabs1 a piece of earthenware encrusted with oyster shells1 a sheep's head1 some mutton and beef bones1 and some oyster shells4 ,there is a crab in the ,keeling ,islands1 that lives on the land all day1 returning to the water only at night to moisten its gills4 ,it also eats cocoanuts1 opening the shell with its huge claws1 and the natives of the islands say that it climbs the trees to get them4 ,this1 however1 is not known4 ,thus we see that there are some very curious fishes2 yet none of them have mind1 and are not to be compared with man4 ,let us be thankful1 then1 that ,god made us human beings1 and not fishes4 ,,time ,,enough4 ,,elmer',s new suit had just come home4 ,it was brown1 with dashes of green in it4 ,it fitted him exactly1 and everybody knows it makes one feel good-natured when his new clothes fit well4 ,when he tried them on1 nobody jerked his pantaloons down1 said they were too short1 nor twitched his jacket up and said it was too low in the neck4 ,he laid them carefully over the back of a chair that night before he went to bed1 then got out a clean collar and a green necktie1 tucked a handkerchief into the side pocket of the jacket1 and surveyed them all with a satisfied look4 ,morning came1 bright and splendid as anybody could wish4 ,the steamboat with flying flags stood at the wharf1 and a happy company of boys and girls1 dressed in white and pink and red and blue1 marched through the streets to the sound of music4 ,the procession passed through the great gates and were all comfortably settled on the boat fifteen minutes before it was time to start4 ,elmer's home was a long walk from the church where the other scholars met1 so he went directly to the steamboat landing4 ,he had just bought a new set of marbles4 ,they were beauties1 and when he met ,will ,porter1 he could not resist the temptation to try his new marbles on the broad1 smooth paving-stones just above the gates where no people were passing at this early hour4 ,the game became so fascinating1 that the boys played on1 even after the procession had gone on board4 ,come on1 ,will said2 we'll be late4 ,oh1 no6 ,we won't be late4 ,the boat will not start this quarter of an hour1 ,elmer answered1 aiming a great blue marble at a red one4 ,now the superintendent and the teachers had warned the school many times1 ,the gates will be closed at seven o'clock4 ,if you are not on the other side of them by that time1 you cannot go4 ,be prompt1 boys and girls1 ,mr4 ,willard had said as he dismissed the ,sabbath-school4 ,do not come hurrying along at the last minute4 ,our trip next ,wednesday is one of our lessons1 and it will teach punctuality in rather a severe manner if one of you stands sorrowfully peeping through that big gate at us1 while we glide off down the river4 ,it will certainly spoil your pleasure and ours too if you are too late4 ,not a boy who heard him thought that talk was meant for him4 ',i' shall be in time1 they told themselves2 of course ,i shall4 ,elmer and ,will had each a great fault4 ,elmer's was procrastination4 ,he was always saying1 ,wait a minute1 ,there's plenty of time1 or ,i'll do it by and by4 ,because of this habit1 he was never known to be in time anywhere4 ,his father had given him a watch at ,christmas to see if that would not help him to improve1 but it did not2 he went on saying1 ,time enough4 ,everybody had to wait for him4 ,when the rest of the family were ready for church1 he would rush through the house like a hurricane1 pulling and panting1 up-stairs and down1 calling out3 ,oh1 dear6 ,can't somebody help me8 ,won't ,mary black my boots8 ,do come and fix on my collar6 ,has anybody seen my lesson paper8 ,and so the whole house would run here and there1 waiting upon one who had dawdled away the whole morning4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,boat ,,steamed ,,down ,,the ,,river4 ,will's fault was different4 ,he had no mind of his own4 ,he was always ruled by the person he happened to be with1 and never could say ,no to anybody1 no matter what his judgment or his conscience told him4 ,he was uneasy now1 and thought they ought to go that minute1 but he played on1 though he did say3 ,it's time to go1 ,i know it is2 the gates will be shut4 ,no1 they won't be shut either1 ,elmer said1 drawing out his watch2 it's exactly ten minutes before they close4 ,we can finish this game in five1 and have plenty of time4 ,watches do not always do their duty1 any more than boys4 ,elmer's was five minutes slow--it must have caught the disease from him4 ,the game went on4 ,will was going to win1 he thought1 and both boys grew excited over it2 finally they fell into a slight dispute4 ,and--what was that8 ,the steamboat bell6 ,clang6 ,ding1 dong6 ,both boys scrambled up their marbles and rushed to the gate4 ,it was shut6 ,they shouted for the gate-keeper2 he was nowhere in sight4 ,they cried to the captain1 ,wait6 ,wait6 ,but the clanging of the bell was their only answer4 ,then the call ,all aboard6 ,the plank was drawn in1 and the boat steamed down the river1 the song of the children floating back on the breeze4 ,sure enough6 ,there they were1 looking sorrowfully through the gate1 just as ,mr4 ,willard had said4 ,it was all your fault1 ,will said4 ,then he turned and ran away as fast as he could lest ,elmer should see him crying4 ,elmer looked about1 astonished to find himself alone and really left behind4 ,he could not believe it possible that the boat would not turn about and take him4 ,everybody had always waited for him before4 ,but there they were1 speeding on their way4 ,it was too much6 ,he was angry1 and so disappointed4 ,left behind6 ,and all for those miserable mean marbles6 ,he took them from his pocket and threw them as far as he could4 ,he would have scolded1 but there was nobody there to hear4 ,he would have cried1 but he thought he was too big4 ,oh1 what a fool he had been6 ,was there ever such a fool before8 ,he did not want to go home2 he did not want to go anywhere or do anything4 ,he sat down on a box and kicked his heels against it4 ,what a mean old world it was6 ,perhaps his good angel leaned over him just then1 for his thoughts took a sudden turn3 ,it was my fault1 he said to himself4 ,i'm always too late1 and everybody's poking at me about it4 ,why can't ,i turn about and be like other folks6 ,i declare ,i 'will6' ,i'll begin this very day4 ,he got down from his box at once and started towards home4 ,in a little old-fashioned house which he passed lived auntie ,simons1 an old lady who was auntie to the whole town4 ,she was out brushing off her front steps4 ,the old lady stopped1 and leaning on her broom1 looked over her spectacles a minute to make sure that it was really ,elmer4 ,why1 my child6 she said1 as he came nearer4 ,what does all this mean8 ,i thought you had gone to a picnic4 ,i got left1 ,elmer said1 his eyes fastened on the tree trunk near him4 ,now you don't say6 ,too bad6 ,well1 don't look so downhearted4 ,come in and see me a spell4 ,come6 ,i'm going to have flapjacks and maple syrup for breakfast1 and ,i know you are half-starved by this time2 didn't have time to snatch only a bite1 now did you8 ,what boy could withstand the attractions of flapjacks and maple syrup8 ,besides1 he really was hungry4 ,excitement had prevented his eating much breakfast1 so in he went4 ,while auntie ,simons helped him bountifully to smoking hot cakes and golden syrup1 he told her all about it--how he came to be left1 and how he had resolved to turn over a new leaf4 ,yes1 it does seem foolish1 the old lady said when they sat on the porch after breakfast1 for you to lose a whole day's pleasure just by waiting a little bit too long1 when you might have gone as well as not2 but what shall we say of one who puts off coming to ,christ until it is too late8 ,don't you1 dear boy1 say ',time enough' to that4 ,you can't tell how little time there may be left4 ,you know when the gate down by the wharf was shut on you1 you had a chance to sit down and think it all over1 and make up your mind that you would be all right the next time1 anyhow2 but you see when the door is shut at the last--in death--it is shut 'forever4' ,it is open now4 ,jesus says1 ',come4' ,do not put it off1 ,elmer dear4 ,a ,,cup ,,of ,,cold ,,water4 ,,please to get my china cup for me1 ,ann1 ,daisy said1 coming in from the sweet out-doors1 as she called it1 where she had been trying to read her new picture-book4 ,ann was shelling peas for dinner1 and did not wish to be disturbed4 ,what do you want of your cup8 she asked crossly4 ,i want to get a drink for an old man4 ,well1 take the dipper4 ,no1 the dipper won't do2 ,i must have my cup1 and ,i'm in a great hurry1 a 'fearful' hurry1 ,daisy said1 imitating her brother ,tom4 ,i can't be bothered with your notions1 ,ann said1 making her fingers fly very fast4 ,i'm in a hurry too2 it's high time these peas were cooking2 besides1 what old man is it8 ,i don't believe your mother would let you give a drink of water out of your cup to every old fellow that came along if she was at home2 like enough he's a tramp4 ,no1 he isn't a tramp2 he's a 'siple4 ,he told me so4 ,a 'siple6 ,ann said1 bursting into a laugh4 ,what's that8 ,why1 papa read about them in the ,bible4 ,they are ,jesus' servants1 and he wants folks to give 'em a good drink of cold water when they are firsty4 ,illustration3 ,,daisy4 ,well1 ,i can't help it1 said ,ann1 laughing again4 ,i can't be jumping up from my work all the time to wait on everybody4 ,take a dipper1 if you must give him a drink4 ,oh1 dear6 cried ,daisy4 ,i told you the dipper wouldn't do4 ,it said a cup2 and ,i want my very bufulest one--that one with little birds on it4 ,come6 ,do get it for me4 ,can't do it1 ,ann said1 shelling peas with all her might4 ,poor ,daisy was hot and tired4 ,she rested her elbows on the doorsill1 and her chin on her hands1 and looked very despairing4 ,two great tears came into her eyes1 and at last she buried her face in her white apron and began to sob just as grandpa came along from the garden4 ,tut6 ,tut6 said grandpa4 ,what's the matter with my pet8 ,he sat down on the step1 drew ,daisy to him1 and wiped her warm1 tear-stained face with his clean linen handkerchief4 ,it took but a few seconds to make grandpa understand what the trouble was2 then he got up and said3 ,come and show me where it is4 ,the sun came out again on ,daisy's face1 and with her hand tightly clasped in grandpa's1 she pattered along to the dining-room closet--not tired a bit now4 ,grandpa reached down the beautiful cup1 then he got a pitcher and filled it with good cold water1 and they two went down the front walk as fast as they could go4 ,when old ,mr4 ,burton started out that morning to walk to the next town1 he did not know what a very long1 hot walk he had undertaken4 ,he was a stranger1 and was on his way to his son's house4 ,when he left the cars1 the stage had gone4 ,he was too poor to hire a carriage to take him over1 so he had to walk five miles in a burning sun4 ,as he jogged along1 he grew very thirsty4 ,he wished there was a spring by the roadside1 but there was none4 ,he came in sight of a large white house on the hill1 and said to himself3 ,i have a great notion to go in there and get a drink of water2 but then1 they are rich folks4 ,they would take me for a tramp1 and maybe set the dog on me4 ,as he came slowly along1 looking up at the broad lawn with cool shadows of the great trees over it1 he spied at the front gate a little girl4 ,her rosy face was hidden away in a white sunbonnet1 but her blue eyes looked up smilingly4 ,be you a 'siple8 she asked shyly4 ,illustration3 ,,grandpa4 ,a what8 the old man said1 looking down4 ,a 'siple4 ,do you love ,jesus8 ,oh1 you mean a disciple6 ,yes1 little one1 ,i belong to the ,lord ,jesus1 ,mr4 ,burton said4 ,do you want a drink of water8 ,yes1 indeed1 my dear4 ,then ,i'll bring you one4 ,and ,daisy's white dress vanished among the bushes while1 the tired old man sat on the green grass at the edge of the walk and waited4 ,he was beginning to think he should see no more of her1 when she appeared with a pretty china cup full of cold water2 then grandpa came with the pitcher full1 and the thirsty traveller had all the water he needed4 ,grandpa invited him into the house to get a lunch before he went4 ,then ,prince was harnessed and brought round1 and grandpa said he had promised ,daisy that he would take her to ride1 and they might as well drive toward ,woodbury as anywhere4 ,so they all got into the carriage1 and old ,prince trotted off4 ,the road was so smooth1 the air so sweet1 and the talk so pleasant1 that before they knew it1 they were at ,woodbury2 and there they left ,mr4 ,burton4 ,he said he never should forget the little girl who brought him the cup of cold water1 but that every day of his life he would ask ,god to bless her4 ,the verse that ,daisy meant can be found in ,matthew x3#db4 ,,on ,,nantucket ,,wharf4 ,,all was bustle and confusion in ,mrs4 ,maynard's house in ,boston1 for she and her daughter ,mattie were going to ,nantucket ,beach to stay a night1 then to the ,island ,home to spend a week4 ,it was the first time ,mattie had been on the cars1 for she was only six years old1 and she had been but very few times on the steamboat4 ,at last they started4 ,they were to go to ,new ,bedford by the cars1 and there to take a steamboat for ,nantucket4 ,they had a very pleasant time at ,nantucket1 and ,mattie arose bright and early on the morning in which she was to take her ride to ,island ,home4 ,the boat was to start at ten o'clock4 ,there was a great crowd on the wharf and ,mattie held tight her mother's hand for fear she might get lost4 ,why1 there is ,mr4 ,ridgeway6 ,mrs4 ,maynard said4 ,he is an old friend of mine and ,i must speak to him4 ,and she dropped ,mattie's hand1 and pushed through the crowd4 ,mattie did not like her mother to leave her1 but she stood still where she left her1 so that she might be sure and find her when she came back4 ,she waited there a long time1 but no ,mrs4 ,maynard was to be seen4 ,mattie was very much frightened1 and tried to get back to the place where her mother left her1 but the crowd was so great that she could hardly move at all1 for a little girl was not noticed at all in it4 ,after wandering about for awhile1 a gruff voice called3 ,passengers for the ,island ,home all aboard6 ,boat goes in ten minutes6 ,all aboard6 ,all aboard6 ,everybody began to push forward1 and soon the wharf was nearly empty4 ,mattie knew her mother had not bought her ticket1 and she went up to the ticket-office and asked the man if a pretty lady in a linen duster1 with a red feather in her hat1 bought a ticket for the ,island ,home8 ,do you think ,i keep account in a note-book of the color of all the folks' dresses and what kind of feathers they have on their hats8 he asked gruffly4 ,mettle did not know what to say to this1 so she said nothing1 but wandered off to the farther part of the wharf and climbed up on some bags that lay behind a pile of boxes there4 ,on these she knelt down and said3 ,dear ,jesus1 let mamma find me soon1 and keep me safely till she comes4 ,for ,jesus' sake4 ,amen4 ,she repeated this simple prayer many times1 and then went out from behind the pile of boxes again4 ,she was very thirsty1 and was very glad when she saw a faucet and a tin cup at the side of the ticket-office4 ,she took a drink and was much refreshed1 but was very tired1 and she thought she would go and rest on the bags behind the boxes4 ,she sat down on these1 and was soon fast asleep4 ,she awoke about four o'clock in the afternoon1 and as she was rubbing her eyes and wondering where she was1 she was startled by a voice exclaiming3 ,and what's the loikes of this1 shure8 ,she looked up1 and saw a gruff1 but kindly-seeming man looking down at her4 ,he was evidently a working-man1 for he had his dinner-pail in his hand1 and was leaning on a pick-axe and shovel4 ,said ,mattie3 ,i'm ,mattie ,maynard1 and ,i'm lost4 ,that is1 mamma left me on the wharf in the crowd1 and didn't come back1 and ,i'm awful hungry4 ,and shure and me name is not ,patrick ,o' ,flannigan if ,i don't give ye something to eat4 ,poor gir-r-l6 ,whereupon he opened his pail and offered her a generous ham sandwich4 ,oh1 thank you ever so much6 cried ,mattie1 as she took a large bite4 ,true1 the bread was sour and the butter was strong1 but ,mattie was so hungry that she did not notice the defects in the food4 ,patrick sat down on the bags and watched her eat with great interest4 ,an' ye can eat now1 can't ye8 ,poor little gir-r-l6 ,but ,i must be a-goin'1 shure6 ,and he got up and went off the wharf4 ,there were many steamboats coming and going at ,nantucket wharf1 and ,mattie climbed up on the boxes and watched the crowds as they passed by4 ,but at last night came on1 and ,mattie did not know what to do4 ,she crept in among the bags1 and covered herself up1 but they smelled bad1 and she knew she could not sleep on them all night4 ,she thought once she would ask the ticket agent to let her stay in the ticket-office1 but he had spoken so crossly to her that morning that she did not like to4 ,she was not very sleepy1 because of the long nap she had taken in the daytime1 and wandered about on the wharf till about eleven o'clock1 and then she went and sat down on the bags and fell asleep4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,island ,,home ,,leaves ,,the ,,wharf4 ,when she woke up1 the morning sun was streaming into her eyes1 and from the hurrying to and fro of many feet1 she knew that the morning steamer had come in from the ,island ,home4 ,she got up and watched the crowd1 for she thought maybe her mother might have gone to the ,island ,home1 after all1 and had come back4 ,sure enough6 ,just as the crowd had passed1 she saw the red feather on her mother's hat and gave a little scream of delight as she saw her go over and speak to the ticket agent4 ,she ran eagerly over to her1 pulled her dress and called3 ,mamma6 ,mamma6 ,here ,i am6 ,her mother turned suddenly and caught her in her arms and cried3 ,my darling child6 ,then the whole story came out4 ,mrs4 ,maynard had been detained about half an hour in getting through the crowd1 and when she finally came to where she had left ,mattie1 and she was not there1 she was very much frightened1 and found ,mr4 ,ridgeway again1 and told him about it4 ,they followed the crowd into town1 and1 following them everywhere1 ascertained that she was not among them4 ,they anxiously turned back to the wharf just1 as the steamer pulled up1 and the crowd began to rush on board4 ,they hoped that ,mattie might also have gone on the steamer1 and went through it hunting for her4 ,but while they were hunting1 the boat started1 and ,mrs4 ,maynard was obliged to stay at the ,island ,home all night1 and was just coming off the steamer when she was discovered by ,mattie4 ,they took the ten o'clock boat for the ,island ,home1 and spent a very happy week there4 ,but as ,mattie was going to bed that night1 she said3 ,mamma1 ,i want to tell you something4 ,well1 darling8 ,i asked ,god to have you find me1 and to keep me safe till you did1 and ,i think that is the reason you did4 ,yes1 darling1 ,i think so too2 and ,i thank him very much for sparing my ,mattie to me4 ,let us kneel down and tell him so now4 ,,lily ,,day4 ,,it was surprising1 how many people were of the same mind that week4 ,the cause of it was lilies4 ,it seemed as if there must have been a convention of lilies held in ,fairview at that time1 for they were out in full glory4 ,the tall tiger lilies blazed and glowed in the sunshine2 the day lilies opened their white bells1 the yellow lilies gleamed like gold1 and away down on ,silver ,lake1 lovely pond lilies1 cool1 and pure1 and white1 with golden hearts1 lay amid broad green leaves4 ,the people who first got the idea in their heads that it would be nice to put some lilies in the church that week1 were very young people4 ,in fact1 it came into one little head first--,kitty ,grey's4 ,and how could she help thinking up all manner of splendid plans1 when she lived so near to the beautiful lake that from her window up-stairs she could look across to the other shore and see here and there white blossoms on the water4 ,she clapped her hands with joy when she first discovered them1 and ran down-stairs crying3 ,they're out6 ,they're out6 ,mamma1 can't ,ray and ,i go in the boat and get some pond lilies right away now8 ,silver ,lake was a shallow little thing--a saucerful of water1 papa said--and ,ray1 though a little fellow1 could manage a boat nicely4 ,mamma readily gave consent1 and it was but a few minutes before ,kitty sat in the stern of the boat1 drawing her hand through the water1 her very dearest friend ,mabel in the bow1 and ,ray rowing with all his might to the spot where those wonderful lilies floated white and fair4 ,i know what we'll do1 ,kitty said1 as they filled the large basket they had brought with them as full as it could hold4 ,we'll trim the church for to-morrow4 ,so we will1 said ,mabel4 ,and ,ray said3 ,all right2 that will be splendid4 ,i'll get a lot of ferns to put with these4 ,about that time1 old ,mrs4 ,parks was walking her garden1 trimming off dead leaves and cutting flowers4 ,she came along to a large bunch of red lilies1 and clipped them off4 ,we haven't had any flowers in church this long time1 she said to herself4 ,i'll just send these over4 ,they are such handsome things1 it's a pity everybody shouldn't enjoy them4 ,so she brought them into the house1 got down from the top shelf of the pantry an old blue pitcher1 and putting her flowers in it1 filled it with water1 promising herself to take them to the parsonage between daylight and dark4 ,cinthy's tasty1 and she can fix them up in shape for the church1 she said4 ,cynthia ,morrow was the minister's daughter4 ,she herself had a plan for making the little church beautiful--to smile a welcome to the ,sabbath morning4 ,down at the end of the garden was a plot of day lilies4 ,they belonged to her4 ,she had put them out herself1 and watched and watered them1 and waited for them1 and now this week they blossomed out in queenly beauty4 ,she intended to surprise her father next morning4 ,how pleased he would be to find his favorite flower on the pulpit desk1 its pure whiteness and its rare sweetness sending up incense with the songs of praise4 ,the next one who gathered lilies was ,miss ,alice ,lynde4 ,she was a young lady from ,new ,york1 spending the summer with her uncle in ,fairview4 ,miss ,alice took long walks every day over the fields and hills1 and so her cheeks1 which were pale when she came from the city1 were getting to be the color of wild roses4 ,this morning her walk happened to be longer than usual4 ,she went farther out into the country than she had ever been before1 lured on by a glimpse of bright yellow flowers she could see in the distance4 ,they turned out to be lilies4 ,miss ,alice was delighted4 ,she filled her arms with them at once1 thinking while she chose the finest blossoms what a lovely bouquet she would make for the church4 ,it would seem as if all the people who had been gathering lilies that day had made an appointment to meet at the church after tea that evening1 but they never had1 though they all met4 ,nobody felt quite at liberty to carry their flowers to the church4 ,it might look as if they had set up to interfere with somebody's else arrangements4 ,so all made their way to the parsonage at that pleasant time between the day and night when country people run in to see each other4 ,each one found that ,cynthia was already at the church2 gone to carry over some flowers1 her mother said4 ,what was ,cynthia's surprise1 as she stood on the platform arranging her vases1 to see ,kitty and ,ray come in tugging a large basket full of pond lilies and ferns4 ,oh1 what beauties6 ,i am so glad you brought them1 ,cynthia was saying when ,mrs4 ,parks put her head in at the door4 ,i s'pose you've got flowers enough without these1 she said1 holding out a great bunch of red lilies4 ,oh1 no1 indeed6 ,cynthia said4 ,how pretty they will be with the white ones6 ,i wish we had somebody to help us arrange them4 ,while they were all bending over the flowers admiring them1 a little rustle was heard1 and when they looked up1 there was ,miss ,alice gliding softly down the aisle with a great sheaf of yellow lilies in her arms4 ,she made a pretty picture to the children's eyes1 her white dress and white hat1 her smiling face1 and the lovely flowers4 ,their admiring ,o--h-- was not meant for the flowers alone4 ,i should say that all the lilies in the country have agreed to come here and hold a meeting1 said ,mrs4 ,parks4 ,miss ,alice pulled off her gloves and went to work4 ,she knew just how to arrange flowers4 ,mrs4 ,parks went home for some pans1 ,ray went for water1 and ,kitty hunted up some vases1 while ,cynthia sorted the flowers4 ,how lovely it was when all was done6 ,there was a bank of pond lilies and ferns just under the pulpit4 ,there was a mound of red and white lilies on the table1 and vases on the desk of pure white and green only4 ,cynthia said that must be so4 ,and then there was a masterpiece of beauty1 made by ,miss ,alice's skilful fingers--a sort of pyramid of flowers1 all colors mingled1 with feathery ferns drooping about the whole4 ,next morning at church everybody was surprised1 because1 as a rule1 they did not have flowers in church at ,fairview1 beyond a simple handful in a vase4 ,nobody1 though1 was more surprised than the self-appointed flower committee themselves were when the minister's text was announced4 ,they could not resist smiling at each other4 ,you see ,mr4 ,morrow had been noticing the flowers rather more than usual that week4 ,even while he was considering what his text should be1 his eye fell on a cluster of tall white lilies4 ,he found himself studying their graceful shapes1 their whiteness and fragrance1 and then began to wonder at the thought that the same great ,god who made the worlds1 made the tiny flowers1 and that he took so much pains1 making so many different shapes and colors1 each with its own rare fragrance1 to please us because he loves us4 ,it was not strange1 then1 that ,mr4 ,morrow's text should be1 ,consider the lilies4 ,,the ,,greenlander4 ,,greenland is a very cold country1 much colder than it is here4 ,for three months in the year the sun is never seen2 and for nearly nine months the land is covered all over with snow4 ,we have plenty of nice fruit in summer1 and many good things all the year round2 but the poor ,greenlanders live mostly on seal's flesh1 blubber1 and oil4 ,poor1 poor ,greenlanders1 they live so miserably2 and1 what is much worse1 many of them know nothing whatever of ,jesus and his love6 ,but ,god loves them2 for ,he loved the world1 and gave his only begotten ,son1 that whosoever believeth in ,him should not perish but have everlasting life1 so that1 if a ,greenlander hears of ,jesus1 he too may be saved4 ,now1 some good men pitied the poor heathen in ,greenland1 and thought they would like to go and tell them of ,jesus1 how he was born in ,bethlehem1 how good and kind ,he was to every one1 how ,he gave sight to the blind1 healed the sick1 raised the dead1 how ,he died on the ,cross for sinners1 how ,he went to the grave and then to ,heaven1 how ,he will come again4 ,well1 they went to ,greenland and labored there for eight long1 weary years4 ,at last they got tired laboring so long without any apparent success1 and thought upon returning to their homes4 ,they had suffered a great deal from cold and hunger1 and the people only laughed at them1 and mocked them4 ,but these dear missionaries had made a great mistake1 for instead of telling the people as they meant to do of ,jesus and his great love in dying and rising again from the dead1 telling the sweet1 sweet story of the ,cross1 they found them so very ignorant that the missionaries thought to begin with proving that ,god lives1 and that ,he made all things4 ,now1 this was a great mistake1 for we are sinners1 and we need to know--not that ,god is the ,creator1 but that ,god is love1 and that ,jesus died4 ,one day a party of heathen ,greenlanders came to the missionary village4 ,they were led by a cruel and wicked ,greenlander named ,kajarnak1 and entered the hut where the missionary was writing4 ,he was finishing his final correction of the ,four ,gospels1 and was at the moment engaged on that part of ,john's ,gospel relating to the sufferings and death of ,christ4 ,kajarnak was surprised at seeing the missionary writing1 and at once asked him what he was doing4 ,writing4 ,writing6 said ,kajarnak4 ,what is writing8 ,the missionary tried to explain it to him1 and then said1 ,i will read you what ,i have been writing4 ,he read the account of ,christ's agony in the garden1 and then upon the ,cross1 with the story of his being crowned1 scourged1 and spit upon4 ,as he read1 ,kajarnak became interested4 ,and why1 he asked1 did they treat the man so8 ,what had he done8 ,oh6 said the missionary4 ,this man did nothing amiss1 but ,kajarnak did4 ,kajarnak filled the land with wickedness2 and ,kajarnak deserved to go to hell for it4 ,but this man suffered all this to bear ,kajarnak's punishment1 that ,kajarnak might not go to hell4 ,and then the missionary went on to tell about ,god's love1 man's sin1 and ,christ's work for sinners1 till the big tears were seen to roll down the poor heathen's cheeks1 and unable any longer to restrain his feelings1 he cried-- ,oh6 ,tell it all over again1 for ,i1 too1 would like to be saved4 ,he was told it all over again--it was such a sweet story4 ,kajarnak believed the good news4 ,his heart was drawn to ,christ4 ,he loved him4 ,kajarnak was saved4 ,are you saved1 dear young reader8 ,you have often heard and often read of ,jesus and of his sufferings4 ,perhaps1 too1 you have often wept as you thought of the cruel men scourging ,jesus and spitting on his face4 ,but though you cry very much1 it won't save you4 ,the blood of ,jesus puts sin away1 and nothing else will do it4 ,will you now love ,jesus8 ,poor ,kajarnak1 from ,greenland's icy mountains1 with a heart colder than the ice1 and darker than the darkest night1 yet came to ,jesus1 believed in ,god's love1 and was saved4 ,how ,i long that all my dear young readers too would seek the same ,saviour1 and love the ,jesus that loved ,kajarnak1 the ,greenlander4 ,,some ,,young ,,heroes4 ,,in a certain school1 a knot of boys had their heads together disputing about something4 ,you could never guess what it was if you tried4 ,it would all have seemed strange to you3 the schoolroom1 the teacher1 and the scholars--their odd dress and odder speech4 ,it was in far-off ,asia1 and the scholars were not orderly as ours4 ,the boys talked when they pleased1 and made so much din that one could scarcely hear themselves think4 ,missionaries had come to this city and opened schools and churches to teach the people that they must worship ,god alone1 and that ,jesus died to save them4 ,when the natives found that their boys were beginning to stray into ,protestant schools1 they said1 ,we must start schools of our own1 and so they started one4 ,but it was too late2 some of the boys had already learned to love ,jesus1 sing sweet hymns1 and read the ,bible4 ,the teacher in this school was a very bitter enemy of the new religion1 so he listened sharply that day when he heard a discussion going on among the boys4 ,it was not in our language1 but it was something like this4 ,one boy said it was not right to worship pictures of saints1 nor to kiss them1 and burn candles before them4 ,another one said3 ,it 'is' right2 it's the only true religion4 ,others joined in with the first boy1 and said it was wrong1 and that we must worship none but ,god4 ,then the dispute grew warmer1 and there were cries of ,heretic6 ,heretic6 ,mean old heretic6 ,mean old ,protestant6 and so on4 ,the teacher had made up his mind that this thing must be stopped2 that the boys must not go any more where they would hear such bad doctrine1 so he said in a loud1 strong voice3 ,boys1 stand up6 ,they all stood up4 ,now let all the ,protestants step out4 ,he did not suppose that any one would dare to confess to him that he was a ,protestant1 but those little ,christians must have remembered the solemn words of the ,saviour1 how he said3 ,if any men will confess me on the earth ,i also will confess him before my father which is in heaven4 ,there was a moment's pause1 then seven little fellows stepped out4 ,the teacher was amazed4 ,illustration3 ,,one ,,of ,,the ,,scholars4 ,what6 he said4 ,don't you believe in worshiping the pictures of saints8 ,no1 sir1 we don't2 mad please1 sir1 said the bravest of them all1 if ,jesus wanted us to worship pictures of the saints1 wouldn't he have left us his own picture to worship8 ,this was an unanswerable argument1 but the tyrant teacher did not let them know how they had cornered him4 ,he said1 ,boys1 how shall these heretics be punished8 ,and the boys decided they must be spit upon4 ,so the whole school formed a procession and marched around those seven1 spitting upon them as they went4 ,now sing6 the teacher said1 and all the school except the seven struck up one of their patriotic songs4 ,sing1 ,i tell you6 he said to the seven4 ,we will1 if you will sing the songs of ,jesus1 was the grand answer of the martyrs4 ,sing it yourselves6 said the teacher4 ,and1 wonderful to tell1 this sweet song came to the ears of the astonished teacher3 ,must ,jesus bear the cross alone1 ,and all the world go free8 ,no1 there's a cross for every one1 ,and there's a cross for me4 ,,the ,,secret ,,of ,,it4 ,,one ,october afternoon ,frank ,stevens was gathering apples in his father's orchard4 ,great piles of golden pippins and rosy ,baldwins lay under the trees1 waiting to be sorted and packed in the barrels that were standing near4 ,his brother ,kent1 many years older than himself1 was helping4 ,it so happened that their work lay for a time near the main road where people came and went4 ,leaning against the fence was ,mr4 ,marvin1 who had stopped for a little neighborly chat4 ,down the hill1 trotting leisurely along1 came a black pony4 ,on his back was ,harry ,porter1 one of ,frank's schoolmates4 ,he1 too1 drew up by the fence1 and as he called1 ,halloo1 ,frank6 cast a longing eye at the red apples4 ,after chatting a few minutes1 he trotted off again1 an apple in his hand1 and two in each pocket4 ,that's a splendid boy6 said ,mr4 ,kent ,stevens4 ,yes2 there's the making of a fine man in him1 answered ,mr4 ,marvin2 he's uncommonly bright1 ,i noticed him at the examination last spring2 clear as a bell he was1 working hard examples and talking off the explanation as glibly as the professor himself4 ,i reckon it would have puzzled some of us committee to have done it4 ,frank listened in silence as the talk went on while he sorted the fair apples from the knurly4 ,he had a gloomy1 cross look on his face1 as though his thoughts were not pleasant ones1 and he did not work in his usual brisk way4 ,when ,mr4 ,marvin went away1 his thoughts came out4 ,no wonder1 he said1 that ,harry ,porter is always praised up so4 ,he has some chance in the world4 ,his father is rich2 he has a new book every time he turns around2 his father never goes away but he brings him one2 then he goes travelling4 ,he has been out ,west and been to ,boston and ,new ,york4 ,he has been on the top of ,pike's ,peak1 and he has seen ,bunker ,hill monument and the obelisk4 ,why shouldn't he know more than any of the rest of us8 ,he has lots of time besides1 to study1 and have fun1 too4 ,out of school he needn't do anything but trot about on that pony4 ,what's the use of a fellow like me trying to make anything of himself8 ,it was not such a very long time ago that ,kent ,stevens had been a boy himself1 even if he was now a young lawyer in the city4 ,he came every summer to the old home for a play spell1 he called it1 and then he proved that he had not forgotten how to rake hay and pick apples4 ,he had not forgotten1 either1 how a boy feels1 so he was excellent company for ,frank4 ,he placed the last apple in a closely packed barrel1 then he turned and looked curiously at his brother4 ,why1 ,frank6 ,what has got into you to-day8 he said4 ,you don't seem one bit like our bright cheery boy4 ,do you think you are one of the fellows who has no chance8 ,let us sit down in this sunny spot and rest ourselves1 and count up some of your chances4--,a good home1 a splendid father and mother--to say nothing of a very wise brother--a few good books1 a weekly newspaper1 a church and ,sabbath-school1 an excellent1 day-school1 good eyes and ears and stomach1 a pair of legs that can run like a squirrel1 two strong arms1 and a very good mind1 and here you talk of not having 'chances6' ,how do yours look when you cast your eye at little ,tim ,morey with a drunken father and a shanty for a home1 or at ,johnny ,wilson1 who is almost blind1 or poor ,will ,smith who must go for the rest of his life on crutches and suffer much pain8 ,or compare your lot with the boys who work in the factory1 who must go to their work at seven in the morning and stay until seven in the evening1 day after day1 year after year4 ,what about their chances8 ,don't you know1 dear boy1 that as a rule1 it is not boys with rich fathers who turn out to be the greatest men8 ,look at me1 he said1 straightening himself up and marching about with mock pompousness4 ,haven't ,i put the sweat of my brow and my muscle into this old farm8 ,didn't ,i get out of my bed at cock-crowing and go after the cows in wet grass up to my knees8 ,haven't ,i milked and ploughed and planted corn and hoed it and husked it8 ,and yet1 ,i got through and had no more hard work than was good for me1 ,i believe now1 though ,i used to grumble sometimes just as you are doing now4 ,i tell you1 my boy1 it is not in having this or that1 or going here and there1 that makes a success1 but it is improving1 to the very utmost1 the advantages one has1 though they be not the best4 ,there is another secret too4 ,one must be in dead earnest2 must have an aim and stick to it in spite of anything1 and the greatest secret of all is1 that aim must not be alone to be a rich man or a learned man1 but it must be this--'to make the very most of one's self for ,christ's sake4' ,and you can't begin too young2 the younger the better4 ,i heard something about two men the other day1 that is just in point here--but perhaps you are tired of my preaching and want to go in4 ,oh no1 tell it1 said ,frank4 ,you know ,i would rather have you preach to me than anybody else4 ,well1 a good many years ago two boys lived in the same town and went to the same school4 ,they both had pretty good advantages and were naturally bright and clear-headed4 ,all the difference between them was1 that from the time they were very little fellows1 ,john was always laying plans to have a 'good time4' ,will loved fun as well as he did1 but in both fun and work1 his chief aim was to be right and true4 ,as they grew up to be young men1 ,will held fast to the choice he had made when a little boy4 ,the ,lord ,jesus ,christ was his master4 ,john had an entirely different master2 he shirked his lessons1 and wasted his time and money in what he called 'fun4' ,when school days were over1 one of them had a fine start in his education1 but poor ,john was almost a dunce1 it was surprising how little he knew thoroughly4 ,when ,will went into business1 he made a resolution in the very beginning to give a certain part of his money to the ,lord's work1 whether he made much or little4 ,he was prospered1 and he grew to be a rich1 strong man1 foremost in every good work2 everybody loved and honored him4 ,he was a grand temperance worker1 and he gave great sums to the poor and helped educate many young men for the ministry4 ,the more he gave away the richer he grew1 but he kept giving1 and for some time before his death it is said that he gave away a thousand dollars a day6 ,will was ,william ,e4 ,dodge who died a few weeks ago in the city4 ,you remember the papers were filled with accounts of him4 ,nobody could say a word against him1 and the whole city was in mourning4 ,it is strange that as the boys came into the world about the same time1 they left it within a few days of each other4 ,but oh6 so differently4 ,there were no weeping friends at ,john's funeral4 ,nobody said over his coffin1 ',blessed are the dead that die in the ,lord4' ,not one cried1 ',how shall his place be filled4' ,john had become a miserable sot4 ,nearly all his old friends had lost sight of him4 ,he lived without ,god1 and so he died without him1 miserable and alone1 and he was carried to his grave from the almshouse--just a rough pine box in a cart--and that was the last of ,john1 for this life4 ,don't you see1 ,frank1 that under ,god's blessing1 every boy has it in his own power to choose whether his life shall be lived and ended like ,john's or like ,william ,e4 ,dodge's8 ,it was a good sermon1 ,kent1 ,frank said soberly1 as they walked up to the house4 ,it helps me2 ,i'll not forget4 ,,the ,,true ,,way ,,to ,,be ,,happy4 ,,how often ,grace and ,nellie had heard these words4 ,i'm sick to death of them1 said ,nellie4 ,i am going to try to have the most fun ,i can to-morrow1 and ,i'll risk but what ,i'll be happy enough4 ,and ,i am going to try grandma's way of having fun to-morrow4 ,just for a change1 ,i am going to do everything 'exactly right4' ,she seems so sure that that way is the best4 ,do you suppose there are any good plays or jolly times for little girls who always do every thing 'perfectly right8' ,why1 no1 ,gracie6 ,you know that if you are going to be very good to-morrow1 you ought to sew on papa's handkerchief1 so as to finish it for his birthday present4 ,i can't finish mine1 for ,i've planned to go sailing on ,tom's raft on the duck pond4 ,i shall take all my dolls1 land on the little island1 and pull of my shoes and stockings1 and play ,i am ,robinson ,crusoe1 and the ducks will be the savages1 and when they come swimming towards me1 ,i shall hide in the bushes1 or else jump on the raft and push out to sea4 ,you had better come too1 and be my man ,friday4 ,but1 ,nellie1 you know mamma said for us not to play on the duck pond1 for we always wet our feet4 ,yes2 but ,i shall wear rubbers this time1 and it was last week she said that2 she did not say we should not play there to-morrow4 ,well6 ,you must play there alone1 for ,i am going to try grandma's way of being happy for one whole day1 and if ,i don't like it1 next day ,i will play on the duck pond4 ,these two little girls were twin sisters1 eight years old4 ,they were pretty1 bright1 and full of fun1 and now they were going to have a week's vacation2 a whole week without study1 and they had planned plays enough to last most little girls three weeks4 ,but last night grandma had told them a long and interesting story about a boy who always did just as he pleased in every thing4 ,he was selfish and disobedient1 but he was never happy4 ,at last he was so unhappy and miserable1 that he made up his mind to give up his naughty ways and to be a good boy1 and behold1 everything was changed4 ,so you see1 my dears1 as ,i have often told you1 in order to be happy1 you must be good4 ,illustration3 ,,nellie ,,left ,,at ,,home4 ,i am sick of that sort of stories1 said ,nellie4 ,i am going to try for one day to see if ,i can be happy by being good1 said ,gracie thoughtfully4 ,the next morning dawned bright and warm4 ,such a lovely day for my play1 said ,nellie1 as she tucked a big piece of cake in her pocket1 and with her arms full of dollies1 went dancing off across the fields to the pond4 ,that child can't be going to the pond1 after all ,i said the other day1 said mamma1 glancing anxiously after ,nellie4 ,oh no6 said grandma4 ,she is probably going to play in the grove by the side of it4 ,and so my little ,grace is going to finish her present for papa's birthday1 said mamma with a pleased look at the little girl1 who was stitching away in the window4 ,i feel a little bit happy now1 thought ,gracie1 as she saw her mother's smiling face4 ,but it was a long hour1 and the little fingers felt very lame before the handkerchief was done1 but at last the last stitch was taken1 and it was carefully folded and a card marked1 ,papa from ,gracie1 pinned on it1 all ready to put by his plate to-morrow morning at breakfast4 ,children1 do you want to go with me to spend the day at aunt ,mary's8 calls papa1 from the doorway4 ,just put on your hats2 the horse is harnessed1 and ,i am waiting4 ,where is ,nellie8 ,at that moment ,nellie came in at the door1 wet and dirty1 with the blood dropping from a cut on her forehead1 and crying bitterly4 ,oh1 my poor little girl1 where have you been8 said mamma1 as she wiped the blood from her face4 ,i was ,robinson ,crusoe1 sobbed ,nellie1 and the cake was my provisions1 and when the savages saw my cake they came swimming and flying all on to my raft2 then ,i tried to push them off1 and ,i tumbled right into the water and mud1 and they got my cake2 and my dollies are drowned4 ,so you went to the duck pond to play2 you knew better than that1 said mamma sternly4 ,if she has disobeyed you1 she must stay at home1 said papa4 ,come1 ,gracie6 ,in a moment they were driving along the beautiful shady road that led to aunt ,mary's4 ,at first1 ,gracie felt too sorry for ,nellie to be very happy4 ,but her father1 noticing her sad face1 told her that if ,nellie was a good girl1 he would take her next week1 and then he told so many funny stories about himself when he was a little boy1 that it was not long before she was laughing merrily4 ,what a welcome they had at aunt ,mary's4 ,we knew you were coming to-day1 said ,katie1 who was ,gracie's cousin1 and we are freezing ice-cream down cellar4 ,then they took their dolls and played happily together all day long4 ,when ,gracie was riding home she told her father that she had never had such a happy day before in her life4 ,oh1 such a lovely time as ,i have had6 she exclaimed1 as she bounded into the house4 ,grandma was rocking ,nellie in her arms1 and was just finishing her evening story4 ,and so you see1 my dear1 that just as soon as ,jacob made up his mind to be a good boy1 all his troubles ended4 ,everybody loved him1 and he was very happy and good4 ,i like your kind of stories to-night1 grandma1 said ,nellie softly1 in the old lady's ear1 and ,i am going to be good to be happy all the rest of the week4 ,say all the rest of your life1 my dear1 whispered back grandma4 ,,the ,,king ,,of ,,the ,,white ,,lily4 ,,you',,ve never seen a palace8 ,why1 my dears1 you have seen a great many4 ,sit round me here1 and ,i will tell you about one1 the ruins of which you saw this morning4 ,in some respects it was quite remarkable2 not much like the one ,queen ,victoria lives in4 ,this palace had six walls1 and only one room4 ,there were three inner walls1 and three outer ones1 and wherever two inner walls met1 an outer wall covered the place4 ,the people who dwelt in the palace called the walls the ,perianth4 ,each of the inner walls were called a petal1 and each of the outer ones a sepal4 ,they were covered outside and inside with snowy white silk1 filled with the most delicious perfume4 ,there were no windows1 for each wall tapered to a point at1 the upper end1 and drooped over the outside of the palace1 leaving it1 open to the light and the pure air4 ,a house of so delicate a fabric could not rest on the ground without being soiled by the dust and dirt of the earth1 so it was held far aloft on a slender1 green column4 ,it did not stand upright like ,queen ,victoria's palace1 but it leaned over toward the ground1 so that when the rain came down1 none should remain in the palace and drown the people4 ,they would have fallen out1 too1 had they not been made as fast to the floor as were the walls of the palace4 ,that seems dreadful to you little people who take such delight in running about on your little feet4 ,but they were very well contented to remain where they were and only look out upon the world1 for they would have died had they left their beautiful home4 ,the throne covered nearly all the floor of the palace2 and the king stood on the centre of it4 ,his head reached far above the walls1 for he was very tall1 and very straight and slender4 ,he wore a robe of pale green1 and on his head was an emerald insignia1 more like a helmet than a crown4 ,it was divided into three parts4 ,one part drooped over and rested against the back of his head1 one part against the right side1 and one against the left4 ,there stood around the throne six tall men dressed in white1 bearing salvers of gold-dust on their heads4 ,they called the salvers anthers1 and the gold-dust pollen1 but it was not like the gold-dust you saw at the jeweler's4 ,i want you to notice how the number three figured in nearly everything4 ,it was a sacred number with them4 ,there were three inner walls1 and three outer ones4 ,six 7two threes7 tall men1 and the king's crown was divided into three parts4 ,a strange thing about the tall men was that one could not be distinguished from another1 so near alike were they1 and they were each named ,stamen4 ,although they were very tall1 they were not so tall as their king4 ,they were very faithful servants1 looking always up to him to know his commands4 ,when the wind blew a little1 they bowed down before ,king ,pistil1 and the salvers swung back and forth1 causing tiny clouds of gold-dust to rise and fall upon him4 ,then he was glad1 and bowed to them1 that they might see that he was pleased with them4 ,for he only required them to sprinkle a little gold-dust upon him1 then he made it into pieces of money and packed them away into three large boxes under his throne4 ,but sometimes this frail palace was at the mercy of the great winds4 ,it swayed to and fro before them1 tossing the tall men about so they could not prevent some of the gold-dust falling on the walls4 ,then ,king ,pistil trembled with grief at seeing the gold-dust being wasted1 and the tall men leaned toward him trying to comfort him4 ,then the rain came1 and fell into the palace1 and washed it clean1 and bathed the king and his servants2 and when the sun shone again1 they sparkled all over with diamonds4 ,but some strange people passing by stopped to admire them1 and to inhale their sweet fragrance2 and one of the palaces with all its inmates was carried away by them4 ,then there was mourning1 for they knew it was certain death to any of them if their palace was taken from the column on which it rested4 ,king ,pistil's money increased until the boxes could hold no more2 and the throne began to creak as though it would fall apart4 ,the walls of the palace were falling away too4 ,the tall men looked old and feeble2 and the king felt himself growing weak and infirm1 and he knew that he soon must die4 ,so he unlocked his money boxes1 that after he was gone1 they might open1 and the money be scattered far and near1 and other palaces spring up1 and other kings live1 as he had lived1 giving pleasure to all who came near4 ,very soon after1 the king and his servants died1 the boxes burst open showing them well filled with money4 ,some of it fell on the ground under the palace1 that another might spring up there in memory of ,king ,pistil2 and some of it was carried a long distance by the wind before it was dropped on the ground4 ,now1 my dears1 let us go into the garden1 and look at the white lilies1 and see if my story of their king and his palace is correct4 ,tell me1 if you can1 how his money differed from ours4 ,why it had to be scattered on the ground1 and what it was called by ,king ,pistil4