No More Learning

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? The First Pair of Trousers.
The rain was falling thick and fast in the dim
old forest. At first it had been nothing but a
gentle shower, but now the great drops came
dashing through the trees, twisting and turn-
ing the leaves, and even bending the swaying
branches. The clouds were so thick and black
that old Sol was hidden completely out of sight.
Little Cubby Bruin heard the sound of the
falling rain when he opened his eyes in the hol-
low of the great tree in which he lived. "Oh
deary, deary," muttered Cubby. "Now all my
fun is spoiled. This is the day of Cousin Wolfs
party, and mother will never let me go while the
rain pours do^vn in this style. "
He crawled to the opening in the tree, and
poked out his little head to see if there was any
show of its clearing off, but the clouds hung
heavy, and the rain poured do"s\Ti unceasingly.
Cubby crawled back again, and curled himself
up for another nap. He slept once more, and
dreamed of the games of catch and toss, and of
the frolics of every kind that he and Cousin
"Wolf would enjoy together. Pretty soon he
i6i
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? l62
The First Pair of Trousers.
awoke to find no wolf there, and he himself
tucked away in the old tree.
It was Mother Bruin that had aroused the
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? The First Pair of Trousers. 163
sleeping cub, and she was standing outside call-
ing him a lazy fellow, and telling him to get up.
^'Is it still raining, mother? " called Cubby.
'^Why, no," said she. "The rain has stopped, the
clouds are separating to let the sun peep out, and
a gentle breeze is blowing and drying the wet
grass. "
Cubby needed no calling now, but sprang out
of the tree with a bound.
"Xow, mother," said he, "I can go to "Wolfy's,
can't I? "
"Go to AVolfy's! " said mother. "You have
nothing to wear. " Cubby looked so sad that his
mother felt sorry, and so she gave him a good,
tight hug, and told him she would fix up some-
thing for him to wear. She went riglit to work,
and Cubby jumped and capered around, listen-
ing to the snip, snap of her scissors as slie cut
and fitted her work. At last she had fashioned
the cutest pair of trousers you ever saw. It was
his first pair, and of course he was proud of them.
He strutted around with his hands in his pockets,
just as happy as he could be. This was more of
a treat than Cubby had dreamed of, for he had
not expected to be promoted to trousers so soon.
It would be hard to tell where mother found the
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? 1 64 The Tables Turned.
stuff to make them of, but they were certainly
very fine. They were made of tiny red and
white checked goods, and fastened over the
shoulders vath bright red suspenders, and the
fit was exquisite.
Father and Mother Bruin were just about as
proud and happy as he, and greatly pleased at
their son's happiness. They could do nothing
but stand and admire their boy as he stood be-
fore them in his new rig.
Cubby was so much taken up with his new
clothes that he forgot all about going to "VVolfy's,
and it was quite late in the afternoon before he
thought of it again. He did not care much, how-
ever, and told his mamma when she tucked him
in bed that night that he would rather have the
trousers than go to Wolfy's forty times.
The Tables Turned.
Old Jimmy Blake lived in a funny sort of a
shanty at the foot of a hill. He was too old to
work, and he lived upon the food the neighbors
gave him, and pretty good living it was, too, for
the neighbors pittied old Jimmy, and many of
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? The Tables Turned. 165
them remembered what good work he used to
do before the stiffness got into his old joints.
Some folks said that Jimmy lived alone, but
this was a mistake, for he shared his shanty, and
also his food, with a big, long-homed goat called
Billy. Billy loved old Jimmy dearly, and would
follow him around like a dog, but to every one
but Jimmy, Billy was the Grossest goat that ever
lived. If Jimmy was out of sight, strangers
dared not venture too near the shanty.
On the top of the hill, at the bottom of which
Jimmy's shanty was built, stood the school house.
A score or more of round-faced, red-cheeked
urchins came there every day to be taught their
a-b-c's and as much other learning as their little
brains could hold, for they were so crowded mth
mischief, it was hard work to wedge in any
knowledge.
'Now the boys all knew old Jimmy, and they
all knew Billy, too, and Billy knew them. He
had no liking for these school children. He re-
membered sticks and stones that had been aimed
at him from behind trees and other hiding places.
One day the boys planned to have some fun
with Billy. One of them had seen Jimmy's
%hanty tightly shut, and the goat tied to a tree*
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? i66 The Queen Bee's Ball:
Down tlie hill they started, well ladened with
stones and other missiles of one sort or another,
and for some time they pelted Billy to their
hearts' content. But all at once the tables were
turned; Billy gave one mighty leap, broke the
rope, and made a dash for his tormentors. Awsy
they flew, Billy after them as fast as he could
go. It was hard work getting up the hill, b-ut
they reached the school house at last, and entered
it, a lot of breathless, scared youngsters. In fact,
they had never before been quite so frightened,
and they all decided that, in the future, they
would let Billy alone, for they might never
again have such a lucky escape.
The Oueen Bee's Ball.
There was great excitement in the meadov/.
As soon as dawn peeped out and said good morn-
ing to the world, and old Sol smilingly lifted his
head from behind the trees in the pine woods,
the fuss and confusion began. The Queen of
the Bees was responsible for it all. She had de-
cided to give a ball, and had bidden her mea-
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? The Queen Bee's Ball.
167
sengers fly far and near to tell all the insects in
the meadow to come and join in the jolly dance
that night. One flew here, and another flew
there, their
noisy buzz, buzz,
as they flew
from place to
place making a
constant din.
A merry band
of fiddlers lived
in the swamp,
and the Queen's
favorite messen-
ger had been dispatched there in great haste, for
you see, they were needed to provide the music
for the dancing.
The katy-dids in their pretty green gowns
were invited to sing a duet, half singing ^*Katy-
did,'' and half responding Avith ^Tvaty-didn't. '^
The Queen Bee liked the crickets, and so did all
the bees; they were such cheerful little fellows,
and so, of course, they were invited, and thej
one and all accepted the invitation, for crickets
never miss a chance for having fun,, especially
when katy-dids are around.
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? i68
The Queen Bee's Ball.
'd'i^jjrff** Jfjfij^Ji
The spider, who was weaving a web in the
spruce tree, sent his
compliments to her royal
highness, the Queen,
and bade the messenger
tell her it would be his
pleasure to come, but it
was impossible for him
to leave his beautiful
web, that was so nearly
finished. This message
did not please Madame
Queen very well, for
she was always happiest when having her own
way.
The locusts had just shed their shells, and
were attired in their new spring suits, so they
accepted the invitation gladly, for the vain little
fellows thought it would be great fun to show
their fine clothes, even if they were not so giddy
as the yellow jackets, whose striped coat was the
envy of all the insects.
Tiny Mrs. Lady-bug promised to come, if she
could find any one to stay with her babies, for
only the night before she had left them alone,
and she had been so nervous she had had no
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? The Queen Bee's Ball.
169
p/easure, for
she kt^pt
h spring all
thic time,
''I^dy-bug,
lady -bird, fly
away home ;
your house
is ou fire,
your children
will bum. '' So she had made up her mind that
she would not leave them alone again.
Grand-daddy-long-legs thought he had grown
too old for halls, but the messengers coaxed so
hard that he promised to take a good long nap,
and to honor the occasion with his presence.
The sun ^-as shining in all his glory, and the
hour of noon had arrived before all the guests
had been notified. The messengers were weary
from their busy morning, and hid themselves in
the hearts of the flowers or among the tall, grace-
ful grasses to full asleep, and so refresh them-
selves that they, loo, might be ready for the fun
and frolic the evening was to bring.
"We could not begin to tell all the pleasant
things that happeLieil>> but one was the meeting
of Yellow-jacket and Hm ? rauzy Wings. They
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? I70
The Queen Bee's Ball.
had not been friends for a long time, but they
met this day on their way to the ball, and found
each other's company so pleasant that ere long
Yellow- jacket was on his knees, suing for Miss
Gauzy Wing's hand in marriage, and he must
have been accepted, for he was very attentive to
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? Widow Murphy's Pig. 171
her all tliroiigli the evening, and when the ball
was over, and all the insects said good-night and
hastened away to their
homes, they departed
hand in hand, and be-
fore very long there
was a gathering of the
insects to celebrate the
wedding of this happy pair. So the Queen Bee's
Ball was the means of bringing about the event.
Widow Murphy s Pig.
Everybody knew her -- she sold apples at the
crossing, and her cheeks were as red and her
smile as sweet as the tempting fruit that made
the children's eyes sparkle w^ith delight. Rain
or shine, she sat there, her stiff green bonnet
crowning her head in summer, and her big black
bonnet almost hiding her cherry face in winter.
The great gingham umbrella that shielded her
from rain and sun was often also the sheltering
place of many an unlucky school boy caught in
a shower.
She lived on a tiny place, just outside the
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? 172 Widow Murphy's Pig.
towiij and wlien Jack, the lame newsboy, or Ted,
the black boot-black, or when any of her regular
customers stopped for a chat, she loved to tell
them of her "foine pratie patch that did so well,
thanks to her airly risin," and of the hens that
troubled her so by scratching in this much-prized
garden, in spite of all the corn she scattered for
their comfort.
But by and by she revelled in a new treasure
-- a cunning black pig. One day, when Widow
Murphy went to the farm house for her daily
can of milk -- the farmer's wife gave it to her,
and what a prize i^; was to the poor old soul.
^Tvvas sick and tiny imd forlorn looking enough
when she got it, but she nursed it most carefully,
and its queer little g'/unt was like music to her
ears. Piggy learned ^o know her, and followed
her around like a dog; and he really grew fatter
every day in his comi^rtable new home.
One morning, it was time to go to town v/ith
apples -- and time for l^'iggy to be shut in his
pen; he was far too previous to be left roaming
around -- but where was fie? The widow searched
everywhere, and called Mid called, until at last
she gave up in despair, tind tired out, sat down
upon the well curb to rest and think.
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? Widow Murphy's Pig; I73
Then she heard a noise that made her jump
up in such a hurry that the ruffles on her snowy
cap almost danced. It was piggy's grunt, and it
certainly came from the well.
AVay over leaned
the old lady -- and scarcely could she believe her
own eyes, for there in the bucket, safe and sound,
sat that naughty black pig. He had been peer-
ing over the well, perhaps, admiring his funny
snout in the clear waters below, lost his balance,
and tumbled in, fortunately into the bucket that
hung down low.
How glad the widow was to find him, and how
the boys laughed when she told them the tale.
We hor>e that piggy learned a lesson, and be-
came ever after a less vain and less curious piggy.
But one day a man came from a distant city
to buy a fine little pig for a Thanksgiving feast.
Widow Murphy did not want to sell, but the
price offered was too tempting, so she finally
agreed to sell him. H she could have looked
into that house on Thanksgiving Day, she would
have seen piggy perched on a big platter in tha
center of the table.
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? A Chance Acquaintance.
Miss Rhody Run had grown tired of her home
in the stable loft. It used to be very nice when the
boys used to play there, becanse they were sure
to drop crumbs of the cakes and crackers they
were forever eating. But now the boys had gone
away to school, and Rhody felt very lonely. Of
course she had plenty to eat, for it was not much
trouble to find her way to the feed box, and
John, the coachman, was not always careful to
drop the lid; but Rhody thought there was some-
thing in this world to think about besides eating.
She missed the merry laugh and the happy voices
of the children, and she grew more lonely every
day. She finally made up her mind that she
would leave her home in the stable, and travel
around the country until she found a place where
she could be happy. Early one morning she
started off, her red flannel cape pinned around
her shoulders, and an old salt bag, in which she
carried all her treasures, slung over her shoulder.
The village was just waking as she trotted
through the streets. The shop-keepers were just
taking down their shutters and opening their
doors, and as this was all new to Rhody, she
174
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? A Chance Acquaintance. 175
thonght she would step inside, and see what was
going on. She wanted to do this very badly,
but she could not get courage.
As the day grew older, and the noise and con-
fusion increased, she was so frightened that she
hid herself under a molasses barrel that was
propped up on the sidewalk. Aft-er things be-
gan, to grow quiet again, she dared to venture
out and continue her journey. She was getting
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? 176 A Chance Acquaintance.
pretty hungry by this time, so she timidly crept
into a bakery, and succeeded in getting a good
meal, for the baker was not the tidiest man in
the world, and there were plenty of crumbs on
the floor.
The next day found Rhody wandering along
the river bank, where the pond lilies grew and
the tall brown cat-tails nodded in the wind. All
at once Rhody was startled by the sound of a
strange voice, and turning, saw a spry young
frog at her side. "I see," said he, "that you are
admiring our river and its pretty, flowery banks.
Let me walk along with you, and enjoy it also,
for though it is not new to me, it is ever beau-
tiful. "
"What a very nice creature this is," thought
Rhody; so she dropped him a courtesy, and told
him she was very glad of his company, and
Froggy, pleased with her approval of him, did
his level best to be entertaining. Rhody was
charmed with her companion, and the two
chatted as if they had long been friends. Froggy
was very much interested in Rhody's story about
her home in the stable and her trips lo the feed
box for food, and very much surpri? /;d to learn
that she had never before seen the river. So
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? A Chance Acquaintance. 177
lie told all about the wonderful times he had in
his watery home, and she was greatly interested
in all he had to relate. She said it might bo very
pleasant, but she did not think she would like
it, although some of her cousins lived in the
water a great deal of the time.
"How sorry I am," said Froggy, "that I can-
not ask you to dine with me; but my larder con-
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? 178 A Chance Acquaintance.
tains no sucli food as you would eat; worms and
fiies and tiny fish are not to your liking, I am
sure, and then I have to take a sail on the river
in order to reach my home, and that would not
please you either. I am sorry that we cannot
enjoy each other's society longer, but, as it is
now lunch time, I shall have to say good-bye. "
So, after best wishes on both sides that they
might some day meet again. Froggy boarded a
floating leaf, and went sailing down the stream
to his home, while Rhody continued on her
journey alone. She felt more lonesome than
ever after Froggy had left her, and she almost
wished she had not met him at all, since he
could not go with her all the way. She was
almost tempted to go back and wait until he
came ashore again, but she finally decided to
keep on her journey, hoping that chance might
again bring her a friend that would be as charm-
ing as Sir Froggy.
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? The Foxes' Quarrel.
Fall had come with its brown, withered
grasses and fallen leaves. Of late Jack Frost
had been blowing his keen breath over hill and
dale, turning the leaves to crimson and gold, and
opening the chestnut burrs, ? o that the ripe nuts
might fall to the earth. One night, when the
moon had hidden its face behind a cloud, Darius
Sharp and Christopher Sly, two youthful foxes,
set out to find some game. Farmer Tobbin lived
not far from the foxes' home, and this man's
good wife. Dame Tobbin, was noted far and
near for her beautiful poultry. Xow this bit of
news had reached the ears of Darius and Chris-
topher, and was greeted by them with great joy.
Maybe you have guessed that these young crea-
tures had planned to try for game at the farm-
er's. Well, you are right. Only this very
morning they had planned to go as soon as it
was night, if the moon did not shine too brightly.
Fortune seemed to favor them, and at the ap-
pointed hour they met, and proceeded towards
the farm house. Darius took his brother Xerxes
along to help bring home the game, if they
eliould be fortunate enough to secure more than
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? i8o Tli(R Foxes' Quarrel.
they could carry themselves. As they hurried
along, they met many of their friends going out
on hunting expeditions, for the night was favor-
able. Presently they reached the home of
Farmer Tobbin, and quietly and carefully en-
tered the yard, knowing that the slightest noise
would be sure to waken Bruno, the faithful
watch-dog, and set the cocks crowing, and then
it would be all over with them, for the farmer
would appear with his gun. As they entered
the yard, they caught sight of a rooster which
had sauntered out to see if it were yet dawn.
Quick as a wink, Darius seized him, while
Christopher secured a plump, fat duck that had
forgotten to go inside to roost. In the excite-
ment, poor little Xerxes was quite forgotten,
and the friends, throwing their game across their
shoulders, started for home, well pleased with
their luck. Just as they entered the woods, a
snipe met the eyes of Christopher, but before
he had captured it, Darius caught sight of it.
Both rushed for it, and seized it. Now, whose
should it be? Both claimed it. Long and
angrily the foxes quarreled. Christopher claimed
it because he saw it first, and Darius claimed it
because he got hold of it first. Morning came.
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? New Year's Ev<. i8i
and they were still disputing. Suddenly Bruno,
tlie dog, appeared on the scene, and they both
scampered off as fast as they could go, leaving
snipe, duck and chicken behind. Bruno had a
kingly breakfast, while the silly foxes had none.
"WTien they got back to their homes, and sat
do^Ti to think over the matter, they were sorry
enough to think they had been so greedy, for in
trying to get all, each one had lost the liUle he
had. Poor little Xerxes had been forgotten in
their hurry to get away with their prizes.
New Year's Eve.
The snow lay deep upon the ground and
nestled among the leafless branches of the forest
trees, gleaming and sparkling like millions of
diamonds. There was no sign of its melting,
for the days were bitter cold, and the nights even
colder, if anything.
"Tt is the coldest winter for many years," said
old Daddy Bruin, and he ought to know, for ho
had lived longer in the forest than the rest of
the animals.
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? 1 82 New Year's Eve.
Daddy Bmin and his old wife had built a
house with the branches of trees closely packed
together, and had covered the roof with thick
coatings of mud. There they lived, as snug and
comfortable as you please. The wind whistled
all around them, but it could not enter their
dwelling and bother them, so snugly were they
housed.
It was ^ew Year's Eve in the forest, and
Daddy Bruin had invited all the inhabitants
thereof to meet with him in his home to talk
about the past year. Beasts of every shape, size
and color gathered at his call, and even the wise
old owl, having heard of the gathering, came
with his little son. "When they had all arrived,
Daddy T\Tapped himself in his blanket, and put
on his Tam O'Shanter, and seating himself on a
fallen log, began to talk to the eager group in
his usual kind fashion. They all looked very
much interested, and paid the best of attention
to Bruin's remarks, even to the tiny little mice
that sat close by his feet. I suppose you would
like to know what they were talking about, so I
will tell you. Bruin was trying to get them to
give up their bad habits and live good lives. He
said he had decided not to steal anything more
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? New Year's Eve.
183
from the farmers, but would hereafter depend
on the fruits of field and wood for his living.
One after another the animals confessed that
they had done lots of bad things during the year,
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? 1 84
New Year's Eve.
for whicli they were sorry. Even "Winky Blinky,
tlie owl, looked very grave as lie sat listening to
these tales and confessions of evil doing. The
subject was so interesting that they talked to-
gether for hours, even far into the night.
It was a very solemn meeting, and brought
good results, for
"There, beneath the swaying trees,
As round them played the whistling breeze,
And from the sky, the queen of night
Looked down upon the pleasing sight,
With many a vow and promise true,
Thev all resolved to start anew;
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? New Year's Eve.
And, let us hope, in after davs
They followed peaceful, lionest ways;
185
That guns and snares and traps severe
Were not required throughout the year. '^
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? Bomba, the Merry Old King.
There is an island to the south of Italy, called
Sicily.