No More Learning

ITow it happened that the stream where the
fish lived, and the bushes where the nuts were
hidden, were close together, so it was not strange
that the bear and the alligator should come across
each other. "Good morning," said the alligator,
"are you off on a journey? " ''Not far," said the
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? 192 The Balky Mule Outwitted.
bear, "I am only taking a morning walk in search
of something to eat. '' "Well, I am on the same
errand," said the alligator; "if our ways are to-
gether, shall we not walk together? " This plan
suited the bear, so they walked together side by
side, and enjoyed a pleasant stroll.
The Balky Mule Outwitted.
Among a forest of cypress, fir and pine trees
stood the palace of old Sultan Allah Baba, with
its cupolas and domes towering high above the
wilderness of trees. It w^as built of white mar-
ble, and kept always, at the order of the Sultan,
gleamingly white and beautiful. The windows
were of the most gorgeous colors, through which
the sun brightly shone, sending rainbow-like
shadows in and around the rooms of the palace.
At night the place was lighted by jeweled,
studded lamps, which were hung from the ceil-
ings by great silken cords.
Allah Eaba had once been a tall, stately young
fellow, but the happy, easy life he had led, to-
gether with the many dainties that daily filled
his table, had added many pounds to the Sultan's
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? The Balky Mule Outwitted. 193
freight He liked this change in his appearance
as little as he did the snow white beard that had
taken the place of the jet black whiskers.
The great cap that adorned his head covered
the growth of snowy hair, but no such device
hid the whiskers from sight.
"I am growing old/' mused the Sultan, "and
that will never do. I must find some plan to
bring me back my youth again. I'll dye my
whiskers, but how can I rid myself of all this
load of flesh? "
Allah Baba thought and thought, but all in
vain. Finally he sent for one of the wise men
of his court, and stating the case to him, asked
what he should do.
"Your case is easily settled, your Highness,"
said he. "I am sure you would soon be as slen-
der as a young willow if you would oidy ride a
mule. "
"A delightful plan that," said the Sultan. "I
will reward you richly for your noble efforts. "
Xo time was lost in buying the mule, and of
course they tried to select the very best in all
the land. The Sultan came from the palace to
examine the new treasure, and smiled approv-
ingly at the animal's long ears and shaggy coat^
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? 194 '^^e Balky Mule Outwitted.
^T^ow ril mount him," said Allah Baba, "and
go dashing away on my first ride. ''
It was easy enough to mount, but the dashing
away did not follow, l^ot one inch would the
mule move. Allah Baba coaxed and pulled, but
for nought; his mule would not stir.
"Cut me a stick," roared Allah; "I'll teach
him a lesson or two. " But the stick, likewise,
proved useless. At last Allah grew desperate.
"A fortune," said he, "to the man who makes
this miserable beast move! "
"I'll earn it in no time, your Highness," said
one of his sen^ants. Bight to work he went, and
after several hours' labor he rigged the trouble-
some mule in a complete set of sails. Then,
again, Allah mounted his steed, and away they
went, this time without the least trouble, for
old longears had to go, whether he would or not.
The wind filled the sails, and the mule was sur-
prised at himself to think he could go so fast.
As they sped along over the road, everything
and everybody fled before them, for they knew
not w^hat to make of the queer looking object.
It was a lively ride for the old Sultan, but what
pleased him best of all, was the conquering of
the balky mule, and he was really conquered,
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? Fun in the Woods. fg^
too. For several days the old Sultan took his
daily ride on his sail-rigged beast, but one day
he decided to try him without all these things,
so he told his servants to bring him to the door
with nothing but a saddle and bridle on. They
obeyed, but were quite sure that when their
master attempted to make the mule go, he would
again show his ugly temper. Great was their
surprise, therefore, to see him start off at just
as rapid a rate as ever, as soon as their master
mounted his back, showing that he had discov-
ered that the Sultan was master of the situation.
He never again was obliged to use the device
which had been so useful to him, but always
found his mule ready to obey his slightest word.
Fun in the Woods.
Rex Wolf and his friend, Teddy Fox, had
played catch with the fallen blossoms until they
were weary; then they played a game of hokey,
but found it no fun. After this they tried hide
and go seek and leap-frog, but nothing seemed
to please them. So they had seated themselves
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? 196
Fun in the Woods.
on the soft green grass, and both their little
heads were busy trying to think what next to
do. To be quiet was out of the question, and
no nice kind of fun seemed to suggest itself.
Foxy suddenly clapped his hands with glee.
"I have it, Eex," said he. "Do you remember
the great oak log that the woodcutters left here
last week? AVe will put a board across, and
have as fine a see-saw as you or I could want. "
"Good for you, Teddy," said his friend. **I
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? Fun in the Woods. 197
knew jou would think of something before
long. "
Off these two youngsters scampered, and hav-
ing found a fallen limb near at hand, they soon
had it placed across the stump, and were taking
a fine ride. Up and down they went, thoroughly
enjoying this new kind of sport.
Just about this time, a fat, black bear came
strolling along.
"Give me a ride. Foxy? '' said he.
"Yes, if you like," said Foxy, '^ex and I
will get on one side, and you can get on the
other. "
Pretty soon they were all ready to start again.
Rex and Teddy got on one end, and away they
frent up in the air, just as soon as the old black
bear took his seat on the other, and there they
stayed, too, for the old bear was so heavy that
they could not lift him up. "This won't do,"
said Teddy. "You are too heavy for us. " So
he called to a little porcupine, who was watch-
ing the fun. "Get on," Prickly, and help us
balance old Fatty. " So Prickly crawled up, and
they just balanced the old fellow. Then they
had ihe greatest fun; now up, now down, until
at last they got dizzy and tired, too. Then they
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? 198
Fun in the Woods.
thouglit they would play a trick on the old bear,
so the three little fellows all jumped off to-
gether, letting old Fatty down rather suddenly.
But he was such a good-natured fellow that he
did not mind it, and invited them to go home
with him, and they joyfully accepted the invi-
tation.
'Now Blacky's sister had at one time found an
accordion that some people had left in the woods,
and she kept it hidden in the old hollow oak
where she lived. Blacky had told his friends of
this treasure, so when they had chatted awhile,
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? The Monks' Victory. 199
Teddy Fox begged Miss Blacky to play for them.
She willingly consented, and seating herself
upon a log, began to play with all her might.
It was not long before quite a merry party had
gathered on the green, and among them were
two bright little hares. They began to dance a
jig to the lively music that was being played,
and soon others joined them, and soon all were
enjoying a good jolly dance.
Just before the party broke up, and they went
away, the bear proposed that they should sit
down and chat awhile. Then he suggested that
they should form a sort of a club, and have a
meeting every week in the old woods. He said
his sister would learn how to play some new
pieces, especially dance music, and he thought
they could have a fine time together. This they
all thought would be great fun, and so they de-
cided to meet each Tuesday at five o'clock for
a good old frolic.
The Monks' Victory.
The pale moon never shed her light nor the
stars never twinkled over a more sorrowful spot
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? 200 The Monks' Victory.
than the little village of Thimble Top. Every-
thing was once so bright and liappy, and care
and trouble were strangers, but now they had
come among the villagers as most unwelcome
guests, and there they seemed to mean to
Btay.
The trouble was caused by Diddle Dee, a
wicked, merciless tyrant, who captured little
children, and put them to cruel tortures. He
lived in a mighty castle, so strongly barred and
bolted that no one could enter. There was
scarcely a house in the village but had suffered
from the ravages of this dreadful Diddle Dee.
Mothers, who thought they watched their little
ones most carefully, turned their backs but for
an instant, and the child was gone -- and not a
trace could be four>>d of the thief or the captive.
How hei bore the child off to his castle without
being seen by a soul, was a mystery no one
could solve. Matters kept growing worse and
worse, and no help could be found.
But one day two pious monks visited the vil-
lage on a pilgrimage. As they rode through the
streets, news of the sad goings on reached their
ears and filled their hearts with deep sorrow.
They were wise, as they were good, and the;^
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? The Monks' Victory. 201
went straiglit to work to find some way out of
tlie difficulty.
"We will go boldly to Diddle Dee/' said one
of the monks, "and see if our sacred calling will
not have some weight with him. "
I^ow it happened that Diddle Dee dreaded
nothing so much as the ill will of these holy
men, so when they rode up to the castle, he re-
ceived them very graciously. The two monks
dismounted, tied their beasts to a couple of trees,
and entered the house of Diddle Dee. In the
room into which he led them burned a bright
fire, and over the fire swung an enormous kettle
filled with water.
"A boiling pot for the helpless little ones,"
thought one of the fathers, "but it has served its
day for that use -- only one more victim shall
ever fill it, and that is Diddle Dee himself. "
With that he laid hold of the wicked fellow,
and with the aid of his brother monk, plunged
him into the pot.
The water was hot, and Diddle Dee screamed
for mercy, but the monks paid no heed to him
until he was scared almost to death.
^^lSTow," said the monk who had seized him,
"are you willing to promise to leave this country
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? 202 The Monks' Victory.
and your wicked work forever? We will take
you to a place where you can do much good,
and perhaps blot out some of your wicked past. "
Diddle Dee v/as only too glad to promise any-
thing, and when he was lifted out of the pot,
stood before the fathers a humbled and sadder
man.
The monks tied Diddle Dee to his own iron
bed, for they had no wish to lose their prize.
Then they locked around to see what they could
find. Quantities of good things filled the larder,
and they soon had the air heavy with the de-
licious odor of cooking food.
When all was
finished, one of the monks rode to the village to
tell the anxious villagers of their victory, and to
bid them celebrate the event with them in feast-
ing. The feast which the monks had prepared
was truly wonderful and surpassed anything that
had ever been held in the village before. It
was indeed an occasion for great joy, since now
the village was free from the ravages of this
teiTible creature, whose evil deeds had made life
almost a burden, especially to those who had
little ones in their families; therefore it is not
surprising that the monks found people so ready
to accept their invitations. Everybody came,
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? The Brownies' Kind Deed. 203
old and young, and the place was crowded.
Speeches were made, thanks were offered, and
cheer after cheer went up for the brave, good
monks. Happiness once more reigned in the
village, and Diddle Dee found that good deeds
brought more satisfaction than cruelties. This
was a great victory, and the people never forgot
the kindness of the monks.
The Brownies' Kind Deed.
Little Peter, one of the Brownies, had
perched himself on the trunk of a fallen tree to
think. His tiny, round face did not wear its
usual smile, and his bright, black eyes had a
worried look. Young Toby Tumble, passing
through the wood<5, saw
his little friend, Peter,
and scrambled up along-
side of him. "You look
blue, little Peter," said
he, ^^lave things gone
wrong with you? Tell
me what the matter is,
and maybe I can help
you. "
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? 204 The Brownies' Kind Deed.
"You are very kind,'^ said little Peter, ''but it
is not about myself I feel so grieved, but about
the Widow Good and her two little children. To-
morrow is Christmas, you know, and I heard her
say that she had nothing for them, so there is no
prospect of a good time at the Good cottage. "
Toby Tumble was looking grave himself by
this time, and he sat with his face buried in his
tiny hands. "I have it,'' said he, "they'll do it,
I'm sure," and he clapped his hands in glee.
*'Do what? " said Peter. "Help us, to be sure.
"We will call all the Brownies together, tell them
all about the matter, and I am sure that neither
Widow Good or her little ones will want for
anything to make up a Christmas dinner. "
^o time was to be lost in carrying out their
plans, and so they hastened out to find their
comrades. Of course the good Brownies were
all glad to help them, for they delight to help
good people.
Their first movement was to borrow a large
basket from Greengoods, the grocer. The
Brownies had no money, so they decided to fill
the basket from the shop, and pay the master in
work, for Brownies, you know, are very clever
creatures, and can turn a hand at anything. The
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? 2o6 The Brownies' Kind Deed.
little fellows could scarcely move the basket
when filled, but all worked together, and by and
by they had it mounted on sticks, and then, ^Ye
or six on a side, they bore it along very com-
fortably.
How proud they felt as they looked at this
well-filled basket! As they went along, they
could see peeping from the covering of the
basket, links of sausage, a fish, and the black
feet of the big turkey that was to be such a treat
to the children on the morrow.
They were very tired when they reached tho
widow's house, so they sat down to rest until
morning. When light came, and all the busy
little fellows had hidden themselves where they
could see and not be seen, Toby Tumble knocked
at the door. He had only just time to run out
of sight himself, when the "vvidow opened it.
The Brownies had worked hard, but they felt
fully rewarded when they saw the joy and happi-
ness on the poor woman's face, and they decided
that they would remember her again the next
year, and that they would fully repay the grocer
for all his goods, and would do it so quickly and
thoroughly that he would never miss them.
You may be sure the widow was very happy
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? A Pair of Pets. itoj
wherL she unpacked that basket, and found all
the good things, for she felt that now she could
give her children a little pleasure on Christmas
day. She could not imagine who it could be
that had remembered her and her little ones,
but her little son Kob said he was sure it was
the Brownies.
A Pair of Pets.
BR0W^^ Peggy, the horse, did not like the
strange yelping and squealing that disturbed her
rest. It seemed to come from right beneath the
feed box, and she feared to move, lest she should
tread on the cause of all the noise, for she knew
by the sound that it was alive. The stable was
too dark to see, and she had to wait until Michael
came and threw open the great doors. Then
Peggy stepped back in her stall, and looking
down, she saw, huddled close together, four of
the cutest little brown puppies you ever saw.
They twisted around and around, and rolled over
each other in the most restless manner.
When Michael came with Peggy's breakfast,
he too heard the queer noise, and looking over
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? 2o8 A Pair of Pets.
the feed box, he spied the little strangers. "Well,
if you are not about as cute and cunning as any-
thing I ever saw/' said he. "I shall keep one of
you little chaps, and I think it will be you, old
fellow, for I like your snowy nose. " So spoke
Michael, as he leaned over and picked up one
of the tiny puppies, the tip of whose nose was
snowy white.
Michael had some little brothers and sisters at
home, and so one day, when the puppies were
old enough to leave their mother, and he was
ready for his homeward walk, he remembered
the little white nosed pup, and thought how
much the children would enjoy playing with it,
so puppy was tucked away in Michael's pocket
and taken to l\is new quarters, where his happy
new life began. The children were delighted
with their new playmate, and did all in their
power to make him welcome.
They had another pet, that had held full swa;y
before the puppy came, and that was a little red
pig. He was always a very tiny pig, and had
grown so little that he still looked like a baby
pig, although many months had gone by sinc^
his entrance into the world.
Piggy did not like the idea of a rival, ancj
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? Jack, the Giant of the Sea. 209
behaved very cross and ugly, but the children,
scolded him, and talked to him, and by and by,
when he had gotten over his pouting, he visited
the little dog, and before very long they were
the best friends in the world.
Jack, the Giant of the Sea.
Many, many years ago there lived a great and
powerful giant, whose name was Jack. He was
as tall as some of the houses in the village where
he made his home, and so strong and powerful
that the earth trembled when he walked. His
cane was the trunk of a tree which he had torn
up by the roots and stripped of its branches. Do
you wonder the people trembled with fear even
at his name? His home was not built of wood
or bricks, like ours. He lived in a cave down by
the sea, and against this cave the waves beat daj'
and night. Old Jack loved to hear them surge
against his rocky home, and he would chuckle
with delight when a heavy storm sent the break-
ers dashing over his cave. "Ha, ha! " roared he,
"more fun for old Jack. The fishermen will
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? 2IO Jack, the Giant of the Sea.
think that the fury of the waves carried off their
nets, but this old chap knows better; he knows
who stole their nets full of fish and carried them
home on his back. It was old Jack. Ha, ha, ha! ''
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? Jack, the Giant of the Sea. 211
By and by this old giant grew so wicked that
he would watch from the door of his cave until
he saw the fishing boats near the shore. Then
into the water he would plunge, and boldly grab
a net filled with the labor of a long, hard night,
throw it over his back, and bear it to his cave,
and the poor fishermen could do nothing but
work bravely to save their own lives.
The fishermen suffered from the bold, bad
deeds of this mcked Jack, but they were not the
only ones. "Fish is good food," said Jack, ^'but
sometimes I relish a good fat ox. " Then it was
that he would leave his cave, and with his long,
powerful strides hasten to the fields where the
cattle were grazing. It took him no time to
throw an ox over his shoulder and bear it away
to his cave. When he wanted a change, he
would pick up a sheep and bear it home in one
hand. One day Jack made up his mind to go
fishing. "A fine fish I'll have for my supper,"
said he. A tall sappling served him for a pole,
and a rope that had been tied to a cow he had
stolen the night before answered for a line, and
he made his hook from a huge bolt, bending i-
into shape with his strong fingers. He 50ci#
pulled in a large salmon, and threw out his lin^
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? 212 Jack, the Giant of the Sea.
for another trial. Presently he felt something
pull on the line. He had never before felt such
^ tug, and he felt that whatever there was at the
pther end of the line, it was pulling him more
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? Jack, the Giant of the Sea,
213
strongly than he could pull it. Before he could
save himself, a huge sea monster rose above the
^J
1 . ^^. C' ^
ri? ^
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? 214 A Thanksgiving Tale.
surface of tlie water, and jerked him from the
rock, and drew him out faster and faster into the
sea. The people of the village rushed to the
shore, and cheered long and loud when they
saw Jack in such a sorry plight. They never
saw him again, for the waves and the monster
bore him away farther and still farther, until at
last he was lost to sight. If he did not drown,
we hope he learned to be a better giant
A Thanksgiving Tale.
Old UjS-cle ISTathan Howe and his wife
Debby lived in a tiny farm house, painted white.
The shutters were green, and in summer a rose
climbed up the sides of the house, almost cover-
ing this little dwelling place with its leaves and
dark red roses. People driving by leaned from
their carriages to take a peep at Uncle Xathan's
cottage, and they smiled, as though pleased with
the sight that had rewarded their efforts.
But now the bloom had left the rose, and the
leaves had fallen one by one, until only a few
yellow stragglers lingered.
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? A Thanksgiving Tale.