No More Learning

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? The Ride in the Balloon.
Fourth of July dawned bright and smiling
upon tlie little village of Browmew. Everj-
wliere the flags were flying in honor of the glad
day and long streamers of red, white and blue
bunting floated gaily to the breeze. Tho young
people, roxised from their slumbers by the bang-
88
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? The Ride in the Balloon. 89
big of the cannon, hurried into the streets to
celebrate this glorious day. The youths had
donned their Lest suits, and all the happy young
girls had bedecked themselves in the most charm-
ing style. Miss Kitty Stripe, the belle of the
village, won the admiration of all, for wli^ro
could one find a sweetsr creature than she? Iler
soft, pretty ears were tied with the loveliest pink
ribbon, and the waving plume in her hat exactly
matched the ribbon in color. Quite proud Toxj
Terry felt as he walked by her side that fine
morning.
Fireworks blazed all day. It is true that
Spitzy Yf hite burnt all the hair oi7 his pretty
little face, and little llattie Gray had her ear
shot oif by a pistol, but they did not mind such
little accidents, and all agreed that the fireworks
were quite a success.
The great event of the day, however, was to
be the balloon ascension. l^Tever had such an
event been heard of in Browmew. All the folks
turned out to see it. Old Tortoise Shell came,
although he was as blind as a bat, for he declared
that it made him feel young again to hear the
cheering. Foxy Terry and Kitty Stripe had
agreed to t^ike the ride. About four o'clock the
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? 9<<>
The Ride in the Balloon.
balloon was brought out, and ere long all was in
readiness, and they had stepped into the basket
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? The Ride in the Balloon, 91
and were rising from the earth. Cheer after
cheer went up as they left the ground. Up, up
they sailed. Over roofs and steeples they rose,
until it seemed to the crowd below that they
would never stop. They rose so high that the
ropes got tangled on the horn of the moon,
which they had not been able to avoid, since
they could not see it on account of the bright
sunshine. Poor Pussy was greatly terrified, but
brave Foxy bids her be patient, and he will set
matters right. He soon manages to get the bal-
loon free, and slowly they begin to descend. The
ride is a short one, but it satisfies Miss Kitty, and
she is glad to come down. When they reach the
ground; they are greeted with outstretched arms
and praised for their bravery. So the day ends
amid general rejoicing, and at a late hour all the
sleepy young folks crawl into bed to dream of
the sports of the day, and to look forward ^vith
pleasure to the next year, when they should be
able to have another good time together on the
green.
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? Lessons for Young Foxles.
Mks, Ruby Bdsh was really a very handsome
young fox -- the handsomest in the whole neigh-
borhood, so it was said, and they said, too, how
good and gentle she was, which was lots better
than being called beautiful, for kindness goes a
great deal farther than good loolis.
She and her husband and her two little ones
lived in the "Tall Tree" forest as happy and lov-
ing a family as the sun ever shone upon. The
two little foxes, Vic and Yira, played together
all day. They had the finest games of hide and go
97
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? Lessons for Young Foxies. 93
seek, the great holes in the trunk of the old oak
tree making the joUiest kind of hiding places.
They pulled the tiny flowers that grew in the
woods, and made \vreaths and bouquets to cany
home to Mother Bush. Life was just one long
play day to them. Ruby Bush was a good little
mother, and she wanted to see her boys well
brought up, BO the time came when she thought
it best to give them a lesson in hunting.
The moon was new, but the night was clear
and the stars twinkled brightly. Yic had hia
turn first, and he and his mother started off to
the nearest poultry yard, each carrying a long
white bag.
The turkeys were roosting on the top of a rail
fence, not dreaming of any danger, and Mother
Fox and Vic had little trouble to fill their baga.
Yic was much pleased over his success, and
thought it almost as much fun as playing with
Yim.
Father Bush had seen a trap in the forest, and
had told his wife about it. ^TSTow,'^ thought she,
ia the time to teach my boys of the danger of
traps. " So, when tlie boys started off to play,
ais usual, she called them back, telling them she
wanted them to go with her as she had some-
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? 94 I<essons for Young Foxies.
thing to show them. The trap was near their
home, and the boys gazed in wonder at this
strange object^ and listened with interest to the
tales their mother told of its great dangers. A
delicious piece of meat had been used for bait,
and Yic and Yim and Mother Bush, too, wished
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? The Hunter Treed. 95
they might have it. To wish meant to try with
Mother Bush, so she got a long stick, and telling
her boys to keep away, carefully pried open the
trap and drew out the treasure. l^Tiat a fine
time they had eating it and wishing they could
find another!
The Hunter Treed.
For two or three weeks old Jack Frost had
been at work in the forest, pinching the leaves
from the trees, and sending the ripe nuts to the
ground. Great piles of leaves, that JSTature's
kjtist had painted brown and red, gold and crim-
son, lay on the ground, making a soft, thick car-
pet for the dwellers of the forest
In this forest, the Bear, the Wolf and the Fox
lived, and three greater cronies you never heard
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? 96 The Hunter Treed.
of. The Bear was the oldest and the bigges^
but little Foxy always led the fun, for he was
one of tho brightest, smartest little chaps that
ever dwelt in the forest Through the fallen
*);. ^3'|P^
^ ^-
leaves he came tramping one day to the house
of neighbor Bear, and with his usual cheery
"How-do-you-do? " greeted his friend. He had
heard tliat much mischief was being done by a
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? The Hunter Trc "^d. 97
cruel; iiard-liearted liiiiiter, and lie wanted the
Bear and their friend, the Wolf, go with him
and try to put an end to the hunter's fun. They
went to the Wolf's house, and found him willing
to help, so side by side they started through the
woods. E'othing happened for some time, but
finally the sharp ears of little Foxy heard the
sound of a gun in the distance. Bidding his
friends be quiet, he waited until it sounded
again. This time Foxy learned the direction
from which it came, and they hurried on toward
the spot. Bang, bang, bang! The gun kept
sounding louder and louder as they sped along.
'Now a new noise greeted their ears. It sounded
like the chattering of many voices, and as they
turned the comer they came upon a strange
sight. U]3 in the tree that bore but one branch
and must at one time have been struck by light-
ning, hung tho cruel hunter, while below him
on the gTound danced and played a greedy crowd
of wolves. One had his empty gun, two more
were fighting for his hat, and the rest stood
barking at the hunter in the wildest manner.
The three cronies were too late to carry out their
scheme^ but they laughed merrily over the vic-
tory of the others, and they were greatly pleased
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? 98
The Hunter Treed.
that at last they were to be set free from the
danger in which they had been so long, and
could now roam over the forest at their pleasure
without fear of being killed by the hunter's gun.
The poor fellow in the tree was in a very un-
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? The Lost Dinner. 99
coriii'OitaHe position, as we can well see, and lie
was in cor^tant fear lest the wolves, in some
"vraj, might be able to reach him. He sav/ no
waj in which he could escape, and felt sure that
Lis time to die had at last come. He hoped the
"Wolves would be attracted by something else, and
go away and leave him, but that seemed to be
almost too good a fortune. The wolves kept the
poor man in the tree until they heard the sound
of approaching footsteps and caught the sounds
of frequently fired guns; then they all scampered
away as fast as possible, and then the poor man
was rescued by his friends, who had come in
search of him.
The tlireo friends were very much disap-
pointed when their Adctim escaped, but they
Loped he would be so badly frightened that he
would, in the future, keep away from the forest,
and so far as we know he never troubled them
again.
The Lost Dinner.
"Come, my dear," said Mrs. Fox, as she
pinned her plaid shawl around her shoulders and
tied on her bonnet that was trimmed vdth one
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? loo
The Lost Dinner.
of the sun-flowers she had gathered from the
kitchen garden that morning, "if you'll be a very
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? The Lost Dinner. oi
good little boy, and promise not to get in tiie
way, you may go to market with me. I have
noticed for several evenings past that a fat young
gobbler roosts on the fence that is built along
the road. This is too good a prize to lose, my
dear, and he shall be mine to-night. If I am
not as young as I used to be, I have not forgotten
the art of bagging game, and it will be well for
you, my child, if you keep your eyes open and
try to profit by my example. ''
"Indeed, mother," said young Rufus," you
will find me just as good as can be, and I am
sure no one could be a better teacher than you,
for well I remember the good dinners you have
brought home from the farm-yard. "
The roadside and the rail fence were soon
gained, and in less time than it takes to tell it,
Mr. Gobbler had found a place inside Mother
Fox's basket, and the lid was shut down tight
'^Oh dear me! " thought the poor turkey, "why
was I so foolish as to roost on that rail fence?
If I had only listened to my mother's warning,
what a happy turkey I might still be; but I
thought I was old enough and smart enough to
take care of myself. If I could only get out I'd
be so careful hereafter. " But the lid was shut
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? I02
The Lost Dinner.
down tight, and there seemed no chance for the
gobbler.
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? The Lost Dinner. lo^
Mother Fox and Rufus chatted merrily as
they trotted along, and when they came to the
rail fence along the edge of the woods, Rufus
begged they might stop and rest awhile, for the
sharp stones had hurt his feet.
Up they scrambled, and seated themselves
quite happily, and Rufus laughed merrily as his
mother told him of the many times she had
escaped the hunter's dogs, and he listened with
a very grave face as she talked to him of the
traps and snares the farmers set to catch the fox
who was foolish enoi^gh to go near them.
Mother Fox became so interested in her lesson
that she quite forgot the turkey in the basket,
but all of a sudden he gave one frantic lurch,
and over went Mother Fox's basket and its pre-
cious contents. Mother Fox was quick, but the
gobbler was quicker -- out of the basket he
popped under the fence, and away he hurried as
fast as his legs could carry him. After him came
the fox; nearer and nearer she came, so close
now that she grabbed his tail feathers, but they
yielded to her clutch, and the turkey hurried
on. On, on he went, until at last, with one
mighty effort, one tremenduoii3 flapping of
wings, he reached the wagon-house roof, tremb-
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? I04 The New Spring Suit.
ling and exhausted, but having left the fox be-
low.
This was a hard lesson for the gobbler, but it
was a good one, and never again did anv one
hear of that turkey roosting on a fence rail. He
did not wish to run any more chances of getting
lato the clutches of the wily old fox.
The New Spring Suit.
Speixg had come again. Spring, warm and
gentle -- not March with its howling winds pinch-
ing your noses and lingers and toes, and bidding
the big round tears to chase each other down
your poor little faces. The warm April showers
told that spring had come. As the rain pattered
down upon the earth, softening the hard crust of
winter, up popped the little faces of the snow-
drop and daffodils, crocuses opened their eyes to
the bright golden sun, and the tulips put on
their robes of crimson and yellow to tell of
spring's arrival.
While nature was putting on her new and
beautiful apparel, Mr. Kufus Cunning began U
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? io6 The New Spring Suit.
open his eyes and wonder if it was not about
time for liim to think of his spring costume.
ISTow one of Rufus' great failings was his love
for dress. It is a fact, though a very sorry one,
that nearly all his time and thoughts were spent
in planning what would be the most becoming
style of clothing.
Off he started one fine morning to fit himself
out with a rig most charming. First of all he
visited the tailor and bought of him a suit which
he considered quite a beauty. His linen was the
next purchase, and the collar he chose was so
high that one would pity him, did he not think
him so very foolish to suffer thus for show. But
people who are older and wiser than this gay
young fox do just such silly things.
His next stop was at the boot-maker's. Mr.
Shoemaker never in all his life found anybody
so hard to please^ but at last a pair was found to
suit him, and then a hat must be gotten. Hat
after hat was tried on, but by and by a hat, tall
and black and shiny, met Foxy's view, and his
eyes danced wilh pleasure as he gazed at himself
in the mirror. Now all was complete except the
gloves -- these were not hard to find, and then he
started for home. You should have seen this
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? The New Spring Suit. 107
vain young creature as lie walked along tlie street
-- everytliing complete, from the crown of his
head to the soles of hLs feet -- not even the walk-
ing-stick, nor the eje-glass had been forgotten.
If no one admired his fine appearance, Foxy was
happy in the entire satisfaction he felt in himself.
But alas, alas! he had just taken his friend,
Miss Bruin, out for a little stroll, when the worst
shower of the whole season came up. You
should have seen them run, when thft first large
drops came pattering down. There seemed to
be no shelter near at hand, and they were getting
pretty wet, when ! ^Iiss Bruin spied some old
friends gathered under an old umbrella, which
little rioy, the pet of the household, had left in
the woods the day before. So Foxy and she
made a dash for this refuge and reached it just
as the rain began to pour down in torrents. The;^'
were pretty well crowded, but they were yery
thankfiil to have even that much protection, and
they really enjoyed themselves chatting with
their friends. The shower lasted only a few
minutes, and when it was over they started foi
home, as it was too wet to go farther and Fox;^
was very much worried over his new rig, which
was nearly ruined.
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? Monkey Jack.
Uncle Mac had been away for years in South
America, mother told us children, and South
America became the extent of travel, the most
remote corner of the world, to our childish
minds. How we listened with the keenest in-
terest to the occasional letters which arrived, and
how we wondered what this far-away uncle was
like, for Rob and I were but babies when he
went away. One night, I can remember it just
lo8
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? Monkey Jack. 2G^
perfectly, although I was only a mite of a girl,
we were gathered around the open fire in the
library, for the September nights were chilly,
when the maid announced a gentleman in the
parlor. He gave no name, but said he knew he
would be welcome. Mother left us, but in al-
most no time we heard her calling, ^'Children,
children, come quickly, your Uncle Mac is
home! " Rob and I pranced down like little
ponies, ajrd were almost smothered in this big
uncle's arms. After the first welcome had been
given, ur>cle asked if he might bring in his
travelitt^^' companion, for he was sure he must
be tired of being alone so long. We children
wondered why the poor traveler had been left in
the hall, but all wonderment was dispelled when
a sleepy, sorrowful looking monkey appeared in
uncle's arms. Oh! how wild Rob was with de-
light. I was rather timid and kept at a distance.
Before Rob had finished admiring this funny
little chap, jSTan, the nurse, came to take him off
to bed. I am sorry to say that Rob was not a
bit good, but screamed dreadfully, until uncle
told him that if he would stop crying. Jack, as
he called the monkey, might sleep in his room.
Mother shook her finger reprovingly at Uncle
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? rI
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? Monkey Jack. 1 1 1
Mac, but I heard liim wliisper that he must be
humored his first night at home. I followed
Rob and Xan, and how I did laugh when I saw
Jack lie down on the quilt Xan put in the comer,
and nestle his head down on his hand. Such a
poor, sleepy monkey as he was!
But this state of serenity was not to last long.
Early in the morning, before daybreak, Xan was
wakened by a tremendous clatter, and jumped
up to find that Master Jack had stripped the
walls of pictures, and was preparing to divest
the bureau of any ornaments. Xan captured
him and tied him to the foot-board of the bed;
but just as her sleepy eyes had closed for a good,
long nap, a scream from Rob aroused her, and
she found that naughty monkey amusing him-
self by vigorously pulling Kob's hair. "Xo more
peace for me," thought Xan, so she dressed as
quickly as possible, and carried Jack down into
tlie garden.
How soon we grew attached to the little fel-
low, for he was so bright and full of cunning
tricks. It was very amusini2: to watch liim take
his funny little hands and with his thumb and
middle finger knock the ashes from Uncle Mac's
cigar. He was very fond of hard boiled eggs,
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? 112 Monkey Jack.
and if we gave one to him hot, lie would throw
it from hand to hand until it became cool, and
then with his clever little fingers he would re-
move the shell just as daintily as possible. An-
other favorite dish of his was red raspberries;
black he would not touch. One day the cook
gave him some red berries in a china saucer, and
deteiTained to keep her eyes upon him, as he
had no regard for crockery. Something de-
manded her attention, and she forgot the mon-
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? The Meeting on the Bridge. 115
key until a gentle tap on the step attracted her
attention, and there stood Jack, holding his plate
towards her for more.
We kept Jack for several years; but one time,
while we were away in the country, the poor
little fellow met with an accident that caused his
death. Rob grieved very much after his queer
play-fellow, and declared that he could never
again love an animal as he did that monkey. I
guess we all felt sad over his loss, for we liked
the cunning chap and missed his cute and funny
capers.
The Meeting on the Bridge.
If you'll go through the woods for about a
quarter of a mile, and then turn to the right, you
will find a bridge, which is formed from rocks
against which the waters trickled untiringly year
after year, until quite an opening was made, and
now the little stream flows on day after day, sing-
ing its low, sweet song. If you'll follow this
tiny si am you will see it growing broader and
broader, until at last it becomes a large and
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? 1 14 The Meeting on the Bridge.
beautiful river. But our storj is about the
bridge over the little stream, and what happened
ihere.
One morning the elephant dressed himself in
his very best, put on his tall white hat, took his
stick in his hand, and started through the woods
to visit his friend, the giraffe. He took his time,
for the day was warm, and he liked to listen to
the birds and watch the gentle rustle of the
leaves as the soft wind shook them.
He was surprised when he looked at the sun
and found that the morning was fast drawing to
a close. He walked on much faster than was
comfortable, and his temper was not the sweetest
when he came to the bridge and found the don-
key standing on it watching the waters flow over
the rocks.
"Move on, my friend,'^ said the elephant, "this
is no place for halting. '' But the donkey was
not pleased to be spoken to in this manner, and
he made no effort to move. On the bridge
stepped the elephant, but still the donkey did
not stir.
"Perhaps you did not hear me," said the ele-
phant. "I told you to move on. "
"Quite plainly I heard you," replied the don^
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