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Today we'll be continuing Little Men by Louisa May Alcott chapter 20 Round the Fire With the October frosts came the cheery fires in the great fireplaces, and Demi's dry pine chips helped dan's oak knots to blaze royally and go roaring up the chimney with a jolly sound.

All were glad to gather round to the hearth as the evenings grew longer, to play games, read or lay plans for the winter.

But the favorite amusement was storytelling, and Mr.

And Mrs.

Bear were expected to have a store of lively tales always on hand.

Their supply occasionally gave out, and then the boys were thrown upon their own resources, which were not always successful.

Ghost parties were the rage at one time, for the fun of the thing consisted in putting out the lights, letting the fire die down, and then sitting in the dark and telling the most awful tales they could invent as this resulted in scares of all sorts among the boys.

Tommy's walking in his sleep on the shed roof, and a general state of nervousness in the little ones.

It was forbidden, and they fell back on more harmless amusements.

One evening, when the small boys were snugly tucked in bed and the older lads were lounging about the schoolroom fire, trying to decide what they should do, demi suggested a new way of settling the question.

Seizing the hearthbrush, he marched up and down the room saying, row, row, row.

And when the boys, laughing and pushing had got into line, he said, now give you two minutes to think of a play Franz was writing and Emil reading The Life of Lord Nelson.

And neither joined the party.

But the others thought hard and when the time was up were ready to reply.

Now Tom and the poker softly wrapped him on the head.

Blind man's buff Jack.

Commerce a good round game and have sense for the pool uncle forbids.

Are playing for money, Dan.

What do you want?

Let's have a battle between the Greeks and Romans.

Stuffy roast apples, popcorn and crack nuts.

Good, good.

Cried several, and when the vote was taken, Stuffy's proposal carried the day.

Some went to the cellar for apples, some to the Garrett for nuts and others looked up the popper and the corn.

We had better ask the girls to come in, hadn't we?

Said Demi in a sudden fit of politeness.

Daisy p***** chestnuts, beautifully put in Nat, who wanted his little friend to share the fun.

NAN pops corn tip top.

We must have her, added Tommy.

Bring in your sweethearts, then.

We don't mind, said Jack, who laughed at the innocent regard the little people had for one another.

You shan't call my sister a sweetheart.

It is so silly, cried Demi in a way that made Jack laugh.

She is Nat's darling, isn't she, old Chipper?

Yes, if Demi don't mind.

I can't help being fond of her.

She's so good to me, answered Nat with a bashful earnestness, for Jack's rough waves disturbed him.

NAN is my sweetheart and I shall marry her in about a year, so don't you get in the way, any of you, said Tommy stoutly, for he and NAN had settled their future child fashion and were to live in the willow, lower down a basket for food and do other charmingly impossible things.

Demi was quenched by the decision of Bangs, who took him by the arm and walked him off to get the ladies.

NAN and Daisy were sewing with Aunt Joe on certain small garments for Mrs Carney's newest baby.

Please, ma'am, could you lend us the girls for a little while?

We'll be very careful of them, said Tommy, winking one eye to express apples, snapping his fingers to signify popcorn and gnashing his teeth to convey the idea of nutcracking.

The girls understood this pantomime at once and began to pull off their thimbles.

Before Mrs Jo could decide whether Tommy was going into convulsions or brewing some unusual piece of mischief, demi explained with elaboration.

Permission was readily granted and the boys departed with their prize.

Don't you speak to Jack, whispered Tommy as he and NAN promenaded down the hall to get a fork to p**** the apples.

Why not?

He laughs at me so I don't wish you to have anything to do with him.

Shall if I like, said NAN promptly resenting this premature assumption of authority on the part of her lord, then I won't have you for my sweetheart.

I don't care.

Why, NAN, I thought you were fond of me, and Tommy's voice was full of tender reproach.

If you mind Jack's laughing, I don't care for you one bit.

Then you may take back your old ring.

I won't wear it any longer.

And Tommy plucked off a horsehair pledge of affection, which NAN had given him in return for one made of a lobster's feeler.

I shall give it to Ned, was her cruel reply.

For Ned, liked Mrs.

Giddy gaddy and had turned her clothespins boxes and spools enough to set up housekeeping with Tommy said Thunder Turtles as the only vent equal to the pent up anguish of the moment and dropping nan's.

Arm retired in high dungeon, leaving her to follow with a fork a neglect which naughty NAN punished by proceeding to p**** his heart with jealousy as if it were another sort of apple.

The hearth was swept and the rosy Baldwins put down to roast.

A shovel was heated, and the chestnuts danced merrily upon it, while the corn popped wildly in its wire prison.

Dan cracked his best walnuts, and everyone chattered and laughed while the rain beat on the window pane and the wind howled round to the house.

Why is Billy like this nut?

Asked Emile, who was frequently inspired with bad conundrums.

Because he is cracked.

That's not fair.

You mustn't make fun of Billy because he can't hit back again.

It's mean.

Cried Dan, smashing a nut wrathfully.

To what family of insects does Blake belong?

Asked peacemaker.

Franz Seeing that, Emile looked ashamed and Dan lowering nats, answered Jack.

Why is Daisy like a bee?

Cried Nat, who had been wrapped in thought for several minutes.

Because she is queen of the hive, said Dan.

No, because she is sweet.

Bees are not sweet.

Give it up.

Because she makes sweet things, is always busy and likes flowers, said Nat, piling up his boyish compliments till Daisy blushed like a rosy clover.

Why is NAN like a hornet?

Demanded Tommy, glowering at her and adding without giving anyone time to answer, because she isn't sweet, makes a great buzzing about nothing and stings like fury.

Tommy is mad and I'm glad, cried Ned, as NAN tussed her head and answered quickly, what thing in the china closet is tom like?

A pepper pot, answered Ned, giving NAN a nutmeat with a tantalizing laugh that made Tommy feel as if he would like to bounce up like a hot chestnut and hit somebody.

Seeing that ill humor was getting the better of the small supply of wit in the company, bronze, cast himself into the breach again.

Let's make a law that the first person who comes into the room shall tell us a story.

No matter who it is, he must do it, and it will be fun to see who comes first.

The others agreed and did not have to wait long for a heavy step soon came clumping through the hall, and Silas appeared bearing an arm full of wood.

He was greeted by a general shout and stood staring about him with a bewildered grin on his big red face till Franz explained the joke.

Joe, I can't tell a story, he said, putting down his load and preparing to leave the room.

But the boys fell upon him, forced him into a seat and held him there, laughing and clamoring for their story till the good natured giant was overpowered.

I don't know but just one story.

And that's about a horse, he said, much flattered by the reception he received.

Tell it.

Tell it.

Cried the boys.

Well, began Silas tipping his chair back against the wall and putting his thumbs in the armholes of his waistcoat.

I joined a cavalry regiment during the war and see a considerable amount of fighting.

My horse, Major was a first rate animal, and I was as fond on him as if he'd been a human critter.

He weren't heartsome, but he was the.

Best timbered, steidiest loveless brute I ever see.

Our first battle we went into, he gave me a lesson that I didn't forget in a hurry, and I'll tell you how it was.

It ain't no use trying to picture the noise and hurry and general horridness of a battle to you, young fellers, for I ain't no words to do it in.

But I'm free to confess that I got so sort of confused and upset at the fuss on it that I didn't know what I was about.

We was ordered to charge, and we went ahead like good ones, never stopping to pick up them that went down in the scrimmage.

I got a shot in the arm and was pitched out of the saddle.

Don't know how, but there I was, left behind with two or three others dead and wounded for the rest went on as I say.

Well, I picked myself up and looked round for Major, feeling as if I'd had about enough for that spell.

I didn't see him nowhere and was kinder walking back to camp when I.

Heard a Winnie that sounded natural.

I looked round and there was Majors stopping for me a long way off and looking as if he didn't understand why I was loitering behind.

I whistled and he trotted up to me as I'd trained him to do.

I mounted as well as I could with my left arm bleeding and was going on to camp, for I declare, I felt as sick as Wimbly as a woman folks often do in their first battle, but no, sir, major was the bravest of the two, and he wouldn't go, not a peg.

He just reared up and danced and snorted and acted as if the smell of powder and the noise that drove him half wild.

I'd done my best, but he wouldn't give in, so I did.

What do you think that plucky brute done, he wheeled, slapped round and galloped back like a hurricane right into the thickest of the scrimmage.

Good for him.

Cried Dan excitedly, while the other boys forgot apples and nuts in their interest.

I wish I may die if I weren't ashamed of myself, continued Silas, warming.

Up at the recollection of that day.

I was mad as a hornet, and I forgot my wound and just pitched in, rampaging around like fury till they come a shell in the midst of us, and in bust and knocked a lot of us flat.

I didn't know nothing for a spell, and when I come too, the fight was over just there, and I found myself laying by a wall of poor Major Long side.

Was wounded than I was.

My leg was broke and I had a ball in my shoulder.

But he, poor old feller, was all tore in the side with a piece of that blasted shell.

Oh, Silas, what did you do?

Cried NAN, pressing close to him with a face full of eager sympathy and interest.

I dragged myself nigher and tried to stop the bleeding with such rags as I could tear off of me with one hand.

But it weren't no youth.

As he lay moaning with horrid pain and looking at me with them loving eyes of his till I thought I couldn't bear it.

I give him all the help I could.

And when the sun got hotter and hotter and he began to lap out his tongue, I tried to get to a brook that was a good piece away, but I couldn't do it, being stiff and faint.

So I give it up and fanned him with my hat.

Now, you listen to this, and when you hear folks coming down on the rebs, you just remember what oneon did and give him credit of it.

I, poor feller, and grey laid not fur off, shot through the lungs and dying fast.

I'd offered him my handkerchief to keep the sun off his face and he thanked me kindly, for in such times as that men don't stop to think on which side they belong, but just buckle too and help one another.

When he see me mourning over Major and trying to ease his pain, he looked up with his face all damp and white with suffering and says he, there's water in my canteen.

Take it, for it can't help me.

And he flung it to me.

I couldn't have took it if I hadn't had a little brandy in a pocket flask.

And I made him drink it.

It done him good, and I felt as much set up as if I'd drunk it myself.

It's surprising the good such little things do folks sometimes.

And Silas paused as if he felt again the comfort of that moment when he and his enemy forgot their feud and helped one another like brothers.

Tell about major.

Cried the boys, impatient for the catastrophe.

I poured the water over his poor pantoned tongue, and if ever a dumb critter looked grateful, he did then.

But it weren't of much use, for the dreadful wound kept on tormenting him till I couldn't bear it any longer.

It was hard, but I'd done it in mercy, and I know he forgave me.

What did you do?

Asked Emile, as Silas stopped abruptly with a loud hem and looked in his rough face that made Daisy go and stand by him with her little hand on his knee.

I shot him.

Quite a thrill went through the listeners as Silas said that for Major seemed a hero in their eyes, and his tragic end roused all their sympathy.

Yes, I shot him and put him.

Out of his misery.

I patted him first and said goodbye.

Then I laid his head easy on the grass, give a last look into his loving eyes, and sent a bullet through his head.

He hardly stirred.

I aimed so true, and when I seen him quite still, with no more moaning and pain, I was glad.

And yet well, I don't know what I need by ashamed on until I just put my arms round his neck and boohooed like a great baby show.

I didn't know I was such a fool.

And Silas drew his sleeve across his eyes, as much touched by Daisy's sob as by the memory of faithful Major.

No one spoke for a minute, because the boys were as quick to feel the pathos of the little story as tender hearted Daisy, though they did not show it by crying.

I'd like a horse like that, said Dan, half aloud.

Did the rebel man die, too?

Asked NAN anxiously.

Not then.

We laid there all day, and at night some of our fellers came to look after the missing ones.

They naturally wanted to take me first, but I knew I could wait, and the rebel had but one chance maybe, so I made them carry him off right away.

He had just strength enough to hold out his hand to me and say, thank you, comrade.

And then was the last words he spoke, for he died an hour after he got to the hospital tent.

How glad you must have been that you were kind to him, said Demi, who was deeply impressed by this story.

Well, I didn't take comfort thinking of it, as I laid there alone for a number of hours with my head on Major's neck and see the moon come up.

I'd like to have buried the poor.

Beast decent, but it weren't possible.

So I cut off a bit of his mane and I've kept it ever since.

Want to see it, sissy?

Oh, yes, please, answered Daisy, wiping away her tears to look.

Silas took out an old wallet, as he called his pocketbook, and produced from an inner fold a bit of brown paper, in which was a rough lock of white horse hair.

The children looked at it silently as it lay in the broad palm, and no one found anything to ridicule in the love Silas bore's.

Good horse, Major.

That is a sweet story and I like it, though it did make me cry.

Thank you very much.

Sigh.

And Daisy helped him fold and put away his little relic, while NAN stuffed a handful of popcorn into his pocket.

And the boys loudly expressed their flattering opinions of his story, feeling that there had been two heroes in it.

He departed quite overcome by his honors.

And the little conspirators talked the tale over while they waited for their next victim.

It was Mrs.

Jo who came in to measure NAN for some new pinafores she was making for her.

They let her get well in and then pounced upon her, telling her the law and demanding the story.

Mrs.

Jo was very much amused at the new trap and consented at once, for the sound of happy voices had been coming across the hall so pleasantly that she quite longed to join them and forget her own anxious thoughts of Sister Meg.

Am I the first mouse you have caught, you sly p****** in boots?

She asked as she was conducted to the big chair, supplied with refreshments and surrounded by a flock of merry faced listeners.

I told her about Silas and his contribution, and she slapped her forehead in despair, for she was quite at her wits'end being called upon so unexpectedly for a brand new tale.

What shall I tell about?

She said.

Boys, was the general answer.

Have a party in it, said Daisy.

And something good to eat added stuffy that reminds me of a story written years ago by a dear old lady.

I used to be very fond of it, and I fancy you will like it, for it has both boys and something good to eat in it.

What is it called?

Asked Demi, the suspected boy.

Nat looked up from the nuts he was picking, and Mrs.

Jo smiled at him, guessing what was in his mind.

Miss Crane kept a school for boys in a quiet little town, and a very good school it was, of the old fashioned sort.

Six boys lived in her house, and four or five more came in from the town.

Among those who lived with her, one was named Louis White.

Louis was not a bad boy, but rather timid, and now and then he told a lie.

One day a neighbor sent Miss Crane a basket of gooseberries.

There were not enough to go round, so kind Miss Crane, who liked to please her boys, went to work and made a dozen nice little gooseberry tarts.

I'd like to try gooseberry tarts.

I wonder if she made them as I do my raspberry ones, said Daisy, whose interest in cooking had lately revived.

Hush, said Nat, tucking a plump popcorn into her mouth to silence her, for he felt a particular interest in this tale and thought it opened well.

When the tarts were done, Miss Crane put them away in the best parlour closet and said not a word about them, for she wanted to surprise the boys at tea time.

When the minute came and all were seated at table, she went to get her tarts, but came back looking much troubled, for what do you think had happened?

Somebody had hooked them.

Cried Ned.

No, there they were.

But someone had stolen all the fruit out of them by lifting up the upper crust and then putting it down after the gooseberry had been scraped out.

What a mean trick.

Anne looked at Tommy as if to imply that he would do the same.

When she told the boys her plan and showed them the poor little patties, all robbed of their sweetness.

The boys were much grieved and disappointed, and all declared that they knew nothing about the matter.

Perhaps the rats did it, said Lewis, who was among the loudest to deny any knowledge of the tarts.

No rats would have nibbled crust and all, and never lifted it up and scooped out the fruit.

Hams did that, said Miss Crane, who was more troubled about the lie that someone must have told than about her lost patties.

Well, they had supper and went to bed, but in the night Miss Crane heard someone groaning and going to see who it was.

She found Lewis in great pain.

He had evidently eaten something that disagreed with him and was so sick that Miss Crane was alarmed and was going to send for the doctor when Lewis moaned out, it's the gooseberries.

I ate them, and I must tell before I die, for the thought of a doctor frightened him.

If that is all, I'll give you in a medic and you will soon get over it, said Miss Crane.

So Lewis had a good dose, and by morning was quite comfortable.

Oh, don't tell the boys.

They'll laugh at me.

So begged the invalid kind.

Miss Crane promised not to, but Sally the girl, told the story and poor Lewis had no peace for a long time.

His mates called him Old Gooseberry and were never tired of asking him the price of tarts.

Served him right.

Said Emile.

Badness always gets found out, added Demi.

Morally.

No, it don't, muttered Jack, who was tending the apples with great devotion so that he might keep his back to the rest and account for his red face.

Is that all?

Asked Dan.

No, that is only the first part.

The second part is more interesting.

Sometime after this, a peddler came by one day and stopped to show his things to the boys, several of whom bought pocket combs, juice, harps and various trifles of that sort.

Among the knives was a little white handled penknife that Lewis wanted very much.

But he had spent all his pocket money and no one had any to lend him.

He held the knife in his hand, admiring and longing for it, till the man packed up his goods to go.

Then he reluctantly laid it down, and the man went on his way.

The next day, however, the Peddler returned to say that he could not find that very knife and thought he must have left it at Miss Crane's.

It was a very nice one with a pearl handle, and he could not afford to lose it.

Everyone looked and everyone declared they knew nothing about it.

This young gentleman had it last and seemed to want it very much.

Are you quite sure you put it back?

Said the man to Louis, who was much troubled at the loss and vowed over and over again that he did return it.

His denial seemed to do no good, however, for everyone was sure he had taken it.

And after a stormy scene, Miss Crane paid for it, and the man went grumbling away.

Did Lewis have it?

Cried Nat, much excited.

You will see.

Now poor Lewis had another trial to bear, for the boys were constantly saying, lend me your pearl handled knife, gooseberry and things of that sort.

Till Lewis was so unhappy, he begged to be sent home.

Miss Crane did her best to keep the boys quiet, but it was hard work, for they would tease and she could not be with them all the time.

That is one of the hardest things to teach boys.

They won't hit a fellow when he is down, as they say, but they will torment him in little ways till he would thank them to fight it out all round.

I know that, said Dan.

So do I.

Added Nat softly.

Jack said nothing, but he quite agreed, for he knew that the elder boys despised him and let him alone for that very reason.

They'll go on about poor Louis, Aunt Joe, I don't believe he took the knife, but I want to be sure, said Daisy in great anxiety.

Well, week after week went on, and the matter was not cleared up.

The boys avoided Louis, and he, poor fellow, was almost sick with the trouble he had brought upon himself.

He resolved never to tell another lie, and tried so hard that Miss Crane pitied and helped him, and really came at last to believe that he did not take the knife.

Two months after the peddler's first visit, he came again, and the first thing he said was, well, ma'am, I found that knife after all.

It had slipped behind the lining of my valise and fell out.

The other day when I was putting in a new stock of goods, I thought I'd call and let you know as you paid for it and maybe would like it.

So here it is.

The boys had all gathered round, and at these words they felt much ashamed and begged Lewis's pardon so heartily that he could not refuse to give it.

Miss Crane presented the knife to him, and he kept it many years to remind him of the fault that had brought him so much trouble.

I wonder why it is that things you eat on the sly hurt you and don't when you eat them at table, observed Stuffy thoughtfully.

Perhaps your conscience affects your stomach, said Mrs.

Joe, smiling at his speech.

He is thinking of the cucumbers, said Ned, and a gale of merriment followed.

The words for Stuffy's last mishap had been a funny one.

He ate two large cucumbers in private, felt very ill and confided his anguish to Ned imploring him to do something.

Ned good naturedly recommended a mustard plaster and a hot flat iron to the feet only.

In applying these remedies, he reversed the order of things and put the plaster on the feet.

The flat iron on the stomach and poor Stuffy was found in the barn with blistered soles and a scorched jacket.

Suppose you tell another story that was such an interesting one, said Nat, as the laughter subsided.

Before Mrs.

Jo could refuse the insatiable Oliver Twists, rob walked into the room, trailing his little bed cover after him and wearing an expression of great sweetness as he said, steering straight to his mother as a sure haven of refuge.

I heard a great noise and I thought something dreadful might have happened, so I came to see do you think I would forget you naughty boy?

Asked his mother, trying to look stern.

No, but I thought you'd feel better to see me right here, responded the insinuating little party.

I had much rather see you in bed, so march straight up again, robin, everybody that comes in here has to tell a story, and you can't, so you better cut and run, said Emile.

Yes, I can.

I tell Teddy lots of ones, all about bears and moons and little flies that say things when they buzz, protested Rob.

Bound to stay at any price.

Tell one now, then.

Right away, said Dan, preparing to shoulder and bear him off.

Well, I will.

Let me think a minute.

And Rob climbed into his mother's lap, where he was cuddled with the remark it is a family failing, this, getting out of bed at wrong times.

Demi used to do it.

And as for me, I was hopping in and out all night long.

Meg used to think the house was on fire and send me down to sea.

And I used to stay and enjoy myself.

As you mean, too.

My bad son, I think now, observed Rob, quite at his ease and eager to win the entree into this delightful circle.

Everyone looked and listened with faces full of suppressed merriment.

At Rob, perched on his mother's knee and wrapped in the gay coverlet, told the following brief but tragic tale with an earnestness that made it very funny once a lady had a million children and one little nice boy.

She went upstairs and said you mustn't.

Go in the yard.

But he went it and fell into the pump and was drowned dead.

Is that all?

Asked Franz, as Rob paused, out of breath with this startling beginning.

No, there's another piece of it.

And Rob knit his downy eyebrows in the effort to evolve another inspiration.

What did the lady do when he fell into the pump?

Asked his mother to help him on.

Oh, she pumped him up and wrapped him in a newspaper and put him on a shelf to dry for seed.

A general explosion of laughter greeted the surprising conclusion, and Mrs.

Jo patted the curly head as she said solemnly, my son, you inherit your mother's gift of storytelling.

Go where glory waits thee.

Now I can stay, can't I?

Wasn't it a good story?

Cried Rob in high feather at his superb success.

You can stay till you've eaten these twelve popcorns, said his mother, expecting to see them vanish at one mouthful.

But Rob was a shrewd little man and got the better of her by eating them one by one, very slowly and enjoying every minute with all his might.

Hadn't you better tell the other story while you wait for him?

Said Demi, anxious that no time should be lost.

I really have nothing but a little tale about a wood box, said Mrs.

Joe, seeing that Rob had still seven corns to eat.

Is there a boy in it?

It is all boy.

Is it true?

Asked Demi.

Every bit of it.

Goody.

Tell on, please.

James Snow and his mother lived in a little house up in New Hampshire.

They were poor, and James had to work to help his mother.

But he loved books so well.

He hated work and just wanted to sit and study all day long.

How could he?

I hate books and like work, said Dan, objecting to James at the very outset.

It takes all sorts of people to make a world, workers and students both are needed, and there's room for all.

But I think the workers should study some, and the students should know how to work if necessary, answered Mrs.

Jo, looking from Dan to Demi with a significant expression.

I'm sure I do work.

And Demi showed three small hard spots in his little palm with pride.

And I'm sure I study, added Dan, nodding with a groan toward the blackboard full of neat figures.

See what James did?

He did not mean to be selfish, but his mother was proud of him and let him do as he liked, working by herself that he might have books and time to read them.

One autumn, James wanted to go to school and went to the minister to see if he would help him about decent clothes and books.

Now the minister had heard the gossip about James'idleness and was not inclined to do much for him, thinking that a boy who neglected his mother and let her slave for him was not likely to do very well even at school.

But the good man felt more interested when he found how earnest James was, and being rather an odd man, he made this proposal to the boy to try.

Now sincere he was.

I will give you clothes and books on one condition.

James what is that, sir?

And the boy brightened up at once.

You're to keep your mother's wood box full all winter long and do it yourself.

If you fail, school stops.

James laughed at the queer condition and readily agreed to it, thinking it a very easy one.

He began school, and for a time got on capitally with the wood box, for it was autumn and chips and brushwood were plentiful.

He ran out morning and evening and got a basket full, or chopped up the cat sticks for the little cooking stove.

And as his mother was careful in saving, the task was not hard.

But in November the frost came.

The days were dull and cold, and wood went fast.

His mother bought a load with her own earnings, but it seemed to melt away and was nearly gone before James remembered that he was to get the next.

Mrs.

Snow was feeble and lame with rheumatism and unable to work as she had done.

So James had to put down the books and see what he could do.

It was hard, for he was going on well and so interested in his lessons that he hated to stop except for food and sleep.

But he knew the minister would keep his word, and much against his will, james set about earning money in his spare hours, lest the wood box should get empty.

He did all sorts of things ran errands, took care of a neighbor's cow, helped the old sexton dust and warm the church on Sundays, and in these ways got enough to buy fuel in small quantities.

But it was hard work.

The days were short, the winter was bitterly cold and precious.

Time went fast, and the dear books were so fascinating that it was sad to leave them for dull duties that never seemed done.

The minister watched him quietly, and saying that he was in earnest helped him without his knowledge.

He met him often, driving the wood sleds from the forest or the men were chopping, and as James plodded beside the slow oxen, he read or studied, anxious to use every minute.

The boy's worth helping.

This lesson will do him good, and when he has learned it, I will give him an easier one, said the minister to himself.

And on Christmas Eve, a splendid load of wood was quietly dropped at the door of the little house with a new saw and a bit of paper, saying, only the Lord helps those who help themselves.

Poor James expected nothing, but when he woke on that cold Christmas morning, he found a pair of warm mittens knit by his mother with her stiff, painful fingers.

This gift pleased him very much.

But her kiss and tender look, as she called him her good son, was better still.

In trying to keep her warm, he had warmed his own heart, you see, and in filling the wood box he had also filled those months with duties faithfully done.

He began to see this, to feel that there was something better than books and to try to learn the lessons God sent him as well as those his schoolmaster gave.

When he saw the great pile of oak and pine logs at his door and read the little paper, he knew who sent it and understood the minister's plan, thanked him for it and fell to work with all his might.

Other boys frolicked that day, but James sawed wood.

And I think of all the lads in the town, the happiest was the one in the new mittens who whistled like a blackbird as he filled his mother's wood box.

That's a first, raider.

Cried Dan, who enjoyed a simple matter of face story better than the finest fairy tale.

I like that fellow, after all.

I could saw wood for you, Aunt Joe, said Demi, feeling as if a new means of earning money for his mother was suggested by the story.

Tell about a bad boy.

I like them best, said NAN.

You'd better tell about a naughty crosspatch of a girl, said Tommy, whose evening had been spoiled by Nan's unkindness.

It made his apple taste bitter, his popcorn was insipid, his nuts were hard to crack, and the sight of Ned and NAN on one bench made him feel his life a burden.

But there were no more stories from Mrs.

Joe, for on looking down at Rob, he was discovered to be fast asleep with his last corn firmly clasped in his chubby hand, mundling him up in his coverlet.

His mother carried him away and tucked him up with no fear of his popping out again.

Now, let's see who will come next, said Emile, setting the door temptingly ajar.

Marianne passed first and he called out to her.

But Silas had warned her and she only laughed and hurried on in spite of their enticements.

Presently a door opened and a strong voice was heard humming in the hall.

Igweiss niked with solas bedooten dazi stroden.

Bin it's Uncle Fritz.

I'll laugh loud and he'll be sure to come in, said Emile.

A wild burst of laughter followed and in came Uncle Fritz asking what is the joke, my lads?

Caught.

Caught?

You can't go out till you've told a story, cried the boys, slamming the door.

So that is the joke, then.

Well, I have no wish to go.

It is so pleasant here and I pay my forfeit at once.

Which he did by sitting down and beginning instantly.

A long time ago, your grandfather Demi went to lecture in a great town, hoping to get some money for a home for little orphans that some good people were getting up.

His lecture did well, and he put a considerable sum of money in his pocket, feeling very happy about it as he was driving in his shaves to another town.

He came to a lonely bit of road late in the afternoon and was just thinking what a good place it was for robbers, when he saw a bad looking man come out of the woods in front of him and go slowly along as if waiting till he came up.

The thought of the money made Grandfather rather anxious, and at first he had a mind to turn round and drive away.

But the horse was tired, and then he did not like to suspect the.

Man, so he kept on.

And when he got nearer and saw how poor and sick and ragged the stranger looked, his heart reproached him and stopping, he said in a kind voice, my friend, you look tired.

Let me give you a lift.

The man seemed surprised, hesitated a minute, and then got in.

He did not seem inclined to talk, but Grandfather kept on in his wise, cheerful way, speaking of what a hard year it had been, how much the poor had suffered and how difficult it was to get on.

Sometimes the man slowly softened a little and won by the kind chat told his story, how he had been sick, could get no work, had a family of children, and was almost in despair.

Grandfather was so full of pity that he forgot his fear and asking the man his name, said he would try to get him work in the next.

Town, as he had friends there wishing.

To get it pencil and paper to.

Write down the address.

Grandfather took out his plump pocketbook and the minute he did so the man's eye was on it.

Then Grandfather remembered what was in it and trembled for his money, but said quietly, yes, I have a little sum here for some poor orphans.

I wish it was my own.

I would so gladly give you some of it.

I am not rich, but I know many of the trials of the poor.

This $5 is mine and I want to give it to you for your children.

The hard, hungry look in the man's eyes changed to a grateful one as he took the small sum freely given and left the orphans money untouched.

He rode on with Grandfather till they approached the town, then he asked to be sat down.

Grandpa shook hands with him and was about to drive on when the man said as if something made him.

I was desperate when we met and I meant to rob you, but you were so kind I couldn't do it.

God bless you, sir, for keeping me from it.

Did Grandpa ever see him again?

Asked Daisy eagerly.

No.

I believe the man found work and.

Did not try robbery anymore.

That was a curious way to treat him.

I'd have knocked him down, said Dan.

Kindness is always better than force.

Try it and see, answered Mr.

Bear, rising.

Tell another, please.

Cried Daisy.

You must.

Aunt Joe did, added Demi.

Then I certainly won't.

But keep my others for next time.

Too many tails are as bad as too many bonbons.

I have paid my forfeit and I go.

Mr.

Bear ran for his life, with the whole flock in full pursuit.

He had the start, however, and escaped safely into his steady, leaving the boys to go riding back again.

They were so stirred up by the race that they could not settle to their former quiet.

And a lively game of blind man's buff followed, in which Tommy showed that he had taken the moral of the last story to heart.

For when he caught NAN, he whispered in her ear, I'm sorry I called you a cross patch.

NAN was not to be outdone in kindness.

So when they played Button, Button, who's got the button?

And it was her turn to go round, she said, hold fast, all I give you with such a friendly smile at Tommy that he was not surprised to find the horsehair ring in his hand instead of the button.

He only smiled back at her then.

But when they were going to bed, he offered NAN the best bite of his last apple.

She saw the ring on his stumpy little finger, accepted the bite, and peace was declared.

Both were ashamed of the temporary coldness.

Neither was ashamed to say, I was wrong.

Forgive me.

So the childish friendship remained unbroken, and the home in the willow lasted long, a pleasant little castle in the air.

Thank you for joining Bite at a Time Books today while we read a bite of one of your favorite classics.

Again, my name is Brie Carlyle and I hope you come back tomorrow for the next bite of little Men.

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