Cinderella; or, The Little Glass Slipper and Other Stories Part 8

What a merry, merry rout!

See the wee ones dance about!

d.i.c.kie's leading off the ball; There,--he almost had a fall.

Who's his partner in the whirls, --Rosiest of all the girls?

But a doll--a DOLL you say; Dancing in that sprightly way?

Well I never! Oh, see there, See--just see those horses tear!

Meg and Madge will sure be thrown.

What a vicious looking roan!

Not a real live horse you say, Prancing in that frightful way?

Well, I never! Toys to-day Surely seem more "real" than "play."

BRAVE TOMa.s.sO.

There were once two very beautiful cats named Toma.s.so and Lilia. It would be very hard indeed to say which was more beautiful than the other, Toma.s.so the husband, or Lilia his wife.

They were about the same size, although, perhaps, Toma.s.so was a little the stouter of the two. There could be no question that at times the expression of his face was decidedly more fierce than that of his gentle wife.

The fur of each of them was as white as the driven snow, and as soft, and fine, and glossy as the most perfect silk gloss.

Add to these natural charms the fact that they always kept themselves beautifully clean, and always wore round their necks cravats made of the richest satin ribbon, and I am sure you will agree with me in thinking that they were cats of very high degree.

Their neighbors considered them extremely proud and haughty. They never were known to play with any of the cats in their street. To be with each other was all they asked. Sometimes these neighbors took a great deal of pains to get a glimpse of Toma.s.so and Lilia as, paw in paw, they danced a minuet together.

Even the most grumpy grimalkin declared it was a beautiful sight. There was no doubt the young couple was very graceful and their manners were perfect. Then he said that cats brought up as Toma.s.so and his wife had always lived, OUGHT to be amiable and beautiful. He understood that a jar of Orange County cream was ordered for them every day. Then he muttered something which sounded very much as if he thought Toma.s.so would be not over courageous in a moment of danger. "Alone, white tail is all very fine," said he, "but mark my word, at a sudden fright it would turn into a white feather. I should pity his wife if she had no one but him to protect her."

Now it happened that that very afternoon Toma.s.so's courage was put to the test. As he and Lilia were taking a quiet walk, suddenly a huge dog rushed out at them. In an instant Toma.s.so placed himself across Lilia's trembling body. She had fallen to the ground in terror. The great dog made a jump at Toma.s.so, but was met with such a snarl, and then such a blow from a set of sharp claws that he ran away howling.

That night the news of Toma.s.so's bravery spread through the whole neighborhood. But he was very quiet and modest. His proud wife was much disturbed at a bad scratch Toma.s.so had received in the struggle. They both examined it carefully with the aid of a hand-gla.s.s.

"I hope it will not leave a scar," said Lilia, "but if it does it will only be a proof of the n.o.ble courage of my brave Toma.s.so."

TOMMY FROST SEES A BEAR.

Tommy Frost was making his first visit in the country. He was enjoying it very much. He liked to ramble about in the woods close by the house of his aunt, Mrs. Drew. Tommy had never even seen any birds before this, but pigeons and sparrows. That is, any birds out of cages. He had lived all his short life in the centre of a great city. He wanted very much to see a wild animal. He had heard Mr. Drew and some of his friends talking about "bear tracks" in the woods. Mr. Drew said they must go off some day and hunt for that bear.

Now Tommy had no idea what a bear was like. He wished very much that he might see one. Every day he said to himself, "If I could only find the one the big men were talking about I'd feel proud." One day as he was strolling about, he suddenly saw something moving in one of the trees.

He stopped, and looked up excitedly, then he rushed for the house screaming at the top of his voice, "Aunt Maria! Aunt Maria! come quick, I've seen it, it's in the woods."

"What is in the woods?" asked Mrs. Drew.

"The bear!" cried Tommy.

"The bear?" repeated Mrs. Drew, hardly understanding.

Then she drew a long breath and turned very white as she stood a moment shielding her eyes from the sun, looking in the direction in which Tommy pointed. Then she ran back into the house, and came out in a moment, bringing with her a huge horn. It was a megaphone. She was trembling so she could scarcely lift it, but she managed to raise it to her mouth and call through it. "John! Murray! come! come this instant! The bear is in the woods back of the house."

In a few moments her husband and brother came running from the field where they were at work.

They stopped for no questions, but rushed into the house for their guns.

But as they came out Mr. Drew asked, "Who saw it? When, where?"

"I did," said Tommy, not a bit frightened, but feeling very excited and proud. "I did, back there in a tree."

"In a tree?" cried Mrs. Drew's brother, stopping in his quick run for the woods.

"Yes," said Tommy, "it was a bear, but it looked,--it LOOKED just like my picture of a wiggle-tail."

"Oh," cried Mrs. Drew, as she sank on the door-step, "the child has seen a gray squirrel!"

MYSELF.

One little head so smooth and round, With soft hair covered, golden or brown, One little forehead smooth and white, Two little eye-brows dark or light.

Two little eyes that we see through.

See us looking, now, at you?

Two little cheeks so plump and round, Where the red rose of health is found.

Two little ears where sound comes in; One little nose and mouth and chin.

Rows of little teeth all in white; Ready for use when lunch is in sight.

One little tongue kind words to say-- Bright little smiles which round them play.

One little head where all are seen.

One little neck which stands between Head and shoulders to hold them fast.

Now are we ready to find, at last, One little body with arms and hands Two legs and two feet on which it stands.

TWO STRANGE SIGHTS.

"Oh come into the dining-room!"

Cries Fred, "come, grandma, dear.

For something very strange indeed Is going on in here!"

And sure enough, when grandma comes, Perhaps at first with fright, She stands quite still, astonished at An unexpected sight.

For there upon the woollen rug, A jug between her feet, Sits Freddy's little sister Bess Absorbed in pleasures sweet.

Her finger in the syrup now Behold she slyly dips, And carries it with great delight To her own rosy lips.

"You little witch!" cries grandmama, "You're like the naughty rat I found within the cellar once, Who on a barrel sat, Filled with mola.s.ses, which he reached By dipping in the hole His great long tail from which he licked The sweets he thus had stole.