to dig. It was her way of saying, "I am satisfied. We'll set up
housekeeping here."
She did not know that she had chosen the same sunny slope on which
Domino himself had lived as a tiny cub, but she did know that it was a
fine place for a home for a family of foxes. The hillside would be
sheltered and warm; the den door would be hidden by the pine thicket
near.
The deep snow and deep leaves had kept the earth soft enough for her
to dig, so she worked away with a will. Domino sat on the hill and
kept guard for an hour, then he took her place and worked while
Snowyruff kept watch. So, working together, they built their home; a
cozy, well-hidden den it was, too. No eye could detect it, though
within a dozen feet; and as the warm spring sunshine set the grass
growing, it was better hidden each day.
The pair were more and more careful not to be seen near the den. At
last one day Snowyruff said to Domino: "Keep away now!" and he kept
away from the den for days. While he was absent a wonderful thing
happened: Five little foxes were born! When Snowyruff left them to
slip down to the river for a cooling drink of water, Domino was there
on the bank watching. She said to him in plain Fox language: "You must
not come home yet," so he crouched with his head flat on the leaves,
and she hurried back to the den.
The next day when she was hungry, she ate some of the food which they
had stored up in the dry sand of the side chamber of the den. Two days
later, she went to the door, and there was a pile of food--Domino had
stolen down and left it for her and their babies. After that, every
day, there was food at the door, or hidden in the grass near by.
When the cubs were nine days old their eyes opened, they whimpered
less, and Snowyruff felt it safer to leave them. Domino now came in to
see his family, and a proud father he was. He guarded them with the
greatest care, and was as devoted to them as Mother Snowyruff herself.
When they were about a month old, the little toddlers were brought out
into the sunlight in front of the den. There they romped and wrestled
and raced with each other. Sometimes they chased flies or bumble-bees,
sometimes they made a fine game of catching Mother's tail, or tussled
over a dried duck's wing.
As the days passed and the young foxes grew stronger, Domino and
Snowyruff began teaching them to find food for themselves. Live game
was brought home each day. Sometimes a frog, or a fat field mouse, was
brought, and then turned loose for the youngsters to re-capture. Once
Domino called, "Chur-chur-chur," and when the rollicking cubs came
tumbling over one another, he dropped a live muskrat in their midst.
They pounced on it, but the muskrat was a desperate fighter. It seemed
for a time that he would win, but the father and mother only looked
on. They must let their children learn to do hard things for
themselves, so they waited until one cub was strong enough and quick
enough to lay the muskrat low.
The happy growing days went by, and the cubs had not learned the
meaning of fear. One day Domino was returning home with food. Five
little black noses, ten little beady eyes, set in woolly heads, were
bunched at the den door. Suddenly the bay of a hound sounded near and
Domino leaped on a stump to listen. There was no mistake; the hound
was coming nearer the home place. Snowyruff warned the little ones,
and Domino loped bravely out to meet his enemy. He showed himself
boldly, and even barked defiance at the big hound, then dashed away,
leading him farther and farther from the den.
Domino ran hard for an hour, then began trying to throw the hound off
his trail, but it was not easy. The hound was swift and keen in
following the trail, and though he doubled, crossed, and tried every
trick he knew, Domino could not throw him off. The fox ran lightly
ahead, the hound crashing heavily after him, baying loudly. At last
Domino led his enemy along a narrow ledge which ran at the edge of a
cliff overhanging the river.
On they went. Domino was growing very tired. His steps were lagging so
that the hound was gaining upon him at every jump. Up and up they
went; Domino went slower still. The hound could see him just ahead. He
drew closer with each bound. At last Domino reached the top of the
cliff. His black coat gleamed against the sky. He could go no farther;
it was the end of the trail. The hound plunged forward, and leaped at
the fox; but Domino sprang lightly aside, and the hound plunged
headlong over the rugged cliff. He was hurled down into the icy
flood below. He swam out as best he could, battered and bleeding, and
limped home, whining with pain. Domino turned back and ran to the den,
where five little black noses, ten little beady eyes, set in five
little woolly heads, waited for their father.
[Illustration: LIVE GAME WAS BROUGHT HOME EACH DAY]
The hound never came back again, and the Fox family lived in peace
until the little foxes grew large enough to leave the home den and
make homes for themselves.
--_From "Stories for Children and How to Tell Them".
Courtesy of J. Berg Esenwein._
QUESTIONS
1. What kind of home does a fox build for his family?
2. What kind of lessons did the Fox children have to be taught?
3. What did Domino do that reminds you of what a human father
would do for his family?
4. Make a list of the things the Fox family did that seem almost
human.
THE GOOD GIANT WINS HIS FORTUNE
Here is just one "movie" scene, just enough to fill up this page.
If you have forgotten how to play it, refer to the directions on
page 38.
"Ha," said the giant as he stooped down and picked up something. "Here
is the key." Then he unbolted the door and walked into the vault where
he saw chests of gold and silver arranged along the wall. He marked
dozens of them with the chalk that he had in his pocket. When he had
finished, he put a purse full of diamonds in his pocket, swung a bag
full of money over his shoulder, and went out without another word,
locking the terrified steward in.
THE MOLE AWAKES
One of the facts discovered by a student of nature is that every
part of an animal's body is fitted to perform its special task,
and to help the animal live in the surroundings where it finds its
home. Notice three ways in which the mole's bodily equipment is
fitted to the life he leads.
"Dig" is expressed in every line of the mole's body. Digging is his
life-work, and to this Nature has adapted his every organ. His eyes are
of no use in this underground life, and so they have dwindled away until
externally there is little sign of them. Objects he probably never sees
with any distinctness, though he still can tell light from darkness. But
he seems to recognize light only to avoid it. In the darkness of his
tunnels not only would his eyes be useless, but dirt would be apt to get
into them while he is digging; so they are gradually leaving him.
The ears, too, or that part of them that projects from the head, would
be in the way. So they have been discarded. The inner and most important
part of the ear, however, still remains, and the mole hears quite well.
His most remarkable difference from ordinary animals is in the arms.
These are very short, and the hands are broad, hard, and horny, and
have very firm claws. When I catch a good, vigorous mole, I find I
scarcely have force enough in my thumb and forefinger to hold his
front feet together. He can often separate them in spite of all my
straining. His other muscles are comparatively weak. The hands have
been altered into great shovels, and when he tries to walk over
smooth, level ground or on a floor he moves with odd, quick steps,
resting on the sides and not on the palms of his hands. He reminds one
of a wound-up toy that is held in the air and allowed to run down.
But when he gets under the sod, the heaving line that forms over him
as he digs shows that there he is in his proper element. Most animals
would get dirty leading such a life, but you never see a cleaner
animal than the mole. He comes out of the loose earth and squirms
about a little, and he is clean. His smooth gray fur, shading to a
silvery hue when it is ruffled, is very short and close and
exceedingly dry. Indeed I know no animal with a more velvety coat. He
would be a delightful pet to handle were it not for his ceaseless
wriggling. Then too he carries a strong musky odor. This latter,
indeed, is his only defence and I fear it is a poor one. Certainly it
does not usually deter a dog from snapping him up. But perhaps it is
meant for his friends rather than his foes. Friendly moles may scent
each other from afar.
The mole is a reversible machine. He can run forward or backward at
will. Probably as a result of this habit, it is wonderful how alike are
the two ends of his body, his nose and his tail. Each is slender and
each is bare; each is very sensitive, and the tail is just about as long
as the nose. I think he uses whichever happens to precede, as a feeler,
when he is making his way through his tunnel. For once having made a
good big runway, he is very apt to keep on using it through the season.
I doubt not he is often forced to travel backwards through his burrow.
Then his tail must serve him as an effective guide.
--_From "Under the Open Sky", by S. C. Schmucker.
Courtesy of J. B. Lippincott Co._
QUESTIONS
1. Explain what the author means by saying, "The mole is a
reversible machine."
2. How long did it take you to read this selection?
THE COUNT AND THE ROBBERS
Ever since the World's War began, we have heard a great deal about
Belgium, the gallant little country which saved the world, and
Holland, her sturdy neighbor which stayed neutral. Both these small
countries were once called the Netherlands. "Nether" means "lower";
you can see how suitable a name "lower lands" is for a country that
is much of it below sea level. Until the fifteenth century this
country had no one ruler, but was cut up into many little parts,
each governed by a duke or count. Here is the story of a kind count,
who ruled in one part of the land in the twelfth century.
In the twelfth century there ruled in Bruges a certain Count Bordewyn,
whose fathers had reigned for many years before him. Bruges, in those
days, was one of the most important centres of the Netherlands, and
the count was a kind and good man whose only thought was to make his
people happy. In order that they might not be afraid to tell him their
needs, he went about among them dressed as a farmer and a peasant; and
they, thinking he was one of themselves, spoke out freely in his
presence. One night he left his castle, and, poorly dressed, went out
into the country to see if there was any good he could do. It was a
dark, cold night, and after walking for some time he was glad to see
the lights of a house in the distance. When he reached the building,
he knocked at the door and went in. He found himself at a
wedding-party given by a farmer whose daughter had been married that
day. The good count was very happy to be of the party, and without
letting the people know who he was, he sat down with them and sang and
feasted. It was very late when they, much against their will, let him
leave them, and he walked back through the lonely country, making
plans for his people's happiness.
Suddenly he heard a whistle, and five men rushed out from a clump of
trees and threw themselves upon him. The Count struggled to the trees,
set his back against one and prepared to fight. The robbers were armed
with knives, but the Count had only a big stick. On they rushed at
him. He struck at the first one with all his strength, and hit him so
hard that he fell to the ground. Another one crept up to his side, and
would have cut his head open; but the Count turned quickly, and,
catching the stroke on his stick, snatched the knife from the robber's
hand, and with a blow sent him to join his comrade senseless on the
ground. This left three against one, and the Count felt his strength
giving way under their blows. Still full of courage, he swung the
stick round his head to keep the wretches at a distance, and, as
loudly as he could, he prayed to God to send him help. At this moment
he saw dimly outlined against the darkness a human figure. In its
hands it wielded a strange weapon, which soon was falling again and
again on the heads and shoulders of the three bandits until they took
to their heels and ran. At first the Count thought it was some angel
from heaven come to his help, but as the figure drew nearer he saw
that it was a farmer, and that the mysterious weapon was a flail.
The Count and the farmer embraced each other, and for a moment did not
speak. Then said the Count, "My brave fellow! How can I thank you? You
have saved my life!"
But the farmer would not listen to his thanks; "No, no," said he; "I
have done only what you would have done for me in the same
circumstances, and nothing more need be said. I take it that you are a
merchant earning a living for your wife and family, as I try to do for
mine."
But the Count insisted that the farmer should ask some favor.
"Listen!" said he; "I am in the service of the Count, and perhaps can
do you some great good."
[Illustration: THE ROBBERS WERE ARMED WITH KNIVES]
For a time the farmer was silent, and then, hesitating very much, he
told the Count his dearest wish. "For thirty years I have worked on a
piece of land; with this flail I have beaten the corn, and I have
loved the farm as my child. Yesterday my master died, and the land
will pass into strange hands and out of my care."
The Count had listened quietly to his story, and at last spoke: "But,
my friend, this is not such a difficult matter. How would you like the
land for your own?"
The poor farmer wept with emotion. "Really, is it possible that you
have such influence?" said he.
"Come to the castle to-morrow," said the Count, "and ask for the
Captain of the Guard."
And the farmer, mystified and wondering, went slowly home. When his
wife opened the door, she was very angry with him for being so late;
but Cornelius--that was the farmer's name--explained what had
happened, and although the wife could scarcely believe that such good
fortune could be theirs, yet they went to bed full of hope.
At daybreak Cornelius dressed in his best and set off for the castle,
followed by the prayers and blessings of his wife. When he arrived he
was so frightened that he could hardly speak to the big soldiers who
guarded the door, but at last he gave his message and asked to see the
Captain. He followed the soldier into a splendid hall richly hung with
tapestries, and soon the man whose life he had saved came into the
room. He was dressed so beautifully in silk and cloth of gold that
Cornelius hardly recognized him, and when he did he was afraid to ask
his question. But his friend told him not to fear, that the Count was
favorable to him.
He led the trembling Cornelius through many rooms and at last stopped
outside a big door. "In this hall you will see the Count. Ask for what
you wish," he said.
But Cornelius said he was so much afraid that he dared not ask.
"Besides, how shall I know the Count from all his followers?" he
inquired.
And the answer was that all the people in the room would kneel,
bare-headed, except Count Bordewyn himself. So Cornelius followed his
guide into the great hall where all the Court was assembled in
grandeur, and, looking round him, he perceived that the only persons
standing were himself and the man whose life he had saved. Seeing
this, he at once knew that this man was the Count, and he flung
himself on his knees and begged forgiveness for his presumption in
speaking to him as he had done. But the Count, taking his hands,
raised him to his feet and embraced him, and telling his Court the
history of the previous night, he commanded them to treat Cornelius
with every respect. He gave him the farm and land for his own, and
stocked it with grain and cattle.
--_From "A Peep at the Netherlands,"
by Beatrix Jungman._
1. What was the Count's object in going about in disguise?
2. What do you think he gained by it?
3. What risks did he run?
4. Do you think the farmer deserved so great a reward?
5. What is a _flail_? You can find out from the story, without
using a dictionary.
6. Do you suppose the Count's people loved him? Why?
7. What difference do you see between the way the subjects of the
Count treated him in his castle and the way Americans would treat
their mayor, governor, or president?
8. Name the three scenes in this story.
WHAT THE EARLIEST MEN DID FOR US
You are now going to read a chapter of history. It will help you
to see how our ancestors learned some things that are very common
to us today, but which had to be learned before the wonderful
comforts we enjoy were possible.
You will like to study history if you keep in mind that it does
not just tell of something that happened a long time ago, but that
it shows how our civilization with its homes and schools and
churches and government and our great railroads and steamships and
factories came into existence. The thing we call civilization has
grown and changed in thousands of years much as you have grown and
changed in the few years that you can remember.
You will need to read this selection very carefully. Your teacher
will ask you the questions at the end and probably a good many
more. See if you can read it the first time so thoroughly that you
can answer all the questions. It will help you very much if you
will write topics as you go along. In the fourth paragraph you
will find a list of things that man has always needed. If you use
each of these things as a heading and under it make a list of the
steps of man's progress, you will probably find that you have
mastered the selection.
History is the story of what men have done in the past. It was not
until men had learned how to write that they could keep a record of
what they did. But men lived upon the earth for many thousand years
before they knew how to write. In that early time they learned how to
do many things which we are still doing and to make many things which
we are still making and using. In these ways they did much to make
life what it is for us.
How is it possible for us to know anything about what life was like in
those ancient times when men could not write? Did you ever find an
Indian arrow-head? Perhaps you have seen a collection of stone
arrow-heads and axes. These relics and others like them tell us many
things about the people who made them. Then there are people now
living, like the natives of Australia or some of the tribes of
American Indians, who still use, or used until very recently, these
crude stone implements, and who live very much as our own ancestors
lived many thousand years ago.
The earliest men lived but little better than the animals in the
forest about them. They were without shelter or clothing and had only
such food as they could find from day to day. Men have either found or
made everything that we now have. Early man possessed a great
advantage over all the animals because he had a better brain and a
wonderful pair of hands with which he could make the weapons, tools,
and other things that he needed.
Men have always needed food, shelter, clothing, and the means of
protection against the dangers around them. It took our early
ancestors many thousand years to learn how to provide themselves with
these simple necessities of life.
At first men lived upon the roots, herbs, wild berries, and fruits in
the forest. Sometimes they found birds' nests in the trees and ate the
eggs or the young birds. Occasionally they found a dead bird or animal
and thus learned to like the taste of flesh. They hunted for shellfish
by the seashore and caught fish in the streams and lakes. Then they
began to kill the smaller animals with stones or clubs and in this way
they became meat eaters. When men had learned how to make knives,
spears, and bows and arrows, they could kill the larger animals and
get a better supply of food.
For a long time all food was eaten raw, because the use of fire was
unknown. We do not know how man discovered fire. He may have kindled it
first from a tree set aflame by the lightning. By and by he found that a
spark could be produced by striking two stones together in the right
way or that he could make a fire by rubbing two pieces of wood together.
The making of fire was one of the most wonderful inventions in the
world. Men could now cook their food. At first they roasted bits of
meat before the blaze or in the hot ashes. Later, when they had
learned how to make vessels that would hold water, they began to boil
all kinds of food over the fire.
For a long time men procured their food by hunting, trapping, and
fishing. During this time they began to capture and tame the young of
some of the wild animals. Probably the dog was the first domestic
animal. The cow was also domesticated at a very early period. Man used
her meat and milk for food and her skin for clothing. He made tools and
implements out of her bones and horns. No other animal has been more
useful to him. The goat and the sheep, the hog and the ass, and later
the horse, were tamed by early men long before real history began. After
these animals had been domesticated by the hunters and trappers, some
men became shepherds and herdsmen and wandered from place to place with
their flocks and herds in search of the best pastures.
Presently another step was taken toward civilized life. Men had long
known that the seeds of some of the wild grasses and plants were good
to eat. Now some one noticed that if these seeds were sown they sprang
up and brought forth many more seeds. Then it was discovered that the
seeds grew better and yielded a more abundant crop if the ground were
broken up and made soft before the seed was sown. Because of these
discoveries some men began to be farmers. By cultivation, the wild
grasses which grew in the fields or beside the rivers were developed
into wheat, oats, barley, and rice, the great cereals of the world.
When men began to procure their food by cultivating the soil it became
necessary for them to remain in the same place in order to gather the
harvest when it ripened. They could no longer wander from place to
place as they had done when they were only hunters or shepherds. They
now began to live in permanent villages and to cultivate the land
lying near by. In this way the beginning of farming led to a settled
life and the making of permanent homes.
Probably the earliest men had only such shelter from the rain and
protection from wild animals as the trees gave them. After a time men
began to live in dens and caves in the earth. These people are called
the "cave dwellers". Still later men built huts by bending young trees
together, weaving branches between them, and covering the whole
structure with leaves and bark. When the hut was built of poles covered
with the skins of animals it became a tent. Many of the people who
wandered from place to place with their flocks and herds dwelt in tents.
When men settled near the fields that they were beginning to cultivate,
they built permanent homes of stone plastered with mud or of bricks made
of clay and dried in the sun. The roofs were covered with brush or
timber. Then fire places and rude chimneys were added to these simple
houses, and in other ways man's dwelling place was gradually improved.
The first clothing was probably made from the leaves of trees or from
grasses matted together. When man became a good hunter he wore the skins
of the animals that he killed. The ancestors of all of us were once clad
in skins. The women of those early days used to cure the skins of small
animals by drying them. They then made garments of them by sewing them
together with needles of bone and the sinews of animals for thread.
The women scraped and worked the large skins until they were soft and
pliable. These they used for clothing, or for blankets, or for the
covering of their tents. Still later, the women learned to spin yarn
from wool sheared from the sheep and from the thread of the flax which
they were beginning to raise. The next step was to weave the yarn and
the thread into woolen and linen cloth.
It was because early man had the mind to invent and the hands to make
the weapons, tools, and utensils which he needed that he was able to
make such progress in procuring food, shelter, and clothing.