PUT TO THE TEST.
THE days were so long and pleasant now that Uncle Robert thought they
would not start for Middleville until after dinner, especially as there
would be a bright moon in the evening. Kathie had written a little note
to Sarah, and now the two started in high satisfaction. For since the
good news about Mr. Morrison Kathie seemed full of happiness and
content.
The place looked less dreary than in winter, though the houses appeared
rather more shabby by contrast. One or two were being painted, which
would shame the rest sadly. But the hillsides were taking on an emerald
tint, and groups of cows were wandering about as if patiently waiting
for the grass to grow into nibbling length.
Sarah was standing by the gate, watching for them. A very decided change
_had_ come over her. She was taller and looked less stout, her
complexion was not so rough and red, her dress, a striped green and
white gingham, fitted nicely, and was finished at the throat by a linen
collar. She had eschewed waterfalls and rolls, though she laughingly
admitted to Kathie afterwards that it was because she couldn't get her
hair up to look like anything. But the great thick coil was really
beautiful, and the green ribbon very becoming.
She had changed somewhat in manners as well, being less boisterous and
effusive. Indeed, Kathie thought her very lady-like as she ushered them
into the house.
"Is your brother anywhere about?" asked Uncle Robert. "If so, I will go
and find him while you girls have a talk."
"He is up in the lot. Steve will show you, or, better yet, call him."
Then she led Kathie into the parlor. There were green paper shades at
the windows, which softened the light in the room, and Kathie's first
glance took in a world of improvements.
Sarah colored with a little conscious pride as she led her to a
veritable modern sofa, instead of the old stiff one, worn at the edges.
"Take off your hat and sack," she said, with a touch of bashfulness.
Kathie complied.
"I am so glad to see you. I have such a host of things to tell you."
"And you have been out gathering violets. How pretty and spring-like
they are!"
"Yes, Jim helped me. We thought you would like them so much. And I have
been trying to--to get fixed up a little. It cannot be anything like
your house, but somehow I want it as nice as I can make it. Jim is so
good too, and Cousin Nelly; and I am so happy sometimes that I really
wonder if I be I, like the old woman."
"I am very glad"; and Kathie gave the hand a squeeze in her own tender
little fashion.
"I want to tell you all before any one comes in. Isn't it delightful to
have this sofa? I made father half a dozen shirts all by myself, and he
was so pleased,--you can hardly think! He gave me twelve dollars to
spend just as I pleased; but I told mother I would rather let it go
towards a new sofa than to buy the finest dress. Nelly said it would be
so much more comfortable than that hard, shabby thing, that looked as
if it might have come out of Noah's Ark. So mother gave me fifteen,--she
has all the money for the milk and butter and eggs,--and when father
heard of it he added three more. I was afraid he would think I wanted to
be too fine, but he only laughed a little. Mother and Nelly went to the
city and bought it. I was so glad that I could have cried for joy, and I
know father is very proud of it, though he does not say it in so many
words."
"It is a very nice one, and furnishes the room quite prettily, beside
the comfort of it."
"Jim made me this table, and Cousin Nelly and I covered it with paper
and then varnished it over, and we have a pretty chintz one up stairs.
Nelly and I have a room together now. I can keep everything so much more
tidy than when the children pulled all the rubbish about. And look at my
two new pictures!"
They were large colored engravings,--one, "The Wood-Gatherers," and the
other the interior of a German peasant's cottage, where the mother was
putting a babe to sleep in its odd wicker cradle.
"Jim bought them at a newspaper-stand one day, and only paid twelve
cents apiece for them. He's powerful--no, I mean very fond of them. I am
trying to leave off all those old-fashioned words and expressions. Then
he made the frames, and Nelly and I covered them with pine-cones."
They certainly were very creditable.
"But how industrious you must be!" exclaimed Kathie. "You still go to
school?"
"Yes. I wouldn't give that up for half the world. You see Cousin Nelly
helps mother a good deal, and she helps me too. I have been telling her
ever so much about you, how good and lovely you were. But O, wasn't I a
clown and an ignoramus when you first saw me! I don't wonder that girl
laughed, though it was hateful in her; but I shall never, never forget
how kind you were. O Miss Kathie, it seems to me if the real nice people
in the world _would_ only help the others a bit, we should get along so
much faster. I feel as if I'd had it in me all the time,--a great hungry
longing for something,--and I find now that it is beauty and order and
knowledge."
Sarah's face was in a glow, and her steady, ardent eyes held in them a
soft and tender light. It seemed to Kathie that she was really pretty,
or something more than that,--electrified with soul beauty.
"Father pretends that he is afraid I shall get too proud and not be good
for anything, though he was ever so much pleased when he saw the parlor
in such nice order. And he thought the shirts a wonder. I shall not be
sixteen until November, and there are girls older than I who could not
do it. In vacation I am going to make Jim a whole new set of nice ones
with linen bosoms."
It seemed to Kathie that there was very little danger of Sarah's being
spoiled by acquiring knowledge.
"You deserve the utmost credit," she returned, in her simple manner,
that had in it no shade of patronage or condescension.
"I ought to do something for the pains and trouble you have taken."
"It is a pleasure too."
"Miss Kathie, you are so different from some rich people. I wonder what
makes it?"
A soft color stole up into her face. She would fain have kept silence,
but she saw that Sarah was waiting for an answer. "I think it is because
mamma and Uncle Robert believe that wealth was not given for purely
personal or selfish purposes. It is God's treasure, and we are to put it
out at usury, like the parable of the talents, and the usury means
making other people happy if we can."
"Then I suppose I ought to try and make some one happy?"
"Do you not?" asked Kathie, simply.
"Yes, I do occasionally when it is quite a trouble. The children beg me
to read to them,--they are so fond of stories; and now father always
wants me to read our paper to him. It comes on Saturday and he is always
so tired that night. Still, that isn't--" and Sarah paused as if she
despaired of rendering her meaning clear to her young listener.
"I think Uncle Robert would say that _is_ it surely. Once in a while we
can do larger things; but isn't it the little deeds that require the
most patience? It is the steps that make up the whole path."
"So it is. I never thought of it before"; and she smiled, relieved. "You
believe, Miss Kathie, that what we do at home is just as good in God's
eyes as if we did it for a stranger? It almost seemed to me as if I
ought to go out and look for some poor ignorant person instead."
"Both are doing good in different ways. Maybe it is best to learn to do
the good at home first"; and Kathie remembered her early efforts in
assisting her mother.
"I want father to see that all my knowledge and my queer likes, as he
calls them, will not really spoil me. Grandmother Strong has just such
old-fashioned notions. She thinks my going to school perfectly absurd.
But Cousin Ellen says the world has changed a good deal since
grandmother was young."
"And I have brought your books," said Kathie, when there was a pause of
sufficient length. "The three are half of a pretty set; some time you
may like to get the others."
"You are so kind. I hated to bother you, but I knew you could make the
best choice."
"It was no trouble at all,--Uncle Robert did it, and he bought them for
half a dollar less than their usual price."
"I am so much obliged!" and Sarah's face was in a grateful glow.
Kathie had wanted very much to supply the other three.
"If Sarah were poor," replied Uncle Robert, "I should not object; but
when such a person asks you to do a favor, it is best to keep simply to
the letter of the request. If you gave her so much more, she would
hesitate about asking you to do such a thing a second time, that is, if
she possessed any real delicacy."
Kathie saw the force of the reasoning.
Presently Cousin Ellen came down. She was a neat, commonplace-looking
woman of about thirty, but with a good deal of shrewd sense in her dark
gray eyes. Her black calico dress was the perfection of tidiness, and
the merest little ruff of book-muslin edged it round the neck.
Kathie liked her very much. She had been in the midst of the war
operations for the last three years, and to please Sarah she related
numberless incidents that interested Kathie exceedingly. Then she had to
go up stairs and see their room, take a tour around, and have all the
flower-beds explained to her, to go to the barn and inspect several new
articles Jim was making. Uncle Robert and the boys joined them here, and
Kathie was introduced to Mr. Strong.
"Don't you have a little too much in-doors and study?" he asked,
pleasantly. "I shouldn't like to see one of my gals look as white as you
do."
"O, she is always white, father," said Sarah, admiringly.
"And she has plenty of roses too, for the most part," explained Uncle
Robert, "only for the last few weeks she has been rather overtaxed, I
think. We have had a returned soldier, a very dear friend, ill, and been
in great anxiety about another."
"Thank the Lord for all who've come home safe," said Mr. Strong, in his
clear, forcible tone, and every one of them felt like adding an "Amen"
to it.
Martha ran out to call them to tea.
There was the great table spread, and all the children around it, even
to fatherless Willie, who would never need a friend while Jotham Strong
lived.
It was a very enjoyable supper. The new influence was perceptible even
in sturdy Mrs. Strong, who took a little pains that she might not shame
Sarah before her company.
Kathie asked Mrs. Strong to let Sarah come down some Saturday and make
her a visit.
"I can't exactly explain, Miss Kathie, and I hate to be ungrateful for
your kindness, but I feel as if you and your friends were above Sarah.
Folks ain't all alike, and I s'pose the Lord didn't mean 'em to be, but
I don't want Sarah laughed at, and I don't want any one to think she's
trying to crowd in We're plain, old-fashioned people"--
Mrs. Strong paused, very red in the face.
"No one will think that at Cedarwood," answered Kathie, softly.
So presently the promise was given. In a fortnight Cousin Ellen and
Sarah were to go down to Brookside to do some shopping. Ellen wanted to
call on several of the relatives, but Sarah might go at once to
Cedarwood.
"I expect it will be like a little bit of heaven," the girl whispered.
"I never was in a real elegant house in all my life."
Kathie described her visit to Aunt Ruth in glowing terms. "I think it
_is_ delightful to be rich, after all," she said, contentedly. "You can
make so many people happy."
"And while you study the happiness of others and your duty towards them
the riches will hardly prove a snare," returned Aunt Ruth.
Before another week had ended they had a new joy for which to be very
thankful,--the return of Mr. Morrison. He still looked a little pale and
thin, but had improved wonderfully since the day when General Mackenzie
found him in the forlorn negro quarters. Glad enough he was to get home
to his little Ethel, who hardly let him go out of her sight. Nothing
would do but that the whole family must come down to the cottage and
drink tea.
"I must express my obligations once more to you," said Uncle Robert, in
the evening; "and I am most grateful to God for your return, and that he
did not require so costly a sacrifice at my hands."
"He knows that I am glad enough to come back; but if you'll believe me,
sir, it was a great comfort, when I thought myself dying, that it was in
your stead, and that your life, so much more valuable than mine, had
been spared. I believe you would have sorrowed for me truly,--and Miss
Kathie here,--as well as my own."
Kathie took his hand. "I've been thinking of this ever since the night
you offered to go: 'Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay
down his life for his friends.'"
The sweet voice trembled a little. It would always have a tender strand
in it when it came to that verse.
"Ah, Miss Kathie, those precious words were for the Saviour of us all.
What can we ever do to merit them?" and the soldier drew the back of his
hand across his eyes.
"God gives the grace to weak human nature," Uncle Robert said, with
solemn sweetness.
Walking home, Kathie started from her revery. "Now if Rob could only
come back," she exclaimed, "our soldiers would all be together. You
remember the day he was so elated about the draft?"
"Yes. Dear Rob! I hope he has done good service. I am very anxious to
see him again."
Then Kathie began to count on the promised visit. "It is not because I
am so proud of Cedarwood, or the handsome things in it," she explained
to Uncle Robert, "though I do think them all very lovely; but it will be
such a pleasure to her,--just as my going to Miss Jessie's when we were
so poor."
"I understand"; and he smiled.
There had been quite a discussion about having a second girl. Uncle
Robert fancied that Kathie's further knowledge of household details had
better be postponed until she had less upon her hands. Jane Maybin, who
had been a good deal out of health lately, and unable to work in the
factory, as the dust irritated her lungs and made her cough, was quite
anxious to take the situation. What with company and increasing social
duties, Mrs. Alston found her time much interrupted.
Hannah did all the sweeping on Friday, but it was a heavy tax; so Kathie
only dusted awhile on Saturday morning, cut fresh flowers and arranged
them, and busied herself about little odds and ends. Mrs. Alston decided
to have Jane, and Aunt Ruth took a walk over to the cottage.
Kathie waited in a peculiar state of anxiety, Lucy and Annie Gardiner
had proposed to come over that very afternoon, but she preferred to have
Sarah quite alone, that she might feel free to enjoy everything.
It was almost twelve when she reached Cedarwood. Kathie was haunting the
cottage, where she could have a good look down the street, but she
hardly recognized the figure at first. It seemed as if Sarah grew every
week. She looked quite like a young lady, Kathie thought. Her light gray
dress was trimmed with several rows of blue ribbon, and the sack,
matching it, made a very neat suit. Her white straw hat was trimmed with
blue, and a cluster of crisp, fresh flowers, that looked almost good
enough to be natural. There was nothing in that outfit to be ashamed of.
"O," she exclaimed, with a long breath, "it's like going into the Garden
of Eden! The house and the trees, and that lovely lake! I should want to
be out of doors forever."
"Uncle Robert has promised to row us around the lake this afternoon. A
month later it will be much more beautiful. Did you finish your
shopping?"
"O yes, though we were bothered a good deal, and that made me later.
Nelly wanted me to go to dinner at Cousin Rachel's."
"I am glad that you did not."
Sarah could not be hurried into the house. She wanted to view the
fountain, the groups of evergreens, the broad porch, and fancy just how
the roses and honeysuckle would look. But presently they entered. Kathie
led her up stairs to her room, to lay aside her hat.
"O, I don't wonder Jim said it was a palace!" she exclaimed, with
breathless delight. "What a lovely room! Why, it's pretty enough for any
one's parlor!"
Kathie smiled a little, remembering the day on which she had thought it
wonderful as well.
Sarah was hardly satisfied with her inspection when the bell rang for
dinner. In the hall they met Aunt Ruth, and in the dining-room Kathie
introduced Sarah to her mother.
A girl with less natural adaptation or ambition might have been very
awkward. But Sarah had watched Kathie to some purpose, and now gave
herself courage with the thought that she could not go far astray if she
copied Kathie. To be sure she blushed and hesitated a little, and, as
she afterward confessed at home, "trembled all over"; but she did acquit
herself very creditably.
"I can scarcely realize that it is the same girl who wrote you the
Christmas letter," whispered Mrs. Alston in a soft aside, and Kathie
smiled gratefully at her mother's commendation.
Then the two girls began a regular tour about the house. The pictures,
the statues, the furniture, Aunt Ruth's beautiful bay-window still full
of vines and flowers, and the abundance of books, were so many marvels
to Sarah. And here, in the midst of all this beauty, hung her lichen.
The tears of delight came to her eyes, in spite of her strong effort at
repression.
"Now if you would only play and sing for me," she pleaded, bashfully.
"You're so good that I hate to ask anything."
"With pleasure."
It seemed as if Sarah could never get enough music. She listened as if
she was entranced, the new spiritual light coming into her eyes, showing
the strong and earnest capabilities of her soul.
Uncle Robert looked in upon them.
"I think you had better go out on the lake now," he said. "The air is so
delightfully soft."
Sarah sighed. "I cannot imagine which is the best, everything is such a
pleasure."
"We will have some music when we return. You will like the sail, I
know."
They found their hats and ran down the broad steps. Quite a party were
coming up the drive. Charlie and Dick, Mr. and Mrs. Meredith, and O,
joy! this tall, soldierly man could be no other than General Mackenzie!
"My dear, dear young friend"; and, stooping, he kissed the forehead in
his grave, tender fashion.
"So you see I have surprised you this time," laughed Mr. Meredith.
"Where were you going gypsy fashion?"
"To the lake, but it doesn't matter." There was no Uncle Robert to help
her, so she turned to where Sarah stood blushing and abashed, drew her
kindly forward, and gave her an introduction to each one. Dick connected
her with the party and Belle Hadden at once.
"Kathie was right to stand up for her," was his mental verdict. "There
are plenty of worse-looking and worse-behaved girls in the world."
At this junction Uncle Robert joined them. The whole party entered the
parlor. Kathie seated Sarah by herself, and General Mackenzie joined
them. Mrs. Alston and Aunt Ruth were summoned, and the conversation
became most genial. And when Sarah ventured a remark, frightened half to
death the moment afterward, General Mackenzie smiled and answered her.
Dick Grayson, anxious to see "what kind of stuff she was made of," came
round to the back of the _tête-à-tête_, and joined the talk.
But the wonders had not all come to an end. The door-bell sounded again,
and Hannah ushered two young ladies into the hall. Kathie caught a
glimpse of the faces,--Sue Coleman and Emma Lauriston.
They saw Dick and Charlie and the grand soldier beside this
plain-looking girl,--some of the Darrells, maybe,--and, accepting
Kathie's cordial invitation, joined the group.
"Miss Strong," Kathie said, with sweet, gracious simplicity; and Sue for
a moment was abashed. Something in Dick's face announced the truth.
General Mackenzie did not seem to think her beneath him. Just now she
was speaking of her cousin's husband and their having Mrs. Gilbert and
Willie at home.
"Miss Strong," he said, gravely, "I honor your parents for the act.
There will be so many widows and orphans for whom the scanty pension
will be as nothing. But the generous-hearted men and women who open
their houses to these poor unfortunates pay our dead soldiers a higher
compliment, and evince a truer appreciation of their gallant heroism,
than if they made grand processions and built marble monuments."
Sarah blushed with embarrassment, and some deep, delicate feeling that
she could not have expressed. She had not done it boastingly; indeed,
until this moment, she had hardly thought of any special kindliness in
the deed.
Actually complimented by General Mackenzie! Lottie Thorne would have
died of envy.
Somehow the time ran away very fast. They went out on the lawn in the
sunshine, when Sue and Emma discovered that they must go, and the two
boys walked with them. Then it came Sarah's turn, as she had promised to
be at Cousin Rachel's by five.
"I've had such a lovely, lovely time, Miss Kathie, though I felt
dreadfully frightened when your grand company came; but they were all
so--so nice that I quite forgot about being an awkward country girl. And
isn't General Mackenzie plain and charming?--yes, that is the very word.
I don't believe General Grant is a bit nicer. I shall tell mother just
what he said. It will help to make up for the girls laughing about her
bonnet."
Kathie had a simple gift to send to Baby Lily. Then the girls said a
lingering good-by to each other, and Kathie went back to her hero.
"I must take the night return train," he declared, "on account of
important business in Washington; but if you will allow me to visit you
in the summer, and bring my son, I will accept it as a great favor."
Uncle Robert gave him a most cordial invitation.
"And, my little friend, I must congratulate you that your soldiers did
their duty without flinching, even in the most trying moments. It is not
our lives only, but our wills, our comforts and pleasures, that we are
required to give up. And I am thankful that God watched over them every
hour, and sent them back safely at last."
"I think they were braver than I, sometimes," Kathie answered, in a low
tone. "After all, I have done so little; I do not deserve the praise."
Her voice seemed to lose itself in a tender humility.
"My dear child, I know what you thought of the other warfare. It is a
soldier's duty to bring in all the recruits that he can. God will clothe
them in his righteousness, and make the path plain before them as they
go to do battle with the arch-enemy. He only asks us to lead them to
him. You are doing this in a brave, steady manner."
There were tears in Kathie's downcast eyes; but Mr. Meredith's hand
stole over her shoulder, and their fingers met with a clasp that was
more expressive than words.
"People often look too far off for duties," continued the old soldier.
"We are to take up the task that lies before us, even if it does not
seem to wear the grace of the heroic. God knows when and where to add
the golden fruit. Some day, my little girl, we will have a long talk
about these matters."
The soft spring-twilight was falling as they said good-by to General
Mackenzie. The grave, kindly eyes rested last of all on the child's
simple, earnest face.
Mr. and Mrs. Meredith went also when Uncle Robert drove the General to
the station. Kathie sat by the window, peering out into the darkness,
long after the sound of the wheels had ceased. One star came out
presently.
Shining on and on. The old, old lesson, the child's purpose growing
stronger with the passing years, and Kathie prayed that as her soldiers
had been faithful, she also might be faithful unto the end.
LITTLE RED HOUSE SERIES
By AMANDA M. DOUGLAS
Illustrated by Louise Wyman 12mo Cloth
Price, Net, $1.00 each Postpaid, $1.10
THE CHILDREN IN THE LITTLE OLD RED HOUSE
THE very title of this book gives promise of a good story, and when we
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reader. Their efforts to help the dearest of mothers, their merriment,
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amusement, and delight.
[Illustration]
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THE RED HOUSE CHILDREN AT GRAFTON
EIGHT bright children, with a kind and loving mother, make up the Red
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[Illustration]
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_For sale by all booksellers or sent postpaid on receipt of
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HELEN GRANT SERIES
By AMANDA M. DOUGLAS
Illustrated by AMY BROOKS. Cloth. Price per volume $.60
Helen Grant's Schooldays
Helen Grant's Friends
Helen Grant at Aldred House
Helen Grant in College
Helen Grant, Senior
Helen Grant, Graduate
Helen Grant, Teacher
Helen Grant's Decision
Helen Grant's Harvest Year
[Illustration]
HELEN GRANT and her friends represent the best type of
college girls, those of the highest aims and ideals,
and she herself develops to admiration in each
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Helen Grant is a lovable and capable American girl,
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Miss Douglas has had long experience in writing books
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Advance._
[Illustration]
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Fifty Flower Friends
With Familiar Faces
By EDITH DUNHAM
A FIELD BOOK FOR BOYS AND GIRLS
With twelve full-page colored plates, decorations and fifty text
illustrations from nature by W. I. BEECROFT $1.35 _net_
CHILDREN cannot too soon begin to know the wild flowers, and here they
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[Illustration]
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DOROTHY BROWN
By NINA RHOADES
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THIS is considerably longer than the other books by this favorite
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[Illustration]
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MARION'S VACATION
By NINA RHOADES
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THIS book is for the older girls, Marion being thirteen. She has for ten
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[Illustration]
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so helpful in that classic of the last generation 'An
Old Fashioned Girl' are brought home to the youthful
readers of this sweet and sensible story."--_Milwaukee
Free Press._
_For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of
price by the publishers_
LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., Boston
BRAVE HEART SERIES
By Adele E. Thompson
Illustrated 12mo Cloth _Net_ $1.25 each
Betty Seldon, Patriot
A BOOK that is at the same time fascinating and noble. Historical events
are accurately traced leading up to the surrender of Cornwallis at
Yorktown, with reunion and happiness for all who deserve it.
Brave Heart Elizabeth
IT is a story of the making of the Ohio frontier, much of it taken from
life, and the heroine one of the famous Zane family after which
Zanesville, O., takes its name. An accurate, pleasing, and yet at times
intensely thrilling picture of the stirring period of border settlement.
A Lassie of the Isles
THIS is the romantic story of Flora Macdonald, the lassie of Skye, who
aided in the escape of Charles Stuart, otherwise known as the "Young
Pretender."
Polly of the Pines
THE events of the story occur in the years 1775-82. Polly was an orphan
living with her mother's family, who were Scotch Highlanders, and for
the most part intensely loyal to the Crown. Polly finds the glamor of
royal adherence hard to resist, but her heart turns towards the patriots
and she does much to aid and encourage them.
American Patty A Story of 1812
Patty is a brave, winsome girl of sixteen whose family have settled
across the Canadian border and are living in peace and prosperity, and
on the best of terms with the neighbors and friendly Indians. All this
is suddenly and entirely changed by the breaking out of war, and
unwillingness on the part of her father and brother to serve against
their native land brings distress and deadly peril.
[Illustration]
_For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by
the publishers_
LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON
HOME ENTERTAINING
What to Do, and How to Do It
Edited by WILLIAM E. CHENERY
12mo Cloth Price, Net, $.75 Postpaid, $.85
THIS book is the product of years of study and the practical trying-out
of every conceivable form of indoor entertainment. All the games,
tricks, puzzles, and rainy-day and social-evening diversions have been
practised by the editor; many are original with him, and many that are
of course not original have been greatly improved by his intelligence.
All are told in the plainest possible way, and with excellent taste. The
book is well arranged and finely printed. At a low price it places
within the reach of all the very best of bright and jolly means of
making home what it ought to be--the best place for a good time by those
of all ages.
[Illustration]
"The book is bright and up to date, full of cheer and
sunshine. A good holiday book." _Religious Telescope,
Dayton, Ohio._
"For those who want new games for the home this book
supplies the very best--good, clean, hearty games,
full of fun and the spirit of laughter."--_N. Y.
Times._
"Altogether the book is a perfect treasure-house for
the young people's rainy day or social evening."--_New
Bedford Standard._
"The arrangement is excellent and the instructions so
simple that a child may follow them. A book like this
is just the thing for social evenings."--_Christian
Endeavor World._
"A book giving the best, cleanest and brightest games
and tricks for home entertaining."--_Syracuse Herald._
"The book is clearly written and should prove of value
to every young man who aspires to be the life of the
party."--_Baltimore Sun._
"Only good, bright, clean games and tricks appeal to
Mr. Chenery, and he has told in the simplest and most
comprehensive manner how to get up 'amusements for
every one.'"--_Hartford Courant._
_For sale by all booksellers or sent on receipt of postpaid
price by the publishers_
LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON
FOUR GORDONS
By EDNA A. BROWN
Illustrated Large 12mo Decorated Cover $1.35 _net_
LOUISE and her three brothers are the "Four Gordons," and the story
relates their experiences at home and school during the absence of their
parents for a winter in Italy. There is plenty of fun and frolic, with
skating, coasting, dancing, and a jolly Christmas visit. The
conversation is bright and natural, the book presents no improbable
situations, its atmosphere is one of refinement, and it has the merit of
depicting simple and wholesome comradeship between boys and girls.
"The story and its telling are worthy of Miss Alcott.
Young folks of both sexes will enjoy it."--_N. Y.
Sun._
"It is a hearty, wholesome story of youthful life in
which the morals are never explained but simply
illustrated by logical results."--_Christian
Register._
UNCLE DAVID'S BOYS
By EDNA A. BROWN
Illustrated by John Goss 12mo Cloth
Price $1.35 _net_
THIS tells how some young people whom circumstances brought together in
a little mountain village spent a summer vacation, full of good times,
but with some unexpected and rather mysterious occurrences. In the end,
more than one head was required to find out exactly what was going on.
The story is a wholesome one with a pleasant, well-bred atmosphere, and
though it holds the interest, it never approaches the sensational nor
passes the bounds of the probable.
"A story which will hold the attention of youthful
readers from cover to cover and prove not without its
interest for older readers."--_Evening Wisconsin._
"For those young people who like a lively story with
some unmistakably old fashioned characteristics,
'Uncle David's Boys,' will have a strong
appeal."--_Churchman._
* * * * *
_For sale by all booksellers or sent postpaid on receipt of
price by the publishers_
LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON.
JEAN CABOT SERIES
By GERTRUDE FISHER SCOTT
Illustrated by Arthur O. Scott 12mo Cloth
Price, Net, $1.25 each
JEAN CABOT AT ASHTON
HERE is the "real thing" in a girl's college story. Older authors can
invent situations and supply excellently written general delineations of
character, but all lack the vital touch of this work of a bright young
recent graduate of a well-known college for women, who has lost none of
the enthusiasm felt as a student. Every activity of a popular girl's
first year is woven into a narrative, photographic in its description of
a life that calls into play most attractive qualities, while at the same
time severely testing both character and ability.
JEAN CABOT IN THE BRITISH ISLES
THIS is a college story, although dealing with a summer vacation, and
full of college spirit. It begins with a Yale-Harvard boat race at New
London, but soon Jean and her room-mate sail for Great Britain under the
chaperonage of Miss Hooper, a favorite member of the faculty at Ashton
College. Their trip is full of the delight that comes to the traveler
first seeing the countries forming "our old home."
JEAN CABOT IN CAP AND GOWN
JEAN CABOT is a superb young woman, physically and mentally, but
thoroughly human and thus favored with many warm friendships. Her final
year at Ashton College is the culmination of a course in which study,
sport and exercise, and social matters have been well balanced.
JEAN CABOT AT THE HOUSE WITH THE BLUE SHUTTERS
SUCH a group as Jean and her most intimate friends could not scatter at
once, as do most college companions after graduation, and six of them
under the chaperonage of a married older graduate and member of the same
sorority spend a most eventful summer in a historic farm-house in Maine.
* * * * *
For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt
of price by the publishers
Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co. Boston
American Heroes and Heroines
By PAULINE CARRINGTON BOUVÉ Illustrated
12mo Cloth $1.25 _net_
THIS book, which will tend directly toward the making of patriotism in
young Americans, contains some twenty brief, clever and attractive
sketches of famous men and women in American history, among them Father
Marquette, Anne Hutchinson, Israel Putnam, Molly Pitcher, Paul Jones,
Dolly Madison, Daniel Boone, etc. Mrs. Bouvé is well known as a writer
both of fiction and history, and her work in this case is admirable.
"The style of the book for simplicity and clearness of
expression could hardly be excelled."--_Boston
Budget._
The Scarlet Patch
The Story of a Patriot Boy in the Mohawk Valley
By MARY E. Q. BRUSH Illustrated $1.25 _net_
"THE Scarlet Patch" was the badge of a Tory organization, and a loyal
patriot boy, Donald Bastien, is dismayed at learning that his uncle,
with whom he is a "bound boy," is secretly connected with this
treacherous band. Thrilling scenes follow in which a faithful Indian
figures prominently, and there is a vivid presentation of the school and
home life as well as the public affairs of those times.
"A book that will be most valuable to the library of
the young boy."--_Providence News._
Stories of Brave Old Times
Some Pen Pictures of Scenes Which Took Place Previous to, or Connected
With, the American Revolution
By HELEN M. CLEVELAND Profusely illustrated
Large 12mo Cloth $1.25 _net_
IT is a book for every library, a book for adults, and a book for the
young. Perhaps no other book yet written sets the great cost of freedom
so clearly before the young, consequently is such a spur to patriotism.
"It can unqualifiedly be commended as a book for
youthful readers; its great wealth of illustrations
adding to its value."--_Chicago News._
* * * * *
For sale by all booksellers or sent postpaid on receipt of price
by the publishers,
LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON
_THE RANDY BOOKS_
_By AMY BROOKS_
12mo CLOTH ARTISTIC COVER DESIGN IN GOLD AND COLORS
ILLUSTRATED BY THE AUTHOR PRICE, _Net_, $1.00 EACH
The progress of the "Randy Books" has been one continual triumph over
the hearts of girls of all ages, for dear little fun-loving sister Prue
is almost as much a central figure as Randy, growing toward womanhood
with each book. The sterling good sense and simple naturalness of Randy,
and the total absence of slang and viciousness, make these books in the
highest degree commendable, while abundant life is supplied by the
doings of merry friends, and there is rich humor in the droll rural
characters.
Randy's Summer Randy's Good Times
Randy's Winter Randy's Luck
Randy and Her Friends Randy's Loyalty
Randy and Prue Randy's Prince
"The Randy Books are among the very choicest books for
young people to make a beginning with."--_Boston
Courier._
"The Randy Books of Amy Brooks have had a deserved
popularity among young girls. They are wholesome and
moral without being goody-goody."--_Chicago Post._
* * * * *
LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., BOSTON
* * * * *
Transcriber's note:
Obvious punctuation errors were corrected.
Page 41, "commom" changed to "common" (a common soldier)