The Christmas present.The Christmas present."It is an awful story, and I wouldn't say it even in fun."Nellie said she would not say it again, only she wanted to have Miss Fanny do just as the big folks did. And so they played all the afternoon, though Lady Jane didnot honor them with her company. All the dollies paid lots of visits; and Flora went home.Katy unhappy.Katy unhappy.III.When Flora reached home she told her mother what a nice time she had, and what splendid visits Miss Lucy and Miss Mary and Miss Susie had made to Miss Fanny.She could not help telling her mother what a good girl Nellie was, and how she loved her sister, even when she was unkind and spoke pettishly to her.Then she told her how much she wished Nellie had a wax doll, with real hair, and a white silk dress. Mrs. Lee thought such a good girl ought to have one, and the very next time she went to the city, she bought the prettiest wax doll she could find for her.Flora was full of joy when she saw the doll, and learned whom it was for. She wasa great deal happier than if the doll had been bought for herself; and she wanted to run right over to Mr. Green's with the beautiful present. She longed to see the eyes of Nellie sparkle as she saw the doll, and to hear what she would say when told it was for her. But Mrs. Lee thought they had better keep the doll till Christmas, and let her find it with her stocking in the morning."But then I shan't see her when she first gets the dolly," said Flora."That is true; but you must write a little note, which shall be pinned on the doll's dress.""That will be splendid, mother! And I will go right away and write the note now."Flora got a pencil and a piece of paper, and seated herself in the corner. She worked away for half an hour as busy asa bee, and then she carried the note to her mother. She was not much of a writer, having been to school only a year. She could only print the note.Flora was very fond of writing notes, and long before she could make a single letter, she would fill up a piece of paper with pothooks and spiders' legs, and send them to her mother and Frank.She did not spell all the words right, but her mother told her how to correct them, and then she printed the note over again, on a nice sheet of gilt-edged paper. Thinking my little friends might want to see this note, I place a copy of it in the book, just exactly as she wrote it.Dear Nellie This Dolly Is From Me. I Love You Very Much And I Wish You A Merry Christmas. Flora Lee.When Christmas morning came, Nelliefound the doll in a chair, close by her stocking. I can't tell you how pleased she was, but you can all guess. Then she took the note from the dress, and read it. She was more pleased than ever to find it was from Flora.She almost cried with joy as she puzzled out the note, and thought how kind Flora and her mother were to remember her."What a dear you are, Miss Dolly!" said she, as she took up the doll and kissed her, just as though she had been a real live baby. "You and I shall be first-rate friends, just as long as we live. I will take such good care of you! Dear me! Why, mother! Only think!""What is the matter, Nellie?" asked Mrs. Green, who was almost as much pleased as her daughter."Did you see that?""What, child? What do you mean?""Did you see those eyes?""Yes, I see them.""Why, just as true as I am alive, she moved them!""I think not, my child. She is a very handsome doll, but I don't think she could move her eyes, if she tried ever so hard.""But she did; I know she did;" and Nellie took hold of her head to examine it more closely. As she did so, she bent the body a little. "There! as true as I live, she moved them again!"Mrs. Green took the doll, and found that the eyes did really move. It was funny, but it was true. Mrs. Lee and Flora knew all about it.The eyes were made of glass, and there was something inside of the doll which moved them when the body was bent."Let me see," said Katy, who had been looking on in silence all this time. Nelliegave her the doll at once; and she bent the body and saw the eyes move twenty times. The happy owner of Miss Dolly waited with patience till her sister had done with her."Why didn't aunt Jane get me one like that, I wonder," said Katy, when she gave the doll to Nellie."I suppose she could not afford to buy one like this, for she is not so rich as Mrs. Lee.""But you shall have her to play with just when you want her," said Nellie."Pooh! I don't want your old dolly," snarled Katy. "She isn't half so good as mine. I would rather have Lady Jane than have her, any day.""Why, then, did you wish your aunt Jane had given you one like this?" asked her mother."I don't care for her old dolly! She maykeep it for all me," replied Katy."But it shall be yours just as much as mine, Katy," said Nellie, in tones so gentle and sweet that her sister ought to have kissed her for them, and loved her more than she ever loved her before.But she did not. She was envious. She was sorry the doll had been given to Nellie—sorry because it was a prettier one than her own. It was a very wicked feeling. She had some presents of her own, but her envy spoiled all the pleasure she might have taken in them.Nellie was almost sorry the doll had been given to her, when she saw how Katy felt about it. Mrs. Green talked to the envious girl till she cried, about her conduct. She tried to make her feel how odious and wicked envy made her.Whenever Katy saw the new doll, she seemed to be angry with her sister. PoorNellie's pleasure was nearly spoiled, and she even offered to exchange her doll for Katy's, but her mother would not let her do so.In a few days, however, she seemed to feel better, and the two sisters had some good times with their dolls. I say she seemed to feel better, but she really did not. She did not like it that Nellie's doll was a finer one than her own.Yet Nellie was happier, for she thought Katy was cured of her ill feeling. Then she loved her doll more than ever. She was a cunning little girl, and she thought so much of her new friend that she always used to say "Dolly and I."When her mother asked her where she had been, she would reply, "Dolly and I have been having a nice time upstairs." "Dolly and I" used to do ever so many things, and no two little ladies could everenjoy themselves more than did Dolly and Nellie.I am sorry to say that Katy did not like Dolly at all. She could never forgive her for moving her eyes, because Lady Jane could not move hers. It is true that, after she saw how silly and wicked her envy made her appear to others, she tried very hard not to show it.We may be just as wicked without showing our sin to others, as we can be when we let the world see just what we are. When we are wicked, the sin is more in the heart than in the actions.Men may seem to be very good when they are really very bad, though people almost always find out such persons. Katy was just as wicked, just as envious, when her sister thought she was kind and loving, as she was on that Christmas morning, whenthe doll was found in the chamber.You will be surprised and sorry when you see just how wicked her envy made her. I shall tell you about it in the next chapter, and I hope it will lead you to drive any such feeling from your own hearts.What Katy did.What Katy did.Nellie and Katy in their room.Nellie and Katy in their room.IV.Lady Jane and Miss Dolly were kept in the lower drawer of the bureau, for they were very fine young ladies, and Mrs. Green wished to have them kept clean and nice.One day, about two weeks after Miss Dolly was given to Nellie, both she and Katy had been playing with the dolls. When the bell rang for tea, they ran downstairs; but before they went they put the dolls in the drawer. As they were in a hurry, they were not very careful, and the dresses of both the dolls were sadly tumbled.Mrs. Green, who was in the room, saw in what manner Miss Dolly and Lady Jane had been thrown into the drawer; and beforeshe went down to tea, she took them both out, smoothed down their dresses, and put them back in a more proper manner.Katy and Nellie had had some talk about their dolls; and the envious girl had said hers was better than her sister's. Nellie did not dispute with her about it, but she saw that Katy had not got over that bad feeling yet.The children ate their suppers, and not a word more was said about the dolls; but Katy looked very sour. She was thinking about Miss Dolly's eyes, and wishing Lady Jane's eyes would move like the other's.She finished her supper, and ran upstairs again. By this time it was quite dark in the room where the dolls were kept, and Nellie and her mother wondered why she went upstairs at that late hour.Katy was still thinking of those eyes.She thought her aunt Jane was real mean not to buy her such a doll; and then she was very sorry that Flora's mother had bought it for her sister.While she was thinking these wicked thoughts she went to the bureau, and opened the lower drawer. It was so dark she could hardly see the dolls, but she took out one of them."Your dolly shall not be better than mine any longer," said she to herself.As she said this, she took the scissors from the work basket on the bureau, and finding one of the eyes with her fingers, she struck one of the points right into it. Then she turned the scissors, so as entirely to destroy the eye. Not content with this, she spoiled the other eye in the same manner."Now your doll isn't so good as mine,anyhow," said she to herself, as she put the poor spoiled lady back into the drawer.I would not have a little girl feel as she felt then for all the world. Her heart was full of envy and wickedness. To gratify her ill feeling she had thrust the scissors into the eyes of the doll. She knew how badly her sister would feel, but she did not care for this. Now Lady Jane was the best doll, and she did not care for anything else.She staid in the room but a few moments. Closing the drawer, she hastened downstairs, and took a seat by the fire. She tried to look as though nothing had happened; but she was sour and sullen, for she felt that she had done a very naughty act."Come, Katy, let us go upstairs and play with the dollies again," said Nellie, when she had got through with her supper."I don't want to," replied she, withouteven looking at her sister."Do come, Katy.""I tell you I don't want to," snarled she."You can bring your dolly downstairs, and play with her here, Nellie," said her mother."May I, mother?""You may—take a light with you.""I don't want any light, mother; I can find her just as well in the dark;" and away she ran to get the doll.Don't you think Katy trembled then? She did tremble, like a leaf, and wished she had not done the naughty deed. In a moment Nellie would return with poor Miss Dolly, whose eyes had been spoiled with the scissors. She did not think it would be found out so soon, and she could not think what to say before the doll came down.She felt just as though she should sinkthrough the floor, when Nellie came into the room with the doll in her arms. There would be an awful time in a moment, and her father and mother would want to know who had spoiled Miss Dolly's eyes.They knew she had been upstairs since tea, and they would charge her with the naughty act. She meant to deny it, for those who are wicked enough to do such things are almost always wicked enough to lie about them."Now won't you and I have a nice time, Dolly?" said Nellie, as she rushed into the sitting room, with the doll in her arms, "Come, Katy, let's play Dolly is the Queen of England.""I don't want to play.""Well—won't you make me a crown for her?""I can't."Katy was waiting for her sister to find out the mischief that had been done, and she dreaded the moment when she should do so. She did not dare to look at her, for fear her looks might betray her."You shall be queen without any crown," said Nellie, as she placed the doll on the table. "This pincushion shall be your throne. There, you look just like a queen—don't she, mother?""I think she does," replied Mrs. Green, with a smile. "I hope she will be as good as Queen Victoria.""She will, mother—only she ought to have a crown.""I have got a piece of gilt paper upstairs, and I will make her one. I'm going up in a minute."Katy, not daring to look yet, did not know what to think of this talk. Howcould the doll look like a queen when her eyes had been punched out with the scissors? It was very strange to her, and she stole a glance at the queenly Miss Dolly on the table.There she was, seated on her pincushion throne, just as if nothing had happened. Her eyes were just as bright as ever, and as Nellie bent her body, she moved them as well as ever she could.Katy did not know what to make of it. She had certainly driven the scissors into the eyes of the doll as hard as she could; but there was Miss Dolly as good as new. She could not explain it, and it was of no use to try.Mrs. Green brought down the scissors, and cut out the crown. Then Miss Dolly certainly looked like a queen, and Nellie spent a very pleasant hour with hermajesty, till it was time for her to go to bed.Katy was very unhappy. She had not done what she meant to do, and she was filled with doubt. But she did not have to wait long to find out what she had done. When Mrs. Green went upstairs with the children, Miss Dolly had to be put to bed first, for she was a queen.When the bureau drawer was opened, what do you think they saw? There lay Lady Jane, with both of her eyes punched out!Katy burst into tears when she saw that her doll was entirely spoiled. Then she found that she had made a mistake. In the darkness she had punched out the eyes of Lady Jane instead of Miss Dolly. This is the way that wicked people often punish themselves instead of others.Her mother had changed the places of thedolls in the drawer, and this was the reason why Katy had made the mistake. Don't you think it served her right?Katy felt so badly that she could not tell any of the lies she had made up, and the truth was found out by her mother. Mrs. Green scolded her for what she had done, and for what she meant to do. The naughty girl cried herself to sleep that night, but poor Lady Jane was utterly ruined.Nellie felt almost as bad as her sister, and said all she could to console her. The next day Katy was so ashamed of herself that she did not wish to see anybody. But in a few days she got over it; and her mother hoped the affair would do her a great deal of good. Whenever she showed a spirit of envy, Mrs. Green reminded her of her doll, and she tried to conquer the feeling; but it took many years to cure her.Mrs. Green scolding Katy.Mrs. Green scolding Katy.When you envy others, although you maynot punch out the eyes of your own doll, you hurt yourself more than any one else.THE BIRTHDAY PARTY."Play us some tunes," said the children.—Page 211."Play us some tunes," said the children.—Page 211.THE BIRTHDAY PARTY.I.Flora Lee's birthday came in July. Her mother wished very much to celebrate the occasion in a proper manner. Flora was a good girl, and her parents were always glad to do anything they could to please her, and to increase her happiness.They were very indulgent parents, and as they had plenty of money, they could afford to pay well for a "good time." Yet they were not weak and silly in their indulgence. As much as they loved their little daughter, they did not give her pies and cakes to eat when they thought sucharticles would hurt her.They did not let her lie in bed till noon because they loved her, or permit her to do anything that would injure her, either in body or mind. Flora always went to church, and to the Sunday school, and never cried to stay at home. If she had cried, it would have made no difference, for her father and mother meant to have her do right, whether she liked it or not.But Flora gave them very little trouble about such matters. Her parents knew best what was good for her, and she was willing in all things to obey them. It was for this reason that they were so anxious to please her, even at the expense of a great deal of time and money.The birthday of Flora came on Wednesday, and school did not keep in the afternoon. All the children, therefore, could attend the party which they intended togive in honor of the day.About a week before the time, Mrs. Lee told Flora she might have the party, and wanted her to make out a list of all the children whom she wished to invite."I want to ask all the children in Riverdale," said Flora, promptly."Not all, I think," replied Mrs. Lee."Yes, mother, all of them.""But you know there are a great many bad boys in town. Do you wish to invite them?""Perhaps, if we treat them well, they will be made better by it.""Would you like to have Joe Birch come to the party?""I don't know, mother," said Flora, musing."I think you had better invite only those who will enjoy the party, and who will not be likely to spoil the pleasure of others. Wewill not invite such boys as Joe Birch.""Just as you think best, dear mother," replied Flora. "Shall I ask such boys as Tommy Woggs?""Tommy isn't a bad boy," said Mrs. Lee, with a smile."I don't know that he is; but he is a very queer fellow. You said I had better not ask those who would be likely to spoil the pleasure of others.""Do you think, my child, Tommy Woggs will do so?""I am afraid he would; he is such a queer boy.""But Tommy is a great traveler, you know," added Mrs. Lee, laughing."The boys and girls don't like him, he pretends to be such a big man. He knows more than all the rest of the world put together—at least, he thinks he does.""I think you had better ask him, for hewill probably feel slighted if you don't.""Very well, mother.""Now, Flora, I will take a pencil and paper, and write down the names of all the boys and girls with whom you are acquainted; and you must be careful not to forget any. Here comes Frank; he will help you."Frank was told about the party, and he was quite as much pleased with the idea as his sister had been; and both of them began to repeat the name of all the boys and girls they could remember.For half an hour they were employed in this manner, and then the list was read over to them, so as to be sure that no names had been omitted.Flora and Frank now went through all the streets of Riverdale, in imagination, thinking who lived in each house; and when they had completed their journey in fancy,they felt sure they had omitted none."But we must invite cousins Sarah and Henry," said Flora. "O, I hope they will come! Henry is so funny; we can't do without them.""Perhaps they will come; at any rate we will send them invitations," replied Mrs. Lee.The next day, when the children had gone to school, Mrs. Lee went to the office of the Riverdale Gazette, which was the village newspaper, and had the invitations printed on nice gilt-edged paper.By the following day Mrs. Lee had written in the names of the children invited, enclosed the notes in envelopes, and directed them. I will give you a copy of one of them, that you may know how to write them when you have a birthday party, though I dare say it would do just as well if you go to your friends and ask them to attend. Ifyou change the names and dates, this note will answer for any party.Miss Flora Lee presents her compliments to Miss Nellie Green, and requests the pleasure of her company on Wednesday afternoon, July 20.Riverdale, July 15."Those are very fine indeed," said Flora: "shall I put on my bonnet, and carry out some of them to-day?""No, my child; it is not quite the thing for you to carry your own invitations. I will tell you what you may do. You may hire David White to deliver them for you. You must pay him for it; give him half a dollar, which will be a good thing for him."This plan was adopted, and Frank was sent with the notes and the money over to the poor widow's cottage."Don't you think it is very wicked,mother, for rich folks to have parties, when the money they cost will do so much good to the poor?" asked Flora."I do not think so, my dear child.""Well, I think so, mother," added Flora, warmly."Perhaps you do not fully understand it.""I think I do.""Why should it be wicked for you to enjoy yourself?""I don't think it is wicked to enjoy myself, but only to spend money for such things. You said you were going to have the Riverdale Band, and that the music would cost more than twenty dollars.""I did, and the supper will cost at least twenty more; for I have spoken to the confectioner to supply us with ice cream, cake, jellies, and other luxuries. We shall have a supply of strawberries and cream, and allthe nice things of the season. We must also erect a tent in the garden, in which we shall have the supper; but after tea I will tell you all about it."Flora and her Father.Flora and her Father.Writing the notes.Writing the notes.II.Flora could not help thinking how much good the forty dollars, which her father would have to pay for the birthday party, would do if given to the poor.It seemed to her just like spending the money for a few hours' pleasure; and even if they had a fine time, which she was quite sure they would have, it would be soon over, and not do any real good.Forty dollars was a great deal of money. It would pay Mrs. White's rent for a whole year; it would clothe her family, and feed them nearly all the next winter. It appeared to her like a shameful waste; and these thoughts promised to take away a great deal from the pleasure of the occasion."I think, mother, I had just as lief nothave the band, and only have a supper of bread and butter and seed cakes.""Why, Flora, what has got into you?" said her father.Mrs. Lee laughed at the troubled looks of Flora, and explained to her father the nature of her scruples in regard to the party."Where did the child get this foolish idea?" asked her father, who thought her notions were too old and too severe for a little girl."Didn't I see last winter how much good only a little money would do?" replied Flora."Don't you think it is wicked for me to live in this great house, keep five or six horses, and nine or ten servants, when I could live in a little house, like Mrs. White?" laughed Mr. Lee."All the money you spend would take care of a dozen families of poor folks," saidFlora."That is very true. Suppose I should turn away all the men and women that work for me,—those, I mean, who work about the house and garden,—and give the money I spend in luxuries to the poor.""But what would John and Peter, Hannah and Bridget do then? They would lose their places, and not be able to earn anything. Why, no, father; Peter has a family; he has got three children, and he must take care of them.""Ah, you begin to see it—do you?" said Mr. Lee, with a smile. "All that I spend upon luxury goes into the pockets of the farmer, mechanic, and laborer.""I see that, father," replied Flora, looking as bright as sunshine again; "but all the money spent on my party will be wasted—won'tit?""Not a cent of it, my child. If I were amiser, and kept my money in an iron safe, and lived like a poor man, I should waste it then.""But twenty dollars for the Riverdale Band is a great deal to give for a few hours' service. It don't do any good, I think.""Yes, it does; music improves our minds and hearts. It makes us happy. I have engaged six men to play. They are musicians only at such times as they can get a job. They are shoemakers, also, and poor men; and the money which I shall pay them will help support their families and educate them.""What a fool I was, father!" exclaimed Flora."O, no; not so bad as that; for a great many older and wiser persons than yourself have thought just what you think.""But the supper, father,—the ice cream, the cake, and the lemonade,—won't all themoney spent for these things be wasted?""No more than the money spent for the music. The confectioner and those whom he employs depend upon their work for the means of supporting themselves and their families.""So they do, father. And when you have a party, you are really doing good to the poor.""That depends upon circumstances," replied Mr. Lee. "I don't think it would be an act of charity for a person who could not afford it to give a party. I only mean to say that when we spend money for that which does not injure us or anybody else, what we spend goes into the pockets of those who need it."A party—a proper party, I mean, such a one as you will have—is a good thing in itself. Innocent amusement is just asnecessary as food and drink."God has given me wealth, Flora, and he expects me to do all the good I can with it. I hold it as his steward. Now, when I pay one of these musicians three or four dollars for an afternoon's work, I do him a favor as well as you and those whom you invite to your party."And I hope the party will make you love one another more than ever before. I hope the music will warm your hearts, and that the supper will make you happy, and render you thankful to the Giver of all things for his constant bounty.""How funny that I should make such a blunder!" exclaimed Flora. "I am sure I shall enjoy my party a great deal more now that I understand these things.""I hope you won't understand too much, Flora. Suppose you had only a dollar, and that it had been given you to purchase astory book. Then, suppose Mrs. White and her children were suffering from want of fuel and clothing. What would you do with your dollar?""I would—""Wait a minute, Flora," interposed her father. "When you buy the book, you pay the printer, the paper maker, the bookseller, the type founder, the miner who dug the earth, the machinist who made the press, and a great many other persons whose labor enters into the making of a book—you pay all these men for their labor; you give them money to help take care of their wives and children, their fathers and mothers. You help all these men when you buy a book. Now, what would you do with your dollar?""I would give it to poor Mrs. White," promptly replied Flora."I think you would do right, for yourmoney would do more good in her hands. The self-denial on your part would do you good. I only wanted you to understand that, when you bought a book,—even a book which was only to amuse you,—the money is not thrown away."Riches are given to men for a good purpose; and they ought to use their wealth for the benefit of others, as well as for their own pleasure. If they spend money, even for things that are of no real use to them, it helps the poor, for it feeds and clothes them."Flora was much interested in this conversation, and perhaps some of my young friends will think she was an old head to care for such things; but I think they can all understand what was said as well as she did.On the Lawn.On the Lawn.III.The great day at length arrived, and everything was ready for the party. On the lawn, by the side of the house, a large tent had been put up, in which the children were to have the feast.Under a large maple tree, near the tent, a stage for the musicians had been erected. Two swings had been put up; and there was no good reason why the children should not enjoy themselves to their hearts' content.I think the teachers in the Riverdale school found it hard work to secure the attention of their scholars on the forenoon of that day, for all the boys and girls in the neighborhood were thinking about the party.As early as one o'clock in the afternoonthe children began to collect at the house of Mr. Lee, and at the end of an hour all who had received invitations were present. The band had arrived, and at a signal from Mr. Lee the music commenced."Now, father, we are all here. What shall we do?" asked Flora, who was so excited she did not know which way to turn, or how to proceed to entertain the party."Wait a few minutes, and let the children listen to the music. They seem to enjoy it very well.""But we want to play something, father.""Very soon, my child, we will play something.""What shall we play, father?""There are plenty of plays. Wouldn't you like to march a little while to the music?""March?"The Swing.The Swing."Yes, march to the tune of 'Hail, Columbia.'I will show you how to do it.""I don't know what you mean, father.""Well, I will show you in a few minutes."When the band had played a little longer, Mr. Lee assembled the children in the middle of the lawn, and asked them if they would like to march.They were pleased with the idea, though some of them thought it would be rather tame amusement for such an exciting occasion."You want two leaders, and I think you had better choose them yourselves. It would be the most proper to select two boys."Mr. Lee thought the choice of the leaders would amuse them; so he proposed that they should vote for them."How shall we vote, father?" asked Frank."Three of the children must retire, andpick out four persons; and the two of these four who get the most votes shall be the leaders."Mr. Lee appointed two girls and one boy to be on this committee; but while he was doing so, Tommy Woggs said he did not think this was a good play."I don't think they will choose the best leaders," said Tommy."Don't you, Mr. Woggs?" asked Mr. Lee, laughing."No, sir, I do not. What do any of these boys know about such things!" said Tommy, with a sneer. "I have been to New York, and have seen a great many parades.""Have you, indeed?""Yes, sir, I have.""And you think you would make a better leader than any of the others?""I think so, sir."All the children laughed heartily at Master Woggs, who was so very modest!"None of these boys and girls have ever been to New York," added Tommy, his vanity increasing every moment."That is very true; and perhaps the children will select you as their leader.""They can do as they like. If they want me, I should be very willing to be their leader," replied Tommy.It was very clear that Master Woggs had a very good opinion of himself. He seemed to think that the fact of his having been to New York made a hero of him, and that all the boys ought to take off their caps to him.But it is quite as certain that the Riverdale children did not think Master Woggs was a very great man. He thought so much of himself, that there was no room for othersto think much of him.The committee of three returned in a few minutes, and reported the names of four boys to be voted for as the leaders. They were Henry Vernon, Charley Green, David White, and Tommy Woggs.The important little gentleman who had been to New York, was delighted with the action of the committee. He thought all the children could see what a very fine leader he would make, and that all of them would vote for him."What shall we do for votes, father?" asked Frank."We can easily manage that, Frank," replied Mr. Lee."We have no paper here.""Listen to me a moment, children," continued Mr. Lee. "There are four boys to be voted for; and we will choose one leaderfirst, and then the other."Those who want Henry Vernon for a leader will put a blade of grass in the hat which will be the ballot box; those who want Charley Green will put in a clover blossom; those who want David White will put in a maple leaf; and those who want to vote for Tommy Woggs will put in a—let me see—put in a dandelion flower."The children laughed, for they thought the dandelion was just the thing for Master Woggs, who had been to New York.One of the boys carried round Mr. Lee's hat, and it was found that Henry Vernon had the most votes; so he was declared to be the first leader."Humph!" said Tommy Woggs. "What does Henry Vernon know? He has never been to New York.""But he lives in Boston," added CharleyGreen."Boston is nothing side of New York.""I think Boston is a great place," replied Charley."That's because you have never been to New York," said Master Woggs. "They will, of course, all vote for me next time. If they do, I will show them how things are done in New York.""Pooh!" exclaimed Charley, as he left the vain little man.While all the children were wondering who would be the other leader, Flora was electioneering among them for her favorite candidate; that is, she was asking her friends to vote for the one she wanted. Who do you suppose it was? Master Woggs? No. It was David White.The hat was passed round again, and when the votes were counted, there was only one single dandelion blossom found in thehat.Tommy Woggs was mad, for he felt that his companions had slighted him; but it was only because he was so vain and silly. People do not often think much of those who think a great deal of themselves.There was a great demand for maple leaves, and David White was chosen the second leader, and had nearly all the votes. The boys then gave three cheers for the leaders, and the lines were formed. Mr. Lee told Henry and David just how they were to march, and the band at once began to play "Hail, Columbia."The children first marched, two by two, round the lawn, and then down the center. When they reached the end, one leader turned off to the right, and the other to the left, each followed by a single line of the children.Passing round the lawn, they came togetheragain on the other side. Then they formed a great circle, a circle within a circle, and concluded the march with the "grand basket."This was certainly a very simple play, but the children enjoyed it ever so much—I mean all but vain Master Woggs, who was so greatly displeased because he was not chosen one of the leaders, that he said there was no fun at all in the whole thing.About half an hour was spent in marching, and then Mr. Lee proposed a second game. The children wanted to march a little longer; but there were a great number of things to be done before night, and so it was thought best, on the whole, to try a new game.
The Christmas present.The Christmas present.
"It is an awful story, and I wouldn't say it even in fun."
Nellie said she would not say it again, only she wanted to have Miss Fanny do just as the big folks did. And so they played all the afternoon, though Lady Jane didnot honor them with her company. All the dollies paid lots of visits; and Flora went home.
Katy unhappy.Katy unhappy.
When Flora reached home she told her mother what a nice time she had, and what splendid visits Miss Lucy and Miss Mary and Miss Susie had made to Miss Fanny.
She could not help telling her mother what a good girl Nellie was, and how she loved her sister, even when she was unkind and spoke pettishly to her.
Then she told her how much she wished Nellie had a wax doll, with real hair, and a white silk dress. Mrs. Lee thought such a good girl ought to have one, and the very next time she went to the city, she bought the prettiest wax doll she could find for her.
Flora was full of joy when she saw the doll, and learned whom it was for. She wasa great deal happier than if the doll had been bought for herself; and she wanted to run right over to Mr. Green's with the beautiful present. She longed to see the eyes of Nellie sparkle as she saw the doll, and to hear what she would say when told it was for her. But Mrs. Lee thought they had better keep the doll till Christmas, and let her find it with her stocking in the morning.
"But then I shan't see her when she first gets the dolly," said Flora.
"That is true; but you must write a little note, which shall be pinned on the doll's dress."
"That will be splendid, mother! And I will go right away and write the note now."
Flora got a pencil and a piece of paper, and seated herself in the corner. She worked away for half an hour as busy asa bee, and then she carried the note to her mother. She was not much of a writer, having been to school only a year. She could only print the note.
Flora was very fond of writing notes, and long before she could make a single letter, she would fill up a piece of paper with pothooks and spiders' legs, and send them to her mother and Frank.
She did not spell all the words right, but her mother told her how to correct them, and then she printed the note over again, on a nice sheet of gilt-edged paper. Thinking my little friends might want to see this note, I place a copy of it in the book, just exactly as she wrote it.
Dear Nellie This Dolly Is From Me. I Love You Very Much And I Wish You A Merry Christmas. Flora Lee.
When Christmas morning came, Nelliefound the doll in a chair, close by her stocking. I can't tell you how pleased she was, but you can all guess. Then she took the note from the dress, and read it. She was more pleased than ever to find it was from Flora.
She almost cried with joy as she puzzled out the note, and thought how kind Flora and her mother were to remember her.
"What a dear you are, Miss Dolly!" said she, as she took up the doll and kissed her, just as though she had been a real live baby. "You and I shall be first-rate friends, just as long as we live. I will take such good care of you! Dear me! Why, mother! Only think!"
"What is the matter, Nellie?" asked Mrs. Green, who was almost as much pleased as her daughter.
"Did you see that?"
"What, child? What do you mean?"
"Did you see those eyes?"
"Yes, I see them."
"Why, just as true as I am alive, she moved them!"
"I think not, my child. She is a very handsome doll, but I don't think she could move her eyes, if she tried ever so hard."
"But she did; I know she did;" and Nellie took hold of her head to examine it more closely. As she did so, she bent the body a little. "There! as true as I live, she moved them again!"
Mrs. Green took the doll, and found that the eyes did really move. It was funny, but it was true. Mrs. Lee and Flora knew all about it.
The eyes were made of glass, and there was something inside of the doll which moved them when the body was bent.
"Let me see," said Katy, who had been looking on in silence all this time. Nelliegave her the doll at once; and she bent the body and saw the eyes move twenty times. The happy owner of Miss Dolly waited with patience till her sister had done with her.
"Why didn't aunt Jane get me one like that, I wonder," said Katy, when she gave the doll to Nellie.
"I suppose she could not afford to buy one like this, for she is not so rich as Mrs. Lee."
"But you shall have her to play with just when you want her," said Nellie.
"Pooh! I don't want your old dolly," snarled Katy. "She isn't half so good as mine. I would rather have Lady Jane than have her, any day."
"Why, then, did you wish your aunt Jane had given you one like this?" asked her mother.
"I don't care for her old dolly! She maykeep it for all me," replied Katy.
"But it shall be yours just as much as mine, Katy," said Nellie, in tones so gentle and sweet that her sister ought to have kissed her for them, and loved her more than she ever loved her before.
But she did not. She was envious. She was sorry the doll had been given to Nellie—sorry because it was a prettier one than her own. It was a very wicked feeling. She had some presents of her own, but her envy spoiled all the pleasure she might have taken in them.
Nellie was almost sorry the doll had been given to her, when she saw how Katy felt about it. Mrs. Green talked to the envious girl till she cried, about her conduct. She tried to make her feel how odious and wicked envy made her.
Whenever Katy saw the new doll, she seemed to be angry with her sister. PoorNellie's pleasure was nearly spoiled, and she even offered to exchange her doll for Katy's, but her mother would not let her do so.
In a few days, however, she seemed to feel better, and the two sisters had some good times with their dolls. I say she seemed to feel better, but she really did not. She did not like it that Nellie's doll was a finer one than her own.
Yet Nellie was happier, for she thought Katy was cured of her ill feeling. Then she loved her doll more than ever. She was a cunning little girl, and she thought so much of her new friend that she always used to say "Dolly and I."
When her mother asked her where she had been, she would reply, "Dolly and I have been having a nice time upstairs." "Dolly and I" used to do ever so many things, and no two little ladies could everenjoy themselves more than did Dolly and Nellie.
I am sorry to say that Katy did not like Dolly at all. She could never forgive her for moving her eyes, because Lady Jane could not move hers. It is true that, after she saw how silly and wicked her envy made her appear to others, she tried very hard not to show it.
We may be just as wicked without showing our sin to others, as we can be when we let the world see just what we are. When we are wicked, the sin is more in the heart than in the actions.
Men may seem to be very good when they are really very bad, though people almost always find out such persons. Katy was just as wicked, just as envious, when her sister thought she was kind and loving, as she was on that Christmas morning, whenthe doll was found in the chamber.
You will be surprised and sorry when you see just how wicked her envy made her. I shall tell you about it in the next chapter, and I hope it will lead you to drive any such feeling from your own hearts.
What Katy did.What Katy did.
Nellie and Katy in their room.Nellie and Katy in their room.
Lady Jane and Miss Dolly were kept in the lower drawer of the bureau, for they were very fine young ladies, and Mrs. Green wished to have them kept clean and nice.
One day, about two weeks after Miss Dolly was given to Nellie, both she and Katy had been playing with the dolls. When the bell rang for tea, they ran downstairs; but before they went they put the dolls in the drawer. As they were in a hurry, they were not very careful, and the dresses of both the dolls were sadly tumbled.
Mrs. Green, who was in the room, saw in what manner Miss Dolly and Lady Jane had been thrown into the drawer; and beforeshe went down to tea, she took them both out, smoothed down their dresses, and put them back in a more proper manner.
Katy and Nellie had had some talk about their dolls; and the envious girl had said hers was better than her sister's. Nellie did not dispute with her about it, but she saw that Katy had not got over that bad feeling yet.
The children ate their suppers, and not a word more was said about the dolls; but Katy looked very sour. She was thinking about Miss Dolly's eyes, and wishing Lady Jane's eyes would move like the other's.
She finished her supper, and ran upstairs again. By this time it was quite dark in the room where the dolls were kept, and Nellie and her mother wondered why she went upstairs at that late hour.
Katy was still thinking of those eyes.She thought her aunt Jane was real mean not to buy her such a doll; and then she was very sorry that Flora's mother had bought it for her sister.
While she was thinking these wicked thoughts she went to the bureau, and opened the lower drawer. It was so dark she could hardly see the dolls, but she took out one of them.
"Your dolly shall not be better than mine any longer," said she to herself.
As she said this, she took the scissors from the work basket on the bureau, and finding one of the eyes with her fingers, she struck one of the points right into it. Then she turned the scissors, so as entirely to destroy the eye. Not content with this, she spoiled the other eye in the same manner.
"Now your doll isn't so good as mine,anyhow," said she to herself, as she put the poor spoiled lady back into the drawer.
I would not have a little girl feel as she felt then for all the world. Her heart was full of envy and wickedness. To gratify her ill feeling she had thrust the scissors into the eyes of the doll. She knew how badly her sister would feel, but she did not care for this. Now Lady Jane was the best doll, and she did not care for anything else.
She staid in the room but a few moments. Closing the drawer, she hastened downstairs, and took a seat by the fire. She tried to look as though nothing had happened; but she was sour and sullen, for she felt that she had done a very naughty act.
"Come, Katy, let us go upstairs and play with the dollies again," said Nellie, when she had got through with her supper.
"I don't want to," replied she, withouteven looking at her sister.
"Do come, Katy."
"I tell you I don't want to," snarled she.
"You can bring your dolly downstairs, and play with her here, Nellie," said her mother.
"May I, mother?"
"You may—take a light with you."
"I don't want any light, mother; I can find her just as well in the dark;" and away she ran to get the doll.
Don't you think Katy trembled then? She did tremble, like a leaf, and wished she had not done the naughty deed. In a moment Nellie would return with poor Miss Dolly, whose eyes had been spoiled with the scissors. She did not think it would be found out so soon, and she could not think what to say before the doll came down.
She felt just as though she should sinkthrough the floor, when Nellie came into the room with the doll in her arms. There would be an awful time in a moment, and her father and mother would want to know who had spoiled Miss Dolly's eyes.
They knew she had been upstairs since tea, and they would charge her with the naughty act. She meant to deny it, for those who are wicked enough to do such things are almost always wicked enough to lie about them.
"Now won't you and I have a nice time, Dolly?" said Nellie, as she rushed into the sitting room, with the doll in her arms, "Come, Katy, let's play Dolly is the Queen of England."
"I don't want to play."
"Well—won't you make me a crown for her?"
"I can't."
Katy was waiting for her sister to find out the mischief that had been done, and she dreaded the moment when she should do so. She did not dare to look at her, for fear her looks might betray her.
"You shall be queen without any crown," said Nellie, as she placed the doll on the table. "This pincushion shall be your throne. There, you look just like a queen—don't she, mother?"
"I think she does," replied Mrs. Green, with a smile. "I hope she will be as good as Queen Victoria."
"She will, mother—only she ought to have a crown."
"I have got a piece of gilt paper upstairs, and I will make her one. I'm going up in a minute."
Katy, not daring to look yet, did not know what to think of this talk. Howcould the doll look like a queen when her eyes had been punched out with the scissors? It was very strange to her, and she stole a glance at the queenly Miss Dolly on the table.
There she was, seated on her pincushion throne, just as if nothing had happened. Her eyes were just as bright as ever, and as Nellie bent her body, she moved them as well as ever she could.
Katy did not know what to make of it. She had certainly driven the scissors into the eyes of the doll as hard as she could; but there was Miss Dolly as good as new. She could not explain it, and it was of no use to try.
Mrs. Green brought down the scissors, and cut out the crown. Then Miss Dolly certainly looked like a queen, and Nellie spent a very pleasant hour with hermajesty, till it was time for her to go to bed.
Katy was very unhappy. She had not done what she meant to do, and she was filled with doubt. But she did not have to wait long to find out what she had done. When Mrs. Green went upstairs with the children, Miss Dolly had to be put to bed first, for she was a queen.
When the bureau drawer was opened, what do you think they saw? There lay Lady Jane, with both of her eyes punched out!
Katy burst into tears when she saw that her doll was entirely spoiled. Then she found that she had made a mistake. In the darkness she had punched out the eyes of Lady Jane instead of Miss Dolly. This is the way that wicked people often punish themselves instead of others.
Her mother had changed the places of thedolls in the drawer, and this was the reason why Katy had made the mistake. Don't you think it served her right?
Katy felt so badly that she could not tell any of the lies she had made up, and the truth was found out by her mother. Mrs. Green scolded her for what she had done, and for what she meant to do. The naughty girl cried herself to sleep that night, but poor Lady Jane was utterly ruined.
Nellie felt almost as bad as her sister, and said all she could to console her. The next day Katy was so ashamed of herself that she did not wish to see anybody. But in a few days she got over it; and her mother hoped the affair would do her a great deal of good. Whenever she showed a spirit of envy, Mrs. Green reminded her of her doll, and she tried to conquer the feeling; but it took many years to cure her.
Mrs. Green scolding Katy.Mrs. Green scolding Katy.
When you envy others, although you maynot punch out the eyes of your own doll, you hurt yourself more than any one else.
THE BIRTHDAY PARTY.
"Play us some tunes," said the children.—Page 211."Play us some tunes," said the children.—Page 211.
Flora Lee's birthday came in July. Her mother wished very much to celebrate the occasion in a proper manner. Flora was a good girl, and her parents were always glad to do anything they could to please her, and to increase her happiness.
They were very indulgent parents, and as they had plenty of money, they could afford to pay well for a "good time." Yet they were not weak and silly in their indulgence. As much as they loved their little daughter, they did not give her pies and cakes to eat when they thought sucharticles would hurt her.
They did not let her lie in bed till noon because they loved her, or permit her to do anything that would injure her, either in body or mind. Flora always went to church, and to the Sunday school, and never cried to stay at home. If she had cried, it would have made no difference, for her father and mother meant to have her do right, whether she liked it or not.
But Flora gave them very little trouble about such matters. Her parents knew best what was good for her, and she was willing in all things to obey them. It was for this reason that they were so anxious to please her, even at the expense of a great deal of time and money.
The birthday of Flora came on Wednesday, and school did not keep in the afternoon. All the children, therefore, could attend the party which they intended togive in honor of the day.
About a week before the time, Mrs. Lee told Flora she might have the party, and wanted her to make out a list of all the children whom she wished to invite.
"I want to ask all the children in Riverdale," said Flora, promptly.
"Not all, I think," replied Mrs. Lee.
"Yes, mother, all of them."
"But you know there are a great many bad boys in town. Do you wish to invite them?"
"Perhaps, if we treat them well, they will be made better by it."
"Would you like to have Joe Birch come to the party?"
"I don't know, mother," said Flora, musing.
"I think you had better invite only those who will enjoy the party, and who will not be likely to spoil the pleasure of others. Wewill not invite such boys as Joe Birch."
"Just as you think best, dear mother," replied Flora. "Shall I ask such boys as Tommy Woggs?"
"Tommy isn't a bad boy," said Mrs. Lee, with a smile.
"I don't know that he is; but he is a very queer fellow. You said I had better not ask those who would be likely to spoil the pleasure of others."
"Do you think, my child, Tommy Woggs will do so?"
"I am afraid he would; he is such a queer boy."
"But Tommy is a great traveler, you know," added Mrs. Lee, laughing.
"The boys and girls don't like him, he pretends to be such a big man. He knows more than all the rest of the world put together—at least, he thinks he does."
"I think you had better ask him, for hewill probably feel slighted if you don't."
"Very well, mother."
"Now, Flora, I will take a pencil and paper, and write down the names of all the boys and girls with whom you are acquainted; and you must be careful not to forget any. Here comes Frank; he will help you."
Frank was told about the party, and he was quite as much pleased with the idea as his sister had been; and both of them began to repeat the name of all the boys and girls they could remember.
For half an hour they were employed in this manner, and then the list was read over to them, so as to be sure that no names had been omitted.
Flora and Frank now went through all the streets of Riverdale, in imagination, thinking who lived in each house; and when they had completed their journey in fancy,they felt sure they had omitted none.
"But we must invite cousins Sarah and Henry," said Flora. "O, I hope they will come! Henry is so funny; we can't do without them."
"Perhaps they will come; at any rate we will send them invitations," replied Mrs. Lee.
The next day, when the children had gone to school, Mrs. Lee went to the office of the Riverdale Gazette, which was the village newspaper, and had the invitations printed on nice gilt-edged paper.
By the following day Mrs. Lee had written in the names of the children invited, enclosed the notes in envelopes, and directed them. I will give you a copy of one of them, that you may know how to write them when you have a birthday party, though I dare say it would do just as well if you go to your friends and ask them to attend. Ifyou change the names and dates, this note will answer for any party.
Miss Flora Lee presents her compliments to Miss Nellie Green, and requests the pleasure of her company on Wednesday afternoon, July 20.Riverdale, July 15.
Miss Flora Lee presents her compliments to Miss Nellie Green, and requests the pleasure of her company on Wednesday afternoon, July 20.
Riverdale, July 15.
"Those are very fine indeed," said Flora: "shall I put on my bonnet, and carry out some of them to-day?"
"No, my child; it is not quite the thing for you to carry your own invitations. I will tell you what you may do. You may hire David White to deliver them for you. You must pay him for it; give him half a dollar, which will be a good thing for him."
This plan was adopted, and Frank was sent with the notes and the money over to the poor widow's cottage.
"Don't you think it is very wicked,mother, for rich folks to have parties, when the money they cost will do so much good to the poor?" asked Flora.
"I do not think so, my dear child."
"Well, I think so, mother," added Flora, warmly.
"Perhaps you do not fully understand it."
"I think I do."
"Why should it be wicked for you to enjoy yourself?"
"I don't think it is wicked to enjoy myself, but only to spend money for such things. You said you were going to have the Riverdale Band, and that the music would cost more than twenty dollars."
"I did, and the supper will cost at least twenty more; for I have spoken to the confectioner to supply us with ice cream, cake, jellies, and other luxuries. We shall have a supply of strawberries and cream, and allthe nice things of the season. We must also erect a tent in the garden, in which we shall have the supper; but after tea I will tell you all about it."
Flora and her Father.Flora and her Father.
Writing the notes.Writing the notes.
Flora could not help thinking how much good the forty dollars, which her father would have to pay for the birthday party, would do if given to the poor.
It seemed to her just like spending the money for a few hours' pleasure; and even if they had a fine time, which she was quite sure they would have, it would be soon over, and not do any real good.
Forty dollars was a great deal of money. It would pay Mrs. White's rent for a whole year; it would clothe her family, and feed them nearly all the next winter. It appeared to her like a shameful waste; and these thoughts promised to take away a great deal from the pleasure of the occasion.
"I think, mother, I had just as lief nothave the band, and only have a supper of bread and butter and seed cakes."
"Why, Flora, what has got into you?" said her father.
Mrs. Lee laughed at the troubled looks of Flora, and explained to her father the nature of her scruples in regard to the party.
"Where did the child get this foolish idea?" asked her father, who thought her notions were too old and too severe for a little girl.
"Didn't I see last winter how much good only a little money would do?" replied Flora.
"Don't you think it is wicked for me to live in this great house, keep five or six horses, and nine or ten servants, when I could live in a little house, like Mrs. White?" laughed Mr. Lee.
"All the money you spend would take care of a dozen families of poor folks," saidFlora.
"That is very true. Suppose I should turn away all the men and women that work for me,—those, I mean, who work about the house and garden,—and give the money I spend in luxuries to the poor."
"But what would John and Peter, Hannah and Bridget do then? They would lose their places, and not be able to earn anything. Why, no, father; Peter has a family; he has got three children, and he must take care of them."
"Ah, you begin to see it—do you?" said Mr. Lee, with a smile. "All that I spend upon luxury goes into the pockets of the farmer, mechanic, and laborer."
"I see that, father," replied Flora, looking as bright as sunshine again; "but all the money spent on my party will be wasted—won'tit?"
"Not a cent of it, my child. If I were amiser, and kept my money in an iron safe, and lived like a poor man, I should waste it then."
"But twenty dollars for the Riverdale Band is a great deal to give for a few hours' service. It don't do any good, I think."
"Yes, it does; music improves our minds and hearts. It makes us happy. I have engaged six men to play. They are musicians only at such times as they can get a job. They are shoemakers, also, and poor men; and the money which I shall pay them will help support their families and educate them."
"What a fool I was, father!" exclaimed Flora.
"O, no; not so bad as that; for a great many older and wiser persons than yourself have thought just what you think."
"But the supper, father,—the ice cream, the cake, and the lemonade,—won't all themoney spent for these things be wasted?"
"No more than the money spent for the music. The confectioner and those whom he employs depend upon their work for the means of supporting themselves and their families."
"So they do, father. And when you have a party, you are really doing good to the poor."
"That depends upon circumstances," replied Mr. Lee. "I don't think it would be an act of charity for a person who could not afford it to give a party. I only mean to say that when we spend money for that which does not injure us or anybody else, what we spend goes into the pockets of those who need it.
"A party—a proper party, I mean, such a one as you will have—is a good thing in itself. Innocent amusement is just asnecessary as food and drink.
"God has given me wealth, Flora, and he expects me to do all the good I can with it. I hold it as his steward. Now, when I pay one of these musicians three or four dollars for an afternoon's work, I do him a favor as well as you and those whom you invite to your party.
"And I hope the party will make you love one another more than ever before. I hope the music will warm your hearts, and that the supper will make you happy, and render you thankful to the Giver of all things for his constant bounty."
"How funny that I should make such a blunder!" exclaimed Flora. "I am sure I shall enjoy my party a great deal more now that I understand these things."
"I hope you won't understand too much, Flora. Suppose you had only a dollar, and that it had been given you to purchase astory book. Then, suppose Mrs. White and her children were suffering from want of fuel and clothing. What would you do with your dollar?"
"I would—"
"Wait a minute, Flora," interposed her father. "When you buy the book, you pay the printer, the paper maker, the bookseller, the type founder, the miner who dug the earth, the machinist who made the press, and a great many other persons whose labor enters into the making of a book—you pay all these men for their labor; you give them money to help take care of their wives and children, their fathers and mothers. You help all these men when you buy a book. Now, what would you do with your dollar?"
"I would give it to poor Mrs. White," promptly replied Flora.
"I think you would do right, for yourmoney would do more good in her hands. The self-denial on your part would do you good. I only wanted you to understand that, when you bought a book,—even a book which was only to amuse you,—the money is not thrown away.
"Riches are given to men for a good purpose; and they ought to use their wealth for the benefit of others, as well as for their own pleasure. If they spend money, even for things that are of no real use to them, it helps the poor, for it feeds and clothes them."
Flora was much interested in this conversation, and perhaps some of my young friends will think she was an old head to care for such things; but I think they can all understand what was said as well as she did.
On the Lawn.On the Lawn.
The great day at length arrived, and everything was ready for the party. On the lawn, by the side of the house, a large tent had been put up, in which the children were to have the feast.
Under a large maple tree, near the tent, a stage for the musicians had been erected. Two swings had been put up; and there was no good reason why the children should not enjoy themselves to their hearts' content.
I think the teachers in the Riverdale school found it hard work to secure the attention of their scholars on the forenoon of that day, for all the boys and girls in the neighborhood were thinking about the party.
As early as one o'clock in the afternoonthe children began to collect at the house of Mr. Lee, and at the end of an hour all who had received invitations were present. The band had arrived, and at a signal from Mr. Lee the music commenced.
"Now, father, we are all here. What shall we do?" asked Flora, who was so excited she did not know which way to turn, or how to proceed to entertain the party.
"Wait a few minutes, and let the children listen to the music. They seem to enjoy it very well."
"But we want to play something, father."
"Very soon, my child, we will play something."
"What shall we play, father?"
"There are plenty of plays. Wouldn't you like to march a little while to the music?"
"March?"
The Swing.The Swing.
"Yes, march to the tune of 'Hail, Columbia.'I will show you how to do it."
"I don't know what you mean, father."
"Well, I will show you in a few minutes."
When the band had played a little longer, Mr. Lee assembled the children in the middle of the lawn, and asked them if they would like to march.
They were pleased with the idea, though some of them thought it would be rather tame amusement for such an exciting occasion.
"You want two leaders, and I think you had better choose them yourselves. It would be the most proper to select two boys."
Mr. Lee thought the choice of the leaders would amuse them; so he proposed that they should vote for them.
"How shall we vote, father?" asked Frank.
"Three of the children must retire, andpick out four persons; and the two of these four who get the most votes shall be the leaders."
Mr. Lee appointed two girls and one boy to be on this committee; but while he was doing so, Tommy Woggs said he did not think this was a good play.
"I don't think they will choose the best leaders," said Tommy.
"Don't you, Mr. Woggs?" asked Mr. Lee, laughing.
"No, sir, I do not. What do any of these boys know about such things!" said Tommy, with a sneer. "I have been to New York, and have seen a great many parades."
"Have you, indeed?"
"Yes, sir, I have."
"And you think you would make a better leader than any of the others?"
"I think so, sir."
All the children laughed heartily at Master Woggs, who was so very modest!
"None of these boys and girls have ever been to New York," added Tommy, his vanity increasing every moment.
"That is very true; and perhaps the children will select you as their leader."
"They can do as they like. If they want me, I should be very willing to be their leader," replied Tommy.
It was very clear that Master Woggs had a very good opinion of himself. He seemed to think that the fact of his having been to New York made a hero of him, and that all the boys ought to take off their caps to him.
But it is quite as certain that the Riverdale children did not think Master Woggs was a very great man. He thought so much of himself, that there was no room for othersto think much of him.
The committee of three returned in a few minutes, and reported the names of four boys to be voted for as the leaders. They were Henry Vernon, Charley Green, David White, and Tommy Woggs.
The important little gentleman who had been to New York, was delighted with the action of the committee. He thought all the children could see what a very fine leader he would make, and that all of them would vote for him.
"What shall we do for votes, father?" asked Frank.
"We can easily manage that, Frank," replied Mr. Lee.
"We have no paper here."
"Listen to me a moment, children," continued Mr. Lee. "There are four boys to be voted for; and we will choose one leaderfirst, and then the other.
"Those who want Henry Vernon for a leader will put a blade of grass in the hat which will be the ballot box; those who want Charley Green will put in a clover blossom; those who want David White will put in a maple leaf; and those who want to vote for Tommy Woggs will put in a—let me see—put in a dandelion flower."
The children laughed, for they thought the dandelion was just the thing for Master Woggs, who had been to New York.
One of the boys carried round Mr. Lee's hat, and it was found that Henry Vernon had the most votes; so he was declared to be the first leader.
"Humph!" said Tommy Woggs. "What does Henry Vernon know? He has never been to New York."
"But he lives in Boston," added CharleyGreen.
"Boston is nothing side of New York."
"I think Boston is a great place," replied Charley.
"That's because you have never been to New York," said Master Woggs. "They will, of course, all vote for me next time. If they do, I will show them how things are done in New York."
"Pooh!" exclaimed Charley, as he left the vain little man.
While all the children were wondering who would be the other leader, Flora was electioneering among them for her favorite candidate; that is, she was asking her friends to vote for the one she wanted. Who do you suppose it was? Master Woggs? No. It was David White.
The hat was passed round again, and when the votes were counted, there was only one single dandelion blossom found in thehat.
Tommy Woggs was mad, for he felt that his companions had slighted him; but it was only because he was so vain and silly. People do not often think much of those who think a great deal of themselves.
There was a great demand for maple leaves, and David White was chosen the second leader, and had nearly all the votes. The boys then gave three cheers for the leaders, and the lines were formed. Mr. Lee told Henry and David just how they were to march, and the band at once began to play "Hail, Columbia."
The children first marched, two by two, round the lawn, and then down the center. When they reached the end, one leader turned off to the right, and the other to the left, each followed by a single line of the children.
Passing round the lawn, they came togetheragain on the other side. Then they formed a great circle, a circle within a circle, and concluded the march with the "grand basket."
This was certainly a very simple play, but the children enjoyed it ever so much—I mean all but vain Master Woggs, who was so greatly displeased because he was not chosen one of the leaders, that he said there was no fun at all in the whole thing.
About half an hour was spent in marching, and then Mr. Lee proposed a second game. The children wanted to march a little longer; but there were a great number of things to be done before night, and so it was thought best, on the whole, to try a new game.