Spinning-Wheel Stories

  The HARE AND THE TORTOISE

  Tramp, tramp, tramp! that was the boys going down stairs in a hurry.

  Bump, bump! that was the bicycle being zigzagged through the hall.

  Bang! that was the front door slamming behind both boys and bicycle,leaving the house quiet for a time, though the sound of voices outsidesuggested that a lively discussion was going on.

  The bicycle fever had reached Perryville, and raged all summer. Now thetown was very like a once tranquil pool infested with the long-leggedwater bugs that go skating over its surface in all directions; forwheels of every kind darted to and fro, startling horses, running oversmall children, and pitching their riders headlong in the liveliestmanner. Men left their business to see the lads try new wheels, womengrew skilful in the binding of wounds and the mending of sorely rentgarments, gay girls begged for rides, standing on the little stepbehind, and boys clamored for bicycles that they might join the army ofmartyrs to the last craze.

  Sidney West was the proud possessor of the best wheel in town, anddisplayed his treasure with immense satisfaction before the admiringeyes of his mates. He had learned to ride in a city rink, and flatteredhimself that he knew all there was to learn, except those feats whichonly professional gymnasts acquire. He mounted with skilful agility,rode with as much grace as the tread-mill movements of the legs permit,and managed to guide his tall steed without much danger to himself orothers. The occasional headers he took, and the bruises which kept hismanly limbs in a chronic state of mourning he did not mention; butconcealed his stiffness heroically, and bound his younger brother toeternal silence by the bribe of occasional rides on the old wheel.

  Hugh was a loyal lad, and regarded his big brother as the mostremarkable fellow in the world; so he forgave Sid's domineering ways,was a willing slave, a devoted admirer, and a faithful imitator of allthe masculine virtues, airs, and graces of this elder brother. On onepoint only did they disagree, and that was Sid's refusal to give Hughthe old wheel when the new one came. Hugh had fondly hoped it would behis, hints to that effect having been dropped when Sid wanted an erranddone, and for weeks the younger boy had waited and labored patiently,sure that his reward would be the small bicycle on which he couldproudly take his place as a member of the newly formed club; with themto set forth, in the blue uniform, with horns blowing, badgesglittering, and legs flying, for a long spin,--to return after dark, amysterious line of tall shadows, "with lanterns dimly burning," andwarning whistles sounding as they went.

  Great, therefore, was his disappointment and wrath when he discoveredthat Sid had agreed to sell the wheel to another fellow, if it suitedhim, leaving poor Hugh the only boy of his set without a machine. Muchas he loved Sid, he could not forgive this underhand and mercenarytransaction. It seemed so unbrotherly to requite such long and willingservice, to dash such ardent hopes, to betray such blind confidence, forfilthy lucre; and when the deed was done, to laugh, and ride gayly awayon the splendid British Challenge, the desire of all hearts and eyes.

  This morning Hugh had freely vented his outraged feelings, and Sid hadtried to make light of the affair, though quite conscious that he hadbeen both unkind and unfair. A bicycle tournament was to take place inthe city, twenty miles away, and the members of the club were going.Sid, wishing to distinguish himself, intended to ride thither, and waspreparing for the long trip with great care. Hugh was wild to go, buthaving spent his pocket-money and been forbidden to borrow, he could nottake the cars as the others had done; no horse was to be had, and theirown stud consisted of an old donkey, who would have been hopeless evenwith the inducement offered in the immortal ditty,--

  "If I had a donkey what wouldn't go, Do you think I'd whip him? Oh, no, no! I'd take him to Jarley's Wax-work Show."

  Therefore poor Hugh was in a desperate state of mind as he sat on thegate-post watching Sid make his pet's toilet, till every plated handle,rod, screw, and axle shone like silver.

  "I know I could have ridden the Star if you hadn't let Joe have it. I dothink it was right down mean of you; so does Aunt Ruth, and fathertoo,--only he wont say so, because men always stand by one another, andsnub boys."

  This was strong language for gentle Hugh, but he felt that he must venthis anguish in some way or cry like a girl; and that disgrace must beavoided, even if he failed in respect to his elders.

  Sid was whistling softly as he oiled and rubbed, but he was not feelingas easy as he looked, and heartily wished that he had not committedhimself to Joe, for it would have been pleasant to take "the littlechap," as he called the fourteen-year-older, along with him, and do thehonors of the rink on this great occasion. Now it was too late; so heaffected a careless air, and added insult to injury by answering hisbrother's reproaches in the joking spirit which is peculiarlyexasperating at such moments.

  "Children shouldn't play with matches, nor small boys with bicycles. Idon't want to commit murder, and I certainly should if I let you try toride twenty miles when you can't go one without nearly breaking yourneck, or your knees," and Sid glanced with a smile at the neat darnswhich ornamented his brother's trousers over those portions of his longlegs.

  "How's a fellow going to learn if he isn't allowed to try? Might as welltell me to keep away from the water till I can swim. You give me achance and see if I can't ride as well as some older fellows who havebeen pitched round pretty lively before _they_ dared to try atwenty-mile spin," answered Hugh, clapping both hands on his knees tohide the tell-tale darns.

  "If Joe doesn't want it, you can use the old wheel till I decide what todo with it. I suppose a man has a right to sell his own property if helikes," said Sid, rather nettled at the allusion to his own tribulationsin times past.

  "Of course he has; but if he's promised to give a thing he ought to doit, and not sneak out of the bargain after he's got lots of work done topay for it. That's what makes me mad; for I believed you and depended onit, and it hurts me more to have you deceive me than it would to loseten bicycles;" and Hugh choked a little at the thought, in spite of hisattempt to look sternly indignant.

  "You are welcome to your opinion, but I wouldn't cry about it. Play withchaps of your own size and don't hanker after men's property. Take thecars, if you want to go so much, and stop bothering me," retorted Sid,getting cross because he was in the wrong and wouldn't own it.

  "You know I can't! No money, and mustn't borrow. What's the use oftwitting a fellow like that?" and Hugh with great difficulty refrainedfrom knocking off the new helmet-hat which was close to his foot as Sidbent to inspect the shining hub of the cherished wheel.

  "Take Sancho, then; you might arrive before the fun was all over, if youcarried whips and pins and crackers enough to keep the old boy going;you'd be a nice span."

  This allusion to the useless donkey was cruel, but Hugh held on to thelast remnant of his temper, and made a wild proposal in the despair ofthe moment.

  "Don't be a donkey yourself. See here, why can't we ride and tie? I'vetried this wheel, and got on tip-top. You'd be along to see to me, andwe'd take turns. Do, Sid! I want to go awfully, and if you only will Iwon't say another word about Joe."

  But Sid only burst out laughing at the plan, in the most heartlessmanner.

  "No, thank you. I don't mean to walk a step when I can ride; or lend mynew wheel to a chap who can hardly keep right side up on the old one. Itlooks like a jolly plan to you, I dare say, but _I_ don't see it, youngman."

  "I hope _I_ sha'n't be a selfish brute when I'm seventeen. I'll have abicycle yet,--A, No. 1,--and then you'll see how I'll lend it, like agentleman, and not insult other fellows because they happen to be two orthree years younger."

  "Keep cool, my son, and don't call names. If you are such a smart lad,why don't you walk, since wheels and horses and donkey fail. It's _only_twenty miles,--nothing to speak of, you know."

  "Well, I could do it if I liked. I've walked eighteen, and wasn't halfso tired as you were. Any one can get over the ground on a bicycle, butit takes strength and courage to keep it up on foot
."

  "Better try it."

  "I will, some day."

  "Don't crow too loud, my little rooster; you are not cock of the walkyet."

  "If I was, I wouldn't hit a fellow when he's down;" and fearing heshould kick over the tall bicycle that stood so temptingly near him,Hugh walked away, trying to whistle, though his lips were more inclinedto tremble than to pucker.

  "Just bring my lunch, will you? Auntie is putting it up; I must be off,"called Sid, so used to giving orders that he did so even at thisunpropitious moment.

  "Get it yourself. I'm not going to slave for you any longer, oldtyrant," growled Hugh; for the trodden worm turned at last, as wormswill.

  This was open revolt, and Sid felt that things were in a bad way, butwould not stop to mend them then.

  "Whew! here's a tempest in a teapot. Well, it is too bad; but I can'thelp it now. I'll make it all right to-morrow, and bring him round witha nice account of the fun. Hullo, Bemis! going to town?" he called, as aneighbor came spinning noiselessly by.

  "Part way, and take the cars at Lawton. It's hard riding over the hills,and a bother to steer a wheel through the streets. Come on, if you'reready."

  "All right;" and springing up, Sid was off, forgetting all about thelunch.

  Hugh, dodging behind the lilac-bushes, heard what passed, and the momentthey were gone ran to the gate to watch them out of sight with longingeyes, then turned away, listlessly wondering how he should spend theholiday his brother was going to enjoy so much.

  At that moment Aunt Ruth hurried to the door, waving the leathern pouchwell stored with cake and sandwiches, cold coffee and pie.

  "Sid's forgotten his bag. Run, call, stop him!" she cried, trotting downthe walk with her cap-strings waving wildly in the fresh October wind.

  For an instant Hugh hesitated, thinking sullenly, "Serves him right. Iwon't run after him;" then his kind heart got the better of his badhumor, and catching up the bag he raced down the road at his best pace,eager to heap coals of fire on Sid's proud head,--to say nothing of hisown desire to see more of the riders.

  "They will have to go slowly up the long hill, and I'll catch themthen," he thought as he tore over the ground, for he was a good runnerand prided himself on his strong legs.

  Unfortunately for his amiable intentions, the boys had taken a short cutto avoid the hill, and were out of sight down a lane where Hugh neverdreamed they would dare to go, so mounted.

  "Well, they have done well to get over the hill at this rate. Guess theywon't keep it up long," panted Hugh, stopping short when he saw nosigns of the riders.

  The road stretched invitingly before him, the race had restored hisspirits, and curiosity to see what had become of his friends lured himto the hill-top, where temptation sat waiting for him. Up he trudged,finding the fresh air, the sunny sky, the path strewn with red andyellow leaves, and the sense of freedom so pleasant that when he reachedthe highest point and saw the world all before him, as it were, a daringproject seemed to flash upon him, nearly taking his breath away with itsmanifold delights.

  "Sid said, 'Walk,' and why not?--at least to Lawton, and take the carsfrom there, as Bemis means to do. Wouldn't the old fellows be surprisedto see me turn up at the rink? It's quarter past eight now, and the funbegins at three; I could get there easy enough, and by Jupiter, I will!Got lunch all here, and money enough to pay this car-fare, I guess. If Ihaven't, I'll go a little further and take a horse-car. What a lark!here goes,"--and with a whoop of boyish delight at breaking bounds, awaywent Hugh down the long hill, like a colt escaped from its pasture.

  The others were just ahead, but the windings of the road hid them fromhim; so all went on, unconscious of each other's proximity. Hugh's rungave him a good start, and he got over the ground famously for five orsix miles; then he went more slowly, thinking he had plenty of time tocatch a certain train. But he had no watch, and when he reached Lawtonhe had the pleasure of seeing the cars go out at one end of the stationas he hurried in at the other.

  "I won't give it up, but just go on and do it afoot. That will besomething to brag of when the other chaps tell big stories. I'll see howfast I can go, for I'm not tired, and can eat on the way. Much obligedto Sid for a nice lunch."

  And chuckling over this piece of good luck, Hugh set out again, onlypausing for a good drink at the town-pump. The thirteen miles did notseem very long when he thought of them, but as he walked them theyappeared to grow longer and longer, till he felt as if he must havetravelled about fifty. He was in good practice, and fortunately had oneasy shoes; but he was in such a hurry to make good time that he allowedhimself no rest, and jogged on, up hill and down, with the resolute airof one walking for a wager. There we will leave him, and see what hadbefallen Sid; for his adventures were more exciting than Hugh's, thoughall seemed plain sailing when he started.

  At Lawton he had parted from his friend and gone on alone, having laidin a store of gingerbread from a baker's cart, and paused to eat, drink,and rest by a wayside brook. A few miles further he passed a party ofgirls playing lawn tennis, and as he slowly rolled along regarding themfrom his lofty perch, one suddenly exclaimed:--

  "Why, it's our neighbor, Sidney West! How did _he_ come here?" andwaving her racquet, Alice ran across the lawn to find out.

  Very willing to stop and display his new uniform, which was extremelybecoming, Sid dismounted, doffed his helmet, and smiled upon thedamsels, leaning over the hedge like a knight of old.

  "Come in and play a game, and have some lunch. You will have plenty oftime, and some of us are going to the rink by and by. Do, we want a boyto help us, for Maurice is too lazy, and Jack has hurt his hand withthat stupid base ball," said Alice, beckoning persuasively, while theother girls nodded and smiled hopefully.

  Thus allured, the youthful Ulysses hearkened to the voice of the littleCirce in a round hat, and entered the enchanted grove, to forget thepassage of time as he disported himself among the nymphs. He was notchanged to a beast, as in the immortal story, though the three younggentlemen did lie about the lawn in somewhat grovelling attitudes; andAlice waved her racquet as if it were a wand, while her friends handedglasses of lemonade to the recumbent heroes during pauses in the game.

  While thus blissfully engaged, time slipped away, and Hugh passed him inthe race, quite unconscious that his brother was reposing in the tentthat looked so inviting as the dusty, tired boy plodded by, countingevery mile-stone with increasing satisfaction.

  "If I get to Uncle Tim's by one o'clock, I shall have done very well.Four miles an hour is a fair pace, and only one stop. I'll telegraph toauntie as soon as I arrive; but she won't worry, she's used to having usturn up all right when we get ready," thought Hugh, grateful that noover-anxious mamma was fretting about his long absence. The boys had nomother, and Aunt Ruth was an easy old lady who let them do as theyliked, to their great contentment.

  As he neared his journey's end our traveller's spirits rose, and theblisters on his heels were forgotten in the dramatic scene his fancypainted, when Sid should discover him at Uncle Tim's, or calmly seatedat the rink. Whistling gayly, he was passing through a wooded bit ofroad when the sound of voices made him look back to see a carriage fullof girls approaching, escorted by a bicycle rider, whose long blue legslooked strangely familiar.

  Anxious to keep his secret till the last moment, also conscious that hewas not in company trim, Hugh dived into the wood, out of sight, whilethe gay party went by, returning to the road as soon as they were hiddenby a bend.

  "If Sid hadn't been so mean, I should have been with him, and had someof the fun. I don't feel like forgiving him in a hurry for making mefoot it, like a tramp, while he is having such a splendid time."

  If Hugh could have known what was to happen very soon after he hadmuttered these words to himself, as he wiped his hot face, and took thelast sip of the coffee to quench his thirst, he would have been sorry heuttered them, and have forgiven his brother everything.

  While he was slowly toiling up the last long hill, Sid was
coasting downon the other side, eager to display his courage and skill before thegirls,--being of an age when boys begin to wish to please and astonishthe gentler creatures whom they have hitherto treated with indifferenceor contempt. It was a foolish thing to do, for the road was rough, withsteep banks on either side, and a sharp turn at the end; but Sid rolledgayly along, with an occasional bump, till a snake ran across the road,making the horse shy, the girls scream, the rider turn to see what wasthe matter, and in doing so lose his balance just when a large stoneneeded to be avoided. Over went Sid, down rattled the wheel, up rose acloud of dust, and sudden silence fell upon the girls at sight of thisdisaster. They expected their gallant escort would spring up and laughover his accident; but when he remained flat upon his back, where he hadalighted after a somersault, with the bicycle spread over him like apall, they were alarmed, and flew to the rescue.

  A cut on the forehead was bleeding, and the blow had evidently stunnedhim for a moment. Luckily, a house was near, and a man seeing theaccident hastened to offer more efficient help than any the girls hadwit enough to give in the first flurry, as all four only flapped wildlyat Sid with their handkerchiefs, and exclaimed excitedly,--

  "What shall we do? Is he dead? Run for water. Call somebody, quick."

  "Don't be scat, gals; it takes a sight of thumpin' to break a boy'shead. He ain't hurt much; kinder dazed for a minute. I'll hist up thispesky mashine and set him on his legs, if he hain't damaged 'em."

  With these cheering words, the farmer cleared away the ruins, andpropped the fallen rider against a tree; which treatment had such agood effect that Sid was himself in a moment, and much disgusted to findwhat a scrape he was in.

  "This is nothing, a mere bump; quite right, thanks. Let us go on atonce; so sorry to alarm you, ladies." He began his polite speechbravely, but ended with a feeble smile and a clutch at the tree,suddenly turning sick and dizzy again.

  "You come along a me. I'll tinker you and your whirligig up, young man.No use sayin' go ahead, for the thing is broke, and you want to keepquiet for a spell. Drive along, gals, I'll see to him; and my old womancan nuss him better 'n a dozen flutterin' young things scat half todeath."

  Taking matters into his own hands, the farmer had boy and bicycle underhis roof in five minutes; and with vain offers of help, many regrets,and promises to let his Uncle Tim know where he was, in case he did notarrive, the girls reluctantly drove away, leaving no sign of thecatastrophe except the trampled road, and a dead snake.

  Peace was hardly restored when Hugh came down the hill, little dreamingwhat had happened, and for the second time passed his brother, who justthen was lying on a sofa in the farm-house, while a kind old womanadorned his brow with a large black plaster, suggesting brown papersteeped in vinegar, for the various bruises on his arms and legs.

  "Some one killed the snake and made a great fuss about it, I shouldsay," thought Hugh, observing the signs of disorder in the dust; but,resisting a boy's interest in such affairs, he stoutly tramped on,sniffing the whiffs of sea air that now and then saluted his nose,telling him that he was nearing his much-desired goal.

  Presently the spires of the city came in sight, to his greatsatisfaction, and only the long bridge and a street or two lay betweenhim and Uncle Tim's easy chair, into which he soon hoped to casthimself.

  Half-way across the bridge a farm-wagon passed, with a bicycle laidcarefully on the barrels of vegetables going to market. Hugh gazedaffectionately at it, longing to borrow it for one brief, delicious spinto the bridge end. Had he known that it was Sid's broken wheel, going tobe repaired without loss of time, thanks to the good farmer's trip totown, he would have paused to have a hearty laugh, in spite of his vownot to stop till his journey was over.

  Just as Hugh turned into the side street where Uncle Tim lived, ahorse-car went by, in one corner of which sat a pale youth, with abattered hat drawn low over his eyes, who handed out his ticket with theleft hand, and frowned when the car jolted, as if the jar hurt him. Hadhe looked out of the window, he would have seen a very dusty boy, with apouch over his shoulder, walking smartly down the street where hisrelation lived. But Sid carefully turned his head aside, fearing to berecognized; for he was on his way to a certain club to which Bemisbelonged, preferring his sympathy and hospitality to the humiliation ofhaving his mishap told at home by Uncle Tim, who would be sure to takeHugh's part, and exult over the downfall of the proud. Well for him thathe avoided that comfortable mansion; for on the door-steps stood Hugh,beaming with satisfaction as the clock struck one, proclaiming that hehad done his twenty miles in a little less than five hours.

  "Not bad for a 'little chap,' even though he is 'a donkey,'" chuckledthe boy, dusting his shoes, wiping his red face, and touching himself upas well as he could, in order to present as fresh and unwearied anaspect as possible, when he burst upon his astonished brother's sight.

  In he marched when the door opened, to find his uncle and two rosycousins just sitting down to dinner. Always glad to see the lads, theygave him a cordial welcome, and asked for his brother.

  "Hasn't he come yet?" cried Hugh, surprised, yet glad to be the first onthe field.

  Nothing had been seen of him, and Hugh at once told his tale, to thegreat delight of his jolly uncle, and the admiring wonder of Meg andMay, the rosy young cousins. They all enjoyed the exploit immensely, andat once insisted that the pedestrian should be refreshed by a bath, acopious meal, and a good rest in the big chair, where he repeated hisstory by particular request.

  "You deserve a bicycle, and you shall have one, as sure as my name isTimothy West. I like pluck and perseverance, and you've got both; socome on, my boy, and name the wheel you like best. Sid needs a littletaking down, as you lads say, and this will give it to him, I fancy.I'm a younger brother myself, and I know what their trials are."

  As his uncle made these agreeable remarks, Hugh looked as if _his_trials were all over; for his face shone with soap and satisfaction, hishunger was quenched by a splendid dinner, his tired feet luxuriated in apair of vast slippers, and the blissful certainty of owning afirst-class bicycle filled his cup to overflowing. Words could hardlyexpress his gratitude, and nothing but the hope of meeting Sid with thisglorious news would have torn him from the reposeful Paradise where helonged to linger. Pluck and perseverance, with cold cream on theblistered heels, got him into his shoes again, and he rode away in ahorse-car, as in a triumphal chariot, to find his brother.

  "I won't brag, but I do feel immensely tickled at this day's work.Wonder how he got on. Did it in two or three hours, I suppose, and isparading round with those swell club fellows at the rink. I'll slip inand let him find me, as if I wasn't a bit proud of what I've done, anddidn't care two pins for anybody's praise."

  With this plan in his head, Hugh enjoyed the afternoon very much;keeping a sharp lookout for Sid, even while astonishing feats were beingperformed before his admiring eyes. But nowhere did he see his brother;for he was searching for a blue uniform and a helmet with a certainbadge on it, while Sid in a borrowed hat and coat sat in a cornerlooking on, whenever a splitting headache and the pain in his bonesallowed him to see and enjoy the exploits in which he had hoped to join.

  Not until it was over did the brothers meet, as they went out, and thenthe expression on Sid's face was so comical that Hugh laughed till thecrowd about them stared, wondering what the joke could be.

  "How in the world did _you_ get here?" asked the elder boy, giving hishat a sudden pull to hide the plaster.

  "Walked, as you advised me to."

  Words cannot express the pleasure that answer gave Hugh, or theexultation he vainly tried to repress, as his eyes twinkled and a grinof real boyish fun shone upon his sunburnt countenance.

  "You expect me to believe that, do you?"

  "Just as you please. I started to catch you with your bag, and when Imissed you, thought I might as well keep on. Got in about one, haddinner at uncle's, and been enjoying these high jinks ever since."

  "Very well, for a beginning. Keep
it up and you'll be a Rowell by andby. What do you suppose father will say to you, small boy?"

  "Not much. Uncle will make that all right. _He_ thought it was a pluckything to do, and so did the girls. When did you get in?" asked Hugh,rather nettled at Sid's want of enthusiasm, though it was evident he wasmuch impressed by the "small boy's" prank.

  "I took it easy after Bemis left me. Had a game of tennis at theBlanchards' as I came along, dinner at the club, and strolled up herewith the fellows. Got a headache, and don't feel up to much."

  As Sid spoke and Hugh's keen eye took in the various signs of distresswhich betrayed a hint of the truth, the grin changed to a hearty "Ha!ha!" as he smote his knees exclaiming gleefully, "You've come to grief!I know it, I see it. Own up, and don't shirk, for I'll find it outsomehow, as sure as you live."

  "Don't make such a row in the street. Get aboard this car and I'll tellyou, for you'll give me no peace till I do," answered Sid, well knowingthat Alice would never keep the secret.

  To say that it was "nuts" to Hugh faintly expresses the interest he tookin the story which was extracted bit by bit from the reluctant sufferer;but after a very pardonable crow over the mishaps of his oppressor, heyielded to the sympathy he felt for his brother, and was very good tohim.

  This touched Sid, and filled him with remorse for past unkindness; forone sees one's faults very plainly, and is not ashamed to own it, whenone is walking through the Valley of Humiliation.

  "Look here, I'll tell you what I'll do," he said, as they left the car,and Hugh offered an arm, with a friendly air pleasant to see. "I'll giveyou the old wheel, and let Joe get another where he can. It's small forhim, and I doubt if he wants it, any way. I do think you were a pluckyfellow to tramp your twenty miles in good time, and not bear maliceeither, so let's say 'Done,' and forgive and forget."

  "Much obliged, but uncle is going to give me a new one; so Joe needn'tbe disappointed. I know how hard that is, and am glad to keep him fromit, for he's poor and can't afford a new one."

  That answer was Hugh's only revenge for his own trials, and Sid felt it,though he merely said, with a hearty slap on the shoulder,--

  "Glad to hear it. Uncle is a trump, and so are you. We'll take the lasttrain home, and I'll pay your fare."

  "Thank you. Poor old man, you did get a bump, didn't you?" exclaimedHugh, as they took off their hats in the hall, and the patch appeared inall its gloomy length and breadth.

  "Head will be all right in a day or two, but I stove in my helmet, andground a hole in both knees of my new shorts. Had to borrow a fit-out ofBemis, and leave my rags behind. We needn't mention any more than isnecessary to the girls; I hate to be fussed over," answered Sid, tryingto speak carelessly.

  Hugh had to stop and have another laugh, remembering the taunts his ownmishaps had called forth; but he did not retaliate, and Sid never forgotit. Their stay was a short one, and Hugh was the hero of the hour, quiteeclipsing his brother, who usually took the first place, but now verymeekly played second fiddle, conscious that he was not an imposingfigure, in a coat much too big for him, with a patch on his forehead, apurple bruise on one cheek, and a general air of dilapidation verytrying to the usually spruce youth.

  When they left, Uncle Tim patted Hugh on the head,--a liberty the boywould have resented if the delightful old gentleman had not followed itup by saying, with a reckless generosity worthy of record,--

  "Choose your bicycle, my boy, and send the bill to me." Then turning toSid he added, in a tone that made the pale face redden suddenly, "And doyou remember that the tortoise beat the hare in the old fable we allknow."

  * * * * *

  "That is the last of the stories, for our holiday is over, and to-morrowwe must go home. We have had a splendid time, and thank you and auntieso much, dear grandma," said Min, expressing the feeling of all thechildren, as they stood about the fire when the bicycle tale ended.

  "I'm so glad, my darlings, and please God we'll all meet here again nextyear, well and happy and ready for more fun," answered the old lady,with arms and lap full of loving little people.

  "Auntie deserves a vote of thanks, and I rise to propose it," saidGeoff; and it was passed with great applause.

  "Many thanks. If the odds and ends in my portfolio have given youpleasure or done you any good, my fondest wishes are gratified,"answered Aunt Elinor, laughing, yet well pleased. "I tucked a moral in,as we hide pills in jelly, and I hope you didn't find them hard toswallow."

  "Very easy and nice. I intend to look after little things faithfully,and tell the girls how to make their jerseys fit," said Min.

  "I'm going to fill my jewel-box as Daisy did, and learn to cook," addedLotty.

  "Eli is the boy for me, and I won't forget to be kind to _my_ smallchap," said Walt, stroking his younger brother's head with unusualkindness.

  "Well, I'm rather mixed in my heroes, but I'll take the best of Corny,Onawandah, and the banner fellow for my share," cried Geoff.

  The little people proclaimed their favorites; but as all spoke together,only a comical mixture of doves, bears, babies, table-cloths and bluehose reached the ear. Then came the good-night kisses, the patter ofdeparting feet, and silence fell upon the room. The little wheel wasstill, the chairs stood empty, the old portraits looked sadly down, thefire died out, and the Spinning-Wheel Stories were done.

  * * * * *

  University Press: John Wilson & Son, Cambridge.