Madeline Leslie

“ It is my intention to make myself so important to you, that you will never part with me. I already feel almost as much interest in Woodlawn as if the deeds stood registered in the name of Albert Dodge. ”

“ On a cold, windy December night, the inhabitants of Oxford were startled by cries of "Fire! fire!" What was their horror to see the flames coming from the large barn over the lake. With one accord men, women [Pg 160] and children rushed from all parts of the town to offer aid in extinguishing the fire. It was, indeed, not the barn, but only an immense stack of hay behind it. Mr. Curtis, with the aid of his men, soon succeeded in extinguishing the flames; but the neighbors, once aroused, could not be persuaded that all the dear family were safe, until they had caught a glimpse of every member. ”

“ There was Thomas Grant, his face red as a beet, gallanting a very sensible looking girl who was soon to become his wife. There were swarms of laddies and lasses, kept in constant good humor by Albert Dodge, who had returned [Pg 126] to Oxford for the occasion. There were groups of children headed by Bertie, playing all sorts of games, or gathering in a circle around the Squire, who told them funny stories.
"You have learned the secret of living," remarked the Pastor, when he came to take leave. "In promoting the happiness and welfare of those about us we ensure our own." ”

“ Curtis thought he had never known his equal. His gay good humor seemed to inspire all in his employ with new life, while his firm, clear manner of giving orders convinced them that he intended to be obeyed.
It was often a severe trial to Bertie to leave for school just as the men were engaged in some job which he particularly wished to see; but mamma explained that if he wished to be a useful man he must lay in a stock of knowledge while he was young. ”

“ Bertie instinctively caught his hand, as they followed him to the humble chamber.
A woman lay there in the last stages of consumption. On a table near her was a cup, a tumbler, and a spoon, all empty.
"You are in distress," said Mr. Curtis, in a soothing tone; "tell me what you need."
"Nothing for myself. I shall soon [Pg 150] be where want and sorrow shall never enter; but it is hard to leave my boy alone." ”

“ Bertie was so astonished he could not speak.
"It's your little sister, my son, and if papa consents, you may call her [Pg 129] Violetta in memory of these pretty flowers."
"Oh, mamma! I'm so glad! I love babies so dearly. Isn't she a darling?"
At this moment Mrs. Dodge came into the room. "Well, Bertie," she began, "your mamma has a pretty surprise for you. What do you think Winnie will say?"
"She'll think it's a doll, mamma. Oh, may I bring her in?"
He ran to the door, and met papa with Winnie in his arms. ”

“ Soon after Bertie finished dressing, and ran to wish mamma and papa a "Merry Christmas."
"Well, my son, has St. Nick crept down your chimney?" asked papa directing an arch glance at his wife.
[Pg 113] "My St. Nick has," was the boy's answer, as he kissed his mamma.
"What was in the stocking, then? I think it's very strange no one hung a stocking for me."
"What is that over yonder, Lawrence?" asked the lady, laughing.
"Ah, a stocking for me! that is more than I expected. Well, now I'm satisfied that's a joke; and I shall find nothing in it but paper." ”

“ Curtis [Pg 140] had been to the town where the quarry of granite was.
"I concluded," said papa, with a curious smile, "that it would be a pleasure to go to the nursery in company with a boy who put aside his own wishes in order to please his mother. Dodge must get his ground ready, and wait till Saturday for his trees."
"Oh, papa! papa!!" shouted the boy, dancing with delight. "I mean to be always good, you and mamma are so very kind."
[Pg 141] This was Thursday; on Saturday morning at an early hour the Squire and his son were on their way to the nursery. ”

“ The rich, green turf on the lawn which sloped to the lake, was dotted with magnificent old trees undisturbed for a century. Back of the house, or rather beyond the barn, was another swell or mound, which like the first, was so regular in its form as almost to excite the belief that it was artificial. ”

“ Turning to a picture of a Devon cow, he exclaimed:
"Well, Squire, if Adam carried such cows as that with him when he went outside of Eden, I think he might have set up another paradise [Pg 19] To my thinking, Squire, nothing can beat that cow."
Mr. Curtis threw himself on the grass, wishing to test Tom's ideas of farming; and after conversing half an hour, resolved to hire him for his farmer.
But still it was necessary for the gentleman to employ a gardener, one who loved flowers and had a taste for landscape gardening. ”

“ Miss Taylor was resolved her pupils should excel in arithmetic and spelling. In order to excite their ambition she allowed them twice a week to have what is called a spelling-match.
Two boys or two girls among the best spellers were chosen alternately by vote of the scholars, and these called out from among their mates the names of those they wished on their side. Of course each one wished the best spellers, in order that his side might win the prize, and as poor [Pg 101] Bertie generally failed, he was left out. ”

“ There was a service in the church at ten, and at noon all the really aged people in the parish had been invited to a dinner at Woodlawn.
"I want to have a regular house-warming," Mr. Curtis had said to his wife. "I want to warm it with the good will of all our villagers." So it was decided that the old people should come to dinner, the married persons and children to tea, and the young people of both sexes in the evening. ”

“ In the meanwhile Winnie had come into her teens, and little Violetta was no longer the baby; for there were a pair of beautiful twin brothers at Woodlawn, "as near alike," Mrs. Dodge declared, "as two peas in a pod."
In the quiet, country town of Oxford Mrs. Curtis had gained health [Pg 159] and strength. Of course, with so many little ones, her family cares had greatly increased, but with faithful Nancy in the nursery, she found time for visiting the poor and distressed, all of whom felt well assured that no one in need of help would be refused aid from the kind family at Woodlawn. ”

“ Curtis removed his family to Woodlawn; and Bertie commenced attending school. It was too far for him to walk, and now he found Whitefoot a greater convenience than ever. Close by the schoolhouse lived a farmer by the name of Camp, who readily agreed [Pg 98] with Mr. Curtis to allow the donkey to stand in his barn during school hours.
Miss Esther Taylor, his former teacher, welcomed him back with great pleasure, for she had learned to love him like a brother. His health had now greatly improved by so much exercise in the open air, and he resolved to study hard through all the winter months. ”

“ I'm going to try and be a Squire like your pa; and then I'll take all the little thieving fellows I can find, and help 'em to be good. [Pg 94] Rich folks don't know how hard 'tis for poor ones to keep from stealin' when their stomach is as flimpsy as a rag. I know how to pity 'em, for when mammy locked me up till I'd agree to steal again, there was such a gnawing and gnawing, that I should have give in, if it hadn't been for you.
"Every time, I'd say to myself, I can't stand it no longer; then I'd see you a-sitting in your donkey carriage, looking at me with such sorry eyes. ”

“ Albert Dodge, the new gardener passed ten days while he was recruiting his health, in visiting gardens and green houses, trying to improve his taste and gain all the information in his power. He had agreed with Mr. Curtis to return to Oxford as soon as the family were settled at Woodlawn [Pg 65] and remain as long as the weather would allow out-door work. When the frost forbade further improvements, he was to leave and spend three months in the employ of Hantz, the celebrated florist. ”

“ Bertie [Pg 71] I wish you'd ask the Squire if he'd like a load of beach pebbles, 'cause if he does, I'll bring him a load to-morrow morning. Those are the kind to make this water run clear."
"Oh, there they are!" shouted the boy, trotting off to meet them. "Have you bought the trees, Papa?"
"Yes, and brought them home, don't you see them?"
"What, those little things?"
"Willows grow very fast, my son. They will thrive better than if they were larger."
[Pg 72] "But, papa, how can we get to the island? Shall we have a bridge?"
"You must ask Dodge, Bertie. He is the author of this plan." ”

“ Curtis proposed to go to a nursery of trees near the city for the purchase of currant, gooseberry, blackberry and other bushes, together with a variety of ornamental shrubs.
Bertie's curiosity was greatly excited to visit such a place, which he fancied must be almost like Eden.
His mamma shook her head, saying:
"You have had a long vacation, my dear. School is the first duty now." ”

“ After this, mamma, and papa, and Mrs. Dodge, and Nellie, and Bertie, and Nancy had a great many spelling-matches, the rule being that every one who pronounced the word must do so with the greatest distinctness, so that every letter as far as possible should be articulated.
Before the winter was past, Bertie's dislike to his spelling-book was wholly conquered, and he was called as often [Pg 103] as any scholar to try for the prize in the spelling-match. ”

“ Bertie and the Gardeners. CHAPTER I. THE NEW FARMER.
The new house at Woodlawn was nearly completed; and Mr. Curtis now set to work in earnest, clearing the grounds of the rubbish, in order to make the terraces and lay out his avenue in front.
Those who have read the other [Pg 12] books about Bertie, will know that two wide avenues, enclosed by handsome iron gates, had been already made; one winding along on the shores of Lake Shawsheen, the other entering from a higher point which led through a grove toward the house where the enchanting view of lawn and water burst at once on the vision. ”

“ He had a son who gave him great trouble, and whom he promised that that he would send to Oxford for Bertie to take to his mamma, hoping she would do him good.
[Pg 52]
Every day for a long time the little fellow expected the boy would come up the avenue at Woodlawn. But nothing had ever been seen or heard from him; and now more than a month had passed.
One lovely afternoon during the pleasant season called the Indian summer, Mr. Curtis invited his wife, Bertie and Winnie to ride with him to the quarry where he wished to pay the balance of his bill, part of which Bertie had paid Mr. Cahart. ”

“ I like it dearly; but they have to be in their cots, you know; and it makes them feel better to have something to look at."
"Shall we waive ceremony and call at Woodlawn?" asked the lady of her husband.
[Pg 48] "Just as you say," answered the gentleman smiling.
"Well, Bertie, if you think your mamma is not too much engaged, we will call for a few moments. You may drive Whitefoot on, and we will follow."
"Oh, mamma! Mr. Carpenter didn't tell half the beauties of the scenery," exclaimed Emma, gazing from the carriage window ”

“ The fall previous all the rubbish about the place had been cleared away, the pieces of board and shavings, except what had been given to the poor, being carried to the shed adjoining the barn. The turf around the house had of course been a good deal cut up by the teams, and Mr. Curtis resolved to have new sods immediately laid down, not only on [Pg 134] the terraces, but as far as the turf was broken.
This was quite a curiosity to Bertie, who followed Albert to the field where the men were cutting out pieces of turf about one foot in width and two feet in length ”

“ Dodge hurried them all out of the chamber before mamma could ask whether the little spring flower should be named Violetta.
With his treasures safe in the house, Mr. Curtis, with his gardener, went to work with renewed zeal to [Pg 132] beautify his grounds. His heart was full of gratitude to the kind Being who had given him so many blessings; and his delight was to be of benefit to those around him. No one really in need was ever turned from his door; while many, like Susy Hunt and Edgar Torrey, received the benefit of his donations.
"The Squire's son will be the father over again," said Mr. ”

“ Curtis, "call Whitefoot and harness him into the carriage as quick as you can."
[Pg 27]
"Sit down on the boards, Dodge, until he brings the donkey round. Bertie tells me you think painting disagrees with you."
"Yes, sir, I am sure it does. I half promised my mother never to do another day's work at it; but when Torrey was hurt I couldn't refuse Mr. Fuller; he's been a good friend to me in times past."
"What would you choose for an employment?" ”

“ You know how earnestly he endeavored to [Pg 157] win every one around him to be good; and how anxious he was to make others happy. Have I convinced you that in order to be happy yourself, you must make others so? ”

“ Taylor. Patrick [Pg 90] is taking hold of his lessons with a will, and hopes to write you soon.
"Respectfully yours,
"Johnathan Haven."
This letter was read with great interest by all the family; but there was no one who rejoiced so much at Pat's good conduct as Bertie.
Mrs. Curtis was greatly affected the night following to hear the little boy thank God for helping Pat to be good and obey the commandments.
About a fortnight later, Whitefoot stopped at the village post office, and [Pg 91] Bertie jumped from his carriage and ran in with a package of letters for the mail. ”

“ I do not think my readers could decipher it, if I copied the curious spelling, I shall, therefore, give it as Mrs. Curtis, after considerable study, read it to Bertie.
"Dear Friend:—There's a big boy here as knows how to write tip-top. [Pg 93] I and Tip (that's his name) are the most popular boys in school. ”