Madeline Leslie

“ The new curtain proved a good screen from the rain, so that Mr. Gray was able to enjoy the ride as well as the rest of the party.
Frankie had been watching the drops as they fell from the lower edge of the curtain upon the leather boot; at last he said, "It seems as if we were in the ark."
"Why?" asked his mother, with a smile.
[63] "Because—because it seems as if we were out in the rain, with waters all around us; but we are safe in here, and nothing can harm us."
"What shall we do now?" asked Willie. "Play school again? I call it real good fun."
"Let us sing," said Nelly. ”

“ You can take turns."
"Why didn't I think of this way before?" said Willie; "it's real nice. The rain came pouring right in my face. Now I can put this shawl up, and keep it all off."
[51] "You crowd my knees dreadfully," said Frankie.
"Don't be impatient, dear," said his mother. "We must all try to be accommodating when we are out in the rain. Your brother has been sitting very patiently with the rain beating in his face, and you will be glad, I'm sure, to have him with us behind."
"I can't move my feet at all," said Frankie, in an impatient tone. ”

“ After waiting at the tavern about two hours for the horses to rest, Mr. Gray told the children to make haste and put on their clothes, as the carriage was coming to the door. They did not know, until then, whether they were to go or stay.
"Do you think it best to go?" asked the lady. "It is raining [61] so hard, I am afraid you will be very wet."
"O, look at the carriage, papa!" shouted Frankie, as it drove past the window.
"I found a nice leather curtain in the box," said the gentleman, "which will shield me entirely."
"What a pity you did not find it this morning!" said Willie. ”

“ A few weeks after this birthday, Frankie went a journey with papa, and mamma, and Willie, and Nelly.
Nelly's father and mother had been home two or three months; but they found their little girl improving so fast under her aunt's care and teaching, that they did not like to take her away.
[39] Nelly was very well contented to remain with her kind friends; and when she found Frankie alone in a room by himself, crying because he thought her mother had come to carry her home, she promised she would live with him always. ”

“ Wilt thou forgive all [10] my sins, and make me a good boy, so that when I die, I can go to heaven to live with thee, for my dear Saviour's sake. Amen."
This little prayer Frankie had learned when he was four years old, and he had repeated it every night since that time. Beside this he said the pretty verse beginning
"Now I lay me down to sleep,"
and then added a short prayer of his own, asking God to bless [11] papa and mamma, Willie, Nelly, and Margie; to keep the house from being burned while they were asleep; and to make the heathen good, for Jesus Christ's sake. ”

“ There was once a slave who ran away from his master, and hid in a cave. After he had been there a short time he heard a noise, and looking around he saw he was in a lion's den. His heart began to beat faster than ever, for he thought, 'I have run away only to be killed by this lion.' He fixed his eyes upon the beast, expecting [32] every minute that he would jump upon him and tear him to pieces. ”

“ Gray called Margie from the lawn, and told her to invite [27] the children to come in. Then she introduced them into the parlor, where on the table they saw a large pile of cards, nearly half a yard in length, with beautiful pictures on them, representing animals and birds; some of them as large as life.
These, which came in a long box, with a brass handle on the top, were Frankie's birthday present from papa and mamma. ”

“ It made this good papa and mamma happy to see their children enjoy themselves so well.
They travelled on for several days; and one night they came to a small town, where Mr. Gray said he would put up. They drove to the tavern, and soon were shown to a room up stairs. While they were waiting for supper, Frankie asked, "What is the name of this town, papa?"
[42] "It is Canaan, my dear," replied his father. ”

“ While they were tasting and examining it, the doctor came in, and said that he wondered, with such feeding, that the baby had not died long before. "We have all been to blame," said the [93] doctor; "and if it had not been for your sister, Mr. Nelson, I think the child could not have lived many days."
Mrs. Gray pressed the poor suffering baby to her heart, and resolved that she would watch over it until a good, faithful nurse could be provided. She then rang the bell for some fresh cream and water, while her brother went to the attic to send Maria from the house. ”

“ As no one replied to his remark, he said, presently, "Here [69] is another pretty piece; may I read this too, mamma?"
"Perhaps Nelly would like to read," said the lady.
"O, yes, aunty," said the little girl; "may I, Frankie?"
He passed her the handkerchief, though he did not do it very cheerfully.
"Thank you," said Nelly. "You can look over with me, if you want to." Then she began to read the verses that [70] were underneath the picture of the little girls and the poor beggar:—
"Look, sister, see how rich I be! ”

“ I never thought he would live till this time."
[83] "Is he quiet?" asked the aunt.
"He has turns of screaming dreadfully," answered the nurse. "That is what has kept his mother so ill."
At this moment they heard Mr. Gray and Mr. Nelson coming up the stairs, and the nurse opened the door and beckoned them into the nursery, as the sick lady was trying to get some sleep while the baby was quiet.
[84] Maria had been sitting in the room with her work; but now she arose and said, "Baby will be likely to sleep a spell now, and I'll go down to the kitchen and do my ironing." ”

“ He found her busy packing her trunks, for she had sense enough to know that she would not be allowed to stay longer. He told her she must leave immediately, and that her trunks should be sent after her. He took out his pocket book, and paid her the week's wages that were her due, saying he would not have such a wicked creature in the house another minute. ”

“ And respected when grown to a man."
The next morning, when Frankie went down to breakfast, Willie sprang out from behind the door, and gave him six loud kisses. Then he took from his pocket a beautiful new humming [15] top, and said, "Here is your birthday present."
Frankie had hardly time to say, "O, how pretty! I thank you very much," when Nelly came in smiling, and looking very happy, with something hidden behind her.
"Let me give you some birthday kisses," she said, reaching forward and putting up her pretty red lips—one, two, three, four, five, six. "Now guess [16] what I've got for you;" ”

“ It is Constantinople."
"It is a long word," said mamma. "But I will try it;" [56] and the lady's eyes twinkled as she began, "C-o-n, Con; s-t-a-n, Constan!"
"Stop! please stop, mother!" shouted Willie, laughing heartily. "You know it; let me try father?"
"No, try me," said Nelly; "try me once!"
"Well, I will. Spell Con."
"C-o-n, Con," repeated Nelly slowly, looking steadily in her cousin's face.
[57] "That is right; stan."
"S-t-a-n," said Nelly.
"Yes; now spell ti," added Willie.
"T-i, ti."
"No," said the boy, shaking his head solemnly.
"T-y," again tried the little girl. ”

“ After dinner, before her husband returned home, she called [86] him into the parlor, and told him she was afraid Maria gave the baby something to make it sleep so heavily, and she was determined to stay and watch her, and try to save the dear child.
[87] CHAPTER VI.
THE WICKED NURSE.
For two days Mrs. Gray scarcely left the nursery for a moment. The poor little babe would lie and sleep for hours together, and when he was awake he would scream and throw his head back as if he was going into a fit. ”