Frankie

“ Frankie, when you look so cross, and speak unkindly to Willie, and do not wish to obey me, do you know who is close by you, whispering in your ear?"
"No, mamma," said Frankie; "I didn't see any body."
"It is the wicked Satan," said mamma. "He likes to see you naughty, and so he puts unkind thoughts into your heart. He would like to have you naughty all the time, because then he [47] knows you could not be happy. He don't like good children, and he can't bear to stay where they are; so he has to run off by himself when you are obedient, and kind, and happy. ”

“ Frankie was particularly delighted when he saw a certain basket in her hand, for he had never known it to be without something very nice inside. And sure enough it was filled with dainties that could have come from nowhere else than Stonyford Farm. There were cool fresh clover leaves on top covering a roll of golden butter, all marked by Aunt Fanny's skillful ladle; a round ball of cottage cheese; then a loaf of rye bread; two tiny eggs for Frankie that the speckled pullet had laid; and wherever there was room for them, great ripe red plums that would melt in one's mouth. ”

“ For many long weeks after this day, Fannie talked constantly of her little friend Frankie, and wondered when he would come to see her again; but the weeks deepened into months, the flowers drooped their heads and withered away, leaving only dry, brown seeds, which the little girl carefully gathered and laid away; the leaves drifted from the old oak tree, leaving the branches brown and bare; the robin’s nest was deserted, for all the birds had flown away to a sunnier, warmer clime, to spend the winter; and still Frankie did not come. ”

“ It was a great many days before Susan could say to the people who came to the door to inquire, "Frankie is better;" but every body was so good to him that he didn't mind it very much. There was dear merry Cousin Rosa, who had come back on purpose to take care of him, and she had such funny, pleasant ways of amusing him. She could cut horses, dogs, and cats out of paper, or a long row of dancing girls, or of soldiers, each one with a feather in his hat and a musket over his shoulder. ”

“ The next morning, Frankie had forgotten all about this; and when papa said he must not have so much sugar on his cakes, his lips began to pout, and they were all afraid he was going to be very naughty.
Mamma leaned over her plate, and said, softly, "Is Satan here again?" [58]
"Yes, mamma," said Frankie; "may I whip him out?" ”

“ Frankie rests a hand gently where his stomach is. "But them loo-loos." Frankie closes his two eyes. "Pop—ain't nobody on earth built to handle them things."
The old man sighs.
Frankie tries to keep his voice from shaking. "Pop—there just ain't no other dame like Mary no place in Creation."
The chair squeaks softly as the old guy just rocks away. ”

“ Willie saw his brother Frankie standing by the man, helping him hold his pictures, which he was [86] exhibiting to the lady at the window. Frankie's face was very red, and great drops of perspiration stood on his forehead and nose.
"Why haven't you been home?" asked Willie. "Mother is very anxious about you."
"O, Willie, see this poor man!" exclaimed Frankie. "I have been pushing his wagon for him ever since school. He says he is a cripple, and can't walk at all. [87] I'm going to push his carriage home now, as soon as he has sold pictures here, and then ask mamma to give him some supper." ”

“ Frankie was delighted, and said, "This dog is like Ponto, only that it has a short tail instead of a long one."
Miss Grant then cut a paper [109] doll for Hitty, and afterward one for Nelly. She made paper dresses, and aprons, and capes, and paper hats for their heads; and was so much engaged when she saw how delighted the children were, that she forgot she was teaching school, and never rang the bell for the close of recess for more than an hour. ”

“ Frankie thought to himself that Major Deceit would never get him: indeed I think it was because he was so sure that he did fall into his hands. And it happened in this wise:
Uncle Charlie had grown very quiet of late; he didn't come in the house whistling and singing as he used to; and he called Cousin Rosa Miss Merrian all the while. At first she used to look up in a wondering way, but seemed to get used to it, and called him Mr. Rinell very often. Fred had gone back to college. ”

“ When he opened the door he saw his little boy fastened to a long pole, which swung about the room like a crane, and mamma on her knees trying to teach him to touch his little toes [33] to the floor, and make himself dance. There, too, were Jane, the cook, and Sally, the nurse, laughing, while Margie and Willie were clapping their hands every time Frankie gave a spring. ”

“ And Frankie's spinning away through blue-green steam and a shower of colored lights.
"Well?" the old man's asking.
Yeah, just like that, Frankie's back on the moon, in his old slacks and jacket, dry as you please beside the old man's chair.
"Oh, Mimi's some dame," Frankie admits. "Only...."
"Only what now?"
"Only who knows what she's really saying with that, 'Frankee!' business?"
"Hmmmm." The old man rocks to and fro and takes a squint down South America way. "Brazil, Frankie. Rio."
Always having had an eye for Carmen Miranda, Frankie looks too. "Yeah, pop?" ”

“ The moon is shining down in my face, and it burns me. I am so thirsty, and my cap hurts my head. Oh, dear mamma, take it off, for I am tired and sore! I don't want to be a soldier any more." Then moans, an unquiet rest, and again the wandering fancies came thronging thick and fast.
Poor Frankie! ”

“ When Frankie, standing, saw all these people looking at him, he drew back timidly.
'Come on, man,' said Charlie; 'you needn't be afraid; it's not like a week day school; they can't do nothing to us, not even if we don't behave ourselves. There's our class over in that corner, and that's our teacher, Mr Hunter. You can sit next to me. Come on!'
Thus encouraged, Frankie followed Charlie over to the class, and both sat down. ”

“ By this time Frankie had [16] helped his cousin to take out the toys; and they were spread all over the floor, so that neither his mamma nor nurse could walk at all without stepping on them.
"Why, Nelly," said her aunt, "what a quantity of playthings you have there!"
"May we play with them here?" asked Frankie.
"I am afraid you will be in Sally's way," replied mamma. [17]
"She can wait, then, till we are done," said Nelly, taking up a large dolly.
"No," said her aunt; "nurse has a great deal to do; and first of all she wants to clear up this room. ”

“ 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. ”

“ And when the General, by dint of pulling his arm, had succeeded in arousing him, what made him go to the glass in the parlor and straighten his collar and rearrange his hair, and then sigh, and say,
"Well, Frankie, your Uncle Charlie never was a beauty, and he don't improve as he grows older; does he, General?"
He spoke so sadly that his little friend wanted to say something pleasant, so he answered, "Oh, I think you're bully, Uncle Charlie; and Cousin Rosa thinks so too." ”

“ 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;" ”

“ Frankie's eyes grew very large the first time he felt Ponto's cold nose on his arm; and he cried, when the great, black creature began [24] to lick his hands and face. Mamma tried to push Ponto away, and Willie laughed most merrily.
This, you know, was Ponto's way of showing that he was fond of the dear baby; and from this time a strong affection sprang up between them. While Frankie slept, the dog lay down by the cradle, to be sure that no harm came to his precious charge; and when he awoke, [25] Ponto made a noise, meaning, "I'll take care of you, baby." ”

“ Willie's papa helped him on, and he held fast by the horse's mane. When he came back, Frankie wanted to ride too. Mamma was afraid he would fall; but the gentleman said the horse was gentle, and papa said he would hold him very tightly.
So Frankie mounted the horse, and took his first lesson in riding. Papa was going to walk [13] about the grounds, but the little boy said, "Pony want water gen, papa; pony must have more water." ”

“ Sometimes he was wild and full of fun, so that when Frankie wanted to take [20] the stick from his mouth and put it in the barrow, Ponto would spring up into the air, and run away; but when he heard his master say, "Come here, sir," he would be sober in a moment. O, Ponto was a very knowing dog indeed!
When the barrow was full, Frankie rolled it to the back door, and put it in a basket set there for him by Jane. When she saw him coming, she called [21] out through the window, "Sure and he's not a baby at all, but a man entirely, to be bringing me all my wood. ”

“ If you try to be good, and when you hear Satan tempting you to do such wicked things, tell him at once to go away, then the good Spirit will come and help you to be kind, and to do every thing that is right. If you had not been listening to Satan this morning, you could have heard him, though he talks very softly indeed."
"What did he say, mamma?" asked Frankie. [50]
"I suppose he was saying, 'Willie is a very kind brother, and loves you dearly. I wouldn't trouble him, my dear;' and then when I spoke, perhaps he said, 'Your mother knows what is right, little boy. ”

“ When Frankie got to Albert’s house, she didn’t say a word,
But she cut down upon poor Albert just like he was a bird.
He was her man, babe, but she shot him down.
When Frankie left Albert’s house, she lit out in a run,
For, underneath her apron was a smoking 41.
He was her man, babe, but he done her wrong.
“Roll me over, doctor, roll me over slow,
Cause, when you rolls me over, them bullets hurt me so;
I was her man, babe, but she shot me down.”
Frankie went to the church house and fell upon her knees,
Crying “Lord ’a’ mercy, won’t you give my heart some ease? ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ FRANKIE'S BROTHER WILLIE.
It was a long time before Ponto became reconciled to see Frankie in his jumper. He barked loud and long, as if he was afraid his little friend would hurt himself, tied up in so strange a manner. But baby grew every day more fond of this exercise; and as soon as he saw his mother take the jacket, he would spring [38] so that she could hardly hold him still enough to fasten the buttons tightly to the wooden frame. One day, when he and his mamma were alone in the nursery, he grew very sleepy, and at last his little head nodded down, down, quite upon his breast. ”

“ He beheaded all the daisies that lay in his way, walked along with his eyes to the ground, and pushed the gate open with his foot, leaving Frankie to cogitate about matters and things in general, while he picked a little bit of a hole in the knee of his pants into a palpable fracture.
"I don't see what makes Uncle Charlie act so nowadays. He and Cousin Rosa used to be such good friends, and now he hardly speaks to her at all; and she just says a few words to him, and don't look at him full in the face. Then, there's Fred; he ain't jolly a bit, as he used to be. ”

“ She was thanking God, who had put it into Frankie's heart to confess his sin.
"Why, ma," the boy went on, "if Tony had acted that way, when I told her to do something,—I mean if she had fooled away her time,—I should have got a stick and whipped her. Why didn't you whip me, ma?"
The lady smiled, as she said, "I preferred to punish you by sending you here, and giving you time to reflect; and I rejoice that you have learned so good a lesson from your pet. Obedience, prompt, cheerful obedience, is the best foundation for a good character. ”

“ All at once she looked at Moses, and said, 'I hope you have not eaten one of mother's oranges, my dear.'
"'No,' said the little boy, 'I haven't touched one.'"
"O, dear!" said Frankie. "I'm afraid God won't love Moses any more, he is so naughty, and tells so many lies."
Frankie jumped up when he said this, and Ponto took the [54] opportunity to turn himself over. ”