Alcott_Little_Men.txt topic ['13', '324', '378', '393']
, " you must try and tatch me," and ran away, while the
, picking up the shoe, obediently trotted after her.
third scene, as everybody knows, is where the herald comes to
try on the shoe. , still in coachman's dress, came in blowing
a tin fish-horn melodiously, and the proud sisters each tried to put
on the slipper. insisted on playing cut off her toe with a
carving-knife, and performed that operation so well that the herald
was alarmed, and begged her to be "welly keerful." then
was called, and came in with the pinafore half on, slipped her foot
into the slipper, and announced, with satisfaction,
" am the ."
wept, and begged pardon; but , who liked tragedy,
improved upon the story, and fell in a fainting-fit upon the floor,
where she remained comfortably enjoying the rest of the play.
was not long, for the ran in, dropped upon his knees, and
kissed the hand of with great ardor, while the herald
blew a blast that nearly deafened the audience. curtain had no
chance to fall, for the ran off the stage to her father,
crying, "'t do well?" while the and herald had a
fencing-match with the tin horn and wooden sword.
" was beautiful!" said every one; and, when the raptures had a
little subsided, came out with his violin in his hand.
"! hush!" cried all the children, and silence followed, for
something in the boy's bashful manner and appealing eyes make
every one listen kindly.
thought he would play some of the old airs he knew so
well, but, to their surprise, they heard a new and lovely melody, so
softly, sweetly played, that they could hardly believe it could be
. was one of those songs without words that touch the heart,
and sing of all tender home-like hopes and joys, soothing and
cheering those who listen to its simple music. leaned
her head on 's shoulder, wiped her eyes, and
. looked up at . , saying, in a choky whisper,
" composed that."
" wanted your boy to do you honor, and thank you in his own
way," answered , leaning down to answer her.
made his bow and was about to go, he was called back
by many hands, and had to play again. did so with such a happy
face, that it was good to see him, for he did his best, and gave them
the gay old tunes that set the feet to dancing, and made quietude
impossible.
" the floor!" cried ; and in a minute the chairs were
pushed back, the older people put safely in corners and the
children gathered on the stage.
" your manners!" called ; and the boys pranced up to the
ladies, old and young; with polite invitations to "tread the mazy,"
as dear has it. small lads nearly came to blows
for the , but she chose , like a kind, little
gentlewoman as she was, and let him lead her proudly to her place.
. was not allowed to decline; and filled with
unspeakable delight by refusing and taking him. course
and , and paired off, while
went and got , who was longing to "jig it," and felt much
elated by the honor done her. and had a private
dance in the hall; and for half-an-hour was at its
merriest.
party wound up with a grand promenade of all the young
folks, headed by the pumpkin-coach with the and driver
inside, and the rats in a wildly frisky state.
the children enjoyed this final frolic, the elders sat in the
parlor looking on as they talked together of the little people with
the interest of parents and friends.
" are you thinking of, all by yourself, with such a happy face,
sister ?" asked , sitting down beside her on the sofa.
" summer's work, , and amusing myself by imagining the
future of my boys," she answered, smiling as she made room for
him.
" are all to be poets, painters, and statesmen, famous soldiers,
or at least merchant princes, suppose."
", am not as aspiring as once was, and shall be satisfied if
they are honest men. will confess that do expect a little
glory and a career for some of them. is not a common child,
and think he will blossom into something good and great in the
best sense of the word. others will do well, hope, especially
my last two boys, for, after hearing play to-night, really think
he has genius."
" soon to say; talent he certainly has, and there is no doubt that
the boy can soon earn his bread by the work he loves. him up
for another year or so, and then will take him off your hands, and
launch him properly."
" is such a pleasant prospect for poor , who came to me six
months ago so friendless and forlorn. 's future is already plain
to me. . will want him soon, and mean to give him a
brave and faithful little servant. is one who can serve well if
the wages are love and confidence, and he has the energy to carve
out his own future in his own way. , am very happy over our
success with these boys one so weak, and one so wild; both so
much better now, and so full of promise."
" magic did you use, ?"
" only loved them, and let them see it. did the rest."
" soul! you look as if 'only loving' had been rather hard work
sometimes," said , stroking her thin cheek with a look of
more tender admiration than he had ever given her as a girl.
"'m a faded old woman, but 'm a very happy one; so don't pity
me, ;" and she glanced about the room with eyes full of a
sincere content.
", your plan seems to work better and better every year," he
said, with an emphatic nod of approval toward the cheery scene
before him.
" can it fail to work well when have so much help from you
all?" answered . , looking gratefully at her most generous
patron.
" is the best joke of the family, this school of yours and its
success. unlike the future we planned for you, and yet so suited
to you after all. was a regular inspiration, ," said ,
dodging her thanks as usual.
"! but you laughed at it in the beginning, and still make all
manner of fun of me and my inspirations. 't you predict that
having girls with the boys would be a dead failure? see how
well it works;" and she pointed to the happy group of lads and
lassies dancing, singing, and chattering together with every sign of
kindly good fellowship.
" give in, and when my is old enough 'll send her to
you. say more than that?"
" shall be so proud to have your little treasure trusted to me.
really, , the effect of these girls has been excellent. know
you will laugh at me, but don't mind, 'm used to it; so 'll tell you
that one of my favorite fancies is to look at my family as a small
world, to watch the progress of my little men, and, lately, to see
how well the influence of my little women works upon them.
is the domestic element, and they all feel the charm of her
quiet, womanly ways. is the restless, energetic, strong-minded
one; they admire her courage, and give her a fair chance to work
out her will, seeing that she has sympathy as well as strength, and
the power to do much in their small world. is the lady,
full of natural refinement, grace, and beauty. polishes them
unconsciously, and fills her place as any lovely woman may, using
her gentle influence to lift and hold them above the coarse, rough
things of life, and keep them gentlemen in the best sense of the
fine old word."
" is not always the ladies who do that best, . is sometimes the
strong brave woman who stirs up the boy and makes a man of
him;" and bowed to her with a significant laugh.
"; think the graceful woman, whom the boy you allude to
married, has done more for him than the wild of his youth; or,
better still, the wise, motherly woman who watched over him, as
watches over , did more to make him what he is;" and
turned toward her mother, who sat a little apart with ,
looking so full of the sweet dignity and beauty of old age, that
gave her a glance of filial respect and love as he replied, in
serious earnest,
" three did much for him, and can understand how well these
little girls will help your lads."
" more than the lads help them; it is mutual, assure you.
does much for with his music; can manage better
than any of us; and teaches your so easily and
well that calls them and .
me! if men and women would only trust, understand, and help one
another as my children do, what a capital place the world would
be!" and . 's eyes grew absent, as if she was looking at a new
and charming state of society in which people lived as happily and
innocently as her flock at .
" are doing your best to help on the good time, my dear.
to believe in it, to work for it, and to prove its possibility
by the success of her small experiment," said . , pausing
as he passed to say an encouraging word, for the good man never
lost his faith in humanity, and still hoped to see peace, good-will,
and happiness reign upon the earth.
" am not so ambitious as that, father. only want to give these
children a home in which they can be taught a few simple things
which will help to make life less hard to them when they go out to
fight their battles in the world. , courage, industry, faith in
, their fellow-creatures, and themselves; that is all try for."
" is every thing. them these helps, then let them go to
work out their life as men and women; and whatever their success
or failure is, think they will remember and bless your efforts, my
good son and daughter."
had joined them, and as . spoke he gave a
hand to each, and left them with a look that was a blessing.
and her husband stood together for a moment talking quietly, and
feeling that their summer work had been well done if father
approved, . slipped into the hall, said a word to the
children, and all of a sudden the whole flock pranced into the
room, joined hands and danced about and ,
singing blithely
" days are over,
work is done;
have been gathered
one by one.
the feast is eaten,
is the play;
one rite remains for
-day.
" of all the harvest
the dear 's sight,
the happy children
the home to-night;
we come to offer
where thanks are due,
grateful hearts and voices,
, mother, unto you."
the last words the circle narrowed till the good and
his wife were taken prisoner by many arms, and half hidden by the
bouquet of laughing young faces which surrounded them, proving
that one plant had taken root and blossomed beautifully in all the
little gardens. love is a flower that grows in any soil, works its
sweet miracles undaunted by autumn frost or winter snow,
blooming fair and fragrant all the year, and blessing those who
give and those who receive.