Chapter 40

WILLIAM TELL, ALBERT, SOLDIERS, GESSLER

_William Tell._ Come, my son, I have sold the chamois skins, and now I must buy the things your mother wished me to get for her.

_Albert._ And, father, please buy some toys for little Lewis.

_William Tell._ You are a good boy, Albert, to remember your little brother. We will go to the shop across the square and look there for toys.

_Soldier._ Halt, man! Salute yonder cap!

_William Tell._ Why should I salute a cap of cloth?

_Soldier._ It is the cap of our emperor. If you do not honor the cap, you are a traitor.

_William Tell._ I am no traitor, and yet I will not bow down to an empty cap. I am a true Swiss and love my country.

_Gessler._ Ha, ha! Then we have a traitor here who will not yield to our emperor! Arrest him, my men; and we will teach him his manners. Who is this man?

_Soldier._ His name is William Tell, my lord.

_Gessler._ Insolent traitor! Bind him well.

_Albert._ Oh, father, I am afraid. Do not let the soldiers take me.

_William Tell._ Be calm, my son. No harm will come to thee.

_Gessler._ Indeed, and is this your son? Has he come to mock the cap of our royal master, too? Seize the boy and bind him to yonder tree.

_William Tell._ What will you do with the boy? Does a captain war with a child?

_Gessler._ We shall see. I hear you are a famous shot, William Tell, and handle well the bow and arrow. We shall soon know your skill. Have you a good arrow in your quiver? Perhaps you can shoot an apple from the head of your child.

_Soldier._ Where shall I bind the boy, my captain?

_Gessler._ To yonder tree. If his father shoots the apple from his child's head, he shall go free. If he fails he must die. Are you ready?

_William Tell._ Rather would I die than risk killing my eldest son. Let him go, and take my life.

_Gessler._ That I shall not do. You must both die unless you save your lives as I have said. Will you try the shot or are you afraid?

_William Tell._ Bind the boy's eyes, I beg. He might move if he saw the arrow coming, and my skill would be in vain.

_Gessler._ I am willing, for well I know you cannot cleave the apple at that distance.

_William Tell._ Tyrant! I cannot fail now, when my son's life depends upon me. Stand perfectly still, my brave boy, and father will not hurt you. Now I pray for strength--my trusty arrow must not fail me! There! [_He shoots._]

_Soldier._ See, my captain! The apple is split! That was a fine shot!

_Gessler._ Yes, it was a good shot, and I did not believe anyone could make it. I suppose I must set you free. But why have you that other arrow in your hand?

_William Tell._ To shoot you with it had I killed my darling boy.

_Gessler._ Seize him, my men!

_William Tell._ Never! Come, Albert! This arrow for him who stops me!

_Soldiers._ He has escaped!

TIME AND THE SEASONS

_Father Time._ I must call my children together and give them orders for the New Year. Open the door, my servants, and let the Seasons appear.

_Spring_ (_entering_). Here I am, Father Time. What are your commands for your youngest daughter?

_Father Time._ Welcome, my dainty Spring! It is your duty to call the gentle rains to fall upon the thirsting ground. Yours is the pleasant task to paint the blades of young grass a delicate green. You call the birds back from the south and rouse all nature from her winter sleep. The winds blow freshly over the earth; the clouds move here and there, bringing the rain; and the bulbs, hidden under the soil, slowly push their leaves into the sunlight. What flowers will you bring to deck the earth?

_Spring._ O Father Time! Look here upon my pretty flowers! Here is the snowdrop, so white and brave. It pushes its head up through the snow, which is no whiter than its own petals. And here I have a bunch of crocuses, blue, yellow, white, and of many colors. Aren't they pretty amid the grass? Then the gorgeous tulips, holding their heads so high, making the earth brilliant with their gay, bright colors. I think the golden daffodils and sweet narcissus are my favorite flowers, though I am very fond of what the children call spring beauty.

_Father Time._ I see, my daughter, that you love all your flower children, and that is right. All are beautiful, each in its own way. And now tell me what joys do you bring to the little children of the earth?

_Spring._ All the children love me. They hunt for the first flowers, they welcome the first birds returning from the south, and they prepare the garden for the seeds of flowers and vegetables. The boys play marbles everywhere, and run and laugh, filling their lungs with my life-giving air. The organ grinder plays for the children and they dance on the sidewalks, singing and calling out in delight. The trees put forth their tender leaves. The sun fills the air with golden warmth, and the world seems full of promise.

_Father Time._ Well done, my daughter. And now, my daughter Summer, tell me your plans for the year.

_Summer._ Dear father, I delay my coming until Spring has prepared the way. The air must be soft and warm to please me, and the earth must be prepared by the rains and the warm rays of the sun. The colors of my flowers are deeper and richer than those of sister Spring. I bring the lilies, the peonies, and the poppies. Best of all, the glowing roses open at my call, and fill the air with perfume.

_Father Time._ And the children, my fair daughter, what do you bring to them?

_Summer._ The dear children! I think they all like my sunny days and the long time for play. For July and August in many countries are given to the school children for their play time. Then they go to the seashore and play in the water and the sand; or to the country, where the green grass, the farmyard animals, and all the country games delight them.

_Father Time._ Children are so fond of play and the long summer days out-of-doors that I wonder what they think of you, my older daughter, Autumn?

_Autumn._ Children do like to play and I am glad they get so well and strong with the vacation my sister, Summer, gives them. Yet all children like to learn, too. We must not forget that. What joy it is to read the beautiful stories that great men and women have written for them. What delight they have in learning to write, to sing, to draw, and to make pretty objects of paper, clay, and wood.

_Father Time._ Yes, that is true, but have you no pleasures out-of-doors for them?

_Autumn._ Some people say my days are the most pleasant of the year. The gardens have many beautiful flowers, and the fruits are ripening in the orchards and vineyards. The apples hang red on the boughs, and children like to pick them and eat them, too! I have the harvest moon, the time when the farmers bring home the crops ripened by August suns, and the earth seems to gather the results of the year's work, the riches of field, orchard, and meadow. The squirrels gather their hoard of nuts and hide them away for their winter's food. Gay voices of nutting parties are heard in the woods, and all the air is filled with songs of praise and thanksgiving for the bounty of the year.

_Father Time._ Your work is surely one of worth and I rejoice with you, my daughter, in your happiness. You are a true friend of men, showing them that honest effort and its work will always bring proper reward. Now, my merry laughing child, what have you to tell us?

_Winter._ Some people think I am your oldest daughter, Father Time, but they forget that two of my months are always in the New Year. Although my hair and garments are white, the cold is only outside; my heart is warm. Have I not jolly St. Nicholas who never grows old? I cover the earth with my warmest blanket of softest snow, softer and whiter than ermine, and all the tender flowers sleep cozily and warm until sweet Spring awakes them. The children get out their sleds and skates, and the merry sleigh bells ring. What fun it is to build the snow man, and even if the hands get cold, the eyes shine brighter than in warm days and the cheeks are rosy as the reddest flower. "Hurrah for Winter!" shout the boys. The merriest holidays I have when all hearts are gay and filled with loving care for others. I would not change, dear Father Time, with any of my sisters. I say good-by to the passing year and welcome the new year. If the old year has had troubles and sorrows, all the people turn with hope to the new, and call to one another the wish, "A Happy New Year to all!"

_Father Time._ I am glad you are contented with the work you have to do. And now, my daughters, I must send you out upon your travels all over the world. May your coming bring peace; joy, and prosperity to all mankind!

THE GINGERBREAD MAN

PERSONS IN THE PLAY--THE LITTLE OLD WOMAN, THE GINGERBREAD MAN, THE BOY, THE FOX, CHILDREN, MEN, THE FARMER

SCENE.--_Home of Little Old Woman_

_Little Old Woman._ Now all my housework is done I think I will make some gingerbread. There is nothing quite so good for lunch as warm gingerbread and a glass of milk, or a cup of hot tea. I can make pretty good gingerbread, too, all of my friends say. Here is the flour and butter and molasses and milk. Now it is all ready to put into the pan. But I made too much this time. What shall I do with it? Nothing must be wasted in a good cook's kitchen. Oh, I know! I'll make a cunning gingerbread man for the little boy who lives next door.

Where is my knife? Now roll the dough very thin, cut out the round little head, then the neck, now the two arms, now the little fat body, and last the legs with high heels on the shoes. Well, this certainly is a fine little gingerbread man. I think I'll make a little hat with a wide brim. Now I'll put two currants for his eyes, two for his nose, three for his cute little mouth, and six for the buttons on his coat.

Then I'll sprinkle sugar and cinnamon over him and put him in the oven to bake.

Let me look at the clock. It is half past eleven. At twelve the gingerbread man will be baked, ready for the little boy when he comes home from school.

Well, I've washed the dishes, and set the table for my lunch, and it is now just twelve o'clock. I'll open the oven door and see if my gingerbread man is ready.

Oh! what was that! Why, it is the gingerbread man!

_Gingerbread Man._ Yes, it is the gingerbread man, and now I'll go and see the world.

_Little Old Woman._ Go! you mustn't go! You belong to me.

_Gingerbread Man._

Ah, ha! ah, ha! catch me, if you can! You can't catch me, I'm a gingerbread man!

_Little Old Woman._ There he goes, out of the door, just as if he were really a little boy, and not made of something good to eat! Come back; come back!

_Gingerbread Man._

Ah, ha! ah, ha! catch me, if you can! You can't catch me, I'm a gingerbread man!

_Little Old Woman._ I know I can't run as fast as he can. There he goes out of the gate. There are some men who are working in the street. I'll ask them to catch him. Help! help me catch the gingerbread man!

_Men._ Yes, ma'am. Where is he? Oh, there he is, the little rascal! We'll catch him.

_Gingerbread Man._

Ah, ha! ah, ha! catch me, if you can! You can't catch me, I'm a gingerbread man!

_Men._ Well, there he goes and he does run fast! Come, let us run after him!

_Little Old Woman._ Oh, I know the men can't run as fast as he can, and they will never catch my gingerbread man! Here are the children coming from school. I'll call them. Children, children!

_Children._ Yes, little old woman, here we are. What did you call us for?

_Little Old Woman._ Oh, my dear children, see the gingerbread man I made for the little boy next door! There he goes running as fast as he can, and I can't catch him!

_Boy._ And the men are running after him, and they can't catch him either. Just watch me, little woman, I'll catch him for you.

_Gingerbread Man._

Ah, ha! ah, ha! catch me, if you can! You can't catch me, I'm a gingerbread man.

_Girl._ I have my roller skates on. Perhaps I can catch him!

_Little Old Woman._ I'm sure you can, my child.

_Girl._ I'll try. Look out, Mr. Gingerbread Man!

_Gingerbread Man._

Ah, ha! ah, ha! catch me, if you can! You can't catch me, I'm a gingerbread man!

_Little Old Woman._ There he goes, and none of them can catch him. Now he is near some farmers. I'll call on them to help me. Farmer, farmer, will you please help me catch the gingerbread man? There he goes over your wheat field.

_Farmer._ Yes, indeed, we'll help you. Here, you gingerbread man, keep out of my wheat field! Come, men; run after him and catch him.

_Men._ We'll catch him before he gets to the fence.

_Gingerbread Man._

Ah, ha! ah, ah! catch me, if you can! You can't catch me, I'm a gingerbread man!

_Little Old Woman._ Oh, dear! Oh, dear! there he goes into the wood, and no one can run fast enough to catch him.

_Farmer._ I'm sorry, madam, but we must go back to our work on the farm.

_Boy._ Hark! listen! don't you hear the little gingerbread man calling?

_Gingerbread Man._

Ah, ha! ah, ha! catch me, if you can! You can't catch me, I'm the gingerbread man!

_Little Old Woman._ Yes, he is calling to us from the wood. I thank you, children, and now we will go home.

_Gingerbread Man_ (_in the wood_). Ah, ha! and they didn't catch me! and now I am free to play in the wood. What a pleasant place!

_Mr. Fox._ Well, what sort of a funny little man is this?

_Gingerbread Man._

Ah, ha! ah, ha! catch me, if you can! You can't catch me, I'm a gingerbread man!

_Mr. Fox._ Can't I? Well, I _have_ caught you; and now let me see if you are good to eat. First, I'll try one of your arms. That tastes good!

_Gingerbread Man._ I'm going!

_Mr. Fox._ And now the other arm!

_Gingerbread Man._ I'm going!

_Mr. Fox._ Now for the leg.

_Gingerbread Man._ I'm going!

_Mr. Fox._ Really, Mr. Gingerbread Man, I think you are very good eating for a hungry fox. Now I'll taste the other leg.

_Gingerbread Man._ I'm going!

_Mr. Fox._ Now for your round little body.

_Gingerbread Man._ I'm going!

_Mr. Fox._ There is not very much left. Just your head for the last mouthful.

_Gingerbread Man._ I'm gone!

_Mr. Fox._ Yes, you're gone; and a very nice meal, Mr. Gingerbread Man.

THE GOOD FAIRY