PART TWO

_In which it appears that the white cat was a princess after all, and became the greatest fortune of the youngest son._

The old king did not really wish to give up his kingdom at all, and so he sent his three sons out for a third time, and said to them:

“Go, find the most beautiful woman in the world. I cannot give my kingdom to any son without a queen to help him. Come back at the end of a year.”

The sons set out on their travels again. The youngest went at once to the home of the White Cat and told her what the King demanded. The White Cat said nothing but made the prince very happy and comfortable in her palace for a whole year. Every wish was gratified and he almost forgot the passing of time. At the end of the year the White Cat said:

“Prince, you must now go back to your father; but I wish you would take me with you. I shall be your beautiful princess. All you will have to do will be to cut off my head and tail and throw them into the fire.”

The prince was greatly astonished to hear this, for he did not like to hurt the White Cat, but she begged him again and again. Finally he drew out his sword and with one stroke cut off the cat’s head and tail and threw them into the fire.

What a commotion was created! The White Cat had disappeared and in her place stood a young and beautiful princess. All the other cats were gone and in their places were lords and ladies. The Prince was surrounded by a court and everybody was talking and laughing as though nothing had happened.

The Princess took the Prince by the hand and said:

“You have rid us of the enchantment of a wicked fairy who turned me into a white cat, and all my friends into cats. Now, let us go to your father.”

They traveled all the next day and came to the palace of the old king. The other brothers were there, but their wives looked like chambermaids compared to the beautiful princess.

The old king had to acknowledge that the youngest son had the most beautiful wife, but he said, “I do not wish to give up my kingdom, I want to keep it myself for awhile.”

Then the young princess said: “Your majesty need not give up his kingdom at all. I have seven kingdoms; each one very large and rich; I shall give one to each of your older sons, one to you, and have four left for my husband and myself. So let us all be married and be happy.”

Everybody shouted and clapped hands. Three weddings took place at once, and nobody had a better time than the old king himself.

THE GINGERBREAD MAN

_In which a gingerbread man has some adventures, but finally comes to grief._

A little old woman had no man of her own and so she decided to make one of gingerbread. So one day she made a gingerbread man. She put on a chocolate coat, with cinnamon buttons. She made his eyes out of caraway seed, and a cap out of a lump of sugar.

“Now, my little man, I shall bake you until you are done,” said the old woman, and put the gingerbread man into the oven.

After a while it smelled so good the old woman opened the stove door to see how her little man was getting on. But he was quite done by this time, and while the old woman was pulling out the pan, the gingerbread man jumped out and ran down the road.

The little old woman ran after him, but the gingerbread man laughed and called out: “Run! run! as fast as you can! You can’t catch me! I’m the gingerbread man.”

And sure enough, she could not catch him.

The gingerbread man ran past a pasture where there was a horse.

“Stop!” said the horse. “You look good to eat.” But the gingerbread man laughed and said: “Run! run! as fast as you can. The old woman can’t catch me, and you can’t catch me, for I am the gingerbread man.” And sure enough, the horse could not catch him.

He ran on down the road and soon he met a cow.

“Stop!” said the cow. “I want to eat you.” But the gingerbread man laughed again and said:

“Run run! as fast as you can! The old woman, and the horse and you can’t catch me, for I am the gingerbread man.” And sure enough, the cow could not catch him.

By and by the gingerbread man ran past a field where the men were cutting hay. They smelled the gingerbread and tried to lay hold of the little man. But he laughed and said:

“Run! run! as fast as you can! The old woman and the horse and the cow and you can’t catch me, for I am the gingerbread man.” And sure enough, the men could not catch him.

Then he met a fox just as he came to a river. “Run! run! as fast as you can,” said the gingerbread man. “Why?” said the fox. “Because they will catch you,” said the gingerbread man.

“Jump on my back and I will take you across the river,” said the fox, and the little man jumped on his shoulders.

“Jump on my head,” said the fox, and the little man jumped on his head.

“Jump on my nose,” said the fox, and the gingerbread man jumped on the fox’s nose. Just then they reached the shore and the fox opened his mouth, and snap! went the gingerbread man into the fox’s mouth. The old fox chewed a while and then said:

“That was a very nice little gingerbread man!”

THE ROBIN’S EGGS

_In which a little boy robs a bird of her eggs and learns a lesson that he did not forget._

Robert was a little boy who loved to have his own way, and sometimes his way was not a good way. One day he went into the woods near his home, and saw a lot of birds all busy building nests and flying around looking for bugs and worms.

Up in a tree he saw a nest and wondered what was in it. He climbed up on a limb, and looking into the nest saw four little bluish-green eggs. He put his hand in the nest, took out the eggs and put them in his pocket. All the time the poor mother bird was scolding and complaining, and in her bird way was calling for help.

As Robert climbed down from the tree he broke one of the eggs. As he took the rest out of his pocket he broke another. Then he put the other two in his hat. By this time he was tired and sat down under the tree to rest. While he was sitting there he heard a great commotion in the forest. All the birds were crying “Robber! Thief! Some boy has broken into Mrs. Robin’s house and stolen her eggs!”

Robert sat very still and tried to hide. The father robin flew around asking everybody if he had stolen his wife’s eggs. He asked the cow, but the cow said: “No, indeed! I gave you some of my hay to build your nest.” He asked the sheep, but the sheep said: “I would not do such a thing. I gave you some of my wool to line your nest to make it soft for your little ones.” He even asked an old owl on top of a pine tree, but the old owl said: “By no means! Why should I? I killed a rat the other day that I saw prowling round looking for young birds.”

None of the animals knew who was the robber, but the jay bird who was always on the look out, saw Robert under the tree and cried: “Here he is! he has got two eggs in his cap and has broken two on the ground! Here he is!” All the birds came flying and set up such a scolding and abusing that Robert was alarmed.

“Let us all fly to his house and take his little brothers and sisters,” said the birds. But Robert began to cry and beg and promise, until finally the birds agreed not to rob his house if he would let their nests alone.

Robert sat up with a start and rubbed his eyes. He had been asleep but he learned a good lesson. The mother robin was still crying in the tree where her nest was. Robert climbed back up the tree and put the good eggs back and said, “There you are, Mrs. Robin. I am sorry I broke two, but I will not rob your nest again.”

THE BOYHOOD OF GEORGE WASHINGTON

(February 22nd)

_In which we find out that truthfulness is a great virtue._

To-day we are going to talk about a little boy named George Washington. His mother and father lived on a large farm, and George’s life was just like that of other boys. He played games and learned to read just as boys do to-day. George was very fond of pretending to be an Indian warrior. One day while playing that he was a chief of the tribe he picked up his father’s hatchet to use as a tomahawk. After pretending that he had killed many wild animals, he walked through the orchard where the young fruit trees had been planted. He thought he would like to be a woodsman and cut down trees. So he began to use his little hatchet, and presently down fell a tree.

Shortly afterwards his father was walking in the orchard and found his favorite cherry tree cut down to the ground. He immediately asked George who had cut down his beautiful tree. George answered, “Father, I cannot tell a lie. I cut it down.” His father was so pleased that George had told him the truth that he said, “My boy, you should not have cut down this tree, but I would rather you had cut down every tree in the orchard than tell a lie,” and so his father did not punish him.

George was such a strong, sturdy boy that he nearly always won the games and races the boys would have. He liked to hear stories of soldiers and wars. He would play soldier, and have parades and make-believe battles. His playmates were fond of him because he was always fair in his play. At school his work was good and his copy book was so neat that it has been saved and can be seen to-day.

George’s father died when George was ten years old, but he had a wise mother whom he loved very dearly. There were many things that he could do on the farm to help his mother. He was very proud of his mother’s horses and one day was showing them to his friends. One horse--his mother’s favorite--was a splendid young animal that had never been trained. George’s friends asked if he could ride this horse. George answered that he could. He mounted the horse, but the animal kicked and reared and fell over backward breaking its neck. His friends were alarmed because they knew how much Mrs. Washington thought of this horse, and they begged him not to tell her. But George went straight to her and told her all about it, adding that he was sorry that the beautiful animal was dead. His mother forgave him, but warned him to be more careful in the future.

To-morrow we shall learn more about George Washington.

THE YOUNG MANHOOD OF GEORGE WASHINGTON

_Showing Washington’s love for and gentleness towards his mother; also his bravery in time of danger, and his strength to endure hardships._

Yesterday we learned that Washington was a very truthful boy. To-day we will learn how he loved his mother, and grew up to be strong and brave.

He felt that he must take his father’s place and help her with the large farm. Every night he would lead in family prayer just as his father had done, and when visitors came in he was host and entertained them. Once he thought he would like to become a sailor. He lived near the James River and could watch the boats go up and down, and the life of the men on the boats seemed to fascinate him.

Mrs. Washington consented for George to go to sea, and he was to be ready for the boat on its next trip. The day came and George’s box was packed and sent down to the landing while he went in to tell his mother good-by. Noticing tears in her eyes he called to the boy to bring back his box. His mother’s tears had shown him that she was distressed at his leaving and he decided, then and there, to remain with her.

When he was sixteen years old he became a surveyor and was sent out to survey wild lands. He had to take long trips on foot and on horseback in the wilderness. He had three years of hardships in the forest and returned a strong, healthy man of six feet two inches. He learned much of the Indians and their manner of warfare which was of much assistance to him. On his return he became a soldier. Just then brave soldiers were needed, for the French and Indians were at war with the English, and George Washington, with his knowledge of the Indians, was a most valuable soldier.

Governor Dinwiddie of Virginia sent him with a message to the French post, a distance of six hundred miles. He had to go through dense forests, across rivers, and even climb unexplored mountains. Once his Indian guide tried to kill him, and once he narrowly escaped drowning while crossing a swollen stream, but undaunted, he continued the journey and returned with the answer to Governor Dinwiddie.

Washington’s mission as a messenger being accomplished, he now took active part in the war under General Braddock. Braddock was an Englishman, and knowing nothing of Indian warfare, marched his troops through the wilderness with flags flying and drums beating. Washington told him that this was a mistake, but Braddock would not take advice from a young Virginia colonel, and in a short while they were entirely surrounded by Indians. Braddock was killed and Washington had two horses killed under him, and four bullets went through his coat. The Indians thought that Washington had a charmed life. Perhaps his life was spared in order that he might do great things for his country.

THE LEADERSHIP OF GEORGE WASHINGTON

_In which we learn something of Washington’s home life, and his success in later years._

Soon after the French and Indian war, George Washington met Mrs. Martha Custis, a beautiful young woman, and married her. The bride and her lady friends returned from the church in a handsome coach drawn by six white horses, as in our fairy tales, while the groom and his friends rode beside the coach on prancing chargers. Washington and his wife went to live at Mount Vernon, a beautiful place that had been his brother’s. Washington liked the life of a farmer and each day would ride over the plantation to see if all the work was done properly. He lived quietly thus for several years, when he was needed again as a soldier.

Many years before this the Puritans had left England because they would not obey the king in some things--particularly in church affairs. Now, there were other people in America beside Pilgrims, but the English king still wished the people to obey him. He made the Americans pay taxes on things made in England and brought to America. He made them pay a special tax on paper, glass, and even tea. The Americans did not wish to pay these taxes and refused to do so.

The English King then sent ships loaded with soldiers to make them pay. The Americans decided not to do as the king wished, and went to war for their rights. They determined to have a nation of their own and call it the United States of America. They wrote a statement that told about this and sent copies of it all over the world. This was called the Declaration of Independence.

The Americans selected Washington as their leader, and now again his bravery was shown. He led the soldiers to victory, though many times during the hard winter the men were hungry and cold, having scarcely any food and very little clothing. Many of the men were barefooted in the snow and ice, but faith in Washington kept them brave and loyal.

While the Americans were fighting to be free they needed a flag for the soldiers, so Washington drew a picture of one he liked and Mrs. Betsy Ross, a friend of his, made the first flag that the new nation had.

When the time came to elect a ruler for the new nation, everybody said make Washington president, and they did. He became president and for eight years ruled wisely and justly as a great man should, and then returned to Mount Vernon where he and his wife lived happily for many years.

George Washington’s mother was not surprised that he became a famous man. Once when La Fayette was talking to her, she said to him:

“I am not surprised that George is a great man, for he was always a good boy.”

ABSALOM

_Rebellion against our parents will surely bring misfortune._

King David was old. His hand was feeble, his eye was dim, and his voice was weak as of one who had been ill. Absalom was his beloved son, but he was a very wayward and rebellious boy, whom his father could not control. He was a beautiful boy. From the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him, and David loved him.

Absalom did many things to distress the old king. He stayed away from his father’s presence for two years, and began to think of ways to take the kingdom into his own hands. He would go out and stand by the gate of the city, and when any one came to the king for judgment, he would say:

“Oh, that I were made judge of the land, for I would do you justice.” Thus Absalom stole the hearts of the people of Israel.

Finally David fled from Jerusalem for fear of Absalom and his followers, and Absalom came to Jerusalem and took charge of the kingdom. David gathered an army around him of those who were still faithful to him, and prepared to give battle to the men of Absalom if they should come out to slay him.

Absalom started out to capture and even kill his old father, so he might keep the kingdom for himself. David himself did not go, but sat by the gates of the little town where he was to wait for news. He told Joab, the captain of his men: “Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom.” And David’s men went into the field to fight with Absalom and his men and there was a great battle.

The battle was in the woods of Ephraim, and the people of Absalom were slain before the people of David, twenty thousand, and Absalom fled upon a mule. The mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and Absalom was caught in the tree and hung there while the mule went away.

Some one told Joab that Absalom was hanging in the tree. Joab quickly went, and taking three darts he threw them at Absalom, and slew him while he was yet in the midst of the oak.

Now the old David sat by the gate and waited for news of the battle. He had a watchman in the tower who told him he saw a man running. “He bringeth tidings,” said David. Soon the runner reached David and fell at his feet, saying: “The Lord hath delivered thine enemies into thy hands.”

“Is the young man Absalom safe?” asked the king. Then the runner told David that Absalom was dead. The old king was overcome with grief, and cried out: “O, my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom. Would God I had died for thee, O, Absalom, my son, my son!”

HOW ROBIN HOOD BECAME AN OUTLAW

_In which a good man unwittingly commits an offence and becomes an outlaw._

A long time ago in England in Sherwood Forest, there lived a famous outlaw named Robin Hood. There was no one who could shoot an arrow straighter or farther than Robin Hood. He was known far and near as strong, brave, and generous.

He never robbed the poor nor did any mean thing. He and his “merry men” lived in the depths of the forest, in a place where the king’s men could not find them, and they passed their time in hunting the king’s deer, in archery and other sports.

Though they were outlaws, Robin Hood and his men were much beloved by the country people; for though he robbed the rich and the oppressor, he always gave abundantly to the poor and needy.

Now, this is the way Robin Hood became an outlaw: He may have been the son of a nobleman, but that nobody knows. However, when he was eighteen years of age he knew that the Sheriff of Nottingham was having a great shooting match for forty pieces of silver.

“Now, I will go and draw my bow and shoot a shaft for the bright eyes of my lass. Besides that, I need the silver,” said Robin Hood, and started off to Nottingham Town.

As he walked along whistling, and thinking of the sport before him, he saw some foresters seated under a great tree. They were the keepers of the king’s game. One of them called out:

“Here, my merry man! where are you going so fast with your penny bow and your farthing arrows?”

Now, Robin Hood was very proud of his bow and arrows, so he answered sharply:

“Where I go is my business--but I can shoot better than any one of you.”

They all laughed aloud for they were famous shots. Robin became angrier as they laughed.

“See that deer yonder--more than sixty rods away are they; but I can bring one down from here,” cried he. They gave him permission. Twang! went his shaft straight into the heart of the big stag. It was a long and splendid shot, but, after all, he had killed a king’s deer!

“Get thee gone from here, knave!” they cried, “or we will have thy ears shaven close to thy head!” and they began to berate Robin and beat him for they were afraid themselves. Robin ran, and as he ran the foresters shot at him and narrowly missed him.

He was now in danger of his own life, so he stepped behind a tree and fitted another arrow to his bow, and while his pursuers were still far off, he sent a shaft into the breast of the foremost. He fell dead and the others turned back.

Robin was now an outlaw. He had killed the king’s deer and had slain one of the king’s foresters, and now Robin Hood had to hide in Sherwood Forest.

ROBIN HOOD MEETS LITTLE JOHN

_More of Robin Hood, and something of the way in which he chose his merry men._

Robin Hood lay hidden in Sherwood Forest, and there was a reward of two hundred pounds for any one who would bring him to justice. Two hundred good men joined him and chose him to be the leader. They swore they would rob only those who had oppressed the poor by unjust taxes, or fines, or heavy rents. To the poor themselves they gave no harm, nor hurt any woman or child. Their name became a terror to the oppressor, but to the poor they were often a blessing.

Robin Hood picked his men very carefully. To-day we will learn how he chose Little John to be one of his company. One bright morning Robin Hood rose up and said:

“I have had no adventure for two weeks; I go forth to find one to-day. Follow me at a distance, my merry men.” And so Robin set out down the path and through the forest, clad in his suit of green which he and his men always wore.

He came to a stream on the edge of the forest across which was a bridge made of logs. A man on the other side was about to cross. Robin quickened his steps. So did the stranger.

“Stand back and let me pass first,” called Robin Hood.

“Nay, stand back yourself and let me over,” said the man. “I am a better man than thou.” With that he shook a big stick he carried in his hand and advanced towards the bridge.

“We shall see about that presently,” said Robin Hood sharply, for he acknowledged no man better than himself. With that he cut a huge stick from a nearby tree with one stroke of his knife and walked on to the log. The strange man was already half way over. Then followed a mighty battle while these two knights belabored each other with their sticks each trying not to fall off the log. The stranger was very tall and broad shouldered while Robin Hood was of average size only. Robin Hood hit the stranger a hard blow on the shoulder. The stranger returned with a blow on Robin’s head that tumbled him into the water.

The water was deep and Robin had much trouble in getting to the bank. Here he sat down and began to laugh.

“Give me thy hand, worthy stranger, for thou hast a mighty arm,” said he. “This day thou hast worsted Robin Hood in a combat with staves. What is thy name?”

“My name is John Little,” said the stranger, astonished to hear that his opponent was Robin Hood.

“Well, I shall call thee Little John in merry jest, tho’ thou art seven feet tall. Come and be one of my men,” said Robin.

Little John finally agreed to go with Robin Hood, and he became one of his strongest and trustiest followers.

HOW ROBIN HOOD MET FRIAR TUCK

_In which it appears that others had wits besides Robin Hood._

One morning Robin Hood started for an adventure. He put on his steel coat of mail, and over it his jacket of Lincoln green.

About noontime he came to the banks of a wide stream and walked warily along until he heard a voice through the thick bushes. Peering through he saw a stout brawny fellow sitting on the bank of the stream eating brown bread and onions. He looked very jolly and good-natured. Robin Hood saw by his shaven crown and a string of beads that he must be a friar.

“Hey, my good father, will you tell me how I may cross this stream?” said Robin Hood. The friar looked up and said:

“Yonder is the ford. The water is free to all; wade in.”

“Yes, but my clothes are new and fine. I do not care to get them wet. I think your broad shoulders would make a good seat. Can you find a heart to take me across?” replied Robin. The friar wiped the bread and onions from his beard and getting up, said to Robin Hood:

“Well, and why not, friend? Come, and I will do thy bidding.” So saying he led the way to a pebbly place laughing as if it were a joke. Robin Hood seated himself upon the ample shoulders of the friar and gripped him about his round head.

“Let me take thy sword under my arm, so that thou canst hold on better,” said the friar. So Robin Hood unbuckled his sword and gave it to the friar. Then the friar walked across the stream and Robin Hood was landed on the other side. When he got down on the ground he asked for his sword and prepared to depart.

“Nay, my son,” said the friar, “a sword is not good for thee, for it is a deadly weapon, and thou must leave it with me.”

“Give me my sword, holy father, or I shall take it back. Thou hast one of thine own; give me mine and let it be a fair battle between us, even if thou art a friar, or else set me back on yonder bank where I came,” said Robin Hood in anger.

The friar finally agreed to take him back across the stream, but in so doing Robin Hood managed to slip his sword out of the possession of the friar. In the midst of the stream the friar decided to rid himself of the load so he tumbled Robin Hood off into the water. When Robin reached the bank he was very angry with the friar. Drawing his sword he rushed on him and they had a hard battle. The friar would laugh at Robin’s plight but warded off all his blows. Never a stroke touched him. At last the friar said:

“I think thou art Robin Hood. I know I am Friar Tuck. Come, let’s be friends.” And so they shook hands and put up their swords.

And that is the way Robin Hood met Friar Tuck, and that was the way that Friar Tuck joined the merry band in Sherwood Forest.

THE SHOOTING MATCH AT NOTTINGHAM TOWN

_Showing how Robin Hood depended on his wits to carry him through an adventure._

The Sheriff of Nottingham wanted to capture Robin Hood to get the two hundred pounds reward, and besides that the forester he had killed was kin to the sheriff. So the sheriff said:

“If I could only persuade Robin Hood to come to Nottingham I might seize him. I think I shall give a shooting match, and offer a good prize.” Thus saying, he let it be known that a great shooting match would be held in the square, the prize to be a gold arrow. Indeed, he had notices tacked up on the trees to attract Robin Hood’s attention. Robin Hood heard of the notices and calling his men around him, said:

“Now, I am going to shoot for the prize to-morrow in Nottingham Town. Some of you dress as beggars, or tinkers, or friars, but all of you carry your good bows and arrows. As for me, I shall wear scarlet and a patch over my eye.” They all agreed and the next day early, were all in Nottingham Town.

The target was set up and the shooting began. The arrows sped across the square, some in the target, some on the ground, and a few in the bull’s eye.

“Take the best ten and let them shoot again,” cried the Sheriff. The shooting went on as before, and after a while the Sheriff cried: “Take the best six!” Then after they had shot he cried: “Take the best three,” and each time a stranger in tattered scarlet, and a patch over his eye was taken among the best.

And now the best three came up for a final test. Gill of the Red Cap shot, and lo! his arrow was only a finger breadth from the center. Then the tattered stranger shot and his arrow was only a barleycorn’s length from the center. Then Adam of the Dell shot, and his arrow stood beside the stranger’s. All three looked like one arrow from a distance. “Shoot again!” cried the Sheriff. Adam shot and his arrow was close to the center; Gill shot and his arrow struck near by the middle and a great shout arose.

“Now, old Patch-on-the-Eye, shoot and see what you can do!” shouted the bystanders, for the other arrows were so near the center that there was hardly room for one more. The stranger took his stand, drew his bow, sighted his shaft with his one eye. Twang! went the bow. Whiz! went the arrow, and cut the feather of Gill’s shaft as it passed, and stood quivering in the very center!

“Here, take thy prize and begone, thou dirty knave, thou art as deadly as Robin Hood himself!”

The stranger took the prize and retired to the edge of the crowd where there were a lot of beggars and tinkers and friars.

“Nay, I am Robin Hood, his very own self!” he called aloud. But before anybody could seize him he and his men had disappeared down the road.

HOW ROBIN HOOD CEASED TO BE AN OUTLAW

_Showing that from an outlaw can be made a good and worthy citizen_.

Many years went by and Richard was now King of England. In Nottingham Town all was noise and uproar because the great king was to come to that town and visit the Sheriff. Crowds packed the public square to welcome him as he passed by.

Robin Hood and all his men were there, but some were in disguise. Friar Tuck and Little John stood boldly in the crowd and when the Sheriff saw them he turned quite pale.

That night at the great banquet the king said:

“I have heard much of Robin Hood and his men hereabouts. I should like to see him. They tell me he can shoot a bow wondrous well.”

“Very easily arranged,” said one of the heralds, “if you and a few others will dress as Black Friars and go into Sherwood Forest.”

This pleased the king, and on the morrow he and several others dressed as Black Friars, with hoods over their faces, and went into the forest as though they were travelers. By and by the king said:

“Here we have come and brought nothing to drink. I am as thirsty as though we were in a desert.” As he said that out stepped a man from the roadside, and taking hold of the bridle of the horse on which rode the supposed friar, said:

“Come with me, holy brother, and I shall lighten your purse and give you a merry feast.”

The man was Robin Hood. Leading the king’s horse and guiding the others, he led them all to his hiding place and gave them a feast, though he was careful to take all the money that the supposed friars carried.

They showed their guests their wonderful archery. Robin Hood ordered that every man who missed his mark should have a buffet on the ear. Some of them missed and were soundly cuffed for their errors. Finally Robin Hood had to shoot, and by a strange chance he missed his mark on account of a bad arrow.

“I will cuff thee myself,” said the king laughing, and baring his mighty arm he gave Robin such a knock that the bold outlaw lay stretched upon the grass rubbing the side of his head.

But the king had showed his face in doing this.

“Our king! King Richard!” they cried in dismay, and knelt at his feet. But the king told them to rise, that he liked bold outlaws. In fact, he pardoned them for all their misdeeds.

“Robin Hood and Little John and Will Scarlet and Allan-a-Dale must come with me to the wars. The others may live here and be my loyal foresters,” ordered the king.

And it was so. Robin Hood went away with the king that he loved so much and became head of all the archers in the kingdom. The merry men lived loyal and law-abiding in Sherwood Forest. And that was the end of the outlaws.

THE SPINDLE, THE SHUTTLE AND THE NEEDLE

_In the hands of the industrious the simplest things can be made the means of good fortune._

Once upon a time there was a little girl whose father had died and left her with an old grandmother who lived in a cottage on the edge of the town. They were very poor and earned their living by spinning, and weaving and sewing. By and by the grandmother died, too, and then the girl, who was sixteen years of age, had nothing but the spindle, the shuttle and the needle. But with these she made beautiful things to sell. Everybody saw how lovely she was and praised beautiful things she made.

Now, the prince of the country had said he wanted to marry a poor girl, but she had to be beautiful and industrious. One day he came to the village where the girl lived, and asked if there were any poor girls there fit to be his bride. At once all the poor girls dressed up in their best clothes, and brought out all the things they had made and sat on the front steps. But the prince passed them all by for they were ugly and dowdy.

At last he came to the cottage where the poor girl lived. She was busy at her work inside and did not look up when the prince passed by. As he went on the spindle leaped out of her hand and danced down the road after the prince, spinning a beautiful golden thread. The prince was astonished and said:

“What is this? A golden thread! It must lead somewhere,” and he turned back to follow the spindle that kept on spinning golden threads.

After a while the shuttle jumped out of the hand of the girl and danced out of the house and began weaving a beautiful carpet. On it were flowers and fruits, and animals, and birds and trees. It was a wonderful carpet and grew so fast that you could see it as it spread along the path and down the road.

By and by the prince came to the carpet.

“What is this? A wonderful carpet! It must lead somewhere,” and he got off his horse and began to walk on the carpet that grew bigger and more beautiful every minute.

And now the needle leaped out of the hands of the poor girl and began to sew all by itself. It began to make the most beautiful dresses in the world, with gold thread and lace and fine velvet. They fitted the young girl exactly, and when the prince came into the cottage she sat in a chair covered with embroidery, wearing a dress fit for a bride of a king.

The prince took her by the hand and said:

“You are the poor girl of my dreams. You shall be my princess, for you are more beautiful than the things you wear.” And at the wedding, the spindle, the shuttle, and the needle danced until they were quite tired out.

THE NÜRNBERG STOVE

(Adapted from Ouida)