Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag, Vol. 5

E SHI

kles to his forehead and the tears to his eyes, for he was used to that state of things, and bore it without complaint. The prospect was a dull one for a lively lad full of the spring longings which sunny April weather always brings. But it was not the narrow back-street where noi

hat filled the street he heard a patient moan from the room within; and no matter what object his eyes rested on, he saw with s

he could not sing; his heart was so full, because the doctor had said that the poor child must have country air as soon as possible, else she never would recover from the fever which left her such a sad little ghost of her former self. But, alas, there

nsidered himself the man of the family, and manfully carried as many burdens as his young shoulders would bear; but this was a very heavy one, so it is no wonder that he looked sob

and bits of green grass from the Common when she begged to go in the fields and pick "pretties" for herself. He loved the little sister de

n't see any other w

d before he went, so mother and Kitty could be in the country while he was gone, and in a few months he would come sailing gayly home to find the child her r

he said, with a resolute nod of the head, though his heart sank within him at the thought. "I wonder which kind of captains pay boys best

osperous voyage he was about to make; for help was coming that very minute, as it

one string; and, as Jimmy watched her approach, a smile began to soften the grim look he wore, for Willy Bryant was his best friend and neighbor, being full of courage, fun,

ll in her own lively fashion, for, instead of sitting down, she began to dance a sailor's horn

Jimmy, as she dropped down beside him a

only will! You'll dance, too, when you know," panted the girl, s

ff. I don't feel a bit like jigs now," answered Jimmy, as t

up with children to do it, and they want any boys and girls that can sing to go and be looked at to-morrow, and the good ones will be picked out, and dressed up, and tau

t of school," began Jimmy, with a shake of the head, having mad

ble delight of telling the best part of her story, and seeing Jimmy's sobe

?" and he clutched her arm excitedly, for

real nice ones, like Lee, the singing boy, who is a wonder,"

k his breath away. "Could I get that? How long? Where do we g

olks advertised for school-children, sixty of 'em, and will really pay; and Ma said I could go and t

atter in Jimmy's mind, and made him more

e?" he asked, still holding Will, wh

r a choir boy, only your mother couldn't spare you?" answered Will, decidedly; fo

this way. Oh, Will, I'm so glad you came, for I was just ready to run away to sea. There didn't seem anything

oo. We'll sail in the 'Pinafore,' and c

he merry maide

full of spirits she could n

ers stopped scolding her six squabbling children, while Kitty's moaning changed to a feeble

well. Miss Pym didn't like it at first, but Ma said it would help the poor folks, and a little fun wouldn't hurt the children. I

t know how to thank this friend in need. When he came out with the parcel of vests he looked like a different boy, for Mrs. Nelson

ging one, and it was soon settled that Jimmy sho

thin cheek, full of the sweet hope that he might be the means of

onging to the already popular opera. Next morning he flew about his work as if for a wager, and when Will came for him

g troop of children as was left to be drilled by the energetic gentlemen who had the matter in hand. Among this happy band stood our Jimmy, chosen for his good voice, and Will, because of her bright face and lively, self-possessed manners. They could h

! Ten dollars a

s. Nelson dropped her needle to indulge

y or sixty dollars! and Baby will get well right off," cried Jimmy, in an arithmetical sort of rapture, as

HE S

last he went upon the stage; for the glittering world he expected was gone, and all was dusty, dark, and queer, with trap-doors underfoot, machinery overhead, and a wilderness of scenery jumbled together in the drollest way. He was all eyes and ears, and enjoyed himself immensely as he came and went, sung and acted, with the troop of lads who made up the sailor chorus. It

he sung Kitty to sleep with the new songs, and the neighbors took such a friendly interest in his suc

e crew of jolly young tars stood ready

the oce

y ship's

lant men

d to do

. Instead of daylight, gas shone everywhere, the empty seats were full, the orchestra playing splendidly, and when the curtain ro

rs and lurched about, or saluted and cheered as the play demanded. With what interest they watched the microscopic midshipmite, listened to Rafe

ntage of a general burst of laughter, as the inimitable little

up emotions of his boyish soul. For under all the natural excitement of the hour deep down lay the sweet certainty that he was ea

, her bright face was good to see, for her black eyes sparkled, every hair on her head curled its best, her cherry bows streamed in the breeze, and her feet pranced irresistibly at the lively parts of the music. She longed to dance the hornpipe which th

emorse," the young people had a gay time behind the scenes. Jimmy and Will sat upon a green baize bank to compare notes, while the relatives flew about like but

magic hour struck, and went gayly home, feeling much elated, for they knew they should go back to fresh triumphs, and were earning money by their voices like Jenny Lind and Mario. How they pitied other boys and girls who could not go in at that

ittle opera proved that theatres can be made the scenes of harmless amusement, and opened to a certain class of young people a new and profitable field for their talents. So popular d

, and the audience was as pleasant a spectacle as that upon the stage. Fathers and mothers stole an hour from their busy lives to come and be children with their children, irresistibly attracted and ch

n how to laugh, and boys and girls rejoiced over the discovery of a new delight for holidays. It was good to be there, and in spite of all the discussion in papers and p

VOYAGE

lute of general approbation for the successful engagement out of which she came with her flags flying and not one of her gallant crew killed or wounded. Well pleased wit

hile she floated, but managed to spend his Sundays out of town, often taking Will with him as first mate; and, thanks to her lively tongue, friends were soon made for the new-comers. Mrs. Nelson found plenty of sewing, Kitty grew strong and well in the fine air, and the farmer with whom they lived, seeing what a handy lad the

tle girl of about Kitty's age, and treating his messmates to peanuts with a lavish hand. Will had her hornpipe, also, when the curtain wa

ave in blue streamers, was on his head; a red balloon struggled to escape from one hand; a shabby carpet-bag, stuffed ful

and lurch, revolved a little girl chattering like a magpie, a

on't go halves," said the boy, beaming at her as he hauled down the

s, I

is

bear a hand with the bag. "Keep some cherries for me, a

ou, Will. I never shall forget that," said Jimmy, whom inte

ay to sea i

that ploughs

in spite o

ant captain'

d in an irrepressible chorus of "Dash it! Dash it!" as a big

dow till the last minute, discussing his new prospects with

d you shall be my dairy-woman, for I mean to

nd then the irrepressible madcap burst out

ght have bee

n, Turk or

Ital-i

ist shouting back, as t

ite of all

to other

Amer-

and the rich cargo of comfort, independence, and pleasure he