The Louisa Alcott Reader

, and did not come back; so they had to work hard to get food to eat and clothes to wear. The mother spun yarn when she was able, for she was ofte

elp the child. So, when at last the mother died, the cow and hens and house had to be sold to pay the doctor an

aid the people, who w

d my father," answ

mountains. Stay with us and spin on your little wheel, and we will buy

ther will be glad to have me. I'm not afraid, fo

milk in it, and some pennies to buy more to eat when the bread was gone. They all kisse

her things to eat. But by and by she came to lonely places, where there were no houses; and then she was afrai

travellers, she was so young and innocent no one had the heart to hurt her. She was k

iver, she saw a tiny fish on the b

she said, softly taking him up, and d

will help you some day," said the fish, whe

h help such a great girl

e fish, as he swam away wit

orgot to be kind; and soon after, as she was looking in the gr

my babies will starve,

o that you can keep still till your leg

he nest under the roots of an old tree, where four baby mice were squeaking sadly for their mother. She made a bed of thistledown for the sick mouse,

for all this kindness some day,"

h to do much," answered Rosy, as

e; and all the little ones sque

e by, and saw a fly caught in a cobweb that went from one twig to another. The big spider was trying t

nce to hide under the leaves. But the happy fly sat on Rosy's hand, cleaning

ve yours, if I can," said the fly,

red Rosy, climbing down, while the fly buzz

see; wai

w should she get over the wide water? No ships were there, and she had no money to hire one if there h

e close by; and the fish popped up hi

you over the wate

ship, and some one to show

han a ship, because he won't get wrecked. Don't mind if he spouts and flou

what would happen; for she didn't believe such a

gh the sea; and turning round, so that its tail touched the s

and hold on tight. I'll c

but she got safely over, and held on fast; then, with a roll and a plunge, off went t

at her; dolphins played near to amuse her; the pretty nautilus sailed by in its transparent boat; and porpoises made her laugh with their r

on shore with many thanks to the good whale

to a desert. Hundreds of miles of hot

should starve, and soon be worn out wa

e, q

and

re goo

re I

y litt

you wi

as the mouse, looking at her with

ee you; but I'm sure you can't help me across t

paws briskly. "I'll just call my friend the lion; he

e. How dare you call that fierce

he promised to help me. He is a nob

ang, in its shri

on, g

ver th

me now,

a littl

nts to

rry her o

ndid yellow lion, with fiery eyes and a long

at the mouse, who was not a bit frightened, though Rosy

and the good lion

; sit on my back and hold fast to my mane, f

hought it great fun to go flying along, while other lions and tigers rolled their fierce eyes at her, but dared not touch her; for this lion was king of all, and she was quite safe. They met a train of camels with loa

ttle creature had not helped me, I never could have crossed thi

have come at her call. You see, little people can conquer big ones

to the green country. Rosy thanked the good beast, and he ra

and after climbing a long while found the path ended in rocks over which she could not go. She was very tired and hungry; for her food was gone, and there were no houses in this wild place. Night was coming on, and it was so cold she was afraid she would freeze before morning, but dared not go o

, my

cry,--

you al

nly a

'll see

my word li

d do great things; but she was very glad to see him and hear his cheerful song

ountains and leave you at your father's door," cried the fly; and he

on; so when a great eagle swooped down and alighted near her, she just looked at h

e, and said kindly

feathers. Hold me fast round the neck

till the trees looked like grass, they were so far below. At first it was very cold, and Rosy cuddled deeper into her feather bed; the

t come up till morning; so you will have to wait for your father. Good-by; good lu

she waited: at last in one the picture of a pretty little girl hung on the wall, and under it was written, "My Rosy." Then she knew that this

ng flashed, the wind blew a gale, and rain poured,--but Rosy

r is rising! We sha

nearly blew her away; she found that so much rain had mad

en rush about like ants, getting their bags of gold ready to c

er cry, Rosy heard a

ash,

e and

e the be

hat t

, fo

u helped m

th and claws, and beating the earth hard with their queer tails like shovels! Rosy and the men watched them work, glad to be safe, while the storm cleared up; and by the time the dam was made, all dange

lows will be smothered! How can we ge

the mine, and would die soon if air did not come to him. The men dug as hard a

go in; for they know how to build galleries through the ground better than men can. Every one was so surprised they stopped

k faster than we can, and better; but who se

k, all heard a shrill,

ome at

gh they

g the pass

er fo

save t

e of Ro

stone, waving her tail about, and pointing wit

the way was clear so they could pull the buried men up. In a minute they got ropes, and soon had ten p

Tom's got it! H

they saw Tom come up with the biggest l

d a long time, and been sick, and couldn't go back to his wife and chi

's better than a mil

father all about her troubles and her travels. He cried when he heard that the poor

can find, and never part any more, my darling," said the father,

ery sweet to comfort him, when a fly

drive m

ar wha

want t

steal it

must tak

t and busy

; though I'm afraid we can't go fast enough to be safe, if they miss us and come after," said Tom, bundling his gold into

fly sang

away w

ou wi

e little t

e road

n can

up in the p

so fast and so far that no one could follow. Rosy and the bag of gold were put on the mother eagle; Tom sat astride the k

g from a bough, hi

large