Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag, Vol. 5 / Jimmy's Cruise in the Pinafore, Etc.

er little bed to listen; for she had

shone like diamonds on the waving grass, and the birds were singing as they only sing at dawn. But softer, sweeter than any bird-voice was the delicate music which Daisy heard. So airy and gay was the sound, it

lightly on their stems, the robins chirped shrilly in the garden below, and the wind gave Dai

Daisy; and she began to look carefully in all the colored cups, under the leaves of the woodbine, and in the wren's ne

, what brings you out

an't find it; but I think it's a fairy, don't you?" said Daisy, looking d

ed, smiled, and

grown-up place, because there were no giants and fairies in it now? Well, perhaps

n her little bare feet; for, of all things

ied, popping out her head again with her cap ha

tch the elves awake. They are such delicate, fly-away little things, and we are so big and clumsy, we shall h

guess we'll catch one. Can't we begin now? It's very early, and this music h

a fairy, we must be up and out by sunrise every fair morning till we get one. Can you do

you'll only help me look. Please come now to dres

to do when they have had too much sleep. She wasn't a rosy, stout Daisy; but had been ill, and had fallen into a way of thinking she couldn't do anything but lie about, reading fairy-tales, and being petted by every one. Mamma and papa had tried all sorts of things to amuse and do her good; for she wa

ou up, and then flew away; so we won't waste any more time in looking here," said Wee,

come again to-morrow?"

t we can find down by the brook. I saw a great many fireflies there last night, and fa

the green lane, looking about her as if she had never been th

the dew twinkles in the grass! I

as drank the dew, or the sun has drawn it up to fall again at night for the flowers' eve

ad like a tent over the white clovers. A fairy w

she saw was a little brown spider, who looked

ers," said Daisy,

near by, waiting for her breakfast. She wraps her eggs in a soft silken bag, and hides them in some safe chink, where they lie till spring. The eggs are prettily carved and ornamented, and so hard that the bab

pyra-or whatever her name is-had told you herself. Did she?

in a bottle; and she spun silken ladders all up and down, and a little room to sleep in.

poor little orphans when they are born. Good-by, ma'am. I shall call again; for you ar

few steps, and t

hurry up?' He keeps flying before us, and look

e to understand him, or the bob-o-link

ed and chirped with all their hearts. Presentl

y and

ere, a

nty feast

in th

fairie

erries rip

et wit

ait fo

r, and eat

I gayl

airy

n climbs u

nk, who sat swaying up and down on the green bough, and nodd

o our language, because we haven't words soft and sweet enough. But I really thin

on a sunny bank, found a bed of th

st," said Daisy, with her mouth full, as she nodded back at the birds. "These are so

leaf full, while I make

ny rainbow in a dewdrop that hung on a blade of grass; then she watched a frisky calf come down to drink on the other side of the brook, and laughed to see him scamper away with his tail in the air. Close by grew a pitc

, as if it understood, the bird settled down on her nest with a comfortable

em, Aunt Wee. You must know many things;

thick white quilt. It froze a little, so one could walk over it, and I went out for a run. Oh, so cold it was, with a sharp wind, and no sun or any th

you do?

-dee-dee,

d day,'

-dee-dee,

ving, now the ground is cov

the bird in the same cheerful tone. And it sounded a

here or for miles round. I really t

ill; when down fell a shower of seeds, and there was dinner all ready on a snow-white cloth. All the while he ate he

winds m

ows ma

ell w

res fo

ear the chick-a-dee-dee." Daisy sat a moment with a thoughtful l

pleasant, young world; and I like it a great d

-day, you will have found some sunshine, Daisy, and that i

atch a water-sprite; they ran after thistle-down, fancying a fairy might be astride; they searched the flowers and ferns, questioned sun and wind, listened to robin and thrush; but

e; for, though Daisy's frock was soiled, her boots wet, and her hair tumbled, her cheeks were rosy, eye

't it, Daisy?" said papa, as he tasted t

ee says we must try seven days at least. I like it

dear," said mamma, filling up the bowl of bread and milk which

e fairy music, as blithe and sweet as ever; and the morning-glories rung their delicate bells as if keeping time. Daisy felt

y?" she asked, as they w

yard; and, while we feed the hens, I'll listen to their chat,

ry dull things, and didn't care for any thing but e

nting for insects gives them an excellent chance to see fairies, if there are any. Here is some corn

r busy broods about them, or sat and scolded in the coops because the chicks would gad abroad. Doves cooed on the sunny roof, and smoothed their gleaming feathers. Daisy's donkey nibbled a thistle by the wall, and a stately peacock marched before the door with all his plumage spread. It made Daisy laugh to see the airs the fowls put on as she scattered corn, and threw meal and water to the chicks. So

bit." And sometimes he pecked a little, with a loud quaver, evidently sa

ay hen in a black turban, who was walking about alone, m

the loft, near her own nest; and she doesn't like it, becaus

. But do you learn anything about

have had no time for picnics yet. But th

ed; and Daisy had a mugful of it, war

e," said Wee, as Daisy climbed the ladder, and went rustling over the hay to a corner, whence came a joyful "Mew!" What a charming si

he sat with the three downy balls in her lap, while the

better tha

, you know, and they might be afraid of me. These dears are not afraid, and I

I think," said Wee, stroking the cat, w

Purr saying, with her mouth up to your ear?" asked Da

adow, she saw some lovely creatures all in blue, with gauze wings, flying about over the river,

if I may take the kits into the house, if I'll be ve

, else the kits will cry," said Wee, a

ssy got in also; and, when they were settled on a soft cushion, Daisy rocked them gently to and fro. At first Mrs. Purr opened her yellow eyes, and looked rather anxious: but, as nothing u

ming manner. He set the waves to sparkling with a sudden shimmer; he shot long rays of light through the dark hemlocks, till they looked like fairy trees; he touched Daisy's hair and it tur

t have to wait any longer; for they get up with the sun, as you do." As she spoke, Dais

f furled, and crews asleep. See the little sailors, in their yellow jackets, lifting

of the Water-sprite, as she called her flower, till the whi

am Purr deceived us. I hope we shall find one; for, th

rocked like a cradle. A slender creature, in a blue dress, with gauzy

gain. I really think it was a fairy; for I never saw an

t, as if curious to see what it was; and Daisy sat, and stared with all her might. Presently one of the lovely things lit on the lily in her hand, and she held her br

autiful, with its slender blue body, its lacy

ures are born,-ugly, brown things, with six legs and no wings. They feed on water-insects, and for a long time swim about in this state. When ready, they climb up the stem of some plant, and sit in

flashed among the leaves or darted close above the water. Daisy forgot her disappointment in a minute, and went fishing for lilies; while the turtles came up to

ll," said Daisy next morning, as the patter on the wind

up, and see what a funn

he still liked to cuddle and drowse in her cosey, warm nest. But she was

nice or funny here," she said, as they climbed the stairs, and

t for a habit. Then they went to sea in a great chest, and got wrecked on a desert island, where they built a fort with boxes and bags, hunted bears with rusty guns, and had to eat dried berries, herbs and nuts; for no other food could be found. Aun

ll she came to a pair of old velvet shoes; and there in the toe of one, nicely cuddled under a bit of flannel, lay fou

em with the kits, and have a nursery full of babies. W

wer, and ate up the mouselings in four mouthfuls. Daisy screamed; the mother-mouse gave a doleful squeak, and ran into a hole; and Aunt Wee

well to have them taken care of before they do any harm. There is th

go to the dairy, and see if any sprites are hiding t

e little pats. Both were very kind, and let Daisy peep everywhere. All round on white shelves stood the shining pans, full of milk; the stone floor was wet; and a stream of water ran along a narrow bed through the room, and

le and

star a

butter

wslips

colu

butter

green

best o

butter

ve eve

eet and

butter

he chu

e lump

butter

and a cow for herself. She skimmed a pitcher of cream with a shallow shell, and liked the work so much she asked to have a little pan of milk put by for her to take care of every day. Dolly promised, and gave he

sic, and the ponies were standing at the door. "Are we going far?"

ly a mile; and we shall have tim

y. Higher and higher climbed Dandy and Prance, the ponies; and gayer and gayer grew Daisy and Wee, as the fresh air blew over them, and t

it is so high and big and splendid up here," said Dais

and I brought you up to

cried Daisy, looking very c

t giant turns the wheels of all the mills you see. Some of them grind grain for our bread, some help to spin clot

work. Show me the others: I like your giants

ills, and takes heavy loads of stone, cloth, paper, and wood all over the country. Then, on the right of us is a third giant, called Electricity. He runs along those wires, and carries messages fro

eal, wonderful giant. Is there any on that side of

all lives in that big house with the

s only the

no one need suffer for it unless they choose. It works more wonders than any other: it changes little children into wise, good men and women, who rule the world, and make happy homes everywhere; it h

the mountain-top; and, when she rode away, she carri

been found. Do you think I ever shall see one?" said D

h, Daisy; but you have found two better and more b

are they? What

glass, and said, as she

once lost. I wanted you to keep both, and tried to show you how. A happy, healthful hour in the morning sweetens and brightens

hunting after health and happin

it, and don't you think yo

was dull and sad, pale and cross; the other, rosy, gay, and smiling,-the likeness of a happy, hearty little girl,

y to keep them all my life. But tell me one th

it is your own; for you have le

llow nook, in the old tree close by, a little box. She set it on the tabl

all mine?"

shall have it for your own. See, here is the best elf I

nd on its dainty head. Softly played the hidden music, and airily danced the little sylph till the silvery