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The children wonderingly obeyed and she surveyed them both carefully.
"Do you know," she said reflectively, "I am sure it took you both to
make all the noise I heard--I wonder how you did it--it sounded like a
whole tribe of wild Indians. And if either of you beat the other to the
house, it was because she could run faster."
The little girls edged apart sheepishly. The subject was dropped. Mrs.
Halford was a quiet little woman who seldom scolded, but she had a way
with her that silenced even obstreperous Katy.
"Now if you want to know what I think," she continued, "I think Gertie
was the bravest one of the three."
"Why, Mumsey Halford--you know Gertie came in first of all." This was
more than Katy could stand.
"Exactly, that's why I think she was the bravest. She was brave enough
to stand being made fun of rather than be a foolish little girl and stay
out in the storm needlessly. Your courage and Jane's, too, was mostly
vanity, Katy dear. You wanted to show off--and each wanted to beat the
other. That is the kind of courage that gets people into trouble in this
world. The kind of courage I want my girls to have is the finer kind
that does some good. It is the kind of courage that makes men risk their
own lives to save people from drowning. Don't you remember, Katy, the
story I read you of the life-savers going out in the terrible storm to
get the people off a sinking ship? And you remember how thrilled you
were reading about the awful hardships of the patriots at Valley Forge?
Theirs was the courage to suffer for the sake of their country. Do you
suppose we would honor them today if they had half-starved themselves in
the snow that winter just for fun? And the courage which is not afraid
to refuse to do something wrong or silly, is just as necessary as the
courage to do. I guess Gertie is one ahead this time. Don't you think
so?" | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
The children were saved the pain of answering by the arrival of Ernest
with umbrella, water-proof, and rubbers for Chicken Little.
Mrs. Halford laughed merrily when she saw them.
"After all, children, I guess the joke is on me. I am afraid I didn't
have the courage to act at the proper time myself."
CHAPTER XVI
LETTERS AND A SURPRISE
The sitting room in the Morton home was cheerful with sunshine. It
brightened the conventional flowers of the old crimson Brussels carpet
into a semblance of life. It caught the gold outline of the wall paper
and lingered there--even the somber steel engravings reflected the light
from the polished glass over them. Mrs. Morton sat in her low rocking
chair by the window reading a letter from her husband.
She had read it through for the second time, and still she gazed at the
lines as if she could not quite comprehend their meaning. Her sewing had
dropped from her lap unheeded. Ernest, coming in search of her, called
three times before she noticed him.
"Yes, Son," she answered absently at last. | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
"What's the matter, Mother? Nothing wrong with Father is there?"
Ernest had recognized his father's writing on the closely written
sheets.
"No, dear, just some perplexing business. Sit down and I'll read it to
you--but don't mention the matter to anyone yet."
Ernest came close to his mother, putting his arm affectionately about
her shoulders.
"Don't look so solemn, Mother," he protested.
"Am I looking solemn? Well, I do feel worried. Listen to this:
"My dear Wife,
"I was glad to get your letter of the 8th with the welcome news
that you are all well and that Marian is getting about again. I
have important news for you and for Frank. I am writing to him by
the same mail. I have bought the ranch! A really choice one, I
believe, and so cheap it must surely double in value in ten years.
There is an entire section, and good water for house and stock--a
wonderful big spring in a little rocky dell shaded by a great oak
tree hundreds of years old. It will charm you all. Chicken Little
will want to set up housekeeping under it immediately and you and
Marian would find it a lovely cool nook for a summer afternoon.
The big spring widens into a brook twenty feet below and goes
singing away over the stones. A good-sized spring house has been
built over it and crocks of butter and milk and great melons are
set right in the cold running water. You never saw such a
refrigerator. The place has magnificent orchards, peach, apple and
cherry with grapes and blackberries also. | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
"Tell Chicken Little I saw a flock of quail in the apple orchard.
Our baby quail got tangled in the long grass as he tried to scurry
away and I picked him up. He was a jolly soft little brown ball
with the brightest eyes. I would have liked to bring him home to
the child but I was afraid I couldn't care for him. Tell her
though I have a most astonishing present for her and she can never
guess what it is, if she lies awake every night till I come. But
to return to the ranch--it has two hundred acres of fine farming
land, unlimited pasture, and a heavily timbered creek crossing it
diagonally. The details I must give you when I get home. You have
never seen a lovelier sight than the prairies at this time of
year--I counted thirty-seven different kinds of flowers in one
spot. Chicken Little would love the little sensitive plants that
curl up their leaves when you touch them and open them again when
they think you are gone. But I have forgotten the houses--there
are two--which I suppose you and Marian will consider the most
important of all." | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
"But----" Ernest interrupted, "why does he keep talking as if we were
going, too? I thought he was just buying this for Frank and Marian."
"So did I--just wait--he explains in a moment.
"One is a roomy, comfortable farm house of two stories, the other
a snug five-roomed affair just across the road from the first.
Both houses are a little old-fashioned, but could easily be
remodeled. One word as to the climate, then I have something for
you to think over. Kansas is exactly the place for Marian--not so
hot as Arizona, no startling change from hot days to cold nights
as I found in Colorado. Now, dear, I want to know if you would be
willing to consider coming out here to live also. The ranch is
almost too big a thing for Frank alone and as you know I find my
practice pretty hard work for a man of my age, but we'll talk all
this over when I come home. Tell Ernest for me that he would never
have weak eyes here. There is fishing and hunting enough to keep
any boy out doors, not to mention having a horse of his own." | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
"O Mother," Ernest interrupted again, "wouldn't that be jolly?"
"Jolly, to leave our home and friends?"
Mrs. Morton's face was tragic and the tears flooded her eyes.
"Why, Mother--I didn't think--don't cry. Of course we won't go if you
don't want to." And Ernest stroked his mother's hair awkwardly.
Mrs. Morton smiled through her tears.
"I mustn't give way--it's foolish. But it was so unexpected--and I'm
afraid--perhaps we ought to do it on Frank and Marian's account--and
your father's. It is hard for him to be up nights so much. We'll see."
Mrs. Morton kissed Ernest and picked up her sewing again.
Dr. Morton came home a week later sunburned and vigorous--full of the
wonderful country he had been seeing. His trunk was a perfect treasure
house of gifts for the family. Ernest's eyes shone when the
canvas-covered case his father held out to him was found to contain a
small shot gun. He had been begging for one for the past two years, but
had been refused because he was too young.
"I think I can depend upon you to handle this with the greatest care,
Ernest," said his father impressively. "I wouldn't have bought it for
you if I hadn't felt assured you could be trusted." | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
Dr. Morton looked at the boy keenly and was pleased to see the way he
drew up his shoulders and looked his father in the eye as he replied:
"I think you can trust me, Father, I'll do my best."
"I'm sure I can," said his father heartily. "The first thing you must
remember is never to leave it loaded. Half the accidents occur because
somebody 'didn't know it was loaded.' It's a simple matter to open it
and slip out the shells before you put it away."
Dr. Morton took the shiny steel weapon across his knee and, opening it,
slipped the shells quickly in and out, with Ernest and Jane watching
intently beside him.
"I believe I could do that," Chicken Little remarked complacently.
"You'd better not try, Miss Meddlesome Matty," ejaculated Ernest
sharply. "Don't you ever let me catch you touching it!"
The child looked rebellious but her father added sternly:
"Ernest is quite right, little daughter, you must never under any
circumstances try to handle this gun--but I have something for you that
will keep you busy. No," as she jumped up eagerly, "you must wait till
the last this time." | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
"I just can't wait much longer, Father. I'm all going round inside.
Please hurry!"
But for some reason her father wouldn't hurry. He brought out two gay
Navajo blankets for Mrs. Morton and Marian and a wonderful Mexican
bridle for Frank.
"You'll have plenty of use for it on the ranch. You'll be in the saddle
half your time I fancy," he told the latter.
He even unwrapped a little Indian basket, which he asked Mrs. Morton to
send to Alice. Still there was nothing for Chicken Little. She hung on
the arm of his chair and fidgeted. Finally, he looked round at her
quizzically:
"Why, my parcels are all gone and there doesn't seem to be anything for
you. Dear me, did I forget it?"
Just then Ernest got up and went out into the hall, coming back
presently, leaving the door open behind him. In spite of themselves the
family all looked toward the door. Chicken Little looked too, but saw
nothing. A moment later the queerest voice called:
"Chick-en Lit-tle! Chick-en Lit-tle! Poor Pete! Scat! Go off an' die!"
The words seemed to come from the floor and sounded as if they were
fired out of a popgun. | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
Chicken Little jumped down from her father's chair and stood for an
instant spellbound in the middle of the floor.
Then she fell upon the newcomer with a shout.
"Oh, it's a parrot! Ernest, it's a parrot!"
But Polly eyed her distrustfully.
"Scat--go off and die!" he exclaimed, promptly retreating toward the
door.
At a safe distance he began to call again:
"Chicken Little--Chicken Little!"
"Why, Father, how does he know my name?"
"Father's taught him, silly--he makes him say it before he feeds him.
He'll call you every time he wants his grub." Ernest could not resist
airing his superior knowledge.
"Go get him a cracker, Chick, and he will make friends with you fast
enough."
Pete caught the word cracker and observed plaintively--"Poor Pete--give
Pete cracker. Bust my buttons--cracker--cracker!" Then remembering his
latest lesson he called engagingly once more: "Chicken Little!"
"I am afraid it will be a sad nuisance," Mrs. Morton said, laughing in
spite of herself at the bird's absurd talk.
"Let Chicken Little take care of it herself--she's old enough," Dr.
Morton replied. | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
"Yes, she's old enough, but somebody will have to see that she does it!"
"Pete will see to that--he'll make life a burden for her with his
'Chicken Little' if he is neglected."
Mrs. Morton sent the pretty Indian basket on to Alice with a letter
telling her that Frank and Marian were going West to their new home
early in September. She did not mention Dr. Morton's new plan. She could
not bear to admit even to herself the possibility of their all going.
Her home meant much to her. She looked about the handsome, comfortable
rooms of the old house and she felt that she loved every nook and cranny
of it, though they had owned it but five years. She thought, too, of
Alice's disappointment should her old home again pass on to strangers.
They had taken great pride in restoring the place, which had been much
run down when they bought it. The flower garden was her especial pride
and care. It was lovely now with clove pinks, sweet williams,
mignonette, and a dozen more old-fashioned blossoms, as she looked up
from her letter to rest her eyes lovingly upon it. She had lain awake
nights wondering if it was her duty to give up this home and her friends
for the unknown ranch life. It would be giving up more still. The
nearest church would be nine miles away--the children would have only an
ungraded district school. She shook her head. No, she must take plenty
of time to think all this over. | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
A day or two after his father's return, Frank caught up with him just
outside the gate. "Heard about Gassett?"
"No--has he had a relapse?"
"No such luck, he has started a suit against Alice to recover those
certificates."
"How did you hear?"
"His lawyer came to me to get Alice's address. And what do you think?
Dick Harding told me this morning that Gassett tried to get him to take
the case. Foxy, wasn't it? Dick declined promptly."
"Alice would do well to get Dick for her lawyer."
"I imagine Uncle Joseph will attend to that."
"Still, I think I'll drop her a hint."
But Alice had evidently not forgotten Dick Harding or Dr. Morton's
remark about his being a good lawyer. Before the doctor's letter could
reach her, a formal missive from Uncle Joseph requested Dick Harding to
defend Alice's side and to get an older lawyer to help him.
Dick went promptly to work. Dr. Morton sent down the box of letters and
papers Alice had left in his charge and Dick went over them carefully,
but did not find what he was hoping for. | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
"It is a queer mix-up," he wrote Alice. "I cannot understand why there
isn't a scrap of writing anywhere from Mr. Gassett to your father. There
surely must have been some correspondence between them on business
matters. Many things in your father's letters to your mother show
this--but the letters are missing. It hardly seems likely your father
would have destroyed them all. Do you suppose that he could have left
them at the store and that they have fallen into Gassett's hands, too?
Or could your mother have accidentally destroyed them? I remember though
you said she was most careful to keep old letters. I have a queer
feeling about all this--that the missing letters and papers still exist
and will turn up yet. But feelings don't go in law courts. Is there an
attic to the old house or any secret closet where they could possibly
have been concealed?"
Alice talked the matter over with Uncle Joseph and he started rummaging
among his papers to see if he could find anything in her father's old
letters that would help. There were few references to business matters
in these and no reference to Mr. Gassett except a mere mention of the
fact that he had gone into partnership with him. | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
"It's no use, Alice. I am afraid we'll have to let Gassett have the
stuff though I hate like sixty to give up," he said after his fruitless
search.
"Well, I'm not ready to own beat yet--I have one last hope," Alice
replied bravely.
That night she sat down and wrote a letter to Mrs. Morton.
CHAPTER XVII
COUSIN MAY'S PARTY
Chicken Little found Pete Parrot a great joy and a great nuisance. Dr.
Morton was right about his reproaching her if she neglected him. When
Pete began to call "Chicken Little," Mrs. Morton would exclaim, "Why,
Jane, haven't you fed Pete today?"
Pete had a wonderful appetite. He ate when he was hungry and he ate when
he was lonesome and he ate when he was bored. Further Pete was
deceitful. He would call Chicken Little persistently when he had food
enough in sight to feed a small regiment of parrots. He seemed to prefer
her to anyone else from the start. When he heard the front door open, he
promptly croaked, "Chicken Little." When they let him loose he would
follow her about the house, a trick that cost him dear later. | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
And Jane was devoted to Pete. She loved to talk to him. Pete would cock
his head on one side and listen attentively, breaking out occasionally
with "Bust my buttons" or "Go off and die." Sometimes he would listen
solemnly for several minutes and then laugh his harsh croaking laugh.
One afternoon near the close of school Jane, coming in, heard her
mother's voice calling from the sitting room and Pete echoing the call
from upstairs.
"What is it, Mother?"
"I have some pleasant news for you, little daughter, Katy's cousin, May
Halford, is to have a party next Saturday and here is a nice little note
inviting you and your doll. I think May must have written it herself. It
is very prettily done--I wish my little girl could write as neat a one."
"But she's two years older than I am, Mother."
"Yes, but you are not too young to learn to write neatly. I noticed your
copy book had three great blots in it this month."
"Grace Dart jogged me--she wanted me to look at Johnny Carter. He had
the back of his hand all covered with transfer pictures." | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
"Well, you must learn not to let your attention wander in school. Johnny
Carter seems to be a very mischievous boy."
"What can I wear to the party, Mumsey?" Chicken Little wished to change
the subject.
"I think you may wear your blue poplin and the white shoes if it's a
nice day. But you must be a little lady and not romp--the poplin won't
wash, you know."
"Couldn't I wear a white dress?--they almost always play rompy games at
May's."
"My dear, it is high time for you to learn to take care of your clothes
and Mother knows best what little girls should wear."
Chicken Little puckered up her mouth rebelliously but Pete walked in the
door at this moment calling "Chicken Little" so plaintively that she had
to pick him up and comfort him. She took him out in the yard and
relieved her mind to him.
"Pete, if I ever have any little girls, I'm always going to let them
wear exactly what they please--and I'm never going to tell them to be
little ladies. Anyhow I guess I can wear my white shoes and there
haven't any of the other girls got any yet." | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
Pete eyed her in silence.
"I shall take my Christmas dolly--she's the prettiest."
Pete cocked his head on one side and began to climb up in her lap. He
had caught sight of Ernest and Carol coming in the front gate, and the
boys often teased him.
As they came near he cuddled up close against Jane, calling vigorously,
"Scat!--Go off and die!"
The boys laughed and Ernest held out his slate pencil which the parrot
nipped fiercely.
On the afternoon of the party Katy and Gertie came by for Chicken
Little. They were crisp and dainty as usual in ruffled white dresses
with blue and pink sashes and hair ribbons. Chicken Little looked from
them to her own silken finery regretfully.
Katy began by cheering her the wrong way.
"My, you'll have to be awful careful with your dress, Jane. I guess it
would spoil it if you dropped ice-cream on it."
"I'm glad white will wash," added Gertie complacently, smoothing down
her ruffles.
Chicken Little hugged her doll tighter and ignored these remarks.
"I'm glad it didn't rain today 'cause Mother wouldn't have let me wear
my white shoes if it had." | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
"It rained hard enough last night--you'll have to watch out for puddles.
Father said everything was soaked this morning," replied Katy.
"It's dried awful fast--May's going to have the party on the lawn. Her
mother's set a table out under the trees," said Gertie.
"Yes, and she's going to have a prize for the prettiest doll. We're each
to write a name on a piece of paper and put it in a hat and then they'll
count them and give it to the doll that has the most."
"Mother made a new dress for Minnie and painted her cheeks where I
washed the pink off, but I don't s'pose she'll get the prize--she's so
old. Maybe your Victoria will, she has such pretty blue eyes."
Chicken Little looked down at Victoria's blue eyes and yellow curls
appraisingly.
"Marian says she thinks Victoria is one of the prettiest dolls she's
ever seen."
"She is pretty but I don't think her dress is near as pretty as Grace
Dart's. Her doll's got the loveliest pink silk and a hat and parasol to
match. It's a--what do you s'pose those boys are laughing at?" | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
Katy broke off her sentence to ask hastily, pointing across the street.
Two boys stood there chuckling, apparently staring straight at the
little girls.
The three little girls stopped for an instant indignant.
"Oh, come on," said Chicken Little, "it's the Howard twins and they're
awful mean. Just pretend we don't see them."
But the boys had started toward them.
The little girls had half a mind to run when one of the boys called:
"Where did you get your bodyguard?"
They looked hastily behind them--there was no one in sight.
Katy was provoked.
"You think you're awful smart, don't you?" she called back.
The boys were shaking with laughter and were now half-way across the
street. The larger one began chanting: "Mary had a little lamb," and the
other added quickly: "His fleece was green as grass----"
The children stopped and looked around again. This time Gertie spied a
small green body hovering close to Jane's white shoes.
"Poor Pete," it remarked plaintively.
"Why Pete--you naughty bird--how did you come to follow me? What can I
do? Get down, Pete--you'll spoil my dress." | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
Pete was trying to climb Jane's skirts. He did not like the looks of the
strange boys.
"Dear me, we'll have to take him back home," said Gertie.
"We'll take him for you. Can he talk?"
Before Chicken Little could reply something leaped into the midst of the
little group and Pete gave a heart-rending squawk. The children jumped
and screamed but before they fairly understood what had happened, Pete
and a big gray cat were in mortal combat. Fur and feathers flew for
several awful seconds accompanied by wails from the little girls and
shouts from the boys who wanted to save the parrot but hated to spoil
the fight.
The Howard boys made one or two ineffectual efforts to grab Pete
getting nips and scratches for their pains. Chicken Little, terrified
for Pete's life, tried to seize the cat and received a vicious scratch
on the arm. The others pulled her away.
A crowd was quickly gathering. Rescue came opportunely in the shape of
Pat Casey who had the good sense to arm himself with a stick. A few
smart blows loosened the cat's grip and it slunk away. Pete, much
disheveled and shorn of some of his gayest feathers, stood blinking
dazedly for a minute. Then, catching sight of Chicken Little, he hopped
feebly toward her, croaking hoarsely: "Bust my buttons." | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
The children set up a shout.
"I guess the cat pretty nearly did bust 'em," remarked Pat laughing.
Poor Pete was cuddled and fussed over to his heart's content. Pat
offered to take him home for Chicken Little, and after much coaxing and
scolding, Pete finally consented to hop on Pat's arm and permit himself
to be carried homeward.
The little girls went on to the party pink with excitement. They could
hardly wait to tell of Pete's adventure. Everybody wished they had
brought the parrot with them. However, the doll contest soon absorbed
their attention.
Chicken Little's Victoria proved a great favorite, but Grace Dart's
Stella was beautiful to see in her rose pink silk. The children Oh-ed
and Ah-ed over her hat and parasol.
Generous little Gertie worked hard for Victoria even going so far as to
tell the children that Victoria was such a good doll--she most never
cried. Katy was inclined to favor Stella. More than one little girl
loyally voted for her own child. Others offered to vote for their
friends' dolls if they in turn would vote for theirs. | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
The dolls were examined and compared most critically. Many of the little
mothers took the matter very much to heart and resented any criticism.
Gertie picked her Minnie up and cuddled her tenderly after a thoughtless
child had hurt dolly's feelings by exclaiming, "What a homely doll!"
Chicken Little's eyes shone as she saw the many admiring glances
Victoria received. She naively showed her off, putting her to sleep and
waking her up to display her blue eyes and long fringed lashes or making
her cry "Mamma" when the other children asked to hold her. She looked at
Stella a little enviously. It would be so nice to have Victoria get the
prize. Jane had never had a prize except once in Sunday School for
learning the most Scripture texts. May Halford was displaying the
mysterious box wrapped in white paper that contained it and everyone was
eager to know what it was.
Many were the guesses. Several children felt the box, but May kept the
secret. Chicken Little looked at it longingly. It might be a hat and
parasol like Stella's--it might be a silk dress. She wished she knew. | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
When the little white slips of paper were finally passed around each
little girl was asked to write the name of the doll she admired most and
fold it up so no one could see. Jane looked sober. She was tempted to do
something she felt would not be quite nice. She had firmly resolved to
vote for Gertie's doll because Gertie had been so sweet about Victoria,
but suppose Victoria needed just one more vote to get the prize. Chicken
Little bit the end of her pencil and thought hard. She looked at Gertie
holding Minnie close with a wistful look in her eyes. Gertie would be
sorely disappointed if Minnie didn't get a single vote. Then she looked
at Grace Dart, who was already putting on airs, and hardened her heart.
She moistened her pencil and wrote a big V, then paused and looked at
Gertie again. Gertie was writing Victoria she could tell by the way she
made the V. Jane closed her lips firmly.
"I guess I won't be mean if she doesn't get the prize," she said to
herself.
She wrote Minnie very plainly, folded it up quickly and dropped it in
the hat lest she should change her mind. | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
Stella got the prize by one vote. Chicken Little held her head high and
had her reward. The little girls who had voted for Victoria crowded
round her in wrath.
"She's ever so much prettier than Grace's doll! It's just her clothes
made them vote for her."
"Yes, May's mother said your doll was the prettiest."
"I don't think it was fair to vote for the clothes. Mrs. Halford said
the prettiest doll!"
These remarks were very consoling but did not comfort her as much as
Gertie's words:
"I'm so sorry Vic didn't get it, Jane. If you hadn't voted for Minnie it
would have been a tie."
"How do you know I voted for Minnie?" demanded Chicken Little.
"Oh, just 'cause and I'm real glad. I didn't expect Minnie to get it,
but I'd felt awful bad if she hadn't had a single vote."
The prize proved to be a most tempting one, a tiny brush and comb and
cunning hand glass in a little satin-lined box. Chicken Little sighed in
spite of herself.
The arrival of the milkman created a diversion. Mr. Akers was a jolly
soul and most of the children knew him. The jingle of his bell sent them
all rushing to the gate to show their dolls. Mr. Akers greeted them
heartily. | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
"Well, I declare this is about the gayest flock of birds I've seen for
some time. A party? Well, I'm sorry I wasn't asked."
It took them some time to make him understand about the doll prize. He
was called upon to inspect each doll first, then the two rivals were
held up for his opinion.
Mr. Akers took his time. He took off his spectacles, polished them
carefully on his sleeve, and made a second critical survey.
"You want me to tell you which is the purtiest, eh? Well, now they're
both purty. I don't know as I ever saw handsomer dolls--or better
behaved," he added, with a twinkle in his eye. "But if you really want
my honest opinion I believe I like this one's face the best," pointing
to Victoria, "though the other one there has a leetle the gayest
clothes. The dressy one got the prize you say. Now it seems like they
both ought to have a prize."
Mr. Akers fished a handful of coins out of his pocket and selecting a
brand new dime which shone brightly among its dingier companions,
presented it to Victoria with a flourish. | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
The children were delighted and Chicken Little started home comforted to
tell the family that May's mother and Mr. Akers thought Victoria was the
prettiest anyway.
The walk home proved almost as disastrous as the walk to the party. The
streets seemed entirely dry by this time and the three little girls,
chattering gaily about their good time, forgot to notice where they were
going.
Just before they turned into Front Street they passed a yard where men
had been digging a well. A quantity of the yellow clay had been
carelessly tossed over the fence upon the sidewalk to be hauled away.
This, alas, had been thoroughly soaked by the previous night's rain and
when Chicken Little stepped upon it with her cherished white shoes, her
small feet sank in up to her ankles. The white kid was sadly stained.
Katy and Gertie did their best to help her get it off, but the white
shoes were destined never to be white again. Mrs. Morton gave them a new
lease of life by having them bronzed a few days later.
Chicken Little long remembered the day of the doll party. It would seem
that Pete did also, for he never attempted to follow Chicken Little
outside the yard again. | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
CHAPTER XVIII
THE CHILDREN GO EXPLORING
One hot day soon after the party Dr. Morton handed his wife a letter
from Alice.
Mrs. Morton glanced through it while Olga cleared the table for the
dessert.
"Poor Alice--she is worried because Mr. Harding can't find either
letters or papers to prove her claim to the bank stock. It does seem
strange that all the letters from Mr. Gassett to her father should have
completely disappeared."
"Well," said Dr. Morton drily, "if you want to know my opinion, I
believe that Gassett got hold of them some way and destroyed them."
"It doesn't seem possible he would do anything so dishonest though I
don't like the man--he was so very rude the day he came here. Alice
wonders if it could be possible there are any of her father's papers
hidden away under the roof. You remember almost all of the closets run
off under the roof. It is a wonder we don't have rats with them all open
that way."
"It would be an unpleasant task to explore. I suppose there's twenty
years of dust and cobwebs stored up in those nooks and crannies. There
are places where the roof slopes to form the gables where a man could
hardly crawl through. I suppose I might hire some boy to go through and
see if he can find anything." | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
Ernest and Chicken Little had been interested listeners to this
conversation.
"Say, Father, let me and the boys explore. We could put on some old
clothes--it would be loads of fun."
"That might not be a bad idea. You couldn't come to any harm other than
a few scratches and splinters. I don't believe you will find anything,
but Alice will be satisfied at any rate."
"Can't I go, too?" demanded Chicken Little.
"Oh, dear no," her mother replied, "it would be horribly dirty and
cobwebby--no place for little ladies to climb round in."
Jane looked disappointed.
"Why not let the child go, Mother? Put an old dress on her and tie up
her hair. She'd enjoy the fun as much as the boys."
"Oh, well, there is that old blue calico in the rag bag you could slip
on, I suppose."
"Goody, goody!" Chicken Little didn't wait to hear the subject discussed
further lest her mother should change her mind. She started off to don
the dress immediately.
Ernest ran over to get Sherm and Carol.
The boys were eager for the hunt.
"You mustn't take matches in there. You might drop one and set the house
afire. You can use the little lantern--that will be safe. Be careful you
don't come through the plastering--there must be some sort of an open
space over the central part of the house though I don't know where
there's any way to reach it. It will be stone dark if there is--there
are no outside windows." | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
While the exploring party was trying to decide whether to start in with
the front room closet or begin with the one in the maid's room at the
back of the house, Katy and Gertie appeared on the scene. They promptly
begged to go, too.
"Well, ask your mother and get some old clothes on," Mrs. Morton
consented finally after Chicken Little had teased for several minutes.
They were off and back in no time, arrayed in outgrown dresses that gave
them the appearance of being all arms and legs.
"Mother said she wished she could come, too. She said it would be
almost as much fun as exploring a desert island," reported Katy.
It was finally agreed to try the front room closet first. This closet
was a lofty, roomy looking affair for about six feet, then as the roof
slanted sharply downward, faded away into darkness. It was floored and
ceiled to within three feet of the point where roof and floor met, and
it was only by getting down on hands and knees that the children could
crawl, through the aperture left unboarded, into the narrow, unused
spaces next the eaves. | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
Sherm and Ernest made the first venture, but their progress was soon cut
off short by a partition. So they wriggled back adorned with cobwebs and
sneezing from the dust they had stirred up.
"Let's try the closet in Chicken Little's room next--that's one of the
biggest."
This time Carol and Katy did the scouting with the same results except
that they found an open space between the roof and the uprights and lath
and plaster of the partition, which _seemed_ to lead up to some sort of
an attic over the main part of the house.
Carol hoisted Katy up on his shoulders to see if she could see anything
but she lacked about a foot of reaching the top of the partition. Carol
whistled to Ernest to come, but at this moment a voice called up from
the foot of the stairs, "Ship ahoy!"
"It's Dick Harding, I do believe!" exclaimed Chicken Little, and she
flew down to investigate, closely followed by Gertie.
It was Dick Harding, resplendent in blue overalls and an old cap.
"I met your father down street and he told me what the clan was up to.
This is a business I am mightily interested in, so I asked if I might
come, too. How do you like my regimentals?" | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
Mr. Harding surveyed his blue overalls proudly. He followed the little
girls upstairs and listened to Ernest's report of their progress.
"Suppose you and I try that. I am taller than Carol and I think I could
boost you high enough to get a look round. Got a light?"
They called to Carol and Katy to come out. Carol was quite ready to
yield the place of honor.
"Gee, it's hot and stuffy in there!" he groaned, fanning himself with an
old shoe he had picked up from the floor of the closet.
"You're so awful fat, Carol. I didn't mind it," said Katy frankly.
"Fat nothing--a shadow would smother in there. Your face looks red where
it ain't black, which is pretty much all over," retorted Carol nettled.
He didn't enjoy being called fat.
Dick Harding followed Ernest in. There was just about room enough for
him to get to his feet. He gave Ernest a lift to his shoulder. This
brought the boy's eyes about five inches above the partition. Ernest
waved the tiny lantern about distractedly in an effort to pierce the
gloom about him. | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
"Hold the lantern still and just look. Your eyes will grow accustomed to
the dimness pretty soon and then you can see if there's anything there."
Ernest obeyed and in a few moments was able to see across to the
slanting roof opposite.
"Not a thing but rafters and cobwebs," he reported at last in disgust.
"Shift your lantern and look again carefully--we don't want to miss
anything. You don't see any old boxes or piles of papers do you?"
"Nope."
"Nothing that looks like a bundle of old letters? Take the lantern in
the other hand and hold it out as far as you can."
"Not a blamed thing but a piece of old board and it's sticking up so
there's nothing under it."
"Well, I really didn't suppose there would be. It would be too difficult
a place to reach, but I wanted to be sure," returned Dick. "How many
more closets are there?"
"Three."
"It's my turn next--and Gertie's!" declared Chicken Little.
"All right, crawl along. Perhaps you won't mind it if I follow, too,"
Dick replied, smiling.
They took Ernest's room next. Chicken Little slid past the coats and
trousers and much accumulated junk which untidy Ernest had piled in on
the closet floor. She knocked over a baseball bat in her haste and
disappeared in under the eaves so promptly that Gertie felt quite
deserted and decided she didn't want to go into that nasty dark place. | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
It was all Dick could do to follow. In fact he was afraid he was going
to stick, the passage was so narrow. His overalls were run through with
slivers from the rough boards. Fortunately, only one penetrated his
skin.
Chicken Little cheered him on by calling back.
"I've found some newspapers. Hurry up with the lantern."
It was a triangular space made by the gable. Chicken Little couldn't
quite stand up and Dick could get no further than his knees. A big pile
of dusty newspapers lay on the rafters. They had apparently been shoved
carelessly in.
"Let's get them out to the light. I'll back out and you pass them
through to me."
Jane did as she was bid, handing out a few at a time but just as she
lifted the last layer, gave a squeal.
"There's something alive here!"
Dick started in again.
"Look out, Jane, it might be a house snake, though I didn't know we ever
had them here."
"'Tisn't any snake--it's a mouse nest. There are four baby mice--I can
feel them. I'm going to put them in my pocket."
The children were so excited over the mice that they left the papers to
Dick Harding. | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
He carried them to the window and ran through them hastily.
"Pshaw, nothing but old newspapers--wartime papers most of them, with
long lists of men killed and wounded. Ugh--they certainly are gruesome!"
Dick dropped the pile and turned to have a look at the mice.
"Say," he added a moment later, staring at the minute heap of paper and
its tiny occupants which Chicken Little had deposited on a chair,
"there's writing on some of those scraps! They aren't all newspapers.
Are you sure you found everything there was, Chicken Little?"
Jane wasn't sure, so Sherm took the lantern and went back to look. He
found nothing, however, except a few scraps of paper.
In the meantime Dick Harding was running over the newspapers more
carefully, taking them one at a time to see if any letters or documents
could have been tucked away among them. He straightened up with a sigh
of disappointment as he finished.
"Another fond hope blasted," he complained. "I never loved a bug or
flower but what 'twas first to fade away."
The children looked at him in astonishment. | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
"No," he replied to their look of inquiry. "I'm not crazed with the
heat, but I was just dead sure we should find something. Let's tackle
the other two closets."
The exploring party moved on and made a thorough search of the other
closet ends, and the open spaces under the eaves, but without result.
One empty and extremely dirty pasteboard box was all they got for their
pains.
"There's no other place about the house where anything could be hidden,
is there?" asked Dick Harding of Mrs. Morton.
"I have never heard of any secret cupboards, Mr. Harding. The people who
lived here before we bought the house might have found letters and
destroyed them. But Alice said her mother, at the time of her father's
death, searched every place where business letters or papers could
possibly be concealed."
"Well, I suppose I'll have to give up," said Dick. "The worst of it is
I'm afraid Alice can't hold the stock without further evidence."
"I am glad Alice has her Uncle Joseph to protect her," said Mrs.
Morton. "But what black faces and hands, children! Go wash up
immediately." | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
The party did seem a little the worse for wear. It was a warm day and
trickles of perspiration had mingled with the dust till their faces
resembled a cross-roads map.
Dick Harding looked from one grimy face to another with a twinkle in his
eye.
"Suppose we all clean up and go downtown to get some ice-cream. I'll
stand treat. Won't you come, too, Mrs. Morton?"
"I don't think I care to risk the walk in the sun. I fear it will take
some time to make these children presentable."
Dick pulled out his watch. "Perhaps they might meet me at the ice-cream
parlor at four. I certainly need to freshen up myself."
It was so arranged and there was a prompt scattering homeward to get
ready. An hour later, shiny from much soap and water, and very stiff and
starchy as to waists and dresses, they flocked around Dick Harding.
"I can eat two saucers of cream and three pieces of cake and I'm sure I
can depend upon you boys to do as well. We'll limit the ladies to one
saucer and two pieces of cake because they are supposed to be delicate.
Is that right, Chicken Little?" | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
Dick joked and the children stowed away the dainties industriously. In
the midst of the feast an idea struck Gertie.
"What became of the baby mice?"
Sure enough what had become of them? Nobody seemed to know.
"I guess we just left them up on the chair in the bedroom," said Ernest.
"They weren't big enough to run away," observed Carol.
"Oh, dear, I hope nothing will hurt them--they were so cunning," mourned
Chicken Little. She hunted them up the minute she got home. The tiny
heap of paper was where they had left it, but the mice were gone. Olga
and Mrs. Morton denied having seen them.
Ernest and Jane hunted the room over, but the mice had disappeared.
When they fed Pete that night he seemed droopy and turned up his nose at
his best beloved dainties.
"Has Pete been loose today?" asked Dr. Morton.
"Yes, but I don't think he went out of the front room upstairs," replied
Mrs. Morton.
"Well, I'd be willing to wager Pete knows what became of the baby mice,"
laughed the doctor. "Trim him up with flowers, Chicken, and he'll make a
nice green grave for the dear departed." | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
A few days later Jane and Gertie were playing paper dolls in one of the
window recesses upstairs and remembering the mice decided to have a doll
funeral. But a funeral required mourning and they couldn't find a scrap
of black paper. While they were rummaging, they came across their find
of old newspapers, which Mrs. Morton had stacked up on a table till Dr.
Morton found time to look them over. Jane noticed that some of them had
heavy black bands across the front page.
"Say, they'd be fine--we could paste them close together on white paper
for the dresses and veils."
She started off to ask her mother's permission to use them.
"Why, I don't know whether your father wants any of them or not. He
spoke as if he would like to save a few--you might take the ones the
mice nibbled."
There were four or five of these and the children were soon busily
engaged in cutting out the black strips. When Gertie unfolded the last
one two letters fell out.
Jane pounced upon them with a shriek. "Oh, Gertie, do you s'pose?"
"Maybe they are--let's take them to your mother quick!" | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
The little girls pattered downstairs to Mrs. Morton, thrilled with
excitement.
"Don't get so excited, children. Little ladies should learn to compose
themselves."
She slowly put on her spectacles and deliberately examined the
envelopes.
"They do seem to be addressed to Mr. Fletcher, but there isn't one
chance in a hundred they are of any value. However, I'll turn them over
to Mr. Harding."
"Oh, Mother, see what's inside, quick!"
"My dear little daughter, I have no right to read other people's
letters. Mr. Harding is Alice's lawyer and it is his place not mine to
examine these. You little girls may get your hats and take them down to
Mr. Harding's office. I think I can trust you not to drop them."
The children surprised Dick Harding by rushing in waving the letters
breathlessly. They had run about half the way in their zeal. He was a
more satisfactory listener than Mrs. Morton--he was excited, too. It
took him about four minutes to run through the letters, Chicken Little
and Gertie explaining how they came to find them while he read. | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
The first letter he dropped impatiently, muttering, "No good." After a
glance at the signature of the second he said "Ah" softly.
When he had finished it, he jumped up and seizing Chicken Little with
one hand and Gertie by the other, spun them round the room so fast he
made their heads swim.
"Blessed be paper dolls and little girls! One sentence in that letter
will do the work or I am no lawyer! Go home and look through the other
papers and see if you can find any more, though I don't believe we need
them."
CHAPTER XIX
THINGS HAPPEN
If there had been any person left to get married, Chicken Little would
have been sure the family was preparing for another wedding during the
next few weeks. Her father and mother had their heads together over
something most of the time. Once she found her mother crying and she
seemed grave and worried.
"I wish people weren't always having secrets," Jane complained to
Ernest.
"It won't be a secret very long, Sis. They'll tell you as soon as they
really truly decide."
"Decide what?--tell me, Ernest." | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
"I can't because Father and Mother don't want it talked about, if they
don't go."
"Go where? Ernest, tell me. You're just as mean as you can be--I always
tell you things."
"Well, I know Mother is going to give in because Father's dead set on
going. Cross your heart that you won't tell a living soul till Mother
tells you."
Chicken Little crossed her heart emphatically. Ernest was quite as eager
to tell as she was to hear and soon poured out his tale.
"Maybe we're going to Kansas with Frank and Marian to live on the ranch.
I hope we'll go. Father says I can have a horse and there's lots of
hunting, quail and prairie chicken and plover--and a man killed some
antelope about sixteen miles west of the ranch last winter. There are a
few deer left, too, on the creek, Father says. Oh, I'm wild to go, but
Mother doesn't want to a bit."
Chicken Little was dazed for a moment.
"Would we stay there always? Wouldn't I ever see Katy and Gertie and
Dick Harding again? Why doesn't Mother want to go?"
"Goosie, you could come back here to visit. Father told Mother she
should come back at the end of a year. And maybe you could have a pony.
I wouldn't mind your riding mine sometimes when I don't want him, after
you learn how to ride. We'd be a whole day and night on the train.
Wouldn't that be jolly?" | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
"Oh, could I sleep in one of the little beds?"
"Of course, I told you we'd be all night on the train."
"Why doesn't Mother want to go?"
"She doesn't want to leave her friends and she doesn't want to live way
off on a farm where there isn't any church close by and only a country
school. What do you think, the school house has only one room and one
teacher? You'd be in the same room with me. Father says he'll have to
prepare me for college at home. I have to begin Latin next year. Gee, I
bet Father'll make me study. He thinks if you haven't got a lesson
perfect, you haven't got it at all."
Ernest was standing by the open window idly playing with the lace strap
that looped the curtain back.
"Say, there's Frank and Marian coming in with father now. I wonder
what's up. Bet they're going to settle the whole business right away."
The children listened until they heard the others go into the sitting
room and carefully close the door behind them--hot weather as it was.
Ernest laughed when the door clicked.
"Family council--children and dogs and neighbors please keep out.
They'll talk till dinner time. I'm going over to see Sherm." | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
Jane waited round a while expectantly, studying over the wonderful
possibility of moving but finally got tired and went to Halford's.
When she came home to dinner the sitting-room door was still closed and
a steady murmur of voices could be heard.
Olga rang the bell for dinner twice before that closed door was opened.
Chicken Little eyed them curiously as they filed out. Her father looked
eager and excited, but her mother's eyes were red as if she had been
crying again.
Dr. Morton put his arm around Chicken Little as she passed her and drew
her tenderly to him.
"How would you like to go and live on a farm, Humbug, where you could
have chickens and calves and ponies to play with? It would put more
color into your face I'll be bound."
"Could I have a pony, Father, all my own?"
Dr. Morton nodded.
"Gee, wouldn't that be fun?"
"Jane," said Mrs. Morton severely, "how often have I told you that
little ladies do not use slang?
"You seem to be planning to let the children run wild when they get out
to Kansas," she added, turning to Dr. Morton, "but I will have them use
correct English." | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
It did not take the news that the Mortons were moving to Kansas, long to
spread in the small town. Visitors flocked in to sympathize with Mrs.
Morton over going to a new country, and Dr. Morton's friends and
patients stopped him on the street to express their regret at losing
him.
There were still many things to be arranged before they could set a date
for their departure. Their chief concern was the home. Frank had been
fortunate enough to sell his pretty cottage, but the old-fashioned
gabled house with its wistaria vines and terraced lawns, was not so easy
to dispose of. Dr. Morton hoped to rent it for a year or two until he
could sell it. He was most anxious that they should all accompany Frank
and Marian to the new home in September.
One afternoon as Chicken Little was coming leisurely up the walk with
Katy and Gertie, Mrs. Morton called from the window:
"Hurry up, Chickabiddy, there is somebody here you would like to see."
The little girls started to run, guessing eagerly as to who the visitor
might be.
As Chicken Little crossed the threshold the mysterious someone pounced
upon her and lifted her up bodily from the floor, exclaiming: | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
"Oh, Chicken Little, I've been homesick to see you in spite of the
kitty! Dear me, how you have grown!"
It was Alice, laughing and crying and hugging her all in one instant.
Katy and Gertie came in for their share, too. Then they must all go into
the parlor to meet Uncle Joseph, for he had come all the way from
Cincinnati with Alice.
Jane edged rather shyly up to the dignified, gray-haired man who was
talking to her mother. She hadn't forgotten the evening when she had
written to him in fear and trembling beside the very window where he was
sitting now. But Uncle Joseph rose to meet her with a broad smile making
little kindly wrinkles around his eyes.
"So this is Chicken Little Jane," he said, taking both her hands and
looking down into her wondering brown eyes. "Well, Chicken Little, I
believe I should have known you anywhere. You look so exactly like
yourself, big eyes and all."
Uncle Joseph laughed at her mystified expression.
Alice came to the rescue.
"He means you look like my description of you, dear. I shall take great
credit to myself." | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
"You needn't," said Uncle Joseph, "for that's only partly what I mean.
She looks like what she does. What do you make of that?" he demanded,
turning suddenly to Katy, who was regarding him with open-eyed
curiosity.
Katy was startled but her keen wits hit the nail on the head promptly.
"I guess you mean she looks like she'd do anything she thought she ought
to and you couldn't make her if she didn't want to."
"Good for you, child, that's just what I do mean--and it is a very
valuable trait of character, little girls. Chicken Little, I was much
obliged to you for showing me what I ought to do last winter."
He drew her to him with an affectionate pat.
"And I am grateful to you for so many things, Jane. I shall never be
able to half thank you, dear." And Alice came over to give her another
hug.
"Don't praise the child so much, you'll spoil her," objected Mrs.
Morton.
"I can't help it, Mrs. Morton--she and Mr. Harding have given me Uncle
Joseph and now it looks as if the letter she took to Mr. Harding, might
give me back my father's property and this old home." | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
"I am in hopes that may help you and Dr. Morton, Madam," said Uncle
Joseph gravely. "Mr. Harding tells us Dr. Morton is anxious to sell the
place, and if Mr. Gassett makes the settlement we hope for, he will
simply pay back the purchase money to Dr. Morton because the place was
never his to sell. He has arranged to meet us tomorrow morning."
It was several years later before Jane was old enough to understand
exactly how the letter she and Gertie had carried to Dick Harding could
work all the wonders it seemed to be responsible for.
Mrs. Morton said it was the work of Providence that this special letter
was preserved and found at just the right time. Uncle Joseph declared
that Alice's asking them to hunt through the old closets had more to do
with it than Providence. But Dick Harding said it wasn't Providence at
all--it was paper dolls and Chicken Little Jane.
"At any rate," he said, "I never heard of Providence making a man turn
green, and Gassett certainly did when I showed him his own writing and
read him about two paragraphs of it. There it was in black and white
that the mortgage on the house had been paid in full, and that the bank
had just returned Mr. Fletcher's stock certificates deposited with them
to secure a firm debt. The letter was jubilant over the business success
that had enabled Fletcher and Gassett to pay up, and Mr. Gassett
declared he was grateful beyond measure to Alice's father for risking
his bank stock for the firm credit. Nice way he took to show his
gratitude, wasn't it?" Dick Harding looked the disgust he could not
express. | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
Uncle Joseph had been telling the Mortons what happened when Mr. Gassett
met them in Mr. Harding's office.
"Did he show any signs of fight at the start?" inquired Dr. Morton.
"Oh, he tried to bluster for a moment," replied Dick, "but I asked him
'Do we go on with this case in court, Mr. Gassett, or do we not? Yes,
or no?' 'No,' said Mr. Gassett, so we got down to business."
"He was willing to do anything to hush the matter up," added Uncle
Joseph. "It took exactly ten minutes to hand over a check for the money
Dr. Morton paid him for the house, and to give Alice a paper resigning
all claim to the bank stock. I have an idea the old rascal was afraid we
might discover something else he had stolen."
"The Gassetts are going away I understand," said Dr. Morton. "Well, it's
a lucky strike for me to get the money back for the house. I am
delighted, too, that Alice is to have her parent's home. Do you ever
expect to come back to live in it, Alice?"
Alice blushed and Dick Harding looked confused.
"I hope to--some day," she answered softly. | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
Uncle Joseph and Alice went back to Cincinnati on the fifteenth of
August. The next two weeks were busy ones in the Morton home. The old
gabled house was in the dire throes of packing.
Chicken Little could not remember any previous moving and she thoroughly
enjoyed the excitement despite the fact that her mother looked worried,
and her father was cross when she got in his way. She watched him fill
box after box with books, for Dr. Morton had a large professional
library besides the family books which ran into the hundreds. She loved
to see the crates and barrels swallow up dishes and crockery like hungry
monsters with wide-open jaws. She found even the wrapping of chair legs
with excelsior, and the crating of bureau and tables, interesting.
"Looks just like they were put in cages," remarked Katy, peering through
the slats at a lonesome-looking, marble-topped stand.
Gertie gazed about at the stripped walls and windows and gave a little
shiver. "I don't like it--it looks like you were gone, Chicken Little."
The house certainly had a forlorn look and an empty ring. Pete sat on
his perch grim and curious. He seemed to regard the bustle and hammering
as a personal affront. | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
"It seems almost foolish to take Pete along," Mrs. Morton remarked as
she passed him one morning. "You will have so many pets on the ranch?
Why don't you give him to Katy and Gertie?"
"But, Mother, Pete wouldn't like it. He'd be lonesome without his
Chicken Little--wouldn't you, Pete?"
Pete was not in a good humor. "Go off and die," he croaked morosely.
The family laughed at Jane's discomfiture.
As the time approached for them to go, the talk of leaving the parrot
behind became more serious. It was already apparent that the family
would be overburdened with hand baggage and Pete would be difficult to
care for on the train.
Mrs. Morton's globes of wax flowers and fruit were proving a
complication. It seemed impossible to pack the fragile handiwork and the
delicate glass shades so there would be any hope of their reaching
Kansas safely.
"Confound them," exclaimed Frank in desperation, "I wish Mother could be
persuaded to part with the old things. They always did make the cold
chills go up and down my back. I guess I have been cautioned 499 times
by actual count not to run into those globes and not to joggle the
tables they were on." | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
"But, Frank, the wax flowers and fruit are the very apple of your
mother's eye. They were the height of fashion ten years ago. She spent
days and days making and coloring them--they really are exquisitely
done," protested Marian.
"But they are such a nuisance! Just picture us lugging Jane's parrot and
those two huge globes on the train in addition to the satchels and lunch
boxes. We'll look like a traveling circus."
Marian laughed at his wry face.
"It is awful--but think of your mother. I'll carry one of the globes
myself."
"Not much you won't. You will be tired enough with the journey without
that burden."
"I'll carry the fruit," volunteered Ernest. "I expect the boys'll laugh
but Mother feels bad enough about going away anyhow."
"Yes, poor Mother is giving up a good deal to go with us. We must always
remember that."
"All right, behold me with two satchels in one fist, Mother's tower of
wax flowers hugged to my manly breast with the other hand, while I
assist the ladies on the train, and clasp my friends' fists in fond
farewell with a third. But what of Chicken Little's parrot?" | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
"I could carry Pete," said Chicken Little.
"Not unless we left his cage behind, Chick, but don't worry your head.
We will find some way to get the family plunder on board."
Jane was thoughtful for the remainder of the day. She took Pete over to
Halford's that afternoon and the children let him hop about from one
room to another.
Gertie hovered over him a careful slave, but Katy enjoyed teasing him
and made him ruffle up his feathers angrily a time or two.
Chicken Little rescued him, and cuddling him up on her shoulder, carried
him tenderly home.
"No, I just couldn't," she said to herself. "I am sure he'd be
homesick."
CHAPTER XX
OFF TO THE RANCH
"Mother, there's a whole pile of my clothes up here you forgot to pack."
Chicken Little's voice floated plaintively down the staircase.
"No, that is all right, dear. They are things you have outgrown and I am
going to give them to Maggie Casey. Pat is coming for them this morning.
By the way, if I am not here when he comes, just get them for him, will
you, please?"
Pat was late and Mrs. Morton had gone over to Marian's before he
arrived. Chicken Little gathered up the bundle and soberly presented it
to him. Pat thanked her but lingered cap in hand, shifting his weight
from one foot to the other uneasily. | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
"I am sorry you're after going away," he said finally, conquering his
embarrassment. "You'll be coming back I hope."
Chicken Little was at a loss for the proper reply. She smiled and asked
him if he would like to see Pete.
To her surprise the parrot walked over to Pat at his first chirrup and
climbed up on the hand he held out and on up to his shoulder.
"Why, I never saw Pete do that with a stranger before. He must like
you."
"We got acquainted that day I brought him home. Didn't we, Pete?" Pat
stroked his feathers caressingly and Pete sidled up nearer to his face.
Jane watched them silently. She was thinking.
"I just know he'd be good to him," she said to herself. "And Pete likes
him and I don't s'pose Pat's got any pet--but I would miss Pete
awfully."
"Have you got a cat at your house, Pat?" she asked presently.
"No, Mother doesn't like cats very well."
Chicken Little studied about two minutes longer then shut her eyes and
made the leap.
"Pat, would you like to have Pete,--for your very own?"
"Cricky, I should say, but you're not after leaving him behind, are
you?" | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
"I hate to, but Mother says I'll have lots of pets anyhow at the ranch
and Frank says he'll be a nuisance on the train. You'd be awful good to
him, wouldn't you, Pat?"
Pat nodded eagerly.
"He calls me when he's hungry. You won't ever forget to feed him or let
any of the boys tease him?"
"I'll take the best care I know and Maggie'd love him. She's always
wanted a bird."
"I'll get the cage," said Chicken Little, turning away to hide the tears
that would come.
But they came in spite of her when she gave Pete a parting squeeze.
"He'll never come to any harm if I can help it," vowed Pat, trying to
reassure her, "but I wouldn't be wanting you to give him to me if you
feel so bad."
"Yes, I want to--take him away quick, Pat." She shoved the handle of the
cage into Pat's hand and flew upstairs to have her weep in private.
"It isn't as much fun going away as I thought it would be," she mourned.
That afternoon saw the last dray load of boxes and furniture taken down
to be loaded into the freight car. The trunks were all packed and
strapped and placed by the front door ready to be taken to the station
on the morrow. | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
Dr. and Mrs. Morton with Ernest and Jane were to spend their last night
with the Halfords. Chicken Little was to sleep in the trundle bed with
Katy and Gertie. It was most exciting to see Mrs. Halford pull it out
from under the big four-poster. It stood about a foot from the floor
and was covered with a blue and white woven coverlid, which Mrs. Halford
said her mother had made for her when she was married.
"I like a trundle bed," said Katy, "because if you roll out, you don't
bump so hard."
"Katy is such a restless child she falls out of bed about once a week,"
laughed Mrs. Halford. "She sleeps all over Gertie. If she tries to take
her third on your side just give her a punch, Jane. I am sorry I have to
crowd you all in together, but I guess you little girls will sleep even
if you are thick."
It seemed doubtful, however, if they would sleep themselves or permit
anyone else to sleep that night. They whispered and tittered far into
the night in spite of warning hushes from Mrs. Halford and sundry raps
on the wall from Dr. Morton's side. | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
Neighbors and friends had flocked in that evening to say good-by to Dr.
and Mrs. Morton. And the children, though banished upstairs, had kept
tab on the gathering below by dashing to the head of the stairs,
regardless of nighties, every time the bell rang.
When Dick Harding appeared they ducked down modestly behind the
bannisters and yelled at him.
"I thought you were coming to the station tomorrow," Chicken Little
reproached him.
"I am, Miss Morton, wild horses couldn't keep me away, but I wanted to
have a little visit with your father and mother tonight. I will see you
off tomorrow."
Chicken Little was awake early the next morning in spite of their late
hours. The child had been wakeful, partly because she was unused to
sleeping with anyone, partly because the unknown life ahead was
beginning to oppress her vaguely.
Katy and Gertie were still sleeping peacefully so she wriggled out
quietly and dressing herself, slipped over into the dear old yard she
was so soon to leave for good. She took a last swing under the old apple
trees, digging the tips of her toes into the worn place in the sod and
listening to the birds in the branches overhead. There was a little
choke in her throat as she stared at the alley fence, and the fence
corner by the street where the remains of her last play house were still
strewn about. She didn't like this new feeling, and getting out of the
swing, she went over among the flower beds to cheer herself up. There a
riot of autumn blossoms sparkled with dew drops in the early morning
sunshine. | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
"I'll pick some pansies and mignonette for Mother," she said half aloud,
"she loves them so."
She picked till her hands were full of the purple and yellow and white
flower faces and the fragrant green spikes. Then she laid her cluster
down in the shade and fell to making morning-glory ladies with larkspur
hats to match their gowns. A whistle from the fence disturbed her. She
looked up and saw Pat Casey waving to her.
"I've got something for you."
She went to the fence.
"Hold your skirt," Pat commanded. She did so and Pat dropped in a
handful of big yellow plums.
"I've got a lot more in my pockets," he said as she started to thank
him.
He had. The pockets appeared to be practically bottomless, as Pat hauled
out handful after handful till the skirt of Jane's neat little traveling
dress began to sag dangerously with the weight.
"They aren't much," he said apologetically, "but I wanted to bring you
something. Pete's getting along fine. Mother likes him--she says he'll
be company for Maggie when she's out washing. And Maggie's that happy
you wouldn't believe it. We're awful obliged." | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
Pat's desire to bring Chicken Little something seemed to be contagious.
Grace Dart caught sight of them out at the fence and ran over bearing a
parting gift.
"I want you to have it, Jane. I cracked the mirror and the lining of the
box is torn a little but the rest's most as good as new. And I truly
think Victoria is the prettiest."
She thrust the remains of the prize toilet set into Chicken Little's
hands with a beaming smile.
Chicken Little entirely forgot that she didn't like Grace Dart.
"I'll write to you soon as we get settled," she promised.
Ernest came to fetch her to breakfast accompanied by Carol and Sherm,
who had whistled for him before he was out of bed. These reinforcements
soon lightened her load of plums and Grace Dart got her a paper bag for
the rest.
Mrs. Halford's fried chicken and hot biscuit and honey were a great
bracer. Chicken Little's teary mood slipped away and she revelled in the
excitement of the good-byes. She promised everybody weekly letters for
the remainder of her natural life.
"You must write to us the very first ones, Jane," Katy demanded. | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
"I see you young ones are fixing to break me up buying postage stamps,"
remonstrated Dr. Morton, trying to tease them.
"Dear me!" exclaimed Mrs. Morton about an hour after breakfast, "has
anyone fed Pete. I entirely forgot him last night and this morning. How
could I be so careless?"
"Sure enough, where is Pete?" asked the doctor.
"He--he isn't here," replied Chicken Little. "I gave him away."
"That was nice--Katy and Gertie will take good care of him I know."
"I didn't give him to Katy and Gertie."
"Why--who?" Mrs. Morton looked puzzled.
"I gave him to Pat--when he came for the things."
"Well, I declare," ejaculated Mrs. Morton. "You certainly are the
queerest child! Well, I suppose if you wanted to give your pet to a
little Irish boy instead of to your best friends it's all right."
Katy looked reproachfully at Jane, but Mrs. Halford understood.
"I told you Chicken Little wouldn't give you Pete when you teased him. I
am glad you gave him to Pat, dear. He is a kind boy and the parrot will
mean far more to him than to my little spoiled girls." | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
"Here comes the expressman for the trunks," said Dr. Morton. "You had
better get your things on, Mother, the bus will soon be here."
Chicken Little danced up and down as the big yellow omnibus backed up to
the front gate and Dick Harding swung off the top, where he had been
sitting beside the driver.
"How many passengers for Kansas?" he demanded.
"We're all going as far as the station if there's room," Mrs. Halford
replied.
It was a merry group that gathered outside the car window. But tears
were close to the smiles, for Marian was leaving father and mother and
Mrs. Morton looked forward with anxiety to the new country and the new
home.
Chicken Little felt blissfully important. Dick Harding had brought her a
box of chocolate creams and gum drops to match Pat's bag of plums. She
waved one in each hand as the train pulled out.
"Good-by, Mr. Harding. Good-by, Katy. Good-by, Gertie."
"Good-by, Chicken Little."
The rattle of the car wheels and the shriek of the engine drowned out
their voices, but Chicken Little watched from the window until they were
all a blur. | Chicken Little Jane | Ritchie, Lily Munsell | ['en'] | 43 | {'Birthdays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Family -- Juvenile fiction', 'Weddings -- Juvenile fiction', 'Holidays -- Juvenile fiction', 'Silver -- Juvenile fiction', 'Caves -- Juvenile fiction'} | PG23955 | |||
file was produced from scans of public domain works at the
University of Michigan's Making of America collection.)
[Transcriber's Note: Every effort has been made to replicate this text
as faithfully as possible, including obsolete and variant spellings
and other inconsistencies. Text that has been changed to correct an
obvious error is noted at the end of this ebook.]
Anti-Slavery Opinions
BEFORE THE YEAR 1800
READ BEFORE THE CINCINNATI LITERARY CLUB, NOVEMBER 16, 1872
BY WILLIAM FREDERICK POOLE
Librarian of the Public Library of Cincinnati
TO WHICH IS APPENDED A FAC SIMILE REPRINT OF DR. GEORGE BUCHANAN'S
ORATION ON THE MORAL AND POLITICAL EVIL OF SLAVERY, DELIVERED
AT A PUBLIC MEETING OF THE MARYLAND SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING
THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY, BALTIMORE, JULY 4, 1791
CINCINNATI
ROBERT CLARKE & CO.
1873
ANTI-SLAVERY OPINIONS | Anti-Slavery Opinions before the Year 1800: Read before the Cincinnati Literary Club, November 16, 1872 | Buchanan, George | 1763 | 1808 | ['en'] | 13 | {'Antislavery movements -- United States', 'Slavery -- United States'} | PG23956 | |
Before 1800.
I purpose this evening to call the attention of the Club to the state
of anti-slavery opinions in this country just prior to the year 1800.
In this examination I shall make use of a very rare pamphlet in the
library of General Washington, which seems to have escaped the notice
of writers on this subject; and shall preface my remarks on the main
topic of discussion with a brief description of the Washington
collection.
In the library of the Boston Athenæum, the visitor sees, as he enters,
a somewhat elaborately-constructed book-case, with glass front, filled
with old books. This is the library of George Washington, which came
into possession of the Athenæum in 1849. It was purchased that year
from the heirs of Judge Bushrod Washington--the favorite nephew to
whom the General left all his books and manuscripts--by Mr. Henry
Stevens, of London, with the intention of placing it in the British
Museum. Before the books were shipped, they were bought by Mr. George
Livermore and a few other literary and public-spirited gentlemen
of Boston, and presented to the Athenæum. Mr. Livermore, as
discretionary executor of the estate of Thomas Dowse, the "literary
leather-dresser" of Cambridge, added to the gift one thousand dollars,
for the purpose of printing a description and catalogue of the
collection, which has not yet been done. | Anti-Slavery Opinions before the Year 1800: Read before the Cincinnati Literary Club, November 16, 1872 | Buchanan, George | 1763 | 1808 | ['en'] | 13 | {'Antislavery movements -- United States', 'Slavery -- United States'} | PG23956 | |
The collection numbers about twelve hundred titles, of which four
hundred and fifty are bound volumes, and seven hundred and fifty are
pamphlets and unbound serials. Some books of the original library of
General Washington still remain at Mt. Vernon, and are, or were a few
years since, shown to visitors, with other curiosities.
Separated from association with their former illustrious owner, the
bound volumes, which are mostly English books, present but few
attractions. Among them are a few treatises on the art of war and
military tactics, which evidently were never much read. These were
imported after his unfortunate expedition with Braddock's army, and
before the revolutionary war. There are books on horse and cattle
diseases; on domestic medicine; on farming, and on religious
topics--such works as we might expect to find on the shelves of a
intelligent Virginia planter. It is evident that their owner was no
student or specialist. Many of the books were sent to him as presents,
with complimentary inscriptions by the donors. The bindings are all in
their original condition, and generally of the most common
description. The few exceptions were presentation copies. Col. David
Humphreys, Washington's aid-de-camp during the revolutionary war,
presents his "Miscellaneous Works," printed in 1790, bound, regardless
of expense, by some Philadelphia binder, in full red morocco, gilt and
goffered edges, and with covers and fly-leaves lined with figured
satin. As the book was for a very distinguished man, the patriotic
binder has stamped on the covers and back every device he had in his
shop. Nearly all the volumes have the bold autograph of "Go.
Washington," upon their title pages, and the well-known book-plate,
with his name, armorial bearings, and motto, _Exitus acta probat_,[1]
on the inside of the covers. | Anti-Slavery Opinions before the Year 1800: Read before the Cincinnati Literary Club, November 16, 1872 | Buchanan, George | 1763 | 1808 | ['en'] | 13 | {'Antislavery movements -- United States', 'Slavery -- United States'} | PG23956 | |
There are persons at the present day who have very positive opinions
on the subject of prose fiction, believing that great characters like
Jonathan Edwards and George Washington never read such naughty books
when they were young. Let us see. Here is the "Adventures of Peregrine
Pickle; in which are included the Memoirs of a Lady of Quality," by
Tobias Smollett, in three volumes. On the title page of the first
volume is the autograph of George Washington, written in the cramped
hand of a boy of fourteen. The work shows more evidence of having been
attentively read, even to the end of the third volume, than any in the
library. Here is the "Life and Opinions of John Buncle," a book which
it is better that boarding-school misses should not read. Yet
Washington read it, and enjoyed the fun; for it is one of the few
books he speaks of in his correspondence as having read and enjoyed.
The present generation of readers are not familiar with John Buncle.
Of the book and its author, Hazlitt says "John Buncle is the English
Rabelais. The soul of Francis Rabelais passed into Thomas Amory, the
author of John Buncle. Both were physicians, and enemies of much
gravity. Their great business was to enjoy life. Rabelais indulges his
spirit of sensuality in wine, in dried neats' tongues, in Bologna
sausages, in Botorgas. John Buncle shows the same symptoms of
inordinate satisfaction in bread and butter. While Rabelais roared
with Friar John and the monks, John Buncle gossiped with the ladies." | Anti-Slavery Opinions before the Year 1800: Read before the Cincinnati Literary Club, November 16, 1872 | Buchanan, George | 1763 | 1808 | ['en'] | 13 | {'Antislavery movements -- United States', 'Slavery -- United States'} | PG23956 | |
It is the good fortune of the youth of our age that they are served
with fun in more refined and discreet methods; yet there is a
melancholy satisfaction in finding in the life of a great historical
character like Washington, who was the embodiment of dignity and
propriety, that he could, at some period of his existence, unbend and
enjoy a book like John Buncle. He becomes, thereby, more human; and
the distance between him and ordinary mortals seems to diminish.
Thomas Comber's "Discourses on the Common Prayer," has three
autographs of his father, Augustine Washington, one of his mother,
Mary Washington, and one of his own, written when nine years of age.
The fly-leaves he had used as a practice book for writing his father's
and mother's names and his own, and for constructing monograms of the
family names.[2]
The pamphlets in the collection have intrinsically more value than the
larger works. They were nearly all contemporaneous, and were sent to
Washington by their authors, with inscriptions upon the title pages
in their authors' handwriting, of the most profound respect and
esteem. Some of these pamphlets are now exceedingly rare. In a bound
volume lettered "Tracts on Slavery," and containing several papers,
all of radical anti-slavery tendencies,[3] is the one to which I wish
especially to call your attention. It is so rare that, having shown
this copy for fifteen years to persons especially interested in this
subject, and having made the most diligent inquiry, I have never heard
of another, till within a few days since, when I learn from my friend,
Mr. George H. Moore, the librarian of the New York Historical Society,
that there is a copy in that society's library. Its title is: "An
Oration upon the Moral and Political Evil of Slavery. Delivered at a
Public Meeting of the Maryland Society for Promoting the Abolition of
Slavery and the Relief of Free Negroes and others unlawfully held in
Bondage, Baltimore, July 4, 1791. By George Buchanan, M. D., Member of
the American Philosophical Society. Baltimore: Printed by Philip
Edwards, M,DCC,XCIII." Twenty pages, octavo. | Anti-Slavery Opinions before the Year 1800: Read before the Cincinnati Literary Club, November 16, 1872 | Buchanan, George | 1763 | 1808 | ['en'] | 13 | {'Antislavery movements -- United States', 'Slavery -- United States'} | PG23956 | |
A Fourth-of-July oration in Baltimore, on the moral and political
evils of slavery, only four years after the adoption of the
Constitution, is an incident worthy of historical recognition, and a
place in anti-slavery literature. The following extracts will give an
idea of its style and range of thought:
"God hath created mankind after His own image, and granted them
liberty and independence; and if varieties may be found in their
structure and color, these are only to be attributed to the nature
of their diet and habits, as also to the soil and the climate they
may inhabit, and serve as flimsy pretexts for enslaving them.
"What, will you not consider that the Africans are men? That they
have human souls to be saved? That they are born free and
independent? A violation of these prerogatives is an infringement
upon the laws of God.
"Possessed of Christian sentiments, they fail not to exercise them
when opportunity offers. Things pleasing rejoice them, and
melancholy circumstances pall their appetites for amusements. They
brook no insults, and are equally prone to forgiveness, as to
resentments. They have gratitude also, and will even expose their
lives to wipe off the obligation of past favors; nor do they want
any of the refinements of taste, so much the boast of those who
call themselves Christians. | Anti-Slavery Opinions before the Year 1800: Read before the Cincinnati Literary Club, November 16, 1872 | Buchanan, George | 1763 | 1808 | ['en'] | 13 | {'Antislavery movements -- United States', 'Slavery -- United States'} | PG23956 | |
"The talent for music, both vocal and instrumental, appears
natural to them; neither is their genius for literature to be
despised. Many instances are recorded of men of eminence among
them. Witness Ignatius Sancho, whose letters are admired by all
men of taste. Phillis Wheatley, who distinguished herself as a
poetess; the Physician of New Orleans; the Virginia Calculator;
Banneker, the Maryland Astronomer, and many others, whom it would
be needless to mention. These are sufficient to show, that the
Africans whom you despise, whom you inhumanly treat as brutes, and
whom you unlawfully subject to slavery, are equally capable of
improvement with yourselves.
"This you may think a bold assertion; but it is not made without
reflection, nor independent of the testimony of many who have
taken pains in their education. Because you see few, in comparison
to their number, who make any exertion of ability at all, you are
ready to enjoy the common opinion that they are an inferior set
of beings, and destined to the cruelties and hardships you impose
upon them. | Anti-Slavery Opinions before the Year 1800: Read before the Cincinnati Literary Club, November 16, 1872 | Buchanan, George | 1763 | 1808 | ['en'] | 13 | {'Antislavery movements -- United States', 'Slavery -- United States'} | PG23956 | |
"But be cautious how long you hold such sentiments; the time may
come when you will be obliged to abandon them. Consider the
pitiable situation of these most distressed beings, deprived of
their liberty and reduced to slavery. Consider also that they toil
not for themselves from the rising of the sun to its going down,
and you will readily conceive the cause of their inaction. What
time or what incitement has a slave to become wise? There is no
great art in hilling corn, or in running a furrow; and to do this
they know they are doomed, whether they seek into the mysteries of
science or remain ignorant as they are.
"To deprive a man of his liberty has a tendency to rob his soul of
every spring to virtuous actions; and were slaves to become
fiends, the wonder could not be great. 'Nothing more assimulates a
man to a beast,' says the learned Montesquieu, 'than being among
freemen, himself a slave; for slavery clogs the mind, perverts the
moral faculty, and reduces the conduct of man to the standard of
brutes.' What right have you to expect greater things of these
poor mortals? You would not blame a brute for committing ravages
upon his prey; nor ought you to censure a slave for making
attempts to regain his liberty, even at the risk of life itself. | Anti-Slavery Opinions before the Year 1800: Read before the Cincinnati Literary Club, November 16, 1872 | Buchanan, George | 1763 | 1808 | ['en'] | 13 | {'Antislavery movements -- United States', 'Slavery -- United States'} | PG23956 | |
"Such are the effects of subjecting man to slavery, that it
destroys every human principle, vitiates the mind, instills ideas
of unlawful cruelties, and subverts the springs of government.
"What a distressing scene is here before us? America, I start at
your situation! These direful effects of slavery demand your most
serious attention. What! shall a people who flew to arms with the
valor of Roman citizens when encroachments were made upon their
liberties by the invasion of foreign powers, now basely descend to
cherish the seed and propagate the growth of the evil which they
boldly sought to eradicate? To the eternal infamy of our country
this will be handed down to posterity, written in the blood of
African innocence. If your forefathers have been degenerate enough
to introduce slavery into your country to contaminate the minds of
her citizens, you ought to have the virtue of extirpating it.
"In the first struggles for American freedom, in the enthusiastic
ardor of attaining liberty and independence, one of the most noble
sentiments that ever adorned the human breast was loudly
proclaimed in all her councils. Deeply penetrated with the sense
of equality, they held it as a fixed principle, 'that all men are
by nature, and of right ought to be, free; that they were created
equal, and endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable
rights, among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness. Nevertheless, _when_ the blessings of peace were
showered upon them; _when_ they had obtained these rights which
they had so boldly contended for, _then_ they became apostates to
their principles, and riveted the fetters of slavery upon the
unfortunate African. | Anti-Slavery Opinions before the Year 1800: Read before the Cincinnati Literary Club, November 16, 1872 | Buchanan, George | 1763 | 1808 | ['en'] | 13 | {'Antislavery movements -- United States', 'Slavery -- United States'} | PG23956 | |
"Deceitful men! Who could have suggested that American patriotism
would at this day countenance a conduct so inconsistent; that
while America boasts of being a land of freedom, and an asylum for
the oppressed of Europe, she should at the same time foster an
abominable nursery of slaves to check the shoots of her growing
liberty? Deaf to the clamors of criticism, she feels no remorse,
and blindly pursues the object of her destruction; she encourages
the propagation of vice, and suffers her youth to be reared in the
habits of cruelty. Not even the sobs and groans of injured
innocence which reek from every state can excite her pity, nor
human misery bend her heart to sympathy. Cruel and oppressive she
wantonly abuses the rights of man, and willingly sacrifices her
liberty upon the altar of slavery.
"What an opportunity is here given for triumph among her enemies!
Will they not exclaim that, upon this very day, while the
Americans celebrate the anniversary of freedom and independence,
abject slavery exists in all her states but one?
[Note--Massachusetts.] How degenerately base to merit the rebuke!
Fellow countrymen, let the heart of humanity awake and direct your
councils. Combine to drive the fiend monster from your
territories. | Anti-Slavery Opinions before the Year 1800: Read before the Cincinnati Literary Club, November 16, 1872 | Buchanan, George | 1763 | 1808 | ['en'] | 13 | {'Antislavery movements -- United States', 'Slavery -- United States'} | PG23956 | |
"Your laborers are slaves, and they have no incentive to be
industrious; they are clothed and victualed, whether lazy or
hard-working; and, from the calculations that have been made, one
freeman is worth two slaves in the field, which make it in many
instances cheaper to have hirelings; for they are incited to
industry by hopes of reputation and future employment, and are
careful of their apparel and their implements of husbandry, where
they must provide them for themselves; whereas the others have
little or no temptation to attend to any of these circumstances.
"Fellow countrymen, let the hand of persecution be no longer
raised against you; act virtuously; 'do unto all men as you would
that they should do unto you,' and exterminate the pest of slavery
from the land."
The orator then goes on to hold up the horrors of an insurrection. He
reminds his hearers that in many parts of the South the number of
slaves exceeds that of the whites. He reminds them that these slaves
are naturally born free and have a right to freedom; that they will
not forever sweat under the yoke of slavery. "Heaven," he says, "will
not overlook such enormities. She is bound to punish impenitent
sinners, and her wrath is to be dreaded by all. What, then, if the
fire of liberty shall be kindled among them? What if some enthusiast
in their cause shall beat to arms and call them to the standard of
freedom? Led on by the hopes of freedom and animated by the inspiring
voice of their leaders, they would soon find that 'a day, an hour of
virtuous liberty was worth a whole eternity of bondage.' | Anti-Slavery Opinions before the Year 1800: Read before the Cincinnati Literary Club, November 16, 1872 | Buchanan, George | 1763 | 1808 | ['en'] | 13 | {'Antislavery movements -- United States', 'Slavery -- United States'} | PG23956 | |
"Hark! methinks I hear the work begun; the blacks have sought for
allies and have found them in the wilderness, and have called the
rusty savages to their assistance, and are preparing to take revenge
upon their haughty masters."
To this threatening passage the orator has appended a note, in which
he says: "This was thrown out as a conjecture of what possibly might
happen; and the insurrections of San Domingo tend to prove this danger
to be more considerable than has generally been supposed, and
sufficient to alarm the inhabitants of these states."
The contingency, which he thought might possibly happen, did actually
occur thirty-nine years later, when an insurrection broke out, August,
1830, in Southampton county, Virginia, under the lead of Nat Turner, a
fanatical negro preacher, in which sixty-one white men, women, and
children were murdered before it was suppressed.
He recommends immediate emancipation; and if this can not be done,
"then," he says, "let the children be liberated at a certain age, and
in less than half a century the plague will be totally rooted out from
among you; thousands of good citizens will be added to your number,
and gratitude will induce them to become your friends." | Anti-Slavery Opinions before the Year 1800: Read before the Cincinnati Literary Club, November 16, 1872 | Buchanan, George | 1763 | 1808 | ['en'] | 13 | {'Antislavery movements -- United States', 'Slavery -- United States'} | PG23956 | |
This remarkable oration suggests some interesting questions of
historical inquiry. How far do these opinions represent the current
sentiments of that time on the subject of slavery? It will be seen
that they are of the most radical type. I am not aware that Wendell
Phillips or Wm. Lloyd Garrison ever claimed that the negro race was
equal in its capacity for improvement to the white race. While its
rhetoric was more chaste, they certainly never denounced the system in
more vigorous and condemnatory terms.
Forty-four years later (October 21, 1835), Mr. Garrison was waited
upon, in open day, by a mob of most respectable citizens, while
attending a meeting of the Boston Female Anti-Slavery Society, dragged
through the streets of Boston with a rope around his body, and locked
up in jail by the Mayor of that sedate city to protect him from his
assailants. On the 4th of July, 1834, a meeting of the American
Anti-Slavery Society was broken up in New York, and the house of Lewis
Tappan was sacked by mob violence. A month later, in the city of
Philadelphia a mob against anti-slavery and colored men raged for
three days and nights. On the 28th of July, 1836, a committee of
thirteen citizens of Cincinnati, appointed by a public meeting, of
whom Jacob Burnet, late United States Senator and Judge of the Supreme
Court of Ohio, was chairman, waited upon Mr. James G. Birney and other
members of the executive committee of the Ohio Anti-Slavery Society,
under whose direction the "Philanthropist," an anti-slavery
newspaper, was printed here, and informed them that unless they
desisted from its publication the meeting would not be responsible for
the consequences. Judge Burnet stated that the mob would consist of
five thousand persons, and that two-thirds of the property holders of
the city would join it. The committee gave Mr. Birney and his friends
till the next day to consider the question, when they decided to make
no terms with the rioters and to abide the consequences. That night
the office was sacked, and the press of the "Philanthropist" was
thrown into the Ohio river. | Anti-Slavery Opinions before the Year 1800: Read before the Cincinnati Literary Club, November 16, 1872 | Buchanan, George | 1763 | 1808 | ['en'] | 13 | {'Antislavery movements -- United States', 'Slavery -- United States'} | PG23956 | |
But here was an oration delivered in the city of Baltimore in the year
1791, advancing the most extreme opinions, and it created not a ripple
on the surface of Southern society.
That the opinions of the oration did not offend those to whom it was
addressed, the official action of the Society, which is printed on the
third page, attests. It is as follows:
"At a special meeting of the 'Maryland Society for Promoting the
Abolition of Slavery and the Relief of Free Negroes and others
Unlawfully held in Bondage,' held at Baltimore, July 4, 1791,
unanimously
"_Resolved_, That the president present the thanks of the Society
to Dr. George Buchanan, for the excellent oration by him delivered
this day, and, at the same time, request a copy thereof in the
name and for the use of the Society.
"Signed--Samuel Sterett, President; Alex. McKim, Vice-President;
Joseph Townsend, Secretary."
The oration has this dedication:
"To the Honorable Thomas Jefferson, Esq., Secretary of State,
whose patriotism since the American Revolution has been uniformly
marked by a sincere, steady, and active attachment to the interest
of his country, and whose literary abilities have distinguished
him amongst the first of statesmen and philosophers--this oration
is respectfully inscribed, as an humble testimony of the highest
regard and esteem, by the Author." | Anti-Slavery Opinions before the Year 1800: Read before the Cincinnati Literary Club, November 16, 1872 | Buchanan, George | 1763 | 1808 | ['en'] | 13 | {'Antislavery movements -- United States', 'Slavery -- United States'} | PG23956 | |
The author was evidently a straight Democrat.
Seven years ago I copied this oration with the intention of reprinting
it, with a brief historical introduction, supposing I could readily
find the few facts I needed. But in this I was disappointed. Who was
Dr. George Buchanan? That he was a member of the American
Philosophical Society at Philadelphia was apparent on the title page;
but that was all I could learn of him from books or inquiry. I then
wrote to a historical friend in Baltimore to make inquiry for me
there, and I received letters from the author's son, McKean Buchanan,
senior paymaster in the United Stares navy, since deceased, and from
two grandsons, Mr. George B. Coale and Dr. Wm. Edw. Coale, giving
full particulars, which I will condense:
Dr. George Buchanan was born on an estate, five miles from Baltimore,
September 19, 1763, and for many years was a practicing physician in
Baltimore. He was a son of Andrew Buchanan, who was also born in
Maryland, and was General in the Continental troops of Maryland during
the Revolution, and was one of the Commissioners who located the city
of Baltimore. Dr. George Buchanan studied medicine and took a degree
at Philadelphia. He then went to Europe and studied medicine at
Edinburgh, and later at Paris, taking degrees at both places.
Returning to Baltimore, he married Letitia, daughter of the Hon.
Thomas McKean, an eminent jurist, who was a member of the Continental
Congress, one of the Signers the Declaration of Independence, and was
Governor of Pennsylvania from 1799 to 1806. In 1806, Dr. Buchanan
removed to Philadelphia, and died the next year of yellow fever, in
the discharge of his official duties as Lazaretto physician. His
eldest son was Paymaster McKean Buchanan, before mentioned. His
youngest son was Franklin Buchanan, captain in the United States navy
till he resigned, April 19, 1861, and went into the so-called
Confederate navy. He was, with the rank of Admiral, in command of the
iron-clad "Merrimac," and was wounded in the conflict of that vessel
with the monitor "Ericsson," at Hampton Roads, March 9, 1862, and was
later captured by Admiral Farragut in Mobile harbor. | Anti-Slavery Opinions before the Year 1800: Read before the Cincinnati Literary Club, November 16, 1872 | Buchanan, George | 1763 | 1808 | ['en'] | 13 | {'Antislavery movements -- United States', 'Slavery -- United States'} | PG23956 | |
"My brother," writes one of the grandsons, "told me that the last time
he saw Henry Clay, Mr. Clay took his hand in both of his and said,
with great emphasis: 'It is to your grandfather that I owe my present
position with regard to slavery. It was he who first pointed out to me
the curse it entailed on the white man, and the manifold evils it
brings with it.'"
In determining how far the sentiments contained in this oration were
the current opinions of the time, it became necessary for me to know
something definite of the "Maryland Society for the Abolition of
Slavery," of the Virginia, the Pennsylvania, and other societies,
which existed at that time. This information I could not obtain from
anti-slavery books, or from the most prominent abolitionists whom I
consulted. The matter seemed to have been forgotten, and it was the
common idea that there was nothing worth remembering of the
anti-slavery movement before 1830, when Mr. Garrison and his radical
friends came upon the stage in Boston. For the want of the facts I
needed, I laid aside the idea of reproducing the tract. The subject
was brought again to mind by hearing the excellent paper, by Mr. S. E.
Wright, our secretary, on the anti-slavery labors of Benjamin Lundy,
which he read to this Club, a few months ago. The labors of Mr. Lundy
began in 1816, and ended with his death in 1839. Quite recently I
have obtained much of the information I needed. | Anti-Slavery Opinions before the Year 1800: Read before the Cincinnati Literary Club, November 16, 1872 | Buchanan, George | 1763 | 1808 | ['en'] | 13 | {'Antislavery movements -- United States', 'Slavery -- United States'} | PG23956 | |
Among the unknown facts to which I could get no clue at the time I
have mentioned, were the names of the "Virginia Calculator" and the
"Physician of New Orleans," whom Dr. Buchanan mentions with Phillis
Wheatley, Ignatius Sancho, and Banneker, the Maryland astronomer, as
being negroes who were distinguished for their literary and
mathematical acquirements. Mr. Phillips had never heard of them, and
he took the trouble to make inquiries among his anti-slavery friends,
but without success.
A year or more after I had abandoned my little project, in looking
over the files of the Columbian Centinal, printed in Boston, for 1790,
I found under the date of December 29th, in the column of deaths, the
following:
"DIED--Negro Tom, the famous African calculator, aged 80 years. He
was the property of Mrs. Elizabeth Cox, of Alexandria. Tom was a
very black man. He was brought to this country at the age of
fourteen, and was sold as a slave with many of his unfortunate
countrymen. This man was a prodigy. Though he could neither read
nor write, he had perfectly acquired the use of enumeration. He
could give the number of months, days, weeks, hours, and seconds,
for any period of time that a person chose to mention, allowing in
his calculations for all the leap years that happened in the
time. He would give the number of poles, yards, feet, inches, and
barley-corns in a given distance--say, the diameter of the earth's
orbit--and in every calculation he would produce the true answer
in less time than ninety-nine out of a hundred men would take with
their pens. And what was, perhaps, more extraordinary, though
interrupted in the progress of his calculations, and engaged in
discourse upon any other subject, his operations were not thereby
in the least deranged; he would go on where he left off, and could
give any and all of the stages through which the calculation had
passed. | Anti-Slavery Opinions before the Year 1800: Read before the Cincinnati Literary Club, November 16, 1872 | Buchanan, George | 1763 | 1808 | ['en'] | 13 | {'Antislavery movements -- United States', 'Slavery -- United States'} | PG23956 | |
"Thus died Negro Tom, this untaught arithmetician, this untutored
scholar. Had his opportunities of improvement been equal to those
of thousands of his fellow-men, neither the Royal Society of
London, the Academy of Science at Paris, nor even a Newton himself
need have been ashamed to acknowledge him a brother in science."
This obituary was doubtless extracted from a Southern newspaper. A
fact once found is easily found again. I have come across the name of
this unlettered negro prodigy many times since, with the substance of
the facts already stated. In a letter which Dr. Benj. Rush, of
Philadelphia, addressed to a gentleman in Manchester, England, he says
that, hearing of the astonishing powers of Negro Tom, he, in company
with other gentlemen passing through Virginia, sent for him. A
gentleman of the company asked Tom how many seconds a man of seventy
years, some odd months, weeks, and days had lived. He told the exact
number in a minute and a half. The gentleman took a pen, and having
made the calculation by figures, told the negro that he must be
mistaken, as the number was too great. "'Top, massa," said the negro
"you hab left out de leap years." On including the leap years in the
calculation, the number given by the negro was found to be correct.[4] | Anti-Slavery Opinions before the Year 1800: Read before the Cincinnati Literary Club, November 16, 1872 | Buchanan, George | 1763 | 1808 | ['en'] | 13 | {'Antislavery movements -- United States', 'Slavery -- United States'} | PG23956 | |
That Dr. Buchanan did not mention his name is explained by the fact
that he died only six months before; and the audience, who had
doubtless read the obituary notice just recited, or a similar one,
knew who was meant. Besides, he was a native African, and had no name
worth having. He was only Negro Tom. In Bishop Grégoire's work,
however, he is ennobled by the by the name of Thomas Fuller, and in
Mr. Needles' Memoir the name of Thomas Tuller.[5]
Why Dr. Buchanan should have omitted to mention the name of "the New
Orleans physician" does not appear, unless it be that he was equally
well known. His name, I have found recently, was James Derham. Dr.
Rush, in the American Museum for January, 1789, gave an account of Dr.
Derham, who was then a practitioner of medicine at New Orleans, and,
at the time the notice was written, was visiting in Philadelphia. He
was twenty-six years of age, married, member of the Episcopal Church,
and having a professional income of three thousand dollars a year. He
was born in Philadelphia a slave, and was taught to read and write,
and occasionally to compound medicines for his master, who was a
physician. On the death of his master he was sold to the surgeon of
the Sixteenth British regiment, and at the close of the war was sold
to Dr. Robert Dove, of New Orleans, who employed him as an assistant
in his business. He manifested such capacity, and so won the
confidence and friendship of his master, that he was liberated on easy
terms after two or three years' service, and entered into practice for
himself. "I have conversed with him," says Dr. Rush, "upon most of the
acute and epidemic diseases of the country where he lives. I expected
to have suggested some new medicines to him, but he suggested many
more to me. He is very modest and engaging in his manners. He speaks
French fluently, and has some knowledge of the Spanish."[6] | Anti-Slavery Opinions before the Year 1800: Read before the Cincinnati Literary Club, November 16, 1872 | Buchanan, George | 1763 | 1808 | ['en'] | 13 | {'Antislavery movements -- United States', 'Slavery -- United States'} | PG23956 | |
It was unfortunate that these incidents had not occurred early enough
to have come to the knowledge of Mr. Jefferson before he wrote his
"Notes on Virginia." These were precisely the kind of facts he was in
quest of. He probably would have used them, and have strengthened the
opinions he there expressed as to the intellectual capacity of the
negro race.
His "Notes on Virginia" were written in 1781-2. His condemnation of
slavery in that work is most emphatic. "The whole commerce between
master and slave," he says, "is a perpetual exercise of the most
boisterous passions; the most unremitting despotism on the one part,
and degrading submission on the other. Our children see this and learn
to imitate it.... The parent storms, the child looks on, catches the
lineaments of wrath, puts on the same airs in the circle of smaller
slaves, gives loose to his worst of passions; and thus nursed,
educated, and daily exercised in tyranny, can not but be stamped by it
with odious peculiarities. The man must be a prodigy who can retain
his manners and morals undepraved by such circumstances. With what
execration should the statesman be loaded, who, permitting one-half
the citizens thus to trample on the rights of the other, transforms
those into despots and these into enemies--destroys the morals of the
one part, and the _amor patriæ_ of the other?... Can the liberties of
a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm
basis--a conviction in the minds of men that these liberties are the
gift of God; that they are not to be violated but with His wrath?
Indeed, I tremble for my country, when I reflect that God is
just--that His justice can not sleep forever." Pp. 270-272, ed. Lond.,
1787. | Anti-Slavery Opinions before the Year 1800: Read before the Cincinnati Literary Club, November 16, 1872 | Buchanan, George | 1763 | 1808 | ['en'] | 13 | {'Antislavery movements -- United States', 'Slavery -- United States'} | PG23956 | |
On the practical question, "What shall be done about it?" Mr.
Jefferson's mind wavered; he was in doubt. How can slavery be
abolished? He proposed, in Virginia, a law, which was rejected, making
all free who were born after the passage of the act. And here again he
hesitated. What will become of these people after they are free? What
are their capacities? He had never seen an educated negro. He had
heard of Phillis Wheatley and Ignatius Sancho. He did not highly
estimate the poetry of the one, or the sentimental letters of the
other. He was willing to admit, however, that a negro could write
poetry and sentimental letters. Beyond this all was in doubt. He
regarded it as highly probable that they could do nothing more. He
says: "Comparing them by their faculties of memory, reason, and
imagination, it appears to me that in memory they are equal to the
whites; in reason much inferior, as I think one could scarcely be
found capable of tracing and comprehending the investigations of
Euclid"--p. 232. He doubtingly adds: "The opinion that they are
inferior in the faculties of reason and imagination must be hazarded
with great diffidence. To justify a general conclusion requires many
observations"--p. 238. The opportunity for making these observations
he had never had. | Anti-Slavery Opinions before the Year 1800: Read before the Cincinnati Literary Club, November 16, 1872 | Buchanan, George | 1763 | 1808 | ['en'] | 13 | {'Antislavery movements -- United States', 'Slavery -- United States'} | PG23956 | |
It so happened that soon after writing this, Banneker, the Maryland
negro astronomer, who had distinguished himself in the very faculty of
mathematical reasoning which Mr. Jefferson had supposed no negro
possessed, sent him his Almanac, with a letter. To the letter Mr.
Jefferson replied as follows:
"I thank you sincerely for your letter of the 19th instant, and
for the Almanac it contained. Nobody wishes more than I do to see
such proofs as you exhibit, that nature has given to our black
brethren talents equal to those of other colors of men, and that
the appearance of a want of them is owing merely to the degraded
condition of their existence, both in Africa and America. I can
add with truth, that nobody wishes more ardently to see a good
system commenced for raising the condition, both of their body and
mind, to what it ought to be, as fast as the imbecility of their
present existence, and other circumstances which can not be
neglected, will admit. I have taken the liberty of sending your
Almanac to Monsieur de Condorcet, Secretary of the Academy of
Sciences at Paris, and member of the Philanthropic Society,
because I consider it a document to which your color had a right
for their justification against the doubts which have been
entertained of them. I am, with great esteem, sir, your most
obedient, humble servant, | Anti-Slavery Opinions before the Year 1800: Read before the Cincinnati Literary Club, November 16, 1872 | Buchanan, George | 1763 | 1808 | ['en'] | 13 | {'Antislavery movements -- United States', 'Slavery -- United States'} | PG23956 | |
"THOS. JEFFERSON."[7]
The next instances of precocious black men which must have come to his
knowledge were, doubtless, Negro Tom, in whom the mathematical faculty
was strangely developed, and James Derham, the New Orleans physician.
If Mr. Jefferson had rewritten his "Notes," he would, probably, have
included mathematics and medicine among the special subjects which
were peculiarly adapted to the capacities of the negro mind.
It was not the question of the natural rights of the negro, the
prejudice of color, nor of the ruinous improvidence of the system of
slavery, that controlled the decision in Mr. Jefferson's mind, as to
the methods by which the system should be terminated. On these points,
he was as radical as the extremest abolitionist; but he could not
satisfy himself as to the mental capacity of the negro--whether he had
the full complement of human capabilities, and the qualifications for
equality of citizenship with the white man; for he saw that
emancipation, without expatriation, meant nothing else than giving the
black man all the rights of citizenship. The theory that the negro is
a decaudalized ape, a progressing chimpanzee, is an invention of the
last forty years, and contemporaneous with the discovery that the
Bible sanctions slavery. He was, on the whole, inclined to the opinion
that they were an inferior race of beings, and that their residence,
in a state of freedom, among white men was incompatible with the
happiness of both. He thought they had better be emancipated, and sent
out of the country. He therefore took up with the colonization scheme
long before the Colonization Society was founded. He did not feel sure
on this point. With his practical mind, he could not see how a half
million of slaves could be sent out of the country, even if they were
voluntarily liberated;[8] where they should be sent to, or how
unwilling masters could be compelled to liberate their slaves. While,
therefore, he did not favor immediate emancipation, he was zealous for
no other scheme. | Anti-Slavery Opinions before the Year 1800: Read before the Cincinnati Literary Club, November 16, 1872 | Buchanan, George | 1763 | 1808 | ['en'] | 13 | {'Antislavery movements -- United States', 'Slavery -- United States'} | PG23956 | |
Bishop Grégoire, of Paris, felt deeply hurt at Mr. Jefferson's low
estimate of the negro's mental capacity, and wrote to him a sharp
letter on the subject. Later, the Bishop sent a copy of his own book
on the Literature of Negroes.[9] Acknowledging the receipt of the
Bishop's book, Mr. Jefferson says:
"Be assured that no person living wishes more sincerely than I do,
to see a complete refutation of the doubts I have myself
entertained and expressed on the grade and understanding allotted
to them by nature, and to find that, in this respect, they are on
a par with ourselves. My doubts were the result of personal
observation on the limited sphere of my own State, where the
opportunities for the development of their genius were not
favorable, and those of exercising it still less so. I expressed
them, therefore, with great hesitation; but whatever be their
degree of talent, it is no measure of their rights. Because Sir
Isaac Newton was superior to others in understanding, he was not
therefore lord of the person and property of others. On this
subject they are gaining daily in the opinions of nations, and
hopeful advances are making toward their re-establishment on an
equal footing with other colors of the human family. I pray you,
therefore, to accept my thanks for the many instances you have
enabled me to observe of respectable intelligence in that race of
men, which can not fail to have effect in hastening the day of
their relief." Works, v, p. 429. | Anti-Slavery Opinions before the Year 1800: Read before the Cincinnati Literary Club, November 16, 1872 | Buchanan, George | 1763 | 1808 | ['en'] | 13 | {'Antislavery movements -- United States', 'Slavery -- United States'} | PG23956 | |
Writing to another person a few months later, he alludes to this
letter and says: "As to Bishop Grégoire, I wrote him a very soft
answer. It was impossible for a doubt to be more tenderly or
hesitatingly expressed than it was in the Notes on Virginia; and
nothing was, or is, further from my intentions than to enlist myself
as a champion of a fixed opinion, where I have only expressed a
doubt." Works, v, p. 476.
Mr. Jefferson never got beyond his doubt; and Bishop Grégoire resented
his passive position by omitting Mr. Jefferson's name from a list of
fourteen Americans, which included Mr. Madison, William Pinkney, Dr.
Benj. Rush, Timothy Dwight, Col. Humphreys, and Joel Barlow, to whom,
with other philanthropists, he dedicated his book.
Washington, Madison, Patrick Henry, George Mason, and nearly all the
public men of Virginia and Maryland of that period were in much the
same state of mind as Jefferson.[10] So was Henry Clay at a later
period.
Mr. Jefferson, in August, 1785, wrote a letter to Dr. Richard Price,
of London, author of a treatise on Liberty, in which very advanced
opinions were taken on the slavery question. Concerning the
prevalence of anti-slavery opinions at that period, he says:
"Southward of the Chesapeake your book will find but few readers
concurring with it in sentiment on the subject of slavery. From the
mouth to the head of the Chesapeake, the bulk of the people will
approve its theory, and it will find a respectable minority, a
minority ready to adopt it in practice; which, for weight and worth of
character, preponderates against the greater number who have not the
courage to divest their families of a property which, however, keeps
their consciences unquiet. Northward of the Chesapeake you may find,
here and there, an opponent to your doctrine, as you find, here and
there, a robber and murderer, but in no greater number. In that part
of America there are but few slaves, and they can easily disincumber
themselves of them; and emancipation is put in such a train that in a
few years there will be no slaves northward of Maryland. In Maryland I
do not find such a disposition to begin the redress of this enormity
as in Virginia. These [the inhabitants of Virginia] have sucked in the
principles of liberty, as it were, with their mothers' milk, and it is
to these I look with anxiety to turn the fate of this question. Be
not, therefore, discouraged. The College of William and Mary in
Williamsburg, since the remodeling of its plan, is the place where
are collected together all the young men of Virginia under preparation
for public life. There they are under the direction (most of them) of
a Mr. George Wythe [Professor of Law from 1779 to 1789], one of the
most virtuous of characters, and whose sentiments on the subject of
slavery are unequivocal. I am satisfied if you could resolve to
address an exhortation to these young men, with all the eloquence of
which you are master, that its influence on the future decision of
this important question would be great, perhaps decisive."[11] Works,
i, p. 377. | Anti-Slavery Opinions before the Year 1800: Read before the Cincinnati Literary Club, November 16, 1872 | Buchanan, George | 1763 | 1808 | ['en'] | 13 | {'Antislavery movements -- United States', 'Slavery -- United States'} | PG23956 |