But the drowsy charm of the west wind For they heard in the blue above them And beneath them they saw the greensward Into the world so wide. At last, after watching and waiting, Stepping with sandals of silver, Then Nature, the loving mother, The leaves clapped their hands, delighted, They sprang on the back of the north wind, Which lifted and set them free. Ha! 'Twas a glorious riding As they leaped along with the blast, Scampering gaily and fast. So sped they. At last the north wind Their dresses were torn and faded, So Nature, the loving mother, Who had watched them with many fears, Laid them to rest on the brown earth She had softened with her tears. Then covered them tenderly, softly, JACKANAPES AND THE PONY. BY JULIANA HORATIA EWING. THIS charming selection is taken from "Jackanapes," a quaint and interesting story for children. It was written by Mrs. Ewing, who died in 1885, at the age of forty-four. The writings of this lady, who contributed so extensively to English juvenile literature, under the name of "Aunt Judy," have become popular in America as well as in her own country. "Jackanapes" is her best literary work and made her name famous. The book as a whole is delightful reading. cổ của nút waistcoats con fi dĕn'tial ly (sh) mis'chief mil'i tá ry 1. It was after the Fair that Jackanapes, out rambling by himself, was knocked over by the Gypsy's son riding the Gypsy's red-haired pony at breakneck pace across the common. Jackanapes got up and shook himself, none the worse except for being heels over head in love with the redhaired pony. What a rate he went at! How he spurned the ground with his nimble feet! How his red coat shone in the sunshine! And what bright eyes peeped out of his dark forelock as it was blown by the wind! 2. The Gypsy boy was willing enough to reward Jack anapes for not having been hurt, by consenting to let him have a ride. "Do you mean to kill the little fine gentleman?" screamed the Gypsy mother, who came up just as Jackanapes and the pony set off. "He would get on," replied her son. "I'll not kill him. He'll fall on his yellow head, and it 's as tough as a cocoanut." 3. But Jackanapes did not fall. He stuck to the redhaired pony; but, oh, the delight of this wild gallop with flesh and blood! Just as his legs were beginning to feel as if he did not feel them, the Gypsy boy cried, "Lollo!" Round went the pony. Jackanapes clung to his neck; and he did not properly recover himself before Lollo stopped with a jerk, at the place where they had started. 4. "Is his name Lollo?" asked Jackanapes, his hand lingering in the wiry mane. "Lollo is your pony, is n't he?" said Jackanapes. "Yes." "He's a very nice one." "He's a racer." "You don't want to sell him, do you?" 6. "Fifteen pounds," said the Gypsy father; and Jackanapes sighed and went home again. That very afternoon he and Tony rode the two donkeys; and Tony managed to get thrown, and even Jackanapes' donkey kicked. But it was jolting, clumsy work after the elastic swiftness and the dainty mischief of the red-haired pony. 7. A few days later, Miss Jessamine spoke very seriously to Jackanapes. She told him that his grandfather, the General, was coming to the Green, and that he must be on his very best behavior during the visit. What mischief could be foreseen, Jackanapes promised to guard against. He was to keep his clothes and his hands clean, not to put sticky things in his pockets, to be sure to say "sir" to the General, and to be careful about rubbing his shoes on the door-mat. The General arrived; and for the first day all went well. 8. Jackanapes began to feel at ease with his grandfather, and disposed to talk confidentially with him, as he did with the postman. All that the General felt, it would take too long to tell; but he was disposed to talk confidentially with Jackanapes. |