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MRS. LESLIE'S BOOKS FOR LITTLE CHILDREN.

THE LITTLE FRANKIE SERIES.




    BOOKS WRITTEN OR EDITED
    By A. R. BAKER,
    AND SOLD BY ALL BOOKSELLERS.

    QUESTION BOOKS on the Topics of Christ's Sermon on the Mount.

        VOL.  I. FOR CHILDREN.
         "   II. FOR YOUTH.
         "  III. FOR ADULTS.
        LECTURES ON THESE TOPICS, _in press_.

    MRS. LESLIE'S SABBATH SCHOOL BOOKS.

        TIM, THE SCISSORS GRINDER.
        SEQUEL TO "TIM, THE SCISSORS GRINDER."
        PRAIRIE FLOWER.
        THE BOUND BOY.
        THE BOUND GIRL.
        VIRGINIA.
        THE TWO HOMES; OR, EARNING AND SPENDING.
        THE ORGAN-GRINDER, _in press_.

    QUESTION BOOKS. The Catechism tested by the Bible.

        VOL.  I. FOR CHILDREN.
         "   II. FOR ADULTS.

    THE DERMOTT FAMILY; or, Stories Illustrating the Catechism.

        VOL.  I. DOCTRINES RESPECTING GOD AND MANKIND.
         "   II. DOCTRINES OF GRACE.
         "  III. COMMANDMENTS OF THE FIRST TABLE.
         "   IV. COMMANDMENTS OF THE SECOND TABLE.
         "    V. CONDITIONS OF ETERNAL LIFE.

    MRS. LESLIE'S HOME LIFE.

        VOL.  I. CORA AND THE DOCTOR.
         "   II. COURTESIES OF WEDDED LIFE.
         "  III. THE HOUSEHOLD ANGEL.

    MRS. LESLIE'S JUVENILE SERIES.

        VOL.  I. THE MOTHERLESS CHILDREN.
         "   II. PLAY AND STUDY.
         "  III. HOWARD AND HIS TEACHER.
         "   IV. TRYING TO BE USEFUL.
         "    V. JACK, THE CHIMNEY SWEEPER.
         "   VI. THE YOUNG HOUSEKEEPER.
         "  VII. LITTLE AGNES.

    THE ROBIN REDBREAST SERIES.

        THE ROBINS' NEST.
        LITTLE ROBINS IN THE NEST.
        LITTLE ROBINS LEARNING TO FLY.
        LITTLE ROBINS IN TROUBLE.
        LITTLE ROBINS' FRIENDS.
        LITTLE ROBINS' LOVE ONE TO ANOTHER.

    THE LITTLE FRANKIE SERIES.

        LITTLE FRANKIE AND HIS MOTHER.
        LITTLE FRANKIE AT HIS PLAYS.
        LITTLE FRANKIE AND HIS COUSIN.
        LITTLE FRANKIE AND HIS FATHER.
        LITTLE FRANKIE ON A JOURNEY.
        LITTLE FRANKIE AT SCHOOL.




[Illustration: FRANKIE'S BIRTH-DAY PRESENT.]




    LITTLE
    FRANKIE ON A JOURNEY.

    BY

    MRS. MADELINE LESLIE,
    AUTHOR OF "THE HOME LIFE SERIES;" "MRS. LESLIE'S
    JUVENILE SERIES," ETC.


    BOSTON:
    CROSBY AND NICHOLS.

    117 WASHINGTON STREET.


    Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1860, by

    A. R. BAKER,

    In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District
    of Massachusetts.


    ELECTROTYPED AT THE
    BOSTON STEREOTYPE FOUNDRY.




LITTLE FRANKIE ON A JOURNEY.

CHAPTER I.

FRANKIE'S BIRTHDAY.


"Frankie," said mamma one evening, just as he was going to bed,
"to-morrow you will be six years old; how should you like to have a
party of your young friends?"

"I should like it very much indeed," replied the boy, his eyes
sparkling with pleasure.

"You have been trying to improve lately, my dear, and have almost
conquered your hasty temper. Your father and I have been so much pleased
with your conduct that we wish to reward you; so if you would like to
have a party, I shall invite as many of your young friends as you
please."

"O, what a kind mamma!" exclaimed Frankie, clasping his arms around his
mother's neck. "I mean to try to be just as good as I can."

The little boy then knelt by his low bed, and said his evening prayer.
Perhaps you would like to hear it.

"O God! thou art very good. Thou hast given me a kind father and mother,
and food to eat, clothes to wear, and many other favors. Wilt thou
forgive all my sins, and make me a good boy, so that when I die, I can
go to heaven to live with thee, for my dear Saviour's sake. Amen."

This little prayer Frankie had learned when he was four years old, and
he had repeated it every night since that time. Beside this he said the
pretty verse beginning

    "Now I lay me down to sleep,"

and then added a short prayer of his own, asking God to bless papa and
mamma, Willie, Nelly, and Margie; to keep the house from being burned
while they were asleep; and to make the heathen good, for Jesus Christ's
sake.

When Frankie was nearly five years old, a large house in the
neighborhood had been burned to the ground. He was aroused from his
sleep by the loud ringing of the bells, and the cry of fire, and sat for
a long time gazing from his mother's window at the bright, red flame.
Ever since that time he had always prayed God to keep the house from
being burned while they were asleep.

In the morning, Frankie said the Lord's prayer, and this pretty little
hymn, which perhaps you will like to learn:--

    "Fled away are the shadows of night;
       The morning is smiling and clear;
     The sun has arisen all bright,
       And the birds fly aloft in the air.

    "The sweet robins sing on the tree,
       The little lambs skip on the hill,
     And loud hum the bees as they work,
       Their houses with honey to fill.

    "'Tis time for the children to wake:
       Come, little ones, open your eyes;
     And your thanks and your praises return
       To the Being who governs the skies.

    "He has guarded you, all the long night,
       From sickness, and danger, and pain,
     And brought you, in safety and peace,
       To a beautiful morning again.

    "Whatever your parents command,
       Be ready and willing to do;
     For that, my dear child, is the way
       To be happy, and prosperous too.

    "But if (as is sometimes the case)
       You should happen to do a thing wrong,
     Just own it, and let not a lie,
       In any case, come from your tongue.

    "For the child who is gentle and kind,
       And obliges as far as he can,
     May be sure to be loved while a boy,
       And respected when grown to a man."

The next morning, when Frankie went down to breakfast, Willie sprang out
from behind the door, and gave him six loud kisses. Then he took from
his pocket a beautiful new humming top, and said, "Here is your
birthday present."

Frankie had hardly time to say, "O, how pretty! I thank you very much,"
when Nelly came in smiling, and looking very happy, with something
hidden behind her.

"Let me give you some birthday kisses," she said, reaching forward and
putting up her pretty red lips--one, two, three, four, five, six. "Now
guess what I've got for you;" and she began to laugh merrily.

Frankie looked very grave, because he was trying to guess. He would have
said a new hoop, only he thought if it was that, he should see it
sticking out from behind her dress.

"You can't tell, I know," shouted Nelly. "Will you give up?"

"Yes," said Frankie.

"There!" exclaimed the little girl, with a quick motion bringing from
behind her a large tin tip cart, with two red oxen waiting to draw it
along. "Isn't it pretty? I bought it with my own spending money, and
I've been saving it for your birthday ever so long."

"O, I do thank you!" exclaimed the delighted boy; and he kissed his
cousin more than six times, and then began to roll the cart on the
floor.

"Come to breakfast now," said mamma; "and then you shall play with your
new toys."

After the children had been to prayers with their parents, they ran up
to the play room. Sally was turning the mattress in her mistress's room;
but as soon as she heard their voices, she presented little Frankie a
small handkerchief with two pretty pictures printed upon it. One was of
two little girls taking a walk, and meeting a poor, lame beggar man;
the other of a good boy standing at the door; calling his sister to take
a ride. Perhaps, some time, I will repeat to you the pretty hymns which
were printed underneath; but now it is time for me to close this
chapter.




CHAPTER II.

FRANKIE'S PARTY.


Perhaps you will wonder whether papa and mamma gave Frankie a present.
Yes, they did; but he did not see it until the evening when his little
friends came to his party. Jane, too, and even little Margie, remembered
it was his birthday, and had a present ready for him.

Jane, with the consent of her mistress, had made a large frosted cake
for his company; and Margie gave him a beautiful white kitten, with not
one black hair on it.

As it was a holiday, there were no lessons to be learned. Mamma took a
walk to the store; and she allowed Nelly and Frankie to go with her and
carry the basket in which she intended to bring back the nuts for the
party.

But first she showed them a small basket full of notes which she had
written, inviting the little boys and girls to come and pass the evening
with Frankie, and help him to keep his birthday. Willie and Margie were
to carry them, as there was no school.

Ponto was very lively that morning. He seemed to understand that his
young master was unusually happy; and he kept jumping up on him,
wagging his tail, and trying to lick his hands and face. Willie had
taught him to carry a basket in his teeth; and as soon as they started
on their walk he began to whine, and put his nose into the basket until
they gave it to him. Then he trotted along quite contentedly after them.

It was a very hot day, and after dinner mamma tried to persuade the
little folks to lie down and get a nap, so as to be bright and fresh
for the evening. Nelly at last lay down on the lounge in her aunt's bed
room; and then Frankie brought his pillow, and lay on the floor by her.
They were so happy, they wanted to talk about the party.

Mamma was lying on the lounge, too. She was very tired after her long
walk in the morning, and wanted to go to sleep. But the children's
tongues ran so fast, that she could not. She laughed, at last, at the
very idea of sleeping there, and took her pillow into Nelly's room,
where it was dark and cool; and presently had forgotten all her fatigue.

About seven o'clock the little folks began to arrive. In August, you
know, the days are very long, so that it was still light, and as the sun
was down, it was the pleasantest part of the day.

Mr. and Mrs. Gray sat on the large iron chairs belonging to the portico,
and shook hands with the little girls and boys coming up the avenue;
then joining the company on the lawn, where Willie and two of the larger
girls were planning some games for them.

After they had enjoyed themselves in this way for an hour, Mrs. Gray
called Margie from the lawn, and told her to invite the children to
come in. Then she introduced them into the parlor, where on the table
they saw a large pile of cards, nearly half a yard in length, with
beautiful pictures on them, representing animals and birds; some of them
as large as life.

These, which came in a long box, with a brass handle on the top, were
Frankie's birthday present from papa and mamma.

At first the little fellow was so surprised, that he could not speak a
word; but then he ran, first to his mother and then to his father, put
his arms around their necks, and thanked them over and over again.

His father went to the table and distributed the cards round among the
excited, happy group, and for half an hour there was one continued shout
of delight in examining them.

"O, see this great elephant!" said one little boy; "he is winding his
nose around that baby, and is going to kill him."

"No, indeed!" said mamma, "that baby is the child of his keeper, the man
who takes care of him, and feeds him. See, the soldiers are coming up,
and the good elephant is afraid they will hurt his little charge; so he
takes it very gently in his trunk, or proboscis, and puts it over behind
him into a safer place."

"I like that elephant," said Frankie; "but I shouldn't think the baby's
mamma would leave him to take care of it. I should think she herself
would keep it in her arms."

"What is this lion doing?" asked a pretty, blue-eyed girl, named Rosa.
"See, it is holding out its paw."

"It is learning to shake hands, I should think," said Willie, laughing
aloud.

"There is a very pretty story connected with that," said his father.
"There was once a slave who ran away from his master, and hid in a cave.
After he had been there a short time he heard a noise, and looking
around he saw he was in a lion's den. His heart began to beat faster
than ever, for he thought, 'I have run away only to be killed by this
lion.' He fixed his eyes upon the beast, expecting every minute that he
would jump upon him and tear him to pieces.

"Presently the great lion came slowly up to him, and held out his paw,
as you see in the picture. The slave then saw that there was a large
thorn sticking in his foot. He pitied the poor creature, though he
expected every minute to be killed by him. He took the paw gently in his
hands, got firm hold of the thorn, and pulled it out.

"The lion was very much obliged to him, though he could not say so in
words. He lay down at the slave's feet, to show him that he would not
injure him.

"A few days after, some men were hunting in the forest; and they caught
the great lion, and carried him away with them; and they also caught the
poor slave, and took him back to his master, who was the king. The king
was very angry with him for running away, and ordered that he should be
thrown into a den with a hungry lion, who would eat him up.

"This was a dreadfully cruel punishment; but as the king had ordered it,
a great many people gathered together to see it inflicted. The den was
opened, and a great, fierce lion came bounding in, leaping and roaring
for his food. Presently another door was opened, and the poor slave was
seen crouching back against the wall to escape from his terrible enemy.

"As soon as the lion saw him, he gave one tremendous roar, and sprang
several yards toward the slave.

"Then all the people gave a great shout, for they thought that, almost
before they could look again, the slave would be dead. But to their
great surprise, the fierce, hungry lion, that had had no food for two
days, was on his knees before the slave, who had his arms around the
animal's neck, embracing him as if he were his dearest friend.

"The king was so astonished at this sight, that he cried out, 'Pardon!
pardon!' So they took the slave from the den, and threw in another
criminal, who was instantly torn to pieces."

I have spent so much time telling you about these beautiful pictures,
that I can only say the children were invited into the dining hall,
where they were feasted on nuts, cake, fruit, and lemonade; and went
home, after thanking Mrs. Gray for inviting them to so pleasant a party.
Frankie, when he kissed his mamma good night, said, "I wish I could have
a birthday every week, I like them so much."




CHAPTER III.

FRANKIE'S JOURNEY.


A few weeks after this birthday, Frankie went a journey with papa, and
mamma, and Willie, and Nelly.

Nelly's father and mother had been home two or three months; but they
found their little girl improving so fast under her aunt's care and
teaching, that they did not like to take her away.

Nelly was very well contented to remain with her kind friends; and when
she found Frankie alone in a room by himself, crying because he thought
her mother had come to carry her home, she promised she would live with
him always.

Mr. Gray hired a carriage and a span of handsome horses, and one fine
morning in September they started off; papa and Willie on the front
seat, and mamma with Frankie and Nelly on the back. Sometimes, though,
they wanted to change, and the two little ones rode in front with papa,
while Willie took their place behind.

Then once in a while, when they were tired, papa would stop the horses,
and let them all get out and walk up a long hill; and O, how fast the
little feet would fly, trying to see who would reach the top first!

It made this good papa and mamma happy to see their children enjoy
themselves so well.

They travelled on for several days; and one night they came to a small
town, where Mr. Gray said he would put up. They drove to the tavern, and
soon were shown to a room up stairs. While they were waiting for supper,
Frankie asked, "What is the name of this town, papa?"

"It is Canaan, my dear," replied his father.

The little boy now gazed around with great interest; went to the window
and looked out, and presently said, "It don't seem very pleasant, papa;
but I suppose the Israelites were glad to get here."

Frankie thought this Canaan was the pleasant land which God promised to
his chosen people. If you don't know about it, ask your mamma to tell
you how the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for forty years,
eating manna for bread, and quails for meat, all the time longing to
reach Canaan, where there was an abundance of milk and honey, and you
will know why Frankie thought they would be glad to get there.

Papa and mamma laughed heartily when he said this, and papa told him
that Canaan was a great way off from this place. It was the name of a
whole country, while this was only a small town.

When Frankie heard this, he walked away from the window, and sat quietly
by mamma until they were called to tea.

The next morning the road led through a large forest of pine trees. The
wind was blowing quite a breeze, and Frankie was glad to get under his
mother's shawl on the back seat of the carriage. He lay so still that
she thought he was asleep; but at last he asked, "Are these mulberry
trees, mamma?"

"No, dear, they are pine."

"Well, mamma," said the little fellow, "they sound like mulberry trees."

"Where did you ever hear any, my dear?" asked his mother.

"Why, you know," said he, "that you read me in the Bible about 'the
sound of the going in the tops of the mulberry trees,' and I think it
was just like this."

Before they started from home, Mrs. Gray had partly promised her
sister-in-law that she would stop there with Nelly and Frankie on their
return, and make a visit; but on the last day of their journey, it was
quite cold and rainy. Mr. Nelson, her brother, lived in a town several
miles out of their way; and so she concluded to go directly home, and
start again when it was pleasant.

After riding ten or twelve miles, Frankie and his little cousin became
very tired. The rain prevented their getting out of the carriage for a
run, neither could they sit on the front seat and watch the horses.

"I wish I had a watch," said Frankie; "I don't like to trouble you,
mamma, to take yours out so often; but I do want to know what time it
is."

"I mean to ask father to buy me a watch," said Nelly, "just as soon as I
go home."

"How much farther have we to go, papa?" asked Frankie.

The rain was pattering so fast on the top of the carriage, that he did
not hear at first; but when Willie repeated his brother's question, papa
said, "We have ten miles to go before dinner; and then twenty-two
afterwards. How many does that make?"

Frankie thought for a minute, and then answered, "Thirty-two, papa."

"If you're so tired," said Willie, "why don't you play school? I'll be
the first class."

"So will I," said papa, laughing.

"O, that will be splendid!" said Nelly, clapping her hands.

"Will you be the teacher, mamma?" asked Frankie, quite forgetting his
fatigue.

"No, dear, Willie may turn his back to the horses, and be the teacher
first. You can take turns."

"Why didn't I think of this way before?" said Willie; "it's real nice.
The rain came pouring right in my face. Now I can put this shawl up, and
keep it all off."

"You crowd my knees dreadfully," said Frankie.

"Don't be impatient, dear," said his mother. "We must all try to be
accommodating when we are out in the rain. Your brother has been sitting
very patiently with the rain beating in his face, and you will be glad,
I'm sure, to have him with us behind."

"I can't move my feet at all," said Frankie, in an impatient tone.

"Move a little this way, then; I am sure we can make room for all.
Perhaps," she said softly, "there is somebody in your corner who ought
to be driven out."

The little boy turned quickly round before he thought that his mother
meant Satan; and this made them all laugh. Frankie was still rather
fretful, but Willie began blowing with all his might. Willie and Nelly
both looked so merry that he put away his naughty feelings, began to
laugh, and soon found plenty of room on the seat.

[Illustration]




CHAPTER IV.

PLAYING SCHOOL.


"Now I'll give you a word to spell," said Willie; "I bet none of you can
spell it right."

"Don't say _bet_, my dear," said his mother. "It is not a good word to
use. Beside, you are a teacher now, you know."

"The boys at school all say _bet_, mother," answered Willie. "I don't
see any hurt in it."

"But do they really bet?" asked his father.

"O, no, indeed, sir! It is only a habit they have of saying so."

"It is a low expression," said his mother. "I wish you wouldn't use it."

"Well, I won't, mother, when I can think of it. But I'll give you the
word. It is Constantinople."

"It is a long word," said mamma. "But I will try it;" and the lady's
eyes twinkled as she began, "C-o-n, Con; s-t-a-n, Constan!"

"Stop! please stop, mother!" shouted Willie, laughing heartily. "You
know it; let me try father?"

"No, try me," said Nelly; "try me once!"

"Well, I will. Spell Con."

"C-o-n, Con," repeated Nelly slowly, looking steadily in her cousin's
face.

"That is right; stan."

"S-t-a-n," said Nelly.

"Yes; now spell ti," added Willie.

"T-i, ti."

"No," said the boy, shaking his head solemnly.

"T-y," again tried the little girl.

"No," said Willie still more seriously.

"T-i-e," shouted Frankie.

"No," again repeated Willie.

"N-o, no," said his father.

Nelly and her cousin looked astonished.

"O father! That wasn't fair," cried Willie. "They wouldn't have spelt it
at all."

"When I went to school," said his father, laughing, "any body in the
class had a right to spell the word if the others missed it."

When the travellers stopped for dinner, it rained so hard, that Mr. Gray
said he didn't know as they would be able to go on. They were in a
small, poorly-furnished tavern; and it did not look as if they would
have a very good time if they staid.

"We are quite comfortable behind," said the lady; "but it must be very
bad for you."

"The boot comes up so high that it keeps the rain out, except from my
face," said Mr. Gray. "Perhaps I can manage in some way to carry an
umbrella."

"That would be too hard," replied the lady. "If you think it best, I am
willing to stay."

After waiting at the tavern about two hours for the horses to rest, Mr.
Gray told the children to make haste and put on their clothes, as the
carriage was coming to the door. They did not know, until then, whether
they were to go or stay.

"Do you think it best to go?" asked the lady. "It is raining so hard, I
am afraid you will be very wet."

"O, look at the carriage, papa!" shouted Frankie, as it drove past the
window.

"I found a nice leather curtain in the box," said the gentleman, "which
will shield me entirely."

"What a pity you did not find it this morning!" said Willie.

When they were seated in the carriage, they rode for nearly a mile
before there was much said by the children. The new curtain proved a
good screen from the rain, so that Mr. Gray was able to enjoy the ride
as well as the rest of the party.

Frankie had been watching the drops as they fell from the lower edge of
the curtain upon the leather boot; at last he said, "It seems as if we
were in the ark."

"Why?" asked his mother, with a smile.

"Because--because it seems as if we were out in the rain, with waters
all around us; but we are safe in here, and nothing can harm us."

"What shall we do now?" asked Willie. "Play school again? I call it real
good fun."

"Let us sing," said Nelly.

"So we will; so we will!" and they began the sweet hymn commencing,--

    "Jesus, thou heavenly stranger,
       Who dwelt in mortal clay!
     Thy cradle was a manger,
       Thy softest bed was hay."

"O, mamma!" cried Frankie, when they had finished the tune, "can I read
the pretty verses on my handkerchief?"

"Yes, dear, I should like to hear them," said mamma.

This was Sally's birthday present, which he had kept nicely folded in
his coat pocket. I have already described to you the picture, which was
of a little boy calling his sister to take a ride. Frankie could read
now quite well, though he was obliged to pronounce the words slowly,
once in a while stopping to spell one to himself. He began,--

    "The coach is ready, sister; run,
     And put your gloves and bonnet on;
     It is about a week ago
     Our parents promised us, you know,
     If we were good, that we, to-day,
     Should have the coach and ride away.
     Our cousins, too, are all at home;
     How glad they'll be to see us come!
     And they, such lovely girls and boys,
     Will have so many pretty toys!
     And we shall have the sweetest ride,
     Through trees along the river side!
     Come, sister; come, make no delay!
     'Tis time for us to start away.
     What ails you, Mary? ar'n't you well?
     What makes you cry so? sister, tell!"
    "Harry, I can't; don't ask me why;
     And yet I must--_I've told a lie_!
     And here shut up I'm doomed to stay,
     And mourn and weep the livelong day.
     I shall not dare my face to show,
     Nor join the children's plays, you know;
     They'll see my tears, and then inquire
     What I have done--and call me _liar_.
     And, Harry, I'm afraid that you
     And Harriet will hate me too.
     But what is worst of all, mamma
     Don't speak to me, nor does papa;
     Not once upon me have they smiled,
     Since I was such a wicked child.
     O, it will break my heart, I'm sure!
     I never told a lie before,
     And never, _never_ will again,
     If I their pardon can obtain.
     Go--it is time that you were gone,
     And leave me here to cry alone."

Nelly sighed two or three times while her little cousin was reading; and
when he had finished, she said, "I'm glad I don't tell lies now. I
didn't use to know how wicked it was."

Mrs. Gray bent down and kissed her little niece, and then said, "I am
sure, my dear, God will forgive the past, if you ask him, for the sake
of his dear Son."

"I wonder whether her mother let her go to ride," said Frankie, fixing
his eyes on the picture. "I should think she would, when the little girl
was so sorry."

As no one replied to his remark, he said, presently, "Here is another
pretty piece; may I read this too, mamma?"

"Perhaps Nelly would like to read," said the lady.

"O, yes, aunty," said the little girl; "may I, Frankie?"

He passed her the handkerchief, though he did not do it very cheerfully.

"Thank you," said Nelly. "You can look over with me, if you want to."
Then she began to read the verses that were underneath the picture of
the little girls and the poor beggar:--

    "Look, sister, see how rich I be!
     Six cents mamma has given me,
     Because it is a holiday;
     And now I'm going off to play.
     But let me think: what shall I buy?
     A cake--or else some pretty toy!
     I've wanted long a Jumping Jack.
     Well, that I'll buy, and not a cake.
     But stop, dear sister; who is this?
     A poor old man!--how lame he is!
     How lean he looks, and ragged too!--
     Give him some dinner, sister, do.
     Now he will have to go away,
     And beg his dinner every day.
     I wish I had a dollar now;
     Six cents will buy some dinner, though;
     And as he travels on the road,
     Some biscuits would taste very good;
     And he shall have them--so I'll play
     Without a Jumping Jack to-day."




CHAPTER V.

NELLY'S PRESENT.


When Mrs. Gray reached home, she found a letter there for her from her
brother. She read it through, looking very much pleased; and then she
told Nelly that her father and mother sent their love to her, and hoped
she would come home very soon.

It was now more than a year since she came to live with her aunt; and
she was delighted with the idea of the visit. "But I shall come right
back again with you, shan't I?" and she gazed earnestly in her aunt's
face.

"We will see about that," said the lady, "when we get there." And then
she added, "I couldn't spare you at all, my little girl. I hope to have
you with me for a good many years yet."

Nelly was so much pleased at this, that she jumped up and kissed her
aunt, and exclaimed, "I love you dearly, dearly!"

Two days later, when they were a little rested from their journey, the
same carriage and horses came to the door, and they drove away toward
Nelly's old home. It was only twelve miles, and the horses trotted over
the road very quickly, so that in less than two hours they came in sight
of the pleasant orchards and gardens surrounding Mr. Nelson's house.
Then Mrs. Gray, after a smiling glance at her husband, said, "Nelly,
your mamma has a pretty present for you at home."

"What is it, aunty? I can't think of any thing that I want."

"It is the best present you ever had, my dear," said the lady, smiling.

"O, I guess it's a watch," cried Frankie, in an animated tone.

"No, it's a little brother," said aunty; "a darling baby brother."

Nelly opened wide her bright blue eyes, and then gave a scream of joy.
It was well they were just riding up the avenue to the house, or they
might not have been able to keep the excited child in the carriage.

"Where's my baby? Where's my brother?" she called out, running up the
steps and into the front door.

Fortunately her father was in the library. He came quickly to the door
to welcome Nelly and his friends.

She could scarcely stop to give him a kiss, before she said, "I want to
see my baby, papa--where is it?"

"Run very softly up in the nursery," said the gentleman, laughing at her
impatience. "You will find it there with Maria."

Nelly darted up the stairs, and was presently kneeling on the floor by
the cradle which held the tiny form of the baby. When her aunt gently
followed her into the room, she saw her, with flushed cheeks and
wondering eyes, still gazing at the sleeping babe.

Presently she turned away with an air of disappointment. "It isn't as
large as my great dolly," she said.

Maria, who had charge of the infant, now returned from the next room,
and began to welcome Nelly home again. She courtesied to Mrs. Gray,
though the lady could see that she had never forgiven her for not
allowing her to remain with the little girl.

"How is Mrs. Nelson?" asked Mrs. Gray.

"Very poorly as yet, ma'am. She is in the next room."

"Why, mamma, are you sick?" inquired Nelly, running into the chamber,
and climbing on the side of the bed.

"Take care, Nelly," cried her aunt. "Don't jar the bed so; your mamma
has been very ill."

"I'm sorry," said the little girl, affectionately, and she kissed her
mother's pale hand. "May I show Frankie my baby now?" she asked, turning
to her aunt.

"If you will go very softly, dear. Remember, noise will make your mamma
worse." Then Mrs. Gray went into the next room, and took off her bonnet
and shawl. After this, she returned to the nursery, where the baby was
still sleeping.

Nelly and her cousin were just going out, each walking on tip-toe, so as
not to hurt mamma.

"I never saw a child so much changed," said the old lady who took care
of Mrs. Nelson. "I was here two years ago to nurse her mother; and she
was the torment of the house."

"She is very easily managed, now," answered Mrs. Gray. "She obeys my
slightest look."

"We've a little mite of a fellow in there," said the good nurse; "he
only weighed three pounds and a quarter with his clothes on. I never
thought he would live till this time."

"Is he quiet?" asked the aunt.

"He has turns of screaming dreadfully," answered the nurse. "That is
what has kept his mother so ill."

At this moment they heard Mr. Gray and Mr. Nelson coming up the stairs,
and the nurse opened the door and beckoned them into the nursery, as the
sick lady was trying to get some sleep while the baby was quiet.

Maria had been sitting in the room with her work; but now she arose and
said, "Baby will be likely to sleep a spell now, and I'll go down to the
kitchen and do my ironing."

"I will take care of him till you return," said Mrs. Gray.

Her husband and Willie were to ride home in the afternoon, and so her
brother had invited them up to see his little son. He seemed very
anxious about the baby, and asked his sister whether she thought it
would live.

Before she answered, the lady bent gently over the cradle, and put her
ear down to its chest. It was in such a deep sleep that it almost seemed
as if it were already dead. "I cannot tell," she said, seriously, "until
I have seen it when awake."

After dinner, before her husband returned home, she called him into the
parlor, and told him she was afraid Maria gave the baby something to
make it sleep so heavily, and she was determined to stay and watch her,
and try to save the dear child.




CHAPTER VI.

THE WICKED NURSE.


For two days Mrs. Gray scarcely left the nursery for a moment. The poor
little babe would lie and sleep for hours together, and when he was
awake he would scream and throw his head back as if he was going into a
fit. The lady would take him from Maria, and hold him on her breast, and
carry him about the room trying to soothe him, until at last he would
fall asleep again. All this time she had never been able to see that
Maria gave him any thing but his food. This was cream and boiling water,
made pretty sweet with loaf sugar, and she fed him with a spoon.

One day the lady came in just as she was going to feed him, and asked to
taste of it.

Maria held up the cup without speaking.

"It is very nice," said the lady. "I can't see why it distresses him
so." She then turned to leave the room, but as she did so, she saw a
strange kind of smile come over Maria's face; and it brought all the old
suspicions to her mind. When she reached the entry, she came suddenly
back again, and saw Maria pouring some dark-colored drops from a small
vial into the cup. Then she took the spoon and began to feed the baby
again, laying the vial close behind her on the chair.

Mrs. Gray sprang forward before Maria knew she was in the room, caught
it, and held it up to the light. The word Laudanum was printed on the
label.

For one moment, her heart beat so fast that she could not speak; then
she snatched the poor baby from Maria's arms, threw a large cradle
blanket around him, and ran down stairs to the library, where her
brother was writing.

"Here, Edward," she exclaimed,--"here is the food Maria feeds your
little son upon;" and she held out the bottle toward him. "I have
suspected her all along; but to-day I saw her pouring some into the
cup."

"Where is the wretch?" asked the poor father, his cheeks growing very
white. "How dared she do this?"

When they returned to the nursery, Maria had run away to the chamber in
the attic, where she kept her trunk; but she had forgotten to take care
of the cup into which she had poured the laudanum.

While they were tasting and examining it, the doctor came in, and said
that he wondered, with such feeding, that the baby had not died long
before. "We have all been to blame," said the doctor; "and if it had
not been for your sister, Mr. Nelson, I think the child could not have
lived many days."

Mrs. Gray pressed the poor suffering baby to her heart, and resolved
that she would watch over it until a good, faithful nurse could be
provided. She then rang the bell for some fresh cream and water, while
her brother went to the attic to send Maria from the house.

He found her busy packing her trunks, for she had sense enough to know
that she would not be allowed to stay longer. He told her she must leave
immediately, and that her trunks should be sent after her. He took out
his pocket book, and paid her the week's wages that were her due, saying
he would not have such a wicked creature in the house another minute.

Maria cried, and begged on her knees to be allowed to take her trunks
with her, until her master began to think she had some things in them
which did not belong to her.

He stepped back into the entry, and told Nelly, who was in the lower
hall, to tell the cook to come up to him. This was a good woman, who had
lived with him ever since he was married. When she came, he told her to
examine Maria's trunks, and see whether there was any silver in them,
or other articles belonging to the house.

Maria cried, and wrung her hands, and said it was cruel to treat her so;
but her master stood by the door, his countenance growing every moment
more stern, while the cook drew out from the bottom of the trunk three
small jars of jelly, four silver teaspoons, one silver fork, a gold
thimble, and three richly-worked collars, all of which the gentleman
recognized as belonging to his wife.

In spite of the tears and groans of the wicked woman, Mr. Nelson sent
for an officer to arrest her, for he felt sure, if she would steal and
lie, and more than all, if she would give a child that which she knew
would destroy its life, she ought to be punished for her crimes.

Mrs. Gray did not return home for nearly two weeks, and then she left
the little baby, who had been named Eddy, in the care of a good woman,
who gave him nourishing milk from her own breast. The little fellow now
began to thrive and grow, though the doctor said he would be a long time
in recovering from Maria's cruel treatment.

Mr. Nelson was so much delighted with the improvement in his little
girl, that he consented to her returning with her aunty, though it was
a great trial to have her remain from home.

Nelly and Frankie had taken almost the whole care of themselves during
the three weeks of their stay, improving the pleasant autumn weather by
running all over the garden and grounds.

Back of the house, there was a beautiful grove of chestnut trees, from
two of which was suspended a swing. Here the children passed many happy
hours. Sometimes they sat under the delightful shade with their books in
their hands, reading aloud by turns as they did when at home. Sometimes
they would sing their pretty songs, or repeat favorite verses. Then,
when they were tired of these quiet amusements, they would skip through
the walks with arms interlaced, or jump the rope, or play at hide and
seek.

At the lower end of the garden, the smooth gravelled walks were lined
with high lattices upon which were trained peach trees, in the shape of
fans. These afforded fine places to hide, which were eagerly improved by
the children. Mrs. Gray often found herself joining the merry shout
which echoed through the garden when either Nelly or her cousin was
successful in the search.

"O, how I wish Ponto were here!" exclaimed Frankie one day, sinking on
the grass and panting for breath. "He would have found you out long
before I did. That was a real funny place to hide. I kept hearing you
call, 'Coop, coop,' but never thought of looking in there."

"Yes, indeed!" cried Nelly, laughing and shaking back her curls. "At
first I was afraid I couldn't creep in, the bushes grew so close to the
ground. I could peep through the leaves and see you looking every where.
When you were near, I kept as still as I could; but when you ran away to
look in another place I'd call 'coop' again. O, it's splendid fun!"

"Well, Master Frankie," said Nelly's papa on the morning when they were
leaving for home, "I am much obliged to you for taking such good care
of my little girl. Your mamma has promised to leave you and Nelly here
while she goes a journey in the autumn."

"We have had a real good visit, uncle," replied Frankie, his eye
sparkling with joy, "and I shall be very glad to come again."

"Now," said Nelly, as they drove away from the door, "we are ready to
begin school again."




Transcriber's Note:

Spelling, punctuation and hyphenation have been retained as they
appear in the original publication except as follows:

    Page 29
    gently in his trunk, or probosis _changed to_
    gently in his trunk, or proboscis





End of Project Gutenberg's Little Frankie on a Journey, by Madeline Leslie

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