aunt jo's scrap-bag . vol v. jimmy's cruise in the pinafore , etc . by louisa m alcott , author of " little women , " " an old-fashioned girl , " " little men , " " hospital sketches . " boston : roberts brothers . @number@ copyright , by louisa m alcott . @number@ university press : john wilson and son , cambridge . [ illustration : sir joseph porter , k.c.b. ] [ illustration : cousin hebe . ] and so do his sisters , and his cousins , and his aunts his sisters and his cousins ! whom he reckons by the dozens , and his aunts ! [ illustration : ralph rackstraw . ] " i am the lowliest tar that sails the water . and you , proud maiden , are my captain 's daughter . " [ illustration : josephine . ] " refrain , audacious tar . your suit from pressing ; remember what you are , and whom addressing . " [ illustration : little buttercup . ] [ illustration : captain corcoran . ] [ illustration : bill bobstay , the bos'n ] he is an englishman ! for he himself has said it , and it 's greatly to his credit that he is an englishman . [ illustration : dick deadeye . ] " i 'm ugly too , aint i ? " contents . i ..y jimmy's cruise in the pinafore @number@ ii . two little travellers @number@ iii . a jolly fourth @number@ iv . seven black cats @number@ v ..y rosa's tale @number@ vi . lunch @number@ vii . a bright idea @number@ viii . how they camped out @number@ ix . my little school-girl @number@ x . what a shovel did @number@ xi . clams @number@ xii . kitty's cattle show @number@ xiii . what becomes of the pins @number@ [ illustration : tom tucker , midshipmite . ] aunt jo's scrap-bag . i. jimmy's cruise in the pinafore . how he shipped . the prospect was a dull one for a lively lad full of the spring longings which sunny april weather always brings . no , it was a burden that lay very heavily on his heart , and made it impossible to even whistle as he waited . all day she lay moaning softly , and her one comfort was when " brother " could come and sing to her . " she shall go ! i don't see any other way , and i 'll do it ! " the plan which had been uppermost lately was this . his father had been a sailor , and jimmy proposed to run away to sea as cabin boy . " i 'll do it as sure as my name is jim nelson . " i wonder which kind of captains pay boys best ? i guess i 'll try a steamer ; they make short trips . i heard the cannon to-day , so one is in , and i 'll try for a place before i go to bed . " " such fun you 'll never guess just what we wanted if your mother only will ! " fire away , then . it will have to be extra nice to set me off . some of our girls are going , and so am i , and you sing and must come , too , and have some fun . won't it be jolly ? " " i guess it would ; but i can't . " really ? how much ? can i sing well enough ? " and he clutched her arm excitedly , for this unexpected ray of hope dazzled him . " ten dollars ! " gasped jimmy , for the immensity of the sum took his breath away . " could i get that ? how long ? where do we go ? do they really want us fellows ? are you sure it 's all true ? " " it was all in the paper , and miss pym , the teacher who boards at our house , told ma about it . don't you believe me now ? " miss pym and the newspapers settled the matter in jimmy 's mind , and made him more anxious than before about the other point . " do you think i would have any chance ? " he asked , still holding will , who seemed inclined for another dance . " i know you would . don't you do splendidly at school ? " mother will have to spare me now , if they pay like that . i can work all day and do without sleep to earn money this way . oh , will , i 'm so glad you came , for i was just ready to run away to sea . " run as fast as you like , and i 'll go too . we 'll sail in the ' pinafore , ' and come home with our pockets full of money . " ' sing , hey , the merry maiden and the tar ! ' " burst out will , who was so full of spirits she could not keep still another minute . " we shall lose school , you know , for we act in the afternoon , not the evening . i don't care ; but you will , you like to study so well . they could hardly wait to be dismissed , and it was a race home to see who should be first to tell the good news . " i 'm in ! i 'm in ! ten dollars a week ! hurrah ! " " i can hardly believe it ! " and weary mrs nelson dropped her needle to indulge in a few moments of delightful repose . " if it goes well they may want us for a month or six weeks , " the man said . how he sailed . it was a real ship to him , in spite of painted cannon , shaky masts , and cabin doors that led nowhere . day by day all grew more and more interesting . when the grand day came at last , and the crew of jolly young tars stood ready to burst forth with the opening chorus , it was a very successful launch , and the merry little crew set sail with a fair wind and every prospect of a prosperous voyage . it was the perfection of harmless merry-making , and the audience was as pleasant a spectacle as that upon the stage . the windows stood open , and sunshine and fresh air came in to join the revel . how the voyage ended . a few hours later , a cheerful-looking boy might have been seen trudging toward one of the railway-stations . " ' yes , i know that is so ! ' " hummed the girl with a skip to starboard , that she might bear a hand with the bag . " keep some cherries for me , and don't forget to give kit the doll i dressed for her . " " running away to sea is great fun , ' with a tar that ploughs the water ! ' " sung will in spite of herself . " ' and a gallant captain 's daughter , ' " echoed jimmy , smiling across the carpet-bag . then both joined in an irrepressible chorus of " dash it ! dash it ! " as a big man nearly upset them and a dog barked madly at the balloon . " all right , i 'd like that ever so much . " and then the irrepressible madcap burst out , to the great amusement of the passengers , " ' for you might have been a roosian , a frenchman , turk or proosian , or an ital-i-an . ' " and jimmy could not resist shouting back , as the train began to move , " ' but in spite of all temptations to belong to other nations , i 'm an amer-i-can . ' " ii . two little travellers . but the thing which made the deepest impression on annie was a visit to a charity-school at the old convent of san antonio . but when she was at home she expressed much concern and distress at the destitute condition of the children . thus comforted , annie felt that she could enjoy her dear horta and chica pico fatiera , particular darlings rechristened since her arrival . every one mourned for her , and all her small treasures were so carefully kept that they still exist . the second small traveller i want to tell about lived in the same city as the first , and her name was maggie woods . when all was ready , maggie 's small effects were packed in a light basket , so that she could carry it herself if need be . iii . a jolly fourth . " it won't seem a bit like a regular fourth without the salutes three times during the day . " what shall we do in the evening , since the ball is given up ? " the authorities didn't dare to stop our races in the morning . " we must do something to finish off with . " let us offer a prize for the brightest idea . all agreed , and sudden silence followed the chatter , broken now and then by an exclamation of " i 've got it ! no , i haven't , " which produced a laugh at the impetuous party . " time 's up , " announced fred , looking at " the turnip , " as his big old-fashioned watch was called . " why not have lots , and make a regular ' feast of lanterns , ' as they do in china ? i was reading about it the other day , and can show you how to do it . won't it be gay ? " and fred the bookworm nearly tumbled off his perch , as an excited gesture emptied his pockets of the library books which served as ballast . " yes ! yes ! " cried the other lads , with various demonstrations of delight as the new fancy grew upon their lively minds . " fred and annie must have the prize , for their idea is the most brilliant one . " let us dress up , " said julia , who liked theatricals . " in different characters , " added maud , thinking how well her long yellow hair would look as a mermaid . " and all sing as we go under the bridges , " put in annie , who adored music . " i 've got two girl cousins coming , and they would like it , i guess . i should any way , for jack will go tagging after grace and leave me to take care of them . let's have a picnic , by all means , " said lazy fred , who thought all girls but one great plagues . " i shouldn't wonder if all our people liked that plan , and we might have a town picnic as we did once before . the fourth was a fine day , with a fresh air , cloudless sky , and no dust . the town was early astir , though neither sunrise cannon nor the antiques and horribles disturbed the dawn with their clamor . the older fellows did the scientific , and their prizes were duly awarded by the judges . a social , sensible time , and when sunset came all turned homeward to make ready for the evening festivities . higher up the stream , where two branches met about a rocky island , elves seemed gathering for a summer revel . then a gondola of lovely venetian ladies , rowed by the handsome artist , who was the pride of the town . belle and grace waved their peacock fans like two comely little egyptian damsels , and the many-colored lanterns made a pretty picture of the whole . a boatful of jolly little tars followed , with tom brown , jr , as skipper . then a party of fairies in white , with silver wings and wands , and lanterns like moon and stars . " post-office all afire ! men wanted ! " shouted a breathless boy , racing through the crowd toward the river . such noble exertions could not fail of success , and the fire was happily extinguished before the river was pumped dry . but the merriest party of all was the one gathered on fred 's piazza to eat cake and talk over the fun . such a droll group as they were . the indians were sadly dilapidated as to feathers and paint , beside being muddy to the knees , having landed in hot haste . poor cleopatra had been drenched by the hose , but though very damp still sparkled with unextinguishable gayety . elaine had tied herself up in a big shawl , having lost her hat overboard . jack and grace wore one waterproof , and annie was hoarse with leading her choir of birds on the floating island . also several of the pirates wore their beards twisted round behind for the sake of convenience in eating . iv . seven black cats . i have no prejudice against color , but it so happened that our pussies were usually gray or maltese . one white one , who would live in the coal-bin , was a failure , and we never repeated the experiment . black cats had not been offered us , so we had no experience of them till number one came to us in this wise . sitting at my window , i saw a very handsome puss come walking down the street in the most composed and dignified manner . i watched him with interest , wondering where he was going . straight up to the door he came , and finding it shut sat down to wait till some one opened it for him . " it 's all right ; the place suits me , and i 'm going to stay . " his coolness amused me very much , and his beauty made me glad to keep him . he was not a common cat , but , as we afterward discovered , a russian puss . every one admired him , and a vainer puss never caught a mouse . he was not fond of petting , but allowed one or two honored beings to cuddle him . one morning after a heavy snow-fall , czar went out to take a turn up and down the path . catching up a broom , i belabored the dog so energetically that he was forced to turn from the poor czar to me . the boy fled affrighted , and i bore my poor czar in to die . we had company in the evening , and my interesting patient was put into another room . blot 's career was a sad and brief one . misfortune marked her for its own , and life was one too many for her . i saw some boys pelting a wretched object with mud . being washed and dried , she turned out a thin black kit , with dirty blue bows tied in her ears . but blot would not grow plump . her early wrongs preyed upon her , and she remained a thin , timid , melancholy little cat all her days . i could not win her confidence . she had lost her faith in mankind , and i don't blame her . she would not be easy and comfortable . poor , dear little blot ! she was a pathetic spectacle , and her end was quite in keeping with the rest of her hard fate . my dear mother bunch was an entire contrast to blot . in our back kitchen was an old sideboard , with two little doors in the lower part . i had never seen this mild black cat before , and i fancy no one had ever seen her three roly-poly , jet-black kits . " the house suited me ; i 'll take it , and pay rent by allowing you to admire and pet my lovely babies . " three jollier kits were never born , and a more devoted mother never lived . cuddle bunch had a fit , and fell out of the window , killing herself instantly . little purr was caught in a trap , set for a woodchuck , and so hurt she had to be gently chloroformed out of life . we did it once , and it was a dead failure . coming to a lonely spot , he let them out , and returned home , much relieved in mind . returning in the spring , one of my first questions was , " how is old pussy ? " great was my anguish when my neighbor told me that she was no more . it seems the dear thing pined for her old home , and kept returning to it in spite of age or bad weather . as a delicate attention to me , mrs bunch 's skin was preserved , and presented when the tale was told . i am sure mrs bunch would have agreed with me , and not felt that i treated her remains with disrespect . the last of my cats was the blackest of all , and such a wild thing we called him the imp . he got a sad pinch in his tail , which made it crooked forever after . he fell into the soft-soap barrel , and was fished out a deplorable spectacle . he was half strangled by a fine collar we put on him , and was found hanging by it on a peg . people sat down on him , for he would lie in chairs . he was not beautiful , but very impressive ; being big , without a white hair on him . they chased , caught , and tossed the poor imp overboard without loss of time . so , of course , they laid it all to the loss of the cat , and were more fixed in their belief than ever . v. rosa's tale . " now , i believe every one has had a christmas present and a good time . " we 've forgotten rosa ! her mistress is away , but she shall have a present nevertheless . late as it is , she will like some apples and cake and a merry christmas from the family . " then , recognizing a friend , she rose and came rustling through the straw to greet her late visitor . i stroked her neck as she stooped to sniff affectionately at my hood , and said eagerly , " ' tell away , dear , i 'm full of interest , and understand every word you say . ' i was a very happy colt , petted by my master , tamed by love , and never struck a blow while he lived . i gained one race for him , and promised so well that when he died i brought a great price . ah , how ambitious and proud i was in those days ! " ' i do not find it hard , for we have always said you had splendid points about you . ' i won several races , and great fame was predicted for me . i was full of spirit , eager to show my speed and sure of success . " ' i was kept carefully out of every one 's way for weeks , and only taken out for exercise by my trainer . poor bill ! " ' bill worked over me day and night , that i might be fit to run . what a splendid minute that was when , encouraged and refreshed by my faithful bill , i came on the track again ! " ' i wish i had been there to see you ! ' i exclaimed , quite carried away by her ardor . " ' i wish you had , for i won , i won ! my master cared no more for me , and would have had me shot if bill had not saved my life . i was pronounced good for nothing , and he bought me cheap . " ' but somehow my good times never lasted long , and when miss alice went west i was sold . ah ! you never guessed that , did you ? yes , i did my part gallantly and saved my master 's life more than once . " ' in one of the hottest battles my captain was ordered to lead his men to a most perilous exploit . they hesitated , so did he ; for it must cost many lives , and , brave as they were , they paused an instant . the men thought their captain led them on , and with a cheer they followed , carrying all before them . " ' in snow-storms it was awful , and more than one of my mates dropped dead with overwork and discouragement . what can it be , ma'am ? ' now hurry up and finish , for i find it a trifle cold out here . ' " ' many thanks . i will come now to the most interesting portion of my narrative . " ' in the autumn a livery-stable keeper bought me , and through the winter fed me up till i was quite presentable in the spring . " ' ah , what rides we had after that ! " ' i liked that , and we had long chats at such times , for she seemed to understand me perfectly . " ' then how well she rode ! " ' ah , miss merry never ran away from me ! she knew my heels were to be trusted , and she let me caper as i would , glad to see me lively . hard usage has made me seem old before my time , and i am good for years of service yet . ' didn't she study horses ' feet and shoes , that i might be cured if possible ? have not my poor contracted feet grown much better , thanks to the weeks of rest without shoes which she gave me ? am i not fat and handsome , and , barring the stiff knees , a very presentable horse ? if i am , it is all owing to her ; and for that reason i want to live and die in her service . dear miss belinda , please keep me ! i 'll eat as little as i can . i won't ask for a new blanket , though your old army one is very thin and shabby . i 'll trot for you all winter , and try not to show it if i am lame . i stopped her , and answered , with an arm about her neck and her soft nose in my hand , your shoes shall be taken off , and you shall rest till march at least . " ' thanks , many , many thanks ! but i wish i could do something to earn my board . i hate to be idle , though rest is delicious . is there nothing i can do to repay you , miss belinda ? " ' yes , you can , ' i cried , as a sudden idea popped into my head . so rest in peace , my dear ; you will have earned your living , and may feel that your debt is paid . ' " before she could reply the clock struck one , and a long sigh of satisfaction was all the response in her power . " what more could any reasonable horse desire ? " vi . lunch . they would not have allured any but hungry school-boys , and ought to have been labelled dyspepsia and headache , so unwholesome were they . miss jerusha looked up from her seventeenth patchwork quilt , and answered , with a sympathetic glance over the way , they had their favorites , and beguiled many a long hour speculating on the looks , manners , and probable station of the lads . something happened just then which decided her , and sealed the doom of the bilious tarts and their maker . " it 's a shame ! he shall have something good ! the scamp ! " " come here , boy , and get a cookie , a dozen if you want ' em . " " sister 's done it at last ! " and , inspired by this heroic example , miss jerusha threw up the window , saying , as she beckoned to the avenger , " you too , because you stood by that poor little boy . come right over and help yourself . " " here 's a nice big one for you , my dear . " thank you , ma'am . that 's a splendid one . we don't get anything so nice over there . " and charley gratefully bolted the cake in three mouthfuls , having given away his own lunch . " no , indeed ! one of these is worth a dozen of those nasty pies . " wish you 'd teach old peck how you make ' em . " cockroach pies ! " i never do ; my mother won't let me . " " he never has any money , that 's why , " bawled dickson , the fat boy , dodging behind the fence as he spoke . " never you mind , sonny , you come here every day , and i 'll see that you have a good lunch . " cry-baby ! molly-coddle ! " thank you very much , ma'am , for my cookie . i won't forget to call to-morrow . " and little briggs shook hands with as innocent a face as if his jacket pocket was not bulging in a most suspicious manner . " sheer off , fellows . we are no end obliged , ma'am , and i 'll see that briggs isn't put upon by sneaks . " " i 'm not sure it isn't our duty to make and sell good , wholesome lunches to those boys . we can afford to do it cheap , and it wouldn't be much trouble . it could be done , sister , " said miss jerusha , longing to distinguish herself in some way also . " it shall be done , sister ! " " our blessed mother understood how to feed a family . " we 'd better make some brighton rock . ma 's resate never fails , and it will be a new treat for the little dears . " " s'pose we have an extra can of milk left and give ' em a good mugful ? some of those poor things look as if they never got a drop . peck sells beer , and milk is a deal better . shall we , sister ? " " we 'll try it , jerushy . in for a penny , in for a pound . " " hullo ! miss hetty has done it now , hasn't she ? " i will ! " " what bully buns ! " " ain't those cookies rousers ? " " new stuff too , looks first-rate . " " i told you it wasn't a joke . " " wonder how peck likes it ? " " dickson sha'n't come in . " " you go first , charley . " " here 's a cent for you , briggs ; come on and trade like the rest of us . " " it is my turn now . be calm , and we shall soon get used to it . " " i hope i didn't cheat any one , but i was flurried , sister , they were so very noisy and so hungry . bless their dear hearts ; they are full now , i trust . " " the brighton rock was a success ; we must have a good store for to-morrow , and more milk . " peck 's nose is out of joint , if i may use so vulgar an expression , and our lunch a triumphant success . boys know what is good , and we need not fear to lose their custom as long as we can supply them . i shall order a barrel of flour at once , and heat up the big oven . we have put our hand to the work and must not turn back , for our honor is pledged now . " the final triumph , however , was the closing of peck 's shop for want of custom , for few besides the boys patronized him . none mourned for him , and dickson proved the truth of miss hetty 's prophecy by actually having a bilious fever in the spring . " by jove , the aunties are bound to cover themselves with glory . let's go in and hear all about it . " we want the aunties , if you please . isn't this their shop ? " said little briggs , bitterly disappointed at not finding his good friends . " you will find them over there at home as usual . yes , this is their shop , and i 'm their niece . my husband is the co. , and we run the shop for the aunts . i hope you 'll patronize us , gentlemen . " " we will ! we will ! vii . a bright idea . i was so tired of pleasure and idleness i really quite long to work at something , if i could only find it . " " i do wish i 'd been taught a trade , mamma , or some useful art by which i could earn our bread now . rich people ought to remember that money takes to itself wings , and so prepare their children to face poverty bravely . " no ; we should soon feel that we were a burden , and that would be worse than living on bread and water . let us try to help ourselves first , and then , if we fail , we cannot be accused of indolence . i know papa would wish it , so please let me try . " " as you like ; i shall not be a burden to any one long . " and mrs barlow looked about for her handkerchief . but clara prevented the impending shower by skilfully turning the poor lady 's thoughts to the new cap which was ready to try on . " isn't it pretty ? just the soft effect that is so becoming to your dear , pale face . take a good look at it , and tell me whether you 'll have pale pink bows or lavender . " " it is very nice , child ; you always suit me , you 've such charming taste . clara opened several of these , and rapidly turned over their contents , as if looking for something beside pale pink ribbon . " i 've got it , mamma , i 've got it ! " " bless the child ! what have you got , a letter ? " cried mrs barlow , starting up . " no ; but something better still , a new way to get a living . i 'll be a milliner , and you shall have as many caps as you like . " but how can you sell them ? " asked her mother , half bewildered by the eagerness with which the new plan was unfolded . " that 's the best of all , and i only thought of it when i was among the boxes . " as i stood there just now , i saw it all . " but , child , what will people say ? " " that i 'm an honest girl , and lend me a hand , if they are friends worth having . " come buy , come buy ! " on a long table in the middle of the room , a dozen delicate caps and head-dresses were set forth . on another lay garlands of french flowers bought for pretty clara 's own adornment . " my dear girl , how are you , and how is mamma ? now this is charming . " i 'll take this mantle off your hands with pleasure , for i intended to import one , and this saves me so much trouble . " such a sweet thing ! i must have it before any one else snaps it up . try it on , love , and give it a touch if it doesn't fit . " on it went , and even the wearer could not fail to see that something was amiss . " it 's not the fault of the cap , dear . see , now , how i 'll make even this cap becoming . " " infinitely better ; really becoming , and just what i want with my new silver-gray satin . dear me , what a thing taste is ! " and mrs tower regarded herself with feminine satisfaction in her really fine eyes . here a new arrival interrupted them , and clara went to meet several girls belonging to what had lately been her own set . " but the others are blue and lilac , both more trying than anything with a shade of pink in it . " i bespeak something sweet for new year 's day . you know my style , " said another young lady , privately resolving to buy the opal dress , when the rest had gone . " come , dear , bestir yourself , for we must sail in ten days to pass our summer in or near paris . i 've got commissions enough to pay our way , and we can unite business and pleasure in the most charming manner . " viii . how they camped out . " we can't give it up now , for here comes patrick with the boys . " and gwen ran down to welcome the big sleigh , which just then drove up with four jolly lads skirmishing about inside . " faith , ma'm , it 's an illigant day barring the wind , that 's a thrifle could to the nose . " be careful , dears , and come home early . " papa said we might , and some of the big baldwins too . " that will be nice . it was a very long half-hour before pat brought them to the country-house , which was shut up for the winter . " make haste , boys ; it is cold and dark here , and we must get home . " if we were going to stay long i 'd have a fire in the library . may his bed above be aisy the day ! whist now , miss dear ! i 'll fetch ' em back in a jiffy . stop still till i come , and kape them b'ys quite . " " here 's a go ! " cried mark . " so we will , and be jolly till the blunderbuss gets back . camp down , girls , and you fellows , come and hold the lantern while i get wood and stuff . it is so confoundedly dark , i shall break my neck down the shed steps . " " papa hides the matches in a tin box , so the rats won't get at them . now we will light up , and look cosey when the boys come back . " thoughtful alice went to see if pat was returning , and found a buffalo-robe lying on the steps . returning with this , she reported that there was no sign of the runaways , and advised making ready for a long stay . " we will have a nice time , and play we are shipwrecked people or arctic explorers . here comes dr kane and the sailors with supplies of wood , so we can thaw our pemmican and warm our feet . " here we are ! " i 'm hungry , " complained gus as soon as he was warm . " so am i , " added rita from the rug , where the two little ones sat toasting themselves . " eat an apple , " said mark . " they are so hard and cold i don't like them , " began gus . " roast some ! " cried ruth . " and crack nuts , " suggested alice . " we shall not have time for anything but what we have . the rest were in high glee , and an hour or two slipped quickly away as they enjoyed the impromptu feast and played games . gus recalled them to the discomforts of their situation by saying with a yawn and a whimper , " i 'm so sleepy ! i want my own bed and mamma . " " almost eight o'clock ! by jove , that old pat is taking his time , i think . wonder if he has got into trouble ? " better make a night of it and all go to sleep . pat can wake us up when he comes . the cold makes a fellow so drowsy . " and bob gave a stretch that nearly rent him asunder . " i will let the children nap on the sofa . they are so tired of waiting , and may as well amuse themselves in that way as in fretting . come , gus and rita , each take a pillow , and i 'll cover you up with my shawl . " gwen made the little ones comfortable , and they were off in five minutes . " i 've eaten five baldwins , and yet i want more . something filling and good . can't we catch a rat and roast him ? " proposed bob , who was a hearty lad and was ravenous by this time . " isn't there anything in the house ? " asked ruth , who dared not eat nuts for fear of indigestion . " pickles alone are rather sour feed . " i saw a keg of soft-soap in the shed . how would that go with the pickles ? " suggested bob , who felt equal to the biggest and acidest cucumber ever grown . the boys laughed , and mark , who felt that hospitality required him to do something for his guests , said briskly , come on , bob ; your sharp nose will smell out food if there is any . " presently they came back , very dusty , cobwebby , and cold , but triumphantly bearing a droll collection of trophies . " meal , pickles , jam , and boards . " can any of you make a hoe cake ? " demanded mark . " no , indeed ! i can make caramels and cocoanut-cakes , " said ruth , proudly . " i can make good toast and tea , " added alice . " i can't cook anything , " confessed gwen , who was unusually accomplished in french , german , and music . " girls aren't worth much in the hour of need . take hold , tony , you are the chap for me . " and mark disrespectfully turned his back on the young ladies , who could only sit and watch the lads work . " he can't do it without water , " whispered ruth . " or salt , " answered alice . " or a pan to bake it in , " added gwen ; and then all smiled at the dilemma they foresaw . " it never will bake in the world . " " he can't turn it , so it won't be done on both sides . " " won't be fit to eat any way ! " and with these dark hints the girls consoled themselves for their want of skill . " it really does taste good ! " mark pillowed his head on a log , and was sound asleep in ten minutes in spite of his promise to be sentinel . in the silence which now reigned , unbroken even by a snore , gwen heard a sound that made her start and tremble . some one was coming softly up the back stairs . " pat would knock or ring , and papa would speak , so that we might not be scared . the steps drew nearer , paused on the threshold , and then a head appeared as the door noiselessly swung wider open . whispers were heard , and then feet approached again , accompanied by a gleam of light . " boys ! robbers ! fire ! tramps ! then there was a scene ! " hullo , uncle ed ! we are all right . got tired of waiting for you , so we went to sleep . " " stop screaming , girls , and quiet those children ! poor little gwen is badly frightened . get some snow , tom , while i pick her up , " commanded the uncle , and order was soon established . " why , that 's my old friend and captain , tom may . don't you remember him , child ? he thought you were all asleep , so crept out to tell me and let me in . " " how did he get in himself ? " asked gwen , glad to turn the conversation . " found the shed door open , and surprised the camp by a flank movement . you wouldn't do for picket duty , boys , " laughed captain tom , enjoying the dismay of the lads . " oh , thunder ! i forgot to bolt it when we first went for the wood . had to open it , the place was so plaguy dark , " muttered bob , much disgusted . " where 's pat ? " asked tony , with great presence of mind , feeling anxious to shift all blame to his broad shoulders . " the scamp was half-seas over when he started , and deserves all he got . in the first place he lost his way , then tumbled overboard , and let the horses go . the animals were stopped at the cross-roads , and there we found them after a lively cruise round the country . your father was away , so tom volunteered , and here we are . " " a jolly lark ! now let us go home and go to bed , " proposed mark , with a gape . " isn't it most morning ? " asked tony , who had been sleeping like a dormouse . " just eleven . now pack up and let us be off . the storm is over , the moon coming out , and we shall find a good supper waiting for the loved and lost . bear a hand , tom , and ship this little duffer , for he 's off again . " ix . my little school-girl . the first time that i saw her was one autumn morning as i rode to town in a horse-car . " are you waiting for her ? " i asked of the pleasant-faced conductor , who stood with his hand on the bell , and a good-natured smile in his eyes . " thank you very much . presently she shut her book with a decided pat , and an air of relief that amused me . she saw the half-smile i could not repress , seemed to understand my sympathy , and said with a laugh , " it was a hard lesson , but i 've got it ! " then we rumbled along again , the car getting fuller and fuller as we got down town . " please take it , ma'am ; i can stand perfectly well . " " hold on to that , my dear . " " ah , " thought i , " how little we can judge from appearances ! this grim old soul is a gentleman , after all . " " will baby have some ? " said my girl , and made the little creature happy with some gay red leaves . " now , i shall probably never see that child again , yet what a pleasant picture she leaves in my memory ! " i thought to myself , as i caught a last glimpse of the brown hat going round the corner . she was reading a paper , but looked up to give me the inside of the walk . she understood at once , laughed , and took the bunch , saying with twinkling eyes , " oh , thank you ! they are beauties ! " then , as we went on to the corner together , i told her why i did it , and recalled the car-ride . at first i did not know how to address my nice white parcel , for i never had heard the child 's name . " mother will plan it for me , and i can get it done by new year . won't it be fun to hang it on the door some day , and then run ? " i am fond of observing faces , and seldom forget one if anything has particularly attracted my attention to it . somehow , it looked familiar , and after thinking idly about it for a minute , i remembered where i had seen it before . but no one was to be seen but two boys and a dog . " don't you wait for the little girl now ? " i asked , feeling disappointed at not seeing my pretty friend again . " i wish i could , ma'am , " answered the man , understanding at once , though of course he did not remember me . " new rules , perhaps ? " x . what a shovel did . " what do you see out there ? " " myself , " was the answer that made me stare in surprise , as i joined him and looked curiously into the street . all i saw was a man shovelling snow ; and , thoroughly puzzled , i turned to richard , demanding an explanation . he laughed , and answered readily , " while we wait for kate and the children , i 'll tell you a little adventure of mine . it may be useful to you some day . i watched him out of sight , thinking bitterly , " ' now look at the injustice of it ! a voice seemed to answer me , saying , " ' why don't you do the same ? if brains don't pay , try muscles , and thank god that you have health . ' " ' as i live i will try it ! and not give up while there is any honest work for these hands to do . ' it was bitter cold , and a heavy snow-storm had raged all night . " my shovel explained my mission , and she beckoned with an imperious wave of her duster to the shabby man opposite . i ploughed across , and received in silence the order to " ' clear them steps and sidewalk , and sweep ' em nice , for our folks always go to church , rain or shine . ' " then leaving her broom outside , the maid slammed the door with a shiver , and i fell to work manfully . " ' you can wait here while i run up , and get the money , if master is awake . ' " the good soul warmed to me at once , and , filling a mug with coffee , gave it to me with a hearty ah'r , but i was a happy crayter that day ! ' " ' may his bed be aisy above , darlin ' , and many thanks , and the compliments of the sayson to ye , ladies . ' " with which grateful farewell i trudged away , well pleased at the success of my first attempt . my blood danced in my veins , and all my despair seemed shovelled away with the snow i had cleared from other people 's paths . presently i could not resist asking , " did you go on shovelling , dick ? " " not long , for there was no need of it , thanks to pat 's mother , " he answered smiling . " come , i must have all the story , for i know it has a sequel ! " " a very happy one . yes , i owe to that kind soul and her little story , the turn that fortune gave her wheel . nay , rather say , the touch of nature that makes the whole world kin . " i was so busy that i had not observed a lady watching me from the window . to my surprise i was told to ' go into the dining room , and missis would attend to it . ' " for a moment i believed she did not know me , in my shabby suit and besmirched face . i must speak to you ! ' he stopped there , and his face brightened beautifully , for the sound of little feet approached , and childish voices cried eagerly , " papa ! papa ! the snow has come ! may we go and shovel off the steps ? " xi . clams . a ghost story . " right down there , just a step , you see . it 's all in order , and next week it will be full , for many folks prefer it because of the quiet . " " a regular ' cottage by the sea . ' it will suit me exactly if i can have that front upper room . alas , how little i knew what a night of terror i was to pass in that picturesque abode ! " pretty likely place for a prospeck . " entering into a conversation with this ancient mariner , i asked if he knew any legend or stories concerning the old houses all about us . " sights of ' em ; but it aint allers the old places as has the most stories concernin ' ' em . " what , that house at the end of the lane ? " i asked , with sudden interest . " jes ' so ; nice place , but lonesome and dampish . ghosts and toadstools is apt to locate in houses of that sort , " placidly responded the venerable tar . " i 've taken a room there , so i 'm rather interested in knowing what company i 'm to have . " " took a room , hev you ? wal , i dare say you won't be troubled . some folks have a knack of seeing sperrits , and then agin some hasn't . my wife is uncommon powerful that way , but i aint ; my sight 's dreadful poor for that sort of critter . " " has she ever seen the ghosts of the cottage ? i think i have rather a knack that way , and i 'd like to know what to expect . " " no , her sort is the rappin ' kind . down yonder the only ghost i take much stock in is old bezee tucker 's . it was kep ' quiet at the time , and is forgotten now by all but a few old chaps like me . bezee was allers civil to the ladies , so i guess he won't bother you , ma'am ; " and the old fellow laughed . do take him by his little black head and eat him quick . " the sharp shells gaped before me , a solemn voice said , " take her by her little head and eat her quick . " and , as i sat up to make out where it was , another sound caught my attentive ear . " well , let the goblins enjoy themselves ; i won't disturb them if they let me alone . as a cheerful subject for midnight meditation i kept thinking of b tucker , in spite of every effort to abstain . in vain i recalled the fact that the departed gentleman was " allers civil to the ladies . " i still was in mortal fear lest he might think it necessary to come and apologize in person for " bothering " me . " what next ? " thought i , wondering whether tragedy or comedy would close this eventful night . " it is the clams . " " then who or what made those mysterious noises ? " i asked , relieved but rather nettled at the downfall of my romance . " my brother seth , " replied mrs grant , still laughing . he 's a powerful snorer , and that 's one of the awful sounds . the other was the dripping of salt water ; for you wanted some , and the girl got it in a leaky pail . seth wiped up the slops when he came out early in the morning . " " johnny planned to be up awful early , and pick the last cherries off that tree . " did you get your cherries ? " i asked , bound to have some of the laugh on my side . " guess i didn't , " grumbled joe , rubbing his knees , while johnny added , with an exulting chuckle , " he got a horrid scare and a right good scraping , for he didn't know any one was down there . couldn't go fishing either , he was so lame , and i had the cherries after all . served him right , didn't it ? " xii . kitty's cattle show . little kitty was an orphan , and she lived in the poor-house , where she ran errands , tended babies , and was everybody 's servant . a droll , happy-hearted child , who did her best to be good , and was never tired of hoping that something pleasant would happen . " did you say anybody could go in for nothing if they took something to show ? " she asked . " what 's a primmynum ? " asked kitty , forgetting to pick up chips , in her interest . " it 's money ; some gets a lot , and some only a dollar , or so . " " better send her ; she 's pretty enough to fetch a prize anywheres , " said sam , who was fond of both kittys . " do they have cats there ? " asked the child , soberly . " you are going to take mr green 's hens for him ; can't i go with you ? you stand it among the chicken-coops , and folks will admire her , i aint a doubt . " innocent little kitty was in raptures at the prospect , though the people in the house laughed at her . but she firmly believed it was all right , and made her preparations with solemn care . " what is your name , my obliging little girl ? " asked the lady , as she brushed up the last yellow peach . " what did you bring , patchwork ? " the lady consented , and the children went away together . " she aint no friends but me and the kitten , so i thought i 'd give the poor little soul a bit of pleasure . kitty was quite willing to sell puss , for five dollars seemed a splendid fortune to her . xiii . what becomes of the pins . the old cushion stood on her table beside the new one ; which was ready for its trimming of lace and ribbon . " it is very evident where the needles go , but i really do wish i knew what becomes of the pins . " miss ellen stared much surprised , for she had used this big pin a good deal lately , but never heard it speak before . not a whit abashed it thus continued : " i am called ' granny ' among my friends , because i have had a long and eventful life . we are divided into classes by birth and constitution , and each can do much in its own sphere . " when we were taken out i was all in a flutter to see where i was and what would happen next . " one evening the theatre took fire , " continued the old pin impressively . " ' swing from the window-sill , i 'll catch you . ' " but cora answered , as she showed the little yellow head that shone in the red glare , " ' no , save the child first ! ' " nurse benson took the little thing in her arms to visit my poor mistress , and i went too . but alas ! i never should have known the gay and blooming girl of the day before . poor little sally led her , a faithful guide , a tender nurse , a devoted daughter to her all her life . " " what happened next ? how long did you stay in the hospital ? " i think he was forgiven , for when at last he lay dead a smile was on his lips that never had been there before . " ' now i shall have a lively time ! ' i thought , and looked gaily about me , for i liked adventures , and felt that i was sure of them now . " ' dear old mother hasn't lost her boy yet , thank god ! ' quite a new scene i found , for in the old cabin were a dozen children and their mothers making ready to go north . " we got there at last , and she fell to work over a washtub to earn the bread for the hungry mouths . " ' now i wonder what will come next ! ' " ' will you sell me that ? ' she asked , and jeff gladly consented , wondering what she would do with it . " we all went together to the rich lady , and she embroidered the flowers on a screen very like that one yonder . a kind lady , my dear , but i often wished i could suggest to her better ways of spending her life than everlasting fancy-work . but she did not fancy being lectured by a pin , so she asked with a smile as she plaited up her lace , " that is all very interesting , but you have not yet told me what becomes of the pins , granny . " the good ones sink into the earth and turn to silver , to come forth again in a new and precious form . some are lazy , and slip out of sight to escape service , some are too sharp , and prick and scratch wherever they are . others are poor , weak things , who bend up and lose their heads as soon as they are used . some obtrude themselves on all occasions , and some are never to be found in times of need . all have the choice to wear out or to rust out . i chose the former , and have had a useful , happy life so far . there to be sure she found a pin hidden away , and so rusty that she could hardly pull it out . " try dr emery , he can cure most cases of rust , and it is never too late to mend , neighbor . " " too late for me ! " sighed the new comer . " the rust of idleness has eaten into my vitals while i lay in my silken bed , and my chance is gone forever . i am good for nothing , throw me away , and let the black pins mourn for a wasted life . " thank you , granny , for your little lecture . i will not forget it , but go at once and find that poor girl , and help her all i can . rest here , you good old soul , and teach these little things to follow your example . " the end . louisa m alcott's famous books . little men ; or , life at plumfield with jo's boys . price , $ 1.50 . louisa m alcott's famous books work : a story of experience . [ illustration ] " an endless significance lies in work ; in idleness alone is there perpetual despair . " carlyle . price , $ 1.75 . louisa m alcott's famous books . rose in bloom . [ illustration ] a sequel to " eight cousins . " price $ 1.50 . aunt jo's scrap-bag . cupid and chow-chow , etc . [ illustration ] by louisa m alcott , author of " little women , " " an old-fashioned girl , " " little men , " " hospital sketches . " louisa m alcott's famous books . [ illustration : " sing , tessa ; sing ! " cried tommo , twanging away with all his might . page @number@ ] louisa m alcott's famous books . [ illustration : " one hand stirred gruel for sick america , and the other hugged baby africa . " page @number@ ] hospital sketches . price , $ 1.50 . mice at play . " when the cat's away , the mice will play . " a story for the whole family . by neil forest . price $ 1.50 . louisa m alcott's famous books . [ illustration ] an old-fashioned girl . price $ 1.50 . louisa m alcott's famous books . little women ; or , meg , jo , beth , and amy . parts first and second . price of each , $ 1.50 . [ illustration : jo in a vortex . page @number@ ] susan coolidge's popular books . [ illustration : nanny's substitute . nanny at the fair , taking orders and carrying trays . page @number@ ] mischief's thanksgiving , and other stories . with illustrations by addie ledyard . one handsome square 16 mo volume , bound in cloth , black and gilt lettered . price $ 1.50 . bob brown's boy-book . 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[ illustration : entering paradise . page @number@ what katy did . with illustrations by addie ledyard . one handsome , square 16 mo volume , bound in cloth , black and gilt lettered . price , $ 1.50 . these books are sold by all booksellers and newsdealers everywhere . when not to be found , send the advertised amount by mail , to the publishers , roberts brothers , publishers , boston . end of project gutenberg 's aunt jo 's scrap-bag , vol . @number@ by louisa m alcott