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A GREAT GRIEF |
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a long, long look into the yard. She had not a button— that she knew right well, and therefore she remained standing sorrowfully outside, till all the others had seen the grave and had gone away ; then she sat down, held her little brown hands before her eyes, and burst into tears : this girl alone had not seen Puggie's grave. It was a grief as great to her as any grown person can experience.
We saw this from above ; and, looked at from above, how many a grief of our own and of others can make us smile ! That is the story, and whoever does not understand it may go and purchase a share in the tan-yard of the widow. |
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EVERYTHING IN ITS RIGHT PLACE
It was more than a hundred years ago.
Behind the wood, by the great lake, stood the old baronial mansion. Round about it lay a deep moat, in which grew reeds and grass. Close by the bridge, near the entrance gate, rose an old willow tree that bent over the reeds.
Up from the hollow lane sounded the clang of horns and the trampling of horses ; therefore the little girl who kept the geese hastened to drive her charges away from the bridge, before the hunting company should come gallopping by. They drew near with such speed that the girl was obliged to climb up in a hurry, and perch herself on the coping-stone of the bridge, lest she should be ridden down. She was still half a child, and had a pretty light figure, and a gentle expression in her face, with two clear blue eyes. The noble baron took no note of this, but as he gallopped past the little goose-herd, he reversed the whip he held in his hand, and in rough sport gave her such a push in the chest with the butt-end that she fell backwards into the ditch.
' Everything in its place ! ' he cried ; ' into the puddle with you ! ' And he laughed aloud, for this was intended for wit, and the company joined in his mirth : the whole party shouted and clamoured, and the dogs barked their loudest.
AWDEBSEN n |
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