My Treasure Part 8

"No. Dot wants it," replied the child stoutly.

"Well, you can't have it. So hand it along."

"Dot will have it," was her answer. Then she disappeared behind a large boat. Ivan ran after her, and, like Dot, came near running against a lady who sat on the sand with a book in her lap. She was talking to Dot.

"Le's have my shovel," interrupted Ivan.

"Give it to him, dear, and I will get you another," said the lady. Dot was charmed by the gentle voice, and gave up the shovel without a word.

Dot saw the lady many times after that.

[Ill.u.s.tration: DOT'S NEW FRIEND.]

BRAVE HAL.

"HERE I am, all right, little mother! I'll save you all," said brave Hal, as his head appeared at the window. He had been out to see how deep the water was.

They were all alone in the old house by the river. Father was away, and the water was rising fast. What should they do? All depended on little Hal.

"I'll take Annie first, she's so afraid. And you hold baby till I get the rest over."

It was but a short distance to higher ground, but he had to step carefully. So it seemed a long time to the waiting mother before she saw him again.

"Jamie this time, 'cause he's lame," Hal said when his wet face appeared. "Then he can see to the little ones."

It was some trouble to get lame Jamie on Hal's back. But at last he too was safe beside little Annie. Then Jesse and Lida were carried by the same willing though tired arms.

"Now, mother, let me take the baby, and you follow me." The little mother's face was pale, but she followed her brave boy, and soon they were all safe. Even then it was some trouble to guide the little party through the storm and darkness to the nearest neighbor. But Hal was brave to the end.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

AT THE Sh.o.r.e.

"EVERY one of us are here, Aunt Kate. Are you ready?"

"Yes, Lizzie, all ready. Just as soon as the boat comes we will start.

Where are the other girls?"

"Out with Dan."

"It's very kind of Azzie to amuse her little cousins so much. Agnes and Dan would be lonely here without her, I fear. And Amy had rather stay with Sister Azzie than any one else. That shows that Azzie is a good sister. I'm afraid my niece, Lizzie, is the least bit selfish. She doesn't like to help amuse her cousins very well."

Lizzie pouted a little. She preferred to talk with Aunt Kate. But she wanted to please her aunt, so she resolved to follow her kind advice.

They had a pleasant sail in the boat. And it was delightful eating lunch on the cliff which overlooked the bay. But best of all to Lizzie, was the story which Aunt Kate told while they sat on the gra.s.s after lunch.

And Aunt Kate did not forget to say an encouraging word to Lizzie for doing her part so well through the day.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

LITTLE MOTHER HUBBARD.

"I'M in here, Ruby," said Chester to his little sister, when he heard her call his name. "Well, what now? You look like a little old woman."

"Pomp and I are going to take a walk."

"If you were only dressed in old clothes, and Pomp was poor instead of sleek and fat, you would do for a Mother Hubbard. I guess if your cupboard was almost bare, however, you'd share your last crust with Pomp; wouldn't you, sis?"

"Of course, Chester, when Pomp saved my life when I was a baby."

"Why, Ruby, you seem only a big baby to me now. Or else you are the real Mother Hubbard come to life again in a new style. Which is it--which shall I call you, my big baby or my little Mother Hubbard?"

"Mother Hubbard, for I ain't a baby."

"Mother Hubbard it shall be then. Remember this, Ruby, when I'm miles away. I hear the stage now. So give me a kiss before I go."

Ruby gave her brother many kisses, and then stood and waved her handkerchief till he was out of sight. And then she sat down and cried a little and talked a good deal to her old friend Pomp.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

NEW EYES.

"ONLY see my dolly's eyes," said Dell to her twin sister Dora. "Wish we could get some new ones put it. Let's go and ask Mr. Thomas."

"Yes, we will. We'll go right off now." So Dora and Dell took their dolls and went over to see Mr. Thomas. His paints and brushes we all out of doors when pleasant. When a rainy day came they were under cover. But they were not in a shop then. They were under a great boat.

It was a pleasant day when Dora and Dell took their dolls to be mended.

So they found Mr. Thomas sitting out of doors in his s.h.i.+rt sleeves. He was an old sailor. He liked to be where he could see the water all the time.

Mr. Thomas liked children, especially little girls, so he was very willing to mend their dolls.

"What color do you want the eyes?" asked Mr. Thomas, after fixing in some round beads.

"Blue," answered Dell.