things, yet what a splendid father he was, and what a good husband and honest man. So I just 'lit out,' as Tom would say, leaving you to think all sorts of things, but hoping that you'd believe in me. "I could n't write before, because, of course, Tom had to make a few inquiries; but they were satisfactory, just as I knew they would be, and now he'll take this with him when he sees your father. "Here's your lucky-piece, my dear-the very same onė. I found my purse tucked inside my waist when I went to bed. I knew I was n't fit to travel by myself! Next time I go upon a journey I'll have to take you with me. "You can't think, dear child, how glad I am to know that you'll be going back to college, after all; and that I've been able, ever so indirectly, to play the part of your fairy godmother." a salary that 'll send you back to college. If you knew how it just broke my heart, and Mother's to have you give it up Dad stopped a moment to swallow; then went on: "Son Tom is all right! He's president of the very concern I 've wanted to get in touch with. I tell you, daughter, that was a lucky-piece, was n't it?" "Why, Mother 's crying!" exclaimed David, suddenly. "No, I'm not!" contradicted Mother, though she dashed a tell-tale handkerchief across her eyes. "But you 're mistaken this time, Father." She rose, and, coming around the table, slipped between Kathleen and her father, putting an arm around each. "It was n't the lucky-piece at all," she said tenderly. "It was just the dear way you both have of believing the best of everybody." And who would dare to say that Mother was not right? WISKEDJAK THE JAY WISKEDJAK the Moose-bird, Wiskedjak the Jay, Wiskedjak-the rascal!-was a Man. Impishly he bantered all who came his way, Playing tricks on everything that ran. All that ran or bounded, walked or crept or flew Through the wood, were targets for his jokes; Jeering at the Eagle, lordly Ken-e-u, Wiskedjak was always plaguing folks;Teasing wily Waguc; scaring from her nest Wucagi, the heron of the fen; Worrying the wood-friend, everybody's guest, Little Oka-pandji-kuc the Wren. Mikinak the Turtle, Kag the Porcupine- Told him of the deeds of Wiskedjak. Mighty Nanabozo changed him to a Bird, Ruffling out the feathers with his thumb. "Go!" said Nanabozo, "Play your merry games! Be my Little Jester of the Woods! When the green is tender, when the maple flames, When the mountains don their snowy hoods, Flitting through the pine-boughs like a driven leaf, You shall mock at all beneath the sky. Though you be a scapegrace, though you be a thief, Men shall laugh to see you swagger by!" Wiskedjak the Moose-bird, Wiskedjak the scamp, Wiskedjak, you rogue in sooty grey, Wake the wood with laughter, sport about our camp! Harum-scarum Wiskedjak the Jay! Arthur Guiterman. He lost a thing in a There was trouble It went again in a shower of rain III And once, t'was lost in his garden plot; Till time and again it seemed quite plain FOUND A QUEER little lass, when first she woke, One rainy day in the month of May When the clouds hung dark and gray. II She found it again at breakfast-time, III She found it next when the school bell rang, And once, at play, in the strangest way, IV And she kept on finding it all day long, Till 't was lost to sight as she said "goodnight," VII V Now whatever it was that our lassie found VI Though they never have mentioned what was wrong, We think we know, full well! But when skies are bright and hearts are light, It doesn't seem fair to tell. Yet just a hint to the wise we'll give, "IN SHAGGY SKINS MARCHED THE BLOND-HAIRED MEN FROM THE NORTHERN FORESTS OF OAK" MAGIC CHESS-BOARD The Wondering Boy: Fifth Ballad By CLARA PLATT MEADOW CROFT "And Peredur proceeded towards the castle and the gate of the castle was open. BEHOLD, the Men of the Eastern Lands came into the Council Hall, In shaggy skins marched the blond-haired Men from the Northern Forests of Oak: Round the Council Chamber they ranged their ranks, with many a questioning glance, "We look at your lands, and we find them fair; we claim them as our right; For stronger our clubs than your slender swords, and greater than yours, our might." A murmur of wonder and anger rose, and a Man of the Isles, stepped forth: "As we fight for ourselves, so we fight for all! We have answered, Men of the North!" 1068 THE ADVENTURE OF THE KNIGHT OF THE MAGIC CHESS-BOARD Quick flashed the swords from the secret sheaths when the doors flung open wide, And Peredur, Arthur's stripling Knight, led the Wondering Boy inside. "Now why must you shed your blood?" said he; "there be other ways to strive. Test ye your craft in a game of skill, and save yourselves alive." The giants laughed as they wagged their heads: "'T was a friend came in the door! "I will play a game with your craftiest chief, whatever his rank or name." "But this is the stake ye play withal: if ye win, ye will have your will: If ye lose, ye may go unscathed to your homes, but your clubs must be left here still." The game began: "Oh!" the Boy cried out. "Some wizard has cast a spell! No hand moved near them above the board, but three of my pieces fell!" The giant laughed, but the Knight replied, unsmiling, "Play thy game!" The white king stood in a ring of his foes, and the giant laughed again; But ever they moved by the rules of chess; and there, at the set of sun, |